Michael Chandler knows the way to San Jose by driving victory in retaining lightweight belt in Bellator 165 main event
SAN JOSE, CALIF. (Nov. 19, 2016) – Did anyone ‘know the way to San Jose’ at SAP Center where Michael Chandler, record of 16-3, successfully defended his Bellator lightweight world title belt in a brutal five round battle which ended with a split-decision (48-46, 48-47, 46-48) victory over Smooth Benson Henderson (24-7). It was a five-round thriller that will go down in the history books as one of the most exciting cage matches in recent memory. In its final curtain call, Chandler defended his legacy with his signature brawl and maul style brand for the third time of his illustrious career, his first since reclaiming his lightweight throne at “Bellator 157: Dynamite 2.”
Chandler is 16-fight veteran of Bellator MMA, where the former Missouri Wrestler has now entered its historic annals by authoring 13 epic victories with the Scott Coker-led promotion. The mixed martial artist has now sculpted together four back to back victories. After the fight, “Iron” Mike directed a public service announcement through its titled call out to the thousands in attendance that he now wants to devour Josh “The Punk” Thomson.
“MVP” Sneaks by With Controversial Split-Decision Victory Over Fernando Gonzalez
In the evening’s co-main event, Michael “Venom” Page (12-0) squeezed by with the skin of his teeth to retain his consecutive 12-0 winning streak by way of split-decision victory over Fernando Gonzalez (25-14). The British striking phenom earned his 12th win and eighth under the Bellator MMA brand. With the win, Page dismisses Gonzalez’s impressive five-fight winning streak, becoming the first combative artist to defeat “The Menifee Maniac” since joining its promotion in 2014. At the post fight no party, the two became engaged in a battle of words where Fernando Gonzalez ridiculed his opponent Venom as No Phenom, daring the UK fighter to a ‘lose your way’ rematch.
‘Dreams turn into Dust and Blow Away,’ Comeback Falls Short as Piccolotti Remains Undefeated in Unanimous Decision Victory
In the evening’s lightweight feature fight, Adam Piccolotti (9-0) destroyed Brandon Girtz (14-5) via unanimous decision (29-28), petitioning the world that he truly belongs among Bellator’s company of elite fighters. The victory extends Piccolotti’s consecutive winning streak to nine and snaps Girtz’s three-fight streak. The 28-year-old California native has now five wins under the Bellator MMA banner, in a city, ‘where you can really breathe in San Jose.’
Scari-Keri Taylor-Melendez Stars in her MMA Debut by Staging Brutal Knockout One Act Punch
In the highly anticipated mixed martial arts female debut match of the evening it was Keri Taylor-Melendez aka “Scari Keri” who delivered a devastating right hand hook which sent Sheila Padilla (2-1) to the canvas. The finishing act came just under a minute into the opening round of action and has now set the scene for Melendez’s future MMA career where ‘fame and fortune is a magnet’ awaits. The 32-year-old strawweight fighter, Mother and Wife has successfully proven her transition from the kickboxing ring to the MMA cage. After the win, Melendez ‘never alone’ was joined in the cage by her husband and coach, Gilbert Melendez, where the first royal coupleof fighting shared their celebration together in the spotlight with their many fans.
Do you know the way to San Jose
I’ve been away so long
I may go wrong and lose my way
Do you know the way to San Jose
I’m going back to find some peace of mind in San Jose
L.A. is a great big freeway
Put a hundred down and buy a car
In a week, maybe two, they’ll make you a star
Weeks turn into years
How quick they pass
And all the stars that never were
Are parking cars and pumping gas
You can really breathe in San Jose
They’ve got a lot of space
There’ll be a place where I can stay
I was born and raised in San Jose
I’m going back to find some peace of mind in San Jose
Fame and fortune is a magnet
It can pull you far away from home
With a dream in your heart you’re never alone
Dreams turn into dust and blow away
Preliminary Card Results:
- Aaron Hamilton (1-2) defeated Kevin Ferguson Jr. (0-1) via submission (guillotine choke) at 3:00 of round two
- Carrington Banks (6-0) defeated Jake Roberts (7-1) via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27 x2)
- Diego Herzog (4-2) defeated Nick Pica (5-1) via KO at 1:23 of round one
- James Terry (18-9) defeated Justin Baesman (19-11-1) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26 x2)
- Dominic Sumner (1-0) defeated Justin Roswell (1-1) via TKO at 2:09 of round one
- Dwight Grant (7-1) defeated Danasabe Mohammed (5-1) via unanimous decision (30-26 x3)
- Sarah D’Alelio (11-6) defeated Jaimelene Nievera (4-2) via submission (armbar) at 4:46of round two
- Jeremiah Labiano (10-5) defeated Vince Murdock (8-3) via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
- Alvin Cacdac (16-12) defeated Steve Ramirez (5-1) via TKO at :31 of round one
- J.J. Okanovich (3-1) defeated Luis Vargas (0-1) via submission (armbar) at 2:59 of round two
- Beau Hamilton (2-7) defeated Victor Jones (0-3) via TKO at 0:28 of round three
- Hugo Lujan (1-1) defeated Cesar Gonzalez (0-1) via split decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)
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