UFC Vegas 117: Modestas Bukauskas Turns Back Short-Notice Christian Edwards

"The clash at the Meta Apex was set for a catchweight of 215lbs after Edwards stepped up to replace Rodolfo Bellato on short notice. Round one opened with Bukauskas taking the center of the cage. Edwards was happy to operate off the back foot, looking to time him with that right cross. Around the two-minute mark Edwards shot for a takedown but couldn't secure it, then followed up with a heavy leg kick before attempting another entry, though his positioning still wasn't there."

"Edwards kept using shoulder pressure to pin Bukauskas on the fence for stretches, mixing in short knees and punches, but nothing truly damaging landed. Once they separated, Bukauskas answered with a loud body kick that echoed over the broadcast. In the final minute, Edwards chipped away with a few more body kicks, but neither fighter really stamped the round."

"Early in round two, Edwards came out with a teep and a right hand behind it. He landed another right shortly after, but Bukauskas fired back with one of his own that visibly wobbled Edwards. Bukauskas couldn't fully capitalize though, opting to push Edwards to the cage instead of pressing the finish. Each time Edwards created separation, Bukauskas cracked him again with that looping right."

"Heading into the third, Edwards likely needed a finish, though the fight still felt up for grabs. He opened with a big right hook he'd been looking for all night, but it kept coming up short due to poor setup. He ducked under a shot from Bukauskas and put him against the cage, continuing to threaten takedowns th"

Christian Edwards replaced Rodolfo Bellato on short notice and debuted in the UFC against Modestas Bukauskas at a 215-pound catchweight. Edwards began by fighting off the back foot, timing Bukauskas with a right cross and attempting takedowns, including a shot near the two-minute mark. He used leg kicks and shoulder pressure to pin Bukauskas on the fence, mixing knees and punches without landing major damage. Bukauskas answered with body kicks and a looping right that repeatedly hurt Edwards in round two. Edwards survived by clinching and landing knees, while Bukauskas missed a late head kick. In round three, Edwards sought a finish with a right hook and continued pressing takedown threats against the cage.

Read at Cageside Press