UFC on FOX 4 – Mauricio “Shogun” makes hard work of Brandon Vera, finally finishes the fight in the fourth round
A poorly conditioned former UFC light heavyweight champion, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua tonight made hard work of the normally hapless Brandon Vera in the UFC on FOX 4 main event of the evening, finally finishing the fight in the fourth round in what turned out to be an entertaining affair in Los Angeles, California.
Body kick from Vera, and another. Rua catches an attempted knee and takes Vera to the ground. Rua in half-guard. Rua works the top position as he looks to pass. Rua moves to side control. Vera scrambles but Rua cuts him off and lands a knee to the body. Vera gets loose with a couple of head kicks as he gets to his feet. Vera clinches before pulling guard with a guillotine that looks tight. Rua gets free and lands a big right over the top from half-guard. Rua moves to side control again before taking the back of Vera. Rua hammers away from the back mount. Vera rides it out. MMABay scores the round 10-9 Rua.
Big left kick from Rua takes Vera to a knee. Big right hand from Rua drops Vera for a second. Vera gets back to his feet and fights back but he looks out on his feet. Slashing elbow from Vera seems to land. Nice straight left from Vera lands. Nice combination ends in a kick from Vera. The two men exchange with Vera seemingly getting the better of it. Rua secures the clinch and knees away to the body. Vera drops to a knee and Rua continues to hammer away. Vera back up and lands a head-kick. Nice right hand from Vera lands. This is crazy. Rua with a right hand, answered by Vera. Vera clinches up against the fence before dragging Rua to the ground. Rua looks exhausted. Knees to the body by Vera land. Vera seems content with staying in half-guard despite it being wide open for a pass. MMABay scores the round 10-9 Vera.
Rua seems to have gathered himself and throws himself into an attack pinning Vera on the fence. Vera avoids the takedown and circles away. Nice leg kick from Vera lands. Knee from the clinch by Rua sees Vera drop to a knee. Rua looks to lock up a submission but abandons it. Rua wades away but Vera gets back to his feet. Nice combination from Vera lands. Vera turns up the heat once again, landing lefts, rights and kicks. Rua with the clinch and scores with the takedown. Rua looks to move to the mount but Vera has hold of the leg preventing it. Rua hammer-fists away as he looks to see out the round in the dominant position. MMABay scores the round 10-9 Rua.
Body kick from Vera. Nice knee to the body from Vera lands. Big left hook from Rua lands before pinning Vera on the fence. Knees to the body and head by Rua. Nice knee from Vera following a close trip. Low kick from Vera lands followed by an elbow. Big uppercut from Rua lands before going back to the clinch on the fence. Rua is looking to wear Vera out in this position and nick another round. Nice combination from Vera, answered by Rua. Vera drops to the canvas and Rua finally finishes him off.
By Michael Pepper. (Follow me on Twitter)
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