Bellator 239 Recap: Amosov Triumphs, Johnson Shocks with KO
Bellator 239 took place on February 21, 2020, at the WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma. Yaroslav Amosov defeated Ed Ruth by unanimous decision in the welterweight main event. Myles Jury also won unanimously, while Tim Johnson knocked out Tyrell Fortune and Valentin Moldavsky earned a clear heavyweight decision.
Main Event: Yaroslav Amosov vs. Ed Ruth
Yaroslav Amosov faced Ed Ruth in the welterweight main event. Amosov mixed takedowns with accurate striking and won a unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the fight 29–28. The result kept his unbeaten record intact.
Co-Main Event: Myles Jury vs. Brandon Girtz
Jury defeated Brandon Girtz by unanimous decision, with scores of 29–28 on all three cards. The result ended Jury’s three-fight losing streak and gave him his first Bellator victory.
Highlight Knockout: Tim Johnson vs. Tyrell Fortune
One of the most shocking moments of the night came when Tim Johnson knocked out the rising star Tyrell Fortune in the first round. Johnson’s powerful punch at 2:35 of Round 1 sent ripples through the heavyweight rankings and became a highlight-reel finish.
Other Notable Fights
Valentin Moldavsky also won a unanimous decision over Javy Ayala, with scores of 30–25, 30–24 and 30–24. Denise Kielholtz submitted Kristina Williams with a first-round rear-naked choke.
Event Perspective
Amosov’s victory extended his unbeaten record to 23–0. Johnson’s knockout at 2:35 of round one handed Fortune a first professional loss, and Moldavsky’s decision over Javy Ayala came on notably wide scores. Those results supplied distinct welterweight and heavyweight achievements without awarding a championship.
The main and co-main events both required three rounds and unanimous decisions. Denise Kielholtz’s rear-naked choke of Kristina Williams at 2:15 of round one added an early preliminary finish. The event’s range came from that combination of closely scored bouts, a heavyweight knockout and submission success.
Why the Event Mattered
Amosov won 29–28 on all three cards, while Jury also won his unanimous decision over Girtz 29–28 on all three scorecards. Amosov preserved his unbeaten run, and Jury ended a losing streak. Johnson’s striking finish supplied another contrast.
Sources
Sherdog: Bellator 239 recap; MMA Fighting: full event results; Event results record.
Article Tags
Bellator, Bellator 239, Mixed Martial Arts
