Zach Zane and Nainoa Dung kicked off Bellator 236 the right way with a wild third round, and Zane was able to hand Dung his first career loss.
Nainoa Dung has had a strong start to his MMA career. The Hawaiian is 3-0 with finishes in his first two fights, signing with Bellator after his MMA debut. Most recently, the lightweight defeated Brad Robison on the prelims of Bellator 224 in July.
Zach Zane is a journeyman who has competed in several Hawaiian promotions, Alaska FC, Brave CF, and Dana White’s Contender Series. Zane has fought five times in 2019, going 3-2. “God’s Warrior” has lost in two of his last three and will be making his Bellator debut.
Zach Zane started quickly with a leg kick then a flurry of punches that didn’t connect, but backed Nainoa Dung up. Zane then shot for a takedown and got it. He had a good two minutes of top control from guard, then Dung broke free. Dung exploded with a flurry, but Zane just turned it into another takedown. Zane rode out the round on top.
Zane threw a head kick early on, then had a takedown attempt stuffed. He stayed on him though and eventually dragged Dung down. Zane took his back, then Dung reversed positions as Zane went for mount to take guard. Dung tried to hang on as Zane spun out, looking for his back, but Zane ended up in top position. Dung tried to sweep, but stayed on his back. At the very end of the round, Zane went for a guillotine, but couldn’t quite establish body control.
Hooks were flying from both sides to start the third round. Dung changed the tide of the fight with a body kick that crushed Zane. Zane shot for a desperation takedown, but ended up in a guillotine attempt. Zane escaped and Dung got back to his feet soon affter. Two more crushing body kicks landed for Dung, leading to another takedown attempt and guillotine effort. A back-and-forth scramble ensued, with Zane ending up on top at the final bell.
.@NainoaDung leads with a powerful leg kick!#BellatorHawaii #Bellator236 pic.twitter.com/v5asTKtLmo
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) December 22, 2019
Zach Zane def. Nainoa Dung by Unanimous Decision (29-28 x3)
