On Friday, Bellator 171 took place featuring an exciting catchweight fight between Melvin Guillard and Chidi Njokuani.
The co-main event of Bellator 171 also featured an exciting welterweight matchup between Dave Rickels and Aaron Derrow.
Rickels came into the fight looking for redemption following a knockout loss to Guillard that was later overturned into a no contest after Guillard tested positive for banned substances.
Derrow was going into his highest profiled fight of his career on a two-fight win streak. Both of his wins came in Bellator and he is unbeaten in the promotion.
Before the fight started, Rickels walked to the cage doing the mannequin challenge. Rickels, his corner, Bellator personnel, and fans were all frozen as Rickels made his way to the cage.
Rickels dropped Derrow in the first 30 seconds of the fight. Once on the ground, Derrow reversed the position and got Rickels in his guard. Rickels landed punches at will as Derrow tried to defend off of his back. With less than a minute left, Rickels let Derrow back to his feet. Derrow then took little time to take Rickels down. The round finished with Derrow landing ground-and-pound.
Derrow shot for a takedown to start the second round but failed to get Rickels to the ground. Rickels then dropped Derrow with strikes. Rickels landed punches and elbows at will as Derrow tried to defend from his back. After taking a beating for almost the entirety of the round, Derrow managed to survive to hear the bell to end the second round.
Rickels dropped Derrow in the beginning of the third round and finished the fight by TKO.
Official Result:
David Rickels def. Arron Derrow by TKO (0:44 Rd 3)
