UFC 142 had its share of exciting preliminary fights in Rio de Janeiro. Thiago Tavares and Gabriel Gonzaga led the prelim charge, snagging wins in the UFC’s return to the South American country, but not without a little controversy.
Thiago Tavares vs. Sam Stout
Thiago Tavares won a unanimous decision in Rio, beating Sam Stout in the final prelim bout of the evening.
The early action saw Tavares controlling the fight with grappling. Later on, Stout began to turn up the striking, scoring points in the process. From the looks of it, Stout landed enough shots to win the fight on the cards, but the judges saw Tavares winning the decision. Oddly, no scores were read when the decision was announced.
Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Ednaldo Oliveira
Gabriel Gonzaga was successful in his UFC return, finishing Ednaldo Oliveira in the first round of their preliminary fight in Rio de Janeiro.
Gonzaga stayed very patient on the feet in this one. Oliveira looked to use his reach, but Gonzaga got his opponent down and controlled him on the ground. Eventually, Gonzaga got Oliveira’s back and choked him out in the first round. The finish came at 3:22.
Yuri Alcantara vs. Michihiro Omigawa
Yuri Alcantara punished Michihiro Omigawa in their preliminary fight, winning a unanimous decision in Brazil.
Omigawa was hit with a hard shot early and nearly had the fight called due to an armbar late in the first round. Alcantara continued with a stand-up onslaught throughout the three round affair and ended up grabbing the unanimous decision.
Judges saw it in his favor with scores of 30-27, 29-28, and 30-27.
Mike Pyle vs. Ricardo Funch
Mike Pyle made quick work of Ricardo Funch in their preliminary fight, getting the technical knockout in the first round.
Funch ate a right hand that stunned and backed him against the cage. Thereafter, Pyle got the clinch and lifted a knee directly into his opponent’s chin, putting him down on the mat. Pyle pounded Funch and got the TKO at 1:22 of first round.
Felipe Arantes vs. Antonio Carvalho
Felipe Arantes and Antonio Carvalho put on a good opening fight in Brazil, but it was Arantes that earned the win in Rio.
Carvalho had the advantage on the ground early, but Arantes kept the edge standing, out-pointing the Canadian fighter for a majority of the fight. Late in the contest, Arantes worked from within his opponent’s guard and cut Carvalho open before returning to the feet and going the full three rounds.
Judges gave the unanimous decision to Arantes with scores of 29-28 across the board.
