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#2 Ramazan Emeev vs. Anthony Rocco Martin (Welterweight)
Anthony Rocco Martin was coming off a loss against Demian Maia and looked to get back into the winner's column with a win over Ramazon Emeev. The Russian fighter hadn't tasted defeat in almost five years, so it was a tall task for the American Welterweight. Did he come through though?
Round 1: Martin looked to rile his opponent up before the fight got underway he came in looking more focussed as he went for the low calf kicks.
Rocco landed a solid three-piece combo and it was clear that he wanted to fire up his Russian opponent to engage. Emeev was keeping up with Martin with the left jabs.
The Russian took Martin down but he couldn't get a dominant position. Martin grabbed Emeev's left arm and worked hard for a Kimura. The Russian stayed patient and transferred his weight to turn Martin over on his back. That was a great scramble.
They got up on their feet and clinched against the cage. Emeev landed a few good knees that were deemed to be legal. The fight was momentarily stopped after Martin got hit in his groin.
Emeev resumed the fight with the jabs. His left jabs were crisp and kept getting through Martin's guard. Rocco went for the calf kick while Emeev went for a three-piece up top.
The Russian grappler level changed but Martin stuffed the takedown. The round ended with both men in a body lock.
Round 2: Emeev continued to find success with the left jabs. Martin was his trash-talking self as he looked for an opening to exploit. The calf kicks were causing Emeev some trouble, who went for a wild overhand right and missed. Emeev got Martin down but got caught in a Guillotine. The Russian got his head out and pushed Martin against the cage.
The American got up using the fence before breaking away from the clinch. Emeev wasn't too happy with how slippery Martin was but he tried for another takedown with the level change.
Tony had it covered and stuffed it again. Emeev landed a big overhand right that sent Martin back. The American came back in with a cheeky smile and got hit with another right. Rocco didn't give up on the calf kicks though.
Martin's jabs landed and he mixed it up with a few right and left-handed combinations. The fight went to the ground again with Martin attempting a Kimura before the round came to a close.
Round 3: Emeev went for another big right but missed. The American stuffed another takedown attempt and Emeev was back to finding a way into the pocket.
Emeev landed a big 1-2, with a left hooking visibly hurting Martin. Both men engaged in a body lock in the center before breaking up again. The statistics of the fight were really close at this point in the fight as both men were going toe-to-toe when it came to the striking differential.
Martin's jabs landed but he ate a few as well that bloodied his nose. The American's calf kicks were his biggest weapon as it helped lessen the mobility of his opponent.
Emeev got in for a takedown but Martin kept his posture in place to defend it well. Both the Welterweights ended the fight with a high-impact brawl that got the cheers from the fans in attendance. That was an incredibly close fight to score!
Result: Anthony Rocco Martin def. Ramazan Emeev via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
It was a thoroughly professional performance from Anthony Rocco Martin, who never lost his focus and handed Emeev his first loss in five years.
