Despite the highly anticipated Bellator debut of Fedor Emelianenko being canceled due to his opponent, Matt Mitrione, becoming ill just hours before the fight was scheduled to happen, Bellator still produced a fight night filled with intriguing matchups.
Bellator 172 took place Saturday at the SAP Center in San Jose, California. Women’s flyweight Brooke Mayo was given a major opportunity to make her MMA debut at a major stage when she fought Veta Arteaga.
Mayo came out aggressive and light on her feet to start out the first round. Arteaga was able to knock Mayo down, but Mayo immediately got back to her feet. Mayo then clinched her opponent and got her to the cage. From there, Mayo took her down and went for a rear-naked choke. Arteaga got out of the submission hold but struggled to get Mayo off of her back. Arteaga eventually reversed the position and began landing punches from on top. Mayo was not down for long. Arteaga allowed the fight to get back to their feet. Mayo quickly engaged a clinch and pushed her opponent to the cage. At the end of the round, an accidental head but opened a nasty cut on Arteaga’s head. The fight continued, and the round ended with both fighters exchanging punches.
The second round started with both fighters being more calm compared to the first round. Arteaga was the more aggressive fighter and threw more volume. Eventually, Mayo’s calmness paid off when she landed a takedown. Mayo attempted a few submissions, but Arteaga ended up on top. Despite being on the bottom, Mayo still controlled the position of the fighters. Arteaga eventually escaped and allowed Mayo to get back to her feet. The round ended with Mayo clinching Arteaga up against the fence, but Arteaga escaped as the round finished.
The final round started similarly to the second. Arteaga was more aggressive and landed more punches, but Mayo used her clinch to get her opponent up against the cage. Midway through the round Arteaga got off the cage and landed powerful punches on Mayo. After feeling Arteaga’s power, Mayo took the fight to the ground. Mayo landed some clean ground-and-pound and went for a rear-naked choke, but Arteaga escaped and allowed the fight to go back to their feet. Mayo’s eye began swelling intensely due to Arteaga’s hard strikes. The fight ended towards the end of the round due to doctor’s stoppage.
Official result:
Veta Arteaga def. Brooke Mayo by TKO (4:04 Rd 3)
