Bellator 231: Hager’s Bout Ends In A No-Contest

Given another opportunity to shine on a main card of a Bellator event, all eyes were on Jake Hager. That was especially true considering several members of the All Elite Wrestling roster were inside the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT for Bellator 231 to cheer him on. Facing his toughest challenge to date, Hager looked to make quick work of Anthony Garrett.

Hager (2-0, 1NC) somewhat got his wish, but it wasn’t the outcome he wanted. Following two hard kicks below the belt of Garrett (4-2,1NC), the fight was called out. Considered a no-contest 1:56 into round one, Hager was almost in jeopardy of being disqualified from the bout.

The fight started with Hager taking an extreme amount of punches to the face. One of Hager’s biggest mistakes was working the clinch instead of going towards the ground right away, where his two wins have come via submission. Battling back with knees to the groin of Garrett, one errant shot dropped Garrett to the floor.

Giving the thumbs-up sign to referee Dan Miragliotta, the fight continued. However, immediately after Hager hit Garrett with a huge right knee that kept him on the floor for several minutes. With Garrett resting on a bench, Miragliotta decided enough was enough.

This was the opening bout of the Bellator 231 main card. Following the fight, Hager had enough time to get changed and sit next to fellow AEW stars Sammy Guevara, Santana and Ortiz. He also sat next to Royce Gracie and former WWE star Dave Bautista. It is unknown if a rematch will be made down the line.