Bellator 214: The Art of Taking Souls
Photo courtesy of Bellator MMA
It took a combined one minute and 42 seconds for both the prodigy and the legend to fall flat on their backs; the sting of loss in their eyes, the taste of blood in their mouths. But in a night with a richly stacked fight card, neither Aaron Pico nor “The Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko were alone in this dispiriting experience.
At Bellator 214, an astonishing 10 out of 13 fights ended in first round finishes. Of those finishes, the split between knockouts and submissions was dead even, with five each across the main card and the undercard.
And despite the exhilarating first-round performances put on by the likes of Thor Skancke (winner via submission, “Jeff Monson” choke), Ryan Lilley (winner via head kick KO), Weber Almeida (winner via TKO), and Adel Altamimi (winner via submission, arm bar), most of the post-fight chatter focused on the two victors of the main and co-main events.
What SoCal native Henry “OK” Corrales and Arizona Sun Devil Ryan “Darth” Bader demonstrated to the fans gathered at the fabulous Forum in Inglewood, California is that not only could they secure a victory in devastating fashion, but they could also take a soul in poetically cold blood.
David Goggins, former Navy Seal, ultra-marathoner, and now best-selling author of the memoir “Can’t Hurt Me,” speaks frequently about his unbelievable life experiences, most notably, enduring three Navy Seal “Hell Weeks,” losing 100 pounds in three months, and after two failed attempts, breaking the Guinness World Record for pull-ups in a 24-hour period (4,030 in 17 hours).
In his book, Goggins endorses the concept of “taking souls” as a tool to defeat one’s enemy, whether internal or external. He emphasizes having the will, the heart, and the courage, to go the distance, even when it feels as though there’s nothing left to give. It is then that one should forcefully give, and then give even more.
Corrales has recently finished reading Goggins’ memoir, and as of media day, was also listening to the audiobook. When asked if he would be incorporating any of Goggins’ strategies into his final preparations, Corrales replied that “mental toughness” is always important. Understatement of the year.
Photo courtesy of Bellator MMA
After Aaron Pico dropped Henry Corrales with a vicious upper cut forty-five seconds into their co-main bout, it was clear that the latter’s spirit was ripe for the plucking. But Corrales, riding a four-fight win streak, and an overall 16-3 professional MMA record, dug deep, and then deeper still.
Sixty seconds later, after a heated exchange in the clinch, where ribs were bruised and livers were softened, “OK” found in his right hand a reaper, whose only mission was to collect the psyche of the vessel standing opposite him, a vessel from Whittier, California by the name of Aaron Pico.
Pico went limp on his feet, his head hanging forward, waiting to be finished. Another right, followed by an outstretched left from Corrales obliged the subliminal request. And just to seal the deal, the canvas also took a shot, hitting back at Pico’s limp body with conviction.
High off the hog, with two souls in tow, Corrales subverted all expectations by remaining menacingly quiet. He roamed the cage, regal, stoic, and utterly unsurprised. When hugged by his cornermen, including veteran MMA fighter “Smooth” Benson Henderson, Corrales cracked not one smile; at least not any that the cameras could capture.
During his post-fight interview with “Big” John McCarthy, Corrales remained in a serene state, issuing cool directives at whoever wanted next. “What’s done is done….Who the fuck’s next?” Still no smile.
Photo courtesy of Bellator MMA
Moments later, after the hubbub of Corrales’ win had simmered, the fully engaged crowd at the Forum prepared for another potential slugfest: the final bout of the night, and conclusion to Bellator’s Heavyweight World Grand Prix tournament.
With Bader, the current Bellator Light Heavyweight champion who was moving up to Heavyweight for a second belt, there is no typical, or rather, reliable, performance style. Sometimes he’ll use his slick wrestling to man-handle and deflate his opponent, as he did with fellow tournament contender Matt Mitrione. Sometimes he’ll use his fists to send his opponent to the moon, as he did with Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal, also during the Grand Prix.
During his time as a Bellator fighter, Bader has proven just one thing, that he will win, and win by any means necessary. This understanding simultaneously raised and lowered expectations for his Grand Prix finale bout with the legendary Emelianenko. Both carry legitimate knockout power in their thick mitts. And both posses high-level grappling ability within their limbs.
Would Bader grind Fedor out into a state of fatigue and elect from a variety of finishing moves? Or would he find a way to knock the mighty Russian out cold? If you had asked the Bellator production team, the latter would be unlikely, as they chose to identify Bader’s keys to victory as “blast doubles” and “wear him down on the ground.” No mention of punching Fedor’s lights out.
And what of Emelianenko? Icy, intimidating, very-very intimidating, and with a MMA status of iconic proportions. The threat of Fedor going “Fedor” on Bader was high. He’d just knocked out Frank Mir, another storied veteran, and coming into this night, it felt as though he might be surging towards a glorious retirement performance.
Yet during the Bellator 214 media week, footage of his open workout generated concerned curiosity, at least in this writer’s mind. Though he pounded his coach’s mitts with ferocity, loud booms filling the rooftop air, the frequency and duration of breaks between rounds was mystifying. So was the heavy breathing.
But a fabled creature like Fedor couldn’t, nay, shouldn’t be fully comprehended. There’s simply too much grandeur surrounding his aura to expect, or even desire, predictability. And so, full of unknowns, the backdrop for a USA-versus-Russia showdown was set and the moment of truth had arrived.
Fedor entered the arena like a stealthy tank rolling through a military parade that had long ended. Though fans cheered eagerly for “The Last Emperor,” delighted to bear witness to his mere presence, it was clear that the crowd was USA-all-the-way.
Once the Star Spangled Banner hit the speakers, hands went to hearts and chants of “USA” filled the mighty Forum. Magnanimous introductions followed. Bader looked relaxed, steady, and ready. Fedor looked Russian.
Photo courtesy of Bellator MMA
And then 30 seconds later, it was all over. Bader starches Fedor. Fedor bleeds. Bader growls, celebrates atop the cage, then returns to the canvas, eyes on his fallen opponent, concern weighing him down.
It’s unknown if Bader has read “Can’t Hurt Me” or if he is familiar with Goggins’ concept of “taking souls.” But it doesn’t really matter, because take Fedor’s soul Bader did. Will it return? Always. Will it remember the day it was rocketed into orbit like Sputnik? Always.
And so will fans all across the world. Whether watching live from the Forum, or at home via DAZN or Paramount Network, or through some other form, anyone with eyes on Bellator 214 bore witness to an exhibition of soul reaping like no other.
Hype was obliterated, legacy was singed. And Henry Corrales, Ryan Bader, and all the other first-round destroyers walked home a few pounds heavier, a spiritual carcass hanging over their shoulder, a trophy only they as victors could see.