Livingston embracing Underdog Role; Lima ready for Second Chance

By: Justin Felisko
August 17, 2018

NASHVILLE – Here are three things we learned from the first night of the Music City Knockout, presented by Cooper Tires, on Friday night at Bridgestone Arena.

Livingston embracing underdog role

Koal Livingston’s face was flushed and he had sweat in his eyes, but the 20-year-old wasn’t going to let any fatigue deter him from his mission.

In fact, Livingston didn’t even blink an eye when asked if he felt like he was underdog at the Music City Knockout.

“Big time,” Livingston said. “I love it. I haven’t been on my streak like I need to be. I haven’t proved myself. I have a lot of proving to do this weekend.”

Livingston got off to a great start on Friday night as the only rider to begin the final PBR Major of the season 2-for-2, and he has begun to write the initial chapters of what could be a Cinderella story.

The Burleson, Texas, bull rider came into the weekend seeded 34^th in the 36-rider tournament, but that didn’t stop him from advancing through the first two rounds of competition.

Livingston used an 86.5-point ride on Cyclone to eliminate Alisson de Souza (3.12 seconds on Mr. Jim) in Round 1 and an 87.5-point ride on Cut the Cord to take down world No. 4 Ramon de Lima (86 points on Inferno) in Round 2.

“Getting one rode is all that matters,” Livingston said. “I am not watching the guy before. It doesn’t matter. I just want to know I rode my bull and did my job.”

Livingston will now have the tough task of squaring off against 2016 World Champion Cooper Davis in Round 3.

“To be honest, I just found out when you told me,” Livingston said. “He has to do the same job. He is going to go out there and try and ride his bull the same way I am mine. The pieces will fall into place.”

Livingston has drawn Hydrastar Slinger Jr. (39-4, PBR UTB), while Davis faces The Don (20-3, PBR UTB).

“I am feeling good,” Livingston added. “I am just riding what they run under me. I am doing my job.”

Livingston earned 50 points for advancing to Round 3 and is 36^th in the world standings.

The second-year pro missed the first six months of the 2018 season after undergoing reconstructive left shoulder surgery following the 2017 PBR World Finals.

Livingston hit the ground running on April 28 and is 20-for-43 (46.51 percent) at all levels of competition, including 5-for-10 (50 percent) in four premier series events.

“It has been a blast,” Livingston said. “Coming back and that shoulder staying in all the time and not having to worry about it popping out. It has been feeling really good and I am feeling really good. It has been working out.”

Davis is well aware of his challenger’s strong summer run.

“Koal has been the real deal,” Davis said. “Since he got that shoulder fixed there is no telling what he can ride. I am definitely going to have to have my hammer cocked on that deal because I don’t expect him to hit the ground. It will be a pretty fun deal.”

Davis, who won Nashville two years on his way to the world title, posted the highest ride of the night with 88.75 points on Desperado to eliminate Sean Willingham (2.4 seconds) in Round 2.

“I love Nashville,” Davis said. “It is probably my favorite regular season event all year long because of the good memories. I have had some good luck here, but it is a pretty cool event.”

Six of the 12 riders competing in Round 3 on Saturday night came out of the first round, meaning they were lower seeds. Those six riders were Livingston, Colten Jesse, Tanner Byrne, two-time World Champion J.B. Mauney, 2008 World Champion Guilherme Marchi and Nathan Burtenshaw.

Jesse (2.62 seconds on Real Gun) wound up advancing from Round 1 despite being eliminated by Derek Kolbaba (86.5 points on Clemon Time) after Kolbaba was diagnosed with a possible left broken rib. Jesse (3.32 seconds on Burn It Up) then eliminated Jose Vitor Leme (1.34 seconds on Little Fool) in Round 2.

Livingston understands he is right on the cusp of cracking the Top 35 and getting back to a second consecutive World Finals.

He also knows winning the Music City Knockout and getting a PBR Major victory on his resume would be a career-changing moment.

“Man that would shoot my confidence up so much,” Livingston concluded. “Heck, as long as I try every time and give it everything I got that is all that matters.”

Montanha gains ground on Pacheco in world title race; half of the Top 10 advances to Round 3

World No. 2 Claudio Montanha Jr. hadn’t seen a full bracket for the Music City Knockout until he walked into the locker room on Friday afternoon, but his eyes lit up once he did.

Montanha – a right-handed bull rider – saw his path to the championship round consisted of bulls that are all right-handed deliveries.

“I love these bulls,” Montanha said with the help of Paulo Crimber translating. “Without a doubt. If I pass that first bull and advance to the next round, I am going to have a lot of good bulls into my hands. It is always easier when they go into your hand. That gives you a little extra help.”

Montanha, who had a first-round bye, made sure to not look too far ahead on Friday and took care of business aboard Great Guns (84.5 points) to eliminate Stetson Lawrence (2.65 seconds on Zamperini) in Round 2.

The 29-year-old picked up 50 points toward the world standings and now trails world leader Kaique Pacheco by 251.67 points.

Pacheco (4.91 seconds on Buckeye Bill) was knocked out of the tournament by Nathan Burtenshaw (6.29 seconds on Handsome Jeff) in Round 2, opening the door for Montanha to possibly leave Nashville atop the world standings.

Burtenshaw was able to shake off an injury in Round 1 to still eliminate Pacheco. Burtenshaw sustained a right upper extremity burner to his riding arm when he hung up to Mr. Valentine (2.19 seconds) in Round 1. He eliminated Lonnie West (1.76 seconds on Shark Bait).

Montanha will face off against Marchi in Round 3. Montanha has drawn South Texas Gangster (5-3, PBR UTB) and Marchi will see Catfish John(30-13, PBR UTB). Marchi rode Catfish John for 84.25 points five years ago in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Montanha and Davis are two of five riders in the Top 10 that advanced to Round 3.

Also advancing to Round 3 was No. 6 Luciano de Castro (85.75 points on Buck John to eliminate Valdiron de Oliveira), No. 7 Jess Lockwood (6.11 seconds on Locke & Loaded to knock out Lachlan Richardson) and No. 10 Fabiano Vieira (84.25 points on Double Dose to eliminate Marcos Gloria).

Lockwood and Castro will be squaring off in Round 3, and Lockwood said he will be good to go after straining his right groin during his buckoff.

Castro has drawn Anthrax (4-1, PBR UTB), while Lockwood has Smooth Air (10-2, PBR UTB).

Whichever rider loses the matchup will then be seeded into the Second Chance Bracket.

Lima ready for Second Chance Bracket

The Top 8 eliminated through the first four rounds of competition this weekend will be eligible to compete in the Second Chance Bracket on Saturday night.

World No. 4 Ramon de Lima is currently the No. 1 rider set to come back for the Second Chance Bracket after being eliminated by Livingston, and he is ready for the challenge.

“I am real confident right now,” Lima said with the help of Crimber. “God willing, I will go to the final round and kick everyone’s butt.”

Lima will have to conquer five bulls on Saturday night to be victorious.

The Second Chance Bracket features the rankest bulls of the tournament. It is a grueling task for any rider to go through.

“I am ready for battle,” Lima said. “I have prepared myself for these kind of moments.”

Lima said he won’t change any of his eating or hydration habits on Saturday. The fact that he will have to attempt so many bulls in so short a time period does not bother him.

If anything, he is embracing the challenge.

Current Second Chance Bracket standings (Top 8 eliminated riders from Rounds 1 & 2)

Ramon de Lima (86 points)
Marcos Gloria (85.5)
Sean Willingham (83.25)
Stetson Lawrence (7.82)
Valdiron de Oliveira (6.92)
Dakota Buttar (5.81)
Kaique Pacheco (4.91)
Silvano Alves (4.87)

However, with nine more riders still to be eliminated in Rounds 3 & 4, the Second Chance Bracket is far from set and many of these riders will be knocked out of the Second Chance Bracket.

Injury Updates

According to Dr. Tandy Freeman, No. 5 Cody Nance sustained a left foot injury during his 61.75-point re-ride on Chopper.
Alex Marcilio sustained a concussion during his 1.99-second buckoff against Millenium Buck, and Matt Triplett sustained a right calf contusion when he was stepped on after being thrown from Mr. Majestic (3.86 seconds) in Round 1.

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