Bellator 97: Results and Event Recap

Bellator 97, held on July 31, 2013, at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, was a night to remember. The event was packed with 14 thrilling fights, featuring dominant champions, impressive knockouts, and rising stars.

Champions Retain Their Titles

The main event saw lightweight champion Michael Chandler defend his title against David Rickels. Chandler, known for his speed and power, knocked out Rickels just 44 seconds into their fight, leaving the crowd in awe. This was Chandler’s second successful title defense since claiming the belt in late 2011.

In the co-main event, welterweight champion Ben Askren faced Andrey Koreshkov. Askren, often criticized for not being a finisher, silenced his critics by completely shutting down Koreshkov over more than three rounds, eventually securing a TKO stoppage in the fourth round. This was Askren’s fourth successful title defense.

Tournament Finals

Bellator 97 also featured two tournament finals. In the light heavyweight tournament final, Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal faced Jacob Noe. Lawal, a former wrestling standout, showcased his striking skills and charisma, earning a victory over Noe.

The heavyweight tournament final saw Ryan Martinez go up against Vitaly Minakov. Minakov emerged victorious, securing his spot for a future heavyweight title fight.

Rising Stars

The event also highlighted rising stars in the MMA world. Patricio Freire, also known as “Pitbull,” delivered a solid performance before entering the Season 9 Featherweight Tournament. Bubba Jenkins, a recent signee, also made his mark by winning his fight.

A Historic Night

Bellator 97 was one of the biggest nights in the company’s history. The event was broadcasted live on Spike TV, attracting an average of 707,000 viewers, with a peak of 981,000 viewers. The event was also significant as the promotion announced its first pay-per-view offering, headlined by former UFC light heavyweight champions Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Tito Ortiz.

Bellator 97 was a night of thrilling fights, dominant champions, and rising stars. It was evidence of the growth and popularity of Bellator MMA, and a clear indication of the exciting future that lies ahead for the promotion. Event results: MMA Fighting.

Sources

MMA Fighting; Event results record.

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Bellator 97, Bellator, Mixed Martial Arts, Event Results