Swollen eyes. Badly cut nose. Unstable mouthpiece.
Those were just a few of the challenges former WWE champ and current AEW star Jake Hager faced over three grueling rounds with former Pittsburgh Steeler Brandon Calton before judges awarded him a split decision for his third Bellator win.
Hager’s grappling frequently got him out of trouble when he ducked under his opponent’s arms to work offense from the back. But when Calton proved unexpectedly tough to take down, he was forced to slug it out.
It was on his feet that Hager demonstrated the toughness necessary for greatness in high-level MMA.