Dong Hyun Kim defeats Sean Pierson by Unanimous Decision. All three judges scored the fight 30-27.
Dong Hyun Kim was the first to find success landing a leg kick early. Sean Pierson responded by closing distance and clinching with the South Korean judoka against the cage. As Kim looked to set up a throw Pierson backed away. Pierson caught Kim’s leg and attempted a looping right hook which didn’t land. Kim landed a straight left and then attemped a jumping right kick. 1-2 from Kim landed as did the left leg kick. Pierson came forward with a combination and Kim looked for a takedown. Pierson was unable to find connection with his strikes. The two clinched up and Kim took control of Sean Pierson’s neck. Kim used it to set up a toss but Pierson rolled throw and took Kim’s back as the round came to an end.
Kim’s early kick was caught again by Pierson who was unable to create any offense off of due to an inability to find range. High kick from Kim missed as Pierson circled away. Pierson closed the distance and clinched with Dong Hyun Kim against the fence but couldn’t find any offense from it. Pierson again clinched with Kim without finding any significant strikes. Kim pushed off and then landed a jumping front kick. Kim followed up with a straight right that snapped Pierson’s head back. Kim landed a front kick that again staggered Pierson. Sean Pierson was on wobbly legs as the round came to a close. Literally saved by the bell.
Pierson looked to have regained his senses as the final round commenced. Kim looked far more aggressive knowing he had Pierson all but finished. Kim opened up with more leg kicks to try and have Pierson drop his hands. Kim instead used them get the takedown and then did a front flip pass. Pierson regained his feet but was quickly taken back to the ground. Pierson did a good job of controlling Kim’s posture and not taking any damage from inside the guard. With two minutes left in the fight Kim stood up and attempted a pass. He changed his mind and Yves Levigne stood the fighters up. Crane kick from Kim missed. Pierson closed the distance with 30 seconds left to clinch but Kim pushed off. Fight ends with Kim connecting on another jumping front kick.
Dong Hyun Kim entered the fight 14-1-1 and 5-1-1 in the UFC. He improves to 6-1-1 in the promotion. Sean Pierson entere the fight 1-1 in the UFC and 11-5 overall. He drops to 11-6 on his career.
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