Emanuel Newton wins promotional debut at Bellator 71
Making his Bellator debut at last Friday’s Bellator 71 summer series event, Emanuel Newton looked impressive in capturing his sixth consecutive victory. In the opening round of the light heavyweight tournament, Newton took on Caesar Gracie trained fighter Roy Boughton.
Emanuel Newton hadn’t fought since November of 2011 when he defeated the former UFC fighter James McSweeney by first round submission at Superior Cage Combat 3.
The former MFC light heavyweight Champion showed little ring rust inside the Bellator Cage though and after avoiding an early scare, Newton would turn things in his favor with one of his signature slams. From there Newton used his power to stay out harms way, the clinch and slams to get the fight back to the canvas and top control to convincingly win the round.
Boughton did keep busy the entire round looking for submissions at all times that would limit the damaging offense coming from Emanuel Newton.
In round two, Boughton got clipped with a knee while sliding in for a leg and gave Emanuel Newton an easy shot at his back and neck. With just one hook in and not even fully on the back, Newton got the rear-naked choke just 49 seconds into round two. It was the seventh submission win from the Reign MMA trained fighter.
The win advances Emanuel Newton into the semifinals where he will take on Attila Vegh on July 20th at Bellator 72. Vegh defeated Zelg Galesic in the quarterfinals by first round submission and is now riding a six fight winner streak. Also at Bellator 72 will be the other semifinal tournament bout between Tim Carpenter and Travis Wiuff. The winners at Bellator 72 will advance to the finals at Bellator 73, with the tournament winner earning a shot at the current light heavyweight champion Christian M’Pumbu.
Emanuel Newton and the other light heavyweights still in the tournament will have little time to celebrate as they have just four weeks before the semifinals.
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