Pat Curran lands a knee to the jaw of former champ Joe Warren – Photo via Bellator.com
Bellator fighter Pat Curran (17-4) earned the biggest win of his career this past Friday night (March 9, 2012) in Hammond, Indiana after defeating former featherweight champ Joe Warren for the Bellator strap.
In the Bellator 60 headliner, Curran would catch the champ with a knee to the head as Warren ducked in for a takedown. Sensing that Warren was in trouble, Curran pressed the attack landing several more big punches and knees to the head of Warren.
The stoppage appeared to be a bit late, as Warren’s body was supported by the fence during the onslaught preventing him from falling to the canvas.
Speaking to host Mauro Ranallo on Monday’s podcast of “The MMA Show with Mauro Ranallo“, Curran re-iterated his thoughts that referee Jeff Malott had stopped the fight too late.
“Watching the fight again, I can definitely say they should have stopped it 10-15 seconds sooner. I hope that Joe Warren has a quick recovery and has no long-term damage. In the heat of the moment, though, it’s hard. I’m just doing my job and going at it until the ref steps in. But watching it again (Jeff Malott) definitely let it go on too long.”
Also featured on Monday’s podcast were Bellator color commentator Jimmy Smith, TapouT Magazine’s Jennifer Swift, MMAjunkie’s Steven Morrocco, No Holds Barred Eddie Goldman, and Will Romero from the Canadian Score Fighter Series promotion.