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#6. Rory McDonald (20-5-1) vs. Neiman Gracie (9-0) (Bellator Welterweight Championship, WGP Semi-Finals)
Former UFC fan favourite Rory McDonald put his Welterweight title on the line against the undefeated Neiman Gracie in the main event.
It was a stern test for the Champion, but he put on a solid overall performance to score a unanimous decision victory against the 4th generation Gracie family member.
McDonald mixed things up really well in the first round with jabs, head kicks, and hooks to win it on the scorecards. The second round was closer in comparison as Gracie targeted McDonald's legs. McDonald took the fight to the ground in the third round and scored points for top control and for being in better offensive positions. Gracie knew he had to do something big to stand a chance of winning the fight, so he rushed in for a takedown. He did get McDonald down in the fourth round but McDonald ended up on top mid-way through the round.
While Gracie did win the final round, it didn't really matter in the grander scheme of things as McDonald had done enough to win the fight.
Result: Rory McDonald def. Neiman Gracie via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)
A very clinical and professional performance from the champ who moves on to the WGP finals with the strap fastened around his waist. As for Gracie, it's back to the drawing board as he suffered his first pro-MMA loss against one of the best Welterweights in the world. No shame in that.
