Kicking off the Bellator 203 card from Rome, Italy, Maxim Radu made short work of local hero Simone La Preziosa.
A Moldovan fighting out of Italy, Maxim Radu opened the Bellator 203 card in Italy taking on Simone La Preziosa. Preziosa was a local hero, with the crowd firmly at his back. The card went down at the Foro Italico, airing via tape delay on the Paramount Network.
Radu stalked Preziosa around the cage early, looking to attack, but it was Preziosa getting it to the ground. However, Radu looked for a guillotine, and in a scramble, managed to gain top control. Working from side mount, he dropped some forearms on the head of Simone La Preziosa.
Radu was able to keep Preziosa pinned for quite some time, and when the Italian did make it back to his feet, he was dragged down again, then a third time. Hammer fists from Radu turned to a barrage of ground n’ pound, and ref Big Dan had seen enough. He waved off the action, giving Maxim Radu his first win in Bellator MMA, not to mention spoiling the night of the Italian. Just ten seconds ahead of the end of the round, no less.
Maxim Radu def. Simone La Preziosa by TKO, Round 1, 4:50
