Bellator Fighting Championships held their first event Friday night on ESPN Deportes, from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Bellator showcased the opening round of both the featherweight and lightweight divisions in their inaugural event.
Eddie Alvarez (16-2), widely regarded as one of the top lightweights in the world, was involved in a toe to toe brawl early, overcoming a very game Greg Loughran (18-12) by locking in a fight ending guillotine choke in the first round. Alvarez once again showed that he is not afraid to stand in the pocket and bang, and delivered another exciting victory on his way to the 2nd round of the Bellator Fighting Championships Lightweight Tournament.
Jorge Masvidal (17-3) was also victorious in the first round of the tournament, winning by TKO over Nick Agallar (21-6) in round one. Masvidal used a sharp left hook followed by a combination of punches, sending a stunned Agallar to the mat. Masvidal pounced dropping shot after shot before the referee could step in and save Agallar from any more unanswered blows. The referee finally stopped the fight, giving the American Top Team product the victory via TKO.
With both Masvidal and Alvarez advancing to the next round of the lightweight tournament, the stage has been set for a potential future clash between the two exciting fighters in the finals, should both win their next tournament bout.
Quick Results:
Tournament Bouts:
155 lbs. – Eddie Alvarez (17-2) vs. Greg Loughran (18-12) – Alvarez 1st Round 2:44 Guillotine Choke
155 lbs. – Jorge Masvidal (17-3) vs. Nick Agallar (21-6) – Masvidal 1st Round 1:19 TKO
145 lbs. – Nick Gonzalez (14-7) vs. Yahir Reyes (13-5) – Reyes 1st Round 2:11 Rear Naked Choke
145 lbs. – Estevan Payan (7-1) vs. Luis Palomino (9-5) – Payan Split Decision
145 lbs. – Joe Soto (5-0) vs. Ben Greer (11-5) – Soto 1st Round 3:40 TKO
155 lbs. – Toby Imada (21-11) vs. Alonzo Martinez (22-13) – Imada 1st Round 3:26 Rear Naked Choke
Non-Tournament Bouts:
145 lbs. – Jonathan Brookins (9-3) vs. Stephen Ledbetter (6-3) – Brookins 1st Round 3:32 Rear Naked Choke
155 lbs. – Daniel Morales (5-2) vs. Lorenzo Borgomeo (5-1) – Borgomeo 3rd Round 3:46 Rear Naked Choke
185 lbs. – Moses Gabon (1-0) vs. Daniel Sarafien (3-2) – Gabon 1st Round 1:33 Triangle Choke
185 lbs. – James Brasco (3-1) vs. Kevin Abrante (3-2) – Brasco 1st Round 2:14 Arm Bar
185 lbs. – Chris Decaro (0-1) vs. Gary Padilla (9-4) – Padilla 2nd Round 3:04 TKO