Welcome to Fightful.com's live coverage & discussion for Bellator 181. 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 maintained by Fightful’s David Tees.)
Main Card (9pm EST., Spike TV)
#4 Derek Campos def. #7 Brandon Girtz by TKO via doctor stoppage (5:00, R2)
#7 John Salter def. #9 Kendall Grove by submission via rear naked choke (4:37, R1)
#6 Emily Ducote def. Jessica Middleton by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 29-28)
#2 Joe Warren def. #5 Steve Garcia by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Preliminary Card (6:45pm EST., Bellator.com)
Rafael Lovato Jr. def. Mike Rhodes by submission via rear naked choke (1:59, R1)
Valentin Moldavsky def. Carl Seumanutafa by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)
Andre Fialho def. AJ Matthews by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Katy Collins def. Bruna Vargas by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) (Quick Result)
Romero Cotton def. Aaron Rodriguez by split decision (30-27, 27-30, 29-28)
Logan Storley def. Kemmyelle Haley by KO via elbow strikes (1:44, R1)
Round By Round Recap
Romero Cotton vs. Aaron Rodriguez
Round One: The round begins with Rodriguez cracking Cotton with a right, Cotton scores a takedown and Rodriguez sweeps to get top position. Rodriguez gets to his feet and Cotton drags him back to the ground, Cotton attacks Rodriguez with some ground and pound. Rodriguez scrambles to his feet after eating a few more strikes, Rodriguez then pops Cotton with a right. Cotton grabs Rodriguez and he holds him against the cage wall, Cotton scores another takedown on Rodriguez and he gets the open guard. Cotton attacks Rodriguez with a little ground and pound, Rodriguez sweeps Cotton and he gets back control. Cotton shakes Rodriguez off of him to regain top position, Rodriguez catches Cotton in a triangle choke. Cotton escapes the submission to maintain top position, Rodriguez scrambles to his feet and Cotton catches him with a knee strike. Cotton scores another takedown on Rodriguez as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Cotton
Round Two: The round begins with Rodriguez attacking Cotton with some leg kicks, Cotton scores a takedown on Rodriguez and he gets the full guard. Cotton attacks Rodriguez with a little ground and pound, the referee stands up the fighters for inactivity. The action resumes with Rodriguez nailing Cotton with a punching combination, Cotton scores another takedown on Rodriguez and he gets the full guard. Rodriguez looks for the kimura and Cotton escapes to maintain top position, Cotton nails Rodriguez with some more strikes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Cotton (Overall Score: 20-18 for Cotton)
Round Three: The round begins with Rodriguez coming forward and swinging away at Cotton, Rodriguez grabs Cotton and he holds him against the cage wall. The fighters separate after Cotton lands a standing elbow strike, Cotton scores a takedown on Rodriguez and he gets the full guard. Rodriguez sweeps Cotton and he gets back control, Rodriguez rolls for an arm bar and Cotton escapes to regain top position. Cotton goes back to attacking Rodriguez with ground and pound until the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Cotton (Final Score: 30-27 for Cotton)
Official Result: Romero Cotton def. Aaron Rodriguez by split decision (30-27, 27-30, 29-28)
Kemmyelle Haley vs. Logan Storley
Round One: The round begins with Haley attacking Storley with leg kicks, Storley scores a takedown on Haley and he gets the full guard. Storley transitions to the half guard while nailing Haley with multiple elbow strikes, Storley turns up the heat with the elbow strikes and the referee jumps in.
Official Result: Logan Storley def. Kemmyelle Haley by KO via elbow strikes (1:44, R1)
AJ Matthews vs. Andre Fialho
Round One: The round begins with Fialho attempting a roundhouse kick against Matthews, Matthews attacks Fialho with a two punch combination. Matthews also starts attacking Fialho with some leg kicks, Matthews comes forward and swings away at Fialho. Matthews then cracks a moving Fialho with a left hook, Matthews then attacks Fialho with a high kick followed by a right. Fialho scores a takedown on Matthews and he gets side control, Fialho transitions to the back control position as Matthews stands up. Fialho looks for the rear naked choke as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Fialho
Round Two: The round begins with Matthews kicking Fialho in the midsection, Matthews starts attacking Fialho with punching combinations. Matthews and Fialho also exchange some left hooks, Fialho rocks a swinging Matthews with a counter punch combination. Matthews goes back to attacking Fialho with some leg kicks, Matthews grabs Fialho and he holds him against the cage wall. The fighters separate and Matthews kicks Fialho in the midsection again, Fialho rocks a swinging Matthews with a counter left hook. Fialho pounces on a backing Matthews with a plethora of strikes, Fialho slips on a kick attempt and Matthews gets top position on the ground. Matthews starts attacking Fialho with some ground and pound until the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Fialho (Overall Score: 20-18 for Fialho)
Round Three: The round begins with Matthews rocking Fialho with a two punch combination, Matthews drops Fialho with a right. Fialho scrambles to his feet with Matthews attacking him with a plethora of strikes, Fialho recovers and rocks Matthews with a two punch combination. Matthews grabs Fialho and he holds him against the cage wall, Matthews attacks Fialho with strikes while holding him against the cage wall. Matthews scores a takedown on Fialho and he gets leg control, Fialho gets back to his feet and separates from Matthews. Fialho comes forward while swinging away at Matthews, Matthews catches a swinging Fialho with a counter right hook. Fialho goes for a takedown and Matthews winds up getting back control, Matthews gains side control on a scrambling Fialho. Matthews gains back control again while attacking Fialho with strikes, Fialho scrambles to his feet and Matthews drags him back to the ground. Fialho scrambles to his feet again and Matthews holds him against the cage wall as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Matthews (Final Score: 29-28 for Fialho)
Official Result: Andre Fialho def. AJ Matthews by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Valentin Moldavsky vs. Carl Seumanutafa
Round One: The round begins with Seumanutafa attacking Moldavsky with kicks, Moldavsky scores a takedown on Seumanutafa and he gets the half guard. Moldavsky starts attacking Seumanutafa with some ground and pound, Seumanutafa traps Moldavsky in the full guard while eating more strikes. Moldavsky attacks Seumanutafa with strikes while gaining back control, Seumanutafa scrambles to his feet with Moldavsky holding onto him. Moldavsky scores another takedown on Seumanutafa and he gets the half guard, Moldavsky attacks Seumanutafa with strikes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Moldavsky
Round Two: The round begins with Moldavsky cracking Seumanutafa with a left hook, Moldavsky goes for a takedown and Seumanutafa gets back control. Moldavsky scrambles back to his feet and he holds Seumanutafa against the cage wall, the referee separates the fighters for inactivity. The action resumes with Seumanutafa peppers Moldavsky with some jabs, Moldavsky grabs Seumanutafa and he holds him against the cage wall. The fighters exchange a few strikes while in the clinch, the referee again separates the fighters for inactivity. The action resumes with Seumanutafa attacking Moldavsky with a high kick, Moldavsky scores a takedown on Seumanutafa and he gets the half guard. Moldavsky nails Seumanutafa with a few strikes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Moldavsky (Overall Score: 20-18 for Moldavsky)
Round Three: The round begins with Seumanutafa attacking Moldavsky with leg kicks, Moldavsky grabs Seumanutafa and he nails him with knee strikes. Moldavsky accidentally nails Seumanutafa low and the fight is halted, the fight resumes with Moldavsky scoring a takedon on Seumanutafa and Seumanutafa gets right back up. Moldavsky scores another takedown on Seumanutafa and he gets back control, Moldavsky starts attacking Seumanutafa with ground and pound. Seumanutafa gets back to his feet and Moldavsky holds him against the cage wall, the referee separates the fighters for inactivity. The action resumes with Moldavsky holding Seumanutafa against the cage wall until the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Moldavsky (Final Score: 30-27 for Moldavsky)
Official Result: Valentin Moldavsky def. Carl Seumanutafa by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)
Mike Rhodes vs. Rafael Lovato Jr.
Round One: The round begins with Lovato Jr attacking Rhodes with a high kick, Rhodes then cracks a backing Lovato Jr with a right. Lovato Jr then cracks Rhodes with a kick to the midsection, Lovato Jr scores a takedown on Rhodes and he gets back control. Lovato Jr locks in the rear naked choke and a tap out follows.
Official Result: Rafael Lovato Jr. def. Mike Rhodes by submission via rear naked choke (1:59, R1)
#2 Joe Warren vs. #5 Steve Garcia
Round One: The round begins with Garcia rocking an incoming Warren with an overhand left, Warren scores a takedown on Garcia and he gets the open guard. Warren starts attacking Garcia with some ground and pound, Warren mixes in some elbow strikes in his attack on Garcia. Warren gains back control on a scrambling Garcia, Garcia scrambles to his feet and Warren holds onto him. Garcia attacks the forearm of Warren with elbow strikes, Warren holds Garcia against the cage wall as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Warren
Round Two: The round begins with Garcia popping Warren with an uppercut, Warren grabs Garcia and he holds him against the cage wall. Warren scores a takedown on Garcia and he gets the open guard, Warren starts attacking Garcia with some ground and pound. Garcia scrambles to his feet with Warren holding onto him, Garcia occasionally nails Warren with some elbow strikes. Garcia drops for a kimura on Warren as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Warren (Overall Score: 20-18 for Warren)
Round Three: The round begins with Garcia nailing Warren with a multiple punch combination, Garcia then attacks Warren with a jumping knee strike. Warren grabs Garcia and he holds him against the cage wall, Warren scores a takedown on Garcia and he gets the full guard. Warren starts attacking Garcia with some ground and pound until the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Warren (Final Score: 30-27 for Warren)
Official Result: #2 Joe Warren def. #5 Steve Garcia by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
#6 Emily Ducote vs. Jessica Middleton
Round One: The round begins with Middleton attacking Ducote with a two punch combination, Middleton follows Ducote around the cage while throwing strikes. Ducote grabs Middleton and she holds her against the cage wall, Middleton attacks Ducote with a few knee strikes to the midsection. Ducote scores a takedown and Middleton scrambles right back to her feet, Ducote again holds Middleton against the cage wall. Middleton briefly separates from Ducote and attacks her with a punching combination, Ducote again holds Middleton against the cage wall. The fighters exchange some knee strikes while in the clinch, Ducote scores a takedown and Middleton gets right back up to her feet. Ducote goes for a takedown and Middleton assaults her with strikes, Ducote scores another takedown on Middleton and she gets the open guard. The referee stands up the fighters for inactivity as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Ducote
Round Two: The round begins with Middleton attacking Ducote with a few kicks, Middleton comes forward and attacks Ducote with punching combinations. Ducote scores a takedown on Middleton and she gets the half guard, Ducote transitions to the full mount against Middleton. Middleton quickly sweeps Ducote to gain top position, Middleton starts attacking Ducote with some ground and pound. Ducote tries rolling for some submissions while on her back, Ducote rolls for another arm bar and Middleton escapes to maintain top position as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Middleton (Overall Score: 19-19 for Draw)
Round Three: The round begins with Middleton just swinging away at Ducote, Ducote scores a takedown on Middleton and she gets the half guard. Ducote transitions to the side control position against Middleton, Ducote gains the full mount against Middleton. Ducote starts attacking Middleton with some ground and pound, Ducote transitions to back control against Middleton. Ducote goes for the rear naked choke and Middleton escapes, Ducote rolls for the arm bar as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Ducote (Final Score: 29-28 for Ducote)
Official Result: #6 Emily Ducote def. Jessica Middleton by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 29-28)
#7 John Salter vs. #9 Kendall Grove
Round One: The round begins with Salter attacking Grove with leg kicks, Grove attacks Salter with a high kick attempt. Grove then connects on the next head kick attempt against Salter, Grove pops a swinging Salter with a counter uppercut. Salter continues his leg kicking attack against Grove, Salter comes forward and barely connects with a left on Grove. Salter grabs Grove and he scores a takedown on him, Salter transitions to back control on Grove. Salter locks in the rear naked choke and Grove goes out cold.
Official Result: #7 John Salter def. #9 Kendall Grove by submission via rear naked choke (4:37, R1)
#4 Derek Campos vs. #7 Brandon Girtz
Round One: The round begins with Campos attacking Girtz with some leg kicks, Girtz then attacks Campos with a knee strike. Campos chases Campos while throwing some punches, Girtz catches a leaning Campos with a high kick. Girtz then catches a leaping Campos with a counter left hook, Campos responds by nailing Girtz with a left hook of his own. Girtz then catches Campos with a kick to the midsection, Girtz follows that up by nailing Campos with a left. Campos responds by stunning Girtz with a right, Girtz again catches Campos with a kick to the midsection. Campos nails Girtiz with a head kick followed by a flying knee strike, Girtz scores a takedown on Campos and he lands some elbow strikes. Campos scrambles to his feet as Girtz swings away at him, Girtz again nails Campos with a kick to the midsection. Campos catches a swinging Girtz with an uppercut as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Girtz
Round Two: The round begins with Girtz rocking Campos with a two punch combination, Girtz attacks Campos with a kick to the midsection. Campos charges at Girtz while throwing a punching combination, Girtz continues attacking Campos with kicks. Girtz comes forward and he clobbers Campos with a series of lefts, Campos recovers and he rocks a swinging Gortz with a counter right. Girtz goes back to attacking Campos with kicks to the midsection, the fighters just swing wildly at each other near the cage wall. The referee stops the fight so the doctors can check a cut on Girtz, the fight resumes with the fighters just swinging at each other. Campos comes forward and he attacks Girtz with a few rights, Campos then cracks Girtz with a step in knee strike as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Girtz (Overall Score: 20-18 for Girtz)
In between rounds, the doctors called the fight due to the cut on Girtz’s head.
Official Result: #4 Derek Campos def. #7 Brandon Girtz by TKO via doctor stoppage (5:00, R2)
