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Matt Brown's tremendous run up the UFC welterweight ranks merited a main event spot in front of his fellow Ohioans, as he took on Brazilian talent Erick Silva in the UFC Fight Night headliner in Cincinnati. It was expected to be a thriller, and boy did it deliver.
Silva took Brown down in just 20 seconds but Brown quickly reversed and got back to his feet. Brown was doubled over by a Silva body kick and looked to be in grave danger. Silva was unable to get the TKO finish so he went to work on a potential neck crank but Brown fought out of it and got back to his feet. Brown badly hurt Silva with punches and elbows and knees, kept coming forward, and nearly turned the tables and got his own TKO stoppage in what was an epic 1st round.
Brown, as is his style, pressed forward right out of the gate in round 2 and battered Silva all over the cage, but Silva kept fighting back even as it was clear he was no match for Brown's pressure and striking. The tired Silva couldn't get Brown to the ground and it was Brown who went for submissions, nearly getting a d'arce choke and then an armbar, only for Silva to escape and end the round on top. Again, an amazing, action-packed round.
There was no stopping Brown in the 3rd, as he continued to brutalize Silva's head with hard shots before they went to the ground. From there, Brown pounded away with several unanswered strikes before Herb Dean called an end to what was a memorable and tremendous encounter. The Cincinnati crowd roared its approval as Brown pulled off the W.
Official Result: Matt Brown def. Erick Silva via TKO (strikes) at 2:11 of round 3
Brown (19-11) has made it 7 straight wins and he absolutely deserves a major step up in competition. He's arguably one quality win against a top 10 fighter away from getting a title shot. Silva (16-5, 1 NC) remains unable to get consecutive victories in the UFC, as he drops to 4-4 inside the Octagon.
Stay tuned for post-event coverage from Bloody Elbow as we wrap up a great night of action.
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