With the winner moving from a prospect to a contender in the Lightweight division Brazilian Thiago Tavares recorded his 21st win against Sam ‘Hands of Stone’ Stout who was fighting for the first time since the death of his longtime trainer and friend-Shawn Tompkins in the final preliminary bout.
Tavares scored 3 first round takedowns before Stout brought the fight back to where he wanted it on the feet. Tavares finished off the round stronger against the Canadian kickboxer-Stout landing the cleaner shots.
Stout was cut midway through round 2 from a temple kick by Tavares but it was a more evenly matched round with the standup with the result going either way.
In the final round an inside leg kick by Stout caught the Brazilian low who went down and took time. Stout pressed forward on the restart but it was a race to the finish with both fighters trading strikes. Stout landed several rocking shots in the final 20 seconds troubling Tavares who was thankful to hear the final bell.
After the fight Bruce Buffer announced that Thiago Tavares won by an unanimous decision but no scores were given.
Gonzaga Returns With First Round Submission
It was a successful return to his birthplace for Massachusetts based, Gabriel Gonzaga who recorded a first round submission over Ednaldo Oliveira who is the training partner for Heavyweight champion-Junior Dos Santos.
Gonzaga returned to his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu roots where he is a black belt for his first UFC appearance in 15 months to earn the submission at 3:22 of the opening round by rear naked choke.
It was a slow start to the fight with Oliveira the superior boxer showing his skills before Gonzaga shot in for the takedown. After working to get the up and under and securing the choke Oliveira had no choice but to tap.
After the fight Gonzaga said, “Thank you for letting me come back,” and said the key to his success was returning to his grappling roots.
Alcantara Continues Winning Streak Against Omigawa
Brazilian Featherweight, Yuri Alcantara improved his winning streak to 13 with a 3 round unanimous decision win against Japan’s Michihiro Omigawa (30-27, 29-28, 30-27).
Alcantara used his reach to advantage standing and trading with Omigawa. With 2 minutes left in the opening round Yuri took Omigawa’s back before unloading with strikes. Omigawa then flipped it into half guard and Yuri locked in the armbar hyper extending Omigawa’s arm but as he was thinking of tapping the bell went to end the round.
In the final 2 rounds Alcantara continued to trade with Omigawa, but faded late in the fight after giving it all for the stoppage in the opening 2 rounds. Omigawa was unable to capitalize on the slow moving Brazilian in the final round who finished off the fight striking on the ground after a last second takedown.
“I thought I would knock him down or win by submission, but we ended up exchanging a lot of punches and strikes,” Alcantara said after his win.
Pyle Stops Funch In Opening Round
In the opening FX preliminary bout, Mike Pyle defeated hometown fighter, Ricardo Funch by TKO at 1:22 in round 1.
A straight right by Pyle troubled Funch early who was retreating against the cage before Mike landed 2 knees that dropped the Brazilian before finishing it with a flurry of punches on the mat.
Funch drops to 0-3 in the UFC while it was a return to the winners circle for Pyle after losing by TKO in his previous fight.
After the fight Pyle said, “I think that’s probably my best finish that I have in the UFC. Look out Welterweight’s that’s how I’m going to look everytime I fight.”
Arantes Bounces Back To Outlast Carvalho
In the first fight of the night Brazilian Featherweight, Felipe Arantes edged out Antonio Carvalho via unanimous decision after losing the first round.
Carvalho shot in for the opening takedown where he moved into side control before taking Arantes’ back and moving into the mount delivering punches and elbows but Arantes was able to get himself free and they both traded punches for the remainder of the round.
Arantes shifted into gear in round 2 being the more aggressive of the fighters landing crisper strikes and kicks. Carvalho threatened on the inside but Carvalho had done enough to level up the fight.
In the final frame Arantes found his mark with his combinations. Carvalho shot in for a takedown but Arantes was able to reverse the position to take top control and opened up a cut on the Canadian’s face with elbows. Carvalho got back to his feet and threatened late but Arantes kept him at distance with kicks and knees.
After the fight Arantes told the crowd, “I swear to God if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have won this fight.” Arantes levelled his UFC record up at 1-1 after losing his first UFC fight against Yuri Alcantara at UFC 134.
Full Results:
- Thiago Tavares def. Sam Stout via unanimous decision (no scores given)
- Gabriel Gonzaga def. Ednaldo Oliveira via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:22
- Yuri Alcantara def. Michihiro Omigawa via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
- Mike Pyle def. Ricardo Funch via TKO (knees and punches) – Round 1, 1:22
- Felipe Arantes def. Antonio Carvalho via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
