Bellator 249: ‘Cyborg’ outclasses Arlene Blencowe to defend title

More known for her devastating hands that includes 18 career KO/TKO stoppages, Cris Cyborg had not a submission victory on her record but that all changed on Friday (AEST) she overwhelmed Australia’s Arlene Blencowe in the main event.

Blencowe came into the contest with back-to-back wins and was hoping to secure one of the biggest upsets in women’s MMA but ultimately was no match on the feet, over-powered by the heavy strikes from ‘Cyborg’ before tapping to a rear-naked choke submission midway through the second round.

It was a first title defense for ‘Cyborg’ within the promotion, having claimed the belt back in January against Julia Budd. She moves her record to 23-2 (Bellator 2-0). Blencowe falls to 13-8 (Bellator 7-4).

The bout took place at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, USA on Friday (AEDT).

Full Results:

• Cris Cyborg def. Arlene Blencowe (Australia) via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Rd 2, 2:36 – Bellator women’s featherweight title
• Leandro Higo def. Ricky Bandejas via Submission (Rear-Ncraked Choke), Rd 2, 2:32
• Steve Mowry def. Shawn Teed via TKO (Knee & Punches), Rd 1, 4:22
• Mandel Nallo vs. Saad Awad – No Contest (Accidental Knee to Groin), Rd 1, 1:44
• Andrew Kapel def. Joseph Creer via TKO (Doctor’s Stoppage), Rd 2, 5:00
• Kemran Lachinov def. Kyle Crutchmer via Decision (Unanimous)
• Christian Edwards def. Hamza Salim via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Rd 2, 1:28
• Da’Mon Blackshear def. Mike Kimbel via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Rd 2, 4:14
• Aviv Gozali def. Logan Neal def. Submission (Kimura), Rd 1, 3:22
• Albert Gonzales def. Kastriog Xhema via TKO (Retirement), Rd 2, 5:00