Middleweights Michał Oleksiejczuk and Marc-Andre Barriault clashed on the UFC Vegas 113 main card on Saturday.
Canada’s “Power Bar” entered off a loss to the highly touted Shara Bullet in a Fight of the Night effort, while Michał Oleksiejczuk of Poland had won two straight.
Oleksiejczuk held center early, and ate a powerful body kick from Barriault for his troubles. Oleksiejczuk was almost reaching in at times, leaning forward and trying to close the distance. He did, with a left hand that snapped Barriault’s head back, after the Canadian attacked with another kick. Oleksiejczuk attached, Barriault retreated, and regrouped, later landing a solid shot, and a leg kick, of his own. Oleksiejczuk stayed right in his face, however, and later added a nasty body kick of his own. A left conected for Oleksiejczuk as Barriault was retreating.
Coming into the final minute, Oleksiejczuk ripped the body, and Barriault slung heavy leather in return. Oleksiejczuk went back to the side of the body with a kick. At the 10 second mark, Oleksiejczuk caught a kick, hit Barriault upside the head, and dumped him on his back.
Round two saw Oleksiejczuk work his jab, and Barriault struggle to find an opening. A bit of hand fighting ensued, with the pair in opposing stances. Mid-round, however, Barriault managed to make things ugly, getting in a clinch, then pressuring Oleksiejczuk, who appeared to have been hurt.
Another clinch, and Barriault got into some phone booth fighting, adding in a knee. Oleksiejczuk answered by going back to the body. A third clinch followed. He began adding standing elbows. A big uppercut from the Canadian missed. Oleksiejczuk was bloodied along the hairline care of one of those elbows. A spinning back fist landed for Barriault in the final minute.
The fight was very much up for grabs in round three, assuming Barriault had won the second. 90 seconds in, Oleksiejczuk was rocked, and a right hand connected for him moments later. Two big strikes, and Oleksiejczuk was retreating. Not for long, as he chose to pursue a takedown, but didn’t have it. They’d finish the rest of the round going back-and-forth in the feet, swinging to the final bell in a very entertaining affair.
After earning his third consecutive victory care of a unanimous decision win, Oleksiejczuk called for a ranked opponent next.
Official Result: Michal Oleksiejczuk def. Marc-Andre Barriault by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
