Bellator 153 ‘Koreshkov vs. Henderson’ Results: Play-by-Play & Round-by-Round Scoring

Djamil Chan vs. Richard Patishnock

Round 1

Patishnock lands a leg kick but takes an overhand right to the cheek, sending the American shooting for a takedown against the fence. He double-legs Chan to the ground and works to pass half guard, but Chan has Patishnock’s arms locked down. Patishnock finally pulls his right arm free and gets kicked away by Chan, who scrambles back to his feet. It doesn’t last long, as Patishnock comes shooting again and easily takes down Chan at the midway point of the round. Chan locks up Patishnock’s right arm and uses his own right to throw elbows from the bottom.

Patishnock lands a few short punches but neither man is doing any serious damage on the ground. Chan kicks Patishnock away and sweeps to top position, then has to extract himself from a triangle attempt. The fighters scramble up and Patishnock goes to throw a right hand, but he’s too slow: an overhand right counter from Chan lands clean on Patishnock’s temple and knocks him out cold. Chan pounces on his fallen opponent to land a coffin-nail punch as referee Todd Anderson dives in for the stoppage. Patishnock is out cold and has to be taken from the cage on a stretcher as the official result is read.

The Official Result

Djamil Chan def. Richard Patishnock via KO (Punch) R1 3:09

Chris Honeycutt vs. Matt Secor

Round 1

Honeycutt takes a few kicks to his lead leg as he presses forward in the opening minute. Once he gets Secor backed up against the fence, Honeycutt changes levels and double-legs the New Yorker to the mat. Secor tries to push Honeycutt away with feet on hips, but the wrestler stays heavy on top, grinding away with forearms to the face and short punches to the body. It’s all Honeycutt through the middle of the round as he continues to suffocate Secor and keep him pinned to the canvas. “The Cutt” tries a forearm choke or perhaps just wants to make life a little more miserable for his grounded opponent. Honeycutt throws a few more punches toward the end of the round but nothing to warrant a stoppage.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Honeycutt
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Honeycutt
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Honeycutt

Round 2

Secor shoots early in the round, diving for Honeycutt’s legs from a mile out in the center of the cage. Honeycutt sprawls all over it and Secor has to roll to his back, leaving Honeycutt straddling his face in north-south position. The welterweights fight in the center of the cage for a moment -- Honeycutt scoring with body shots, Secor kicking up his legs in hopes of a submission -- until they decide to scramble back up. Secor keeps his distance this time and goes back to throwing leg kicks. Honeycutt is looking a little more stiff as he steps forward and whiffs on a few punches, but as soon as he gets his arms around Secor’s legs, it’s straight back to the floor. Honeycutt starts to turn up the volume on the ground with one minute left in the frame, first with body punches and then elbows to the face. Secor is trapped once again and finishes the round on his back.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Honeycutt
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Honeycutt
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Honeycutt

Round 3

Secor is pounding his chest and screaming for Honeycutt to engage in the first minute of the final round, but Honeycutt keeps his distance and looks to paw at Secor with jabs. Honeycutt gets hold of a kick but Secor spins around and frees the limb before he can be taken down. Honeycutt chases him against the fence, drops for a double and deposits Secor back on the ground. Secor shrimps underneath, his shin on Honeycutt’s body, angling for something, but Honeycutt continues to overpower him from top position.

Honeycutt continues to land punches and elbows until the two-minute mark, when Secor is able to work his way back up against the fence. Honeycutt keeps Secor on the wall for a few seconds and then takes him down once more. This may be the last takedown needed for Honeycutt, as Secor looks exhausted underneath and now is absorbing some harsh punches to the face. Honeycutt finishes the fight on top, and Secor with lumps underneath both eyes.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Honeycutt (30-27 Honeycutt)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Honeycutt (30-27 Honeycutt)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Honeycutt (30-26 Honeycutt)

The Official Result

Chris Honeycutt def. Matt Secor via Unanimous Decision (30-25, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Mike Zichelle vs. Joe Cronin

Round 1

Zichelle comes charging at Cronin with an overhand right and then runs him against the fence, looking for a clinch takedown. After a brief struggle, Zichelle gets Cronin to the mat and begins to go wild with punches, socking Cronin in the head with seven or eight hard hammerfists before he’s able to roll away. Zichelle rolls right along with him, latching on to Cronin’s back with a both hooks in and immediately hunting for a rear-naked choke. Cronin resists for a moment, but when Zichelle slides his arm underneath the chin, he’s forced to tap out.

The Official Result

Mike Zichelle def. Joe Cronin via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 1:25

Michael Page vs. Jeremie Holloway

Round 1

Holloway sprints across the cage at the bell and runs straight into a right hand from Page. The American hits the deck just seconds into the fight, but he’s able to scramble back up on unsteady legs while Page stays measured and waits to follow up. Holloway seems to have shaken the cobwebs after 30 seconds as he presses forward on “MVP” and underhooks him against a cage post.

The welterweights wind up in a stalemate, with Holloway looking to throw strikes in the clinch and Page keeping his arms tied up. Page gets a knee to the groin in the clinch, and referee John McCarthy steps in to give him a moment to recover. The action resumes in the center of the cage, where Holloway runs straight into another right hand that puts him on roller skates. Page hurls his wobbly opponent to the ground, where Holloway grabs for a heel hook and nearly lands an illegal upkick as he pushes away on Page’s face with his foot.

As he’s defending his own leg, Page grabs hold of Holloway’s dangling left foot and forces a sudden tap with what looks to be a short ankle lock. Holloway writhes on the ground in pain after the submission, while Page leans over him for a little extra taunting.

The Official Result

Michael Page def. Jeremie Holloway via Submission (Achilles Lock) R1 2:15

Brent Primus vs. Gleristone Santos

Round 1

Primus gets caught throwing a kick and slips to the ground as Santos throws a three-punch combination, but he’s able to jump right back to his feet. Santos catches him cleaner with his next right hand, and Primus takes a seat on the mat in the center of the cage. Back up comes Primus to clinch with Santos on the fence, then toss him to the ground, but Santos bumps and rolls to sweep the American underneath as soon as they hit the floor. Now it’s Santos working from top position with 3:30 on the clock, while underneath Primus tries to set up a submission with rubber guard. Santos pulls his limbs free and stands up, inviting Primus to do the same. Primus gets tagged with a few right hands and shoots for a double-leg takedown, but he’s denied by the Brazilian. The fighters are back to circling in the middle of the cage with two minutes left in the opening round. Primus looks for another clinch but can’t contain “Toninho Furia,” who feints with a few punches before whiffing on a spinning kick. The fighters swing punches down the stretch but neither man comes up with anything major.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Santos
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Santos
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Santos

Round 2

Santos connects over the top with a few right hands as the lightweights circle the cage in the opening minute of the round. Primus swings a few high kicks but the Brazilian striker is able to evade them with ease. Santos starts to string together a few punches after two minutes, but the offense drops off. Another right hand lands upstairs on Primus, then Santos gives him a hard chop to the leg. Santos’ next inside thigh kick strays a little too high, and referee Bryan Miner calls time so that Primus can recover from the accidental foul. Santos doesn’t seem to think there was a foul, but the point is moot as the fight resumes in short order without a point deduction. Primus charges forward on Santos but comes up short with his punches. Santos slips his head off center to evade a jab and then snuffs out a Primus takedown attempt. Inside the last minute, Primus puts a nice right straight on Santos’ temple, one of the American’s best shots of the fight so far. Santos tags him right back, however, and then comes on strong in the final minute to sting Primus with uppercuts and leg kicks.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Santos
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Santos
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Santos

Round 3

Primus walks Santos backward to the fence and tries to clinch up for a takedown, but he’s reversed by “Toninho” and left on his back at the foot of the wall after a botched heel hook attempt. Back on his feet, Santos pops Primus with a left hand and puts a kick on the inside of his lead leg. Primus pushes forward, though, and tries to get in Santos’ face for some close-quarters punches. The Brazilian backpedals, keeping his distance until midway through the round, when Primus tries to clinch again.

Santos shoves him away, gets socked by a Primus right hand but is able to fend off a double-leg shot right behind it. Two minutes left in the fight, and Santos slugs Primus with two right hands near the fence before backing off to the center. Santos lands another high kick on the inside thigh, and Primus gives a look to referee Miner, who takes no action. Primus shoots for a takedown and finally puts Santos on his back with just over one minute remaining. Primus can’t advance past half guard, so he stands over Santos and then dives back down onto the mat with a heavy right hand to the jaw.

Primus is trying to mount in the closing moments, but Santos rolls underneath and the fighters finish in a tangle of limbs as the final bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Primus (29-28 Santos)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Primus (29-28 Santos)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Primus (29-28 Santos)

The Official Result

Brent Primus def. Gleristone Santos via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) R3 5:00

Brennan Ward vs. Evangelista Santos

Round 1

Ward catches the first kick from Santos and slugs back with a right hand to the face. When “Cyborg” keeps his balance and pulls back his leg, Ward spins around to take the Brazilian’s back with a standing rear waistlock. Santos somersaults forward and latches on to Ward’s right leg, rolling to the ground to attempt a kneebar.


Ward sits up to relieve pressure on the leg, so Santos switches to a nasty looking inside heel hook and gets the tap in a hurry.

The Official Result

Evangelista Santos def. Brennan Ward via Submission (Heel Hook) R1 0:30

Patricio Freire vs. Henry Corrales

Round 1

Freire steps across the cage quickly and backs up Corrales to the fence, but Corrales works his way back out to the center. A right hand from “Pitbull” grazes Corrales before the Brazilian slips to the ground throwing a kick; he jumps back to his feet before Corrales can capitalize on the error. After some tense swinging and jabbing, Freire ducks under a Corrales hook to wrap up the American against the wall. Corrales resists at first but succumbs to a takedown just about halfway through the round, and now Freire makes his way to full mount. Pitbull looks for an arm-triangle choke, can’t get it, and Corrales gets a knee inside to reclaim half guard. The featherweights scramble back to their feet with just over one minute remaining. Neither man is in a rush to engage, and they spend the better part of 60 seconds standing in front of one another.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Freire
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Freire
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Freire

Round 2

It’s a slow start to the second round as the featherweights stay measured on the feet. Freire flicks out leg kicks and jabs as he puts slight pressure on his opponent from the center. Corrales swings a few looping punches when “Pitbull” gets close enough, and the Brazilian motions to the back of his head after what he perceives to be a foul. They fight on, Corrales swinging some heavy punches but not able to penetrate Freire’s high guard. Freire looks for a leaping knee but can’t find the mark.

Corrales connects with a few short left hooks in the pocket, so Freire changes levels and brings him to the ground in the center of the cage with a single-leg takedown. Corrales kicks him away and scrambles up, but he falls right into the Brazilian’s trap: Freire is waiting to jump guard with a tight, arm-in guillotine choke. Corrales tries to stay standing with Pitbull hanging off him, but after a few seconds, they fall to the ground and Corrales has to tap out.

The Official Result

Patricio Freire def. Henry Corrales via Submission (Guillotine Choke) R2 4:09

Bellator 170-Pound Title Fight:
Andrey Koreshkov vs. Benson Henderson

Round 1

Veteran referee John McCarthy is the third man in the cage for tonight’s 170-pound title fight. The fighters touch gloves and quickly take up their positions, with champion Koreshkov pressing out from the center while southpaw Henderson circles around the outside. Koreshkov scores with a few leg kicks in the first 90 seconds, Henderson with one to the body. It’s slow going until two minutes in, when Koreshkov catches a body kick from “Smooth” and sends a straight right hand down the center. Henderson hits the ground for a split second before jumping back up. Koreshkov sends a high kick bouncing off Henderson’s gloves but scores with a straight right to the body just behind it. The champ sidesteps a side kick from Henderson to tag the UFC veteran with a right straight. Henderson is keeping his composure, not showing any signs of damage despite absorbing a few blows, but he’s stuck on his back foot with Koreshkov pushing forward. “Spartan” hits Henderson with a body kick, another straight right, and then comes sailing at the challenger with a flying knee to the jaw. Henderson shoots desperately for Koreshkov’s legs and survives the last few seconds to hear the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-8 Koreshkov
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-8 Koreshkov
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Koreshkov

Round 2

Same as in the opening round, Henderson allows himself to be backed up to the fence and then shoots for Koreshkov’s legs, but the Russian avoids the takedown and separates. Koreshkov swings and misses with a spinning heel kick; Henderson tries to time a shot, but again he comes up empty on the takedown attempt. Koreshkov sprawls on another shot before both welterweights walk back to the center of the cage. Koreshkov swings a wrecking ball right hook but it only grazes Henderson’s chest. Henderson is doing well to avoid damage in the middle of the round, though his offensive output is suffering because of it. Koreshkov sprawls on another double, stuffs Henderson to his knees and tries to take off his head with an uppercut, but the former UFC champ dodges the punch. Back up comes Henderson, now with 90 seconds left in the round. Henderson scores with a few hard kicks to the outside of Koreshkov’s left knee. Koreshkov steps forward with a thumping body kick, then a knee to the chest which lands him in the clinch to end the round.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Koreshkov
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Koreshkov
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Koreshkov

Round 3

Koreshkov puts a kick on Henderson’s lead leg and then shrugs off a clinch attempt. He steps into the pocket and gets caught with a knee to the body, but the right hand he delivers to Henderson does more damage. Henderson goes shooting for the takedown once again, but Koreshkov sprawls out with a wide base up against the fence. Henderson continues to work for the takedown while Koreshkov socks his head with short punches from the sprawl. Inside the two minute mark, Koreshkov forces Henderson down to his knees and delivers three or four nasty knees to the American’s ribs. Henderson powers his way back up and comes to meet Koreshkov in the center with 90 seconds on the clock. Koreshkov lands a loud inside leg kick, then throws another and has it checked. Koreshkov just keeps coming forward until the end of the round, and he finishes with a spinning back kick which lands heel-to-ear but catches Henderson leaning the same direction.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Koreshkov
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Koreshkov
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Koreshkov

Round 4

Henderson looks to be the fresher fighter as he begins the championship rounds, bouncing on his toes in his corner before the frame begins. Still, it’s Koreshkov with the forward pressure, constantly keeping “Smooth” on his back foot. Koreshkov fends off yet another takedown attempt and swings a big right hand as he backs up Henderson to the wall. Henderson slips the punch and spins to the outside, then grabs Koreshkov around the thighs to try a high double. Koreshkov spreads out and uses the cage for balance. Unable to complete the takedown, Henderson throws knees and foot stomps at Koreshkov’s legs.

Referee McCarthy wants more action, but before he can separate the fighters, they split with just about two minutes left in the round. Koreshkov continues his march on Henderson, always keeping his left hand in the UFC vet’s face, looking to tee him up for something. Koreshkov finds his opening with 65 seconds left, sending Henderson to the mat with a blistering right uppercut. From his knees, Henderson drives forward, grasping for the champion’s legs, trying to stay in the fight. Koreshkov quickly abandons his ground-and-pound in order to attempt a guillotine choke, but Henderson, as he’s done so many times, goes belly-down and slips loose.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Koreshkov
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Koreshkov
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Koreshkov

Round 5

The welterweights embrace in a show of sportsmanship before the start of the final round, but as soon as the bell rings, it’s Henderson walking forward with leg kicks for the champion. Henderson throws a left high kick that gets Koreshkov’s attention, but the American comes up short as he swings for the fences with an overhand right. Koreshkov backs up to the wall, catches Henderson coming in and delivers a knee before side-stepping away. Henderson shoots a double in the middle of the cage, but Koreshkov sprawls all over it and wants the challenger to stand up as well. Koreshkov comes lunging into range and delivers a knee to the face as Henderson grabs for his legs. Henderson takes a seat on the floor momentarily but quickly powers back up, now midway through the final round. Koreshkov sprawls on another shot; this time, Henderson tries to lure his opponent to the ground from the seated position, but Koreshkov wants nothing to do with it. Another far-out shot from Henderson is denied by Koreshkov, who’s sniping with long, precise right hands as he continues to stalk forward in the final 90 seconds. Henderson deflects a spinning back fist but gets caught grabbing for Koreshkov’s legs again, this time sniped with another right hand. Henderson throws a few kicks from the ground, tries to scramble up and gets caught on his knees. Koreshkov slaps on another 10-finger guillotine in the waning moments of the bout, but Henderson appears to pop loose just before the final bell.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Koreshkov (50-44 Koreshkov)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Koreshkov (50-44 Koreshkov)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Koreshkov (50-44 Koreshkov)

The Official Result

Andrey Koreshkov def. Benson Henderson via Unanimous Decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) R5 5:00