Last week, Eric Spicely pulled off a massive upset when he choked out Thiago Santos at UFC Brasilia. Tonight at UFC Portland, TUF 24's Brandon Moreno, who was bounced from the competition in the opening round of the tournament, entered the Octagon as a huge underdog vs. top 10 ranked Louis Smolka, pulled off a 1st round stunner. Following that up was Zak Ottow, another short notice replacement scoring an upset win, as he bested Josh Burkman. Here's how those fights played out.
Zak Ottow def. Josh Burkman by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) - Welterweights
Ottow was landing the better strikes in the first two minutes, although there wasn't much action to begin with. Good leg kicks made thudding sounds. Burkman was kicked in the groin, which briefly stopped the fight. Combinations really weren't anywhere to be found in this 1st round, but Ottow's kicks and his right hand were finding a home. Burkman half-heartedly shot for a takedown and got cracked with an elbow.
Ottow was dictating the action, continuing to land his kicks at will, despite Burkman's corner telling Josh to check them. Burkman threw a short inside kick and then missed with a right hand. He tagged Ottow with a counter left shortly thereafter. It was a better 2nd round for Burkman than his 1st, and Ottow was coming up short on his punches. Ottow connected with a knee to the head as Burkman ducked under, and then he threw a solid combination before being caught on the counter with a right hand by Josh.
Ottow attempted a single leg takedown to start the 3rd, but Burkman kept his balance and stuffed it. Ottow touched up Burkman's face with a few right hands, in what was otherwise a close fight to call. Ottow went back to the leg kicks that were so successful in the previous rounds. Takedown attempt by Ottow was stuffed, and Burkman drove Ottow to the fence. Burkman got the takedown in the final minute of the 3rd. Ottow got back to his feet with over 30 seconds to go and then clocked Burkman with a right. Burkman landed a straight left. Ottow slipped on a body kick. Ottow took Burkman down as Burkman had a hold of Ottow's neck, and Ottow went for a choke in the ensuing scramble, but time had expired.
Brandon Moreno def. Louis Smolka via submission (guillotine) at 2:23 of round 1 - Flyweights
Short-notice replacement Brandon Moreno came out aggressively against the naturally aggressive Louis Smolka. The Hawaiian had a hold of Moreno's neck, then Moreno wriggled free to get the takedown. Smolka threw elbows off of his back and tried to position his legs to set up a submission. Moreno found the space to land a big right hand, but Smolka was able to get back to his feet. Smolka went in for a takedown, and Moreno jumped on a guillotine. Louis Smolka defended it well initially, but Moreno adjusted the high-elbow guillotine, Smolka was in big trouble, and he limply tapped. A massive upset sees Moreno shock the 5-to-1 favorite.