UFC 175 results, photos: Takedowns help Bruno Santos past Chris Camozzi

LAS VEGAS – In a workmanlike performance, Bruno Santos (15-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) controlled Chris Camozzi (19-8 MMA, 6-5 UFC) on the mat and prevented him from using his length in standup exchanges.

The result wasn’t a “Fight of the Night” offering, but it won Santos a decision on two of three judges scorecards.

The middleweight bout was part of the preliminary card of today’s UFC 175 event at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. It aired on FOX Sports 1 following additional prelims on UFC Fight Pass and ahead of a main card on pay-per-view.

The final scorecards were 29-28, 28-29 and 29-28 for Santos, who earned his first UFC win after a decision setback against Krzysztof Jotko in his octagon debut this past December.

Early on, the taller Camozzi used his length to strike at the bulky Santos, who tied things up and worked for a takedown. Camozzi, however, would deny him the opportunity and frustrate him with short elbows and knees.

Santos came charging in at the outset of round two and wobbled Camozzi before tossing him to the mat. There, the Brazilian struggled to do much damage as Camozzi threw elbows from his back and stymied attempts to advance position.

Camozzi went back to his original strategy in the third frame, but Santos’ continued to counter with looping hooks before hoisting his opponent in the air. Camozzi, in turn, grabbed the top of the fence to prevent a trip to the mat and then grabbed it again as he was forced southward. When the referee failed to award a standup, however, Camozzi got up and went for broke on his feet. A leaping knee provided Santos the opportunity to take the fight down again.

Camozzi now has suffered three straight UFC defeats and could be headed back to the regional circuit.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 175 results include:

For complete coverage of UFC 175, stay tuned to the UFC Events section of the site.

(John Morgan, Matt Erickson and Mike Bohn contributed to this report on-site in Las Vegas.)