UFC 128 Play-by-Play: Anthony Njokuani vs. Edson Barboza Jr.

Edson Barboza lands a strong left on Anthony Njokuani at UFC 128

Round 1: Njokuani with a quick leg kick to start things off. Barboza fires off a nasty body kick, followed by an overhand punch that drops Njokuani. Barboza stuns Njokuani again. Njokuani appears to have recovered at this point, but Barboza still stalking him down. Barboza plants another nasty body kick to Njokuani’s midsection. Njokuani complaining he was poked in the eye, but the ref isn’t hearing it and tells them to continue. Njokuani throws a quick head kick, blocked by Barboza. Barboza throws a lightning fast head kick of his own, whizzing right by Njokuani’s nose.
MMAWeekly scores R1 10-9 Edson Barboza

Anthony Njokuani and Edson Barboza exchange at UFC 128

Round 2: Both fighters throwing fast and furiously to start round 2. Njokuani throws a kick that lands low, but Barboza is okay. Njokuani seems to have found his comfort zone striking with Barboza, but is still missing on all his power shots. Barboza throws a spinning back kick and just misses. Barboza throws another kick and Njokuani catches it and throws him to the ground, following up with some quick ground and pound before moving back to the feet. Njokuani throws a spinning back elbow just barely blocked by Barboza. Both fighters miss with punches and Njokuani goes for the clinch, but they break apart. Barboza actually slips under and gets a quick double leg takedown against the cage.
MMAWeekly scores R2 10-9 Anthony Njokuani

Round 3: Njokuani throwing combinations mixed with kicks early in the final round. Barboza comes back strong with good combinations of his own. Both fighters are throwing an incredible amount of strikes. Njokuani leaps forward with a great knee to the body, but Barboza is okay. Barboza throws another quick spinning back kick, just missing. Njokuani loads up on another knee to the body, but Barboza anticipates it and gets a takedown. The fighters get back up and Barboza throws an incredible spinning crescent kick to close the fight. Very close round.
MMAWeekly scores R3 10-9 Edson Barboza

Edson Barboza def. Anthony Njokuani by unanimous decision (29-28 on all cards)

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