Timothy Johnson put away Matt Mitrione with a vicious whirlwind of punches against the cage at Bellator 243.
Johnson (14-6) has now split his last four fights 2-2 with all of them ending by first-round KO/TKO. An early accidental headbutt from Johnson floored Mitrione. Johnson secured top control and rode it out for the majority of the round. Mitrione made his way to the fence but Johnson pounded him out at 3:14 of the first. Mitrione could be heard protesting the headbutt to referee Mike Beltran after the fight.
-- @TBearTim ends up with a good position early in round one.#Bellator243 pic.twitter.com/7uwagmMek5
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) August 8, 2020
The first two main card fights boasted three additional UFC veterans: Curtis Millender, Sabah Homasi and Myles Jury.
Millender could not build on the momentum from his Bellator debut as he lost a unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). Homasi leaned on his wrestling to negate Millender's supreme striking. Millender locked on a dangerously deep d'arce choke in the third round. Unfortunately, he got carried away with the finish, using big motions that created an escape for his opponent. Homasi is now a perfect 3-0 since departing from UFC.
Jury fought former WSOF featherweight champion Georgi Karakhanyan, the latter of whom moved up to lightweight. The competitive scrap had the judges all over the place. Jury was awarded a split decision victory with the cards reading: 27-30, 30-27, 29-28. Jury snapped a three-fight losing streak which includes his Bellator debut against Benson Henderson, plus UFC losses to Andre Fili and Chad Mendes.
These fellas came to stand & bang. @FuryJury and @GeorgiMMA are throwing down in the Bellator cage now LIVE on @ParamountNet!#Bellator243 pic.twitter.com/sifHy8jhNn
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) August 8, 2020
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