My live on going commentary as I watch the event:
This is my first Bellator viewing, pumped!!
Really digging the presentation. Pretty major league.
I can't really respect anybody who is sponsored or has any type of association with Ultimate Bet(UB.net). :(
Welterweight bout: Dan Hornbuckle V. Steve Carl
Not a fan of the Hornbuckle charity case story that is completely unrelated to everything, I don't give a fuck. I want to see some dudes throw down.
Winner here moves on to the finals of the welterweight tournament against the winner of a fight later on tonight between Ben Askren and Ryan Thomas. Carl with a quick takedown and Hornbuckle is working for the arm on his back. Hornbuckle continues to work for the arm and locks on a sick kimura for the submission win in the first round. Impressive. Hornbuckle moves onto the finals of the welterweight tournament, which is for a shot at Bellator Weltwerweight Champion Lyman Good. Hornbuckle looks and comes off as a douche.
More of the Bellator girls imo.
Welterweight bout: Ben Askren V. Ryan Thomas
Ok, so this is a rematch from Bellator 14 in a quarter-final round match of the welterweight tournament where Askren won with a choke in controversial fashion. It was blatantly obvious that Thomas had not passed out or tapped. Fortunately for him, Jim Wallhead was unable to make his Bellator 15 quarter-final round match against Jacob McClintock, and Thomas was given the opportunity as the replacement. Thomas won that via tko in the first round, setting up quite the rematch here on 19. This sounds like some wrestling shit right here, whoever booked it, well done!
Thomas has two losses in the UFC. Both via submission/armbar to Matt Brown and Ben Saunders. Askren seems like quite the wrestler. A 2008 olympian and NCAA champ.
Good grief i'd love to punch Ben Askren in the face.
I had more commentary, but this was basically Askren dominating Thomas with position on the ground for all three rounds. Askren takes it via unanimous dec. 30-27 from all three judges.
Hornbuckle and Askren will now meet in the finals for a shot at Lyman Good's Weltweight Title likely later next month.
Bellator's traveling schedule is odd. TX., FL., MO., KY.
Featherweight bout: Joe Soto(Featherweight Champion) V. Diego Saraiva
Diego is fighting out of ATLANTA, Georgia. He is a former UFC fighter as well where he dropped three straight via unanimous decisions a few years ago. Diego doing everything here to make me not like him him with the shit arm sleeve and back tattoos and an awful design shaved on the back of his head.
Soto with the takedown about a minute in. That's pretty random Soto, Jon Jones, and Cain Valasquez all attented Iowa Central COMMUNITY College. Diego is trying to work some stuff from the back throughout the round, but Soto remains in command. Big elbows from Soto and Diego has an ugly gusher on the forehead. Elbows to the head are legal in Bellator under the unified rules of combat. Cut is too deep and Soto wins via tko/doctor stoppage.
Bantamweight bout: Jared Lopez V. Johnny Bedford
Bedford is pretty over being from Texas. Lopez wants to keep this standing. Lopez throws some kicks and Bedford with a takedown. Bedford throwing some hammer fist and looking to finish. Contrary to my belief, there are indeed people in the building witnessing the fights. Bedford with some more good shots halfway through the first round. Bedford with side control into the final minute of round one. Bedford with the guillotine, but Lopez escapes, which puts Lopez on top as the first round ends. Obvious round to Bedford. I'm pretty clueless with how the system works, so I won't even try a score.
Both throwing early in round two before Bedford takes him down again. Bedford now lookng to finish with a kimura. Looks like he has it pretty tight, but Lopez is hanging on. Bedford lets go of the submission and hits a solid elbow. Bedford continues to hold side control. They get to their feet and Bedford with a huge knee and some solid punches and more knees. Annnd right back to the ground with Bedford in control. They are both gassed. They stand with 30 secs. left in the second. Crowd chants Johnny. They throw some and Bedford with another takedown as the round concludes. Bedford with another clear round.
Bedford with some big uppercuts and knees and a double leg takedown with four minutes left in the fight. They aren't doing anything and get stood up. Bedford looks pissed off about this. Bedford with some more big knees and punches and the ref stops it. Bedford via tko. Super entertaining fight.
Show concludes with some more pimping of future stuff. They did a good job of this throughout the show I thought.
Very enjoyable. Bellator XX is this Thursay night from San Antonio, Texas. I'll be watching.
Bellator XIX Thoughts
