Chris Gutierrez outclassed Ryan MacDonald in the second fight of UFC Nashville, showcasing a variety of kicks to deliver him a decision victory.
Chris Gutierrez will be looking to rebound from a loss in his promotional debut to Raoni Barcelos. Gutierrez has an overall record of 12-3-1 with half of those wins coming via stoppage. Like MacDonald, his last fight before the UFC was with LFA, where he won by first-round submission.
Ryan MacDonald will be making his promotional debut at UFC Nashville with a 10-0 career record. Six of those victories are by stoppage. He most recently fought in LFA, where he won by second-round guillotine choke.
The feeling-out process between these two fighters was fairly quick, with both fighters landing multiple jabs and leg kicks in the first minute. Chris Gutierrez mixed in a head kick that was deflected and the quick pace carried on. Gutierrez was the one controlling the Octagon, with Ryan MacDonald near the cage and circling. A hard body kick landed for Gutierrez. Jabs for both fighters landed, and MacDonald was consistently switching from orthodox to southpaw. A right straight landed for Gutierrez then a heavy leg kick for MacDonald. Gutierrez back MacDonald to the cage and swung a spinning back elbow over his opponent’s head as time expired.
MacDonald was cut on his hairline when the second round began, so perhaps that elbow did land. A heavy leg kick connected for Gutierrez as he began to get comfortable. Another leg kick landed for Gutierrez and MacDonald was much more tentative on the feet in this round. A body kick landed for Gutierrez and he avoided a slow two punch combination that MacDonald attempted to respond with. The leg kicks began to add up, and Gutierrez began to switch levels with his kicks, landing a spinning body kick and throwing up a head kick. MacDonald shot a desperation takedown that Gutierrez easily stuffed. Gutierrez had total control of the fight as MacDonald tried to get a takedown off a caught head kick but could not. He then dove for a single leg that amounted to nothing. Gutierrez ended the second round the same way as the first with a spinning back elbow that landed.
MacDonald tried to generate some offense in the start of the third round with a blitz, but Gutierrez smoothly avoided damage and got back to his kicking game. A spinning back kick and leg kick landed for Gutierrez as MacDonald had no answer. Gutierrez threw in a side-kick after a right hand. The kicks seemed to be too much for MacDonald, who was at a clear speed disadvantage. Gutierrez kept pushing forward on MacDonald, who could not adequately respond with his own offense.
Chris Gutierrez def. Ryan MacDonald by Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3)
