Miná defeated Akiyama via judges' decision. Photo: Mitch Viquez/Zuffa LLC
The only Brazilian participant in UFC Fight Night 79, Alberto Miná got the better of veteran Yoshihiro Akiyama this Saturday (28), in Seoul, South Korea. Even with the public largely in favor of his opponent, the “Soldier of God” He won a split decision from the judges, in a tight fight.
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Japanese Akiyama was introduced by Bruce Buffer with the Korean version of his name, Choo Sung-hoon, as he has dual nationality. At the beginning of the fight, both fighters preferred to adopt caution, studying their opponent. In the final moments, Miná tried to show more activity to guarantee the advantage in scoring, looking for takedowns and taking more risks in striking.
In the second round, Akiyama was more aggressive, using low kicks and punches. However, in the final minute, the Brazilian reacted and landed a good combination of punches, which almost knocked out Akiyama. The Japanese was saved by the bell, to the relief of the crowd.
In the final five minutes, “Sexyama”, a nickname given for his great care with his physical appearance, sought to overcome the “delay”, insisting on low kicks – which had already caused a major injury to Miná's leg. The man from Paraíba, on the other hand, seemed more tired and tried empty takedowns, throwing himself at his rival's legs.
In the end, Miná prevailed in a split decision from the judges, which provoked a contrary reaction from the South Korean public. Thus, the Brazilian remains undefeated in the UFC, while Akiyama has his fifth defeat in seven fights in the UFC.
At the opening of the main card, local star Doo Ho Choi claimed yet another victim inside the Octagon. The “Korean superboy”, as he is known, needed just over a minute to dispatch Sam Sicilia, winning by technical knockout after connecting a powerful combination of hands. The young fighter reached 13 victories in professional MMA, compared to one defeat.
The preliminary card
Yang defeated Collier via TKO. Photo: Disclosure
In the first fight of the night, Dominique Steele and Dong Hyun Kim (namesake of the veteran welterweight who fights on the main card) had a lively fight, which excited the audience in the gym. Better for Steele, who won in the third round after landing a great takedown – Kim hit his head on the ground – and completed the job with elbows.
The Asian representatives, in fact, had difficulties in the first fights of the night. Marco Beltran, former TUF América Latina, got the better of Ning Guangyou, a participant in the reality show in China, in a tight split decision from the judges. Then, Fredy Serrano won over Yao Zhikui after his opponent dislocated his elbow in a takedown, in the first seconds of the fight.
The first local victory came in the only women's fight of the night. Korean Seo Hee Ham faced difficulties with Cortney Case in the first round, but, with a high volume of strikes in her striking, she got the better of the next two rounds. The victory came with a unanimous decision from the judges.
Women's fight raised public awareness in Seoul. Photo: Disclosure
Then, another victory for South Korea. Tae Hyun Bang starred in a “back and forth” fight with Leo Kuntz, with good moments from both fighters. The Korean scored a knockdown in the first round, and Kuntz came close to finishing with a rear-naked choke in the following round. After 15 minutes of action, Bang won in a split decision from the judges.
Then, Mike de la Torre defeated Yui Chul Nam in a very straightforward fight. Throughout the three rounds, there were several moments in which both athletes unleashed aggressive combinations, which left Nam's eye badly injured. De La Torre's victory in the judges' decision, also in a split manner.
In the last fight on the preliminary list, Dongi Yang suffered a knockdown from Jake collier, but turned the tide in the second round. The Korean escaped a kneebar attempt by his rival and made amends with punches, winning by technical knockout.
UFC FN 79 results:
MAIN CARD
Welterweight Weight: Ben henderson derrotou Jorge masvidal in the judges' split decision (47 to 48, 48 to 47 and 49 to 46);
Welterweight: Dong Hyun Kim defeated Dominic Waters by TKO at 3:11 of R1;
Welterweight Weight: Alberto Mina defeated Yoshihiro Akiyama via split decision (29 to 28, 28 to 29 and 29 to 28);
Featherweight: Doo Ho Choi knocked out Sam Sicilia by technical knockout (punches) at 1min33s of R1;
PRELIMINARY CARD
Middleweight: Dongi Yang defeated Jake collier by technical knockout (punches) at 1min52s of R2;
Featherweight: Mike de la Torre defeated Yui Chul Nam via split decision (29-28, 28-29 and 29-28);
Lightweight: Tae Hyun Bang defeated Leo Kuntz via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Strawweight: Seo Hee Ham defeated Cortney Casey via unanimous decision (triple 29 to 28)
Flyweight: Fredy Serrano defeated Yao Zhikui by technical knockout (elbow injury) at 44s of R1;
Bantamweight: Marco Beltran defeated Ning Guangyou via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28);
Welterweight: Dominique Steele knocked out Dong Hyun Kim (takedown and elbows) at 27 seconds of R3
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