Fans of momentum shifts and drama probably will enjoy catching Alex Polizzi vs. Jose Augusto on replay if they missed it live.
In improbable fashion, Polizzi (9-1 MMA, 3-1 BMMA) rallied from the brink of defeat at Bellator 276 to defeat his larger Brazilian foe Augusto (7-3 MMA, 1-1 BMMA) by rear-naked choke at the 0:44 mark of Round 3.
Bellator 276 took place at Family Arena in St. Charles, Mo. and aired on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.
The madness really began in Round 2 after a closely-contested Round 1. As Polizzi ducked in for a takedown, Augusto drilled him square in the face with a powerful flying knee. Polizzi dropped to his knees before he staggered upward and ate a barrage of strikes from the rangy Augusto. Nearly out on his feet, Polizzi bounced off the cage and fell to the canvas. Augusto pounced, but Polizzi did just enough for referee Kerry Hatley to allow the contest to continue.
Augusto went for an armbar, covered in the blood that squirted from Polizzi’s face. But Polizzi refused to tap. He not only worked his way out of the bad position, but moved into a favorable one, too. Polizzi mounted Augusto and rained down ground-and-pound until the end of the round.
In Round 3, Polizzi capitalized on an early grappling mistake by Augusto. On the back, Polizzi quickly locked in a rear-naked choke where he secured the tap.
Check out the key highlights of the fight below, or check out the full replay here.
Big slam from @EazyPolizzi 👀
Tune in to the #Bellator276 @MonsterEnergy prelims 👇
▶️ https://t.co/BupaVqPPD5 pic.twitter.com/AvCTAuRYej
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) March 13, 2022
INSANE from @EazyPolizzi and @joseaugustomma!
Tune in to the #Bellator276 @MonsterEnergy prelims 👇
▶️ https://t.co/BupaVqPPD5 pic.twitter.com/f58WN1jVpG
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) March 13, 2022
After eating a HUGE knee strike, @EazyPolizzi submits Jose Augusto for a comeback victory on the #Bellator276 @MonsterEnergy prelims 👇
▶️ https://t.co/BupaVqPPD5 pic.twitter.com/XS31esc6xp
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) March 13, 2022
After the fight, Polizzi sported swelling under his right eye and told commentator “Big” John McCarthy he had no recollection of the knee the broadcast showed on replay.
The up-to-the-minute Bellator 276 results include:
- Alex Polizzi def. Jose Augusto via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 0:49
- Romero Cotton def. Freddy Sandoval via TKO (ground-and-pound) – Round 1, 1:39
- Diana Avsaragova def. Kyra Batara via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Cody Law def. James Adcock via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 1:17
- Roman Faraldo def. Kelvin Rayford via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 0:44
- Jordan Howard def. Trevor Ward via TKO (ground-and-pound) – Round 2, 3:24
