Bellator champ-champ Ryan Bader didn’t start well in his heavyweight title defense against Cheick Kongo.
While Bader (27-5 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) worked Kongo (30-10-2 MMA, 12-2 BMMA) over on the ground, he landed an eye poke which caused a stoppage to the heavyweight title fight.
The ringside doctor ruled Kongo unfit to continue, and referee Mike Beltran ruled the strike to be accidental, meaning Bellator 226’s main event was ruled a no contest and Bader kept his title.
The time of the bout at SAP Center was 3:25.
“I was feeling strong, the mach was going my way and I had him on the ground,” said Bader, who also holds the Bellator light heavyweight belt. “I didn’t do it on purpose.”
Bader came out looking sharp, as he pushed the pace and threw heavy hands. He pursued Kongo, landed a knee in the clinch, another knee, and then a trip.
After an eye poke that wasn't really an eye poke ends the Main Event at #Bellator226 , Ryan Bader has to be separated from Rampage Jackson.
Ah, Rampage. Remember when he was a thing? 😂pic.twitter.com/HStGEtTX5H
— MyBookie Sportsbook (@betmybookie) September 8, 2019
Bellator 226 results:
MAIN CARD
Champ Ryan Bader vs. Cheick Kongo declared no contest (accidental eye poke) – for heavyweight title
Derek Campos def. Daniel Straus via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-25, 30-25) (featherweight grand prix opening round)
Adam Borics def. Pat Curran via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 4:59 (featherweight grand prix opening round)
Emmanuel Sanchez def. Tywan Claxton via submission (triangle choke) – Round 2, 4:11 (featherweight grand prix opening round)
Pedro Carvalho def. Sam Sicilia via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 1:56 (featherweight grand prix opening round)
Daniel Carey def. Gaston Bolanos via technical submission (guillotine choke) — Round 1, 4:19
She's here. #Bellator226 pic.twitter.com/W4zouETNJk
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) September 7, 2019
PRELIMINARY CARD
Ivan Batinich def. Daniel Compton via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:33
Tyson Miller def. Albert Gonzales via TKO (injury) – Round 1, 1:18
Alan Benson def. Favian Gutierrez via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Peter Ishiguro def. Elias Anderson via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Daniel Gonzalez def. Jonathan Adams via submission (strikes) – Round 2, 4:56
Cornelius Savage def. Evan Gubera via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
John Teixeira def. Ashleigh Grimshaw via TKO (corner stoppage) – Round 2, 5:00
Adam Piccolotti def. Jake Smith via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 2:34
Jessica Borga def. Amber Leibrock via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:45
Cass Bell def. Isaiah Rocha via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 1:21
Batsumberel Dagvadorj def. James Terry via submission (bulldog choke) – Round 1, 2:43
Renato Alves def. Abraham Vaesau via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 3:36
Hyder Amil def. Ignacio Ortiz via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Chris Gonzalez def. Luis Vargas via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-25)
