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Aleksandar Rakic Overpowers Anthony Smith in UFC Fight Night 175 Main Event


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Aleksandar Rakic may be approaching primetime player status in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s light heavyweight division.

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Crushing leg kicks and stifling positional control spurred the promising Austrian to a unanimous decision over former Cage Fury Fighting Championships and Victory Fighting Championship titleholder Anthony Smith in the UFC Fight Night 175 headliner on Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Scores were 30-26, 30-27 and 30-27, all for Rakic (13-2, 5-1 UFC), who has rattled off 13 wins in his last 14 outings.

Outside of an overhand right he landed early in the second round, Smith (33-16, 8-6 UFC) was ineffective. Rakic chopped at his lower leg with repeated kicks, then punished him when he attempted to alter the direction of the fight with clinches and takedowns. He assumed top position in all three rounds and chipped away with ground-and-pound to the head, body and legs, all while a sense of resignation began to envelop Smith and his corner.

Related » UFC Fight Night 175 Round-by-Round Scoring


Magny Dominates Fading Lawler


Elevation Fight Team mainstay Neil Magny extended his run of consecutive victories to three with a unanimous decision over former UFC and EliteXC champion Robbie Lawler in the three-round welterweight co-main event. All three judges scored it 30-27 for the resurgent Magny (24-7, 17-6 UFC).

A short-notice replacement for Geoff Neal, Lawler (28-15, 13-9 UFC) spent the vast majority of his time swimming against the current. Leaning on his four-inch height and six-inch reach advantage, Magny frustrated the Sanford MMA rep with a potent jab and kicks to the leg and body. However, “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 16 semifinalist did his best work at close range—clinch knees and elbows were on the menu—and on the mat. Magny dragged “Ruthless Robbie” to the canvas in all three rounds, moved to the back on multiple occasions and either hunted chokes or piled up points with his ground-and-pound. It all took a toll on Lawler’s gas tank and left him unable to pursue the finish he needed.

The 38-year-old Lawler now finds himself on a career-worst four-fight losing streak.

Related » UFC Fight Night 175 Discussion


New-Look Grasso Sinks Kim


Crisp combination punching carried Lobo Gym export Alexa Grasso to a unanimous verdict over former Deep Jewels champion Ji Yeon Kim in a three-round women’s flyweight feature. Grasso (12-3, 4-3 UFC) swept the scorecards with matching 30-27 marks across the board, as the ex-strawweight dazzled in her debut at 125 pounds.

Kim (9-3-2, 3-3 UFC) countered effectively in spurts but had no answer for her opponent’s toxic blend of speed and skill. Grasso blasted her with thudding right hands, incorporated leg kicks when the situation called for it and even threw in a Superman punch in the second round. She sealed Kim’s fate with a takedown late in Round 3, consolidating it with heavy ground-and-pound from half guard.

Grasso, 27, has won three of her last five fights.

Related » UFC Fight Night 175 Prelims: Kasanganay Outclasses Pitolo


Lamas Outlasts Game Algeo


MMA Masters standout Ricardo Lamas withstood a serious challenge from an organizational newcomer, as he laid claim to a unanimous decision over former Ring of Combat champion Bill Algeo in a three-round featherweight showcase. All three cageside judges scored it the same: 29-27 for Lamas (20-8, 11-6 UFC), who admitted afterward that he was pondering retirement.

A short-notice substitution for Ryan Hall, Algeo (13-5, 0-1 UFC) handled himself like a seasoned Octagon veteran. He had Lamas reeling in the second round, where he connected with a beautifully timed stepping knee to the chin and bloodied his nose with a searing left hook in close quarters. However, “The Bully” had a little more gas in the tank. Lamas struck for multiple takedowns in the third round, advanced to dominant positions—including full mount and back mount—and unleashed a hellacious barrage of ground-and-pound to remove any doubt regarding the outcome.

It marked the first time Lamas went the distance in victory in nearly five years.

Continue Reading » UFC Fight Night 175 Prelims: Cummings Upends Reeling Di Chirico Advertisement
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