For the first time in two years, Mike Breeden got a full camp for UFC Vegas 53, where he was paired up in a lightweight match-up with Natan Levy.
Israel’s Levy and Glory MMA and Fitness fighter Breeden met on the preliminary portion of Saturday’s card in Las Vegas. And despite getting a full camp this time around, it simply wasn’t Breeden’s night, in a fight that turned out to be an early contender for Fight of the Night.
Both fighters took the center of the octagon; no touch of gloves in this one. A body kick from Levy started the fight. Breeden put Levi against the fence and got a takedown. Levi got back to his feet. Levi missed a hook kick. Levi partially landed a head kick but tripped – immediately trying for a heel hook. Both fighters got to their feet, and Breeden landed a hook. Just over two minutes left, and Levy landed another body kick.
Breeden hit Levy below the belt a few seconds later, which halted the action briefly. When the fight started up again, Breeden landed a nasty combo. Levi answered back with his own combination. Levi landed the same high kick into a leg lock but nothing came of it. 40 seconds left, and Levi landed a takedown. Breeden got to his feet to end a very fun round.
Round two began with Breeden landing a body punch combo. Just over 30 seconds into the round, Levi landed a takedown. Breeden got back to his feet, but Levi put him right back down. Levi let him up and then dropped him again. Just under three minutes left, and Breeden got his underhooks and reversed Levi, and put his opponent against the fence. A little over two minutes left, and both fighters got to the center of the octagon. Levi landed a body kick and shot for a takedown, but Breeden defended. Levy landed a hook and a body kick that hurt Breeden. Levi tried for a highlight spinning wheel kick KO but missed. Levi took Breeden to the mat and landed ground and pound. Breeden seemed to recover and chased Levi to end the round.
Round three started with Breeden being very aggressive landing combos. Levi tried for a takedown, but Breeden defended. Breeden landed hooks and body punches. Levy was no doubt up, but Breeden refused to go away. A lazy shot from Levi but nothing came of that. Come the midway point of the final round, Breeden kept landing big shots that hurt Levi. Breeden kept pressuring Levi, forcing him to shoot, but Breeden kept defending. About 90 seconds to go, and Breeden landed an elbow; Levi responded with his own. Levi landed his left hook that dropped Breeden. Levi shot for a takedown, but Breeden defended. The fight ended with both fighters swinging.
Great fight, and one that could easily win them 50k in bonus money. After the fight, Levy announced that he would sell his fight kit from UFC Vegas 53, with proceeds going to holocaust survivors.
Official Result: Natan Levy def. Mike Breeden by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
