Danny Roberts sneaked out a split decision victory over David Zawada in a gruelling battle at UFC Fight Night 34 tonight.
Round One:
Both men throw leg kicks at the same time. Head kick attempt from Zawada but falls over in the process. Hard punches to the body and head from Roberts.
Both fighters throwing hands early. Zawada tries for a takedown, but it doesn’t pay off and Roberts locks up a guillotine choke attempt. Against the cage Zawada gets out of danger.
They jockey for position in the clinch and Roberts presses him up against the cage. One-two from Zawada. Leg kick for Roberts as counter punches just wing past his head.
head kick attempt from Roberts. Leg kick for Zawada and then into the clinch. Zawada tries a throw, but Roberts ends up on top. Zawada looks for a submission, but it doesn’t pay off and Roberts throws down some heavy punches.
Zawada attempts to scramble out, and almost succeeds, but Roberts does well to stay on top and land more offense. Zawada working from inside Zawada’s guard. Zawada looks for a triangle choke, but Roberts is wise to it and steers clear.
Roberts in half-guard now. Heavy elbow strikes from Roberts now, landing three in a row. Suddenly in the final 10 seconds of the round Zawada goes all out for an armbar and Roberts has to desperately defend, but he lets go of it and the round ends.
Round Two:
Roberts swings and misses and Zawada lands a knee upstairs. Front kick to the body for Zawada. Light one-two for him and then a knee followed by a flurry of punches. Roberts looks to clinch, but Zawada reverses into the cage and then takes him down.
Roberts manages to stand, but as he comes forward Zawada uses his momentum for the sacrifice throw and ends up on top. Roberts able to get on top and stands, but Zawada goes for a guillotine choke as he does so.
However Roberts brings him down and easily slips out of the choke. Roberts throwing a few punches but having to be wary of Zawada’s trick ground game.
Zawada things about a leg lock, but again Roberts is able to avoid and settle back on top. Zawada tireless though, thinking about a kimura and then does a great reversal to end up on top.
90 seconds to go in the round with Zawada in half guard, but Roberts brings him back to full guard. Roberts looks to scramble and Zawada goes for the guillotine. Roberts gets out though and is on top.
Body punches for Roberts. Zawada standing against the cage, but Roberts is looking for another takedown. Zawada manages to get on top though in the final seconds and looks for strikes.
Round Three:
Left hand gets through for Roberts. Zawada with punches that land on Roberts guard. Leg kick for Roberts. Swing and a miss from him. Roberts looking tired, but still throwing.
Zawada misses with punches, but soon after capitalizes on a failed takedown to go for a d’arce choke on the mat and Roberts has to struggle to break free.
He hangs in there, but then Zawada gets on top. Roberts looking to escape and Zawada tries for another d’arce and misses this time, falling to the mat.
Roberts back to his feet and bundles into a tired takedown. Both men weary here. Lots of scrambling action back and forth , but Roberts just about manages to stay on top and throws some labored ground and pound.
He’s in half guard and starts to get some leverage on a few punches to the face. A couple of elbows now. Final minute of the fight and Zawada isn’t quite as active off his back right now as the blows and the pace of the fight takes it’s toll.
Zawada gets to his knees. Roberts rolls for a submission but fails and Zawada is on top. Big mistake there. They stand up in the final seconds of the fight and Zawada is swinging for the fences. He tries for a takedown, but is left emptyhanded on his knees and Roberts is back on top looking to land punches as the round ends.
Decision:
Both men gave their all in that fight and deserve a lot of credit, but there can only be one winner and it’s Roberts who emerges with a split decisio victory (27-30, 29-28 x2).
