Recap: UFC 173 FS1 Prelims
by Dr. Octagon, J.D.
Al Iaquinta vs. Mitch Clarke: Al Iaquinta controlled Mitch Clarke in the first round, landing a right early and then controlling Clarke on the ground and clearly won it on our card. The second round looked like it was going to be more of the same, but Clarke slapped a D'arce choke on Iaquinta as Iaquinta was passing and the fight ended after the ref realized that Al had lost consciousness. Mitch Clarke by D'arce choke in round 2.
Chico Camus vs. Chris Holdsworth: Chico Camus had no answer for Chris Holdsworth on the ground. It seemed as though Camus was Betwixt and Between Holdsworth’s legs the whole fight, as the TUF champ was in full mount the whole fight. 30-27 Holdsworth and a great fight for the TUF winner.
Tony “Turd” Ferguson vs. Katsunori Kikuno: Katsunori Kikuno’s hourglass stance (he basically stands straight up with his hands down, didn’t really work out too well agsint Mr. Ferguson’s long jab, which was finding Kikuno’s face on a regular basis. Kikuno eventually resorted to running away and Tony chased him down, slammed him and sunk in a D'arce choke, but Kikuno was able to get up. Kikuno was clearly dazed though, so Tony landed a big right and didn’t need to follow him to the ground for the fight to be stopped.
Ferguson by KO in the first. Good night for TUF alums so far.
With that we’re going to a break to hype the UFC 173 Pay Per View. I have this Harley commercial memorized. Every time I watch it, it seems cornier than the last time. #stereotypicalharley
Michael Chiesa vs. Francisco Trinaldo: Really long feeling out process in the first round. Michael Chiesa got tagged a few times, but was able to work a takedown and trapped Francisco Trinaldo’s arm and lit him up from the full mount. Fantabulous ground and pound. 10-8 round for Chiesa or the judges are blithering idiots.
In the second, Trinaldo caught Chiesa in a guillotine and pulled guard, but Chiesa popped his sweaty head out and ended up on top. Trinaldo got out, but then went for a heel hook and then ended up getting his ass beat on the bottom again. Tons of elbows. Terrible fight IQ from Trinaldo who was getting his ass beat on the ground in the first and then actively took the fight to the ground in the second.
Third round saw a big kick to the junk from Trinaldo, but Chiesa knew he was tired so kept fighting shortly thereafter. Trinaldo was not nearly active enough on the feet in the third, probably because he was so tired. Chiesa landed a takedown with three minutes to go and the fight was over. We had it 30-26 for Chiesa.
Judges score it unanimously 30-26 30-26 and 30-27 for Chiesa. Nice fight.
Stay tuned for Pay Per View coverage.