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Tonight's Bellator 221 event in Rosemont, Illinois, lined up an exciting fight card featuring a Lightweight Title fight between Michael Chandler and Patricio Friere at the Allstate Arena.
Elsewhere on the card, the likes of Michael Venom Page, Douglas Lima, and even former WWE World Champion, Jake Hager, who competed in the second Professional MMA fight of his career.
The main event featured the reigning Lightweight Champion of Bellator, Michael Chandler, who walked into the contest following a win over Brent Primus in Hawaii. Whereas, Freire was looking forward to making history by becoming Bellator's second double champion.
Bellator 221 Undercard Results:
Rob Finical def. Bryan Bautista via submission (heel-hook) at 1:42 of round 1
Amartuvshin Khuukhenkhuu def. Adam Ward via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Christian Rodriguez def. Jose Leon via submission (armbar) at 4:39 of round 1
Robert Morrow def. James Bochnovic via KO (punches) at 1:18 of round 1
Chris Gonzalez def. Charlie Radtke via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Cris Lencioni def. Adil Benjilany via submission (triangle choke) at 4:55 of round 1
*Dave Latoria vs. Jason Belyew ends in a no-contest (unintentional low blow)
Jesse Bazzi def. Joey Diehl via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Josh Streacker def. Scott Writz via KO (punch) at 3:33 of round 2
Bellator 221 Main Card Results:
Tywan Claxton vs. James Bennett
Claxton starts off the fight in a strong fashion, as he dominates the contest early on with high kicks and some strong right hand shots. The round comes to a close with Claxton clearly the dominater, as he resumes the damage on Bennett in the second round as well. With Claxton carrying so much momentum into the final round, it was almost next to impossible to stop him at this point by Bennett.
Claxton continues the fight in brutal fashion and eventually takes out Bennett in the final round at the 2:10 mark.
Results: Tywan Claxton defeated James Bennett via Technical Knockout
Jake Hager vs T.J Jones
This contest was Hager's second ever MMA fight, as the former WWE star was all set to make another statement, this time against T.J Jones, who much to everyone's joy walked out to "Old Town Road".
Hager starts off the fight in beautiful fashion, as he remains calm and collected while taking down his opponent on his back. After spending the opening few minutes on the ground, Hager finally goes in for the submissions, with the first attempt being a Triangle Choke. However, after initially failing at it, Hager goes for the americana instead. Jones even survives that as well.
Hager then eventually switches to strikes, as he starts throwing brutal rights, as Hager goes in for the head and arm choke, as Jones eventually taps out at the 2-minute mark.
Results: Jake Hager def. TJ Jones via Submission
A.J. McKee vs. Pat Curran
The undefeated McKee came into the fight with a record of 13-0, so you could probably take a guess on how confident he was. McKee was all about the kicks in the opening round, as he manages to hit Curran with a few sick shots before eventually taking him down to the ground.
McKee continues the fight with more kicks in the second round as well and connects with a liver kick and a front kick as well. With 90 seconds to go and crowd getting hot by the second, McKee finally gets a takedown on Curran, as the former did a lot of damage in order to win the second round as well.
The final round kicks off with McKee throwing in early punches, however, its the kicks and the takedowns which do the work for McKee. After a modertaely back-and-forth round, McKee finally gets a takedown on Curran at the 4.28 mark of the last round and eventually gets the win via UD.
Results: A.J McKee def. Pat Curran via Unanimous Decision
Douglas Lima vs Michael Page
As the two-time former Welterweight Champion of the World walked in with a record of 30-7, the fans pretty much realized that they were in for a show with Lima going head-to-head against the one and only, upcoming sensation, MVP.
Page charges forward and opens the fight in an aggresive manner, however, Lima counters back with a takedown at 2.05. Lima continues to dominate, only for Page trying to maintain wrist control as we close the first round.
The fight restarts, as Page hits Lima in the opening 20 seconds but Lima catches him out of nowhere with a calf kick and perfectly timed right hand shot as Page was going down on the ground. Lima gets the win in stunning fashion!
Results: Douglas Lima def. Michael Page
Michael Chandler vs Patricio Freire
Reigning Lightweight Champion, Michael Chander came into the fight with a record of 19-4 with his title on the line. Featherweight Champion, Patricio Freire, meanwhile, was the champion of the Featherweight Division.
Freire rushes to the center as both men hold their hands up high, as Chander misses with an early kick and Freire catches him out of the blue and the fight is all over, just like that.
Result: Patricio Freire def. Michael Chandler via KO to win the Featherweight Championship.
Overall, tonight was yet another exciting night of fights for Bellator, as they crowned their second Double Champion in history. As Patricio "Pitbull" Freire followed up on the legacy of the newly crowned Heavyweight Champion, Ryan Bader, who simultaneously, also holds the Light Heavyweight Championship of Bellator.
Nevertheless, congrats to Patricio Freire, as Bellator shifts their focus to their next event at the Madison Square Garden. As the likes of Lyoto Machida, Rory McDonald, Dillon Danis, and Heather Hardy all get set for Bellator 222.
