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Next fight pushed back a week
Pitolo's next scheduled middleweight matchup against Impa Kasanganay has been pushed back to August 29.
ANALYSIS
Both fighters were coming off incredibly quick turnarounds, so it's not too surprising to see this bout get put on hold for another week. Pitolo is coming off a loss to Darren Stewart on August 9, while Kasanganay just received his UFC contract with a win on Dana White's Contender Series on August 11. Pitolo didn't see enough time in the cage to take much damage, however, as he was submitted at the 3:41 mark of Round 1. Roughly 10 days before the new event date, Pitolo is listed as approximately a (+130) betting underdog against the undefeated Kasanganay.
Both fighters were coming off incredibly quick turnarounds, so it's not too surprising to see this bout get put on hold for another week. Pitolo is coming off a loss to Darren Stewart on August 9, while Kasanganay just received his UFC contract with a win on Dana White's Contender Series on August 11. Pitolo didn't see enough time in the cage to take much damage, however, as he was submitted at the 3:41 mark of Round 1. Roughly 10 days before the new event date, Pitolo is listed as approximately a (+130) betting underdog against the undefeated Kasanganay.
Facing Kasangay Aug. 22
Pitolo will fight Impa Kasanganay in a middleweight bout at the Aug. 22 UFC event, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Pitolo lost to Darren Stewart via submission (guillotine choke) in Round 1 over the weekend, and he'll make a quick turnaround for his next fight. Kasanganay will have a similar timeline between bouts, as he defeated Anthony Adams at Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series to earn a UFC contract and will make his debut with the promotion less than two weeks later.
Pitolo lost to Darren Stewart via submission (guillotine choke) in Round 1 over the weekend, and he'll make a quick turnaround for his next fight. Kasanganay will have a similar timeline between bouts, as he defeated Anthony Adams at Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series to earn a UFC contract and will make his debut with the promotion less than two weeks later.
Choked out in first round
Pitolo lost to Darren Stewart via submission (guillotine choke) at 3:41 of Round 1 at UFC on ESPN+ 32 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Pitolo was on his bicycle in the early going, circling the cage while Stewart remained patient in the center. The striking battle was actually fairly close over the first few minutes, but Pitolo shot for the takedown, and that was the beginning of the end. Stewart clamped in the guillotine, went down to the mat and adjusted to a better grip. Pitolo had no choice but to tap. There's no questioning Pitolo has some power in his hands, but the 29-year-old is now 1-2 in three official UFC bouts. Don't expect him to be contending at middleweight any time soon.
Pitolo was on his bicycle in the early going, circling the cage while Stewart remained patient in the center. The striking battle was actually fairly close over the first few minutes, but Pitolo shot for the takedown, and that was the beginning of the end. Stewart clamped in the guillotine, went down to the mat and adjusted to a better grip. Pitolo had no choice but to tap. There's no questioning Pitolo has some power in his hands, but the 29-year-old is now 1-2 in three official UFC bouts. Don't expect him to be contending at middleweight any time soon.
Matched up against Darren Stewart
Pitolo is in line take on Darren Stewart in a middleweight matchup at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Aug. 8, Nolan King of MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Pitlolo is coming off his first victory in the UFC, cashing in as a betting underdog and scoring an impressive finish against Charles Byrd. "Coconut Bombz" gets it done with heavy hands and high volume, but he's shown a susceptibility to getting taken down through two UFC bouts, as opponents have registered four takedowns in that span. Stewart doesn't lean much on the takedown, though it's still part of his game, as he averages 1.38 per 15 minutes of fight time. Stewart will also have a slight height advantage.
Pitlolo is coming off his first victory in the UFC, cashing in as a betting underdog and scoring an impressive finish against Charles Byrd. "Coconut Bombz" gets it done with heavy hands and high volume, but he's shown a susceptibility to getting taken down through two UFC bouts, as opponents have registered four takedowns in that span. Stewart doesn't lean much on the takedown, though it's still part of his game, as he averages 1.38 per 15 minutes of fight time. Stewart will also have a slight height advantage.
Scores first UFC victory
Pitolo defeated Charles Byrd via TKO (punches) at 1:10 of Round 2 at UFC 250 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It was a nice bounce-back effort from Pitolo on the heels of his unanimous decision setback to Callan Potter in his company debut last October. Pitolo hung tough in a back-and-forth Round 1 before turning it up in Round 2. He caught Byrd with a nice combination to the body before securing an easy trip on his damaged opponent. He quickly dropped to the mat and fired off some more strikes to finish Byrd off. There is nothing in Pitolo's background to suggest he is any sort of legitimate contender at 185 pounds, but he deserves credit for a strong performance on Saturday.
It was a nice bounce-back effort from Pitolo on the heels of his unanimous decision setback to Callan Potter in his company debut last October. Pitolo hung tough in a back-and-forth Round 1 before turning it up in Round 2. He caught Byrd with a nice combination to the body before securing an easy trip on his damaged opponent. He quickly dropped to the mat and fired off some more strikes to finish Byrd off. There is nothing in Pitolo's background to suggest he is any sort of legitimate contender at 185 pounds, but he deserves credit for a strong performance on Saturday.