Zak Ottow did just enough at UFC Fight Night 96 this evening to defeat veteran Josh Burkman and claim his first win inside the Octagon.
Round One:
Burkman with a kick to the leg. Now a right hand upstairs. Ottow with a head kick attempt that’s blocked.
Leg kicks for Ottow, the second one being particularly solid. Counter right from Ottow there. Now another good leg kick.
One-two combo and then a leg kick for Ottow. Burkman with some kicks of his own now. He misses with a couple of punches though as he looks to find his range and settle into the fight. Unfortunately for him he’s caught by a groin strike and needs a couple of minutes to recover before the fight can continue.
Right hand for Burkman as they get underway again. Both men look for a hook at the same time. Jab to the body from Burkman. High kick blocked from Burkman.
Ottow moves in with a body kick. Looping right hand from Ottow. He lands a nice right that pops Burkman’s head back.
Right gets through for Ottow, then as they get into close range he connects with an elbow. Ottow dialling in on his strikes a little better than Burkman as the round comes to a close.
Round Two:
Burkman starts off pressing forward with a right hand, but eats a counter in return. Solid leg kick for Ottow. Now a right hand.
Burkman lands hard with a kick to the misection that mainly hits his arm. he lands another and gets caught with another counter punch.
Low leg kick for Ottow. Now he steps into the kick, landing harder. Body punch for Ottow. Knee to the body for Burkman, then flashes out a couple of kicks.
Mid-way through the round and Burkman attempts a spinning back kick. He just misses with a right hook. high kick from Ottow that doesn’t quite find the mark.
Body kick from Ottow. Now one to the upper thigh and Burkman’s limb is very red at this stage in the fight. Flicking jab for Ottow. Now he lands a solid one-two.
Good body shot and then upstairs from Ottow, but Burkman lands a counter in there too. Body kick for Burkman. Burkman misses with a spinning backfist.
Body kick for Burkman as Ottow lands a right hand, and that’s the final action of the round.
Round Three:
Leg kick for Burkman. Ottow in on his first takedown attempt of the fight, but Burkman stuffs it.
Both men landing light kicks. Ottow with a high kick that’s blocked then that right hand. Nice jab for him now. And again, then the hard leg kick.
Jab for Burkman now. Both men lands a hook at the same time. Ottow with the leg kick. Right hook glances home for Burkman. Continued leg kicks for Ottow.
Jabs and then a straight right from Ottow. BUrkman into the clinch now against the cage with just over 90 seconds remaining. Burkman trying for a takedown and almost gets it, but not quite. He readjusts though and then gets the takedown at the second attempt.
A minute to go with Burkman in half guard. He gets to side control, but then Ottow bursts back to his feet. Ottow coming forward, but Burkman lands a nice left hand.
Ottow with a late takedown and then goes for a last-gasp choke submission, but Burkman’s ok to hang on until the final buzzer sounds.
Decision:
For the second fight in a row on the main card it’s the late replacement newcomer who wins out here, with Zak Ottow claiming a split decision victory (29-28 x2, 28-29).
