Action-fighting lightweights Trevor Peek and Charlie Campbell squared off at UFC Vegas 89 and it was Campbell who came away with the win in an absolute war.
Campbell’s UFC debut last year went swimmingly as he stopped Alex Reyes in the first round with a seemingly never-ending barrage. The LAW MMA prospect took on Trevor Peek, the Southern fighter who’s drawl and wild-fighting style had captivated many fans while only being 2-1 in the UFC. Campbell once again won in exciting fashion on this card, but both men won in a way, as Peek and him will both be in top contention for the card’s ‘Fight of the Night’ bonus after the event is over.
Charlie Campbell’s gameplan appeared kick-heavy, as he used his length to maintain distance while consistently damaging Peek’s legs and body. Trevor finally just rushed forward to clinch but ate a knee on his way in and could not get Campbell down at first. He eventually did and landed a grounded knee but Campbell got right back up and escaped. Peek’s wild blitzes succeeded in putting Charlie on the back foot at times, but he rarely landed clean punches and when he got to the clinch usually just ate a knee before Campbell escaped. Campbell got a takedown of his own late, and after one round he was clearly up 10-9.
The second round started the same way until Charlie got sucked into a wild pocket exchange with Peek, who then tried to take him down. He failed his shot. Campbell escaped and then landed three straight low kicks, as it began to be clear that Peek’s leg was compromised. Peek did some damage on a clinch break and chased Charlie across the cage, but a reactive double leg led to Campbell landing a takedown and taking Trevor’s back. Peek got back up and his wild aggression hurt Charlie, turning Campbell into the one shooting desperately. However he fired back and landed good shots on Trevor, who took him down with thirty seconds left. Campbell got back up and used the collar tie to beat up Trevor’s midsection with knees before the bell.
Peek hurt his foe in a blitz early in round three, forcing Campbell to shoot a takedown, but that only got him stuck against the fence in the clinch. When he escaped, Peek just kept coming and forced Charlie back so fast he fell over, but when Peek got on top, Campbell reversed and scrambled to the back. He locked up a body triangle, potentially saving him as his performance on the feet was looking quite bad as he got more tired and the reckless aggression of Trevor began to be more effective. Peek exploded out of the position with ninety seconds left but Charlie maintained the back body-lock. Peek eventually escaped but got stuck on the ground again when Campbell chain wrestled to top position despite a bad initial shot. From there he was able to ride out the round and seal his victory.
There was little doubt as the scorecards were read, and indeed Charlie Campbell won 30-27 on all scorecards. In his post-fight interview he said that he was afraid of the Apex after being knocked out there on DWCS but also that in facing his fear he became better.
Official Result: Charlie Campbell def. Trevor Peek by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
