ONE FC 12: Warrior Spirit took place on Friday at the Stadium Putra in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Yusup Saadulaev defeated Adriano Moraes by split decision in the main event of the fight card.
Saadulaev did not waste any time in the opening round to get the fight to the ground and land strikes on the mat. Moraes was able to stall the action on the mat and force the referee to stand the fighters up with less than two minutes to go in the opening round. The remainder of the round would be on the feet with Saadulaev being the fighter pushing the pace.
Moraes started to open up at the beginning of the second round with his kicks and Saadulaev could not get a takedown in the opening minute of the round. After an exchange of strikes, Saadulaev did get the fight to the ground but Moraes was able to limit the damage and get the fight back to the feet. After throwing a head kick, Moraes would get taken to the ground. He would reverse the position on the ground and landed multiple strikes on the ground. Saadulaev would make it out of the round but took several big punches as the round came to a conclusion.
Moraes was able to keep his momentum going in the final round as he was able to get the fight to the ground. He was able to pass his position on the ground and was on the back of Saadulaev for a moment. As Saadulaev was working his way to his feet, Moraes was able to get the fight back to the group and achieve the mount position. Saadulaev was able to get him out of the position and went for a leg lock.
The attempt was unsuccessful and he eventually ended up in top position. He would keep the fight on the ground for the remainder of the fight and the scorecards would decide the winner. Two of the three judges had the fight for Saadulaev (10-3-1) and he has won back to back fights after dropping two in a row in ONE FC.
Ataides wins his third straight fight in the first round
The co-main event of the fight card was a middleweight bout as Leandro Ataides remained undefeated as he defeated Brayan Rafiq by knockout in the first round.
After landing a couple of strikes to start the fight, Ataides took the fight to the ground and began to look for submissions. He would pass from the half guard position to side control. Rafiq was able to defend any potential submission attempts and got the fight back to the feet.
The would exchange strikes once they were back on the feet and Ataides would land a series of punches that dropped Rafik, and he feel flat on his face. Ataides would not land any unnecessary punches and the referee came in to stop the fight.
Ataides (6-0) remains undefeated and this is the third time that he has won a fight by knockout. His last three wins have come in the first round, with the other two wins coming by submission.
Lokteff wins fourth straight with split decision over Johnson
The only heavyweight bout on the card on Friday was a battle of Australia versus the United States as Chris Lokteff defeated Tony Johnson by split decision.
In the opening minute of the fight, Lokteff landed a right hand that dropped Johnson. However, he would not be able to capitalize on the strike as Johnson took the fight to the ground. Lokteff would be able to get back to his feet and he landed another right hand that dropped Johnson. He would be able to recover from the punch and grappled with Lokteff against the fence. Johnson had the better position in the clinch and landed several short strikes before the opening round came to a conclusion.
Johnson opened up the second round by taking the fight to the ground and began to work his ground strikes. After Lokteff threw several punches from his back, Johnson took his back and went for a rear-naked choke. Lokteff defended the attempt by throwing punches and Johnson would end up letting go of the choke. With 30 seconds left in the round, Lokteff had top position on the ground but would end up standing over Johnson. Before the second round came to a conclusion, Lokteff threw several soccer kicks but none of the strikes would end the fight.
In the final round, Johnson struggled to get the fight to the ground as Lokteff stopped two takedown attempts. Lokteff would end up getting the fight to the ground, but Johnson was able to limit the damage and get the fight to the ground. The fighters started to swing around in the final 45 seconds of the fight and Johnson engaged in the clinch with 20 seconds left in the fight. As the final bell was sounding, Lokteff attempted to get a takedown, but Johnson was able to keep the fight on the feet.
Two of the three judges scored the fight for Lokteff (12-1) and he has won four in a row since suffering his first career defeat last year.
Davis weathers early storm and wins by submission
In a lightweight bout, Peter Davis snapped a two fight losing streak as he submitted Alaa Mazloum by rear-naked choke submission in the second round.
The fight opened with a high pace and Mazloum landed a punch that dropped Davis. As Mazloum went to the ground, Davis looked for an armbar, but the attempt was unsuccessful. Davis would end up reversing the position and looked for an arm triangle choke from the position. He would not be able to land a submission and Mazloum reverse the position to get in top position.
After being stood up by the referee, Davis took the fight back to the ground and immediately went for an arm triangle choke. While he had the submission locked in, Mazloum rolled over but Davis still have the submission locked in. He would be able to survive and the fight moved into the second round.
As the second round opened, Davis went for a takedown earlier but Mazloum was able to keep the fight on the feet. However, Davis was able to close the distance and got on the back of Mazloum. He immediately went for the rear-naked choke and the finish came at the 1:23 mark of the second round.
Davis (7-3) snaps a two fight losing streak and earns his first victory since his win in February at ONE FC 7. He now has three wins by submission and this is the second time he has won by rear-naked choke.
The complete ONE FC 12: Warrior Spirit Results are below.
Main Card: (iPPV)
Yusup Saadulaev def. Adriano Moraes via split decision
Leandro Ataides def. Brayan Rafiq via KO (punch) – Round 1, 4:14
Chris Lokteff def. Tony Johnson via split decision
Peter Davis def. Alaa Mazloum via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 1:23
Gianni Subba def. Chen Yun Ting via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 3:03
AJ Lias Mansor def. Melvin Yeoh via unanimous decision
Saiful Merican def. Tok Sophon via unanimous decision
Preliminary Card: (Unaired)
Samir Mrabet def. Steven Durr via unanimous decision
Nik Harris def. Zuli Silawanto via TKO (retirement) – Round 2, 5:00
Casey Suire def. Raymond Tan via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1