UFC Houston Results: Ricardo Ramos Edges Past Michinori Tanaka
On the FOX Sports 1 prelims, bantamweights Ricardo Ramos and Michinori Tanaka met in Houston on Saturday night. Both were hoping to put the memories of recent losses behind them.
UFC debutante Ricardo Ramos bought a 9-1 record with him into the octagon in Houston. After beginning his career on the Brazilian regional circuit, Ramos also fought three times in Legacy FC, with all but one of his career wins coming via submission or stoppage.
The Brazilian submitted Alfred Khashakyan last time out but was submitted himself by Manny Vazquez in a losing effort for the Legacy FC bantamweight title in February 2016.
Michinori Tanaka has been unable to put a run together since signing with the UFC in 2014. The momentum gained from decision wins against Roland Delorme and Joe Soto has been curtailed in losing efforts against Kyung Ho Kang and Rani Yahya.
Those were the only defeats of Tanaka’s 13 fight professional career when he stepped into the octagon on Saturday night.
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When the first round began, it was Ramos who pushed forward without landing much of note. When the fighters did lock up it was Ramos who retained the initiative, holding Tanaka against the fence.
With a minute and a half left in the round, Ramos connected with a right hand that dropped the one-time Shooto rookie of the year. Ramos tried to swarm but Tanaka was able to survive until the end of the round. Tanaka tried to change the fight in the second round, shooting for a takedown, but Ramos was able to defend it. The Brazilian landed elbows before eventually shaking Tanaka off.
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As the fighters scrambled Ramos worked hard to secure an armbar but wound up on his back with Tanaka applying pressure from top position. With a minute left in the second round, the fighters wound up back on the feet pawing out unsuccessful strikes.
The third round began with both men well in contention. Ramos continued to push forward, as Tanaka flicked out individual punches and circled away at pace.
Tanaka’s elusiveness appeared to be frustrating Ramos. The 21-year-old Brazilian was unable to time any of his counters to the halfway point in the final round. It also urged referee Herb Dean to pause the action and give Tanaka a warning for not engaging.
The warning did not force action, but Tanaka did eventually time a takedown and put Ramos on his back with thirty seconds left in the bout. At the 10 second mark, Tanaka landed a series of punches from the top position through to the final bell.
The judges turned in scorecards of 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28 all in favour of Ricardo Ramos.
