Charles Johnson claimed a unanimous decision victory over Su Mudaerji tonight at UFC Fight Night 245.
Round One:
Calf kick for Mudaerji. Johnson responds by firing off a series of punches while pressing forward until he gets into the clinch against the cage.
They peel off the cage and Mudaerji tries for a trip but it doesn’t work out so they separate.
Mudaerji with a calf kick and backs away from Johnson’s strikes too. jab for Mudaerji. Calf kick for him and then a punch upstairs.
Head kick attempt from Johnson doesn’t connect. Low kick for Mudaerji. He lands another leg kick. Left hand for the Chinese fighter. Inside leg kick.
Nice one-two for Mudaerji. Johnson checks a leg kick. Nice slip and rip to the body from Johnson. Now he gets into the clinch against the cage again.
Mudaerji lands an elbow as he eventually breaks free of the clinch. Low kick from Mudaerji. Couple of straight punches from Johnson to press back into the clinch. Mudaerji is soon out of that though.
Johnson lands a couple of punches. Now one to the body. Head kick attempt from Mudaerji. Johnson crowds Mudaerji up to the cage late in the round and lands a few good punches.
Round Two:
Right hand for Johnson. Inside leg kick from Mudaerji. Side kick to the leg from Johnson. Leg kicks from Mudaerji.
Straight punches from Mudaerji. Front kick to the body from Johnson. exchange in close and Mudaerji landed a chopping blow in there.
Left hook lands for Johnson. Leg kick for Johnson. Another left hook for Mudaerji. Now a right hook. He misses on another and Johnson punishes him for that by landing a big counter punch that backs him up for a moment.
Johnson pressing forward into close quarters and lands a big uppercut that drops him! Mudaerji looked done for a moment there, but he’s now digging deep as Johnson follows him to the mat trying to land ground-and-pound for the finish.
Mudaerji scrambling now and even going for an armbar submission. Good work for him after being badly hurt. Johnson out of that attempt, but late in the round Mudaerji is trying to set up a triangle choke from his back. He’s unable to lock it up, but we’re headed to the third round.
Round Three:
Mudaerji comes close to bringing Johnson down. Inside leg kick and an outside one for good measure from Mudaerji.
Left hand from Mudaerji. Now a left hook from Johnson. Body punch for Mudaerji. Left hand from Johnson. Jab for Mudaerji.
Body kick for Mudaerji. Jab for Johnson. Inside leg kicks from Mudaerji. He thinks about a jumping kick but doesn’t commit to it. Inside leg kick lands. More connect. Johnson into the clinch against the cage but Mudaerji soon gets free.
Missed punch from Johnson and Mudaerji goes for a takedown. He can’t get it, but Johnson then counters with his own takedown that he lands.
Mudaerji scrambling to his feet and Johnson looks to work against the cage. Mudaerji gets free.
Final 30 seconds now. Johnson tries for a takedown that fails. Mudaerji trying to set up a d’arce choke and is pulling Johnson down to the mat. Johnson on one knee then stands. Knee to the head lands for Mudaerji.
Final second of the round now with both men firing off final strikes.
Decision:
A close fight here that could go either way and it’s Johnson whose just done enough in the judges eek to edge out a unanimous decision victory (29-28 x3).
