Bellator 168: Sakara vs. Beltran results and live discussion

We do have Bellator MMA action today, and unlike their previous international offerings, this one is actually being televised live! The main event of Bellator 168 in Florence, Italy was supposed to be a middleweight title fight rematch between Rafael Carvalho and Melvin Manhoef, but Carvalho withdrew due to injury, and the new main event is a light heavyweight battle between UFC veterans Alessio Sakara and Joey Beltran.

The co-main event is a middleweight bout between Philipe Lins and Kleber Raimundo Silva. Why John Salter, (who is coming off a win over former middleweight champion Brandon Halsey) is fighting an opponent who is listed as having a 1-4 record is completely beyond me.

Bellator 168 airs on Spike TV at 4 PM ET/1 PM PT. The Bellator Kickboxing event that will happen after Bellator 168 will air on Friday, December 16th, with Giorgio Petrosyan (82-2-2, 1 NC) vs. Jordan Watson (48-11-2) as the main event.

This is your place for discussion of the entire event (no preliminary card streaming today). Eddie Mercado has you covered with a preview of today’s action.

The show is kicking off late, and it seems they’re showing the fights out of order. But here we go. It’s Tim Burke, by the way. Contain your joy.

John Salter defeated Claudio Annicchiarico via TKO (strikes), 1:40 of round 1

Philipe Lins (10-1) vs. Kleber Raimundo Silva (12-7)

Round 1 – Lins with a hard right. Silva shoots but gets stuffed. Nice jab by Lins and they trade in the pocket with both guys landing. Silva with a right hook. Inside leg kick from Lins. Silva responds with a front kick and body kick. A lot of feinting now, but mostly just kicking from both men. Counter shot to the body from Lins after a Silva kick. Lins opening up a bit now. Silva not able to establish his range. 10-9 Lins.

Round 2 – Lins jumps all over Silva early. Silva tries to use kicks to re-establish range but it’s not working. Nice counter left though. Left hook from Lins. Jabs now. Nice combo while Silva throws a lazy kick. Huge exchange, and they tap gloves out of respect. Silva cracks Lins and he’s hurt. He’s stumbling all over the place. Silva is keeping the pressure on, and Lins is running. Lins finally went down to one knee and the referee jumped in to end it.

Kleber Raimundo Silva defeats Philipe Lins by TKO (strikes), 3:40 of round 2

Ed Ruth (1-0) vs. Emanuele Palombi (5-2)

Round 1 – Ruth pushes forward but eats two overhand rights. He gets a big takedown and immediately moves to side control. Slick. Slides across into mount against the cage. A few punches, but he’s up a bit high. Palombi just holding on. Now the big punches are coming through, and it’s over just like that. Wow.

Ed Ruth defeated Emanuele Palombi by TKO (strikes), round 1

Goiti Yamauchi (20-3) vs. Valeriu Mircea (13-3)

Round 1 – Mircea pressures right away with some kicks and a left hook. Yamauchi fires back with two rights. Mircea dropped Yamauchi with a shot! A shot on the ground seemed to put him out for a second, but he wakes up and immediately goes for an armbar. Mircea slams his way out of it, then jumps into his guard. Yamauchi sweeps and works from the top against the cage. He passed to half, then to mount. Dropping punches. Mircea uses the cage to push off but ended up in a triangle. It’s deep, and Mircea is forced to tap. Fun fight.

Goiti Yamauchi defeated Valeriu Mircea by submission (triangle choke), 3:33 of round 1

Alessio Sakara (18-11, 2 NC) vs. Joey Beltran (17-13, 1 NC)

Round 1 – Beltran very active right away. Sakara with a kick. Sakara with a right hook. Beltran with a low kick. Beltran jabbing. Sakara just throwing power shots. An eyepoke stops the action briefly. Hard leg kick from Beltrain. They trade rights. Overhand right scores for Sakara. A left, and Beltran’s hurt! Sakara swarms and it’s all over. The crowd goes wild for their guy.

Alessio Sakara defeated Joey Beltran by TKO (strikes), round 1