The UFC 228 PPV is underway, and the promotion’s #5 bantamweight Jimmie Rivera and the #7 John Dodson just went the full fifteen. The output from Dodson was on the lower side, allowing Rivera to lead the dance and walk away with the unanimous decision victory. Rivera now sits at 22-2 as he returns to the win column and the top of the division. Opening up the main card, Abdul Razak Alhassan made quick work of Niko Price, achieving the first-round knock out in a sporty 43 seconds. Now sitting at 10-1 with all victories coming in the first round, the sheer horsepower of Alhassan is undeniable and the welterweight is must-see action!
Main card:
Jimmie Rivera def. John Dodson by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28): Bantamweight
The opening round was moderately scrappy, with the bout gliding through various phases of the standup facet of MMA, but with neither man really hurting the other. Both Dodoson and Rivera scored a bit here and there but neither man took over the round. Rivera came out in round two with a leg attack, striking both the inside and outside of Dodson’s thigh as he pressed forward. Dodson seemed to be waiting on the counter punch to answer the forward pressure of Rivera, but just wasn’t really pulling the trigger.
The second round saw Rivera tagging Dodson, one strike at a time, as he calmly marched forward. Rivera continued to target the leg of Dodson on top of going upstairs with the punches. Dodson just wasn’t able to back off Rivera with anything and was forced to backpedal for most of the fight.
Abdul Razak Alhassan def. Niko Price by KO at :43 of round 1: Welterweight
As expected, Alhassan came out guns a blazing, throwing heavy leather as always, and Price was more than willing to travel down that road. Alhassan swarmed Price up against the cage, throwing a flurry of haymakers that dropped Price, slumping him against the fence.