By TXMMA Staff | Photo: UFC.com, Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Middleweights and other rising prospects in focus at UFC Fight Night 35
January 15, 2013 – The UFC was back on network TV with UFC Fight Night 35 from the Arena at Gwinnet Center in Atlanta, GA. The night belonged to the middleweights with former Strikeforce MW champion Luke Rockhold headlining the card opposite Costas Philippou as he looked to bounce back from his last fight, a loss to current #1 contender Vitor Belfort. The UFC Fight Night 35 card also featured some other strong names including former Olympic wrestler Yoel Romero and rising star T.J. Dillashaw.
Here are the highlights of the action.
Luke Rockhold rebounds with devastating liver kick TKO to Costas Philippou
Bas Rutten would be proud of Luke Rockhold considering how he finished off the main event by first round liver kick to force his way back up in the rankings. The fight started with Philippou pushing forward with his boxing but the rangier Luke stayed composed and measured his range in order to counter strike. He’d eventually cut Costas and use his high kicks but it was eventually a kick to the body that crumpled Costas. Luke would follow up with one more soccer kick to the body, forcing the ref to step in midway through round for the win. Rockhold didn’t waste any time trying to get another contender in his post-fight speech, calling out both Belfort (for a rematch) along with everyone’s favorite fighter to want to fight recently in Michael Bisping.
Brad Tavares bests Lorenz Larkin in co-main event
Another Strikeforce vet would also look for a win in the co-main event with Lorenz Larkin taking on Brad Tavares. Unfortunately for him it wasn’t in the cards for him to win this evening as Tavares his fifth straight victory via judges’ decision. The Hawaiian native showed to be the more well-rounded fighter in this one by mixing up his takedowns with his strikes and controlling where the fight took place when it counted. Ultimately he would win every round on the scorecards, taking the fight 30-27×3.
Up-and-coming prospect T.J. Dillashaw and Yoel Romero notch victories
In other action T.J. Dillashaw made a case for top three status in the bantamweight with his win over Team Lloyd Irvin product Mike Easton. “Hulk” (Easton) was touted as the better striker of the two prior to the bout but Dillashaw looked good in beating him to the punch. T.J. also to land the bulk of the takedowns in the fight en route to the unanimous decision victory.
It was a little tougher for Olympian Yoel Romero as he faced a game opponent in Derek Brunson. Romero would actually lose the first two rounds with Brunson working hard to get ahead but Romero stayed relentless in his attack and sure enough caught his opponent in the third round with a big left hand that initially hurt him. Yoel wouldn’t let up from there and finished the fight on the ground with some big elbows to his ribs that went unanswered to force the stoppage.
Also winning on the main card was flyweight John Moraga who scored a close split decision over Dustin Ortiz in an exciting contest and ATT’s Cole Miller who managed to find the submission (RNC) in the second round over former TUF’er Sam Sicilia.
Here are all the quick results from UFC Fight Night 35 below.
UFC Fight Night 35 Quick Results
Main Card (Fox Sports 1)
- Luke Rockhold def. Constantinos Philippou by TKO at 2:31, R1
- Brad Tavares def. Lorenz Larkin by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- T.J. Dillashaw def. Mike Easton by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Yoel Romero def. Derek Brunson by TKO at 3:23, R3
- John Moraga def. Dustin Ortiz by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Cole Miller def. Sam Sicilia by submission (rear naked choke) at 1:54, R2
Prelims (Fox Sports 1)
- Ramsey Nijem def. Justin Edwards by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Elias Silverio def. Isaac Vallie-Flagg by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
- Trevor Smith def. Brian Houston by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
- Louis Smolka def. Alptekin Ozkilic by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Prelims (Online / UFC Fight Pass)
- Vinc Pichel def. Garett Whiteley by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Beneil Dariush def. Charlie Brenneman by submission (rear naked choke) at 1:45, R1
