Flyweight action featured heavily on that UFC Fight Island 8 card. The third of three flyweight bouts (on the men’s side alone) featured Tyson Nam and Matt Schnell, with Nam looking to put together a third straight win. Schnell, meanwhile, was hoping to bounce back from a setback against Alexandre Pantoja just over a year ago.
There was plenty of gamesmanship and feeling out early between Nam and Schnell. The exchanges, when the did come together, were quick, as expected. Schnell seems to favor combinations more, while Nam was looking to land his right hand. Nam’s leg kicks were a factor as well. Tyson landed a right hand late, but Schnell ate it and kept right on coming.
Round two had Schnell clipped with a right hand just past a minute in. But while Nam’s power was a factor, Schnell was the more active striker, and that had the possibility putting him ahead. Still, that Nam right hand hit home again. He’d work in a leg kick or two, as his corner called for more activity. Schnell’s output dropped ever-so-slightly toward the end of the second, while Nam picked up the pace in turn.
The third round of Nam vs. Schnell played out in similar fashion, at least early. Nam was looking to land his right hand. But his head-hunting was coming up short, and Schnell’s volume was still a step above. As the round wore on, Nam’s fate rested more and more on a knockout that just didn’t seem to be there.
Official Result: Matt Schnell def. Tyson Nam by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
