Stefan Paterno wowed his hometown crowd at Bellator Milan, bloodying Ashley Reece early, and keeping the pressure up over three rounds.
Bellator Milan saw welterweight action go down Saturday at the Ex Palalido, as Stefano Paterno took on Ashley Reece. Paterno, a native of Milan and Cage Warriors veteran, would have the crowd firmly behind him against England’s Reece. Reece, mind you, had momentum on his side, entering the bout on a two-fight win streak, both victories under the Bellator banner.
The pair exchanged kicks early, followed by Paterno landing with a right hand. A couple of strikes traded, and the duo wound up against the fence. Reece would eventually get his opponent to the ground, working from guard. He was bloodied from one of the early rights by Paterno, a gushing nose painting the canvas red. He’d work from top, but Paterno was able to target the nose from bottom. Reece backed off, moving back to the feet and attacking Patero’s legs as he lay back still in guard. He threatened with upkicks and was seemingly comfortable fighting off his back.
Round two had the pair trading early before Reece dropped levels and shot for a takedown. Paterno was able to stuff the attempt, and the pair then clinched along the cage, with Paterno reversing the position. Reece would turn things back around again, then latch on to a leg, looking to get the fight to the ground. Paterno answered with elbows, forcing Reece to back off. Paterno then turned up the heat, using his dirty boxing to tag Reece several times. The Italian began tee’ing off, then grabbed on with a clinch and mixed in short punches and a knee.
Reece, exhausted and bloodied, dropped to a knee, hanging on for dear life. He wound up trapped in a choke, but rode it out. However, Reece was flat-out losing the fight, and not long after, Paterno would mount his opponent. Some big bombs landed from the top, but Reece somehow managed to escape the round, which should easily have been a 10-8.
The third round had the pace slow noticeably. Reece, however, was caught by a nasty overhand right at the midway point. That he hadn’t been finished in the second was an impressive display of heart, but there was little reason to believe he’d be able to turn things around in the third. Paterno was walking him down as the round progressed. Making it all the more difficult to see Reece mounting a comeback. In the end, Paterno was just far too much, adding a final big blow on Reece at round’s end.
Official Result: Stefano Paterno def. Ashley Reece by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-27, 29-27)
