Bellator 270 played host to a featherweight fight that easily could have been part of the promotion’s 145lb grand prix.
That bout saw German veteran Daniel Weichel take on Portugal’s Pedro Carvalho, who, fighting out of SBG Ireland, had the crowd firmly in his corner.
Come Friday, Weichel got active early, firing almost immediately off the bell. Carvalho took a moment to compose himself then answered back, mixing in some kicks. But before a minute had ticked away, Weichel had taken the back, getting the fight to the ground. He quickly had two hooks in, with nearly four minutes to work.
Weichel’s advantage on the ground was clear, but he opted instead to move back to his feet, looking to improve position. That allowed Carvalho to escape; they’d re-engage at center, but Weichel would have the edge there too, countering the Portuguese fighter, hurting him and getting in control on the ground. Carvalho managed to reverse, and found enough space to land forearms and shoulder strikes.
In the second, Carvalho caught Weichel early, but Weichel answered with a knockdown. He then went after his opponent on the ground, working on an arm-bar for a bit before Carvalho got to his feet. Weichel took him back down, but couldn’t keep him there. After a bit of back-and-forth, Weichel would change levels, trying for a body lock. He couldn’t complete the takedown and instead would be reversed along the fence. In the final minute, Carvalho began landing, finding significant success with his left hand. Weichel was backpedaling, and for good reason.
Quite the comeback late in the second by Pedro Carvalho. In the third, Weichel, knowing the momentum had shifted, stole it back with an early takedown. Carvalho would soon reverse, leaving Weichel on his back with the minutes ticking away — in what could very well be an even fight after two. Weichel would escape out with just under two minutes remaining. Carvalho went to the body with a kick; a tiring Weichel dropped levels for a takedown but couldn’t finish it. Instead, they’d go the distance, trading high kicks and spinning attacks in an exciting final minute.
Both @DanielWeichel and @The_Game_MMA going all out!
We are LIVE on @SHOSports with #Bellator270👇https://t.co/TbKTQ7lKsu pic.twitter.com/HMSm2yxCdo
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) November 5, 2021
Taking a unanimous decision on the scorecards, Pedro Carvalho got back in the win column — and snapped his two-fight skid.
Official Result: Pedro Carvalho def. Daniel Weichel by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
