Welcome to Fightful.com's live coverage & discussion for Bellator 184. We'll be bringing you full, round by round coverage of every bout on the card. You can also send in your feedback on our Disqus boards below!
(Rankings are provided by Fightful.com’s David Tees)
Main Card (9pm EST., Spike TV)
#1 Darrion Caldwell def. Eduardo Dantas (48-47, 48-47, 50-45) to win the Bellator MMA Bantamweight Title
#5 Emmanuel Sanchez def. #3 Daniel Straus by submission via triangle choke (1:56, R3)
#7 Pat Curran def. #6 John Teixeira by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-26)
#5 Leandro Higo def. #3 Joe Taimanglo by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Preliminary Card (7pm EST., Bellator.com)
Teagan Dooley def. DeMarcus Simmons by submission via Americana (2:12, R2)
Carrington Banks def. Steve Kozola by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-25, 30-25)
Westin Wilson def. LJ Hermeck by submission via rear naked choke (0:55, R2)
Chance Recountre def. Justin Patterson by submission via D’arce choke (2:58, R1)
Sean Holden def. Shakir McKillip by TKO via strikes (4:39, R2)
Manny Muro def. Emmanuel Rivera by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Round By Round Recap
LJ Hermeck vs. Westin Wilson
Round One: The round begins with Hermeck cracking Wilson with a left hook, Wilson starts cracking Hermeck with some leg kicks. Wilson follows that up by catching Hermeck with a push kick, Hermeck cracks a kicking Wilson with a counter left. Hermeck again cracks a kicking Wilson with a counter left hook, Hermeck attacks Wilson some with punching combinations. Hermeck catches an incoming Wilson with a short right hook, Wilson coms forward while attacking Hermeck with kicks. Wilson attacks a swinging Hermeck with a two punch combination, Wilson swings away at Hermeck as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Wilson
Round Two: The round begins with Wilson scoring an immediate takedown on Hermeck and he gets back control, Wilson locks in the rear naked choke and a tap out follows.
Official Result: Westin Wilson def. LJ Hermeck by submission via rear naked choke (0:55, R2)
DeMarcus Simmons vs. Teagan Dooley
Round One: The round begins with Dooley immediately scoring a takedown on Simmons and he gets side control, Dooley starts attacking Simmons with ground and pound. Dooley transitions to the full mount and then back control on Simmons, Simmons somehow scrambles to his feet and Dooley drags him back to the ground. Simmons eventually traps Dooley in his full guard, Dooley returns to side control while landing a few strikes. Dooley controls the head of Simmons as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Dooley
Round Two: The round begins with Simmons peppering Dooley with a few jabs, Dooley also cracks Simmons with a few lefts. Dooley scores a takedown on Simmons and he gets side control, Dooley starts nailing Simmons with some ground and pound. Dooley locks in an Americana and a tap out follows.
Official Result: Teagan Dooley def. DeMarcus Simmons by submission via Americana (2:12, R2)
Justin Patterson vs. Chance Recountre
Round One: The round begins with Recountre attacking Patterson with some leg kicks, Patterson catches Recountre with a two punch combination. Recountre nails an incoming Patterson with a punching combination, the fighters continue swinging away at each other and little lands. Recountre scores a takedown on Patterson and he gets the half guard, Recountre locks in the D’arce choke and a tap out follows.
Official Result: Chance Recountre def. Justin Patterson by submission via D’arce choke (2:58, R1)
Carrington Banks vs. Steve Kozola
Round One: The round begins with Banks taking a few swings at Kozola, Banks scores a takedown on Kozola and he gets the full guard. Kozola looks for a scramble and he eventually gets to his feet, Banks scores another takedown on Kozola and he gets the half guard. Kozola scrambles again and Banks attacks him with knee strikes, Kozola gets back up and Banks scores another takedown on him. Kozola scrambles to his feet again and Banks holds him against the cage wall as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round10-9 for Banks
Round Two: The round begins with Banks scoring a takedown on Kozola and he gets the full mount after landing a few strikes, Banks starts attacking Kozola with a lot of ground and pound. Kozola eventually catches Banks in his half guard while eating more strikes, Kozola then traps Banks in his full guard as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Banks (Overall Score: 20-18 for Banks)
Round Three: The round begins with Banks immediately hunting for the takedown against Kozola, Banks scores a takedown on Kozola and he gets the full guard. Banks gains the half guard while catching Kozola with a few strikes, Banks gains the side control position on a scrambling Kozola. Banks then transitions to the back control position against Kozola, Banks starts attacking Kozola with ground and pound. Banks gets the full mount and he locks Kozola in the arm triangle choke, Kozola escapes the choke after a long struggle. Kozola would then trap Banks in the full guard while eating more strikes, Kozola scrambles to his feet and Banks drags him back to the ground as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Banks (Final Score: 30-27 for Banks)
Official Result: Carrington Banks def. Steve Kozola by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-25, 30-25)
Shakir McKillip vs. Sean Holden
Round One: The round begins with McKillip taking a few swings at Holden, Holden cracks McKillip with an overhand right before holding him against the cage wall. Holden scores a takedown on McKillip and he gets the half guard, Holden starts attacking McKillip with some ground and pound. McKillip scrambles to his feet and he puts Holden up against the cage wall, the fighters separate and McKillip nails Holden with a kick to the midsection. McKillip scores a takedown on Holden and he gets him in the seated position, Holden scrambles to his feet and he holds McKillip against the cage wall. McKillip drags Holden back to the ground and he gets side control, McKillip goes for the guillotine choke and Holden escapes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for McKillip
Round Two: The round begins with Holden grabbing McKillip and he holds him up against the cage wall, Holden eventually scores a takedown on McKillip and he gets the half guard. Holden then transitions to back control against McKillip, McKillip scrambles and he gets Holden in the half guard. Holden then gains the full mount position against McKillip, Holden attacks McKillip with a ton of ground and pound. Holden gains back control and he attacks McKillip with more strikes until the referee jumps in.
Official Result: Sean Holden def. Shakir McKillip by TKO via strikes (4:39, R2)
Manny Muro vs. Emmanuel Rivera
Round One: The round begins with the fighters taking a few swings at each other, Rivera catches Muro with a left to the midsection. Muro decides to attack Rivera with a few kicks to the midsection, Rivera starts cracking Muro with some leg kicks. Rivera rocks Muro with a quick left hook to the chin, Muro holds Rivera against the cage wall for some time while looking for a takedown. Muro then cracks a backing Rivera with a right, Rivera briefly drops Muro with a left to the midsection. Muro rocks a swinging Rivera with a counter right hook, Muro scores a takedown on Rivera and he gets him in the seated position. Rivera scrambles to his feet and Muro swings away at him, Muro scores another takedown on Rivera and he gets him in the seated position. Muro gains the half guard on Rivera as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Muro
Round Two: The round begins with Muro and Rivera exchanging some high kicks, Rivera nails an incoming Muro with a three punch combination. Muro attacks Rivera with some leg kicks while looking for a takedown, Muro comes forward and he swings away at Rivera. Muro rocks a swinging Rivera with a counter straight right, Rivera starts swinging back at Muro to keep him at a distance. Rivera backs away before catching Muro with a short right, Muro comes forward while nailing Rivera with a right uppercut. Muro swings away at Rivera as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Muro (Overall Score: 20-18 for Muro)
Round Three: The round begins with Rivera kicking away against Muro, Rivera comes forward while attacking Muro with lefts. Muro charges forward and he swings away at Rivera, Muro rocks and backs up Rivera with a punching combination. Muro also starts catching Rivera with some leg kicks, Muro backs Rivera into the cage wall with a few rights and knee strikes. Rivera comes forward and he swings away against Muro, Muro goes back to just kicking away at Rivera. Muro attacks Rivera with a multiple strike combination as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Muro (Final Score: 30-27 for Muro)
Official Result: Manny Muro def. Emmanuel Rivera by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
#3 Joe Taimanglo vs. #5 Leandro Higo
Round One: The round begins with Taimanglo quickly grabbing Higo and putting him against the cage wall, Taimanglo also attacks Higo with foot stomps. The fighters separate and Higo nails Taimanglo with a three punch combination, Higo then catches a swinging Taimanglo with a counter right. Taimanglo scores a takedown and Higo gets right back up, Higo then holds Taimanglo up against the cage wall before landing a right. Higo cracks an incoming Taimanglo with a right before scoring a takedown, Higo gains the half guard against Taimanglo. Higo starts attacking Taimanglo with some ground and pound, Taimanglo scrambles to his feet to get the fight standing again as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Higo
Round Two: The round begins with Taimanglo attempting a superman elbow strike against Higo, the fighters also exchange some leg kicks. Higo then attacks Taimanglo with a flying knee strike, Taimanglo grabs Higo and he holds him against the cage wall. The fighters separate and Taimanglo pops Higo with a right hook, Higo comes forward to attack Taimanglo with a two punch combination. The fighters briefly clinch before separating and Higo starts attacking Taimanglo with more leg kicks, Taimanglo then pops Higo with a few rights. Higo scores a takedown on Taimanglo and he gets the half guard, Higo starts attacking Taimanglo with some ground and pound. Taimanglo scrambles to his feet and he clinches with Higo, the fighters separate and Taimanglo pops Higo with a right as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Higo (Overall Score: 20-18 for Higo)
Round Three: The round begins with Taimanglo taking a few swings at Higo, Higo charges at Taimanglo while throwing a punching combination. Higo then backs up Taimanglo with a few wild rights, Taimanglo also attacks Higo with a few kicks to the midsection. Higo attacks Taimanglo with a knee strike as Taimanglo goes for a clinch, Higo accidentally kicks Taimanglo low and the fight is halted. The fight resumes with Higo attacking Taimanglo with leg kicks, Taimanglo jumps on the back of a standing Higo. Higo shakes Taimanglo off of his back and Taimanglo still holds onto him, Taimanglo then swings wildly against Higo. Taimanglo scores a takedown and Higo catches him in a guillotine choke as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Higo (Final Score: 30-27 for Higo)
Official Result: #5 Leandro Higo def. #3 Joe Taimanglo by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
#6 John Teixeira vs. #7 Pat Curran
Round One: The round begins with Curran nailing a swinging Teixeira with a counter right, Curran tries attacking Teixeira with a high kick. Teixeira catches a swinging Curran with a counter right uppercut, Teixeira starts swinging wildly against Curran. Teixeira also starts attacking Curran with some leg kicks, Curran rocks a swinging Teixeira with a counter right. Curran rocks a swinging Teixeira again with a counter right hook, Curran then pops Teixeira with a two punch combination. Curran rocks Teixeira a third time with a short right hook, Curran cracks a kicking Teixeira with another right as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Curran
Round Two: The round begins with Teixeira attempting a high kick against Curran, Curran then nails Teixeira with a kick to the midsection. Teixeira grabs Curran and he holds him against the cage wall, the fighters separate and Curran catches Teixeira with a knee strike. Teixeira starts attacking Curran with some leg kicks, Teixeira pops an incoming Curran with an uppercut. Curran scores a takedown on Teixeira and he gains the half guard, Teixeira quickly scrambles back to his feet to get the fight standing again. Curran goes for a flying knee strike as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Teixeira (Overall Score: 19-19 for Draw)
Round Three: The round begins with Curran quickly catching Teixeira with a short right, Teixeira goes right back to attacking Curran with leg kicks. Curran scores a takedown on Teixeira and he gets him in the seated position, Teixeira gets back up with Curran holding onto him. Curran scores another takedown on Teixeira and he gets the half guard, Teixeira scrambles back to his feet and Curran holds him against the cage wall. The fighters separate and Teixeira swings away at Curran, Curran starts attacking Teixeira with some leg kicks. Curran goes back to looking for the takedown against Teixeira, Curran then hits Teixeira with a kick to the midsection. The fighters swing away at each other as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Curran (Final Score: 29-28 for Curran)
Official Result: #7 Pat Curran def. #6 John Teixeira by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-26)
#3 Daniel Straus vs. #5 Emmanuel Sanchez
Round One: The round begins with Straus attacking Sanchez with some leg kicks, Straus scores a takedown on Sanchez and he gets side control. Sanchez scrambles to his feet and he then drops for a knee bar and Straus escapes to get top position, Straus starts attacking Sanchez with some ground and pound. Straus rolls for a north/south choke and Sanchez finds a way to escape, Straus then attacks Sanchez with a bunch of elbow strikes. Sanchez kicks off the cage and he gets back control on Straus, Sanchez hunts for the rear naked choke on Straus as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Sanchez
Round Two: The round begins with Sanchez attacking Straus with a high kick, Straus goes for a takedown and Sanchez winds up getting back control. Straus scrambles at the right time to get top position on Sanchez, Straus starts attacking Sanchez with some ground and pound. Sanchez scrambles and e gets back on top of Straus, Sanchez starts attacking Straus with ground and pound. Sanchez transitions to the half guard position against Straus, Sanchez gains the full mount position against Straus. Sanchez attacks Straus with a lot of ground and pound until the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-8 for Sanchez (Overall Score: 20-17 for Sanchez)
Round Three: The round begins with Straus nailing Sanchez with a multiple punch combination, Straus scores a takedown on Sanchez and he gets him in the seated position. Straus gets back control and Sanchez attempts a forward roll, Sanchez catches Straus in a triangle choke from out of nowhere and Straus taps out.
Official Result: #5 Emmanuel Sanchez def. #3 Daniel Straus by submission via triangle choke (1:56, R3)
Bellator MMA Bantamweight Title Fight: Eduardo Dantas (Champion) vs. #1 Darrion Caldwell
Round One: The round begins with Caldwell scoring a takedown on Dantas after a brief striking exchange, Dantas gets back up with Caldwell holding onto him. Caldwell scores a German suplex takedown and Dantas pops right back up, Caldwell attacks the thighs of Dantas with knee strikes. Caldwell drags Dantas down and Dantas gets right back up, the referee separates the fighters for inactivity. The action resumes with Caldwell clocking Dantas with a left, Dantas responds by landing a two punch combination as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Caldwell
Round Two: The round begins with Caldwell popping Dantas with a left, Caldwell scores a takedown and Dantas pops right back up. Caldwell drags Dantas down and Dantas gets right back up again, the fighters separate and Dantas kicks Caldwell in the midsection. The fighters also start exchanging some leg kicks, Caldwell starts attacking Dantas with a series of head kicks. Caldwell then starts attacking Dantas with some spinning strikes, Dantas again catches Caldwell with a kick to the rib cage. Caldwell scores another takedown and Dantas gets right back up again, Caldwell drops Dantas during a striking exchange and Dantas scrambles back to his feet. Dantas comes forward and he nails Caldwell with an uppercut, Dantas then cracks Caldwell with a spinning back fist as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Caldwell (Overall Score: 20-18 for Caldwell)
Round Three: The round begins with Dantas backing up Caldwell with a spinning heel kick, Caldwell then pops Dantas with a straight left. Caldwell grabs Dantas and he holds him against the cage wall, Dantas trips up Caldwell and they both scramble to their feet. Caldwell grabs Dantas again and he holds him against the cage wall again, the fighters separate and Caldwell kicks Dantas in the midsection. Dantas starts attacking Caldwell with punching combinations, Dantas scores a takedown on Caldwell and he gets the half guard. Dantas goes for an arm triangle choke on Caldwell as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Caldwell (Overall Score: 30-27 for Caldwell)
Round Four: The round begins with Caldwell attempting a front kick against Dantas, Caldwell scores a takedown and Dantas gets right back up. Caldwell then decides to just hold Dantas up against the cage wall, the fighters scramble and Dantas somehow gets back control on the ground. Caldwell spins at the right time and he gets top position on Dantas, Caldwell starts attacking Dantas with some ground and pound. Caldwell transitions to the half guard against Dantas, Dantas scrambles back to his feet with Caldwell holding onto him. Dantas catches Caldwell with a knee strike as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Caldwell (Overall Score: 40-36 for Caldwell)
Round Five: The round begins with Caldwell attacking Dantas with some leg kicks, Caldwell then attacks Dantas with a flying knee strike. Dantas tries attacking Caldwell with punching combinations, Caldwell then cracks Dantas with a kick to the midsection. Caldwell then nails Dantas with a straight left, Dantas responds by nailing Caldwell with a spinning back fist. Caldwell grabs Dantas and he holds him against the cage wall, Caldwell falls to his back while holding Dantas from behind. Caldwell scrambles to his feet and he separates from Dantas, Dantas gets Caldwell to the ground and he maintains back control as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Caldwell (Final Score: 50-45 for Caldwell)
Official Result: #1 Darrion Caldwell def. Eduardo Dantas (48-47, 48-47, 50-45) to win the Bellator MMA Bantamweight Title
