Probably the only thing you remember from last week’s Bellator 27 is Joe Warren’s show stopping knockout of the previously undefeated Joe Soto, and that would be fine and dandy if Bellator didn’t have to put on a follow up show. But they did, and they stacked it with a collection of season 2 also rans in more or less meaningless matches and the results were less than inspiring. The one fight that was supposedly worth something was a qualifier match for next season’s Lightweight tournament between Carey Vanier and Rich Clementi but, as we’ve been over before, Bellator season 4 is hardly carved in stone considering their financial situation. Still, midweek MMA is better than no midweek MMA. . .
Georgi Karakhanyan vs. Anthony Leone
The first round here is dominated by Karakhanyan as Leone spent about 90% of it flat on his back and, for good measure, Karakhanyan landed some bombs near the end. For some odd reason he went for a guillotine choke and believed that he could finish when we all know Bellator fighters are incapable of doing so this season. The second round is a bit more eventful though it is quickly apparent that this is going to be a ground war. For some reasons the announcers keep singing the praises of Karakhanyan’s performance against Joe Warren even though it resulted in a loss for him. Leone takes the back for a second but can’t quite synch on the rear naked choke. The round is close though I’m guessing that simply by having a cleaner game and giving off an air of superiority Karakhanyan took the second round as well. For the first half of the 3rd round Leone attempts and eventually executes a single leg takedown only to have Karakhanyan get out of it at will. The two roll around on the ground for a while and the fight goes the distance. Fanatics of BJJ probably loved this fight.
Georgi Karakhanyan def. Anthony Leone via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Next up is an interview with Ricco Rodriguez who has signed to face Dave Herman at Bellator 31. I‘m all for MMA organizations acknowledging their competition but the way Wheelock and Smith screamed from the rooftops that Rodriguez is a former UFC Heavyweight champion seemed a little out of whack. Ok great, you got the most obscure UFC Heavyweight champ in history and he’s beaten 9 no names in a row . . . that said I’m not against seeing what he looks like after all these years.
Matt Horwich vs. Eric Schambari
It’s a battle to determine which one of Bryan Baker’s Bellator victories was more impressive. Horwich is coming off a victory over Thales Leites and, no matter Dana White’s thoughts on the man or your personal feelings towards UFC 97, that is still worth something in this sport. The fight itself is much livelier than the previous one; Schambari is working hard to push the pace. The second round is even more dominant for Schambari as he keeps grinding Horwich and pancaking him against the cage. The match has suddenly turned dull and I’m certain that the fans were wishing that they were at home watching the Saints game. At the end of the round Horwich eats a flurry of shots and looked wobbled . . . nothing compared to what Joe Warren endured last week. Horwich is still hanging around in round 3 looking stable and confident enough to do some damage. Unfortunately for him Schambari is just picking him apart and grinding him into dust. He’ll happily take the ass ugly victory and be on his way though things don’t play out exactly as he may have hoped as one New Orleans judge is marching to the beat of his own drummer.
Eric Schambari def. Matt Horwich via split decision (30-27, 30-27, 28-29)
Next week’s card is looking pretty damn good…we get the semi-finals of the Heavyweight tournament including the highly anticipated (at least in my home) Grabowski vs. Konrad match. There’s also Grove vs. Oleinik and Mamalis vs. Goldsby. That last matchup is note worthy because they both fought, and lost, last week at Bellator 27. I’m very much for getting fighters off the semi-annual plan but even I wonder if 2 fights in 3 weeks isn’t a bit much. We will see . . . if Chris Leben is any indication they will be just fine. Then, most exciting of all, Joe Warren will be stepping into the broadcast booth. Three man broadcast teams are almost always better as they relieve pressure and give everyone more to play off of. Wheelock is the straight man to the point of being stale so it will be fun to see if Warren is able to loosen him up at all . . . a lot to look forward to next week.
Rich Clementi vs. Carey Vanier
This one is for a spot in next season’s Lightweight tournament. They are still reminding us that during his training Vanier was a Best Buy manager. I know it is kind of their job to turn their fighters into characters but this one has no affect on me whatsoever and I think it is because in my head all up and coming MMA stars manage retail shops. Vanier totally underperforms in round 1. There are signs of life at the end of the round but it is way too little way too late. In round 2 he goes for a guillotine choke which is obviously the official submission hold of Bellator lately. It doesn’t work out and the rest of the round is extremely close . . . Jimmy Smith gave the round to Clementi but he’s proven himself to be unreliable as of late. Vanier comes out flying in round 3. Remember BJ Penn at UFC 118, say rounds 3-5, well imagine the opposite and you have Carey Vanier here. He’s so jacked up, in fact, that he walks directly into some controversy. After hitting three nasty direct knees to Clementi’s head, one which splits him open, everybody notices that Clementi was in a three point stance and thus technically a downed opponent. The ref actually had no intention of stopping the fight until Clementi did his job for him and pointed out that the knees were illegal. More bad officiating though it’s gonna be tough to top the “Up Ya Gets” from the most recent Strikeforce Challengers card. The action is stopped, Clementi is pissed and bleeding, but no points are deducted. Once the fight starts up again Clementi waits 6 or 7 seconds then starts spurting blood again. The final minute is a bore and it goes to the scorecards.
Carey Vanier def. Rich Clementi via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
So I guess he’s in the tournament and Clementi is out . . . I appreciate their confidence that they can find 7 more Lightweights who are of higher quality than Clementi.
Eric Larkin vs. Marcus Andrusia
Larkin comes into this battle of unbeatens heavily favored. He shows why right off the bat nailing a head kick, then a guillotine and then some heavy fists. Andrusia looks like a zero out there. Larkin locks on another choke and this one gets him to tap. Well color me shocked.
Eric Larkin def. Marcus Andrusia via 1st Round Submission (2:46)
And that’s the show. A letdown in the same way that UFC 118 had to be a letdown after 117. No shame in that and all signs point towards a radical show next week.
Full match results from Bellator 28:
- Georgi Karakhanyan def. Anthony Leone via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
- Eric Schambari def. Matt Horwich via split decision (30-27, 30-27, 28-29)
- Carey Vanier def. Rich Clementi via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
- Eric Larkin def. Marcus Andrusia via 1st Round Submission (2:46)
