UNCASVILLE, Conn. – While Nick Newell received a thunderous ovation at Saturday’s Bellator 232, Manny Muro quickly turned those cheers into boos.
A +500 underdog on average across all major books, Muro (11-6 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) pulled off the upset when he defeated Newell (16-3 MMA, 1-1 BMMA) by split decision. Muro got two 29-28 scores from the judges to a 29-27 in favor of Newell.
A thunderous applause bellowed throughout the Mohegan Sun Arena upon Newell’s entrance. A successful first round by the Connecticut native excited the home crowd even further. The first round was dominant for Newell. “Notorious” was in advantageous position for most of the opening round, but wasn’t able to put Muro away.
As the fight progressed, the momentum slowly swung in Muro’s favor. Newell tired and began shoot for several unsuccessful takedowns. Muro began controlling Newell in all facets of the ground game. The close second was followed up by a decisive, but not dominant third round for Muro.
The victory is Muro’s second in Bellator and his first since Bellator 184 in October 2017. He has now won two straight fights and five out of his past eight dating back to early 2017.
The bout was the first Bellator main-card appearance for Newell and his first fight on his newly signed multi-fight deal with Bellator. After he failed to punch his ticket to the UFC on “Dana White’s Contender Series,” the former WSOF title challenger Newell had an unofficial “tryout” fight for Bellator in August. He defeated Corey Browning via submission.
The 160-pound bout was part of the Bellator 232 main card, which streamed on DAZN following prelims on MMA Junkie.
Up-to-the-minute Bellator 232 results include:
Manny Muro def. Nick Newell via split decision (29-28, 27-29, 29-28)
Kevin Ferguson Jr. def. Craig Campbell by TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 0:38
Ryan Hardy Evans def. Demetrios Plaza via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 3:03
Lance Gibson Jr. def. Dominic Jones via knockout (strikes) – Round 1, 1:58
Devin Powell def. Marcus Surin via technical submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 5:00
John Lopez def. Dan Cormier via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Jornel Lugo def. John Douma via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Zarrukh Adashev def. Tevin Dyce via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 1:39
