Bellator 259: “Cyborg vs Smith 2” is set to air TONIGHT (Fri., May 21, 2021) from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., broadcasting via Showtime. Current women’s Featherweight champion Cris Cyborg will rematch Leslie Smith in the headlining act, while Darrion Caldwell faces Leandro Higo in the co-main event.
Bellator 259’s main card will air on Showtime at 9 p.m. ET. MMAmania.com will deliver results for the full card and comprehensive play-by-play for the televised portion of Bellator 259 below.
Many readers check in before, during and after the fights to share their thoughts on all of the action. Feel free to leave a comment (or 259) about the bouts and chat with all the other Maniacs during the show — it’s always a lot of fun!
BELLATOR 259 QUICK RESULTS:
145 lbs.: Cris Cyborg vs. Leslie Smith
135 lbs.: Darrion Caldwell vs. Leandro Higo
185 lbs.: Austin Vanderford vs. Fabian Edwards
170 lbs.: Jaleel Willis vs. Maycon Mendonca
125 lbs.: Valerie Loureda vs. Hannah Guy — Guy via UD
155 lbs.: Alexander Shabliy vs. Alfie Davis – Shabliy via unanimous decision
155 lbs.: Saad Awad vs. Nate Andrews – Awad via first round knockout
145 lbs.: Leah McCourt vs. Janay Harding – McCourt, second round submission (triangle)
265 lbs.: Davion Franklin vs. Tyler King — Franklin via first round knockout
155 lbs.: Aviv Gozali vs. Sean Felton — Gozali via first round submission (heel hook)
205 lbs.: Grant Neal vs. Tyree Fortune – Neal, first round submission (rear-naked choke)
125 lbs.: Sumiko Inaba vs. Kristina Katsikis – Inaba via third round TKO
135 lbs.: Danny Sabatello vs. Brett Johns – Sabatello via unanimous decision
BELLATOR 259 PLAY-BY-PLAY RESULTS:
Cris Cyborg vs. Leslie Smith
Round 1:
Round 2:
Round 3:
Round 4:
Round 5:
Final Result:
Darrion Caldwell vs. Leandro Higo
Round 1:
Round 2:
Round 3:
Final Result:
Austin Vanderford vs. Fabian Edwards
Round 1:
Round 2:
Round 3:
Final Result:
Valerie Loureda vs Hanna Guy
Round 1: Clinch in the center and Guy pushes Loureda to the cage. They break. Nice one, two from Loureda. Left hook drops Guy and Loureda pounces. She lets her back up, odd. though. Nice left hook from Guy. Action has slowed a bit. Guy shoots for the takedown. She has an armbar. Loureda in trouble here. Guy working hard to lock it in. Loureda working hard to escape but Guy isn’t letting go. Loureda trying hard and she breaks free. Right hook from Guy and she shoots in for another takedown but Loureda defends well. Guy with knees to the midsection as she pushes Loureda up to the cage. Spinning kick from Loureda and Guy clinches again. Loureda gets the takedown to end the round as Guy attempts another armbar. Very close round. 10-9 Loureda
Round 2: Guy blitzes in and gets caught by Loureda. Guy shoots in for a takedown bout Loureda reverses nicely and ends up in top position. Guy reverses and she is now on top. Half guard for Guy. Guy mounts and she starts unloading the ground-and-pound. Loureda is in serious trouble here. Guy has a triangle in and Loureda is eating shots. Guy in full control, the referee looking closely. Loureda escapes and she is now in closed guard. Guy is bleeding from her nose, not sure which strike caught her. Rubber guard from Guy, searching for another submission attempt. Guy gets another armbar in and it is tight. Guy is relentless with her jiu-jitsu. Loureda steps over but Guy isn’t letting go. Hammer fists from guy as she tries to put some torque on the armbar. Loureda escapes and she lands a spinning backfist. Another close round. 10-9 Guy.
Round 3: Were at one round a piece going into the final round. Guy once again closes distance and sinks in a guillotine choke. Loureda escapes and she lets Guy back up. High kick lands for “Master.” Guy once again closes the distance and pushes her foe up against the cage. Loureda reverses and starts swinging for the fences. Guy drops to the mat and Loureda lets her back up. Guy shoots in for the takedown. She is now on her back and Loureda lands a couple of clean shots on her way down. Once again Loureda lets her back up. Guy coming forward and Loureda tags her with a 1-2 combo. Guy in search of a takedown but Loureda is defending well. Guy attempts a wild spinning back kick and Guy capitalizes and takes her down. Bad move from Loureda. Guy now in great top position and she will try to ride out the round that way. Guy passes guard and starts landing some ground-and-pound as the round comes to an end. The fighters embrace on the ground and have a little chat. Great sportsmanship. Close round once again. 10-9 Guy.
Final Result: Guy defeats Loureda via unanimous decision
Jaleel Willis vs. Maycon Mendonca
Round 1: Calf kick from Mendonca, Willis returns fire. They exchange kicks through the first minute. Willis changes levels and scores a takedown. Mendonca back up and Willis takes him right back down. Back to the feet and Willis pushes Mendonca up against the cage and refuses to let go of his tight grip. Willis goes in for another takedown and he gets it. Mendonca gets back up to his feet but Willis won’t let him go. Half guard from Willis, who has shown great grappling skills. Mendonca tries to land some strikes but aren’t doing much damage. 10-9 Willis.
Round 2: Mendonca lands a huge overhand right early in round two. Willis fires right back and lands another good leg kick. High kick from Mendonca. Willis with a right hand straight down the pipe. Nice counter right from Willis. Two minutes remain. Willis scored a huge takedown after Mendonca whiffs on a right hand. Hammer fists from Willis. From half guard to full guard. Mendonca works his way back to his feet. Willis once again attempts another takedown and he gets it. Was a very close round until Willis stole it with two late takedowns. 10-9 Willis.
Round 3:
Final Result:
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