The crowd at UFC Milwaukee (UFC on FOX 31) was more thrilled with the eventual outcome than the fight itself in Zak Ottow vs. Dwight Grant.
Welterweight action topped the televised prelims at UFC Milwaukee (UFC on FOX 31) on Saturday. The featured fight saw Zak Ottow facing Dwight Grant, with Ottow, a Milwaukee native, getting plenty of crowd support as the fight at the Fiserv Forum got underway.
Ottow was also looking to bounce back from a loss to Sage Northcutt, recently departed to ONE Championship. However, early on, things went south for Ottow. On the attack, Grant connected, sending Ottow to the canvas. Rather than slow things down on the ground, Grant allowed Ottow back to his feet. Whether that was prudent remained to be seen. Ottow appeared to have recovered well, and worked angles to cut off the cage. Not a lot was connecting for Ottow, however.
Round two saw Ottow continuing his cautious approach, walking down Grant at times, circling away at others. Not a lot was landing for either man to the midway point of the round. Grant, when he launched kicks, sailed wide, spinning right around. With the crowd getting restless, the ref encouraged the pair to engage. Grant briefly stunned Ottow towards the end of the round, but Ottow rolled out of danger and was right back up. They’d exit the round, only to be met by jeers from the crowd.
Round three opened with Ottow looking for a finish, but it was Grant attacking along the fence early. However, a slip by Grant allowed Ottow to get on top, in Grant’s closed guard. He wasn’t able to find the finish he was looking for, and instead finished the fight striving to take his opponent down once again.
The scorecards, however, went in his favor, at least with two judges.
Zak Ottow def. Dwight Grant by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
