UFC Fight Night 53: Nelson vs Story Results:
Main Card:
Rick Story def. Gunnar Nelson via split decision (47-48, 49-46, 50-44)
The main event of the evening saw enigmatic Icelander Nelson take on tough-as-nails wrestle-boxer Story. The first round was very close, with Story opening up his kicking game, repeatedly landing powerful leg and body kicks. Nelson’s hands looked good, and he even got a takedown off of an inside trip. The second round was also close, with Nelson opening up a cut over Story’s right eye with a glancing blow. But Story’s first round leg attack opened up the opportunity for him to unload his hands in the second, and he did repeatedly, landing strong strikes to Nelson’s head. Round three opened up with Nelson promptly land a double leg takedown, but he couldn’t hold Story down, who quickly returned to his feet. The pace slowed from there, with occasional exchanges. Round four saw the same slow pace until Story dropped Nelson with a left. Story rained down shots from above, but Nelson was able to recover and get back to his feet. Story kept pouring it on though, with powerful clinch strikes and clubbing rights and lefts. Round five was more of the same, with Story landing the harder and more frequent blows. It was a close fight, but in the end, the judges sided with the American, and momentarily halted the Gunnar Nelson hype train.
Max Holloway def. Akira Corassani via (T)KO (Round 1, 3:11) overhand right, knees overhand right
Young Hawaiian Holloway showed off his electric striking once again, as the 22-year-old stopped TUF 14 veteran Corassani with strikes in the opening frame of their featherweight contest. The pace was fast and furious, with the first few minutes of the bout littered with fun striking exchanges, most of them won by Corassani. But Holloway finally landed big, dropping the Swede with an overhand right. Corassani was able to recover, and clinched up with the Hawaiian. That proved to be a fatal mistake, though, as Holloway unloaded with knees, staggering Corassani once again. As Corassani broke away, Holloway unleashed another huge overhand right that collapsed Corassani against the fence. Holloway landed a few more strikes on his fallen foe, but the referee quickly stepped in, giving Holloway his fourth straight win inside the octagon.
Jan Blachowicz def. Ilir Latifi via (T)KO (Round 1, 1:58)
Polish striking specialist Blachowicz entered his bout with hometown hero Latifi as the betting underdog, with most pundits predicting Latifi’s wrestling advantage would be the difference in the fight. Unfortunately for the Swede, he never even got a chance. After a long feeling out process to open up the bout, Latifi backed Blachowicz up against the cage with some heavy rights and lefts. As he backed away, Blachowicz sized him up, and landed a thudding kick with his left leg to Latifi’s midsection. The Swede staggered back against the fence, clutching at his gut, as the Pole stalked him, sensing the finish was near. Latifi made a half-hearted attempt at a takedown, but he was too wounded, and Blachowicz easily defended it. Latifi turtled up as Blachowicz hammered away with unanswered strikes from above, and the referee was forced to stop the bout less than two minutes after it had begun, giving Blachowicz the win in his UFC debut.
Mike Wilkinson def. Niklas Backstrom via KO (Round 1, 1:19)
The main card got started off with a bang, as underdog Wilkinson came into hostile territory and blasted hometown favorite Backstrom. Backstrom started the fight by throwing heavy leg kicks and flashy front kicks before clinching up with the Brit and landing a series of knees, the last of which briefly rocked Wilkinson. The Swede continued to push forward, and he landed another huge front kick. However, his hands were down at his side, and Wilkinson fired back immediately with a monster over hand right. It landed flush on Backstrom’s chin, who fell to the mat stiff as a board. The arena in Sweden went from raucous to dead silent in a manner of shocking seconds, as Wilkinson stood over his fallen opponent, his upset victory secured.
Preliminary Card:
Magnus Cedenblad def. Scott Ashkam via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Nico Musoke def. Alexander Yakovlev via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Dennis Siver def. Charles Rosa via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Cathal Pendred def. Gasan Umalatov via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Krzysztof Jotko def. Tor Troeng via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-27)
Mairbek Taisumov def. Marcin Bandel via (T)KO (Round 1, 1:01)
Zubaira Tukhugov def. Ernest Chavez via (T)KO (Round 1, 4:21)
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