Bellator MMA vs. Rizin results: AJ McKee beats Roberto de Souza to cement 5-0 shutout for Bellator

A.J. McKee capped off a shutout efficiency for the fighters from Bellator MMA as they went an ideal 5-0 towards Rizin within the New Yr’s Eve card from Japan.

The one-time featherweight champion, who was competing at light-weight on Saturday, showcased nice grappling protection and a few stable floor and pound as he continuously thwarted assaults coming from Rizin’s champion Roberto de Souza. McKee was good along with his offense each on the toes and on the bottom whereas de Souza simply grew pissed off as he was unable to essentially threaten the American even when he had some advantageous positions in the course of the combat.

When it was over, all three judges scored the combat for McKee, who strikes to 2-0 as a light-weight after beforehand selecting up a win at 155 kilos in Bellator.

“Dream come true,” McKee stated about combating in Japan. “Hopefully I get to come back again and placed on one other present for you.”

Regardless of the potential risks on the bottom, McKee stuffed an early takedown after which fortunately stayed on the canvas after de Souza pulled guard. From there, McKee stayed out of any hassle whereas peppering away at de Souza with brief inside elbows and punches as he began marking up the Rizin champion’s face whereas having him trapped within the nook.

A robust begin from McKee noticed him achieve confidence heading into the second spherical however de Souza was capable of take his again throughout a scramble because the lightweights hit the ground once more. This time, de Souza was looking for a rear-naked choke however McKee was by no means actually threatened and he ultimately earned a reversal to get again on high once more.

McKee hammered away at de Souza with some stiff punches earlier than returning to his toes the place he invited de Souza to affix him. Because the fighters got here out for the third and ultimate spherical, de Souza was clearly determined to tug the combat again into his world on the bottom however McKee continued to shock him — he even locked on a D’arce choke as he seemed for a submission of his personal.

With time ticking away, McKee acquired slightly looser along with his placing whereas nonetheless displaying world class submission to protection. De Souza did handle to take the again one final time as he tried to lock on the rear-naked choke once more however McKee didn’t appear bothered by the place as he simply stayed affected person till he made his escape.

As the ultimate bell sounded, McKee was assured in his victory as he moved to 20-1 in his profession and helped Bellator full a dominant showcase over the fighters from Rizin in the course of the ultimate card of 2022.

Patricio Pitbull shuts out Kleber Koike with uninspired efficiency

Patricio Pitbull did simply sufficient to win his co-main occasion combat towards Rizin champion Kleber Koike however that’s about all that occurred over three rounds.

Going up towards a submission specialist, Pitbull was methodical along with his placing assaults as he continuously backed Koike up towards the nook however by no means actually unleashed any mixtures along with his signature energy. As a substitute, Pitbull was resigned to only popping Koike with selective photographs after which backing away to forestall a possible takedown.

Even when Koike did handle a throw or a takedown, he failed to essentially maintain Pitbull beneath him for any important period of time. At one level, Koike pulled guard to convey the combat right down to the bottom however even that tactic failed as Pitbull rapidly broke freed from his grip to get again to the combat.

Primarily based on his efficiency, Pitbull appeared cautious to essentially interact with Koike an excessive amount of to negate any lengthy grappling exchanges although he simply shrugged off his opponent any time they acquired into scrambles on the bottom. Fairly than take many dangers, Pitbull opted to only decide and select his strikes to rack up sufficient harm to safe the unanimous choice victory.

Afterwards, Pitbull credited Koike for his toughness whereas noting that he wish to meet once more someday, this time with each of their titles going up for grabs.

Kyoji Horiguchi dominates Hiromasa Ougikubo in return to flyweight

Former Bellator and Rizin champion Kyoji Horiguchi returned dwelling to Japan and his outdated stomping grounds at flyweight the place he earned a lopsided victory over Hiromasa Ougikubo.

Spherical after spherical, Horiguchi was simply bullying Ougikubo across the ring as he chopped away with a brutal collection of leg kicks adopted by blistering energy in his palms. Horiguchi took Ougikubo off his toes a few occasions together with a shot within the opening spherical simply seconds earlier than the bell sounded.

Horiguchi really leaned exterior the ring to throw some floor and pound in an try and put Ougikubo away however he ran out of time. He scored one other knockdown throughout an alternate on the toes that noticed each fighters slinging leather-based but it surely was Horiguchi’s energy and precision that sat Ougikubo down on the canvas momentarily.

To his credit score, Ougikubo continued to scramble out of unhealthy positions however he simply couldn’t mount any offense of his personal with Horiguchi punishing him for the higher a part of 15 consecutive minutes.

Horiguchi has said that he feels extra at dwelling competing within the flyweight division but it surely stays to be seen if he’ll be capable to persuade Bellator to probably promote a 125-pound weight class sooner or later.

Juan Archuleta edges out Soo Chul Kim to say cut up choice victory

Juan Archuleta had his palms full however he nonetheless managed to eke out a cut up choice victory in a tough fought battle towards Soo Chul Kim.

The distinction within the combat appeared to come back right down to Archuleta’s placing within the opening spherical after which mixed along with his wrestling and grappling prowess in the course of the second half of the combat. Kim gave him the whole lot he might deal with as he chipped away at Archuleta with some nasty calf kicks mixed with just a few stiff mixtures on the toes.

Late within the combat, Archuleta uncorked a stupendous leaping knee strike that clipped Kim however appeared simply inches away from probably scoring a knockout. He additionally staved off a final second ninja choke submission from Kim because the South Korean fighter tried to drag off a end of his personal earlier than time ran out.

It was a back-and-forth battle all through however Archuleta did sufficient within the eyes of two of the judges to say the cut up choice victory and in addition assist notch one other win for Bellator over Rizin.

Archuleta will now head again dwelling to america the place he’ll undoubtedly try to leap again within the thick of the bantamweight title race with designs to additionally compete at featherweight sooner or later as effectively.

Gadzhi Rabadanov secures unanimous choice win after almost incomes first-round end

With trainer and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov sitting ringside, Gadzhi Rabadanov acquired Bellator MMA off to an excellent begin with a unanimous choice win over Koji Takeda.

Whereas he in the end needed to go to the scorecards to get the victory, Rabadanov almost earned a primary spherical end after the blasted Takeda with a punch that put him down on the canvas. Rabadanov adopted up with a flurry of punches as he sought to finish the combat however Takeda simply saved discovering a approach to survive.

The exertion throughout that close to end appeared to put on down Rabadanov as he moved into the second spherical, which allowed Takeda to mount a comeback. Takeda opened a lower over Rabadanov’s eye whereas additionally thwarting takedown makes an attempt from the Russian.

Nonetheless, Rabadanov was relentless along with his wrestling and grappling as he saved coming after Takeda and making him work for each place throughout one facet of the ring to the opposite. Takeda undoubtedly made an account for himself after he was virtually knocked out early within the combat but it surely wasn’t sufficient to sway the judges.

The win marks Rabadanov’s fifth in a row total together with his fourth win since becoming a member of the Bellator MMA roster in 2021.