There were a handful of notable results at Friday’s Bellator 258, including Sergio Pettis defeating Juan Archuleta to become the organization’s new bantamweight champion and both Anthony “Rumble” Johnson and Michael “Venom” Page picking up highlight-reel finishes.
Johnson, one of the sport’s most notorious knockout artists, was making his Bellator debut following a four-year retirement from mixed martial arts.
He was nearly finished by opponent Jose Augusto early one but recovered and eventually found the knockout shot in the second stanza to advance to the semifinals of Bellator’s Light-Heavyweight Grand Prix.
Johnson is 13-2 with 10 knockouts dating back to 2012 with both of his losses coming to Daniel Cormier in UFC title fights.
“I felt like I was home,” Johnson told reporters after his first win since knocking out Glover Teixeira in 13 seconds at UFC 202 nearly five years ago. “I felt like this was natural and what I’m supposed to do. I didn’t feel uncomfortable. You know me. I go out here and I really swing and I really give it my all.”
Johnson was initially scheduled to fight Yoel Romero at the event, however the former UFC title challenger didn’t clear his pre-fight medical exam and was not given clearance to compete so he was replaced by Augusto on roughly one week’s notice.
The win sets up a future grand prix matchup with reigning champion Vadim Nemkov, likely in July.
“It’s going to be a hell of a fight,” Johnson said. “I like Nemkov. He brings it. He’s the total package. He can submit you. He can take you down and he can strike. There’s nothing that that man can’t do. I look forward to testing him with my old skills. We’re still in with the old. We’re not in with the new.”
Johnson’s debut might’ve been the most anticipated fight on the card, but the main event featured Pettis taking the 135-pound title from Archuleta in a five-round decision.
“I knew I was just getting the better of the exchanges,” Pettis said. “He hit me with some good shots but I knew my shots were hitting him a little cleaner, a little bit harder. I was very calculated, calm.”
Pettis is the younger brother of former UFC and WEC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis.
“He’s been telling me I’m one of the best ever since I started this and to finally be able to join him and get my own belt is amazing,” Pettis said. “It feels like a dream come true.”
Also on the main card, Michael “Venom” Page left an impression on Derek Anderson – a literal impression on the nose to be specific.
Page brutally broke Anderson’s nose with a kick late in the opening round and Anderson’s corner stopped the fight in between rounds.
Full Bellator 258 results can be found below.
MAIN CARD
— Sergio Pettis def. Juan Archuleta by unanimous decision
— Anthony Johnson def. Jose Augusto by knockout
— Peter Queally def. Patricky Pitbull by TKO (doctor’s stoppage)
— Michael Page def. Derek Anderson by TKO (doctor’s stoppage)
PRELIMINARY CARD
— Raufeon Stots def. Josh Hill by unanimous decision
— Lorenz Larkin def. Rafael Carvalho by split decision
— Patchy Mix def. Albert Morales by submission (arm-triangle choke)
— Johnny Eblen def. Daniel Madrid by knockout
— Johnny Campbell def. Henry Corrales by submission (rear-naked choke)
— Johnny Soto def. Weber Almeida by unanimous decision
— Erik Perez def. Blaine Shutt by unanimous decision
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