Adriano Martins uses patience and power shots to win decision
It took a while for the action to get moving Sunday night between lightweights Rustam Khabilov and Adriano Martins at UFC Fight Night at Porto Alegre, Brazil. After three patient rounds, however, Martins won a close split decision on the strength of power punches and takedowns.
Scores were 29-28 (twice) for Martins and 29-28 for Khabilov. At the end of the first round, Martins got Khabilov down and took his back.
In the second, Khabilov found some success with up elbow strikes from the freestanding position, as well as a left hook, all of which appeared to hurt the Brazilian. Martins answered with his own left hand after Khabilov failed to take him down.
Right at the end of the round, Martins dropped Khabilov with a punch. Martins started off the third round with a big right hand.
Khabilov was once again unable to take his opponent down before Martins himself got another takedown at the end of the round.
The win is Martins' second straight and improves his record to 27-7. The loss is Khabilov's second straight and brings his career mark to 17-3.
