Bellator 258 Results

by Brian Woodman Jr. on 05/08/21

(Uncasville, CT -- May 7)

Sergio Pettis (21-5) secured tBellator MMA's bantamweight belt from Juan Archuleta (25-3) during the main event at Bellator 258. Mohegan Sun Arena hosted the event that evening.

Two judges scored the bout 49-46. One judge scored it 50-45.

Archuleta shot for a takedown early in the first round but Pettis stuffed it. He succeeded in taking Pettis down during the second round, although Pettis returned to his feet quickly and disengaged before Archuleta attempted a single-leg. Pettis appeared more dominant during the stand-up that marked the third and fourth rounds. Archuleta brought the fight to the ground again during the fifth round but Pettis countered by attempting a triangle choke from the bottom.

“I knew he was going to get the better of the exchanges,” said Pettis afterward. “He hit me with some good shots but I knew my shots were hitting him a little bit harder. I was calculated, calm. He said there was a storm running and there was heavy tides but   I was out here and I was water tonight.

Anthony Johnson (23-6), who returned to the sport after a four-year break, knocked out Jose Augusto (7-3, with one no-contest) at (1:30 in the second round. Johnson ended the exciting fight with a right-handed counterpunch. The win advances him to the semifinals for Bellator’s Light Heavyweight Grand Prix, during which organizers will match him against Vadim Nemkov (14-2).

Augusto took the fight on short notice after Yoel Romero (13-5) failed to pass a physical exam. Bellator spokespersons confirmed that he will be eligible to replay for clearance to fight in the coming months.

Peter Quaelly (13-5) defeated Patricky Pitbull (23-9) by TKO due to a doctor’s stoppage at :01 in the third round of a lightweight bout. The stoppage occurred due to a cut near Pitbull’s eye.

There was a brief stoppage in he fiurst round after Quaelly ustained a kick to the groind during a striking exchange. Pitbull secured takedowns during the first two rounds but was clearly bleeding from the forehead courtesy of an elbow strike from a grounded Quaelly.

“If you think you’re going to stop me with leg kicks, you need another plan,” said Quaelly, who praised his opponent and expressed an interest in fighting Pitbull’s brother Patricio next.

Michael Page (19-1) defeated Derek Anderson (17-4, with one-no contest) by TKO after a doctor’s stoppage at the end of the first round. The stoppage resulted from Page flattening Anderson’s nose with a high kick during the fight, which was contracted at 175 pounds and opened the main card.

Anderson pinned Page against the cage early in the fight in an attempt to trump Page’s evasiveness. But Page eluded Anderson during much of the fight.

“Tough guys are only good when they can hit their target,” said Page, who expressed admiration for Anderson. “Strength means everything when you can land but t means nothing when you can’t, and that’s my whole thing.”

The preliminary card opened with a bantamweight bout between Erik Perez (20-8) and Blaine Shutt (8-5). Perez earned a unanimous decision win with two judges scored it 30-27 and one scored it 30-26. Shutt shot for a single leg takedown in the first round and later attempted a guillotine, but Perez generally dominated the bout.

Johnny Soto (4-1) earned a unanimous decision over Walter Almeida (5-1) during a featherweight bout. Two judges scored it 29-28 and one scored it 29-27.

Almeida hot in on Soto in the first round. But Soto generally dicta5ed he pace and put Almeida in a rear naked choke as he round ended.

Johnny Campbell (21-13, with one no-contest) submitted Henry Corrales (18-6) with a rear naked choke at 4:12 in the second round of a bantamweight bout. Campbell dropped Corrales with an uppercut and secured a bully mount before eventually transitioning to his back and ending the fight.

Johnny Eblen (8-0) grounded and pounded his way to victory over Daniel Madrid (18-7) at 2:44 in the first round of a middleweight bout.

Patchy Mix (14-1) submitted Albert Morales (10-7-1) with an arm triangle choke at 2:40 in the third round of a bantamweight fight. Mix attempted a couple of rear naked choke during the second round.

Raufeon Stots (16-1) defeated Josh Hill (20-3) by unanimous decision. All three judges scored the bantamweight bout 30-27.

Lorenz Larkin (23-7, with one no-contest) defeated Rafael Carvalho (16-6) by split decision. All three judges scored the middleweight bout 29-28 with one favoring Carvalho.