UFC Fight Island 5: Edson Barboza’s Striking Rules The Day

Edson Barboza recorded his first win in the UFC’s featherweight division tonight, as the vaunted striker worked his way to an impressive, victory over Makwan Amirkhani.

Round one

Barboza came out pressuring and Amirkhani stayed back. Neither man threw much in the opening 90 seconds. A couple of minutes in, Barboza scored with a kick to the body. Moments later Barboza dug a right to the body as well. Late in the round, Amirkhani  shot in for a takedown but Barboza defended. Amirkhani tried clinching up not long after but Barboza worked his way free. The latter planted a hard right and then fired in a body kick, but Amirkhani  countered with a takedown.

Round two

Barboza scored a with right to begin the round and Amirkhani  countered with a jab. Both men continued to come with feints and head movement, but with few strikes. Barboza dug a hard right to the body a couple of minutes in. Moments later, Barboza sent Amirkhani to the deck with a straight right. Barboza started hunting for a choke but a bloodied Amirkhani defended. The fight returned to its feet and Amirkhani shot in, but Barboza sprawled nicely. In the final minute, Barboza sent Amirkhani  back to the ground with another pound right, and once again, he looked for a choke. Amirkhani defended – again – and in the ensuing scramble, he took the top position.

Round three

Barboza scored to the body again with a right, and moments later, he defended a TD from Amirkhani . The latter came with another TD and this time he got it. Amirkhani worked from within Barboza’s guard but wasn’t able to land much from the top. Amirkhani planted an elbow from the top but eventually the ref stood them up.

Moments later, Barboza cracked Amirkhani with a huge left hook. Late in the round, Barboza tagged Amirkhani  with a beautiful combo. Impressive peformance by Barboza.

Here are the results for far for UFC Fight Island 5, which is taking place in Abu Dhabi.

Edson Barboza def. Makwan Amirkhani via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 29-28)

Marcin Tybura def. Ben Rothwell via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)

Dricus Du Plessis def. Markus Perez via KO (punches) R1, 3:22

Tom Aspinall def. Alan Baudot via TKO (punches) R1, 1:35

Ilia Topuria def. Youssef Zalal via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Tom Breese def. KB Bhullar via TKO (punches) R1, 1:42

Chris Daukaus def. Rodrigo Nascimento via KO (punches) R1, 0:45

Joaquin Buckley def. Impa Kasanganay via KO (spinning back kick) R2, 2:03

Tony Kelley def. Ali AlQaisi via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Giga Chikadze def. Omar Morales via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Tracy Cortez def. Stephanie Egger via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Tagir Ulanbekov def. Bruno Silva via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)