UFC on FUEL TV 9 results: Akira Corassani gets unanimous nod over Robbie Peralta

STOCKHOLM – Akira Corassani and Robbie Peralta proved evenly matched opponents, but some late efforts by the former ultimately carried Corassani to a unanimous-decision victory.

The featherweight bout opened the main card of today’s UFC on FUEL TV 9 event at Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm. It aired on FUEL TV following prelims on Facebook.

Both fighters were rocked at various points in the fight, but Corassani’s footwork and effective overhand rights eventually got him the judges’ nod.

Like much of the fight, the first round proved evenly matched. Corassani’s frantic footwork set up openings for big and effective looping rights, but Peralta had the edge in the clinch and mixed in a few solid uppercuts and knees.

Corassani’s footwork continued to confuse Peralta in the second round. However, midway through the frame, Peralta connected on a combo and then followed it with a big left hook that wobbled Corassani. Peralta tackled him to the mat and unloaded some ground and pound, but Corassani first staved off the finish, regrouped, and then rocked his opponent with an overhand right to the ear before another close round concluded.

Both fighters came out and threw aggressively in the final round. Corassani, though, scored a takedown, scrambled to keep Peralta on the mat, and delivered some ground and pound while there. Peralta returned to his feet with a few minutes remaining in the fight, but Corassani stuck him against the cage, traded knees and elbows, and scored a late takedown to seal the deal.

The late efforts contributed to Corassani’s win, which came via unanimous decision with 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28 scores.

After the fight. Corassani commended his opponent, who balances a fighting career with a family and full-time job.

“I’ll tell you this: I was rocked as hell and going down,” he said. “But Robbie Peralta, he’s my idol, man. He has two kids and works a full-time job and gives everyone hell. I want to give all the credit to Robbie Peralta.”

Corassani (10-3 MMA, 2-0 UFC), who was fighting for just the second time since early 2011 due to injuries,  is now on an 8-1 run. Peralta (16-4 MMA, 2-1 UFC) suffers his first UFC loss and snaps a nine-fight win streak.

Up-to-the-minute UFC on FUEL TV 9 results include:

• Akira Corassani def. Robbie Peralta via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
• Reza Madadi def. Michael Johnson via submission (d’arce choke) – Round 3, 1:33
• Tor Troeng def. Adam Cella via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:11
• Adlan Amagov def. Chris Spang via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Conor McGregor def. Marcus Brimage via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 1:07
• Ryan LaFlare def. Ben Alloway via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Tom Lawlor def. Michael Kuiper via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 1:05
• Papy Abedi def. Besam Yousef via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

For complete coverage of UFC on FUEL TV 9, stay tuned to the UFC Events section of the site.

(Pictured: Akira Corassani)

John Morgan contributed to this report on-site in Stockholm.