At the third attempt Toshiomi Kazama has finally got a UFC win under his belt thanks to his grappling ability, though he had to absorb some huge blows in the second round from Charalampos Grigoriou first before rallying to sink in a submission finish.
Round One:
kazama immediately goes in for a takedown attempt, but has to settle for clinching up against the cage for now.
Kazama looks to sweep out the leg, but Grigoriou only goes to his knees for a moment and then is back up again. Kazama remains clinched to the back and again brings him to his knees and then he’s back upright.
Grigoriou has a hand down here as Kazama throws a knee to the head that lands, and the ref calls a time out believing that was an illegal blow. However, the replay shows that Grigoriou’s hand was rising off the mat just as the blow landed.
Grigoriou is ok to start again and the ref opts to start them in striking range. Kazama immediately goes back into the clinch again though, works to the back and hops up onto him, and is then able to force him to the mat.
Kazama has the back here with plenty of time to work. Grigoriou works to his knees. Kazama trying to work for a possible armbar, but ends up on his back without locking that in and not getting the triangle choke in either, so Grigoriou settles on top.
Really nice sweep on top from Kazama though. Now it’s Grigorou hoping to transition on top, but he’s unable to and Kazama remains on his back as he turtles up on his knees. Final seconds of the round and Kazama is going off to the side looking for another possible submission set-up.
Round Two:
Flying knee from Grigoriou misses. He’s come out of the gates swinging for the fences, clearly eager to change the momentum of this fight.
His early strikes miss but then he suddenly lands a big left hand and then another drops Kazama hard.
Grigoriou follows him down and continues to tee off with punches and some nasty elbows, a good few of which are getting through cleanly.
Credit to Kazama though as despite having had durability issues lately he’s managed to stay in the fight here, and then as Grigoriou starts to slow down he throws up a triangle choke and locks it in. Grigoriou can’t escape, and that’s it, he’s tapped out – Kazama survives that wild second round onslaught to win by submission at 1.55mins of the second round.
