Welcome to Fightful's results, live coverage and discussion for Bellator 259. We will bring you full, fight-by-fight coverage of the card. Scroll down to the Disqus boards below and chat with fellow MMA fans during the event.
Main Card (9pm EST., Showtime)
Bellator Featherweight Championship
Cris Cyborg (c) def. #4 Leslie Smith by TKO via strikes (4:51, R5) to retain the championship
#6 Leandro Higo def. Darrion Caldwell by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Jaleel Willis def. Maycon Mendonca by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
#3 Austin Vanderford def. #4 Fabian Edwards by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Hannah Guy def. #8 Valerie Loureda by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Preliminary Card (5:30pm EST., Youtube)
Saad Awad def. Nate Andrews by KO via punch (3:16, R1)
#7 Grant Neal def. #8 Tyree Fortune by submission via rear naked choke (4:20, R1)
Sumiko Inaba def. Kristina Katsikis by TKO via strikes (3:35, R3)
Aviv Gozali def. Sean Felton by submission via heel hook (1:17, R1)
#9 Davion Franklin def. Tyler King by KO via strikes (2:02, R1)
#7 Leah McCourt def. #6 Janay Harding by submission via triangle choke (2:42, R2)
Daniel Sabatello def. Brett Johns by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Alexander Shabliy def. #9 Alfie Davis by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Bellator Featherweight Championship
Cris Cyborg (c) vs. #4 Leslie Smith
Round One: The round begins with the fighters taking a few swings at each other, Cyborg starts landing some leg kicks against Smith. Cyborg nails Smith with a right and kick to the midsection, Cyborg comes forward while nailing Smith with a combination. Smith lands an overhand right on Cyborg before eating a two punch combination, Cyborg and Smith exchange a few shots to their midsections. Cyborg backs up Smith again while landing some combinations, Cyborg drops Smith with a two punch combo and she gets top control on the ground. Cyborg attacks Smith with ground and pound while gaining side control, Smith makes it to her feet as Cyborg swings away at her. Cyborg scores another takedown on Smith and Smith gets up while eating more strikes, Smith grabs a kicking Cyborg and they clinch near the cage wall. The fighters separate as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Cyborg
Round Two: The round begins with Cyborg kicking Smith in the midsection, Smith nails a swinging Cyborg with a counter right. Smith starts landing some leg kicks against Cyborg, Cyborg looks to land counter strikes on a swinging Smith. Cyborg follows Smith around the cage while swinging away at her, Smith and Cyborg exchange some short right hooks. Cyborg cracks a swinging Smith with a counter left hook, Cyborg attacks the midsection of Smith with a right. Cyborg follows up by kicking Smith in the midsection, Smith charges forward and Cyborg rocks her by landing a counter right. Cyborg scores a takedown on Smith and Smith gets right back up, Cyborg swings away at Smith as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Cyborg (Overall Score: 20-18 for Cyborg)
Round Three: The round begins with Cyborg attacking Smith with some leg kicks, Cyborg scores a takedown on a kicking Smith and Smith gets back up after a scramble. Smith comes forward and she swings away at Cyborg, Cyborg and Smith exchange strikes to the midsection. Cyborg backs up Smith while landing a four strike combination, Smith responds by kicking Cyborg in the midsection. Smith cracks a swinging Cyborg with a two punch combination, Cyborg pops a swinging Smith with a counter left. Smith lands a front kick and Cyborg lands a right on her a short time later, Cyborg follows Smith around the cage while swinging away at her. Cyborg trips up a kicking Smith and Smith gets up with Cyborg holding onto her, Smith drops for a kimura and Cyborg defends as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Cyborg (Overall Score: 30-27 for Cyborg)
Round Four: The round begins with Cyborg and Smith taking a few swings at each other, Cyborg continues attacking Smith with combinations. Cyborg cracks a swinging Smith with a counter left hook, Cyborg and Smith also start exchanging some jabs. Cyborg backs up Smith after landing a right to her face, Cyborg drops a kicking Smith with a counter right. Smith gets up and Cyborg swings away at her, Cyborg continues picking Smith apart with various combinations. Cyborg backs Smith into the cage wall after landing a straight right, Cyborg scores a takedown on Smith and she gets side control. Cyborg lands some ground and pound on Smith as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Cyborg (Overall Score: 40-36 for Cyborg)
Round Five: The round begins with Smith attacking Cyborg with a few kicks, Cyborg keeps picking Smith apart with her combinations. Cyborg lands a pair of counter right hooks on a swinging Smith, Cyborg scores a takedown on Smith and she gets side control. Smith scrambles to her feet after eating ground and pound from Cyborg, Cyborg and Smith have a few striking exchanges. Cyborg backs up a swinging Smith while landing some shots of her own, Cyborg looks for a takedown before landing more combinations against Smith. Cyborg continues landing strikes on a swinging Smith, Cyborg drops a swinging Smith with a counter right and she pounces on her with more strikes until the referee jumps in.
Official Result: Cris Cyborg (c) def. #4 Leslie Smith by TKO via strikes (4:51, R5) to retain the championship
#6 Leonardo Higo vs. Darrion Caldwell
Round One: The round begins with Caldwell attempting a high kick against Higo, Caldwell backs up Higo while swinging away at him. Higo starts landing some leg kicks against a swinging Caldwell, Caldwell scores a takedown on Higo and he gets the full guard. Caldwell attacks Higo with a lot of ground and pound, Higo looks for a triangle choke and Caldwell defends while getting side control, Caldwell attacks Higo with ground and pound as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Caldwell
Round Two: The round begins with Higo attacking Caldwell with some leg kicks, Higo pops a kicking Caldwell with a counter left hook. Caldwell also starts landing leg kicks of his own against Higo, Higo trips up a kicking Caldwell with his own leg kick. Higo jumps on the back of Caldwell and Caldwell quickly sweeps him to get top control, Higo attacks Caldwell with some strikes while on his back. Caldwell also attacks Higo with some ground and pound, Caldwell keeps top control as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Caldwell (Overall Score: 20-18 for Caldwell)
Round Three: The round begins with Caldwell attacking Higo with a few front kick attempts, Higo looks for a takedown and Caldwell defends to get him against the cage wall. Higo controls the head of Caldwell while dragging him to the ground, Higo accidentally nails Caldwell with an illegal knee strike and the fight is halted. The action resumes with Higo attacking Caldwell with some leg kicks, Caldwell looks for a takedown and Higo catches him in a guillotine choke. Caldwell defends and Higo gets top control as they stay on the ground, Higo attacks Caldwell with some ground and pound. Caldwell looks for a leg lock on Higo and Higo defends to get back control, Caldwell sweeps Higo and he gets top control as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Higo (Final Score: 29-28 for Caldwell)
Official Result: #6 Leandro Higo def. Darrion Caldwell by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
#3 Austin Vanderford vs. #4 Fabian Edwards
Round One: The round begins with Vanderford taking a few swings at Edwards, Edwards attempts a few high kicks against Vanderford. Vanderford scores a takedown on Edwards and he gets him in the seated position, Edwards scrambles to his feet and he swings away at Vanderford. Edwards continuously attacks Vanderford with some high kicks, Vanderford starts attacking Edwards with some leg kicks. Vanderford eats a few jabs before kicking Edwards in the midsection, Vanderford looks for a takedown and Edwards defends. Vanderford scores another takedown on Edwards and he gets him in a seated position, Vanderford keeps top control as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Edwards
Round Two: The round begins with Edwards accidentally nailing Vanderford low and the fight is halted, the action resumes with Vanderford swinging away at Edwards. Edwards then cracks Vanderford with a few lefts, Vanderford looks for a takedown and Edwards defends. Edwards also starts attacking Vanderford with some leg kicks, Edwards also attacks Vanderford with a bunch of front kicks. Vanderford comes forward and Edwards pops him with short lefts, Vanderford scores a takedown on Edwards and he gets him in the seated position. Edwards makes it back to his feet and Vanderford holds him against the cage wall, Vanderford trips Edwards up and he gets the open guard on the ground. Vanderford advances to the half guard against Edwards, Vanderford attacks Edwards with some ground and pound. Edwards gets Vanderford in his full guard as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Edwards (Overall Score: 20-18 for Edwards)
Round Three: The round begins with Edwards nailing Vanderford with some leg kicks, Edwards also peppers Vanderford with some jabs. Vanderford scores a takedown on Edwards and he gets the half guard, Vanderford attacks Edwards with some ground and pound. Edwards also lands some shots on Vanderford while on his back, Vanderford maintains top control while landing ground and pound on Edwards until the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Vanderford (Final Score: 29-28 for Vanderford)
Official Result: #3 Austin Vanderford def. #4 Fabian Edwards by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Jaleel Willis vs. Maycon Mendonca
Round One: The round begins with Mendonca attacking Willis with some leg kicks, Willis responds by landing leg kicks of his own. Willis scores a takedown on a kicking Mendonca and Mendonca gets right back up, Willis scores another takedown on Mendonca and he gets side control. Mendonca eventually gets Willis into his half guard, Mendonca makes it back up with Willis swinging away at him. Willis clinches with Mendonca and Mendonca attempts a jump knee strike, the fighters trade some strikes while in the clinch. Willis scores another takedown on Mendonca and he gets the half guard, Mendonca gets back up while Willis lands more strikes on him. Willis holds Mendonca against the cage wall as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Willis
Round Two: The round begins with Willis attempting a high kick against Mendonca, Mendonca and Willis exchange some leg kicks. Willis eats a right before landing a counter strike combination on Mendonca, Willis comes forward and he cracks Mendonca with a pair of rights. Mendonca continuously attacks Willis with a variety of kicks, Mendonca barely lands a spinning back kick to the midsection of Willis. Willis scores a takedown on a swinging Mendonca and he gets side control, Mendonca eventually gets Willis in his full guard. Willis attacks Mendonca with some ground and pound, Mendonca wall walks to his feet and Willis keeps him against the cage wall, Willis scores another takedown on Mendonca as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Willis (Overall Score: 20-18 for Willis)
Round Three: The round begins with Mendonca accidentally nailing Willis low and the fight is halted, the action resumes with Willis kicking Mendonca in the midsection. Willis continues coming forward while swinging away at Mendonca, Mendonca starts attacking Willis with some leg kicks. Mendonca accidentally nails Willis low again and the fight is halted, the action resumes with the fighters clinching and separating a short time later. Willis starts landing leg kicks of his own against Mendonca, Mendonca goes for a jump knee strike and Willis takes him down. Mendonca gets back up and Willis gets him up against the cage wall, the fighters separate and swing away at each other. Willis cracks a swinging Mendonca with a counter right hook, Mendonca goes for a spinning back kick and Willis avoids it. Willis pops an incoming Mendonca with a two punch combination, Willis looks for a takedown and Mendonca defends while landing a few strikes, Mendonca swings away at Willis as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Willis (Final Score: 30-27 for Willis)
Official Result: Jaleel Willis def. Maycon Mendonca by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
#8 Valerie Loureda vs. Hannah Guy
Round One: The round begins with Guy taking a few swings at Loureda, Guy grabs a swinging Loureda and they briefly clinch. Guy chases a moving Loureda and she swings away at her, Loureda drops a swinging Guy with a counter left hook and she lets her get back up. Loureda nails Guy with a multiple strike combination, Guy starts hunting for a takedown against a swinging Loureda. Guy continues charging forward while swinging away at Loureda, Guy looks for a takedown and Loureda gets top control when they hit the ground. Guy sweeps Loureda and she gets top control while looking for an arm bar, Guy rolls for an arm bar and Loureda defends to get the fight standing again. Guy grabs Loureda and she get6s her against the cage wall, Guy lands a few strikes on Loureda until they separate. Guy grabs a swinging Loureda and she gets her right back against the cage wall, Guy pulls guard on Loureda as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Loureda
Round Two: The round begins with Guy coming forward as the fighters swing away at each other, Loureda nails a swinging Guy with a counter right. Guy goes for a takedown and Loureda winds up in top control, Guy sweeps Loureda and she gains top control. Guy attacks Loureda with some ground and pound, Guy transitions to the full mount on Loureda while landing strikes. Guy attacks Loureda with a lot more ground and pound, Guy catches Loureda in a triangle choke and Loureda escapes to get top control. Loureda attacks Guy with some ground and pound, Guy sweeps Loureda again while going for an arm bar and Loureda defends against it to get the fight standing again. Loureda nails Guy with a spinning back fist followed by a body kick, Guy grabs Loureda and gets her against the cage wall as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Guy (Overall Score: 19-19 for Draw)
Round Three: The round begins with Loureda peppering Guy with some jabs, Guy catches Loureda in a jump guillotine choke and Loureda defends to get the fight standing again. Loureda goes for a head kick and Guy manages to block it, Guy eats a body kick before getting Loureda against the cage wall. Loureda gets free and she swings wildly at Guy before dropping her with a right, Loureda backs up and she makes Guy get back up. Guy looks to pull guard and Loureda postures up while swinging away at her, Guy gets back up and she swings away at Loureda. Guy grabs a swinging Loureda and she gets her against the cage wall, Guy lands a knee strike on Loureda as they separate. Guy again gets a swinging Loureda up against the cage wall, the fighters separate and Guy scores a takedown on Loureda. Guy attacks Loureda with some ground and pound, Guy advances to the side control position against Loureda. Guy rolls for an arm bar on Loureda as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Guy (Final Score: 29-28 for Guy)
Official Result: Hannah Guy def. #8 Valerie Loureda by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Saad Awad vs. Nate Andrews
Round One: The round begins with Awad attacking Andrews with a head kick followed by a right, Awad eats a few shots while getting Andrews against the cage wall. The fighters trade some strikes while in the clinch, the fighters separate while trading some rights. Awad drops Andrews with a right hook and he lets him get back up, Awad accidentally headbutts Andrews and the fight is halted. The action resumes with the fighters swinging away at each other, Andrews lands a few lefts before eating a combo from Awad. Awad drops Andrews with a multiple punch combo and he pounces on him with more strikes before letting him get up, Awad drops Andrews with a right and the referee jumps in.
Official Result: Saad Awad def. Nate Andrews by KO via punch (3:16, R1)
#7 Grant Neal vs. #8 Tyree Fortune
Round One: The round begins with Neal attacking Fortune with some leg kicks, Fortune fires back and he lands some leg kicks of his own. Neal grabs Fortune and he gets him up against the cage wall, the fighters separate and Fortune jabs away at Neal. Fortune comes forward and he pops Neal with a short left, Neal then hits Fortune with a kick to the midsection. Neal scores a takedown on a swinging Fortune and he gets side control, Neal attacks Fortune with some ground and pound. Fortune scrambles and Neal manages to get back control on him, Neal locks in a rear naked choke and a tap out follows.
Official Result: #7 Grant Neal def. #8 Tyree Fortune by submission via rear naked choke (4:20, R1)
Sumiko Inaba vs. Kristina Katsikis
Round One: The round begins with Inaba attacking Katsikis with some leg kicks, Katsikis scores a takedown on Inaba and she gets the full guard. Inaba wall walks to her feet and she gets Katsikis against the cage wall, Inaba scores a takedown and Katsikis gets back up before looking for another takedown. The fighters trade some strikes while in the clinch, Inaba scores a takedown on Katsikis and she gets the full guard. Katsikis scrambles to her feet and Inaba nails her with a knee strike to the head, Katsikis looks for a takedown and Inaba responds by landing a plethora of strikes until the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Inaba
Round Two: The round begins with Katsikis attempting a spinning back fist against Inaba, Inaba starts landing some leg kicks on Katsikis. Inaba backs Katsikis into the cage wall while swinging away at her, Katsikis scores a takedown on Inaba and Inaba scrambles to get back control on her. Katsikis sweeps Inaba and she gets top control on the ground, Inaba gets back up and she scores a takedown on Katsikis. Inaba attacks Katsikis with some ground and pound, Katsikis rolls for a toe hold and Inaba defends while landing a plethora of unanswered strikes until the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Inaba (Overall Score: 20-18 for Inaba)
Round Three: The round begins with Katsikis nailing a swinging Inaba with a counter right, Katsikis and Inaba get into some wild striking exchanges. Inaba stuns Katsikis after nailing her with a kick to the midsection, Katsikis grabs Inaba and they clinch on the cage wall. Inaba gets free and she nails Katsikis with another kick to the midsection, Inaba nails a swinging Katsikis with a three punch combo followed by a high kick. Inaba goes back to attacking Katsikis with some leg kicks, Inaba keeps backing Katsikis up while swinging away at her. Inaba stays at a distance while attacking Katsikis with a variety of kicks, Inaba lands more unanswered strikes on Katsikis and the referee jumps in.
Official Result: Sumiko Inaba def. Kristina Katsikis by TKO via strikes (3:35, R3)
Aviv Gozali vs. Sean Felton
Round One: The round begins with Gozali attacking Felton with some leg kicks, Gozali scores a takedown on a kicking Felton and he gets the full mount. Gozali attacks Felton with ground and pound, Felton scrambles to his feet and Gozali lands more leg kicks on him. Gozali pulls guard on Felton and he drags him to the ground, Gozali rolls for a heel hook and Felton taps out.
Official Result: Aviv Gozali def. Sean Felton by submission via heel hook (1:17, R1)
#9 Davion Franklin vs. Tyler King
Round One: The round begins with King taking a few swings at Franklin, Franklin nails King with a side kick to the midsection. King starts attacking Franklin with some leg kicks, Franklin nails an incoming King with a two punch combo followed by a jumping knee strike. Franklin and King start exchanging some leg kicks, Franklin backs King up while attacking him with some combinations. Franklin rocks King after cracking him with a left hook, Franklin follows up by leveling King with a two punch combination and the referee jumps in.
Official Result: #9 Davion Franklin def. Tyler King by KO via strikes (2:02, R1)
#6 Janay Harding vs. #7 Leah McCourt
Round One: The round begins with Harding attacking McCourt with a variety of kicks, McCourt grabs a swinging Harding and she gets her against the cage wall. McCourt nails Harding with some knee strikes while in the clinch, McCourt scores a takedown on Harding and she gets side control. Harding eats a few strikes from McCourt while scrambling to her feet, Harding comes forward while landing on McCourt. McCourt grabs Harding and she gets her against the cage wall, the fighters separate and clinch a few moments later. The fighters trade strikes in the clinch, McCourt scores a takedown on Harding and Harding gets right back up. The fighters clinch again as McCourt hunts for another takedown, McCourt scores another takedown on Harding and she gets side control. McCourt looks for back control on Harding as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for McCourt
Round Two: The round begins with Harding swinging away at McCourt before they clinch, Harding lands a few shots on McCourt while in the clinch with her. Harding attacks McCourt with combinations as they separate, Harding lands a head kick on McCourt after defending a takedown. McCourt scores a takedown and Harding sweeps her to gain top control, Harding attacks McCourt with ground and pound. Harding postures up and McCourt nails her with an up kick, McCourt catches Harding in a triangle choke and the tap out follows.
Official Result: #7 Leah McCourt def. #6 Janay Harding by submission via triangle choke (2:42, R2)
Brett Johns vs. Daniel Sabatello
Round One: The round begins with Sabatello grabbing Johns and getting him up against the cage wall, Sabatello scores a takedown on Johns and he gets back control. Johns stays up and Sabatello stays on his back while looking for a rear naked choke, Sabatello gets off of the back of Johns while keeping him against the cage wall. Sabatello scores another takedown on Johns and Johns gets right back up, Sabatello scores another takedown and Johns gets up again. Sabatello keeps getting Johns down and Johns keeps getting back up, Sabatello keeps Johns against the cage wall as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Sabatello
Round Two: The round begins with Johns taking a few swings at Sabatello, Sabatello scores a takedown on Johns and Johns gets back up. Sabatello gets Johns down again and he gets the open guard this time, Sabatello attacks Johns with some ground and pound. Johns scrambles to his feet and Sabatello keeps him on the cage wall, Sabatello gets Johns back down and Johns gets right back up while eating a few strikes. Sabatello gets Johns down one more time as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Sabatello (Overall Score: 20-18 for Sabatello)
Round Three: The round begins with Johns taking a few swings at Sabatello, Sabatello gets a takedown on Johns and Johns briefly goes for a guillotine choke. Sabatello attacks Johns with some ground and pound, Johns attempts a triangle choke on Sabatello before scrambling to his feet. Sabatello gets Johns back down while gaining back control on him, Johns scrambles to his feet and Sabatello holds him against the cage wall. Sabatello gets Johns to the ground again and Johns gets up again, Sabatello drags Johns back to the ground while getting back control. Sabatello attacks Johns with some more ground and pound, Johns gets back up and Sabatello gets him back down for a short time. The fighters clinch and exchange some strikes, Johns gets Sabatello down and he gets the half guard position. Johns hits Sabatello with ground and pound as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Sabatello (Final Score: 30-27 for Sabatello)
Official Result: Daniel Sabatello def. Brett Johns by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
#9 Alfie Davis vs. Alexander Shabliy
Round One: The round begins with Davis attacking Shabliy with some leg kicks, Shabliy blocks a high kick before landing his own leg kicks on Davis. Davis goes for a superman punch and Shabliy manages to block it, Shabliy pops Davis with a multiple punch combination. Davis cracks Shabliy with a kick to the midsection, Shabliy nails an incoming Davis with a two punch combination. Davis goes for a high kick and Shabliy blocks it, Shabliy clinches with Davis and they battle along the cage wall. The fighters trade strikes while in the clinch and then they separate, Davis scores a takedown on a spinning Shabliy and he gets the half guard. Davis maintains top control as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Davis
Round Two: The round begins with Davis attempting a high kick against Shabliy, Davis and Shabliy also exchange some leg kicks. Shabliy lands a counter left hook on a swinging Davis, Davis backs up Shabliy after kicking him in the midsection. Shabliy backs up Davis while landing a short right to the face, Davis goes for a step knee strike and Shabliy tries countering with a right. Davis eats a right while landing a left hook on Shabliy, Davis comes forward and Shabliy counters by landing a left on him. Shabliy comes forward while taking some swings at Davis, Davis backs up Shabliy while throwing a variety of kicks. Shabliy throws a spinning heel kick and Davis blocks it as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Shabliy (Overall Score: 19-19 for Draw)
Round Three: The round begins with Shabliy attacking Davis with some leg kicks, Davis throws a body kick and Shabliy counters with a right. The fighters stay at a distance while taking some swings at each other, Shabliy comes forward and he pops Davis with a few lefts. Shabliy continuously comes forward while swinging away at Davis, Shabliy scores a takedown on Davis and he gets the half guard. Shabliy transitions to the full guard position against Davis, Shabliy attacks Davis with some ground and pound. Davis eats more shots while getting Shabliy back into his half guard, Davis gets Shabliy in his full guard while eating more strikes. Shabliy keeps top control as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Shabliy (Final Score: 29-28 for Shabliy)
Official Result: Alexander Shabliy def. #9 Alfie Davis by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Fightful has all of your MMA needs covered. Follow us on Twitter for updates, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive interviews, lists, news updates and predictions.
