Bellator London results: Aaron Chalmers submits Fred Freeman in second round

LONDON – Aaron Chalmers said during fight week he had been working every day on his wrestling in preparation for his Bellator London fight with Fred Freeman, and that work paid dividends as he earned a second-round submission win at The SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday night.

Chalmers’ preference in previous fights had always been to strike, but the Newcastle, England native seemed much more willing to engage in the clinch, and much of the opening round was spent up against the fence as both men canceled each other out.

After a brief break that saw Chalmers (5-1 MMA, 2-1 BMMA) connect with some of his strikes, the two locked up again, as the Englishman took Freeman (2-2 MMA, 0-2 BMMA) to the canvas and maintained top position for the remainder of the round.

Chalmers went chasing at the start of the second round and, after a brief striking exchange, locked up and dragged Freeman to the mat once again. The Brit was clearly more confident in his wrestling and then went to work on the deck, landing elbows from Freeman’s guard and making the American feel his full weight.

After referee Keith Peterson stood them back up, the pair returned to the canvas almost immediately, with Freeman looking to take Chalmers to the mat. And after eventually getting the Brit’s shoulders down onto the canvas, Chalmers spied his opportunity and struck.

The Brit threw up his legs and locked up a triangle choke before putting on the squeeze and rolling to his side to apply additional pressure and force the tap at the 4:05 mark of the second round.

Up-to-the-minute Bellator London results include

MAIN CARD (MMA Junkie, 5 p.m. ET)

• Aaron Chalmers def. Fred Freeman via submission (triangle choke) – Round 2, 4:05

Bellator 223

MAIN CARD (Paramount, DAZN, 9 p.m. ET via tape delay)

• Paul Daley def. Erick Silva via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
• James Gallagher def Jeremiah Labiano via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Fabian Edwards def. Jonathan Bosuku via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Costello van Steenis def. Mike Shipman via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 1:34
• Charlie Ward def. Justin Moore via TKO (punches) –  Round 2, 3:23

PRELIMINARY CARD (MMA Junkie, 11:30 a.m. ET)

• Denise Kielholtz def Bryony Tyrell via TKO (strikes) – Round 3, 2:48
• Charlie Leary def. Chris Bungard via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-25)
• Kate Jackson def. Lena Ovchynnikova via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) – Round 1, 4:20
• Terry Brazier def. Alessandro Botti via submission (Americana) – Round 3, 2:17
• Luke Ord def Nathan Rose via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-25)
• Alfie Davis def. Jorge Kanella via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
• Justin Burlinson def. Wendle Lewis via verbal submission (injury) – Round 1, 0:09
• Galore Bofando def Keith McCabe via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
• Kevin Fryer def. John Redmond via split decision (29-28, 28-29 29-28)
• Frans Mlambo def. Nathan Greyson via submission (D’Arce choke) – Round 2, 4:22

For complete coverage of Bellator Europe 3, visit the UFC Events section of the site.