Welcome to Fightful.com's live coverage & discussion for Bellator 180. We'll be bringing you full, match by match coverage of every bout on the card. You can also send in your feedback on our Disqus boards below!
(Note: Rankings are from the Fightful MMA Rankings, which are maintained by David Tees.)
Main Card (10pm EST., Pay-Per-View)
Chael Sonnen def. Wanderlei Silva by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
#9 Neiman Gracie def. Dave Marfone by submission via rear naked choke (2:27, R2)
#2 Matt Mitrione def. Fedor Emelianenko by TKO via strikes (1:14, R1)
Douglas Lima def. Lorenz Larkin by unanimous decision (50-45, 48-47, 48-47) to retain the Bellator MMA Welterweight Title
#10 Brent Primus def. Michael Chandler by TKO via injury (2:22, R1) to win the Bellator MMA Lightweight Title
Zach Freeman def. Aaron Pico by submission via d'arce choke (0:24, R1)
Preliminary Card (8pm EST., Spike TV)
Ryan Bader def. Phil Davis by split decision (49-46, 47-48, 49-46) to win the Bellator MMA Light Heavyweight Title
#9 James Gallagher def. Chinzo Machida by submission via rear naked choke (2:22, R1)
Heather Hardy def. Alice Yauger by TKO via strikes (4:47, R3)
Preliminary Card (6pm EST., Bellator.com)
Matt Rizzo def. Sergio Da Silva by submission via arm triangle choke (3:48, R3)
Hugh McKenna def. John Salgado by submission via kimura (4:06, R1)
Anthony Giacchina def. Jerome Mickle by submission via rear naked choke (3:40, R3)
Ryan Couture def. Haim Gozali by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Bradley Desir def. Nate Grebb by KO via strikes (2:54, R1)
Round By Round Recap
Hugh McKenna vs. John Salgado
Round One: The round begins with Salgado dancing around McKenna while throwing jabs, McKenna starts attacking Salgado with leg kicks. Salgado backs up McKenna after landing a side kick to the midsection, Salgado trips on a kick and McKenna nails him with knee strikes as he gets up. McKenna scores a takedown on Salgado and he gets side control, McKenna transitions to the full mount against Salgado. McKenna starts attacking Salgado with some ground and pound, McKenna rolls for the kimura and a tap out follows.
Official Result: Hugh McKenna def. John Salgado by submission via kimura (4:06, R1)
Sergio Da Silva vs. Matt Rizzo
Round One: The round begins with Rizzo backing up Da Silva with a high kick attempt, Rizzo puts Da Silva against the cage wall while looking for a takedown. Rizzo then cracks Da Silva with a knee strike to the midsection, Da Silva scores a takedown on Rizzo and Rizzo gets right back up to his feet. Da Silva holds Rizzo against the cage wall while landing a few knee strikes, Rizzo spins Da Silva back into the cage wall. Rizzo scores a takedown on Da Silva and he gets back control, Da Silva scrambles to his feet to get the fight standing again. Rizzo goes for another takedown and Da Silva catches him with a few rights, Da Silva drags Rizzo to the ground and the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Rizzo
Round Two: The round begins with Rizzo catching a swinging Da Silva with a knee strike to the face, Da Silva scores a takedown on Rizzo after eating a few elbow strikes. Da Silva attacks Rizzo with some ground and pound, Rizzo rolls for an arm bar while on his back and Da Silva slams his way to freedom. Da Silva remains in the top position after escaping the submission attempt, Rizzo scrambles to get top control against Da Silva. Rizzo then advances to the full mount position on Da Silva, Rizzo quickly transitions to the back control position on Da Silva. Rizzo regains the full mount while attacking Da Silva with ground and pound as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Rizzo (Overall Score: 20-18 for Rizzo)
Round Three: The round begins with Rizzo quickly scoring a takedown on Da Silva and he gets the open guard, Da Silva tries scrambling and Rizzo gains the half guard against him, Rizzo then advances to the back control position against Da Silva. Rizzo gains top position and then regains back control on Da Silva, Rizzo returns to the full mount position against Da Silva. Rizzo locks Da Silva in the arm triangle choke and a tap out follows.
Official Result: Matt Rizzo def. Sergio Da Silva by submission via arm triangle choke (3:48, R3)
Anthony Giacchina vs. Jerome Mickle
Round One: The round begins with Giacchina scores a takedown on a swinging Mickle, Mickle gets back up and Giacchina holds him against the cage wall. The fighters separate and Mickle kicks Giacchina in the midsection, Mickle also starts attacking Giacchina with some leg kicks. Mickle then clocks a kicking Giacchina with a few counter rights, Mickle rocks Giacchina with a wild right and Giacchina recovers to nail him with a right of his own. Mickle recovers and he stuns Giacchina again with another right, Giacchina grabs Mickle and he holds him against the cage wall. The fighters separate again and Giacchina just pushes Mickle into the cage wall again, the fighters break away again and Giacchina attacks Mickle with a high kick. Giacchina scores a takedown on Mickle as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Mickle
Round Two: The round begins with Mickle attacking Giacchina with leg kicks, Mickle drops Giacchina with a right and he pounces on him with a few strikes. Giacchina eventually gets back up and Mickle swings away at him, Giacchina grabs Mickle and he holds him against the cage wall. Giacchina attacks Mickle with a spinning back fist, Giacchina follows that up by nailing Mickle with a kick to the midsection. Giacchina scores a takedown on Mickle and he gets the half guard, Giacchina starts attacking Mickle with ground and pound. Giacchina transitions to the side control position against Mickle, Giacchina then advances to the full mount against Mickle. Giacchina goes back to attacking Mickle with ground and pound, Mickle finds a way to scramble back to his feet. Giacchina grabs Mickle and he holds him against the cage wall, Giacchina scores another takedown on Mickle and he gets side control as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Giacchina (Overall Score: 19-19 for Draw)
Round Three: The round begins with Mickle and Giacchina swinging away at each other, Giacchina starts attacking Mickle with some leg kicks. Mickle then nails Giacchina with a kick to the midsection, Giacchina then clocks Mickle with a step in knee strike to the midsection. Giacchina grabs Mickle and he holds him against the cage wall, Giacchina scores a takedown on Mickle and he gets side control. Giacchina starts attacking Mickle with some ground and pound, Giacchina transitions to the north/south position on Mickle. Giacchina catches a scrambling Mickle in the back control position, Giacchina locks in the rear naked choke and a tap out follows.
Official Result: Anthony Giacchina def. Jerome Mickle by submission via rear naked choke (3:40, R3)
More fights on Page Two...
Bradley Desir vs. Nate Grebb
Round One: The round begins with Desir attacking Grebb with some leg kicks, Grebb backs up Desir with a high kick attempt. Desir trips up a spinning Grebb with a low leg kick, Desir rocks a spin kicking Grebb with a pair of right hooks. Grebb continues attacking Desir with a variety of kicks, Desir then cracks Grebb with a kick to the midsection. Grebb starts landing some leg kicks against Desir as well, Desir drops Grebb with a four punch combo and Grebb is out cold.
Official Result: Bradley Desir def. Nate Grebb by KO via strikes (2:54, R1)
Haim Gozali vs. Ryan Couture
Round One: The round begins with Couture attacking Gozali with some leg kicks, Gozali responds by throwing some kicks of his own against Couture. Gozali comes forward while swinging away against Couture, Couture puts Gozali against the cage wall after blocking a high kick. Couture attacks Gozali with some knee strikes while holding him against the cage wall, Couture breaks away from Gozali after landing a few rights. Couture quickly grabs Gozali and puts him against the cage wall, Couture starts attacking Gozali with some more knee strikes. Couture starts swinging wildly against Gozali, the fighters separate and they both attempt high kicks against each other. Couture again holds Gozali up against the cage wall as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Couture
Round Two: The round begins with Gozali attacking Couture with a kick to the midsection, Couture swings away before holding Gozali against the cage wall. Couture attacks Gozali with knee strikes as he holds him against the cage wall, Gozali pulls guard to get Couture on the ground. Couture starts attacking Gozali with some ground and pound, Gozali scrambles and rolls for a knee bar and Couture escapes. Gozali grabs Couture and he holds him against the cage wall as they stand up, Couture quickly spins Gozali and he gets him against the cage wall. Couture scores a takedown on Gozali and he gets the full guard, Couture stands up and he allows Gozali to stand as well. Couture grabs Gozali and he holds him against the cage wall again as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Couture (Overall Score: 20-18 for Couture)
Round Three: The round begins with Couture attacking Gozali with some leg kicks, Gozai charges forward and he swings wildly at Couture. Couture responds by attacking Gozali with a combination of his own, Couture grabs Gozali and he holds him against the cage wall. Couture scores a takedown and Gozali and he allows him to immediately get back up, Couture also pops Gozali with a few rights. Couture scores another takedown on Gozali and he allows him to get back up again, Couture then catches Gozali with a knee strike to the midsection. Couture grabs Gozali and he holds him against the cage wall, Couture rocks Gozali with a knee strike to the head. Couture scores another takedown on Gozali and he immediately attacks him with strikes, Couture settles in the half guard of Gozali. Couture attacks Gozali with more ground and pound as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Couture (Final Score: 30-27 for Couture)
Official Result: Ryan Couture def. Haim Gozali by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Heather Hardy vs. Alice Yauger
Round One: The round begins with Hardy quickly attacking Yauger with a rights, Hardy and Yauger start exchanging leg kicks. The fighters clinch and they exchange some knee strikes, Hardy catches a backing Yauger with a looping right. Hardy continues catching a swinging Yauger with counter rights, Yauger nails a swinging Hardy with a counter right. Hardy again cracks Yauger with an overhand right to the face, Yauger connects with a few lefts against Hardy. Yauger grabs Hardy and she attacks her with some knee strikes, Yauger rocks a swinging Hardy with a knee strike to the head. Hardy then connects with a kick to the midsection of Yauger, Yauger responds by nailing Hardy with a knee strike to the midsection. Hardy trips on a kick attempt and Yauger nails her with some more knee strikes as she stands up, Hardy catches a swinging Yauger with a counter left hook. Yauger nails Hardy with more knee strikes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Hardy
Round Two: The round begins with Yauger grabbing Hardy and she puts her against the cage wall, Hardy breaks free after swinging wildly against Yauger. Yauger nails a kicking Hardy with a counter right hook, Hardy starts catching Yauger with some leg kicks. Hardy comes forward and she catches Yauger with a left hook, Hardy pops a swinging Yauger with a counter right. Yauger occasionally looks for the takedown against Hardy, Yauger eats a right before nailing Hardy with a left. Hardy recovers by nailing Yauger with a right hook to the midsection, Yauger looks for a takedown and Hardy nails her with a two punch combination. Yauger also attacks Hardy with a head kick that gets blocked, Hardy then hits Yauger with a three punch combination. Hardy backs Yauger into the cage wall while landing a few combinations, Yauger grabs Hardy and she attacks her with a few knee strikes. The fighters swing away at each other as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Hardy (Overall Score: 20-18 for Hardy)
Round Three: The round begins with Hardy dropping a kicking Yauger with a counter right, Yauger gets up and swings away at Hardy. Yauger grabs Hardy and she attacks her with a few knee strikes, Hardy also catches Yauger with a few leg kicks. Yauger grabs Hardy and she holds her against the cage wall, Hardy separates and swings away at Yauger. Hardy continues coming forward while just swinging away at Yauger, Yauger catches a swinging Hardy with a knee strike to the midsection. Yauger also attacks Hardy with a head kick that gets blocked, Yauger grabs Hardy and she nails her with a few more knee strikes. The referee halts the fight after the fighters clash heads and Hardy is cut badly, the fight continues with the fighters just swinging away at each other. Hardy drops Yauger with a counter right and Yauger stumbles to her feet, Hardy swings wildly and assaults Yauger with a combination that forces the referee to jump in.
Official Result: Heather Hardy def. Alice Yauger by TKO via strikes (4:47, R3)
The action resumes on Page Three...
#9 James Gallagher vs. Chinzo Machida
Round One: The round begins with Gallagher looking for the takedown against Machida, Machida catches Gallagher with a kick to the midsection. Gallagher scores a takedown on Machida and he gets the butterfly guard, Gallagher transitions to the full mount and then back control on Machida. Gallagher attacks Machida with some ground and pound, Gallagher locks in the rear naked choke and a tap out follows.
Official Result: #9 James Gallagher def. Chinzo Machida by submission via rear naked choke (2:22, R1)
Bellator MMA Light Heavyweight Title Fight: Phil Davis (Champion) vs. Ryan Bader
Round One: The round begins with Davis popping Bader with a few jabs, Davis puts Bader against the cage wall while looking for a takedown. The fighters separate and Davis attacks Bader with leg kicks, Bader charges at Davis while throwing a combination. Davis starts hunting for the takedown against Bader, Davis catches Bader with a kick to the midsection. Davis starts taking some wild swings against Bader, Bader comes forward and he attempts a high kick against Davis. Bader comes forward and he catches Davis with a two punch combination, the fighters exchange some kicks to the midsection as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Davis
Round Two: The round begins with Davis peppering Bader with a few jabs, Bader starts nailing Davis with some leg kicks. Bader catches an incoming Davis with a looping right followed by a kick, Davis catches Bader with a front kick to the midsection. Davis then catches a jabbing Bader with a kick to the midsection, Bader comes forward and he pops Davis with a left. Davis attacks Bader with a few high kicks that miss, Davis also starts hunting for the takedown against Bader. Bader cracks a kicking Davis with a right hook to the head as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Bader (Overall Score: 19-19 for Draw)
Round Three: The round begins with Davis taking a few swings at Bader, the fighters also exchange a few kicks. Davis then catches a swinging Bader with a kick to the midsection, Davis rocks Bader with a superman punch followed by a left. Bader responds by attacking Davis with a two punch combination, Davis starts catching Bader with a few kicks to the midsection, Bader starts catching Davis with a few jabs. Bader also starts attacking Davis with a few leg kicks as well, Davis catches a backing Bader with a straight left. Davis catches an incoming Bader with a kick to the midsection, Bader scores a takedown on Davis and he gets back control. Bader goes for a guillotine choke and Davis escapes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Davis (Overall Score: 29-28 for Davis)
Round Four: The round begins with Davis trying to nail Bader with punching combinations, Bader goes back to attacking Davis with leg kicks. Bader also kicks a swinging Davis right in the midsection, Davis grabs Bader and he holds him against the cage wall. The fighters separate and Bader nails a swinging Davis with a counter right hook, Davis comes forward while swinging away at Bader. Davis barely catches Bader in the back of the head with a head kick, Bader catches Davis with a question mark kick to the midsection. Bader continues attacking Davis with a variety of kicks, Bader catches a ducking Davis with a straight left. Davis eats a few more jabs as he kicks Bader in the midsection, Bader nails Davis with leg kicks as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Bader (Overall Score: 38-38 for Draw)
Round Five: The round begins with Bader peppering Davis with some jabs, Davis slips as the two fighters swing away at each other. Davis comes forward and he catches Bader with a short left, Bader backs up Davis with a high kick attempt. Davis cracks a kicking Bader with a counter right, Davis goes for a high kick before nailing Bader with a right. Bader catches a swinging Davis with a counter left hook, Davis then cracks Bader with a kick to the midsection. Bader scores a takedown on Davis and Davis gets back up, Bader then holds Davis against the cage wall. The fighters separate and Davis kicks Bader in the midsection, Bader responds by popping Davis with an uppercut. Davis hits an incoming Bader with an overhand right, Davis starts swinging wildly against Bader and nothing lands. Bader then cracks an incoming Davis with a right, Davis blocks a takedown attempt from Bader as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Bader (Final Score: 48-47 for Bader)
Official Result: Ryan Bader def. Phil Davis by split decision (49-46, 47-48, 49-46) to win the Bellator MMA Light Heavyweight Title
Bellator MMA Welterweight Title Fight: Douglas Lima (Champion) vs. Lorenz Larkin
Round One: The round begins with Lima attacking Larkin with leg kicks, Larkin starts peppering Lima with some jabs. The fighters also exchange some kicks in the middle of the cage, Larkin attacks Lima with a high kick that gets blocked. Larkin starts attacking Lima with some leg kicks of his own, Larkin backs up Lima by landing a two punch combination. Lima responds by kicking Larkin right in the midsection, Larkin catches a swinging Lima with a counter left. Larkin then cracks a backing Lima with a two punch combination, Lima backs up Larkin by landing a left and the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Larkin
Round Two: The round begins with Lima attempting a high kick against Larkin, Lima also starts attacking Larkin with some leg kicks. Larkin cracks Lima with a right uppercut, Lima recovers and he nails Larkin with a straight right to the face. Larkin charges forward and he attacks Lima with a four strike combination, Larkin rocks a swinging Lima with a counter strike combination. Lima drops a swinging Larkin with a counter left hook, Lima pounces on a downed Larkin until he settles in his full guard. Larkin causes a scramble that gets both fighters to their feet, Larkin catches Lima with a jumping front kick to the midsection. Lima backs Larkin into the cage wall with a three punch combination, Lima catches a swinging Larkin with a counter right as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-8 for Lima (Overall Score: 19-18 for Lima)
Round Three: The round begins with Lima nailing Larkin with a kick to the midsection, Lima also starts nailing Larkin with leg kicks. Lima just continues attacking Larkin with a series of kicks, Lima then catches a backing Larkin with a kick to the midsection. Lima then cracks a pawing Larkin with a right to the face, Larkin then attacks a ducking Lima with a high kick. Lima then catches a backing Larkin with a kick to the midsection, Lima follows that up by nailing a swinging Larkin with a counter right. Lima swings away at Larkin as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Lima (Overall Score: 29-27 for Lima)
Round Four: The round begins with Lima nailing Larkin with a kick to the midsection, Lima also goes back to attacking Larkin with leg kicks. Larkin starts swinging away at Lima and little of it lands, the fighters start taking pot shots at each other. Lima slips as he attempts a kick to the midsection of Larkin, Larkin nails Lima with a two strike combination. Lima swings wildly and he eventually catches Larkin with a right, Lima then catches Larkin with another kick to the midsection. Lima scores a takedown on Larkin and he gets the half guard, Larkin wall walks to his feet as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Lima (Overall Score: 39-36 Lima)
Round Five: The round begins with Lima attacking Larkin with some leg kicks, Lima then catches Larkin with a right to the upper body. Larkin starts connecting with a series of jabs against Lima, Lima responds by nailing Larkin with a right to the midsection. Larkin then barely connects with a jumping back kick to the midsection of Lima, Larkin backs up Lima with a head kick attempt. Larkin then catches an incoming Lima with a pair of lefts, Lima recovers and kicks Larkin in the midsection. Lima catches a swinging Larkin with a counter left hook, Larkin then kicks Lima right in the midsection. The fighters swing away at each other as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Larkin (Final Score: 47-46 for Lima)
Official Result: Douglas Lima def. Lorenz Larkin by unanimous decision (50-45, 48-47, 48-47) to retain the Bellator MMA Welterweight Title
The battles continue on the next page...
Aaron Pico vs. Zach Freeman
Round One: The round begins with Freeman catching Pico with a knee strike to the head, Freeman rocks Pico with an uppercut and he locks a d'arce choke to force a tap out.
Official Result: Zach Freeman def. Aaron Pico by submission via d'arce choke (0:24, R1)
Bellator MMA Lightweight Title Fight: Michael Chandler (Champion) vs. #10 Brent Primus
Round One: The round begins with Primus attacking Chandler with a high kick, Chandler starts popping Primus with a few jabs. Primus also cracks Chandler with a few leg kicks, Primus rocks Chandler with a blocked head kick followed by a knee strike. Primus attacks Chandler with leg kicks and Chandler is hurt badly, Primus continues attacking Chandler with leg kicks. Chandler dropsa swinging Primus with a counter right hook, Primus recovers and the referee calls time to have Chandler’s injured leg looked at. The doctor waves off the fight due to the injury.
Official Result: #10 Brent Primus def. Michael Chandler by TKO via injury (2:22, R1) to win the Bellator MMA Lightweight Title
Final fights are on Page Five...
#2 Matt Mitrione vs. Fedor Emelianenko
Round One: The round begins with Mitrione taking a few swings at Emelianenko, Emelianenko starts attacking Mitrione with leg kicks. Emelianenko catches a swinging Mitrione with a counter left, Emelianenko and Mitrione both drop each other at the same time with simultaneous rights. Mitrione gets up first and he pounces on a downed Emelianenko with strikes until the referee jumps in.
Official Result: #2 Matt Mitrione def. Fedor Emelianenko by TKO via strikes (1:14, R1)
#9 Neiman Gracie vs. Dave Marfone
Round One: The round begins with Marfone jabbing away at Gracie, Gracie scores a takedown on Marfone and he gets the half guard. Marfone scrambles to his feet and Gracie holds him against the cage wall, the fighters separate and Gracie rocks Marfone with a right hook. Gracie scores another takedown on Marfone and he gets the half guard, Marfone scrambles to his feet and he nails Gracie with a knee strike. Gracie then cracks Marfone with a multiple punch combination, Gracie starts nailing Marfone with some leg kicks. Gracie holds Marfone against the cage wall as the two exchange knee strikes, Marfone goes fora guillotine choke as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Gracie
Round Two: The round begins with Gracie attacking Marfone with a kick to the midsection, Gracie also attempts a head kick against Marfone. Gracie grabs Marfone and he holds him against the cage wall, Gracie jumps on the back of a standing Marfone. Marfone spikes Gracie’s head to the mat as they fall to the ground, Gracie starts attacking Marfone with ground and pound. Gracie locks in the rear naked choke and a tap out follows.
Official Result: #9 Neiman Gracie def. Dave Marfone by submission via rear naked choke (2:27, R2)
Chael Sonnen vs. Wanderlei Silva
Round One: The round begins with Sonnen nailing Silva with an oblique kick, Sonnen scores a takedown on Silva and he gets the full guard. Sonnen starts attacking Silva with some ground and pound, Sonnen occasionally postures up as he nails Silva with more ground and pound. Sonnen briefly looks for the can opener against Silva, Silva scrambles to his feet and Sonnen holds him against the cage wall. The fighters separate from each other and Silva drops a swinging Sonnen with a counter right hook, Sonnen scrambles to his feet and he scores a takedown on Silva. Sonnen attacks Silva with some more ground and pound as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Sonnen
Round Two: The round begins with Sonnen attacking Silva with a flying knee strike, Silva rocks Sonnen with a multiple strike combination. Sonnen scores a takedown and Silva catches him in a guillotine choke, the referee stands up the fighters for inactivity. The action resumes with Sonnen scoring a takedown on Silva and he gets the open guard, Sonnen attacks Silva with ground and pound until the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Sonnen (Overall Score: 20-18 for Sonnen)
Round Three: The round begins with the fighters taking a few swings at each other, Sonnen scores a takedown on Silva and he gets side control. Silva eventually traps Sonnen in his full guard, Sonnen quickly transitions to the half guard against Silva. Sonnen starts attacking Silva with ground and pound, Sonnen starts hunting for the kimura against Silva. Sonnen transitions to the full mount against Silva, Sonnen regains the side control position against Silva. Sonnen goes back to the full mount against Silva, Sonnen attacks Silva with more strikes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Sonnen (Final Score: 30-27 for Sonnen)
Official Result: Chael Sonnen def. Wanderlei Silva by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
