Following an entertaining, hard-hitting light-heavyweight fight this evening at the TUF 24 Finale, Jared Cannonier emerged victorious with a unanimous decision victory over Ion Cutelaba.
Round One:
Hard leg kick for Cannonier. Cutelaba charges forward with a hard-hitting series of punches that back up his oppponent momentarily.
Nice overhand from Cannonier. Hard left hook for Cutelaba. Into the clinch for Cutelaba briefly and then as they get back out Cutelaba goes for the spinning backfist.
Cutelaba firing off more heavy artillery and Cannonier opts to press him up against the cage. However, Cutelaba lands a really nice takedown with more than half the round remaining.
Cutelaba with some solid ground and pound. Cannonier adopting butterfly guard, but Cutelaba manages to pass to half-guard. Cannonier bring him back to full guard. Cutelaba postures up and lands a few punches. As he stands over his opponent, Cutelaba gets knocked over by a nice sweep from Cannonier that enables him to get back up to his feet.
However, it’s not too long before Cutelaba manages to clinch up and land another powerful throw. Tireless, aggressive work from Cutelaba as he goes to work again with ground and pound.
Cannonier back up again now, but eats a kick for his troubles. The two get back to striking as an eventful first five minute draws to a close.
Round Two:
Cutelaba with a three piece combo, though Cannonier also lands a counter in there. Now it’s two straight punches down the middle from Cannonier.
Shortly afterwards Cutelaba lands the takedown. He’s trying to work from here, but Cannonier does well to get back to his feet.
Another takedown and Cutelaba scrambles to get on top. Upkick lands for Cannonier and then gets upright again.
Cannonier with the body lock and Cutelaba lands some knees. They break apart and Cannonier connects with some big shots. A powerful right seems to stagger Cutelaba, but he recovers quickly and drives into another quality takedown.
Solid right hand gets through from Cutelaba, but then Cannonier scrambles upright again soon after.
Both men working in the clinch now and Cannonier moves around to his opponents back and tries to hoist him up for the takedown. However, Cutelaba immediately turns to get on top, but Cannonier also scrambles and does manage to secure top position.
Final minute of the round and Cannonier gets a chance to work from half guard, landing a few ground and pound strikes.
Round Three:
Leg kick for Cutelaba. Now a right hand, and Cannonier connects too. Solid right hook for Cutelaba and one for Cannonier. Big kick from Cannonier now.
He lands another to the body. Left hook for Cutelaba and then drives forcefully into a takedown. Cannonier right back up though and lands a powerful punch.
Nice body punch and one upstairs for good measure from Cutelaba, then works a few low kicks. Winging overhand from Cutelaba misses.
Solid right hand for Cannonier and then into the clinch, landing a big uppercut.
Cutelaba starts wading back forward again with heavy punches, but he’s really loading up on those without too much technique.
Kick upstairs from Cannonier. Cutelaba just throwing anything he can at his opponent. Cannonier’s counter striking is working well though and he’s putting some real power behind his shots now as he takes the fight to Cutelaba.
Cannonier presses Cutelaba up against the cage. Cutelabe sporting a fair amount of blood around his face at this tage in the fight.
Huge left hook from Cutelaba, but Cannonier just stands there and stares at him as if it was no big deal. Cannonier continues to show disregard for his opponents punching power in the final heated exchanges before the final bell.
Decision:
Great fight then with both men putting on a show, but in the end the judges see it unanimously in Jared Cannonier’s favor (29-28 x3), who showed impressive cardio for a former heavyweight as he came on strong in the later rounds.
