Popular heavyweight Cheick Kongo celebrated his 39th birthday in style.
The former UFC star picked up a TKO win over Eric Smith in the featured preliminary bout at Bellator 120 Saturday at the Landers Center in Memphis.
Kongo (21-9-2) ate some big punches and was taken down early in the first round before getting back to his feet and peppering his opponent with kicks. In the second round, Kongo took complete control of the fight, taking the action to the ground and landing a flurry of strikes along the cage that forced the referee to step in.
The win was Kongo’s 12th by KO/TKO in his 13-year MMA career. The Frenchman has won three of his four fights since signing with Bellator last year.
Also on the preliminary card, submission specialist Marcin Held won his fourth straight bout, submitting Nate Jolly with a first-round armbar. The 22-year-old Polish fighter improved to 19-3; Jolly has been finished in the first round of two of his last three fights.
Plus, Brazilian Fabrício Guerreiro submitted Shahbulat Shamhalaev with a kimura in the first round of their featherweight bout. In other 145-pound action, Goiti Yamauchi won a unanimous decision over Mike Richman.
Full results from the Bellator 120 prelims:
— Cheick Kongo def. Eric Smith by TKO
— Marcin Held def. Nate Jolly by submission
— Fabricio Guerreiro def. Shahbulat Shamhalaev by submission
— Goiti Yamauchi def. Mike Richman by unanimous decision
— Austin Lyons def. Zach Underwood by technical decision
— Mike Wessel def. Justin Frazier by TKO
— Ben Brewer def. Andy Uhrich by TKO
— Codie Shuffield def. Anthony Lemon by submission
— Brian Hall def. Cortez Phelia by TKO
