While it may have been overshadowed by the return of the featherweight grand prix, there was a very compelling welterweight fight on the main card of Bellator 252 on Thursday. Once again at the promotion’s temporary home base in Uncasville, CT, that bout saw two undefeated talents collide in Logan Storley and Yaroslav Amosov.
Storley entered the night an impressive 11-0. Amosov meanwhile was an unthinkable 24-0.
It was Storley at center early in the opening round, Yaroslav Amosov circling on the outside. When Storley shot for a takedown attempt, Amosov was able to shake it off. A couple more attempts from Logan Storley came up short, and Amosov seemed to gain a bit of confidence as the round went on. He worked his jab, but Storley remained undeterred and would go back to his wrestling roots again.
Amosov opened the second frame with a two-punch combo. Storley was still at center, looking to cut Amosov off. Early on, he landed a takedown, took the back, but had to fight through some scrambles. Storley proved up to the task, maintaining back control even as Amosov regained his feet. The problem for Storley is that Amosov managed to break free, and soon connected with a punch back at center. But Storley, undeterred, went back to another takedown, only to nearly end up in a D’arce choke. Storley survived, and Amosov was looking a little tired. He was soon backpedaling, and even shot for a takedown of his own. He’d manage to get back in control later in the round, taking the back.
Amosov continued to find success in the third. He was throwing more. Storley’s takedowns were nullified, as they had been so often in the fight. Far too often, they ended in an opportunity for Amosov, be it the D’arce, or landing strikes. Midway through the round, Storley finally managed to get the fight down and take the back, however. Storley, hooks in, worked for the rear-naked choke. But Amosov managed to survive. He still had Storley on his back though. Storley locked the choke in again, but this time was over the jaw. Amosov managed to turn out of it, and eventually escaped back to his feet. That was a lot of control time for Logan Storley — but in the end it wasn’t enough. At least not for two judges, with Amosov winning a split decision.
25-0, no small feat. Amosov will likely get a step up in competition next. Storley, meanwhile, still has a bright future ahead.
Official Result: Yaroslav Amosov def. Logan Storley by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
