The opening fight of the ONE FC 9 preliminary card was a heavyweight bout as Tony Johnson (7-1) defeated former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia by doctor stoppage in the third round due to a cut over the right eye of Sylvia.
The action opened with Johnson landing an overhand right and went for a single leg takedown which was successful.
As Sylvia worked his way back to his feet, Johnson looked to jump on his back. Sylvia was able to escape the position and the fighters grappled against the cage.
After neither fighter was able to gaini an advantage while grappling against the fence, the referee separated the fighters and the action returned to the middle of the cage. As they were separated, they began to throw heavy punches and Johnson looked for a takedown which was unsuccessful.
Sylvia landed a head kick followed by a straight right hand that backed up Johnson against the fence. Johnson would take the fight to the ground with 15 seconds left in the opening round and the round would end in this position.
As the second round opened, Johnson was able to take the fight to the ground once again and started in the half guard position. Johnson landed several strikes before he went for an arm triangle choke but Sylvia was able to escape.
After the submission was unsuccessful, Johnson maintained top position and continued to work his ground strikes which included short elbows. The referee would stand up the fighters after a lack of action and Johnson went for a takedown once again. However, Sylvia was able to stop the attempt and the round ended with Sylvia landing two right hands.
The final round opened with the fighters exchanging strikes before Johnson looked for a takedown at the 30 second mark of the round. Sylvia was able to defend the takedown and the fighters clinched against the fence. After exchanging short strikes, the fighters broke away from each other. Sylvia landed another head kick and Johnson immediately went for a takedown.
Once again, they clinched against the fence with Sylvia’s back against the fence. After neither fighter gained an advantage in the position, the referee separated the fighters and Sylvia two knees before Johnson took the fight to the ground. After Johnson landed an elbow, the referee stopped the action for the cage side doctor to look at a cut above the right eye of Sylvia. After the doctor looked at the cut, he decided to stop the fight, even though Sylvia wanted to continue.
Sylvia (31-9, 1NC) has now lost back to back fights and is 0-2, 1NC in his last three fights.