Amanda Lemos overwhelmed Marina Rodriguez with punches in there strawweight main event. Mandatory Credit: USATODAY/MMAJunkie.
Amanda Lemos (13-2) vs Marina Rodriguez (16-2):
The main event on Saturday from the UFC Apex featured two promising strawweight contenders. Coming into this matchup Amanda Lemos had finished her last two opponents while going 7-1 in her last 8 fights. Marina Rodriguez was riding a four-fight win streak into this matchup with her only professional loss coming against current champion Carla Esparza.
In round one Lemos had a hard time with the movement and speed of Rodriguez. Rodriguez showed impressive boxing skills and was ahead on the judges’ scorecards after round one. Round two was a different story as Lemos wisely took the fight to the ground. Lemos was putting tremendous pressure on Rodriguez in round two, forcing her to fight off her back foot and retreat. Halfway through round two Lemos scored a takedown and remained in control until the end of the round.
The fight was even entering the third round. However, Lemos took control in the first minute by landing a beautiful combination of punches that would decide the fight. The decisive blows came in the first minute of round three, as Lemos landed big shots that wobbled Rodriguez. Lemos finished the fight in style by landing 5 unanswered punches with Rodriguez’s back against the cage that forced the referee to stop the fight at 58 seconds into the round.
Neil Magny (27-9) vs Daniel Rodriguez (17-3)
The Co-Main event showcased a clash of styles in the welterweight division. UFC veteran Neil Magny was looking for his 20th win in the promotion (a welterweight division record), while up and coming contender Daniel Rodriguez was looking to get one step closer to a UFC title shot. Magny has never shied away from a tough fight, having shared the cage with three former UFC champions. This fight was a step up in competition for Rodriguez, a feared striker facing his first opponent inside the UFC top 15 rankings.
Round one was a very competitive round that saw both men landing effectively on the feet. Magny used effective leg kicks and jabs to keep his distance. Rodriguez was putting a lot into his punches, seeming determined to finish Magny early. Rodriguez’s early aggression may have played a factor in the fight, as his conditioning seemed to diminish as the fight went on. I scored the first round for Magny based on his elusiveness and ability to land the cleaner shots.
Round two was controlled by Rodriguez, who landed several powerful punches on Magny early in the round. Rodriguez’s best punch was the left straight, as he landed many crisp punches that changed the momentum of the fight. Rodriguez also showed his toughness by winning round two with a bloodied nose. After the second round, the fight was 1-1 on the judges’ scorecards.
In round three Magny stunned the charging Rodriguez with a beautiful combination of punches, forcing him to shoot for a takedown. Magny, a Jiu-Jitsu black belt, expertly locked on to the neck of Rodriguez and took control on the ground. This was the beginning of the end of Rodriguez’s night as Magny won this fight by submission ( D’arce Choke) two minutes into the final round.
Prelims
The UFC fight night prelims saw a number of fighters put on impressive performances. Polyana Viana showed her boxing skills in her women’s strawweight bout, earning a knockout 47 seconds into the first round. Mario Bautista also impressed, earning a submission victory (Triangle Choke) in the first round of his fight. The best fight on the preliminary card featured a highly competitive matchup between the undefeated Olympian Mark O’ Madsen and the young and talented Grant Dawson (19-1). This was the most surprising fight of the night as Dawson completely outclassed the decorated wrestler O’ Madsen. Dawson stopped the takedown attempts of his opponent and landed effective strikes throughout the contest. With O’Madsen exhausted in the third round, Dawson landed a beautiful takedown of his own and finished off the Olympic wrestler by submission (Rear Naked Choke).
Next for the UFC is a two-title fight PPV from Madison Square Garden next Saturday.
For the latest sports news via Fantom Sports Industries. Follow us on twitter via @Fantom_sports. Like us on Facebook via Fantom Sports Industries. Subscribe to our YouTube channel via Fantom Sports. Subscribe to our Newsletter! Shop Fantom Sports Industries Merch.
