Uriah Hall just edged out Antonio Carlos Junior by split decision tonight at UFC Fight Night 158 in Canada.
Round One:
Double jab from Hall to start. He lands the jab. Working the jab hard to start and then lands a right hand.
Carlos Junior not keen on that and immediately goes for a takedown. He’s working for it against the cage and brings Hall down.
Shoe Face has Hall’s back and as he stands the Brazilian locks in the body triangle and stays on him. Carlos Jr bleeding from his nose into Hall’s chest from an early punch as he continues to stay on his back.
Hall arm-fighting here and eventually manages to break free. Hall immediately back to working the jab. Carlos Jr with a single leg attempt that doesn’t pay off. Solid left hook for Hall.
Jab for Carlos Jr now. Continual jabs for Hall. Another one lands solidly. Shoe Face with a front kick to the body. Carlos Jr lands a big punch, but gets caught with a counter as he tries to capitalize and has to clinch up against the cage.
Shoe Face with another takedown. He’s happy to just settle in on top and lands a little ground and pound now until the round ends.
Round Two:
Jab for Shoe Face. Hall back to throwing his own with plenty of power behind it. Carlos Jr in on a takedown, but Hall fends it off and keeps this one in striking range for now.
Jab again for Carlos Jr. Another lands and then into the clinch against the cage. Shoe Face slowing the pace here and just landing enough little shots to keep the referee at bay.
Hall manages to break free. He lands a big one-two and Carlos Jr drops to the canvas. Hall goes in for the kill with ground and pound, but in the process Carlos Jr works for an armbar. Hall escapes and continues landing punches, but then thinks better of tangling with the superior grappler on the mat and backs away.
Back on the feet and Carlos Jr immediately gets in close and drives back into the clinch against the cage. He takes his time and Hall does land a nice elbow, but it’s only a matter of time before he’s taken down.
Hall straight back up, but Shoe Face is working for his back, then settles for clinching against the cage again.
Hall breaks free and starts to piece together more punches and a kick as Shoe Face just runs away from danger in the final second of the round.
Round Three:
Fast jab from Hall and then a spinning head kick that’s blocked. Carlos Jr feeling out with his own jab, but really looking for an opprtunity to get in close and does so, clinching up and then getting Hall’s back and dragging him to the mat.
Shoe Face has the body triangle locked in and is being patient, but Hall is controlling an arm and making it difficult for him to work for the rear-naked choke for now.
Carlos Jr trying to soften him up with short strikes. Hall defending as best he can and it’s a bit of a stalemate. Hall trying to turn into Shoe Face with 60 second remaining, but he can’t do it.
Shoe Face back to trying to get this choke, but it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen as things stand. Carlos Jr happy just to remain in this dominant position in the final minute of the round.
Decision:
Close fight then with Hall having some big moments on the feet, while Carlos Jr controlled him for large spells with clinch and mat work.
The judges are not all in agreement here and it’s Hall who emerges with a split decision victory (29-28 x2, 28-29).
