Bellator Events
BELLATOR 106 LIVE RESULTS: Hansen's round by round report for stacked "Chandler vs. Alvarez II" card on Spike
Nov 2, 2013 - 11:00:00 PM BELLATOR 106 LIVE RESULTS: Hansen's round by round report for stacked "Chandler vs. Alvarez II" card on Spike

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By: Rich Hansen, MMATorch Columnist

BELLATOR 106: CHANDLER VS. ALVAREZ II
NOVEMBER 2, 2013
LIVE FROM LONG BEACH, CA

- The show opened up with an extremely cool video package, presumably the PPV opening video. Oh well.

FIGHT ONE: MIKE RICHMAN VS. AKON STEPANYAN (FEATHERWEIGHT)

ROUND ONE: Herb Dean is in charge for this fight. Josh Gross of ESPN estimates there about 2,000 people in the building. It certainly sounds like they're fighting in an empty airline hangar. I assume there would have been many more people in the building had they marketed championship fights over an exhibition from the old folk's home in the main event. Stepanyan is looking for unusual angles from which to strike. He's busy circling while Richman is trying to walk him down. Stepanyan is finding a home with his right hand. Stepanyan is keeping his left hand at his waist, and is eating a lot of rights from Richman. Stepanyan buckled Richman with a big right, and he's trying to open up before Richman can recover. Nice flurry from both fighters before Stepanyan steps back. Richman comes forward with a big left hook that drops Stepanyan. Richman dives in with a Double Donkey Kong Sakuraba hammerfist and Herb Dean steps in to stop the fight. The stoppage might have been a smidge early, but better one strike too soon than one strike too late.

WINNER: Mike Richman by TKO at 4:05 of round one.

STAR RATING AND FINAL THOUGHTS: (**) That was fun. I would gladly have paid Bellator several hard earned dollars to watch that fight on PPV.

- Frank Shamrock interviewed Michael Chandler in the backstage area. Shamrock didn't exactly probe for anything deep. Not that Chandler was going to say anything memorable tonight anyhow.


FIGHT TWO: JOE RIGGS VS. MIKE BRONZOULIS (WELTERWEIGHT)

- They both fought on Fight Master. I did not watch Fight Master. So... yeah. Bronzoulis has a four inch reach advantage.

ROUND ONE: For some reason, John McCarthy is standing int he cage. He is wearing all black, and seems really focused on something. Things like this don't happen in Nevada. and now he's telling the fighters to touch gloves. That's... interesting. Joe Riggs kind of looks like the character 'Sugar' from the show Burn Notice. Trade of leg kicks early. Both guys staying outside, trying to find their range and avoid the power hands. Bronzoulis lands a push kick to the chest. Bronzoulis forces Riggs to touch the mat with his hand after a hard leg kick. Bronzoulis has already reddened Riggs' lead leg. Bronzoulis grabs a Thai plumb but Riggs lands several quick short hooks which force Bronzoulis to release and retreat quickly. Bronzoulis has thrown a couple of lead leg high kicks that Riggs has blocked. Bronzoulis throws another, but Riggs caught it and took him down. Riggs is in full guard right along the fence. Riggs stands out and gets back in on Bronzoulis' back. He's got both hooks in with one minute in. Riggs' back is up against the fence which he looks for the choke. Bronzoulis squirms out, but Riggs keeps a dominant position. riggs lands a couple of knees to the shoulders from north south position. Riggs got warned by McCarthy for a punch to the back of the head. A couple of big right hands as the bell rings. <>10-9 Riggs

ROUND TWO: Riggs throws Bronzoulis ot the canvas ten seconds in. That was from a body lock and an outside leg trip. Bronzoulis gets back to his feet within thirty seconds, and powers himseld off the cage. Riggs is busted open from the left eye. Either a finger poke or a head butt. Riggs and Bronzoulis separate and we're back to the middle. Bronzoulis lands a nice kick and left hand combo. Riggs grabs him and press him into the cage. ten seconds later, McCarthy tells them to work. Riggs pushes off and we're back to the middle. Hard bofdy kick from the outside by Bronzoulis. Bronzoulis has to stay on the outside. He comes in with a knee, but Riggs takes him down with another outside trip from the body lock. Riggs spins to side mount with 2:15 left. And yes, Joe Warren did in fact say the word, "veteranism," on national TV. Riggs takes his back, in the same position as in the last minute of round one. Bronzoulis spins out, but Riggs holds on and gets back on his back again. Nice switch from Riggs. Bronzoulis escapes again, and winds up in Riggs' half-butterfly guard. And now it's full guard. I just wanted to say half-butterfly. Riggs throws his legs up and catches a triangle position as the round ends. It wasn't close, but it sent a message. 20-18 Riggs

ROUND THREE: Bronzoulis comes in with several punches and Riggs looks tired while circling away. Riggs puts Bronzoulis on the fence. Power double leg from Riggs. He lifts Bronzoulis over his head and slams him down in the middle of the cage. Riggs gets takes his back quickly and gets both hooks in from a seated position with his back against the cage. Riggs' cut is opened up again. Riggs has Bronzoulis belly down now, and is trying to flatten him out. Bronzoulis is a strong mamma jamma, and poweres back to his knees. Riggs throws himself back and takes Bronzoulis with him. Still has the back, still has both hooks in. He's still looking for the choke while McCarthy tells both fighters to work. That's so disrespectful from McCarthy. bromoulis isn't working, but manages to get to his feet with Joe Riggs on his back. Joe Riggs is squeezing with his legs in order to hold position, but he's doing it without working. Bronzoulis gets dragged back down, but reverses and gets on top with twenty seconds left. He's staying chest to chest because he thinks it's a fifteen round fight. 30-27 Riggs Any other score card is an embarrassment to civilization.

WINNER: Joe Riggs by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

STAR RATING AND FINAL THOUGHTS: (**-) That was a sloppy, boring, repetitive fight between two journeyman level fighters. That said, it wasn't like offensive or anything. Good for Sugar, I have nothing against him, and I hope he prospers in Bellator.

- Riggs said the 'f' word, and I don't mean firetruck' 1, 2, 5 times (THREE SIR) 3 times during his interview. Apparently Riggs thought this was on PPV. I guess he doesn't follow that internet thingee that's all the rage with the kids today.


FIGHT THREE: PAT CURRAN VS. DANIEL STRAUS (BELLATOR FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP)

- Curran defeated Straus in a local fight back in 2009. Straus is 17-1 since that fight. Curran is three inches taller and has a humungois six inch reach advantage. Jason Herzog is the referee.

ROUND ONE: Curran lands a straight right and then a blocked head kick early. Straus dives in for a takedown and gets it. Curran powers back up, and Straus pushes away. Back to the middle. Straus lands a straight left. Lots of feinting from Curran in the middle. Lots of circling from Straus. Straus with a nice bodk kick that lands clean. Straus eats a kick to the cup and Herzog pauses the action. twenty seconds later, and we're back. Step in knee from Curran, and back out. Straus charges in with a left hand and drives Curran into the cage. Curran with a knee and then an uppercut. Straus pushes away, and back to the middle with two minutes left. Straus slips as both fighters trade kicks. Straus with a step in one two that once again lands and forces Curran into the cage. Ankle pick takedown by Straus. Straus can't kepe Curran down, but takes his back standing. Typical Curran first round. Fighters exchange knees to the ribs. back to the middle with fifteen seconds remaining. Nice 1-2 form Curran. 10-9 Straus

ROUND TWO: Straus with a leg kick and shoots, but Curran stuffs this one. Curran is much more active already, he's throwin harder and bouncing more on his toes than on his heels. Curran comes forward and lands a nice three punch combo followed by a grazing jump knee. Curran lands a solid straight left hand. Straus is doing a very good job of initiating the action before Curran finds range. Curran falls form a push to the chest. Not a knockdown. He's fine. Straus grabs a Thai plumb but eats a number of shots to the ribs before letting go. Step in knee from Curran. Curran with a body kick that Straus will feel until Tuesday night. High kick from Curran, but it doesn't get all the way through. Curran lands an over the top elbow form the clinch in the middle of the cage. Curran with a big left to the body. 10-9 Curran, 19-19 Close round, could go either way. The body shots from Curran were the difference.

ROUND THREE: Jimmy Smith scores it the same as I do so far. Fans on the Bellator app have both rounds to Curran. Straus' corner told him between rounds that he's down 2-0. Smart. Straus shoots a double behind a couple of wild hooks. He doesn't have it yet, but he does have Curran pressed on the cage. Straus is on his knees committing to the takedown. Curran landing lots of pitty patter right hands to Straus' ear, just to keep Straus conscious that he can be hit from this position. Not a lot of action in this stalemate. Herzog is letting them figure it out for themselves, as we've been here over a minute now. The fan in attendance is quiet. Nice throw from Straus plants Curran, but Curran got back up in less than two seconds. Curran reverses and now has Straus on the cage. Takedown from Curran and he lands a massive illegal knee. He knew it instantly and covered his face with his hands. If this fight has to be stopped that should be a DQ, not a NC, because it was so blatant. Intentional or not, it was too much to forgive. Straus is needed more than a minute to get to his feet. The doctor is in the cage. The mic picks up the doctor telling Herzog that "he looks a little dazed." One point deducted from Curran. Herzog restarts the fight when Straus had his back turned. This doesn't bode well. Immediate takedown from Straus believe it or now, and he immediately passes to side control. Curran explodes and rolls, and gets Straus into full closed guard. Curran is keeping Straus chest to chest, and Straus can't do anything from here. 10-8 Straus. 29-27 Straus

ROUND FOUR: Nice scramble from the clinch ends up with Straus pressing Curran into the cage. Stalemate here until Straus changes levels and slowly puts Curran on his backside. Curran pops back up, but now he has Straus on his back. Big throw takedown from Straus and he lands on Curran's back with Curran turtled. Straus is not throwing any strikes. Curran gets back up and pushed into the cage. Straus still on his back. This is very dull. Straus gets Curran down onto his butt yet again, and is 100% committed to the idea of not throwing any strikes from the top. Curran works to full guard, and he's going for a guillotine. Straus is punching now. I don't think it's tight. Nope. Straus is out and is tapping away at Curran's ribs. Straus is content to sit on Curran's head and only throws elbows when he's 100% sure he won't lose position. Curran has a gash above his hairline, right in the middle. 10-9 Straus. 39-36 Straus Curran needs a finish, or else he's going to drop the belt to the least exciting fighter on the Bellator roster.

ROUND FIVE: I thiknk that illegal knee had more impact on Curran's psyche than on Straus' body. Impressive. Curran fighting with all the urgency of me on a beach with 12 cocktails in me after winning the Powerball. Straus hurt Curran with a counter left. Big knee from Straus. Curran recoils and Straus puts him on the cage. Less than three minutes remain. Curran is letting Straus walk all over him. Curran reverses and looks for a double leg. Because, you know, THAT will get him a much needed 10-5 round. One minute left. Curran looks for a double leg, because he thinks it's a nineteen round fight or something. He totally doesn't seem to care that he needs a finish here. This is absolutely pathetic. He needs to let go of the single leg and try to get some space. But what do I know, I'm not a Bellator champion either. The fight ends with Curran losing the single leg and getting put on his butt. 49-45 Straus in one of the most dull fights of the year.

WINNER: Daniel Straus by unanimous decision (49-45, 48-46, 48-46) to become the new Bellator featherweight champion

STAR RATING AND FINAL THOUGHTS: (*) I hated every second of that fight. That was an embarrassing performance from Curran. Holding the clinch in the fifth for so long was just awful. If you're playing football and you're down 28-14 in with 8 minutes left, even an armchair quarterback smart ass like me knows that maybe you stop running off-tackle every snap. And maybe you don't go to ta full huddle. That's what Curran did in the fifth; he needed a finish and fought conservatively and slowly in the fifth. He's going to have to win a tournament, and then wait for Frodo, and THEN wait for Pitbull or Wilcox before he gets another shot. It's going to be a lon gime until Curran's relevant again.

48-46 was a ridiculous score card. That was much closer to a clean sweep than a 3-2 fight.


FIGHT FOUR: EMANUEL NEWTON VS. MUHAMMED LAWAL (BELLATOR INTERIM LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP)

ROUND ONE: Herb Dean is the referee for this fight. The fighters touched gloves during the introductions. I think the supposed feud is 100% BS, by the way. Newton feints out a couple dozen jabs in the first thirty seconds, but that doesn't keep Lawal off of him as he gets a single leg takedown along the fence. That was too easy, Newton might be in trouble here. Newton works back up, but he has Lawal on his back now. Newton eats a few left hands before transitioning to a double against the cage. Newton's working to get back to his feet, and he's there. Lawal lands a slew of right hands before Newton escapes. Lawal eats a kick to the cup. Dean pauses the action, but Lawal is ready to go immediately. Newton with a spinning backfist attempt, but gets planted on his ass hard as a result. Lawal is in guard as Newton butt scoots to the cage. Lawal puts his weight on Newton's body, making Newton have ot earn his way up. He's back up, and Lawal retreats. this is very dull. Every time Newton feints or throws, Lawal backs way up, respecting Newton's feminine power. Lawal taunts Newton and eats a high kick that had zero effect. 10-9 Lawal

ROUND TWO: The Bellator app should be disbanded, as their users gave the first round to Newton. Lawal lands a hard counter left that Newton definitely felt. Feminine spin kick from Newton missed by two feet. Newton shoots for a single with no set up. He didn't get the takedown but he has Newton, wait for it, on the fence. He drops levels and gets it. He managed to spin Newton off the fence as well, and we're in the middle of the cage. Newton is butt scooting towards the cage so he can use it to get back up. He got back up before even getting to the cage. Newton lands a high kick that forced Lawal to run backwards in very feminine fashion. Newton gets on top but can't kepe him down. Lawal shoots, but it wasn't feminine enough to get Newton down. Newton stuffed it femininely. Newton dodges a jab and lands a head kick that was partially blocked. Nice short right from Newton. Jab from Newton. Nice right from Newton. Lawal rund like Brave Sir Robin every time Newton throws. I mean, I would too, but I'm on the couch. 10-9 Newton. 19-19

ROUND THREE: To be fair to Lawal, had he not run like Brave Sir Robin as Newton was throwing the head kick that landed flush, this fight would be over. So running like a child is an effective way to dodge damange, even if it's more feminine than getting KO'd by a spinning backfist. Jab from Lawal. Newton's constantly circling and finding angles. The overjand right and the high kick are opening up form his circling. Big overhand right then left high kick form Newton. Jab by Newton lands square. Lawal with a nice hook to the ribs. Lawal flees from another spin kick. I think Newton is bleeding from the nose. Heard to say, announcers haven't picked up on it yet. There they go. Newton working the jab, then changes stances. Lawal dives in for a punch and misses badly. One could say femininely, but I wouldn't ever do that. Lawal has completely given up on the takedowns. Newton lands a spin kick low to Lawal. He's throwing the spinning stuff freely, knowing that Lawal doesn't want to go fro takedowns anymore. And as I say that he shoots for a double. Newton stuffs it and is holding a standing guillotine. It's not a choke, but it kept Lawal from getting the takedown. Lawal pushed away then looked at the clock. Newton is the much more active man as we head to the fourth. 10-9 Newton, 29-28 Newton

ROUND FOUR: Newton's spin kicks aren't effective at all. They aren't crisp, they aren't accurate. But they're throwing LAwal off his game, and that should concern Lawal. Lawal eats a left body kick to the ribs. Newton is still throwing a ton of jab feints and following off with spin kicks. Lawal lands a right hand, but didn't follow up. Newton lands a punch and just misses a head kick. Newton's hands are down by his hips and wide open. He's begging Lawal to throw. That might be a mistake. Lawal is able to get Newton to backtrack, but then he doesn't attack. Newton stuffs a takedown and Lawal flees before taking any damage. Lawal ducks under the slowest spinning back kick I've ever seen. Lawal ducks under a strike and gets the double leg takedown near the cage. Newton gets to his feet without Lawal throwing even one feminine strike. Lawal with a couple knees to the back of the leg before separating. Both fighters are looking haggard. Both guys are keeping their hands way low and are missing with almost every hook they throw. This is devolving into an awful TUF-10 suckfest. 10-9 Newton. 39-37 Newton Could go either way. It's not like Newton looks good. If I would have paid $45 to watch this, I'd quit watching the sport.

ROUND FIVE: Lawal dives in with a straight round, but Newton ran from it effectively. See? Newton runs, too. Big counter right from Lawal. Newton misses with a windmill-esque overhand right. Lawl misses with one of his own, and Newton follows up with a counter-miss of his own. Newton misses a turn kick and now has Lawal on his back against the cage. Lawal can't get him down, and we're back to the middle. Newton is bleeding from his nose and his right cheek. Newton with a high straight kick that grazed. Wheel kick from Newton misses. Newton's in a karate stance. Big right from Lawal. Lawal is winning this round with two minutes left. Spin kick by Newton misses. He was slow to re-square, so Lawal charged and landed a couple of punches. Newton ends a flurry of misses with a head kick that lands partially. side kick from Newton. Lawal shoots, can't get the single, but gets Newton on the cage and takes him down there. Thirty seconds left. Expect Lawal to win a split decision. Newton back up with Lawal on his back. Newton shoots a double and gets stuffed to ends the fight. That was not very good. 10-9 Lawal. 48-47 Newton Jimmy Smith has it 49-46 Newton.

WINNER: Emanuel Newton by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)

STAR RATING AND FINAL THOUGHTS: (**-) Michael Williams forgot to say INTERIM when announcing Newton as the new champion. The fight was sloppy. I really don't think Newton or Lawal are top-50 fighters. Lawal is clearly the better fighter when he's willing and able to go for takedowns and smashing. But that's all he has, along with a bad gimmick and the world's largest sense of unearned entitlement. After the fight, Lawal's reaction was priceless. It was the most feminine thing I've ever seen. Karma's a feminine bitch, Mr. Lawal.

FIGHT FIVE: MICHAEL CHANDLER VS. EDDIE ALVAREZ (BELLATOR LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP)

ROUND ONE: John McCarthy is the referee for this biggest fight in Bellator history. IT'S PAY PER CO MAIN EVENT TIME, BABY! No feeling out process. Alvarez storms to the middle and both guys swing. Alvarez goes to the outside and circles at a frenetic pace. Chandler misses a haymaker and almost falls down before regaining his feet. Fat pace, although not a lot has landed so far. Alvarez is smart to keep moving on the outside. Alvarez ducks under and grabs a single. No takedown, and they puss apart. Alvarez with a right to the body and a stiff left jab. Chandler has a mouse from that one. Alvarez lands a double jab. Chandler lands a hard right hook clean. Every punch thrown by Chandler is a kill shot. Eddie needs to keep dancing. Chandler lands an uppercut that forced Alvarez into a failed single leg attempt. Chandler shoots and gets stuffed. Such a high pace here, as if both fighters know this isn't going 25 minutes. Chandler misses badly with a left hook. Alvarez lands a nice jab that Chandler tried to evade. Chandler catches a leg kick and immediately plants Alvarez on the mat near the cage. He has Alvarez' back and a rear naked choke. It's tight! Alvarez is out of it and back to his feet. Wow! Alvarez shoots a double and gets stuffed as the round ends. 10-9 Chandler Would've been 10-9 Eddie, barely, but the choke turned the round. This is awesome!

ROUND TWO: Chandler lands a big right, and Alvarez lands a stiff counter right of his own. the pace is just as high as it was in the first. Nice right hook by Eddie. Chandler still circling away from Chandler's power whenever he can. Eddie has a mouse forming under his left eye. eddie is doing good at striking from strange angles and with changing levels. He has to be a moving target because Chandler's power is so fearsome. Chandler backs him into the cage and shoots a double. Eddie stuffs it and runs free. Chandler is starting to land some jabs now. Nice kick from Chandler, and he follows with a takedown. Eddie gets up immdiately, and gets planted again almost immediately. Eddie gets back up with Chandler holding a body lock from behind. And another slam. Eddie gets back up again, and Chandler runs him into the cage. Chandler gets Alvarez to his knees with a small lateral drop. Eddie's mouse under his left eye has ipened up. Alvarez is on his butt, sitting against the cage with Chandler just sitting there. McCarthy won't stand it up, so Eddie works back to his feet and pulls apart. 45 seconds left. Uppercut from Chandler lands flush, and he follows up with a hook. Chandler shakes it off, but he's busted open. Chandler with yet another takedown on the cage. Open guard from Eddie. Short right elbow from Chandler. Hard round to score. 20-18 Chandler

ROUND THREE: Both guys to the middle of the ring playing rock em sock em robots until Alvarez stuns Chandler with a kick. Chandler shoots and gets wholly stuffed. Back to standing. Chandler circling now, not Alvarez, and lands a side kick. Chandler goes for a takedown, but it isn't there. Chandler's left eye is a mess. this isn't Texas, so it's something to think about the longer this goes. Chandler works for a takedown, but Alvarez has a wide base along the fence. He lets it go. Chandler's hands are always low, but they're way low now. The pace is the same, but it's getting sloppy as they become more primal. Alvarz with the jab, and Chandler's nose is bleeding now. Chandler shoots, but can't get the takedown again. Alvarez clinches in the middle and gets Chandler's back. Chandler is gassing badly. Eddie shoots the double and has Chandler against the cage. Alvarez with a spinning backfist. Chandler's left eye is a mess. His nose might be broken, and he still gets the takedown. He's got Alvarez' back, up along the cage. One hook in. Not going to get it from here, though. Eddie trying to get to his feet, but Chandler powers him down and winds up in guard. Alvarez lands elbows from the bottom. Chandler looking for elbows from the top. 10-9 Alvarez. 29-28 Chandler What a fight!

ROUND FOUR: The cageside physician checks out Chandler's eye between rounds. It's grotesque. a huge purple mouse with a gash. Yeesh. Eddie backs Chandler onto the cage and it's Chandler who is circling swiftly to get away. Huge jump knee lands clean from Chandler. Now it's Eddie who is back pedaling. Takedown attempt from Chandler gets stuffed, but after a nice scramble Chandler winds up on top in closed guard. Chandler is pounding away and it's Alvarez who looks tired. chandler is bleeding all over Alvarez. This is gory. Chandler's pounding away with four big right hands. Alvarez needs to control Chandler's posture. Huge left elbows from the champion. Chandler gets a warning for putting his hand around Eddie's throat. That's borderline dirty. Chandler has trapped Eddie's right hand and has a free path to throw lefts. Eddie gets his arm out after eating a bunch of lefts. Big elbow from Chandler. This is brutal stuff from the champion. Eddie might be done. No! nine right hands isn't enough to stop Alvarez. still a full minute left, though. This entire onslaught has been from full guard. Alvarez has to stop looking to strike and needs to get out. The strikes from the bottom are few and far between, and are invisible to a judge who might go 10-8. 10-8 Chandler. 39-36 Chandler

ROUND FIVE: Chandler gets stuffed on a double. His hands are dragging on the canvas. Nice uppercut from Chandler, and he follows up with a takedown. He's got the back of Alvarez and has his hooks in. Neck crank! Alvarez wriggles his head free. Chandler goes for it again, but Alvarez slides free, gets to his feet, and is on Chandler's back now. My gawd! Chandler tries to explode free, but Alvarez stays on him. Back to the middle. Chandler grabs a single, but it's not there. Alvarez hurt Chandler with a standing knee. Chandler shoots and gets stuffed. He keeps himself grounded so Eddie can't throw the knee that was begging to be thrown. Eddie is punching away against the cage. Chandler tries to roll away, but he gave up his back. Eddie has both hooks in and is looking for the choke! HE'S GOT IT! OH - NO! Chandler rolled free, but still has Eddie on his back. Oh my god this fight! This is better than the first one. Eddie's punching away and Chandler is bleeding like he's been shivved! Eddie's in a weird position and WOW! Chandler gets free and is on top! Eddie gets back up with 20 seconds left, but Chandler's on him like an anaconda. Another takedown from the bloodies champion. This fight was better than the first. I don't believe it! 10-9 Alvarez, but 48-46 Chandler

WINNER: Eddiie Alvarez by split decision (48-47 Chandler, 48-47 Alvarez, 48-47 Eddie Alvarez)

STAR RATING AND FINAL THOUGHTS: (*****) This might be the best fight I've ever seen. I am SO happy for Eddie Alvarez. I have chills.