Emanuel Newton submits Linton Vassell, Marloes Coenen delivers on finish promise

Bellator 130 proved a few things on Friday night that most of the MMA landscape should take notice on. To really contend with the number one organization you must be able to produce stars with the ability to compare to those in the other promotion. While Emanuel Newton is starting to look the part with another outstanding finish, the already established Marloes Coenen is looking to recapture her shine on the Bellator spotlight as well. You can also now add Bobby Lashley to the mix as he is proving the transition from pro wrestling to the cage is not too difficult for him. One thing that has kept Bellator an interesting promotion are the finishes and that was surely what we got tonight. Four exciting fights made up the main card for Bellator 130 and here are some thoughts and reactions.

The game plan for Linton Vassell (14-4) was to take down Emanuel Newton (25-7-1) and put him in all kinds of trouble. That’s exactly what he did in front of a packed house at the Kansas Star Arena. Not until late in the third round did Newton ever find any control in this match. Give props to Newton for fighting off attack after attack as Linton clearly was able to implore his game plan. After finding some answers on the feet the third ended with a flurry from Linton. Emanuel was clearly down in all 3 rounds. He improved in the 4th and won the round pretty easily. You could tell all the work by Linton had taken effect as he started to slow down in the 4th. In the fifth round a very fresh Emanuel Newton was able to lock on early for a submission. How he survived that fight we will never know but that's three victories in 2014 for The Hardcore Kid. Say what you want on his opponents but he has defended his belt as any champion should. 2015 is going to be a big year for Newton and if he keeps up the promo trash talking that’s he’s doing he could turn some heads to the promotion.

Speaking of turning heads. Bobby Lashley (12-2) could have ripped the head of his opponent Karl Etherington (9-1) who started with some good spacing but a minor slip was his undoing. A very opportunistic Lashley seized the chance to pounce on the back of Etherington and lay down some heavy ground and pound. Quick work for a man that has to return to wrestling in just a few days. No matter the cause Bobby is a beast and that is five straight for him now with two under the Bellator banner. Can we say heavyweight title shot? Name alone is enough to draw, and could you imagine Lashley holding straps on two Spike TV productions?

Continue the conversation on potential star power for Bellator you would have to include Marloes Coenen (22-6) in the discussion. The former Strikeforce champion declared she would finish her opponent tonight and she came through on that promise. While it wasn’t a KO, you could tell that the game plan was to get the fight to the ground and expose Annalisa Bucci (7-4). Marloes was flawless with her trip take downs and there were a few moments when I worried if her cardio would hold after such an emotional start. Marloes came out with a look to kill almost as if she felt disrespected by the match up. Until more featherweights arrive all she can do is stay busy and continue to layout whom they place in front of her. Not sure how the aggressive bad girl image will play for Coenen going forward as it looked as seemed quite awkward. With her dominant control on the mat she clearly showed she had the skills to do so.

The Spike TV programming kicked off with a leg kicking unanimous win for David Jensen (20-2) over Rick Hawn (18-4) and the full results for Bellator 130 are below. Up next for the promotion is the highly anticipated November 15th card with the headlining grudge match between Tito Ortiz and Stephen Bonner.