UFC Fight Night Japan results: Barnett vs Nelson
UFC Fight Night Japan goes down tonight at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan. The preliminary bouts air on FOX Sports 2 beginning at 8 p.m., followed by the main card moving to FOX Sports 1 at 10 p.m.
The event was headlined by former UFC heavyweight champion ‘The Warmaster’ Josh Barnett against Ultimate Fighter winner, Roy ‘Big Country’ Nelson. Both men suffered defeats in their last two outings so a win is necessary for both to get back on track. Nelson however may have been more in need as he lost his last two, a unanimous decision to Alistair Overeem and a knockout at the hands of Mark Hunt.
After five full rounds Barnett would defeat Nelson via unanimous decision causing Nelson to lose his third straight. It is highly unlikely however that Nelson will be cut as a result.
A very intriguing middleweight fight led up to the main event when Uriah Hall looked to grab a spot in the official rankings by defeating the very dangerous Gegard Mousasi. This was arguably Hall’s biggest test to date, and he nailed it. It was all business for Mousasi in round one, but Hall hung in there with every submission attempt. Then round two began, and it was over. Hall will likely see an official ranking after defeating the number six ranked middleweight.
The opening bout of the main card would determine the winner of a six-figure UFC contract and the Road to UFC: Japan when Mizuto Hirota and Teruto Ishihara met in the center of the octagon. Instead, the fight ended in a draw and the crowd fell silent, not even the commentators knew what to say. Both fighters will get the contract according to UFC President Dana White.
In the headlining preliminary bout Li Jingliang was on his way to a victory, just battering Keita Nakamura when in the third round, Nakamura transitioned into standing back control and put Jinjliang to sleep before he face-planted to the canvas.
Official UFC Night Night Japan results below:
Main Card (FOX Sports 1, 10 p.m. ET)
Josh Barnett defeated Roy Nelson via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 50-45)
Uriah Hall defeated Gegard Mousasi via TKO (strikes) Round 2, 0:25
Kyoji Horiguchi defeated Chico Camus via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Takeya Mizugaki defeated George Roop via unanimous decision (29-)28, 29-28, 29-28
Diego Brandao defeated Katsunori Kikuno via TKO (strikes) Round 1, 0:28
Mizuto Hirota vs. Teruto Ishihara – “Road to UFC: Japan” tournament final was considered a draw (29-28, 29-28, 29-29)
PRELIMINARY CARD (FOX Sports 2, 8 p.m. ET)
Keita Nakamura defeated Li Jingliang via submission (rear naked choke) Round 3, 2:17
Nick Hein defeated Yusuke Kasuya via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Kajan Johnson defeated Naoyuki Kotani via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Shinsho Anzai defeated Roger Zapata via TKO (hand injury) – Round 3, 0:47
