TEL AVIV, ISRAEL. (Nov. 11, 2016) – Israel’s first major mixed martial arts event “Bellator 164: Koreshkov vs. Lima” was a night that will not soon be forgotten after the quality of action that took place inside Menora Mivtachim Arena. Below are the full results.
Douglas Lima (28-6) def. Andrey Koreshkov (19-2) via KO at 1:21 of R1
It is fitting that in Israel, a land where kingdoms have been defeated, rebuilt and reclaimed, that former welterweight world champion Douglas Lima would take back his crown from the man that took it from him a little over a year ago. There was a great deal of respect between the two world-class fighters throughout the duration of the event. Koreshkov scored a takedown and threw four quick and powerful spinning heel kicks at the head of Lima in the first round, while the beginning of the second round was spent on the feet, where the two exchanged before “Spartan” scored another takedown, and spent the second half of the round trying to find his way around Lima’s guard. Going into the third round, Koreshkov, who had fought on the outside of the cage for most of the fight, began to pressure Lima to the outside and exchanged in a firefight with the Brazillian, in what would prove to be an unwise move. Lima got the better of the skirmish, connecting with a left hook that flattened Koreshkov at 1:21 into round three. With the victory, Lima became a two-time welterweight world champion in an extremely stacked Bellator MMA division.
Noad Lahat (10-2) def. Scott Cleve (15-6) via Rear Naked Choke Submission at 2:26 of R1
Noad Lahat is easily the most accomplished mixed martial artist and arguably one of the biggest celebrities in all of Israel. Lahat, who owns a blackbelt in judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu was able to take Steve Cleve to the ground and work him into several uncomfortable positions before sinking in a rear-naked choke halfway through the first frame. The partisan crowd loudly cheered and chanted “Noad Lahat” throughout the fight and absolutely erupted when Cleve tapped out. After the contest, Lahat – who famously walked away from professional fighting to fight in the Israeli Defense Forces – was joined in the cage by his Colonel, Oren Gil. The elated AKA fighter gave thanks to the incredible crowd: “I’ve fought all over the world in America and Brazil, and this is the best crowd I’ve ever competed in front of.”
Lena Ovchynnikova (11-4) def. Karla Benitez (13-10) via UD (30-27 x3)
Ukranian flyweight sensation Lena Ovchynnikova outpointed her Venezuelan opponent Karla Benitez throughout their three-round affair. Benitez walked forward through several punches, even flashing a smile as though unfazed, but was never able to take the fight to the ground. “Hunter” stalked her prey across every inch of the cage, peppering Benitez with fifteen minutes of insurmountable offense, scoring a shutout victory.
Georgi Karakhanyan (26-6) def. Kirill Medvedovsky (7-3) via TKO at 3:40 of R1
Georgi Karakhanyan stepped into enemy territory when he took on Israel’s Kirill Medvedovsky, but all the fan support in the building was not enough to propel the Israeli to victory. The two exchanged back and forth including a spinning heel kick from each fighter that landed. Karakhanyan took Medvedovsky to the ground and stretched his opponent out to create some space before raining a few punches on his grounded opponent. During the ground attack Medvedovsky suffered an injury to his right shoulder and with a verbal submission, referee Todd Anderson called a stop to the fight at 3:40 of round one. After the win, Karakhanyan simply exclaimed, “I love Israel!” causing the sold out arena to erupt into cheer. “I’ll fight whoever Bellator puts in front of me,” said Karakhnayan. “But right now I’m eying a superfight with Josh ‘The Punk’ Thomson!”
Preliminary Card Results:
Chen Shhori (1-0) def. Kfir Eittan (2-1) via TKO at 2:41 of R3
Moshe Rand (4-2) def. Haitham Kiuof (0-1) via TKO at 1:01 of R1
Ejargew Tariku (2-0) def. Rob Becker (0-1) via Arm Lock Submissionat 3:44 of R1
Alex Trofimov (1-0) def. Sol Renato (0-1) via SD (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
Almog Shay (1-0) def. Vitaly Khmeinytsky (0-1) via Heel Hook Submission at 1:45 of R1
Olga Rubin (1-0) def. Laurita Cibirite (0-1) via TKO at 3:12 of R1
Raz Bring (1-0) def. Maor Kazalkopy (0-1) via TKO at 1:40 of R3
Jackie Gosh (7-0) def. Joaquin Buckley (6-1) via TKO at 2:44 of R1
Alexander Nikulin (1-0) def. Avi Baron (0-1) via TKO at 0:54 of R1
Onor Keles (1-0) def. Omri Barel (0-1) via Rear Naked Choke Submission at 3:04 of R1
Haim Gozali (7-3) def. Zane Clerk (0-1) via. Toe Hold Submissionat 1:31 of R1
Itai Gayer (1-0) def. Igor Postnikov (0-1) via UD (30-26 x3)
