Welterweight veteran Tim Means’ 50th professional fight was sweetened by his defeat against Andre Fialho as part of the UFC Vegas 79 preliminary card on Saturday.
This fight was must-win for both fighters. After a fast start to his UFC career in 2022, Portugal’s Fialho found himself on a three-fight skid against “The Dirty Bird,” who needed to avoid his own crash landing after dropping his last three bouts.
The fight opened with both fighters finding their range for a couple of seconds before Fialho attempted a takedown. Means shut it down and the two returned to standing. Fialho pressured Means to the cage, but in a flurry of action, Means kneed Fialho in the face and took him to the ground where he repeatedly struck the Portuguese fighter. Fialho quickly recovered guard, but Means stayed dominant until the two scrambled back to standing where Fialho pressured Means back to the cage. After a brief scrap with good counters from Fialho, the two fighters ended round one in the middle of the octagon.
Round two, Fialho did not want to engage right away, unlike round one. After a slick backhand and teep kick from Means, Fialho was backed up to the cage. His back to the cage, Fialho let his “dog” out, and let his fists fly, hurting Means. The veteran shot for a single-leg, but Fialho stuffed it, still attacking the veteran. Means recovered and reversed the position, using his knees and elbows to his advantage with Fialho stuck to the back of the cage. They broke and returned to the middle, trading different punches and kicks before Means pushed Fialho back with his punches and nasty knees. Capitalizing on a knee from Means, Fialho executed a beautiful single leg. Not to stay down for long, Means scrambled out of it, reversed the position, and got to Fialho’s back. He changed position, pushing Fialho to his back and threw a barrage of punches. Fialho was saved by the horn’s blare, sending the fight to the third round.
Straightaway in round three, Means went on the offensive. Pushing the pace, Means attacked Fialho who sent a heavy roundhouse kick to Means’ stomach. Means returned it with a head kick and a flurry of fists rocked the Portuguese fighter and, with heavy hits, ended the fight via TKO, stopping his three-fight skid and moving Fialho to a four-fight skid.
Official Result: Tim Means def. Andre Fialho by TKO (punches), Round 3, 3:45
