Sylvain Cloutier (2 - 1) vs. Ulysses Rocha (1 - 0)
Exciting newcomer Rocha, product of Brazilian Top Team¡¯s Fabio Holanda, took this, his second fight, on only a few days notice. After standing and trading a few, Rocha decided to take the fight to the ground. Cloutier attempted to reverse the position, but was unsuccessful against the BJJ expert. The two combatants got back to their feet where Rocha was able to bury a straight right in Cloutier¡¯s chin, rocking him and getting another takedown to land in guard. Cloutier, bloodied and tired, gave up side control but slid under the ropes to try to escape Rocha¡¯s positioning. The two are stood back up and restarted just as the bell rang to end the round.
Round 2 started with Rocha scoring a takedown, after a first failed attempt, and landing in side control. He transitioned from here to half guard and back again to side control, the whole while pummeling Cloutier with elbows and forearms. The bout was temporarily halted when Rocha complained to the ref that Cloutier had illegally eye gauged him. Rocha, squinting with a face full of scratches, was checked out by the doctor and given the OK to continue. The fight resumed in the same position, and Rocha continued to lay down forearms on Cloutier, who was unable to effectively defend against this, but is saved by the bell to end Round 2.
The third round began with Cloutier attacking and landing a few crowd-pleasing strikes before quickly being brought back to the ground. A lull in the action prompted a restart on the feet. A takedown attempt brought the bout to the ground once again, this time with Rocha in the guard position. A solid triangle attempt on his part had many thinking the night was over for Cloutier. Incredibly, Cloutier was able to escape the submission and bring the fight back to the standing position before scoring a takedown himself on an exhausted Rocha. Cloutier was then able to take the BJJ expert¡¯s back and secure a rear naked choke. Well-versed in submission, however, Rocha escapes and brings Cloutier back into his half guard. A beautiful hip-throw by Rocha is reversed by Cloutier to end the bout, with Rocha sitting in Cloutier¡¯s guard.
After 3 rounds, Rocha is given the unanimous decision, keeping the newcomer¡¯s record unblemished at 2-0.
