Bellator 197 Results: Michael Chandler vs. Brandon Girtz Headlines, Plus AJ McKee & Logan Storley Look To Stay Undefeated

MMA

Welcome to Fightful.com's live coverage & discussion for Bellator 197. We'll be bringing you full, fight by fight coverage of every bout on the card. You can also send in your feedback on our Disqus boards below! 

(Note: Rankings are provided by Fightful’s David Tees.)

Jon Jones Currently 'In Negotiations' For Next UFC Fight, Will 'More Than Likely' Be Competing In 2025

Main Card (9pm EST., Paramount Network)

#1 Michael Chandler def. #7 Brandon Girtz by submission via arm triangle choke (4:00, R1)

#2 AJ McKee def. #10 Justin Lawrence by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Baby Slice def. Devon Brock by submission via rear naked choke (0:34, R1)

Logan Storley def. Joaquin Buckley by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)

Preliminary Card (7pm EST., Bellator.com)

Juliana Velasquez def. Rebecca Ruth by TKO via kick (0:19, R3)  

Dominic Mazzotta def. Josh Sampo by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

#3 Derek Anderson def. Zak Bucia by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Eric Ellington def. Jordan Howard by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)


Jordan Howard vs. Eric Ellington

Round One: The round begins with Ellington attacking Howard with some leg kicks, Howard attacks Ellington with a punching combination. Howard also attacks Ellington with some leg kicks of his own, Ellington backs up Howard with a multiple strike combination. Ellington tries nailing Howard with a few rights, Ellington scores a takedown on Howard as the round ends.

Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Ellington

Round Two: The round begins with Howard nailing Ellington with an uppercut, Ellington scores a takedown on Ellington and he gets the open guard. Howard tries attacking Ellington with strikes while on his back, the referee stands up the fighters for inactivity. The action resumes with Ellington attacking Howard with an overhand right, Howard tries hitting Ellington with a few kicks. Ellington scores another takedown on Howard and he gets the open guard as the round ends.

Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Ellington (Overall Score: 20-18 for Ellington)

Round Three: The round begins with the fighters taking a few swings at each other, Howard nails a swinging Ellington with a pair of rights. Ellington goes back to attacking Howard with some leg kicks, Howard cracks a swinging Ellington with a two punch combination followed by a jumping knee strike, Ellington scores a takedown on Howard and he gets the open guard. Howard uses an omaplata attempt to cause a scramble and Ellington maintains top position, the referee stands up the fighters for inactivity. The action resumes with Howard attempting a front kick against Ellington, Howard nails Ellington with an uppercut followed by a punching combination. Ellington scores another takedown on Howard and he gets him in the seated position, Howard scrambles to his feet to get the fight standing again. Ellington scores another takedown on Howard and he gets the open guard as the round ends.

Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Ellington (Final Score: 30-27 for Ellington)

Official Result: Eric Ellington def. Jordan Howard by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Dominic Mazzotta vs. Josh Sampo

Round One: The round begins with Mazzotta attempting a high kick against Sampo, Mazzotta catches Sampo with a right uppercut. Mazzotta scores a takedown on Sampo and he gets side control, Mazzotta locks Sampo in the crucifix position while landing some strikes. Mazzotta transitions to the half guard position against Sampo, Mazzotta regains side control against Sampo. Mazzotta gets back control on Sampo while landing some strikes, Sampo scrambles and Mazzotta gets in his full guard. Samo scrambles again and he gets the fight standing before Mazzotta drags him to the ground, Mazzotta starts attacking Sampo with some ground and pound. Sampo scrambles to his feet again and Mazzotta drags him back to the ground again, Mazzotta rolls for a knee bar and the round ends.

Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Mazzotta

Round Two: The round begins with Mazzotta attempting a high kick against Sampo, Sampo catches Mazzotta with a left to the midsection. Mazzotta scores a takedown on Sampo and he gets the full guard, Mazzotta transitions to the half guard against Sampo. Mazzotta starts attacking Sampo with some ground and pound, Mazzotta rolls for an arm bar and Sampo scrambles to get free before gaining top position. Sampo starts attacking Mazzotta with ground and pound, Mazzotta scrambles to regain top position against Sampo as the round ends.

Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Mazzotta (Overall Score: 20-18 for Mazzotta)

Round Three: The round begins with Mazzotta attacking Sampo with a variety of kicks, Sampo responds by throwing a few kicks of his own. Sampo backs up Mazzotta with a punching combination, Sampo holds Mazzotta against the cage wall before attempting a spinning elbow strike. Mazzotta starts attacking Sampo with some leg kicks, Mazzotta goes for a takedown and he gets the full guard on Sampo. Mazzotta attacks Sampo with some ground and pound, Sampo scrambles to his feet and he scores a takedown on Mazzotta while getting side control. Sampo gains the half guard position against Mazzotta, Mazzotta uses a heel hook attempt to get top position against Sampo. Sampo scrambles to regain top poition and full mount on Mazzotta, Sampo goes for a guillotine choke as the round ends.

Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Sampo (Final Score: 29-28 for Mazzotta)

Official Result: Dominic Mazzotta def. Josh Sampo by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

#3 Derek Anderson vs. Zak Bucia

Round One: The round begins with Anderson scoring a takedown on Bucia and he gets the open guard, Bucia rolls for an arm bar and Anderson escapes after a long struggle. Anderson starts attacking Bucia with ground and pound, Bucia tries rolling for some submissions while on his back. Bucia rolls for a triangle choke and Anderson escapes to maintain top position, Bucia rolls for another arm bar and Anderson escapes as the round ends.

Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Bucia

Round Two: The round begins with Anderson attempting a few kicks against Bucia, Anderson also starts attacking Bucia with leg kicks. Anderson then pops Bucia with a left hook followed by a right, Anderson cracks a swinging Bucia with a counter left hook. Bucia starts attacking Anderson with some leg kicks of his own, Anderson rocks Bucia with a three punch combination. Anderson drops Bucia with a pair of uppercuts and he pounces on him with a ton of strikes, Anderson gets up and he allows Bucia to stand up. Anderson holds Bucia against the cage wall while landing a punching combination, Bucia pulls guard to get the fight back to the ground. Anderson gets up and he allows Bucia to stand up as well, Anderson kicks away at an always charging Bucia as the round ends.

Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Anderson (Overall Score: 19-19 for Draw)

Round Three: The round begins with Anderson attacking Bucia with a variety of kicks, Anderson starts nailing Bucia with leg kicks followed by a left hook. Anderson catches Bucia with an uppercut followed by some head kicks, Anderson backs up Bucia while throwing a punching combination. Bucia attacks Anderson with a punching combo of his own, Bucia eats some more kicks before catching Anderson with a left. Anderson continues going for the high kick against Bucia, Anderson cracks Bucia with a trio of rights before eating a left. Anderson then connects with a jumping knee strike against Bucia, Bucia rocks Anderson with a high kick and Anderson scores a takedown right after. Bucia rolls for an arm bar on Anderson and the round ends.

Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Anderson (Final Score: 29-28 for Anderson)

Official Result: #3 Derek Anderson def. Zak Bucia by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Rebecca Ruth vs. Juliana Velasquez

Round One: The round begins with Ruth attacking Velasquez with some leg kicks, Ruth charges forward and swings away at Velasquez. Ruth starts attacking Velasquez with some leg kicks, Ruth continuously attacks Velasquez with punching combinations. Velasquez catches a swinging Ruth with some straight lefts, Velasquez grabs Ruth and she holds her against the cage wall. Velasquez catches Ruth with a few knee strikes while in the clinch, the fighters separate and Ruth swings away at Velasquez. Velasquez catches Ruth with a head kick, Ruth just swings wildly against Velasquez as the round ends.

Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Ruth

Round Two: The round begins with Ruth just swinging away against Velasquez, Ruth also starts attacking Velasquez with some kicks. Velasquez catches an incoming Ruth with a right, Velasquez catches Ruth with a punching combination of his own. Velasquez then catches Ruth with a short left, Ruth also starts nailing Velasquez with a series of leg kick. Ruth drops Velasquez with a right and Velasquez scrambles back to her feet, Velasquez drops Ruth with a straight left and she gets top position on the ground. Ruth creates space and both fighters get back to their feet, Ruth swings away at Velasquez as the round ends.

Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Velasquez (Overall Score: 19-19 for Draw)

Round Three: The round begins with the fighters swinging away at each other, Velasquez drops Ruth with a front kick to the midsection and the referee jumps in.

Official Result: Juliana Velasquez def. Rebecca Ruth by TKO via kick (0:19, R3)  

Baby Slice vs. Devon Brock

Round One: The round begins with the fighters taking a few swings at each other, Slice charges at Brock while throwing a combination. Slice then cracks Brock with a two punch combination, Slice drops a kicking Brock with a counter right and he pounces on him with more strikes before gaining back control. Slice applies a rear naked choke and a tap out follows.

Official Result: Baby Slice def. Devon Brock by submission via rear naked choke (0:34, R1)

Logan Storley vs. Joaquin Buckley

Round One: The round begins with Storley scoring a takedown on Buckley and Buckley gets right back up, Storley scores another takedown and he gets the half guard against Buckley. Storley attacks Buckley with some ground and pound, Buckley scrambles to his feet and Storley drags him back to the ground. Buckley gets back up again and Storley scores another takedown on him, Storley gains the half guard position against Buckley. Storley attacks Buckley with a few strikes as the round ends.

Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Storley

Round Two: The round begins with Storley quickly getting Buckley against the cage wall, Storley scores a takedown on Buckley and he gets the half guard. Buckley gets Storley in his full guard for a short time before Storley regains half guard, Storley starts nailing Buckley with some ground and pound. Storley transitions to the full mount against Buckley, Storley attacks Buckley with a plethora of strikes as the round ends.

Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Storley (Overall Score: 20-18 for Storley)

Round Three: The round begins with Buckley going for a jumping kick against Storley, Storley scores a takedown on Buckley and he gets him in the seated position. Buckley scrambles to his feet and Storley holds him against the cage wall, Storley scores another takedown on Buckley and he gets the half guard. Storley transitions to side control against Buckley, Storley attacks Buckley with some ground and pound. Buckley scrambles to his feet and Storley gets him against the cage wall, Storley scores another takedown on Buckley and he gets leg control. Storley gains side control on Buckley as the round ends.

Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Storley (Final Score: 30-27 for Storley)

Official Result: Logan Storley def. Joaquin Buckley by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)

#2 AJ McKee vs. #10 Justin Lawrence

Round One: The round begins with Lawrence and McKee attempting a few kicks, Lawrence nails McKee with a kick to the midsection. McKee keeps Lawrence at bay by peppering him with jabs, McKee catches Lawrence with a few lefts. Lawrence gets McKee up against the cage wall for a short time, McKee nails Lawrence with a kick to the midsection followed by a two punch combination. McKee also looks to catch Lawrence with some counter strikes, McKee starts attacking Lawrence with some leg kicks. McKee also cracks Lawrence with a two punch combination, McKee eats a right after nailing Lawrence with another two punch combination. McKee and Lawrence get into a brief striking exchange, McKee goes for a switch kick and Lawrence blocks it. McKee creates space by using some kicks and the round ends.

Fightful scores the round 10-9 for McKee

Round Two: The round begins with Lawrence attempting a roundhouse kick against McKee, McKee does the same to Lawrence. McKee eats a few strikes after kicking Lawrence in the midsection, McKee tries keeping Lawrence at bay by throwing jabs. McKee then nails a swinging Lawrence with a counter left, McKee also nails Lawrence with some leg kicks. McKee then catches a leaning Lawrence with a head kick, Lawrence goes back to attacking McKee with punching combinations. McKee eats a right as he kicks Lawrence in the midsection, McKee clobbers Lawrence with a side kick to the head as the round ends.

Fightful scores the round 10-9 for McKee (Overall Score: 20-18 for McKee)

Round Three: The round begins with McKee getting Lawrence up against the cage wall, McKee nails Lawrence with a few strikes while keeping him against the cage wall. McKee separates from Lawrence after nailing him with a head kick, McKee then hits Lawrence with a right hook. McKee also catches Lawrence with a side kick to the midsection, McKee and Lawrence exchange some more leg kicks. McKee continues attacking Lawrence with a plethora of side kicks, McKee again gets Lawrence up against the cage wall. The fighters separate and Lawrence swings wildly at McKee, Lawrence catches an incoming McKee with a kick as the round ends.

Fightful scores the round 10-9 for McKee (Final Score: 30-27 for McKee)

Official Result: #2 AJ McKee def. #10 Justin Lawrence by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

#1 Michael Chandler vs. #7 Brandon Girtz

Round One: The round begins with Girtz attacking Chandler with a left, Girtz then pops Chandler with the second thrown left. Girtz accidentally nails Chandler low and the fight is halted, the fight resumes with Chandler attacking Girtz with a high kick. Chandler catches an incoming Girtz with a kick to the midsection, Chandler accidentally pokes Girtz in the eye and the fight is halted. The fight resumes with Girtz attacking Chandler with more lefts, Girtz then hits Chandler with a two punch combination. Girtz eats a right before kicking Chandler in the midsection, Girtz nails a backing Chandler with a right followed by an uppercut. Chandler score a takedown on Girtz and he gets side control, Chandler catches Girtz in an arm triangle choke and Girtz goes out cold.

Official Result: #1 Michael Chandler def. #7 Brandon Girtz by submission via arm triangle choke (4:00, R1)

Get exclusive pro wrestling content on Fightful Select, our premium news service! Click here to learn more.