Two Tournament champions Crowned at Bellator 94
As Bellator’s eighth season near competition, tonight’s Bellator 94 crowned two tournament champions. Fighting in the night’s co-main were Saad Awad and David Rickels for the lightweight tournament championship. Headlining the Bellator 94 fight card were underdogs, Mikhail Zayats and Emanuel Newton for the light heavyweight tournament championship.
Lightweight Saad Awad wasn’t even supposed to be in the tournament but when he got his chance he wasted no time advancing to the final. David Rickels on the other hand battled his way to the finals with two decision victories. Their bout tonight would end somewhere in between and somewhat controversial. As the second round ended, Rickels clipped Awad with a punch right before the bell that sent him face first into the canvas. As Rickels walked to his corner Awad continued to lay on the canvas and according to the referee, was unresponsive, so he waved off the fight. Controversial, maybe but Awad was not attempting to get up and has only himself to blame for the outcome.
The light heavyweight main event would close Bellator 94 on a more positive note. Mikhail Zayats and Emanuel Newton left it all on the table with a back and forth 15 minute battle. Both fighters defeated big names on their way to the finals but after winner tonight, Emanuel Newton is now considered a big name in Bellator. Newton was a champion during his time with MFC and later this year he’ll rematch Attila Vegh for the Bellator light heavyweight title.
The rest of the Bellator 94 fight card was no slouch either. Two fighters earned their way into future tournaments, while female fighters Jessica Aguilar and Felice Herrig each earned victories on the preliminary card.
MAIN CARD (Spike TV)
205 lbs. Tournament Final: Emanuel Newton defeated Mikhail Zayats by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
155 lbs. Tournament Final: David Rickels defeated Saad Awad by 2nd rd TKO (5:00)
Luis Melo defeated Trey Houston by 3rd rd Arm Triangle Submission (1:09)
Rodrigo Lima defeated Ronnie Mann by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
PRELIMINARY CARD (Spike.com)
Julien Williams defeated Kenny Moss by 1st rd Guillotine Submission (3:19)
Augusto Sakai defeated Rob Horton by 2nd rd TKO (4:01)
Jessica Aguilar defeated Patricia Vidonic by Split Decision
Joe Taimanglo defeated Ronnie Rogers by 2nd rd North-South Choke Submission (0:33)
Edson Berto defeated Bruno Carvalho by 1st rd Heel Hook Submission (1:27)
Patrick Cenoble vs. Tony Fryklund ended in a Draw
Felice Herrig defeated Heather Clark by Split Decision
Bellator 94 took place from the USF Sun Dome in Tampa, Florida. Next Thursday’s Bellator 95 will close out the season with two additional tournament finals along with a featherweight title fight.
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