https://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid4621179066001?bckey=AQ~~,AAAABvaL8JE~,ufBHq_I6FnxR-PQW_F3sm5QdUbP7D6E9&bctid=4728758374001
Paul Daley (38-13-2 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) once again flashed his incredible knockout power, crushing Andy Uhrich (11-6 MMA, 1-3 BMMA) in the opening round and setting up a long-awaited rematch with Josh Koscheck.
The bout served as the main event of Friday’s Bellator 148 event, which took place at Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif. The night’s main card aired on Spike.
Southpaw Uhrich opened up the offense with a few low kicks before driving in for a takedown and pressing Daley against the cage. “Semtex” defended well and reset to the center, and while Uhrich continued to press and look for the takedown, it wouldn’t come.
Instead, Daley settled into a groove and unleashed a big right uppercut that sent Uhrich crashing to the floor. Daley didn’t bother to follow, turning around and raising his hand for the walk-off finish.
Afterward, Daley took to the mic to make sure hometown boy Koscheck – who was supposed to fight on the card but bowed out due to injury – knew that a rematch of the pair’s infamous 2010 UFC bout was next up for both men.
Bradley stuns Honeycutt with quick finish
In a welterweight rematch six months in the making, Paul Bradley (23-6 MMA, 3-1 BMMA) scored a surprising – and impressive – TKO win over a previously undefeated Chris Honeycutt (6-1 MMA, 2-1 BMMA).
Looking to make a statement after a clash of heads resulted in a no contest in their first meeting, Bradley did exactly that. As they started to engage, Bradley landed a right hand that clearly stunned Honeycutt, and “The Gentleman” seized his opportunity.
Another right sent Honeycutt crashing to the floor, and Bradley followed with more big right hands. Honeycutt tried desperately to get back into the fight, but Bradley’s massive shots earned him a stop 40 seconds into the contest.
Freire scores devastating finish of Couture
In lightweight action, Patricky Freire (15-7 MMA, 8-6 BMMA) returned from a disappointing decision loss to Derek Anderson with a thunderous first-round knockout of Ryan Couture (10-4 MMA, 2-1 BMMA).
Couture worked a low kicks early, but Freire waited patiently and countered in flurries when space allowed. Couture was willing to trade on the feet, and he was actually able to send Freire to the canvas early on, but it was the Brazilian who popped up and landed a big counter right shortly after.
A bloodied Couture continued to move forward and looked to brawl, but “Pitbull” landed a devastating left that turned his opponent’s lights out before he ever hit the floor.
Johnson grinds out Butler for decision win
In the night’s first main-card contest, heavyweight Tony Johnson (10-2 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) survived a slow start to grind out Raphael Butler (9-2-1 MMA, 4-2-1 BMMA) for a late TKO finish.
The fight started in the clinch, as Johnson pressed in from the outside. An accidental shot to Butler’s groin forced a timeout, but Johnson returned to the grind on the restart. Butler defended well, and they briefly exchanged bombs on the feet, but it was Butler who would wind up in top position when the fight did move to the floor.
Butler stalked a bit to open the second, but Johnson slipped the attacks well and changed levels as he looked to grapple, eventually driving through and scoring a takedown. The pace wasn’t high, but Johnson did start to rack up some points.
Johnson’s pressure kept him in control in the final round, as he took the fight to the floor and looked to punch away as Butler covered on the canvas. The offense was powerful, but it was also relentless and unanswered, and referee Mike Beltran called off the fight in the final minute of action.
The full Bellator 148 results include:
MAIN CARD RESULTS
- Paul Daley def. Andy Uhrich via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 2:00
- Paul Bradley def. Chris Honeycutt via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 0:40
- Patricky Freire def. Ryan Couture via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 3:00
- Tony Johnson def. Raphael Butler via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 4:24
PRELIMINARY CARD RESULTS
- Josh San Diego def. Paul Ruiz via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Matt Perez def. Eugene Cancino via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Te Edwards def. Nick Bustamante via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:43
- Jermaine McDermott def. Eric Huggins via submission – Round 1, 1:53
- Justin Smitley def. Art Arciniega via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Ilima Macfarlane def. Amber Tackett via verbal submission (armbar) – Round 1, 2:09
- Carl Seumanutafa def. Javy Ayala via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 3:46
For more on Bellator 148, check out the MMA Events section of the site.
