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Ben Rothwell and Marcin Tybura faced off in a Heavyweight bout tonight (Sat., Oct. 10, 2020) at UFC Fight Island 5 from inside Flash Forum on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Following a competitive bout, Tybura was awarded the decision victory.
Rothwell opened with pressure, firing a big combination of quick shots early on. A couple clean right hands scored for “Big Ben.” He was landing nearly at will throughout the opening minute, but Tybura managed to sting a few counter rights. Rothwell ripped a hook to the body. Rothwell kicked the inside leg, but Tybura countered hard. Rothwell scored with another shifting combo. Big two piece for Tybura! Rothwell found a home for the uppercut. The Heavyweight veterans kept a high pace, and both men did some considerable damage. Rothwell moved the fight into the clinch, where he scored with further uppercuts. Tybura fired back well, but overall Rothwell’s pace and volume kept him ahead in the opening frame.
Rothwell opened the second round with a good low kick, soon answered by Tybura. Rothwell fired a combination. Rothwell backed his foe up and landed a chasing right hook. The fight moved into the clinch, where the two alternated position along the cage. The pace remained high, but the speed of the punches fell. Tybura stuck his foe with a cross. Rothwell dug into the body again. Tybura scored with some close-range uppercuts. Tybura kicked the belly. Tybura absorbed a combination then landed a heavy knee. Clean left hook from Tybura. Tybura landed a pair of good straight lefts. The two were both landing nearly at will, but Rothwell’s face wore more of the damage.
TYbura stuck his opponent with an early jab. He moved his head and feet well early, helping him evade Rothwell’s swings. Tybura stuck a front kick into the mid-section, followed by a crisp jab. Rothwell continued to advance behind combinations despite the abuse. Tybura landed a double leg along the fence! Tybura worked some elbows from within the full guard. Rothwell threw up a high guard, trying to threaten submissions to little effect. Tybura started connecting with bigger shots as time wore on. He finished the fight in top position, securing the final round of a competitive fight.
The second round was the only debatable section of the fight, but the judges ultimately awarded the win to Tybura, who did well to fight through early adversity. In addition, his defense was on display, as Tybura really made Rothwell miss often and found counters quite often.
Result: Marcin Tybura defeats Ben Rothwell via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
For complete UFC Fight Island 5: “Moraes vs. Sandhagen” results and play-by-play, click HERE!