Callan Potter scored his first UFC win in his home country on the UFC 243 preliminary card, when he defeated Maki Pitolo via Unanimous Decision.
Fresh off his Dana White’s Contender Series win, Maki Pitolo made his UFC debut against Australian’s own Callan Potter on the UFC 243 preliminary card.
Pitolo was dropping back down to welterweight for this bout, for the first time since 2017. He made his Contender Series appearance up at middleweight, knocking out Justin Sumter in under two minutes. The 28-year-old has fought in several promotions, including Bellator, Cage Fury Fighting Championships, Victory FC and X-1. Pitolo has finished 75% of his wins, 50% via knockout and 25% via submission.
Potter made his UFC debut back in February, getting knocked out by Jalin Turner in 53 seconds. The 35-year-old has finished 16 of his 17 wins, but has also been finished in all eight of his losses. Potter has faced Marcin Held and Jake Matthews in the past, losing to both of them via first-round submission. Now, Potter looks for his first UFC win in his home country.
Both fighters made the welterweight weight limit, Pitolo weighing 170-pounds and Potter weighing 171-pounds.
Round 1:
Both men touched gloves to start the first round. Potter landed a left hand early, although there was no power behind it. He landed another strike not too long after, and this time he got his opponent’s attention. Both men were wildly swinging in the first round to that point. Both men have been stunned whilst exchanging through the opening two minutes. Potter attempted a takedown but Pitolo reversed and managed to attempt a rear-naked-choke. Potter survived the choke attempt and got top position against the cage against Pitolo. They got back to the feet and started exchanging wildly again. Pitolo was landing more often throughout the first round but Potter could miss with his left hand and was the aggressor through the first round.
Cageside Press scored the round 10-9 Potter.
Round 2:
Throughout the first minute, both men exchanged on the feet with Pitolo landing the better shots. Potter was looking for the clinch and his left hand but Pitolo did a better job early in the second round to keep it into this range. Pitolo attempted his own takedown within the clinch, but Potter defended. Both men battled for positional control before getting broken up by the referee with 90 seconds to go. Pitolo was eating shots as Potter was coming forward, and managed to get back into the clinch position. Both men exchanged strikes after being broken up by the referee to end the round.
Cageside Press scored the round 10-9 Pitolo.
Round 3:
Early within the third round, Potter managed to take Pitolo down and had top control in Pitolo’s guard 20 seconds into the third round. Potter got sloppy with his position though, and Pitolo managed to get out of the bottom position. After a scramble both men went back to the feet. Potter managed to get a second takedown on Pitolo shortly after, this time getting top position in half guard. Potter managed to keep Pitolo on the ground this time, landing short strikes on the ground to his tired opponent. Potter got to mount and kept Pitolo down for the rest of the round.
Cageside Press scored the round 10-9 Potter.
Official Result: Callan Potter def. Maki Pitolo via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
