Chael Sonnen surprised many by picking up a unanimous decision win over Quinton “Rampage” Jackson on Saturday at Bellator 192. The main event battle was the opening fight of Bellator’s Heavyweight World Grand Prix 2018. What was more surprising than the win, however, was the amount of time Sonnen spent engaging on the feet. Despite the going theory that Sonnen would be looking for the takedown, constantly, given Rampage’s power, the first round was more of a kickboxing match.

Sonnen, addressing the media following Saturday night’s big win, addressed his approach and more.

The good news, beyond the win, is the time Sonnen now has to heal up. “If Rampage and I got lucky, anywhere, it’s that we got to go first” Sonnen said. “So we’ll have the most recovery.”

As for the surprising amount of time Sonnen spent engaging on the feet, he stated that “I don’t know if i ever thought about it too much, but I always try to punch my way in and get close, see where the other guy’s at and set him up.” He also pointed out that “I think I’ve boxed more than any of these guys have. I don’t know if they’ve ever competitively boxed. I used to competitively box. It’s definitely plan B for me, but I know how to box.”

That said, he later added “I felt like it was a really hard fight, and I felt like finding that range was really important. Because I stepped in it a couple of times, I got too close and he hit really hard. Whether you could see it or not I’ll tell you he hit really hard.” In the end it was all about finding his range. “I was trying to find out where to be, and it was a bit of a process.”

“I kind of needed all three rounds to do it, quite frankly” he said of figuring out his Bellator 192 foe.

Next up for Sonnen will be the winner of Fedor Emelianenko vs. Frank Mir. That fight will take place in April in Chicago.

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Bellator prospect Aaron Pico picked up another big win on Saturday at Bellator 192. The featherweight dropped the vastly more experienced Shane Kruchten with a crushing body shot early in the first round of their main card fight. It improved the young fighter’s record to 2-1, and helps put his disappointing debut at last year’s Bellator NYC further in the rear view mirror.

Following the bout, Pico said that “I felt great. I just needed the experience.”

More surprisingly, he said he knew the body shot would be there. “I knew I was going to knock him out with a body shot” Pico said of the finish. “I didn’t really say it, I just knew, he was just long, lanky, I just knew if I got to the inside — I’ve seen a couple tapes on him, he’s taken some kicks to the body which he didn’t really like — so I knew if I got to the inside on him and I let it rip, he was just going to go down, there would be no way he would be able to stand.” That’s just what happened in the end. “I showed it tonight” the Antonio McKee-trained fighter finished.

The left hook to the body is something he got a feel for early on in his training, Aaron Pico later added. “Ever since I started boxing, I had a natural feel for the left hook to the body, so I used to always hit it in practice” he told the assembled media, with Cageside Press present. “All my fights, that was something that was very effective. So I just kept doing it, and that’s like my thing.”

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Bellator 192 may very well have been the promotion’s biggest show to date. While we won’t know for certain until the ratings come in, it was a landmark card for the promotion, with the second highest live attendance the promotion’s history, Bellator CEO Scott Coker unveiled at the post-fight press conference.

Among other news, a number of interesting tidbits came out in the wake of Bellator 192. That included an original plan to have the legendary Fedor Emelianenko on the card.

“Fedor had a little bit of a, nasal passage surgery, that he had in December” Coker said. “So he couldn’t fight in January. We wanted him to fight here, actually, and he wasn’t available.” Instead, Fedor will face Frank Mir in Chicago on April 28. That said, Coker assured that “we’re really excited about the year-long storyline.”

Emelianenko last fought at Bellator NYC in June, where he was finished by ex-UFC heavyweight Matt Mitrione following a double knockdown. The loss snapped a five-fight win streak for ‘The Last Emperor.’ Both Emelianenko and Mitrone are now part of the Bellator World Heavyweight Grand Prix, though on opposite sides of the tournament bracket. For to pair to meet again, both would have to advance to the finals.

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Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler (17-4) got back in the win column Saturday at Bellator 192. Picking up a unanimous decision over Goiti Yamauchi, despite eating a hellacious question mark kick, it was a hard fought win a long time in the making. It was Chandler’s first fight back since a leg injury saw him lose the 155lb title to Brent Primus at Bellator NYC last June.

Since then, Chandler has been vocal about looking for big fights, after a rematch with Primus failed to materialize. However, following his big win Saturday, Chandler admitted that the title fight may be next regardless.

“Lets call a spade a spade. I’ve been with this organization now for 8, 9 years. I’ve helped grow this company, and this company has done a phenomenal job of growing me” Chandler said of his relationship with Bellator. “It’s been a phenomenal symbiotic relationship since ESPN Deportes days, to MTV 2 to Spike and now to Paramount and CMT Simulcast.”

“I take pride in being a Bellator champion” he continued. “I never wanted to discredit what the Bellator championship has meant to be, and what the belts at my house meant to me. I wanted the rematch. Ten days after Madison Square Garden I ran five miles I said book the rematch.”

However, it wasn’t to be. Despite wanting to get right back in there with Primus, Chandler said that “the so-called champion was not ready. He was on maternity leave.” It’s a response Chandler didn’t understand, given that “it just so happens I adopted a child, I moved all the way across the country, I built a house, I have a lot of stuff going on. We are professionals and we are men, and it’s time to step in the cage and put the belt on the line, and he wasn’t willing to do that.” Ultimately, “there is a little bit of a bad taste in my mouth for that situation.”

That’s no doubt why he’s looking to fights with bigger names like Patricio Pitbull, and even welterweight Paul Daley. Yet at the end of the day, he admits that “I have a ton of respect for [Bellator CEO] Scott Coker, for what he has done for Strikeforce back in the day, and what he has done since day one since he set foot into this Bellator realm.” Chandler then added that “lets be honest, I’ll do what I’m told, and I’ll do it in a dominant fashion. We’ll see what happens, we’ll have some conversations and we’ll see what happens.”

Which sounds like, if it’s what Bellator wants, Chandler vs. Primus could be next.

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The opening round of the Bellator World Heavyweight Grand Prix served as Bellator 192’s main event Saturday. In it, Chael Sonnen moved up to heavyweight to face Quintin ‘Rampage’ Jackson. Like Sonnen in recent years, Rampage is better known as a light heavyweight, and is not a natural heavyweight. That said, he’s always been a big 205lb’er, and had been creeping up into the weight class in recent fights.

At The Forum in Los Angele Saturday, the pair collided, with the winner set to face the victor of Fedor Emelianenko vs. Frank Mir later this year. Sonnen entered the night off a win over Wanderlei Silva at Bellator NYC last June, while Jackson had a five-fight win streak snapped last March when he dropped a decision to King Mo in a rematch of their Bellator 120 bout.

With a scheduled three rounds, could the wrestler Sonnen overcome the powerful Rampage?

Sonnen opened with a left, and threw out a leg kick for good measure, then a kick to Rampage’s thigh. Chael stayed light on his feet, and mixed up his striking, going to the body with a punch, and continuing to touch Rampage’s legs with kicks. After a minute no takedown had been attempted. Chael landed an overhand left more than once, though it didn’t seem to bother the bigger man much. Chael then ate a counter, to the roar of the crowd. Chael took it well, however, and continued to slip the majority of Jackson’s strikes. Finally clinching, Jackson quickly reversed, Chael looked back in control, but Rampage dumped him on his back with the crowd cheering. Jackson then waved him back to his feet. Sonnen was still connecting with the left, and you’d have to wonder whether Rampage should have got on top for ground and pound.

Chael next tried a bit of a jumping knee. Then another left. In an exchange, another to the side of Rampage’s head. Of course, the threat of a Rampage Jackson knockout was ever-present. Chael then scored an uppercut, a takedown, and quickly took Jackson’s back. He looked for the rear-naked choke, but Rampage turned in and escaped. Still, a surprisingly effective approach on the feet for Chael Sonnen.

In the second stanza, Chael Sonnen went for a takedown early, but it wasn’t to be had. Chael broke out a foot stomp, while Jackson worked in some short punches. Staying on Jackson, Chael finally dragged him to the canvas. From there, he worked his way to half guard. While the crowd wasn’t pleased, he did just enough to prevent the standup, working for a kimura. Jackson threw some elbows from the bottom, but simply didn’t have the angle for them to be effective. Sonnen would attempt a second kimura attempt, still in half guard. In the end, he’d ride out the round on top, and was likely up two rounds to none.

The third round saw a visibly tired Rampage and Sonnen tie up along the fence. Jackson worked in some shots to the ribs, getting more aggressive the more he landed. Sonnen was wrapping his arms around Jackson’s head, which exposed his ribs and midsection. Chael had a single overhook, and was able to clasp his hands around Rampage. However, the ref restarted the action, which played more into Jackson’s favor. Jackson went head hunting, stalking ‘The American Gangster.’ He then waved Sonnen forward, and later turned his back on his opponent to goad him in. Jackson continued to rip the body when Chael was in range, but more often than not, he wasn’t in range. With a minute to go in the round and Rampage Jackson in desperate need of a finish, it was Sonnen taking the former UFC champion down. He couldn’t do much, but a last minute stand-up really didn’t matter.

With Rampage negated on the feet early and controlled in the second, his last-minute flurry in the third was too little, too late. Shocking many, it was Chael P. Sonnen with his hand raised to open the Bellator World Heavyweight Grand Prix 2018.

“Frank Mir, Fedor Emelianenko, none of you are the best, but one of you is next” Sonnen quipped after the fight.

Chael Sonnen def. Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

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Bellator 192 went down live from The Forum in Los Angeles, CA on Saturday. The card aired live on the newly launched Paramount Network (formerly Spike TV). In action on the main card was former lightweight champion and promotional star Michael Chandler. Chandler, who suffered a heartbreaking TKO injury loss of his title to Brent Primus at Bellator NYC last June, was facing the dangerous Goiti Yamauchi on the night.

After an early feeling out period with the pair circling, this one went to the ground. With Chandler working from within Yamauchi’s guard, the former champion controlled his opponent. Crucially, he was able to keep Yamauchi off the cage wall, preventing him from wall walking up. This tight grappling affair prevented Chandler from scoring much in the way of damage, however. With one overhook on the bottom, Goiti Yamauchi was able to fend Michael Chandler off — but only for a while. By the end of the sequence, Yamauchi was bloodied.

Goiti Yamauchi utilized his length early in the second, and connected with a head kick right on the chin of Chandler! A question mark kick, to be specific. Chandler was wobbled, but did not go down. Goiti smelled blood, and went in for the kill, but tough as nails, Chandler was ready for him. He was able to fend Yamauchi off, despite still being under the effects of the massive kick earlier. That chain of events forced Chandler to shoot for the takedown, which he secured. He’d control for what remained of the second, eventually working in some heavy ground and pound towards the end of round two.

Round three felt as if both men were turning it up a bit early. Chandler went to the body with a kick. Yamauchi continued to pose a threat with his Machida-like style. After an inadvertent eye poke by Chandler paused the action, Yamauchi got right back to work with another kick. Chandler then charged in, forcing Yamauchi on his heels to the cage wall, and essentially imposed his will to secure a takedown that wasn’t pretty, but was effective. Again, Chandler went to work from within his opponent’s guard, posturing up to drop elbows. Chandler was soon loading up, displaying big power and connecting again and again on a bloodied Yamauchi. He’d survive, however, but in the end, the judges were clear, siding with Michael Chandler.

Michael Chandler def. Goiti Yamauchi by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-25)

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At Bellator 192 on Saturday night at The Forum in Los Angeles, Bellator prospect Aaron Pico looked to take the next step in his career. After a shocking upset by Zach Freeman at Bellator NYC last June, Pico bounced back with a finish of Justin Linn in September. His opponent Saturday, however, Shane Kruchten, represented another step up.  With a record of 12-3, Kruchten was no slouch.

‘The War Rhino,’ however, had been out of action for just over a year prior to Saturday night’s bout.

Ultimately, Pico kept his third Bellator appearance short and sweet. And what an appearance it was. Kruchten opened the action with a leg kick, while Pico moved in, landing a number of punches, including a big body shot. Kruchten was clearly hurt by the blow, but powered through it. Pico then threw a lazy leg kick, and followed that with another body shot, a thunderous left hook. The impact of the blow sent Kruchten crumpling to the mat, and while Pico moved in for the kill, it was quickly apparent that it was unnecessary. Krutchen was finished, and Aaron Pico improved his record to 2-1. What a body shot!

Aaron Pico def. Shane Kruchten by knockout, Round 1, 0:37

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At Bellator 192 on Saturday, former WSOF featherweight champion Georgi Karakhanyan walked to the cage for the final bout of his Bellator MMA contract. Facing him was the dangerous Henry Corrales, winner of two straight in the promotion’s 145lb division. The bout opened the event’s main card, unfolding at The Forum in Los Angeles, CA.

Corrales jumped right to work out of the gate, looking to land his overhand right. Georgi came back with a right hand of his own, and the action was underway. Just forty-five seconds in, Karakhanyan shot in, looking to take the fight to the ground. He was unable to complete the takedown, however. That afforded Corrales the opportunity to walk his opponent down. Karakhanyan worked a pair of leg kicks, and relied on the clinch when Corrales came in close. ‘Insane’ would feign a knee, Corrales would score with a leg kick of his own, and the pair would then engage, trading looping shots. Neither man was left damaged, however, and Corrales would stuff a subsequent Karakhanyan takedown attempt. The remainder of the round was spent on the feet, with a final flurry just before the bell.

Round two saw Corrales work to lure Karakhanyan into a firefight. ‘Insane’ was wise enough to avoid this pitfall, and again went for a takedown. Corrales, however, proved his defense was up to snuff, and stayed on his feet. Karakhanyan than pulled guard in a guillotine attempt, but didn’t have it. That gave Corrales the opportunity to work from within Georgi’s guard. He stayed heavy on his opponent, though Karakhanyan did threaten briefly with an arm-bar. With just over a minute remaining in the second, he regained his feet, throwing an upkick to create space. Corrales would finish the frame with a pair of uppercuts in the clinch followed by a knee, and off to the third they went.

In the third, Corrales continued to control pace and position. A Karakhanyan takedown attempt resulted in him being muscled onto his back. While Corrales was unable to do much while on top, he was handily controlling the round. Back on the feet, it was Corrales pushing forward, attacking Georgi’s legs. Karakhanyan would drive Corrales into the fence as time work down, looking for a takedown and attacking with knees. He would attempt to take the back of Corrales as the clock wound down, but ultimately ran out of time.

Henry Corrales def. Georgi Karakhanyan by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

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Bellator 192 takes place Saturday at the Forum in Los Angeles, CA. Atop the card is the first bout of the opening round of the Bellator World Heavyweight Grand Prix 2018. That main event features Chael Sonnen taking on Rampage Jackson. With Sonnen giving up a sizeable advantage in weight to the power punching Rampage, he’ll be looking to get Jackson down early — and keep him there.

The fight that was to top the bill, meanwhile, is now the co-main event: Douglas Lima vs. Rory MacDonald. With champ Lima’s welterweight title on the line, this should have received top billing, but with the names Rampage and Chael involved, those responsible for ensuring ratings success switched things up in advance of the card.

Either way, Rory MacDonald and Douglas Lima is one of the most anticipated welterweight fights of 2018.

Earlier on in the evening, you can catch all of the preliminary action from Bellator 192, right here on Cageside Press! Standouts on the early card include Khonry Gracie, son of the legendary Royce Gracie, making his professional debut, and the ‘Israeli Batman’ Ham Gozali. At 45 years old, Gozali shows no signs of slowing down. Check out our fight week interview with him here.

And be sure to catch up with Khonry Gracie, Royce Gracie, Joey Davis, and Bomba Vasconcelos!

The preliminary card kicks off at 7PM EST!

Bellator 192 Preliminary Card Results:

Joey Davis def. Ian Butler by KO (spinning back kick & punches), Round 1, 0:39
Jose Campos def. Haim Gozali by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Devon Brock def. Khonry Gracie by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Guilherme Vasconcelos def. Ivan Castillo by submission (arm triangle choke), Round 1, 4:12

Dark Matches:

Johnny Cisneros def. Marlen Magee by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Round 2, 2:28
Kyle Estrada def. David Duran by unanimous decision
Gabriel Green def. Christopher Padilla by submission, Round 1
Cooper Gibson def. Andrew Lazo by submission (guillotine choke), Round 1, 2:43
Jalin Turner def. Noah Tillis by TKO (Punches), Round 1
Chad George def. James Barnes by TKO (Doctor Stoppage), Round 2, 5:00
Roosevelt Roberts def. Tommy Aaron by TKO (Punches), Round 1
Jean-Paul Le-Bosnoyani def. Isaiah Culpepper by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Round 3, 2:11
Arthur Estrazulas def. Mike Segura by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Round 2

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Staff Writers	Corrales vs. Karakhanyan	Kruchten vs. Pico	Yamauchi vs. Chandler	Lima vs. MacDonald	Sonnen vs. Rampage
Heath Harshman (3-0)
Jesse Gillette (3-0)
Dan Doherty (2-1)
Jason Payne (2-1)
Mike Straus (2-1)
Paarth Pande (2-1)
Jay Anderson (2-1)
Mike McClory (1-2)
Harry Davies (1-2)
Gabriel Gonzalez (1-2)
Eddie Law (1-2)

Bellator has been out of commission for several weeks, but they are kicking off the new year with a bang with Bellator 192. The heavyweight grand prix will commence, and Rory MacDonald will look to acquire his first Bellator strap.

Chael Sonnen and Rampage Jackson will face off in the heavyweight division to kick off the tournament. Chael is a career middleweight but moved to light heavyweight in 2013 and is 2-3 since then, most recently beating Wanderlei Silva. Rampage Jackson has had great success in Bellator after dropping his final three UFC bouts. Rampage is 5-1 since joining the new promotion and has slowly but surely become a heavyweight. The bigger man in this bout is Rampage, and that’s who seven of our 11 writers sided with.

The co-main event is an excellent welterweight title fight between Douglas Lima and former top UFC contender Rory MacDonald. Douglas Lima has been a great welterweight for Bellator since joining the promotion in 2011. Lima has accumulated an 11-2 record with Bellator and is currently on his second stint with the belt, most recently defending against former UFC contender Lorenz Larkin. Rory MacDonald looked incredible in his Bellator debut against Paul Daley late last year, dominating the Brit through and through and earning a shot at the title. All but two of the 11 writers sided with the Canadian MacDonald.

Michael Chandler will battle Goiti Yamauchi after losing his title to Brent Primus via injury. Scott Coker confirmed that the winner will receive a shot at Primus. Chandler is 13-4 with the organization and is looking for his third stint with the lightweight title. Yamauchi is 8-2 with the promotion and has won three straight contests after moving up to the lightweight division. Cageside Press unanimously picked the former champion.

Aaron Pico looks to make it two straight against promotional newcomer Shane Kruchten. Pico is a 21-year-old wrestling phenom who is 1-1 in his young MMA career. Kruchten is 12-3 and most recently competed in WSOF. Two writers bucked the trend and picked against the top prospect Pico.

Opening up the Bellator 192 main card is a featherweight bout between veterans Henry Corrales and Georgi Karakhanyan. Corrales lost his first three bouts with promotion to the best Bellator’s featherweight division has to offer, but has since won two straight, including a knockout of Cody Bollinger. Karakhanyan is 6-5 with the organization, but is 4-3 on his current stint winning three of his last four, most recently agianst UFC vet Daniel Pineda. This was the closest result of both this event an UFC 220, with six picks for Karakhanyan and five for Corrales.

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