Stephen Thompson was able to successfully oustrike Jorge Masvidal tonight at UFC 217 to earn himself a unanimous decision victory.
Round One:
Masvidal lands an early oblique kick, and again. High kick attempt from Thompson and a leg kick in return from Masvidal.
Side kick to the body from Thompson. Now one goes upstairs, but doesn’t land clean. Masvidal still working the oblique kicks. Couple of punches from Thompson.
Inside leg kick from Masvidal. Another two-punch flurry from Thompson. Low leg kick from Masvidal. Thompson misses with a kick and Masvidal goes back to the leg kick then one to the body.
Another solid body kick from Masvidal. Overhand right gets home for Thompson. Good side kick for THompson knocks Masvidal to the mat, but he’s straight back up.
Masvidal comes forward and Thompson lands a counter punch, but he also eats a couple of leg kicks in return.
Masvidal continuing to take the center of the Octagon. Nice straight left for Thompson though. Punch and kick combo from Masvidal. Two-punches from Thompson comes up a little short as the round ends.
Round Two:
Light leg kicks from both fighters. Left hand flashes out from Thompson. Masvidal just misses with a head kick. Masvidal tries for a takedown, but it’s stuffed.
Thompson nicely steps to the side and then lands a right hand that floors Masvidal! However, he motions for Masvidal to stand back up and he complies.
Nice left down the pipe from Thompson, but Masvidal seems ok. leg kick for Masvidal and Thompson was just missing with the left hand again there.
Now a left head does conect for Thompson and a slick kick soon after. Again a darting left hand from ‘Wonderboy’. A brief lull and then it happens again. Masvidal just isn’t seeing these swift single strikes coming.
Body kick for Masvidal and then a left hook. Body punch from Thompson and then one upstairs. leg kick for Masvidal. Another body punch for Thompson and then a right hand upstairs.
Leg kick for Masvidal and a three-piece combo from ‘Wonderboy’ to end teh round.
Round Three:
Thompson feeling out with the jab and Masvidal lands a leg kick. masvidal with a takedown attempt that doesn’t pay off. He threatens with the left hand again. Now a one-two that lands clean.
Overhand right and a left hook from Thompson. Now a spinning kick upstairs that just misses. Body kick for Masvidal. Thompson landing punches to the body.
Overhand right for Masvidal. Both men exchange a power punch apiece. Brief flurry from Masvidal and Thompson serves him up a counter hook.
Spinning kick from THompson doesn’t pay off. Leg kick apiece. Nicely picked out body punch from Thompson. Good head movement from him to avoid a few punches in a row.
Another body punch for ‘Wonderboy’ and then a few to the head. Charged into the left hand. Again to the body while Masvidal lands a left hand on the counter.
Body kicks shared now and then Thompson catches a final kick from Masvidal and knocks him to the mat as he comes forward with punches.
Decision:
Thompson definitely edged the striking action here and while there was no quit in Masvidal and he kept it competitive, it’s ‘Wonderboy’ who claims the comprehensive unanimous decision victory (30-26, 30-27 x2).
