Bellator Newcastle ‘Pitbull vs Scope’ recap with results, .gifs and interviews

Bellator Newcastle “Pitbull vs. Scope” aired Sat., Feb. 9, 2019 via Bellator.com and Channel 5 in the UK from Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. A long standing Bellator fan favorite and a local fighter with a strong record were on a collision course in the main event as Patricky “Pitbull” Freire (20-8) took on Ryan Scope (10-1).

Freire was tagged with multiple kicks to the lead left leg by Scope throughout the first round, to the point he was switching his stance by the end of the round, but the most damaging blow was Freire’s clinch knee that dropped Scope and almost finished him. 10-9 to Freire.

The second round was the most debatable of the entire fight. Freire wasn’t able to land many blows, but he was the aggressor of the two men. On the other hand Scope could be argued to have done more damage with his leg kicks, as Freire’s leg went from discolored to solidly bruised, and it was affecting his stance throughout the frame.

The third round was convincingly Scope’s. It may be that Freire couldn’t move effectively because of the damage to his lead leg, or it may be that he thought he won Round 2 and could afford to coast, which is a decision no fighter should ever make. The memorable moments including Freire trying to land a flying kick and landing flat on his backside, and Scope stuffing a takedown late and pouring down hammer fists to end the fight.

The judges rendered a decision of 28-29 and 29-28 times two for Freire, and this verdict was roundly booed by the Newcastle crowd. Here’s what “Pitbull” had to say afterward.

“I’m not hurt. I just got the win. Close to finishing the fight, that’s it. Chandler (is next). The champ is shit.”

Second from the top was reality show contestant turned MMA fighter Aaron Chalmers (4-0) versus the tough Tennessee fighter Corey Browning (4-2). Neither men wasted time swinging for the fences once Leon Roberts signaled for the opening bell.

Both fighters made mental mistakes afterward that were costly. Chalmers dropped Browning with a left hand late in round one, but walked away like the fight was over when it had not been called. He missed the opportunity to land a kill shot and finish the bout. Browning turned a takedown attempt into a dominant full mount in Round 2, but when Roberts seemed unwilling to stop the fight due to strikes he went for an armbar instead and let Chalmers on top to survive the final 30 seconds.

The third round was finished quickly and decisively when Browning turned a stuffed takedown attempt into a transition to a leg lock, and Chalmers is left in obvious pain and forced to quickly tap before serious injury occurred. The Newcastle crowd was stunned into silence at just 0:20 of Round 3. No post-fight interview followed the submission.

A Middleweight prospect met an experienced veteran in Newcastle as Fabian Edwards (5-0) put his record up against Lee Chadwick (24-13-1).

Edwards best weapon in the first round was a left kick to the head that momentarily wobbled Chadwick. He fired off two more in succession and quickly took Chadwick down while he was stunned. That secured a 10-9 round for Edwards even though Chadwick got back up before the end of the round.

There was no single highlight reel blow for Edwards in Round 2 but he continued to increase the damage with his jabs and hooks, constantly using his right hand to feel out the range. Chadwick would clinch and push the fight toward the cage but couldn’t score more than one takedown early that Edwards immediately got up from.

Edwards cruised in round three, blocking a takedown attempt and turning it into one of his own, then taking the back and eventually locking up a body triangle that Chadwick couldn’t break. Chadwick was on defense for the rest of the fight avoiding a potential rear naked choke. The judges scored it unanimously for Fabian Edwards by 30-26 and 30-27 X2.

Last but not least Terry Brazier (10-1) took on Chris Bungard (11-4) at a scheduled weight of 155 lbs.

This one didn’t take too long as Bungard pressed Brazier into the fence, got him down to a knee, took the back and stretched Brazier out as he sunk the arm under the chin for a rear naked choke at 2:06 of Round 1.

For complete Bellator Newcastle “Pitbull vs. Scope” results and coverage click here.