UFC on FOX 15 results: Gian Villante scores TKO of Corey Anderson in final minute

Gian Villante

NEWARK, N.J. – Vicious leg kicks from Gian Villante chipped away at “The Ultimate Fighter 19” winner Corey Anderson, but it was a punch that sealed the deal.

After scoring repeatedly with his leg and struggling to keep up with his fists, Villante (13-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC) handed Anderson (4-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) his first professional loss with an overhand right in the third round.

The light heavyweight bout was part of the preliminary card of today’s UFC on FOX 15 event at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. It aired on FOX following additional prelims on UFC Fight Pass and ahead of the main card on FOX.

The official stoppage came at the 4:18 mark of the third round, one of the most difficult for Villante despite his gains in the first two periods. Anderson upped his punching output and came out ahead in exchanges despite more stinging leg kicks. Villante worked his left hook, but seemed to be holding his right hand in reserve.

But when Villante uncorked his right hand, it connected with Anderson’s temple and turned him sideways as he wobbled toward the cage. Villante pounced and landed two more right hands before the referee was forced to intervene.

The win was Villante’s second consecutive in the UFC’s octagon after a tough decision loss to Fabio Maldonado in March 2014. Anderson, meanwhile, suffers his first loss in five fights after his run of the table on “TUF” and a post-show win over Justin Jones at this past December’s UFC 181.

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(MMAjunkie’s Matt Erickson contributed to this report on site in Newark.)