UFC Fight Night 125 results: Timothy Johnson grinds his way past Marcelo Golm

Timothy Johnson (12-4 MMA, 4-3 UFC) stayed true to his gameplan, grinding his way past a previously undefeated Marcelo Golm (6-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC).

The heavyweight bout was part of the main card of today’s UFC Fight Night 125 event at Mangueirinho Gymnasium in Belem, Para, Brazil. It aired on FS1 following prelims on FS2 and UFC Fight Pass.

Johnson, the heavier man, looked to punch early and work his way into a clinch. Golm tried to stay mobile but found himself struggling for room to work. True to his pre-fight claims, Johnson looked to make the contest a grinding affair, though Golm was able to open up a big cut over his opponent’s right eye, though replays showed it was caused by a clash of heads. With some brief space to work, a Golm leg kick from range certainly did some damage, but Johnson was quickly back inside.

Golm opened up the second with a big high kick, and when Johnson moved inside, he was peppered by a rapid flurry for elbows. Johnson reset and resumed his grinding approach shortly after, working into the clinch and keeping the action pinned against the cage. Golm finally pulled free in the final minute, but it was Johnson who surprised with a few spinning attacks before the bell.

Golm looked fresh enough to start the third, and he had some spring in his step as he tried to keep some space, tagging Johnson with a snapping low kick. Johnson continued to grind, walking forward with punches and getting himself back into the clinch. Referee Osiris Maia called for a restart with a little more than two minutes left, and Johnson again walked through several big blows to get back inside. It wasn’t necessarily entertaining, but it was certainly effective, and Johnson neutralized Golm’s athleticism until the final bell, taking home a decision win with scores of 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28.

Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 125 results include:

• Timothy Johnson def. Marcelo Golm via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
• Douglas Silva de Andrade def. Marlon Vera via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Thiago “Marreta” Santos def. Anthony Smith via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 1:03
• Sergio Moraes def. Tim Means via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
• Alan Patrick def. Damir Hadzovic via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-27, 30-27)
• Polyana Viana def. Maia Stevenson via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:50
• Iuri Alcantara def. Joe Soto via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:06
• Deiveson Figueiredo def. Joseph Morales via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:34

For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 125, check out the UFC Events section of the site.