The opening fight of the Bellator 106 main card was a featherweight bout as Mike Richman became the first fighter to defeat Akop Stepanyan by knockout.
The opening minute of the bout was a feeling out process with Richman throwing multiple leg kicks while Stepanyan threw his punches. Stepanyan threw punches from different angles including a head kick, along with a spinning back fist.
With just over a minute left in the opening round, Stepanyan landed a right hand that appeared to hurt Richman. He was unable to follow up the punch and Richman landed a left hand that dropped Stepayan and finished the fight on the ground.
Richman (16-3) is how 5-2 in Bellator and four of those wins have come by knockout in the first round. Overall, this is his 13th career win in the first round and his seventh victory coming by way of knockout.
Bellator 106 Results:
Mike Richman def. Akop Stepanyan via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 4:05
Cristiano Souza def. Alejandro Garcia via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 3:06
Brandon Halsey def. Hector Ramirez via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, :52
Mike Guymon def. Aaron Miller via submission (triangle choke) – Round 2, 4:20
Cleber Luciano def. Joe Camacho via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Josh Smith def. Darren Smith via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)