It was a bit of a slow start to the main card at UFC 240, with Krzysztof Jotko getting the better of Canada’s Marc-Andre Barriault in an uneventful affair.
Canada’s Marc-Andre Barriault was getting a second chance to make a big impression at UFC 240. Going down in Edmonton, Barriault, who had come up short against Andrew Sanchez at UFC Ottawa in main, still had main card placement, this time against Poland’s Krzysztof Jotko.
Jotko was overlooking him, Barriault told Cageside Press earlier in the week, based off comments the Polish fighter had made to the media. Would that prove to be the case by the end of the night on Saturday?
It all started as Barriault rushed across the cage for the fast start. Jotko responded with a kick to the chest. Barriault continued to pressure and wound up clinched into the fence, 30 seconds in. The two separated after some knees to the body and Jotko landed some good uppercuts and elbows. Near the end of the round, Barrriault clinched with Jotko and landed a big elbow that stunned the Polish fighter. Jotko reversed, and looked for a takedown but couldn’t get it. Barriault looked for the takedown and got the big slam. Jotko got back to his feet and got into the clinch, and round one came to a close.
Barriault landed a big right on Jotko to start the second round, then got into the clinch. Jotko landed a right on the ear, and the two separated. Jotko landed a good left but was partially blocked. The two briefly got into the clinch again. Jotko landed a combination with a knee upstairs, and they clinched yet again. The rest of the round followed a similar pattern, with the two spending the majority of the round in the clinch. Jotko was landing elbows and knees, and Barriault was landing similar blows. The final seconds of the round was another slam takedown from Barriault, with Jotko landing on top in mount after a reversal.
Jotko opened the third by getting into the clinch and looking for a takedown. By now, the crowd, and Herb Dean were getting restless. Jotko couldn’t get it, and they separated. The two briefly threw strikes from a distance, prior to another takedown attempt from Jotko. Jotko failed again, they separated, then wnet back into the clinch again. Nothing happened, they separated once more. Jotko was opened up with a big cut, Barriault moved into the clinch and landed some really nice elbows. Barriault continued to pressure as Jotko looked tired; Jotko dove in and got his first takedown of the night as the round came to a close.
🗣 By split decision… @JotkoMMA! #UFC240 pic.twitter.com/tkeY9FvV0n
— UFC (@ufc) July 28, 2019
Krzysztof Jotko def. Marc-Andre Barraiult by Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
