Bellator 120 results, photos: Alexander Volkov shocks Blagoi Ivanov with submission win

SOUTHAVEN, Miss. – While Alexander Volkov is considered a knockout artist, it was his grappling game that earned him an impressive submission win over the previously undefeated Blagoi Ivanov.

The heavyweight tournament final bout was part of the main card of today’s Bellator 120 event at Landers Center in Southaven, Miss. It aired on pay-per-view following prelims on Spike TV and Spike.com.

As the fight began, Volkov looked to stay at distance and use his ample reach. However, Ivanov used a few heavy punches to move quickly into the clinch as he looked to take the fight to the floor. The action largely stalled in the position as Volkov looked to keep upright. An Ivanov right hand did score flush after several minutes in the grinding display, but Volkov eventually pulled away and resumed his attempts to strike from the outside.

Volkov got busier with his jab to open the second frame, but Ivanov again worked inside and took the action to the floor. Unfortunately for Ivanov, Volkov slipped beautifully to the back and went immediately for the rear-naked choke. The arm was under the chin quickly, and Ivanov was forced to tap.

With the win, former heavyweight champ Volkov (22-4 MMA, 6-1 BMMA) claims a tournament win and will fight next for a chance to reclaim his belt from the man who took it from him, Vitaly Minakov.

“I’m very excited for a new title shot, and I will be much more ready for this fight,” Volkov said after the win. “I will work hard, and I am very motivated after my loss to him. I am motivated to take my belt back.”

Ivanov (11-1 MMA, 6-1 BMMA) loses for the first time as a professional.

Up-to-the-minute Bellator 120 results include:

• Alexander Volkov def. Blagoi Ivanov via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 1:08
• Michael Page def. Ricky Rainey via TKO (punch) – Round 1, 4:29
• Cheick Kongo def. Eric Smith via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 4:35
• Marcin Held def. Nate Jolly via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 4:20
• Fabricio Guerreiro def. Shahbulat Shamhalaev via submission (kimura) – Round 1, 3:29
• Goiti Yamauchi def. Mike Richman via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Austin Lyons def. Zach Underwood via unanimous technical decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
• Mike Wessel def. Justin Frazier via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:28
• Ben Brewer def. Andy Uhrich via knockout (strikes) – Round 2, 2:40
• Codie Shuffield def. Anthony Lemon via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 2:15
• Brian Hall def. Cortez Phelia via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 0:24

For complete coverage of Bellator 120, stay tuned to the MMA Events section of the site.

Matt Erickson contributed to this report on-site in Southaven.