Bellator 276 Recap: Phil Davis Dominates Julius Anglickas to UD victory
Saturday night, Bellator 276 invaded The Family Arena in St. Louis, Missouri. Headlined by two fights with title contendership on the line. As the main event features two No. 2-ranked fighters battling at Featherweight (145-pounds), the winner will likely earn the opportunity to fight for gold. Adam Borics fights Mads Burnell in the headliner as Borics (17-1) of Hungry hopes to use his height advantage against the Denmark native, Burnell (16-3), who stands three inches shorter than Borics.
The co-main event is a matchup of two top-five light heavyweights seeking a shot for the belt. The long-time veteran, Phil Davis (23-6) enters the bout ranked second in the division against the No. 4-ranked light heavyweight, Julius Anglickas (10-2). The American plans to outwrestle the Lithuanian native.
Phil Davis, of Alliance MMA coming off a massive victory over Yoel Romero at Bellator 266 after losing his rematch with Vadim Nemkov. Now ten shows later, Davis has a chance to earn his spot in a title fight for the Bellator Light Heavyweight crown. The St. Charles MMA fighter looks to knock “Mr. Wonderful” off his tracks. Anglickas is coming off a loss to Nemkov, losing via Kimura in round four at 4:25. Before his loss to Nemkov, Anglickas was on a nine-fight win streak and a Bellator three-fight win streak.
Round 1:
The first round opened with a lengthy period of both fighters feeling each other’s range out. After both athletes’ exchange strikes, Davis clinches with Anglickas against the cage where he eventually body-locked Anglickas and steps to the side taking him down to the canvas. As the former Penn State wrestler seeking a kimura from side control, a small scramble and Davis ends the round on top of the Lithauianian.
MyMMANews 10-9 Davis
Round 2:
Anglickas comes out to the center of the cage looking to pressure Davis early in this second round. Davis responds to the peppering of Anglickas. Davis lands jabs and a solid outside leg kick. In the clinch, both fighters land successful knees to the gut. Davis throws a left and a right and is answered with a right. Davis then drags Anglickas to the ground after locking his arms around his foe. On top, in the side control, Davis is trying to work as Anglickas is fighting back and acrambling. Davis throws strikes as he’s trying to transition to submission attempts. Anglickas doing a good job tying up Davis’ hands from the bottom. The second round ends with Davis on top once again as he was dropping right hands onto a fussy Anglickas.
MyMMANews 10-9 Davis
Round 3:
Round three begins once again with a very patient Phil Davis. Davis shoots a shot, Anglickas defends it and Davis blast doubles Anglickas against the cage claimed his foes hips, and brought him to the canvas with complete control. On top in the half guard position, Davis looks for a submission. Davis continues to show his strength as he controls Anglickas from the top. He’s looking for a straight arm lock or a Kimora. Anglickas gets to his feet twice but Davis keeps control from the back and drags him back to the mat. Davis Controls Anglickas the entire round and ends it with a lift to a slam at the final seconds of the fight.
MyMMANews 10-9 Davis
Official Score: Phil Davis def. Julius Anglickas via Unanimous Decision ( 30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
Wonderful takedown, again from @PhilMrWonderful.
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