Bellator 101 took place at the Moda Center at Rose Quarter in Portland, Oregon on Friday and featured the opening round of the Season 9 Lightweight Tournament. The main event featured a bantamweight tournament semifinal bout between Joe Warren and Nick Kirk.
Joe Warren vs. Nick Kirk
Warren pressed the action throughout the fight. He applied constant pressure. Midway through the opening round, Warren got the fight to the ground and controlled Kirk while landing a heavy dose of ground and pound.
He wasted little time taking the fight to the ground in the second stanza. From there he advanced his position to side control and applied an arm bar that forced Kirk to tap out.
The former featherweight champion advanced to the tournament finals where he’ll face Travis Marx.
“I would get hurt or move out of the country because when I get a hold of you I’m going to crush you worse than I crushed him,” said Warren about Marx following the win.
Alexander Sarnavskiy vs. Marcus Davis
Sarnavskiy made short work of the UFC veteran. During an early exchange, Sarnvskiy dropped Davis with a straight right hand. He followed Davis to the canvas and quickly moved into position to apply a rear naked choke. Davis had no choice but to tap out.
Ricardo Tirloni vs. Rich Clementi
Tirloni opened up a cut on Clementi early in the opening round. The first two rounds were a striking battle with Tirloni winning the exchanges. Tirloni applied constant pressure, walking Clementi down.
Clementi’s biggest moment came in the final frame when he landed a spinning back fist. Tirloni shook it off and continued to move forward. He secured a trip takedown and peppered Clementi with strike.
The judges scored the fight for Tirloni by unanimous decision. The win secured his place in the lightweight tournament semifinals.
Will Brooks vs. John Alessio
Brooks landed kicks to the body, legs and head of Alessio in the opening round. Alessio secured a takedown and landed in side control but was unable to keep Brooks on his back.
Alessio worked for a guillotine choke twice in the bout, but Brooks defended the submission attempts. Brooks won the striking exchanges and proved to be the better grappler on the ground. He cruised to a clear-cut unanimous decision victory and advanced to the semifinals of the lightweight tournament.
Saad Awad vs. Martin Stapleton
Stapleton quickly moved forward after the starting bell. Awad met him with a right hand the knocked Stapleton to the canvas. Stapleton immediately got to his feet and worked to get the fight to the ground. He secured the takedown but was reversed. Awad advanced to the mount position. Stapleton gave us his back and Awad locked on a rear naked choke forcing Stapleton to tap out.
With the win, Awad advanced to the semifinals of the lightweight tournament.
Bellator 101 Results:
Main Card
-Joe Warren def. Nick Kirk by submission (modified keylock) at 3:03, R2
-Alexander Sarnavskiy def. Marcus Davis by submission (rear naked choke) at 1:40, R1
-Ricardo Tirloni def. Rich Clementi by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
-Will Brooks def. John Alessio by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-25)
-Saad Awad def. Martin Stapleton by submission (rear naked choke) at 3:46, R1
Preliminary Card
-Nathan Coy def. Andy Uhrich by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
-Marcin Held def. Ryan Healy by KO at 1:12, R1
-Dave Vitkay def. Tyson Jefferies by submission (rear naked choke) at 3:07, R3
-Brent Primus def. Scott Thometz by submission (rear naked choke) at 3:48, R1
-Austin Springer def. Zack Skinner by unanimous decision (30-26, 29-28, 29-28)
-Peter Aspenwal def. Jeremiah Riggs by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
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