Neiman Gracie scored a second round submission win over Jon Fitch at Bellator 246, which wound up being the final fight of Fitch’s professional MMA career.
A victorious Gracie was caught off guard when it came to Fitch’s retirement because he believes that no one expected it to come.
“That was a little awkward. I think nobody expected that. Fitch himself said he was going to fight two or three more times this year. It’s a tough decision for any fighter and each one knows when their time is up. I wish all the best for him and his family in this moment of his life,” Gracie said to AG Fight (via Bloody Elbow).
Gracie not only fought Fitch in his retirement fight, but also became the first competitor to submit Fitch in over five years.
The fighter also believes the win over Fitch should get him a shot at the Bellator welterweight title.
“I do believe I will (be the next title challenger). He (Fitch) was going through a great moment in his career and I think he was the number one guy in the rankings. He was coming off a draw against the former champion. I do believe this win makes me the top contender. Let’s see what happens,” says Gracie.
Douglas Lima is the current welterweight champion, but he is moving up a weight class later this year to fight Gegard Mousasi for the vacant Bellator middleweight title.
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