The opening bout of UFC 262’s main card featured a battle between top-10 flyweights. As eighth ranked Louisiana native Matt Schnell looked to hand ninth ranked Rogerio Bontorin a third straight L inside the Octagon.
The fight started out with both being cautious and looking to find the range to unleash from. While not putting out a high volume, Schnell was the fighter initiating the action while Bontorin seemed to be waiting for the right moment to unload his power punches. The Brazilian scored several power shots, but it wasn’t enough to get the round as “Danger” was the more active and technical striker throughout.
Rogerio Bontorin outpoints Matt Schnell in clash of top-10 flyweights
As the fight plays out, Bontorin has used a solid calf kick to try and slow the movement of his opponent. It has helped some as he’s started to land a bit more in the second round, but Schnell is still the more polished striker as he lands combinations when the pair get in close quarters. It hasn’t been a bout filled with action through the first two, as Schnell is showing a lot of respect and Bontorin has had issues closing the distance to land strikes more often.
Boos started to rain down from the Houston crowd in the third, as they were displeased with the pace of the fight in the final frame. With a little over two minutes left, Bontorin finally landed the shot he had been looking for the whole fight and seemed to hurt Schnell. Getting resistance in return as he tried to finish his opponent, Bontorin took things to the matand scored strikes on the ground. It was a strong finish for the 29-year-old in a fight that could end up being closer than it seemed at first glance.
After three less than exciting rounds, Bontorin earned the unanimous decision win and ended a two fight losing streak. He missed weight by a pound and half and lost 20% of his purse, but in the end scored the victory he needed. For the eighth ranked Schnell, he comes up short and falls to 5-4 inside the Octagon. In this battle of UFC-themed show contestants, the Dana White’s Contender Series alum defeats his The Ultimate Fighter foe.
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