American Top Team’s Kyoji Horiguchi was having a good night – until he wasn’t. Bellator’s latest acquisition – from Rizin was dominating all 4 rounds in a fight against Pettis. Horiguchi showcased a great skillset – but to the shock of many he was caught with a devastating spinning back fist in the 4th round of the fight.
.@sergiopettis OUTTA NOWHERE! ? ? ? ?
What a way to end the 2021 Bellator MMA season LIVE on @SHOsports. #Bellator272 pic.twitter.com/g8Kstu4E3v
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) December 4, 2021
The blow was so devastating there was no need to follow up basically. Horiguchi was already rendered unconscious. One good thing is that the referee was alert and following the action so any follow up shots to the head of unconscious Horiguchi were prevented.
A stretcher is coming out fo Kyoji Horiguchi, who is still down on the canvas after that spinning backfist from Sergio Pettis. #Bellator272
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) December 4, 2021
Kyoji Horiguchi is being transported to a local hospital, per Bellator PR.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) December 4, 2021
This marks Pettis’ first Bellator title defense. Several hours earlier Bellator had announced a bantamweight grand prix in 2022. The fighters handpicked to participate are:
– Magomed Magomedov
– James Gallagher
– Leandro Higo
– Patchy Mix
– Rafeon Stots
– Juan Archuleta
– Sergio Pettis
– Kyoji Horiguchi
Pettis’ brother – former UFC fighter Anthony Pettis reportedly had $10.000 on the fight.
Pettis ?? pic.twitter.com/nBVsWkT2ID
— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) December 4, 2021
In a sport where death threats are becoming a weekly occurrence Sergio Pettis was quoted saying:
“I don’t want to hurt anybody so bad that they’re unconscious like that… It’s kind of bogus to say, but it’s better him than ,e. I’m a very nice person and a kind human being. But he would have done the same to me.”