Career Averages - Rodolfo Bellato
Career Averages - Ihor Potieria
Rodolfo Bellato
Ihor Potieria
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.
Ihor Potieria - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marco Tulio | 1 | 29 of 54 | 53% | 34 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:26 |
| Ihor Potieria | 0 | 6 of 15 | 40% | 6 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marco Tulio | 1 | 29 of 54 | 53% | 34 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:26 |
| Ihor Potieria | 0 | 6 of 15 | 40% | 6 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marco Tulio | 29 of 54 | 53% | 20 of 41 | 5 of 7 | 4 of 6 | 17 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 16 |
| Ihor Potieria | 6 of 15 | 40% | 2 of 8 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 5 | 6 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marco Tulio | 29 of 54 | 53% | 20 of 41 | 5 of 7 | 4 of 6 | 17 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 16 |
| Ihor Potieria | 6 of 15 | 40% | 2 of 8 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 5 | 6 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
With the recent memory of a spinning back kick knockout to earn him a spot on the UFC roster, Tulio (12-1, 0-0 UFC) surges into what would have been a middleweight affair with plenty of momentum on his side. The same cannot be said for the struggling Potieria (20-7, 2-5 UFC), who has not only dropped four of five but missed weight ahead of what may be a pink-slip matchup. This bout now taking place at 188 pounds will be covered by referee Mark Smith, who is prepped and ready to jump in at a moment’s notice. Potieria offers an apologetic glove touch to get going, and it is accepted. The center of the cage goes to Potieria, who springs away from a low kick early. Tulio unleashes a one-two, and when that comes up short, his leg kick does not. Potieria absorbs a right hand to counter with a hook over the top, and it marks Tulio’s eye up fast. Potieria goes after a second power left hook, and Tulio’s footwork keeps him safe. Tulio chains a punch into a kick, and the two lean towards one another and clack their heads together. Smith calls time to warn them, and they are quick to resume after the warning with two punches from Tulio. Potieria ducks down, and he eats a particularly stern right hand. Tulio lines up another right as he backs away, and he steps in and blasts Potieria in the groin with a knee, drawing a sound that echoes in the arena. Potieria collapses to the mat and does not make a sound, as Smith pauses the fight and tells Potieria he will have five minutes to recover. Smith warns Tulio, and Potieria blows his nose while on one knee. After 90 seconds, Potieria climbs to his feet using the fence, and he tells Smith he does not need the doctor. Three minutes elapse before Potieria is good to go, and they start up again. Tulio is quick to strike again when resuming, with a head kick and standing back fist surprising the Ukrainian. Tulio cracks “The Duelist” with a right hand, and he puts Potieria down with a follow-up right. Potieria’s nose busted open with blood leaking fast. Potieria tries to get hold of an armbar off his back, and Tulio punches and elbows through it.
Potieria turns to his knees, and Tulio clubs him with a devastating undercut beneath his armpit that shuts his lights out. Smith witnesses that Potieria has been deprived of his consciousness and waved the fight off
, and a bloody, beaten Potieria comes to and coughs his mouthpiece out. This is a statement introduction for Tulio, whose performance is slightly marred for the earlier foul but sealed the deal with his fists.
The Official Result
Marco Tulio def. Ihor Potieria R1 3:04 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Marco Tulio, stating that the fight is set up for him to win. He notes Tulio's diverse striking and solid grappling, while Ihor Potieria is a kickboxer with poor takedown defense. He believes Tulio's wrestling and power will be enough, though he dislikes the -500 odds on a UFC debut. He expects Tulio to win, possibly via takedowns and ground control.
Big Brady thinks Tulio is the better fighter overall, with more ways to win. He acknowledges Potieria has looked better than expected, even having moments against Bolat and Almeida, but still considers him bad. Brady notes Tulio can push Potieria against the cage, get takedowns, and is a better striker. He predicts Tulio wins by decision, though he thinks the line is too wide.
Cody picks Potieria as a big underdog, arguing the line is inflated on Tulio. He notes Potieria's power, experience against tough competition, and improvements at 185. He believes Tulio is not a proven prospect and Potieria has a puncher's chance.
Daniel highlights Tulio's confidence and ground game, noting he is nasty on the mat and trains at Shoot the Box. He thinks Potieria is better than his record shows but lacks confidence and is on a losing streak. He predicts Tulio will get the fight to the mat and finish quickly.
This should be a chaotic matchup favoring Tulio, but not enough to justify -500 odds. The host lacks confidence to back Potieria either, but expects chaos and Tulio to win, probably by knockout.
Paul also picks Potieria, calling it a 'dogger pass' fight. He notes Tulio's unimpressive Contender Series performances and Potieria's ability to grapple a little. He expects a competitive striking match where Potieria can land.
The Guru picks Tulio, calling him an underrated prospect with good standup and grappling. He notes Tulio's win over Yusri Belgar on the contender series and his momentum. He sympathizes with Potieria's tough career but thinks Tulio is the better fighter. He mentions Tulio trains at Shooter Box with Diego Lima and has a decent chin.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| César Almeida | 0 | 57 of 113 | 50% | 78 of 137 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 1 | 1 | 2:15 |
| Ihor Potieria | 0 | 44 of 89 | 49% | 57 of 102 | 3 of 8 | 37% | 0 | 0 | 3:32 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | César Almeida | 0 | 23 of 41 | 56% | 24 of 42 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Ihor Potieria | 0 | 16 of 32 | 50% | 17 of 33 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:58 | |
| 2 | César Almeida | 0 | 22 of 36 | 61% | 37 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 2:13 |
| Ihor Potieria | 0 | 10 of 17 | 58% | 13 of 20 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 1:17 | |
| 3 | César Almeida | 0 | 12 of 36 | 33% | 17 of 41 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Ihor Potieria | 0 | 18 of 40 | 45% | 27 of 49 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:17 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| César Almeida | 57 of 113 | 50% | 32 of 69 | 14 of 28 | 11 of 16 | 41 of 90 | 1 of 1 | 15 of 22 |
| Ihor Potieria | 44 of 89 | 49% | 22 of 64 | 9 of 12 | 13 of 13 | 42 of 85 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | César Almeida | 23 of 41 | 56% | 6 of 16 | 7 of 14 | 10 of 11 | 23 of 41 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Ihor Potieria | 16 of 32 | 50% | 6 of 21 | 5 of 6 | 5 of 5 | 16 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | César Almeida | 22 of 36 | 61% | 17 of 29 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 1 | 6 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 15 of 22 |
| Ihor Potieria | 10 of 17 | 58% | 6 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 15 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | César Almeida | 12 of 36 | 33% | 9 of 24 | 2 of 8 | 1 of 4 | 12 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Ihor Potieria | 18 of 40 | 45% | 10 of 30 | 2 of 4 | 6 of 6 | 16 of 38 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
Angelo picks César Almeida, citing his superior striking and kickboxing background, including a win over Alex Pereira. He notes Ihor Potieria is hittable and has poor takedown defense, but Almeida is the better striker. He wishes Almeida were more affordable at -400 but expects the win.
Big Brady confidently picks César Almeida, noting that Potieria will likely attempt takedowns but has poor wrestling (0 for 10 or 11 in the UFC). He believes Almeida will stuff takedowns and out-strike Potieria, eventually breaking him and winning by second-round knockout.
Cody picks Almeida, calling Potieria a 'bum' and noting Almeida's striking pedigree. He believes Potieria's poor chin and cardio will be exposed, and that Almeida will win by knockout. He dismisses Potieria's grappling threat.
Connor is confident Almeida will win, noting that Potieria's boxing is unstructured and he leaves massive openings. Almeida's low kicks will disrupt Potieria's tricky strikes, and Almeida's kickboxing pedigree should overwhelm Potieria, who cannot challenge him in that realm.
Daniel Vreeland leans toward César Almeida due to his superior kickboxing background, including a trilogy with Alex Pereira. However, he is concerned about Almeida's age (36) and transitioning to MMA, as he can be taken down. Vreeland notes that Potieria has improved and could win if he gets the fight to the mat, but he favors Almeida's striking.
The host acknowledges that Almeida let down many people last time against Roman Kopylov by not showing urgency to get back to his feet. However, he believes Potieria lacks that type of grappling and will be forced to strike with the better striker, leading to Almeida finding a knockout.
Paul is hesitant to pick either fighter. He acknowledges Almeida's flaws and Potieria's puncher's chance but doesn't like the minus 350 price. He calls it a 'dogger pass' and doesn't commit.
The MMA Guru picks César Almeida over Ihor Potieria, citing Almeida's superior striking and fewer flaws. He notes Almeida trains with Alex Pereira, which helps with takedown defense and striking. He believes Potieria makes mistakes on the feet and won't get takedowns, and at altitude, Almeida's better striking defense will prevail. He predicts Almeida gets the win.
Zane agrees, stating that Almeida is a great MMA kickboxer who will exploit Potieria's defensive flaws. He notes that Potieria's one-and-done strikes leave him out of position, and Almeida's low kicks will neutralize his boxing. This is a perfect matchup for a kickboxer dabbling in MMA.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michel Pereira | 0 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:09 |
| Ihor Potieria | 0 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michel Pereira | 0 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:09 |
| Ihor Potieria | 0 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michel Pereira | 6 of 10 | 60% | 4 of 7 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 |
| Ihor Potieria | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michel Pereira | 6 of 10 | 60% | 4 of 7 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 |
| Ihor Potieria | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo is confident in Pereira, citing his speed, power, creativity, and grappling. He notes Potieria is a technical striker but hittable and with poor takedown defense. He expects Pereira to win by finish.
Big Brady is high on Pereira's middleweight resurgence, noting his two quick finishes. He views Potieria as a step down and believes Pereira will knock him out in the first round, possibly mid to late.
Cody picks Pereira, noting his improved fight IQ, cardio, and well-roundedness at middleweight. He believes Potieria is a one-dimensional knockout artist with poor durability and cardio. Cody expects Pereira to win, likely by knockout.
Daniel Vreeland leans with Pereira but considers it a dog-or-pass situation. He acknowledges Potieria's recent improvements, including better cardio and confidence, but believes Pereira's top-15 trajectory and finishing ability give him the edge. He suggests that Pereira's decision prop at +550 might be a better value than the moneyline, as Potieria could last the distance.
Daniel Vreeland agrees with Jeff Fox on Michel Pereira. He notes that Pereira has chilled out his wild style since gassing out against Tristan Connelly, and has been on a seven-fight winning streak. Vreeland thinks Pereira will win easily, though he doesn't elaborate on a specific method. He later mentions that Pereira's submission prop has moved from +650 to +370, indicating the books are aware of his submission threat.
Jeff Fox is very confident in Michel Pereira, calling him a 'demolisher' and noting his seven-fight winning streak since two losses. Fox explains that one loss was due to an illegal knee against Diego Sanchez, and the other was a short-notice grappling loss to Tristan Connelly. Since then, Pereira has been more measured and finished opponents like Andre Petroski. Fox believes Potieria is not UFC caliber, with wins only over aged fighters like Shogun. He expects Pereira to do whatever he wants, and later in the show he picks Pereira by submission for the Hungry Man parlay.
Pereira is on a crazy run, harnessing his big striking power over 15 minutes. His speed and power advantage will be enough to find Potieria's chin and put him out clean.
Paul picks Pereira, highlighting his 8-2 UFC record, athleticism, and evolution into a winning style. He dismisses Potieria's chances, citing his poor durability, cardio, and ground game. Paul sees Pereira as a rightful favorite.
The MMA Guru picks Michel Pereira, praising his skills at middleweight and noting that welterweights often make better middleweights. He highlights Pereira's wins over Andre Petroski and Maxime Gremont, and predicts a first-round rear-naked choke. He criticizes Potieria's record and recent performances, including a loss to Shogun Rua.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ihor Potieria | 0 | 32 of 133 | 24% | 41 of 143 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:30 |
| Robert Bryczek | 1 | 67 of 168 | 39% | 77 of 181 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:37 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ihor Potieria | 0 | 12 of 35 | 34% | 16 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Robert Bryczek | 0 | 14 of 41 | 34% | 22 of 51 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:59 | |
| 2 | Ihor Potieria | 0 | 12 of 56 | 21% | 12 of 56 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Robert Bryczek | 0 | 28 of 62 | 45% | 28 of 62 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Ihor Potieria | 0 | 8 of 42 | 19% | 13 of 47 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:30 |
| Robert Bryczek | 1 | 25 of 65 | 38% | 27 of 68 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:38 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ihor Potieria | 32 of 133 | 24% | 19 of 103 | 10 of 24 | 3 of 6 | 30 of 127 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Robert Bryczek | 67 of 168 | 39% | 47 of 139 | 5 of 12 | 15 of 17 | 61 of 156 | 6 of 12 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ihor Potieria | 12 of 35 | 34% | 7 of 26 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 34 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Robert Bryczek | 14 of 41 | 34% | 5 of 26 | 1 of 5 | 8 of 10 | 12 of 35 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Ihor Potieria | 12 of 56 | 21% | 6 of 41 | 3 of 10 | 3 of 5 | 12 of 56 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Robert Bryczek | 28 of 62 | 45% | 20 of 51 | 3 of 6 | 5 of 5 | 28 of 62 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Ihor Potieria | 8 of 42 | 19% | 6 of 36 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 6 of 37 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Robert Bryczek | 25 of 65 | 38% | 22 of 62 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 21 of 59 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Bryczek (-198), Potieria (+164)
Round 1
Just one of the 14 fights on this card featured someone missing weight—Flowers and Marcos both missed initially and then came back to hit their proper marks. Former light heavyweight Potieria (19-5, 1-3 UFC) took his fight against Bryczek (17-5, 0-0 UFC) on short notice, and he clocked in one and a half pounds over the middleweight limit. As a result, Potieria surrenders 20% of his purse to the Polish slugger. Whether that 20% will be from Potieira’s one check or two, the two men have the next 15 minutes or less to decide it. Referee Mike Beltran checks them in as they touch gloves. Potieria is the aggressor as he pitches kicks from his rear leg to the waist and knee. Bryczek allows Potieria to crash the pocket, so he can sit down on two punches that stop Potieria in his tracks. The Ukrainian shakes out immediate cobwebs and continues to move forward, looking for a right hook that is not there. Bryczek takes a kick to the ribs and responds with a right hand, and he pushes off as a finger jabs into Potieria’s eye. Beltran sees it immediately and calls time, and he lets Potieria wipe it out with a towel as he brings in the doctor. Potieria remarks that he is a little bleary in his eye, but that he is otherwise good to continue. After two minutes, the fighters resume their mutual combat in the center of the cage. Potieria tosses out low kicks, and one lands with a thump instead of a slap. Bryczek loops punches to the body, and Potieria scores a solid kick and a right hand. Bryczek opens up with a huge right hand, and he cracks Potieria again. Bryczek lets loose several more punches, and Potieria bounces away and absorbs one more flush right hand on the jaw. As Potieria backpedals, he parries a right hand from the Polish fighter, which rebounds square into Potieria’s cup in an unlucky turn of events. Beltran recognizes the unintentional foul and allows Potieria to recover once more, and Potieria takes all the time he needs. This results in another lengthy stoppage of three minutes long, and Beltran loudly and sternly admonishes Bryczek that he will lose a point if he fouls again. When they resume, Bryczek is ready and rearing to throw hands, and he lands several hard ones to force Potieria to shoot for an ill-advised takedown. Bryczek stops it, but he gets pressed into the fence from behind, with Potieria kneeing him in the back of the thigh frustratingly. Bryczek spins around with seconds to go, and they bang it out right to the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bryczek
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Bryczek
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Bryczek
Round 2
The fighters meet in the middle and jab at one another from range, with neither landing much early. Potieria misses with an overhand right, but he plants a kick on the inside of the Polish fighter’s calf. Potieria shoots for a takedown, and he abandons it right when Bryczek sprawls so that he can aim an uppercut on the dome. Bryczek sees it at the last second and dodges it, and he ducks a subsequent spinning back fist. Potieria drops his hands and lands a few punches from a safe distance, and he punctuates a combination with a low kick. The two clash together and bang heads, but it does not result in anything more problematic. Bryczek digs a left to the body, and Potieria shrugs at him and then shoots for a single. Potieria again follows that failed takedown with an uppercut, and this one brushes the side of the UFC newcomer’s head. Bryczek looks for a right hand over the top, and he kicks the body as Potieria again shrugs at him mockingly. Potieria sprints in for a single, and Bryczek hops away and walks Potieria down. Potieria intercepts him with a spinning back kick to the midsection, and Bryczek takes it cleanly and keeps his guard up to block and overhand left. Potieria taps his chest and drops down to the floor with a Mortal Kombat-esque leg sweep. Bryczek look at him confusedly. Potieria is in his groove, having fun and dodging and weaving anything coming from Bryczek. Potieria clips his man a few times with short shots, and he catches Bryczek on the chin with an uppercut. Bryczek headhunts and struggles to reach his opponent, and they trade one big punch right as the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Potieria
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Potieria
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Potieria
Round 3
There is a final glove touch to check in the last round, and Potieria stays firmly in his groove with jabs and funky hand movements. Bryczek reaches his foe with a straight left hand, but it is one-and-done. Bryczek loads up on a right hand, only to get countered with a left hook that shakes him up. Bryczek charges into action with a huge left hook, and Potieria’s head snaps back like a Pez dispenser. Potieria replies with a three-punch salvo that knocks Bryczek off his feet, and Bryczek barely keeps with it courtesy of a desperation takedown. Bryczek gets back to his feet, and Potieria chases after him and swings for the bleachers. Bryczek does the same, and he manages to catch Potieria coming in but is taking shots as well. Both men use a ton of energy, and Potieria presses the Polish fighter into the wall and strings four elbows together. Bryczek slips and rips Potieria with big punches, and he splits Potieria’s eyebrow open in the process. Potieria rips an elbow that misses slightly, but he blasts Bryczek with an elbow and several punches from up close. Bryczek turns his man around in the tie-up, and he sneaks an elbow up top before breaking away. Potieria reaches his foe with a few punches, and Bryczek tags him back with his own short flurry. The two clash together, and Potieria clinches up to wear on the exhausted Bryczek. Bryczek gets space with 10 seconds to go, and the two throw down and knee one another right as time expires.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Potieria (29-28 Potieria)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Potieria (29-28 Potieria)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Potieria (29-28 Potieria)
The Official Result
Ihor Potieria def. Robert Bryczek via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Angelo notes that Ihor Potieria has good striking power and accuracy but poor cardio and is hittable. Robert Bryczek is a trained boxer with good footwork, feints, and power, and solid takedown defense. Angelo believes Bryczek just needs to survive Potieria's early danger and then take over as Potieria fades. He calls this one of his most confident picks and suggests a potential under 2.5 rounds bet.
Big Brady picks Robert Bryczek to win by first-round KO. He notes that Bryczek has unreal power and has been knocking out opponents cold in his recent fights, while Potieria has poor striking defense (41%) and limited cardio. He expects a one-round banger where both fighters swing, but Bryczek's power and the fact that Potieria is cutting to middleweight on short notice give him the edge.
Cody is hesitant but picks Potieria as a dog. He questions Bryczek's level of competition, noting he's 33, making his UFC debut, and has fought lower-level opponents. Potieria has faced better competition at 205 and showed competitiveness against Rodolfo Vieira. Cody thinks Bryczek's physique and quick finishes may not translate against a UFC-level opponent, and Potieria's power at 185 could be a factor.
Bryczek has speed, power, and athleticism. He should be able to land an early knockout against Potieria, who is making his middleweight debut on short notice. Potieria has poor durability and slows down in deep waters. The under 1.5 rounds is a strong play. Bryczek by first-round knockout.
Paul is also hesitant but picks Potieria. He notes that Bryczek's record is padded with low-level competition and that he has never fought at this level. Potieria, despite his losses, has fought good fighters and has power. Paul thinks Bryczek's size and possible PED concerns are red flags, and that Potieria at his natural weight class could surprise.
The MMA Guru picks Robert Bryczek because Potieria is taking the fight on short notice after a recent TKO loss, and has been finished multiple times. He notes Bryczek is a dangerous knockout artist in his prime, with a full camp. He expects Bryczek to get a first-round finish.
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.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlos Ulberg | 1 | 13 of 21 | 61% | 13 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
| Ihor Potieria | 0 | 5 of 9 | 55% | 5 of 9 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carlos Ulberg | 1 | 13 of 21 | 61% | 13 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
| Ihor Potieria | 0 | 5 of 9 | 55% | 5 of 9 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlos Ulberg | 13 of 21 | 61% | 11 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 10 |
| Ihor Potieria | 5 of 9 | 55% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carlos Ulberg | 13 of 21 | 61% | 11 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 10 |
| Ihor Potieria | 5 of 9 | 55% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Ulberg, calling him a world-class kickboxer with incredible footwork and range management. He notes Ulberg has 100% takedown accuracy and defense (though only one attempt defended). He says Potieria is a brawler who keeps his hands low and relies on his chin. He expects Ulberg to win inside the distance and would hammer the under if a 2.5 round line is available.
Big Brady is very confident in Ulberg, calling him the much better striker. He notes Potieria has terrible striking defense and will rush in, allowing Ulberg to catch him. Brady references Ulberg's impressive first-round knockout of Negumereanu as evidence of his power. He sees no path to victory for Potieria outside of landing a big shot, and predicts Ulberg will starch him in the first round. He mentions Ulberg is a popular parlay piece but says he's not laying the -400 himself.
Cody picks Ulberg by knockout, expecting him to flatline Potieria. He praises Ulberg's kickboxing and training with Adesanya, and notes Potieria's wild style and disrespectful behavior after the Shogun win. He believes Ulberg's precision will counter Potieria's aggression.
Connor agrees with Zane, calling it a bad matchup for Potieria. He notes that Ulberg is a good low kicker and counter-puncher, and Potieria's wild pressure will play into Ulberg's hands. He thinks Potieria's lack of defense and inability to handle kicks will be his downfall.
Daniel Levi picks Carlos Ulberg, highlighting his sharp striking and recent performances against tough opponents. He notes Ulberg's precise combinations and ability to avoid damage, as seen in his last fight where he wasn't touched. Levi criticizes Potieria's padded record and lack of high-level competition, though he acknowledges Potieria's power and the risk of a knockout. He believes Ulberg's cleaner technique and higher ceiling will prevail, but the price is too high for a bet.
Ulberg is far superior in striking, with a disciplined kickboxing style. He has 100% takedown defense, though he hasn't faced a dedicated wrestler. Potieria has power but poor cardio and will likely gas trying to get the fight to the ground. Ulberg will keep it upright and walk Potieria into a big shot, knocking him out. The fight likely ends inside the distance.
Paul is confident in Ulberg, noting his consistent improvements and striking. He mentions Ulberg's adjustments after his first fight, and his ability to pick shots and finish. He sees Potieria as wild and less technical, and expects Ulberg to roll. He added Ulberg to a parlay.
The MMA Guru picks Carlos Ulberg, calling it a mismatch. He notes that Ulberg is more complete on the feet and that Potieria's win over Shogun is not impressive. He predicts a TKO in round two or late in the first round.
Zane picks Ulberg, noting that he has figured out his game after a prospect loss and now fights with more composure. He highlights Ulberg's good low kicks, straight punches, and counter-punching, which are terrible for Potieria's wild pressure style. He thinks Potieria has no answer to kicks and will be overwhelmed.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ihor Potieria | 0 | 17 of 31 | 54% | 21 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Maurício Rua | 1 | 21 of 41 | 51% | 27 of 47 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:38 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ihor Potieria | 0 | 17 of 31 | 54% | 21 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Maurício Rua | 1 | 21 of 41 | 51% | 27 of 47 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:38 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ihor Potieria | 17 of 31 | 54% | 4 of 17 | 3 of 4 | 10 of 10 | 17 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Maurício Rua | 21 of 41 | 51% | 16 of 35 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 13 of 31 | 5 of 6 | 3 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ihor Potieria | 17 of 31 | 54% | 4 of 17 | 3 of 4 | 10 of 10 | 17 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Maurício Rua | 21 of 41 | 51% | 16 of 35 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 13 of 31 | 5 of 6 | 3 of 4 |
Big Brady calls this the sketchiest fight on the card and is staying far away from betting. He notes Potieria has power and finishing ability, with most wins in the first round, but is not sold on his UFC caliber. Shogun is washed at 41 and has been for a while. Potieria has a huge hole in takedown defense, but Shogun doesn't wrestle much. He leans towards Potieria by first-round knockout but has no confidence.
Cody picks Ihor Potieria confidently, noting Potieria's power, speed, and youth advantage over an aging Shogun. He says Shogun is past his prime, has poor durability, and is retiring, which historically leads to losses. He thinks Potieria will land something early and put Shogun away. He mentions Shogun's recent performances have been poor, and that Potieria is a limited striker but enough to beat the current Shogun.
Connor agrees with Zane, stating Shogun's prime ended in 2009 and he's been too slow and fragile. He notes Potieria is not very good but not bad enough to lose to Shogun at this point.
Paul picks Ihor Potieria, agreeing with Cody. He says he hopes he's wrong but thinks Potieria will win. He notes Shogun's decline and the retirement announcement curse. He says he won't bet on this fight but picks Potieria. He mentions Shogun's legendary status but says his time is up.
The Guru picks Potieria despite calling him a 'can crusher.' He notes Shogun is 41 and looked awful in recent fights, struggling against Saint Preux. Potieria is young and scrappy, and the Guru trusts the younger fighter to land first. He predicts a first-round TKO for Potieria, though he admits it would be nice to see Shogun win.
Zane picks Potieria because Shogun is too slow and lacks durability. He notes Potieria is a decent athlete with speed and size, and can take shots. He mentions Shogun's recent losses to Paul Craig and OSP show he's done.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicolae Negumereanu | 0 | 51 of 95 | 53% | 72 of 122 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 4:01 |
| Ihor Potieria | 0 | 38 of 70 | 54% | 52 of 85 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nicolae Negumereanu | 0 | 8 of 18 | 44% | 29 of 45 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 3:36 |
| Ihor Potieria | 0 | 7 of 15 | 46% | 20 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Nicolae Negumereanu | 0 | 43 of 77 | 55% | 43 of 77 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:25 |
| Ihor Potieria | 0 | 31 of 55 | 56% | 32 of 56 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicolae Negumereanu | 51 of 95 | 53% | 44 of 84 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 23 of 57 | 25 of 32 | 3 of 6 |
| Ihor Potieria | 38 of 70 | 54% | 26 of 58 | 3 of 3 | 9 of 9 | 31 of 62 | 6 of 7 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nicolae Negumereanu | 8 of 18 | 44% | 7 of 15 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 6 |
| Ihor Potieria | 7 of 15 | 46% | 2 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 6 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Nicolae Negumereanu | 43 of 77 | 55% | 37 of 69 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 19 of 46 | 24 of 31 | 0 of 0 |
| Ihor Potieria | 31 of 55 | 56% | 24 of 48 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 5 | 25 of 48 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Nicolae Negumereanu to win by decision. He is not impressed with Potieria's padded record and poor competition, while Negumereanu has faced better opposition. He notes both fighters are hittable and reckless, but favors Negumereanu's chin, toughness, and cardio. He expects Potieria to have moments early but fade as the fight goes on.
Cody picks Negumereanu as a dog, citing his UFC experience and wins over real UFC fighters like Kennedy Nzechukwu. He notes that Potieria's record is padded with questionable fights and that he hasn't fought anyone. He thinks Negumereanu is more seasoned and can take punishment, and that Potieria's cardio is suspect. He also mentions that Negumereanu has been working on his wrestling and can implement it once Potieria tires.
Daniel leans Negumereanu, citing his UFC experience, willingness to push the pace, and training at Extreme Couture. He heavily criticizes Potieria's record, noting he fought mostly cans, was dropped by a fat 5'9" heavyweight, and even took an amateur fight in 2019. He thinks Negumereanu's grit and pressure will be too much for Potieria, especially in a deep-water fight. He missed the line at +145 and is now +110, so he passes on betting.
Preet got in on Negumereanu at +125 earlier in the week, citing the padded record of Potieria and the low level of competition he faced. He notes Potieria was dropped by an 'ice cream vendor' and that Negumereanu's durability and grimy style should carry him. He is unsure of the method but happy with the plus money.
Paul leans Negumereanu but is not passionate. He notes that Potieria's record is suspicious with many amateur fights on the same day and possible padding. He thinks Negumereanu is more experienced at a higher level and can take a punch. He also mentions that Potieria has cardio issues and that Negumereanu could take over in later rounds. He says it's a good live betting opportunity.
The MMA Guru picks Nicolae Negumereanu by TKO in the first round. He expects Ihor Potieria to start fast with big shots and create chaos, but once things calm down, Negumereanu will find his range, chop the legs, and land a big shot to finish. The Guru emphasizes Negumereanu's patience and defense as key factors.
Expert Picks (6)
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.
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