Headlined by a unification bout pairing UFC lightweight champion Ben Henderson vs. Gilbert Melendez, who bore the same title in the now-defunct Strikeforce promotion, tonight’s UFC on Fox 7 event aired 6 preliminary fights on the FX channel. The following are the results from the first 3.
Benavidez punts Uyenoyama in the ribcage
Top flyweight contender Joseph Benavidez fearlessly engaged Darren Uyenoyama on the feet with nary a concern for any counter-fire, trudging forward confidently behind a hail of whirring hooks and roundhouse kicks. Uyenoyama didn’t have many chances to work his submission grappling and failed to maintain any control of Benavidez’s sturdy posture from guard in the few opportunities that did arise. Benavidez switched between alternating left-right hooks and snapping left kicks to the body, the latter of which found a home late in the 2nd and caused Uyenoyama to visibly wince. Benavidez, smelling blood, stayed all over his wounded adversary and eventually went downstairs with a left — to the same spot the kick landed — to crumple Uyenoyama and chalk up a commanding finish.
- Joseph Benavidez defeats Darren Uyenoyama by TKO (body punch), Round 2.
Masvidal and Means mash each other up with elbows
In a bout that left a pleasant aftertaste of gameness, damage, and momentum swings, long awaited UFC newcomer Jorge Masvidal opted for a takedown heavy strategy to eke out a unanimous decision (29-28 x 3) over Tim Means. This was a pretty close fight too, with arguments for Means winning the 1st and 3rd rounds; all were closely contested. Rogan was once again astute in mentioning that Means wasn’t “fighting tall” as the ultra-gangly lightweight (75″ reach) traded at toe-to-toe range, which favored “Gamebred” and also facilitated his pivotal takedown attempts. Means did show a feisty guard game, putting Masvidal on the defensive with a steady diet of sharp elbows, one of which peeled open up a cut that bled throughout the 2nd and 3rd.
- Jorge Masvidal defeats Tim Means by unanimous decision
Dillashaw punches Wolverine square in the face
Team Alpha Male bantamweight T.J. Dillashaw hit an early takedown on Hugo Viana and seemed to teleport immediately to back control. “Wolverine” fought his way free but found himself on the wrong end of a Kodak moment when Dillashaw, with perfect timing, capitalized on a moment of nonexistent defense from Viana and drilled him with an entirely unhindered right hand. Viana went on rollerskates and Dillashaw swarmed with more leather to get the stoppage.
- UFC on Fox 7 results: T.J. Dillashaw def. Hugo Viana via TKO (punches), Round 1