Fighter

Bellator 239 looked to be a sort of proving ground for a pair of the promotion’s top prospects. Both Ed Ruth and Tyrell Fortune were looking at steps up in competition at the event in Thackerville, Oklahoma on Friday — and both fighters suffered setbacks. None more so than Fortune, the previously undefeated heavyweight who is a big part of the division’s future. Fortunes went south for the wrestler early, as opponent Tim Johnson pressed the attack and connected with a knockout right hook in the first round. It will likely be a few fights for Fortune to work his way back to getting that next step up, while Johnson, a UFC veteran, finally gets his first win in the Bellator cage. That knockout was unquestionably the star of the show on Friday. The main event, meanwhile, was a much closer affair. The undefeated Yaroslav Amosov improved to 23-0 in the end, with a unanimous decision win over Ed Ruth. Yet overall, it was a close, measured affair, one that shouldn’t set Ruth too far back in the welterweight division. For Amosov, the win likely won’t be enough for a title shot — especially given champ Douglas Lima will be moving up to vie for the vacant middleweight title against Gegard Mousasi. Full results from the event, and photo highlights, can be found below! fighter Bellator 239: Ruth vs. Amosov Results: Main Card Yaroslav Amosov def. Ed Ruth by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Myles Jury def. Brandon Girtz by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Tim Johnson def. Tyrell Fortune by KO (punches), Round 1, 2:35 Valentin Moldavsky def. Javy Ayala by unanimous decision (30-25, 30-24, 30-24)

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