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LAS VEGAS – Israel Adesanya announced his arrival as a UFC middleweight contender with a unanimous dominant victory over veteran Brad Tavares on Saturday night.
In just his third UFC bout, Adesanya (14-0), a New Zealand-born Nigerian, showed a wealth of technique and ability against a veteran UFC. Fighter with confidence and creativity, he beat and bloodied Tavares (18-6), who had won four consecutive bouts since 2015.
Earlier, Canadian featherweights Brad Katona and Michael Trizano of New Jersey won contract wins the UFC by winning the last fights. The night was a showcase for Adesanya, who won 50-45, 50-45 and 49-46 on the judges' scorecards
. I'm just warming myself, "said Adesanya.
Tavares, a native of Hawaii, was leading a fight card for the first time in 16 fights at the UFC over the past eight years. Adesanya accomplished the feat in only his third fight, a sign of the UFC's excitement over his ability to influence the 185-pound division
Adesanya showed his sporting ferocity early, by trying unorthodox strikes and balances. Adesanya also smelled, like when he brushed his hair after kicking a kick that was just missing at Tavares' head.
Adesanya had a good third round and opened a gaping cut on Tavares' right eye. fourth round with a vicious short bend. He finished with minimal damage, and only Tavares' unusual toughness kept him on his feet.
The Adesanya victory was the highlight of the annual fight card featuring UFC competitors. The week culminates Saturday night with the UFC 226 a la carte, titled by heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic against heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier.
Katona, who deferred his engineering career to form the MMA in Ireland, dominates his fight against Jay Cuccinello, of Irish descent, won 30-26 on all three cards [19659002TrizanowonasplitdecisioninastrangelyorchestratedfightagainstJoeGiannettiwhospentmostofthethirdroundavoidingcontact
. featherweight Alex Caceres won an entertaining slugfest with Mexico's Martin Bravo by split decision. Flyweight Roxanne Modafferi (22-15) also secured her first UFC victory after 15 years as a pro, dominating her second-round stoppage of veteran Barb Honchak.
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