Bellator 159 Results: Caldwell vs. Taimanglo

Bellator 159 took place on July 22, 2016, at Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, Kansas. The bantamweight main event matched Darrion Caldwell with Joe Taimanglo, while lightweight veterans David Rickels and Melvin Guillard met in the co-main event.

Taimanglo Submits Caldwell in Nine Seconds

Caldwell controlled much of the first two rounds with takedowns and top position. But early in Round 3, he shot for another takedown and Taimanglo wrapped up a guillotine choke, forcing Caldwell to tap at just nine seconds. The submission ended Caldwell’s bid to secure the next bantamweight title shot and gave Taimanglo a major upset.

Bellator 159 Main-Card Results

• Joe Taimanglo def. Darrion Caldwell by submission (guillotine choke), Round 3, 0:09.
• Melvin Guillard vs. David Rickels: no contest, Round 1, 2:14; Guillard’s initial stoppage victory was overturned after a failed drug test.
• Emily Ducote def. Bruna Vargas by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 0:29.
• Daniel Weichel def. Emmanuel Sanchez by split decision (30–27, 29–28, 27–30).

Preliminary Results

• Jessica Middleton def. Bruna Ellen by unanimous decision (29–28 x3).
• Gaston Reyno def. L.J. Hermreck by TKO (punches), Round 3, 3:57.
• Fernando Martinez def. Marcio Navarro by split decision (29–28, 29–28, 28–29).
• Johnny Marigo def. Andy Riley by submission, Round 1, 2:44.
• Philipe Lins def. Guilherme Viana by KO (punches), Round 2, 1:13.

Guillard–Rickels Ends in an Official No Contest

Rickels pressed forward and had early success with knees and punches, but the fight turned after Guillard dropped him with elbows in a close exchange. Guillard continued striking from Rickels’ guard until the referee stopped the bout at 2:14 of the opening round. That stoppage was later overturned to a no contest following Guillard’s failed drug test. On the main card, Ducote also earned a quick finish, dropping Vargas with a right hand before taking her back for the rear-naked choke.

Read our recaps of Bellator 160 and Bellator 158.

Sources

MMA Fighting: Bellator 159 results; MMA Fighting: Taimanglo upsets Caldwell; Event results record; Kansas commission suspension and overturned result.

Article Tags

Bellator 159, Bellator, Mixed Martial Arts, Event Results