After a slow start in the first round, Patrick Cote looked to settle in and find his groove in round two – then Alan Belcher planted his face on the mat.
Cote came into the fight on the heels of two surgeries two his knees following his loss to Anderson Silva at UFC 90. Cote looked tentative to start the bout, and Belcher capitalized by aggressively throwing kicks to Cote’s legs and body. Towards the round, Cote caught a kick and put Belcher on his back. The Canadian grabbed a kimura while in Belcher’s half-guard, but the Biloxi native was able to scramble and end up on top.
Cote really got things going in the second round, getting the better of the punching exchanges on the feet. He put Belcher down again after catching a knee, but allowed Belcher to wall walk back to his feet. With Cote still clutching to a double leg, Belcher wrapped his arms around Cote’s midsection, hoisted him up in the air, and slammed “the Predator” on his face.
Cote appeared in a mixed state of surprise, confusion, and pain. Belcher took advantage of the situation and secured back control. A few moments later, Cote was forced to tap to a rear naked choke.
“The Talent” called out Anderson Silva in his post-fight interview.
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