Say what you will about Stefan Struve’s fighting style, but his heart can never be questioned.
The vertically gifted Dutchman stormed back from early adversity yet again in the co-main event of UFC on FUEL, dropping Dave Herman with a right uppercut before swarming for a second-round TKO finish to the delight of a wild crowd at the Omaha Civic Auditorium. Video highlights of Struve’s seventh UFC win can be seen below.
For more on Wednesday’s co-headlining heavyweight scrap, follow the play-by-play by MMA Fighting’s own Mike Chiappetta.
Round 1: Slow start early as both measure distance. Struve fires a head kick that misses its target. Herman jumps into a knee that backs Struve against the cage. Struve grabs his leg and thinks about a takedown but lets it go. Herman is the aggressor early coming forward although the pace hasn’t picked up much. Struve scores with a right hand. Herman switching stances occasionally, keeping Struve guessing. Herman thuds a right hand off Struve’s chin in the closing seconds. A close round, but Herman takes it 10-9.
Round 2: Struve with an early leg kick. Struve with a bodylock and takes Herman down, straight into mount. Herman gives up his back but then snakes free. They’re back to their feet. Struve with a body kick that reverberated through the arena. Herman fires back an uppercut/hook combo. He’s been the more creative striker of the two. Struve hurt Herman with a pair of rights near the cage. Herman’s cut under the left eye now. The momentum has shifted. Struve drops Herman with a leg kick/right uppercut combo. Struve quickly moves to mount and pours it on with strikes. Herman is warned to fight back but can’t escape and simply covers up until ref Josh Rosenthal stops it.
UFC on FUEL results: Stefan Struve def. Dave Herman via TKO, Rd. 2 (3:52).