Bellator MMA will stage its second event in as many nights later TONIGHT (Sat., April 23, 2022) as Bellator 279 goes down from inside Neal S. Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu, Hawaii. Headlining the event is a women’s Featherweight title fight as Cris Cyborg defends her belt against Arlene Blencowe for the second time. Also, the Bantamweight Grand Prix kicks off with Patchy Mix taking on Kyoji Horiguchi. In the co-main event, Juan Archuleta will battle Raufeon Stots in an interim Bantamweight title fight.
Bellator 279’s main card will air on Showtime at 10:30 p.m. ET, with “Prelims” undercard action beginning at 8 p.m. ET. MMAmania.com will deliver results for the full card and comprehensive play-by-play for the televised portion of Bellator 279 below.
Many readers check in before, during and after the fights to share their thoughts on all of the action. Feel free to leave a comment (or 279) about the bouts and chat with all the other Maniacs during the show — it’s always a lot of fun!
BELLATOR 279 QUICK RESULTS:
145 lbs.: Champion Cris Cyborg vs. Arlene Blencowe
135 lbs.: Raufeon Stots vs Juan Archuleta Interim Bantamweight title fight
125 lbs.: Ilima-Lei Macfarlane vs. Justine Kish – Kish via unanimous decision
135 lbs.: Patchy Mix vs. Kyoji Horiguchi – Mix via unanimous decision
155 lbs.: Emmanuel Sanchez vs. Yancy Medeiros – Medeiros via unanimous decision
170 lbs.: Goiti Yamauchi vs Levan Chokheli – Yamauchi, first round submission (armbar)
155 lbs.: Keoni Diggs vs Bobby King – King via split decision
145 lbs.: Janay Harding vs. Dayan Silva – Silva via unanimous decision
145 lbs.: Kai Kamaka III vs. Justin Gonzalez – Gonzalez via split decision
155 lbs.: Lance Gibson Jr. vs. Naino Dung – Gibson Jr. via unanimous decision
120 lbs.: Randi Field vs. Maraya Miller
135 lbs.: Ryan Dela Cruz vs. Jordan Winski
125 lbs.: Sumiko Inaba vs. Whittany Pyles
BELLATOR 279 PLAY-BY-PLAY
Champion Cris Cyborg vs. Arlene Blencowe
Round 1:
Round 2:
Round 3:
Round 4:
Round 5:
Final result:
Raufeon Stots vs. Juan Archuleta
Round 1:
Round 2:
Round 3:
Round 4:
Round 5:
Final result:
Ilima-Lei Macfarlane vs Justine Kish
Round 1: Macfarlane changes levels right away and shoots for the takedown. Defended well by Kish, who now has the “Pineapple Princess” up against the fence. Kish takes her down and they are back up again. Macfarlane now separates and Kish whiffs on a huge left hand on the break. Macfarlne trying to close the distance, find her range. Double jab from the Hawaiian. Feints from Kish, but not a whole lot of action. Right hand upstairs for Macfarlane. Both ladies a bit tentative. One-two lands for Macfarlane. Kish throwing, but catching nothing but air. Nice left hook to the body from Macfarlane, follows it up with a jab. Kish tags Macfarlane with a left hook. Kish is throwing her strikes from a distance, not going to cut it. 10-9 Macfarlane
Round 2: One-two from Kish. Macffarlne lands a sneaky left hand upstairs. Macfarlane shoots for the takedown and Kish has a front choke. It looks tight but Macfarlane falls to her back, forcing Kish to let go. Kish latches it back on and is squeezing hard. Macfarlane seems to be okay here. Kish postures up, she tries to get up but Macfarlane drags her down by one of her legs. She is now looking for an ankle lock, Kish back to her feet. Leg kick by Kish. Macfarlane again goes for the takedown but Kish stuffs it. Knees to the body from Macfarlane and Kish takes her down. Kish now in Macfarlane’s guard. Two minutes remaining. Kish dropping some elbows, nothing lands cleanly. Macfarlane trying t escape, but Kish is holding on tight, dropping some strikes from the top position. Kish gets up, lets her foe up. Odd. Nice left hand lands for Kish. Macfarlane with a right uppercut, counter right from Kish. 10-9 Kish
Round 3: Should be tied at one a piece going into this final round. It’s anyone’s ballgame. Macfarlane opens up with a calf kick. Macfarlane tags Kish with an overhand right. Double jab from the Hawaiian. Kish with a wild swing, catches air again. Kish with a big smile on her face, Macfarlane circling, trying to close the distance. Nice leg kicks from Kish. Macfarlane stuns Kish with a right hand, drops her but Kish manages to somehow grab a hold of her and get the takedown. She is now in side control. Two minutes remaining in the fight. Kish landing body shots, Macfarlane needs to get up. Kish has her in the crucifix and is landing shots to the face. Half guard now for Kish. Full mount for Kish. Macfarlane gives up her back and Kish has an armbar. Omoplata attempt now for Kish. These ladies are now twisted up in an awkward position, Macfarlane scrambles and she has Kish’s back as time runs out. 10-9 Kish
Final result: Kish def. Macfarlane via unanimous decision
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