Phil Davis picked up his second straight win with a third-round TKO over Karl Albrektsson at Bellator 231.
Karl Albrektsson had nothing to lose against former light heavyweight champ Phil Davis at Bellator 231. And everything to gain — most notably, a shot at some serious exposure in his promotional debut. And so the co-main event of the show, emanating live from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT on Friday, was a veteran vs. prospect showdown. With the latter making his promotional debut.
Sweden’s Albrektsson looked loose early, attacking with leg kicks — a trick right out of the Phil Davis playbook. The pair would then trade some sharp punches, before Davis went to the body with a kick. Albrektsson caught the kick, but exposed his neck in the process. ‘Mr. Wonderful,’ however, couldn’t get a standing guillotine properly locked in. Catching the kick would be something Albrektsson would go back to several times in the round. Which seemed to get Davis thinking twice about using them. However, a big trip takedown landed for Davis with ninety seconds left in the frame. Albrektsson would hit the ground by the fence and work his way up, but in a close round, the takedown would turn out to be key. It was also a rare glimpse of Davis using his wrestling, after straying from his base in recent years.
First takedown of the bout goes to @PhilMrWonderful!#Bellator231 pic.twitter.com/IQZFaMJjIe
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) October 26, 2019
Round two opened up with Albrektsson going to the body repeatedly with kicks. At least three, within the first minute. Albrektsson was moving in and out well, and Davis finally decided to close the distance, firing a left on his way in. While Davis couldn’t get his opponent down then, he’d knock him down with a right hand moments later. Albrektsson would regain his feet, and his senses, only to have Davis control him from the back. He’d get Albrektsson to his knees, and land a couple of hard knees to the ribs.
The third round of Bellator 231’s co-main event had Albrektsson in need of a finish. Davis, however, was still looking fresh. When Albrektsson did connect, it wasn’t clean. Davis, meanwhile, got his body kicks going again, hurting the Swede. Albrektsson, under attack, wound up covering up by the fence, which allowed Davis to get him down, peppering him with short punches. With elbows and hammer fists continuing to rain down, the ref called for Albrektsson to fight back. When he couldn’t it was time to wave the affair off — giving Phil Davis the TKO victory!
Official Result: Phil Davis def. Karl Albrektsson by TKO, Round 3, 3:06
