Veteran Max Griffin showcased a polished jab in a decision win over promotional newcomer Ramiz Brahimaj at UFC Vegas 13. The performance was overshadowed by the gruesome finish, which saw Brahimaj’s ear injury end the bout.
Max Griffin, no stranger to fighting in the Octagon ahead of UFC Vegas 13, debuted at UFC 202 against Colby Covington. Griffin amassed a 3-6 record in the UFC before welcoming Brahimaj to the promotion. He’d lost back-to-back bouts, and four of his last five. Most recently Griffin lost a split-decision to Alex Oliveira at UFC 248 earlier this year.
Ramiz Brahimaj was finally making his promotional debut at UFC Vegas 13. After a couple of false starts, one on the Dana White Contender Series, and the other at UFC Vegas 4, the six-fight Legacy Fighting Alliance veteran made his way to the Octagon. Brahimaj went 4-2 in LFA, going 2-2 in his last four fights coming into Saturday night.
Griffin took the center of the cage early, looking aggressive while throwing the first few strikes of the bout. The veteran was slightly more active early-on, with neither fighting landing anything of note in the first half of the opening round. Brahimaj turned up the pressure as the first round elapsed, but Griffin’s footwork largely kept him out of danger. The duo traded stiff jabs late in the round, but it was anyone’s guess who was in the lead after five minutes.
After a fairly active beginning to the second round, a kick from Griffin connected with the groin of Brahimaj, causing a pause in the action. The pause didn’t seem to change much, as both men continued to increase their volume as the bout went on. They continued to land more, as well, trading crisp jabs to the head on a regular basis. Brahimaj was looking the worse of the two as the second round came to a close, with his nose bloodied from the barrage of jabs from Griffin.
Potentially down on the scorecards, Brahimaj was clearly coming out the aggressor early in round three. But, yet again, a groin shot from Griffin caused a momentary pause in the action. After the quick break, Brahimaj was able to open up a cut above the right eye of Griffin, with the work from his earlier jabs paying off. Griffin responded with a flurry that sent Brahimaj back against the cage.
While Griffin was working in the clinch with Brahimaj against the cage, a right elbow to the side of the head of Brahimaj tore the debutant’s ear. The bout was quickly stopped, and Griffin was awarded the TKO victory.
The ref steps in! 😳@MaxPainGriffin with the finish in round 3️⃣. #UFCVegas13 pic.twitter.com/i8iYmKdcz8
— UFC (@ufc) November 8, 2020
Max Griffin def. Ramiz Brahimaj via TKO (Injury) in Round 3 (2:03)
