UFC 268 Results: Melsik Baghdasaryan def. Bruno Souza via unanimous decision
Round 1 — This should be a doozy. Is it possible that I’ve just jinxed it? Maybe. We’ll have to wait and see. Both fighters take karate stances when they enter the ring. They’re engaged in a long-distance battle. They come in and leave. Melsik Baghdasaryan lands the first – and second – leg kicks. He misses the third shot. Bruno Souza, who failed to make weight the day before, has a very wide stance. While on retreat, he’s not throwing much, much like his instructor Lyoto Machida. The crowd is booing. So maybe I jinxed it a little. Whoops. Baghdasaryan, on the other hand, is heading forward while Souza rotates about him. Souza counters with a left hand. With a kick to the body, Souza hits him. Baghdasaryan strikes the body with a jab. Tap-tap Souza uses two short body kicks to touch Baghdasaryan’s body. Baghdasaryan returns the kick with one of his own. That didn’t seem to sit well with Souza. He fired his weapon right away. Baghdasaryan is being pushed against the fence by him. Baghdasaryan protects himself by kneeing Souza in the chest. Baghdasaryan twists him around, but they’re still clenched. A fence grab is warned to Baghdasaryan. The fighters split up. Souza collapses when Baghdasaryan lands a blow, albeit it could have been due to a slip rather than harm. Baghdasaryan misses a high kick and then succeeds with a high kick. The horn blows. Baghdasaryan has a score of 10-9.
Round 2 — To begin the round, Souza delivers a good blow. He could do with a few more of those. Right now, his inactivity is hurting him. Baghdasaryan dodges another combination and chases Souza the whole length of the cage. Souza circles away as his back hit the cage. Baghdasaryan misses a spinning back kick to the body a la Dennis Siver. Baghdasaryan kicks his opponent in the leg, then another, and another. Souza rushes in and devours one of the right hands. Baghdasaryan strikes the body with a jab. They’re both out. On the outside of his left leg, Souza has some redness. He took a different posture for a moment. Souza attempts a takedown but abandons it in favor of a great knee. In the past 10 seconds, referee Todd Anderson has issued warnings to both competitors concerning open hands and head clashes. A left hand is landed by Baghdasaryan. The two boxers are now squaring off. They fight in the fight’s most action-packed sequence. The round has come to a conclusion. Baghdasaryan, Baghdasaryan, Baghdasaryan, Baghdasaryan
Round 3 – Souza lands a body kick in the third round. Baghdasaryan attempts an ax kick, which he narrowly misses. That would have been interesting. Souza connects with a three-punch combo. I’m not sure where it has been all night, but he’s in desperate need of more. Souza blocks a Baghdasaryan attack and lands a leg kick. In this round, Souza is considerably more aggressive. Again, this is very Machida-like. Baghdasaryan lands a leg kick to the outside. Souza attempts it again, this time with a jumping knee. On a stepping-back elbow, Souza connects. That was deceptive and effective. Both combatants have become more sluggish. Baghdasaryan throws a wild right overhand. Souza successfully executes a combo. The duel comes to a close with a horn. Baghdasaryan wins 29-29, according to MMA Junkie.
Result: Melsik Baghdasaryan def. Bruno Souza via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)