Danny Roberts found himself in jeopardy thanks to the submission game of short-notice replacement Daniel Zawada, but two judges awarded him two rounds — while the third gave all three to his opponent at UFC Hamburg.
The second fight of the UFC Hamburg main card was to see the meeting of welterweights Alan Jouban and Danny Roberts, however due to injury Jouban was removed. Instead, the UFC brought in newcomer David Zawada, who stepped up to take Jouban’s place.
A former KSW fighter, Zawada entered the cage with a 16-3 record while riding a five fight winning streak. He was no doubt looking to make a splash in his promotional debut. His opponent Roberts was a three year veteran of the UFC. Roberts entered cage coming off of a KO win against Oliver Enkamp at UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Volkov earlier this year.
As the action got underway, Zawada was pressing, but Roberts countered back. Zawada fired off a kick that pushed back, but a left to body from Roberts followed and the two clinched. Roberts went to a guillotine, Zawada escaped; clinching by the fence followed, and they’d break back to center. Zawada fired a counter left and then just missed a flying knee, Roberts secured the take down and worked in the guard. Roberts landed some big shots, but Zawanda kept defending. Zawada went for a triangle and Roberts saw it coming and defended. Roberts worked in half guard and dropped some elbows. As time wore down, Zawada ended the round with a slick arm bar attempt as the horn sounded
In the second, Roberts just missed a high kick that Zawada countered. They exchanged and ended up on the fence. Zawada landed a quick take down. Roberts worked back to his feet but Zawada stuck with him and brought him back to the mat. After a scramble Roberts made it back to his feet and drove Zawada back into the fence, taking Zawada down and landing on top again. Roberts worked from full guard landing punches, Zawada looked for a leg lock that Roberts recognized and defended. Zawada got the sweep and worked to side control and landed a few shots, then jumped into the guillotine. Roberts escaped and ended up on top again. The two worked to their feet where Roberts went for the single. The two scrambled and Roberts looked like he might have gotten the better of the exchange as he landed a few punches before the horn to end the round.
Zawada again came out pressing in the third. Roberts answered with a stiff right hand followed by a low kick. Zawada fired back with a straight right. Roberts shots and Zawada was defending. Zawada worked for the D’arce and Roberts rolled to defend. It was close. Zawada stuck with him and kept the hold in place. Roberts continued to defend and finally escaped. Zawada transitioned to a triangle attempt and again Roberts escaped. Zawada wasn’t about to give up and continued to stick to Roberts. Robets escaped a body lock and dropped some massive punches and elbows on Zawada. Zawada seemed to be slowing down by that point. Roberts from thje top continued to drop elbows and punches. Roberts rolled for a submission that Zawada escaped from; they ended up back on their feet for a quick exchange that ended with Roberts on Zawada’s back dropping punches as the round came to an end.
"Neil Magny, you're my ticket to the top 10" – @DanHotChocolate at #UFCHamburg pic.twitter.com/P8WtJcDpM6
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) July 22, 2018
After earning the split decision, Roberts called out Neil Magny, who’s a take-on-all-comers type, making the bout a possibility.
Danny Roberts def. David Zawada by split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
