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 night filled with intriguing matchups.
Bellator 172 took place Saturday at the SAP Center in San Jose California. With the main event canceled, a pivotal lightweight fight between Josh Thomson and Patricky “Pitbull” Freire was promoted to the main event.
Both fighters were hesitant and showed each other respect at the start of the fight. Thomson began landing hard leg kicks early in the round. Both fighters landed selective strikes but neither produced significant damage throughout the first half of the round. Eventually, “Pitbull” knocked Thomson down, but he got right back to his feet. The opening round ended with Thomson on the defensive but regaining his composure and confidence.
At the start of the second round, Thomson landed a few quick, hard leg kicks. “Pitbull” then knocked Thomson down with a left hand, and what may have been an accidental headbutt. Thomson got back to his feet and then was quickly knocked out by an uppercut from Freire.
Official result:
Patricky Freire def. Josh Thomson by knockout (0:40 Rd 2)
