Australian bantamweight Colby Thicknesse was 1-1 in the UFC and looking to build on his first victory in the company when he faced Vince Morales at UFC Perth.
Morales had a massive advantage in experience, but was 0-3 in his second UFC stint, 3-8 in the promotion overall.
Vince was pressing the action early, with Thicknesse on the outside, looking to land a kick or two. When Morales closed the distance, Thicknesse looked for a level change. Instead it was Morales getting the takedown, with Thicknesse getting a guillotine wrapped up. Morales pulled free, but Thicknesse did get back up.
Morales chose to pursue another takedown, only to give up his back. That put Thicknesse in control, but Morales got back on top in a scramble. It mattered not — Thicknesse got a triangle in tight then took the arm as well, going belly down for the arm-bar attempt. That was lost but Thicknesse still had the triangle. He began hammering Morales with elbows, but somehow, Morales was surviving. He eventually slipped out the back in a very determined effort. And despite still being in the fight, Morales was on his back, exhausted, with Thicknesse in side control. He wouldn’t stay there, as it was Morales finishing the round on top in a fun grappling-heavy affair.
A chaotic opening frame gave way to a more measured second, with the pair staying on the feet for the first 90 seconds. Morales ripped the body near the midway mark; Thicknesse popped off a spinning back elbow. They’d go to the fence moments later with Morales giving up his back momentarily. Despite this, Thicknesse was unable to get him down. Instead, the entirety of round two played out on the feet.
Morales pushed forward again in round three, walking towards Thicknesse. The Australian was answering with his right hand, but wasn’t hitting the mark. Roughly halfway through the final frame, Morales clinched up, but when Thicknesse went to the canvas, Morales chose to stay standing. He would go down a second time, taking the back and hunting a choke in the final minute. Morales was in the driver’s seat with 15 seconds left, and opened up with a few punches, finishing strong.
Despite the strong finish, that likely won him the round, Morales failed to win the war. It was Colby Thicknesse taking home the unanimous decision victory with triplicate 29-28 scores.
Official Result: Colby Thicknesse def. Vince Morales by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
