Even Joe Lauzon was left shaking his head in disagreement after he controversially defeated marcin Held by split decision tonight at UFC Fight Night 103.
Round One:
Leg kick for held. Right hand for Lauzon gets through. Held snaps out a solid jab. Lauzon working the center of the Octagon and lands a nice punch and more work behind it.
Held in on a takedown, but as he ducks in against the cage Lauzon starts dropping down a series of hard elbows to his head that is taking a toll on his opponent.
There’s a brief scramble as Held tries for one of his trademark leglocks, then they are back to the feet with Lauzon soon after landing another nice elbow.
Held eventually working back to the clinch against the cage and stays patient as he times a nice takedown with almost half the round remaining.
Held passes nicely to side control now. Lauzon uses the cage to wall walk and gets back to his feet. Held continues to press him up against the cage, but lauzon eventually works his way free.
Lauzon moves in with straight punches and closes the distance to get into the clinch. However, Held is able to reverse the position and pushes Lauzon into the cage.
Spinning backfist attempt from Held, but he loses his balance after that and stumbles to the mat. Lauzon follows him down just as the round comes to a close.
Round Two:
Wheel kick attempt from Held early that misses. Now Held comes in on a takedown. Lauzon tries to scramble on top as they land, but is unsuccessful.
Held is able to move to Lauzon’s back. Lauzon trying to turn into him to get on top, but Held keeps his dominant position for now. Lauzon very persistent though and does finally manage to spin around and press Held to the cage, then take him down.
Held quickly back up and looks to land a strike, then go back into the clinch. Lauzon reverses and lands a knee. Held with the thai clinch and lands a knee upstairs.
Double-leg takedown from Held to get Lauzon down again in the center of the Octagon this time with two minutes of the round remaining.
Held in Lauzon’s guard and trying to improve his position slowly but surely. Suddenly Lauzon throws his legs up and works for an armbar. Lauzon starts to break down his defense, but Held does well to successfully defend that attempt and then get back on top to end the round.
Round Three:
Held flicking out his jab to start the final five minutes. Lauzon with a right hand. One-two for Held as he works on the outside, then a jab.
Lauzon trying to press forward and lands a good punch that snaps Held’s head back, but Held gets into the clinch regardless.
Not for long though as Lauzon breaks free. This time it’s Lauzon’s turn to move into the clinch, but Held reverses that position and then gets his opponent to the mat.
It’s not too long before they are back upright though. Nice right hand gets through for Lauzon and Held lands a jab.
Lauzon clinching again and they jockey for position agains the cage. Lauzon shunts to Held’s back as he looks for a takedown. Gruelling grappling work against the cage here with Held now in the dominant position again, but he decides to back away to striking range.
Jab for Held. Lauzon wades forward with punches. Held launches into a very nice takedown in the final minute. Not too much happening and Held stands over Lauzon then creatively spins back down and creates a scramble for position as the round ends.
Decision:
It looked like Held had done enough to win here with his strong grappling and improved striking, but there’s a controversial verdict from the judges that sees Lauzon winning by split decision (29-28 x2, 27-30).
Lauzon shook his head as the verdict was read out and then confirmed on the mic that he felt Held had done enough to win the fight.
