Gavin Tucker pressures Billy Quarantillo in decision win
Gavin Tucker beat Billy Quarantillo at his own game by pressuring his opponent to a unanimous decision win at UFC 256 on Saturday, Dec. 12.
Tucker earned a career-high seven takedown in a dominant three-round performance inside the UFC Apex. Tucker brought the pressure to Quarantillo by swarming the opposition for the entire bout.
No matter who is the winner of the UFC 256 main event, Deiveison Figuieredo is making history.
The 125-pound king makes the quickest turnaround ever as a champion against Brandon Moreno inside the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. It marks the same location where he made his first title defense by submitting Alex Perez in the first round at UFC 255 on Nov. 21.
The former UFC interim champion Tony Ferguson looks to rebound from a fifth-round TKO loss to Justin Gaethje back in May, taking on the surging Charles Oliveira in the co-main event.
On the prelims is a matchup between two surging featherweights in Gavin Tucker and Billy Quarantillo. Quarantillo is on an eight-fight win streak, including three octagon victories.
He most recently knocked out Kyle Nelson in the third round at UFC Fight Night 177 in September.
Tucker is on a two-fight win streak of his own. He most recently submitted Justin Jaynes in the third round at UFC Fight Night 174 this past August.
Tucker is 3-1 in the UFC with wins against Seung Woo Schoi and Sam Sacilia.
Here is how the featherweight bout between Gavin Tucker and Billy Quarantillo went down at UFC 256, including round-by-round scoring. For full results of the event, check them out right here.
Gavin Tucker puts on full display
ROUND 1
Quarantillo is using his reach early, backing Tucker up. Tucker goes low on a leg kick and lands a right hand. Quarantillo finds the right hand and comes forward. Tucker appears hurt, but ducks down to clinch Quarantillo against the cage. Tucker earns a takedown, but Quarantillo pops right back up and breaks free. Quarantillo is active on the feet. Tucker clinches again and puts Quarantillo against the cage. Quarantillo pushes Tucker off and tries to circle. Tucker swarms and clinches again. Both me fighting for position against the fence. They break and both men throw hooks. Tucker lands a short elbow and a right hand. Quarantillo keeps closing the distance now. Tucker clinches. Quarantillo gets out, but Tucker comes in with a straight right. Quarantillo comes with a right hand to the body. Quarantillo lands back-to-back left hands. Tucker goes up top and lands a head kick. Tucker lands a left hand as well. Quarantillo clinches now. Tucker muscles Qurantillo and scores a takedown.
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 for Tucker
ROUND 2
Quarantillo pressures Tucker early, but Tucker is composed. Tucker lands a knee to the body up the middle. Tucker goes high with a left kick again. Quarantillo takes another knee to the body. Tucker clinches and puts Quarantillo against the cage. Both men trade knees now. Tucker is active with the knees, slowing Quarantillo down a bit. Tucker lands a leg kick, followed by a right hand. Tucker ducks under a right hand. Quarantillo eats three punches from Tucker. Tucker clinches and circles to the back. Tucker drags Quarantillo down, but Quarantillo gets to his feet. Qurantillo throws a jab, but Tucker scores the takedown. Tucker is in side control, looking to mount. Tucker mounts and Quarantillo circles and gives up his back. Quarantillo scrambles and gets to his feet. Both men exchange. Quarantillo is showing fatigue. Tucker clinches, Quarntillo slips and they end in the clinch.
MyMMANews.com scores it 20-18 for Tucker
ROUND 3
They tap gloves. Both men throw early. Tucker goes to the body with a knee. Tucker throws a high kick, followed by a straight left. Tucker clinches and scores a takedown. Quarantillo gets to his feet. Tucker comes forward with punches and clinches. Quarantillo breaks free, but Tucker is all over Quarantillo. Tucker scores a takedown. Tucker takes the back as Quarantillo stands. The two split and clash heads. The referee breaks the action. Quarantillo is bleeding. The two get back to action. Tucker clinches again, Quarantillo tries to get space. Tucker drops and scores the takedown. Tucker gets the back of Quarantillo, lifts and slams his opponent to the mat. Tucker earns a career-best six takedowns. Quarantillo tryin to get back to his feet, but Tucker is glued to the body. The two remain in the clinch, then break, then go back. Tucker earns takedown No. 7. Tucker ends the third round in the top position.
MyMMANews.com scores it 30-27 for Tucker
Official decision: Gavin Tucker def. Billy Quarantillo via unanimous decision [30-27 3x]
