Bellator 180 NYC

Bellator 180 NYC took place at Madison Square Garden on June 24th, 2017. It has long been another option for some of the best fighters in the world to showcase their skills and prove their mettle. Here are some of Sports Illustrated's best photos from the promotions first event in the big apple and one of the biggest events in the company history.

Bellator 180 NYC

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Brad Desir (red gloves) beats Nate Grebb by KO in round 1 at 2:54

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Brad Desir (red gloves) beats Nate Grebb by KO in round 1 at 2:54

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Hardy is checked by the doctors after an inadvertent head butt and is cleared to continue the fight.

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Heather Hardy (red gloves) defeats Alice Yauger by TKO/Ref stoppage in round 3 at 4:47. Hardy makes her MMA debut at this event, but she is hardly a rookie, with 20-0 boxing record.

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Heather Hardy (red gloves) defeats Alice Yauger by TKO/Ref stoppage in round 3 at 4:47. Hardy makes her MMA debut at this event, but she is hardly a rookie, with 20-0 boxing record.

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Heather Hardy (red gloves) defeats Alice Yauger by TKO/Ref stoppage in round 3 at 4:47. Hardy makes her MMA debut at this event, but she is hardly a rookie, with 20-0 boxing record.

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Phil Davis (red gloves) is defeated by Ryan Bader by split decision for the Bellator 205lb Light Heavyweight Championship. This is the second fight the two have had, the first was in the UFC where Davis lost to Bader again by split decision.

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Phil Davis (red gloves) is defeated by Ryan Bader by split decision for the Bellator 205lb Light Heavyweight Championship. This is the second fight the two have had, the first was in the UFC where Davis lost to Bader again by split decision.

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Phil Davis (red gloves) is defeated by Ryan Bader by split decision for the Bellator 205lb Light Heavyweight Championship. This is the second fight the two have had, the first was in the UFC where Davis lost to Bader again by split decision.

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Ryan Bader Speaks at press conference

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Bellator Ring Girl

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Brent Primus (blue gloves) defeated Michael Chandler via TKO/Doctor Stoppage at 2:22 of Round 1 to win Bellator lightweight championship. The fight was stopped due to injury to Chandler's ankle.

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Brent Primus (blue gloves) defeated Michael Chandler via TKO/Doctor Stoppage at 2:22 of Round 1 to win Bellator lightweight championship. The fight was stopped due to injury to Chandler's ankle.

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Matt Mitrione defeats Fedor Emelianenko via KO at 1:14 of Round 1.

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Matt Mitrione defeats Fedor Emelianenko via KO at 1:14 of Round 1.

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Matt Mitrione defeats Fedor Emelianenko via KO at 1:14 of Round 1.

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Matt Mitrione defeats Fedor Emelianenko via KO at 1:14 of Round 1.

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Matt Mitrione defeats Fedor Emelianenko via KO at 1:14 of Round 1.

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Neiman Gracie defeats Dave Marfone via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:27 of Round 2.

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Neiman Gracie defeats Dave Marfone via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:27 of Round 2.

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Neiman Gracie defeats Dave Marfone via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:27 of Round 2.

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Neiman Gracie defeats Dave Marfone via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:27 of Round 2.

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Neiman Gracie defeats Dave Marfone via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:27 of Round 2.

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Neiman Gracie defeats Dave Marfone via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:27 of Round 2.

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Dave Navarro plays the national anthem before the main event.

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Chael Sonnen (blue gloves) defeated Wanderlei Silva via unanimous decision. Sonnen attacked immediately out the gate and forced a few take downs. there were moments during the fight where both opponents did nothing on the ground, waiting for the referee to stand them up, and it seamed to take a little too long. Even with some slow moments during the match, Sonnen was the clear aggressor.

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Chael Sonnen (blue gloves) defeated Wanderlei Silva via unanimous decision. Sonnen attacked immediately out the gate and forced a few take downs. there were moments during the fight where both opponents did nothing on the ground, waiting for the referee to stand them up, and it seamed to take a little too long. Even with some slow moments during the match, Sonnen was the clear aggressor.

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Chael Sonnen (blue gloves) defeated Wanderlei Silva via unanimous decision. Sonnen attacked immediately out the gate and forced a few take downs. there were moments during the fight where both opponents did nothing on the ground, waiting for the referee to stand them up, and it seamed to take a little too long. Even with some slow moments during the match, Sonnen was the clear aggressor.

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Chael Sonnen (blue gloves) defeated Wanderlei Silva via unanimous decision. Sonnen attacked immediately out the gate and forced a few take downs. there were moments during the fight where both opponents did nothing on the ground, waiting for the referee to stand them up, and it seamed to take a little too long. Even with some slow moments during the match, Sonnen was the clear aggressor.

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Chael Sonnen (blue gloves) defeated Wanderlei Silva via unanimous decision. Sonnen attacked immediately out the gate and forced a few take downs. there were moments during the fight where both opponents did nothing on the ground, waiting for the referee to stand them up, and it seamed to take a little too long. Even with some slow moments during the match, Sonnen was the clear aggressor.

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Chael Sonnen (blue gloves) defeated Wanderlei Silva via unanimous decision. Sonnen attacked immediately out the gate and forced a few take downs. there were moments during the fight where both opponents did nothing on the ground, waiting for the referee to stand them up, and it seamed to take a little too long. Even with some slow moments during the match, Sonnen was the clear aggressor.

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Chael Sonnen (blue gloves) defeated Wanderlei Silva via unanimous decision. Sonnen attacked immediately out the gate and forced a few take downs. there were moments during the fight where both opponents did nothing on the ground, waiting for the referee to stand them up, and it seamed to take a little too long. Even with some slow moments during the match, Sonnen was the clear aggressor.

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Chael Sonnen (blue gloves) defeated Wanderlei Silva via unanimous decision. Sonnen attacked immediately out the gate and forced a few take downs. there were moments during the fight where both opponents did nothing on the ground, waiting for the referee to stand them up, and it seamed to take a little too long. Even with some slow moments during the match, Sonnen was the clear aggressor.

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Chael Sonnen (blue gloves) defeated Wanderlei Silva via unanimous decision. Sonnen attacked immediately out the gate and forced a few take downs. there were moments during the fight where both opponents did nothing on the ground, waiting for the referee to stand them up, and it seamed to take a little too long. Even with some slow moments during the match, Sonnen was the clear aggressor.

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Chael Sonnen (blue gloves) defeated Wanderlei Silva via unanimous decision. Sonnen attacked immediately out the gate and forced a few take downs. there were moments during the fight where both opponents did nothing on the ground, waiting for the referee to stand them up, and it seamed to take a little too long. Even with some slow moments during the match, Sonnen was the clear aggressor.

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Chael Sonnen (blue gloves) defeated Wanderlei Silva via unanimous decision. Sonnen attacked immediately out the gate and forced a few take downs. there were moments during the fight where both opponents did nothing on the ground, waiting for the referee to stand them up, and it seamed to take a little too long. Even with some slow moments during the match, Sonnen was the clear aggressor.

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Tito Ortiz heckles Chael Sonnen before the fight is called.

Bellator 180

Chad Mathew Carlson/Brawlsy Media

Chael Sonnen (blue gloves) defeated Wanderlei Silva via unanimous decision. Sonnen attacked immediately out the gate and forced a few take downs. there were moments during the fight where both opponents did nothing on the ground, waiting for the referee to stand them up, and it seamed to take a little too long. Even with some slow moments during the match, Sonnen was the clear aggressor.