Former LFA champion Rodolfo Bellato hopes for a drama-free night time within the cage when he co-headlines a UFC occasion for the primary time Saturday as he faces Paul Craig at UFC Vegas 106.
“Trator” was signed by the UFC after two appearances on Dana White’s Contender Sequence and needed to dig deep in his debut, surviving an onslaught earlier than knocking out Ihor Potieria for a $50,000 bonus at UFC Austin in December 2023.
Simply over a 12 months later, with then-light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira in his nook, Bellato was as soon as once more virtually completed within the opening spherical, this time by Jimmy Crute. Nonetheless, he survived to go the space and stroll dwelling with a uncommon majority draw.
Bellato met UFC CEO Dana White backstage moments after the 15-minute battle and stated he was praised by the chief for “getting beat up however coming again.” At UFC Vegas 106, although, he’s aiming for a clear victory. If there’s blood spilled, make it Craig’s solely.
“Each battle teaches us one thing,” Bellato advised MMA Preventing. “Thank God I used to be in a position to see that it’s going to by no means lack coronary heart in me [laughs], but when it may very well be with somewhat bit much less of emotion, that’s higher. Each fighter goals of being there, touchdown one punch, the man goes down and also you exit celebrating together with your coaches [laughs].”
Craig returns to the sunshine heavyweight division after a 1-3 journey to middleweight between 2023 and 2024, dropping to Bo Nickal, Caio Borralho and Brendan Allen. He had beforehand left the 205-pound class after defeats to Johnny Walker and Volkan Oezdemir, so Bellato expects him to be below strain.
“He’s not somebody I anticipated to battle, however when it bought booked, my coach and I stated there was no higher man for us to battle proper now,” Bellato stated. “An excellent technique, a mode that matches up effectively with ours. It’s the right matchup for us. He’s a harmful man and deserves all respect, however I’m in a greater second than him, who’s coming off three losses.
“It’s a harmful man, he has floor recreation, however perhaps it’s a mode that may be a bit predictable, and we’re in a position to research effectively and see holes that match effectively with our recreation. I’m well-trained for this battle, I had a full camp this time. … He’s undoubtedly feeling below strain. He tried at [185], at [205], however I can’t let that intrude with my efficiency. I’ll go there and battle like another battle, not desirous about my opponent. Go there and impose my recreation, you understand?”
Craig makes his twentieth stroll to the UFC cage with a promotional document of 9-9-1, having beat future and former champions like Magomed Ankalaev, Jamahal Hill and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. Regardless of Craig’s expertise with elite fighters and all-time greats, Bellato expects the Scottish veteran to wrestle along with his well-rounded recreation.
“Most of his fights, aside from his final one in opposition to Bo Nickal the place he saved it on the ft for 3 rounds, he tries the takedown and pulls guard and tries to play on the bottom in any respect prices,” Bellato stated. “And since my fights had no important floor work but, I consider he’s considering, ‘It’s going to be simpler to go to the bottom.’ However little does he know that I’m additionally a jiu-jitsu black belt and prepare that quite a bit. It received’t be straightforward for him if the battle goes to the bottom.”
“I don’t wish to make this a striker-versus-grappler kind of battle both,” he continued. “No, I’m an MMA fighter, and I prepare all the things. I’m prepared for something. Wherever the battle goes, I’m prepared to complete it.”
