(Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Vancouver, B.C. – Light heavyweights Ryan Bader and Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante took to the Octagon at UFC 174.
Bader landed an early takedown, but Fejao scrambled back to his feet and Bader took his back and slammed him back down. Feijao continuously worked his way back to his feet, but Bader was able to trip him back down after some charlie horse knees to the thigh. “Darth” decided to break and throw a short elbow. Feijao has been very tentative, while Bader is landing punches and kicks. Bader landed a big double leg takedown with just over one-minute left in the first round. Bader kept Feijao turtled for the remainder of the round, but landed one big knee to the body as the bell sounded.
Feijao came out much more aggressive and landed a big sidekick to start the round. Bader then looked for a takedown, but it didn’t come to fruition. After a lull in action, Bader got the takedown and once again took the back of a turtled Feijao. The two stood back up after some big knees to the thigh of Feijao. The Brazilian didn’t throw many punches late in the round, while Bader landed a few and a late takedown.
Feijao landed a big combination to start the third round and caused Bader to back up. Another big punch landed for Feijao and forced Bader to turtle up. As the two stood up, Feijao landed some big elbows. Bader pushed the fight back up against the cage, but after a bit of a stalemate, the referee broke them free. Again Bader worked for the takedown and pushed the fight against the cage and eventually got it. From half guard, Bader began to throw down elbows to the body. The fight ended with Bader in Feijao’s closed guard, but didn’t do much damage.
Ryan Bader def. Rafael Feijao via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
