Featherweight action on the UFC Belgrade prelims found Dennis Buzukja facing off against Bogdan Grad.
Both men had losing records in the UFC, Grad at 1-2, Buzukja at 1-4. Both were coming off back-to-back losses.
While Buzukja landed a jab early, it was Grad landing a quick takedown, though he could not keep the fight down. Instead, they moved back to the feet, Grad landing, Buzukja returning fire. Grad’s next takedown attempt was stuffed, and instead he went back to walking forward, firing a jab and combos. Buzukja missed with an uppercut, but did have some success with his leg kick and a shot to the body. A spinning kick by Grad was blocked, but he’d dump Buzukja off a kick moments later. That allowed him to get on top and hunt a submission, then look to mount, though Buzukja was able to regain half-guard.
Later in the round, Grad would tie Buzukja up along the fence, looking for a trip. He’d eventually hop on Buzukja’s back, but was in danger of falling off the top. He didn’t, and was able to rain down ground n’ pound, with Buzukja saved by the bell.
Round two, the first of the night at UFC Belgrade, saw Grad tie Buzukja up again in the early going. Looking to go back to where he finished the first round no doubt. Buzukja however was able to fight him off, getting off the fence about a minute into the round. And at center, Buzukja managed to landed a few solid punches, which were answered with a spinning back fist from Grad that didn’t have much on it. Buzukja continued to threaten with his uppercut and right hand, while Grad was lunging in on his punches. That allowed him to close the distance, grab a leg, then switch to a spinning back fist. Again, the low-percentage blow didn’t land clean.
Grad’s takedowns were starting to look labored, and Buzukja easily fought off the next one. Buzukja fired a body kick; Grad started firing looping overhands. Buzukja’s striking was looking cleaning, but Grad did connect with a Superman punch. Moments later, a takedown, with just over a minute on the clock, landed for Bogdan Grad. He went after an arm-triangle choke, but parallel to the fence, there wasn’t much room to work. It looked like Buzukja might gut it out, but the ref then called it, ruling Buzukja had tapped.
Buzukja immediately protested, and replay showed there was a case to be made that the American was simply pushing the knee and moving his hand in a way that made it look like a tap. A controversy to be sure, but the fight was called and Grad awarded the submission victory.
Grad later admitted that he didn’t feel a tap, but added that while Buzukja could “blame the ref,” they “are pros here.”
Official Result: Bogdan Grad def. Dennis Buzukja by submission (arm-triangle choke), Round 2, 4:33
