Rome once again delivered plenty of bread and circuses! On November 3, the PalaPellicone sports complex in Rome hosted an exciting 1xBet HYPE Fighting event. Former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington faced off in the octagon against Raul Rosas Jr., the youngest fighter ever signed by the world’s top MMA promotion. Fans were also treated to an incredible warm-up for the card’s main event: a bare-knuckle bout between Ali Heibati and Francesco Morandi. The 1xBet brand served as the event’s title sponsor and proved that major MMA fights can be successful not only in the U.S. and the Middle East.
1xBet HYPE Fighting main event: Sensational twist in a bout that never happened
The most anticipated fight on the card was supposed to be a clash between Colby Covington, a seasoned UFC veteran, and Dillon Danis, a Bellator star and former training partner of Conor McGregor. However, the bout was canceled at the last minute. Dillon withdrew from the event without giving a reason.
Colby Covington didn’t mince words when commenting on the situation: “He's just scared; he talks about this game, but he does not walk this game. I am here to make it happen, and I am going to face a decent contender - Raul Rosas Jr., UFC champion; we are going to make a great show,” the American said.
Interestingly, Covington had previously defeated Dillon at the RAF freestyle wrestling tournament, held on March 28. However, MMA fans who bought tickets for the event in Rome still got the main show. Raul Rosas Jr. agreed to replace Dillon Danis and delivered one of the season'smost spectacular highlights. From the opening seconds, Colby Covington went on the attack. Still, the youngest fighter ever signed by the UFC quickly seized the initiative, moved behind his opponent, and sealed the victory with a rear-naked choke just 43 seconds into the bout.
It was a brilliant finish that once again showed fans that Raul Rosas Jr. is one of the most exciting prospects in mixed martial arts, and his participation in 1xBet HYPE Fighting has attracted a new audience to this rapidly growing promotion.
Ali Heibati vs Francesco Morandi: Brutal bare-knuckle fight
Another thrilling bout on the Rome card. The fighters immediately went on the offensive, wasting no time sizing each other up. The fans were delighted by the fast pace and the athletes’ aggressive style. The clash ended at 1:20 of the first round. Ali Heibati won by technical knockout. The reason was an unfortunate injury Francesco Morandi sustained during warm-ups, which prevented him from continuing.
During the 1xBet HYPE Fighting bouts, emotions ran high not only in the octagon but also in the stands. The event was attended by a former UFC champion in two weight divisions and one of the most popular fighters in MMA history, Conor McGregor. The appearance of 1xBet’s star ambassador at the PalaPellicone arena inspired the tournament participants and ignited the fans’ enthusiasm.
As the title sponsor of HYPE Fighting, 1xBet continues to host world-class MMA events under grappling rules. From Latin America to Europe's cultural capital, the brand is opening new venues for martial arts fans. The show goes on. Stay tuned for updates and don’t miss your chance to attend the next 1xBet HYPE Fighting event.
SiGMA Rome also featured athletes such as Marco Materazzi, Javier Zanetti and Djibril Cissé
