Bellator 207 Recap: Bader Dominates Mitrione in Grand Prix

Bellator 207 took place on October 12, 2018, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The main event was a Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix semifinal: Ryan Bader defeated Matt Mitrione by unanimous decision to advance to the final.

Main Event Breakdown

Ryan Bader, known for his wrestling prowess and light heavyweight success, faced off against the larger Matt Mitrione. From the outset, Bader imposed his will, taking Mitrione down and unleashing a barrage of ground and pound. Mitrione showed resilience, surviving an early onslaught and a painful kimura attempt, but Bader’s control was unrelenting. The judges scored the fight 30-25, 30-25, and 30-24, reflecting Bader’s comprehensive performance.

Co-Main Event Highlights

In the co-main event, Sergei Kharitonov knocked out Roy Nelson with punches and knees at 4:59 of the first round.

Welterweight Grand Prix Implications

Lorenz Larkin squared off against Ion Pascu in a bout that would determine the alternate for the Welterweight Grand Prix. Larkin showcased his fundamental skills and secured his position as the official alternate with a unanimous decision win.

Notable Knockouts and Submissions

The event also featured some memorable finishes. Mandel Nallo scored a highlight-reel knockout with a jumping knee against Carrington Banks. Mike Kimbel made quick work of Alex Potts, achieving a knockout in just six seconds, tying for the fastest knockout in Bellator history.

Looking Forward

With Bader’s victory, he awaited the winner of the bout between Fedor Emelianenko and Chael Sonnen to determine his opponent in the Heavyweight Grand Prix Final. The event set the stage for exciting matchups and continued the momentum for Bellator’s tournament-based narrative.

Bader’s win set up a Grand Prix final against the winner of Fedor Emelianenko vs. Chael Sonnen at Bellator 208. See MMA Fighting’s full Bellator 207 results, and continue to our Bellator 208 recap for the semifinal that decided Bader’s opponent.

Sources

MMA Fighting's full Bellator 207 results; Event results record.

Article Tags

Bellator, Bellator 207, Mixed Martial Arts