Lopez edges Morales in firefight to remain undefeated at UFC Fresno
Benito Lopez lived up to the hype in his first walk to the Octagon.
After three closely contested rounds of striking opposite Albert Morales, the highly-touted bantamweight was anointed the winner on all three scorecards in the main-card curtainjerker of UFC Fight Night 123 in Fresno, Calif. on Saturday.
Lopez and Morales had once been slated to meet on the regional circuit last year, only for the former to pull out with a concussion suffered in training, but the Team Alpha Male product closed the book on their history with his ninth victory in as many pro fights.
Num combate de muita trocação e reviravoltas, Benito Lopez vence Albert Morales por decisão unânime dos juízes e mantém invencibilidade no MMA. #UFCFresno pic.twitter.com/8zJnwxycpS
— Octógono UFC (@OctogonoVirtual) December 10, 2017
The pair accounted for more action in the first two minutes than some do in 15, as Morales drew first blood with a knockdown before Lopez responded with one of his own off a perfectly timed flying knee. The newcomer then slapped on an airtight mounted guillotine choke Morales valiantly escaped, but spent the rest of Round 1 with his foe draped over his back up against the fence.
Benito @Savage_530 Lopez wins by unanimous decision over Albert Morales to kick off our main event at #UFCFresno! https://t.co/VklUjtSzEj
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) December 10, 2017
The pace slowed in the middle round, but the bantamweights traded bombs nonetheless, with Lopez uncorking blistering kicks to his opponent's liver while Morales stayed busy and found a home for his combinations. Despite Morales' more prolific output in the last two rounds, all three presiding judges deemed the flashier Lopez's efforts enough for the nod.
The ever-game Morales has now dropped two straight decisions and owns a promotional record of 1-3-1.