Gaston Bolanos took a bit to get going, but kicked off the Bellator 206 card on DAZN in a big way when he found his rhythm, knocking out Ysidro Gutierrez and continuing his growth in Bellator’s 145lb weight class.
Kicking off the Bellator 206 main card, live exclusively on DAZN in North America, was a featherweight scrap between Gaston Bolanos and Ysidro Gutierrez. Bolanos (3-1) was another of Bellator’s highly touted rookies, and while relatively inexperienced in the cage, all four of his bouts had come inside the promotion — including a highlight reel spinning back elbow knockout late last year.
The finish likely earned him a sweet opening spot at Bellator 206. And right off the opening bell, Bolanos backed Gutierrez back up to the fence, forcing him to circle away. Gutierrez opted to try his hand at a takedown, to no avail, and early on, it felt like the fight was Bolanos’ for the taking. Gutierrez was happy to counter, but soon ate a high kick that he was able to at least partially block. As game as Gutierrez was, towards the end of the first charging forward throwing punches, Bolanos continued to have the advantage on the feet — but a slow start saw the pair go to a second round after a late takedown by Bolanos.
While Gutierrez opened the second with a high kick, it was Bolanos again walking him down, backing him up. As Gutierrez charged in throwing wild moments later, Bolanos scored a quick takedown, and added a few ground strikes before his opppent made it back up. Then came the finish: Bolanos dropped the outmatched Gutierrez with a heavy left hand behind the ear. He then landed blow after blow on Gutierrez from the back, slipping under the defenses of his opponent, who tried in vain to cover up.
In the cage with Big John post-fight, ‘The Dreamkiller’ said an in-cage interview was something he’d dreamed of for years. Make that one dream not killed, as his own was fulfilled in San Jose.
Gaston Bolanos def. Ysidro Gutierrez by knockout, Round 2, 1:37
