This is the UFC on FUEL 8 live blog for Mizuto Hirota vs. Rani Yahya, a featherweight bout at Saturday night’s UFC event at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
Hirota, who is making his UFC debut, will face Yahya, who has lost three of his past five fights, on the main card.
Check out the UFC on FUEL 8 live blog below.
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Round 1: Yahya catches Hirota with a right to the ear. Yahya shoots in for a single leg, scores the takedown. Hirota gets back to his feet, but Yahya takes him right back down, then works an armlock. Hirota escapes and ends up in top position. Yahya grabs his leg, Hirota tries to escape, but Yahya gets the sweep. Yahya now in top position. Hirota escapes again with about two minutes left, but Yahya is relentless and scores another takedown. Yahya works in half-guard, trying to isolate Hirota’s left arm. Yahya moves into side control, then gets Hirota’s back in the closing seconds. Solid round for Yahya MMAFighting scores the round for Rani Yahya, 10-9.
Round 2: Hirota has Yahya clinched against the cage early, but Yahya switches levels and easily scores the takedown. Hirota’s head is up against the cage. Yahya maneuvers Hirota into a tight arm triangle. He’s got it in tight and Hirota’s breathing deep. It’s clear Hirota will go out before he taps, so Yahya lets go and works back into top control. Final minute, Yahya in side control and staying busy. Close to a 10-8 round. MMAFighting scores the round for Rani Yahya, 10- (20-18)
Round 3: Hirota sprawls a Yahya takedown attempt. Hirota briefly has top control, but Yahya’s right back on his feet. Hirota again sprawls and Hirota briefly gets a front facelock. Yayha makes third and fourth single-leg attempts. He finally finishes off the fourth one. This time, Hirota works a triangle and an armbar. Yayha manages to finally escape, then gets Hirota’s back in the scramble. Two minutes left. Hirota works his way back to his feet, but Yayha grabs his head and takes it back to the ground. Hirota’s in Yayha’s half-guard, then gets back to his feet. Hirota goes for a running, flying knee, but Yayha gets out of the way, Yayha looks gassed. Back to their feet. Yayha attempts a spinnign back first, doesn’t get it. Hirota aggressive in the closing seconds. MMAFighting scores the round for Mizuto Hirota, 10-9 (29-28 Yayha overall).