Bellator 126: Halsey’s Triumph and Shlemenko’s Fall
Bellator 126 was a memorable event in the history of mixed martial arts (MMA), particularly for the stunning upset in the main event. The event took place on September 26, 2014, at the Grand Canyon University Arena in Phoenix, Arizona.
The main event featured a middleweight title bout between the reigning champion, Alexander Shlemenko, and the challenger, Brandon Halsey. Shlemenko, a seasoned fighter with a professional record of 51-8-0, was the favorite going into the fight. Halsey, on the other hand, was a rising star with an undefeated record of 7-0-0.
The fight was expected to be a tough test for Halsey, given Shlemenko’s excellent striking skills and his own submission skills. However, Halsey proved his mettle by defeating Shlemenko via submission just 35 seconds into the first round. This victory not only allowed Halsey to maintain his undefeated record but also earned him the Bellator Middleweight Championship.
The co-main event of the evening was also a highlight, featuring a lightweight tournament final between Patricky “Pitbull” Freire and Marcin Held. This fight was a showcase of skill and strategy, with Held emerging victorious via unanimous decision after three rounds.
Other notable fights on the main card included Bubba Jenkins vs. Thiago Meller in a featherweight bout, and Mike Richman vs. Ed West. Jenkins won his fight by unanimous decision, while Richman knocked out West at 2:44 of the first round.
Bellator 126 was a night of thrilling fights and unexpected outcomes, proving once again why MMA is one of the most exciting sports in the world. The event served as a reminder that In MMA, anything can happen, and no fighter, no matter how experienced or dominant, is invincible. Event results: MMA Fighting.
Selected Bout Results
- Brandon Halsey defeated Alexander Shlemenko by Technical Submission (Rear-Naked Choke); round 1, 0:35.
- Marcin Held defeated Patricky Freire by Decision (Unanimous); round 3, 5:00.
- Mike Richman defeated Ed West by KO (Punches); round 1, 2:44.
- LaRue Burley defeated Raymond Pina by Submission (Guillotine Choke); round 2, 0:22.
- Clifford Starks defeated Jacob Ortiz by Technical Submission (Guillotine Choke); round 2, 0:52.
- Nick Rossborough defeated Ryan Martinez by TKO (Arm Injury); round 1, 5:00.
- Joe Taimanglo defeated Michael Parker by Decision (Unanimous); round 3, 5:00.
- Dan Charles defeated Stuart Austin by KO (Punches); round 3, 0:18.
Sources
MMA Fighting; Event results record.
Article Tags
Bellator 126, Bellator, Mixed Martial Arts, Event Results
