SAN JOSE, Calif. – Another Benson Henderson fight, another razor-close result.
After three rounds of closely contested action that saw several momentum swings, two of three judges ruled Henderson (27-8 MMA, 4-3 BMMA) the winner via split call over up-and-comer Adam Piccolotti (11-3 MMA, 7-3 BMMA).
The lightweight bout was part of the main card of Saturday night’s Bellator 220 event at SAP Center and streamed on DAZN.
The final scores were 29-28 twice for Henderson, with one judge dissenting via the same score for Piccolotti. The result was booed roundly by the Bay Area crowd, which favored American Kickboxing Academy product Piccolotti, though a vocal contingent represented for the ex-UFC champ.
The close scorecards were nonetheless a fitting result for a fight with intense grappling exchanges. Henderson proved once again he’s one of the best on the canvas, escaping bad position after bad position to threaten Piccolotti with strikes and submissions.
Henderson landed huge knee against the cage after Piccolotti pushed him there. A takedown followed, and punches against the cage put Piccolotti in choke position. Seated against the fence, he tried to get the angle as Henderson hung tough. When Henderson stood, the choke was still there, and he pitched back dramatically. An arm triangle attempt allowed Henderson to escape, and he went on the attack.
An elbow in close stung Piccolotti, who suddenly looked vulnerable as Henderson surged. A hard kick stunned the up-and-comer, and only the bell saved him from a flying knee that came inches away at the opening bell.
Henderson tried that leaping knee again, forcing Piccolotti to seek the takedown. This time, Henderson quickly got the upper hand, getting to his opponent’s back and threatening back control. Even when he fell off, Henderson hung tough and rode out a guillotine to try his own front choke. No matter what position, Piccolotto couldn’t shake the ex-champ.
Another leaping knee put Piccolotti on top, only to get caught in rubber guard and a choke attempt in the final frame. Piccolotti only needed to stay on top and put up some offense. He nearly took the back, but Henderson’s grappling once again made him an elusive target. Piccolotti resorted to holding at bay the ex-champ against the fence, sucking out the legs and then taking the back as Henderson stood. The choke appeared to be in, and they pitched to the canvas again. But Henderson expertly spun out of a body triangle and pounded to the bell.
The win keeps alive Henderson’s hope to meet the winner of an upcoming lightweight title fight between champ Michael Chandler and Patricio “Pitbull” Freire. He’s now won three straight while Piccolotti sees a two-fight streak snapped.
Up-to-the-minute Bellator 220 results include:
- Benson Henderson def. Adam Piccolotti via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Phil Davis def. Liam McGeary via TKO (strikes) – Round 3, 4:11
- Gaston Bolanos (@DreamkillerMT) def. Nathan Stolen via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 2:21
- Aviv Gozali def. Travis Crain via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:15
- Brandon Faumui def. Chris Avila via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
- Matt Perez def. Justin Tenedora via KO (punches) – Round 1, 4:52
- Cass Bell def. Peter Ishiguro via KO (strikes) – Round 2, 2:59
- Chuck Campbell def. Bruno Casillas via KO (knee) – Round 1, 1:45
- Hyder Amil def. Paradise Vaovasa via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:34
- Josh San Diego def. Brandon Laroco via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
- Jordan Williams def. Diego Herzog via TKO (strikes) – Round 3, 1:21
- Abraham Vaesau def. Justin Roswell via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 1:59
For complete coverage of Bellator 220, check out the UFC Eventssection of the site.
