Career Averages - Luke Fernandez
Career Averages - Rodolfo Bellato
Luke Fernandez - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luke Fernandez | 0 | 16 of 33 | 48% | 26 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
| Rodolfo Bellato | 1 | 30 of 46 | 65% | 32 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luke Fernandez | 0 | 16 of 33 | 48% | 26 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
| Rodolfo Bellato | 1 | 30 of 46 | 65% | 32 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luke Fernandez | 16 of 33 | 48% | 12 of 28 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 26 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Rodolfo Bellato | 30 of 46 | 65% | 24 of 39 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 20 of 27 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luke Fernandez | 16 of 33 | 48% | 12 of 28 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 26 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Rodolfo Bellato | 30 of 46 | 65% | 24 of 39 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 20 of 27 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Fernandez (-225), Bellato (+185)
Round 1
Who’s up for some face-punching? The UFC has 12 battles on display today, including a few that they will position on the major CBS airwaves stateside, and most of them are primed for a finish of some kind. The action kicks off in the light heavyweight division between the debuting powerhouse Fernandez (6-0, 0-0 UFC) and “Trator” Bellato (12-3-1, 1 NC; 1-1-1, 1 NC UFC). The latter sports a remarkable promotional record of a win, loss, draw and no contest, which means that in the next 15 minutes or fewer, that will all change. Referee Kerry Hatley is on top of the action, standing back as the two bump fists.
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Fernandez measures his opponent right out of the gate, reaching out with a right hand and stepping in with a knee to the body. Bellato ducks down into a swiping left hook, and he takes a jab across the forward bow. Fernandez punches his way into a clinch, ignoring body strikes from the Brazilian to maul him with a heavy right hand. Bellato takes it on the temple and breaks off, blinking it out and keeping his guard up. Fernandez sticks out a long jab, and he absorbs a left hand on the rib cage coming back. Fernandez keeps working his jab, and Bellato’s hook to the body lands again. Fernandez clips Bellato at the end of a one-two and follows on a combination, bloodying his foe up on the corner of his eye and his nose.
Bellato opens up with a few leg kicks, ducking away from a huge right hand and shoving his foe back.
Bellato blocks a hook, slips a few punches and lets rip with a short but powerful left hook on the inside. Fernandez falls flat to his back, stunned from the sneakily effective blow, and he turns to his side to protect himself. Bellato goes ballistic, jackhammering the newcomer with frantic hammerfists as Hatley watches on closely. As Bellato shows no sign in slowing his onslaught of punches, Hatley waves the fight off.
Bellato disengages and runs to his corner to celebrate, hugging or high-fiving anyone in his path, including Hatley himself. Blood leaking from his nose and eyes wide as dinner plates, Bellato wipes the plasma on his palm and licks it off to show off to the cameras.
The Official Result
Rodolfo Bellato def. Luke Fernandez R1 2:42 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo notes that Rodolfo Bellato is a heavy-handed grappler but flat-footed and not particularly fast or powerful. Luke Fernandez is well-rounded but inexperienced. He warns this could be a Contender Series fade, but ultimately picks Luke because he can mix striking and grappling effectively.
Big Brady picks Luke Fernandez over Rodolfo Bellato. He notes Bellato is very hittable with poor striking defense (46%) and a questionable chin, recalling Bellato's near-TKO loss to Igor Poteria where the referee failed to stop the fight. Fernandez has heavy hands, solid wrestling, and vicious ground and pound. Brady believes Fernandez can control Bellato against the cage, take him down, and potentially finish him via TKO. He acknowledges the risk of laying -230 on a debutant but trusts Fernandez's durability and power.
Cody picks Fernandez, citing his wrestling, power, and high fight IQ. He notes Bellato's poor chin and tendency to quit. He expects Fernandez to win by knockout or decision.
Connor picks Fernandez as a lean, citing his early danger and ability to press Bellato against the fence. He notes that Bellato is foot-slow and gets hurt early in fights, as seen against Poitieria. Fernandez has good close-range striking and a clinch game, which could neutralize Bellato's pace. However, if Fernandez doesn't finish early, the fight could become ugly.
Daniel Vreeland confidently picks Luke Fernandez, citing his wrestling background and decent hands. He notes that Rodolfo Bellato is slow and hittable, and Fernandez can exploit that early. Vreeland warns about Bellato's durability but believes Fernandez can finish or win a decision.
James picks Luke Fernandez, citing his superior skill set, grappling upside, and powerful left hook that could knock out Bellato. He acknowledges Bellato's durability and cardio but believes Fernandez can match him in toughness and has a higher ceiling. James notes that Bellato has been knocked out by similar left hooks before, and Fernandez's undefeated record and trajectory make him the pick.
Bellato is the toughest challenge of Fernandez's career. Fernandez will likely struggle to grapple Bellato, who can stuff takedowns and land more damage on the feet. Bellato's durability and striking advantage should lead to a decision win. The fight going to decision is also a consideration at plus 300.
Paul also picks Fernandez, noting his wrestling and power. He expects Fernandez to win by knockout, given Bellato's durability issues.
The MMA Guru picks Luke Fernandez, believing in the prospect's athleticism and power. He notes Fernandez's early finish on the Contender Series and his submission ability, predicting an early finish. He acknowledges Bellato's toughness and experience but trusts Fernandez's explosiveness.
Zane picks Fernandez as a lean, noting that Bellato has been hurt by athletic fighters like Patrino. He thinks Fernandez's early danger and wrestling fallback give him an edge. However, he acknowledges that if Fernandez can't finish, it will be a close, ugly fight. He also notes that Bellato's defensive wrestling stats are untested.
Rodolfo Bellato - Fight History
Angelo picks Modestas Bukauskas, trusting his gut despite an uneasy feeling. He notes Bukauskas can stop some takedowns and have success striking, leading to a decision win. He recalls Bellato losing similar fights where he had takedowns but was behind on striking. He has seen Bellato quit before.
Lucrative James tentatively picks Modestas Bukauskas via decision, but expresses low confidence. He notes Bukauskas's superior footwork and range management, but also highlights concerns about his training camp disruption and lack of finishing ability. He suggests the fight could go either way and may bet on Bellato if the odds are favorable.
The host thinks Bukauskas is technically superior and should outwork Bellato, but he is hesitant due to Bellato's knockout power and aggression. He predicts Bukauskas wins by decision but would only bet if the line becomes a pick'em or Bukauskas becomes the underdog.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luke Fernandez | 0 | 16 of 33 | 48% | 26 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
| Rodolfo Bellato | 1 | 30 of 46 | 65% | 32 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luke Fernandez | 0 | 16 of 33 | 48% | 26 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
| Rodolfo Bellato | 1 | 30 of 46 | 65% | 32 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luke Fernandez | 16 of 33 | 48% | 12 of 28 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 26 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Rodolfo Bellato | 30 of 46 | 65% | 24 of 39 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 20 of 27 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luke Fernandez | 16 of 33 | 48% | 12 of 28 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 26 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Rodolfo Bellato | 30 of 46 | 65% | 24 of 39 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 20 of 27 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Fernandez (-225), Bellato (+185)
Round 1
Who’s up for some face-punching? The UFC has 12 battles on display today, including a few that they will position on the major CBS airwaves stateside, and most of them are primed for a finish of some kind. The action kicks off in the light heavyweight division between the debuting powerhouse Fernandez (6-0, 0-0 UFC) and “Trator” Bellato (12-3-1, 1 NC; 1-1-1, 1 NC UFC). The latter sports a remarkable promotional record of a win, loss, draw and no contest, which means that in the next 15 minutes or fewer, that will all change. Referee Kerry Hatley is on top of the action, standing back as the two bump fists.
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Fernandez measures his opponent right out of the gate, reaching out with a right hand and stepping in with a knee to the body. Bellato ducks down into a swiping left hook, and he takes a jab across the forward bow. Fernandez punches his way into a clinch, ignoring body strikes from the Brazilian to maul him with a heavy right hand. Bellato takes it on the temple and breaks off, blinking it out and keeping his guard up. Fernandez sticks out a long jab, and he absorbs a left hand on the rib cage coming back. Fernandez keeps working his jab, and Bellato’s hook to the body lands again. Fernandez clips Bellato at the end of a one-two and follows on a combination, bloodying his foe up on the corner of his eye and his nose.
Bellato opens up with a few leg kicks, ducking away from a huge right hand and shoving his foe back.
Bellato blocks a hook, slips a few punches and lets rip with a short but powerful left hook on the inside. Fernandez falls flat to his back, stunned from the sneakily effective blow, and he turns to his side to protect himself. Bellato goes ballistic, jackhammering the newcomer with frantic hammerfists as Hatley watches on closely. As Bellato shows no sign in slowing his onslaught of punches, Hatley waves the fight off.
Bellato disengages and runs to his corner to celebrate, hugging or high-fiving anyone in his path, including Hatley himself. Blood leaking from his nose and eyes wide as dinner plates, Bellato wipes the plasma on his palm and licks it off to show off to the cameras.
The Official Result
Rodolfo Bellato def. Luke Fernandez R1 2:42 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo notes that Rodolfo Bellato is a heavy-handed grappler but flat-footed and not particularly fast or powerful. Luke Fernandez is well-rounded but inexperienced. He warns this could be a Contender Series fade, but ultimately picks Luke because he can mix striking and grappling effectively.
Big Brady picks Luke Fernandez over Rodolfo Bellato. He notes Bellato is very hittable with poor striking defense (46%) and a questionable chin, recalling Bellato's near-TKO loss to Igor Poteria where the referee failed to stop the fight. Fernandez has heavy hands, solid wrestling, and vicious ground and pound. Brady believes Fernandez can control Bellato against the cage, take him down, and potentially finish him via TKO. He acknowledges the risk of laying -230 on a debutant but trusts Fernandez's durability and power.
Cody picks Fernandez, citing his wrestling, power, and high fight IQ. He notes Bellato's poor chin and tendency to quit. He expects Fernandez to win by knockout or decision.
Connor picks Fernandez as a lean, citing his early danger and ability to press Bellato against the fence. He notes that Bellato is foot-slow and gets hurt early in fights, as seen against Poitieria. Fernandez has good close-range striking and a clinch game, which could neutralize Bellato's pace. However, if Fernandez doesn't finish early, the fight could become ugly.
Daniel Vreeland confidently picks Luke Fernandez, citing his wrestling background and decent hands. He notes that Rodolfo Bellato is slow and hittable, and Fernandez can exploit that early. Vreeland warns about Bellato's durability but believes Fernandez can finish or win a decision.
James picks Luke Fernandez, citing his superior skill set, grappling upside, and powerful left hook that could knock out Bellato. He acknowledges Bellato's durability and cardio but believes Fernandez can match him in toughness and has a higher ceiling. James notes that Bellato has been knocked out by similar left hooks before, and Fernandez's undefeated record and trajectory make him the pick.
Bellato is the toughest challenge of Fernandez's career. Fernandez will likely struggle to grapple Bellato, who can stuff takedowns and land more damage on the feet. Bellato's durability and striking advantage should lead to a decision win. The fight going to decision is also a consideration at plus 300.
Paul also picks Fernandez, noting his wrestling and power. He expects Fernandez to win by knockout, given Bellato's durability issues.
The MMA Guru picks Luke Fernandez, believing in the prospect's athleticism and power. He notes Fernandez's early finish on the Contender Series and his submission ability, predicting an early finish. He acknowledges Bellato's toughness and experience but trusts Fernandez's explosiveness.
Zane picks Fernandez as a lean, noting that Bellato has been hurt by athletic fighters like Patrino. He thinks Fernandez's early danger and wrestling fallback give him an edge. However, he acknowledges that if Fernandez can't finish, it will be a close, ugly fight. He also notes that Bellato's defensive wrestling stats are untested.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navajo Stirling | 0 | 81 of 158 | 51% | 101 of 193 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 3:53 |
| Rodolfo Bellato | 0 | 43 of 89 | 48% | 62 of 111 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 2:23 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Navajo Stirling | 0 | 37 of 62 | 59% | 41 of 67 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:58 |
| Rodolfo Bellato | 0 | 15 of 33 | 45% | 20 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:40 | |
| 2 | Navajo Stirling | 0 | 16 of 39 | 41% | 31 of 68 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:52 |
| Rodolfo Bellato | 0 | 6 of 19 | 31% | 19 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 | |
| 3 | Navajo Stirling | 0 | 28 of 57 | 49% | 29 of 58 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Rodolfo Bellato | 0 | 22 of 37 | 59% | 23 of 39 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 1:24 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navajo Stirling | 81 of 158 | 51% | 44 of 102 | 35 of 53 | 2 of 3 | 70 of 145 | 10 of 12 | 1 of 1 |
| Rodolfo Bellato | 43 of 89 | 48% | 21 of 60 | 12 of 19 | 10 of 10 | 39 of 81 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Navajo Stirling | 37 of 62 | 59% | 21 of 37 | 15 of 23 | 1 of 2 | 32 of 56 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Rodolfo Bellato | 15 of 33 | 45% | 4 of 17 | 5 of 10 | 6 of 6 | 13 of 30 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Navajo Stirling | 16 of 39 | 41% | 11 of 29 | 5 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 34 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 |
| Rodolfo Bellato | 6 of 19 | 31% | 5 of 17 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | |
| 3 | Navajo Stirling | 28 of 57 | 49% | 12 of 36 | 15 of 20 | 1 of 1 | 26 of 55 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Rodolfo Bellato | 22 of 37 | 59% | 12 of 26 | 6 of 7 | 4 of 4 | 20 of 34 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Stirling (-240); Bellato (+200)
Round 1
Two light heavyweights who prefer the knockout will square off in the preliminary headliner. Stirling (7-0, 0-0 UFC) out of City Kickboxing has never tasted defeat, while Bellato (12-2-1, 1 NC; 1-0-1, 1 NC UFC) is unbeaten in the Octagon with a fairly unusual three-fight stretch in it. Referee Mike Beltran dons his proverbial hard hat ahead of what should be a striker’s delight, one that commences with no sight of a glove touch.
With Bellato coming at him, Stirling is prepped and ready with long push kicks and straight punches. Bellato swipes at him with a left hook, using it to close the distance between them and tie them up. Bellato stalls out the position in the clinch, getting off a knee or two but finding himself taking some solid elbows up close. The elbows from Stirling allow him to turn the tables and put Bellato’s back to the wall, where he starts beating on his foe with right hands. Stirling tries for a spinning elbow on the break, but it bounces off the shoulder. They trade heavy leg kicks, and it is Bellato who follows with a front kick. Stirling wings a right hand that skims the top of the head, and he plants a one-two down the pipe right after. The City Kickboxing prospect rips the body a few times with his fists, and then aims his kicks to the same spot.
Bellato unloads with power strikes, one of his winging kicks brushing the cup, and nothing happens other than Bellato getting close enough to clinch again. Stirling breaks out of it and resets, reaching a right hand behind the ear. Bellato checks a kick, but a liver kick that follows lands flush. Stirling stays committed to body work even with Bellato headhunting him, and his own offense reminds Bellato that he too can attack the midsection. A few punches to the torso from Bellato lead into a clinch, and like the previous times, Stirling frees himself. Two body shots lead to a pair upstairs, and Stirling opens up with power punches to all targets. Bellato counters with a powerful knee on the jaw, and Stirling reels and then comes back firing with more blows. Before punching himself out, Stirling calms himself down and engages a clinch on his own accord. Bellato sees an opening and spins with a back fist that just misses, and they both flail at one another until the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Stirling
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Stirling
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Stirling
Round 2
Bellato practically sprints out of his corner to engage, but it is Stirling who has the offense locked and loaded. In rapid succession, the Kiwi fires off a pair of head kicks, and he works the body and ducks when Bellato hurls a counter right hand his way. In a brief clinch, Stirling strings a knee into several power punches up top, and his forward pressure results in him considering a takedown. When Stirling goes for it, he wrenches the Brazilian off his feet and plops him down on the canvas. Landing in half guard, Stirling starts landing strikes, and Bellato complains about a foul he feels he sustained. Beltran tells him to fight on. Stirling slowly but effectively drops down a number of left hands, and Bellato defends himself by gripping hold of Stirling’s wrist.
Bellato recovers full guard, and his own few attacks off his back open up Stirling’s nose and start the blood flowing. Stirling stacks his opponent up to open the guard, and he winds up with a fierce elbow that slashes off the top of the dome. Bellato sits up and explodes to his feet, with Stirling still holding him tightly. Bellato knees the body to break free, and he aims a few more strikes to the midsection to give Stirling something to think about. Stirling, meanwhile, wipes his nose and unloads with massive power punches. Stirling backs off and jams the body with a few kicks, and Bellato loads up on a heavy right hand. Bellato rips a left to the body and a right to the head, and he dodges the Stirling offense and counters with a left up top. When Stirling sells out for a big strike, Bellato takes him to the floor. The tepid round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bellato
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Bellato
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Bellato
Round 3
The Brazilian wants to lead the dance, and he walks into a few long punches and ignores them to swing a left hand over the guard. Stirling goes to the body, and Bellato hurls a right hand at his melon. Stirling fakes a takedown, and Bellato does the same thing except he appears to want it after a brief odd clash. They both trade heavy punches, and Stirling gets the worst of it but is not compromised. Bellato takes a jabbing kick to the stomach, and jabs fly from both men. Stirling hunts for a takedown, and Bellato turns him about and rams him into the wall. The two separate, and Bellato keeps after his opponent with jabs and power punches to the ribs. A shot from Bellato follows the left to the body.
Bellato sells out for the takedown, trying several different means including a brief back take where he drags his man down using his own weight against him. “Trator” succeeds in getting Stirling down for a moment or two, but Stirling gets back up. Both men appear quite fatigued, so the action slows to little more than a prolonged, grueling clinch battle. Stirling spins to break, and Bellato awkwardly spins back and has his fist bump off the guard. Bellato shoots, and Stirling shuts it down and lets his hands go. Bellato spins again, eats a counter right hand and then takes a head kick. Stirling nails his foe with a right hand, and Bellato responds with jabs and a failed capoeira kick. The round comes to a close, and scores could be all over the map.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bellato (29-28 Bellato)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Stirling (29-28 Stirling)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Stirling (29-28 Stirling)
The Official Result
Navajo Stirling def. Rodolfo Bellato via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Angelo picks Navajo Stirling, acknowledging the local hype but believing Stirling has a higher skill ceiling and has never quit. He notes that Rodolfo Bellato is decent but can be sloppy and has put on weird performances. However, he is not confident enough to bet at the current odds (around minus 300), as he hasn't seen elite takedown defense or power from Stirling.
Big Brady picks Navajo Stirling to win by second-round knockout. He praises Stirling's takedown defense, volume, and power, and criticizes Bellato's poor striking defense and tendency to eat punches. He believes Stirling will land a big shot and get his first UFC finish.
Cody picks Stirling, believing his striking is superior and he can knock out Bellato, who has poor durability. He acknowledges Bellato's wrestling could be a threat but thinks Stirling's length and improving takedown defense will allow him to get back up. He notes Stirling is young and improving, while Bellato is a glass cannon.
Connor agrees with Zane, noting that Bellato is a steady, experienced fighter who can pressure and clinch for three rounds. He points out that Sterling has been struggling with lesser opponents and that Bellato's durability and consistency could be too much for the green prospect. He also mentions that Bellato can be caught cold early, but if he survives, he tends to warm up and get harder to hurt.
James picks Navajo Sterling confidently, praising his striking pedigree from City Kickboxing and noting Bellato's poor UFC performances, including being badly hurt in multiple fights. He believes Sterling is a much better striker and will likely hurt Bellato, though he is unsure about the method—predicting a KO but acknowledging Bellato's toughness could lead to a decision.
James confidently picks Navajo Stirling to win by KO, citing Bellato's poor striking defense and history of being knocked out. He believes Stirling's striking is superior and that he will finally get his first UFC knockout. He acknowledges bias as Stirling trains at City Kickboxing.
The host believes Stirling will pick apart Bellato with relative ease. He thinks even if Bellato tries to take the fight to the ground, Stirling's defenses are good enough to thwart that and then pick apart Bellato and win by knockout.
The Guru picks Navajo Stirling confidently, seeing him as a fundamentally sound striker with underrated grappling. He believes the UFC is feeding him Rodolfo Bellato as a favorable matchup, similar to the Goutierre experiment. He expects a dominant TKO win, possibly earning a $50k bonus.
Zane thinks Bellato's steady pressure and clinch work will be a tough test for the green Sterling. He notes that Sterling has struggled with basic pressure from lesser opponents, and Bellato's consistency could force Sterling to fight back. However, he acknowledges Sterling could catch Bellato early with a big shot.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Craig | 0 | 17 of 27 | 62% | 40 of 52 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:34 |
| Rodolfo Bellato | 0 | 10 of 20 | 50% | 16 of 27 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:55 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paul Craig | 0 | 17 of 27 | 62% | 40 of 52 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:34 |
| Rodolfo Bellato | 0 | 10 of 20 | 50% | 16 of 27 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:55 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Craig | 17 of 27 | 62% | 7 of 16 | 10 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 23 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 |
| Rodolfo Bellato | 10 of 20 | 50% | 2 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 7 | 9 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paul Craig | 17 of 27 | 62% | 7 of 16 | 10 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 23 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 |
| Rodolfo Bellato | 10 of 20 | 50% | 2 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 7 | 9 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Bellato (-375), Craig (+295)
Round 1
What was previously booked a few weeks ago fell apart due to a sudden outbreak of cold sores for the favored man. The UFC puts it back together, knowing that if light heavyweight co-headliner goes all 15 minutes, something may have gone horribly wrong between these two ludicrously aggressive fighters. In their combined 29 wins, they have just one decision between them. Craig (17-9-1, 9-9-1 UFC) still celebrates his gaudy 100% finish rate, while Bellato (12-2-1, 1-0-1 UFC) went the distance for the LFA title that springboarded him to DWCS. Referee Kevin MacDonald dons his proverbial hard hat for this explosive contest, and the fighters decide to bump their large fists together before going for broke. Bellato resides in the center of the age, pump-faking and feinting but not throwing anything. Instead, Craig lands first, in the form of a hefty body kick. Bellato swings and misses with huge hooks that might have dome some serious damage, and he is not messing around early. Bellato chips at the lead leg and jabs the midsection, getting met with a body kick on the way out. Bellato’s leg kick finds its home again, and his right hand is wound up ready to strike. Instead, the Brazilian clinches, and he bounces out and rocks Craig with a right hand. Craig responds with a spinning back kick to the breadbasket, and he takes some of the sting off a front kick aimed at his chest. Craig spins with another back kick that lands flush, and he jabs and shoots for a takedown that does not come. Bellato stays focused on welting up the Scot’s front leg, and he ignores a left hand so he can prepare for a takedown that comes. Bellato stuffs it and wings a right hand, and the looping hook buzzes past Craig’s beard. Bellato takes two more body kicks, nods and stalks “Bearjew” down. Craig rips another kick to the ribs, and he spins with a back kick and drops down for a single. Bellato frames off and keeps his balance, forcing Craig to sell out and drop down for it while pushing the heavy betting favorite against the wall. Craig trips Bellato up, and as if he had springs in his shorts, Bellato bounces off the mat to get back to his feet. Craig ducks a huge punch and goes after a takedown, but Bellato bowls him over and lands heavily in half guard. Bellato flirts with an arm-triangle setup, retaining heavy chest pressure to not allow Craig to do something off his back. Bellato postures up and stands up with 10 seconds to go, smacking Craig with a low kick and diving down.
Craig pushes off of him and belts Bellato with a brutal upkick while Bellato’s right knee is down. The stunner of an upkick knocks Bellato clean out, who collapses to his back. After a few seconds he snaps back to consciousness and looks terrified, eyes wide as dinner plates, and he scurries towards the wall to defend himself from an unknown threat.
Still not knowing where he is, Bellato seats himself against the fence, and when MacDonald approaches him, Bellato tries to grapple him and even attempts a leglock. MacDonald calmly, professionally informs Bellato that he got knocked out, and calls for a replay to determine the legality of the blow. It is clear the fight is over and that Bellato will not be able to continue, so the only question is whether MacDonald will declare this fight result a disqualification or a no contest. Meanwhile, virtual judge Devin Tejada specifically requested that his round score of a 10-6 in favor of Craig be declared here even though the round did not end. This is a rough situation, one that merits this match be booked one more time in a few months.
The Official Result
Paul Craig vs. Rodolfo Bellato is Ruled a No Contest (Illegal Upkick) R1 4:59
Angelo picks Bellato because Paul Craig is not very good and has no evolution in his game. He notes that Bellato should win by keeping his elbows in on the ground and bombing away on the feet. He warns that Craig is dangerous on the ground but Bellato should avoid getting submitted.
Big Brady picks Rodolfo Bellato by second-round knockout. He notes that Paul Craig is near retirement and has struggled at middleweight. He warns that Craig is dangerous on the ground but believes Bellato can keep the fight standing and knock him out, as long as he treats the ground like lava.
Bellato will keep the fight upright and use his striking to damage Craig, eventually finding a knockout within two rounds. He is not expected to attempt a submission.
The Guru picks Rodolfo Bellato, despite being a former Paul Craig supporter. He doubts Craig's chin and offensive intent, noting Craig struggled against Bo Nickal. He highlights Bellato's training with Luke Rockhold for grappling and expects a first-round TKO, as Bellato should be safe on the feet if he doesn't shoot into Craig's guard.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Craig | 0 | 17 of 27 | 62% | 40 of 52 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:34 |
| Rodolfo Bellato | 0 | 10 of 20 | 50% | 16 of 27 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:55 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paul Craig | 0 | 17 of 27 | 62% | 40 of 52 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:34 |
| Rodolfo Bellato | 0 | 10 of 20 | 50% | 16 of 27 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:55 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Craig | 17 of 27 | 62% | 7 of 16 | 10 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 23 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 |
| Rodolfo Bellato | 10 of 20 | 50% | 2 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 7 | 9 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paul Craig | 17 of 27 | 62% | 7 of 16 | 10 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 23 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 |
| Rodolfo Bellato | 10 of 20 | 50% | 2 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 7 | 9 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 |
Angelo picks Rodolfo Bellato by knockout, stating that Paul Craig's wrestling is too poor to get the fight to the ground where he is dangerous, and his chin is too weak to stay in the pocket. He notes that Bellato is a heavy-handed grappler who will come forward and bomb away. Angelo also mentions that Bellato is incredibly handsome, adding a humorous note.
Big Brady picks Rodolfo Bellato, noting he is a black belt and the better striker with good power. He acknowledges Paul Craig's comeback ability but thinks Bellato's takedown defense and striking advantage lead to a second-round knockout.
The host is surprised Bellato is such a big favorite, noting he is not super technical and Craig could pull off a submission. However, he leans with Bellato due to better hardware, good durability, and great cardio, expecting him to outdamage Craig and find a finish in the second or third round. He would not pay minus 500 on a fighter like this.
The Guru picks Rodolfo Bellato, calling him strong and durable with nice hands. He notes Bellato has been working with Luke Rockhold on grappling. He criticizes Paul Craig's game as limited (bad double leg, body kick, imanari roll) and thinks Craig has had his day. He predicts Bellato by TKO.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jimmy Crute | 1 | 106 of 209 | 50% | 139 of 247 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 3:52 |
| Rodolfo Bellato | 0 | 89 of 141 | 63% | 95 of 148 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jimmy Crute | 1 | 27 of 47 | 57% | 59 of 84 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 3:52 |
| Rodolfo Bellato | 0 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 4 of 8 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Jimmy Crute | 0 | 46 of 95 | 48% | 46 of 95 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Rodolfo Bellato | 0 | 48 of 70 | 68% | 48 of 70 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Jimmy Crute | 0 | 33 of 67 | 49% | 34 of 68 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Rodolfo Bellato | 0 | 40 of 66 | 60% | 43 of 70 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jimmy Crute | 106 of 209 | 50% | 93 of 190 | 8 of 10 | 5 of 9 | 77 of 170 | 11 of 13 | 18 of 26 |
| Rodolfo Bellato | 89 of 141 | 63% | 36 of 76 | 24 of 29 | 29 of 36 | 85 of 136 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jimmy Crute | 27 of 47 | 57% | 23 of 42 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 3 | 6 of 18 | 3 of 3 | 18 of 26 |
| Rodolfo Bellato | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jimmy Crute | 46 of 95 | 48% | 40 of 85 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 6 | 39 of 86 | 7 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Rodolfo Bellato | 48 of 70 | 68% | 18 of 35 | 14 of 16 | 16 of 19 | 44 of 65 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Jimmy Crute | 33 of 67 | 49% | 30 of 63 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 32 of 66 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Rodolfo Bellato | 40 of 66 | 60% | 18 of 38 | 9 of 11 | 13 of 17 | 40 of 66 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Bellato (-162), Crute (+136)
Round 1
After a few losses and a short-lived retirement announcement, Australia’s own Crute (12-4-1, 4-4-1 UFC) is back and ready to lift his promotional record above .500. He draws a tough rising test as he tries to get his hand raised for the first time since 2020, with the surging Bellato (12-2, 1-0 UFC) ready for action. The light heavyweights will be joined in the Octagon by referee Marc Goddard, who minds the particulars for as long as this match lasts. Gloves are touched, and Bellato takes the center of the cage. Crute tosses out a few half-hearted low kicks and takes a punch square in the chest while setting up. A heavier low kick is countered by a Bellato scooping left hook, and Crute gives him something to think about with a spin kick to the ribs. Bellato wraps up his opponent and wrangles him to the mat, only to fall on his back in a failed sacrifice throw. Crute fights off the scramble and find himself in half guard, and he shifts to side control. Bellato turns to his stomach in an effort to escape, and Crute wraps up a brabo choke to twist Bellato to his back again. Crute jams down heavy punches, and Bellato throws his legs up for any submission or trap he can find. Crute pushes through an upkick to drive down more punishment, and two big elbows from the Aussie get the attention of “Trator.” Crute stays a step ahead of the Brazilian, landing big ground-and-pound when not staying tightly pressed on his opponent to keep him trapped. Bellato turns and sweeps his man, but Crute is right there in front of him ready to bust him in the face. Bellato shakes it off, but Crute is a man on a mission and slugs the Brazilian in the face with a nasty right hand. Bellato falls over, and Crute pounces in hopes of drumming him out. The finish does not materialize, and Bellato survives to the second round with a bit of blood drawn.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Crute
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-8 Crute
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-8 Crute
Round 2
The fighters high-five to get going in the second round, and Crute feels the momentum behind him and puts it on Bellato. Crute walks Bellato down, smashing him in the face and drawing some swelling beneath his left eye. Bellato’s counters are effective but his hands are lower, his pace waning and his power sapping. The Brazilian kicks the front leg a few times, and Crute splits the guard with a one-two. Crute shoots for a takedown, Bellato gets out of it, and “The Brute” tries a second time to no effect. When he cannot get the fight down, Crute elects to spin kick Bellato in the ribs. Both men stand in the pocket and trade, not the best strategy for light heavyweights that can crack, but Bellato is getting his chances to land. Bellato drives three punches through the raised guard, and he bounces back from a long strike to blast Crute in the face with a short but powerful right hook. Crute is showing signs of fatigue as well, but he surges into action shortly thereafter to drill Bellato with several uppercuts from close range. Bellato backs him off with an overhand right, and he no-sells a body shot so he can bash “The Brute” in the face with his fists. Crute fires off one-twos that bloody up Bellato’s nose, and both men might show fatigue but are still eager and willing to trade. Crute takes two leg kicks, the second nearly stripping him of his balance. Rather than attack the leg, Bellato spins with a failed wheel kick. Crute answers him with a wheel kick that also does not land, and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bellato
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Bellato
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Crute
Round 3
After 10 minutes of combat, both men are bloodied and bruised, figuratively and literally. Bellato swings for the bleachers, and he clips Crute with every third or four strike he manages to get off. Bellato chews up the front leg with kicks, and Crute limps around gingerly. A takedown shot from Crute strips Bellato off his feet, only for Bellato to climb back up undeterred. Bellato slaps at the calf again, takes a one-two on the chin and just misses a whizzing back fist. Crute tries to check a low kick, and the two get in a short but torrid brawl. Crute lunges his way into attack, and Bellato backs him away with counters. A right hand from Crute stings his man for the umpteenth time, and Bellato’s chin is made of sterner stuff as he ducks another big strike to hit a clean takedown. Crute gets to his hands and feet when he turns over, and Bellato wrenches him back down. Crute slowly crawls in hopes of standing, and Bellato lets him back up so they can bang it out with about a minute and 45 seconds to go. Crute sneaks a head kick behind a left hand, and Bellato has his guard up in time for both strikes. The Brazilian chops at the front calf, and Crute keeps a stiff upper lip and steps in to knee Bellato in the face. A right-to-head-kick combo from Crute ricochets off the guard again, but a one-two after it lands flush. Bellato keeps working the front leg over with kicks any time he can find an opening, and he keeps Crute honest by swinging with everything he has left. Crute tanks the heavy stuff, absorbs a flush knee and sticks his tongue out. Crute slaps Bellato in the face with an open palm, and the back-and-forth scrap comes to an end. It could go either way, and a draw could be in play.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bellato (29-28 Bellato)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Bellato (28-28)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Bellato (29-27 Crute)
The Official Result
Jimmy Crute vs. Rodolfo Bellato is Ruled a Majority Draw (29-27, 28-28, 28-28)
Big Brady is taking a chance on Jimmy Crute, who is returning from retirement. He acknowledges Crute's poor fight IQ and chin issues but believes Crute is more skilled than Bellato. He notes that Bellato has a questionable chin and was nearly finished by Ehor Pia. Brady predicts Crute will win by first-round knockout, similar to his win over Modestas Bukauskas.
Connor picks Crute, believing he is the better fighter and can knock Bellato out. He thinks Bellato is slow and hittable. However, he acknowledges Crute's thoughtlessness and tendency to latch onto one idea. He notes that if Bellato survives the first round, Crute might fade. But he sticks with Crute, calling it a well-booked fight for him.
Daniel Levi discusses Jimmy Crute's return after a religious conversion, wondering if it will reinvigorate him or soften him like Rory McDonald. He notes that Rodolfo Bellato is a tough, aggressive fighter who will make Crute fight. However, he does not pick a winner, only expressing curiosity about which version of Crute shows up.
The host does not believe in Crute enough to pick the upset. Bellato will dictate the pace with his striking, stop Crute's takedowns, and eventually slow him down and beat him. The pick is for Bellato to win by knockout.
Zane picks Bellato, citing momentum and Crute's mental state. He notes that Crute is on a three-fight losing streak and seems dispirited. Bellato is imposing, aggressive, and doesn't lose his cool. Zane thinks if Crute doesn't finish Bellato early, Bellato will wear him down. He acknowledges Crute could knock Bellato out in the first round, but doubts Crute's confidence.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rodolfo Bellato | 0 | 80 of 131 | 61% | 99 of 160 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 2:49 |
| Ihor Potieria | 1 | 73 of 127 | 57% | 92 of 153 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:41 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rodolfo Bellato | 0 | 18 of 43 | 41% | 27 of 54 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:07 |
| Ihor Potieria | 0 | 37 of 69 | 53% | 42 of 74 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Rodolfo Bellato | 0 | 62 of 88 | 70% | 72 of 106 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:42 |
| Ihor Potieria | 1 | 36 of 58 | 62% | 50 of 79 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:41 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rodolfo Bellato | 80 of 131 | 61% | 70 of 116 | 9 of 12 | 1 of 3 | 18 of 46 | 11 of 14 | 51 of 71 |
| Ihor Potieria | 73 of 127 | 57% | 58 of 111 | 9 of 10 | 6 of 6 | 38 of 73 | 12 of 21 | 23 of 33 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rodolfo Bellato | 18 of 43 | 41% | 12 of 32 | 5 of 8 | 1 of 3 | 9 of 32 | 9 of 11 | 0 of 0 |
| Ihor Potieria | 37 of 69 | 53% | 22 of 53 | 9 of 10 | 6 of 6 | 29 of 56 | 8 of 13 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Rodolfo Bellato | 62 of 88 | 70% | 58 of 84 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 14 | 2 of 3 | 51 of 71 |
| Ihor Potieria | 36 of 58 | 62% | 36 of 58 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 17 | 4 of 8 | 23 of 33 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Bellato (-455), Potieria (+350)
Round 1
Light heavyweights are next to the stage, as Bellato (11-2, 0-0 UFC) makes his organizational debut opposite Potieria (19-4, 1-2 UFC) at 205 pounds. Potieria will be remembered as the man who retired Brazilian icon Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.
For more on Bellato, read “Zero Hour” from Sherdog’s own Christian Stein
. Jacob Montalvo steps up as the third man in the cage. They touch gloves, and we are underway. Bellato backs Potieria onto his back foot and clips him with a right hook. Potieria answers with an inside leg kick. Bellato closes the distance, but Potieria shrugs off his bid for a takedown. Jab-jab-cross combo from the Ukrainian. Bellato tests the midsection with a kick. Potieria finds a home with a clean straight left, which has been his best weapon thus far. Sweeping hooks from both hands wobbles Bellato. Potieria using his speed and lateral movement to stay ahead of the Brazilian. He steps into a knee to the body. Bellato steps forward and engages his adversary in the clinch. A knee south of the equator draws an audible reaction from Potieria and results in a halt to the action. Future generations of Potierias cry out as we await a restart. Potieria sticks the Brazilian with a straight left, dodges a flying knee and circles out into open space. He clips Bellato with a multi-punch burst, avoids return fire and scores with another straight left. Bellato presses his efforts in the clinch, drawing boos from the crowd. A knee and a right hook gets Potieria’s attention. They trade at close range to close out the round. Excitement starts to build.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Potieria
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Potieria
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Potieria
Round 2
Bellato immediately closes the distance and scores with a front kick to the gut. He follows clubbing left hand with an elbow strike and knee up the middle. Potieria floors him with a multi-punch volley, follows up with heavy fire, shuts down a takedown, takes top position and unleashes a barrage of brutal hammerfists. Bellato somehow survives the onslaught. Potieria slows, waits for his second wind and gets busy again with punches and hammerfists. The Brazilian may not be able to take much more, with Montalvo hovering above. Potieria passes guard and slams home more punches and hammerfists. Bellato rises to his feet. Potieria looks exhausted but continues to throw. Bellato connects with a left hook, ducks a few counterpunches and trips the Ukrainian to the floor. What a turn of events.
Bellato sets up in half guard and slams elbows into the legs, body and head. Bellato moves to full mount with a minute to go and cuts loose with punches. Potieria offering no intelligent defense, and Montalvo decides to stop it
. Amazing rally from Bellato in his UFC debut.
The Official Result
Rodolfo Bellato def. Ihor Potieria—TKO (Punches) 4:17 R2
Big Brady is very confident in Rodolfo Bellato, calling him the biggest favorite on the card. He praises Bellato's well-rounded game, including leg kicks, clinch work, and BJJ. He thinks Potieria has a padded record and poor cardio, and that Bellato will break him down against the cage, drag him to the mat, and finish him in the second round by submission.
Cody picks Bellato, calling Potieria a fraud. He notes Potieria's only win condition is an early knockout, and his cardio and durability are terrible. He thinks Bellato can take him down and finish him. He warns that Bellato might stand and bang, which could be risky, but still expects a win.
Lucrative James leans towards Ihor Potieria, noting that the line is wide and that Bellato may be overvalued after a big win on Dana White's Contender Series. He thinks Potieria has a good chance of knocking out Bellato early, especially in round one or two, as Bellato keeps his chin up. However, he is not fully confident and may bet on Potieria by KO if the prop odds are favorable.
Bellato is a BJJ black belt with improving striking and forward pressure. He has shown confidence and power, and his training at Teixeira MMA should provide good partners. Potieria has been exposed against higher-level competition and tends to break under pressure. Bellato is expected to swarm Potieria and finish him either on the ground or on the feet.
Paul picks Bellato but doesn't love the price. He thinks Bellato is a rightful favorite with a well-rounded skill set. He notes Potieria has shown nothing except finishing an aged Shogun. He believes Bellato should win easily if he wrestles, but worries he might stand and bang.
The MMA Guru picks Rodolfo Bellato, calling him a tank with good takedown defense and pressure. He believes Potieria lacks quality wins and will fade if he can't finish early. He predicts Bellato will break Potieria in the second round by TKO, citing Bellato's toughness and ability to walk down opponents.
Expert Picks (10)
Angelo notes that Rodolfo Bellato is a heavy-handed grappler but flat-footed and not particularly fast or powerful. Luke Fernandez is well-rounded but inexperienced. He warns this could be a Contender Series fade, but ultimately picks Luke because he can mix striking and grappling effectively.
Big Brady picks Luke Fernandez over Rodolfo Bellato. He notes Bellato is very hittable with poor striking defense (46%) and a questionable chin, recalling Bellato's near-TKO loss to Igor Poteria where the referee failed to stop the fight. Fernandez has heavy hands, solid wrestling, and vicious ground and pound. Brady believes Fernandez can control Bellato against the cage, take him down, and potentially finish him via TKO. He acknowledges the risk of laying -230 on a debutant but trusts Fernandez's durability and power.
Cody picks Fernandez, citing his wrestling, power, and high fight IQ. He notes Bellato's poor chin and tendency to quit. He expects Fernandez to win by knockout or decision.
Connor picks Fernandez as a lean, citing his early danger and ability to press Bellato against the fence. He notes that Bellato is foot-slow and gets hurt early in fights, as seen against Poitieria. Fernandez has good close-range striking and a clinch game, which could neutralize Bellato's pace. However, if Fernandez doesn't finish early, the fight could become ugly.
Daniel Vreeland confidently picks Luke Fernandez, citing his wrestling background and decent hands. He notes that Rodolfo Bellato is slow and hittable, and Fernandez can exploit that early. Vreeland warns about Bellato's durability but believes Fernandez can finish or win a decision.
James picks Luke Fernandez, citing his superior skill set, grappling upside, and powerful left hook that could knock out Bellato. He acknowledges Bellato's durability and cardio but believes Fernandez can match him in toughness and has a higher ceiling. James notes that Bellato has been knocked out by similar left hooks before, and Fernandez's undefeated record and trajectory make him the pick.
Bellato is the toughest challenge of Fernandez's career. Fernandez will likely struggle to grapple Bellato, who can stuff takedowns and land more damage on the feet. Bellato's durability and striking advantage should lead to a decision win. The fight going to decision is also a consideration at plus 300.
Paul also picks Fernandez, noting his wrestling and power. He expects Fernandez to win by knockout, given Bellato's durability issues.
The MMA Guru picks Luke Fernandez, believing in the prospect's athleticism and power. He notes Fernandez's early finish on the Contender Series and his submission ability, predicting an early finish. He acknowledges Bellato's toughness and experience but trusts Fernandez's explosiveness.
Zane picks Fernandez as a lean, noting that Bellato has been hurt by athletic fighters like Patrino. He thinks Fernandez's early danger and wrestling fallback give him an edge. However, he acknowledges that if Fernandez can't finish, it will be a close, ugly fight. He also notes that Bellato's defensive wrestling stats are untested.
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