Bellator 222 results, highlights: Rory MacDonald outpoints Neiman Gracie to defend welterweight title – CBS Sports

The death of Rory MacDonald’s combating spirit seems to had been vastly exaggerated.

The Bellator 170-pound champion defended his title and developed to the finals of the Welterweight World Big Prix with an spectacular unanimous decision over beforehand unbeaten Neiman Gracie on Friday in the first tournament of Bellator 222 at New York’s Madison Sq. Garden.

“I basically feel aesthetic simply. It be such an honor so as to compete in an arena devour this in New York City,” MacDonald acknowledged. “I in actual fact basically feel blessed to devour come so far in my occupation here to be combating for a world championship in Madison Sq. Garden.”

MacDonald (21-5-1), who overtly questioned whether he soundless had the coronary heart to preserve combating after his disappointing draw with Jon Fitch in April, took house judges’ rankings of 49-46 and 48-47 (twice). He advances to face aged champion Douglas Lima, whom MacDonald defeated in a 2018 5-spherical thriller, in the finals of the Big Prix for the $1 million prize.

“That is a toughie, but I’m taking a scrutinize ahead to it because it used to be a shut fight [the first time,]” MacDonald acknowledged. “I’m no longer shocked to meet him in the finals. He’s a right fighter and a gentleman and it is an honor to compete to a man devour that.”

After creating immediate in opposition to MacDonald by the exhaust of unanimous decision at Bellator 192, Lima (31-7) bounced assist to put up aged champion Andrey Koreshkov in their September trilogy bout before knocking out Michael Page in Could perhaps also simply to advance to the final.

“That’s what we’re staring at for, here’s the rematch that I’ve been ready on,” Lima acknowledged. “Chances are you’ll perchance well presumably additionally explore why Rory is the champion as he’s a warrior.”

Gracie (9-1), a fourth generation member of the family Brazilian jiu-jitsu family and nephew of story Renzo Gracie, used to be unable to put up MacDonald with out reference to a pair of attempts over 5 rounds. Now not handiest used to be the champion’s submission defense at an elite stage, he dominated the fight in the standup by robotically landing simply hands that swelled Gracie’s eyes.

MacDonald showed simply takedown defense and remained patient each and every time Gracie reversed on the floor to strive a series of armbars and leg locks. MacDonald also landed important hurt from top utter each and every time he used to be in a build to stuff a Gracie takedown and force the Brazilian to his assist.

Though Gracie used to be winning in taking down MacDonald early in Round 5, he indubitably no longer tried to land the remainder of display conceal in phrases of placing and used to be unable to rally for a dramatic fabricate.

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Bellator 222 card, results

Rory MacDonald (c) def. Neiman Gracie by the exhaust of unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)

Lyoto Machida def. Chael Sonnen by the exhaust of 2d-spherical TKO (punches)

Dillon Danis def. Max Humphrey by the exhaust of first-spherical submission (armbar)

Patrick Mix def. Ricky Bandejas by the exhaust of first-spherical submission (rear-bare choke)

Juan Archuleta def. Eduardo Dantas by the exhaust of 2d-spherical KO (punch)

Kyoji Horiguchi (c) def. Darrion Caldwell (48-47, 49-46, 49-46)

Adam Borics def. Aaron Pico by the exhaust of 2d-spherical TKO (knee)

Bellator 222 updates, highlights

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