Alexander Shabliy on Patricky Pitbull Win: “Very Tough Guy”

Alexander Shabliy secured a unanimous decision win over Patricky Pitbull at Bellator 301. The two fought for five exciting rounds in the semi-final portion of Bellator’s lightweight grand prix. The Wintrust Arena crowd was roaring in approval at various points in the fight with ‘Peresvet’ showcasing tremendous speed and laser-focused striking against the elder Freire brother.

Shabliy now advances to 24-3 in his overall mixed martial arts career and grows his winning streak to nine consecutive fights. He has carved out quite a reputation for himself in his Bellator MMA run so far which has been just shy of two and a half years since his promotional debut at Bellator 259 in May 2021.

Alexander Shabliy advances to the finals of the tournament now and theoretically will face the lineal champion at 155 pounds Usman Nurmagomedov. A failed test from a banned substance from Nurmagmedov as well as the broader uncertainty centred on if Bellator MMA even runs another show or not creates muddied waters for Shabliy’s next step even though it is pseudo-defined with a tournament finals spot.

The excerpt from our interaction at the post-fight press conference can be found below.

Alexander Shabliy

I just wanted to get some insights from you. Because you have wins over Brent Primus, former Bellator champion, Tofiq Musayev, former Rizin Grand Prix champion. Where does this win rank for you in terms of your resume so far?

Alexander Shabliy said, “Yes, I think I want very, very tough guy. Brent Primus, former champion. Patricky Pitbull former champion. Tofiq Musayev, Rizin champion. This grand prix, my opponent very tough guy.”

Bellator 301

Also, I have just one more question. Because I was noticing you were getting in some work with Arman Tsarukyan at American Top Team recently. I’m wondering how beneficial that was for your game leading into this fight.

Alexander Shabliy stated, “Arman (Tsarukyan) great guy. Arman my friend, I am training with Arman. Arman; I think Arman win Beneil Dariush. I think good wrestler, good striker. Arman will be champion UFC.”

Dylan Bowker

I've been enamored with combat sports for as long as I can remember. I've hosted MMA talk shows Lights Out and Pure Fight Radio with featured guests like Jens Pulver, Roy Nelson, Miesha Tate, Mark Coleman, and more. I've been an MMA broadcaster for XFFC as well as BTC and have done play by play commentary on live pay per view on GFL as well as FITE TV. I've provided written, audio, and video content covering some of the biggest MMA promotions like Rumble in the Cage, Unified MMA, and King of the Cage. I've worked as a sports entertainment personality for over five years and given play-by-play or featured promotions of KSW, ONE Championship, TKO, and Invicta FC. My work can be found in the USA Today Sports affiliate MMA Torch, Cageside Press, MMA Sucka, and Liberty Multimedia.

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