"Round one opened with a head kick from Sola, but it was going to take more than that to trouble McKee. Sola was sharper out of the gate, landing a quick straight left, while McKee, when he finally let his hands go, carried more power behind his shots. Sola's speed showed in a slick level change into a takedown, but McKee's size advantage allowed him to bounce right back up."
"McKee's presence was a problem though, with every strike carrying more weight. Sola was forced to dart in and out, landing his shots before McKee could find him. Sola connected nicely with a right hook over the top, slipping away afterward. McKee began loading up on his punches, giving Sola chances to read and defend. As the round wound down, McKee pressed forward aggressively, while Sola dug to the body with slick hooks and kept his head movement sharp."
"The final round saw McKee come out aggressive again, letting his hands fly as he tried to trap Sola. But Sola's defense was on point, moving laterally and slipping off the centerline. A head kick from Sola landed clean, followed by a vicious left hook to the body. Moments later, another body shot (this time an uppercut) dropped McKee. Sola pounced with follow-up punches, forcing Herb Dean to step in for the stoppage, perhaps a touch early."
Axel Sola, an ARES FC lightweight champion, faced Rhys McKee at UFC Paris. McKee was in his second UFC stint with only one win across five fights. Sola started faster with strikes and a takedown attempt, while McKee used his size and power to land the heavier shots and remain composed against the fence. In round two Sola pressed with quick punches and body work as McKee began loading power shots and pressing forward. In round three Sola landed a clean head kick and heavy body shots, including an uppercut that dropped McKee, prompting Herb Dean to stop the fight at 2:02 of round three.
Read at Cageside Press
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