Nova Unaio trained Caio Magalhaes (pictured) took a unanimous decision over Nick Ring on the preliminary card of UFC Fight Night 33 earlier today.
The bout started with early exchanges from both as they chose to stand in the pocket and trade early. Magalhaes suffered then suffered an eye poke which forced a small break in the contest. Ring continued coming forward as Magalhaes landed a big overhand punch. Ring bounced around with hands down and small smirk on his face looking to exchange. As the fighters clinched, Ring locked up the Thai clinch and landed a series of big knees before finishing finishing the combination off with short elbows as they disengaged. Ring immediately changed levels and got the takedown, however it would be Magalhaes who attacked with a leg lock on the ground. As fighters got back to feet, Magalhaes finished the round swinging big hooks as he went on the front foot.
Magalhaes continues with his heavy assault in the second stanza before attempting a takedown which Ring successfully defended. Ring took the opportunity to go for a takedown of his own and put Magalhaes on his back before passing straight to side control. From there he attacked the far arm of Magalhaes and landed short punches before the Brazilian fighter reversed the position. Magalhaes remained inside the guard landing short strikes for the second half of the round, as Ring struggled to escape off his back.
The pace slowed in the last round with both fighters taking in big breathes and neither landing anything substantial. Magalhaes got a takedown however was not able to capitalise on it and the referee stood them up due to inactivity. Ring immediately went for a takedown of his own, however 25 year-old Magalhaes was able to sprawl. Again the referee was forced to stand the fighters up due to inactivity. Ring again went for another takedown but this time Magalhaes sprawled and got to the side of Ring where he finished the round with short punches.
All three judges awarded the fight to Caio Magalahes, 29-28. With the win, 25 year-old Magalhaes took his professional record to 7-1 in what was also his second consecutive win inside the UFC after submitting Karlos Vermola earlier this year. 34 year-old Ring drops to 13-3 (UFC 3-3).
The event was held at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Queensland, Australia and shown live in Australia on Fuel TV.