Moore's historic title bid ends in Belfast heartbreak

Karl Moore's bid to become Ireland's first Bellator champion ended in heartbreak at the hands of American Corey Anderson in Belfast on Friday.

Anderson, 34, cruised to an unanimous points victory to claim Bellator's light-heavyweight title.

Moore's chances hinged on a stoppage victory but the local fighter was largely dominated over five rounds.

All three judges scored it for Anderson, who ended a near 11-year wait to win a world title in MMA.

Anderson joined Bellator in 2020 in search of world honours and in Belfast was competing in his second world title fight in the promotion.

For Moore, it marked a disappointing ending following a rapid rise for a fighter who three years ago was sleeping on a mattress in his gym and earning just £170 a week.

With only four Irishmen on the card, the Belfast crowd saved all their voice for the emergence of Moore just after 22:00 GMT inside the SSE Arena.

The Belfast native entered to a crowd favourite, The Cranberries' Zombie, but was so quickly in the cage his supporters weren't given the chance to belt out the chorus.

It was perhaps an omen for a fight that never truly got going for the hometown fighter.

Anderson came flying out of the traps, setting a ferocious pace and visibly worrying Moore.

Moore was roared on as he stepped forward for the first time after a jittery start, glancing Anderson with a high kick.

But he quickly found himself on the ground, where he stayed for the rest of the round.

The second round saw little joy for Moore as he was forced to spend much of it defending against Anderson's wrestling.

It was the same in the third before a moment of jeopardy for Anderson as he found himself suddenly trapped in an armbar attempt from Moore.

The crowd's decibel rose but Anderson produced a brilliant escape. Just as the fight seemed to be slipping away from Moore he found himself back in it.

But the toll of three rounds of defensive work was taking its toll on Moore as he struggled to get off his punches with any speed or power.

Anderson cruised through to the final round, taking Moore down twice in quick succession.

The referee's decision to stand Anderson up in the final stages gave Moore one more chance to steal what would have been a famous victory, but the Irishman was unable to deliver.