Raoni Barcelos struggles for takedowns, but outworks Cody Garbrandt at UFC Atlanta
Barcelos (20-5 MMA, 9-4 UFC) outworked ex-bantamweight champ Cody Garbrandt (14-7 MMA, 9-7 UFC) for a unanimous decision Saturday on the main card at UFC on ESPN 69 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. The Brazilian won with a trio of 29-28 scores.
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Garbrandt came out swinging in a hurry and got inside a couple times in the first 20 seconds, only to have Barcelos briefly dump him to the canvas. That slowed Garbrandt down after his quick early pace, but 75 seconds in Garbrandt stung Barcelos with a punch and put him on the canvas. The former champ let the Brazilian back up, and they eventually tied up on the fence. Barcelos broke away with a knee.
When Barcelos tried to wrestle a couple times, Garbrandt stuffed the takedown attempts, then went after some bigger offense and just missed with a couple that may have ended things. Garbrandt stuffed the first four of Barcelos' takedown attempts, but found himself on his back late after a scramble – and one that may have influenced the judges.
Barcelos looked for a takedown early in the second, but Garbrandt stuffed him again. Barcelos threatened with knees along the fence after several scrambles, but midway through the second still was unable to get the fight to the canvas. Despite that, he controlled the pace without much resistance from Garbrandt, who was stuck on the outside fighting backward the bulk of the round.
Barcelos appeared to be in control in the third until a late Garbrandt rally, but he never put enough together to be a true threat before the horn. Although Garbrandt stuffed 10 of Barcelos' 11 takedown attempts, defense wasn't enough.
Barcelos won for the third straight time. Although he was a betting favorite Saturday, he was a massive underdog for an upset of Payton Talbott earlier this year. Garbrandt dropped his second straight.
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Up-to-the-minute UFC Atlanta results:
Raoni Barcelos def. Cody Garbrandt via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Mansur Abdul-Malik def. Cody Brundage via technical decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Alonzo Menifield def. Oumar Sy via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Rodolfo Bellato vs. Paul Craig declared no contest (accidental foul) – Round 1, 4:59
Michael Chiesa def. Court McGee via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Malcolm Wellmaker def. Kris Moutinho via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 2:37
Jose Ochoa def. Cody Durden via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 0:11
Ricky Simon def. Cameron Smotherman via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Phil Rowe def. Ange Loosa via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 4:03
Jamey-Lyn Horth def. Vanessa Demopoulos via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Barcelos has takedown struggles, but outworks Garbrandt at UFC Atlanta
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