Bellator 216 live blog: Mirko Cro Cop vs. Roy Nelson 2

This is the Bellator 216 live blog for Mirko Cro Cop vs. Roy Nelson 2, a heavyweight bout at Saturday’s Bellator event at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

Cro Cop, the Pride legend who is currently on a career-best nine-fight winning streak, faces Nelson, a former UFC heavyweight contender who is 3-7 in his last 10 fights, in the co-main event.

This will be a rematch from UFC 137 back on Oct. 29, 2011. Nelson won the first fight by third-round TKO.

Check out the Bellator 216 live blog below.

Round 1: Leon Roberts on hand to oversee this co-main event. Nelson coming out with a constant flicking jab. He’s walking Cro Cop down. Cro Cop hardly striking. Nelson in for a takedown and Cro Cop pushes him back all the way across the cage. Short punches landing for Cro Cop, then they clinch up against the fence. Nelson leaning on Cro Cop. Short punches by Cro Cop and he’s able to get his back off the fence, circle, and reverse position. Sharp uppercut inside by Cro Cop. Nelson throws a knee to the body, Cro Cop answers with a short punch to Nelson’s mid-section. They separate and exchange a few ineffective punches, then it’s back to the clinch. Cro Cop lands a crisp elbow. They separate gain and Cro Cop blasts Nelson with a kick to the stomach. Double leg by Nelson is stuffed. He’s hanging on, but Cro Cop is keeping a wide base, showing great balance.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Cro Cop.

Round 2: Nelson immediately looks to grapple and Cro Cop slips away. Wild right hand by Nelson and he eats a counter punch. Shot telegraphed and Cro Cop easily gets his hips back to avoid the takedown. Knee up the middle by Cro Cop. They exchange solid elbows in the clinch. Knee to the body, uppercut, by Cro Cop. Nelson lands a kick to the body. Cro Cop scores again to the body, then fires a high kick that is blocked. Quick left by Cro Cop glances Nelson’s chin. Nelson stuffed again, he hasn’t come close to taking Cro Cop down. Nelson connects with a back fist as the fight starts to get sloppy, Cro Cop then eats a couple more punches. Inside leg kick by Cro Cop. Nelson goes high and its blocked, but he shoots for a single leg off of it. Cro Cop controlling the head. Reversal of position by Cro Cop, he puts Nelson against the fence. Cro Cop getting the better of the short punches in the clip Nelson closes the round with a nice punch to the body, Cro Cop fires back with a snapping body kick. Close round.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Cro Cop. Overall 20-18, Cro Cop.

Round 3: Nelson in pursuit early on, perhaps feeling the urgency of the situation. Cro Cop’s low kicks are slowing him down. Nelson with a pair of uppercuts off of a takedown attempt. Straight left for Cro Cop, then another leg kick that keeps Nelson off-balance. Nelson with a sluggish takedown attempt that is easily avoided. Quick left hook by Nelson scores. Underhooks by Cro Cop completely neutralizing Nelson’s grappling. Another straight left by Cro Cop. They’re exchanging jabs, neither man able to close the distance enough to land something more substantial. Pace has slowed considerably. Cro Cop firing that left hand to keep Nelson at Bay. Nelson gets low on a takedown attempt and finally manages to slam Cro Cop down, but there’s just over a minute remaining. Nelson going to work from inside Cro Cop’s guard. Final round should go to Nelson, but verdict will depend on how judges scored the second frame.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Nelson. Overall 29-28, Cro Cop.

Official result: Mirko Cro Cop def. Roy Nelson via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)