The co-main event is a heavyweight bout that pits Blagoy Ivanov against Augusto Sakai. Ivanov has compiled a 2-2 record in the UFC, with his most recent fight a split decision lost to the “Black Beast” Derrick Lewis. Sakai enters the bout with a 14-1-1 record and is unbeaten in three fights in the UFC.
Round 1
Slow start to the fight in the opening minute. Ivanov displays some nice speed and the southpaw lands a left hand. Sakai lands a heavy kick. The fight goes to the clinch along the fence. The taller Sakai trying to work some front kicks. Good, hard low inside kick by Sakai. Good left hand by ivanov off the clinch break to end the round.
Seattle Fights round score – 10-9 Ivanov (tough round to score as not a ton of action plus a close round)
Round 2
Big left hand by Ivanov to start the round. Another nice left lands for him. Sakai lands a hard counter punch. Another hard leg kick from Sakai forces a takedown attempt by Ivanov to not avail though. Ivanov lands a 1-2 combo to the body. Good left hand by Ivanov but Sakai answers with a clean, heavy body kick. More nice kicks from Sakai now beating up Ivanov’s legs. Good action this round. Body kick by Sakai followed by a rare three-punch combo for a heavyweight. Takedown by Ivanov with about 30 seconds to go in the round. But not much time to work or damage done.
Seattle Fights round score – 10-9 Sakai
Round 3
Good left hand by Ivanov to start the round. Body kick by Sakai. Another nice body kick for Sakai. Ivanov with a good 1-2. Nice body kick followed by a 1-2 for Sakai. Sakai with some useful combinations landing. Sakai lands a good uppercut in close. Good body kick followed by a left hand for Sakai. Another good body kick for Sakai. Big left hand lands for ivanov after he had eaten a couple shots. Another close round.
There was a bad fence grab by Sakai that Daniel “DC” Cormier complained vociferously about. The fence grab prevented a takedown and drew a warning from the referee. But it likely wasn’t enough to swing the round in Ivanov’s favor. A close round in a good, close fight that could go either way.
Seattle Fights round score – 10-9 Sakai
Official decision – Split decision victory for Sakai (30-27 Ivanov, 29-28 Sakai, 29-28 Sakai