Harris, De Lima earn 1st-round finishes on UFC 197 Fight Pass prelims
Heavyweight Bout: Walt Harris def. Cody East via 1st-round TKO
Walt Harris poured it on against Cody East to finally get his first UFC win after three previous tries.
"The Big Ticket" dropped East with a straight right and proceeded to wing haymakers at East's head. There were glimpses of intelligent defense from East, but one concussive punch too many brought the fight to an end at 4:18 of the first round:
NOCAUTE TÉCNICO! Walt Harris nocauteia Cody East no fim do primeiro round! Lutaça! pic.twitter.com/DQMUfuomav
— Octógono UFC (@OctogonoVirtual) April 23, 2016
At the very least, East showed the company that he was willing to throw down. He stomped toward Harris and swung wildly with no regard for his own safety:
Wow!!! Rock 'em, Sock 'em between @thebigticket205 and @CodyEastMMA at #UFC197!! https://t.co/o3nUc2Wu3l
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) April 23, 2016
Unfortunately for East, all his offense strategy would be his undoing. He becomes the first fighter plucked from Dana White's "Lookin' for a Fight" show to lose in their UFC debut.
After the win, an excited Harris told interviewer Joe Rogan that it had been his dream to be interviewed by the famed UFC personality.
That's what it means for @thebigticket205 to earn his first win in the Octagon and speak to @JoeRogan at #UFC197! https://t.co/tT6AlBL2wA
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) April 23, 2016
"I've been making this conversation between you and me in the mirror for years," Harris said. "And I finally got it y'all, I did it."
Light Heavyweight Bout: Marcos Rogerio de Lima def. Clint Hester via 1st-round submission (arm-triangle choke)
If Clint Hester is looking for a fresh start at light heavyweight, he might have to reconsider after being pummeled by Marcos Rogerio de Lima.
"Pezao" followed up a knockdown with a ferocious attack on the ground, eventually moving into position for an arm triangle that forced Hester to tap at 4:35 of the first round:
Submission game 💯. Nice win for @Pezao011! #UFC197 https://t.co/U6skAI3uO3
— #UFC197 (@ufc) April 23, 2016
The two fighters threw heavy hands early and it was De Lima who caught a lunging Hester with a right hook that put "Headbussa" on his rear end:
CRACK! @Pezao011 drops Hester in the first! #UFC197 https://t.co/9exrDg0Mmh
— #UFC197 (@ufc) April 23, 2016
De Lima pounced immediately and methodically moved from half guard to full mount, dropping bombs as he advanced.
Hester transitioned back into full guard only for De Lima to posture up and continue the ground-and-pound abuse. When De Lima locked on the arm triangle choke, it was a merciful end to a disappointing debut at 205 pounds for Hester.
None of De Lima's UFC fights have gone past the first round. The 30-year-old Brazilian improves to 3-1 inside the Octagon.
After two straight knockout losses at middleweight, Hester has now been finished in his last three fights.
Lightweight Bout: Kevin Lee def. Efrain Escudero via unanimous decision
Kevin Lee used a well-rounded performance to outpoint Efrain Escudero in the opening Fight Pass preliminary at UFC 197.
At 23-years-old, "The Motown Phenom" showed how much he's matured since being upset by Leonardo Santos last December. A crisp jab kept Escudero at bay, while his takedown defense kept the fight on the feet where he wanted it.
In the final round, he sealed the unanimous decision with a slam and a long stretch of top control:
Huge takedown for @MotownPhenom! His second of the night could be a big swing in scorecards! #UFC197 Who won?! https://t.co/DytcqoDs9c
— #UFC197 (@ufc) April 23, 2016
Escudero had some good moments in the clinch and a few near takedowns, but his offense was primarily restricted to single shots.
The decision victory gives Lee his fifth win in his last six appearances, while Escudero drops his second straight.
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