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#3 Tristan Connelly vs. Michel Pereira (Welterweight)
Canadian prospect Tristan Connelly was making his UFC debut in front of his fellow countrymen and women. His opponent, Michel Pereira was a showman of the highest order, considered to be one of the hottest prospects to come out of Brazil off late. Periera missed weight but was still in high spirits during his walkout.
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Round 1: Pereira looked loose as he changed stances and went for the superman punch from the get-go. He then somersaulted and backflipped into a kick, ricocheted off the cage and went for multiple flying knees. Talk about theatrics!
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Anyway, Connelly got hold of the Brazilian and clinched with him against the cage, The broke up and Pereira continued with his flashy offence. The man did a rolling thunder for god's sake. A few kicks to the body and another flying knee attempt from Pereira.
Pereria got Connelly down for a few seconds. Periera got up and executed another backflip. This dude needs to chill out! He almost caught Connelly in a Guillotine, but Connelly got his head out. Connelly was now in full guard position and he landed some solid shots from the top. The Canadian was no slouch either.
He attempted to assert himself on the ground but they both stood up with 30 seconds left to go. Connelly and Pereira traded shots in the centre as the round ended with both men scrambling on the mat. It was electric in the arena. What a round! 10-9 Connelly
Round 2: Connelly landed a few kicks to the body and head of Pereira. The Brazilian went for punches to the body. Connelly level-changed but Pereira stuffed the takedown.
Connelly pushed forward but Pereira connected with a one-two. Periera kept retreating before taking Connelly's head and landing a solid knee. Connelly continued to press forward and he landed a flurry of strikes that hurt Pereira. The Canadian gave Pereira no room to breathe. Connelly landed a good right hook and went for another takedown. The exchanges were scrappy and dirty.
Pereira gassed out. He took Connelly down and looked to recuperate in full guard. Punches from the top from Pereria. Connelly tried for the Kimura or the sweep. Pereira stayed heavy and pressed himself to keep Connelly down. He gradually pushed Connelly against the fence. Pereira enjoyed two minutes of ground control to end the round. 10-9 Pereira
Round 3: They hugged before the final round. Connelly went for the single leg but Periera defended it well. They clinched against the fence. Connelly locked in the Guilitone but Pereira moved and twisted frantically to slip out.
Connelly kept up the pace and landed with combinations. Back to the mat, Connelly targeted Pereria's back. Connelly moved to side control, then back to half guard.
The fans were firmly behind Connelly, who tried to rally and get a submission going. Pereira did a good job to avoid getting caught but he still absorbed big shots while being on the back.
Connelly had laned a majority of the significant strikes and continued to put in the work on the ground. Relentless pace from the UFC debutant as he landed his shots to the body and head of Pereira while in side control. He postured up and connected with massive combinations, Rights and lefts and the Vancouver fans were on their feet. What.An.Atmosphere. We certainly just witnessed the fight of the night. 10-8 Connelly
Result: Tristan Connelly def. Michel Pereira via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)
That was satisfying to watch. A little-known 155er without a proper camp comes in for his first fight under the big bright lights of the UFC on one' week's notice in front of his own people and shuts down a dog-tired gimmick fighter. Canada has a new star and his name is Tristan 'Boondock' Connelly. Phenomenal.
