Gian Villante Puts Away Saparbek Safarov In Albany

The opening bout on the main card of UFC Fight Night 102 featured two light heavyweight bruisers. The fighters stepping inside the Octagon in Albany, New York were Gian Villante (15-7) and the debuting Saparbek Safarov (8-1).

Villante gave the New York crowd something to cheer for.

Villante got into a rhythm early. He dropped Safarov with a jab. The jab kept finding a home for Villante. Safarov threw a high kick and held onto his knee. Villlante pushed forward, but was clipped with a hook. Villante was dropped with an overhand right, but got up quickly. Safarov pushed his opponent against the fence. He countered a jab with a right hand as the horn sounded. Safarov limped to his corner.

Villante went for the knee of Safarov at the start of the second stanza. A hard leg kick landed for Villante. A right hand pierced through the guard of Safarov. A combination followed by a leg kick was there for Villante. He landed a knee in the clinch. Safarov went for a takedown, but couldn’t complete it. Villante was starting to pull away and swarmed his opponent. He landed a series of elbows in the clinch and the fight was stopped.

Final Result: Gian Villante def. Saparbek Safarov via TKO (Elbows) – R2, 2:54