Bellator's inaugural Summer Series concluded Saturday night at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut, airing live on MTV2 and the Score.
The main event featured Sengoku veteran and native Brazilian Marlon Sandro squaring off against American product Pat Curran, who was looking to become the first man in the promotion's history to win tournaments in 2 seperate weight classes. Through the first 5 minutes, however, Curran was routinely beat to the punch, and while he landed several blows to the training partner of Jose Aldo, including push kicks to the abdomen and 2 flying knees, Sandro's activity and ability to throw combinations consistently combined with his head movement gave him the first round, albeit a close 10-9. The second round started as the first had ended, with Sandro landing combinations, opening up a huge cut under the right eye of the Island Lake, Illinois native Curran. Just when it seemed like the Brazilian was going to cruise to another 10-9 round, disaster struck. After coming in for another huge combination finishing with a hook, Sandro left his right hand down, and Curran countered with a incredible head kick that sent Sandro flying to the mat, finishing off with mop up punches and the referee stopping the action at 4:00 of the second round. Curran moves onto a featherweight title shot against the winner of the rematch between 145 lb. Kingpin Joe Warren and Brazilian Patricio Pitbull.
The co-main event was a heavyweight tilt between DeathClutch mainstay and Bellator heavyweight champ Cole Konrad and UFC veteran Paul Buentello. Through 10 minutes of standup, Konrad was clearly more active, landing methodically and just enough to score, while the veteran known as the "Headhunter" clearly looked every bit his 37 years (and 43 fights), moving slowly, throwing wild flurries and not engaging, preferring to back up and throw when his back was against the cage. While Buentello certainly was game, he didn't do enough and a takedown in the final frame was enough for Konrad to take the fight by unanimous decision, by scores of 29-28 and 30-27 (twice). With the loss, Buentello has lost now four of his last six.
Other winners included Rene Nazare, who won by TKO via doctor's stoppage after 2 rounds against his Costa Rican opponent Juan Barrantes, and Seth Petruzelli (yes, THAT Seth Petruzelli) who floored former UFC heavyweight kingpin Ricco Rodriguez via short right hook midway through the second round.
Honorable Mention : Neil Grove looks to be about the most humble fighter you've ever seen. When I attended Bellator 47 last month at Rama, Ontario, he came out after his opening match to take pictures and sign autographs for a large group of people. Last night, you saw how articulate he was as a commentator. He was always in the conversation and never seemed disinterested ,which is a far cry from what we've seen in the past (Joe Warren and Eddie Alvarez sitting between Jimmy Smith and Sean Wheelock watching the fights up close, just agreeing with Smith, almost giving you the illusion that they had left until they piped in with something between rounds). Though he scored every round for Konrad, you could clearly tell there was no bias. I'd like to see more of him as the third guy in the booth.
Buentello needs to call it a career. He was angry as the 3rd round sounded, but there was no excuse for his performance. Sluggish, unmotivated and aging come to mind. Also, Ricco Rodriguez, who despite being only 34, looked out of shape and in no position to make a run back to the top. Seth Petruzelli, who said he didn't want his career being defined by flooring former street fighting phenomenon turned MMA fighter Kimbo Slice. He made clear it wouldn't be with a devastating KO of Rodriguez. He said he'd like a shot at Christian M'Pumbu's strap. He's got to earn it, and I'd like to see him have a shot at doing that.
The next Bellator will kick off the promotion's 5th season, airing from Caesar's Atlantic City on September 10th on MTV2. Log back on here soon for a season preview.
Until next time, fight fans!
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