Brandon Vera won a lackluster unanimous decision over Krzysztof Soszynski but failed to banish the aura of tentativeness that has haunted him for the last few years.
In the first fight of the UFC 102 PPV broadcast, two light heavyweights looking to climb the ladder into the upper reaches of the division met in the Octagon.
Brandon Vera, the one-time red hot heavyweight contender has struggled since moving down to light heavyweight. Krzysztof Soszynski, a veteran of the Ultimate Fighter reality show was looking to establish himself as a legitimate contender in the division.
In the first, Vera scored early with kicks and knees. Soszynski seemed to be lunging at Vera. Around the three minute mark, Soszynski forced Vera up against the cage but failed to capitalize. Vera scored with leg kicks and then he clinched and forced the fight to the fence. Soszynski shot towards the end of the round but Vera stuffed it.
Between rounds, Vera's coach Lloyd Irvin told him to stay off the fence.
In the second, Vera came out punching and scoring. Soszynski forced the fight to the fence but Vera's greco-roman skills allowed him to control in the clinch. Vera seemed dominant in the second but also hesitant to pour it on. Soszynski got a Thai plum with about 1:30 left in the round, but Vera fought him off. But with less than one minute left, Soszynski got a takedown. But Vera was able to quickly get back to his feet.
In the third, Krzysztof came out with the advice of his corner ringing in his ears -- "It's a battle of wills, you can win this fight." But Vera scored first with a spinning back elbow-high kick combination. Vera threatened a kimura from the clinch. Once again the two fighters fought against the clinch and with 2:45 left in the fight, Vera got a take down. Soszynski fought back to his feet but not before taking punishment from a barrage of elbows. After a break for a low blow to Soszynski, they once again exchanged on the feet with Vera outscoring the Pole.