UFC Macau’s preliminary card saw flyweights Nyamjargal Tumendemberel and Carlos Hernandez face off for a pivotal bout.
Hernandez was looking to snap a two-fight skid that saw him lose to standout Japanese flyweights Tatsuro Taira and Rei Tsuruya. Nyamjargal, undefeated at 8-0 to start the night, was making his promotional debut and aiming to keep his spotless record- featuring seven finishes, intact.
The question heading into the fight- could Nyamjargal prove himself as UFC caliber against a tested tenured guy in Carlos Hernandez?
Carlos started the fight from the center of the octagon, the aggressor, and shot in for a body lock early. Tumendemberel calmly shook off the attempt and landed a smacking, wide shot. Hernandez backed Nyamjargal to the cage and shot in for another takedown, turned the corner, and got his opponent to the ground. Nyamjargal hung on to the head for a few seconds looking for the guillotine, but Hernandez slid out and advanced position. Nyamjargal escaped and as the fight returned to standing, looked more aggressive.
With a couple minutes left in the round, the pace of the fight slowed as boos rained in from the crowd. Nyamjargal started to get his jab going finally showing off that four inch reach advantage. But Hernandez answered with a thudding punch of his own. Tumendemberel snatched a leg, but Hernandez kept control of his opponent’s head and used it to escape. In the next sequence, Tumendemberel shrugged off a takedown, which sent his opponent hurdling back towards the fence. Nyamjargal dropped Hernandez and jumped on an open armbar. As the energy in the stadium built, in the octagon, Hernandez grimaced, expertly fighting out of the submission attempt. Carlos transitioned into a rear naked choke attempt of his own as time expired ending the manic scramble.
To start the second-round men both men were more active with their punches. Tumendemberel looked wild at some points swinging a hail-Mary style overhand before leaping into a flying cup shot. Time was called as Carlos took thirty seconds to recover, with the crowd breaking into applause as action resumed. Tumendemberel began to find his strikes, pulling out of range and touching his opponent on the end of punches. Sensing the change in pace, Carlos entered on a body lock takedown and effortlessly flowed thru his opponent’s guard. Tumendemberel regained his feet temporarily couple of times but was easily returned to the canvas. With a minute to go in the round, Hernandez worked to the back and looked for the rear naked choke. Too high, Hernandez slid off Nyamjargal’s back in the closing seconds of the round and ate a couple of well-placed shots while still on his back.
The final round began with Tumendemberel stalking his opponent. Nyamjargal finally found a home for his jab. But when Nyamjargal looked for the overhand to follow up, he kept missing or pulling the strike. Hernandez continued moving laterally, utilizing head movement and keeping his hands high.
Midway thru the round and Tumendemberel thwarted a couple of takedowns in the center of the octagon. However, Nyamjargal wasn’t able to land any follow up shots to capitalize on the moment. Hernandez moved out of the way of another huge shot, feinting and closing the distance with a body lock to avoid the danger. With seconds left in the round, Tumendemberel clipped Hernadez with a long strike. Carlos fell to the canvas for a second, before recovering, body locking and elevating his opponent and firmly bolstering a critical win in the final seconds of the round.
Official Result: Carlos Hernandez def. Nyamjargal Tumendemberel by Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
