Bellator 130 went down Friday from the Kansas Star Arena with a typical card that featured some solid, competitive fights mixed in with some action that was downright embarrassing.
The Good…
Light Heavyweight Champion Emanuel Newton continued his string of impressive showings, taking out rugged Linton Vassell with a choke in the 5th Round. Vassell, a raw fighter who was big and physical, did well in the early rounds before he tired and faded when Newton applied the pressure.
Dave Jansen won a unanimous decision over Rick Hawn in a fight that saw the two men fight standing up for the majority of the three rounds. Jansen was bigger and longer, and he threw different kicks all night while he pursued Hawn. Hawn was smaller, and he may belong back at 155 lbs in the future, strictly tried to box and though he occasionally landed on Jansen, he wasn’t able to slow Jansen’s steady advance. He didn’t try a takedown, and heading to the judges it was relatively clear that Jansen was the winner.
Marloes Coenen, perhaps the best woman competitor fighting today at 145 lbs took out the outmatched and outgunned Italian kickboxer Annalisa Bucci. Bucci was tentative and never got off. Coenen blanketed her from start to end, and though she survived, it was clear that this was a mismatch and that Bucci was not anywhere near the elvel needed for MMA.
The Ugly…
The worse debacle of the night was Bobby Lashley’s win over Karl Etherington. Lashley, who was heavily favored and is widely criticized for his lack of competition, did absolutely nothing to elevate how he is perceived. Etherington talked a good game and he looked big, but he was a stiff armed ‘roider who had zero athleticism. He attempted a judo throw (all apologies to judo) and because his hips and waist look glued together and he has no flexibility, he fell and landed flat on his face. Lashley closed the distance and threw punches until the end. Etherington writhed on the floor for a few punches before tapping. Lashley is talking about a title run, but the competition level he has been facing is still extremely questionable. Lashley cashed the check and he owns a win on paper over Etherington, but the ’bout’ was so sad that it can barely count as a fight.
Bellator 130 Highlights:
