UFC 128 Play-by-Play: Ricardo Almeida vs. Mike Pyle

Ricardo Almeida and Mike Pyle at UFC 128

Round 1: Almeida seems like he’s ready to strike with Pyle for the early part of this fight. Pyle finally pushes forward, but doesn’t land much of anything. Almeida looks for a takedown, but Pyle lands a nice trip takedown, but let’s Almeida back up. Almeida again shoots in, but Pyle is able to stand him up, now clinching against the cage. Almeida goes hard for a takedown and gets a trip, but Pyle scrambles and gets back up quickly. Almeida fires off a big punch, tagging Pyle and pushing him back against the cage. Pyle looks for a knee strike, but Almeida almost catches him as the round closes.
MMAWeekly scores R1 10-9 Ricardo Almeida

Round 2: Almeida throwing kicks and secures a takedown on Pyle. Pyle showing good balance and works out and back to the feet. Clinch work against the cage with very little happening and they finally separate. Almeida goes for a throw and slips, landing underneath Pyle but gets up just as quickly as he goes down. Almeida gets the clinch again, but only for a moment. Pyle slams a good leg kick into Almeida’s thigh, but not much follow up. Almeida connects with a good right hand and then secures a takedown. Pyle is looking for a kimura, but loses it as Almeida continues to squirm and look for punches.
MMAWeekly scores R2 10-9 Ricardo Almeida

Mike Pyle throws a knee

Round 3: Pyle much more aggressive to start this round, maybe sensing he is down on the judges’ scorecards. Pyle trying to come up with a big strike, but coming up with air mostly. Pyle lands a nice body kick and Almeida pushes for the takedown, but Pyle reverses and gets on top. Pyle backs out and kicks at Almeida’s legs. He waits too long to do something and Almeida snatches a leg and gets back up and looks for a takedown of his own. Almeida still clinching on Pyle’s leg, Pyle tries a jumping knee, but doesn’t land. Almeida is able to catch Pyle’s leg after an exchange and trips him to the ground, but he pops right back up and it’s into the clinch.
MMAWeekly scores R3 10-9 Mike Pyle

Mike Pyle def. Ricardo Almeida by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

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