Lyoto Machida Earns A Split Decision Victory Over Rafael Carvalho, Fantastic Match!
Bellator 213 “Macfarlane vs. Letourneau” takes place tonight (Saturday, December 15, 2018) inside Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. The co-main event of the evening brings an outstanding clash between two great Brazilian fighters, the former UFC Light Heavyweight champion, Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida, and the former Bellator Middleweight title holder, Rafael “The Blessed” Carvalho.
Rafael Carvalho missed the scale, he was 0.5 pounds heavier, which means he is punished by 20% of his purse.
“The Blessed” lost his last match from Gegard Mousasi at Bellator 200, on May 25, 2018. He has victories over notable names like Melvin Manhoef (two times), Alessio Sakara, and Joe Schilling. On the other hand, “The Dragon” earned two victories in his last two fights. He defeated Vitor Belfort at UFC 224 and Eryk Anders at UFC Fight Night 125. It’s his Bellator MMA debut. Both fighters are tremendous strikers! The referee is Mike Bell. Let’s start!
Round 1
Both men touch gloves, the fight is on. Body kick Machida, Carvalho goes forward, Machida circles. Both fighters clinched up. Carvalho pushes him against the cage, the referee wants activity.
Knee to the groin from Carvalho, the referee stops the match. They resume and now Carvalho throws another strike. Machida on the fence again, but he breaks free. It looks like Machida’s nose is bleeding.
Machida with a stance switch, he attacks with a leg kick. Carvalho attacks, good body kick but a high kick is blocked. Right hook miss Carvalho, Lyoto goes for a head kick but Rafael takes him down. Machida stands up, one minute to go.
Machida circles again, and kicks to the legs. Right hand Machida, and now left. Good combo. Hip kick Machida, Rafael backs away, the end of the round. I’d say, 10-9 Machida.
Round 2
Machida with a head kick, and it looks like this one was strong. Violent flurry by Carvalho, he looks so angry, great match. Clinch on the fence but Bell asks for action again. The referee restarts the fight at 1:53.
Machida catches Carvalho’s kick, great defense. Two kicks at the right leg, but Carvalho misses with a left hook. Front kick superman Machida but he eats a left hand. Both men trade leg kicks.
Machida lands an unintentional eye poke, the referee calls time.
The referee tells both men to keep the fight clean. Machida goes forward, Carvalho responds. 10-9 Machida.
Round 3
Double glove tap, last round. Body kicks on both sides, now Carvalho chases Lyoto. Body kick Machida, and now front kick. Carvalho continues to chase him. Carvalho catches Machida’s kick. He ducks under the shot and goes for a takedown!
Carvalho tries to go for a Kimura, now Machida is in the full mount. Shoulder strike Lyoto, and left forearm to the face. Wow, Carvalho backs him off at 3:14, what a fight! Wait ago Rafael!
Leg kick Machida, and now both fighters in the clinch.
Knee from Machida, but a knee to the groin from Rafael Carvalho, and the referee breaks them up and stops the fight! Bell warns him – next time it will be point abduction!
Machida takes Carvalho down, I think it was a leg trip! Machida goes for a guillotine choke as Carvalho tries to stand up. Well, this one is tough to score. Let’s see the judges.
Check out the highlights below:
👊Some action in the first round!#BellatorHawaii #Bellator213 pic.twitter.com/a6HitFITXj
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) December 16, 2018
Machida goin' high! #Bellator213 pic.twitter.com/ulTucAt54g
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) December 16, 2018
🔥These boys are going at it!
Tune in LIVE exclusively on @DAZN_USA #BellatorHawaii #Bellator213 pic.twitter.com/NbyFXVeXoz
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) December 16, 2018
That 2nd round though! #Bellator213 pic.twitter.com/RQ8cuMShPT
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) December 16, 2018
🏃♂️Tag, you're it !#Bellator213 pic.twitter.com/Ai9W4wzvva
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) December 16, 2018
uh oh…#Bellator213 #BellatorHawaii pic.twitter.com/2FlUXWgWlb
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) December 16, 2018
Final Result: Lyoto Machida wins Rafael Carvalho via split decision (29-28 Machida, 29-28 Carvalho, 29-28 Machida)
Lyoto Machida improves his score to 25-8 MMA, 1-0 BMMA, while Rafael Carvalho drops to 15-3 MMA, 6-2 BMMA.
