Christian Echols just scored one of the biggest upsets of 2022.
Echols (3-2) needed less than half of a round to brutally knock out All-American wrestler Pat Downey (1-1) with a vicious uppercut on the preliminary card of Bellator 289, which took place Friday at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
Echols was listed as high as a 15-to-1 underdog by some oddsmakers heading into the contest. His decorated opponent was listed as high an overwhelming 25-to-1 favorite, however momentum turned early in Echols’ favor when he sent Downey reeling with a left hook in the opening minutes of the bout. “The Vanilla Gorilla” then pounced with punches and eventually finished his handiwork with a monstrous uppercut that dropped Downey to the canvas at 2:27 of the first round. You can watch a replay of this fight below.
The finishing sequence can be seen below.
Christian Echols flattens Pat Downey with a huge uppercut to spring the upset #Bellator289
(via @BellatorMMA) pic.twitter.com/KFQUu4BKIG
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) December 10, 2022
“Vanilla Gorrilla style, baby!” Echols said afterward.
” When I felt the land, it was clear to me that this is my Bellator debut. It was obvious and I went to follow up. I ended the fight with an impressive display for my debut .”
in Bellator.
Check out complete Bellator 289 results here.
Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/12/9/23502533/bellator-289-video-christian-echols-demolishes-25-to-1-favorite-pat-downey-with-monster-uppercut?rand=96749
