UFC on FOX 3 – Johny Hendricks rides out a split decision win over Josh Koscheck to secure possible title shot
UFC welterweight contender, Johny Hendricks could very well have booked himself a shot at the title tonight following a three round split decision win over former title contender, Josh Koscheck on the UFC on FOX 3 card in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Front kick from Koscheck early. Big left hand from Hendricks is slipped and countered by Koscheck. Koscheck pins Hendricks up against the fence and unloads. Hendricks looks wobbly early. More punishment from Koscheck is dealt out. Hendricks looks for a takedown but isn’t even close. Hendricks with a nice uppercut and a left hand before taking the fight to the ground for a moment. Koscheck back to his feet but he’s pinned against the cage eating knees to the thighs. The referee breaks them up. Hendricks lands the left once again. Koscheck soon answers with a right before Hendricks looks to take it down again. Koscheck gets free and unleashes a big flurry. Body kick from Koscheck lands. Hendricks flurries forward to end the round. MMABay scores the round 10-9 Hendricks.
Hendricks pushes forward from the off but misses mostly. Nice uppercut from Hendricks. Hendricks looks for the takedown but loses it and Koscheck winds up taking his back up against the cage. Hendricks manages to get back to his feet. Hendricks shoots in again and this time gets a partial takedown. Koscheck gets back to his feet but is eating knees to the thighs. The referee separates them. Koscheck misses with a big right but Hendricks lands a nice combination. Koscheck shoots in but is shrugged off. The two exchange positions against the cage as Koscheck gets off before they separate. Koscheck fires the head kick but it’s blocked. Nice flurry from Koscheck but there’s little behind it. Hendricks goes for a late takedown and doesn’t get it. MMABay scores the round 10-9 Hendricks.
Hendricks backs Koscheck up with strikes. Koscheck looks for the takedown and stuffs Hendricks up against the fence. Hendricks starts to knee away to the head before the referee separates them. Nice combination from Koscheck as he pushes the pace. Both men tag each other with big shots. Big uppercut from Hendricks lands which seems to hurt Koscheck who fires straight back. Koscheck puts Hendricks up against the cage but is turned around. The referee breaks them up. Body kick from Hendricks followed by the knee to the face. Koscheck clings on and secures the takedown. Koscheck looks to move from half-guard to a better position. Short elbows from Koscheck before going to the body repeatedly. Ten seconds remaining. Dominant finish by Koscheck. MMABay scores the round 10-9 Koscheck.
The judges scored the fight 29-28, 28-29, 29-28 in favour of Hendricks.
By Michael Pepper. (Follow me on Twitter)
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