Light heavyweights Vitor Petrino and Dustin Jacoby were both looking to return to the win column at UFC Tampa on Saturday.
The main card fight had a very different feel when it came to Jacoby, however. While Petrino was coming off the first loss of his career (a submission at the hands of Anthony Smith), Jacoby had lost two straight, and four of his last five.
Jacoby circled away from the powerful Petrino early in the first using a jab to gauge distance and stay on the outside. Petrino pressed forward throwing powerful hooks with bad intentions. Midway through the round Petrino attempted a takedown but Jacoby was able to successfully defend. The opening five minutes were hard to score with Petrino loading up on big shots, while Jacoby was content to stay on the outside an utilize his jab and low leg kicks at range.
The second round started with Petrino backing Jacoby up to the fence unloading big right hands. Jacoby was able to defend well and circle back to the center of the cage. The nose of Jacoby was noticeably leaking blood around the three minute mark in the round. Petrino landed a lead left hook followed by a damaging straight right hand that got the attention of Jacoby. Petrino attempted a superman punch near the end of the round, with each fighter landing 23 strikes through the first ten minutes.
The crowd in Tampa was not impressed with what they were seeing however, as boo’s rung down after the second round bell. In the third Petrino landed a nice leg kick to start then attempted a takedown but was unsuccessful. Jacoby seemed to be hesitating at times with ringside commentator and coach Din Thomas stating “He’s having a hard time pulling the trigger”. Petrino secured a body lock and dragged Jacoby to the ground momentarily. Then out of nowhere Jacoby landed a beautiful straight right hand that floored Petrino knocking him unconscious. After a largely uneventful fight, Jacoby electrified the Tampa crowd bringing them back to life with a highlight reel knockout.
This was a massive win for Jacoby who had lost four of his last five coming into this contest. Jacoby then ran over to Dana White and asked for a performance bonus following his incredible knockout.
Official Result: Dustin Jacoby def. Vitor Petrino via R3 KO, 3:44
