The Midwest was the site for the legendary UFC Octagon when the US Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio presented world-class MMA encounters. The night held many bouts which thrilled fans. Fox Sports 1 network hosted the main television fight card.
The Fox Sports 1 telecast opened with lightweights Chris “Kamikaze” Cariaso (16-5) facing Hawaiian Louis “The Last Samurai” Smolka (7-0) in a three round match. Cariaso effectively countered as things opened up in round one. Smolka was looking to grapple but “Kamikaze’s” defense was up to par. The action was slow with the Hawaiian landing a few strikes whie Cariaso countered with knee strikes of his own. Cariaso was able to keep some distance towards the end of the first and landed good leg and hand strike combinations. Smolka smothered “Kamikaze” with less than one minute left and the Hawaiian landed knee strikes with success. Cariaso wrapped his arms around the neck of Smolka with less than 15 seconds, looking for a guillotine but was not able to seal the deal. Cariaso came out aggressively landing punches in the second. Smolka looked to grapple but ended up on the floor with Cariaso having the advantage. Smolka was able to mount but Cariaso almost submitted via arm bar. Smolka was able to escape and did some good work but Cariaso countered well in return. With less than 10 seconds left, Cariaso secured a ninja choke which looked to seal the deal but the bell sounded giving the Hawaiian another round. “Kamikaze” kept landing shots at will and seemed to be in control. With less than three minutes in the final stanza, Smolka was able to control on the ground and landed a solid ground-and-pound. Cariaso gained his footing and preceded to land shots. Smolka landed great punches but Cariaso was able to hold his own, landing some solid shots to the face as the round came to close. The judges awarded Cariaso the victory via split decision.
The second contest of the night featured heavies as Soa “The Hulk” Palelei (20-3) met Ruan “Fangzz” Potts (8-1). Palelei measured "Fangzz" early looking for his moment to explode on his less experienced foe. "The Hulk" slipped a punch and took Potts to the cage floor where Palelei immediately established a dominant position. "The Hulk" completed the mount and pancaked Potts with a left hand punch that put "Fangzz" to sleep with 2:20 minutes left in the first round. It was a powerful, but predictable, win for Palelei.
Neil Magny (9-4) and Tim “The Dirty Bird” Means (20-5-1) locked horns in a three round battle. Magny was able to control the opening round with solid boxing and lateral movement. Means, a lefty, kept pawing with his right jab which Magny kept parrying with his left and coming over the top with a right counter. Magny landed a left that placed Means on the mat late. Magny continued to stand up dominance in the second, employing the same tactics that made him successful in the first. Means was able to take Magny to the floor late and had some success with knee strikes but Magny was able to come back to his feet. Means started doing a bit better as the second came to an end but Magny was still in control. Means was able to get close early in the third and landed a brutal left knee strike that hurt Magny, but Magny was able to recover and continued moving. "The Dirty Bird" got a hold of Magny’s neck and attempted a ninja choke but Magny, again, escaped. Magny took Means down and then wrapped around "The Dirty Bird’s" waist, not allowing much movement. Magny secured a back mount on a second takedown and was looking for a rear naked choke while he used an effective ground-and-pound technique. The fight came to an end and Magny earned a well-deserved unanimous decision victory. READ MORE.
UFC FIGHT NIGHT 40 RESULTS - FULL ARTICLE
