After stepping up on fight week, Christos Giagos outclassed Carlton Minus with strong wrestling at UFC Vegas 17.
Christos Giagos and Carlton Minus opened up UFC Vegas 17. Giagos returned to the UFC in 2018 after his first 1-2 stint ended in 2015. Since his return, Giagos had gone 2-2 and was coming off a loss against Drakkar Klose. Minus, an Alaska native, started his career at 9-0 before running into UFC veteran Rick Story in PFL. A win earlier this year got Minus to the big stage, but he lost in his promotional debut in August. Rick Glenn was supposed to fight Minus, but was removed from the event late on fight week.
Minus to took the center of the cage early against the heavy favorite Giagos, who opened things up with a leg kick. Giagos landed an overhand right and immediately got a takedown off of it. Minus scrambled and Giagos took his back in the process, but Minus bucked him off while standing up. Giagos stayed persistent and took Minus back down. Minus gave up his back temporarily, then rolled back over with Giagos in full mount. Giagos postured up and landed a series of bombs. Minus rolled and gave up his back and then back to mount. Minus was able to get off his back, but Giagos went to the overhand right to takedown combo again and landed right in mount. Giagos began working for an arm-triangle, but Minus hung on to get to the end of the round.
💢 One-way traffic through one for the short-notice Spartan. #UFCVegas17 pic.twitter.com/wVGloW0poJ
— UFC (@ufc) December 19, 2020
Giagos was hunting for the overhand right to start the second round, but wasn’t able to land it off his first two attempts. Minus landed a head kick and Giagos answered with a power double. He easily worked his way to mount again, controlling Minus easily. Minus squirmed his way to half guard then was able to stand up as Giagos attempted to move into mount. While Minus stood up, Giagos jumped on his back and ripped him back to the ground, nearly securing a choke in the process. Minus returned to the feet, finally defended a takedown, then landed a pair of straight punches at the end of the round.
BAD place to find yourself in if you're facing @CGiagos! 😰 #UFCVegas17 pic.twitter.com/8AydXPvrpj
— UFC (@ufc) December 19, 2020
Minus sprawled a takedown early in the final round, but Giagos stuck to him and landed a trip takedown. Minus worked his way up and broke free of the clinch of Giagos. A takedown attempt from Giagos was easily thwarted, as the favorite was fading in the final round. Another takedown was defended by Minus, but he wasn’t taking advantage. Giagos was defending well on the feet as Minus wasn’t quite emptying the tank down two rounds. Giagos was in survival mode due to the fatigue and was able to reach the final bell.
Christos Giagos def. Carlton Minus by Unanimous Decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-28)
