UFC 163 Play-by-Play: Thales Leites vs. Tom Watson

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Thales Leites vs. Tom Watson

Round 1: Leites uses a combination to close the distance and get to the clinch position.  He takes the fight to the ground from there.  He works around and takes Watson’s back.  Leites works for a rear naked choke, but Watson defends the initial attempt.  Leites traps one of Watson’s arms and lands short right hands.  He starts to put some power behind the punches.  Watson gets his trapped arm free.  Leites continues to land shots.  Watson tries to stand but Leites flattens him out.  Leites lands more shots.  Watson escapes and stands.  He lands a knee to the body.  Watson lands an outside leg kick.  Watson landings more leg kicks.  Watson lands a right hand at the bell.  MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Leites.

Round 2: Watson steps in with his jab.  Leites presses forward with strikes.  Watson fires back with a right hand.  Leites lands his jab followed by a right hand.  Watson goes for the clinch but gets taken down.  Leites quickly moves to side control and then advances to the mount position.  Watson works his way back to half guard.  Watson rolls and stands but Leites drags him back to the canvas.  Leites takes Watson’s back.  Leites applies an arm bar.  Watson stands.  Leites extends the arm.  The cage is preventing Leites from extending.  Watson escapes the submission attempt and tells Leites to stand up.  They clinch and Watson lands an elbow.  Watson lands an outside leg kick.  Leites’ mouth is open breathing.  Watson delivers a combination and Leites clinches.  Watson presses Leites against the cage.  Leites circles free.  Watson lands an uppercut.  Leites looks for a takedown but Watson easily stuffs the attempt.  The round ends.  MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Leites.

Round 3: Leites lands a left hook and is cut above his right eye.  Leites presses Watson against the fence.  They battle for position along the cage.  Leites changes levels and works to get the fight to the ground.  Leites delivers a knee to the body.  Watson lands an elbow and Leites answers with an uppercut.  Watson moves forward and Leites ducks under and puts Watson on his back.  Leites quickly advances to the mount position.  Watson rolls and stands but Leites drags him back to the ground and gets the back mount.  Leites applies an arm triangle choke.  Leites cranks on it but Watson gives the referee the thumbs up.  The round ends and MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Leites.

The judges scored the fight for Leites by unanimous decision.  All three judges’ scorecards read 30-27.

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