BALATER 253: “Caldwell v. MKK” will air tonight (Thurs., Nov. 19, 2020) from the Mohagen Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. In the semifinals of the Grand Prix tournament of the Federweight Stars Promotion, “The Wolf” joins AJ McKee (16-0) with “Darren Wellwell” (15-3).
The main card of the Ballet 253 will air on the CBS Sports Network at 7 p.m., while the undercard will stream live in the video player above at 4:45 ET. MMAmania.com Below will distribute the full card for the television portion of Bellator 253 and the results for the comprehensive play-by-play.
Many readers check before, during and after fights to share their thoughts on all the action. Feel free to leave a comment (or 253) about bouts during the show and chat with all the other crazy people – it’s always so much fun!
Ballet 253 Fast results:
Darian Caldwell vs. AJ Mc McKee – MK Key Sub (throat cancer) 1:11 R1.
Benson Henderson v. Jason Jackson – Jackson UD 30-27 X3.
Joy Davis vs. Bobby Lee – Davis UD 30-26, 30-27 x 2.
Rauf on Stots vs. Keith Lee – Stots UD 30-27 x 3.
Jeremy Kennedy Vs. Matt Bassett – Kennedy UD 30-27, 30-26 x 2.
Jill Willis v. Mark Leminger – Willis UD 29-28 x 3.
Jay Jay Wilson Vs. Sergio de Bari – Wilson KO 0:20 R1.
Capt. Ferguson Jr. v. Kahim Murray – Murray UD 30-27 x 3.
Sullivan Cowley vs. Jason Markland – Kau le KO 0:28 R1.
Ballet 253 play-by-play:
Darian Caldwell vs. AJ Mc McKee
McKinney, 16-0, has yellow trunks and blue gloves for the main event of the night. There are black trunks and red gloves for 15-3 Cal Caldwell. The winner moves on to the final to face the winner of the Sanchez vs. Pitbull rematch on the other side of the featherweight Grand Prix bracket. The fight will run from McK, L. Beach, California. Caldwell fought outside Redlands, California. The referee for this contest is Kevin McDonald. Both men touch the gloves during the final instructions.
Round 1: Cartwheel throws a kick to start when the key does not come down. Caldwell fires in 25 seconds and secures the takedown. McKee is trying to throw his back elbow but it is Caldwell who has broken the left elbow in the face. MK received the submission abruptly and violently A Dwell tapes out. McKinney had a squeeze and Caldwell’s head was stuck in a neck cancer, not going anywhere. That picture was perfect.
Final Result: AJM McKee progresses to the final with a neck crank submission at 1:11 p.m..
Benson Henderson Vs. Jason Jackson
Henderson arrives at the co-main event at 28-9 p.m. Jackson has a two-fight winning streak and a 12-4 record in these two welterweight contests. Jackson wears the Jamaican flag over his shoulder, blue gloves on his hands, a blue play around his waist. Red gloves and white trunk for “Smooth” Ben. The Jackson is 6’1 “to 5’9” high and has an 8.5 “reach advantage of 78.5”. Jackson continued to fight Hollywood Hollywood in Florida. Henderson fought from Phoenix, Arizona. Ref is Mike Beltran.
Round 1: Jackson immediately rushed to the center and tried to knock out the vector that attacked Henderson with his back foot. So far he has been throwing foot kicks, as he has to avoid body kicks and head kicks with his right hand. Henderson shoots for a single and Jackson hits him to the ground. Henderson stays on it like a dog on a bone but Jackson returns to his feet at 2:01. Jackson is responding with his own leg kick and throws the coolest body kick. Henderson tries to punch a way to remove it for no effect. Jackson clears his watch from the combo at 3:00 p.m. Now Jackson is the clutch starter, though he backs up to throw a head kick. Hard left-handed Henderson stings for a second. Knee from Jackson in the middle. Henderson threw a kick and fell down but quickly recovered. Physical pill from Henderson. Jackson’s left arm 10-9 Jackson.
Round 2: Jackson is swinging his left arm in the air, but it is his right big arm that cracks Henderson. “Smooth” Ben is trying to avoid the right side and throwing upkicks with his right foot. Henderson fires at 1:18 and is overpowered again, Jackson ends up on top on a full guard. Henderson scores backward and Jackson moves toward half guard, then switches back with 2:30 left. Henderson heals the guard but he’s on his back and Jackson can easily get into side control – which he does. Jackson had a suffocating turn, let him go, took his back, and Henderson reached his feet with only 90 seconds left. Jackson trips him down right back. North-south for Jackson. Henderson tries to lick him verse but Jackson goes to his feet. Elbow upside down from Jackson. Knee from Henderson. Jackson blocks the takedown and fires a knee-high shot at Henderson. Jackson is on top 3/4 Guard on the bell again. 10-9.
Round :: Henderson is going for a takedown once a minute again, can’t get Jackson in much control, and Jackson goes behind him and gets his own teddown. Henderson thought of turning to Kimura, but couldn’t catch up. Henderson fails to try and fail and Jackson has a front headlock. Jackson has been warned about potentially knocking down a grounded opponent so he decided to step back instead. Henderson is now openly flopping on the field in an attempt to lure Jackson into a fight. Jackson could take control there with 75 seconds left. Henderson has 50 seconds left on his hands and knees, but Jackson stops him from getting bored and escapes with a late heel hook. 10-9 Jackson.
The final result: 30-27 X3 by unanimous decision Jason Jackson.
Joy Davis Vs. Bobby Lee
Davis brings a 7-0 record in this welterweight contest with CFFC champion Bobby Lee, 12-4 in his ballet debut. Davis sports purple / gold trunks and red gloves, Lee’s black trunk and blue gloves. Davis has a 7 “reach benefit of 75.5”. Lee fought outside Victor of Minnesota. Davis is from Compton, California. The reference is to Carrie Hatley.
Round 1: Lee is accused of throwing a very aggressive hand, but Davis simply ignored it all and dropped the level for a takedown in 40 seconds. Lee tried to get up and he dropped down at 1:17 p.m. All Lee can do yet is try to keep him from chest to chest to avoid Davis’ ground and pounds. Davis moves forward halfway and lays his right hand on his head. Lee tries to peel him off with some elbows, but the big right hand causes Hatley to take a closer look. Lee heals the butterfly guard but was only one or two times stopped. Davis is using his right shoulder and elbow to increase the guard’s damage. He thinks he has seconds left but Lee puts him in the middle – barely. 10-9 early rounds for Davis.
Round 2: Lee does no good in 25 seconds. Davis shoots after 10 seconds and has no problem completing the takedown. Strict right hand for ribs. Lee lets Kimura try to get on his feet and is finally released at 1:34 p.m. Left high kick from Davis. Lee is easily taken down again at 2:04 p.m. Davis works his way back and has a hook when he tries to move up. He can’t break away quite far, but he can make Davis a guard back at the top. Another 10-9 for Davis.
Round 3: Lee is still coming forward – you have to give him a lot. He checks the head kick with his left hand but can’t stop the takedown at 1:12 p.m. Davis passes half guard and there Lee can do a lot about it. Trying to get away he leaves his back and is punched in the face by the left hand. His blood is glistening on the white canvas. The only thing changing like a last minute tick is that Davis goes back to the full guard to not let Lee go any further. 10-9 Clean sweep.
The final result: Joy Davis 30-26, 30-27 by the unanimous decision of X2.
Rauf on no stots Vs. Keith Lee
Lee offers a game of red trunks and blue gloves with a record of 7 to 3 for this bantamweight bout, while Stots wears a black trunk and red gloves with a record of 14-1. Stoats owns 2 “Reach 72.5”, and at 31 years old he is seven years older. Lee fought outside of Las Vegas, Nevada. Stots fought outside Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The referee is Todd Anderson.
Round 1: No glove tape after opening bell. The stouts are the initial pressure provider, forming a li circle on the outside and avoiding some large left hand. Lee heads forward to throw a kick and Stots checks it with his hand. Lee often gets puffed while trying to throw the knee. Leg kick from the stots. Lee tries to kick on the right knee. The stouts come down the hard left and catch Lee in front of the fence. Lee breaks free but a kick touches his chin as he does. Lee throws another head kick that partially lands, but the stunts almost take him down as he stops throwing. Stots pushed him into the cage and warned Anderson Lee not to hold the fence twice. That again: 45 :: 45. Holds the clock and recklessly says “LET IT GO”. The Stots take him to the field and with one minute left are going to the back naked square. 10-9 Stots.
Round 2: Lee is trying to start this round more aggressively. Stots move towards it to guess the litter. Stots hard leg kick. Lee tries to kick high but he eats another left straight in the face. Stots throws a body kick. The right hand of the body from the stots. Left hand towards chin. Overhand from the Sts. Lee tries to reset in the center but only then does he back up and do damage, so he is not changing the duration of the fight. The stouts keep descending to the left on the face. Connects to Overhand Right Stots. Lee dances in circles and onwards but Stots ignores him and moves on throwing a combo at 3:40 p.m. Stots catches a kick and almost heads a kick in response. Lee throws his knees at the body but Stots immediately pushes him towards the fence. He takes Lee down at 4:42 and the bell behind him is behind him. Again 10-9.
Round 3: Lee is now openly pinched when Stots throws out his left arm. Stots come to the right hook and Lee to the left. They trade wild at the one minute mark. Stots fall level and get trapped in Lena’s head. Stots is trying to get the guillotine while Lee is able to get his head out at 2:10 p.m. St Leets immediately scoots back towards the fence as Lee tries to grape the leg and grabs it. It doesn’t work. Stots back up at 2:36 and pushes after nine seconds. Leg kick is making Lee win. There is a trickle of blood from the leftovers descending down Lena’s face. Right side of the body again at 3:50 p.m. Lee goes for a head kick again but he’s not there. Stots irritate the flying knee. 40 seconds. Stots shoot and get a takedown, then Lee tries to pop straight up and throws it down again. Stots run for the RNC at the end. Lee escapes and eats the knee. They keep swinging to the right. 10-9 Stots.
Final Result: Raufian Stots by Consensus Decision of 30-27 X3.
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