Tonight is the night that UFC fans have been waiting for, for quite some time. UFC 148 is a card for the ages, some might even say it’s the best card of 2012.
The preliminary card brought us some amazing action.
Fabricio Camoes vs. Melvin Guillard
Guillard pushed the pace in the first round of what he called a “must win” fight. Camoes got a takedown, but the speedy Guillard scrambled back to his feet to win the opening stanza. The second round goes the same way the first did, Camoes threw some funky punches and kicks, but Guillard landed more. A very slow paced third round, had neither man push the pressure. In the end Guillard came out on top.
Melvin Guillard def. Fabricio Camoes by unanimous decision (30-27,30-27,30-27)
Melvin Guillard:
“I went out – I wanted to fight hard, fight strong and get back in the winning column. I definitely didn’t play it safe but I had to be very smart and not get too wild and crazy and get caught. So, I took my last two fights that I lost and broke them down myself. In one (fight), I was too aggressive and the other I was too patient. This fight I wanted to be aggressive enough and still be patient so I think I was successful enough in that area.”
Fabricio Camoes:
“I’m disappointed because you always want to step in the cage and win. My mistake was letting the decision go to the judges. I thought it was a good fight and I reached a few good positions, but ultimately, my mistake was that I shouldn’t have let it get to the point of going to a judges decision.”
Habib Nurmagomedov vs. Gleison Tibau
Round one had Nurmagomedov throwing furiously, however Tibau remained very calm and collected. The second round both fighters slowed a tad, but Tibau got a takedown and controlled the cage. Unfortunately Tibau didn’t have enough in the end, as Nurmagomedov took a unanimous decision.
Habib Nurmagomedov def. Gleison Tibau by unanimous decision (30-27,30-27,30-27)
Khabib Nurmagomedov:
“The record wasn’t really that important to me. It was more about getting this victory – it was very important. It’s my second fight in the UFC. I had to get it.”
“I think that my speed, agility and endurance was more to my advantage. He’s had a lot more fights than I’ve had but I’m younger and hungrier.”
Gleison Tibau:
“It was a hard fight. He controlled the fight a little more up against the cage so there were a lot of moments where it was tough to shake him off.”
Riki Fukuda vs. Constantinos Philippou
The fight started out very tentative, but Philippou pushed the pace a tad more. He landed cleaner shots and you could tell by Fukuda’s face at the end of the fight.
Constantinos Philippou def. Riki Fukuda via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Costa Philippou:
“Honestly I couldn’t see (following being poked in the eye). But I knew I there was less than three minutes left so I moved around with what I could see out of my right (eye).”
“I had the first two rounds, I was sure. I got a few punches at the end and gave the fans a little bit more but I disappointed them at the beginning. I wanted to finish and give them a bit better fight. Next time I want to give them a better show.”
Riki Fukuda:
“This was my third fight in the UFC but the worst of the three. I couldn’t commit myself to get closer to him and be more aggressive. If I have another chance in UFC, I will be much more aggressive.”
John Alessio vs. Shane Roller
The fight started off with both fighters testing the range. The only time the fight hit the ground in the first round was when Alessio landed a nice short shot late in the stanza. However, the second and third round were a tad bit different. Every time Roller tried to get it to the mat, he did. He smothered him for the remainder of the fight and picked up all three judges scorecards.
Shane Roller def. John Alessio by unanimous decision (29-28,29-28,29-28)
“It was a tough fight. I had to grind it out with him. Wrestling was the game plan but I have been working on my standup. He has good standup, but you know that’s part of MMA. It’s not a boxing match… He’s heavy handed and a pretty big guy and I felt his hands had good power.”
“I approach every fight as a must-win. All my fights are pretty exciting fights.”
Rafaello Oliveira vs. Yoislandy Izquierdo
The fight started with both combatants coming out kicking and swinging. Olivera eventually took the fight to the ground and edged out the round. Both fighters were once again swinging in the second. Izquierdo was throwing frantically and landed on numerous occasions. The fight once again went to the ground and Olivera ended up on top. The more dangerous of the two fighters was Izquierdo, but he was on the bottom when on the ground. The fight went to the judges and Oliveira picked up the judges nod.
Rafaello Oliveira def. Yoislandy Izquierdo by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
There is the full rundown of the preliminary card, keep it locked to MMASucka.com for main card results & updates.
