A pair of bantamweights looking to rebound from recent setbacks found themselves fighting to a draw in the second fight in on Saturday’s UFC Vegas 37 card.
The Fight Night event in Las Vegas found Gustavo Lopez and Heili Alateng both coming off single defeats in their last outings. Lopez had found himself the victim of an Adrian Yanez knockout back in March, while Alateng dropped a unanimous decision to Casey Kenney in October of last year.
Both fighters were entering their fourth fight inside the octagon on Saturday night.
After a glove touch both men met in the middle of the octagon. Alateng missed a 1-2 combo and then ate a front kick to the body. Lopez clinched with Alateng after he barely missed with a heavy right hand. Both fighters landed punches before Lopez shot for a takedown, but wasn’t able to do much with it. Alateng landed a hook that opened up a cut on Lopez, and then Lopez landed a hook right back. Alateng landed a nice 1-2 that backed Lopez up. Lopez landed a light body kick with 34 seconds left. Alateng attempted a flying knee to end the round.
The second round started with Alateng landing a calf kick. Alateng backed Lopez against the cage, which made the Mexican fighter throw a calf kick himself. After trading calf kicks, Alateng landed a right cross on Lopez. Alateng landed a heavy left hand and another right cross. With 90 seconds left in the round Lopez shot for a takedown which was Alateng was ready to stuff. Lopez landed another calf kick to end the second round.
Round three started with Lopez landing another light calf kick. Alateng barely missed a big hook 20 seconds into the round. Alateng landed a left hook that seemed to wobble Lopez. Lopez then charged Alateng swing recklessly, landing a few punches, which ended with a takedown.
Keith Peterson warned Alateng about a fence grab. Alateng did it again and forced Peterson to take a point from the fighter.
The action resumed, and Lopez immediately took Alateng’s back. Alateng escaped, and both fighters got back to the center. Alateng shot for a takedown, and Lopez grabbed a tight guillotine. Alateng defended the guillotine and got back to his feet to end the fight.
Gustavo Lopez and Heili Alateng fight to a Unanimous Draw (28–28, 28–28, 28–28)
