Highlights! FOTY Candidate Ends With Brutal TKO

Rodolfo Bellato and Ihor Potieria turned in a Fight of the Year candidate earlier tonight (Sat., Dec. 2, 2023) at UFC Austin live on ESPN/ESPN+ from inside Moody Center in Austin, Tex., ending with Bellato scoring a comeback finish via second-round TKO.

This fight was expected to produce fireworks, but nobody knew it would turn into nine minutes of some of the most intense action we’ve seen all year. Despite Bellato’s size and power, it was Potieria who was able to land the most damage in the first round. He badly hurt Bellato on multiple occasions by utilizing speed and precision.

Bellato, who was making his Octagon debut, hung in tough. Towards the end of the first round the Brazilian was able to use his strength to pin Potieria along the cage and land some hard elbows and knees inside. Potieria countered back, though, creating a war of attrition and will until the bell sounded.

Bellato came out strong to begin the second round, but Potieria fired right back. He hurt Bellato bad and was able to gain top control on the ground. Potieria unloaded heavy ground-and-pound that almost prompted a referee stoppage, but Bellato’s sheer toughness allowed him to stay alive.

After Bellato was able to return to his feet he once again plodded forward and pressured Potieria, who was absolutely exhausted. Bellato eventually took the fight to the canvas and worked to full mount. That’s when he smashed Potieria with countless punches and elbows before the fight was waved off.

It was nine minutes of gut-wrenching violence and a reminder that some of the best MMA action happens when you’re not entirely expecting it. Check out the final moments in the above player and full fight highlights below:

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For complete UFC Austin results, coverage, and highlights click HERE.