SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Tywan Claxton (3-0 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) kept his perfect career record intact, earning a one-sided decision win over Cris Lencioni (4-2 MMA, 1-2 BMMA) in what ended up being a bit of a grudge match.

The catchweight contest (Lencioni missed the featherweight limit by 2.4 pounds) opened the Paramount-televised main card at Bellator 204, which took place at Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Despite the animosity between the two fighters, they did touch gloves to start the contest. Lencioni opened the action with a constant barrage of kicks to all levels. However, Claxton soon used that to his advantage, catching a leg and transitioning quickly into a takedown that saw him move almost immediately to side control. Claxton briefly targeted the right arm, but Lencioni’s defense was sound, forcing his opponent to give up on the effort. When Lencioni rolled for a leg, Claxton turned and moved back to the feet.

As the round wore on, Lencioni continued to favor kicks from range, while Claxton was happy to let his hands go while darting in and out of range. Lencioni was generally the man moving forward, but he was a little more loose in his attacks and did find himself dealing with his opponent’s counters. A missed spinning attack allowed Claxton another takedown, though he eventually backed away in favor of taunting his foe before the bell.

Claxton slipped early in the second and nearly found himself defending a choke but instead scrambled perfectly and was able to reverse his position and settle into Lencioni’s guard. Claxton looked to attack from the top but was sure to hold position, as well. He did briefly step to mount, though Lencioni did adjust and recover to guard. Claxton continued to work from the dominant position, posturing up and pounding the body with a series of firm punches. Lencioni was active from his back but was never quite able to work free, and Claxton made him pay at every opportunity.

Lencioni moved forward to open the third, but it was clear he was tiring from the previous rounds. Claxton calmly stayed away from his opponent’s striking, then moved inside and threw him to the floor with relative ease. Lencioni worked to guard, but Claxton was able to transition to his feet and back to the ground repeatedly, grinding away on his tiring foe. Short punches and elbows found their mark, and while it was ever enough to earn Claxton a stoppage, it was very obvious he had done enough to take home the win at the final bell, with judges scoring the fight 30-27 across the boards.

Claxton wasn’t done at the final bell, getting into his opponent’s face one last time to let him know he didn’t approve of Lencioni’s weigh-in trashtalk, especially after failing to make weight.

Up-to-the-minute results include:

• Tywan Claxton def. Cris Lencioni via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Omar Morales def. Troy Nawrocki via knockout (strikes) – Round 1, 0:58
• Demarques Jackson def. Bryce Logan via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)
• Jason Jackson def. Jordon Larson via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:52
• David Michaud def. Corey Davis via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 1:42
• Romero Cotton def. Willie Whitehead via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 4:12
• Tyler Ray def. Seth Bass via knockout (strikes) – Round 1, 3:30
• Keith Phathaem def. Micah Peatrowsky via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
• Lloyd McKinney def. Robiel Tesfaldet via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 3, 4:17
• Jeff Nielsen def. Wyatt Meyer via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:53

For complete coverage of Bellator 204, check out the MMA Events section of the site.