UFC on FX 8 Play-by-Play: Rafael Natal vs. João Zeferino

UFC on FX 8 Live Results Home Page

Rafael Natal vs. João Zeferino

Round 1: They both miss with leg kicks early.  Zeferino lands an overhand right.  Zeferino delivers a glancing high kick.  Zeferino pressures and eats a counter right hand from Natal.  Natal presses Zeferino against the cage.  Zeferino gains top position when Natal loses his balance.  Natal isolates a leg.  Zeferino also has a leg.  They’re in the 50-50 guard position.  Natal delivers heel strikes to the arm of Zeferino.  Natal continues to land heel strikes to the arm of Zeferino trying to get his foot free.  The referee stands them up.  The round ends.  MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Zeferino.

Round 2: Natal switching his stance.  Zeferino throws a looping right hand and lands with a left on the inside.  Natal steps in with a right hand and Zeferino changes levels and secures a takdown.  Natal immediately gets back to his feet.  They work for position along the cage before separating.  Natal delivers a solid outside leg kick. Zeferino goes for a takdown but Natal shakes it off.  Natal tells Zeferino to stand up, and he does.  Natal moves in and Zeferino lands a combination.  Natal continues to press forward.  Natal misses with a spinning back fist.  Zeferino flops to his guard and Natal hops into it.  Natal lands a right hand from the top position.  Natal moves to half guard and lands short shots.  MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Natal.

Round 3:  Natal moving forward and Zeferino lands a counter right hand.  Natal delivers an inside leg kick.  Natal clinches and lands a combination.  Zeferino looks fatigued.  He lands a right hand, however.  Natal switches his stance.  Natal lands a side kick to the body of Zeferino.  Zeferino catches it and looks to get the fight to the ground, but it’s Natal who gets the takedown.  He works in Zeferino’s half guard.  Natal delivers short shots.  Zeferino works his way to full guard.  Natal goes to the body and head.  Natal advances to side control.  He lands elbows and hammer fists from there before advancing to the mount position.  Zeferino gives up his back and Natal lands shots to the body.  Natal stays on him and continues to land strikes.  MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Natal.

The judges score the fight for Natal by unanimous decision.  The scorecards read 30-27, 29-28, and 29-28.

UFC on FX 8 Live Results Home Page