BELLATOR 136 (1)

Ultimate Fighting Championship is not the only high level MMA organisation in the United States. There is also a smaller one - but definitely not less exciting - Bellator MMA. The fact is that UFC is the most important organisation in the world. But Bellator is the second important federation, not only in the America but also in the world, and because the United States are an immense market, there is also space for them. They often organise their events in such places as Santa Barbara (CA) or Irvine (CA), where UFC does not arrive. Bellator currently is run by Scott Coker, who is a very dynamic bussinesman. He was a founder and CEO of, unexisting nowadays, Strikeforce. Once it grew up fast, and started to be a serious rival for the UFC, was bought by Zuffa LLC. - a company which purchased the UFC.

Bellator's logo

Coker recently put really interesting fightcard on Bellator 136 event, including bouts such as polish Held vs. Sarnavskiy, Joe Schilling vs. Rafael Carvalho or a lightweight title fight between, the reigning champion, Will Brooks and Dave Jansen. The event was organised 10th april of 2015 in the Bren Events Center, Irvine, California. I would like to present those three interesting figts, starting with the polish excellent grappler, Marcin Held who faced the russian Alexander Sarnavskiy.

MARCIN HELD vs. ALEXANDER SARNAVSKIY

Marcin Held (fot. chokes.pl)

Marcin Held is one of the best submission artist in the world. He is well known for his leg locks. Having a jiu-jitsu background, the polish fighter still works on his striking game. Stepping in the cage to face Sarnavskiy he risked a lot. By winning the Bellator lightweight tournament he earned a right to fight Will Brooks for a lightweight championship. Being only 23 years old, Held decided not to wait for a title-shot, but he told the Bellator's president he wanted to fight twice in 2015, in order to improve as a fighter. Losing to Sarnavskiy he could also loose a chance to face Brooks. And Sarnavskiy was a real deal. He won 10 of 11 fights, losing to the mentioned Brooks.

Marcin Held knew his limits in striking, so he was closing the distance right from the beginning, attempting takedowns and trying to submit Sarnovskiy. He showed some world class jiu-jitsu, rolling with his opponents. He was controlling the fight, most of the time being in the dominant position. Finally in the 3rd round he caught Sarnavskiy with the knee bar and referee, John McCarthy, stopped the contest. Another Held's win by submission.

UFC 182

The main event of the UFC 182 was one hell of a fight! Cormier was the most skilled opponent Jones has ever faced and Jon beat him, proving that not only is he the best light-heavyweight in the UFC, but the best pound-for-pound in the world. A combination of ridiculous physic, unorthodox striking and world class wrestling skills. Jon Jones is a complete fighter. And, being only 27 years old, get's better each time he steps into the Octagon.

Jon Jones' side kick to the body against DC

In the 1st round Jon Jones was using his reach advantage to distance Cormier and effectively using his elbows while clinching. He took DC down and it was the first time in the Daniel's MMA career that he allowed it. Make no mistake about it - Cormier is the Olympics level wrestler, who used to fight in heavyweight and nobody before Jones couldn't cope with his wrestling. He was throwing Dan Henderson, who is MMA legend, like a training mannequin. Although Cormier ended the 1st round really well. He was cutting the distance and delivered a few solid uppercuts in the clinch. 2nd round was similar to the end of the 1st. DC was more effective and delivered some more uppercuts, while clinching and caught Jon with some body kicks. 3rd round, although very close, was scored for Jones by the judges. Both fighters were throwing bombs. The champion ended the 3rd round at his back after missing a pull of the guard. 4th and 5th rounds - called also championship rounds - were scored for Jon Jones. Cormier reached his top during 2nd and 3rd round. "Bones" took DC down other two times and won by unanymous decision 49-46, remaining the light heavyweight division champion.

UFC 182: PREVIEW

Welcome in the 2015. This will be a very special year for the mixed martial arts. I'll try to keep you all updated with the news, because this January we'll have a tremendous number of great fights. This January the best fighters, champions and contenders, will step into the Octagon to demonstrate their real value. Jon Jones, Daniel Cormier, Conor McGregor, Anthony Johnson, Anderson Silva, Ronda Roussey and Chris Weidman for example. Not bad, right? Let's start with the UFC 182.

Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier (fot. fighthubtv.com)

The fight between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier can be the fight of the year. Jones is the best pound-for-pound martial artist in the world. Daniel Cormier is undisputed in the UFC. DC seems to be the toughest match-up for Jonny. He used to fight in heavyweight division (where Jones wants to transfer to, after beating the Anderson Silva's record of title defenses), he has impressing wrestling skills. And by writing "impressing", I meant that Daniel Cormier was a member of the US national team at the Olympics. Twice. He has a world class wrestling skills. But the thing that make this fight so interesting is that both men hate their guts. They were supposed to fight in september, but it was cancelled due to Jones' knee injury. But it doesn't mean that they were not fighting. They had a brawl during the media day. After the incident Jones lost his contract with Nike. There were also a lot of thrash-talking in the interviews. To sum up, watch this video: