Bantamweights kicked off the UFC 138 card from the LG Arena in Birmingham, Englad as WEC veteran Chris Cariaso welcomed British fight Vaughan Lee to the promotion.
Cariaso entered the contest just 2-2 over his last four bouts, alternating between wins and losses since he joined the Zuffa promotions.
Lee has shown off a well-rounded attack on the regional circuit in Europe. The Birmingham native has not lost in his last five bouts.
The two southpaws traded kicks early. Cariaso delivered a crisp combination. As Cariaso shot for a takedown, he ate a kick from Lee. Lee looked for a standing guillotine along the fence, but Cariaso escaped. Lee scored with a trip takedown against the cage. As Cariaso looked to stand, Lee again looked for a choke, but Cariaso again defended. Cariaso landed an elbow from inside the clinch. Lee scored with another takedown. Back on the feet, Cariaso connected with a kick. Lee continued to look for the guillotine. Cariaso threw a head kick as the round came to a close.
To start the second round, the pair traded kicks and then combinations. Lee scored with a takedown near the fence and used a headlock to control Cariaso briefly. A right elbow from Cariaso landed flush. Cariaso pressured Lee and landed a takedown at the midway point of the round. Cariaso moved to the full mount with two minutes remaining. Lee used his hips to escape and recover his guard, but Cariaso moved immediately back to side control. Cariaso moved back to the mount but Lee escaped again. The round ended with Cariaso inside the full guard of Lee.
Cariaso opened the final round with a kick and followed with a left hand. Cariaso followed with more strikes. Lee pushed the fight against the fence and the fighters traded knees. Cariaso looked for a takedown, but Lee defended. A flurry from Cariaso connected. Lee worked for a single leg takedown, but Cariaso kept the fight on the feet. Cariaso brought the fight to the mat with a single leg takedown of his own. Cariaso passed to side control and then mount. Lee rolled and Cariaso secured his back with book hooks. Lee moved back to his back and Cariaso kept the mount. Cariaso rained right elbows from the top position. As the fight ended, Cariaso worked hard for a rear-naked choke, but the fight went the distance.
With a strong second and third round, Cariaso overcame Lee’s fast start. Two of the three judges scored the fight for the American. In his post-fight interview, Cariaso spoke about taking his ground game to the next level.
Official Result: Chris Cariaso def. Vaughan Lee by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
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Rob Tatum is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. You can also find Rob’s work at TheMMACorner.com. For anything related to MMA, you can follow Rob on Twitter @RobTatumMMA.
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