Carlos Diego Ferriera came into UFC 242 as an underdog, but after withstanding an early storm, he kicked it up a notch against Mairbek Taisumov, winning the second and third rounds decisively.
Mairbek Taisumov vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira opened up the PPV card at UFC 242 on Saturday. The lightweight fight pitted Brazil’s Ferreira, winner of four straight in the UFC, against Russia’s Taisumov, who had won six straight in the promotion. Ferreira entered the fight off a win over another Russian talent, Rustam Khabilov, in Prague this past February.
Ferreira had not tasted defeat since 2015, for Taisumov, he had not lost since 2014.
Round 1:
Taisumov stated the fight circling, moving constantly, with Ferreira walking him down. The Brazilian fired early but missed, while Taisumov looked to counter. Taisumov fired off a kick, and the pair then exchanged. Taisumov went to the body, Ferreira countered. Ferreira worked to cut off the cage, and worked his jab, adding front kicks. A low kick by Taisumov tripped up the Brazilian. Taisumov fired off a head kick that was blocked. Ferreira doubled up with his jab. However Taisumov clipped him, and Ferreira scrambled back. They’d continue to battle, with Taisumov landing an overhand right clean later in the round. In the final minute, Ferreira attacked with his own right hand, setting it up with a jab. Taisumov hit home with another leg kick; Ferreira closed out the round on the attack, landing another big right.
Cageside Press scored the round 10-9 for Taisumov
Round 2:
The second round started scrappy, with both men throwing, and some big right hands from each. They switched to a grappling approach, but a headbutt from Ferreira drew a strong warning from Herb Dean. Ferreira would cap a combination with a right hand, and he’d begin walking Taisumov down. Taisumov, however, began finding his range with his counters. Still, the Brazilian was on the attack. He blocked a high kick, and continued moving forward, throwing. One-two combos, head movement, leg kicks, and constant forward momentum was the story for Carlos Diego Ferreira through much of the second.
A takedown put Ferreira out of position, but he survived the slip-up. He’d continue going on the attack to finish the round, with the pair trading to the buzzer.
Cageside Press scored the round 10-9 Ferreira
Round 3:
Ferreira opened with a jump attack but fell short. His corner’s advice between rounds had been to find a finish, and it looked as if he was taking that advice to heart. Ferreira attacked the leg, then shot for a takedown, which Taisumov stuffed. Taisumov was on the outside, circling. Were the fight to go to the scorecards, that could hurt him, as Ferreira had settled in as the aggressor. Ferriera fired off a right hand, an elbow, a kick to the body. Volume was being a factor, as Taisumov was simply not throwing with the same output.
A left landed for Ferreira, and he feigned a takedown. Moments later, he clipped Taisumov with a head kick behind the ear. Taisumov looked wobbled briefly, but remained on his feet. As Ferreira continued his forward march, he landed a right. Taisumov was bloodied. Ferreira landed a spinning kick to the body. They battled it out to the bell, with Ferreira holding a clear edge.
Cageside Press scored the round 10-9 for Ferreira
Official Result: Carlos Diego Ferreira def. Mairbek Taisumov by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)
