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Confusing finish at Bellator 277
Anderson fought Vadim Nemkov to a no-contest (accidental clash of heads) that ended at 4:57 of Round 3 at Bellator 277 on Friday in San Jose.
ANALYSIS
It was Nemkov who got off to the faster start, but Anderson was getting the better of the striking exchanges in Rounds 2 and 3, so he perhaps would have gotten the nod had the fight made it to Round 4, which allows a technical decision to be in place in this scenario. It did not come to pass, however, as an accidental headbutt opened a cut on on Nemkov's forehead, and the doctors deemed him unable to continue. As a result, Nemkov will retain his 205-pound belt, and neither fighter will be awarded the $1 million top prize for the Bellator Light Heavyweight Grand Prix. Given the circumstances, it wouldn't be surprising to see this fight re-booked in the near future once both athletes gain the proper medical clearance.
It was Nemkov who got off to the faster start, but Anderson was getting the better of the striking exchanges in Rounds 2 and 3, so he perhaps would have gotten the nod had the fight made it to Round 4, which allows a technical decision to be in place in this scenario. It did not come to pass, however, as an accidental headbutt opened a cut on on Nemkov's forehead, and the doctors deemed him unable to continue. As a result, Nemkov will retain his 205-pound belt, and neither fighter will be awarded the $1 million top prize for the Bellator Light Heavyweight Grand Prix. Given the circumstances, it wouldn't be surprising to see this fight re-booked in the near future once both athletes gain the proper medical clearance.
Knocks out former champ
Anderson defeated Ryan Bader via TKO (punches) at 0:51 of Round 1 at Bellator 268 on Saturday in Phoenix.
ANALYSIS
Anderson elected not to re-sign with the UFC following a 2020 loss to now-champion Jan Blachowicz, and so far it has resulted in a late-career resurgence for the 32-year-old. He's won three fights in a row under the Bellator banner, with the latest coming against a former champion in Bader in incredibly impressive fashion. Anderson came out aggressive and was able to land a right hand behind the ear of Bader that sent him crashing to the canvas, and he only needed a few follow-up shots to close the show. With the win, Anderson is now headed to the finals of the Light Heavyweight Grand Prix, where an early-2022 bout against current champion Vadim Nemkov awaits. Nemkov earned a fourth-round submission victory against late replacement Julius Anglickas in the main event, punching his ticket to face Anderson with both a belt and $1 million prize on the line.
Anderson elected not to re-sign with the UFC following a 2020 loss to now-champion Jan Blachowicz, and so far it has resulted in a late-career resurgence for the 32-year-old. He's won three fights in a row under the Bellator banner, with the latest coming against a former champion in Bader in incredibly impressive fashion. Anderson came out aggressive and was able to land a right hand behind the ear of Bader that sent him crashing to the canvas, and he only needed a few follow-up shots to close the show. With the win, Anderson is now headed to the finals of the Light Heavyweight Grand Prix, where an early-2022 bout against current champion Vadim Nemkov awaits. Nemkov earned a fourth-round submission victory against late replacement Julius Anglickas in the main event, punching his ticket to face Anderson with both a belt and $1 million prize on the line.
Signs with Bellator
Anderson has been granted his release from the UFC and has signed with Bellator, Ariel Helwani of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Anderson's lengthy run in the UFC dating back to 2014 came to a sour end via Jan Blachowicz at UFC Fight Night 167 in February, when he was knocked out in the first round. He wasn't a free agent following the fight, but the UFC was willing to release him from the promotion, so Anderson took the opportunity to try his hand in the Bellator arena.
Anderson's lengthy run in the UFC dating back to 2014 came to a sour end via Jan Blachowicz at UFC Fight Night 167 in February, when he was knocked out in the first round. He wasn't a free agent following the fight, but the UFC was willing to release him from the promotion, so Anderson took the opportunity to try his hand in the Bellator arena.
Finished abruptly in Rio Rancho
Anderson lost to Jan Blachowicz via KO (punch) at 3:08 of Round 1 at UFC Rio Rancho on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Anderson is typically known for his tremendous cardio, which would have been a massive advantage at altitude, but Blachowicz never let it get that far. The two looked relatively even in the striking exchanges early, but Blachowicz set a pristine trap for Anderson that ended with a brutal right hand. Anderson went straight down to the canvas and no follow-up shots were needed, though Blachowicz still got one in for good measure. Despite the quick finish, Anderson remains a staple in the light heavyweight division and will continue to see ranked opponents.
Anderson is typically known for his tremendous cardio, which would have been a massive advantage at altitude, but Blachowicz never let it get that far. The two looked relatively even in the striking exchanges early, but Blachowicz set a pristine trap for Anderson that ended with a brutal right hand. Anderson went straight down to the canvas and no follow-up shots were needed, though Blachowicz still got one in for good measure. Despite the quick finish, Anderson remains a staple in the light heavyweight division and will continue to see ranked opponents.
Enters as favorite in Blachowicz rematch
Anderson will be approximately a (-200) betting favorite when he takes on Jan Blachowicz in the main event of UFC Rio Rancho on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
This is a rematch of a UFC 191 matchup in which Anderson won in dominant fashion, as he took the striking battle 84 to 20 and recorded four takedowns to Blachowicz's one. Anderson will enter this bout on a four-fight winning streak, but Blachowicz has plenty of momentum himself, winning six of his past seven bouts. Anderson will enter with small height and reach advantages, in addition to an edge in striking volume and a major upper hand in offensive wrestling. While he blitzed Johnny Walker to pick up a knockout in his last fight, it wouldn't be surprising to see Anderson turn back to a wrestling-based approach here, especially given Blachowicz's 65 percent takedown defense.
This is a rematch of a UFC 191 matchup in which Anderson won in dominant fashion, as he took the striking battle 84 to 20 and recorded four takedowns to Blachowicz's one. Anderson will enter this bout on a four-fight winning streak, but Blachowicz has plenty of momentum himself, winning six of his past seven bouts. Anderson will enter with small height and reach advantages, in addition to an edge in striking volume and a major upper hand in offensive wrestling. While he blitzed Johnny Walker to pick up a knockout in his last fight, it wouldn't be surprising to see Anderson turn back to a wrestling-based approach here, especially given Blachowicz's 65 percent takedown defense.