Archie Colgan’s wrestling is his base and strength, having been a Big-12 champion, UWW champion and NCAA Championships qualifier while at the University of Wyoming. His professional journey into MMA has been a very successful one so far, coming into tonight with a 10-0 record – seven of those fights coming in the Bellator cage. Colgan most recently fought at Bellator 297 last year, submitting Matthew Perry.

 

Manoel Sousa, meanwhile, has been highly successful in his own right, coming into tonight with an 11-0 pro record. A fast-paced and well-rounded fighter, Sousa is 1-0 in both Bellator and PFL, defeating Paulo Henrique while competing in last year’s PFL Challenger Series. Sousa’s most recent fight came at Bellator 288 in November 2022, his Bellator debut, defeating Sean Connor Fallon.

 

Who’s “0” goes in this battle of top lightweight rising stars?

 

 

Round 1

 

The two circling one another in the middle of the cage. Sousa staying low. Both waiting for the other to make the first move it seems. No action for the first minute of the fight. Left jab from Colgan. Jab from Sousa. Sousa lands inside with a hook. Colgan also fighting low. Colgan misses a low kick. Colgan with a pair of left jabs. Both throw a left. Sousa misses a left. Combination from Colgan, but not much lands. Right hand from Sousa is blocked. Right hand from Sousa is blocked.

 

Uppercut lands for Sousa, but, fortunately for Colgan, it is partially blocked. Sousa competing on the front foot. Another punch from Sousa. Left jab from Colgan. Left hand misses for Sousa. Sousa taunts Colgan, opening his arms. One-two from Sousa. Left hand from Colgan. Both connect inside. Colgan drives and shoots in for a big takedown. Colgan looks for work, but Sousa defending well as he gets to his feet. Colgan with a pair of knees to the legs. Colgan with a series of right hands before the bell.

 

 

Round 2

 

Sousa on the front foot to start. Sousa misses a long left hook. Colgan comes in with a left. One-two from Sousa. High kick from Colgan misses. Sousa with a left hand. Right hand from Colgan, but it appears Sousa poked him in the eye on the block attempt. Left hand from Colgan as he feints, looking for the rear leg. Both men swing for the head. Colgan misses a quick, strong right hand. Low kick from Sousa is met with a quick hook from Colgan. Jab from Colgan. Quick uppercut from Sousa.

 

Colgan level changes, and he manages to score another takedown. Sousa looks to scramble, but Colgan keeps him down. Colgan looking to work from the side. Colgan with a strong elbow and a couple of strong left hands on the ground. Colgan works with the right hand a bit. Colgan clears the right hand. Sousa looks for a kimura trap, but Colgan gets over the head. Sousa scrambles to his feet, but Colgan still has him against the fence. Some dirty boxing and knee trading while in the clinch. Colgan gets inside. Sousa lands a knee, but Colgan presses him into the fence. Colgan with a big lift and he slams Sousa to the mat! Colgan lands a few left hands in top position before the bell.

 

 

 

Round 3

 

Both throw left hands. Both miss hooks. Right hand from Sousa misses. A powerful left from Sousa misses. Colgan with a left hand. Sousa with a right hand. Sousa misses a counter left as Colgan comes in. Both throw right hands, and Sousa connects. Sousa misses a power left and a power right, as he appears to be looking to bring it to an end. Colgan with an uppercut. Sousa with an inside uppercut in the midst of a clinch. Left and a right from Sousa, but Colgan shoots in and lands another takedown.

 

Sousa gets back to his feet, but he’s stuck up against the fence. Colgan stomps on the foot. Colgan with a knee to Sousa. Sousa works his way off. Sousa misses an uppercut. Sousa misses a left hook to the body. Sousa is lunging for Colgan. Colgan lands a combination. Colgan avoids a right hook from Sousa. Right hand from Colgan, and Sousa responds. Sousa misses another lunge punch. Both miss quick rights. Sousa looks to clinch, but Colgan avoids it. Right hand from Sousa. Sousa with a combination. Colgan clinches.

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Archie Colgan defeats Manoel Sousa by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28x2)