PRESS RELEASE – PARIS, FRANCE – A offered out crowd of over 13,000 followers packed the Accor Enviornment tonight for Bellator 296, the promotion’s third profitable occasion in Paris, France. A number of French fighters shined brightly for the partisan Parisian crowd, together with Thibault Gouti (17-6), who scored an emphatic knock out over Kane Mousah (14-5) to begin the primary card off with a bang.
The primary occasion noticed a coming-of-age efficiency for Birmingham, England’s Fabian Edwards (12-2), who outclassed MMA icon Gegard Mousasi (49-9-2) en path to a unanimous choice victory (49-46, 49-46, 49-46).
NEXT STOP – DUBLIN: Together with his victory in the primary occasion, Edwards has earned a title shot towards undefeated Middleweight World Champion Johnny Eblen (13-0) in a bid to affix his brother Leon Edwards World Champion. The 2 will conflict in the primary occasion of BELLATOR Dublin: Eblen vs. Edwards, which can happen on the 3Arena on Saturday, Sept. 23. Extra info on the occasion will probably be revealed within the coming days.
The co-main function noticed an unimaginable five-round forwards and backwards battle between former BELLATOR Light-weight World Champion Brent Primus (11-3) and hometown favourite Mansour Barnaoui (20-5). After 25 minutes of elite stage grappling, Primus earned the unanimous choice victory (48-47, 48-47, 48-47) and advances within the BELLATOR Light-weight World Grand Prix to face present World Champion Usman Nurmagomedov (17-0) within the semifinals on a date to be decided.
Former Welterweight World Champion Douglas Lima (33-11) had a profitable debut at middleweight over Costello van Steenis (14-3) scoring 29-28 on all three decide’s scorecards.
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#2-Fabian Edwards (12-2) def. #1-Gegard Mousasi (49-9-2) by way of Unanimous Resolution (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
FABIAN EDWARDS:
After I suffered my losses lots of people wrote me off, lots of people thought I used to be completed, however now I’m right here: yet one more combat till I get that gold belt.
Who in MMA can say they’ve obtained Machida and Mousasi on their document? I misplaced my two fights and everybody wrote me off. I saved my self-belief, obtained again to the fitness center and carried on working and now I’m again right here, on a three-fight profitable streak and one combat away from a world title.
The gameplan was to go in there and do me. I really feel like I might’ve thrown just a few extra kicks however I harm my foot and each time I kicked I might really feel it and I didn’t wish to present it [the pain] on my face.
I used to be placing these kicks in and some caught his knees and caught his elbows however that’s the combat sport. My jaw’s hurting, my physique’s hurting however that’s the combat sport. I’ve obtained a pocket full of money and a world title shot.
I felt so calm in there, it’s a very bizarre feeling as a result of I didn’t really feel nervous, I didn’t really feel anxious I simply felt like I really feel speaking to you guys now. It’s an excellent feeling.
I cherished it [fighting in Paris], the world was packed out. I obtained some boos, I obtained some cheers. So long as the followers and everybody loved the combat then I’m pleased with that. I feel Bellator are attempting to come back again to Paris – I don’t know when – but when they do then they will positively give me a shout for that present.
Johnny [Eblen] is aware of that he’s seeing me subsequent. The pushes and shoves are all good however we get to see one another within the cage and we get to lock horns and alternate some punches. I see it going the best way I would like it to go. I feel he’s underestimating my wrestling. I’ve obtained grit, I’ve proven I can go 5 rounds. The gasoline tank is nice. I’m right here and I’m prepared for it.
It sounds good [to be fighting for the title in Dublin] however I wouldn’t thoughts bringing it to Birmingham. I do know they stated Dublin however let’s see if we are able to twist somebody’s arm and convey it again to Birmingham. Why not? Birmingham deserves it.
We come from what folks class as a little bit fitness center from Birmingham however look what we produce. It [winning the title] would imply the world. One combat away – and even after that one combat there’s so much to realize. It’s not over till it’s over. He’s [Leon’s] making an attempt to go down as one of many greats – he’s already an important in England – however he needs to go down as one of many best of all time and I wish to do the identical factor.
#4-Brent Primus (12-3) def. #8-Mansour Barnaoui (20-5) by way of Unanimous Resolution (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)
BRENT PRIMUS:
I didn’t assume he was going to come back at me like that within the first spherical. There’s 5 rounds and I believed we had been going to bounce round and really feel one another out and he was not about that… he got here at me like a rattling bullet! After that first spherical I even advised my coach, “Rattling I’m drained” and I needed to dig deep.
I feel he has gills in his neck or one thing like that. He’s one robust son of a gun. Hats off to you Mansour, you might be so robust bro. Good job, man. Often, I’d have submitted these guys however man… hat’s off to him.
He pushed me. That man didn’t cease the entire time. Fortunately I’ve American Prime Staff, all the blokes to help me and push me. I’m nothing with out my workforce. They push me a lot. All the blokes, they assist me and push me. I wouldn’t have been capable of push via these final couple of rounds with out them.
My floor sport is means higher than his. I knew if the combat went to the bottom it could be my combat. I felt so good, I felt so assured in my submission protection. I knew he wasn’t going to submit me. I’ve confidence in my stand-up. I feel that began to point out a little bit bit. However I knew if the combat went to the bottom I’d dominate.
I heard him gargling a few instances. I knew he’s robust and I knew this combat meant a lot to him – and me – so I knew I needed to put him to sleep. I knew he wasn’t going to faucet. I feel the final spherical I had a rear-naked choke and it was extra on his chin earlier than the final 5 or 6 seconds I managed to slide my left hand beneath his chin. I feel if I had extra time I’d’ve choked him however Mansour is a sport opponent, he’s actually robust. It was a do or die state of affairs for each of us on the market so I knew I used to be going to must put him to sleep.
It’s loopy on the market. The French crowd is insane, it was so loud and loopy. I’ve fought in Eire, in London and I feel that right here was the loudest. They get behind their fighters and so they booed me actually good and it felt good to go on the market, win and upset everyone.
I’ve been asking Bellator for that combat [against Usman Nurmagomedov], since a few yr and a half in the past. For those who work exhausting and also you imagine in your self, issues occur. Right here we go, man! I get a shot on the title and I couldn’t be happier. I respect him, I respect his complete camp. He’s an important champion, he comes from a very good camp and trains with actually good guys however I’m going to win that combat and I’m going to be the champion once more. He’s an important champion however I’ve confidence in myself and I’m going to go in there and win that title again.
Everybody says I’m getting outdated, I’m 38. Gosh rattling it’s loopy simply to say that I’m 38 however I really feel younger, I really feel actually good within the fitness center. I’m coaching so gosh rattling exhausting, I’m really feel like coaching tougher than all of the youthful children within the fitness center and I really feel like I’m beating all of the youthful children up. I don’t really feel 38 that for positive, I carry on listening to that I’m outdated however I don’t really feel it so… screw that, I’m younger!
Douglas Lima (33-11) def. #10-Costello van Steenis (14-3) by way of Unanimous Resolution (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Douglas Lima:
On his win tonight: It’s an enormous weight off the shoulders getting the win. It’s not simple coming again after a bunch of losses like that. I got here in right here and executed.
At preventing at 185 lbs: Night time and day distinction. I wasn’t capable of put a number of weight again on, however I felt wonderful and felt good. My complete workforce obtained me the power I wanted and the help. France it’s a pleasure to be right here. I’m not going away.
Thibault Gouti (15-6) def. Kane Mousah (14-5) by way of KO at of R1
THIBAULT GOUTI:
On Kane Mousah: I knew he was an excellent striker. I knew we’d get up. I caught him in first spherical however that’s the sport and he recovered effectively after that. Within the second spherical he caught me when he was in southpaw, so I modified my stance, and I caught him within the alternate. I feel he was out (after I hit him), he stated to me afterwards he was okay I’m not the referee, however I feel he was out.
On the how the combat went: I knew I gained the primary spherical, so it was already an excellent factor. Within the second spherical he was altering stance and he caught me, and he caught me within the liver. After it was not the plan for him to come back at me, he’s a brawler, I knew that. I’m very completely satisfied. I don’t assume the combat was about energy. I feel it was extra technical and extra about being good and utilizing the gameplan. I knew he was going to come back. He was throwing massive hooks. I attempted to get him, and I used to be ready for him. I threw my hook, and I obtained him.
On who he needs to combat subsequent: You understand what man and who I really like to observe combat and I’ve a number of respect for, Tim Wilde. Tim Wilde, he simply gained tonight, and he fought final time, and he gained. He’s all the time profitable. He has an excellent fashion, and I wish to combat with him and see. He is excellent. I respect him. I would like him subsequent.
I’m okay, my nostril is a little bit open. I did that in coaching. I wish to combat once more in 3-4 months. If I can combat in Europe and are available to Dublin and combat, then I’ll.
On preventing in Paris: Wonderful. I like Paris it’s the capital in fact however in Marseille, we have now completely different folks. They’re the true fanatics. Each Frenchman is loopy.
#6-Denise Kielholtz (6-5) def. Paula Cristina (6-1) by way of Unanimous Resolution (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Luca Poclit (9-1) def. Oliver Enkamp (11-4) by way of Unanimous Resolution (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Davy Gallon (21-8-2, 1 NC) vs. Saul Rogers (15-5, 1 NC) resulted in a No Contest
Yves Landu (19-9) def. Piotr Niedzielski (17-6) by way of Unanimous Resolution (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Sarvarjon Khamidov (15-0) def. Kevin Petshi (18-6) by way of Submission (RNC) at 1:33 or R3
Tim Wilde (16-4-1) def. Chris Gonzalez (8-3) by way of Unanimous Resolution (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Fabacary Diatta (9-1) def. Keir Harvie (5-3-2) by way of Unanimous Resolution (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Asael Adjoudj (6-1) def. Georges Sasu (4-3) by way of Unanimous Resolution (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)
Romain Debienne (10-4) def. Bourama Camara (5-3) by way of KO at 1:04 of R2
Jose Augusto (8-4, 1 NC) def. Simon Biyong (9-3) by way of Unanimous Resolution (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Nate Diaz will probably be examined for marijuana by Texas Fee
