Sherdog’s Top 10Sherdog’s Top 10: Bellator MMA Submissions
No. 5
Bellator 112
March 14, 2014 | Hammond, Indiana
Curran became a two-time Bellator MMA champion at the expense of one of his chief rivals.
Curran submitted Straus with a dramatic fifth-round rear-naked choke to reclaim the featherweight championship in the Bellator 112 headliner at The Venue at Horseshoe Casino. Straus tapped out with just 14 seconds remaining in the match, as he submitted for the first time in more than five years.
Straus was in control for much of the fight. The 29-year-old American Top Team representative routinely beat Curran to the punch, landing more often and with more authority. A counter left hook blindsided and dropped Curran in the second round, leaving him with serious damage to his right eye. However, he fought on. Sensing the need for a finish, Curran picked up the pace in the fifth round. He attacked Straus with short right hands and knees before scoring a takedown with roughly 90 ticks left on the clock. From there, he transitioned to the back and fished for the rear-naked choke. Straus twice gave the thumbs up sign, but all the while Curran tightened his grip, ultimately forcing the submission.
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