UFC Fight Night 78 results: Neil Magny outpoints Kevin Gastelum for a split decision victory
The season of surprises continued as Neil Magny notched up an impressive spilt-decision victory against favourite Kevin Gastelum in a high-octane welterweight bout at Monterrey Arena in Monterrey, Mexico
Going against the odds, Magny dominated the early proceedings and showed grit after he survived a late onslaught from Gastelum in the later rounds to edge out a split decision victory.
Magny took to the fight on two weeks notice after the Matt Brown backed out. In spite of that, Magny looked prepared for whatever Gastelum threw at him and came out with his hands raised at the end.
Gastelum was outwrestled in the first two rounds but clawed back into the fight in rounds 3 and 4. The fifth round, however, went to Magny, who got in a few crucial takedowns to neutralise Gastelum’s rally in the final round.
In another major development, Erick Montano came out top against fellow teammate Enrique Marin to win The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2 Welterweight trophy.
The co-main event saw Ricardo Lamas defeated Deigo Sanchez via unanimous decision with a clinic performance that included some swift leg-kicks and exchanges. Even though there weren't any finishes on the main card, Fight Night 78 was an entertaining event overall. Below are the complete results:
UFC Fight Night 78 Main Card
- Neil Magny def. Kelvin Gastelum, split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47)
- Ricardo Lamas def. Diego Sanchez, unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Henry Cejudo def. Jussier Formiga, split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)
- Erick Montano def. Enrique Marin, split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
- Enrique Barzola def. Horacio Gutierrez, unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
- Leandro Silva def. Efrain Escudero, unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Prelims on Fox Sports 1
- Erik Perez def. Taylor Lapilus, unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Bartosz Fabinski def. Hector Urbina, unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
- Alejandro Perez def. Scott Jorgensen, TKO (Round 2, 4:26)
- Andre Fili def. Gabriel Benitez, TKO (Round 1, 3:13)
- Prelims on UFC Fight Pass
- Alvaro Herrera def. Vernon Ramos, TKO (Round 1, 0:30)
- Polo Reyes def. Cesar Arzamendia, knockout (Round 1, 3:42)
- Michel Prazeres def. Valmir Lazaro, split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)