Salvo Giudice scores takedowns, third-round submission to go 2-for-2 with finishes as a pro
Salvo Giudice fought 20 times as an amateur in about two years’ time, finally making his professional MMA debut this past December. Giudice has a striking base but is also known for his durability and takedown pressure. Giudice’s pro debut coincided with his PFL debut, defeating Atilla Kobas at the 2024 PFL Europe Championships.
Brice Belghazi has been hyped as an exciting exciting French prospect with high-
level finishing instincts and composure beyond his experience. He made his pro debut in February 2024, needing just 40 seconds to submit Salah Eddine Chaabnia. He then made his PFL debut at the same 2024 PFL Europe Championships card, dropping a decision to Eoin Sheridan.
Which of these two will come out on top in this welterweight showcase that kicks off the action in Brussels?
Round 1
An immediate clash, and Belghazi presses Giudice into the fence. Belghazi with a knee. Giudice tries to pressure and he lands a knee on the body. Belghazi lands a couple of knees to the thigh. Giudice reverses the position, only for Belghazi to gain control back. Knee exchange between the two. Giudice is back in control now, throwing knees to the legs. Giudice with a couple of body shots. Another knee exchange as Belghazi changes the position again. Ref calling for more work. Ref warns again for more activity. Giudice with a knee as Belghazi searches for a takedown. The ref steps in and returns the fighters to the center.
Low kick from Giudice. Belghazi charges and eats a right hand for his trouble. Body kick by Belghazi. Another body kick. Giudice lands a counter right hand. Another clinch, and Belghazi brings Giudice back to the fence. Belghazi looks for a takedown, but Giudice keeps his balance and lands a couple of elbows. Belghazi keeps him to the fence, but Giudice changes the position and nearly gets a takedown. Short elbow by Giudice is partially blocked. Belghazi changes the position. A warning from the ref again. Giudice is the one who scores the takedown. Giudice lands a pair of elbows. Belghazi tries for a guillotine, but Giudice easily prevents it from getting bad. Belghazi gets back to his feet but eats a leg kick for his efforts.
Round 2
Belghazi looks to bring pressure right away, pressing Giudice into the fence with a clinch once again. Knee from Giudice. Belghazi looks for a takedown. Giudice landing body shots. Giudice reverses the position and lands a couple of knees. Belghazi trips up Giudice, but Giudice gets right back to his feet. There’s an exchange, and Giudice brings Belghazi to the fence now. The ref calls for activity, as Belghazi reverses. Some stomps from Belgazi before Giudice trips him and scores another takedown. Elbow strikes by Giudice. Right hands from both men on the ground. Giudice trying to create space and posture up, landing more right hands.
Giudice trying to get past half-guard. Giudice lands to the body. Ref calls for more action. Belghazi suddenly has the Buggy choke locked in! It looks tight! Belghazi continues to squeeze, but Giudice is able to escape the threat. Belghazi works his way to his feet and presses Giudice into the fence. Another knee exchange. Another call for activity. Another battle for clinch control against the fence. The round ends with Belghazi in control.
Round 3
Low kick from Giudice. And another. Giudice comes in with a left hand before pressuring Belghazi into the fence and scoring the takedown. Giudice with some ground-and-pound, including a big elbow. Left hands from Giudice. Giudice works into half-guard. Belghazi tries to work his way back to his feet, but Giudice gets a mat return and gets close to Belghazi’s back. Knee to the head by Giudice – that may have been close to being illegal. Giudice in control on the ground. Giudice clears the legs and Belghazi gives up his back. Choke is in, and there’s the tap!
Salvo Giudice improves to 2-0 and gets his second finish!
OFFICIAL RESULT
Salvo Giudice def. Brice Belghazi via third-round submission (rear-naked choke, 2:14)
