UNCASVILLE, Conn. — With six finishes in his eight pro wins coming into his Bellator 246 main-card opener against Derek Campo, undefeated Keoni Diggs already had a reputation as a finisher. But he’s never had a finish quite like the one he had Saturday night.
In his biggest career fight, and as a late replacement, Diggs (9-0 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) earned a technical submission over veteran opposition when Campos (20-11 MMA, 9-9 BMMA) went out due to a rear-naked choke at 4:59 of the final round in the main-card opener.
“It was awesome, man,” Diggs said. “I don’t know how to explain it, but I saw dreams coming true, man. Hard work, and everything is coming to fruition.”
The choke attempt didn’t seem at first glance to be a potential fight-ender, as Campos fought the submission valiantly. But Diggs dug down for something extra over the final 10 seconds.
“I just wanted to put a stamp on my performance,” Diggs said. “I thought he had a couple good ones, I thought he was good at dipping his chin, like the last 10 seconds I decided I was blowing myself out with the rear-naked a couple times, didn’t get it, but I heard him kind of gurgling and gasping for air and we were short on time. I threw it all in there and I wanted to get the finish for sure, every time, and I finished it.”
Even Diggs was a little surprised when Campos went out.
“I think his arm kind of straightened, but I didn’t know because, two seconds, he’s tough as nails, man,” Diggs said. “He’s fought some of the best in the world. Two seconds before he gave a little thumbs up and I was just squeezing. That’s all.”
The Arizona-based competitor ended on a high note after a rough day on Friday, when he missed weight for the scheduled lightweight bout by a solitary pound. Diggs chalked it up to miscommunication and a misunderstanding of the morning schedule.
“I’ve never missed weight before in amateur when I fought for free (and) I don’t like to start now,” Diggs said. “The reason that happened is the schedule, I didn’t know we needed COVID testing, I just thought the scale closed at 10. So I legit ran from my room ready to cut that last pound on the treadmill in my plastics, because they had us cutting weight in the AC all weight and then we were cutting weight in the room moving the bed around. That’s all that happened, it was a miscommunication. I was making weight amateur before for free, I wouldn’t be doing it now when I’m making a paycheck.”
Bellator 246’s Keoni Diggs talks last-second submission, reason for weight miss
