Bellator 186 Results: Ryan Bader Finishes Linton Vassell

It’s once again fight day here at LowKickMMA, and the talent on display tonight (Friday, November 3rd, 2017) will come in the form of Bellator 186. Headlining the card are Ryan Bader and Linton Vassell, but there’s a whole bunch of great fights also taking place on the rest of the main card.

Ryan Bader (c) and Linton Vassell meet in a light heavyweight title fight in the main event. In round 1, Bader went straight for a takedown and got it that put him in half guard on top. Vassell was able to scramble back to his feet quickly and started training with him. Vassell was landing some solid leg kicks, but Bader shot in and got him down quickly. Bader was bleeding from his nose. Bader was grinding him out by landing a couple of hard strikes. In round 2, Bader once again scored a takedown right out of the gate and earned top position in guard while landing a series of strikes. A smart gameplan on the part of Bader. With just over a minute left, Bader went off and landed several strikes to end the fight by TKO. A dominant performance by Bader, who made his first title defense as light heavyweight champion.

Ilima Macfarlane and Emily Ducote meet in a female flyweight title fight in the co-main event. In round 1, Macfarlane was pressing forward often with Ducote looking to take things to the ground. Macfarlane cut off the cage, but Ductore was able to clinch with her. However, Macfarlane fired back with a series of knee strikes to the gut. Macfarlane scored a brief takedown with two minutes to go. Macfarlane held her down and got her back then went landed a series of strikes before going into half guard. Macfarlane went for an armbar, but the bell sounded. In round 2, Macfarlane was getting the better while exchanging. Specifically, her elbows and leg kicks. Ducote was just throwing to throw and wasn’t landing much. A lackluster round. In round 3, there wasn’t a ton of action. The pace of the fight was getting to these fighters. Macfarlane worked for a takedown for the majority of the round while having Ducote pressed up against the fence. Macfarlane scored a takedown to end the round in guard. In round 4, Ducote tried to get inside and land some strikes, but Macfarlane was doing a nice job of keeping her distance and picking shots. Ducote shot in for a takedown but Macfarlane reversed, and hip tossed her near the end of the round to get on top. In round 5, Ducote was able to score a takedown early in the round and got in guard on top. Macfarlane locked in an armbar to win the fight and become the inaugural flyweight champion.

Phil Davis vs. Leo Leite is next in a light heavyweight bout. In round 1, Davis was aggressive early and coming at Leite. About a minute into the round, Leite clinched with him up against the fence. Davis was able to score a brief takedown two minutes in, but Leite got back to his feet. Davis dragged him to the fence and pulled him down. Leite was able to get back to his feet once more, and Davis rounded off some knee strikes. They separated and exchanged to the bell. In round 2, Davis was poked in the eye to start the round. Davis worked him over with strikes and was looking for the takedown so he would clinch with him. Leite did a good job of keeping things on the feet and stuffing takedowns. He didn’t have an answer for Davis on the feet. In round 3, Davis kept up the pressure and gave up on takedowns in this round. He let his hands go and the pressure up. Leite was not matched for the former champion. Davis picked up the decision win.

Ed Ruth vs. Chris Dempsey is next in a middleweight bout. In round 1, Dempsey looked to clinch early while Ruth was trying to keep his range. Dempsey went for a takedown, but Ruth shut him down and got his back. Rush was able to get full mount half way through the round and worked him over with strikes. Dempsey got him off for a brief moment, but Ruth was able to secure half guard. Dempsey was able to get back to his feet with two minutes to go. Ruth was using his jabs nicely and picking his shots while Dempsey was just trying to get some momentum. Ruth scored a takedown while Dempsey attempted a guillotine choke but couldn’t get it. In round 2, Dempsey charged in, and Ruth slept him with a big overhand right to close out the fight.

Opening the main card on Spike TV is Saad Awad vs. Zach Freeman in a lightweight bout. Awad cracked him a right hand that clipped him. Freeman shot in for a takedown but Awad caught him with a right hand behind his ear, and that’s a wrap. Inside the one minute mark.

Here are the results for this event:

MAIN CARD (Spike/9 p.m. ET)

Bellator Light Heavyweight Championship: Ryan Bader def. Linton Vassell — TKO (Punches) 3:58 R2

Inaugural Bellator Female Flyweight Championship: Ilima Macfarlane def. Emily Ducote via submission (armbar) at 3:42 of R5

Light Heavyweight: Phil Davis def. Leo Leite via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Middleweight: Ed Ruth def. Chris Dempsey via KO (punch) at :27 of R2

Lightweight: Saad Awad def. Zach Freeman via TKO (punches) at 1:07 of R1

PRELIMINARY CARD (Online, 7 p.m. ET)

Mike Wilkins def. Brett Martinez via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:09 of Round 2

Mike Trizano def. Mike Otwell via submission (D’Arce choke) at 2:07 of Round 2

Dominic Mazzotta def. Matthew Lozano via TKO (doctor stoppage) at 2:37 of Round 1

Logan Storley def. Matt Secor via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

Tywan Claxton def. Jonny Bonilla-Bowman via KO (flying knee) at 1:29 of Round 1

Frank Buenafuente def. Francis Healy via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Andrew Salas def. Ethan Goss via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Josh Fremd def. Ryan Parker via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:25 of Round 2