Grappling Report: Highlights from AJ Agazarm’s lackluster defeat in Bellator debut

By Roy Billington

Bloodyelbow.com

It turns out a ADCC silver medal is no guarantee of a successful MMA debut.

While AJ Agazarm is one of the most polarizing grapplers in the world, many fans expected his wrestling credentials to help him transition over to MMA. On Saturday night, Agazarm paired off with Jesse Roberts on the undercard of Bellator 214 and his maiden MMA performance left a lot to be desired.

Agazarm looked out-matched on the feet and his sluggish footwork meant that his takedown attempts were predictable and mostly easy to stuff. On the occasions that the fight did hit the canvas, Agazarm showed his grappling savvy and was able to work his way to the back, but it was not enough.

Jesse Roberts took the split-decision victory, but AJ shouldn’t be too disheartened, even Marcelo Garcia struggled to transition over to MMA.

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