Summary

  • Gegard Mousasi stops Austin Vanderford in one

  • Hammer fists gives Mousasi impressive win

  • Sinead Kavanagh digs deep to beat Leah McCourt in epic contest

  • Kavanagh now in line for second title crack at Cris Cyborg

  • Irish fighter Brian Moore loses to Jornel Lugo in close contest

  • Get involved: #bbcmma

  1. The middleweight champ, Gegard Mousasipublished at 23:48 Greenwich Mean Time 25 February 2022

    There's only one place to leave you tonight, and that is with Gegard Mousasi.

    We look forward to watching him again with you on the BBC.

    Don't forget you can watch all tonight's action again on BBC iPlayer.

    Until next time.

    Media caption,

    Bellator Dublin: Gegard Mousasi retains middleweight crown with first round knock-out

  2. Bellator on the BBCpublished at 23:45 Greenwich Mean Time 25 February 2022

    Now, we hope you enjoyed that. This year all European Bellator main card events will be broadcast live on the new BBC Three TV channel.

    You can also watch those on BBC iPlayer in addition to the prelims and all the US Bellator events. Not bad!

  3. WATCH: Kavanagh toughs it out to beat McCourtpublished at 23:43 Greenwich Mean Time 25 February 2022

    It was a night when the main event and its co-main event really delivered, to the delight of the crowd here in Dublin.

    Let's start with Sinead Kavanagh v Leah McCourt...

    You can read Paul Battison's cage-side report here.

    Media caption,

    Bellator Dublin: Sinead Kavanagh claims gritty win over Leah McCourt

  4. 'Most underrated fighter in MMA'published at 23:42 Greenwich Mean Time 25 February 2022

    This is high praise indeed

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  5. Getting better with agepublished at 23:38 Greenwich Mean Time 25 February 2022

    MMA journalist Ariel Helwani reacts to Gegard Mousasi's win over Austin Vandeford.

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  6. 'One of MMA's elite.'published at 23:38 Greenwich Mean Time 25 February 2022

    Simon Head on the impressive Gegard Mousasi.

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  7. 'Big fan of Mousasi'published at 23:37 Greenwich Mean Time 25 February 2022

    Former MMA welterweight fighter Dan Hardy praises Gegard Mousasi.

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  8. The champpublished at 23:35 Greenwich Mean Time 25 February 2022

    "Best middleweight in the world."

    A big claim with a certain middleweight champion over in UFC by the name of Israel Adesanya... but after that performance he's certainly showed he can make a claim to be the very best.

    You can read Coral Barry's report from cage-side here.

  9. The best middleweight fighter in the world?published at 23:32 Greenwich Mean Time 25 February 2022

    Gegard Mousasi after retaining his middleweight strap: "I was just taking my time. I’m the best middleweight. I never said that because I didn’t believe it. But I believe it.

    "I’m good, I’m confident. I’m telling you I’m the best. I’ve never been so confident in my life."

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  10. How the fight endedpublished at 23:30 Greenwich Mean Time 25 February 2022

    Vanderford pushed on the front foot but was caught with a shot which led to the American having unsteady legs.

    Sensing he was in trouble, Vanderford went for a takedown but Mousasi sprawled before unleashing vicious shots from top position. The referee waved the bout off in the first round.

  11. Gegard Mousasi v Austin Vandefordpublished at 23:27 Greenwich Mean Time 25 February 2022

    The crowd here in Dublin was in disbelief there. Mousasi grows his middleweight legend.

  12. Gegard Mousasi v Austin Vandefordpublished at 23:25 Greenwich Mean Time 25 February 2022

    Mousasi looked so calm and composed as the men faced off before the bell, despite the excitement of his Sweet Caroline entrance. Vanderford could not live with his intensity, and especially the ferocity and speed of his right hand.

  13. Gegard Mousasi v Austin Vandefordpublished at 23:23 Greenwich Mean Time 25 February 2022

    Wow...what an incredible display from Mousasi. And what a final two fights on this special Dublin card.

  14. Gegard Mousasi v Austin Vandefordpublished at 23:20 Greenwich Mean Time 25 February 2022

    Round 1

    It's over already! Vandeford swings big but hits the deck and Mousasi pounces.

    Referee steps in with Vanderford covering up.

  15. Gegard Mousasi v Austin Vanderfordpublished at 23:13 Greenwich Mean Time 25 February 2022

    Gegard Mousasi, the reigning champion, is walking out to 'Sweet Caroline'. Crowd loves it.

  16. Sinead Kavanagh to get second world title shotpublished at 23:13 Greenwich Mean Time 25 February 2022

    Sinead Kavanagh will be given another crack at the featherweight champion Cris Cyborg, Bellator president Scott Coker has confirmed.

  17. Head to headpublished at 23:12 Greenwich Mean Time 25 February 2022

    Gegard Mousasi v Austin Vanderford

    The main event is about to start!

    BellatorImage source, Bellator MMa
  18. Sinead Kavanagh v Leah McCourtpublished at 23:05 Greenwich Mean Time 25 February 2022

    Sinead Kavanagh may be the winner but she is being carried from the cage by her team.

    After escorting Kavanagh's mum to cage-side, McGregor steps in to help carry Kavanagh backstage.

    Leah McCourt's team is in tears.

    Media caption,

    Bellator Dublin: Sinead Kavanagh claims gritty win over Leah McCourt

  19. 'Unbelievable heart'published at 23:03 Greenwich Mean Time 25 February 2022

    Sinead Kavanagh v Leah McCourt

    John McCarthy
    Former MMA referee on BBC iPlayer

    Unbelievable heart from Sinead Kavanagh. She was hurt but there was no quit.