Heavyweights Blagoy Ivanov and Marcos Rogério de Lima capped off the UFC 274 early prelims on Saturday.
Ivanov found himself in a precarious position to start the night, looking to stave off the surging Brazilian and hold on to his #15 spot in the rankings. But by the end of fifteen minutes, his spot was secure.
Both fighters took the center of the octagon after a touch of gloves. A Head kick from Lima opened up the fight, followed by a body kick. Lima kicked Ivanov below the belt less than a minute it, and received a “hard warning” from the ref.
The fight restarted, and Ivanov charged Lima, landing a punch. Lima swung wildly, almost landing with a hook. Near the three-minute mark, Lima landed an uppercut followed with a hook. Lima landed a nasty combo to Ivanov’s body and head. Less than a minute left, Ivanov caught a kick and put Lima against the fence for 10 seconds. Lima reversed and escaped. The round ended with both fights landing a punch right as the horn sounded.
Round two started with a high kick from Lima. Ivanov put Lima against the fence 30 seconds into the round. Lima eventually reversed and escaped. Lima landed another hard combo, and then Ivanov answered with a short left hand that stumbled Lima. Ivanov put Lima against the fence again. Both fighters exchanged combos, and then Ivanov landed a 1-2 that hurt Lima. Lima answered back with a punch, and then Ivanov put him against the fence. Less than a minute left, and both fighters got back to the center of the octagon but not for long as Ivanov put him against the fence yet again to end the round.
Round three started with Ivanov landing a body shot, and Lima answered with a few jabs. Ivanov landed a left hand which forced Lima to clinch. About three and a half minutes left, and Ivanov grabbed Lima’s head for a choke but nothing came of it. The referee broke the clinch and brought them back to center. Lima put Ivanov against the fence, and then Ivanov reversed it. Both fighters took the center of the octagon with less than two minutes remaining, and Lima landed a few flush punches, but Ivanov ate all of them. Ivanov put Lima against the fence again. Lima landed a massive takedown – picking Ivanov off his feet to end the fight.
It was Ivanov, however, who left with his hand raised, snapping the win streak of Brazil’s “Pezao.”
Official Result: Blagoy Ivanov def. Marcos Rogério de Lima by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
