.@AiemannZahabi showing NO signs of Octagon jitters! #UFCHalifax pic.twitter.com/eCsnrOKDEB
— #UFCHalifax (@ufc) February 20, 2017
The UFC returns to the Great White North for a special Sunday UFC Fight Night event in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
In the main event, heavyweight prospect Derrick Lewis will fight his toughest opponent to date when he fights longtime contender Travis Browne.
Before the main card starts, the UFC has produced an undercard full of intriguing matchups. The FOX Sports 1 prelims feature two bantamweights trying to make a statement in the UFC as Aiemann Zahabi fights Reginaldo Vieira.
Vieira landed a leg kick to land the first blow of the fight. Vieira used leg kicks to keep Zahabi at bay. Eventually, Zahabi began landing at will. However, Vieira showed off a strong chin and absorbed Zahabi’s initial flurries. Vieira later landed a takedown, but Zahabi only stayed on the ground for a few seconds before getting back to his feet. The first round ended with Vieira landing another takedown, but there wasn’t enough time to mount any damage.
Vieira was once again the first to land in the second round. Zahabi also showed off a strong chin when he ate a few hard punches. Vieira once again went for a takedown but Zahabi stuffed it. Despite being able to stand on his feet, Zahabi struggled to get off the fence. Vieira went for another takedown but once again, Zahabi managed to stay on his feet. In the final minute, Zahabi got off of the cage and began throwing strikes. The round ended Zahabi knocking down Vieira, who managed to survive to hear the horn to end the round.
Both fighters threw punches to start the final round. Despite getting rocked in the second round, Vieira was not afraid to take punches from Zahabi. Both fighters continued to produce damage through strikes throughout the round. In the final minute, Vieira picked up Zahabi above his shoulders and slammed his opponent, but Zahabi got right back to his feet. The fight ended with both fighters trying to finish before hearing the final horn.
Official result:
Aiemann Zahabi def. Reginaldo Vieira by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
