Bellator 225 results and highlights: Kharitonov TKO’s Mitrione

Check out the results and highlights from the Bellator 225 main card, where Sergei Kharitonov stopped Matt Mitrione in their main event rematch.

Bellator 225 just wrapped up from the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut with a rare occurrence where all fourteen-fights ended with a finish. Of those finishes was a main event rematch between big men Matt Mitrione and Sergei Kharitonov. After knocking out the mouthpiece of his opponent no less than four times, Kharitonov put together a combination that dropped the American. A flurry of ground strikes sealed the deal. Kharitonov hasn’t lost a fight since getting stopped by Javy Ayala in his Bellator debut back in 2016.

In the co-main event slot, Bellator’s former heavyweight champ Vitaly Minakov had a return to form. It didn’t take very long for Minakov to knock out Timothy Johnson with some heavy strikes in the opening round. Minakov was supposed to face Javy Ayala tonight, but UFC veteran Johnson was pulled up from the prelims to save the co-main. Unlike his re-debut with Bellator back in February, this version of Minakov is one of the very best heavyweights in the entire world. Before that, Alejandra Lara had a coming out party at 135-pounds when she stormed the castle of Taylor Turner, scoring the first round TKO. Having already fought some stiff competition at 145-pounds, perhaps bantamweight will be the division where Lara makes some noise.

Also on the Bellator 225 main card, undefeated prospect and soon to be contender Yaroslav Amosov just became the first man to submit David Rickels. Amosov owned the ground exchanges, controlling his foe until the finish presented itself in the seocnd round. Now sitting at 22-0, Amosov’s future with the Bellator promotion is looking quite bright. Opening up the main card, undefeated prospect Tyrell Fortune used his striking to get the fight to the ground where he cinched up a second round rear-naked choke on Rudy Schaffroth. Ruth moves to 7-0 and seems to be getting better each time out.

The preliminary card was full of familiar names and boy did it deliver. Each of the nine undercard bouts ended inside the distance. What Bloody Elbow’s own Zane Simon calls the ‘Bellator human sacrifice hour’ was in full effect! The crowd was even blessed with the fastest submission in Bellator history when Aviv Gozali Heel Hooked Eduard Muravitskiy in a swift 11-seconds.

Main card:

Sergei Kharitonov def. Matt Mitrione by TKO at 1:24 of round 2: Heavyweight

Mitrione got right to work, throwing volume at his opponent and pushing the pace. Mitrione was using temps and right hands to back up his opponent. Kharitonov started to get his jab going to get himself back into the fight. He also knocked out the mouthpiece of his opponent three times in the first round, prompting the referee to threaten Mitrione with a point deduction. Come round two, Kharitonov was able to knock out the mouthpiece of his opposition once again, but this time did not give Mitrione the space for the referee to step in. A heavy uppercut got through for Kharitonov followed by a knee that dropped Mitrione. A series of ground strikes made it official.

Vitaly Minakov def. Timothy Johnson by KO at of round 1: Heavyweight

Minakov made quick work of his short notice opponent. After a couple of takedowns, one of which was a suplex, Minakov landed a teep kick to right cross that hurt Johnson. The American stumbles back to fence and Minakov ran in with a right hand that slumped Johnson. An academic two-piece connected before the referee had a chance to stop the fight. Eek!

Alejandra Lara def. Taylor Turner by TKO at 3:44 of round 1: (W) Bantamweight

Lara came out hot, getting right in the face of her opponent and staying all over her. Turner seemed to be doing her best, but just couldn’t keep up with the pace. Lara seemed a step ahead at every turn. She owned the top position, and punched until her opponent exposed her back. From there, Lara kept on dropping down strikes until the referee had seen enough.

Yaroslav Amosov def. David Rickels by submission (D’arce) at 4:05 of round 2: 175-pounds

Amosov absolutely owned the opening round. He started out with a couple of volume combinations, and then switched gears and found the takedown. From inside of the full guard, controlled his opponent while sprinkling strikes along the way. Amosov was again able to put Rickels on his back in the second act. He patiently controlled and chipped away at Rickels, until the opportunity to end the fight presented itself. Amosov locked up a D’arce choke, and didn’t let go until Rickels was tapping.

Tyrell Fortune def. Rudy Schaffroth by submission (RNC) at 2:08 of round 2: Heavyweight

The story of the opening round was the leg kicks of Fortune. Schaffroth press forward looking to land his punches, but struggled to properly defend the inside leg kicks of Fortune. Schaffroth was able to stuff the lone takedown attempt. Fortune showed up with his hands in the second act. He was able to hurt Schaffroth on the feet before going in for the kill on the ground. Fortune took the back and sunk a rear-naked choke, prompting the tap.

Prelims:

• Nick Newell def. Corey Browning by submission (Arm Triangle) at 3:15 of round 1: Lightweight

• Connor Dixon def. Kastriot Xhema by submission at 2:08 of round 3: 165-pounds
• Jon Manley def. Thiago Rela by submission (RNC) at 4:47 of round 3: 175-pounds
• Chris Disonell def. Mike Kimbel by TKO at 4:54 of round 1: 140-pounds
• Ricky Bandejas def. Ahmet Kayretli by KO at 1:21 of round 1: Bantamweight

• Austin Vanderford def. Joseph Creer by TKO (Cut) at 5:00 of round 2: Middleweight
• Sabah Homasi def. Micah Terrill by KO at :17 of round 1: Welterweight

• Aviv Gozali def. Eduard Muravitskiy by submission (Heel Hook) at :11 of round 1: 165-pounds

• Khonry Gracie def. Oscar Vera by submission (Armbar) at 2:50 of round 1: Welterweight