SBG Ireland product Kiefer Crosbie went the distance for the first time in his career at Bellator 211, but got to celebrate both a win and his daughter’s upcoming birthday.
Welterweight action at Bellator 211 in Genoa, Italy on Saturday saw undefeated SBG Ireland fighter Kiefer Crosbie take on Italy’s own Orlando D’Ambrosio. It was D’Ambrosio’s promotional debut, and he entered the night coming off a loss back at Cage Warriors 95. Crosbie was also making his promotional debut.
It was Crosbie firing a high kick early, and controlling much of the fight early on. After two minutes or so of working on the feet, he took D’Ambrosio to the ground with a throw, moving to side control. Crosbie wound up backing off, then firing an axe kick while the Italian chose to remain on his back. Crosbie would move back into D’Ambrosio’s guard shortly after, but again, not much was happening. Crosbie backed off again, tried another axe kick, and eventually the fight went back to the feet.
Round two saw the pace slowed, and D’Ambrosio worked to push Crosbie up against the fence. He’d work in a knee or two, and control with at least one underhook, but Crosbie was brielfly able to reverse position. He eventually got the fight to the ground with a trip, landing in half guard. D’Ambrosio was able to maneuver him back into his closed guard, and Crosbie resorted to a few shoulder strikes. Despite sharing a team, and at times a similar karate-inspired stance, it was anything but a McGregor-esque performance from Crosbie. Still a solid effort, however.
The third round was once again dictated by Kiefer Crosbie, who took the fight to the ground and spent plenty of time on top. While he didn’t get much in the way of damage done, nor advance his position, he was eating up time, and D’Ambrosio had no way to escape. The ref would stand them up with just over a minute to go, giving the Italian a chance to get back in it, but instead it went the distance, with Crosbie earning the unanimous decision.
Kiefer Crosbie def. Orlando D’Ambrosio by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
