Bellator 228: Mousasi & Pitbull Win, Grand Prix Quarterfinals Set
Gegard Mousasi has rebounded from losing the Bellator middleweight title — and more importantly, exacted revenge for his loss to Lyoto Machida five years ago in the UFC — as he defeated Machida in the main event of Bellator 228.
The fight saw both men each try to make the other make the first move, and Machida did, which is unlike him. Mousasi was very picky with his shots, and he managed to briefly rock “The Dragon” in the opening round.
Conversely, Machida appeared to struggle to land cleanly on Mousasi, landing kicks when he chose to fight on the outside. Machida increased his output in the second round, but Mousasi managed to stand-and-trade with him.
👊💥 @Mousasi_MMA is letting his fists fly in round two!#Bellator228 pic.twitter.com/cuEV09beaU
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) September 29, 2019
The final round saw plenty of exchanges, but a botched kick led to Mousasi being able to score a takedown.
One judge gave the fight to Machida 29-28, while the other two scored the fight 29-28 and 30-27 for Mousasi.
How did you score Mousasi vs. Machida 2 at #Bellator228? (📸: @allelbows) pic.twitter.com/U4stqJ5cWP
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) September 29, 2019
After the fight, Mousasi declared he wanted to rematch with Rafael Lovato Jr., who upset him at Bellator London in June for the Bellator middleweight title.
The event also saw the remaining bouts of the Bellator Featherweight Grand Prix’s opening round, which included Patricio “Pitbull” Freire retaining the title with a dominant win over Juan Archuleta.
The other Grand Prix bouts included A.J. McKee scoring the second-fastest knockout in Bellator history by finishing Georgi Karakhanyan in eight seconds, former bantamweight champion Darrionn Caldwell defeating Henry Corrales and Daniel Weichel besting Saul Rogers.
We are in the fifth and final round of this Featherweight World Grand Prix Title Bout between @JArchMMA and @PatricioPitbull.
Watch these men fight for the strap LIVE on @DAZN_USA. pic.twitter.com/JTnq9ZqjrD
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) September 29, 2019
The quarterfinals of the Grand Prix were then set:
A.J. McKee vs. Derek Campos – December 2019
Adam Borics vs. Darrion Caldwell – January 2020
Emmanuel Sanchez vs. Daniel Weichel – February 2020
(c.) Patricio “Pitbull” Freire vs. Pedro Carvalho – March 2020
Bellator 228 Results:
Gegard Mousasi def. Lyoto Machida via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Bellator Featherweight Championship: Bellator Featherweight Grand Prix First-Round Bout: (c.) Patricio Pitbull def. Juan Archuleta (49-46, 49-46, 50-45)
Bellator Featherweight Grand Prix First-Round Bout: A.J. McKee def. Georgi Karakhanyan via KO (Rd. 1, 0:08)
Bellator Featherweight Grand Prix First-Round Bout: Darrion Caldwell def. Henry Corrales via unanimous decision (29-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Bellator Featherweight Grand Prix First-Round Bout: Daniel Weichel def. Saul Rogers via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)