Bellator’s 3rd season opened with style this past Thursday, August 12, 2010 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
Bellator XXIV featured the first round of the Bellator 115-pound women’s tournament and an opening round fight in the Heavyweight tournament.
In the first fight of the night, Neil Grove quickly finished Eddie Sanchez in just one minute and 32 seconds, demolishing the Manic Hispanic with punches and ground and pound. Sanchez was a bit wobbly standing up leading to what I thought was a good stoppage, with Neil Grove winning by TKO.
On next was Megumi Fujii vs. Carla Esparza. Stepping into the fight on short notice when Magana was forced to withdraw due to a leg injury, Esparza looked impressive in the first round, demonstrating good kickboxing and takedown defense. Fujii’s hands looked better than usual; she’s been working on her boxing skills. However it wasn’t until the fight ended up on the ground that Fujii really shined, attempting a leglock and then transitioned to a toehold. Esparza is tough and defended well, but Fujii on the ground is a force to be reckoned with. This was a close first round but I scored it 10-9 Fujii. In the second round, it was all over for Esparza once it went to the ground, where Fujii really shines. Her skill and experience was evident; she makes it look so effortless. She attempted a leglock and kneebar and then transitioned to an armbar for the win.
The third fight, Hector Lombard vs. Herbert “Whisper” Goodman, had a lot of hype behind it. Lombard came in swinging for the fences and won by KO in just 38 seconds into the round. Knockout artist, what can you say?
The second women’s fight of the night was American Top Team’s Jessica “Jag” Aguilar vs. Lynn “Lights Out” Alvarez. Though both are skilled on the ground, Alvarez was hoping to keep the fight standing but did not get her wish. Aguilar quickly got a body lock and takedown and the rest of the fight was on the ground. Aguilar got side control but Alvarez was able to regain her guard. Aguilar got full mount and worked for an arm triangle, but Alvarez again regained her guard. Aguilar sunk in an arm triangle for real and defeated Alvarez by submission in just over four minutes of the first round.
And in the last match of the evening, Yves Edwards faced Luis Palomino in a three-round war. Edwards was dominant in the first round, landing a takedown and some ground and pound and elbows. Palomino did a good job of regaining guard even after Edwards transitioned from side to full mount but Edwards kept the pressure on, moving to half guard and then side control. I scored the round 10-9 Edwards. In the second round Palomino seemed far more aggressive, landing leg kicks and pressing forward. Edwards retaliated with kicks and elbows. Palomino tried to get a double leg but Edwards stuffed it and got some nice bodyshots in, then a guillotine attempt. Palomino tried to get a spinning back kick but fell to the ground. (I hate when that happens). This round was hard to score, with Edwards causing more damage but Palomino being more aggressive. 10-9 Palomino. In the third round the two fighters traded leg kicks and body shots, with a blocked head kick attempt from each fighter.The two continued in a kickboxing battle until Edwards scored a takedown. He transitioned to side control and Palomino got half guard. Palomino seemed more aggressive from the bottom than Edwards was from the top, landing punches from the bottom. Still I scored the round 10-9 Edwards, who won by unanimous decision.
All in all, it was a great round of fights. Quick knockouts are always exciting and, as a huge fan of women’s MMA I was pleased to see so much heart and skill from the two women’s matches.
Yael Grauer writes for MMA HQ. Check them out for more MMA news and updates, and get 10% off MMA gear at Elite MMA (Simply enter the coupon code “emsave” during checkout.)
Photos courtesy of: TomHillPhotos.com
