Big uppercut lands for Rakic, but Barroso just eats it! #UFCRotterdam pic.twitter.com/iliIRNZ5xW
— #UFCRotterdam (@ufc) September 2, 2017
After four weeks with no UFC events, the UFC returned on Saturday with a Fight Night event in the Rotterdam.
Light heavyweights were showcased on the undercard when Francimar Barroso fought UFC newcomer Aleksandar Rakic.
Rakic started the fight with a couple of leg kicks. Both fighters then exchanged a couple of punches. Rakic threw more volume, while Barroso was more hesitant to engage. Barroso then landed a clean overhand right. Rakic later unloaded a plethora of quick punches. In the final seconds of the round, Barroso engaged a clinch and got the fight against the cage, but Rakic reversed the position to finish the opening round.
Rakic landed a brutal right hand early in the second round. Throughout the round, Rakic controlled the position in the cage and landed clean shots that kept Barroso moving backward. Barroso got the fight against the cage and managed to secure a takedown. In the final minute, Rakic got back to his feet and unloaded punches on Barroso. In the final seconds, Barroso landed another takedown and ended the round on top.
At the start of the final round, Rakic kept moving forward and was hunting for a fight-finishing strike. Barroso continued to be hesitant with throwing shots. Barroso was stunned by a clean punch landed by Rakic, but he seemed to quickly recover. Later on, Barroso landed a kick to the groin, but Rakic didn’t take long to continue the fight. Rakic then threw a plethora of punches and uppercuts in the final seconds of the fight.
Official Results:
Aleksandar Rakic def. Francimar Barroso by unanimous decision
