Garbrandt is the new UFC bantamweight champion. (Photo: Getty Images)
The Ultimate bantamweight category has a new champion. Surprisingly, the young man cody garbrandt dominated Dominick Cruz in the second most important fight of UFC 207, this Friday (30), in Las Vegas (USA), and won the belt in the under-61kg division in a unanimous decision by the judges (48×46, 48×47, 48×46) . With the victory, Garbrandt, just 25 years old, remains undefeated and with a perfect record, having won all 11 duels. Cruz, in turn, suffers the second defeat of his career and loses an unbeaten streak that lasted 13 fights.
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The fight
The fight started hot, with the two provoking each other. As usual, Cruz started circling the octagon, as Cody fired punches into space. With an advantage, Garbrandt continued to beat the champion, who tried to respond with a counterattack. Dominick feinted and got a good takedown, but the Alpha Male product hit the ground and quickly got up. In the final minute, Cruz landed a good blow, but the challenger responded with a beautiful takedown.
Dominick returned to the second stage more active, putting pressure on his rival. Still in the opening minute, the two exchanged good blows in the center of the octagon, with the advantage for the champion. With his unorthodox movement, the “Dominator” continued to dictate the pace of the round, while Garbrandt did little to attack. Cody landed two good blows on Cruz, who showed good absorption. Cruz landed a good blow in the final seconds, without major consequences.
The third round started with an advantage for Garbrandt, who landed a good blow on Cruz, opening his rival's eyebrow, which started to bleed a lot. Cody started to provoke the champion, who seemed “lost” in the distance. Clearly superior in striking, Garbrandt landed another 'stone' on Cruz, who fell to the ground, but recovered quickly. Without finding the distance, the champion ended the round at a disadvantage.
At a disadvantage, Cruz started the fourth round going forward and unleashing a sequence, but was surprised by a bomb from Garbrandt, which led to his knockdown. The champion recovered quickly and got back to his feet, but continued to have a clear disadvantage in the exchange. Cody's superiority was such that two more knockdowns were applied in the final minute, leaving Cruz completely drugged.
In the decisive round, more of the same, with Dominick taking the initiative, but being completely enveloped by the challenger's boxing. Cruz managed to land a good knee, well absorbed by Cody, who was taunting the champion. At a disadvantage, Dominick continued trying to hit his rival, who dodged with ease. In the final seconds, more provocations from Garbrandt, who seemed to already know that the belt would change hands.
TJ Dillashaw 'walks' into the octagon and dominates John Lineker
Dillashaw (right) dominated Lineker (left) during the three rounds. (Photo: Getty Images)
In the fight that would define the next challenger in the bantamweight division, Brazilian John Lineker could not resist the pressure imposed by TJ Dillashaw and ended up being overcome in the unanimous decision of the judges (triple 30×26). With the victory, the former champion should be rewarded with the opportunity to compete again for the category belt, while the Brazilian suffered his first defeat in the division and lost an unbeaten streak that lasted six fights.
TJ Dillashaw He started putting pressure on the Brazilian, who seemed calm. The former champion risked a high kick, which was well saved by the Brazilian. With his guard down, TJ followed, feinting a blow and landing a good takedown. On top, the North American worked in half guard, but the Brazilian swept, pulled guard and managed to get up. Lineker started to seek the duel more and surrounded his rival, who tried to respond with the counterattack. In the final seconds, the two rehearsed a frank exchange, to the delight of the audience present.
Lineker returned aggressively for the second round, opening up opportunities to be taken down. However, he quickly got back to his feet, but for a short time, as Dillashaw took the fight to the ground again. From above, the former champion continued to strike the Brazilian, who defended himself as best he could. Unable to get out of position, John 'swallowed' several blows from TJ, who he punished with ground and pound until the end of the round.
In the decisive round, Dillashaw returned more cautiously, circulating around the octagon while the Brazilian fired punches into space. TJ, once again, feinted and took the takedown, with Lineker offering little resistance. The American tried to apply a calf lock, without success. In the final minute, the fight was back on track. Aware of the disadvantage, Lineker tried to hit his opponent, who didn't play into the Brazilian's game.
In a warm fight, Dong Hyun Kim defeats Tarec Saffiedine in a split decision
Kim overcame Saffiedine via split decision. (Photo: Getty Images)
In a duel between two top 15 in the welterweight category, best for Dong Hyun Kim, who overcame Tarec saffiedine in the judges' split decision (30×27, 28×29, 29×28) and scored his third consecutive victory in the organization, remaining in the top 10 of the division. The Belgian, in turn, suffered his third setback in five Ultimate fights.
The two fighters started exchanging blows in the center of the octagon, but Saffiedine surprised and landed a good takedown. The South Korean got up and took the fight to the cage, putting pressure on his opponent. Kim throws a straight shot at Tarec, who responds with a cross. The two continued exchanging clinch blows, until the Belgian scored another takedown in the final seconds of the round.
On the way back to the second round. Dong tried to put pressure on his rival, who responded with good blows. The two fighters rehearsed a frank exchange, but the fight went back to the clinch, to the disapproval of the audience, who booed the fight. With both tired, the pace was slow until the end of the round.
The third round began with the two looking to strike in the center of the octagon, but the scenario repeated itself and Kim looked for the takedown, putting the Belgian down, but Saffiedine quickly turned and stood up, still with his back against the fence. Tarec delivered a good shot to Kim's body, who defended it. In the final minute, without much effectiveness.
Ray Borg defeats Louis Smolka in the first fight on the main card
Borg didn't give Smolka a chance. (Photo: Getty Images)
In the first fight on the main card, flyweight Ray Borg had no trouble beating Louis Smolka and won by unanimous decision from the judges (30×27, 30×26, 30×26, controlling the fight from start to finish. With the victory, Borg recovers from the defeat he suffered against Justin Scoggins, last February, while Smolka suffers the second consecutive setback for the company.
The fight started with the two measuring the distance, without much effect. Smolka was the first to take initiative, trying to apply a knee. Afterwards, Smolka goes to the ground and has his opponent on his back. Borg applied good elbows and worked the position on Smolka's back, who defended himself as best he could until the end of the round.
Borg returned for the second round, pressing and shortening, but Smolka tried to keep the fight at medium distance. Ray applied another takedown to Louis and quickly sought mount, but Louis defended himself well and tried a leg lock, without success. On top on the ground, Borg worked with great quality, giving a transition “class” on the ground. The rhythm was the same until the horn sounded.
Right at the beginning of the last round, Borg looked for a takedown and took the fight to the ground, landing in half guard. Visibly tired, Smolka showed no sign of reacting. Borg, on top, tried the katagatame, but was unsuccessful. In the final minute, the two rehearsed a stand-up, but they didn't have time for anything else.
UFC 207 Results:
Bantamweight: cody garbrandt derrotou Dominick Cruz by unanimous decision of the judges (48×46, 48×47, 48×46)
Bantamweight: TJ Dillashaw derrotou John lineker by unanimous decision of the judges (30×26, 30×26, 30×26)
Welterweight: Dong Hyun Kim defeated Tarec saffiedine by split decision of the judges (30×27, 28×29, 29×28)
Flyweight: Ray Borg defeated Louis Smolka by unanimous decision of the judges (30×27, 30×26, 30×26)
PRELIMINARY CARD
Welterweight Weight: Neil Magny derrotou John hendricks by unanimous decision of the judges (29×28, 29×28, 29×28)
Average weight: Antonio Shoe Guy derrotou Marvin vettori by unanimous decision of the judges (29×28, 29×28, 29×28)
Welterweight: Alex Garcia defeated Mike pyle by knockout at 3m34s of R1
Welterweight Weight: Niko Price derrotou Brandon thatch via submission (katagatame) at 4m30s of R1
Welterweight Weight: Alex Cowboy e Tim means – Fight without result (No Contest)
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