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Bizarre Rafael Carvalho Effort Nets Bellator 155 Split Decision Over Melvin Manhoef

Squirrelly judging allowed Rafael Carvalho to keep the Bellator MMA middleweight championship after one of the more bizarre big-fight performances in recent memory.

Carvalho was awarded a five-round split decision over Melvin Manhoef and retained control of the 185-pound title in the Bellator 155 headliner on Friday at the CenturyLink Arena in Boise, Idaho. Scores were 48-47 (Michael Bell) for Manhoef, 48-47 (Randy Anderson) and 48-47 (Rob Hinds) for Carvalho. The champion did virtually nothing noteworthy from an offensive standpoint, aside from meaningless takedowns in the third and fourth rounds.