Emanuel Newton made his second Bellator Light Heavyweight Championship defense tonight at “Bellator 130” and it was a successful one. He submitted Linton Vassell in the fifth round to retain his title.

Linton Vassell was a fitting challenger, however. He controlled the first and second rounds and threatened to finish the fight multiple times. Throughout the first ten minutes of the fight, Vassell had Newton in rear naked chokes, kimuras and straight armbars. In the third, he finally landed a solid looking rear naked choke that would have forced Newton to submit if it wasn’t for the fact that Vassell’s back was against the cage; he couldn’t crank the hold.

As the fight progressed into championship rounds, Newton’s confidence skyrocketed and he started to take control of the fight. Vassell’s failed takedown attempt led to Newton trapping him in a rear naked choke.

Newton’s crank was so hard that he did not even have to have hooks or a body triangle locked on to make Vassell submit! Vassell felt the pain and it was either tap or pass out. He chose to tap and Big John stopped the fight.

Emanuel Newton will face Liam McGeary next.

Emanuel Newton def. Linton Vassell by way of Submission (RNC) :47 of Round 5