The Bellator 226 main event between heavyweight champion Ryan Bader and Cheick Kongo was stopped less than four minutes into the first round due to an accidental eye-poke.
The event streamed live on DAZN from the SAP Center in San Jose, California and featured the Bellator Featherweight Grand Prix along with the title fight.
Related: Ryan Bader Finishes Fedor, Claims Title
Bader, who also holds the light heavyweight belt, and Kongo were engaged when the bout was halted. The action, though, did not end, as Bader and former opponent Quinton “Rampage” Jackson had to be separated after nearly coming to blows.
Cris Cyborg Debuts In Bellator
.@criscyborg makes the walk at #Bellator226 for the first time. pic.twitter.com/guzzhbSsWE
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) September 8, 2019
Officials also introduced former UFC and Strikeforce champion Cris Cyborg to the promotion, having her come to the cage.
Cyborg signed an exclusive deal with Bellator after her UFC contract expired. Related: Cris Cyborg Reaches Deal With Bellator
Bellator Featherweight GP Kicks Off
Four opening round bouts in the Bellator Featherweight Grand Prix took place, as Derek Campos, Adam Borics, Pedro Carvalho and Emmanuel Sanchez all earned victories.
Campos upset former champion Daniel Straus, earning a convincing decision win. Borics knocked out former champion Pat Curran with just a second left in the second round, and both Carvalho and Sanchez picked up submissions.
Carvalho locked in a neck crank on Sam Sicilia in the second, and Sanchez choked out Tywan Claxton with a triangle in the second.
Daniel Carey also earned a technical submission over Gaston Bolanos in a featherweight affair, with John Teixeira finishing Ashleigh Grimshaw – also at featherweight.
Other prelim winners included Adam Piccolotti, Jessica Borga, Cass Bell, Batsumberel Dagvadorj, Renato Alves, Hyder Amil and Christopher Gonzalez.
Bellator 226: Bader Vs. Kongo Results
Ryan Bader vs. Cheick Kongo declared a no-contest (accidental eye-poke) at 3:52 of Round 1 for the Bellator heavyweight championship
Derek Campos def. Daniel Straus via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-25, 30-25) in the Bellator Featherweight Grand Prix
Adam Borics def. Pat Curran via TKO (strikes) at 4:59 of Round 2 in the Bellator Featherweight Grand Prix
Pedro Carvalho def. Sam Sicilia via submission (neck crank) at 1:56 of Round 2 in the Bellator Featherweight Grand Prix
Emmanuel Sanchez def. Tywan Claxton via submission (triangle choke) at 4:11 of Round 2 in the Bellator Featherweight Grand Prix
Daniel Carey def. Gaston Bolanos via technical submission (guillotine choke) at 4:19 of Round 1
John Teixeira def. Ashleigh Grimshaw via TKO (corner stoppage) at 5:00 of Round 2
Adam Piccolotti def. Jacob Smith via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:34 of Round 2
Jessica Borga def. Amber Leibrock via submission (armbar) at 4:45 of Round 1
Cass Bell def. Isaiah Rocha via submission (guillotine choke) at 1:21 of Round 1
Batsumberel Dagvadorj def. James Terry via submission (bulldog choke) at 2:43 of Round 1
Renato Alves def. Abraham Vaesau via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:36 of Round 3
Hyder Amil def. Ignacio Ortiz via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Christopher Gonzalez def. Luis Vargas via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-25)
