Barnett (photo) submitted Arlovski in the main fight of UFC Hamburg Photo: (Getty Images)
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Andrei Arlovski and Josh Barnett gave MMA fans what they expect: aggression. In the main fight of UFC Fight Night 93, held this Saturday (03) in Hamburg, Germany, the two veterans staged a true war in the octagon, marked by twists and turns during the fight. In the end, Barnett's ground technique prevailed, submitting his opponent and placing himself close to the top 5 in the heavyweight division.
In addition to Barnett's victory, the show featured the return of Alexander Gustafson, who fought intelligently and tactically to overcome Jan Blachowicz for points in the second most important attraction of the night. Also noteworthy is the Ryan bader, who knocked out Ilir Latiti with a brutal knee. On the preliminary card, Brazilians Leandro Buscapé and Leandro Issa were beaten by points to Rustam Khabilov and Taylor Lapilus, respectively
Barnett submits Arlovski in duel between former champions
As soon as the fight started, both started to engage in frank exchanges. Barnett landed a right cross that rocked Arlovski, who retaliated by throwing a few blows. The Belarusian took Barnett to the fence, but the American reversed the position. With a bleeding forehead, Arlovski took a takedown and took the fight to the ground, staying in half guard. Ineffective, the referee put the fight back on its feet. Arlovski lands a good blow on Barnett, who charges.
The second round started with both fighters in the clinch, while the public booed the fight. Tired, the pace of the fight was slow, but Barnett scored a takedown and punished Arlovski with a barrage of punches and elbows, who defended himself anyway.
In the last round, Arlovksi attacked Barnett, who returned with a good uppercut. He then stabbed him in the eye, turned his back, but Andrei didn't stop punching. Moments later Josh took the fight back to the ground, where he tried to land a kimura, without success. As he gained mount, he saw Arlovski turn sideways and expose his neck, which was quickly clamped down by Barnett. With the choke in place, Arlovski had no option and tapped out.
Gustafsson wins with discreet performance
Gustafsson (left) performed below expectations, but won again. (Photo: Getty Images)
Alexander Gustafson returned to the octagon with a unanimous decision victory over Jan Blachowicz, but the performance fell short of expectations. After seeing his opponent grow in his striking at the beginning of the fight, the Swede tried to use his ground game to guarantee the “three points”. With the triumph, Gustafsson returns to the winning path after two setbacks in the last two appearances.
The fight started with Blachowicz landing a good cross while Gustafsson tried to get closer with jabs. Without finding the distance, the Swede, who already had swelling near his right eye, sought to take the duel to the ground. After having some takedown attempts denied by his opponent, Alexander managed the takedown and placed Jan with his back on the ground. From above, he threw a few elbows, hurting the Pole's face.
In the second round, more of the same: Gustafsson again avoided the fight on the feet and took the duel to the ground, throwing more elbows to Blachowicz's face, opening a cut on his opponent's face. Jan attempted a guillotine, but it was well defended by the Swede, who continued to control the fight. In the final stretch, Gustafssono tried to pass the guard, but was unsuccessful.
In the final round the roles were reversed, and Blachowicz tried to take the takedown right away, but ran into Alexander's defense. Then, it was the Swede's turn to get the takedown, successfully. On the ground, he continued punishing the Pole, who barely survived. After Gustafsson reduced the pace, the fight was stopped by the referee, who ordered it to restart in the center of the octagon. However, they barely had time to get to their feet before the Swede knocked his opponent down again. On top, Gustafsson continued beating Blachowicz until the final horn sounded.
“I knew he would come to end the fight in the first round. I respect this guy so much. I am trying to improve. It was a great fight and a great opportunity to fight Blachowicz,” said Gustafsson in the post-fight interview.
Bader gives Latifi a brutal knockout
R. Bader (right) knocked out I. Latifi (left) in the second round. (Photo: Getty Images)
Ryan bader He showed, once again, that he belongs to the elite of the light heavyweight category. With a knee worthy of highlights, Darth Bader, as he is known, knocked out Ilir Latifi in the second round of the fight, precisely at the moment when the opponent was better in the fight.
The first round started with Bader risking a high kick, which was saved by Latifi. Afterwards, a strong kick from the North American hit his rival's ribs, which he absorbed well. Ilir grew in the fight and began to control the center of the octagon, delivering some combinations of blows and looking for takedowns, defended by Ryan. In the final minute, a “bomb” from Latiti exploded in Bader's face, which was a knockdown, but Bader recovered and got back on his feet.
As soon as they returned for the second round, Latifi returned to controlling the actions. However, when attempting a takedown, the Swede was surprised by Bader, who landed a beautiful knee to his opponent's face, who fell unconscious. The knockout was declared in favor of the North American.
UFC HAMBURG RESULTS
MAIN CARD
Josh Barnett defeated Andrei Arlovski by submission (choke) at 2m53s of R3;
Alexander Gustafson derrotou Jan Blachowicz in the unanimous decision of the judges (30×27, 30×27, 30×27)
Ryan bader derrotou Ilir Latifi by knockout (knee) at 2m06s of R2;
Nick Hein defeated Tae Hyun Bang via unanimous decision ((29×28, 30×28, 30×27)
PRELIMINARY CARD
Bessin Ayar defeated Jim Wallheadi via split decision (29×28, 28×29, 30×27)
Peter Sabotta defeated Nicholas Dalby in the unanimous decision of the judges (30×26, 30×26, 30×26)
Ashlee Evans-Smith defeated Veronica macedo by technical knockout (elbows) at 2m46s of R3;
Taylor Lapilus won Leandro Issa in the unanimous decision of the judges (30×27, 30×27, 29×28)
Jarjis Danho x Christian Colombo tied in a majority decision (29×27, 28×28, 28×28)
Jack hermansson defeated Scott Askham via unanimous decision (30x27, 30x27, 29x28)
Rustam Khabilov defeated Leandro Buscapé in the unanimous decision of the judges (30×27, 29×28, 29×28)
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