Jamie Mullarkey featured in a promising lightweight fight at home at UFC Perth, taking on Rolando Bedoya.
Never in a boring fight, Mullarkey was looking to snap a two-fight skid made worse by the fact that he was 1-3 in his last four. As for Bedoya, after three times striking out, he was looking for his much-needed first UFC win.
Mullarkey found the takedowns early at UFC Perth, securing two within the opening two minutes of the fight. He soon had hooks in, then a body triangle in place. Mullarkey then went hunting for the neck, while Bedoya fought hands to keep him at bay. With half a round on the clock, Bedoya was going to need to find a way out, however, but with Mullarkey staying busy, Bedoya was strictly playing defense.
Round two saw Bedoya get off a few kicks, one of the strong aspects of his game. He appeared tentative on the feet, and Mullarkey sat down on a right hand when Bedoya did move in, countering well. Mullarkey blocked a high kick moments later, then snapped Bedoya’s head back before opening up. Bedoya retreated, and Mullarkey went in on a takedown, though he couldn’t convert it. Switching from a single to a double off a level change, Mullarkey refused to quick, chaining a few attempts together with a bodylock in place.
Mullarkey couldn’t find the takedown in the second, but was still almost certainly up after two rounds. The Australian appeared to have slowed a step, with Bedoya easily shrugging off a single-leg attempt. Bedoya would find a home for his right hand, while Mullarkey looked to attack at angles, firing left hooks and uppercuts. Bedoya, however, was working his jab and turning up the heat, with every Mullarkey takedown attempt being stuffed. Bedoya landed another right hand, still walking forward. Had this Bedoya been seen in the opening two rounds, it might have been a very different fight.
With a minute left on the clock, Mullarkey again shot in on a single leg takedown attempt that Bedoya easily pulled free of. Mullarkey was gutting it out, still swinging, but Bedoya was fresher and more effective. Still, in the final few seconds, Mullarkey landed a much-needed takedown, heading to the judges and winning the fight care of the first two frames.
Official Result: Jamie Mullarkey def. Rolando Bedoya by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
