The UFC Fight Night co-main event presents a thrilling light heavyweight clash between Vitor Petrino and Tyson Pedro, promising fireworks inside the octagon.
Vitor Petrino Defeats Tyson Pedro
Petrino, (10-0) has made a sensational start to his UFC career after a standout performance on the Contender Series. With a perfect record in 2023, including wins over Anton Turkalj, Marcin Prachnio, and a knockout victory over Modestas Bukauskas, Petrino has shown he’s a formidable striker with the power to end fights abruptly. His grappling and cardio have also been key factors in his success, allowing him to remain a threat deep into fights.
Pedro (10-3), on the other hand, has been on a resurgence since returning from a lengthy layoff, securing three knockout victories in his last four outings. Now training with City Kickboxing, Pedro has refined his striking, utilizing a mix of feints, kicks, and a powerful jab to control the pace of his fights. Despite a recent unanimous decision loss to Bukauskas at UFC 284, Pedro bounced back with a first-round knockout over the same opponent in a subsequent matchup. His submission skills and knockout power make him a versatile threat.
This matchup between Petrino and Pedro is expected to be a battle of Petrino’s knockout artistry against Pedro’s submission prowess and refined striking. While Petrino’s power and ability to control fights have made him a favourite, Pedro’s experience and recent performances indicate he could pose a significant challenge. The fight is seen as a crucial test for both fighters, with Petrino looking to maintain his undefeated record and Pedro aiming to re-establish himself as a top contender in the light heavyweight division.
What Unfolded
Both men had the utmost respect for the power each power in the opening round. The big boys both tried to make one another bite on feints, but nobody was committing. The jab of Petrino was finding it’s home. For Pedro, he was finding success with the lowkick, but seemed to abandon the attack towards the back end of the round.
With a first round that lacked volume, the second round followed the same pattern. The jab continues to land for Petrino, but he’s following it up with nothing. Referee Mark Smith tells both men to start picking up the pace. Two rounds down.
Another warning for Petrino was answered by a massive takedown in the third round. The Brazilian suffocated Pedro with all of his weight and grinded his opponent against the fence with small shots, slowly wearing Pedro down. Towards the end of the final buzzer, Petrino attempted to sink home a submission but ran out of time to play with on the clock.
