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#5 Douglas Lima (31-7) vs. Rory MacDonald (21-5-1) (Welterweight Grand Prix Final - Winner gets the Welterweight Championship, the Grand Prix title and $1 Million)
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The Welterweight Championship, the Grand Prix title and a million dollars on the line - the stakes couldn't have been any higher. For Lima, it was more than just about the money or the titles, it was also about getting retribution against MacDonald.
The wait was finally over. Main event time, let's go!
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Round 1: It was a slow start as both men looked to read each other's movements. Douglas Lima drew first blood with a kick. He landed a body kick.
Rory MacDonald changed levels and connected with a left. MacDonald kept circling while Lima followed him without engaging in a brawl. He changed levels again and shot for the single-leg takedown.
Lima postured up and defended the takedown attempt. Rory clinched against the cage, but Lima got in a few body shots. MacDonald got in the double under hooks up high for a takedown, but Lima was defending well with 20 seconds left to go in the first round.
That was a relatively uneventful round with both men just feeling each other out.
Round 2: Lima came out and took control of the center of the cage. He attempted a jab. Rory kept switching his stance to prevent Lima from targeting the legs.
The fans were getting restless as there wasn't much action. MacDonald landed with a 1-2. Lima with an oblique kick to the body followed up by a body kick and a right. They engaged in the clinch again with Lima's back against the cage.
Lima did a good job of stuffing MacDonald's second takedown attempt of the fight. Beautiful left jab from him snapped MacDonald's head back. The round ended with a high kick from MacDonald.
Round 3: Lima attempted a low leg kick but missed. MacDonald shot for the takedown but Lima stuffed it yet again. He then attempted a straight left but Lima moved his head.
A solid jab from Lima. MacDonald went for another takedown but Lima defended it again and connected with a few punches on the inside. MacDonald got the double under hooks on Lima against the cage. He looked to trip Lima down to the mat. However, Lima just pushed him away and broke away from the clinch. His left jabs were landing but he wasn't following it up with the right. A left jab-straight head kick combo from MacDonald saw his opponent in trouble.
Leg kick from Lima. MacDonald went for a question mark kick that didn't hit the intended spot. He shot for another takedown. Stuffed again! They exchanged a few strikes and the round came to a close.
Round 4: Championship round #1 and MacDonald went straight for the takedown. Lima was having none of it. Lima put MacDonald off balance with a huge kick.
McDonald tried to make inroads again but Lima's defense was rock solid. Lima connected with a lead right. Another unsuccessful takedown attempt was stuffed by Lima.
MacDonald went for it again, but it got stuffed and he stayed on the mat. Lima peppered MacDonald with kicks and Rory got up. He followed him and connected with a big head kick and pushed MacDonald against the cage in a bid to finish him off. The Champion clinched again to counteract any sort of damage.
MacDonald fell short on the Superman Punch as the round ended.
Round 5: MacDonald was down on the scorecards and the champ needed a big round if he wanted to retain his title.
Lima connected with a kick and the Champion changed levels for the takedown. He did get Lima down but the fighter reversed positions and found himself on top. MacDonald closed his guard while Lima tried to create some separation so that he could free his arms. The Champion got hold of Lima's arms for a Kimura, however, he picked MacDonald up and dumped him down to the mat, even landing a few shots from the top. Lima was on MacDonald's back and he landed some heavy shots. He got into McDonald's guard again. It was all Lima in the fifth round with a minute left to go.
MacDonald reversed positions in the dying stages of the fight and looked to make something happen in Lima's guard. He tried to get some strikes in but Lima locked up until the end of the fight.
Result: Douglas Lima def. Rory McDonald via unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 50-45)
And Lima gets his vengeance! The Phenom stuffed all the takedowns, controlled the center, and used the left jab en route to an impressive performance. That's what you call a perfectly executed game plan. For his efforts, Lima goes home with two titles and a check worth $1 Million. Not a bad day in office, eh?
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