In a battle of champions outside the Bellator fold, Soren Bak proved too much — and specifically his wrestling proved too much — for Terry Brazier at Bellator London.
Bellator London was the final European Series show this year for the Viacom-backed promotion, and went down Saturday at the SSE Arena in London, England. Opening up a three-fight main card following extended prelims was a lightweight showdown between ex-BAMMA double champ Terry Brazier taking on ex-Cage Warriors double champ Soren Bak.
To date, Brazier had gone 1-1 in the Bellator cage, while Bak, a.k.a. ‘The Viking,’ was making his promotional debut, riding in on the crest of a five-fight win streak.
Brazier looked to use his reach advantage early, pumping the jab to keep his opponent at length. Bak punched his way in after the opening minute, but ate a solid punch for his efforts. He shrugged off the short right hand, however, initiating a clinch up against the fence in an attempt to find a takedown. He would eventually land one, putting Brazier on his back alongside the cage wall. Moving to mount, he’d stay in top position until the end of the frame, but couldn’t make much happen.
The second round of Bak vs. Brazier saw a bit of back-and-forth at center early, with Brazier going to the body, only to be taken down a minute in. That takedown came, frankly, far too easily, and the key would now be whether Brazier could make it back to his feet this time around. He would, eventually flipping the script and getting control of Bak’s back with just over 90 seconds in the round remaining. That would lead to Brazier getting a chance to reset and go again on the feet — or it would have had he not been taken back down almost immediately.
The third and final round opened up with Bak firing off a leg kick. Brazier had his hands low, no doubt concerned with the takedown. But the second he brought them up Bak shot and landed a double-leg anyway. Landing in guard, he moved to half-guard and tied up Brazier’s leg, preventing him from wall-walking up. Brazier would find himself trapped for the bulk of the round. Soren Bak’s wrestling was the story, and it was not a happy ending for Terry Brazier.
After the fight, during Bak’s post-fight interview, Brazier grabbed the mic, yelling “boring motherf*cker” at his victorious opponent. So much for sportsmanship; meanwhile Brazier will need to work on his ground game.
Official Result: Soren Bak def. Terry Brazier by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
