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MONSTER ENERGY CELEBRATES RAMPAGE JACKSON

By Mike Johnson on 6/27/2016 11:13 AM

Monster Energy’s Quinton Rampage Jackson Takes Decision Over Satoshi Ishii at Bellator 157:

Dynamite 2 in the Main Event at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis

Monster Energy’s Michael Chandler Becomes a two-time Bellator Lightweight Champion in the co-event and Kevin Ross Wins by unanimous decision in the Kickboxing Featherweight bout

Corona, Calif – June 26, 2016 – Monster Energy’s Quinton Rampage Jackson takes split decision win over 2008 Olympic Judo gold medalist Satoshi Ishii at Bellator’s 157: Dynamite 2 latest MMA kickboxing hybrid show.

After a 14-month break from fighting, Rampage was in tough with a strong Judo specialist who kept him on the defensive, constantly looking for the throw or a trip. Rampage weathered through Ishii’s inside trips and takedowns in round one, had a fairly even second round landing uppercuts in the clinch and thwarting Ishii’s takedown attempts, and was finally able to take control in the third round.

Round three was classic Rampage as he ramped up his offense, landing strikes from the clinch and the outside at will. Ultimately it was enough to take the catchweight 225-pound fight with scores of 29-28, 28-29, and an odd 30-27. Admitting his fifth win in a row wasn’t his greatest performance Rampage said he thought the fight was close adding, "Ishii’s a gold medalist in judo, and he judoed me," said Jackson. "I had to adjust and make some changes as the fight went on."

Monster Energy’s Michael Chandler delivered another career defining moment and became a two-time Bellator Lightweight Champion in the co-event against Patricky Freire in what many are calling the ‘knockout of the year’. 

With a perfectly timed and powerful right hand early in the first round at just 2:14, the crushing blow landed flush on Freire and promptly put him out cold. It’s been a tumultuous few years for Chandler and this was a huge victory to secure the vacant lightweight title – one he had previously held from 2011 to 2013.  

"I'm extremely excited," said Chandler, who had beat Freire at Bellator 44. "I'm just getting better every single day and I want to be the best in the world.” This was Chandler’s first fight training as a member of the Blackzilians. 

Chandler has now extended his impressive fight record in MMA to 15 pro wins and three losses with this win marking his third consecutive victory.

In Men’s Featherweight Kickboxing Kevin Ross defeated Justin Houghton via unanimous decision. Ross, "The Soul Assassin," fought the former MMA fighter now turned kickboxer Houghton and his veteran experience was obvious from the first bell. The multi-time world champ peppered Houghton with leg kicks to set up his overhand rights – and a plethora of body kicks to let loose his combinations. Ross clearly earned the win knocking Houghton down with 10 seconds left in the final round.