Anderson (17–3, 1NC) landed what amounted to a soccer kick on Mota late in the second round. Mota appeared down at first, but replays showed that he’d been on the way up. One foot, and one hand, were down, but the other foot was up, so by definition, he was not a downed opponent.

With Mota unable to continue, Anderson picked up the KO victory. And after the fight, he made it clear that he had not planned to throw an illegal strike.

Here's that @DerekBarbaric kick 🦵 in real time!

How would you rate this KO 1️⃣-1️⃣0️⃣?#Bellator251 pic.twitter.com/szvrDbMJwA

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) November 6, 2020

“I’m good at timing that thing, and I went for it. It was a little close, but my instincts are real good. I’m not a cheap shot [artist], I’ve never been,” Anderson said following the fight, speaking to media outlets including Cageside Press.

Anderson would have accepted the result either way, whatever the officials ruled. But, he noted, “I’m pretty good with [timing] that. I was really nervous, that it was a little early or something. That’s what they were saying, or that’s how he was trying to play it.”

That’s something Anderson reiterated later — Mota was playing up the result of the kick. While he would have accepted the outcome either way, noting that he’s not a crybaby, Anderson also stated that “I’ve thrown a lot of kicks like that, just good timing, as they were getting up. I’m good at that timing. I guess I had a little too much faith in it, it was close. But it worked out. He tried to play possum, he shouldn’t have done that, because it’s a KO. I’ll take it.”

Anderson added that “It’s a game” at times, with fighters trying to game the downed opponent rule. “When people play that game— Don’t play that game. Man, we’re fighting! I don’t play that game,” Anderson exclaimed.

“It was drama. Drama club. Full respect to Killys, he had respect for me,” Anderson added. He believes that Mota may have wanted out of the fight. “I was ready to go the full three rounds, kick his ass every time. Maybe that’s what he felt— the first round was strong for him, I was getting stronger and stronger.”

“He was hoping for the DQ, you know what I mean?”

Watch the full Bellator 251 post-fight press scrum with Derek Anderson above.

The post Bellator 251: Derek Anderson Believes Killys Mota Played Up “Drama” In Head-Kick Finish appeared first on Cageside Press.

Fortune (9-1, 1NC) has long been considered a top prospect in Bellator’s heavyweight division, which recently cleaned out a few big names, mainly Frank Mir and Roy “Big Country” Nelson. But it’s another big name that Fortune wants a fight with: Sergei Kharitonov.

“This fight was supposed to be against Sergei Kharitonov,” Fortune revealed following the event. “I was originally scheduled for face Linton [Vassell] in December, we both accepted that fight, and Kharitonov’s opponent fell out. So Bellator asked me ‘hey do you want to step up and fight Sergei?'”

Fortune jumped at the chance to fight the veteran Russian heavyweight. “I was like ‘hell yeah I want to fight Sergei!’ I stepped up and then Sergei was like ‘I don’t want to fight Tyrell.’ I even hit him up on Instagram, called him a little bitch and talked some sh*t to him. He didn’t respond,” said Fortune. Thus when it comes to who he wants next, “I’ll take Sergei, unless he wants to keep running,” finished Fortune.

The powerful wrestler was caught at the end of the second round in his fight against Said Sowma at Bellator 251. He blames that on an adrenaline dump that affected his legs. “I wasn’t hurt too bad or anything. He touched me, but that was about it.”

Watch the full Bellator 251 post-fight press scrum with Tyrell Fortune above.

The post Bellator 251: Tyrell Fortune Looking for Kharitonov Match-Up appeared first on Cageside Press.

At Bellator 251, Vanderford had a late opponent change, with CES champion Vinicius de Jesus stepping in. But it didn’t matter as self-proclaimed “Mr. VanZant” cruised to victory.

“I like to make it messy,” Vanderford told media outlets including Cageside Press following the fight. “I feel like I need to finish guys like that, I’m brand new American Top Team, so far so good. I have some amazing guys, they are going to take me to the next level.”

That said, Vanderford believes he broke his wrist partway through the opening round.

The 31 year old Vanderford, along with his wife, recently joined the ranks of American Top Team. Currently 10-0 as a pro, and 4-0 with his new home (Bellator MMA), the chance at a title shot is very realistic.

“I think I still have a lot of room to grow,” Vanderford stated. “When I fight for that title I want people to know I deserve it, and that I’m ready to fight for the title. I’m ready whenever, but we will keep on the pace, do what Bellator wants me to do.”

Vanderford was asked about his career, and shutting up those who at first considered him Paige VanZant’s boyfriend or a publicity stunt by Dana White to bring him on to Contender Series.

“I’m passed the whole f*ck you guys,” Vanderford stated. “I’m Mr. VanZant, I roll with it, I try to make things violent and bloody.”

Watch the full Bellator 251 post-fight press scrum with Austin Vanderford above.

The post Bellator 251’s Austin Vanderford: “I Like to Make it Messy” appeared first on Cageside Press.

Paired up against Melvin Manhoef on Thursday, Anderson did exactly what he was supposed to do — rely on his powerful takedowns and dominate an aging Melvin Manhoef. Picking up the second round TKO, Anderson may have earned himself a shot against the winner of Nemkov vs. Davis 2.

Check below for full results and a gallery of main card highlights from Bellator 251

Bellator 251: Manhoef vs. Anderson Results

Main Card:

Corey Anderson def. Melvin Manhoef by TKO, Round 2, 2:34
Tyrell Fortune def. Said Sowma by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Austin Vanderford def. Vinicius de Jesus by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Derek Anderson def. Killys Mota by TKO, Round 2, 4:27

Preliminary Card:

Georgi Karakhanyan def. Bryce Logan by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
Julius Anglickas def. Alex Polizzi by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Janay Harding def. Jessy Miele by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Ali Zebian def. Piankhi Zimmerman by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-38)
Jaylon Bates def. Joe Supino by unanimous decision (30-25, 30-27, 30-27)
Sumiko Inaba def. Jessica Ruiz by TKO, Round 1, 4:59

The post Bellator 251: Mahoef vs. Anderson Photo Highlights appeared first on Cageside Press.

The match-up may have been a favorable one. Manhoef may be in the twilight of his career. But Anderson (14-5) performed exactly as expected, and likely did enough to lock up a title shot in the process. Although, as Anderson himself noted, Vadium Nemkov vs. Phil Davis looks to be next.

After proving that “I’m still here and I’m kicking, baby,” Anderson said post-fight that the title fight pair are exactly what he wants moving forward. “Phil Davis and Nemkov. The two fighting for the belt.”

“I want the winner. There’s no reason I shouldn’t get it,” Anderson told media outlets including Cageside Press following Bellator 251. “[Ryan] Bader’s going to heavyweight to defend his belt. If he was staying at 205, I would fight him. But he’s gone. Lyoto [Machida] just lost, why would I fight a loser? I want somebody winning.”

Asked who he expected to come out victorious in the Nemkov vs. Davis rematch, Anderson replied that “we already seen Nemkov beat him once. I think he just got better. He’s going to do the same thing. So technically I want Nemkov. But if Phil wins, I want Phil. I want the belt. I want that belt on my wall. I’ve been dreaming about it. I want the belt over my TV, when I wake up in the morning, every day, I’ll see it. ‘I did that.’ That’s what I need.”

Anderson’s tumultuous run with the UFC has been well-documented. But when it comes to having a moment of catharsis, and moving on, Anderson wasn’t feeling the way you might expect at Bellator 251. The biggest issue for “Overtime” was the pressure he put on himself after being finished in both of his prior main event fights.

“The only pressure was on myself after getting knocked out in the main event,” Anderson told Cageside Press. “I had two main events, and I got knocked out in the first round of both. I had to make that wrong right.”

He did just that on Thursday.

Watch the full Bellator 251 post-fight press scrum with Corey Anderson above.

The post Bellator 251: Corey Anderson Wants Winner of Nemkov vs. Davis appeared first on Cageside Press.

Anderson figured to be a big part of its future, a former contender in the UFC always given the cold shoulder in his old home, thanks to his wrestling-heavy style and lack of trash talking. Manhoef, of course, would look to spoil that.

As the fight itself got underway, Anderson went straight to beast mode. A big slam takedown punctuated the first minute of Anderson’s career inside the Belaltor cage. Melvin Manhoef tried to tie him up from the bottom, but he was in a bad spot, far away from the fence. Manhoef wound up covering up, eating several punches in the process. Anderson wound up in half guard, adding in an elbow or two, but while trying to pass, Manhoef escaped in a scramble. It wasn’t long, however, before Anderson changed levels, landed another takedown, and absolutely unloaded on Manhoef. The Dutch fighter managed to survive that barrage, and the round, but would need to stay on his feet moving forward.

👊💥 Heavy shots from @CoreyA_MMA as round 1️⃣ of the #Bellator251 main event winds down.

Catch round 2️⃣ LIVE & FREE now on @CBSSportsNet in he U.S. and with @SkySports Mix in the U.K.#MMA #Bellator pic.twitter.com/BL1EwMzpHw

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) November 6, 2020

Manhoef opened round two with a kick, but it wasn’t long before Anderson trapped him by the fence and more or less muscled him to the floor. In a striker vs. wrestler battle, the wrestler was in full control. Once again in half-guard, Anderson went to work softening up the body. Some nasty elbows followed, and the ref took a good look. Paging Dr. Ortiz, Dr. Tito Ortiz. The elbows kept on coming. Manhoef was opened up. A couple of blows later, and Corey Anderson had a TKO win in his promotional debut.

Given Melvin Manhoef’s age and recent level of competition, Anderson by no means beat a world-beater. But he did exactly what he needed to do, win in dominant fashion. A title shot or another big match-up would not be surprising for his next outing.

Official Result: Corey Anderson def. Melvin Manhoef by TKO, Round 2, 2:34

The post Bellator 251 Results: Corey Anderson Arrives, Smashes Melvin Manhoef with Elbows appeared first on Cageside Press.

Fortune had suffered his first defeat earlier in 2020, at the hands of Tim Johnson. He had hoped to get back on track in September, only for a fight with Jack May to end in a no contest, and Fortune landed an accidental low blow.

Things went quite differently on Thursday. Though it was not an easy fight for Tyrell Fortune by any means.

Fortune kept Sowma on the outside early in the Bellator 251 co-main event. With Sowma circling, Fortune stayed patient, going to the body once or twice. They’d reverse positions later in the round, Fortune on the outside. He worked his kicks, both low and high, mixing things up well. Fortune’s jab was going early, and while Sowma was certainly in the fight, Fortune seemed to have the edge by the end of the frame, initiating a clinch shortly before the buzzer.

Sowma opened the second round with a kick. When Fortune engaged, he sent Sowma backpedaling into the fence. Fortune just seemed to be a little crisper, a little more powerful. While Sowma would land a kick to the ribs while Fortune closed the distance mid-round, for the most part, Fortune was in the driver’s seat. At least until an accidental low blow by Sowma briefly halted the action. Late in the round, Fortune would slip, putting Sowma in control briefly. A body kick, a couple of shots upstairs, and suddenly, Fortune was covering up, although he would survive the round.

Entering the third, the scorecards easily could have been one round a piece. At least depending on how the judges viewed Sowma’s strong finish late in the second. Sowma certainly had a strong third, at one point trapping Tyrell Fortune in a head lock, landing several knees. Fortune’s corner appeared concerned about him losing even the wrestling exchanges, and he appeared to be slowing. In the final minute Sowma had control, pinning Fortune against the cage and landing some foot stomps. But he allowed Fortune to escape and finish on top in the last few seconds.

The end result was a close but unanimous decision win for Fortune. Who now returns to the win column for the first time in 2020.

Official Result: Tyrell Fortune def. Said Sowma by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

The post Bellator 251 Results: Tyrell Fortune Squeaks Past Said Sowma appeared first on Cageside Press.

An early shot by Vanderford was stuffed, and Vinicius De Jesus answered by landing a couple of strikes upstairs. In their next engagement, the pair wound up on the ground with De Jesus working on an ankle lock, which Vanderford would escape. As the pair settled in, however, Vanderford found his groove, and by the end of the opening frame, he had De Jesus on his back against the fence. That allowed Vanderford to work the head and boy.

De Jesus started off the second round with a spinning kick. But Vanderford closed the distance with an overhand, changed levels, and landed a takedown. With that, De Jesus was right back to the same spot he was in at the end of the first. De Jesus tried to tie Vanderford up, but he was unable to escape or make much of anything happen off his back. Vanderford’s top pressure, meanwhile, was solid. Late in the round, Vanderford passed guard and locked on with an arm triangle choke. His opponent was saved by the bell, preventing what was looking like a sure finish.

.@AustinV170MMA is looking relentless in the first moments of round 2️⃣.

The #Bellator251 main card is LIVE NOW on @CBSSportsNet in the U.S. and with @SkySports Mix in the U.K. pic.twitter.com/rNUsGn7mWB

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) November 6, 2020

Round three again saw Vanderford get the fight down early. This time, he worked from half-guard, attacking with elbows. A bloodied De Jesus was going nowhere, fast, trapped on his back while Vanderford stayed heavy on top. He’d stay there to the final bell, earning a clear-cut unanimous decision when all was said and done.

Official Result: Austin Vanderford def. Vinicius De Jesus by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)

The post Bellator 251 Results: Austin Vanderford Maintains Perfect Record with Decision Win Over Vinicius De Jesus appeared first on Cageside Press.

For Mota, the fight was a step up in competition after the Brazilian handed TriStar prospect Mandel Nallo the first loss of his pro career. Anderson, meanwhile, had been lined up with Paul Daley for a fight last month. But Daley was hospitalized following a weight cut gone wrong. The fight was scrapped, with Daley announcing that whenever he fights again, it will be his retirement bout.

If Anderson had any hope of getting back into a booking with Daley, or even picking up a big-name welterweight clash, a strong performance against Mota would be key. Mota, however, was able to get the fight to the ground early, utilizing a trip along the fence while in the clinch. Anderson nearly gave up his neck climbing back to his feet, but he would make it upright, only for Mota to take the back. A little high up, Mota slipped off, and instead began attacking with elbows as Anderson drove him into the fence. Mota then pulled guard for a guillotine, rolling with it to end up on top. Anderson gutted that out, but was falling behind on the scorecards. Mota finished the round on Anderson’s back, looking fora rear-naked choke.

Round two saw Anderson going low and high with kicks, while trying to cement himself in the center of the cage. However, roughly a minute in, Mota caught a kick and dumped Anderson on his back. From there, Anderson flirted with an arm-bar, but Mota was never in any real danger. Anderson would later get Mota down himself, having to contend with an arm-bar in turn. However, as Mota got up from a downed position, Anderson connected with what appeared to be an illegal kick to the head. However, Mota was coming up, and his knee came off the ground — making it a legal blow.

https://twitter.com/ImShannonTho/status/1324507689683222532

Mota was unable to continue. Even Anderson unappeared unsure of the soccer-style kick, backing off immediately out of respect to his opponent. But going to instant replay, it was clear that Mota’s leg had just come up, while one hand and one foot remained down. Timing is everything, and Anderson brought home the win.

After the fight, Anderson told media members that it was just good timing, and that he felt Mota was playing possum.

Official Result: Derek Anderson def. Killys Mota by TKO (head kick), Round 2, 4:27

The post Bellator 251 Results: Barely Legal Head Kick Sees Derek Anderson Stop Killys Mota appeared first on Cageside Press.

Yes, the card was built around the arrival of Corey Anderson, the latest addition to the promotion’s strong light heavyweight division. Taking on Melvin Manhoef, in the Dutch fighter’s penultimate fight (retirement looms for Manhoef), Anderson was clearly the star of the show.

But the rest of the Bellator 251 card was all about the young talents. Undefeated fighters like Austin Vanderford and Alex Polizzi. A pair of fighters making their professional debuts in Jaylon Bates (bantamweight) and Sumiko Inaba (women’s flyweight).

Not to mention the return of Tyrell Fortune, looking to get back in the win column after a loss and a no contest in his last two outings. And LFA champ Bryce Logan returning to Bellator and getting a step up in competition against Georgi Karakhanyan.

The Bellator 251 preliminary card kicks off at 4:45 PM ET, going down live from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. A live stream is available in the embed above. Full results will be available below.

Bellator 251: Manhoef vs. Anderson Preliminary Card Results

Georgi Karakhanyan def. Bryce Logan by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Julius Angelickas def. Alex Polizzi by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Janay Harding def. Jessica Miele by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Ali Zebian def. Piankhi Zimmerman by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Jaylon Bates def. Joe Supino by unanimous decision (30-25, 30-27, 30-27)
Sumiko Inaba def. Jessica Ruiz by TKO, Round 1, 4:59

The post Bellator 251: Manhoef vs. Anderson Preliminary Card Live Stream and Results appeared first on Cageside Press.