Rozenstruik bounces back with TKO win over Gaziev in UFC main event

Heavyweight contender Jairzinho Rozenstruik returned to the win column Saturday, defeating Shamil Gaziev via TKO in the UFC Fight Night main event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Referee Marc Goddard waved off the fight between the fourth and fifth rounds after Gaziev apparently told his corner he couldn't see out of one eye.

Rozenstruik was winning on two judges' scorecards after four rounds. Judge Chris Lee had the fight scored 40-36 and judge Sal D'Amato had it 39-37. Judge Derek Cleary had the fight tied at 38-38.

Rozenstruik controlled the action on the feet throughout the bout, peppering and bloodying Gaziev with a heavy jab. Gaziev secured a takedown late in the first round but generally struggled to get the fight to the mat, failing on six other attempts.

The first two rounds were competitive - Cleary scored them both for Gaziev - but Rozenstruik started to cruise and Gaziev faded in the second half of the fight.

With the victory, Rozenstruik bounced back from a first-round submission loss to Jailton Almeida last May. "Bigi Boy" is now 2-3 in his last five Octagon appearances. Rozenstruik, of Suriname, said he wants to fight next in July or August.

Gaziev suffered his first pro defeat against Rozenstruik. He's now 1-1 in the UFC. Gaziev finished Martin Buday in his debut at UFC 296 last December.