Bellator 225 results: Nick Newell submits Corey Browning, sends message to doubters

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – Nick Newell made his case for a multi-fight contract Saturday with a first-round submission in his promotional debut at Bellator 225.

Newell (16-2 MMA, 1-0 BMMA), who was fighting at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn., just 10 minutes from his home, made the most of his one-fight Bellator deal when he finished Corey Browning (5-3 MMA, 2-1 BMMA) with an arm-triangle choke in the opening round of their lightweight bout.

After a brief feeling out process in which the one-handed fighter loaded up on a his right hand, Newell secured a takedown that put him in top position. He first went for a guillotine choke from on top, but couldn’t get it. Newell then switched into an arm-triangle choke attempt and, after a brief struggle, forced Browning to tap out at the 3:15 mark of Round 1.

“I told you Bridgeport I’d do it,” Newell said in his post-fight interview. “Born and raised in Connecticut, it’s an honor to have my Day 1’s here. I have a lot of doubters who would tell me, ‘Nick Newell, you don’t belong in the big leagues, you’re not going to make it in the big leagues.’ Well guess what, baby? I’m in Bellator now.”

Just minutes after the win, Bellator president Scott Coker congratulated Newell and indicated a new contract is on the way (via Twitter):

Up-to-date Bellator results include:

• Nick Newell def. Corey Browning via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 1, 3:15
• Connor Dixon def. Kastriot Xhema via submission (armbar) – Round 3, 2:08
• Jon Manley def. Thiago Rela via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 4:47
• Chris Disonell def. Mike Kimbel via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:54
• Ricky Bandejas def. Ahmet Kayretli via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 1:21
• Austin Vanderford def. Joseph Creer via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) – Round 2, 5:00
• Sabah Homasi def. Micah Terrill via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:17
• Aviv Gozali def. Eduard Muravitskiy via submission (heel hook) – Round 1, 0:11
• Khonry Gracie def. Oscar Vera via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 2:50