[ad_1]
Fil-Aussie Culibao settles for a split draw at UFC Fight Island 4
Philippine-Australian fighter Josh Culibao settled for a controversial split draw against Charles Jourdain of Canada on Sunday at UFC Fight Island 4 in Abu Dhabi.
Culibao started strong in the first two rounds before Jourdain showed dominance in both the hitting game and on the ground in the third frame.
The judges rated the fight 30-27 for Jourdain, 29-28 for Culibao while the third referee had it at 28-28.
Social media became frantic after a judge gave Jourdain all three rounds, sparking mixed emotions from the public.
The 26-year-old Culibao, considered the underdog in the game entering his second UFC game, started aggressively in the running game after defeating Jourdain in the first round.
After exchanging blows, Culibao knocked Jourdain to the mat, leaving his Canadian foe bleeding and possibly with a broken nose. Jourdain recovered and came close to executing a guillotine choke before the end of the first round.
A self-inflicted eye punch from Culibao stole the limelight midway through the second round before the running game action continued.
The third round proved vital to Jourdain’s victory as he landed powerful blows at Culibao and even attempted another guillotine choke. Jourdain, 24, tried to finish Culibao with an arm arm but the Fil-Aussie got away.
Jourdain improved to a 10-3-1 mixed martial arts record, while Culibao has yet to clinch a promotion win with an 8-1-1 scoreboard.
SIGN UP TO THE DAILY NEWSLETTER
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
