Marc-Andre Barriault had a great performance to start UFC Vegas 36, pressuring Dalcha Lungiambula for a full 15 minutes.
Kicking off an abbreviated nine-fight card at UFC Vegas 36 was a middleweight showdown between Canada’s Marc-Andre Barriault, and Congolese fighter Dalcha Lungiambula.
Barriault’s first win inside the octagon was a long time coming. After losing three straight, he appeared to have a W on the board, only for a TKO win Oskar Piechota to be overturned following a positive drug test for ostarine. Last time out, however, Barriault finished Abu Azaitar for his first official UFC win.
Lungiambula, for his part, was 2-1 in the octagon and coming off a win over Markus Perez.
Barriault immediately began jabbing once the fight started, attempting to keep the typically aggressive Lungiambula at bay out of the gate. After a few jabs, Lungiambula swung a pair of hooks that Barriault defended. They clinched briefly, then Lungiambula landed an overhand right. A right straight connected for Barriault followed by a short elbow. Lungiambula then shot for a takedown, got Barriault to the fence and tripped him to the floor. Barriault snapped back quickly and a big right straight connected for him. Lungiambula completed a second takedown, but Barriault stood back up and landed a right hand before the end of the round.
A big exchange took place right at the start of the second round as both men landed hooks. Barriault connected with a right straight after a left hand from Lungiambula. Lungiambula then caught a kick and briefly swept Barriault off his feet with a well-timed leg kick and a snapping body kick followed. Barriault continued to pressure Lungiambula along the fence, keeping punches in his face. Lungiambula dragged Barriault down, but Barriault popped up and both men landed shots along the fence. It became a test of wills as Lungiambula and Barriault bit down on their mouthpieces and delivered big shots. A kick below the belt hit Barriault and action paused briefly, then they got back to work, with Barriault keeping the pressure on to ride out the round.
It was more of the same, as Barriault continued to stick Lungiambula along the fence with his jab a bad eyepoke by Lungiambula forced a stop to the action and Barriault needed a few minutes to recover. Once he did, Barriault gave Lungiambula a diet of straight punches. Barriault didn’t let Lungiambula breathe, grabbing a Thai clinch and delivering uppercuts. Another clinch exchange took place as Lungiambula slowed down. Barriault had more left in the tank than Lungiambula and it showed as time ticked away and Barriault was landing punches at will.
Marc-Andre Barriault def. Dalcha Lungiambula by Unanimous Decision (29-28 x2, 30-27)
