Blagoi Ivanov (photo via Bellator)

Vladimir Matyushenko Loses Final Fight

By FCF Staff

Here are the results from tonight’s Bellator 116 card in Temecula, California, which saw Blagoi Ivanov tap-out UFC vet Lavar Johnson with a first round, keylock.

With the win, Ivanov advances to the heavyweight tourney final, and will face Alexander Volkov. The latter won his semifinal bout by knocking out “Mighty Mo” Siliga with a nicely timed, left headkick in round one.

Bellator 116 also featured the last fight of Vladmir Matyushenko’s accomplished career, who announced he was retiring heading into the event. The 43 year-old fighter was submitted by fellow UFC vet Joey Beltran with a third round, north-south choke.

Matyushenko, who began his pro career back in 1997, hangs up the gloves having put together a 27-8 record.

During the broadcast, former UFC light-heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz announced he’s been cleared by doctors to return to the cage, after incurring another neck injury last year. Ortiz also confirmed that he’ll fight middleweight champ Alexander Shlemenko at Bellator’s May 17th, PPV card.

(Update: in follow up interview with MMA Junkie, Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney relayed that although the promotion hopes to see Ortiz fight Shlemenko at Bellator 120, the athletic commission has yet to approve the match-up).

Bellator 116

Heavyweight Tourney Semifinals

Blagoi Ivanov def. Lavar Johnson via submission (keylock) R1, 4:08

Alexander Volkov def. “Mighty Mo” Siliga via KO (head kick) R1, 2:44

Welterweight Tourney Semifinal

Adam McDonough def. Nathan Coy via TKO (punches) R2, 0:30

Joey Beltran def. Vladimir Matyushenko via submission (North-South choke) R3, 3:06

Brandon Halsey def. Joe Pacheco via unanimous decision

Ricky Rainey def. Andy Murad via TKO R1, 1:11

Rob Emerson def. Joe Taimanglo via unanimous decision

Karo Parisyan def. Ron Keslar via KO R2, 4:05

Philipe Lins def. Travis Clark via  submission (rear-naked choke) R1, 0:40

Rodney Wallace def. Carlos Eduardo via unanimous decision