UFC RIO Prelim Results: Palhares and Tavares Lead Brazil to Victory
/ 0
- Details
- Category: UFC Results
- Published on Saturday, 27 August 2011 05:00
- Written by By Thomas Gerbasi
Following one of the craziest opening rounds ever seen in the Octagon, Rousimar Palhares eventually settled down at the HSBC Arena in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil Saturday night, delivering an impressive and comprehensive three round decision win over courageous American Dan Miller in UFC RIO prelim action.
The unanimous decision win for the middleweight standout read 29-27, 30-27, and 30-25.
After a brief feeling out process standing, Palhares got close and pulled guard, almost locking in a submission from the bottom. Miller powered his way out and got back to his feet, but midway through the round, Palhares knocked Miller down with a front kick to the face. Miller quickly recovered and got into the top position and then stood, shaking off the shot with no ill effects. Palhares was showing off some improved striking, drilling Miller with a right hand and then knocking him down with a right kick to the head. A barrage of strikes followed, and then Palhares, thinking the fight was over, rose to his feet and raised his hands in victory. After this confusing sequence, the bout resumed, and a left by Miller dropped Palhares just before the bell.
Both bloodied, Miller and Palhares came out fast for round two and Palhares took an early advantage on his foe, pounding away from the top position when they hit the mat. After half a round of this, Palhares looked winded by the assault and Miller’s bloodied face showed the effects of the Brazilian’s punches. Referee Herb Dean warned Miller that he was going to stop the fight, and the gutsy New Jersey native showed signs of life to stay in the fight, and amazingly, he made it out of the round.
Miller patiently worked his standup in round three, remarkably getting himself back in the fight with a stiff jab and the occasional right as Palhares played it safe from the outside. But “Toquinho” was still able to get his shots in, capping off a wild night in the middleweight division.
With the win, Palhares ups his record to 22-3; Miller falls to 13-6 with 1 NC.
FISHER vs. TAVARES
Florianopolis lightweight Thiago Tavares was in top-notch form from start to finish against veteran Spencer Fisher , methodically breaking down his foe until he finished things via TKO in the second round.
Tavares fired off a number of kicks at Fisher before getting a takedown, and he pinned “The King” against the fence. Tavares did a great job of keeping Fisher from getting back to his feet, but with 2:16 left, referee Marc Goddard restarted things, putting Fisher (25-8) back in business. Tavares quickly closed the gap and forced Fisher to the fence, eventually getting another takedown. With Fisher against the fence, Tavares pounded away with strikes and almost took Fisher’s back before the end of the frame.
Not straying from the gameplan, Tavares (20-4-1) took Fisher down early in round two and was again pinned to the fence. Tavares took his time, but when warned by Goddard to improve position, he did, and he took Fisher’s back. What followed was a series of unanswered strikes, leaving Goddard no choice but to call a halt to the bout at 2:51 of the round.
THIAGO vs. MITCHELL
Brazilian hero Paulo Thiago left his fans happy in his welterweight bout with David Mitchell , scoring a shutout three round unanimous decision win.
All three judges saw it 30-27 for the contender from Brasilia.
Greeted by a rousing ovation, Thiago tried to get rid of Mitchell early with two huge looping rights, but they just missed the mark. 90 seconds in, Thiago took his foe down, opting to try his luck on the mat. Mitchell held off any danger, and Thiago got back to his feet. With 1:35 left, Thiago was able to slam “Daudi” to the canvas, and he quickly established himself in side control. Mitchell’s defense was solid though, prompting Thiago to let him free as they ended the round standing.
After some fairly even action in the opening minute of the second frame, the two hit the mat three times, with Thiago getting up quickly when he...
