Once Liam McGeary realized his physical state was seriously compromised, he knew the end was near at Bellator 220.
Prior to Saturday’s rematch with Phil Davis (20-5 MMA, 7-2 BMMA), there was no shortage of confidence from McGeary (13-4 MMA, 10-4 BMMA) that he would be able to avenge a loss against his fellow former Bellator light heavyweight champion.
An MMA fight is always unpredictable, though, and in the midst of the action, McGeary absorbed a shot that created a clean fracture in the left side of his jaw. The Brit went into a defensive shell once the pain overcame him, and Davis took the opening to achieve the third-round TKO.
McGeary expressed some concerns about the state of his jaw while in the cage, but once he went to a local hospital in San Jose, Calif., following the fight at SAP Center, the extent of the damage was confirmed (via Instagram):
Ugh… the jaw cracked in the second round and the tooth went in the 3rd. Soon as that arm came round and touched my jaw that was enough for me guys!! That hurt like a mutha fucka and you know I can take some shit too!!! Fuck it man, I was too worried about the takedowns in the first i was hesitant.
Shit you took me down in the 3rd and I got right back the fuck up! I’ve stepped my game up man, wrestlers dont bother me anymore…. just the bloody dentist hahah
Congrats @philmrw good shit mate, enjoyed throwing down with you man. I’ll see yo uin the bar for a beer when I get done here
Despite the outcome and injury, McGeary seemed in relatively good spirits. He did not provide a timeline for his potential return to the cage, though, after suffering his third loss in his past four fights.
For complete coverage of Bellator 220, check out the MMA Events section of the site.
