When Matt Mitrione’s mouthpiece flew out for the third time during the first round, the ref stepped in to warn the heavyweight that if it happens one more time that he’ll lose a point.
Perhaps overthinking about his mouthpiece made him vulnerable for what came next.
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Sergei Kharitonov not only punched Mitrione’s mouthpiece out during the second round, but he finished the fight with a devastating uppercut and hammerfists to have his hand raised in the main event of Bellator 225 at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn. and live on DAZN on Saturday night.
The second-round TKO not only capped a 100-percent finish rate — seven (T)KOs and seven submissions — at Bellator 225, but it also allowed the Russian to exact revenge on Mitrione, who triggered a no-contest 15 seconds into their initial meeting this past February due to an accidental groin strike.
Mitrione had the quicker hands, tagging Kharitonov at will and looking sharp during the opening round. But the unexpected mouthpiece drama and Kharitonov's ability to lull Mitrione in, set up the emphatic finish that came in the second round.
Co-main event: Vitaly Minakov pulverizes Tim Johnson in first-round KO (punches); heavyweight
Minakov kicked Tim Johnson right in the gut, before driving him back against the cage with a stiff right hand. He then loaded up on another right, which dropped Johnson in a heap, before eviscerating him with a vicious right-left combination.
Alejandra Lara blasts Taylor Turner with first-round TKO (punches); bantamweight
Lara took Turner’s back and proceeded to pound her out viciously for the first-round finish. Afterward, Bellator president Scott Coker saluted the victorious Lara for using her platform to bring awareness to the raging fires plaguing the Amazon.
Congratulations to @AlejazuLara , who not only was victorious at #Bellator225 , but also used her platform to speak out about something she feels strongly about. pic.twitter.com/T6kUskfFrb
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) August 25, 2019
Yaroslav Amosov stuns David Rickels via second-round submission (d’arce choke); catchweight 175 pounds
There’s a first time for everything and Amosov became the first fighter to submit Rickels, locking in a d’arce choke that the veteran MMA fighter didn’t have an answer for.
Tyrell Fortune def. Rudy Schaffroth by second-round submission (rear naked choke); heavyweight
Fortune took Schaffroth’s back smoothly and cinched in a rear naked choke just as seamlessly to get the tap-out victory and improve to 7-0. Impressive win for the heavyweight to watch.
Prelims results
- Khonry Gracie def. Oscar Vera by first-round submission (armbar); welterweight
- Aviv Gozali def. Eduard Muravitsky via first-round submission (heel hook); catchweight 165 pounds
- Sabah Homasi def. Michah Terrill by first-round KO (punches); welterweight
- Austin Vanderford def. Joseph Creer by second-round TKO (doctor’s stoppage); middleweight
- Ricky Bandejas def. Ahmet Kayretli via first-round KO (punches); bantamweight
- Chris Disonell def. Mike Kimbel by first-round TKO (punches); catchweight 140 pounds
- Nick Newell def. Corey Browning by first-round submission (arm triangle); lightweight
- Conor Dixon def. Kastroit Xhema via third-round submission (armbar); catchweight 165 pounds
- Jon Manley def. Thiago Rela by third-round submission (armbar); catchweight 175 pounds
