Bellator 283 video: Dalton Rosta flattens Romero Cotton for TKO in dominant performance
Two middleweight prospects entered Bellator 283 undefeated, but Dalton Rosta was the only one who left the cage with an unblemished record.
Against a rival and fellow rising middleweight, Rosta (7-0 MMA, 7-0 BMMA) handed blue chip wrestling prospect Romero Cotton (6-1 MMA, 6-1 BMMA) his first career loss at 0:38 of Round 4. The bout served as the event’s featured prelim.
Bellator 283 took place Friday at Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Wash.
There was a little heat between Rosta and Cotton in the lead-up to the bout. Scheduled against one another on multiple occasions, Rosta took exception with Cotton’s withdrawals, with public accusations of ducking the fight. At pre-fight ceremonial faceoffs, things got a bit physical between the two fighters and they were separated by promotion staff.
When it came time to fight, however, Rosta proved to be one step ahead at all times. Outside of Cotton’s brief choke attempts, the fight was a striking clinic by Rosta, who exploded forward with punches. Rosta’s cage control, clinch, cardio, footwork, and overall technique shined.
Likely up 2-0 as he entered the third round, Rosta still pushed for the finish. With Romero tired, Rosta became more aggressive in the final frame and swarmed with a barrage of punches. On the retreat, Cotton was met by a glancing superman punch. A powerful left hand finished the job, as Cotton folded to the canvas.
The win was Rosta’s fourth career TKO, and his first against a promotion-ranked opponent. The 26-year-old former high school wrestling and football standout continues to improve under the tutelage of the American Top Team coaching staff out of Coconut Creek, Fla. as he makes his ascent toward top contendership.
The up-to-the-minute Bellator 283 results include:
Dalton Rosta def. Romero Cotton via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 0:38
Veta Arteaga def. Vanessa Porto via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 3:47
Gadzhi Rabadanov def. Bobby King via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Akhmed Magomedov def. Kevin Boehm via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 1:16
Roman Faraldo def. Luis Iniguez via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 3:42
Jaylon Bates def. Mark Coates via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
Archie Colgan def. Bryan Nuro via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 1:15
