HONOLULU – Liam McGeary (13-3 MMA, 10-3 BMMA) picked up a much-needed win and did so in impressive fashion, using crisp striking to earn a third-round knockout of Muhammed Lawal (21-8 MMA, 10-6 BMMA).

The light heavyweight bout was part of the DAZN-streamed main card of tonight’s Bellator 213 event, which took place at Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu.

Lawal kept his distance early, trying to stay away from the sizable range challenge presented by his taller opponent. McGeary struck a low stance and tried to use a long jab and snapping high kicks to pressure his foe. Lawal whiffed on several low kicks before finally moving forward and latching on to a single-leg and pressing the action to the fence. As McGeary sprawled, Lawal picked him up and slammed him to the floor, though he couldn’t keep him there, eventually releasing a bodylock and moving back to the center.

McGeary’s jab remained his best weapon, and Lawal did start finding range with his low kicks, as well. McGeary briefly slipped on a dangerous knee attempt, but he got back to his feet before Lawal could capitalize.

McGeary turned the heat up a bit to open the second. Lawal responded in kind, but he was a step behind to start. Lawal did start launching heavy punches up top, but he struggled to find the mark, with McGeary moving very well. The two traded strikes on the feet before a brief timeout when McGeary accidentally poked Lawal’s left eye.

On the restart, Lawal shot forward and took his opponent to his knees, but McGeary responded with a dizzying barrage of elbows. Lawal’s body seemed to go briefly limp on two occasions, and the referee clearly considered halting the action, but Lawal somehow responded each time.

McGeary again opened with a powerful jab to start the third. Lawal was unafraid to stand in the pocket, but it cost him. A huge McGeary right landed clean, and Lawal staggered. A second sent Lawal crashing to the floor. A left high kick nearly connected again as Lawal fell, but it was academic, and the fight was called off at the 53-second mark of the frame.

Up-to-the-minute Bellator 213 results include:

• Liam McGeary def. Muhammed Lawal via knockout (punches) – Round 3, 0:53
• Nainoa Dung def. Kona Oliveira via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 2:05
• Dustin Barca def. Isaac Hopps via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
• Maki Pitolo def. Chris Cisneros via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 2:40
• Kai Kamaka III def. Shojin Miki via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

For complete coverage of Bellator 213, check out the MMA Events section of the site.