Russell Doane claimed a close split decision victory over Marcus Brimage tonight at UFC 175.
Round One:
Brimage feeling out with the jab to start. Suddenly Doane swoops in with a brief combination of punches, then back out.
Leg kick from Brimage and Doane responds with a high kick attempt. Brimage punches to the body and then Doane charges in with a takedown, planting him on his back.
Doane takes the turtled up Brimage’s back. Brimage tries to stand, but Doane keeps him down and secures a better position on his opponent’s back and threatens with a rear-nake choke.
Brimage trying to roll away from this position, but Doane’s got his hooks in now and stays on his back. Brimage working hard to try to free himself from this tough spot, and eventually he does find some space and swiftly gets up to his feet.
Brimage now trying to work some offense in the stand-up. Doane responds with a body kick though. Brimage with a nice left hand and a leg kick before the end of the round.
Round Two:
Doane with a front kick to start the round. Brimage with a kick of his own in return. He’s looking for leg kicks here and having some success.
Brimage with a right hook and Doane drops to the mat. Brimage following him to the mat and Doane grabs ahold of one of his legs and tries to get him down, but he breaks free.
Leg kick from Brimage and Doane’s leg buckles, but he gets back up quickly.
Another leg kick from Brimage and Doane’s definitely got some difficulty with that limb. However, Doane negates that concern for now by landing a takedown.
Doane looking to land a few strikes, but Brimage uses the cage to stand up and gets away from the clinch.
Brimage targets that front leg of Doane’s again. Doane with the thai clinch now and lands a couple of nice knee strikes. He presses up his opponent against the cage looking for a takedown. He works hard for it and Brimage does go down to his knees. Doane tries to turn it into a full takedown, but Brimage does well to escape and get upright.
They exchange in close, with Brimage landing hands while Doane connects with a knee.
Round Three:
Doane connects with a couple of right hands to start the final round. He attempts a head kick, but Brimage catches it and uses it to take him down.
Brimage trying to work his own top game here, but Doane threatens with a submission and Brimage opts to back away quickly and get this fight back to the feet.
Doane changes his stance to protect his damaged lead leg, but then changes it back again and almost immediately Brimage lands a leg kick that takes it out from under him.
Again Brimage targets that leg and again Doane’s leg buckles slightly. Donane does land a nice body kick though.
Doane trying for a takedown, but Brimage gets on top momentarily as Doane tries for a takedown. It doesn’t pay off though and they are quickly back to their feet.
They stay at range and then Brimage steps in with a right hook that lands. Doane attempst a front kick to the face.
Another front kick, this time to the body from Doane. Brimage with a leg kick and then stuffs a takedown attempt.
Into the final minute and Doane lands a nice right hand. High kick from him glances Brimage’s head. He seems ok though and lands yet another leg kick.
Brimage tries a jumping kick before the final buzzer sounds.
