Maxim Radu won for the ninth time in 10 professional fights with a first-round stoppage at Bellator 203. Radu (9-1 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) used his sizable advantage on the ground to work opponent Simone La Preziosa (3-5 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) into a compromising position and finish the lightweight fight with ground-and-pound inside the opening frame. Bellator 203 took place Foro Italico in Rome. The event aired via tape-delay on Paramount. Radu wasted no time putting his game plan to use.