In a very close fight, Anthony Rocco Martin picked up a unanimous decision win over Ramazan Emeev at UFC Moscow.
In an intriguing welterweight match-up at UFC Moscow on Saturday, Ramazan Emeev faced off with American Anthony Rocco Martin. Emeev had won his first three fights in the UFC, and was getting a step up in competition against Martin, who prior to a recent loss to Demian Maia had been on a four-fight win streak of his own.
Rocco Martin was hyped before the fight, and that translated into the beginning of the fight, as he blitzed forward at Emeev. Emeev responded by landing a shot that made him briefly back up. Emeev soon went for the takedown, but Martin reversed position and landed on the back. He went for the kimura as he moved over, and got it in deep. Emeev did a good job of getting his arm back after it looked like Martin was going to rip his arm off. Emeev made his way back to the feet and got into the clinch. Martin was kneed in the groin, but they were back at it quickly. Emeev went for a level change but Martin defended well, to end the round.
In the second, Emeev went for a low kick, right-hand combination, leading Anthony Rocco Martin to trash talk his attempts. Emeev shot in for a takedown, but Martin grabbed onto a guillotine, and Emeev ended up on top. Emeev complained to the referee that Martin was slippery, and Martin tried to walk him down. Martin landed many kicks that began to swell Emeev’s leg up. Emeev began to land more in the second, but the round would end on the ground. They they both appeared to trip, and Martin went for a kimura again.
Martin’s calf kick continued to land in round three, however, Emeev countered with a left hook upstairs that Martin shook his head at. Martin was the busier fighter in round three, as he controlled the pace of the final five minutes. Rocco went for a 1-2, which led to a great level change by Emeev, but an even greater sprawl by Martin to keep the fight on the feet. Emeev started pushing forward in the final seconds, and Martin taunted him to end the fight.
Official Result: Anthony Rocco Martin def. Ramazan Emeev by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
