Pitbull is greeted by Scott Coker, president of Bellator. Photo: Disclosure
It was painful, but Patrick Pitbull managed to overcome the tough Daniel Straus and defend the Bellator featherweight belt. In the 132nd edition of the event, held in the early hours of this Saturday (17th), in California (USA), the Brazilian suffered from the evolution of the North American, who he had already defeated in 2011, but managed to pull a rear naked choke out of his hat. to defend his reign in the 66 kg division.
The fight
As soon as the fight began, Daniel Straus showed that he was no longer the fighter that Pitbull beat almost four years ago. The North American made use of his greater wingspan to hit the Brazilian from medium distance. In turn, Patrício tried to shorten the fight to work on his boxing, but he was always caught with counter attacks.
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The fight was also marked by controversy. Straus landed a low blow on the Brazilian in the first round and a finger to the eye, followed by another low kick in the second round.
After the fight was stopped for Patrício to recover, referee 'Big' John McCarthy deducted one point from Daniel. The American seemed to lose concentration and Pitbull managed to score points in the partial. The only one he was superior to.
In the third round, however, Straus was once again superior and opened a deep cut on Patrício's left eye, who was no longer able to fight on his feet and tried to look for a takedown, without much success.
In the fourth round, Patrício started better, moving forward and connecting some punches. But he was caught with a combination of blows, ending with a right to the chin and it was a knockdown. The potiguar still managed to get up and escape further punishment.
Recovered from the fall at the beginning of the partial, Pitbull returned to the fight. He sought the clinch and threw a knee at the waist. But the blow was to Straus' genital region, and he fell. The Brazilian still went for the attack on the ground, until he was restrained by the referee. He even imagined that he had won the fight and only later realized that 'Big'John had interrupted the fight to assist the North American.
When the duel resumed, the fighters got tangled up and the Brazilian managed to land in a superior position on the ground. Patrício worked with punches to his rival's back, without much effectiveness. However, Straus made a technical error when trying to stretch Pitbull's arm in search of a submission.
The Brazilian took advantage of the opportunity, managed to get on his back, put his arm around his neck and finish with a rear naked choke at the end of the fourth round.
Next challenger
The heroic victory marked the first defense of the Patrick Pitbull, who already has an opponent defined for his next fight. Georgi Karakhanyan, who submitted Bubba Jenkins in the second most important fight of the night, he climbed into the cage and challenged the champion. The fight doesn't have a date yet.
Watch the best moments of the fight between Patrício Pitbull x Daniel Straus:
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