Sydney based heavyweight Mark Hunt showed the heart and chin that he’s known for but ultimately the punishment from Miocic proved too much with the referee finally halting the main event contest in the fifth round.
Anthony Perosh and Jake Matthews also went down on the main card, however Robert Whittaker scored an impressive knock-out over Brad Tavares.
The event took place at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre in Adelaide, South Australia on Sunday and was broadcast live on Fox Sports in Australia.
Miocic attempted a takedown early in the fight however Hunt quickly rolled out and back to his feet. Both fighters were very cautious with Hunt using his lead jab to find his distance. Another takedown from Miocic got Hunt on his back where the American landed strong elbows. Miocic attacked the far arm which allowed Hunt to get back to his feet late in the round.
Miocic dropped levels where he was able to grab Hunt’s leg and take him to the ground against the cage. Miocic landed solid strikes before Hunt again worked back to his feet much to the crowd’s cheers. Miocic landed a big left that put Hunt on the back foot. Hunt swung with a big hook but misses and Miocic immediately captialises by landing a series of uppercuts and an elbow. Hunt finished it very strongly landing some offense of his own.
Miocic changed levels again and he put Hunt on the canvas. From side-control, Miocic went to work with strong ground-and-pound as he pressed him against the cage. With Hunt visibly exhausted, Miocic stayed on him. Hunt struggled back to his feet only for Miocic to again take Hunt down. Miocic passed to mount and unloaded with punches from the top. With warnings from the referee, Hunt was just doing enough from the bottom to keep the referee from stopping the fight. The punishment continued from Miocic until the round ended.
Not wanting any part of Hunt’s stand-up, Miocic again secured the takedown. From inside half-guard Miocic landed short strikes and some powerful elbows. Hunt attempted to get back to his feet but Miocic stayed a step ahead of him to keep him on his back. With Hunt scrambling towards the cage the former K1 veteran was finally able to work back to his feet. The fighters clinched against the cage and a massive hook from Hunt missed it’s mark as the round ended.
As has been the constant theme from the opening bout, Miocic secured another takedown attempt. Against the cage Miocic stayed on top as the pace visibly slowed. With a warning from the referee to Mark Hunt to fight back, Miocic increased tempo. The punches continued and the referee finally stopped the contest.
It was Hunt’s second straight loss in the UFC as Miocic proves himself as a top five heavyweight. Miocic moves to 13-2 while Hunt drops to 10-10.
Robert Whittaker proved that he’s going to be a contender to look out for in the UFC’s middleweight division with a stoppage win over Brad Tavares.
The 24 year-old Sydney based fighter wasted no time, landing a solid left that dropped Tavares. Whittaker immediately capitalised and landed another left that again dropped his opponent. Some follow up punches from there had Tavares knocked out cold.
The win came only 44-seconds into the bout and takes the The Ultimate Fighter’s winners record to 14-4 (UFC 5-2). It was his second straight win since moving up to the middleweight division. Tavares suffers his third loss from his last four bouts as he drops to 13-4.
Radio host Sean O’Connell made quick work of Australian veteran Anthony Perosh in a light-heavyweight bout.
O’Connell rocked Perosh early and immediately pounced as Perosh was backed up against the cage. As the shots continued with only the cage keeping Perosh up, the referee had no option but to halt the contest.
O’Connell moves to 17-6 with his second straight win in the UFC. 42 year-old Perosh drops to 15-9
In a battle of two undefeated fighters, young Australian lightweight prospect Jake Matthews was submitted by American James Vick in the first-round
The 20 year-old Australian pressed the action early as he trapped Vick against the cage. Matthews showed strength to lift his opponent up and land the slam takedown. Vick immediately worked back towards the cage where he got back to his feet. Matthews started to find his mark with the lead left. The Aussie continued on the front foot and Vick countered with a nice uppercut. An accidental eye-poke from Vick halted the bout. When the fight restarted, Vick countered with a beautiful knee. Matthews went in for a takedown however left his neck open as Vick capitalised, forcing the submission in the final seconds on the round.
The official verdict came at 4:53 of round one as the Victorian youngster drops to 9-1. Impressive win for Vick who remains undefeated to move to 8-0 (UFC 4-0).
Main card results:
- Stipe Miocic def Mark Hunt via TKO (Punches), Rd 5, 2:47
- Robert Whittaker def Brad Tavares via KO (Punches), Rd 1, 0:44
- Sean O’Connell def Anthony Perosh via TKO (Punches), Rd 1, 0:56
- James Vick def Jake Matthews via Submission (Guillotine Choke), Rd 1, 4:52
Preliminary card results:
- Daniel Hooker def Hatsu Hioki via KO (Head-Kick & Punches), Rd 2, 4:13
- Kyle Noke def Jonavin Webb via Decision (Split)
- Sam Alvey def Daniel Kelly via TKO (Punches), Rd 1, 0:49
- Bec Rawlings def Lisa Ellis via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Rd 1, 4:09
- Bradley Scott def Dylan Andrews via Submission (Guillotine Choke), Rd 2, 4:54
- Alex Chambers def Kailin Curran via Submission (Armbar), Rd 3, 3:15
- Brendan O’Reilly def Vik Grujic via Decision (Unanimous)
- Ben Nguyen def Alptekin Ozkilic via TKO (Punches), Rd 1, 4:59
