Dominick Cruz gets back in win column with split decision over Kenney
Three title fights are going down at UFC 259 this Saturday, March 6.
The main event is when two champions will collide as the middleweight king, Israel Adesanya challenges the light-heavyweight champion, Jan Blachowicz at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The reigning women’s bantamweight and featherweight champion Amanda Nunes welcomes Australia’s Megan Anderson in the co-main event.
Bantamweight titleholder Peter Yan makes his first defense against the surging Aljamain Sterling in the first championship bout of the evening.
In the featured bout of the preliminary card, Dominick Cruz takes on Casey Kenney in a bantamweight contest.
Casey Kenney is a young talent riding a 3 fight win streak. With 4 fights in 2020, Kenney is looking to stay busy in 2021, starting with a win over the bantamweight legend. Kenney’s last bout was in October when he defeated Nathanial Wood.
Former bantamweight king, Dominick Cruz has a history of plaguing injuries. The former champion hasn’t been able to string a consistent run together since 2016. His last outing in the cage was in May when he was stopped by Henry Cejudo.
Here is how the bantamweight bout between Casey Kenney and Dominick Cruz went down at UFC 259, including round-by-round scoring. For full results, check them out right here.
Round 1:
MyMMANews scores round 1 for Cruz. 10-9
Round 2:
Some heavy strikes from both fighters early get this round underway. Kenney gets started attacking the Inside leg kick causing Cruz to abort or reassess. Kenney gets on the attack again. Cruz shoots a takedown that is fended off. Kenney stays heavy on the leg kicks, as they continue finding their home. Cruz looks for another takedown to no avail. Cruz switches up and steps on the gas, mixing up his beautifully times punches and kicks. Cruz is definitely getting the better of the standing thus far, but Kenney is easily in the fight, landing his own. Cruz blitzes forward landing a plethora of punches, forcing Kenney to take a few steps back across the cage. Kenney gets back into the mix, getting in Cruz’s face with his own punches. As the round is near line a close, both fighters are happy to trade, landing their own respective shots. Cruz attempts to steal the round, switching levels, with Kenney securing the neck looking for a last-second sub.
MyMMANews scores round 2 for Cruz. 10-9
Round 3:
Cruz starts the third and final round with a head kick attempt. Cruz then looks for a takedown attempt that is fended off. Cruz immediately shoots again with Kenney grabbing and holding Cruz’s neck and looks for something with Cruz landing in side control. Both fighters patiently wait for their opportunity to advance. Kenney lets go of the neck and gets back to his feet with ease, avoiding damage on the bottom. Cruz gets back to work and lands several sneaky punches. Kenney, looking increasingly frustrated, blitzes forward. Cruz is able to connect with several shots, putting Kenney on wobbly legs. Kenney regains composure quickly and gets back to work. Looking to land a hard shot to turn Cruz’s lights out, Kenney is running out of time to do anything spectacular. Cruz shoots and easily secured a final takedown to put a stamp on the round.
MyMMANews scores round 3 for Cruz. 10-9
Official Result: Dominick Cruz wins via split decision. (29-28), (29-28), (30-27)
