Bellator 67 Recap and Results: Michael Chandler knocks out Akihiro Gono
Posted on May 5, 2012, 10:32 AM by Mike DrahotaThis Friday night Bellator 67 took place in Rama, Ontario, Canada. The fight card featured surging Bellator Lightweight champion Michael Chandler, but his belt was not on the line. He faced longtime Japanese veteran Akihiro Gono in a catchweight bout. From the beginning, Chandler employed his treademark aggression to push the pace, overcoming Gono's standup to land two hard punches. A massive straight right hand found its home, and Gono hit the cage floor. The fight was over soon after some ground-and-pound, leaving Chandler the victor at only 0:56 of the opening round.
In other action, Bryan Baker earned a hard-fought decision over Ben Saunders to advance to the Welterweight tournament final, where he will meet the winner of the upcoming David Rickels vs. Karl Amossou fight. Baker beat a game opponent with excellent wrestling and top control, fighting off the effective Muay Thai of his opponent and multiple submission attempts. It appears Baker's cut to Welterweight is beginning to pay dividends for him. Also in a Heavyweight bout, Damian Grabowski beat Dave Huckaba in a grinding decision, and Ryan Ford beat Luis Santos with a dangerous knee after surviving a first round not in his favor.
Chandler is no doubt a deserving champion. How soon will the call come for him to fight the best that the UFC has to offer?
Complete Bellator 67 Results:
Main Card:
Michael Chandler def. Akihiro Gono via TKO (strikes)
Bryan Baker def. Ben Saunders via unanimous decision
Ryan Ford def. Luis Santos via TKO (strikes)
Damian Grabowski def. Dave Huckaba via unanimous decision
Preliminary Card:
Will Romero def. Matt Veal via TKO (strikes)
David Harris def. Nick Kirk via unanimous decision
Cosmo Alexander def. Lorawnt Nelson via unanimous decision
Nordine Taleb def. Matt MacGrath via TKO (punches)
Dom O'Grady def. Nathan Gunn via submission (armbar)
Comments
Not to sound cliche but Chandler is a beast.
Anyone else see Ben Saunders as so much missed potential?
Yea I'm seeing it too, he is dangerous anywhere but just seems to not be able to put it together to beat really tough opponents. He has the skills and potential but he just needs to find that extra something which will help him to get to the top.
I'm always impressed by his guard, it's an example for people coming up int he sport on how to be offensive.
When he came from TUF, to the Ultimate Finale, he was like a different fighter and thought to myself that if he can improve that much in that short of time, the sky is the limit, just never went farther.
Chandler making his mark, might not have been a top 20 opponent but still he is showing off what he can do - a great wrestler who can KO or sub you.
Hopefully we see him in there with Rick Hawn soon, IMO that will show a lot about his defensive game and how far he can go.
that looks too easy...gono seems to be mentally not there
Personally, I thought the stoppage was too early. Chandler was flurrying on the ground, but not much was landing (most hit the arms).
However, it would most likely have ended soon after anyway.
Chandler is my 6th ranked fighter in the world now (and actually has been since the Alvarez fight). In fact I'm putting my top ten up on the public wall.