“The Korean Tiger” Jeong Yeong Lee, a ROAD FC veteran returning to action at UFC Vegas 85 for the first time in a year, faced off with Blake Bilder in featherweight action on Saturday’s preliminary card.
Lee entered off a seven-fight win streak, while Bilder, a former CFFC champ, was 1-1 inside the octagon through his first two fights with the company.
To begin the fight Lee looked to impose his height and reach on Bilder as he put on instant forward pressure, making Bilder fight on the back foot. A minute into the fight, not much action had been had, as the only strikes landed were leg kicks from both featherweights. Bilder began throwing some boxing combinations with a double jab, followed by a right hand. Lee did well to return a big right hand though which resulted in a level change by Bilder. “El Animal” had a single leg attempt on Lee but with his back to the cage, Lee began landing huge elbows which momentarily dropped Bilder to his knees.
Bilder clung onto the legs of Lee for the majority of the round, but with about 30 seconds left of the round, Lee broke away from the clinch and landed a huge knee on the break. The 33-year-old wobbled and covered up as Lee pushed forward with a barrage of body shots. Fortunately for Bilder, the horn sounded for the end of round one.
Coming out in round two, Blake Bilder seemed to have recovered well and was moving freely again. Lee though looked fluid with his striking and movement and didn’t seem phased by Bilder’s boxing. Just over a minute into the second round, Bilder once again attempted a takedown, but Lee did well to instantly gain control with the under-hooks. After another minute or so of Bilder trying to better his position, Lee did a tremendous job of scoring a takedown with an outside trip, and maintained top control well. “The Korean Tiger” wasn’t content with just maintaining top pressure though as he began landing some big shots from the top, mixing between elbows and punches. Bilder did extremely well to somehow make it back to his feet, and when they both returned to their feet, Lee looked slightly fatigued.
The fight made it to the final round with Bilder down two rounds to the impressive Lee. Bilder continued to look for a takedown though instead of hunting for a finish and seemed content controlling Lee against the cage. Lee reversed the position against the cage though and Bilder looked even less likely to get the finish he needed. The 28-year-old scored another takedown resulting in Bilder laying flat on his back, looking to once again somehow make it back to his feet. Lee did well to transition to half-guard where he continued to lands some heavy elbows. The fight ended with Lee on top, reigning down ground-and-pound on the passive Bilder.
Official Result: Jeong Yeong Lee def. Blake Bilder via Unanimous Decision, (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
