Check out the results and video from Bellator 165 including Michael Chandler successfully defending his lightweight belt against Ben Henderson.
Bellator MMA will be treating their fans to their third title fight in three weeks, as the main event for Saturday’s Bellator 165 will involve lightweight champion Michael Chandler defending his throne against the former UFC lightweight king Ben henderson. Also on display at Bellator 165, will be the unique talents of “MVP” Michael “Venom” Page, as the 11-0 welterweight prospect looks to remain flawless in his MMA career. Bellator 165 can be seen this Saturday night, on Spike TV at 9:00 P.M. ET with the prelims streaming online.
Main Card:
Michael Chandler Ben Henderson: Lightweight Tittle
FOTY! #AndStill #Bellator165 @MikeChandlerMMA pic.twitter.com/gWrtrFmTy4
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) November 20, 2016
Michael Chandler and Ben Henderson used all 25 minutes to determine the winner of their lightweight championship fight. An early storm of heavy punches and takedowns by Michael Chandler left Henderson holding on just to make it out of the first round.
Ben Henderson responded in the second stanza with a more aggressive approach, including the launching of heavy body kicks. There was a brief hault to the action as Michael Chandler was on the business end of a low blow.
The action resumed and Henderson continued to land strong kicks to the body but Chandler began to land punches of his own. The defending champ was mixing it top by striking to both the body and head. Chandler attacked the neck of Henderson with a Guillotine and was also able to win a high percentage of the scrambles.
Ben Henderson picked up the pace in the final round as Michael Chandler was slowing down. There were multiple reversals of positions as neither man ever really able to solidify dominance. Time expired and Michael Chandler retained his lightweight title as 2 out of the 3 judges scored the bout in his favor.
Check out Michael Chandler’s insane belly to back suplex of Benson Henderson:
Suplex City #Bellator165 pic.twitter.com/22oyF9FYvL
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) November 20, 2016
Michael Page def. Fernando Gonzalez via Split Decision (29-28 Page, 30-27 Gonzalez, 29-28 Page): Welterweight
The typical ultra-exciting affair expected in a Michael Page bout was not the case at Bellator 165, as MVP sneaked by Fernando Gonzalez with a split decision victory. Gonzalez refused to fall for any of Page’s traps that usually work for the unorthodox striker.
A low volume, lackluster kickboxing bout was not exactly thrilling the fans as boo’s were commonplace throughout. Page would dance around and land solo shots every so often as Gonzalez fought a rather passive fight for the first 2 rounds. The third round saw Fernando Gonzales come to life as he moved forward with more aggression and began throwing strikes at a higher rate than the previous 2 rounds.
Page did more dancing than he did striking as the referee had to stop the action to encourage more action. The late surge by Fernando Gonzalez was too little too late as Michael Page picked up the split decision win to move to 12-0.
Adam Piccolotti def. Brandon Girtz via Unanimous Decision (29-98 x 3): Lightweight
The undefeated Adam Piccolotti moved to 9-0 as he picked up the biggest win of his professional career with a unanimous Decision win over dangerous Bellator contender Brandon Girtz. Piccolotti regularly made use of his range to prevent Girtz from being able to find his target. A plethora of leg kicks racked up points for Piccolotti to get ahead early on the scorecards. Girtz began to find his range in the third round before he blasted a takedown to put Piccolotti on his back. Some late ground and pound landed late for Girtz but time ran out before he did enough to sway the judges.
Keri Melendez def. Sheila Padilla via KO (Punch) in :47 of Round 1: (W) Flyweight
Keri Melendez made her professional MMA debut with style as she wasted no time in scoring a :47 second knockout of Sheila Padilla. Melendez started strong and came right at Padilla with crisp boxing. Melendez landed a laser of a right cross that sent Padilla crumpling the canvas. A lethal hammerfist forced the referee to call an end to Keri Melendez’ successful debut.
Watch Keri Melendez’ husband, Gilbert Melendez, celebrate his wife’s highlight debut:
#RelationshipGoals #Bellator165 @KeriMelendez415 pic.twitter.com/PHWZcjd3uI
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) November 20, 2016
Linton Vassell def. Francis Carmont via Unanimous Decision (30-26 x 2, 30-25): Light Heavyweight
Linton Vassell and Francis Carmont engaged in a predominantly grappling battle as a large chunk of the fight took place with someone having back control. Vassell edged out the unanimous decision victory, as he owned the bulk of control and ground strikes. Vassell attempted multiple submission attempts, mostly Rear Naked Chokes, but Carmont was able to fend them all off. Carmont had his moments, mainly in the second stanza, but ultimately allowed Linton Vassell to spend too much time in a dominant position throughout the fight.
Prelims:
Aaron Hamilton def. Kevin Ferguson Jr: Welterweight
Carrington Banks def. Jake Roberts: Lightweight
Sarah D'Alelio def. Jaimelene Nievera: (W) Flyweight
Dwight Grant def. Danasabe Mohammed: Welterweight
James Terry def. Justin Baesman: Welterweight
Dominic Sumer def. Justin Roswell: Welterweight