Despite all the injuries and short notice matchups, UFC Fight Night 62 was a good, entertaining event. It was a night for finishes, with nine of the twelve bouts avoiding the judges scorecards. It was also a good night for the Brazilian fans, with the majority of local fighters winning, and terrific BJJ skills were showcased in seven submission victories.
In the main event, grappler Demian Maia ended Ryan LaFlare's 11 fight unbeaten record, in a one sided tie. Maia was able to take LaFlare down with ease, and scored a takedown in every round. Despite being much more decorated on the ground, Laflare was able to frustrate Maia, and defended well off his back.
Maia was able to control the fight on the ground for all five rounds, but never looked like finishing the fight despite having many opportunities to submit LaFlare. Maia mounted LaFlare several times during the fight, and had a tight arm triangle locked in towards the end of the fourth round. LeFlare was able to escape though and scrambled well to get back to his feet. More dominant than impressive, Maia was able to dominate the fight from start to end and despite tiring in the final round, never took any damage. All five of LeFlare’s UFC fights have now gone to a decision.
In the co-main event of the evening Erick Silva was able earn another first round stoppage victory, by tapping veteran Josh Koscheck with a nasty guillotine choke. This marked the first time Silva was able to win two fights in a row in his UFC career. After dropping Koscheck early with a left hook, Silva was aggressive right from the start and was able to lock a tight guillotine choke in against the cage, forcing Koscheck to tap.
It’s now five losses in a row for former title challenger Koscheck, who will speak to Dana White about his future in the UFC. Koscheck started the fight aggressively and was able to land a few nice shots against the cage, Silva was too fast for Koscheck though and was able to tag him often. Koscheck has now been stopped in his last four fights, three of them in the first round.
Leonardo Santos extended his unbeaten run to nine fights by submitting Tony Martin in the second round. Santos was far superior on the ground, and was able to take Martins back right at the beginning of the second round. Santos was patient with the choke, and despite Martin defending well at the beginning he was left with no option but to tap.
Amanda Nunes made it three straight first round finishes by stopping Shayna Baszler. Nunes hurt Baszler early with a kick to the body, and continued to punish her with brutal kicks. Baszler was sent to the canvas by a powerful leg kick, and Nunes jumped all over her finishing the fight with a barrage of hammer fists.
Blackzillians star Gilbert Burns was able to snatch victory with 40 seconds of the fight remaining. Alex Oliviera seemed to be having the perfect UFC debut, winning the first two rounds with ease, out-striking Burns and causing his left eye to swell badly. Burns needing a stoppage to win the fight, took Oliviera down early in the final round. Burns was trying desperately to lock in an omoplata, Oliviera escaped the attempt but was unable to stop Burns transitioning from one attempt to another. Burns was finally able to lock in an armbar after a tight triangle attempt. Burns showcased terrific BJJ skills and a good chin as he ate plenty of uppercuts in the first two rounds. Alex Oliviera was submitted for the first time in his career.
In the first fight of the main card, Pepey was able to earn a performance of the night bonus, by submitting Andre Fili in the first round. Pepey used a flying triangle attempt to set up his submission, and despite Fili’s best efforts to wriggle free Pepey was able to finish the submission. Pepey pushed the pace from the beginning of the fight, and was very patient with his triangle to finish the fight. Fili has now been submitted twice in his UFC career.
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