6 Takeaways From Bellator NYC

For five minutes and fifteen seconds this was a really entertaining fight. Chael Sonnen quickly realised Wanderlei Silva had his number on the feet but couldn't defend a takedown, and The American Gangster went back to basics to secure his first Bellator win.

The national anthems before the main event were probably not to everyone's taste. Dave Navarro played the Star Spangled Banner on the electric guitar, and no-one quite knew what to make of it. When he was done about four people applauded in The Garden. One of them was Chael.

The first round of this fight was excellent. Chael took him down quickly and went to work with some heavy ground and pound. When Wanderlei stood, he immediately cracked Sonnen with a beautiful right hand and put him down. Getting on top, Chael was able to sweep nicely to take top position. Chael clearly won the round, but Silva clearly landed the best shot.

A wild exchange to begin the second was clearly favouring Wanderlei, who rocked Chael again, but the American recovered and took him down, which took all the air out of the fight. Wanderlei had no answer to the takedown, and Chael would ride out the second round, before taking him down early in the third and smothering on top to take the unanimous decision win.

Chael was his usual self on the mic afterwards. He embraced his inner heel, telling the crowd how much he hated New York. Silva shoved him on his way out the cage. Sonnen then called out Fedor, all while Tito Ortiz heckled him from the front row after doing so him throughout the bout. A memorable end to a very memorable night.