Debuting Brazilian Marcelo Costa (9-2-1) caused a major upset when he scored a 2nd round submission victory over highly touted fan favorite Ronnie Mann (23-7-1) last nights at Cage Warriors 68 at the Eco Arena, in Liverpool, England.
The bout which was originally scheduled to take place at bantamweight, was later changed to a 140lbs catch-weight bout after the Europe Top Team/Nova Uniao fighter failed to make the 136lbs weight limit and would result in him surrendering 40% of his purse to his opponent.
In the opening round of the fight, Mann and his opponent would traded strikes as well as look for takedowns, but as expected it was the former Shark Fight champion, Mann who edged it.
Going into the second Mann would begun to score more strikes and eventually takedown Costa on the way to a seemingly dominate round 2. Unfortunately there was no quit in the Brazilian as he scored a takedown of his own before taking his opponents back, then proceeding to flattening out his opponent and would land multiple strikes before locking in the rear naked choke at the 3 minutes and 35 seconds forcing his opponent to tap, sending the crowd in attendance into stunned silence.
This shocked defeated has now seemingly dashed hopes of a rumored bantamweight title fight between Mann and Welshman Brett Johns this coming September.
Cage Warrior 68 Results:
MAIN CARD
Danny Roberts def. Jim Wallhead via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:49
Marcelo Costa def. Ronnie Mann via sub (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 3:35
Mauro Chimento def. Matt Inman via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:22
Matt Hallam def. Steve Dinsdale via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 4:03
Che Mills def. Leeroy Barnes via sub (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:46
Dean Garnett def. John Cullen via sub (heel hook) – Round 1, 4:35
PRELIMINARY CARD
Paddy Pimblett def. Conrad Hayes sub (triangle choke/armbar) – Round 1, 3:17
Dez Parker def. Charlie Watts via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:42
Adam Ventre def. Anthony Phillips via sub (armbar) – Round 1, 0:47
PRELIMINARY CARD
Azi Thomas def. Ellis Hampson via sub (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 3:20
