ARES FC champ Axel Sola took on Rhys McKee at UFC Paris, one of several high-profile debuts on the Paris card.
McKee was on his second stint in the promotion but had struggled in both stints, with just one win in five fights.
Round one opened with a head kick from Sola, but it was going to take more than that to trouble McKee. Sola was sharper out of the gate, landing a quick straight left, while McKee, when he finally let his hands go, carried more power behind his shots. Sola’s speed showed in a slick level change into a takedown, but McKee’s size advantage allowed him to bounce right back up. Against the fence, Sola tried tripping him back down, but it seemed like wasted energy. McKee stayed composed, dealing the heavier damage even while defending his back. Eventually, he turned into Sola and reset, but there wasn’t much time left for either man to capitalize.
In round two, Sola came out firing with quick, sharp punches. McKee’s presence was a problem though, with every strike carrying more weight. Sola was forced to dart in and out, landing his shots before McKee could find him. Sola connected nicely with a right hook over the top, slipping away afterward. McKee began loading up on his punches, giving Sola chances to read and defend. As the round wound down, McKee pressed forward aggressively, while Sola dug to the body with slick hooks and kept his head movement sharp.
The final round saw McKee come out aggressive again, letting his hands fly as he tried to trap Sola. But Sola’s defense was on point, moving laterally and slipping off the centerline. A head kick from Sola landed clean, followed by a vicious left hook to the body. Moments later, another body shot (this time an uppercut) dropped McKee. Sola pounced with follow-up punches, forcing Herb Dean to step in for the stoppage, perhaps a touch early.
Official Result: Axel Sola def. Rhys McKee by TKO (punches), Round 3, 2:02
