Filed under: Bellator
UNCASVILLE, Conn. — This is the Bellator 48 live blog for Seth Petruzelli vs. Ricco Rodriguez, a heavyweight bout on tonight’s Bellator card from the Mohegan Sun.
Petruzelli (13-6) and Rodriguez (47-11) are making their promotional debuts for Bellator. Rodriguez has won 12 straight fights. Petruzelli has won one since his UFC exit last November.
The live blog is below.
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Round 1: Petruzelli takes the center of the cage. Rodriguez fires off the first shot with a head kick that misses. Petruzelli lands a front kick to the body. Moments later he lands a right to the head. A Petruzelli spin kick lands low, forcing a timeout. Rodriguez rushes in but loses his balance and Petruzelli ends up taking him down. Rodriguez wants the fight anyway. Petruzelli lands a shot but lets him up. Petruzelli throwing lots of kicks, landing a right to the jaw behind one of them. Petruzelli follows him into a corner and they clinch, with Rodriguez pushing him against the fence. Rodriguez digs for the takedown but Petruzelli works free and lands a kick. It’s turning into Petruzelli’s fight. More kicks, to the legs, then a spinning kick to the head. Another spin kick, then a straight right to the jaw drops Rodriguez. Petruzelli finishes him off with a couple double hammerfists.
Winner: Seth Petruzelli via TKO, Rd. 1 (4:21)
“That was exactly how I had it in my head,” Petruzelli said afterward. “I’m so happy.”