"Perhaps wary of Stirling's power, Bellato took the fight to the fence early, tying things up and seeking a takedown without much success. Stirling would eventually reverse, peppering Bellato with shots both before and after taking the dominant position. The pair then got off the fence, three minutes still on the clock, with Bellato firing a front kick, and Stirling a right hand."
"While not the most active on top and warned by the ref to keep working, Stirling was still showing a well-rounded game for a fighter with under 10 pro bouts. Stirling would ride out that position until the final minute of the frame; back on the face, Bellato walked forward, but Stirling met him with knees and kicks to the body."
Navajo Stirling and Rodolfo Bellato met at UFC Perth with Bellato carrying controversy from a previous No Contest. Bellato initiated pressure early, tying Stirling up against the fence and attempting takedowns while Stirling reversed and landed strikes both before and after securing dominant positions. Stirling scored a second-round takedown, controlled top position despite a referee warning for inactivity, and countered Bellato's forward pressure with knees and body kicks. Bellato responded with body and head shots and sought clinches and back control in the third, while Stirling escaped and displayed a balanced striking and grappling game.
Read at Cageside Press
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