Bellator Belfast: Corey Anderson beats Karl Moore to become new light-heavyweight champion

Moore was roared on as he stepped forward for the first time after a jittery start, glancing Anderson with a high kick.

But he quickly found himself on the ground, where he stayed for the rest of the round.

The second round saw little joy for Moore as he was forced to spend much of it defending against Anderson’s superior wrestling.

It was the same in the third before a moment of sudden jeopardy for Anderson as he found himself trapped in an armbar attempt from Moore.

The crowd’s decibel rose but Anderson produced a brilliant escape, twisting out of danger. Just as the fight seemed to be slipping away from Moore he found himself back in it.

But the toll of three rounds of defensive work was taking its toll as Moore struggled to get off his punches with any speed or power.

Anderson cruised through to the final round, taking Moore down twice in quick succession.

The referee’s decision to stand Anderson up in the final stages gave Moore one more chance to steal what would have been a famous victory, but he was unable to deliver.

The final scores read 50-45, 49-46 and 49-46 in Anderson’s favour, who picked up his 18th career win.

“We got it, but ‘Overtime’ is not satisfied,” Anderson said.

“We’ve got more work to do and more names to beat.”