Maki Pitolo
Coconut Bombz
USA
Drops fourth straight in Vegas
Pitolo lost to Dusko Todorovic via TKO (punches) at 4:34 of Round 1 at UFC Vegas 44 on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Pitolo landed a few shots early that forced Todorovic to attempt a takedown while collecting himself, but Pitolo foolishly attempted a guillotine and ended up on his back. The ground work from Todorovic was clinical from there, as he was able to pass guard and ultimately took Pitolo's back before finishing the fight with vicious ground-and-pound. While Pitolo is an exciting competitor with fight-ending power, there's a clear weakness in his game, as he's been largely unable to end takedowns. If he can't get the stoppage, he's in trouble, and there's no guarantee he gets another chance to right the ship here.
Pitolo landed a few shots early that forced Todorovic to attempt a takedown while collecting himself, but Pitolo foolishly attempted a guillotine and ended up on his back. The ground work from Todorovic was clinical from there, as he was able to pass guard and ultimately took Pitolo's back before finishing the fight with vicious ground-and-pound. While Pitolo is an exciting competitor with fight-ending power, there's a clear weakness in his game, as he's been largely unable to end takedowns. If he can't get the stoppage, he's in trouble, and there's no guarantee he gets another chance to right the ship here.
Fight Log
Loading Fight Log...
More Fantasy News
Rebooked for Saturday
Pitolo (undisclosed) has been rebooked to face Dusko Todorovic in a middleweight matchup at the UFC event scheduled for Dec. 4, Alex Behunin of Cageside Press reports.
ANALYSIS
Pitolo had been scheduled to take on Todorovic in June but was forced to withdraw due to an undisclosed injury. It's essentially a win-or-go-home matchup for both fighters, as both are riding multi-fight losing streaks. The two measure up relatively equally, with Todorovic owning the edge in striking volume and Pitolo being a bit more active in the offensive wrestling department.
Pitolo had been scheduled to take on Todorovic in June but was forced to withdraw due to an undisclosed injury. It's essentially a win-or-go-home matchup for both fighters, as both are riding multi-fight losing streaks. The two measure up relatively equally, with Todorovic owning the edge in striking volume and Pitolo being a bit more active in the offensive wrestling department.
Out of June fight
Pitolo is withdrawing from his upcoming bout against Dusko Todorovic at the UFC event June 5 after suffering an undisclosed injury, Nolan King of MMA Junkie reports.
ANALYSIS
The injury Pitolo suffered has not been revealed as he was forced to withdraw just two weeks before he was scheduled to fight. The 30-year-old was looking to snap a three-fight losing skid but will have to let that linger on longer until he's healthy enough to return to the Octagon.
The injury Pitolo suffered has not been revealed as he was forced to withdraw just two weeks before he was scheduled to fight. The 30-year-old was looking to snap a three-fight losing skid but will have to let that linger on longer until he's healthy enough to return to the Octagon.
Taking on Todorovic in June
Pitolo will face Dusko Todorovic in a middleweight bout at the UFC event June 5, Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Pitolo will look to bounce back after dropping his last three fights. The most recent of which was in February to Julian Marquez when he was submitted in the third round. Todorovic is coming off his only professional loss back in mid-January and will have a three inch height advantage over Pitolo.
Pitolo will look to bounce back after dropping his last three fights. The most recent of which was in February to Julian Marquez when he was submitted in the third round. Todorovic is coming off his only professional loss back in mid-January and will have a three inch height advantage over Pitolo.
Drops epic battle in Vegas
Pitolo lost to Julian Marquez via submission (anaconda choke) at 4:17 of Round 3 at UFC 258 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It's a crushing defeat for Pitolo in what was a back-and-forth war. Most everyone expected this to be a stand-up brawl from the very start, but Pitolo flipped the script and leaned on his grappling the first two rounds. It worked. Pitolo landed one takedown in Round 1 and three in Round 2. He had north of seven minutes worth of control time over the course of the first ten minutes. The issues for Pitolo came when the two men separated on the feet. He tried to stay aggressive, but it was quite clear Marquez was the much more powerful striker. Pitolo also made some minor technical mistakes on the mat that may have very well cost him. Losing three straight fights in less than six months is generally a recipe for disaster, but it would be shocking if the UFC sent Pitolo packing on the heels of this epic battle. While he didn't get the benefit of a Fight of the Night bonus here, it seems "Coconut Bombz" will at least stick around in the UFC for another bout after this strong effort.
It's a crushing defeat for Pitolo in what was a back-and-forth war. Most everyone expected this to be a stand-up brawl from the very start, but Pitolo flipped the script and leaned on his grappling the first two rounds. It worked. Pitolo landed one takedown in Round 1 and three in Round 2. He had north of seven minutes worth of control time over the course of the first ten minutes. The issues for Pitolo came when the two men separated on the feet. He tried to stay aggressive, but it was quite clear Marquez was the much more powerful striker. Pitolo also made some minor technical mistakes on the mat that may have very well cost him. Losing three straight fights in less than six months is generally a recipe for disaster, but it would be shocking if the UFC sent Pitolo packing on the heels of this epic battle. While he didn't get the benefit of a Fight of the Night bonus here, it seems "Coconut Bombz" will at least stick around in the UFC for another bout after this strong effort.
Facing Marquez in February
Pitolo will fight Julian Marquez in a middleweight bout during UFC 258 on Feb. 13, Farah Hannoun of USA Today reports.
ANALYSIS
Pitolo had two fights during August, losing to Darren Stewart via submission and Impa Kasanganay via unanimous decision. He gets a matchup with Marquez in early 2021, who hasn't seen the Octagon since July 2018 due to multiple lat surgeries and a fight cancelation in the fall.
Pitolo had two fights during August, losing to Darren Stewart via submission and Impa Kasanganay via unanimous decision. He gets a matchup with Marquez in early 2021, who hasn't seen the Octagon since July 2018 due to multiple lat surgeries and a fight cancelation in the fall.