Body kicks on body kicks on body kicks!! #UFC211 pic.twitter.com/Z1xj4ebFZc
— UFC (@ufc) May 13, 2017
On Saturday, the UFC hosted one of its biggest events of the year as UFC 211 took place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
Two titles are set to be defended in the lone star state as UFC Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic fights former champion Junior dos Santos and UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk fights Jessica Andrade.
Before the titles are defended, UFC 211 features a stacked undercard full of intriguing matches.
The UFC Fight Pass prelims featured a featherweight battle between Gabriel Benitez and Enrique Barzola.
Benitez was comfortable at the start of the fight. He walked Barzola towards the cage and landed hard kicks that could be heard through the arena. Benitez also landed lethal punching combinations to stun his opponent. Barzola eventually took Benitez to the ground, but Benitez quickly fought back to his feet. Barzola landed another takedown but he could not keep his opponent down. Both fighters began trading kicks and punches. The round ended with Barzola landing another takedown.
The second round started with Benitez continuing to be aggressive. He continued to land combinations of punches and kicks. However, Barzola continued to easily get Benitez to the ground. Benitez continued to get up to his feet quickly. Benitez did very little to stop Barzola’s takedowns, but each time he was taken down he easily got back up. The round ended with Barzola throwing quick combinations and working for a takedown.
The third round started with Barzola being more aggressive. He wasted little time to once again get Benitez to the ground. This time, Barzola did a better job of keeping his opponent on the ground. Barzola secured his back and went for a rear-naked choke, but Benitez defended it and got back to his feet. Barzola landed another takedown at the end of the fight. Benitez got back to his feet and ended the fight with knocking Barzola down.
Official Result:
Enrique Barzola def. Gabriel Benitez by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
BIG takedown from @ElFuerteBarzola going down NOW on #UFCFIGHTPASS! #UFC211 pic.twitter.com/hDK5BArAFo
— UFC Fight Pass (@UFCFightPass) May 13, 2017