Bellator 290 results: Brennan Ward blasts Sabah Homasi with head kick and punches to end violent battle

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INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Advertised as one of the most violent fights in Bellator history, Brennan Ward vs. Sabah Homasi delivered.

In the first Bellator fight to air on CBS in promotion history, Ward (17-6 MMA, 12-6 BMMA) defeated Homasi (17-11 MMA, 6-5 BMMA) with a head kick and punches at 1:34 of Round 2. The welterweight bout opened up the Bellator 290 main card at Kia Forum.

Homasi and Ward both came out aggressive, as expected. Ward shot for a takedown initially. Homasi stuffed. Moments later, Ward shot a takedown as Homasi leaped for a flying knee. Ward caught Homasi and took him to the ground. Once there, Ward worked from the back for a rear-naked choke, which he couldn’t get. Homasi worked up but Ward found success once back on the feet. The two fighters were bloodied, but not broken at the end-of-round bell.

In Round 2, Ward continued his momentum swing, as he rocked Homasi on various occasions. Ward was patient in the attack, as he beat down a durable Homasi. Referee Blake Grice appeared close to a stoppage on multiple occasions, but a head kick and punches were what eventually persuaded him to intervene.

After the fight, Ward was joined in the cage by legendary actor Jean-Claude Van Damme, who attended the event with a mutual friend of theirs.

Ward returned in February 2022 after nearly five years away from MMA competition due to an ongoing battle with drug addiction. At Bellator 274, Ward was successful in his comeback bout when he defeated Brandon Bell by second-round TKO. In June, he defeated Kassius Kayne by second-round TKO at Bellator 282.

Reinvented under the Bellator banner, Homasi, a close friend and training partner of UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier, won six of his past eight bouts before Saturday. A two fight skid was snapped with the loss.

Up-to-the-minute Bellator 290 results include:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 290.

Story originally appeared on MMA Junkie