Bellator 131 Recap: Tito Ortiz Triumphs Over Stephan Bonnar

Bellator 131 took place on November 15, 2014, at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego. Tito Ortiz defeated Stephan Bonnar by split decision in the main event. The 12-bout card also featured Will Brooks’ fourth-round stoppage of Michael Chandler in their lightweight title rematch and Joe Schilling’s second-round knockout (0:32) of Melvin Manhoef.

Main Card Results

• Tito Ortiz def. Stephan Bonnar by split decision (30–27, 28–29, 30–27).
• Will Brooks def. Michael Chandler by TKO (punches), Round 4, 3:48 — Brooks won the vacant undisputed Bellator lightweight title.
• Joe Schilling def. Melvin Manhoef by KO (punches), Round 2, 0:32.
• Muhammed Lawal def. Joe Vedepo by TKO (punches), Round 3, 0:39.

Preliminary Card Results

• Joao Faria def. Ian Butler by head-and-arm choke, Round 3, 1:58.
• A.J. Matthews def. Kyle Bolt by KO (punches), Round 1, 1:39.
• Jonathan Santa Maria def. Ron Henderson by split decision.
• Jordan Bailey def. Alex Higley by rear-naked choke, Round 1, 3:27.
• Nick Garcia def. Matt Ramirez by guillotine choke, Round 2, 0:56.
• Andy Murad def. Bubba Pugh by split decision.
• Rolando Perez and Mark Vorgeas fought to a split draw.
• Mike Richman def. Nam Phan by KO (punches), Round 1, 0:46.

Ortiz Wins the Grudge Match

Ortiz used takedowns and top control to outwork Bonnar over three rounds. Two judges scored every round for Ortiz, while the third gave the fight to Bonnar. Their rivalry had been promoted with personal insults, and Ortiz’s celebration after the decision kept the bad blood on display.

Selected Bout Results

• Tito Ortiz defeated Stephan Bonnar by Decision (Split); round 3, 5:00.
• Will Brooks defeated Michael Chandler by TKO (Punches); round 4, 3:48.
• Mike Richman defeated Nam Phan by TKO (Punches); round 1, 0:46.
• Muhammed Lawal defeated Joe Vedepo by TKO (Punches); round 3, 0:39.
• Joao Paulo Faria defeated Ian Butler by Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke); round 3, 1:58.
• A.J. Matthews defeated Kyle Bolt by TKO (Punches); round 1, 1:39.
• Jonathan Santa Maria defeated Ron Henderson by Decision (Split); round 3, 5:00.
• Andy Murad defeated Bubba Pugh by Decision (Split); round 3, 5:00.

Sources

Sherdog’s Bellator 131 event record; MMA Fighting’s event results.

Article Tags

Bellator 131 Recap, Bellator, Mixed Martial Arts, Event Results