Francisco Trinaldo wins split decision over Norman Parke
Francisco Trinaldo earned a hard-fought split decision over Norman Parke in Goiania, Brazil on Saturday night. Trinaldo showed better striking than he ever had before in out-scoring Parke on the feet.
Early in the fight, the Brazilian was more dangerous witih his strikes, especially with a big punch flurry against the cage at the end of the first round. Before that, Trinaldo also had a lot of success with leg kicks on the Northern Irishman.
Parke, an excellent puncher, grappled most of the opening round, taking the Brazilian down, pressing him against the cage for majority of the period.
Parke had to fight harder for a takedown in the second. He finally got it, but Trinaldo popped right back up. Before that, Trinaldo landed more strikes, including some looping overhand punches, elbows and knees to the head.
More leg kicks from Trinaldo prompted Parke to switch up his stance for a bit, to avoid taking more of a beating on that original lead leg. Parke said, pre-fight, that he assumed Trinaldo would tire out soon. After two rounds, both men look to be equally fatigued, however.
Parke landed a single leg takedown within the first minute of the final round. From there, Parke had the most success he did all fight.
The TUF Smashes winner took Trinaldo's back, and threatened with a rear naked choke attempt. Parke stuck there like glue for most of the round, but with under a minute left, Trinaldo got free and stood up.
Parke scored another takedown with thirty seconds left in the round, but the strong finish was not enough to convince two judges. Final scores were 29-28 (twice) for Trinaldo, and 29-28 for Parke, once.
The win is Trinaldo's third straight, and improved his career mark to 16-4. Parke's record dips to 20-4.
