Ryan Bader, the reigning Bellator light heavyweight champion, moved one step closer to becoming a dual-division titleholder with a dominating decision win over Matt Mitrione Friday night.
The bout served as the main event to Bellator 207 and was the first of two semifinals in the Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix. The main card aired live on Paramount Network.
Bader earned scores of 30-25, 30-24 and 30-25 from the judges.
Sergei Kharitonov knocked out Roy Nelson in the co-main event, with Lorenz Larkin becoming the alternate for the Bellator Welterweight Grand Prix with a victory over Ion Pascu.
Corey Browning stunned “Baby Slice” Kevin Ferguson Jr. with a second round TKO and Mandel Nallo improved to 7-0 with a second round finish of Carrington Banks.
Bellator 207: Mitrione vs. Bader Results
Ryan Bader (25-5) defeated Matt Mitrione (13-5) via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-24, 30-25)
Sergei Kharitonov (29-7-1, 1 NC) defeated Roy Nelson (23-16) via KO (knees) at 4:59 of round one
Lorenz Larkin (20-7, 1 NC) defeated Ion Pascu (18-9) via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Corey Browning (4-2) defeated Baby Slice (3-2) via TKO (punches) at 2:08 of round two
Mandel Nallo (7-0) defeated Carrington Banks (7-2) via KO (knee) at :57 of round two
Mike Kimbel (2-0) defeated Alex Potts (1-1) via KO (punch) at :06 of round one
Janay Harding (4-4) defeated Sinead Kavanagh (5-3) via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) at 5:00 of round one
Andre Fialho (10-1) defeated Javier Torres (10-5, 1 NC) via majority decision (28-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Sarah Click (2-2) defeated Kristi Lopez (2-1-1) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Vinicius de Jesus (6-2) defeated Tim Caron (9-3) via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Alexandra Ballou (1-0) defeated Lisa Blaine (2-1) via TKO (elbows) at 3:28 of round three
Pat Casey (4-0) defeated Kastriot Xhema (2-2, 1 NC) via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
Kemran Lachinov (7-2) defeated Sean Lally (8-4) via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)