Bellator 23: Live Recap from Louisville, Kentucky

Good evening everyone, and welcome to tonight’s live blog of Bellator 23.  Tonight’s coverage is brought to you by Fighter’s Guard Management MMA Agency , and Intimidation Clothing, www.intimidationclothing.com.  Fighters Guard Management relieves fighters of all the stressful issues outside of the cage and truly guards the fighters across the board.  Intimidation Clothing offers affordable-stylish MMA apparel , including signature t-shirts of Forrest Petz, Jason Dent and Jessica Eye.

The event starts tonight at 7:00 ET and includes two tournament finals with $100,000 on the line. Bellator 23 marks the end of Season 2.

Yes, the Irish Hand Grenade is in attendance, but that pails in comparison to Billy Donovan and George Oiler entering the premises!

First preliminary bout of the evening:

Dave Overfield (6-1) vs. Kurt Kinser (2-0): Lightweight

Round One- A good takedown to start the first round by Kinser.  He maintains the top position and lands several big elbows.  Blood is gushing from Overfield's head.  He is a bloody mess, which may help him escape.  Overfield attempts submission from the bottom but both fighters are very slick.  The referee stops the fight quickly in the midst of a bloody mess.

Official Decision: Kurt Kinser via TKO due to strikes at 2:30 into Round One.

Second preliminary bout of the evening:

Mike Fleniken (2-1) vs. Stoney Hale (3-1): Middleweight

Round One- The fight starts in the clinch with Fleniken disengaging and landing some heavy strikes.  Hale stays on the aggressive, attempting the take down. Hale’s persistence pays off as he lands a solid take down. Mike manages his way back to his feet and lands some heavy blows.

From there, Fleniken grabs a guillotine choke, which appears deep but Hale manages to escape and grabs side control. An impressive technical fight thus far. Hales eats a punch, but manages a take down but gets caught in a triangle choke. He again manages an impressive escape. Hale gets a full mount but is swept and eats some heavy punches in the process. The round ends with Fleniken on top. A very close round but I give it 10-9 to Fleniken.

Round Two- Both fighters miss haymakers then Hale attempts a takedown.  Finally, Hale gets Fleniken to the ground in his full guard.  Hale lets him up then lands a monster overhand right, which sends Mike to ground.  He quickly pounces but ends up on the bottom.  Several reversals occur with neither fighter doing damage.  Hale grabs a side mount then transitions to full mount.  Mike quickly gave up his back and is in danger of a RNC with just under a minute left in the round.  Hale sinks it in and gets the victory. 

Official Decision: Stoney Hale via tap out due to a RNC at 4:20 into the Round Two.

Looks like the Hinton-Straus bout may happen after the televised portion. I’ll keep you posted!!

A very good crowd here with a neat atmosphere. The outdoor feel with a glass roof sets off the cage nicely.

TV portion kicks off at 8:00. Should be four great fights!

As Brent Musberger would say, “You are looking live” at Bellator 23 from Louisville, KY! A raucous crowd has filled the venue and they are ready for action!!

First televised bout:

Rosi Sexton 9-1 vs. Zoila Frausto 4-1: Catch Weight of 121 lbs.

Round One- This should be a great fight. The fighters start slow feeling each other out. Finally, both throw some heavy shots with nothing landing.  These women are simply cat quick!  Sexton grabs a single leg but cannot get Frausto to the ground.  They tie up on the cage with nothing happening. They seperate and get back into the center of the cage where Frausto lands a wicked knee which sends Sexton to the ground.

WOW!!! Sexton was leaning and got the full knee! A big victory by Frausto!

Official Decision: Frausto via TKO due to strikes at 2:00 into the Round One.

Second televised bout:

Middleweight Tournament Final: Alexander Shlemenko vs. Bryan Baker ($100,000 on the line)

Round One- This should be a great match-up: the unorthodox Shlemenko versus the very technical Baker.  Baker certainly looks better, but Alexander throws punches from all angles. 

The fight starts with both fighters throwing several punches. Shlemenko throws a spinning back kick, which misses but draws "ooohs" and "awes" from the crowd.  They exchange several punches and the whip of a Shlemenko kick is very audible.  Baker is having a hard time figuring out the crazy angles of Alexander. 

Schlemenko gets Baker on the ground and lands several heavy blows, which stops the fight.  Although the victory was impressive, it was hard to watch Baker’s mom hold back the tears.  She is visibly shaken.  Shlemenko looks very impressive.  Wow, this dude looks like the real deal.  I cannot wait to see Shlemenko vs. Lombard! 

Official Decision: Alexander Shlemenko via TKO due to strikes 2:45 into Round One.

I cannot help but wonder what $100,000 means in his home country…

Third televised bout:

Featherweight Tournament Final: Joe Warren 4-1 vs. Patricio Pitbull 14-0 ($100,00 on the line)

Round One- A very good match-up between Pitbull (the better striker and jiu-jitsu expert) versus Joe Warren, who is an elite wrestler.  They tie up to start with Warren landing a solid knee.  Warren is dipping and ducking, looking for a takedown, but Pitbull lands a surprising takedown. Being on his back is not a good position for Warren, but he manages to get back to his feet. These guys are freaking quick! 

Pitbull is very fluid in his motions as he lands a nice combo to Warren’s head. Warren lands some more knees from the clinch. Pitbull is much quicker with his strikes. Warren looks a little surprised and tired. Then Pitbull grabs a standing choke hold, but Warren finally escapes. Warren needs to get this fight in close and against the cage where he can work his dirty boxing skills.

Pitbull lands a solid right hand, which sends Warren to the canvas and forces him to give up his back.  Warren is tough as heck but gets caught in a RNC, but is saved by the bell. The fight was over if not for the bell. WOW!

Round Two- The doctor checks Warren and gives him the green light. Warren attempts a double leg to no avail. Pitbull is is lightning on his feet. If Warren can get his hands on Pitbull, he has a shot, but that is a difficult task to complete.

Warren avoids a punch and grabs a double leg. He falls into the very good guard of Pitbull. From the top position, Warren lands several heavy strikes, including several elbows. Warren wins the second round to even up the fight. Amazing heart…

Round Three (final round)- The round begins with some explosive strikes by each fighter. Warren lands another great takedown and works from Pitbull’s guard. Patricio works impressive wrist control to keep Warren at bay, but is still eating some elbows. Warren postures up and lands some heavy blows behind the chant of "USA-USA-USA".

Warren is maintaining his balance due to the dangerous ground game of Pitbull. They scramble and Pitbull gets to his feet only to go down with an elite take down. With 20 seconds left, the fight goes to the stand-up, where Warren grabs another double leg as the round expires. WOW!! I give it to Warren, 29-28. 

Official Decision: Joe Warren via split decision.

That, my friends, is the epitome of hear-the-wrestler heart!  That performance is what a wrestler is all about. What a win for Warren!!

Third televised fight:

Nick Mamalis 9-4 vs. Albert Rios 12-4: Bantamweight

Round One: Good leg kicks by Mamalis to start the fight. He then lands a strong shot, which rattles Rios. They separate and take a deep breath. Both of these guys are quick and active. Great sprawl shone by Mamalis, who then transitions into a nice take down. Mamalis catches a leg kick and forces Rios against the cage.

The strength advantage thus far is clearly to Mamalis. Nick gets the takedown, but gets in a very tight guillotine choke but manages to escape. Mamalis is very active and accurate with his strikes. He is switching stances throughout. Mamalis lands heavy strikes, which sends Rios to the ground, where he unleashes an onslaught of strikes. An impressive victory by Mamalis. 

Official Decision: Mamalis via TKO due to strikes 4:40 into Round One.

Fourth televised fight:

Daniel Straus 10-2 vs. Chad Hinton 6-1: Lightweight

Round One: This should be a great fight between two of Cincinnati’s finest. Hinton in the southpaw stance with Straus in the traditional stance. Straus lands a quick shot and they get into a clinch with Straus landing a take down. Hinton uses his strength to power out. They stay tied up with little action occurring. Straus lands a nice judo throw/trip and gets the top position.

From the bottom, Hinton attempts to grab kimura but it is a tough angle. Nothing is happening as Hinton has Straus’ left arm controlled. Both fighters are exerted a substantial amount of energy. Straus escapes and gains a full mount position forcing Hinton to give up his back. Chad manages to get back to his feet. Hinton grabs a standing guillotine which appears to be tight but Straus escapes and gains the top position as the round ends. First round goes to Straus.

Round Two- The fighters touch gloves to begin the round. Daniel goes in hard with strikes but gets nothing. He then manages a take down and gains side control. Straus has managed to off set Hinton’s strength advantage with his length and balance. From the top Straus lands several strikes to the ribs. Hinton manages to get back to his feet with just over two minutes left in the round. Straus grabs an impressive double leg take down (Straus was a very good wrestler in high school).

From the top, Straus lands several strikes and holds his position. Straus lands several hammer strikes from the top. The round ends with Straus on top in side control. Straus helps Hinton up at the end of the round. The second round goes to Straus. 

Round Three (final round)- Hinton throws some strikes to begin the round, but nothing lands. A few exchanges are made then Straus goes to his bread and butter and ties Hinton up. Straus gets up voluntarily and the fight goes back to the stand up. Hinton misses a spinning back fist and Straus takes advantage of it by landing a solid high kick.  Daniel keeps the top position but does nothing with it forcing the referee to stand them up.

Hinton switches to the orthodox stance as the fighters exchange punches. Hinton blocks a head kick and then they tie up. From there, Straus lands another double leg take down.  Straus lands several strikes as the fight resumes on their feet which sends Hinton back pedaling.  Straus lands another take down as the round ends. Straus should win via UD. 

Official Decision: Daniel Straus wins via UD

Straus and Hinton are both very classy guys.  They both were tremendous sports as they always are.

Fifth televised fight:

John Troyer (10-4) vs. Brent Weedman (14-5) Welterweight

Two Louisville natives set to go at it in what should be a great fight.  The fight begins with a quick clinch.  The fight goes to the ground as Weedman grabs a choke.  Troyer escapes and grabs the top position.  They scramble with neither fighter gaining an advantage.  Troyer gets on top and lands some solid strikes but is taking down by his foot and manages to escape a heel lock. 

They transition again and Troyer lands several heavy strikes forcing Weedman to give up his back but he transitions again-this time into side control.  Weedman forces Troyer against the cage but it’s a stale mate until Weedman gets teh take down.  From there he lands some heavy blows and grabs an arm bar near the end of the round which forces Troyer to tap out.  An impressive victory by Weedman. 

Official Decision: Weedman via tap out due to arm bar.

That is all tonight fight fans from the home of The Greatest—See you next time.

Please make sure you follow all major event live blogs here!!!