Decision? What’s that? John Salter once again got the finish, submitting Chidi Njokuani at Bellator 210.
It wasn’t the striking clinic once promised. Melvin Manhoef had originally been booked to take on Chidi Njokuani in the Bellator 210 main event. When Manhoef was forced off the card, however, the promotion went another direction. Instead of a stand-up war, a striker vs. grappler match-up was booked, with John Salter stepping into the main event.
Salter’s only flub of late had been a loss to Rafael Lovato Jr, the next challenger to champ Gegard Mousasi. That meant he’d be a tough test for Njokuani in Thackervlle on Friday.
Despite having the reach and length advantage over Salter, Njokuani ate a leg kick almost immediately. The striker stayed moving, hands low, no doubt thinking takedown. Salter was looking for a way in and ate a couple jabs in the process. He’d keep it up, however, looking for an opportunity, and finally finding one with just over two minutes remaining. A single leg takedown attempt ended with a trip that had Njokuani down, and while he got right back up, Salter took him down again. This time Salter was in half guard, and after a bit of work, he was able to take the back and get one hook in. That coincided with a rear-naked choke, and as he sunk it in he got the body lock. With nowhere to go, Njokuani tapped.
With the win, Salter shakes off his loss to Lovato Jr., and puts himself right back in the mix at 185lbs. He also maintained his perfect record of never having gone to a decision.
John Salter def. Chidi Njokuani by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 4:32
