Bellator 264 results: Gegard Mousasi batters John Salter to retain middleweight title

How would Gegard Mousasi start the second reign as Bellator middleweight champion heading into his first title defense against John Salter at Friday's Bellator 264?

After a shaky start, Mousasi used his patent pressure to overwhelm Salter and stop him at the 2:07 mark of the third round to retain the 185-pound belt at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

“I’m way stronger than people think,” Mousasi said in his post-fight interview. “Mayb

Mousasi began the fight by coming right out with pressure. He kept walking Salter down and forcing him back. Salter changed the momentum, rushing Mousasi and securing a takedown 90 seconds into the fight. Mousasi would attempt to get back to a vertical base, but Salter wrapped his leg around him and leaned on the champion until he finally reached his feet. Salter went for another takedown. Mousasi blocked it and threw a series of knees and elbows to the final horn. 

Mousasi came out more aggressive to begin the second. He walked Salter down again and landed a left. Salter bounced back with a crisp left hook. Mousasi changed up his striking attack ad nauseum. He threw kicks to the body, the head, and leg and then throw combinations. Tired of getting lit up on the feet, Salter notched another takedown, much to the dismay of the crowd. Mousasi postured up to his feet and poured down elbows. He transitioned to the mount position and was raining down heavy strikes every which way but ran out of time to close the show.

After the victory, Mousasi had a friendly staredown with his next opponent, Austin Vanderford, who was a guest commentator at the event. Vanderford's won five consecutive fights to earn his first crack at Bellator gold. 

“I’m excited to get out there and test myself,” Vanderford said inside the cage. 

For Mousasi (48-7-2), the victory was the 27th career stoppage on the feet. 

Bellator 264 results

• Gegard Mousasi def. John Salter via TKO at 2:07 of the third round to retain Middleweight title
• Andrey Koreshkov def. Sabah Homasi via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)
• Raufeon Stots def. Magomed Magomedov via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
• Davion Franklin def. Everett Cummings via knockout at 0:21 of the first round
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• Khadzhimurat Bestaev def. Ty Gwerder via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)