UFC Fight Night 101 results from last night: Chris Camozzi vs Dan Kelly fight review, analysis

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight scrappers Chris Camozzi and Dan Kelly threw down last night (Nov. 26, 2016) at UFC Fight Night 101 inside Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia.

Prior to his most recent loss, Camozzi was on a solid win streak looking to break into the rankings. He was looking to put some space between himself and that ugly loss last night, but he had a tough grappler in front of him. On the other hand, Kelly’s unexpected success earned him a step up in competition. Camozzi was that opportunity, and the Aussie could prove that he was worthy of a higher level of opponent.

In the battle of Southpaws, Camozzi took control of range with his jab. While his opponent pushed forward with occasional power punch combination — some of which did land — Camozzi circled well and stabbed at his opponent with jabs, crosses, and some hard low kicks.

Kelly found his range in the second half of the round, however. He began landing his overhand more often, and it definitely earned him Camozzi’s respect. The American landed a nasty elbow that split his opponent’s forehead open, but Kelly pushed forward nonetheless and scored a big takedown at the bell.

It was a very close round.

Kelly pushed forward behind some big punches and landed a clinch takedown. From half guard, Kelly proved a very difficult man to maneuver, as he smothered Camozzi and landed some decent ground and pound. Eventually, Kelly passed into side control. His ground strikes still were far from devastating, but he completely controlled his opponent for the entire round.

The Australian’s top game was too much.

Luckily for Camozzi, the third round began back on the feet. He quickly went back to work with his quick jabs and left hand counters, opening up his opponent’s forehead even further. He also did a much better job of rejecting his opponent’s clinch, pushing away rather than fighting for underhooks.

With about one minute remaining, Kelly finally landed a takedown after a dozen failed attempts. That said, Kelly did almost nothing with his takedown, laying on his opponent from the full guard for the vast majority of that final minute. He flurried in the last five seconds, but Camozzi otherwise won the round.

Ultimately, all three judges awarded the decision to Dan Kelly, although their scoring was certainly bizarre.

At any rate, Kelly’s relentless aggression really won him this bout. His opponent had a pretty huge technical advantage on the feet, but Kelly simply took his shots and kept coming forward. Camozzi didn’t have the power to truly make him pay, and that allowed Kelly to get into the fight. Aside from that, Kelly’s clinch work has proven to be quite effective. His judo has carried over in the Octagon well, as he was able to trip Camozzi to the mat whenever he was able to establish position.

Following this win, I have absolutely no idea where Kelly’s ceiling is. He’s able to push a pace that’s frankly shocking considering his age, and his heart carries him past some serious technical deficiencies. I would’ve thought someone — besides Sam Alvey — would make him pay by now, but he keeps marching forward anyway.

As for Camozzi, this is a really ugly loss for him. Camozzi’s biggest issue in the past has been that he’s not the most athletic fighter; he wins by out-working foes.

That wasn’t the case here.

Camozzi gave away the second round far too easily. He never gave more than a half-hearted effort to return to his feet at any point in the fight. Even the final takedown in the third round — a pivotal round! — came without much fight once Kelly managed to close the distance. This was a winnable fight for the American, but his opponent wanted it more.

At UFC Fight Night 101, Dan Kelly picked up a decision over Chris Camozzi. How high can the Australian climb in the Middleweight division?

For complete UFC Fight Night 101: “Whittaker vs Brunson” results and play-by-play, click HERE!

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight scrappers Chris Camozzi and Dan Kelly threw down last night (Nov. 26, 2016) at UFC Fight Night 101 inside Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia.

Prior to his most recent loss, Camozzi was on a solid win streak looking to break into the rankings. He was looking to put some space between himself and that ugly loss last night, but he had a tough grappler in front of him. On the other hand, Kelly’s unexpected success earned him a step up in competition. Camozzi was that opportunity, and the Aussie could prove that he was worthy of a higher level of opponent.

In the battle of Southpaws, Camozzi took control of range with his jab. While his opponent pushed forward with occasional power punch combination — some of which did land — Camozzi circled well and stabbed at his opponent with jabs, crosses, and some hard low kicks.

Kelly found his range in the second half of the round, however. He began landing his overhand more often, and it definitely earned him Camozzi’s respect. The American landed a nasty elbow that split his opponent’s forehead open, but Kelly pushed forward nonetheless and scored a big takedown at the bell.

It was a very close round.

Kelly pushed forward behind some big punches and landed a clinch takedown. From half guard, Kelly proved a very difficult man to maneuver, as he smothered Camozzi and landed some decent ground and pound. Eventually, Kelly passed into side control. His ground strikes still were far from devastating, but he completely controlled his opponent for the entire round.

The Australian’s top game was too much.

Luckily for Camozzi, the third round began back on the feet. He quickly went back to work with his quick jabs and left hand counters, opening up his opponent’s forehead even further. He also did a much better job of rejecting his opponent’s clinch, pushing away rather than fighting for underhooks.

With about one minute remaining, Kelly finally landed a takedown after a dozen failed attempts. That said, Kelly did almost nothing with his takedown, laying on his opponent from the full guard for the vast majority of that final minute. He flurried in the last five seconds, but Camozzi otherwise won the round.

Ultimately, all three judges awarded the decision to Dan Kelly, although their scoring was certainly bizarre.

At any rate, Kelly’s relentless aggression really won him this bout. His opponent had a pretty huge technical advantage on the feet, but Kelly simply took his shots and kept coming forward. Camozzi didn’t have the power to truly make him pay, and that allowed Kelly to get into the fight. Aside from that, Kelly’s clinch work has proven to be quite effective. His judo has carried over in the Octagon well, as he was able to trip Camozzi to the mat whenever he was able to establish position.

Following this win, I have absolutely no idea where Kelly’s ceiling is. He’s able to push a pace that’s frankly shocking considering his age, and his heart carries him past some serious technical deficiencies. I would’ve thought someone — besides Sam Alvey — would make him pay by now, but he keeps marching forward anyway.

As for Camozzi, this is a really ugly loss for him. Camozzi’s biggest issue in the past has been that he’s not the most athletic fighter; he wins by out-working foes.

That wasn’t the case here.

Camozzi gave away the second round far too easily. He never gave more than a half-hearted effort to return to his feet at any point in the fight. Even the final takedown in the third round — a pivotal round! — came without much fight once Kelly managed to close the distance. This was a winnable fight for the American, but his opponent wanted it more.

At UFC Fight Night 101, Dan Kelly picked up a decision over Chris Camozzi. How high can the Australian climb in the Middleweight division?

For complete UFC Fight Night 101: “Whittaker vs Brunson” results and play-by-play, click HERE!