The FS1 preliminary fights started off with a Welterweight tilt between John Howard and Siyar Bahadurzada. The two 170 lbers went back and forth over their 15 minutes inside the Octagon. In the end, it was “Doomsday” who took the decision over Bahadurzada.
Siyar kept his lead hand pumping the jab as he looked to land the big blow. Flurry from Bahadurzada, but Howard kept himself protected. Howard came in for a takedown, but Siyar defended and reversed into a clinch against the cage. Howard was able to reverse before Siyar escaped. Howard caught a knee from the clinch to score a late takedown. Siyar was able to escape before the bell sounded.
Howard came out swinging in round two and caught Siyar, but Bahadurzada was able to land some solid shots of his own to back him up. Left hook from Howard lands on Siyar. Bahadurzada scores a takedown. He couldn’t get much done and returned to his feet. Howard landed a few good hooks coming out of the clinch. Both men looked pretty gassed with a minute left in the round. HOward goes for a takedown against the clinch, lifts Siyar over his head, then dumps him in a big slam.
Both fighters looked very slow in the third, but Howard was able to land the better punches. He followed that up with a takedown and unloaded power right hands from standing guard. He moved into half-guard. Howard moved into mount then took the back when Siyar rolled over.
John Howard takes the unanimous decision (30-27 x 3) over Siyar Bahadurzada.