Jared Cannonier marked his middleweight debut in style tonight at UFC 230 with a TKO victory over David Branch.
Round One:
Cannonier with a leg kick to start. Now a front kick to the body. Then Branch steps in and lands a takedown. Cannonier back up against the cage and drops some elbows down, but Branch lands another takedown anyway.
However, Cannonier stands once again and battles in the clinch with Branch. Shot to the body by Cannonier and then a punch upstairs.
Back to the center of the Octagon they go in striking range. Branch with a jab. Branch in on the takedown and lands it at the second attempt.
Cannonier working hard to stand, taking a knee, but Branch tries to work to the back. Cannonier keeps his back to the cage for now. Branch staying heavy on him.
However, Cannonier still finds away to stand and then reverses Branch against the cage and then stands back. Branch working the jab. He tries for a takedown, but doesn’t get that one.
90 seconds of the round remaining. Nice jab for Branch. Now a leg kick. Branch lands another takedown against the cage, but Cannonier stands quickly and presses Branch to the cage.
Right hands for Cannonier and Branch hits reverse gear. He misses with a big kick. Branch tries for another takedown to end the round, but is not successful and Cannonier drops an elbow down on him.
Round Two:
Cannonier with a jab and then a leg kick. Branch tries for a takedown, doesn’t get it and then he’s clobbered by a big right hand that puts him to the mat.
Cannonier follows him down and lands big ground and pound blows. Branch just covering up here as those shots land and that’s it, the referee has seen enough, Cannnier wins by TKO at 0.29mins of the second round!
