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Drops decision and title against Darrion Caldwell at Bellator 184
Dantas lost to Darrion Caldwell via unanimous decision (47-48, 47-48, 45-50) at Bellator 184 on Friday in Thackerville, Okla.
ANALYSIS
Going into this fight, it was clear that Caldwell was going to be the better wrestler. However, in the past, Dantas has shown an uncanny ability to take world-level wrestlers like Alexis Villa and Joe Warren out of their game. That skill was on display here once again, but it was not enough to take home the victory. Caldwell consistently went for takedowns, but he only really ended up on top in a scramble. With that being said, Caldwell did use his wrestling to control the fight in other ways. On multiple occasions throughout the fight, he held Dantas in a rear-waist lock. Dantas struggled to get out of this position, and it prevented him from ever getting into a rhythm with his striking. At striking distance, Dantas seemed much more tentative than normal. His volume was down, as he appeared to be worried about the threat of a takedown. This created openings for Caldwell to land his unorthodox strikes. Normally Dantas is very hard to hit, but in this fight he caught several unconventional strikes right in the face. A wild elbow even dropped him in the second round. In the third and fourth rounds, Dantas had his moments on the ground. He was able to counter some takedowns and even take the back, but Caldwell survived each time. Dantas will need to regroup after this loss. He will likely receive a rematch in the future. He has a history of coming back stronger in rematches and performing much better in the second fight, but that will be a tough task against Caldwell.
Going into this fight, it was clear that Caldwell was going to be the better wrestler. However, in the past, Dantas has shown an uncanny ability to take world-level wrestlers like Alexis Villa and Joe Warren out of their game. That skill was on display here once again, but it was not enough to take home the victory. Caldwell consistently went for takedowns, but he only really ended up on top in a scramble. With that being said, Caldwell did use his wrestling to control the fight in other ways. On multiple occasions throughout the fight, he held Dantas in a rear-waist lock. Dantas struggled to get out of this position, and it prevented him from ever getting into a rhythm with his striking. At striking distance, Dantas seemed much more tentative than normal. His volume was down, as he appeared to be worried about the threat of a takedown. This created openings for Caldwell to land his unorthodox strikes. Normally Dantas is very hard to hit, but in this fight he caught several unconventional strikes right in the face. A wild elbow even dropped him in the second round. In the third and fourth rounds, Dantas had his moments on the ground. He was able to counter some takedowns and even take the back, but Caldwell survived each time. Dantas will need to regroup after this loss. He will likely receive a rematch in the future. He has a history of coming back stronger in rematches and performing much better in the second fight, but that will be a tough task against Caldwell.
To defend title against Darrion Caldwell
Dantas will face Darrion Caldwell in a bantamweight title fight at Bellator 184 on October 6 in Thackerville, Dave Doyle of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Dantas was set to face Darrion Caldwell in April but with a month until the fight, Caldwell withdrew due to injury. When replacement Leandro Higo didn't make weight, Dantas was at no risk of losing his title. Now is a different story. The 28-year-old is 20-4 in his career with 10 stoppage victories. He'll defend his title from Caldwell while riding a four-fight win streak.
Dantas was set to face Darrion Caldwell in April but with a month until the fight, Caldwell withdrew due to injury. When replacement Leandro Higo didn't make weight, Dantas was at no risk of losing his title. Now is a different story. The 28-year-old is 20-4 in his career with 10 stoppage victories. He'll defend his title from Caldwell while riding a four-fight win streak.
Flexes footwork en route to non-title win at Bellator 177
Dantas defeated Leandro Higo via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27) at Bellator 177 on Friday in Budapest.
ANALYSIS
Very few fighters are able to control distance like Dantas. He is already a taller fighter for the bantamweight division, but his footwork and feints on the outside make him that much harder to land against. He also disguises his jabs and leg kicks extremely well, so he is able to land without allowing his opponents to counter. Higo was a game challenger, despite missing weight, but Dantas was one step ahead the entire time. The scorecard for Higo is totally unwarranted and possibly one of the worst cards of the year. Hopefully Dantas' original opponent for this card, Darrion Caldwell, is able to get healthy, because that level of wrestler would be a new stylistic challenger for the champion.
Very few fighters are able to control distance like Dantas. He is already a taller fighter for the bantamweight division, but his footwork and feints on the outside make him that much harder to land against. He also disguises his jabs and leg kicks extremely well, so he is able to land without allowing his opponents to counter. Higo was a game challenger, despite missing weight, but Dantas was one step ahead the entire time. The scorecard for Higo is totally unwarranted and possibly one of the worst cards of the year. Hopefully Dantas' original opponent for this card, Darrion Caldwell, is able to get healthy, because that level of wrestler would be a new stylistic challenger for the champion.
Belt won't be on the line Friday
Dantas' upcoming fight against Leandro Higo at Bellator 177 on Friday will be a non-title fight after Higo failed to make weight, Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Dantas was originally scheduled to face Darrion Caldwell, who had to withdraw due to injury on one month's notice. The 17-2 Higo, who will be making his Bellator debut, was called upon to take Caldwell's place, but was unable to make the 135-pound limit for a bantamweight title fight. The show will go on, but Dantas will remain the bantamweight champion regardless of Friday's outcome.
Dantas was originally scheduled to face Darrion Caldwell, who had to withdraw due to injury on one month's notice. The 17-2 Higo, who will be making his Bellator debut, was called upon to take Caldwell's place, but was unable to make the 135-pound limit for a bantamweight title fight. The show will go on, but Dantas will remain the bantamweight champion regardless of Friday's outcome.
To fight Darrion Caldwell in Budapest
Dantas will defend his Bellator bantamweight title against Darrion Caldwell in Budapest on April 14, Brett Okamoto of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Dantas put together a strong bout at Bellator 166, taking a majority decision over Joe Warren to avenge his only loss since 2013, and improve his record to 17-4. It was the third straight victory for the Brazilian grappler, who owns a 5-1 record under the Bellator banner.
Dantas put together a strong bout at Bellator 166, taking a majority decision over Joe Warren to avenge his only loss since 2013, and improve his record to 17-4. It was the third straight victory for the Brazilian grappler, who owns a 5-1 record under the Bellator banner.