UFC on FX 7: Dollaway Outpoints Sarafian In Co-Main Event War

C.B. Dollaway

Dollaway tops Sarafian in three round brawl

The co-main event of UFC on FX 7 featured middleweight veteran C.B. Dollaway and the UFC rookie Daniel Sarafian, and the first round was all Sarafian.

The hometown fighter looked to extend his four-fight winning streak to five in front of the Sao Paulo crowd, but did not look for a submission, his preferred method. Instead, he was swinging for the fences from the opening bell.

Dollaway, meanwhile, looked composed throughout the opening frame, but Sarafian made him pay several times with lightning quick striking. "The Doberman" survived the first, and even managed a bit of offense, but the round certainly went to the Brazilian.

The second frame was more of the same, but Dollaway continued to rob his opponent of momentum following an early scare to the American fighter. While Sarafian continued throwing haymakers, Dollaway utilized good head movement and superior technique.

And that started working, especially in the closing moments of the second, when an uppercut from Dollaway floored Sarafian. Dollaway moved to the back with the seconds ticking away, slamming hammerfists into the side of his opponent's head.

Strike after strike landed, but referee Mario Yamasaki gave Sarafian every chance to survive. Fortunately for the Brazilian, the bell saved him from an almost certain stoppage.

The third round began with a surprisingly confident Sarafian throwing big punches once again, attempting to egg Dollaway into a brawl. Instead, Dollaway worked his technique on the feet while also dominating in the grappling department.

That is, until the two minute mark of the final round.

Dollaway, working from half guard, was swept by Sarafian after three dominant minutes from the American. From there, Sarafian worked towards his opponent's back and nearly sunk in the choke, but Dollaway escaped.

In the waning moments of the fight, the two worked back to the feet, and Sarafian capped off the fight with a big knee, but it would not be enough for him to earn the victory.

Instead, Dollaway walked away with the narrow split-decision nod.

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