Bellator 144: Rafael Carvalho Takes Middleweight Crown With Liver Kick
By FCF Staff
Here are the results from Bellator 144, which saw Rafael Carvalho become the promotion’s middleweight champ.
Carvalho secured the vacant title by dropping former champ Brandon Halsey in the second round with a liver kick. Halsey was stripped of the title in May, after he failed to make weight for a fight with Kendall Grove (Halsey won that fight via fourth round stoppage).
Bellator 144 took place in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Rafael Carvalho def. Brandon Halsey via TKO (liver kick) R2, 1:42
Brennan Ward def. Dennis Olson via TKO (strikes) R1, 4:37
Goiti Yamauchi def. Isao Kobayashi via submission (rear-naked choke) R3, 3:50
Michael Page def. Charlie Ontiveros via TKO (strikes) R1, 3:20
Kin Moy def. Walter Smith-Cotito via submission (rear-naked choke) R3, 3:53
Billy Giovanella def. Brandon Polcare via submission (triangle choke) R1, 2:19
Matt Bessette def. Kevin Roddy via submission (heel hook) R1, 3:47
Kevin Haley def. Mike Zichelle via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Matt Secor def. Jeremie Holloway via submission (heel hook) R2, 4:54
Marius Enache def. Pete Rogers via submission (Americana) R2, 2:37
Sam Watford def. T.J. Hepburn via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)