Legacy FC 29 results: Mryon Dennis wins light heavyweight title vs. Paul Buentello

In a bit of a shocker, Myron Dennis became Legacy Fighting Championship’s new light heavyweight titleholder, upsetting UFC, Strikeforce and Bellator veteran Paul Buentello.

Dennis took a split decision from “The Headhunter” in a close fight at Legacy FC 29. He took a pair of 49-46 scores to a 48-47 for Buentello, though the early buzz was that many saw the fight the other way.

Legacy FC 29 took place at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tulsa, Okla. The main card aired on AXS TV. The show’s main event featherweight title fight between champion Leonard Garcia and challenger Shane Howell had to be pulled just before the card started when Howell fell ill.

Dennis and Buentello tried to find any kind of advantage against each other on the feet, but it was Buentello who appeared to be doing the stalking early, waiting for his moment. Dennis was OK to trade with some kicks and jabs, but he didn’t appear interested in taking “Headhunter” to the ground. That would prove to be the case throughout 25 minutes.

Buentello landed a punch that stung Dennis and had him backing up while Buentello chased him and landed, even when Dennis backpedaled just out of harm’s way. Dennis survived the first, but not without some hairy moments.

In the second, Dennis did better to stay out of big trouble, but it was still Buentello controlling the striking game – even though Dennis appeared to be finding some kind of momentum. In the third, though, it was a big moment for Dennis when he pushed Buentello to the cage and rocked him with a combination, knocking his mouthpiece out. Buentello looked the more tired fighter, and he was cut under his left eye. It was a confidence-builder in the third, and that carried over to the fourth.

The fourth and fifth rounds were essentially copies of the first three. Buentello may have been the one coming forward more often, but he was looking much more worse for the wear because of Dennis’ effective counter-striking attack. Dennis was on the canvas for the final seconds of the fight, but it didn’t matter. He had done enough to convince two of the three judges he had the fight.

“I feel good. Coming in, about 90 percent of people had me getting knocked out, but that didn’t mean anything to me,” Dennis said. “He was just like a zombie coming forward, and you just have to stay mentally strong and come through it.”

Dennis (10-2) won for the third straight time. Buentello (33-16) had a four-fight winning streak snapped and lost for the first time in nearly two years.

‘TUF’ winner Brookins has successful flyweight debut

Fighting for the first time since being let go from the UFC 15 months ago after a 2-3 record, “Ultimate Fighter 12? winner Jonathan Brookins got back on track in a big way in Friday’s co-main event. And he did so at flyweight after fighting in the UFC at lightweight and featherweight.

Brookins, a heavy favorite, took Cody Fuller‘s back early before being dropped on his head. But Brookins held the position on the canvas and looked for a rear-naked choke – a sign of things to come. Fuller was able to recover, though, and keep Brookins tied up and at bay. The two traded positions on the ground for much of the round before a short flurry on the feet to close the round.

In the second, the fight quickly again went to the ground, but then returned to the feet, where Brookins landed a nice right hand along the fence. From there, it was relatively easy for Brookins, who stacked things up, then got inside and took Fuller’s back halfway through the round. He sank in the rear-naked choke and got the tap.

Brookins (14-6) won for the first time since February 2012 in the UFC. Fuller (10-8) lost for the third straight time.

Pecero hands Longacre first loss

Chris Pecero (12-5) and Thomas Longacre (6-1) went to war for 15 minutes and were pretty much deadlocked going into the third. Pecero seemed to be getting the better of things in the standup game, but Longacre was winning the ground battle. But with two minutes left, Longacre landed another takedown, only to have Pecero sweep to top position. He looked for a late armbar, then got to full mount with a minute left, and that seemed to be all the difference in the fight. Pecero took a unanimous decision to hand Longacre, the Tulsa home favorite, the first loss of his pro career.

Todhunter makes easy work of Parker

Andrew Todhunter (5-0) wanted Art Parker (4-3) on the ground right away, and he never stopped working for submissions early. Todhunter got to full mount 90 seconds in, and continued what was looking to be essentially a practice session for him. When Parker could work his way briefly out of trouble, Todhunter put him right back in. From mount with two minutes left, Todhunter rained down punches and elbows. Parker never got out of trouble, and when he finally gave his back, Todhunter landed in an easy rear-naked choke to get the tap with 55 seconds left.

Spoon takes care of Hauenstein with first-round choke

Daniel Hauenstein (4-5) was probably hoping to use a solid height and reach advantage against Jerod Spoon (7-4-1), but that didn’t get him very far. Spoon worked through some solid kicks and knees from Hauenstein, then caught him with an uppercut a minute into the second round. With Hauenstein hurt, Spoon pounced and landed a right hand that buckled his taller opponent’s knees. A few more punches along the cage, and Hauenstein went down from the flurry for a TKO victory for Spoon.

Legacy FC 29 results:

MAIN CARD

• Myron Dennis def. Paul Buentello via split decision (49-46, 47-48, 49-46) – to win vacant light heavyweight title
• Jonathan Brookins def. Cody Fuller via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 3:02
• Chris Pecero def. Thomas Longacre via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
• Andrew Todhunter def. Art Parker via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:05
• Jerod Spoon def. Daniel Hauenstein via TKO – Round 2, 1:04

PRELIMINARY CARD

For more on Legacy FC 29, stay tuned to the MMA Events section of the site.