The UFC Fight Night 31: Fight for the Troops 3 preliminary card kicked off with four bouts and was headlined by former Strikeforce fighter Lorenz Larkin scoring his first victory in the UFC with a decision win over Chris Camozzi.
The entire fight would be on the feet with Larkin landing the more effective strikes and Camozzi was unable to get the fight to the ground.
Larkin opened up a cut on the right eyelid of Camozzi in the second round with his short strikes that he was landing. The cut would become a factor in the final round as blood was going down the face of Camozzi in the final round.
While Camozzi was able to land significant strikes, he was never able to land anything that could lead to the end of the fight.
All three judges scored the fight for Larkin, with two of the judges having it 30-27. Larkin (14-1, 1NC) is now 1-1 in the UFC and this is his first win since 2012 when he defeated Robbie Lawler in Strikeforce. Camozzi (19-7) has dropped back to back fights in the UFC after being on a four fight winning streak in 2012 and early 2013.
Medeiros finishes Edwards in the first round by knockout
Yancy Medeiros earned his first win inside the UFC octagon at UFC Fight Night 31 as he defeated Yves Edwards by knockout in the first round.
The fighters exchange strikes in the opening round and Edwards had success with his punches early in the fight. As Edwards landed strikes, Medeiros would motion for him to keep throwing and get into a brawl. The end of the fight would come after Medeiros landed a counter left uppercut that dropped Edwards and referee John McCarthy came in to call the fight after Medeiros landed a punch on the ground.
Medeiros (10-1) now has six wins coming in the first round and five of those wins have come by TKO/KO. Edwards (42-21-1) has now dropped three straight fights and this is his first defeat by TKO/KO since 2011.
Baczynski snaps two fight losing streak with decision over Magny
Seth Baczynski entered the octagon on Wednesday afternoon on a two fight losing streak and he scored his first victory since last year with a decision victory over Neil Magny.
Baczynski was able to take control of the first in the first round by using his wrestling and clinching with Magny against the fence. He took the fight to the ground on multiple occasions in the fight, and this is likely what won him the fight in the judges eyes.
Magny’s best round round would come in the final round as he was able to land several significiant strikes. He appeared to hurt Baczynski in the final round with his strikes, and Baczynski’s cardio was an issue. However, he would not be able to capitalize and the fight went to the scorecards.
All three judges scored the fight 29-28 for Baczynski and he is now 3-3 in the UFC, with this being his first victory since UFC 152 last year. Magny (10-3) has dropped back to back fights in the UFC after winning his official UFC debut earlier this year against Jon Manley.
Brunson improves to 2-0 in UFC with 48 second victory
The opening fight of the online preliminary card was a middleweight bout as Derek Brunson only needed 48 seconds to defeat Brian Houston by rear-naked choke submission.
Brunson landed a left head kick that would drop Houston in the opening thirty seconds and immediately went for the rear-naked choke. Houston attempted to defend the attempt, but Brunson had the hold locked in, and he would have to tap out.
Brunson (11-2) has won back to back fights since coming to the UFC through the merger with Strikeforce. This is his fourth career win by submission and three of his submissions have come by rear-naked choke. Houston (4-1) was making his UFC debut in the bout and four of his five professional MMA bouts have ended in the first round.
UFC Fight Night 31 Results:
Lorenz Larkin def. Chris Camozzi via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Yancy Medeiros def. Yves Edwards via KO (strikes) – Round 1, 2:47
Seth Baczynski def. Neil Magny via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Derek Brunson def. Brian Houston via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, :48