Filed under: Bellator, NewsUNCASVILLE, Conn. — After a personal best 12-fight win streak was snapped at Bellator 48, Ricco Rodriguez simply asked for another chance.
The former UFC heavyweight champion never got his game plan going and was knocked ou…
UNCASVILLE, Conn. — After a personal best 12-fight win streak was snapped at Bellator 48, Ricco Rodriguez simply asked for another chance.
The former UFC heavyweight champion never got his game plan going and was knocked out by debuting Seth Petruzelli in the first-round of their fight. Rodriguez made no excuses for the loss, crediting Petruzelli for his execution in the cage.
And despite the loss, Rodriguez vowed that we haven’t seen the last of him on the major MMA scene.
“I have to go back to the drawing board, but I’m not done,” he said. “I’m definitely going to come back. Hopefully, Bellator gives me another opportunity.”
Rodriguez’s representatives were reportedly going to ask to have him included in the upcoming Bellator heavyweight tournament, which is slated to begin in early October.
Petruzelli knocked Rodriguez out with a step-back right hook that was similar to the punch that he used to floor Kimbo Slice. Against Rodriguez, he needed a few ground strikes to finish the fight off, but the stoppage win was all the more impressive when you consider Rodriguez hadn’t been TKO’d since Tim Sylvia captured the UFC belt from him in February 2003.
“He hits hard,” Rodriguez said.
But Rodriguez promised to get back on the horse. After all, this is a guy who many figured was done a long time ago, yet he managed to put his demons behind him and put together an impressive winning streak that got him to Bellator. While that stretch of success is history now, he says he has the tools to recover and rebuild.
“This is a tough job,” Rodriguez said. “Every fighter can get knocked out, every fighter can get subbed. It’s a fight. It’s a way of life. You have to pick up the pieces when you’re down. When you’re up, you’re up. But even when you’re at the top of the mountain, everyone’s trying to knock you down.”
Filed under: MMA Fighting Exclusive, Bellator, NewsUNCASVILLE, Conn. — In his first fight under the Bellator banner, Seth Petruzelli got the fight he wanted. He forced grappling ace Ricco Rodriguez into a standup fight, where his unorthodox striking g…
UNCASVILLE, Conn. — In his first fight under the Bellator banner, Seth Petruzelli got the fight he wanted. He forced grappling ace Ricco Rodriguez into a standup fight, where his unorthodox striking game gave Rodriguez fits. It all culminated in a first-round knockout for Petruzelli at Bellator 48.
Given the win, Petruzelli is practically guaranteed another fight in the organization, but the question is at what weight the fight will be. The Saturday night bout was a 230-pound catch weight. Coming up this season is a heavyweight tournament, and the organization hasn’t yet finalized the field. He could be a candidate for that, or he could wait until an expected Feb. 2012 start date for the next light heavyweight tourney.
The former UFC fighter said while he would consider any offer, he would prefer to wait and join the 205-pounders.
“I’d really like to get some of my injuries looked at first,” Petruzelli told MMA Fighting shortly after the win.
Petruzelli said his right elbow has been bothering him since before he faced Ricardo Romero back at UFC 116 last July. He listed a bursa sac injury, tendinitis and floating bone fragments as issues he would like to address, making a layoff of a few months a proposition he could live with.
“It’s a whole bunch of things,” he said. “I’ve been working really hard getting ready for fights, and I’d be more than happy to take a few months off to relax.”
Petruzelli’s win improved his record to 14-6. It also snapped a 12-fight win streak for Rodriguez.
“I really thought he was going to do nothing but shoot and shoot and shoot,” he said. “He shot maybe once and pushed me against the cage one time. It worked out for me. It was a best-case scenario. Everything kind of fell into place. The fight went as perfect as possible.”
Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney also told MMA Fighting that Petruzelli would likely be offered a spot in the next light-heavyweight tournament field, though a Feb. 2012 start date is not yet guaranteed.
The current champ is Christian M’Pumbu, but not for long if Petruzelli has things his way.
“That 205 belt is in my future,” he said. “I have my eyes on it and my heart set on it.”
Filed under: Bellator, NewsUNCASVILLE, Conn. — Pat Curran is back for a second chance at gold.
Curran, who lost a Bellator lightweight title fight against Eddie Alvarez in April and then dropped to featherweight, won his second Bellator tournament, t…
UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Pat Curran is back for a second chance at gold.
Curran, who lost a Bellator lightweight title fight against Eddie Alvarez in April and then dropped to featherweight, won his second Bellator tournament, this time knocking the highly regarded Marlon Sandro cold with a spectacular headkick finish at Bellator 48.
With the win, Curran gets in line to face the winner of the upcoming tilt between current champ Joe Warren and challenger Patricio “Pitbull” Freire.
Curran spent most of the first two rounds getting peppered by Sandro, who utilized a speed advantage to get to him repeatedly. But during an exchange late in the second round, Sandro looked to keep away from Curran’s offense with active head movement. In the fight’s most fateful moment, he ducked under what he thought was going to be a punch. Instead it was a right high kick, and Curran connected perfectly, sending Sandro crashing to the canvas. The fight could have been over right then, but Curran was able to land a pair of finishing blows before the referee stepped in to save Sandro from further damage.
“I listened to my corners, look low and kick high,” Curran said after the fight. “I just timed it right. I saw him bobbing and weaving, but his hand wasn’t blocking. It landed right on his chin.”
Sandro, who had been so good up until that point, looked devastated after he returned to his corner. The Brazilian bomber appeared at the post-fight press conference but he spent most of it shaking his head and with a faraway look on his face, probably re-running the finish in his mind.
“Congratulations to Pat, but I will be back and better for the next fight,” he said.
It became the second unlikely tournament win for Curran, who was signed into Bellator at the recommendation of his cousin, UFC fighter Jeff Curran prior to the season two lightweight tournament. He got the eighth and final slot in the field, and worked his way through the field before losing to Alvarez in the final.
Curran said the loss lit a fire under him, and he was impressive throughout in the featherweight field, finishing two of his three fights.
He’ll have a while to wait until he cashes in his title shot, but he might not mind the layoff; he’s fought four times in four months.
“The sky’s the limit,” he said. “I’m just going to go back to the gym, work hard and keep improving.”
In the co-main event, Bellator heavyweight champion Cole Konrad returned for the first time in 10 months, and emerged victorious with a unanimous decision win over Paul Buentello in a non-title bout.
The unbeaten Konrad has taken criticism in the best for his wrestling-heavy style, but against the standup specialist Buentello, Konrad spent most of the fight competing in his opponent’s favored position.
Konrad flashed an improved striking game, particularly a strong jab, but never came close to finishing Buentello. Still, it was more than enough for an easy decision by scores of 30-27, 30-27, 29-28.
“I had fun and learned a lot,” Konrad said. “I wanted to prove I can exchange punches with a standup fighter. I’m happy. I’m progressing everyday. That’s the goal.”
Konrad moved to 8-0 with the victory.
Seth Petruzelli made his Bellator debut with a flourish, scoring a first-round TKO over former UFC champion Ricco Rodriguez in a tremendous performance.
Petruzelli flashed his varied standup game, mixing things up with leg kicks, high kicks and head shots. The end came after a pair of spin kicks led to an opening and Petruzelli threaded the needle with a right hand to the jaw that put Rodriguez down.
Petruzelli (14-6) followed with a pair of double hammerfists from the top, and Rodriguez was out for the TKO.
Afterward, Petruzelli said that he hopes to get a slot in Bellator’s next 205-pound tournament and capture a title in the division.
“That light-heavyweight belt has my name written on it, and I’m coming for it, man,” he said.
Rodriguez had a 12-fight win streak snapped with the loss. He fell to 46-12.
“I have to go back to the drawing board,” he said. “I’m not done.”
In the final main card fight, unbeaten Rene Nazare kept his perfect record intact, stopping Juan Barrantes after the second round when the cageside doctor called a halt to the action. Barrantes’ right eye was swollen shut after a pounding over the first 10 minutes.
Nazare controlled the action both standing and on the ground during the duration, but simply couldn’t get the finish as Barrantes withstood his barrages and defended on the ground. But after the second round, his face was bloodied and a quick look by the doctor sealed his fate.
Honorary CagePotato Fight Team captain Jefferey “KarmaAteMyCat” Watts has snagged a press credential to the event, and will be representing us on press row this evening, hopefully wearing some killer tights. Assuming the Mohegan Sun has a solid Internet connection, Jeff will be sharing his observations during the show, after the jump. It’s not a “liveblog,” so much as a casual chat among friends. So follow along if you’re watching the fights, let us know your thoughts, and remember to refresh the page once in a while. Thanks for being here.
(Pat Curran’s Peruvian necktie submission of Luis Palomino at Bellator 46, 6/25/11.)
Honorary CagePotato Fight Team captain Jefferey “KarmaAteMyCat” Watts has snagged a press credential to the event, and will be representing us on press row this evening, hopefully wearing some killer tights. Assuming the Mohegan Sun has a solid Internet connection, Jeff will be sharing his observations during the show, after the jump. It’s not a “liveblog,” so much as a casual chat among friends. So follow along if you’re watching the fights, let us know your thoughts, and remember to refresh the page once in a while. Thanks for being here.
Hey there Potatonation we’re in the middle of a very heated and very even match up involving Tateki Matsuda 6-2/Saul Almeida 9-1. The first round was a banger with Saul and Tateki exchanging blows early on, eventually it went to the ground with what seemed to be Saul getting hit by a hard right and looking for a take down. Saul’s jujitsu seems to be the story of the end of the first round the majority of the second with Saul taking Tateki’s back for the majority of the round and controlling him.
Perhaps it should be mentioned that Tateki’s submission defense might even be the real story in this fight. Early on in the third round Saul Almeida hits a solid double leg against the cage putting Tateki on his back for a third time in this fight controlling him , Saul seems to be looking for a mounted Guillotine but once again Tateki’s solid submission defense prevents Saul from finishing the fight. Tateki lands a successful sweep and is now controlling Saul from side control, and another switch with Saul taking Tateki’s back yet again in this fight. It just doesn’t seem that Tateki has any answer for Saul’s wrestling whatsoever, the fight is going to the judges and even though this fight wasn’t finished by either opponent I can see this going to Saul Almeida but we’ll have to see what the judges think. What a war these two just had, two fighters both very young and very hungry. (Judges:Peter Rodgers:30- 27, Jon Bilynk 28-29, Cardo Urso 30-27 ) WINNER VIA UD: Saul Almeida
The second fight of the night is a couple local fighters Brett Oteri fighting out of Taunton, MA and Ryan Quinn from Danbury,Ct. This one starts off with Oteri looking throw some bows but quinn wants none of it and goes for a takedown, He seems to have some real sick Jujitsu as he easily takes Oteri’s back and sinks in a RNC, Oteri however refuses to tap just as he goes out Big Dan stops the bought with a technical submission 1:48 seconds into the fight. Winner: Ryan Quinn Via RNC
Main Card
RD1:Juan Barrantes and Nazare come out swinging and it seems that Nazare is getting the better of the stand up as he is landing blow after blow. Juan trys to go body head but finds himself getting taken down for his efforts, Nazare seems to have a solid ground game working the body and controlling Juan pushing him against the cage, Juan seems to be bleeding from under one of his eyes. Nazare attempts a mounted guillotine right as the bell goes off.
Rd2: Juan just doesn’t seem to want any of the stand up that Nazare is bringing to the table, however Juan seems to land a solid right of his own back peddling away from Nazare. Nazare lands a solid takedown and Juan is on his back again, Nazare transitions to half guard. Juan just doesn’t seem to have any answer for the wrestling from Nazare which just seems phenomenal. Nazare has bruised and bloodied Juans face at this point I’m thinking someones going home with sunglasses after this fight! Juan manages to get to his feet and Nazare presses him against the cage in a clinch like position, I hate to sound like a broken record but this kids wrestling is either REALLY good or Juans wrestling is nonexistent. Round two ends the same as round one Nazare in complete control.
During the break the Ref called the doctor in to examine Juans Bloodied up right eye and the doctor stopped the fight. Winner Via Doctor Stoppage: Nazare!
(I wanna take this time to Note that Juan Barrantes deserves all the credit in the world for what he does. He teaches Martial Arts to at risk teens and homeless teens that makes him a bad ass guy in my book! He will be graduating from College this year with a degree in Psychology he commits his life to making a difference in others lives which is just outstanding. Congratulation and best wishes to Juan in his future en devours we can’t wait to see you fight again.)
Ricco Rodriguez and Seth Petruzelli are up next, both look in amazing shape as they come out to the cage. I am told that Seth weighed in last night with a Jujitsu Gi on how crazy is that? Seth claims to be honored to fight Ricco because he was a Legend in the sport when Seth was just getting started. Awww you gotta love the bro Love.
Rd1: Both fighters come out and touch gloves a show of Mutual respect. Ricco throws a body kick and Seth just seems to be measuring up his much larger opponent Seth lands a shot right into Ricco’s groin, after a minute or so the two are back at it exchanging blows. Ricco throws a leg kick which is in turn lands him on his back as Seth catches it. Their both back to their feet quickly exchanging blows, Seth lands a solid right on Ricco’s jaw and I think Ricco just gave him a look as to say is that it? Ricco pushes Seth against the Cage controlling him, Seth breaks off the cage and they both throw some blows. Ricco throws a punch, Seth counters with a hard right. They both exchange High Fives, as seth throws a spinning back kick twice over, Oh SHIT Seth Lands a hard right on Ricco’s jaw and is going to town on his face, Ricco goes Limp and Big Dan stops the fights! Holy shit Seth Petruzelli has knocked out Ricco Rodriguez. Winner Via KO: Seth Petruzelli
Paul Buentello and Cole Konrad are up and neither are looking in the best of the shape I’ll have to give this one beauty contest to Konrad for the entourage of Pat Barry and company.
RD1: The first round starts of with Konrad throwing his Jab out there a lot and it just seems to be the story of this round. Neither Konrad or Buentello seem to be interested in taking this fight to the ground, the Fans are going insane you should hear some of the crazy shit their saying but since you can’t I’ll hook you up “Come on Muffin top at least hug him”, “Come on Fight or go home” this has to be the first time I’ve heard fans boo a stand up Play day in my entire time of watching MMA, I’d love to complain but who can blame them honestly.
RD2: It’s the same thing all over again as the two men just aren’t interested in doing anything but throwing bows, I suppose I should say Cole Konrad is throwing Bows. Theres a few Flurrys in there but for the most part both fighters make no effort to showcase their ground game, Perhaps Buentello thinks if he runs in circles Konrad will get tired and give up?
RD3: Both men come out measuring one another up again looking for that one mighty blow that might help them defeat the other. Konrad throws a couple jabs out there and pushes Buentello against the cage a little, a Hard right from Konrad sends Buentello rolling backwards. Konrad is running in and takes his back, he seems to be going for a RNC I think he’s having problems fitting his arms around Buentello’s neck. He’s laying on a little bit of GNP as he takes Buentello’s half guard. He seems to be trying to take mount but settles for side Control. The crowd is Booing and chanting “Stand them up” and they get their wish as Big Dan stand them up, Just as he does Dan stops the clock to fix Konrads tape on his gloves. Buentello seems to wanna exchange now that theres thirty seconds left on the clock but this ones going to the judges. Winner VIA Unanimous Decision: Cole Konrad(Cardo Urso 28-29, Jon Blyk 27-30,Pat Avery 27-30)
Marlon Sandro and Pat Curran are up! Bellator Featherweight Tournament finals are LIVE WITH ME!
RD1:Both men make their way to the center of the cage Sandro throws and over hand right with bad intentions written all over it and Curran avoids it. Sandro with a sick leg kick heard clear cross the arena Curran seems to be measuring his opponent up. An accidental leg kick to the groin has the ref intervene for a moment and their back at it again Curran seems to be getting a little bullied here he’s backing up and being pushed against the cage. Did I mention that the MMA Fans here are Insanely Intoxicated and you can hear everything their saying as clear as day. “Kick his ass from the left side of the stands” as Sandro’s corner gives him instructions you hear a guy in the crowd shout “Listen to him” This is the quietest this crowd has been all night honestly. It’s almost as if MOST of them understand this fight could be over in a moments Notice. It’s the final minute of round one and this is a very close round I think you may have to give round one to Sandro he’s thrown more landed blows and he’s throwing blows. The first round ends with Sandro attempting a single leg and Curran sprawling the ref jumps in just as Sandro jumps to his feet in his fighting stand and we’re onto ROUND 2.
RD2: Both men meet back up in the center of the cage and exchange some shots. The silence from the crowd only adds to the intensity of the fight, for those of you who have been to a live fight you know what I mean. Oh Sandro lands a grazing left hook and Curran throws a right hand both men are obviously not afraid to drop bombs and eat them as well. Curran pushes Sandro against the cage into a clinch but Sandro fights it off and their back to the center of the cage. Left hook from pat and Sandro slips it moves forward and throws a one, two combination of his own followed by another one two combination finished by a left hook. Pat Curran looks cut under or around his left eye and the river runs red tonight Potato Nation, a super man punch follower by a straight right and Curran is backing up! Holy shit Curran catches Sandro with a round house kick ALL SHIN ALL DAY TO THE FACE and finishes the fight with some nasty GNP!! HOLY SHIT PAT CURRAN HAS DONE what Sandro has done to many others. WINNER: KO SHIN2THEFACE PAT CURRAN!
I’ll have a bunch of videos up tomorrow hopefully. My first live event coverage I had a blast Bellator was awesome to all of us in the Media. they truly are a class act.
Filed under: Bellator, NewsFormer UFC heavyweight champion Ricco Rodriguez was on a 12-fight winning streak and appeared to be on the way back, if not to a title than at least to respectability. But Seth Petruzelli put a stop to any talk that Rodriguez…
Former UFC heavyweight champion Ricco Rodriguez was on a 12-fight winning streak and appeared to be on the way back, if not to a title than at least to respectability. But Seth Petruzelli put a stop to any talk that Rodriguez is back.
Petruzelli brutally knocked Rodriguez out in the first round of their Bellator fight on Saturday night: Petruzelli landed a spinning kick to the head to knock Rodriguez off balance, and then when Rodriguez recovered and charged forward with his hands down, Petruzelli leveled him with a big right hand to the chin. With Rodriguez on his back, Petruzelli whaled on him with a double hammerfist, and then the referee stepped in to stop the fight.
The official time of the technical knockout victory was 4 minutes, 21 seconds of the first round. For Rodriguez, the loss was the first time he’s been finished since losing to Tim Sylvia at UFC 41.
For Petruzelli, this was his most significant win since knocking out Kimbo Slice in 2008, in a nationally televised fight that led to the downfall of the old EliteXC promotion. Now Petruzelli says he wants to help build Bellator as an up-and-coming promotion.
“I’m so happy,” Petruzelli said afterward. “That light heavyweight belt for Bellator has my name written all over it, and I’m coming for it.”
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.
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.”
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.
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.”
UNCASVILLE, Conn. — After a personal best 12-fight win streak was snapped at Bellator 48, Ricco Rodriguez simply asked for another chance.
UNCASVILLE, Conn. — In his first fight under the 
UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Pat Curran is back for a second chance at gold.
Former 
UNCASVILLE, Conn. — This is the 