Bellator 253 results (corrected)

(Nov. 19 – Uncasville, CT)

A.J. McKee finished Darrion Caldwell during the first round of a featherweight bout that headlined Bellator 253. Mohegan Sun Arena hosted the event, which also included a featherweight bout with Connecticut MA luminary Matt Bessette.

McKee submitted Caldwell with a neck crank at about 1:00 after getting on top of him and briefly exchanging elbows. Caldwell will now advance to the final bracket for Belator’s featherweight grand prix.

Jason Jackson generally dominated fellow welterweight Ben Henderson during the co-main event. Henderson shot for a single-leg takedown in the first round but they went to the ground with him doing little more than clinging to Jackson’s leg – Henderson subsequently tried to pick up the pace with strikes but Jackson beat him back before he attempted ground and pound near the end of the round. Jackson alternated between Henderson’s guard and back during the second round. Henderson attempted another single-leg takedown during the third round and tried to take Jackson’s back but the latter continued to dominate the fight. Jackson won by unanimous decision.

Joey Davis defeated Bobby Lee by unanimous decision following a one-sided welterweight bout. Davis generally kept it on the round and in Lee’s guard.

Raufeon Stots earned an unanimous decision over Keith Lee during a bantamweight bout that opened the televised card. Stots took Lee’s back twice during the first two rounds and put him in a guillotine during the third. Lee got more aggressive toward the end of the third round but it was too late.

Jeremy Kennedy earned an unanimous decision over Bessette following a one-sided featherweight bout. Kennedy kept it on the ground and took Bessette’s back a few times – he kneed hi in the chin during the second round and ended the third by dropping elbows on his head.

During another welterweight fight, Jaleel Willis defeated Mark Lemminger by unanimous decision. Willis attempted a takedown during the first round before clinching with Lemminger. After a striking exchange during the second round, Lemminger secured a guillotine in the clinch, but Willis escaped and attempted another takedown – Lemminger responded with sprawling and another guillotine before taking Willis’s back and attempting a rear naked choke. Willis, who wound up with a swollen eye, threw a kick that Leminger caught toward the end of the third round.

Jay-Jay Wilson landed a right to the jaw at about :20 in the first round of his featherweight bout with Sergio de Bari and secured a quick knockout. He switched his fight before the punch and visibly added extra impetus.

Kaheem Murray defeated Kevin Ferguson Jr (AKA Baby Slice) by unanimous decision during a lightweight bout. Ferguson attempted a takedown during the first round but generally leaned toward strikes. Murray got more aggressive during the second round and eventually unloaded on Ferguson toward the end of the third.

The evening opened with a quick finish. Sullivan Cauley dropped Jason Markland with a straight right to the chin and won their light heavyweight bout at about :28 in the first round.