Jan Blachowicz earned a split decision verdict over Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza tonight in the main event of UFC Fight Night 164, but it certainly wasn’t a thriller.
Round One:
The main event is underway in Sao Paulo.
Blachowicz with a leg kick. Another strike from Blachowicz and then Jacare moves into the clinch against the cage.
Not much action here as Jacare tries to find a way to get Blachowicz down to the mat, including a trip that doesn’t pay off.
Now Blachowicz manages to find some space and escapes back to the center of the Octagon.
Leg kick for Blachowicz. Now a jab. Low kick. Solid kick upstairs from Blachowicz, but comes off the arm.
Jacare with a punch as he closes the distance again into the clinch. Bit of stalling here with Blachowicz trying to land some short punches, while Jacare is happy just to keep pressing him to the cage for now as the round ends.
Round Two:
Leg kick for Blachowicz. He tries for an uppercut and now lands a front kick to the body. Blachowicz comes forward and Jacare counters with a right hand.
Low leg kick for Blachowicz. Right hand for Blachowicz and a punch comes back in return from Jacare.
leg kick for Jacare. Grazing left hook from Blachowicz. Low leg kick from him. Low leg kick from Jacare.
Jacare into a takedown attempt against the cage, but doesn’t get it. He stays clinched up though. He tries to get the takedown, but Blachowicz staying upright for now.
Jacare with a knee to the body and then a couple of hard punches to the midsection for good measure.
Blachowicz manages to get away. 90 seconds of the round remaining. Leg kick for Blachowicz. Sneaky left hook for Blachowicz. Leg kick for Jacare. Nice kick and punch from Blachowicz.
Front kick attempt from Blachowicz. Right hand connects for Jacare. Spinning kick from Blachowicz misses.
Round Three:
Leg kick for Blachowicz. Now a body punch. Front kick for Blachowicz to the midsection and then a punch and Jacare returns with a leg kick of his own.
Another leg kick for Blachowicz. Jab lands for him. Short flurry of punches from Blachowicz but doesn’t connect cleanly.
Jacare clinches against the cage. Not too much happening and Blachowicz eventually breaks free.
leg kick for Blachowicz. Another calf kick lands. Now one from Jacare. Jab for Blachowicz. Another calf kick.
Not much happening here and the crowd are getting restless. Jacare coming forward trying to close the distance. Kick from Blachowicz. Jacare clinches up again. Blachowicz reverses te position and then goes back to striking range.
40 seconds to go in the round. leg kick for Jacare. Hesitancy fom both men. Then a big right hand over the top from Jacare helps pick up the pace a little to end the round.
Round Four:
Leg kick for Blachowicz. Now a jab. He tries a head kick that’s blocked. Uppercut attempt. Back to the leg kick.
Front kick to the body from Jacare and a jab in return from Blachowicz. Another jab lands. Jacare misses with a hook.
Uppercut from Blachowicz and then more punches behind it. Jacare clinches up again. Not much happening again and Blachowicz gets away eventually with two minutes remaining.
Low leg kick from Jacare. Now one from Blachowicz. Body kick for Blachowicz. Outside leg kick now.
Body kick for Blachowicz. He lands a jab. Another low leg kick and another jab. An inside kick this time and Jacare feels that hit the groin, but the ref disagrees.
Punch and a kick for Blachowicz. Jacare circling away and not looking to engage as the round ends.
Round Five:
Jabs for Blachowicz. Then a leg kick. Another connects. He tries a kick upstairs that’s blocked.
Jacare clinches up again. Blachowicz punches his way out of the clinch. Jacare darts into a takedown, but again Blachowicz stuffs it.
Not much happening and the ref doesn’t take long to separate them.
Half the round remaining. Leg kick for Blachowicz. Another lands. Still both men cautious with the finishing line in sight.
Jacare tries to come in on a takedown, but Blachowicz connects with an uppercut. Jacare off-balance now and wobbles for a moment before regaining his bearings.
Leg kick for Blachowicz. Another lands to the thigh. Jacare not really offering anything offensively now. Blachowicz with a head kick attempt. Both fighters put their hand in the air before the round ends.
Decision:
A close and cautious fight then with not too much in the way of action and that leads to a split decision verdict in Blachowicz’s favor (48-47 x2, 47-48).
