Sherdog’s Top 10Sherdog’s Top 10: Bellator MMA Main Events
No. 10
Bellator 98
Sept. 7, 2013 | Uncasville, Connecticut
Cooper made Shlemenko earn it.
Backed by a multi-pronged standup attack, a seemingly endless gas tank and a series of late takedowns, Shlemenko retained his middleweight championship with a unanimous decision over Cooper in the Bellator 98 main event at the Mohegan Sun Arena. All three cageside judges scored it the same: 48-47 for Shlemenko, awarding him his 11th consecutive victory.
This one did not come easy. Cooper, who replaced the injured Doug Marshall on short notice, rocked the Russian champion twice in the first 10 minutes. A left hook did the damage in the first round, a right hook in the second. Shlemenko, who was also cut near his left eye, staggered but refused to blink.
The champion made his move in Round 3 and then found another gear in the fourth, where he floored Cooper with a wicked left hook. Though he survived, the Reign MMA export never seemed to recover fully from the blow. Shlemenko punctuated his latest victory with three fifth-round takedowns.
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