UFC Tampa results: Matt Frevola squeaks out decision over Luis Pena
On Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, the UFC returned to Florida for UFC on ESPN+ 19.
The event took place at Amalie Arena in Tampa and was headlined by a women’s strawweight bout between Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Michelle Waterson.
On the UFC Tampa main card, a lightweight matchup took place between two of the up and coming fighters in the division as Luis Pena faced Matt Frevola. After suffering the first loss of his pro career at UFC Fight Night 139 last November to Mike Trizano, Pena has bounced back with back-to-back victories. Most recently, “Violent Bob Ross” battered and eventually finished Matt Wiman via third round TKO at UFC Greenville in June.
Frevola is coming off of his first victory inside of the Octagon, defeating Jalin Turner via unanimous decision at UFC 236. “Steamrolla” had come off of a knockout loss and a draw in the UFC after earning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series.
Here is how the lightweight matchup between Luis Pena and Matt Frevola went down at UFC Tampa, including round by round scoring. Check out the full results of UFC Tampa right here.
ROUND 1
Huge pop for Tampa’s Matt Frevola as this lightweight matchup gets underway. Frevola goes right after Pena with big punches and kicks. Frevola misses a huge combination, but follows with a leg kick. Another hard leg kick by Frevola. Teep kick from Pena, leg kick answer from Frevola. Both guys just miss with heavy leather. Big right hand from Frevola lands clean. Frevola lands another big right hand and ducks under for a double leg. Frevola scoops Pena up and slams him to the mat. Pena gets right back to his feet and lands a knee. Frevola shooting in once again and has a single. Up goes Pena, down goes Pena — who has an interesting head and arm like submission. Frevola is able to escape but Pena is able to sweep and reverse position. Pena with a thai clinch looking for a big knee, Frevola is able to avoid the damage. Pena now working against the fence and has the back of Frevola. Pena gets it to the mat and lands short pushes. Pena lands a huge combination and Frevola is stunned. Frevola answers with a big left hand. Pena ends the round with a combination. Frevola, on my card, takes the round. Pena may have taken the momentum, however.
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 for Frevola
ROUND 2
They trade shots early in the round, Frevola with a leg kick. Pena is starting to find his range and lands a massive knee. Frevola is badly hurt, but shoots for a takedown. Pena lands a flurry of elbows and rolls into a Kimura attempt. Frevola rolls around and escapes. Pena lands a barrage of knees in the clinch and Frevola is a bloody mess. Frevola lands a nice left hand. Clean jab from Pena, followed by a straight right. Left hand lands by Pena. Right hand from Frevola lands after a short left from Pena. Body kick from the Tampa native, followed by a superman punch attempt. Pena with a jab that lands flush followed by a kick to the body. Under two minutes to go, Pena just misses a step-in elbow. Huge kick to the face from Pena, who slips on his back side. Frevola rushes in but Pena is back up. Frevola shoots for a single, goes to the back and Pena looks for a kimura, then transitions to a triangle attempt. Frevola is able to get into Pena’s guard and looks to cause some damage. Pena gets up, but Frevola lands a belly to back suplex. Pena is able to back mount Frevola in a scramble and lands punches before the round ends.
🔉⬆️ BIG knee from @violentbobross #UFCTampa pic.twitter.com/wHsiuPUrn9
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 13, 2019
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 for Pena
ROUND 3
Pena lands a combination to kick off the round. Frevola comes up short on a superman punch. Body kick from Frevola and Pena is patiently waiting for an opening to explode. Frevola to the body. Pena with a jab, counter right by Frevola. High kick from Pena catches Frevola’s attention. Beautiful jab by Pena, Frevola answers with a big right hand and Pena backs up a bit. Pena just misses a jumping knee. Frevola lands a shot and Pena looks to slip down. Frevola takes advantage and gets on top. Pena gets back to his feet and Frevola lands a nice right hand before going back to a single. Under two minutes to go, Pena lands a jab. Frevola with a right hand to the body. Pena lands a short left hook as the final minute approaches. Frevola charges in with a body kick. Left hand from Frevola. Pena with another clean jab, right hand answer from Frevola. Pena begins to open up and Frevola shoots a double in the final 10 seconds. The fight ends in the clinch against the fence. This will be close.
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 and the fight 29-28 for Frevola
Official result: Matt Frevola def. Luis Pena via split decision (28-29, 29-28 x2)
