Bellator 207 live blog: Matt Mitrione vs. Ryan Bader

This is the Bellator 207 live blog for Matt Mitrione vs. Ryan Bader, a heavyweight bout at Friday’s Bellator event at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

Mitrione, winner of four straight, faces Bader, the Bellator light heavyweight champion who has won his last five, in the main event to determine who advances to the finals of the Bellator Heavyweight World Grand Prix.

Check out the Bellator 207 live blog below.

Round 1: Early feeling out process, but Bader soon snaps in a jab and explodes for a takedown. Mitrione in trouble early as Bader is just controlling him against the cage. Not much ground-and-pound from the top for Bader, but Mitirione is using all of his energy to defend and try to stand. Bader drags him down again. Two minutes in, Bader is in back-side control and he starts to land heavy shots from that position. Mitrione has a hand up to defend his head, but the referee is keeping a close eye on the action. Mitirione survives, Bader still on top of him. Bader scoring with punches as Mitrione just tries to stand. Big right hands from Bader as the round closes.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-8, Bader.

Round 2: Mitrione comes hot out of his corner and forces Bader to back away to avoid damage. His aggression doesn’t pay off though as Bader gets low for a single and brings Mitrione down to the mat again. Bader working to side control, then briefly attempts a kimura from half guard. That’s broken up. In side-back position again, Bader lays into Mitrione with punches again. He rolls Mitrione into half guard and makes another attempt at the Kimura. Looked like Mitirione almost tapped there. Mitirione active from the bottom, but nothing he’s doing is creating separation or threatening Bader in any way. The round ends with Mitrione managing to stand up and that’s about it.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-8, Bader. Overall 20-16, Bader.

Round 3: Seconds in, Bader explodes for a takedown and gets it with Mitrione pinned against the fence. Body shots from top position by Bader. He’s sitting in Mitrione’s guard and throwing hammer fists and punches to the body. Mitrione tries to stand but Bader pulls him back in. More ground-and-pound by Bader. He lands some big elbows. Bader holding Mitrione from behind and throwing punches around his defenses. Complete domination by Bader in the final frame.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-8, Bader. Overall 30-24, Bader.

Official result: Ryan Bader def. Matt Mitrione via unanimous decision (30-24, 30-25, 30-25)