Photo: Bellator
King Mo delivers brutal main event knockout; Bababu Sobral calls it quits
THACKERVILLE, OK, June 20, 2013 – “King Mo” Muhammed Lawal erased the memory of his last loss in devastating fashion last night at Bellator 96. Taking on UFC vet Seth Petruzelli in the opening round of the season 9 light-heavyweight tournament Lawal hit “The Silverback” with one punch coming down onto the mat that put his lights out a minute and a half into the Bellator 96 main event fight on Spike TV.
Also in main card action, 32 year old Jacob Noe was also able to advance deeper into the 205 lbs. tourney with a third-round TKO win over retiring Renato “Babalu” Sobral. The Brazilian looked every bit his age in this one, looking just a step slower in every facet of the game versus his now 12-3 opponent and announced his retirement after the fight.
Also in main card action, undefeated Russian Sambo artist Vitaly Minakov was able to stay undefeated with a first round TKO win over Ron Sparks to advance in the season nine heavyweight tournament along with undercard winner Ryan Martinez while War Machine made his triumphant return to action after over a year of inactivity by besting Blas Avena by first round TKO as well.
Three DFW natives score wins on Bellator 96 undercard
Highlighting the undercard action at the WinStar Hotel and Casino were some big wins from some Texas-based fighters – namely from the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
Team Takedown’s Chas Skelly was able to bring his overall record to an impressive 11-0 with a decision win over Jarrod Card while Damon Jackson of Octagon MMA was also able to remain undefeated at 6-0 with an impressive first round ground-and-pound TKO win over fellow DFW native Keith Miner out of Team Mohler.
Dallas-based Derek Campos completed the winner’s circle for the Texas contingent by beating Minnesotan Brandon Girtz to win his third in a row. Campos was last seen beating Derrick Krantz in Louisiana just last month. Like the previously mentioned Skelly and Jackson, Derek Campos is certainly surging ahead and should be on tap for some more big fights soon as he continues to make his career push.
Here are the complete results from Bellator 96 below.
Bellator 96 – Main Card Results
Muhammed Lawal over Seth Petruzelli by knockout (punch) – RD1
Jacob Noe over Renato Sobral by TKO (punches) – RD3
Vitaly Minakov over Ron Sparks by TKO (punches) – RD1
War Machine over Blas Avena by TKO (punches) – RD1
Bellator 96 – Local Undercard Results
Chas Skelly over Jarrod Card by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Keith Berry over Cortez Coleman by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Mike Maldonado over Chavous Smith by submission (rear-naked choke) – RD1
Damon Jackson over Keith Miner by TKO (punches) – RD1
Raphael Butler over Jeremiah O’Neal by TKO (punches) – RD1
Ryan Martinez over Rich Hale by knockout (punches) – RD1
Brandon Halsey over Joe Yager by split decision (30-28, 28-30, 30-28)
Derek Campos over Brandon Girtz by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Justin McNally over Steven Artoff by verbal submission (triangle choke) – RD1