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The pressure was on Bellator to make up for the underwhelming 215 as Michael Vemon Page took on Paul Daley in the main event of the 216 in what was billed as the biggest grudge match in Bellator history.
Elsewhere on the card, a 9-year undefeated streak came to an end on a night that also didn't witness two debutants making a strong statement.
Let's get right into the results without wasting any more time:
Bellator 216 Undercard Results
* Demetrios Plaza def. Andrews Rodriguez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)
* Justin Sumter def. Reginaldo Felix via submission (Rear-Naked Choke) (3:27, Round 1)
* Kemran Lachinov def. Kastriot Xhema via submission (Kneebar) 0:53 (Round 2)
* Tyrell Fortune def. Ryan Pokryfky via TKO (knee and punches) (2:21, Round 1)
* Vinicius De Jesus def. Rodolpho Barcellos via TKO (punches) (3:46, Round 1)
* Jesse Kosakowski def. Rodolfo Neves Rocha via submission (Rear-Naked Choke) (3:05, Round 2)
* Nekruz Mirkhojaev def. Pat Casey via submission (Neck Crank) – Round 3, 1:18
#1 Colby Fletcher vs. Valerie Loureda (Flyweight)
Taekwondo standout Valerie Loureda made her pro-MMA debut for Bellator as she took on Colby Fletcher (1-2) in the first fight on the main card. Fletcher came into the fight with a noticeable reach advantage against the debutant who trains at American Top Team.
Round 1: Loureda predictably began with a high left kick. Loureda stuck to her Taekwondo-inspired style and answered Fletcher's combo with a spinning hook kick. Loureda kept things busy as she connected with a right hook followed by axe and leg kicks.
Loureda continued to amass volume as she landed a three-piece, a combo, and a leg kick. She connected with a body head as Fletcher looked to cut the distance. Loureda caught Fletcher with another right hook and a leg kick.
Fletcher pushed Loureda away with a kick as the debutant missed a hook. Loureda then stunned Fletcher with a combo followed by a body kick and that did enough damage to send Fletcher crashing to the mat.
Loureda pounced to unleash a right hammer fist combo forcing the referee to step and end the fight.
Result: Valere Loureda def. Colby Fletcher via TKO (2:55, Round 1)
The 20-year-old Taekwondo star couldn't have asked for a better debut as she was visibly overwhelmed by the win. She termed the moment as a dream come true and couldn't stop the waterworks. A great debut and a heartfelt moment to follow it up for the talented women's flyweight prospect.
#2 Erick Silva vs. Yaroslav Amosov (Welterweight)
Former UFC Welterweight Erick Silva was set to make his Bellator debut against undefeated Ukranian fighter Yaroslav Amosov (20-0).
Round 1: The welterweight touched gloves to begin the fight. Silva got things going with a lead left kick as Amosov started cautiously. Silva got the better of the initial exchanges as he caught Amosov with a big right and followed it up with a combo. Amosov got into the clinch to slow down the pace of the fight as he attempted a right cross.
Amosov got Silva down but the Brazilian got the fight back up.
Silva finished the round strong with a right, left hook, leg kick and a knee to Amosov's gut.
10-9 Silva
Round 2: They touched gloves to begin the second round too as Amosov connected with a leg kick, However, Silva caught his feet that sent Amosov to the mat. He got up and both men continued to measure each other.
Silva landed a short right uppercut and missed a spinning back kick. Amosov got the body lock and briefly took Silva down but both men got back up. Amosov tenaciously held onto Silva's back and pinned him down near the cage.
Amosov got one hook in as Silva was mindful about the right-hand shots that were coming in from the back. Amosov landed a right from underneath Silva's arm. Amosov did a great job of controlling Silva. Silva got back up to his feet only be slammed back down to the mat with authority by Amosov. A big pop for the takedown.
Amosov's wrestling superiority was on full display against the Brazilian Jui Jitsu practitioner as he landed shots from the top.
Rights and elbows constantly rained down on Silva as he tried to open up his guard and get a submission at the end of the fight.
10-9 Amisov
Round 3: Silva drew first blood with two hard leg kicks. Silva stuffed a takedown attempt but Amosov was relentless. He changed levels and partially took Silva down before getting hold of his back with a body lock takedown on his feet.
They broke up and got back to the center of the cage. Amosov with a straight left from southpaw before impressively taking down Silva with ease. Amosov prevented Silva from using the cage to get up as he locked his leg down in half guard.
Silva turned and got back up to his feet but Amosov wasn't ready to let go of his back. He took Silva down yet again and continued to connect with right shots from the back.
Amosov controlled the position incredibly well as he took Silva down again with authority. Silva stood up again but Amosov had a tight body lock on Silva. Another takedown as Silva looked physically spent as the fight came to a close.
10-9 Amosov
Result: Yaroslav Amosov def. Erick Sliva via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 29-28)
The former Sambo Champion extended his spotless record to 21 wins while it was a forgettable debut for Erick Silva. Back to the drawing board for the UFC veteran.
#3 Cheick Kongo vs. Vitaly Minakov (Heavyweight)
Bellator veteran Kongo came into the fight on a seven-fight win streak against undefeated Russian Juggernaut Vitaly Minakov, which would be their second meeting. Minakov came out on top during their first fight that went the distance.
The winner of the rematch would become the #1 contender for Ryan Bader's Heavyweight title.
Round 1: Minakov was the aggressor from the onset as he tagged Kongo with a few strikes. Kongo was flat footed and seemed wary of Minakov's punches. However, Kongo managed to duck under one and get in the body lock.
He took the fight to the cage and controlled position in the clinch. Kongo then landed a knee to Minakov's groin and the referee was forced to momentarily stop the fight. Minakov recuperated as Kongo was warned about the accidental knee to the groin.
The fight continued as Kongo had to work his way back to a dominant position he just lost. Kongo countered a charging Minakov with kicks. Minakov ended the round with an overhand right that missed before clinching with Kongo onto the cage.
Round 2: Kongo circled away to begin the round and landed a solid leg kick. He landed another leg kick as he looked to set up the counter right. Not much happened as Kongo kept retreating and refused to engage.
The crowd booed as the commentators themselves declared that there was no play-by-play required for the lack of activity. One minute to go and Minakov kept rushing forward only to see Kongo go back.
The boos reverberated around the arena as Minakov got hold of Kongo. Kongo avoided it and attempted a body lock. Minakov broke free but Kongo was the one who followed him this time and connected with a right hand, a knee and a left-hand strike.
Kongo landed another overhand right and ended the round strong with uppercuts and knees.
10-9 Minakov
Round 3: Kongo with four hard leg kicks as he to chopped away on Minakov's left leg.
Minakov finally landed a successful takedown and assumed top position. This is where Kongo didn't want to be. Minakov landed strikes from half guard as he looked to set up the choke.
Minakov almost cut the air supply to Kongo but the 43-year-old slithered his way out. Minakov didn't let go as he landed shots to the body and face of Kongo on the ground.
They got back on their feet at the end of the round and Kongo realized he had to do something to finish the fight. Bombs from Kongo as he stunned Minakov with a well-placed uppercut. Kongo caught Minakov in a Thai clinch and unloaded some vicious knees. Minakov looked spent as Kongo shot for a takedown.
Minakov stuffed it and the fight came to close. A strong finish for Kongo but was it enough to convince the judges?
Tough fight to score!
Result: Cheick Kongo def. Vitaly Minakov via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Kongo surprisingly notched up his eighth straight win in the title eliminator as he handed 34-year-old Minakov his first professional loss. Kongo not only gets retribution but also a shot at Bader's Heavyweight title.
Was Minakov robbed though?
#4 Mirko Cro Cop vs. Roy Nelson (Heavyweight)
This mouth-watering heavyweight showdown ought to have been an explosive affair as the sprawl-and-brawl legends were about to meet inside the cage for the second time.
Nelson (26-13) got the better of Cro Cop (37-11-2) in their first encounter in the UFC but Cro Cop had the momentum on his side this time around, as he hadn't lost in his last nine fights heading into his Bellator debut at 44 years of age. Did the 42-year-old Big Country get back on the winning ways against the PRIDE legend?
Round 1: Nelson came out flashing the jab as Cro Cop wisely circled around in southpaw. Nelson used his right hand as a decoy to close the distance but Cro Cop stuffed the takedown attempt.
Nelson shot for a single leg yet again but Cro Cop, as we all know, isn't easy to get down to the mat. Nelson kept pressing and got Cro Cop onto the cage. Nelson kept up the pressure but couldn't get Cro Cop down. Cro Cop tagged Nelson with a few shots but we all know Big Country's iron chin can probably even take Hulk's punch.
The fans chanted for 'Mirko' as he connected with a powerful left body liver kick. Nelson closed the distance immediately. Cro Cop landed a left uppercut on the inside at the end of the round.
Round 2: Nelson shot for the takedown from the get-go but Cro Cop did well to avoid going down. Cro Cop kept stuffing the takedown attempts.
This was a great back-and-forth round in terms of the stand-up as both men had their moments. Cro Cop continued to chop away with the kicks and landed a few jabs and straight lefts.
Nelson ended the round on a high with a few hooks and knees. However, Cro Cop won the round as he had more significant strikes and defended all of Nelson's takedowns.
Round 3: Cro Cop targeted Nelson's leg. Nelson went for another takedown. Stuffed. Cro Cop continued to show incredible takedown defense as he first avoided a wild right and then avoided going down using the under hooks.
Nelson did well to close down the distance all throughout the fight but just couldn't take Cro Cop down. He finally got the takedown within a minute to go until the end of the round. Little too late?
Nelson tried to land the ground and pound from the top until the final bell rang.
Result: Mirko Cro Cop def. Roy Nelson via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Cro Cop got his revenge against Nelson in his first Bellator fight which extended his winning streak to ten. Darn good for a 44-year-old, ain't it?
#5 Michael Venom Page vs. Paul Semtex Daley (Welterweight)
The unorthodox Michael Page (13-0) vs. knockout artist Paul Daley (40-16-2) promised to be a colossal fight in the Bellator Welterweight Grand Prix. In case you didn't know, the winner would meet Douglas Lima in the semi-finals of the tournament.
Round 1: MVP came in with his hands down in his own distinct karate stance. Daley looked more traditional in his approach and wasn't in the mood to fall into MVP's trap. Daley kept circling around as MVP kept following him.
The fans started getting a little restless as the supposed striking machines were abnormally dormant in the first round. The fight had not started yet as not even a single punch was thrown up until this point.
Page ended the round with something to his name as he got a jab, kick and a knee to win the round.
If this would have been Pride, the referee would have been like....
Round 2: MVP was more animated in the second round as Daley refrained from engaging.
MVP connected with a sweet jumping front kick to Daley's face. Daley looked unfazed but that looked good! Daley realized it was time to get some points on the board as he shot for a takedown. Page defended it really well but Daley held on. He pushed Page to the cage. The separation happened and both men were back to the center of the cage.
Daley successfully landed a takedown and controlled both of Page's legs to avoid him from standing up. He connected with two shots to the body as he continued to wear Page down.
Daley did a great job of using his feet to keep Page down. Both men got back up on their feet and Daley unleashed a wild left that didn't connect. Page stumbled momentarily as Daley rushed in for the finish. Page survived as the round ended.
Daley 10-9
Round 3: Nice front kicks from Page to begin the round. Page mixed it up with a jab. Page scored with a beautiful straight right hand.
Daley shot for the takedown but Page defended well. Daley worked his way in the clinch and tripped Page to score another impressive takedown.
It was tough to get a good position but when he did, Daley connected with three solid shots to the face of Page. Page got back up to his feet as the round came to a close.
Daley 10-9
Round 4: Daley got another takedown within a minute of the first round. A smart strategy deployed by the usually aggressive Daley, who neutralized the unpredictability of Page by taking him out of his comfort zone by shifting the fight to the mat,
MVP looked to set up a Triangle choke from the closed guard. They got back up to their feet. Page dominated in the second half of the round after a tagged Daley with a flying knee that pierced through Daley's guard. He got Daley down and controlled the fight until the end of the round with elbows and strikes from the top.
Page 10-9
Round 5: Daley got a takedown as the round kicked off. He retreated but Page stayed on the ground. Daley got back into Page's open guard and attempted to land some strikes from the top.
However, Page made it difficult but at the same time, couldn't find a way to get back up to his feet. Daley made a mistake as he gave his back up to Page. MVP began working towards a rear-naked choke with over a minute left to go.
Daley got up to his feet but Page didn't let go. The fans urged MVP on to finish the fight as he unloaded with some elbows. Page ended the fight on top.
Page 10-9
Result: Michael Venom Page def. Paul Daley via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)
It was not the night we expected, but MVP showed great composure to extend his undefeated record to 14-0. Daley came in with an intelligent game plan but couldn't capitalize on the various takedowns he scored.
As things stand, Venom will go on to face Lima in the Welterweight Grand Prix semi-final fight on May 11th, 2018.
