Bellator delivered an electrifying main event as Patricky Pitbull faced Roberto de Souza at a 161-pound catchweight.
In a rare display of a divisional grand prix fight taking place outside of the division in question, Bellator delivered an electrifying main event as Patricky Pitbull faced Roberto de Souza at a 161-pound catchweight. Originally scheduled to take on A.J. McKee, who had to withdraw due to illness, Roberto de Souza stepped in on short notice, setting the stage for an intriguing clash with high stakes. The winner would advance to Bellator’s 155-pound tournament, adding an extra layer of significance to the fight.
The anticipation was palpable as the two fighters entered the cage in front of an eager audience ready to witness an unpredictable showdown. Both men assumed orthodox stances sizing each other up with a cautious approach in the early moments of the fight. The feeling-out process led to a slow-paced opening, with neither fighter throwing punches with full conviction.
It was Roberto de Souza who landed the first significant strike of the match, delivering a low kick that caught the attention of Patricky Pitbull. In response, Pitbull countered with a well-timed low kick of his own aiming for his opponent’s plant leg. Both fighters exhibited a high level of caution unwilling to fully commit to their offensive arsenal.
With under a minute left in the first round, Pitbull launched a flying knee of his own, but Roberto de Souza managed to evade the strike by moving away. In the closing seconds, both fighters engaged in a brief flurry of punches with Pitbull slightly gaining the upper hand before the bell rang.
The start of Round 2 saw Patricky Pitbull take the initiative to advance forward while Roberto de Souza opted to give ground. Both fighters displayed movement and agility bouncing on their toes as they sought openings in each other’s defense. Roberto de Souza attempted a low kick that only glanced followed by a takedown attempt. However, Pitbull demonstrated excellent takedown defense preventing his opponent from bringing the fight to the ground.
Maintaining the tense and deliberate pace, Pitbull utilized feints to keep Roberto de Souza guessing ultimately landing a low kick after a feint with his hands. He then closed the distance and landed a crisp one-two combination showcasing his striking prowess. Briefly switching stances, Pitbull maintained control but he found himself in front of Roberto de Souza for too long and took a couple of punches in return.
As the round continued, Pitbull displayed his striking accuracy with a well-placed low kick that significantly affected Roberto de Souza. The fighter tried to shoot for a takedown from the outside but Pitbull effortlessly sprawled to deny the attempt. The Brazilian fighter then unleashed a flying knee that rocked Roberto de Souza prompting a flurry of follow-up punches.
While Roberto de Souza went down, he demonstrated heart and determination, prompting the referee to wave off the fight temporarily. However, Pitbull showed restraint allowing his opponent to rise to his feet before the round ended.
The final round saw Roberto de Souza attempting to assert himself, taking the initiative and feinting a level change. Pitbull responded with a powerful calf kick that caused Roberto de Souza to go down in pain. Seizing the moment, Pitbull moved in with a series of punches, leading to a stoppage by the referee, who recognized the surrender in Roberto de Souza’s body language.
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