What promised to be an exciting fight between two accomplished strikers ended in disappointment at UFC on Fuel TV 7 in London.
The ever-explosive Jimi Manuwa showed shades of his power in the opening round of the fight, chipping away at Cyrille Diabate’s lead leg with powerful low kicks, trying to set up his jaw busting punches.
He landed a few punches here and there, but just missed with the fight ending left hook that he’s known for.
Diabate’s striking style is much different, relying heavily on his knees, which he found a home for periodically during the opening stanza, keeping much of Manuwa’s power at bay.
Manuwa, however, countered Diabate with several takedowns, and it appears one them may have been what ended the fight, as Diabate was unable to answer the bell for the second round.
Diabate couldn’t put any weight on his left leg, due to a possible torn calf muscle.
The victory was Manuwa’s second in the Octagon and thirteenth in as many tries as a professional, making him one of the top 205-pounders to watch out for in the UFC.