Even with the Swedish crowd fully behind him, Papy Abedi was unable to earn his first UFC victory against James Head.
After a nice takedown that led to a some top control, Abedi was in control of the fight halfway through the round, but Head turned it up and started to find his range on the feet.
Head ended up getting control in the clinch and landed a powerful elbow, followed by some serious right hands and knocked Abedi down before locking in the fight-ending rear naked choke.
What We’ll Remember About This Fight:
James Head was able to come back from some adversity and looked stronger as the round wore on.
Head proved he belongs in the UFC with the win, but the opposite can be said for Abedi, who has looked mediocre in both his UFC bouts and could end up receiving his walking papers.
What We Learned About Papy Abedi:
Despite earning a high-caliber fight against Thiago Alves in his UFC debut, Abedi just isn’t good enough to hang in the UFC.
He may get one more chance inside the Octagon, but unless he gets matched up against a average striker with bad wrestling, I can’t see him winning in the UFC.
What We Learned About James Head:
His post-fight taunting of the Swedish fans was a bit much, but he earned the right to do it after taking out one of Sweden’s most popular locals.
Head showed off his striking late in the round and looked very good against Abedi from the word go.
His takedown defense could use a little work, but overall it was a good performance from Head.
What’s Next For Papy Abedi:
Unless the UFC likes his style, this is probably the end of Abedi’s UFC career.
Both of his losses have come in the first round of the fight, and he didn’t look terribly competitive in either one, which makes him expendable.
What’s Next For James Head:
One of tonight’s earlier winners, Simeon Thoresen, looked equally as good as Head in his bout, and a matchup between the two would let the UFC know which guy is ready to take a step up in competition.
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