Contender Series alum Kevin Aguilar made the most of his UFC debut, picking up a win over the gritty Rick Glenn at the TUF 28 Finale.
The final bout of The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale card in Las Vegas Friday featured Rick Glenn and Kevin Aguilar meeting at a catchweight after Glenn missed weight. Rick Glenn entered the night coming off of a win over Dennis Bermudez, taking the split decision when the two met at UFC Boise. Kevin Aguilar stepped up to take the fight after Glenn’s original opponent Arnold Allen pulled out of the contest due to a cut he received during training. Aguilar was a Contender Series vet, earning a split decision over Joey Gomez on the show.
Glenn opened the with a head kick and looked to keep moving forward. He followed up with a body kick and Aguilar answered with a kick of his own followed by a shot to the body. Glenn continued to work the kicks as he kept Aguilar on the outside. Aguilar answered by jumping in and landing when he could, but Glenn looked to meet him with a kick. Aguilar jumped back in and caught Glenn with solid punch combo that badly hurt Glenn. Glenn looked to have recovered quickly but his right eye showed the damage done. Aguilar again stepped in and landed the uppercut, he pushed the action to run out the round with a combo finished with a body kick as the horn sounded.
Aguilar came out much faster for the second round and looked to put the action on Glenn. Glenn looked to go to his kicks again and establish range. Glenn backed Aguilar into the fence and looked to got for the take down, but Aguilar defended well and Glenn gave up on the attempt. The two exchanged and again Glenn looked to go for the take down; once again Aguilar cut him off. Aguilar stepped in and landed an uppercut. Glenn continued to mount his offense but for the moment Aguilar looked to have a counter prepared. Aguilar moved forward and the two exchanged with Aguilar looking for another uppercut, but Glenn landed a solid elbow. Glenn followed it up with a knee in the clinch before the men broke, he again tried the take down but Aguilar defended and spun to Glenn’s side, possibly looking for a take down of his own before the horn sounded to end the action.
Both men started the third round throwing kicks from range. Glenn looked to close the distance and Aguilar met him with a right hand. Glenn continued to come forward and ate a body shot but landed an elbow for his trouble. He followed up with a nice head kick that Aguilar answered with another right. Glenn fired a head kick but Aguilar countered with a hard right that dropped Glenn! Aguilar followed him to the canvas as he dropped fists and elbows. Glenn tried to defend but Aguilar took his back. Glenn spun again and eventually Aguilar ended up in side control. A bloodied Glenn looked to have mostly recovered, and he fought to his feet. Glenn threw a kick that Aguilar answered with his own leg kick — that wobbled Glenn. Glenn regained his balance and tagged Aguilar with a solid elbow, that made his legs give out for a moment just before the final horn sounded.
Kevin Aguilar def. Rick Glenn by unanimous decision (30-27 30-27 30-27)
