Bellator 189 Results: Julia Budd Edges Out Arlene Blencowe

It’s once again fight day here at LowKickMMA, and the talent on display tonight (Friday, December 1st, 2017) will come in the form of Bellator 189. Headlining the card are Julia Budd and Arlene Blencowe, but there’s a whole bunch of great fights also taking place on the rest of the main card.

Julia Budd and Arlene Blencowe meet in a featherweight title bout in the main event. In round 1, they came out quick and swift. Blencowe clinches with her up against the fence while Budd was looking for the takedown. They exchanged strikes and knees while in this position. In round 2, both fighters kept their distance and was looking to get an advantage. Budd was staying very content and picking her shots. At this point, neither fighter put their stamp on this fight. Budd was able to secure a takedown with seconds left in the round. In round 3, Blencowe pressed forward and Budd was allowing it which is odd since she is not a counter striker. Budd was throwing some front head kicks. At this point, the fans were not happy with the offense being put out by these two fighters. In round 4, Budd clinched with her up against the fence and landed a series of knee strikes. They separated and went back to a slow-paced kickboxing match. Even the commentators were surprised with how little action there was. In round 5, Budd’s coach tried to fire her up as the fans booed the action. It appeared that Budd was not firing on all cylinders. Blencowe was trying to press the action but there was way too much space between them. No one including the commentators was not happy about the lack of action in this one. Budd’s only offense was kicks. The judges gave the win to Budd by split decision.

Rafael Lovato Jr. and Chris Honeycutt meet in a middleweight bout in the co-main event. In round 1, they came out throwing bombs and looking for a finish. Honeycutt was bleeding from his nose. Honeycutt locks in a body lock and clinches with him up against the fence. Lovato went for a standing guillotine but couldn’t really cinch it in. Lovato let it go and landed a knee strike to the end to end the round. In round 2, Honeycutt clinches with him right out of the gate and Lovato went back to the guillotine choke. Lovato let it go and landed a front kick. Honeycutt clinches again and they rest up against the fence. Honeycutt was able to get a takedown midway through the round. Honeycutt landed some strikes from guard. Lovato was able to get to his feet to end the round. In round 3, Honeycutt once again sought for a takedown but couldn’t get it and they were separated up against the fence. Honeycutt was able to score a brief takedown late in the round but Lovato was able to get back to his feet. Honeycutt took him down again and kept him there to end the fight. The judges gave the win to Lovato. Horrible decision. 

Hisaki Kato vs. Chidi Njokuani is next in a middleweight bout. In round 1, they opened up with strikes and kicks. Not a ton of action in this one as they were still in the feeling out process. In round 2, Njokuani was mixing up his strikes and getting inside. His range was also a factor. Kato had a bloody nose as a result. Njokuani clinched with him and landed a good combo followed up with a front kick. Njokuani accidentally poked him in the eye to end the round. In round 3, Njokuani rocked him mid-way through the round that nearly dropped him. Kato kept back peddling trying to find an answer. Kato grabbed a single leg and went for a takedown up against the fence. Njokuani grabbed the fence and he got a warning as a result. The judges gave the win to Njokuani.

Opening the main card on Spike TV is David Rickels vs. Adam Piccolotti in a catchweight bout.In round 1, Piccolotti was fighting smart early in the round. Rickels was pressing the action. They traded some leg kicks. This was a straight up kickboxing match. Piccolotti shot in for a double leg takedown but Rickels stuffed it. In round 2, Piccolotti clinches and pressed him up against for the first two minutes of the round. Piccolotti pressed him off and landed some good combos. Piccolotti was able to take him down and do some damage but struggled with keeping him down. In round 3, Piccolotti was able to score a takedown and got guard where he rained down slashing elbows and right hands. Rickels was able to get back to his feet and stuff some takedowns. Rickels clinched with him halfway through the round but it wasn’t enough as Piccolotti scored a takedown to put him on his back. The judges gave Rickels the decision win.

Here are the results of this event:

Main Card (9:00 pm EST/Spike TV)

Featherweight Bout: Julia Budd def. Arlene Blencowe via split decision (46-49, 48-47, 49-46) to retain featherweight title

Middleweight Bout: Rafael Lovato Jr. def. Chris Honeycutt by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Middleweight Bout: Chidi Njokuani def. Hisaki Kato via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Catchweight Bout: David Rickels defeats Adam Piccolotti by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Preliminary Card (7:00 pm EST/Online)

Sam Sicilia def. Marcos Galvao by unanimous decision.

Gaston Bolanos def. Rick Gutierrez via first-round KO (1:13).

Mandel Nallo def. Alec Williams via first-round KO (0:18).

Brandon Phillips def. Jordan Howard via unanimous decision.

Juliana Velasquez def. Na Liang via submission (armbar) at 0:32 of round 2.

Cris Williams def. Thomas Lopez via submission (triangle choke) at 1:39 of round 1.