Bellator 88 Main Event Recap: Alexander Shlemenko Crowned Middleweight Champion
By Chris Leslie on February 7, 2013
Duluth, GA - The vacant Bellator middleweight title was handed out tonight in Duluth, Georgia. Russian export Alexander “Storm” Shlemenko delivered a strong performance on a fittingly stormy night in the Peach State, securing the middleweight crown with a TKO victory over Maiquel Falcao.
The Russian fighter was at his best tonight against the former UFC fighter. Shlemenko and Falcao battled back and forth in hard hitting opening frame that saw the Russian holding an edge over the Brazilian. “Storm” would seize control in the second round with a punch that stunned Falcao to the mat and sent the crowd into a frenzy. The Brazilian fighter would try to recover, but his body gave out after a massive body shot from Shlemenko landed flush.
The win improved the Alexander Shlemenko’s career mark to 47-7 and marked his tenth win in a row since dropping a decision loss to former champion Hector Lombard in 2010.
Main Card (Spike TV 10PM ET)
- Bellator Middleweight Title Fight (vacant): Alexander Shlemenko def. Maiquel Falcao via TKO at 2:18 of Round 2
- Featherweight Quarterfinal: Marlon Sandro def. Akop Stepanyan via majority decision (28-28,29-28,29-28)
- Featherweight Quarterfinal: Mike Richman def. Mitch Jackson via TKO (strikes) at 4:57 of Round 1
- Featherweight Quarterfinal: Alexandre Bezerra def. Genair da Silva at 1:40 of Round 1
Preliminary Card (Spike.com 8PM ET)
- Featherweight Quarterfinal: Magomedrasul Khasbulaev def. Fabricio Guerreiro via submission (arm-triangle) at 1:15 of Round 2
- Joe Elmore def Jerrid Burke via knockout (punch) at 4:11 of Round 2
- Ronnie Rogers def. Shane Crenshaw via unanimous decision (29-28,29-28,29-28)
- Clay Harvison def. Ururahy Rodrigues via TKO (punch) at 3:34 of Round 3
- George Hickman def. Stephen Upchurch via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:19 of Round 1
Latest
Congratz to Shlem ! I’m glad he did it, didn’t like his fighting shape/cardio at this fight, but i’m glad finaly Russian fighter holding major NA organization’s belt.
Akop Stepanyan, we tought Shlemenko is the master of spinning attacks, but this guy killed it, i guess in one fight he did most spinning kick than in entire year all fighters combined :-).
Who want with belt? Come on with cage. I am beat you.
@jessedenis I think I’ll tell Hector what Shlemenko told me about him after the fight… from your email…
Reminds me, myself 9 years ago when i just came to Canada :-). At least he tried to speak without interpreter
@ChrisL
Did you attend the event or you watched it on TV ?
@Vasya I was on press row actually, cage was 10 feet from me.
@ChrisL
Finally MMAFrenzy got some press credentials. I’m glad to hear it. I guess it was first time for you and hope you enjoyed every moment.
We’ll get credentialed from time to time. I went to two Strikeforce events as press and a couple of Bellator events. It’s UFC credentials that we’re not good enough for. (Sarcasm intended)
@vasya yeah I lucked out too with that card. Fantastic card, even the local prelims delivered.
@ChrisL
Didn’t see prelims yet, but the main card was very good. For me 3 Russian fighters on the card, one of them won the belt, what else can i ask :-), but have to admit I was really impressed by Hecman’s striking skills and the main point usually it’s never disapoitments from Bellator cards.
Once again, good to hear you guys start getting some press credentials.
I guess is time to leave the GA and start covering up some Vegas cards :-).
It was my favorite thing that’s ever happened as long as I’ve been covering MMA.
@jessedenis
This why Fedor was trying to be quiet, when he had to speak English. As far as I know he speaks much better than Storm, but was usually “silent” :-). One time I remember Fedor made a jock in English, when him and Movsesian were taking some press interview and in crowd somebody yelled “Mousasi number 1”
You have to listen Russian minister of sport when he tried to speak in English : “From the bottom of my heart” , you would love that speech !!!
I’ll definitely look into it. Shlemenko’s little promo was awesome enough to where I want to hear more.
@jessedenis
Just to make your life a little easy, here is the link to the speach: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pah2rhneNeQ
@chrisL pls. Hopefully Hector knows that I’d end that e-mail with something apologetic by now. lol