Win or lose, Georgi Karakhanyan has long been a tough out, as Myles Jury found out Friday night.
The lightweight duo engaged in 15 minutes of trench warfare on the main card of Bellator 243. In a fight which ended up with both competitors throwing 59 strikes, Jury had a little bit more left in the tank in the final round, as he pulled away over the final couple minutes for a split decision victory.
The judges’ scores were 27-30, 30-27, and 29-28 in favor of Jury (19-5 MMA, 2-1 BMMA) at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
The opening round saw the taller Jury impose his jab, while Karakhanyan (29-11-1 MMA, 7-8 BMMA) would close the distance and land overhand shots. When he did so successfully, Karakhanyan then attempted takedowns which ended up in clinches along the cage which ended in stalemates.
Karakhanyan did his best job implementing his game plan in the second round. He closed the distance and landed multiple takedowns, though Jury found his way back to his feet before his opponent could do any damage.
The fight’s defining moments occurred midway through the third. Jury shot for a takedown. Karakhanyan jumped and took Jury to the mat with a guillotine. Jury escaped, though, found himself in top position, and threw elbows, one of which cut Karakhanyan open. Jury was the aggressor the rest of the way as he sealed the win.
With his sixth career decision victory, Jury has now won two straight fights. Karakhanyan has dropped three of his past four.
The lightweight bout was part of the Bellator 243 main card at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. It aired on Paramount and streamed on DAZN following prelims on MMA Junkie.
Up-to-the-minute Bellator 243 results include:
- Myles Jury def. Georgi Karakhanyan via split decision (27-30, 30-27, 29-28)
- Sabah Homasi def. Curtis Millender via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Adam Borics def. Mike Hamel via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Cris Lencioni def. A.J. Agazarm via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 29-28)
- Valerie Loureda def. Tara Graff via TKO (punches) — Round 2, 5:00
- Grant Neal def. Hamza Salim via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-24)
- Charlie Campbell def. Nainoa Dung via TKO (leg kicks) — Round 2, 1:42
- Dalton Rosta def. Mark Gardner via TKO (doctor stoppage) — Round 1, 5:00
Bellator 243 results: Myles Jury's late surge earns decision over Georgi Karakhanyan
