Bellator 97 took place Wednesday night at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, N.M., just outside of Albuquerque.
Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler, and welterweight titleholder Ben Askren both successfully defended their belts, while Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal won the promotion’s abbreviated Summer Series Light Heavyweight Tournament final.
Main Card Bouts:
-Michael Chandler def. David Rickels by KO at 0:44, R1
-Ben Askren def. Andrey Koreshkov by TKO (Strikes) at 2:58, R4
-Muhammed Lawal def. Jacob Noe by Verbal Submission (Strikes) at 2:51, R3
-Vitaly Minakov def. Ryan Martinez by TKO (Strikes) at 4:02, R3
-Patricio Freire def. Jared Downing by TKO (Strikes) at 0:54, R3
Preliminary Card Bouts:
-Bubba Jenkins def. Mike Barreras by TKO (Strikes) at 1:05, R2
-Anthony Leone def. Frank Baca by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 1:07, R3
-Rafael Silva def. Rodrigo Lima by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 2:03, R3
-Will Brooks def. Cris Leyva by TKO (Strikes) at 2:20, R3
-Jeremy Kimball def. Keith Berry by KO at 1:45, R2
-Shawn Bunch def. Russell Wilson by Split Decision
-Donald Sanchez def. Cliff Wright by Split Decision
-Adrian Cruz def. Felipe Chavez by TKO (Strikes), R2
-Javier Palacios def. Richard Jacques by Unanimous Decision