Bellator 79 Results and Recap
As Bellator counts down the days till they’re on Spike TV, they’re offering up a great night of fights on MTV2 as several tournaments are coming to a close or finding their participants. With a full card on deck at Bellator 79, let’s check in with how the night played out.
Kyle Baker vs. Ryan Ford:
A bout between two hard-nosed SOBs started ugly and stayed that way. Ford gave Baker little time to making striking adjustments in this fight, coming forward with strikes and earning an easy scoop slam before crushing Baker with ground and pound. While Baker was able to eventually escape to his feet, his face and balance showed exactly how much punishment he’d taken in those few minutes on the mat. Ford followed with every strike he could think of, landing front kicks, head kicks and monstrous clinch knees that kept Baker on the defensive. While Baker found his way into side control for a moment, he still found himself on the bad end of what I’d call a 10-8 round for Ford.
The second round saw Ford throttle back slightly as Baker looked to engage in the clinch, but Baker appeared to be spent from the beating he took to the body in the first round. While Baker was able to muscle Ford around and even take his back for a moment, he was simply too exhausted to get his offense off. A closer round, but Ford takes it 10-9.
With both men on limited fuel, the third round saw action slow, with Ford landing several takedowns but accomplishing little. Baker found some success with a sweep late in the round but was unable to take advantage of dominant positions and ended the round on bottom, dropping three rounds to the Canadian fighter.
Ryan Ford wins via Unanimous Decision (30-27×2, 29-28)
Kobe Ortiz vs. Douglas Lima:
Lima’s first fight after his loss to Ben Askren would be against an unorthodox newcomer in Kobe Ortiz. Ortiz lack of a sound defense became apparent early as Lima dropped him with a massive right hand. Lima worked some patience and BJJ on his opponent but missing a transition into a body triangle saw Ortiz reverse position and get the fight back to its feet, for what it was worth. Our round ended with Lima showing he is far beyond Ortiz, slipping punches and landing at will for an easy 10-9 round.
With a slow and steady pace, Lima kept his momentum going in the second round, landing effortless power punches on the frantically moving Ortiz. While Ortiz certainly looked busy, everything Lima threw came in with fire behind it, while Ortiz threw random volleys of strikes which largely missed their mark. A slow round ended with a near fall as Lima smoked Ortiz with a one-two that saw him tumble to the mat. Another moment and Lima would land the second round finish, but the bell saw this fight going to a surprising 3rd round.
More of the same would await us in the final round, as Lima landed several devastating punches, body kicks and knees in the first half of the fight while Ortiz tried to move in and out while landing his own offense. Ortiz found no openings and came away bloodied time and again. With ten seconds left, a right hand, a head kick and a flying knee turned out to be the combination needed to finally turn Ortiz lights off for the night, giving Lima a dominating win.
Douglas Lima wins via 3rd Round KO (head kick and flying knee)
Shahbulat Shamhalaev vs. Mike Richman:
A sure-fire striking bout started tense as both men pumped probing strikes while keeping their guard up. Just as Richman seemed to have lined up his best punch though, he came launching into a counter right that send him down and out, giving Shamhalaev a painless win and a spot in the Featherweight finals.
Shahbulat Shamhalaev wins via 1st round KO (overhand right)
Rich Hale vs. Thiago Santos:
The last bout of the night put ill-starred fighter Thiago Santos against the inflated 205lber Rich Hale. Santos found a home for his wild punches and gorilla strength early, but when Hale started to give it back, the Brazilian simply faded and found a quick trip to the canvas. Covering his head and offering no resistance, the referee was forced to stop the fight, giving Hale another win at HW.
Rich Hale wins via 1st round TKO
Bellator 79 undercard results:
Josh Appelt defeated Ed Carpenter by 1st round Submission
Guillaume DeLorenzi defeated Jonny Carson by 1st round Submission
Christ Franck defeated Marcus Aurelio by Split Decision
Vitaly Minakov defeated Vladimir Starcencov by 2nd round TKO
Magomedrasui Khasbulaev defeated Josh Pulsifer by 1st round Submission
Powered by Max Banner Ads
About the Author (Author Profile)
I'm a 20+ year veteran of martial arts and a fan of MMA since UFC 1, when my world was thrown on its head by the budding sport. I'm obsessive in the pursuit of martial abilities and have competed across the country in everything from Vale Tudo to archery to Scottish broadsword. Once my body broke down, I picked up a pen and went in the direction of writing. I specialize in betting advice, predictions, and I'm a walking encyclopedia of MMA trivia. I own a cafe in Exeter, NH called Hammersmith Sandwich Company and write out of my office between customers.Subscribe
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.
