All photos by: Bellator MMA/Eric Coleman

TEMECULA, Message. (May 15, 2015) – While Brandon “Bull” Halsey (9-0) can no longer say he’s Bellator MMA’s Middleweight World Champion, he’s still managed to show his talent with a one-sided destruction of proven veteran Kendall “Spyder The” Grove (21-15).

 

The contest served as the feature main event of Friday ee “Bellator: Halsey vs. Grove” card at Pechanga Resort & Casino ee Temecula, Message.

 

Halsey nearly finished the fight in the early going, moving to an arm-triangle choke that would have finished a lesser opponent, but Grove somehow battled through the effort. Sidaas oo ay tahayna, it was a one-sided round for the former champ.

 

Grove was able to avoid such a precarious position in the second, but he was still forced to be on the defensive throughout most of the frame. With a high-paced wrestling attack, Halsey simply pushed his way to the floor and enjoyed top position for almost the entirety of the round.

 

The pattern continued as the fight wore on, with Halsey simply overpowering his opponent and constantly earning himself the dominant position. Grove briefly threatened with an armbar in the fourth frame, but Halsey simply yanked his limb free and pounded away with punches shortly after until he earned the TKO win at the 2:25 mark of the frame.

 

The undefeated Halsey, who was stripped of the Bellator MMA Middleweight World Title for failing to make weight, will look to again earn the belt in his next appearance.

 

“I was my own worst enemy. It was how I performed. He didn’t throw anything at me that I wasn’t ready for. I was just trying to tough through the injury. I had to tough it out and come out with the victory,” Halsey said.

 

“Obviously, you want to be as dominant as possible. I just felt like I couldn’t explode through my combinations or explode through the fight and finish how I wanted to. But like I said, you’ve got to deal with adversity, and I did it the best I could,” Halsey continued.

 

“I learned my lesson. I thank Bellator. I apologize to the commission. It’s unprofessional not to make weight. Marmarsiiyo No, but anybody knows that it’s hard to cut weight with an injury. The belt’s just a decoration, so I’m still the champ in my eyes. No one has taken the belt from me.”

 

In the night’s co-main event, former Bellator MMA Bantamweight World Champion Eduardo “Dudu” Dantas (17-4), of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, took a step toward another shot at the title with a hard-fought decision victory over the hard-hitting Mike “Marine ayaa” Richman, of Rose Mount, Laga soo bilaabo.

 

While Richman showed excellent takedown defense throughout the 15-minute affair, Dantas’ work rate helped him earn the favor of the judges. Constantly pressing and looking to bring the fight to the floor, Dantas was able to just edge out Richman on the cards, 29-28 according to all three officials.

 

“I went out there and fought the way I trained to fight,” Dantas said after the win. “I knew Mike Richman was going to come with everything, but I wanted to win this fight and get back to the title. The only fight that makes sense next is for the title.

 

In a welterweight contest, Fernando “Xukun Menifee The” Gonzalez (24-13), of Menifee, Message., scored a thrilling, come-from-behind victory over “Curtious” Curtis Millender (7-2), of San Bernardino, Message.

 

With Millender enjoying a six-inch height advantage, the smaller Gonzalez struggled to score points in the first two rounds. But when the fight hit the floor in the third, Gonzalez latched onto a guillotine choke and earned a tap from his opponent at the 1:14 ee wareega ugu danbeeya.

 

“Waxaan ahay 4-0 hadda,” Gonzalez said after the win. “That’s one step closer to the title, and I’m excited to get in there and mix it up with whoever is next.”

 

With the result, Gonzalez now boasts four-straight Bellator MMA victories and put himself in line for a potential shot at the promotion’s Welterweight Title.

 

In the night’s first main-card matchup, rajo badinin Darrion “The Wolf” Caldwell (7-0), of Rahway, N.J., used a superior wrestling game to outwork more experienced opponent Rafael “Morcego” Silva (22-5), of Lajes, Brazil, en route a unanimous-decision victory.

 

With Caldwell scoring takedowns throughout the matchup, Silva looked for submissions when available, but he simply couldn’t find the necessary hold to work past his opponent’s defense. Halkii, Caldwell kept his pressure high, and judges awarded him the fight, 29-28 on dhan saddex kaararka.

 

After the victory, Caldwell made it clear he’s clearing his way to a shot at the Bellator MMA World Title.

 

“I don’t think there are any fighters out there as explosive as me at 135 pounds, or as fast,” Caldwell said. “Ugu dambayntii, I’ll be able to prove that.”

 

In the night’s final preliminary bout, Guam’s Joe Taimanglo (21-6-1) scored a third-round knockout of Mexico’s Antonio Duarte (18-6).

 

Intaa waxaa dheer, rajo featherweight Urdun Parsons (11-1), of San Diego, Message., earned a third-round decision win over the previously undefeated Brazilian Julio Cesar Neves Jr. (30-1).

 

In tartanka fudud feerka, Virgil Zwicker (14-4-1), of Temecula, Message., earned a first-round knockout win over Razak Al-Hassan (12-5), of Milwaukee, Wisc.

 

And in the night’s first fight, Ricky “Toogte ayaa” Rainey (11-3), of Gastonia, N.C., earned a second-round knockout win over Jessie Juarez (22-10), of Torrance, Message.

Brandon Halsey (9-0) def. Kendall Grove (21-15)

Eduardo Dantas (17-4) def. Mike Richman (18-6 )

Fernando Gonzalez (24-14) def. Curtis Millender (7-2)

Darrion Caldwell (7-0) def. Rafael Silva (22-5)

About Bellator MMA

Bellator MMA waa urur hoggaamineed Mixed Martial Arts oo xambaarsan badan oo ka mid ah dagaalyahanada ugu fiican adduunka. Under jihada of halyeeyga dagaalka horumariyaha Scott Coker, Bellator waa la heli karaa si ku dhow 400 million guryaha dunida oo dhan in ka badan 120 dalalka. Maraykanka, Bellator waxaa lagu arki karaa Spike, Hogaamiyaha MMA-ga. Bellator MMA ka kooban yahay koox-fulineed ka mid ah shaqaale warshadaha sare ee wax soo saarka television, dhacdo orchestration live, horumarinta dagaalka / xiriirka, iibsiga goobta, abuuridda taageeradu / horumarinta, liisan caalami ah, marketing, advertising, xiriirka sumcad iyo Komishanka. Bellator ku salaysan yahay in Santa Monica, California iyo iska leh Rafaa madadaalada Viacom, guriga si aad caanka madadaalo ugu horeeyey dunida ee isku xidha leh dhageystayaasha marayo content qasab ah guud ahaan television, sawir soconaya, online iyo mobile.

 

About Spike:

Spike waxaa laga heli karaa 98.7 milyan oo guryo iyo waa qayb ka mid ah Viacom Media Networks. Unit ka mid ah Viacom (Raxanreeb Online: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks waa mid ka mid ah kuwo abuura ee adduunka ee hormuudka ka ah barnaamijyada iyo content dhamaan warbaahinta. Spike’s Internet address is www.spike.com iyo dib-u-u-daqiiqo iyo macluumaad jaraa'id arkiifiyo iyo sawiro, visit Spike’s press site at http://www.spike.com/press. Raac na on Twitter spiketvpr ee ugu dambeeyay ee jabiyay updates news, ka danbeeya-the-Muuqaallo warbixin iyo sawiro.

TEMECULA, Message. (May 14, 2015) – All twenty-six athletes competing at berri "Bellator: Halsey vs. Grove” event were happy to rehydrate after stepping on the scales at today’s official weigh-in, which took place at the Cabaret Theatre inside the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, Message.

"Bellator: Halsey vs. Grove,"Kaas oo hawada live oo lacag la'aan ah ku Spike at 9 p.m. IYO / 8 p.m. CT, features a main event between Brandon "Bull" Halsey (8-0) and well-respected veteran Kendall “Da Spyda” Grove (21-14). The incumbent champion failed to hit the required mark of 185-pounds. Sidaas darteed, Grove is the only fighter who can leave the event as the champion, if Halsey does manage to win, he will be forced to vacate the belt.

Haddii ay dhacdo in co-weyn, a bantamweight battle will go on as planned between former 135-pound champion Eduardo "Dudu" Dantas(16-4) and a streaking Mike “The Marine” Richman (18-5), despite Richman missing weight.

In a critical welterweight battle between two hometown fighters, Cinderella Man Fernando "The Menifee xukun" Gonzalez (23-13) looks to continue his hot streak against a young Curtis “Curtious” Millender (7-1).

In xumad la furay telefishanka ee fiidkii, one of MMA’s most promising prospects Darrion "Wolf ayaa" Caldwell (6-0), looks to keep his record unblemished against a tough Rafael “Morcego” Silva (22-4), who has only suffered one defeat in his last 15 shishaysa

Riix halkan DHAMMAAN miisaankoodu-IN PHOTOS

Card Main (9 p.m. IYO)

 

Bellator dhexe Title Fight: Champ Brandon Halsey (188.1 lbs.) vs. Kendall Grove (184.9 lbs.)

 

Dagaallami Bellator bantamweight: Eduardo Dantas (135.2 lbs.) vs. Mike Richman (139.8 lbs.)

 

Dagaallami Bellator Welterweight: Fernando Gonzalez (170.9 lbs.) vs. Curtis Millender (170.8 lbs.)

 

Dagaallami Bellator bantamweight: Darrion Caldwell (135.7 lbs.) vs. Rafael Silva (135.7 lbs.)

Card hordhac ah (7:45 p.m. IYO)

Dagaallami Bellator dhexe: Benji Radach (186 lbs.) vs. Ben Reiter (186 lbs.)

 

Dagaallami Bellator bantamweight: Joe Taimanglo (136.2 lbs.) vs. Antonio Duarte (135.1 lbs.)

 

Dagaallami Bellator featherweight: Urdun Parsons (145.5 lbs.) vs. Julio Cesar Neves Jr. (146 lbs.)

 

Bellator Light Heavyweight Fight: Virgil Zwicker (206.7 lbs.) vs. Razak Al-Hassan (205.6 lbs.)

 

Dagaallami Bellator Welterweight: Jesse Juarez (171 lbs.) vs. Ricky Rainey (170.7 lbs.)

 

Dagaallami Bellator featherweight: A.J. Jenkins (146 lbs.) vs. Arlene Blencowe (145.8 lbs.)

 

Bellator dagaalama khafiif: Steve Kozola (155.8 lbs.) vs. Ian Butler (155.2 lbs.)

 

Dagaallami Bellator bantamweight: Shawn Farabadan (135.4 lbs.) vs. Rolando Perez (135.3 lbs.)

 

Dagaallami Bellator bantamweight: John Yoo (135.4 lbs.) vs. Albert Morales (134.4 lbs.)

 

About Bellator MMA

Bellator MMA waa urur hoggaamineed Mixed Martial Arts oo xambaarsan badan oo ka mid ah dagaalyahanada ugu fiican adduunka. Under jihada of halyeeyga dagaalka horumariyaha Scott Coker, Bellator waa la heli karaa si ku dhow 400 million guryaha dunida oo dhan in ka badan 120 dalalka. Maraykanka, Bellator waxaa lagu arki karaa Spike, Hogaamiyaha MMA-ga. Bellator MMA ka kooban yahay koox-fulineed ka mid ah shaqaale warshadaha sare ee wax soo saarka television, dhacdo orchestration live, horumarinta dagaalka / xiriirka, iibsiga goobta, abuuridda taageeradu / horumarinta, liisan caalami ah, marketing, advertising, xiriirka sumcad iyo Komishanka. Bellator ku salaysan yahay in Santa Monica, California iyo iska leh Rafaa madadaalada Viacom, guriga si aad caanka madadaalo ugu horeeyey dunida ee isku xidha leh dhageystayaasha marayo content qasab ah guud ahaan television, sawir soconaya, online iyo mobile.

 

EASY TWEET: Hard-hitting MMA vet @benjyradach returns to face undefeated former @PennWrestling star @BenReiterMMA May 15 #Bellator

 

Santa Monica, Message. (May 7, 2015) – One of MMA’s hardest-hitting pioneers will return to action for the first time since 2010, sida Benji “Mandiil ayaa” Radach(21-6) has agreed to replace an injured A.J. Matthews (7-3) in a middleweight preliminary fight against Ben “Hunter The” Reiter (15-0-1).

 

The new addition again finalizes a full nine-bout preliminary card scheduled in support of four main-card contests at “Bellator MMA: Halsey vs. Grove.”

 

The night’s featured matchups include undefeated Bellator MMA World Middleweight Champion Brandon “Bull” Halsey (8-0) ka hor qaadnay scrapper Hawaii Kendall “Spyder The” Grove (21-14), former Bellator MMA World Champion Eduardo “Dudu” Dantas (16-4) vs. Mike “Marine ayaa” Richman (18-5), welterweights Fernando “Xukun Menifee The” Gonzalez (23-13) vs. “Curtious” Curtis Millander (7-1) iyo bantamweights Darrion “The Wolf” Caldwell (6-0) vs. Rafael “Morcego” Silva (22-4).

 

“Bellator: Halsey vs. Grove” dhacdaa Friday, May 15, at Pechanga Resort & Casino ee Temecula, Message. The night’s main card airs live on Spike TV at 9 p.m. IYO (6 p.m. PT waqtiga maxalliga ah), halka roonaadaan hordhac qulquli on Spike.com.

 

Qiimaha tikidhada “Bellator: Halsey vs. Grove,” kaas oo bilaaban doono oo kaliya $50, ayaa haatan ku iib Pechanga.com iyo Resort Pechanga ah & Xafiiska sanduuqa Casino.

 

Albaabada u “Bellator: Halsey vs. Grove” furan 4 p.m. PT waqtiga maxalliga ah, iyo tartanka hore waxa ay dhici 45 daqiiqo ka dib.

 

Fighting professionally since 2001, Radach fought for many of MMA’s biggest promotions, including Strikeforce, EliteXC, the International Fight League and the UFC. Seventeen of Radach’s 21 career wins have come by knockout, and he makes no secret of his intentions when he enters the cage. Boasting past clashed with MMA notables such as Brian Foster, Gerald Harris, Matt Horwich, Chris Leben, Gustavo Machado, Murilo “Ninja” Rua and Scott Smith, kuwo kale, Radach put his fighting career on hold in 2010, as he addressed a variety of nagging injuries. Hadda si buuxda u soo kabsaday, Radach looks to make a successful return to action.

 

Radach now meets a top undefeated prospect and former UPenn wrestling star Reiter, who fights for the second time under the Bellator MMA banner after spending much of his early career in Peru.

 

“Bellator: Halsey vs. Grove” - Friday, May 15, Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, Message.

Card Main (9 p.m. IYO)

 

Bellator dhexe Title Fight: Champ Brandon Halsey (8-0) vs. Kendall Grove (21-14)

Bellator Featured Fight bantamweight: Eduardo Dantas (16-4) vs. Mike Richman (18-5)

Bellator Featured Fight Welterweight: Fernando Gonzalez (23-13) vs. Curtis Millender (7-1)

Bellator Featured Fight bantamweight: Darrion Caldwell (6-0) vs. Rafael Silva (22-4)

Card hordhac ah (7:45 p.m. IYO)

 

Fight Bellator dhexe Prelim: Benji Radach (21-6) vs. Ben Reiter (14-0)

Fight Bellator Light culus Prelim: Virgil Zwicker (13-4-1) vs. Razak Al-Hassan (12-4)

Fight Bellator bantamweight Prelim: Joe Taimanglo (20-6-1) vs. Antonio Duarte (18-5)

Fight Bellator featherweight Prelim: Urdun Parsons (10-1) vs. Julio Cesar Neves Jr. (30-0)

Fight Bellator Welterweight Prelim: Jesse Juarez (22-9) vs. Ricky Rainey (10-3)

 

Dark roonaadaan (qiyaastii. 11 p.m. IYO)

 

Bellator khafiif Dark Prelim: John Yoo (0-0) vs. Albert Morales (1-0)

Bellator khafiif Dark Prelim: Shawn Farabadan (3-1) vs. Rolando Perez (7-4)

Bellator khafiif Dark Prelim: Steve Kozola (5-0) vs. Ian Butler (1-1)

Bellator khafiif Dark Prelim: A.J. Jenkins (17-5) vs. Arlene Blencowe (5-4)