Patricio Pitbull and Eddie Alvarez were among the pros reacting to Aaron Pico’s knockout loss at Bellator 214 on Saturday.
Bellator 214 was going smooth up until the co-main event. You could say the main card was going exactly the way the promotion wanted it to. Adel Altamimi won a submission victory in his promotional debut. The Iraqi has a rags-to-riches, triumph-over-terror story that would make a great movie. And he had Chris Pratt cornering him. No joke.
Then Jake Hager, a.k.a. Jack Swagger, made his MMA debut, and looked better than anyone expected. Yet, he was fighting a 1-1 journeyman with more unsanctioned fights than sanctioned ones, but a 1-1 fighter is exactly the level of competition he should have been facing.
And he smoked him, getting the takedown, dropping elbows, and submitting J.W. Kiser with an arm-triangle choke. Not a bad debut for the WWE star.
So coming to the main event, the stage was set for Aaron Pico to do his thing. And he did, at least at first. Scored an uppercut that knocked down Henry Corrales. But Corrales got back up, and seconds later, he had knocked Pico out cold.
The blue chip prospect had suffered the second loss of his career. He’ll be back, for on Saturday, it was Corrales’ night. See the pros react to the finish below!
Watching the Pico fight at @bellatormma #smash #fitchsmash #jon_fitch_smash #jonfitch #fitch #jonfitchdotnet #mma #champ #fitness #grandprix #wrestling #bjj #grappling #boxing #muaythai… https://t.co/DrurRjGJN3
— Jon Fitch 🐻🦍🐲 (@jonfitchdotnet) January 27, 2019
Why do people act surprised when a reckless fighter gets KO’ed? Big gloves, little gloves. It matters not. If you are straight in front of your opponent in the pocket trading shots, guess what? You are in the line of fire and will eventually get hit…badly.
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) January 27, 2019
Didn’t shock us 😊 👊🏼 https://t.co/lB2GoiWXR0
— Lauren Murphy (@LaurenMurphyMMA) January 27, 2019
There’s no sissies in our gym, that’s for sure https://t.co/1U8m5LIbWq
— Lauren Murphy (@LaurenMurphyMMA) January 27, 2019
Say all you want about a prospect with a 4-2 record (😉) some prospects are out here challenging themselves while other “prospects” are 6-0 fighting ammys/debuters/ppl who pose little to no threat. Let’s be real here. Pico has more talent then most undefeated fighters I’ve seen. https://t.co/5ky0vbL6HV
— Kay Hansen (@KayHansenMMA) January 27, 2019
That's my boy! So happy for Henry he is a fucking animal
— David Michaud (@bulldawgUFC) January 27, 2019
Damn……I still believe Pico to be among the elite of Bellator’s 145 pound division. In wrestling, he always marched guys down with a certain disregard to them scoring on him. He can’t fight the way he wrestles, it doesn’t translate well. In a few years, he’ll be champ.
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) January 27, 2019
Man This sport is unforgiving , I hate seeing a 22 year kid get hit like that , soo talented and skilled at such a young age . Hope he takes the proper time off and let his brain rest properly . He has a bright future regardless of this result . I am fan 👍🏻👍🏻
— Eddie Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) January 27, 2019
Lots of power. No chin. #Bellator214
— Patricio Freire (@PatricioPitbull) January 27, 2019
Thank Henry Corrales for the beating you’ll be taking a few months from now. Bellator thought Pico would be the bigger fight (just look at your ratings, anyone would be bigger, actually). Now I can get my hands on you first. https://t.co/LzB7Mi7f4i
— Patricio Freire (@PatricioPitbull) January 27, 2019
