Eduardo Dantas looked supremely confident heading into his Bellator MMA bantamweight title rematch against Joe Warren.
Once the championship fight started, it was easy to see why.
Dantas (19-4) cruised to a majority decision over Warren on Friday, avenging an upset loss from October 2014 in the process. The title fight headlined Bellator 166 in Thackerville, Oklahoma.
The defending Brazilian champion won by final scores of 49-44, 48-46 and 47-47. It would have been a unanimous decision had referee John McCarthy not docked Dantas one point in the final round for a kick to the groin.
It was a satisfying victory for the 27-year-old Dantas, who smiled in Warren's direction throughout the bout and occasionally taunted him.
Dantas set an early tone with a consistent jab and showcased plenty of effective footwork that wasn't there the last time these two fought two years ago. Warren ended Dantas' first reign as a bantamweight champion in that bout, defeating him by decision.
A highly decorated U.S. amateur wrestler, Warren struggled to close the gap and get Dantas to the floor. Warren was finally successful in the final round but only managed to keep Dantas down for a second.
After taking early control with the jab, Dantas started to open up with leg kicks that had a visible effect on Warren, who is a former bantamweight and featherweight Bellator champion. Dantas also found a frequent home for the straight right hand.
Dantas, who fights out of Nova Uniao in Rio de Janeiro, has now won five of his past six bouts. The 40-year-old Warren is 2-3 in his past five fights. Saturday marked the first time in Warren's seven-year career he has lost by decision.
