Bellator 98: Shlemenko’s Triumph and Event Highlights
Bellator 98, held at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, was a night of intense action and memorable fights. The event was headlined by a middleweight title fight between Alexander Shlemenko and Brett Cooper, which turned out to be a bloody war of attrition.
Shlemenko, the reigning middleweight champion, had previously faced Cooper at Bellator 44 in May 2011, where he had a relatively easier time. However, this time around, with Cooper stepping in for the injured Doug Marshall, the fight was far more challenging. Both fighters demonstrated their resilience and endurance, trading heavy blows for 25 minutes. Shlemenko eventually emerged as the victor, retaining his title with a narrow unanimous decision.
The fight was evidence of the skill and determination of both fighters. From the start, it was toe-to-toe action, with each fighter landing big shots early and often. The intensity of the fight was such that it was described as one of the best Bellator fights, with the production quality greatly enhancing the viewing experience.
The event also featured the quarterfinals of the season nine middleweight tournament, adding to the excitement of the night. The event was broadcasted on Spike TV, with an average viewership of 437,000 viewers.
Bellator 98 was a thrilling event that showcased the grit and skill of its fighters. Full event results: MMA Fighting. The headline fight between Shlemenko and Cooper was a highlight, demonstrating the intense competition and high stakes that make Bellator such a captivating spectacle for MMA fans.
Selected Bout Results
- Alexander Shlemenko defeated Brett Cooper by Decision (Unanimous); round 5, 5:00.
- Mikkel Parlo defeated Brian Rogers by Decision (Unanimous); round 3, 5:00.
- Jason Butcher defeated Giva Santana by TKO (Punches); round 2, 1:12.
- Brennan Ward defeated Justin Torrey by TKO (Punches); round 2, 3:28.
- Perry Filkins defeated Jeremy Kimball by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke); round 3, 4:18.
- Derek Anderson defeated Patricky Freire by Decision (Unanimous); round 3, 5:00.
- Jeff Nader vs. Mike Mucitelli: No Contest (Accidental Eye Poke); round 1, 1:30.
- Josh Diekmann defeated Parker Porter by TKO (Punches); round 1, 1:12.
Sources
MMA Fighting; Event results record.
Article Tags
Bellator 98, Bellator, Mixed Martial Arts, Event Results
