Amir Sadollah earned his first victory in the Octagon since winning Season 7 of
The Ultimate Fighter at
UFC 106 Saturday night in Las Vegas, defeating
Phil Baroni by unanimous decision in a bloody mess of a fight.
It was a violent and action-packed first round, with Baroni and Sadollah going toe-to-toe for all five minutes. Baroni got the better of the early exchanges, but Sadollah came back in a big way and landed some hard punches and knees late in the round, badly cutting Baroni's face.
In the second round Sadollah started using his kicks more effectively, and Baroni had no answer for it: Whether Sadollah kicked Baroni's legs, his body or his head, Baroni was an easy target.
By the third round Baroni was totally exhausted and having trouble standing on his left leg, which Sadollah pelted with kicks. Sadollah totally dominated the third, and although Baroni wouldn't back down, he was getting badly hurt in the stand-up.
The judges scored it 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28 for Sadollah.
"Stepping in with Baroni and fighting someone as tough as that was huge," Sadollah said afterward. "I loved it."
The fight was set up more because it was a marketable match-up than because either guy is particularly skilled, but they turned it into an entertaining slugfest, if not a display of great skill. Sadollah improved his MMA record to 2-1. Baroni falls to 13-12.
MMA FanHouse has UFC 106 results and live UFC 106 Twitter updates.
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UFC 106 Photos
Forrest Griffin kicks Tito Ortiz in the face during their UFC 106 fight on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009 in Las Vegas. Click through to see more exclusive photos from UFC 106.
Esther Lin, FanHouse
Esther Lin, FanHouse
Tito Ortiz is pumped up for his first fight in 18 months at UFC 106 on Saturday, November 21, 2009 in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, FanHouse
Tito Ortiz and Forrest Griffin battle on the ground at UFC 106 on Saturday, November 21, 2009 in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, FanHouse
Forrest Griffin contemplates his next move against Tito Ortiz at UFC 106 on Saturday, November 21, 2009 in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, FanHouse
Forrest Griffin kicks Tito Ortiz in the face during their UFC 106 fight on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009 in Las Vegas. Click through to see more exclusive photos from UFC 106.
Esther Lin, FanHouse
Forrest Griffin takes a breather between rounds during their UFC 106 fight on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009 in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, FanHouse
Tito Ortiz fights for ground control against Forrest Griffin at UFC 106 on Saturday, November 21, 2009 in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, FanHouse
Forrest Griffin punches Tito Ortiz in the stomach during their UFC 106 fight on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009 in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, FanHouse
The referee steps in between the two fighters after they bumped after the second round at UFC 106 on Saturday, November 21, 2009 in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, FanHouse
Forrest Griffin punches Tito Ortiz in the stomach during their UFC 106 fight on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009 in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, FanHouse
Forrest Griffin attempts to punch Tito Ortiz during their UFC 106 fight on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009 in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, FanHouse
