Lightweights Rafa García and Jared Gordon square off at Noche UFC on Saturday night, each chasing momentum in a crowded division.
García (17-4) comes into Noche UFC off a victory over Vinc Pichel in March. The Bloodline Combat Sports product looks to improve on his 5-4 UFC record and earn a ranking.
Gordon (21-7) finished Thiago Moises in May before taking this fight in San Antonio. The lightweight has fought some of the biggest names at lightweight, including Paddy Pimblett, and continues to deliver in his performances in the cage.
Round 1 – Gordon gets close and Garcia lands a stinging combo on him. Each time they came together it was a clash of combinations with both men trying to establish their will on the other.
Both men tried to set up a big right hand with jabs trying to pull their opponent into range. Garcia began to mix the calf kicks into his game and Gordon did his best to mitigate the damage. Garcia was able to land a tough straight right that wobbled Gordon for a split second, but he had his wits about him pretty quick.
Gordon threw a kick, it got caught, and Garcia landed a clean straight right hand on him. Garcia shot in and scored a takedown. Gordon rolled through forcing Garcia to his feet, and then clinched on the fence.
Round 2 – Gordon landed a big left hand, they got into the clinch, Garcia snatched a guillotine, got to mount, but Gordon defended well and got out.
Garcia spent some time with Gordon on the fence looking for the takedown, but then they hopped off the cage. They got to the middle and started to throw to the excitement of the crowd.
Phone booth fighting as they both accepted the challenge for about a minute. Landing on each other Gordon did hurt Garcia for a second, but recovery came quick. Gordon got the better of the round landing heavy shots on Garcia and hurting him repeatedly, but he wasn’t able to get him out of there in the second. Garcia ended the round with a blast double takedown.
Round 3 – These two decided to start off phone booth fighting as they both landed heavy shots on the other. A big elbow for Garcia, he made a point to throw as many as he could through the fight, scored big time. It seems that it may have hurt Gordon as Garcia started landing clean hooks on Gordon that would have put a normal man out.
Just under 3 minutes and Garcia landed a massive shot that hurt Gordon. Garcia went for the choke, Gordon went to his back, and Garcia gave him a very unhealthy serving of elbows to score the finish at Noche UFC.
Official Result: Rafa Garcia def. Jared Gordon via R3 TKO, 2:27
