Kurt Pellegrino (10-2) recently revealed during an interview with TheFightWorksPodcast.com that he will face Joe Stevenson (27-7) in a lightweight clash at UFC 74 on August 25.
Pellegrino — a Brazilian jiu-jitsu blackbelt under top 155-pound contender Hermes Franca — is fresh off a win over Nate Mohr at UFC Fight Night 9 via ankle lock. He fights out of “The Armory” in Jupiter, Florida, and boasts a 2-1 record inside the Octagon.
He will compete in the upcoming Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) World Submission Championship that will be held from May 5-6 in Trenton, N.J. It’s an insane weight class (145-169 pounds) that includes incredible grapplers such as Marcelo Garcia, Renzo Gracie and Saulo Ribeirois, among others.
Good luck, Kurt.
Stevenson is also coming off a big win at UFN 9, submitting Melvin Guillard via guillotine choke in the opening minutes of their bout. Since winning season two of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF), “Daddy” has only stumbled once, losing a unanimous decision to Josh Neer at UFC Fight Night 4.
However, since dipping down to lightweight, he’s looked sharp. And without a doubt, a win over the gritty Pellegrino would have him knocking on the door for a title shot later this year or early next.
For the developing UFC 74 fight card — which includes the heavyweight showdown between Randy Couture and Gabriel Gonzaga — click here.
25 Comments »
whoop his ass joe
Our site is actually TheFightWorksPodcast.com. Could you please change the link? Thanks for the link! – Caleb
[quote comment="46854"]Our site is actually TheFightWorksPodcast.com. Could you please change the link? Thanks for the link! – Caleb[/quote]
That was fast. No problem. Feel free to send along the podcasts or the news and we will share it on the site if its good stuff like the announcement.
[quote comment="46859"][quote comment="46854"]Our site is actually TheFightWorksPodcast.com. Could you please change the link? Thanks for the link! – Caleb[/quote]
That was fast. No problem. Feel free to send along the podcasts or the news and we will share it on the site if its good stuff like the announcement.[/quote]
Thanks a ton! Will do!
This guy Stevenson is an average fighter and will probably hover around the middle of the division for a long time but I dont believe he has what it takes to be champ and therefore he does not interest me too much,none the less he can be interesting to watch and I hope he does well and dosent end up getting seriously hurt when he actually fights someone good.
joes a beast i think this is a step backwards for him
Good fight—don’t underrate Kurt. He’s a tough dude who can dish it out to Stevenson on the ground. He’s got a good style for Daddy– better grappling and stand up. He just sucks at wrestling.
[quote comment="46940"]Good fight—don’t underrate Kurt. He’s a tough dude who can dish it out to Stevenson on the ground. He’s got a good style for Daddy– better grappling and stand up. He just sucks at wrestling.[/quote]
I agree, Kurt’s a scrapper. And Stevenson has had trouble in the past with guys like him. And Kurt will most likely not come into the fight overconfident like Guillard did.
[quote comment="46928"]joes a beast i think this is a step backwards for him[/quote]
I agree this is a step back. This guy just finished Guillard and has been impressive through his young career. Why not Florian for the next title shot?
I really like Stevenson, he is a good fighter and good all around person. I know a lot of people thought Guillard was going to give him hell, and honestly I thought it would at least be a close fight, but to see that choke out 45 seconds in was great!
I think Stevenson vs Florian would definitly be the way to go but like Florian’s comment, he knows he isnt going right back there and its going to take a few fights, so hopefully one day we could get to see Daddy vs KenFlo, that would be a war.
[quote comment="46940"]Good fight—don’t underrate Kurt. He’s a tough dude who can dish it out to Stevenson on the ground. He’s got a good style for Daddy– better grappling and stand up. He just sucks at wrestling.[/quote]
to have you know kurt was a state runner up and a four three time place winner in high school wrestling so you dont knwo what your talking about.
Yeah, Guillard to Pelligrino is a step back in my opinion. If im right then, hopefully Joe takes this one. I think its about time we see him up in the mix with the contendars for the belt.
[quote comment="46911"]This guy Stevenson is an average fighter and will probably hover around the middle of the division for a long time but I dont believe he has what it takes to be champ and therefore he does not interest me too much,none the less he can be interesting to watch and I hope he does well and dosent end up getting seriously hurt when he actually fights someone good.[/quote]
No way! totally disagree. Joe is ready to step up to the big boys. Champion will be a hard task but staying in the top 3 will be in his future. I seriously think he can beat Florian and he would give Franca a run as well. Franca is already getting a title shot so hopefully Joe will soon be in the mix. Joe has a strong chin, can strike well as we all saw against Guillard, and awesome BJJ. Joe Stevenson is no joke
Totally agree stafo. My favorite lightweight fighter besides BJ, (who is realy WW anyway). He’ll be in the mix soon enough, he’s good, real good.
Pelligrino is a big step back, joe will Kill him!
I hope Stevenson and Sherk have a match that would insane.
KP is actually a 2x state runner-up in the great state of NJ. KP is ranked 10th in the world in the up-coming Abu Dhabis. KP, KO.
WHy not juss make him fight Roger Huerta? wuld be a better fight
[quote comment="48547"]KP is actually a 2x state runner-up in the great state of NJ. KP is ranked 10th in the world in the up-coming Abu Dhabis. KP, KO.[/quote]
D-DOG NATION IS ON IT. PELLEGRINO IS ACTUALLY 2X NEW JERSEY
STATE WRESTLING “CHAMPION” AND NEW JERSEY IS LIKE THE HIGHLANDER, THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE.
http://www.amma.tv/instructors.php
THIS IS A BAD MATCH UP FOR STEVENSON. IN WHAT ARENA IS HE BETTER THAN PELLEGRINO . WHAT HAPPENED TO STEVENSON AT ABU DHABIS?
Stevenso backed out of Abu Dhabis, he trains w/ Hermes everyday. Like allwashed said, bad match up for Joe Daddy, KP wins with a KO, but good luck to both fighters, hope its a great fight!!!!!!
I like that New Jersey is like the Highlander,
Good Stuff and stay classy!
You guys are drastically underestimating Kurt. He’s an animal. I predict Kurt will win by Rear naked choke.
Paulie is right on. I can’t believe I read people say this would be a step back for stevenson. Daddy definately belongs in UFC but Kurt is on another level. His standup is better and his ground is much better. Kurt by sub
The first is not going out of the first round, rear naked choke Pellegrino winner… enough said! Bet
Pellegrino will destroy Stevenson. Kurt is the next up and coming fighter. I garentee that he will be the Title Holder soon! This fight will prove it! Let go Batman!!!
[quote comment="46911"]This guy Stevenson is an average fighter and will probably hover around the middle of the division for a long time but I dont believe he has what it takes to be champ and therefore he does not interest me too much,none the less he can be interesting to watch and I hope he does well and dosent end up getting seriously hurt when he actually fights someone good.[/quote]
i dont think joe stevenson has a chance for a lightweight title yet but if he fights like hes been fighting i think he can some day get it he submitted Melvin Guillard in 27 seconds thats not to bad. im confused about the light weight division sense sean sherk got banned from the ufc for a year for takin steroids.