Brazil’s Rafael Natal stepped inside the Octagon against Sweden’s Tor Troeng at UFC Fight Night 28.
Rafael Natal sweeps the judges scorecards against Tor Troeng
An early punch from Natal caught Troeng and put him on the mat, luckily enough for the Swede he was able to pull guard. Natal attempted a guillotine from half guard and when he pulled over to guard he lost top position. Troeng stood up and ended up on top of Natal, however he swept him almost immediately. A great ground battle between the two fighters – with sweep after sweep from the bottom. The round ended with Troeng in the top position, but it was a very close round to score.
Natal landed a big punch to begin the round and once again dropped Troeng. He landed some ground and pound and referee Leon Roberts was inching his way over – until Troeng regained guard. Once Troeng regained control, he was able to sweep Natal and take the top position. With just over three-minutes left, Natal wound up back in top control and used his strength to gain half guard position. The ground game was a chess battle for these two fighters and the round ended with the two clinched against the cage.
The third round started with Troeng pushing forward, but when he went for the takedown Natal locked in a guillotine and jumped in to guard. Troeng wound up on top in half guard position raining down elbows to the body. With two-minutes left, Natal landed a beautiful sweep from a leg lock position. Natal on top with complete control to finish off the round.
Rafael Natal def. Tor Troeng via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
