Whatever happens with Bellator MMA moving forward, the resurgence of the grand prix/tournament format, now used by the PFL and occasionally ONE Championship, in large part can be credited to Scott Coker’s reign atop the company.
While the Bjorn Rebney area was tournament-based, the latter Bellator grand prix tournaments felt just a little more special.
At Bellator 301, the second semi-final of the lightweight grand prix played out, with Patricky Pitbull and Alexander Shabliy looking to punch their ticket to a title shot. Against who would be a question, with champ/finalist Usman Nurmagomedov failing a drug test. When and where was another concern, with Bellator on the auction block.
Still, the show must go on. And it did with the five-round lightweight affair kicking off the Bellator 301 main card on Friday in Chicago. A slow feeling out process played out through the first minute and a half, much to the dismay of the crowd at the Wintrust Arena. The action was then paused when Pitbull suffered an eye poke, or more of a face wash.
With Pitbull ready to go, the action got back underway; Shabliy worked his kicks, but Pitbull made sure to answer back with his hands. And he did so repeatedly, despite being bloodied by Shabliy by the end of the round.
Shabliy continued to work his kicks in round two, with both fighters loading up at times. Pitbull had to be careful not to put himself out of position; he also found himself stalked along the fence, Shabliy cutting off the cage and attacking with short combos and single strikes. In the final 30 seconds, Shabliy hit his target, sending Patricky Pitbull to his backside with a 1-2!
Round three saw Shabliy target the body, while Pitbull, likely trailing on the scorecards, fired a calf kick. Again, Alexander Shabliy was walking the Brazilian ex-champ down, but towards the midway mark, Pitbull came forward firing! Shabliy was forced to retreat, but then planted and fired a right hand, ending the onslaught as Pitbull eased off the attack.
Heading into round four, it appeared Pitbull had found some more gas in the tank, taking the fight to Shabliy. But as the round progressed, Shabliy took over, and soon it was Patricky Pitbull on his heels, covering up and being tagged multiple times by Shabliy! Blow after blow hitting its target, Pitbull was soon looking like ground beef. The fourth round was a bad one for the elder Pitbull brother, and he was looking at needing a finish heading into round five.
That finish wouldn’t come. Instead, it was Alexander Shabliy again putting in a strong effort in round five. He walked Pitbull down, picked him apart, and by the end of the frame, fired a spinning kick that hit the mark and had it not been partially blocked might have finished the fight.
The scorecards produced no surprises, with all three judges scoring all five rounds for Alexander Shabliy. He now advances to the lightweight grand prix finale, though when or where that fight might take place, and against who, remains to be seen.
Official Result: Alexander Shabliy def. Patricky Pitbull by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
