UFC Fight Night 29 Play-by-Play: Raphael Assunção vs. TJ Dillashaw

UFC Fight Night 29 Live Results Home Page

Raphael Assunção vs. TJ Dillashaw

Round 1: Assuncao opens with a low kick then follows a short time later with a big right hand. Dillashaw teasing with level changes, but eats another punch from Assuncao. Dillashaw times it and scores a takedown, but Assuncao quickly returns the fight to standing. Dillashaw moves in with a solid punch combination. Dillashaw shoots again, but eats a left hand from Assuncao, who then lands a solid combination of punches. Dillashaw answers with an outside leg kick. Dillashaw shoots, doesn’t get the takedown, but scrambles to Assuncao’s back, going after the rear-naked choke while standing. Assuncao falls to his knees. Dillashaw briefly releases the choke, maintains back control, and sinks the choke again. But Dillashaw again releases the choke, but stays on his back. Assuncao escapes and brings the fight back to the feet again where neither fighter scores before the horn. MMAWeekly.com scores round one 10-9 for Dillashaw.

Round 2: Good low kick from Assuncao to start the round, nearly taking Dillashaw to the mat with it. Short driving left hand from Assuncao, but Dillashaw not showing any ill effects. Dillashaw kicks, but Assuncao catches it and fires back with a kick of his own. Dillashaw is stalking, but Assuncao’s counter timing is on point, as he lands a punch and then follows with a kick to the body. Assuncao catches another kick and then lands a hard right hand that rocks Dillashaw. Dillashaw shoots, but Assuncao catches him in a guillotine choke. Dillashaw keeps scrambling, but Assuncao still has the choke locked on as he is sitting with his back to the fence, Dillashaw trying to find a way out. Dillashaw finally finds a way out and they return to their feet. Beautiful three-punch combination going from body to head from Assuncao. Dillashaw shoots, eats a punch on the way in, but still manages to get to Assuncao’s back as they go to the mat. Dillashaw’s nose is a faucet of blood, as Assuncao escapes and they are once again standing and trading, Assuncao finding a home for his punches as the round ends. MMAWeekly.com scores round two 10-9 for Assuncao.

Round 3: Assuncao comes out firing, lands a kick and then catches Dillashaw in the air as he launches a jumping kick. But their both immediately up and trading again. Assuncao’s striking has been on point, using his timing to overcome Dillashaw’s speed advantage. Dillashaw scores with an uppercut, but Assuncao goes back to the jab, snapping Dillashaw’s head back. Assuncao catches another Dillashaw kick, but Dillashaw stays out of the takedown and drives knee to Assuncao’s body. Dillashaw now appears to have a cut over his right eye to go along with his bleeding nose, his face turning crimson. Dillashaw moves in, but eats a hard short right hook from Assuncao. Assuncao lands a low kick, but Dillashaw counters with a left hook. Only about a minute left in the fight, the crowd growing restless, but Assuncao fires off a couple more jabs. Dillashaw moves forward and lands the right hand, but Assuncao escapes the takedown attempt, tries to score his own takedown, but doesn’t get it. They trade a couple more blows, but neither lands anything definitive in the waning moments, leaving this one a close fight for the judges to determine. MMAWeekly.com scores round three 10-9 and the fight 29-28 for Assuncao.

-Raphael Assunção def. TJ Dillashaw by Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

UFC Fight Night 29 Live Results Home Page