UFC Vegas 20 was an event beleaguered by fight cancellations, leaving a four-fight preliminary card for MMA fans Saturday. The featured prelim in the end saw lightweight action unfold, as Alexander Hernandez went up against Thiago Moises. Both men entered the night off wins on the very same card, back on October 31 — Hernandez against Chris Gruetzemacher, Moises against Bobby Green.
The fight that played out Saturday night was active to say the least. A low kick to Hernandez’s lead leg caught his attention early. That calf kick would return again and again, as Moises played a counter game. Hernandez was looking to explode, initially with his hands. Alexander “the Great” was showing a few different looks complete with feints, trying to lure Moises into something. He mixed in stance switches as well, but the action would be halted briefly as he landed low on Moises. Following that break, the pair would go back at it, and finish the round trading.
Loading up late 💥 @ThiagoMoisesMMA put his foot on the pedal to close RD 1. #UFCVegas20 pic.twitter.com/XLplXrHgWY
— UFC (@ufc) February 28, 2021
They started round two right where they left off. Both men were throwing with heat. Hernandez showed more lateral movement. Moises kept his hands high, and continued to find openings for his leg kicks. The chess match on the feet continued, and once again, they finished the round with a flurry, both men landing, including a head kick from Moises that was at least partially blocked.
The quick start of round two duplicated itself in round three. Moises fired his right hand, worked his jab, and might have slowly been pulling away from Hernandez, especially following the end of the second. Whether it was 19-19, or 20-18 Moises, Hernandez needed to take momentum back. Moises landed another leg kick, and Hernandez changed stances in response. They picked up the pace in the final minute, and Moises began hunting for the finish. High kicks, big swings, and while the finish wouldn’t come, the win for Moises would.
Official Result: Thiago Moises def. Alexander Hernandez by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
