Nik Lentz dominated Diego Nunes in the Brazilian's back yard. | Photo: Gleidson Venga/Sherdog.com
Takedowns, ground-and-pound and suffocating grappling from the top carried the relentless Lentz to a one-sided unanimous decision over Diego Nunes at UFC on FX 7 “Belfort vs. Bisping” on Saturday at the Ibirapuera Arena in Sao Paulo, Brazil. All three cageside judges scored it for Lentz (23-5-2, 7-2-1 UFC): 30-28, 30-27 and 30-26.
Lentz, who looks like a new man at 145 pounds, controlled all but a few moments of the 15-minute bout. The 28-year-old American Top Team representative grounded Nunes (18-4, 3-3 UFC) repeatedly and compromised his guard with stunning ease. Knees, elbows and punches greeted the Brazilian on his back, as Lentz methodically moved towards victory. The scene repeated itself over and over again. Outside of a late flurry, Nunes was not a factor in the bout.
Castro did his best work in round two, where he swept into mount with a kimura, transitioned to his opponent’s back and remained there for the rest of the period, tying up Vieira with a body triangle. It was the only non-competitive stretch of the bout. Vieira (13-8-2, 0-1-1 UFC) struck for takedowns and ground-and-pound, while Castro answered with an active bottom game.
Markes controlled the first two rounds with clinches and takedowns, as he grounded and neutralized the well-rounded Texan. The Brazilian nearly finished it in round two, where he pinned Craig beneath him and locked up a tight kimura. However, the onetime Legacy Fighting Championship titleholder escaped and pushed the fight into a third round.
There, Craig had his chance. A clubbing right hand sent a dazed Markes to the canvas, having retreated to a seated position against the cage. Craig (8-1, 2-1 UFC) settled into top position and hammered away with punches and short elbows, but none of them landed with enough force to polish off the Brazilian.
Markes (14-1, 3-0 UFC) has won his last seven fights.
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Barboza blew Martins away in round one.
Barboza (11-1, 5-1 UFC) wasted no time in getting down to business. The 26-year-old whipped his trademark low kicks into Martins and found the mark more than once with his right cross. Barboza later sat down Martins with a quick left jab and pounced with purpose. He showered his fellow Brazilian with punches and hammerfists, leading to the submission.
Alcantara (28-4, 2-1 UFC) was closing in on a stoppage, as he countered a single-leg takedown attempt with a rolling kimura and mounted himself on his fellow Brazilian’s back during the transition. In an instant, the flattened-out Nobre was defenseless. Punches and elbows fell next, and Miragliotta -- after issuing a stern warning for blows to the back of the head -- hit the pause button. Nobre (14-1-2, 0-0 UFC), who appeared to be in serious discomfort, did not rise to his feet until after the no contest was declared.
Prado (8-2, 0-2 UFC) enjoyed some success with his hands in the first round, belting his countryman with a series of right hooks. However, Alcantara switched gears, measured his foe with kicks and scored with a pair of takedowns. In round two, Prado reversed into top position but showed no sense of urgency, allowing Alcantara to isolate his right leg. After a brief struggle, the 30-year-old settled on the right combination and secured the tapout.
Alcantara has won 12 of his last 13 bouts, including eight in a row.
Trinaldo (12-2, 2-1 UFC) struck for takedowns in both rounds, answered a reversal from Keith with an attempted armbar and softened up the Californian with elbows from top position. In round two, the Brazilian delivered a belly-to-back suplex and transitioned immediately to the arm-triangle choke in half guard. Moments later, Keith was a beaten man.
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