Chris Cariaso wins third in a row with split nod over Louis Smolka
CINCINNATI, OH -- Chris Cariaso has quietly put together a three fight win streak in the UFC's flyweight division following his latest victory over heralded prospect Louis Smolka at UFC Fight Night in Cincinnati on Saturday night.
Cariaso (17-5) was methodical in his attacks early before unleashing a barrage of near submission attempts. On two separate occasions, the former WEC fighter locked up an iron clad guillotine choke that appeared to pull Smolka's head in a completely unnatural direction, but still the ultra tough Hawaiian survived.
Smolka came back in the third round, putting together a stronger offensive attack, but Cariaso survived the onslaught as the fight came to a close. Cariaso seemed to tire a bit as the round counted down to the final seconds, but he avoided any real trouble courtesy of his Hawaiian opponent.
It appeared Cariaso secured the win, although the judges ultimately returned a split decision he still came away with the victory.
The three wins in a row for Cariaso match his other longest streak while competing in the UFC when he duplicated the honor back in 2011 and 2012. Cariaso will now hope to get a fight to move him up higher in the top 10 of the flyweight division as he starts stalking title contention in 2014.
