This past weekend was big for Bellator MMA.
The MMA promotion held their final shows under the Paramount Network, with Bellator 245 being headlined with a rematch between Phil Davis and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida. Not surprisingly, this was an extremely close strike fest between the former UFC stars.
This match-up was different from their 2013 encounter that saw Davis beat Machida using his ground game. The MMA veteran relied on various kicks to counter Machida’s striking ability and Davis actually got the better of Machida in the first two rounds. The former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion came back strong in the third round, though it wasn't enough as Davis won via split decision.
At Bellator 246, Juan Archuleta pulled off a huge victory over Patrick Mix to become the new Bellator Bantamweight Champion. For the first two rounds, Mix had control of the bout thanks to his ground game and Archuleta was forced to survive both rounds as Mix attempted to finish the 33-year-old.
However, Archuleta did an excellent job at escaping each attempt and landed some strong shots that kept the two rounds from being a complete domination by Mix. Following the third round, Mix was unable to get Archuleta back on the ground. The newly crowned Bantamweight champion worked over Mix and landed some strong shots that helped slow down the less experienced fighter.
Check out the full listing of both Bellator 245 and 246 below:
Bellator 245 Main Card
Phil Davis def. Lyoto Machida via split decision
Cat Zingano def. Gabrielle Holloway via unanimous decision
Taylor Johnson def. Ed Ruth via submission (heel hook) (R1, 0:59)
Raymond Daniels vs. Peter Stanonik ruled no-contest (two unintentional shots to groin) (R2, 1:00)
Bellator 245 Preliminary Card
Alex Polizzi def. Rafael Carvalho via unanimous decision
Leslie Smith def. Amanda Bell via unanimous decision
Tyrell Fortune vs. Jack May declared no-contest (accidental knee to groin)
Keith Lee def. Vinicius Zani via unanimous decision
Bellator 246 Main Card (Paramount/DAZN, 10 p.m. ET)
Juan Archuleta def. Patrick Mix by unanimous decision
Neiman Gracie def. Jon Fitch via submission (heel hook/kneebar hybrid) at 4:47 of Round 2.
Liz Carmouche def. DeAnna Bennett by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:17 of Round 3.
Keoni Diggs def. Derek Campos via technical submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:59 of Round 3.
Bellator 246 Preliminary Card (8:15 p.m. ET)
Daniel Madrid def. Pat Casey by split decision
Ty Gwerder def. George Tokkos by TKO at 1:05 of Round 3.
Davion Franklin def. Ras Hylton by technical decision