Bellator 131 ‘Ortiz vs. Bonnar’ Results: Play-by-Play & Updates

Rolando Perez vs. Mark Vorgeas

Round 1

Not much action to speak of early in the opening bout of the evening, but Mark Vorgeas is using his jab to keep Rolando Perez at bay on the outside. Perez swings wildly with his right leg looking to make contact, Vorgeas retaliates with an uppercut. An accidental low low from Verges brings a stop to the action. Referee Michael Bell checks on Perez and the bout restarts. Flying knee attempt from Perez to end a slow moving opening round. 10-9 Vorgeas.

Round 2

Vorgeas pushing the envelope to open the second round, stalking Perez around the cage. Vorgeas shoots inside on Perez and doesn’t successfully score the takedown. Vorgeas hits another low blow, this time around Bell doesn’t offer a warning, taking a point away from Vorgeas. On the restart Perez becomes more active, but Vorgeas lands a cracking low kick that sends a thud through the arena. Perez shoots and fails on the takedown again. The round comes to a close following Perez landing an overhand right. 10-8 Perez.

Round 3

The third and final frame is starting, both men rush to the center of the cage. Vorgeas opens up a bit with a one-two punch combination, changes levels and looks for the takedown. Perez is showing red on his back from being pressed against the cage. Perez working the jab, Vorgeas punches through it. Overhand right from Perez scores, he continues to walk down Vorgeas. Perez continuing to track Vorgeas down, a little less output from both men this late in the fight. Vorgeas throws a knee but it’s partially blocked. With 20-seconds remaining Perez attempts one final takedown. 10-9 Perez (29-27 Perez).

The Official Result

Rolando Perez Draw Mark Vorgeas [29-27, 26-30, 28-28] 5:00 R3

Jordan Bailey vs. Alex Higley

Round 1

Right off the bat Jordan Bailey takes Alex Higley to the mat. He quickly tries to advance his position, but Bailey does a great job of keeping his center of gravity on Higley. Bailey gets upright, dropping two big bombs on his opponent. Bailey takes the back of Higley, looking for a neck crank. Bailey transitions to a rear-naked choke, patiently attempting to tap out his opponent. There it is, referee Jason Herzog steps in to stop the action on the tap out.

The Official Result

Jordan Bailey Def. Alex Higley Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) 3:27 R1

Nick Garcia vs. Matthew Ramirez

Round 1

Nick Garcia stalking Matt Ramirez early, looking to land a big shot. Ramirez gets hit with a leg kick, he screams at the top of his lungs much to the delight of the crowd. Garcia scores the first takedown of the fight, but Ramirez gets right back to his feet. Fast pacing here early. Garcia shoots the single-leg takedown, but it’s sprawled, allowing Ramirez to land three big shots to the head of Garcia. The two fighters are talking in the cage, then Ramirez opens up with an overhand right. Garcia goes to the body with a shot, then gets taken to the mat right as the first round expires. 10-9 Ramirez.

Round 2

Right off the bat, Garcia catches Ramirez with a huge uppercut that wobbles his opponent. From there Garcia goes for the kill, opening up with big punches to finish the fight. Out of nowhere, Garcia leaps up and grabs ahold of a deep standing guillotine choke. Ramirez tries to slam his way out of it, but it’s too little as Ramirez is out cold. Referee Mike Beltran waves the fight off.

The Official Result

Nick Garcia Def. Matt Ramirez Submission (Guillotine Choke) R1 0:56

Andy Murad vs. Bubba Pugh

Round 1

After a touching of gloves, Bubba Pugh and Andy Murad get this middleweight clash underway. Pugh comes inside with a one-two combination, narrowly missing its mark. They come together, Pugh uses an inside trip to briefly take Murad to the mat, but Murad is able to get back up soon. Pugh continues riding his opponent, dragging him to the floor. Pugh attempts to flatten Murad out, throwing right and left punches to the temple. Murad now actively defending the rear-naked choke. Murad is slowly turning the tide here, looking to remove himself from the grasp of Pugh. A bit of a lull in the action, referee Michael Bell asks for both men to work. Pugh explodes and takes Murad to the floor with a slam. Murad continues to work, getting back to his feet in the final seconds of the round. 10-9 Pugh.

Round 2

At the start of the second round, Murad shoots inside and presses Pugh against the cage in search of a takedown. After a moment, Pugh is able to turn the tide and begins using leverage against Murad and the cage. Pugh runs Murad full-length across the cage, trying to get the fight to the mat, but it remains a stalemate upright. Pugh nearly gets Murad down, but is too far up on his opponent and is in danger of sliding off. Murad rolls through, pressing against the cage as has been the story for the entire round. Referee Michael Bell has surprisingly let this entire round take place on the edges of the cage. 10-9 Pugh.

Round 3

Pugh opens the final round with some big punches that awakens the audience. Murad is opened up over his left eye, but is emphatically trying to make sure this fight remains at a standstill along the cage. Referee Michael Bell stops the action to look at the cut, as the ringside physician enters the cage, he nearly takes a tumble. After looking at the cut, the doctors says the fight should be allowed to continue. On the restart Murad goes right back to pressing Pugh against the steel mesh. Sporadically throwing knees to the body. It’s evident Murad is trying to keep up the pace just enough to not warrant the referee breaking up the action. Pugh has enough of this arrangement and takes explodes off the cage, taking Murad to the floor for a brief second. Murad gets upright, but Pugh comes right back with some punches that seems to hurt Murad. Out of sheer instinct, Murad shoots on a single-leg and finally earns a takedown to end the fight. 10-9 Murad (29-28 Pugh).

The Official Result

Andy Murad Def. Bubba Pugh Decision (Split) [29-28, 28-29, 29-28] 5:00 R3

Ron Henderson vs. Jonathan Santa Maria

Round 1

Jon Santa Maria has a huge contingent of fans here in attendance for his flyweight bout against Ron Henderson. A big shot to the chin of Santa Maria from Henderson opens this fight up. Henderson seems to be the quicker of the two fighters, but as he looks to utilize his quickness on a takedown attempt, Santa Maria throws him to the side with ease and they reset in the center. Santa Maria circling on the outside of the cage, Henderson doing the stalking. Henderson swings wildly with a left hook, that misses. This repeats itself, as Santa Maria continues to avoid eating shots. Henderson finally catches Santa Maria with a one-two combination, but Santa Maria is able to stay upright. 10-9 Henderson.

Round 2

Henderson drops Santa Maria with a right hand, he looks to finish the fight from on top, but is a bit overeager and loses top position. Henderson hits Santa Maria with a shot and has him rocked, Santa Maria literally tried his best to sprint away from his opponent, looking to avoid as much damage as possible. Henderson, hot in pursuit, takes the back of Santa Maria, but digging deep, Santa Maria punches his way out of his dire situation. Henderson has developed a hematoma over his left eye, that Santa Maria now seems to be targeting. Santa Maria has Henderson almost out on his feet, looking for the kill. Jason Herzog steps in to end the proceedings, but Henderson is literally saved by the bell. 10-9 Santa Maria.

Round 3

Both men tentative to start the final round. Henderson still stalking, landing big punches when they actually connect. Henderson absolutely rocking Santa Maria with huge right and left hooks. Can’t quite tell if Santa Maria is tired or hurt, as he continues to sit back and allow Henderson to tee off. Out of nowhere, Santa Maria connects with a big shot that drops Henderson in a flash knockout situation. Henderson comes right back, moving forward as if nothing happened. The two traded to end the round and the fight. 10-9 Henderson (29-28 Henderson).

The Official Result

Jonathan Santa Maria Def. Ron Henderson Decision (Split) [30-27, 29-29, 29-28] 5:00 R3

A.J. Matthews vs. Kyle Bolt

Round 1

Kyle Bolt and A.J. Matthews spring to action right as the opening bell sounds, racing to claim the center. Matthews scores with a couple stiff shots, Bolt comes back with an uppercut. Bolt begins searching for a takedown, but catches Bolt with a punch that sends Bolt to the mat in a heap. Matthews steps back, but referee Mike Beltran doesn’t call a stop to the action. Matthews comes right back with another right hand to solidify the knockout. Impressive striking performance from Matthews.

The Official Result

A.J. Matthews def. Kyle Bolt via Knockout (Punches) 1:39 R1

Ian Butler vs. Joao Faria

Round 1

Joao Faria and Ian Butler touch gloves to get things underway. Faria remaining active with the leg kick, but then switches up with a head kick attempt that narrowly misses. Butler seems to be catching on and is now actively attempting to catch a kick of Faria’s. Butler is tentative, with Faria dictating the action early. Butler is obviously trying to counterpunch his way out of situations. Push kick from Faria, who is continuing to fight his type of fight. Neither man exerting himself too much in the earlygoing. Close round, but I side with Faria. 10-9 Faria.

Round 2

Faria shoots for a takedown but the attempt is sprawled. Butler throwing wild overhand rights, but they aren’t coming close to landing. The pace is slower here in the second, Faria isn’t nearly as active with his kicks, Butler keeping a meager pace. The two throw punches in unison that land. Now Butler landing a decent combination to end the frame. Another equally close round. 10-9 Butler.

Round 3

Both men come out swinging for the fences, Butler dropping his right hand in order to get maximum leverage on a hook. Faria shoots on a perfectly timed takedown, landing securely in top position and dropping short right hands. Faria posturing upright, throwing elbows from the inside, he now moves into a full mount, raining down huge shots. Faria crosses over, sinking in a head and arm choke that is deep. Butler is forced to tap to the maneuver, his first loss as a professional, while Faria picks up his first win.

The Official Result

Joao Faria def. Ian Butler via Submission (head and Arm Choke) 1:58 R3

Muhammed Lawal vs. Joe Vedepo

Round 1

Joe Vedepo goes directly at “King Mo” to start the fight, Lawal steps to the side, then immediately takes Vedepo to the mat. They are wedged against the cage, Mo attempting to posture up and drop bombs. Vedepo trying to writhe free of Lawal’s grip, but Mo is latched on tightly. Mo stands up, dropping two punches that make solid contact. Vedepo’s face is already showing some wear from Lawal’s shots. Halfway through the round, Mo is in side control, patiently picking his shots. Now he is throwing the right with some more frequency, but Vedepo throws an upkick that connects. Lawal is in full control here, literally just having his way with the former UFC veteran. Vedepo valiantly standing up, Lawal grabs ahold of his back and takes him right back to the mat to close out the first round. 10-9 Lawal.

Round 2

Vedepo comes out in a blaze of glory to start the second round, throwing wild punches that send him off balance. Lawal sidesteps the attempt and takes Vedepo to the mat. “The Doctor” briefly goes for a kimura, but Lawal powers out and goes back to the mauling ground and pound. Vedepo stands, separates from Lawal, then throws a wild overhand right that misses. Mo toying with Vedepo, fighting with his hands at his sides to entice some offense from Vedepo, but finally takes Vedepo to the mat. Hammerfists from Lawal to continue the onslaught. Lawal stands, throws a big shot to the body that hurts Vedepo, then goes back up top with the headshots. Vedepo staying mildly active from his back, landing some elbows, but again this round was all “King Mo.” 10-9 Lawal.

Round 3

The third opens with a touching of gloves, then Lawal pushes into overdrive, landing multiple punches that have Vedepo on the ropes. Lawal thinks about attempting a takedown, but moves backward and scores with another shot. Vedepo crumples forward, Lawal slowly assumes position and starts blasting Vedepo’s battered face with punches, alternating between sides. Referee Jason Herzog is moving in for the stoppage, after a couple more shots, Herzog waves it off. The men’s faces tell the whole story, as Vedepo is absolutely battered.

The Official Result

Muhammed Lawal Def. Joe Vedepo TKO (Punches) 0:39 R3

Nam Phan vs. Mike Richman

Round 1

Richman catches Phan with a shot that wobbles the former UFC fighter. Richman pounces, throwing shots that continue to hurt Phan. Michael Bell is watching closely, but Phan has no answer, as Richman dropped his opponent again and then poured it on with punches enroute to the first-round stoppage.

The Official Result

Mike Richman def. Nam Phan KO (Punches) R1 0:46

Melvin Manhoef vs. Joe Schilling

Round 1

Both men slowly feeling out the fight early, with Joe Schilling walking Melvin Manhoef down. Manhoef throws a kick that is checked by Schilling. Manhoef throws an overhand right that grazes the head of Schilling. A punch from Schilling seems to put Manhoef off balance and Schilling immediately pounces, but an accidental low blow causes the action to break. On the restart, Manhoef catches Schilling with a shot that drops the Glory Kickboxing competitor, Manhoef immediately goes into overdrive, throwing countless punches to earn the stoppage from referee Mike Beltran. Schilling is holding on for dear life here, doing anything he can to stop the pummeling. Schilling finally grabs ahold of Manhoef, slowing the action. Beltran stands the two up, immediately Schilling throws a head kick that is blocked by Manhoef, now Schilling putting together a combination that has Manhoef on the ropes. Now Schilling throws a knee that grazes the head of Manhoef. Explosive opening round that saw Schilling just escape a finish. 10-9 Manhoef.

Round 2

Schilling throws an elbow that rocks Manhoef, he follows up with a knee to the gut that hurts Manhoef. Out of nowhere, Manhoef swings off of the fence, but Schilling catches Manhoef smack dab on the chin with a right-left punching combination. Manhoef was out cold before his head hit the back of the mat. Schilling celebrates wildly with an impressive finish.

The Official Result

Joe Schilling def. Melvin Manhoef via Knockout (Punches) 0:32 R2

Bellator Lightweight Title Fight:
Will Brooks vs. Michael Chandler

Round 1

The co-main event of the evening features a rematch for the promotion’s lightweight title between Michael Chandler and the interim champion Will Brooks. Lot’s of footwork early from Chandler, who shoots early for a takedown. Brooks changes levels and prevents the takedown, but Chandler maintains control against the cage. Chandler throwing knees to the legs of Brooks, he then transitions to the back of Brooks, looking for a choke. Brooks throws Chandler over him and the two separate. The reset in the center of the cage, Chandler rocks Brooks with a stiff leg kick. Brooks throws a reaching right hand that doesn’t make solid contact. Brooks throws a kick that shakes the leg of Chandler, then follows with a body kick. The champion is moving around the outside of the cage, while Chandler stalks, pressing the action. Flying knee attempt from Chandler, but it doesn’t land. Jab from Brooks scores, he follows up with another body kick that’s partially blocked by Chandler. 10-9 Chandler.

Round 2

Brooks sprint across the cage to open the second, looking to claim the center of the space. Now Brooks opening up with a stiff jab to right hook combination. A knee from Brooks seems to hurt Chandler, but the challenger grabs ahold of the leg and then presses the fight against the cage. Chandler trying hard to finish the takedown, dirty boxing all the while. His persistence pays off, as he momentarily takes the fight to the floor. They stand, they come together in the clinch, Chandler accidentally kicks Brooks in the groin area, then follows up with some shots before Jason Herzog can intervene. Brooks is slow to get to his feet. Chandler circling to the right of Brooks, he eats another big body kick. Chandler pawing at Brooks with the jab, as Brooks continues to avoid the action. They come together in a crazy sequence with Chandler hurting Brooks with shots. Brooks seems to be against the ropes here, desperately shooting for a takedown. Chandler sits on it, then locks in a choke that nearly finishes Brooks. The champion escapes, then pounds Chandler with right hands due to the challenger’s hands down at his sides. Explosive round 10-9 Chandler.

Round 3

Chandler getting away from his movement a bit here in the fight, seemingly playing into Brooks’ hands. A big body shot from Chandler this time around, that is followed up by a takedown attempt. It’s sprawled, the fight ends up against the cage. Brooks catches Chandler with a body shot, that makes the San Diego native grimace. Brooks looks to enter the clinch with Chandler, now pressing against the cage. Brooks throwing knees to the body of Chandler, now Chandler looks to cover up. The two trade dominant positions against the cage. The pair hit the mat, with Chandler giving up his back, Brooks looks for a rear-naked choke but gets too far north on his opponent and slides off. Chandler immediately closes distance and puts Brooks against the cage. Close round. 10-9 Brooks.

Round 4

Visibly slower pace here in the championship rounds. Brooks looking to load up with the right-hand, catch the chin of Chandler. Stiff uppercut from Chandler lands, he then follows with a jumping knee that is followed by the patented press against the cage. Chandler has been unable to finish the takedown thus far. Right hand from Chandler clips Brooks, who then also eats a body kick. Chandler gets taken down by Brooks, but scrambles out. The two stand, Chandler eating two shots, but then just walking forward. In a weird sequence, Chandler eats a right hand and waves his arms, Brooks then follows with shots unabated to the head of Chandler, who seems out of it. Herzog steps in and waves off the fight. Chandler is in absolute shock, as he has no clue why the fight was stopped. On the replay, it seems that Chandler was out of it from the punch to the temple, but Brooks pounced in order to earn the stoppage.

The Official Result

Will Brooks def. Michael Chandler via TKO (Punches) 3:48 R4

Stephan Bonnar vs. Tito Ortiz

Round 1

Ortiz comes right inside on Bonnar, shooting for the takedown. He is successful, taking Bonnar down. Bonnar gets right back up and is hanging in as far as grappling goes. The pair are against the cage, trading liver shots. The pair separate, Bonnar lands two consecutive jabs. Ortiz throws a big left hook that misses, then shoots for the takedown. They wind up against the cage, Ortiz throws an ill-advised knee that hits the cup. Bonnar is bleeding from an elbow that Ortiz landed. Bonnar standing right in front of Ortiz, they both are putting everything into their shots. Bonnar working the jab, but it’s not hurting Ortiz. In the final 15-seconds, Ortiz scores a takedown, sealing the round in his favor. 10-9 Ortiz.

Round 2

Bonnar clips Ortiz with a shot early, but Ortiz comes right back with a stiff left hand of his own. Both of these men throwing punches in what seems to be slow motion, but they are standing and trading. The fight hits the mat, Bonnar gets up, but eats a knee on the way out. They both eat a shot, the crowd chanting “Tito, Tito” in full roar. Ortiz shoots for the single-leg takedown, but Bonnar slides out of it. He trips as he walks away. Bonnar is bleeding heavily from the face, both are taking their turns throwing the right hook. Now Bonnar opens up with a few shots, to which Ortiz returns fire. Ortiz shoots, latches onto the back of his foe, Bonnar scrambles. Ortiz holds on for dear life, he manages to hold Bonnar down for the remainder of the round. 10-9 Ortiz.

Round 3

More of the same to open the final round, both men throwing all they can possibly muster into their shots. Surprisingly, Bonnar shoots for a takedown, which proves to be a poor decision as Ortiz quickly flips the script and winds up in dominant position. Both men are completely gassed, hands at their sides, breathing with open mouths. Ortiz has his hands up though, protecting from the knockout. Ortiz catches Bonnar with a right hand, making Bonnar even further off balance. One minute remaining, Ortiz pushing the pace as much as he possibly can, looking to finish Bonnar. The two men throw everything they have into the final ten seconds, ending with Ortiz getting the better part of the exchange. 10-9 Ortiz (30-27 Ortiz).

The Official Result

Tito Ortiz def. Stephan Bonnar via Decision (Split) [30-27, 28-29, 30-27] 5:00 R3