UFC San Antonio Recap

UFC San Antonio Recap

By Matt Wise

Leon Edwards looked every bit a title contender as he overcame former champion Rafael Dos Anjos with a dominant decision victory.

Edwards displayed great maturity in the evening’s main event against a former champion in Dos Anjos, looking superior in both striking and grappling exchanges.

With his specialty being on the feet, the Brit caught his opponent by surprise with an early takedown. As the pair returned to their feet, Edwards continually landed slicing elbows to RDA’s right eyebrow which caused a deep cut. The Brazilian struggled to compete in the head-striking department, but found some success with leg kicks.

Edwards did a good job of containing his opponent and stopping short multiple takedown attempts against the cage. Dos Anjos mounted his most meaningful attack during the fifth round, but the Brit leaned on his ever-improving wrestling to stifle any such offering.

Mirroring his performance, Edwards looked composed on the mic post fight and set his sights on a title eliminator against Jorge Masvidal.

Edwards moved to eight consecutive victories; the most in the UFC welterweight division at current.

Elsewhere in the main card, Walt Harris put the heavyweight division on alert after taking just 12seconds to finish Alexei Oleinik. A flying knee followed by a straight left was enough to put away the Russian veteran.

Greg Hardy needed only 45 seconds to stop Juan Adams and put an end to the trash talking from his opponent.

Adams, who was desperate to fight Hardy, found himself on his back following a failed takedown, and former NFL star Hardy was relentless in his ground and pound. Adams was unable to protect himself, and referee Dan Miragliotta called an end to the contest.

New Zealander Dan Hooker returned to winning ways with a first round knockout win over James Vick.

Hooker stormed forward, faking a right to the body, followed by a left hook which dropped his opponent, and the fight was finished with two follow-up strikes on the ground.

San Antonio’s own Alexander ‘The Great’ Hernandez got the nod in a cagey contest against veteran Francisco Trinaldo.

Neither fighter was keen to take the initiative, preferring instead to wait at range for a counter opportunity. The decision went Hernandez’ way, but admitted himself post fight that it could have been given either way.

Andrei Arlovski set a new record for most wins in heavyweight history (17) with his decision win over Ben Rothwell.

Arlovski’s chin held up better than in previous showings, managing to absorb some of Rothwell’s most powerful strikes. Arlovski outlanded the American almost 2/1 and gained the victory via unanimous decision.

Earlier in the card:

Alex Caceres def. Steven Peterson via unanimous decision

Raquel Pennington def. Irene Aldana via unanimous decision

Klidson Albreu def. Sam Alvey via unanimous decision

Jennifer Maia def. Roxanne Modaferri via unanimous decision

Ray Borg def. Gabriel Silva via unanimous decision

Mario Bautista def. Jin Soo Son via unanimous decision

Filipe Colares def. Domingo Pilarte via split decision

Photo Credit: Leon Edwards