The opening fight of the UFC Fight Night 26 preliminary card on Fox Sports 1 was a featherweight bout as Ultimate Fighter 14 bantamweight winner Diego Brandao defeated Daniel Pineda by unanimous decision.
As the opening bell sounded, both fighters came straight at each other and set a high pace. Pineda did attempt to get the fight to the ground but the attempt was unsuccessful.
After stopping the takedown attempt, Brandao began to land several strikes that stunned Pineda and looked for a finish. He would not be able to finish the fight and it appeared that Brandao was already beginning to slow down.
The fight did go to the ground with Brandao in top position but Pineda would get back to his feet with one minute left in the round. The would remain on the feet until the round came to an end and the fight moved into the second round.
In the opening thirty seconds of the second round, Brandao took the fight to the ground and had top position. Pineda was able to get back to his feet and the action returned to the center of the cage. Once again, Brandao would take the fight to the ground. Pineda would be able to reverse the position and he had top control of Brandao.
While on top, Pineda landed several short strikes including elbows. He would continue to land strikes from the mount position. Brandao would get out of the position and looked for an ankle lock which was unsuccessful. Pineda would get back to top position on Brandao and landed several punches before the second round came to a conclusion.
At the opening of the final round, Brandao was able to take the fight to the ground. After being unable to advance his position, he motioned Pineda to get up and threw a punch as Pineda got back to his feet. After a stand up battle for the next minute, Brandao landed his sixth takedown of the fight but Pineda would be able to get back to his feet.
Pineda would land a super man punch but once again, Brandao was able to get the fight to the ground. After a lack of action, referee Mario Yamasaki had the fighters stand up and Pineda missed a wheel kick. With both fighters being tired, neither guy was able to land any potential fight ending shot before the final bell sounded.
All three judges scored the fight for Brandao (18-8) and he has now won three straight fights. Pineda (18-10) has now dropped three of his last four fights after winning his first two fights in the UFC.
UFC Fight Night 26 Results:
Diego Brandao def. Daniel Pineda via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Manny Gamburyan def. Cole Miller via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Ovince St-Preux def. Cody Donovan via KO (strikes) – Round 1, 2:07
James Vick def. Ramsey Nijem via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, :58