Starting his martial arts journey through judo and boxing before turning to MMA full time, Mike Shipman is known for his aggression in the cage, trying to bring fights to an end early. A 20-fight veteran who has won regional MMA gold in Britain, Shipman has scored achievements in Bellator thus far with a 7-3 record. Shipman most recently fought in Paris this past May, defeating Steven Hill.

 

Known as “Ironman,” Eslam Syaha makes his Bellator debut tonight after making impressions in his own right on the regional circuit. Syaha, a former regional middleweight champion, enters tonight with a 16-2 record and his own capabilities of finishing fights. Fighting out of Black Bulls Team and Saracens, Syaha, who is sporting a seven-fight win streak, most recently fought in May, scoring a decision over Dan Vinni.

 

Who continues to ride their momentum to another victory tonight in London?

 

 

Round 1

 

Shipman with a strong right hand to the head right away, and the two battle in a body lock, with Syaha having control against the fence. Syaha appears a little wobbly, but he’s keeping the pressure. Shipman uses his strength to reverses the position, but Syaha with a good turn to take it right back. Shipman reverses again, making use of his strength, but Syaha keeps control of the body lock with his own strength. Shipman scores a takedown, getting into side control. Shipman works in Syaha’s open half-guard.

 

Shipman utilizing shoulder pressure on Syaha’s head. Syaha keeping pressure of his own, looking to pass as shipman looks to get into a better, more dominant position. Shipman using small hammerfists to the head of Syaha. Shipman with a couple of strong ground hooks to the body of Syaha. Syaha lands his heel a couple of times to Shipman’s backside. Shipman looks for side control again, but Syaha keeps him in place. Short elbows landed by Shipman, and Syaha is busted open! Syaha gets to his feet before the bell. Syaha has a NASTY gash around one of his eyes.

 

 

Round 2

 

A hard left hand from Shipman. Shipman shoots in strong with a single-leg takedown and he gets it, bringing Syaha against the fence. Strong knee from Shipman as Syaha gets to his feet. Shipman with an easy takedown. Elbow to the body by Shipman. Shipman gets into side control. Syaha gets to his knees, but he can’t stand up. Shipman looks for a choke, but abandons it to scramble with Syaha as he gets to his feet. Shipman brings Syaha back down. Syaha getting to his feet, avoiding a powerful submissions attempt from Shipman. One-two from Shipman on the break. Shipman lands a strong left hook.

 

Syaha tries to shoot in, but Shipman with a perfectly timed knee that lands and does damage! Syaha trying to scramble, but Shipman is all over him! The referee steps in!

 

 

Mike Shipman with another statement win in the Bellator cage!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Mike Shipman defeats Eslam Syaha by 2nd round KO (2:32)