UFC middleweights Rodolfo Vieira and Tresean Gore fought at UFC Vegas 108 to make their way up the ladder at 185-pounds with the division title on the line in a couple of weeks.
Vieira (10-3) is a well-known Jiu Jitsu ace with plenty of MMA experience. With a 5-3 record in the UFC he holds victories over Cody Brundage, Armen Petrosyan and Derek Brunson. He came into the fight off a decision loss to Andre Petroski.
Gore (5-3) was already on thin ice with a 2-3 UFC record, but missing weight by 3.5 pounds on Friday morning may have his back against the wall. A decisive victory over Vieira may get him off the short list of cuts, but in this world of MMA missing weight is absolutely a no-go.
Round 1
Vieira came out landing jabs up top and to the body. Vieira shot in for a takedown, but Gore was able to stuff it quickly. Vieira tried another takedown, but that got stuffed too. Gore went with leg kicks before stuffing another takedown.
Gore landed a nasty calf kick, but didn’t follow it with anything. Vieira waited a few seconds and then finally scored a takedown. He laced Gore’s legs and Gore had fight pretty hard to get back to his feet, but he got away from Vieira.
The round ended with Gore landing another calf kick and stuffing another takedown attempt.
Round 2
Jabs from both men land. Gore looked more willing to exchange knowing he’s been able to stop takedowns or get back up rather quickly. Vieira landed a heavy 1-2 and then shot in, but got stuff again.
Vieira began to land 1-2s on Gore and then shot in again going for the single leg, but again nothing from it. Vieira got poked in the eye getting him some time to recover.
Once time in was called Gore landed a heavy right hand, but that was all he could muster before the round ended. Really odd fight from Gore.
Round 3
Gore came out with some urgency…right into a bunch of jabs from Vieira. Vieira fired away with heavy shots deciding to meet Gore’s aggressiveness. Gore fired away and landed, but it was all single shots. Vieira kept throwing 2-3 shots per combo. He went in for a takedown, but got stuffed again.
Vieira continued to land combinations and Gore being unable or unwilling to match his output gave the Brazilian a lot of confidence.
Round ended with Vieira shooting for another takedown. Pretty clear victory for Rodolfo Vieira.
Official Result: Rodolfo Vieira def. Tresean Gore via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
