Bellator 216 Results: Mirko Cro Cop defeats Roy Nelson (Highlights)

A heavyweight rematch between Mirko Cro Cop and Roy Nelson co-headlined tonight’s Bellator 216 event in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Cro Cop and Nelson first met under the Zuffa banner back at UFC 137 in October of 2011, with “Big Country” emerging victorious by way of TKO in round three.

Mirko Cro Cop (37-11-2 MMA) was last seen in action at RIZIN 13 where he scored a first-round TKO victory Roque Martinez. That victory extended Cro Cop’s current win streak to an impressive nine in a row.

Meanwhile, Roy Nelson will enter tonight’s rematch with Cro Cop looking to rebound, this after losing his past two fights. In his most recent appearance at Bellator 207, “Big Country” suffered a first-round knockout loss to Sergei Kharitonov.

Roy Nelson (23-16 MMA) has gone 3-7 over his past ten contests overall.

Round one of the Bellator 216 co-main event begins and Roy Nelson comes forward with an overhand right. He looks for an early takedown but Cro Cop stuffs it. The fighters clinch up and Mirko Cro Cop lands a hard uppercut. Nelson with a pair of knees to the body. Cro Cop replies with another hard uppercut followed by an elbow on the break. Cro Cop with a hard body kick now. Nelson shoots in for a takedown but once again it is not there. The horn sounds to end round one.

Round two begins and Mirko Cro Cop pressures Roy Nelson back against the fence. The fighters clinch and Mirko begins to bully “Big Country” from the position. A big elbow lands for Cro Cop. The fighters break and Cro Cop lands a hard low kick. He lands another and then attempts a high kick which is blocked. The fighters once again clinch up and then Nelson attempts a spinning back fist that just misses on the break. Roy is pushing forward now and lands a knee. He follows that up with a hard shot to the body of Cro Cop. Mirko circles and then lands a head kick to close out round two.

Round three begins and Cro Cop scores with a low kick. Roy Nelson shoots in for a takedown but is once again denied. “Big Country” with a nice uppercut from the pocket. Cro Cop circles out. Nelson continues to press forward and put the pressure on Cro Cop. Nelson shoots in and finally secures a takedown on Mirko. Only a minute remains in the final round. Nelson is looking to setup some ground and pound but Cro Cop does a good job of tying him up. The horn sounds to end the third and final round

Official Bellator 216 Result: Mirko Cro Cop def. Roy Nelson via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)