Bellator 65: A New Champion is Crowned

Bellator’s first ever bantamweight champion Zach Makovsky held the title for nearly 17 months, but in his first title defense at tonight’s Bellator 65, he lost the belt. Season five tournament winner Eduardo Dantas became the promotions second ever bantamweight champion with an impressive outing in front of a pro-Makovsky crowd at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

The 23-year old Dantas went the distance in his semifinal and final rounds of the season five tournament but needed only two rounds to hand Makovsky his first loss since August of 2009.

The champion came out and scored a takedown in round one but couldn’t keep the fight there and capitalize. From his back the challenger kept the pressure on with submission attempts and rubber guard. In the second round Dantas would return the favor with a switch off a takedown attempt by Makovsky and would take full advantage. After moving to full mount Dantas found the opening for an arm triangle choke and there was nothing Makovsky could do but go to sleep.

The newly crowned champion will now look on as season six bantamweight tournament moves into the semifinal round after the quarters were completed earlier in the night.

Complete Bellator 65 results:

MAIN CARD (MTV2)

135 lbs. title fight: Eduardo Dantas defeated Zach Makovsky by 2^nd rd. Submission (Arm Triangle Choke)

145 lbs. Tournament Semifinal: Daniel Straus defeated Mike Corey by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

135 lbs. Tournament Quarterfinals: Luis Nogueira defeated Alexis Vila by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

135 lbs. Tournament Quarterfinals: Marcos Galvao defeated Ed West by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

PRELIMINARY CARD (Spike.com)

Kenny Foster defeated Jay Haas by 1^st rd. Submission (Guillotine)

Duane Bastress defeated Plinio Cruz by 2^nd rd. TKO

Scott Heckman defeated Lester Caslow by 1^st rd. Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

Will Martinez defeated Terrell Hobbs by 1^st rd. Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

Emanuel Brooks defeated Mikhail Malyutin by Unanimous Decision

Lyman Good defeated LeVon Maynard by 1^st rd KO

Kris McCray defeated Ailton Barbosa by Split Decision

Tags: Ailton Barbosa, Alexis Vila, Bellator, Bellator 65, Daniel Straus, Duane Bastress, Ed West, Eduardo Dantas, Emanuel Brooks, Jay Haas, Kenny Foster, Kris McCray, Lester Caslow, LeVon Maynard, Luis Nogueira, Lyman Good, Marcos Galvao, Mike Corey, Mikhail Malyutin, Mixed Martial Arts, MMA, Plinio Cruz, Results, Scott Heckman, Terrell Hobbs, Will Martinez, Zach Makovsky

Category: Bellator, Exclusive, Featured, MMA