GameBred Boxing: Roy Levesta Jones, Jr. vs. Anthony Paul Pettis RBR

Whatever the result tonight I really want Aldo to retire from all combat athletics now. He can still put together some decent offensive bursts here and there, but dude has been eating shots for more than half of his lifetime, and is more than halfway toward utterly shot to smithereens.

 

Official cards:

58-56 Aldo
57-57
57-57

Majority draw!

That is fair, it felt like it could go either way. Aldo sprinkled in plenty of bombs in the first couple of rounds and was less gassed at the very end, but Stephens rallied nicely in the middle and was landing the shorter and straighter punches, and busier, for a long stretch.

 

Vítor Vieira Belfort vs. Ronaldo Carvalho Santos de Souza, 6 rounds @ cruiserweight

 

This is - just like the previous bout - another rematch from a TKO1 several years ago in the UFC. Ronaldo "Jacaré (The Alligator)" Souza was victorious that night over his countryman Vítor "The Phenom" Belfort, in 2016.

 

Both these guys were born in the late 1970's, and each spent about two decades (give or take a few years; Belfort a bit more and Jacaré a bit less) in MMA before retiring from it.

 

Round 1

Belfort is moving well, keeping his elbow lowered to his belt line (which is hiked a bit high tbf) and slicing in with southpaw jabs. Souza with heavy overhand leads, telegraphing and missing. Belfort looking much quicker of hand and with sharper reflexes. Combos off the jab from Belfort. Souza's nose bloodied, stunned late.

10-9 Belfort

 

Round 2

Belfort boxing beautifully, booed by the restless crowd. They were what, expecting somebody to hit a double leg TD? Belfort working the body, circling, jabbing. Souza following him around, loading up, his balance poor as he pops each heel off the canvas in rickety fashion - and he almost eats shite late, tumbling onto the floor, correctly ruled a slip.

10-9 Belfort

20-18 Belfort

 

Round 3

Belfort lathering up power combos off the southpaw jab. Looping lefts and right hooks, forcing Souza to clinch or back up under fire. Belfort knocks Souza down and he looks dazed but tells the ref he wants to continue. Belfort keeps laying it on him, pressuring, winging roundhouse shots at the head. Souza tries punching back or escaping with movement - nothing doing. Belfort traps him on the ropes, lands a big can opener and down goes Souza once more. Heavy clubbing lefts by Belfort but Souza is able to clinch and stall until the bell.

10-7 Belfort

30-25 Belfort

 

This is about as decisively as one can avenge a TKO1 defeat. Dish best served seven years cold...

 

Round 4

Belfort is spanking Souza with every shot in the book, only getting them in one & done as Souza is tying him up and hanging on for dear life. Souza with some vicious left upper-hooks in the clinch, good inside work for somebody that looked like they were about to be KTFO at multiple points in the previous round. Belfort getting outworked in the pocket, but steps outside and straps Souza with a left across the temple. Right hooks and left crosses by Belfort. Souza tossing short combos into the face and then ripping the body with hooks before clinching again.

10-9 Belfort

40-34 Belfort

 

Yeah. This is only a 6-rounder, too, so it'll be over soon. (very well might not even go six, honestly)