UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Logan Storley could be the answer to an MMA trivia question for years to come after his victory Saturday at Mohegan Sun.
For the first time in promotion history, Bellator 274 featured a five-round, non-title main event, in which Storley (13-1 MMA, 8-1 BMMA) defeated former title challenger Neiman Gracie (11-3 MMA, 9-3 BMMA) via unanimous decision (48-47, 50-45, 49-46).
Although the fight was advertised as a wrestler vs. grappler matchup by the promotion, the near entirety of the bout took place on the feet in the striking department. After a feeling-out process in the first three rounds, the haymakers were hurled into the championship rounds.
A slow pace over the course of the first 15 minutes quickly picked up when Storley and Gracie, both visibly tired, began landing haymakers on one another. Both fighters were rocked during Round 4, with Storley quickly turning the tides on Gracie midway through the frame. Round 5 was more action and finished off with a Storley decision victory.
A festival of strikes!?!
Expect the unexpected with this 5 Round Main Event LIVE on @SHOsports. #Bellator274 pic.twitter.com/T79bSQDGpc
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) February 20, 2022
With the win, Storley extends a standalone victory into a streak after an August decision earned against Dante Schiro at Bellator 265. As for Gracie, he’s lost three of five also including defeats to Jason Jackson and Rory MacDonald.
“I had to dig deep. That’s those farm roots! That’s Midwest…I’m frickin’ happy!”@StorleyStorm gets the win in the first-ever #Bellator non-title 5⃣ round main event.#Bellator274 pic.twitter.com/tdnGFKVn4c
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) February 20, 2022
Official Bellator 274 results include:
MAIN CARD (Showtime)
- Logan Storley def. Neiman Gracie via unanimous decision (48-47, 50-45, 49-46)
- Andrey Koreshkov def. Chance Rencountre via TKO (spinning back kick) – Round 1, 0:38
- Adam Piccolotti def. Georgi Karakhanyan via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Brennan Ward def. Brandon Bell via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 0:32
- Davion Franklin def. Said Sowma via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
- Nick Browne def. Mandel Nallo via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 2:20
- Jaylon Bates def. Chris Disonell via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 3:39
- Bobby King def. Aviv Gozali via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) – Round 1, 5:00
- DeAnna Bennett def. Justine Kish via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
- Jordan Newman def. Cody Herbert via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
- Justin Montalvo def. Corey Samuels via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:43
- Isaiah Hokit def. Theodore Macuka via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:59
- Jonathan DiLorenzo def. Orlando Mendoza via submission (D’arce choke) – Round 1, 1:07