UFC 209: Woodley retains belt in cold fight against Thompson

T. Woodley is declared the winner over S. Thompson (PHOTO: Josh Hedges/UFC)

The rivalry came to an end and with a happy ending for the champion Tyron woodley, who retained his belt with a majority decision victory over Stephen Thompson, in the main attraction of UFC 209, held this Saturday (4). This means that Woodley won according to two side judges, while one of them scored the fight as a draw – the result of the first duel between them, which took place at UFC 205, in November last year. In the preliminary portion of the show, highlighting the Brazilian's comeback victories Iuri Marajó about Luke sanders and Darren Elkins against Mirsad Bektic. The other Brazilian in action, Luis Henrique KLB, was defeated by Marcin tybura.

The rematch fell far short of the first fight between the two, considered one of the best of 2016. Hesitantly, the two exchanged few blows in the first 10 minutes. The challenger was a little more aggressive, moving forward, waiting for a mistake from the champion, who kept his distance and avoided Thompson's spinning blows.

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In the third round, Woodley was more aggressive and scored an important takedown, hurting his rival on several occasions. After almost two minutes of dominance, Thompson got up and managed to keep the fight standing for the rest of the fight.

But in the fifth round, the champion's corner gave him some fundamental advice. For former fighter Din Thomas, Woodley needed a knockout to win the fight. Thus, the “Chosen One” entered the final round much more aggressive, looking for the challenger's chin at all times. Until, with less than a minute left in the fight, Woodley connected a hard sequence of blows, almost knocking out Thompson. In the end, this was enough for him to keep the belt.

A. Overeem knocked out M. Hunt (PHOTO: Brandon Magnus/UFC)

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At the opening of the main portion of the show, alistair overeem won again Mark Hunt, this time knocking out the durable New Zealander with a knee from the clinch. The Dutchman had already defeated his rival in 2008, but now he was more methodical, withstanding Hunt's hard blows and knowing how to wait for the moment to attack.

And it came in the third round, when Overeem managed to get into a muay thai clinch, held Hunt's head and threw a knee, which made the New Zealander black out immediately, falling face down on the ground. This was the Dutchman's first victory after the tough defeat he suffered against the champion Stipe Miocic at UFC 203, in September last year.

The next fights were dominated by the underdogs, with Dan Kelly overcoming the former light heavyweight champion Rashad evans by split decision, in a middleweight fight; and the newcomer Cynthia calvillo finishing Amanda Cooper, TUF 23 finalist, in a strawweight duel.

In the second most important fight of the night, a stand-up fight show, with David Teymur and Lando vannata releasing plastic blows, with knees, kicks and round punches being the norm, rather than the exception. Better for the Swede, who was more forceful and aggressive and overcame Vannata in a unanimous decision, winning all three rounds.

In the first round, however, it was “Groovy” Lando who started better, throwing round kicks and hurting Teymur, including a cut on the eyebrow. The Swede maintained his composure and turned the round around, maintaining aggression and pressure in the next two rounds.

UFC 209 results

MAIN CARD

Welterweight Weight: Tyron woodley wins Stephen Thompson by majority decision (48-47, 47-47, 48-47)

Lightweight: David Teymur won Lando vannata by unanimous decision (3x 30-27)

Middleweight: Dan Kelly won Rashad evans by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Straw weight:  Cynthia calvillo beat Amanda Cooper via submission (rear naked choke) at 3m19s of R1

Heavyweight: alistair overeem won Mark Hunt by knockout at 1m44s of R3

PRELIMINARY CARD

Heavyweight: Marcin tybura won Luis Henrique KLB by technical knockout at 3:46 of R3

Featherweight: Darren Elkins beat Mirsad Bektic by knockout at 3:19 of R3

Bantamweight: Iuri Marajó won Luke sanders via submission (kneebar) at 3m13s of R2

Heavyweight: Mark Godbeer defeated Daniel Splitz by unanimous decision (3x 30-27)

Light Heavyweight: Tyson Peter won Paul Craig by knockout at 4m10s of R1

Bantamweight: Albert Morales defeated Andre Soukhamthath via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

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