BRASILIA, Brazil– Russell Doane (14-4 MMA, 2-1 UFC) was tough adequate to endure early threat, but after a spirited three round battle, he lost on judges’ scorecards against Iuri Alcantara (31-5 MMA, 6-2 UFC).
Alcantara nearly submitted Doane in the preliminary and landed punishing body kicks en route to a triumph.
The bantamweight bout belonged to the primary card of today’s UFC Fight Night 51 event at Nilson Nelson Gymnasium in Brasilia, Brazil. It streamed on UFC Fight Pass.
The final scores were unanimously 29-28 in favor of Brazilian Alcantara, who gave up a round as the result of delivering numerous takedowns and soaking up ground and pound against Doane.
Alcantara chased after Doane throughout the octagon at the outset and reclaimed install after a scramble. He was in ideal position to cinch a rear-naked choke, however his arm had not been under Doane’s neck, which allowed the American to leave and turn the tables with his own takedown.
Alcantara landed heavy body kicks and left hands before being taken down in the 2nd round. Doane used the damage from the strikes, prompting a check from the cageside medical professional for his inflamed left eye.
Doane held control on the mat for much of the third round, scoring with punches from the top and threatening with a standing D’Arce choke. It had not been enough, however, to remove the deficit from the early rounds.
“It was an actually challenging battle, but I was ready for it,” Alcantara said. “I was anticipating a chance to knock him out, but I could not. Battling and victory in Brazil is the very best part, and the fans here are the most unbelievable ones.”.
Alcantara picks up his third straight win in the octagon after an unanimous choice loss to Urijah Faber, while Doane suffers his very first UFC defeat after back-to-back wins versus Leandro Issa and Marcus Brimage, respectively.