Matt Mitrione earned a majority decision victory over Roy Nelson Friday night in the main event of Bellator 194 to advance to the semifinals of the promotion’s ongoing heavyweight grand prix.
The win avenged Mitrione’s 2012 technical knockout loss to Nelson that occurred back when the two competed in the UFC. Mitrione (13-5) was the more effective fighter on the feet and limited the damage Nelson (23-15) was able to inflict when the fight went to the ground.
Mitrione is now slated to face the winner of Ryan Bader vs. Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal, which is expected to take place May 12 in San Jose, Calif.
In the co-main event, Patricky “Pitbull” Freire stopped Derek Campos with punches in a fan-friendly bout that lasted just 2:23.
Also on the main card, former pro boxer Heather Hardy improved to 2-1 in MMA with a unanimous decision victory over Ana Julaton, plus Vadim Nemkov upset former light-heavyweight champion Liam McGeary thanks to a leg-kick clinic he put on.
Here are the complete results from Bellator 194:
MAIN CARD
— Matt Mitrione def. Roy Nelson by majority decision
— Patricky “Pitbull” Freire def. Derek Campos by TKO
— Heather Hardy def. Ana Julaton by unanimous decision
— Vadim Nemkov def. Liam McGeary by TKO
— Tywan Claxton def. Jose Perez by TKO
PRELIMINARY CARD
— Ross Richardson def. Ron Leon by TKO
— Michael Kimbel def. Geoffrey Then by TKO
— Regivaldo Carvalho def. Tom English by knockout
— Jarod Trice def. Walter Howard by majority decision
— Marcus Surin def. Dean Hancock by submission (arm-triangle choke)
— Kastriot Xhema def. Peter Nascimento by TKO
— Pat Casey def. Tyler Hamilton by unanimous decision
[relatedlinks]
