The UFC Fight Pass prelims for UFC Fight Night 88 did not disappoint. Even though only two fights were featured, one featured a Heavyweight slugfest while the other saw a major upset in the Bantamweight division.
Bryan Caraway def. Aljamain Sterling by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
The fight started off with Sterling throwing from the outside, mostly spinning kicks. After a few exchanges, Sterling shot for a takedown. He ended up with Caraway against the cage, getting him on the ground and taking his back. Caraway was close to escaping the back mount, but Sterling adjusted and maintained a body triangle from the back. Caraway survived the round, and a very odd looking submission towards the end of the round.
In the second round, Sterling and Caraway traded looping punches, with both fighters looking a couple steps slower than before. Caraway shot in for a takedown halfway through the round, and it appeared that Sterling would stuff it. Instead Caraway fought through and dragged Sterling to the ground. Caraway spent the rest of the round on top of Sterling, landing punches while changing positions.
Caraway took the fight to the ground early in the third with a well timed single leg takedown. After a minute of battling for position, Sterling swept Caraway and got back up. Caraway quickly shot for another takedown, ending up on top and in side control. Caraway quickly caught the back of Sterling and ended the round on his back.
Adam Milstead def. Chris De La Rocha by TKO (punches) at 4:01 of Round 2
Right away both fighters came out swinging with Milstead getting the better of De La Rocha and sending him to the mat early. Both fighters fought the first minute at 100% with no hesitation and little defense. De La Rocha slowed down the fight with a takedown attempt that resulted in a stalemate against the cage. Milstead looked to take over, landing a ton of big punches with De La Rocha looking wobbly.
In the second round, Re La Rocha looked to take the fight to the ground. Milstead did a good job at keeping off the ground and getting the fight back to the middle of the cage. Milstead took over in the later half of the round, landing big punch after big punch. After receiving a couple of unanswered shots and wearing a crimson mask, the ref stepped in