British heavyweights Rob Broughton and Philip De Fries collided in a contrast of styles. De Fries was originally slated to face Oli Thompson, but an injury forced the change.
Broughton entered the fight coming off a decision loss to Travis Browne at UFC 135 in September. The veteran had won five straight before the loss.
De Fries, on the other hand, has yet to taste defeat in his young career. The fighter has won all of his seven wins by way of submission.
Immediately, De Fries looked for a takedown. Broughton stuffed it, but De Fries pushed the fight against the fence. The referee split up the position after little action. De Fries ducked under a punch and again looked for a takedown. Broughton continued to defend. De Fries dropped to the ankle and got the fight down. De Fries moved to side control. Broughton regained his half guard and looked to stand. De Fries moved to take the back, but Broughton rolled to his half guard. Broughton regained full guard, but De Fries stood and passed to side control again. Broughton rolled and De Fries took his back as the round exhausted.
De Fries again opened with a takedown attempt against the fence. De Fries looked to take the back again. Broughton prevented the position. De Fries continued to look for Broughton’s back. Broughton briefly attacked De Fries’ right arm with a kimura. Broughton used the kimura to sweep to the top position. De Fries looked a kimura of his own on Broughton’s left arm. Broughton rained punches with his right hand. Broughton transitioned to a kimura on De Fries’ left arm. Broughton moved to a mounted crucifix and rained punches on De Fries. Broughton worked for a straight armbar, but De Fries prevented it. The round ended with Broughton continuing to drop punches.
The final frame started with De Fries throwing jabs. Broughton swung for the fences with a right hand, but missed. De Fries again brought the fight to the mat against the cage. Broughton gave up his back, but De Fries could not secure his hooks. De Fries moved back to side control. De Fries transitioned to the full mount with two minutes remaining the bout. De Fries delivered his first real strikes of the fight from the position. Broughton pushed De Fries off, but remained on his back when De Fries moved to the north-south position. The fight was stood up with ten seconds left.
The crowd heavily booed the slow fight, which was scored for Phil De Fries.
Official Result: Phil De Fries def. Rob Broughton by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
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Rob Tatum is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. You can also find Rob’s work at TheMMACorner.com. For anything related to MMA, you can follow Rob on Twitter @RobTatumMMA.