Bellator: NYC Results: Sonnen vs Silva
Featuring with upsets, injuries and tightly-contested bouts, Bellator MMA’s Madison Square Garden debut was certainly a fight card to remember.
In the main event, Chael Sonnen soundly defeated Wanderlei Silva with his trademark grinding style while the co-main event ended shortly after a rare double knockdown as Matt Mitrione recovered quicker than the legendary Fedor Emelianenko to bring an end to the bout in the first round.
In the three title fights, Michael Chandler lost his lightweight title after sustaining a gruesome ankle injury in the first round, Douglas Lima defeated Lorenz Larkin to retain his welterweight title and continue his claim to the best 170 lbs fighter in MMA while Ryan Bader claimed his first world title after edging out Phil Davis via split-decision.
Elsewhere the highly touted Aaron Pico lost his debut fight in just 24 seconds to Zach Freeman, James Gallagher continued to forge his own path by submitting Chinzo Machida and Heather Hardy successfully crossed over from boxing to win her MMA debut.
Bellator: NYC
Main Card
Chael Sonnen def. Wanderlei Silva via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Matt Mitrione def. Fedor Emelianenko via KO (Round 1, 1:14 )
Brent Primus def. Michael Chandler via TKO (injury) (Round 1, 2:22)
Zach Freeman def. Aaron Pico via submission (D’Arce choke) (Round 1, 0:24 )
Douglas Lima def. Lorenz Larkin via unanimous decision (50-45, 48-47, 48-47)
Bellator 180
Main Card
Ryan Bader def. Phil Davis via split decision (49-46, 47-48, 49-46)
James Gallagher def. Chinzo Machida via submission (rear-naked choke) (Round 1, 2:22)
Heather Hardy def. Alice Yauger via TKO (Round 3, 4:47)
Preliminary Card
Ryan Couture def. Haim Gozali via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Bradley Desir def. Nate Grebb via KO (Round 1, 2:54)
Anthony Giacchina def. Jerome Mickle via submission (rear-naked choke) (Round 3, 3:40)
Matt Rizzo def. Sergio da Silva via submission (arm-triangle choke) (Round 3, 3:48)
Hugh McKenna def. John Salgado via submission (kimura) (Round 1, 4:06)