Bellator bantamweight champ Darrion Caldwell’s journey up to featherweight was a successful one at Bellator 204, as he finished Noad Lahat within two rounds.
On a night where one star was dropping in weight (James Gallagher), another was going up. At Bellator 204, 135lb champ Darrion Caldwell was heading north to featherweight to take on Noad Lahat. It was the first step in what Caldwell was planning to be a journey to a second title in a new weight class. The action went down in the main event in Sioux Falls, SD.
Caldwell opened the three round bout with a cracking leg kick, and stayed on the outside early, constantly moving. Lahat looked to close the distance, but as they clinched and went to the ground it was Caldwell coming out on top. He’d launch an elbow, and continue to work to improve position, while Lahat tried to stop the bantamweight champ from passing to mount. He’d eventually force Caldwell back to guard, but Caldwell would end the round in full control.
Round two saw another takedown by Caldwell early, as he planted Noad Lahat on his back. Caldwell moved to half guard, and soon had Lahat stacked up against the cage. Caldwell then attacked with lefts that drove underneath Lahat, forcing the fighter to move out of harm’s way. Lahat would eventually give up his back, which allowed Caldwell to launch a number of hard right hands, finally putting Lahat away!
After the bout, Caldwell called out the Pitbull brothers, no doubt with an eye on featherweight champ Patricio Freire.
Darrion Caldwell def. Noad Lahat by knockout, Round 2, 2:46
