UFC 199 Fight Pass starts off the action tonight! Don’t miss it!
It’s finally here! UFC 199 Fight Pass will get tonight’s event started off as it brings us four bouts, which is headlined by a match up between English prospect Tom Breese and 17-1 prospect Sean Strickland. Also on the UFC 199 Fight Pass prelims is grappling ace Kevin Casey as he looks to bounce back from his January loss to Rafael Natal. These UFC 199 Fight Pass bouts have some real potential, so don’t miss them!
Polo Reyes stops Dong Hyun Kim after sensational battle
In what was perhaps one of the craziest, most back-and-forth barnburners in recent memory, Team Alliance representative Reyes got the stoppage in the third round.
Reyes clearly had the sharper boxing and muay thai skills, but Kim walked through some of his best shots in order to deliver his own including some hard counter left hooks that had the Mexico-native on the defensive. Ultimately, Reyes’ found the kill shot – a straight right to counter a left hook that put Kim on the mat for the finish. It was a fight that included over 300 punches thrown in total with both parties close to being finished at certain points in the fight. An absolute spectacle, and a promising performance by Polo Reyes.
Kevin Casey and Elvis Mutapcic fight to a majority draw
Being the son-in-law of the late Muhammed Ali, I imagine Casey entered the Octagon with all sorts of emotion. However, he couldn’t quite do what he needed to do in order to assure the victory. And for that, a 10-8 round for Mutapcic in round three was what Mutapcic needed to tie Casey on points.
While Casey landed some solid leg kicks in the first round, it was the kicking and clinch game of Mutapcic in rounds two and three that kept him in the fight. Casey easily scored the takedown in round one and moved to the mount, but after that, clinch attempts were met with salvos of knees to the body and head. In the third, a clearly gassed Casey was put on survival mode as Mutapcic pressured. A takedown attempt by Casey resulted in Mutapcic in the mount to close the fight out. It was all Casey early on with his powerful grappling, but as he fatigued he let Mutapcic get back into the fight. Neither man could pick up the victory.
Luiz Henrique da Silva TKOs Jonathan Wilson
In another all out war, Henrique da Silva found his path to victory in round two after mounting Wilson and finishing him with strikes.
Wilson started off well as he had the better, crisper hands as he punished Luiz’s forward movement with counter combinations. However, Luiz’s knees to the body and constant pressure seemed to wear on Wilson. In round two, da Silva moved forward on the wilting Wilson only to eat big shots in return. A left hook put da Silva on the mat, but the Brazilian later found himself on top after sweeping Wilson. From there, Luiz pounded away in the mount until the stoppage came. Both men had to endure lots of punishment, but Luiz’s grappling put him in perfect position to get the job done here.
Sean Strickland edges Tom Breese with split decision
In a razor-close split decision, the now 18-1 Sean Strickland briefly halted the hype train behind England’s Tom Breese.
Both men traded technical shots at a high pace for the duration of the bout. Breese, from the southpaw stance, fired off the left straight and left round kicks to good effect. Unfortunately, he let Strickland control the middle of the Octagon which certainly played a big factor in the decision. Strickland’s jab and constant pressure frustrated Breese and scored enough volume to take home a hard-fought split decision victory.
Great things await both of these men. For Breese, defeat (even as close as this), could potentially make him that much more of a threat in the future. Strickland on the other hand will continue to rise up the ladder in the welterweight division as he moves to a three fight win streak.
