UFC Houston Results: Vick Shows Huge Improvements in Submission Victory
Two lightweights looking to crack into the tough divisions top 15 faced off as Abel Trujillo (15-6) took on up and coming James Vick (9-1) on the UFC Houston main card.
Abel Trujillo has been putting it together recently in his UFC career, putting together 3 straight wins. One of those wins was an overturned loss to Gleison Tibeau, Trujillo lost by submission originally, as he tested positive for PEDs, but a win nonetheless. Trujillo’s last two losses came to the number one and two of the lightweight division, Khabib Nuramgomedov and Tony Ferguson. A win tonight over the hometown kid James Vick could just propel Trujillo into the top 15.
James Vick is coming off a devastating knockout loss to Beneil Dariush last June at UFC 199. Vick before that defeat was previously unbeaten in nine fights and finally returns tonight to try and return to his winning ways. Vick will be fighting for the 2nd time in his UFC career and is undefeated in every fight he has competed in Texas. A win over a name like Trujillo will turn his career back on the right track, but a loss could send him reeling into fighting low name fighters and delaying title aspirations by years.
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Vick looked to eating up the Texas crowd, pumping them up before the fight began. However, that went away fast as round number one started with either fighter throwing a punch for a good 45 seconds. A long feeling out process proceeded for the first two minutes of the bout until Trujillo wrestled Vick to the mat. Vick looked for his signature guillotine choke but he never really had it and Trujillo got free. Once back on the feet there was a slight increase in action, but still not clear who was getting the better of the exchanges. Fifteen seconds to go in the round Vick landed the first big shot of the fight and looked for a guillotine which Trujillo escaped.
The second round featured Trujillo trying to land big shots early, but Vick was able to keep him at a distance. Trujillo did catch him with a strong shot but Vick seemed unfazed by it. Abel had much more success in this round on the stand up with Vick had an answer from everything.
Vick later landed the first takedown of his UFC career and locked in a choke but after a long effort, Trujillo was able to escape. Abel worked his way back up and Vick ended the round with a high kick.
The third and final round had Vick land a knee and stagger Trujillo instantly but Trujillo was able to answer before being taken down. Vick again looked for d’arce choke and this time it was tighter and in a better spot and there was an escape, Trujillo tapped and Vick got himself back into the win column.
Vick looked excellent tonight. His standup looked extremely crisp, he ate some good shots from Trujillo as well, and proved that his submissions are still slick. He can be a true threat in the lightweight division in the future, just needs to string a few more wins together.
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