Karl Williams used his wrestling to get the better of Justin Tafa over three rounds tonight at UFC On ESPN 53.
Round One:
Jab for Williams. Now Tafa flashes out his jab. Both throw a punch apiece at close range. jab for Williams. Thumping overhand from Tafa. Now an uppercut from him. He presses forward and lands a grazing Boknee upstairs, but Williams eats it and then lands a takedown.
Williams in half-guard. He’s being patient here but does land an elbow. Tafa working back to his feet now and gets his back to the cage. Williams brings him back down again though and lands a hammerfist.
Tafa gets to is knees and is trying to stand, but Williams is leaning heavily on his back. Tafa does gets up but Williams has the back clinch and lands a knee to the back of the leg and then tries to drag Tafa down. Tafa keeps his balance and now turns into Williams.
However, Williams is still working for a takedown and gets a single-leg as we reach the final minute of the round.
A few punches land for Williams now. An elbow too. Tafa getting his back to the cage, then onto one knee, with the round drawing to a close as Williams chips away with a few last punches.
Round Two:
Body kick for Tafa. Another heavy body kick from Tafa. Williams throws a punch but eats another kick from Tafa.
Nice one-two for Williams. calf kick from him. Solid right hand. Straight left for Tafa and then a left hook.
Single-leg attempt from Williams but it doesn’t pay off. Jab for Williams and then just avoids return fire. Punch lands for Tafa. He tries for a head kick, but that leaves him exposed and Williams brings him back down to the mat off it and is now working in the center of the Octagon in half-guard.
A few hammer-fists land for Williams. Now a few left hands. Williams starting to set up an arm-triangle choke now, but Tafa able to prevent that from going any further.
A few more punches from Williams now. Final seconds of the round and as Tafa tries to punch from his back Williams lands a couple of solid left hands.
Round Three:
Jab for Williams and a big punch in return from Tafa. Nice right hand for Williams, but eats a punch that hurts him. Williams immediately trying to get a takedown, but Tafa stays upright.
Williams again in on a takedown though and this time he’s able to work through it and bring Tafa down.
Tafa has his back against the cage, but not making any effort to stand as Williams works to ensure he stays down.
A few light punches from Williams and Tafa gets to his knees. Knee to the body from Williams. Knees to the thigh now.
Tafa stands but Williams is still clinched up. Tafa manages to turn into him and break away though.
Missed left hook from Tafa. Single-leg from Williams and brings Tafa back down. Tafa gets his back to the cage again. Williams flattens him out in half-guard. A few strikes from Williams, but nothing too significant as the fight draws to a close.
Decision:
Williams had to fight through a few scary moments on the feet here, particularly early in the fight, but he was able to effectively use his wrestling to control large spells of the fight beyond that to earn a clear unanimous decision victory (30-27, 29-28 x2).
