In the co-main event of Bellator 281, Lyoto Machida and Fabian Edwards faced off in a pivotal matchup.
Round 1: Both fighters took the center of the octagon after a touch of gloves. A kick from Machida started the fight. Edwards answered with a jab, kick combo. Edwards landed a hard kick followed by a 1-2 hook. Edwards caught a kick from Machida and then put him against the cage. Machida reversed and landed a trip takedown, but Edwards got right back to his feet. Edwards landed a slick elbow. 2:14 left, and Edwards put Machida against the fence again. Machida escaped but ate another elbow from Edwards that wobbled him. Edwards pounced on Machida landing a punch that dropped Machida and then a final punch that put Machida out cold.
What a performance in front of his home crowd.
Official result: Fabian Edwards defeats Lyoto Machida via knockout – Round 1, 3:18
Edwards snapped the first losing streak of his career and put himself back in the middleweight conversation. On the other hand, Machida has now lost four straight after winning his first two Bellator fights.
The punch – Watch the highlights below:
𝑳𝒆𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝑲𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒂 💥@fabianedwards24 stops MMA veteran @lyotomachidafw at the @OVOArena.#Bellator281 LIVE on @SHOsports 🇺🇸 and @bbcthree 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/H6Ha0DfgAH
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) May 13, 2022
Lights out 💡
Fabian Edwards delivers a lightning-fast 1st round KO in London#Bellator281 @BellatorMMA pic.twitter.com/JrqVTNkkLB
— SHOWTIME SPORTS (@SHOsports) May 13, 2022
Tonight’s co-main event goes down NEXT as @LyotoMachidaFW and @FabianEdwards24 go to war LIVE on @SHOSports.
Don’t miss this bout when you sign up for @SHOWTIME free for the next 3️⃣0️⃣ days NOW!⬇️
🔗 https://t.co/RNtauZXM3o#MMA #Bellator281 pic.twitter.com/QyYsTl4H3m— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) May 13, 2022
