#4. Paul Felder vs. Edson Barboza (Lightweight)
Felder vs. Barboza II! The first ended with a win for Barboza but would it be a repeat outcome in the sequel?
Round 1: Felder with a spinning strike from the get-go. No surprises there.
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He went for another spinning back fist. Barboza kept him at bay. He walked into an elbow while getting into the clinch. Felder pressed Barboza up against the cage.
A few punches and a knee from Felder followed. Felder went for a wild overhand right. Barboza ducked. Felder clinched with Barboza again and landed a solid knee in the clinch.
They separated and Barboza landed a good kick to the body. Felder suffered a cut above his eye which happened as a result of an accidental headbutt. The doctors checked on Felder and the fight continued. Felder avoided a big Barboza right and attempted a big overhand right. Barboza used his speed to avoid getting hit.
Felder kept up the pressure and Barboza didn't like that one bit. The round ended with Felder pushing forward. Barboza found success with the body kicks while Felder landed with a few spinning attacks. 10-9 Barboza
Round 2: Body kick from Barboza who got a Felder left in return. Barboza attacked the body of Felder with kicks. Felder pushed forward with a 1-2. Barboza moved out.
Barboza shot for the double leg and landed a swift takedown. That was slick. Barboza looked to get some ground and pound in full guard. Felder stayed active from the bottom with elbows. Barboza got a few strikes in from the top to the body and the side of Felder's head.
Felder got hold of Barboza's arm in a transition for the armbar. Barboza got his arm out of the trouble and we were back to the stand-up game. That was a good exchange.
Barboza with a solid inside leg kick. He followed it up with a nice counter hook. Barboza with an outside leg kick. Both men clinched against the cage.
Felder tried to take him down with the single leg but Barboza maintained his balance and slithered away. Felder shot for the takedown but Barboa defended it well. Clinch against the cage as the round entered the final ten seconds. 10-9 Barboza
Round 3: Great show of respect from both men as the final round got underway. Felder with a right hand to the back of Barboza's head.
Felder with a nice right hand to Barboza's body. Barboza landed to the body. Felder pressed with a right and left. Nice jab from Felder. Barboza with a counter right in response to Felder's jab. The fans reacted to a big Barboza strike.
Barboza landed a few good strikes from the back leg. Felder landed a big jab. Barboza edged Felder 61 to 57 on the significant strike differential.
Felder's jabs landed hard all fight. Felder came in with a big 1-2 before clinching against the cage. Barboza landed a big takedown in the final ten seconds of the fight that may prove significant on the scorecards.
Result: Paul Felder def. Edson Barboza via split decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
That seemed a little harsh on Barboza as we had him for the win on our scorecards. Nonetheless, Felder may have done just enough in the final two rounds to get the nod from two of the judges. Barboza stormed out of the Octagon in frustration as Felder put him over in his post-fight interview.