UFC returned 'Down Under' this morning with a fun fight card, headlined by a Heavyweight showdown featuring a local boy and former title contender Mark Hunt against former UFC Heavyweight champion Frank Mir. The co-main was a welterweight showdown between the returning Hector Lombard against one of the most active welterweights in the division, Neil Magny.
All the main card fights lived up to everyone's expectations and featured 4 finishes out of 5 fights, 2 coming via KO. Steve Bosse, brought the Brisbane Entertainment Centre alive with a brilliant one-punch KO in the first minute of the opening round, against local fighter James Te Huna. Prior to that, Bec Rawlings took home a unanimous decision win over Seo Hee Ham, in an entertaining action-filled bout.
Dan Kelly and Jake Matthews took home wins in Rd 3 finishes, via TKO and submission respectively, over Antonio Carlos Junior and Johnny Case. The co-main saw a war between fast-rising welterweight Neil Magny and Australian-born Cuban KO machine Hector Lombard, who was making his return to the fight promotion, after serving a suspension following a post-fight failed drug test last year.
Lombard, known for his initial blitz and KO ability, rocked Magny with punches in the first round and almost finished him after taking him to the ground. But to the tremendous credit of Magny, he hung on and came back on later in the round to land a few shots of his own, to end the round. Lombard looked to be fatigued, heading into the 2nd round, but still managed to drop Magny with another powerful right, but walked right into the guard of Magny, who was able to recover and lock in a triangle on the BJJ black belt.
Lombard managed to get out of it, but gave up his back to Magny who sunk in both hooks and after flattening out Hector, rained down punches on the former Bellator Middleweight champ, but couldn't secure the finish from referee Steve Perceval who in many eyes, let the action go on for too long. A wobbly Lombard barely made it to his corner and on the onset of the 3rd round, was tagged and taken down by Magny who secured mount in no time and caused the ref to step in after a few punches.
It was an excellent display of heart, grit and skill by Neil Magny who has risen up the ranks of the welterweight division to become a legit contender in just over a year's time.
The main event saw local KO hero Mark 'Super-Samoan' Hunt take on a fading but dangerous Frank Mir, in front of a vibrant Brisbane crowd. Hunt seemed to find his range early on in the fight after thwarting a few takedown attempts from Mir and connecting with short punches when in range. The finish came in vintage Mark Hunt fashion when he walked off after connecting with a right hand as Mir ducked low, in the back of Mir's ear causing him to fall and sprawl out, with the referee waving off the fight.
It was Mark Hunt in full glory as he made a statement that at 41 years old, he is still a force to be reckoned with in the Heavyweight division and all he needs is to connect once and it could be a short night for everyone involved.
Below are the full results from the show:
MAIN CARD
Mark Hunt d Frank Mir via KO in round one
Neil Magny d Hector Lombard via TKO (Rd 3)
Jake Matthews d Johnny Case via submission (Rd 3)
Daniel Kelly d Antonio Carlos Junior via TKO (Rd 3)
Steve Bosse d James Te Huna via KO (Rd 1)
Bec Rawlings d Seohee Ham via unanimous decision (via unanimous decision)