UFC Fight Night 29 results, photos: Igor Araujo upsets Ildemar Alcantara

BARUERI, Brazil – Over three rounds of grinding, tactical action, UFC newcomer Igor Araujo emerged with his first win in the octagon.

Despite the opportunity to build a three-fight win streak, opponent Ildemar Alcantara seemed out of step and unable to stop Araujo from earning points on the mat.

The welterweight bout closed out the preliminary card of today’s UFC Fight Night 29 event at Jose Correa Arena in Barueri, Sao Paulo, Brazil. It aired on FOX Sports 1 ahead of the main card on the same channel.

Araujo, who made his UFC debut on the strength of a four-fight streak on the regional circuit, wasted no time trying to get the fight to the mat. Alcantara, however, resisted early efforts and forced him to drop to his back.

In an effort to right himself and gain dominant position, Araujo exposed himself to the rarely-seen ninja choke as Alcantara snaked his hands into position against the cage. He was unable to finish, but took the round.

Araujo resumed his chase in the second and scored with punches in the early moments of the frame. But it was later that he racked up points when he found top position and worked ground and pound.

Alcantara looked increasingly flat-footed in the fight’s final frame and again gave up the takedown. Although he stalled Araujo with submission attempts, he ultimately lost more points.

The final judges’ scores were unanimous for Araujo, 29-28.

“He got my knee, but I wasn’t going to let go,” Araujo said. “When I first got the call to fight, I was very nervous. I could barely sleep for five days. But I walked in the arena very happy, very relaxed, and I felt very good out there. I didn’t have much time to prepare. My son was born, and I had five minutes with him before having to travel to Albuquerque to train. I’ll come back even better.”

Araujo (24-6 MMA, 1-0 UFC) now boasts five straight wins while Alcantara (19-6 MMA, 2-1 UFC) suffers his first octagon loss.

Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 29 results include:

• Igor Araujo def. Ildemar Alcantara via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Yan Cabral def. David Mitchell via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Chris Cariaso def. Iliarde Santos via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:31
• Alan Patrick def. Garett Whiteley via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:54

For more on UFC Fight Night 29, check out the UFC Events section of the site.

John Morgan contributed to this report on-site in Barueri.