Josh Fremd opted to play it safe and grind out a decision victory over Jamie Pickett from the clinch tonight at UFC On ESPN 51.
Round One:
Low kick lands for Pickett as Fremd takes the center of the Octagon. Body kick for Fremd. Leg kick from Pickett again.
Oblique kick from Fremd as Pickett is stepping in throwing strikes. Leg kick for Pickett. Head kick from Fremd almost gets through.
Fremd goes into the clinch against the cage. Short knee from Pickett. They start to jockey for position and Pickett almost reversed the position, but Fremd got control again. Grinding work from Fremd without much in the way of action.
The ref warns them to get busier. Fremd tries for an elbow and Pickett is able to reverse the position, but then it’s not long before they break apart with Fremd throwing a strike.
Fremd with a jumping attack. Pickett fires back as things start to liven up. Jumping knee attempt from Fremd as the round is coming to a close.
Round Two:
Calf kick from Pickett. Fremd with a heavy kick. Fremd back into the clinch against the cage and tries for a takedown, but Pickett stays upright for now.
Pickett able to break away from the clinch. Good body kick for Fremd. Fremd stomps to the knee. Inside leg kick from him.
Fremd feels out with the jab. He clinches up again and walks his opponent over to the cage. Pickett reverses, but Fremd then returns the favor.
Now Pickett is trying for a takedown, but Fremd drops back with a guillotine choke attempt. It looks in, but Pickett stays patient and gets his head free.
He’s able to settle on top, but Fremd gets to his knees. Pickett weighing on him though. Fremd stands with Pickett clinched to the back. Fremd gets his back against the cage.
Fremd able to sink in another guillotine choke. It’s tighter this time and it looks bad for Pickett, but as Fremd goes to the mat on top with it he’s able to escape it. Fremd able to stay on top though in the remaining seconds of the round.
Round Three:
Pickett throwing punches that just come up short. Fremd with a jumping knee attempt. Pickett more aggressive this round. He goes for a takedown and lands it, but Fremd is trying to set up a submission. Nothing doing there for now and Pickett is now in half-guard with most of the round to work.
Fremd rolls to his knees. Now Fremd able to shake Pickett off and get on top. Disappointing for Pickett after having a good position.
Now it’s Fremd who has half-guard and Pickett is getting his back up against the cage. PIckett gets to a knee and then stands, but Fremd is pressing him into the cage again.
More grinding clinch work from Fremd and tries to land a takedown that almost works, but Pickett regains his balance and stays upright.
Hiptoss attempt from Fremd, but it doesn’t work out. Not much happening and the ref opts to separate them.
However, Fremd goes straight back into the clinch. He lands a knee as they break apart. Pickett swings and misses. We’re headed to the scorecards.
Decision:
Not much to write home about here then, but Fremd had the majority of the control time in the clinch and on the mat to grind out a unanimous decision victory (30-27 x3).
