Joe Warren became the first fighter in Bellator history to be a two-divisional unified champion on Friday night at Bellator 128 as he defeated Eduardo Dantas by unanimous decision to claim the unified bantamweight title.
While Warren is celebrating his victory in Oklahoma, the fight had its share of controversy and it involves around the decisions made by referee John McCarthy.
During the opening rounds of the five round fight, McCarthy warned Dantas several times about grabbing the fence and he also warned Warren about holding onto the gloves of Dantas. McCarthy would not take a point away from either fighter, but it would be his decision in the final round that has the mixed martial arts community talking.
In the final round, both fighters were on the ground and Warren ended up landing an illegal kick to the face of Dantas. McCarthy would immediately pause the fight and would end up having the cage side doctor come into the cage to look at Dantas. Prior to the doctor coming in, McCarthy went over to Warren to explain it was an illegal kick and Warren responded by saying he was attempting to use his leg to push off the cage, which McCarthy responded by saying, “you kick him.”
Dantas would be able to continue and McCarthy would decide to not take a point away from Warren. If he would have taken a point away, the fight would have ended as a draw, instead of a victory for Warren.
The main talking point of the fight will be that illegal kick and while it should be a talking point, there are other factors of the fight to mention. Warren showed the heart of a champion and showed that he wanted it more than Dantas. During the twenty-five minute fight, Dantas had his opportunities, but he was unable to capitalize. Warren used his wrestling to grind out a victory, which may not be the most entertaining style to a majority of fans.
Can’t help but wonder what would have happened if Warren did not land that illegal kick? Maybe Dantas would have been able to pull something slick off like he did against Anthony Leone earlier this year and walk away as champion.
The Bellator bantamweight division has several potential title challengers waiting in the wings like LC Davis, Mike Richman, Rafael Silva, and Marcos Galvao. However, Bellator President Scott Coker and matchmaker Rich Chou have an easy decision to make in my mind, Eduardo Dantas should get an immediate rematch after how things played out in the final round on Friday night at the Global Events Center inside the WinStar World Casino.