Bellator 75 Recap And Results

Bellator 75 Post-Fight Press Conference – photo by Brent Todd

Bellator returned to the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana for the second fight of the seventh season. The night of action featured the quarterfinals of the season seven heavyweight tournament as well as additional fights. Read on for the full recap and results.

In a fight that many were under valuing a fighter, Alexander Volkov took on Brett Rogers. Many expected Rogers to come out swinging but it was Volkov who started to land first. He came in with a good jab and followed it up with two to three extra punches. After the halfway point, the two clinched and Rogers landed his biggest offense with several uppercuts. The punches bloodied up Volkov who then returned fire with jabs that bloodied up Rogers. The second round was much of Volkov stalking Rogers landing three to five punches before reseting. The crowd started to boo, likely because Rogers wasn’t throwing any punches back. The third round was another striking clinic by Volkov as no matter what he threw, it seemed to land. Rogers spent most of the round covering up and running away from the attacks of Volkov. In the end it was an easy decision for Volkov and the judges were unanimous.

Richard Hale made his Bellator heavyweight debut against Mike Wessel. Hale had a huge height advantage and Wessel rushed in to clinch. Hale with big uppercuts forced Wessel to shoot for a takedown. Hale opted to sprawl and then take his back. He worked several punches and Wessel tried to stand up. Hale wanted the rear naked choke, but that was just a farce to put Wessel back on the canvas. Hale continued his punches and the ref was forced to stop the fight.

The first of the heavyweight quarterfinals featured Vinicius Quieroz taking on Mark Holata. Quieroz had a huge height advantage over Holata, but Holata just charged in and landed a right hand before clinching. He pressed Quieroz against the cage and worked for a trip takedown but it wasn’t there. The two separated and Holata landed a nice counter right hand. He then landed a big left hand that dropped Quieroz. Holata pounced with hammer fists but Quieroz pulled half guard. Holata threw punches and elbows to the body of Quieroz and when he postured, Quieroz was able to pull guard. He then worked a nice rubber guard and nearly sunk in a triangle choke. Holata was quick to realize the position he was about to be in and postured out of it. Big left hands from Holata from within guard and then Quieroz turned his hips to work for an armbar. It was there for a while, and Quieroz was likely adjusting his grip before extending the arm and forcing the tap.

Kicking off the preliminary card Jose Medina took on Anthony Gomez. The two immediately clinched and started landed knees to the belly. They separated and Medina threw a high kick that was blocked by Gomez. The two again clinch and Gomez landed a good knee. Medina dropped to a knee to prevent any more knees from being thrown. The two separate and Medina threw diving punches looking for a takedown. Gomez defended, then dropped for a single leg of his own. Gomez got the takedown and quickly turned the corner to get Medina’s back. From there he got his hooks in and then locked in a rear naked choke. Medina tried to punch out of the choke, but when that didn’t work he tapped.

In welterweight action Rod Montoya took on Joe Williams. Williams came out with a stiff jab that was finding its mark. Montoya tried to counter with an uppercut, but came up short. Williams then landed a good combo and shot for a double leg takedown. He picked Montoya up and slammed him down. Williams then continued his pressure from half guard working right hands and knees to the body of Montoya. Montoya tried to sit up and escape the bad position but Williams continued his pressure. Montoya spun to get out, but Williams was quick to take his back. He landed a big right hand and Montoya again spun, giving up mount. More punches by Williams and Montoya then gave up his back. Williams saw an opening for the rear naked choke and quickly locked it in forcing Montoya to tap.

Chase Beebe took on Bo Harris in what could be a qualifier for the next bantamweight tournament. Beebe came out swinging before the two clinched. Beebe worked to get double under hooks and once he did he took Harris down landing in side control. Beebe worked short elbows and punches while trying to lock in a keylock. It looked like he got it, but Harris was tough to finish and Beebe was forced to give up the submission. Beebe finished the round working the short elbows and punches. Round two was much the same as round one as Beebe took Harris down and again looked for the submission. Harris was resilient and wouldn’t be finished by the submission. Beebe again finished the round on top. The third round the two decided to mix it up with some striking. Harris landed an uppercut on Beebe as he was shooting for a takedown, then followed it up with a head kick. Beebe looked rocked and Harris fired off another head kick, this time being blocked. Beebe pressured Harris, but it seemed like Harris was landing more. Unfortunately for Harris, Beebe didn’t show any signs of damage and kept coming forward. He finally got the fight to the ground and was happy to work ground and pound to complete the fight.

The heavyweight alternate fight for the tournament featured Manny Lara taking on Ryan Martinez. The start of the round Martinez landed a low knee and time was called. Martinez landed a leg kick and Lara shot for a takedown. Martinez defended it, and the two clinched. Both fighters worked knees and Lara landed a big right while separating that dropped Martinez. Martinez was right back up and again the two clinched. Both tried for a takedown, but neither giving it up. Lara feinted a takedown and landed a punch that stumbled Martinez. The two clinched and Martinez started throwing uppercuts. A separation and Martinez lands an overhand right that sent Lara stumbling. Another clinch and Martinez lands a punch to the groin of Lara. Time out called again and a point is taken this time. On the restart Martinez scored a takedown and landed big right hands while keeping Lara down on the canvas. The second and third round Martinez was landing big right hands. Lara on multiple times was down on all fours eating knees to the body and the right hands. Every time he was warned, he got out of the position, only to be put back down. In the end, it seemed like an easy 29-27 for Martinez, but one judge scored it a draw forcing the decision to be a majority decision.

After the main card aired on MTV 2, it was time for two more fights. First up was Bobby Reardanz fighting Cliff Wright Jr. Both fighters missed with their initial strikes as the other danced out of the way. Wright went for a high kick, but Reardanz blocked it and clinched. He worked for a trip takedown, but it wasn’t there. The two separated and Wright went for a guillotine. Reardanz escaped as Wright tried to pull guard with the choke. Reardanz tried to pass by stacking Wright, but Wright used it to set up a triangle. Reardanz was quick to stand and escape the submission. The two stood and Reardanz ate a couple of big knees. He crumbled and gave a thumbs up to the ref to show he was ok but Wright then went after his back. He got his hooks in and a fight ending rear naked choke.

Rafal Skibinski and Jason Graves fought as the last fight of the night. Graves came out swinging hard and Skibinski was forced to cover up. Skibinski tried to pull a guillotine, but Graves escaped. Skibinski set up a triangle choke and then locked it in. He tightened it up, but Graves spun to the side and escaped. Once in side control he tried to pass to mount but couldn’t. Graves worked short elbows and punches. He attacked the body with knees and then got Skibinski’s back. He put two hooks in and then didn’t work hard to get the rear naked choke that ended the fight.

Quick Results
Anthony Gomez defeated Jose Medina by rear naked choke at 2:32 of round one
Joe Williams defeated Rod Montoya by rear naked choke at 3:17 of round one
Chase Beebe defeated Bo Harris by unanimous decision 29-28, 30-27, 30-27
Ryan Martinez defeated Manny Lara by majority decision 28-28, 29-27, 29-27
Vinicius Quieroz defeated Mark Holata by armbar at 3:26 of round one
Richard Hale defeated Mike Wessel by technical knockout at 1:19 of round one
Alexander Volkov defeated Brett Rogers by unanimous decision 30-27, 30-27, 30-27
Thiago Silva defeated Eric Prindle by DQ groin kick at 4:54 of round one
Cliff Wright Jr defeated Bobby Reardanz by rear naked choke at 3:39 of round one
Jason Graves defeated Rafal Skibinski by rear naked choke at 2:50 of round one