UFC Fight Night 49 Prelims Recap: Ben Saunders Scores First Round Omoplata

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UFC Fight Night 49 is underway from Tulsa, Oklahoma, and fans in the BOK Center have witnessed some great action tonight (Sat. August 23, 2014). First off was Wilson Reis vs Joby Sanchez on Fight Pass in a flyweight tilt. A tentative round one led to Reis being dropped twice by late step-in Sanchez, but he Brazilian managed to survive.

The Jackson-Winklejohn product Sanchez impressed in his debut, but it was Reis who took the UD. Opening the FOX Sports prelims was the returning Ben Saunders, as he took on Chris Heatherly at welterweight. What a great return for “Killa-B” as he wrapped up Heatherly in rubber guard, and finished with an omoplata in round one.

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Texan bantamweight southpaws Matt Hobar and Aaron Phillips went at it next, in a classic striker vs grappler fight. Hobar’s smothering wrestling was met with elbows and upkicks from Phillips, but it was the “Crowbar” who took the UD. Over to lightweight now and Beneil Darisuh takes on Tony Martin, and these two look in prime condition.

The first round was pretty exciting, and also hard to score as both men landed big punches and kicks. By the end of round two it was clear that Martin was tired, likely due to absorbing punishment to the body. He pretty much gave up position to Dariush on the mat, who sunk in an arm triangle choke for the sub win.

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The feature prelim bout is a welterweight affair between Alex Garcia and Neil Magny. The taller Magny stole the first round by laying on Garcia and landing a lot of body shots. On to round two, and Garcia looked to get his own back as he scored a big slam early on, but couldn’t keep Magny there. The final round is opened with another slam from Garcia, and the rest is rather lacklustre. Magny takes a bit of a puzzling UD.

UFC Fight Night 49 Preliminary Results:

Neil Magny def. Alex Garcia by unanimous decision

Beneil Dariush def. Tony Martin by submission (arm triangle choke) round two

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Matt Hobar def. Aaron Philips by unanimous decision

Ben Saunders def. Chris Heatherly by submission (omoplata) round one

Wilson Reis def. Joby Sanchez by unanimous decision