Bellator 133 Results: Shlemenko Wins by Devastating KO

Tonight’s (Friday, February 13, 2015) Bellator 133 is in the books from the Save Smart Center in Fresno, California.

The main event pitted two of combat sports most exciting strikers as Alexander “Storm” Shlemenko” took on Melvin “No Mercy” Manhoef. The fight started with Shlemenko repeatedly throwing spinning techniques and attempting numerous takedowns that were easily stuffed. Manhoef looked uncharacteristically tentative but still threw some heavy shots including a strong right hand that got Shlemenko’s attention. The round finished with Shlemenko clearly out pointing the Dutch kickboxer.

The second round began much the same as the first with spinning attacks and failed takedown attempts from Shlemenko. The fighters square off in the center of the cage and Shlemenko throws another spinning backfist. This one lands clean and for the second time in three months Manhoef has his lights shut out, this time at the 1:25 mark of round two:

The co-main event saw former champ Pat Curran take on rising contender Daniel Weichel. While by no means a barn-burner, this bout saw good, crisp, technical striking by both fighters. Curran landed some kicks early on in the first round while Weichel landed a beautiful leg sweep that briefly put the former champ on his back. Curran finished the first round with a takedown to end with top control.

The second and third round continued where the first left off with good technical stand up exchanges and the odd takedown attempt. In the end, the judges gave the split decision nod to Weichel who showed greatly improved stand up.

Also on the card, a woman’s featherweight bout between Invicta FC standout Julia Budd and Gabrielle Halloway. This fight was one sided from the start with Budd using her grappling to take Halloway down at will and control her against the cage. The lone highlight for Halloway in this fight was a picturesque hip toss landed on Budd early in the second. However, the Canadian quickly scrambled back to her feet and dominated the rest of the fight. The judges scorecards read: 30-26, 30-24, and 30-25. Though there’s certainly been more brutal beatings scored 30-27, this was as dominant of performance as one can have.

Opening the main card were a couple of undefeated wrestlers as two time NCAA Div-1 all-american Chris Honeycutt took on NCAA Div-2 national champion Clayton MacFarlane. Honeycutt’s wrestling proved superior in this fight as he did a good job mixing in strikes and takedowns landing a big knee late in the second to finish the round in dominant fashion. The third round saw MacFarlane score an early takedown but Honeycutt would eventually get back to his feet and reverse the position taking MacFarlane’s back. With MacFarlane flattened out Honeycut landed repeated shots to his unresponsive foe’s liver until the ref stepped in for the TKO win:

Bellator 133 Results:

Main Card:

Alexander Shlemenko def. Melvin Manhoef via R2 KO (spinning back fist, 1:25)

Daniel Weichel def. Pat Curran via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Julia Budd def. Gabrielle Halloway via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-25, 30-24)

Chris Honeycutt def. Clayton MacFarlane via R3 TKO (punches, 4:16)

Preliminary Card:

Paul Ruis def. Nicholas Sperling via R1 submission (guillotine choke, 0:43)

Blake Watkins def. George Zuniga via R1 KO (punches, 0:55)

Emilio Chavez def. Art Arciniega via unamious decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)