UFC Fight Night 67 results: Nicolas Dalby ekes out split decision vs. Elizeu Zaleski

Nicolas Dalby and Elizeu Zaleski

GOIANIA, Brazil – For three rounds Nicolas Dalby and Elizeu Zaleski threw everything they could think of at one another in an exciting, technical fight that kept the fans on the edges of their seats.

When it was all over and the judges had their say, it was Dalby (14-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) who squeaked out the win over Zaleski (14-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC) by the narrowest of margins, taking the split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) victory in a very close fight.

The welterweight bout was part of the preliminary card of today’s UFC Fight Night 67 event at Goiania Arena in Goiania, Goias, Brazil. It aired on FOX Sports 1 following additional prelims on UFC Fight Pass and ahead of a main card on FOX Sports 1.

For fans of diverse attacks in fights with a little bit of everything, this bout was a rare treat. When the fight stayed at a distance, Dalby managed to keep Zaleski guessing with well disguised kicks that seemed to flick out at him from nowhere, battering his body and threatening his head. When at close range, however, Zaleski attacked with short hooks and uppercut, as well as vicious knees from the clinch.

The difference in such moments was often the takedowns of Dalby, who at several points managed to halt Zaleski’s offense by putting him on the mat, even if Zaleski didn’t always stay there.

With the fight close in the final round, for instance, Dalby attempted to get a little breathing room by rolling Zaleski off the fence and onto his back. But before Dalby could advance his position, Zaleski used a kimura to go from bottom to top, negating the takedown and threatening with attacks of his own.

In the end, it simply wasn’t enough for two of the three judges, who gave Dalby the nod after three close rounds wherein the crowd was firmly against him. Maybe that’s why, as the scores were read, even Dalby looked surprised to be getting his hand raised.

With the victory, Dalby’s perfect professional record remains intact, and his UFC career begins with a win. Zaleski loses for the first time in nearly three years.

Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 67 results include:

For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 67, check out the UFC Events section of the site.

(MMAjunkie’s John Morgan contributed to this report on site in Brazil.)