Bellator 47: Curran and Sandro advance in Summer Series FW Tourney Corey Adams July 23, 2011 Events, Recaps Bellator made a trip to the Casino Rama in Rama, Ontario, Canada on July 23 for the first time to continue its annual Summer Series. The event was headlined by the two semifinal fights of the Bellator featherweight tournament, as Ronnie Mann took on Pat Curran and Marlon Sandro battled Nazareno Malegarie. Curran decisions Mann; Meets Sandro in finals In the main event of the night, Bellator’s Season Two Lightweight Tournament winner Pat Curran was able to take home a victory in the semifinals of the featherweight tourney by defeating Englishman Ronnie Mann. Both men came in very cautious early in the fight, knowing there is much on the line. Curran was able to take control of the fight, using both his stand-up game by throwing numerous strikes, as well as his wrestling by taking down Mann to be awarded the first round. Mann tried to come out more aggressivly in round two, but Curran continued to control the pace. Another takedown for Curran turned out to be risky, as Mann locked in a standing guillotine. Curran, however, was saved by the bell. With Curran having two rounds in the book, Mann knew it was do or die and tried to gain momentum. He stuck to his gameplan by continuing to score points. With 10 seconds remaining in the bout, Mann took Curran’s back, but it was too late. Curran gets his hand raised, earning a decision win. Curran now moves on to the finals of the featherweight tournament, where he will take on the night’s other tournament winner, Marlon Sandro. Sandro dominates Malegarie; Earns a spot in finals The co-main event featured the other fight in the Bellator featherweight tourney, as Brazilian Marlon Sandro was able to pick apart Nazareno Malegarie for all three rounds to earn a decision win. From the start, Sandro was able to dominate in the striking department. On every exchange from the two, the Brazilian was able to land more accurate punches, while Malegarie threw wild shots that missed the mark. Round two had the same result as Sandro continued to impress, landing big uppercuts and hooks, and even landing numerous takedowns. Malegarie came out to the center in the third to try and make something happen, but continued to get outmatched on the feet. Sandro easily takes a unanimous decision and moves on to the finals of the tournament, opposite Curran. Horodecki impresses in Bellator debut UFC and WEC veteran Chris Horodecki made his debut with the promotion and did so successfully in his native country by defeating Chris Saunders. The first round showcased the ground game of both men, with Ontario’s own Horodecki gaining top position. Horodecki continued in the second by earning another takedown. Saunders attempted a guillotine choke, but Horodecki popped out. Horodecki tripped Saunders for yet another takedown and continued to stay on top for the remainder of the round. The third stanza went to Horodecki as well, by once again staying in Saunders’ guard for most of the round, until switching to full mount right as the bell sounded. Horodecki takes a clear-cut decision victory in front of his home crowd. Grove TKO’s Jensen; Calls out Konrad Both men said coming into this fight that it would not go past the opening round, and did not disappoint, as Neil Grove was able to ground-and-pound TUF 10 alum Zak Jensen in the first round. The heavyweights came out with a fast pace, looking to end the bout quickly. Back-and-forth action erupted, as both men continued to trade shots. The fight eventually went to the ground, where Grove was able to get top position and rain down shots on Jensen to get the early stoppage. In his post-fight interview, Grove called out Bellator heavyweight champion Cole Konrad, whom he lost to back in Oct. 2010. MAIN CARD RESULTS Pat Curran def. Ronnie Mann by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) Marlon Sandro def. Nazareno Malegarie by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Chris Horodecki def. Chris Saunders by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Neil Grove def. Zak Jensen by TKO (punches). Round 1, 2:00 PRELIMINARY CARD RESULTS Alexandre Bezerra def. Jesse Gross by technical submission (rear-naked choke). Round 1, 1:28 Will Romero def. Daniel Langbeen by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) Alex Ricci def. Alka Matewa by TKO (punches). Round 2, 2:40 Photo: Pat Curran (r) and Ronnie Mann (Al Quintero/Sherdog)
