Hacran Dias grinds out split decision win over Levan Makashvili
Hacran Dias was able to land a few more takedowns and look for submissions on the ground to slip by Levan Makashvili via split decision in the opening bout from UFC Fight Night in Florida.
A slow moving first round gave way to some Makashvili strikes late with a few hard punches landing on the Brazilian as well as a few leg kicks, but Dias was able to ground him with a takedown until the horn sounded.
Makashvili countered with his own takedown in round two, but he quickly had to fight off a submission attempt as Dias wrapped his legs around the head and shoulder, looking for a triangle choke. Makashvili countered by lifting Dias in the air and slamming him on the mat before Dias popped up and grabbed another pair of takedowns before the round ended.
The third round made the Florida crowd get a little restless as Dias and Makashvili battled back and forth for position against the cage while locked in the clinch.
Even when referee John McCarthy separated the two fighters, Dias and Makashvili almost instinctively went back to the clinch, jockeying for position.
The fight was a consistent battle for takedowns with neither fighter really out gunning the other and the judges' scorecards reflected the back and forth effort. Ultimately, Dias got the nod with two judges scoring the fight 29-28 in his favor with one other judge giving the fight to Makashivili by a score of 29-28.
"I needed this win," Dias said after the victory. "Next time I'll come out a lot better."
Dias picks up his second win in a row while improving his record to 2-2 in his last four fights inside the Octagon.
