UFC Fight Night 93 Results: Barnett and Gustafsson Grind Out For Wins

Welcome to Fightful.com’s live viewing party of UFC Fight Night 93. We’ll be bringing you quick reviews of the preliminary fights, and full, round-by-round coverage of the main card. You can also send in your feedback on our Disqus boards below! 

You can see the full card below. 

MAIN CARD (UFC Fight Pass at 3 p.m. EST)

Josh Barnett defeated Andrei Arlovski via submission (rear-naked choke), Round 3, 2:56

Alexander Gustafsson defeated Jan Blachowicz via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Ryan Bader defeated Ilir Latifi via knockout (knee), Round 2, 2:06

Nick Hein defeated Tae Hyun Bang via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-28, 30-27)

PRELIMS (UFC Fight Pass at 11:45 a.m. EST)
Jessin Ayari defeated Jim Wallhead via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)

Peter Sobotta defeated Nicolas Dalby via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)

Ashlee Evans-Smith defeated Veronica Macedo via TKO (elbows), Round 3, 2:46

Taylor Lapilus defeated Leandro Issa via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Jarjis Danho and Christian Colombo score a majority draw (29-27 Colombo, 28-28, 28-28)

Jack Hermansson defeated Scott Askham via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Rustam Khabilov defeated Leandro Silva via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

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PRELIMINARY FIGHTS

Rustam Khabilov defeated Leandro Silva via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27): This was a somewhat tough fight to judge. No one really did anything to really win the first two rounds as there was barely actual fighting going on. The only highlight in the early going was a right jab from Silva that stunned Khabilov for a brief second, but nothing came The third round was much better and Khabilov’s ground game was was certainly in display at some points. It was a good decision from the judges, but it was not exactly a great fight.

Jack Hermansson defeated Scott Askham via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28): The first round seemed to be a boxing (Askham) vs. kicking (Hermansson) battle and both fighters were solid throughout the fight. Just when it seemed like one fighter was going to get the upper hand, the other would counter and respond accordingly. When Hermansson had Askham cornered and tired in the end of the second round, Askham responded by taking him to the ground and nearly putting in the leg lock. Askham’s gameplan heading to the final round was to push for that leg lock and unsuccessfully tried to lock it in. From the second half of the last round onwards, Hermansson’s striking was dealing serious damage. This was a very good fight but no doubt Hermansson won his UFC debut.

Jarjis Danho and Christian Colombo score a majority draw (29-27 Colombo, 28-28, 28-28): This fight was essentially a slugfest between these two. One of the big stories from this fight is Colombo kneeing Danho in the head in the first round, making a big wound on the back of his head and bleeding a lot, and took a point away from Colombo. There were some questions as to whether or not it is a legal shot. That didn’t stop Colombo from going for more knees. In fact, Colombo was trying to end the fight at various times in the second round. Danho has been resilient for the whole fight and probably could have been dropped. The point deduction from the first round proved to be key as it pretty much took away a win for Colombo.

Taylor Lapilus defeated Leandro Issa via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28): The opening seconds of the round saw more action than the last fight altogether. Lapilus managed to land an incredible series of punches to Issa that nearly dropped him to the ground. Lapilus had control of the fight throughout the fight while Issa just seemed to be always a step behind. Issa did manage to take Lapilus down late in the second round, but did not do anything to try and end the match in a submission. Issa has tried various times to go for a takedown, but Lapilus also showed great defense throughout the fight. Lapilus dominated this fight and there was no question he would wound up the winner in the cards.

Ashlee Evans-Smith defeated Veronica Macedo via TKO (elbows), Round 3, 2:46: Macedo’s gameplan for this fight: Throw kicks and more kicks. Despite getting taken down by her opponent, Macedo has not been afraid of bringing the fight to the bigger Evans-Smith. Macedo was moving well throughout the fight while Evans-Smith was taking a more careful approach, going for takedowns and staying in the center of the octagon. While the first round had Macedo throwing kicks all around the cage, Evans-Smith committed to wrestling and striking in the second round. Evans-Smith continued to commit to that in the final round and took down Macedo and hit a large number of elbows to Macedo’s head, forcing the referee to stop the fight and award the victory to Evans-Smith.

Peter Sobotta defeated Nicolas Dalby via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26): This was probably the best performance of the entire card thus far. Sobotta hurt Dalby early in the first round and threw a huge amount of strikes while on top of him. Dalby somehow managed to survive, albeit with swelling under his left eye the size of a golf ball and remained strong, but Sobotta was too much for Dalby. The second round saw more ground game from both fighters and Sobotta was able to hit some good strikes while on top. The third round was probably the most evenly matched round with Dalby refusing to give up and bringing the fight to Sobotta and turning the fight into a brawl early in the third round, but Sobotta still won that round.

Jessin Ayari defeated Jim Wallhead via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27): This was a battle of which big strike can end the fight. Both Ayari and Wallhead got to land some big jabs and uppercuts. From the get go, this fight was a boxing match with barely any ground game going on. While they threw a lot of punches, there was no real exciting exchange between the two and the crowd was booing at the fight in the third round. We almost got a stoppage when Wallhead smacked Ayari and sent him to the mat and tried to get a TKO. The last 30 seconds saw a big moment with Wallhead hit a big left punch to Ayari and Ayari was stunned and would not be able to defend against a surging Wallhead, but was saved by the bell.

 

MAIN CARD

Nick Hein vs. Tae Hyun Bang

Round 1: The first two minute saw virtually zero offense from both fighters and Hyun Bang connected on a couple of right punches. The two fighters go down on the mat but not occurred afterwards. Hyun Bang hit a left body kick. He does it a couple more of those but the round ends with no fanfare.

Fightful scores round 1 for Hyun Bang 10-9

Round 2: It takes significantly less time for both fighters to start attacking each other. Hein goes for a punch and is staggered for a bit, but manages to put in a body lock. A small portion of the crowd chants “CM Punk” as the fighters remained stationary for a bit. Hyun Bang is attempting more kicks, both low and high. Hein lands a body punch, but doesn’t do a lot of damage. Hyun Bang hits a nice right punch which staggers Hein for a short bit and Hein recovers quickly and takes down Hyun Bang. Hyun Bang responds with a judo throw of his own.

Fightful scores round 2 for Hyun Bang 10-9

Round 3: Both fighters are pushing the pace, trying to go for a big punch combination. The two trade some punches and Hein staggers Hyun Bang, who has a cut above his left eye from an accidental clash of heads. Hein’s striking is stronger in this round as they keep trading punches. The fight ends with more exchanges.

Fightful scores round 3 for Hein 10-9, giving the win to Hyun Bang 29-28

Official Result: Nick Hein defeated Tae Hyun Bang via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-28, 30-27)

Still stand by my scorecard and this was a pretty even fight for the most part. Solid performance from both guys.

 

Ryan Bader vs. Ilir Latifi

Round 1: The two fighters began the fight aggressively with various kicks and take down attempts. Latifi at times manages to close the distance between the two and goes for a big over head right hook. Latifi eventually manages to drop Bader late in the round with a right hook and ends the round with momentum on his side.

Fightful scores round 1 for Latifi 10-9

Round 2: We see more clinching between the two fighters and Bader slowly taking charge and scores a huge knockout when he kneed Latifi in the face who was leaning in.

Official Result: Ryan Bader defeated Ilir Latifi via knockout (knee), Round 2, 2:06

Wow! That was a sensational knockout. the shortest fight of the card thus far provided one of the most entertaining matches so far.

 

Alexander Gustafsson vs. Jan Blachowicz

Round 1: Blachowicz begins the fight going for boxing and hurts Gustafsson a bit. The two trade punches and Gustafsson has a very small cut under his right eye. The two clinch for bit with Blachowicz’s back to the cage. The two continue to trade punches and Blachowicz is getting the upper hand at times and both men now go down. The round finishes with both fighter remaining on the ground.

Fightful scores round 1 for Blachowicz 10-9

Round 2: The round begins with Gustafsson taking down Blachowicz, continuing what finished in the first round. Both fighters are squirming around in the mat and both of their faces are covered with blood. Blachowicz has a small cut on his forehead as Gustafsson tries to punch and elbow Blachowicz on the ground. Still on the ground Gustafsson hits some body shots. Gustafsson eventually gets up with 30 seconds left and then he comes back down to keep pummeling away at Blachowicz.

Fightful scores round 2 for Gustafsson 10-9

Round 3: The two light heavyweights trade some strikes for a bit before they go back to the ground and once again Gustafsson. Gustafsson is going for some elbow strikes and putting a lot of pressure on Blachowicz. The two men eventually get back up with about a minute and a half left in the fight and Gustafsson gets a single-leg takedown. They remain on the ground until the fight is over.

Fightful scores round 3 for Gustafsson 10-9, giving the win to Gustafsson 29-28

Official Result: Alexander Gustafsson defeated Jan Blachowicz via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Gustafsson grinds out a hard fought victory against Blachowicz who was beating Gustafsson in the striking department early on in the fight. Gustafsson’s ground game offense was very good in this fight.

 

Andrei Arlovski vs. Josh Barnett

Round 1: The first round begin with both men going for the knockout punch and they both stun each other and they’re now in a clinch. Arlovski has a small cut on his forehead. Barnett goes for a leg kick and Arlovski responds with a body punch. They are back in a clinch with Arlovski’s back to the cage. Arlovski takes down Barnett and hits a hammer fist to Barnett. Arlovski stands up while Barnett remain on the ground. They both remain idle and the referee warns them to do something and then he separates the two of them. Arlovski hits a big right hand to Barnett and both men are in a clinch.

Fightful scores round 1 for Arlovski 10-9

Round 2: Both men begin the round in a clinch. They remain in a cinch for a little more tha a minute and after they’re separated, Arlovski lands a couple of good punches with Barnett just hitting a jab. The two go back to a clinch and then Arlovksi takes down Barnett, but Barnett immediately reverses it and is on top oh Arlovski. Barnett hits some punches and elbows and is looking to end the fight, but Arlovski is saved by the bell.

Fightful scores round 2 for Barnett 10-9

Round 3: Arlovski lands a good right uppercut and hits a good combo of punches, but Barnett jst eats the punches. Barnett goes to the clinch and fights on the inside until the two of them go down to the mat and Barnett is on top of Arlovski. Barnett hits a rear-naked choke and Arlovski taps out.

Official Result: Josh Barnett defeated Andrei Arlovski via submission (rear-naked choke), Round 3, 2:56

That was Arlovski’s first ever loss by submission. Barnett’s wrestling was too good and the striking was very solid. It was a shame that this fight could not have been contested years ago, they would have had an even better fight if they were in their primes.