Round 1 – No glove touch here, but they get right into striking range and exchange calf kicks. McKee looks for punches in combination upstairs, but Njokuani evades. More hard low kicks from Njokuani dig in. McKee charges forward with a combo, but Njokuani has his guard up. McKee fires off two more right hands. Njokuani circles, and is met with more right hands from McKee that are partially blocked. Njokuani fires off more leg kicks and McKee clinches, pushing the fight to the fence. The referee calls for action as the fight starts to stall out. McKee goes a little harder for the takedown as the crowd begins to boo. Njokuani slips in a nice short elbow. More boos now, and the referee gives them what they want by separating the fighters with just a few seconds left. Njokuani lands a few more strikes before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Njokuani.
Round 2 – A slower start to this round, but a few strikes are offered before a clinch is initiated by McKee. The crowd instantly begins to boo as McKee presses Njokuani into the fence. Njokuani works his way free and they return to the center. Now Njokuani is starting to feel himself a little, shuffling his feet and taunting a bit between fast strikes. McKee shoots in and stops the momentum before Njokuani can really build on the moment. The crowd, of course, doesn’t like the clinch battle. Njokuani gets a few knees in to the body, but McKee ends the round in a favorable position against the cage.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Njokuani.
Round 3 – Njokuani tries to say something to McKee as they come to the middle, but McKee is ready to get to action. Njokuani obliges with a hard leg kick. Njokuani then threatens a takedown of his own, but opts to land a few more strikes. McKee tries to clinch this time, but gets shaken off. Njokuani gets a hold of a Thai clinch as a counter, and drives in a couple of knees. McKee tries to strike with Njokuani, but is on the wrong end of things, and then Njokuani changes levels for a nice takedown. McKee quickly gets back to his feet, though. Njokuani is back to winning the striking exchanges, landing a beautiful right elbow. Just over two minutes to go, and McKee is back in on a clinch against the cage. The referee is quick to separate them this time. Njokuani connects with more punches and kicks, prompting McKee to get back in on another takedown attempt. Njokuani gives him a couple of knees on the exit. McKee rushes in and gets clipped with a right hand. A hard body kick digs in from Njokuani just seconds before this one ends.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Njokuani, giving him the fight 30-27.
Result: Chidi Njokuani def. Rhys McKee via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos:
Records: Njokuani (23-10 MMA, 3-3 UFC), McKee (13-6-1 MMA, 0-4 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Keith Peterson
Judging: Sal D’Amato, Chris Lee 30-27. Mamunah Querido 28-29.