Former welterweight champion Andrey Koreshkov was looking to work his way back to the title picture at Bellator 274 on Saturday.
Seeking to make it three straight wins (and two in the Bellator cage), Koreshkov was paired up with UFC alum Chance Rencountre. For Rencountre, it was a short-notice assignment, after Mukhamed Berkhamov dropped out of the bout.
In the end, it didn’t last long. Rencountre folded quickly, after Koreshkov drilled him with a spinning back kick to the ribs. Rencountre would try to hit a body lock on Koreshkov immediately after the blow, but his body was already shutting down. Rencountre hit the canvas, and Koreshkov moved in for the kill. A couple of follow-up strikes later, and the ref dove in to make the save.
🌪 Vintage Koreshkov!🦵💥
The spinning back kick once again gets the job done for The Spartan! ⚔️
Watch #Bellator274 LIVE on @SHOSports. pic.twitter.com/Tk24syPPbj
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) February 20, 2022
Statement made. After the win, Koreshkov called out veteran welterweight Paul Daley for a showdown in May.
“I know a guy, Paul “Semtex” Daley. I want to kick his ass in London,” Koreshkov called out on the mic. He’d go on to add that Daley “don’t like wrestling, like me. And we’ll show a great standup fight.” He also predicted a knockout of the former UFC star.
Daley has said he’ll retire after his next bout, and fighting a former champ would certainly be a big way to wrap up his career.
Official Result: Andrey Koreshkov def. Chance Rencountre by TKO (spinning heel kick and strikes), Round 1, 0:38
