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Bellator 208 is in the books and a thrilling weekend of MMA action has finally concluded.
An exciting headline match between former Pride FC Heavyweight Champion, Fedor Emelianenko and former UFC superstar, Chael Sonnen has resulted in the world now knowing who will contest the final in the Heavyweight Championship tournament to determine a new Champion after Emelianenko won a hugely entertaining encounter.
The perfect end to a thrilling two nights of MMA action, Bellator 208 did not disappoint.
Bellator 208 like 207 was a show that promised much on paper but delivered yet more in reality as Bellator's exciting weekend of MMA concluded in thrilling fashion.
The number two MMA promotion in the United States has been on an absolute tear in recent times, delivering incredible action up and down it's cards as it successfully integrates famous MMA veterans such as Emelianenko, Sonnen, Tito Ortiz, Frank Mir and others on its events with hot young talent, which makes an exciting environment for the viewer.
The battle to declare a new Heavyweight Champion heated up with the first Semi-Final bout between Matt Mitrione and Ryan Bader, which saw Light-Heavyweight Champion, Bader take a step closer to becoming a Double Champion in the promotion and now we know that the legendary Russian Heavyweight will compete with him in the Final in a mouth watering clash.
Huge MMA stars Benson Henderson and Cheick Kongo and Kevin Ferguson Jr highlighted an undercard in matches that thrilled and shocked in equal measure.
One of Bellator's biggest shows of the year delivered with some incredible moments and surprises and now there is no doubt whatsoever that most eyes will be on Bellator 209 as the company continues to build incredible momentum.
Let's review the best and worst moments from a wild night of fights at Bellator 208.
#1 Best - Feder Emelianenko wins an explosive encounter with Chael Sonnen
The legendary Russian, Fedor Emelianenko has once again proven that he still has plenty of gas left in the tank as he stopped Chael Sonnen in the First Round of their explosive headline encounter at Bellator 208.
With a spot opposite Ryan Bader to determine the Heavyweight Champion on the line, Emelianenko wasted little time in exerting his authority over Sonnen, tagging the American twice with big right hands in the opening seconds of the bout.
To his credit, Sonnen kept coming back against his larger foe and did finally secure a take-down but the big Russian was just too strong and escaped before smashing Sonnen again with another huge right. Ground and pound and the stoppage followed.
Emelianenko does not have the cardiovascular conditioning he once had in his prime but one thing is certain, he remains, even at the age of 42 an immensely strong man.
Bader will be the favourite in the Heavyweight Final but no one can count the Russian out as he proved here in a hugely impressive performance.
Worst - Alexander Shlemenko's future hanging by a thread
Alexander Schlemenko versus Anatoly Tokov was a poor fight. Not memorable in any way.
That fact wasn't good for either man. However, the result means it was a much worse night for Schlemenko.
It was tough to watch a man who was once so dominant inside a cage, struggle to compete, but father time has clearly caught up with Schlemenko, who now after three straight defeats appears incapable of turning the clock back.
The once great Schlemenko struggled to get any strikes off whatsoever and was dominated from start to finish across all three rounds.
Tokov has now won 20 of his past 21 fights and clearly has a big future in the promotion but for the former Middleweight Champion, Schlemenko may not have any future left in Bellator or MMA at all.
It was a depressing watch for Schlemenko fans.
#2 Best - Benson Henderson rolls back the clock
The former UFC Lightweight Champion, Benson Henderson had a woeful start to his Bellator career.
The once great Lightweight fighter went into this fight with Saad Awad having won two and lost three of his five bouts with Bellator. Not a record for anyone to get excited about. Considering big things were expected from Henderson when he signed on after a successful four year UFC career, it is fair to say that the 34 year old had come nowhere close to fulfilling that promise.
Which is why his performance against Awad, a man who had won his past four fights was a welcome and timely surprise.
Henderson fought an extremely effective fight, never giving his opponent time to settle and constantly working to earn the win. Henderson attempted numerous submissions and hit a large amount of take-downs.
The decision was unanimous. Henderson turned the clock back successfully and reminded the world just how good an MMA fighter he still is.
#2 Worst - Timothy Johnson loses decisively on Bellator debut
Timothy Johnson's UFC career was a middling one; with four wins and three defeats. He will have been hoping to make a statement in his Bellator debut and will have entered his fight with veteran Cheick Kongo hopeful of providing an upset. However, despite being ten years younger than his opponent, the only statement, Johnson succeeded in making was proving how outmatched he was in this encounter.
In the collision of former UFC stars, Kongo proved he was by far the superior fighter. The bout only lasted 68 seconds and Kongo dominated every single one.
Johnson was stunned immediately by a right hand from the off and was down on the mat. From there, Kongo finished him punches.
It was the worst possible debut for Johnson and makes his Bellator future uncertain.
