Stuck in a four-plus year drought, Frank Mir did what Frank Mir has done in the past: attack the body.
Mir, a former UFC heavyweight champion, earned his victory win since 2015 with a decision victory over Roy Nelson in the main event of Bellator 231. The event took place from Uncasville, Connecticut and aired live on Paramount Network.
Four consecutive losses came between the two wins for the 40-year-old Mir. He knocked out Todd Duffee in the UFC prior to losses to Andrei Arlovski, Mark Hunt, Fedor Emelianenko and Javy Ayala.
Bellator 231 Highlights
The win was the second for Mir over Nelson, adding to a 2011 decision victory at UFC 130.
?? @RoyNelsonMMA closes out round three with a spectacular slam. Who do you think won tonight at #Bellator231? pic.twitter.com/1BcmnaazSr
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) October 26, 2019
The card also featured a co-main event victory by Phil Davis over Karl Albrektsson. The former Bellator champion earned a third round finish via strikes for his 21st career victory.
?? BIG right hand from @PhilMrWonderful! in round two!
Watch the back and forth in this scintillating co-main event LIVE on @ParamountNet!#Bellator231 pic.twitter.com/EJsjBA23Rs
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) October 26, 2019
Ed Ruth picked up a split decision over Jason Jackson, as he improved to 8-1. Ruth, like Davis, is a former Penn State University wrestling standout.
? @EdRuth67 is a monster on the ground and gets a takedown near the end of round two.#Bellator231 pic.twitter.com/j1Q9yCaB6L
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) October 26, 2019
Joanne Ilara greeted Bec Rawlings to the Bellator cage with a submission defeat. Ilara locked in a kneebar in the second round for her ninth career win.
Fuck. pic.twitter.com/SnbuuWkdPe
— Bec Rawlings (@RowdyBec) October 26, 2019
Kicking off the main card was former WWE champion Jake Hager and Anthony Garrett. Hager, who has also signed with All Elite Wrestling, and Garrett fought to a no-contest.
The bout was halted in the first round after a second low blow by Hager connected. The ringside doctor ordered it stopped, and the referee declared it an accidental strike.
Among the prelim winners, Steve Mowry remained unbeaten with a second round submission and Jon Manley topped Thiago Oliveira.
Bellator 231: Mir Vs. Nelson Results
Frank Mir (19-13) defeated Roy Nelson (23-18) via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Phil Davis (21-5, 1 NC) defeated Karl Albrektsson (9-3) via TKO at 3:06 of round three
Ed Ruth (8-1) defeated Jason Jackson (10-4) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Joanne Ilara (9-4) defeated Bec Rawlings (7-9) via submission (kneebar) at 3:35 of round two
Jake Hager (2-0) & Anthony Garrett (4-2) ends in a no-contest due to an accidental low blow at 1:56 of round one
Phumi Nkuta (1-0) defeated Adrian Haley (1-1) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
Connor Dixon (2-0) defeated Orkhan Ismatzade (0-2) via submission (kimura) at 0:42 of round one
Killys Mota (11-2) defeated Mandel Nallo (7-1) via TKO (leg injury) at 1:16 of round three
Jessica Miele (9-3) defeated Talita Nogueira (7-2) via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)
Steve Mowry (7-0) defeated Gokhan Saricam (4-1) via submission (kimura) at 0:56 of round two
Dalton Rosta (2-0) defeated Claude Wilcox (1-1) via TKO (strikes) at 4:23 of round two
Tim Caron (10-2, 1 NC) defeated Lucas Pimenta Borges (8-3) via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Jon Manley (13-6) defeated Thiago Oliveira (16-5) via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Elise Reed (1-0) defeated Rebecca Bryggman (0-1) via TKO (punches) at 4:48 of round one