Carlo Pedersoli Jr.
Carlo Pedersoli Jr. is an Italian mixed martial artist and competes in Welterweight division. A professional mixed martial artist since 2014, Pedersoli has also fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Bellator MMA.
Background
Pedersoli was born in Miami, Florida, United States to an Italian father and a Panamanian mother, and his paternal grandfather is Bud Spencer, an Italian actor, Olympic swimmer and professional water polo player. Pedersoli started training goju-ryu and shotokan karate and boxing at young age. At the age of sixteen, he tried a few session of MMA training at his uncle garage, he enrolled himself in MMA and krav maga classes as well as started playing American football in the Roman sport club Grizzleys, helping the club winning Rome championships. After a few successes in MMA fights, he decided to devote himself fully and compete professionally.Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Pedersoli fought in the European circuit for three and half years and amassed a record of 10–1, with seven fight winning streak, prior joining UFC.Ultimate Fighting Championship
Pedersoli made his promotion debut on May 27, 2018, at UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Till against Bradley Scott. He won the fight via split decision.On September 22, 2018, replacing Santiago Ponzinibbio, Pedersoli faced Alex Oliveira at UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Anders. He lost the fight via knockout in round one.
Pedersoli faced Dwight Grant on February 23, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 145. He lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.
Post UFC
After the loss against Dwight Grant, Pedersoli was released from the UFC and subsequently signed by Bellator MMA. He made his debut on October 3, 2020, at Bellator Milan 3 against Acoidan Duque. He lost the back-and-forth fight by unanimous decision.After winning two bouts on the Italian regional scene in 2021, Pedersoli appeared at Cage Warriors 144 on October 7, 2022 against Madars Fleminas. He won the bout in the second round after reversing Fleminas on the ground and submitting him via rear-naked choke.
Pedersoli returned to Cage Warriors on May 6, 2023 at Cage Warriors 154, taking on Giannis Bachar and losing the bout in the third round via TKO stoppage.