Corey Anderson Outwrestles Karl Moore To Win Vacant Title – Bellator Belfast Results (Highlights)

'Overtime' Anderson achieves his longtime dream of becoming a world champion.

Written by Christopher De Santiago
Last updated on March 22nd, 2024
Anderson Vs Moore
(photos courtesy of PFL MMA)

Bellator’s new era calls for a new champion to be crowned.

Vadim Nemkov relinquished the light heavyweight title back in January to focus on a future at heavyweight. With the Russian kingpin out of the division, two contenders collide for the vacant throne at Bellator Belfast. In the main event, former title challenger Corey Anderson meets Irish contender Karl Moore.

Anderson, 34, competes for the title a third time after a no-contest and decision loss to Nemkov in 2022. Outside of those fights, ‘Overtime’ has put together four wins in the Bellator cage, including a KO of heavyweight champ Ryan Bader. 

Belfast’s own Moore enters his first world title fight after four-straight victories. 

Round 1:

Anderson looks to close the distance early on. Anderson pushes the pace, landing a few strikes with Moore backed up to the fence. Anderson eats a left hook on his way in. Moore rocks Anderson with a headkick. Moore tries to follow up but Anderson clinches with Moore momentarily and they break. ‘Overtime’ secures his first takedown of the fight. 

Anderson dominates Moore on the ground, holding top position for the rest of the round. Anderson lands a few punches here and there. 

Christopher De Santiago scores the round: 10-9 Anderson

Round 2:

Anderson wastes no time, going for takedown in the first 30 seconds. Anderson seizes the leg in an effort to take Moore down but isn’t able to. Moore threatens the guillotine submission and then lets it go. Anderson keeps Moore at bay in the clinch, firing a shoulder strike on the Irishman.

Moore is kept in the clinch by Anderson, who doesn’t do much with the position and has it taken away from him by the referee. Moore tries to get his stand-up going before Anderson clinches up with him once again.

Christopher De Santiago scores the round: 10-9 Anderson

Round 3:

Anderson catches a kick from Moore, taking him down to begin the round. Anderson lands a few shots to the body from top position. Moore attempts an armbar on Anderson from the bottom and nearly pulls it off, but Anderson is able to scramble out of the slick submission. Anderson stays on top of Moore. 

With a minute and a half to go, Moore manages to get back up to his feet. Anderson sticks on him like glue, not letting him leave the clinch. Moore finally separates and starts to unload his strikes on his opponent. Despite having some success, Moore surprisingly shoots in for takedown which is stuffed by Anderson. Anderson goes for a takedown of his own.

Christopher De Santiago scores the round: 10-9 Anderson

Round 4

Both fighters exchange strikes on the feet. Anderson gets Moore down with a single-leg takedown. Moore is kept there for a while until he eventually springs back up. Moore blitzes Anderson with strikes. Anderson grabs another takedown on Moore. The Belfast-native gets back up only to be controlled in the clinch by his opponent.

Christopher De Santiago scores the round: 10-9 Anderson

Round 5:

Moore fires off punches, looking to get some momentum early on in the round. It’s Anderson, however, who gets Moore’s attention with a powerful strike and then follows it up with a successful takedown. Moore gets back up and escapes the clinch with Anderson. 

Anderson throws a headkick which is blocked. Anderson drives Moore to the cage for a takedown. Anderson loses the position after an apparent headbutt on the ground. With a little over a minute to go, Moore goes back to work in the stand-up. Anderson doesn’t let that happen, controlling Moore in the clinch. 

Moore separates, throwing a knee before being taken down bye Anderson. Moore works his way back up to his feet as the final bell sounds.

Christopher De Santiago scores the round: 10-9 Anderson

Total score: 50-45 Anderson

Official result: Corey Anderson defeats Karl Moore by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 50-45)

Check out the highlights below:

 

Published on March 22, 2024 at 6:59 pm
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Christopher De Santiago

Christopher De Santiago
Christopher De Santiago is a 22 year-old journalist out of Texas with years of experience covering MMA. Follow him on X: @chris_dsantiago Inquiries: [email protected]

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