UFC on FOX 29 results: John Moraga crisp on the feet, edges Wilson Reis in thriller

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Hometown hero John Moraga thrilled a supportive crowd, edging perennial contender Wilson Reis in a three-round barnburner.

The flyweight bout was part of the preliminary card of today’s UFC on FOX 29 event at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz., near Phoenix. It aired on FOX following additional prelims on UFC Fight Pass and ahead of the main card on FOX.

Moraga held the center to start the contest and opened with a powerful low kick that nearly swept Reis off his feet. A second followed shortly after. Reis looked briefly for a takedown but ultimately came up short.

As Reis continued to press, Moraga looked incredibly sharp, timing his counters to perfection. As his opponent pressed forward, Moraga locked in a guillotine choke that appeared threatening before a massive slam saw Reis work free and fall into side control. Moraga worked quickly back to his feet and snuck in a few elbows before resetting in the center, where he he continued to find success on the feet, including with a snapping uppercut.

Reis scored a takedown late in the frame, but Moraga countered by setting up a side choke, leading to a final scramble before the bell.

Moraga’s striking remained crisp in the second, and he landed flush with an early counter left. Reis eventually was able to score a takedown, but Moraga had little trouble working back to the feet and resuming his striking attack. Reis continues to hunt the takedown to no avail, until he was stunned by a flying knee and scrambled against an overanxious Moraga to take top position on the canvas.

Reis parlayed his takedown to back control, but Moraga spun inside the hold and finished the round punching away from the top.

Moraga opened the third with another nasty low kick and a few sharp punches before Reis expertly guided the action to the canvas with a slick takedown and scramble. Still, Moraga had little issue with working his way back to the feet and eventually pulling away.

On the restart, Reis seemed a bit fatigued and frustrated, and Moraga had no problem continuing his assault. Reis continued to hunt the takedown, bringing the action to the floor and initiating some grappling scrambles that eventually saw him work to Moraga’s back. Cut on his forehead, Moraga defended well despite being locked in a Reis body triangle. Reis desperately hunted for a fight-ending choke, but Moraga lasted until the bell, sending the fight to the judges. All three agreed Moraga deserved the win, 29-28.

Moraga (19-6 MMA, 8-5 UFC) now boasts a three-fight winning streak, while Reis (22-9 MMA, 6-5 UFC) has dropped three straight fights, albeit against top competition.

Up-to-the-minute UFC on FOX 29 results include:

• John Moraga def. Wilson Reis via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Brad Tavares def. Krzysztof Jotko via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 2:16
• Gilbert Burns def. Dan Moret via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 0:59
• Lauren Mueller def. Shana Dobson via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Yushin Okami def. Dhiego Lima via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
• Adam Wieczorek def. Arjan Bhullar via submission (omo plata) – Round 2, 1:59
• Alejandro Perez def. Matthew Lopez via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 3:42
• Luke Sanders def. Patrick Williams via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

For complete coverage of UFC on FOX 29, check out the UFC Events section of the site.