The attention was on Erick Silva heading into Bellator 216, with Yaroslav Amosov seemingly an afterthought despite a 20-0 record. Saturday, he proved why he’d managed to hit that milestone undefeated.
It was supposed to come months ago. Against Lorenz Larkin. Yet finally, former UFC welterweight Erick Silva made his Bellator MMA debut on Saturday night in Uncasville, CT. At Bellator 216, he had the unenviable task of facing the undefeated Yaroslav Amosov, a 20-0 fighter who defeated Gerald Harris in his own promotional debut.
A potential fight with Larkin may still be there down the line for Silva. It certainly seems like he’s interested in it. First up, however, was Amosov.
With Silva holding center early in the fight, Amosov circled on the outside. Silva hit home with a couple of leg kicks early, and had his hands going. The Brazilian looked dangerous, swinging a heavy right hand, and keeping Amosov on his toes. Amosov had his best success tying things up and landing knees in close; he briefly put Silva down with a trip with a little over two minutes remaining, but wasn’t finding much success in the takedown department. Silva would find himself in a little trouble towards the end of the round, with Amosov pressing forward for a spell, but they would head to a second with Silva likely taking the frame.
In the second, Silva connected early and Amosov found himself on the ground briefly. Right back up, they faced off, Silva eventually landing a spinning back kick. Amosov would later take the back, then use knee on belly to control Silva, landing a number of strikes in the process. A big slam by Amosov followed as he hoisted the Brazilian up and threw him down to the canvas. He’d control the remainder of the round, and heading to the third, it was anybody’s fight.
Erick Silva opened the third with a leg kick and short punch combo, but was soon fending off an Amosov takedown attempt. Successful in stuffing that, he went back after his opponent’s leg and nearly timed a knee on the next takedown attempt. He stuffed that attempt as well, but the action had slowed a step by that point. The next takedown attempt for Amosov would be successful, and he’d work to take the back, then drag Silva down when he briefly managed to regain his feet.
Another big slam would follow a minute or so later, and Yaroslav Amosov was in full control. The promising Bellator debut of Erick Silva, meanwhile, off his rebound win in LFA, was all for not. Amosov, now 21-0, will need another step up in competition next.
Yaroslav Amosov def. Erick Silva by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 29-28)
