Bellator Kickboxing champion Raymond Daniels had an interesting proposal heading into Bellator 245 on Friday. Daniels, in seek of his third straight MMA win against fellow kickboxer Peter Stanonik, suggested a title vs. title fight with welterweight champ Douglas Lima. In which Daniels would put his kickboxing belt on the line against Lima’s own title.
Of course, it would probably never fly. And Lima was announced as challenging for a second title, at middleweight against Gegard Mousasi, on Friday. Still, as promotional efforts go, it was a fun one.
Against Stanonik, Daniels had his creative, dizzying striking on display early. A number of spinning kicks dazzled. But it was Stanonik taking advantage of a slip and mounting Daniels, who wisely managed to reclaim half guard. Soon enough, Daniels was back up to his feet, finding a home for his jab while having to contend with an aggressive Stanonik walking him down.
In the second round, however, it all fell apart. The fight, period. Daniels connected off a spinning back kick — low. The kick landed hard, and while unintentional, it left Stanonik writhing in pain. After an extended break, and several pleas for intervention from a higher power, a game Stanonik opted to continue. But within a minute, he ate another spinning back kick low.
While the fouls were unintentional the second low blow left Stanonik quite literally in tears. He was unable to continue, resulting in the bout being ruled a No Contest. It was the second No Contest due to a low blow at Bellator 245, after Tyrell Fortune landed a low knee on Jack May on the preliminary card.
Official Result: Raymond Daniels vs. Peter Stanonik ends in a No Contest (unintentional low blows), Round 2, 1:00
