Mandel Nallo started Bellator 207 the right way with a standing knee knockout in the second round against Carrington Banks.
Mandel Nallo has not been very active in his career, beginning his MMA venture in 2012, and only having six fights to his name coming into tonight’s bout. While he does not have many fights, he has won them all by stoppage. Two of which were knockouts, and the other four being submissions. His Bellator debut was a blistering 18-second head kick knockout.
Carrington Banks is an Ultimate Fighter veteran that has found a home in Bellator. After winning his first three bouts in the promotion, Banks suffered the first loss in his career at the hands of Adam Piccolotti in his most recent appearance. With a record of 7-1 in his career, Banks has a pair of stoppages two his name, but they occurred in his first two pro fights.
Mandel Nallo started the fight with a head kick, to which Carrington Banks responded with a takedown attempt. Nallo stuffed the attempt and stayed on top of Banks. Nallo began working on a D’arce choke that seemed deep, but Banks was able to break free after a lengthy battle. After breaking out of the submission attempt, Banks rode out the round on top.
The fight did not last much longer. Early in the second round, Banks ducked right into a standing knee that knocked him clean out. There was no follow-up necessary, and Nallo kicked off the main card with a thunderous knockout.
This might be a candidate for knockout of the year. pic.twitter.com/VDB0UZo0qt
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 13, 2018
Mandel Nallo said in the post-fight interview that he noticed a tendency from Banks that he would dip when Nallo threw a jab. After the first round, he made the adjustment and landed a standing knee as Banks ducked, perhaps for a takedown.
Mandel Nallo def. Carrington Banks by KO (Knee) in Round 2 (0:57)
