Not the way Matt Mitrione wanted the Bellator 215 main event to go at all.
Fifteen seconds into the opening round, Mitrione fired off a low left inside leg kick while Sergei Kharitonov was moving. It found Kharitonov's nether regions and the Russian veteran fell flat on his back in agony as a result of the inadvertent low blow.
🥜 #Bellator215 pic.twitter.com/nZRwPgIzdw
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) February 16, 2019
The referee gave Kharitonov five minutes to recover, but he was in too much pain to even stand up — let alone fight — and the bout was deemed a no-contest to the disappointment of Mitrione, obviously Kharitonov, those in attendance at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., and the viewers at home watching on DAZN.
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Mitrione profusely apologized, even crouching down toward Kharitonov and saying "sorry" to him, but Kharitonov brushed off the apology attempt as he was writhing in severe pain. Mitrione continued to apologize after the fight was ruled a no-contest.
"It was well-placed," Mitrione said during the postfight interview of the kick. "The fact that he changed levels and stepped in on the jab, just caught him in the nuts. I feel terrible. Sergei, dude, let's run it back, obviously. All the fans — I'm so sorry. I know you guys stuck around. I was ready to put on a show, so was Sergei. I'm really sorry, man. I'm really sorry. But let's go drink some beers."
Mitrione also took to his Instagram account to express his heartfelt apologies once again, calling the disappointing no-contest a "shame" and even stating that he'd be willing to fight another heavyweight or Kharitonov — if he's able to — on Saturday night during Bellator 216, which is at the same Connecticut venue.
Co-main event: Logan Storley def. Ion Pascu by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
Storley put Pascu on notice about his power early, hoisting him up and dropping him with a nasty slam during the first round.
Our main card is live and we've got some monster slams being handed out! 😬💥
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) February 16, 2019
Tune in to see these bouts LIVE now on @ParamountNet and simulcast on @DAZN_USA . pic.twitter.com/ON2TBMxsI8
From there, Storley used his superior wrestling skills and imposed his will on Pascu, smothering him and not letting him off the mat. Pascu kept trying for the Kimura Grip in the third round but it was to no avail as Storley cruised to the dominant decision victory.
"Nobody’s done what I just did to him," Storley said in the cage after improving to 10-0, "so to everyone that’s booing, that’s Division I wrestling at its finest and nobody could do that at the 170[-pound] weight class.
"To the 170-pounders," Storley continued, "I'm here for real now."
Main card results
- Matt Mitrione vs. Sergei Kharitonov ends in first-round no-contest (accidental low-blow kick)
- Co-main event: Logan Storley def. Ion Pascu by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
- Eduardo Dantas def. Toby Misech via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- John Douma def. Mike Kimbel via first-round submission (triangle choke)
- Austin Vanderford def. Cody Jones by first-round submission (arm-triangle choke)
Prelim results
- Zarrukh Adashev def. Ronie Arana via unanimous decision
- Matt Probin def. Ali Zebian by split decision
- Pete Rogers def. Jason Rine via second-round TKO (punches)
- Steve Mowry def. Darion Abbey by first-round submission (kimura)
- Amanda Bell def. Amber Leibrock via first-round KO (punches)
- Lindsey VanZandt def. Tabatha Ann Watkins via second-round TKO (punches)
- Pat McCrohan def. Jason Markland by first-round TKO (punches)
