Bellator 206 results: Douglas Lima chokes Andrey Koreshkov unconscious, advances in GP

Douglas Lima technically submitted Andrey Koreshkov to advance to the next round of the welterweight GP on the Bellator 206 main card.

Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

Bellator 206 just witnessed the opening bout of the welterweight Grand Prix conclude with Douglas Lima choking out Andrey Koreshkov with a rear-naked choke in the fifth round. Lima has now won two of his three encounters with Koreshkov, and will now go on to face the winner of Paul Daley vs. Michael Page in the second round of the million-dollar tournament.

Both welterweights agreed to trade kicks to start out the first round. Back and forth they went with leg kicks, going one for one until Koreshkov shot in and clinched up. Koreshkov tenaciously worked for a takedown, but Lima continuously did an outstanding job of staying on his feet. The crowd grew a bit restless in the final minute of the round, as Koreshkov stuffed Lima up against the cage.

Lima took the center of the cage to open the second stanza, with Koreshkov playing the outside, searching for an entry to a takedown. Koreshkov was stuffed when he shot in, and was forced to strike with Lima, who had the evident power advantage in both his hands and legs. Koreshkov finally was able to close the distance and shove Lima against the cage, but was unable to do anything with it before time expired.

Koreshkov came out pressing forward in the third round, and backed Lima up to the cage where he was able to clinch up. A couple of chipping strikes landed for Koreshkov, but noting significant before Lima returned to open space. Several body and leg kicks scored for Lima, causing Koreshkov to switch his stance on multiple occasions, and even shoot a telegraphed takedown.

An accidental cup shot to Koreshkov paused the fourth round about one minute into it. Koreshkov returned to looking for the takedown, but despite solid attempts, Lima was just too stout with his defense to be taken down. Lima came alive in the closing moments of the round, stinging Koreshkov with a blasting right hand, and following up with a few more before the horn sounded.

Lima stalked forward behind his punches, walking down Koreshkov and backing him up. Koreshkov returned to his takedown attempt, but ended up in turtle position. Lima quickly took the back and sunk in an RNC, and instead of tapping out, Koreshkov went to sleep.