SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Bellator 27 takes place this evening at the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio, Texas and airs live on FOX Sports Net starting at 7 p.m. CT. ProMMAnow.com will provide live results and play-by-play commentary during the event.
Bellator 27 is headlined by a featherweight title fight between undefeated champion Joe Soto (9-0), defending his title against Bellator’s season two 145 lb. tournament champion Joe Warren (5-1).
Also taking place on this card are three bantamweight tournament quarterfinal bouts featuring Bryan Goldsby vs. Ed West, Nick Mamalis vs. Zach Makowsky and Travis Reddinger vs. Ulysses Gomez.
Bellator 27 quick results:
MAIN CARD:
- Joe Warren def. Joe Soto by knockout (strikes) Rd 2 (0:33)
- Zach Makovsky def. Nick Mamalis by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Ed West def. Bryan Goldsby by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Uylsses Gomez def. Travis Reddinger by split decision
PRELIMINARY CARD:
- Andrew Craig vs. Rodrigo Pinheiro
- Aaron Barringer vs. Gilbert Jimenez
- Dale Mitchell vs. Richard Odoms
- Joe Christopher vs. Andrew Chappelle
- Steven Peterson def. Ernest De La Cruz by unanimous decision
- John Kirk def. Shane Faulkner by TKO (head kick) Rd 3
Bellator 27 play-by-play:
Nick Mamalis vs. Zach Makovsky
Round 1 – Nick’s nickname is “Garfield”or maybe that’s his middle name. Beauty of a head kick from Makovsky. Then he shoots, gets stuffed. Leg kick from Namalis, this causes Makovsky to shoot. Namalis bounces right up but gets put back down and Makovsky has half guard position on top of Namalis. Makovsky moves to side control, knee on belly to full guard. Makovsky postures up, lands a couple punches. Trying to set up an arm triangle. Lets it go. Namalis hanging on. Makovsky raises up lands a few nice punches. Namalis explodes, Makovsky catches his arm, looking for an armbar. Namalis rolls over but Makovsky still has control of his arm. Makovsky finally lets it go, they stand up, clinch. Namalis with underhooks, picks Makovsky up but can’t get the takedown. Gotta give the round to Makovsky 10-9.
Round 2 – Namalis moves in, shoots, gets a single. Makovsky gets free. They square up again. Leg kick Makovsky. Namalis stalking. High kick Makovsky doesn’t land solid. Namalis still stalking. Makovsky clinches goes for a hip toss but Namalis counters with his own takedown. Namalis on top in half guard, landing some nice elbows and punches to the body. Makovsky with a nice sweep, ends up in north-south position. Puts some knees in Namalis’s side. Namalis gets to his feet. Makovsky gets a single leg and puts Namalis on his back. Makovsky inside his full guard. Loud boos from the crowd. Namalis striking from the bottom with backfists and slaps. Makovsky postures up and lands some heavy punches. He stands up inside guard and lands a bomb of a punch. Makovsky 10-9.
Round 3 – Namalis stalking the shorter Makovsky, causing him to shoot and he puts Namalis down hard on his back. Makovsky on top inside half guard. Nice sweep by Namalis, ends up in full guard. Makovsky gives up his back and Namalis trying to get his hooks in, he gets them in, but Makovsky spins and ends up getting mounted. Namalis postures up and lands some punches but Makovsky escapes and gets to his feet. He goes for the takedown but Namalis locks on a guillotine choke. They go to the ground but Namalis lets the choke go and is on top in half guard. Makovsky gets up quickly. They exchange knees. Namalis goes for a takedown slam but ends up on the bottom. Makovsky takes his back. This is a very technical grappling fight. Makovsky flattens him out, Namalis face down. Big punches from Makovsky. Namalis stands up with Makovsky on his back. Namalis jumps up and falls backward slamming Makovsky into the mat. Makovsky escapes, they get up and Makovsky gets one final takedown before the bell sounds, a nice slam. I give the round 10-9 and the fight 30-27 to Zach Makovsky.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Zach Makovsky def. Nick Mamalis by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Joe Soto vs. Joe Warren (Featherweight Title Fight)
Round 1 – This fight could go five rounds. This is Soto’s first title defense. He looks ready. Warren circling. Soto pokes his chin out. Warren standing with Soto and gets popped. Soto opens his arms a la Nick Diaz. Soto pops him with a big shot and Warren is rocked, runs backward for a moment stunned. Soto landing some big shots and Warren still standing. A big one two by Soto, then a big uppercut. Warren lands a knee. Warren shoots, gets stuffed, eats a big uppercut. Soto is killing him on the feet. Leg kick Warren. Nice left from Soto, then a right, big uppercut. Left jab from Warren connects. Somehow Warren is still standing. Warren lands a shot. Sweet left hand by Soto. One, two from Soto. Again. Warren shoots for a single, can’t get it. Soto is playing with him on the feet. Soto stuffs another shot. Spinning back kick from Warren and he falls on the ground. Leg kick Warren. Soto playing with Warren on the feet. Fun round – 10-9 for Soto. (Jimmy Smith scored it 10-8)
Round 2 – Warren drops Soto with a right hand. Warren jumps on him as Soto turtles up. He lands some punches. Joe Soto gets to his feet. Warren stays on him chasing him down with punches. Big knee from Joe Warren connects right on the chin, he lands a left for good measure and knocks Joe Soto out. Holy motherf*ck*r!! What a comeback from Joe Warren. That was a beautiful display of heart from Warren to make it through round one. Then as round two started, Soto got too confident, and got dropped with a punch right off the bat. That started the whole thing. Joe Warren is the new Bellator Featherweight Champion.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Joe Warren def. Joe Soto by knockout (strikes) Rd 2 (0:33)