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Bellator Belfast: Corey Anderson outwrestles Karl Moore, wins light heavyweight title

Corey Anderson captured Bellator light heavyweight gold with a strong display of wrestling at Bellator Belfast.
Bellator/PFL

The third time was the charm for Corey “Overtime” Anderson as the American converted his third shot at the Bellator light heavyweight title in the main event of Bellator Belfast.

The event, which kicked off the newly-branded Bellator Champions Series of events set for this year, saw Anderson take on Belfast-born Karl Moore in the night’s headliner for the 205-pound title recently vacated by Vadim Nemkov, who departed the division to move up to heavyweight.

It represented Anderson’s third shot at the gold, after his first attempt against Nemkov ended in a no contest, then the rematch resulted in a unanimous decision defeat.

This time, Anderson faced Moore, who showed a remarkable gas tank and some solid striking through the five-round matchup. But, despite showing some gutsy defensive qualities on the mat, he was ultimately unable to prevent Anderson’s takedowns as the American ran out a clear unanimous decision winner, with scores of 49-46, 49-46, 50-45.

It improved Anderson’s record to 18-6, and elevated him to the status he’s been chasing his entire career – champion.

Bellator/PFL

Pitbull gets stunned, but stops Kennedy to retain title

In the co-main event, reigning featherweight champion Patricio Pitbull further cemented his status as Bellator’s greatest champion of all time with a third-round TKO finish of Canadian challenger Jeremy Kennedy.

Kennedy came into the bout in good form, and with notable advantages in height and reach, but it was the Brazilian who made his control of range count early as he hammered the Canadian’s lead leg with a succession of thumping kicks through the opening two rounds. But, despite looking somewhat overwhelmed through much of the opening portion of the fight, Kennedy did have some success with his hands, and he appeared to have Pitbull stunned after a big hook found its mark.

Being buzzed only seemed to turn up Pitbull’s intensity, and in Round 3 he loaded up and hurt Kennedy, who backed up against the fence in search of a place to cover up.

Pitbull wouldn’t allow him to ride out the storm, however, and a barrage of punches, knees and elbows from close range eventually sent the challenger to the canvas for a third-round TKO finish.

After his win, Pitbull called for his next title defence to come against the man who has long been tipped as a potential title challenger, American Aaron Pico.

Bellator/PFL

Edwards battles past Jeffery to set up Eblen rematch

Former middleweight title challenger Fabian Edwards booked himself a championship rematch with Johnny Eblen with a hard-earned unanimous decision victory over Canadian contender Aaron Jeffery.

Jeffery initiated the clinch and worked well with the action against the fence in a gruelling opening round, but Edwards found a home for his shots in the second, and sent the Canadian back to his corner with a nasty cut under his right eye.

Jeffery attempted to keep things in close quarters in the final round, but it was Edwards who used his wrestling to better effect as he landed three takedowns, while stuffing all of his opponent’s attempts to give him the edge.

In the end, Edwards’ performance over Rounds 2 and 3 ensured he earned scores of 29-28 on all three cards to give him a big win, and set him up for a rematch with Eblen later this year.

Bellator/PFL

Higo outpoints Gallagher

Earlier on the main card, Brazilian featherweight contender moved one step closer to a shot at the Bellator 145-pound title with a unanimous decision victory over James Gallagher.

There had been a simmering rivalry brewing between the pair over the last four or five years, but they never had the chance to meet inside the cage until Belfast, and it was Higo who did enough to get his hand raised after three cagey rounds.

Higo had the edge in Rounds 1 and 3 as he used his heavier strikes and a couple of takedowns to put two crucial rounds in the bank in a bout that saw the two fighters look particularly wary of each other’s skillsets during the matchup.

Gallagher did just enough to edge a close Round 2, but wasn’t able to build on that momentum in the third, as Higo produced his strongest round of the fight when it mattered most.

All three judges scored it 29-28 to Higo, who could be set for a shot at the featherweight title in the not-too-distant future. The only question: would he be prepared to face his compatriot and longtime teammate Patricio Pitbull, who currently holds the title?

Bellator/PFL

Sousa claims huge win with scary knockout

The main card kicked off with a bang, as Brazil’s Manoel Sousa scored a scary knockout finish of England’s Tim Wilde in their lightweight matchup.

Wilde was looking good early, but succumbed to a colossal left hook that knocked him out cold as the Brazilian delivered a highlight-reel finish to open the main card.

Bellator Belfast: Official results

MAIN CARD

  • Corey Anderson def. Karl Moore via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 50-45) – for light heavyweight title
  • Patricio Pitbull def. Jeremy Kennedy via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 4:07 – for featherweight title
  • Fabian Edwards def. Aaron Jeffery via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Leandro Higo def. James Gallagher via (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Manoel Sousa def. Tim Wilde via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 4:48

PRELIMINARY CARD

  • Ciaran Clarke def. Darius Mafi via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 3, 0:41
  • Alfie Davis def. Oscar Ownsworth via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Luke Trainer def. Grant Neal via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Nathan Kelly def. Vikas Singh Ruhil via knockout (elbow) – Round 1, 0:14
  • Abraham Bably def. Isaiah Pinson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Nate Kelly def. Jordan Elliott via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 1:48) – amateur bout

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A sports editor and MMA reporter with 25 years' experience in sports media, Simon has covered mixed martial arts since 2009 for a host of national and international outlets, including BBC Sport, MMA Junkie/USA Today, BT Sport and the Daily Mirror.

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