LAS VEGAS — Poplar native Hunter Azure acquired again within the profitable column on Saturday night because the 28-year-old defeated Cole Smith by unanimous determination on UFC Struggle Evening: Overeem vs. Sakai in Las Vegas, Nevada in a bantamweight struggle.
All three judges scored the struggle 29-28 in favor of Azure.
By UD! 🙌
Azure secures the primary win of the night time 29-28 (x3)
We’re stay NOW on #ESPNPlus pic.twitter.com/7GM41xzUKT
— UFC (@ufc) September 5, 2020
Donning his Fort Peck Tribes flag earlier than the struggle, Azure, a four-time state wrestling champion at Poplar Excessive Faculty, utilized his wrestling whereas additionally displaying his development within the putting recreation to prime Smith. Azure dominated the primary two rounds earlier than keeping off Smith within the third spherical whose livid comeback try was unable to beat the work Azure did within the first two rounds.
Within the spotlight of the struggle, Azure knocked Smith down after a right-handed strike although Smith was capable of maintain off a end try from Azure to stay round.
Off the soar!
An explosive proper hand from Azure leads the motion💥 #UFCVegas9 pic.twitter.com/f4e7edrb6u
— UFC (@ufc) September 5, 2020
Azure landed 5 whole takedowns together with two in each the primary and second rounds. He had 40 important strikes in comparison with Smith’s 21 and 55 whole. Azure out-struck Smith 36-12 within the first spherical.
Azure improves to 9-1 in his skilled MMA profession and 2-1 within the UFC.
