An unpredictable opponent and the size of the event proved to be too much for Filipino flyweight Jenel Lausa.
In the biggest arena he has ever performed in, Jenel Lausa was overwhelmed in his second UFC fight as neophyte Magomed Bibulatov (14-0) was able to dictate the pace of their match, leading to a unanimous decision loss (29-26×3), Sunday morning in the preliminary bouts of UFC 210 in Buffalo, New York.
The loss snapped the 28-year-old’s five-fight winning streak, dropping him to a 7-3 record — 1-1 in the UFC.
“Every defeat we suffer in life is an opportunity to learn. I will use this one to be a better fighter and a better representative of my country,” Lausa said about the experience. “Maraming salamat sa lahat ng suporta!”
According to Fightmetric, Lausa, a former professional boxer, landed just 10 of his 31 significant strikes. It paled in comparison to the high volume that his Russian opponent threw, landing an outstanding 51 significant strikes — 70 percent of which clocked Lausa.
And the funky style of Bibulatov might have caught Lausa off-guard, as the bout opened with a bevy of wheel kicks and spinning backfists from all angles. The Ilo-ilo native tried to go mano y mano with his opponent but was taken down for his efforts to end the opener.
Lausa, a former Pacific Xtreme Combat champion, attempted to corner the newcomer in the second stanza but his combinations were quickly countered by the Russian. But Bibulatov accidentally connected on a low blow, his second of the bout, that resulted in a point deduction.
Nonetheless, Bibulatov did not let it get in the way, as he dominated the Demolition Man in the final round to seal his dominant debut.
UFC 210
KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York, USA – April 9, 2017
Flyweight bout: Magomed Bibulatov def. Jenel Lausa via unanimous decision (29-26, 29-26, 29-26)
