Bryan Barberena (17-8 MMA, 8-6 UFC) earned arguably probably the most notable win of his profession when he edged out Matt Brown (23-19 MMA, 16-13 UFC) in a warfare.
Barberena went tooth-and-nail with Brown over the course of three rounds to win a break up resolution by scores of 29-28, 28-29, 29-28. It was a spoiler to Brown’s homecoming combat in Ohio, and the gang was not happy with the choice because it furiously booed the end result whereas Barberena performed his post-fight interview.
“You possibly can boo me, however I really like you guys,” Barberena informed Daniel Cormier after the combat.
To the shock of nobody, the gang was sizzling for Brown on the opening bell. He responded by popping out aggressive with all kinds of strikes, cracking Barberena just a few instances, and placing his opponent on the again foot. Brown switched ranges and obtained a takedown lower than two minutes in, and he saved it there for greater than a minute. Barberena labored his method up and began to swing, however he couldn’t discover the vary to be efficient. Brown had massive management of the placing, touchdown a tough physique kick and a clear quick elbow down the stretch.
After some encouragement from his nook between rounds, Barberena got here out trying to flip the momentum within the second body. He regarded to throw a giant punch, however Brown modified ranges once more and landed one other well-timed takedown. Barberena obtained up, and shortly after linked with a nasty elbow that badly surprised Brown. “The Immortal” shot for a takedown out of intuition and put Barberena on his again, however he couldn’t hold management and located himself on the underside as an alternative. Brown obtained up, however he was wobbly and bloodied on the face. Barberena poured on the strikes, however Brown was powerful as nails as he traded punches and elbows because the combat become an all-out warfare.
With the victory hanging within the stability going into the ultimate spherical, each males got here out hungry to get it. Brown landed straight punches whereas Barberena tried to return across the guard along with his hooks. They fought at vary and from contained in the clinch with elbows. Brown scored a foot sweep takedown, then put grappling strain on Barberena from the physique lock, touchdown quick pictures of his personal to open up a reduce on the nostril. They obtained again into some unbelievable placing exchanges over the ultimate two minutes, buying and selling and touchdown massive pictures from contained in the pocket to ship the gang right into a frenzy.
The gang didn’t get the winner it wished, although, however Barberena was elated to get his hand raised.
“That is completely all the things I dreamed of preventing Matt Brown,” Barberena stated. “That’s all the things I wished. I knew I needed to placed on a efficiency.”
