UFC Fight Night 30 Prelims: Al Iaquinta Outduels Piotr Hallmann to Unanimous Decision

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The Serra-Longo Fight Team has reason to tout Al Iaquinta.

“The Ultimate Fighter” Season 15 finalist won for the sixth time in eight outings, as he posted a unanimous decision over Piotr Hallmann at UFC Fight Night 30 “Machida vs. Munoz” on Saturday at the Phones 4U Arena in Manchester, England. All three judges scored it for Iaquinta (7-2-1, 2-1 UFC): 29-28, 30-27 and 30-27.

The two lightweights fought to a relative standstill into the second round. There, Iaquinta rocked the Pole with a short right cross and put him on the canvas with a right hook. Hallmann (14-2, 1-1 UFC), who entered the Octagon on 10-fight winning streak, was never quite the same. In the third round, Iaquinta punched in tactical bursts, threw in some kicks and punctuated the victory with three late takedowns.

“I knew going in that he was a durable guy,” Iaquinta said. “I got him hurt in the second round, but I hesitated to jump on him, because I’ve seen fights before. He takes shots and comes back. I just went with the flow of the fight. That guy is tough.”

Unbeaten Barnatt Submits Craig

“The Ultimate Fighter” Season 17 quarterfinalist Luke Barnatt submitted onetime Legacy Fighting Championship titleholder Andrew Craig with a second-round rear-naked choke in a preliminary middleweight clash. Craig (9-2, 3-2 UFC) tapped out 2:12 into round two, finished for the first time in his career.

Barnatt (7-0, 2-0 UFC) permanently altered the complexion of the bout with a right cross in the first round, nearly knocking out the Texan. A badly dazed Craig weathered the shot and the blows that followed, only to run into more difficulty in round two. There, Barnatt dropped him again, delivered a takedown, moved to Craig’s back and cinched the choke.

Prospect Andrade Brutalizes Sexton

Brazilian prospect Jessica Andrade brutalized Rosi Sexton for three rounds en route to a one-sided unanimous decision over the former Cage Warriors Fighting Championship titleholder in their undercard match at 135 pounds. Andrade (10-3, 1-1 UFC) swept the scorecards by 30-26, 30-27 and 30-26 counts.

Sexton (13-4, 0-2 UFC) never had a chance, lacking the necessary firepower to keep the fight competitive. Andrade unleashed with winging punching combinations in a bout that was at times unsettling to watch. The 22-year-old Brazilian floored Sexton with a right hook in the waning seconds of round one and only upped her aggression as time went on, mixing in knees and standing elbows, along with ferocious kicks to the body.

ATT’s Miller Outpoints Ogle

Long right hands and superb grappling carried American Top Team’s Cole Miller to a unanimous decision over “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 15 alum Andy Ogle in an undercard clash at 145 pounds. All three cageside judges arrived at the same verdict: 29-28 for Miller (20-8, 9-6 UFC).

Miller controlled the first two rounds with his ground game, as the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt transitioned seamlessly from one position to the next. He kept himself attached to Ogle’s back for a majority of the first 10 minutes but nearly finished the Team Kaobon representative with a guillotine choke in the second round.

Ogle (9-3, 1-2 UFC) made his move in round three, where he tagged Augusta, Ga., native standing and opened a small cut under his right eye. The aggressive 24-year-old scored with a takedown and pounded away with elbows and punches. While effective, the surge was not enough to put away Miller.

Hettes Triangle Finishes Whiteford

AMA Fight Club’s Jim Hettes choked promotional newcomer Robert Whiteford unconscious with a second-round triangle in a preliminary featherweight duel. A replacement for the injured Mike Wilkinson, Whiteford (10-2, 0-1 UFC) went limp 2:17 into round two.

Hettes (11-1, 3-1 UFC) found the grappling exchanges to his liking. The 26-year-old judo brown belt threatened the Scot throughout the first round -- a modified keylock utilizing his legs had the arena abuzz -- and closed him out in the second. There, Hettes struck for a takedown, moved to Whiteford’s back and ensnared him in the fight-ending triangle during a scramble.

Scott Choke Submits Kuiper

“The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes” finalist Brad Scott submitted Dutch judoka Michael Kuiper with a first-round front choke in an undercard scrap at 185 pounds. Kuiper (12-3, 1-3 UFC) conceded defeat 4:17 into round one.

Scott (9-2, 1-1) kept the judo black belt pinned against the fence for much of their encounter. He countered a takedown attempt from Kuiper late in the first round, trapped the Dutchman in the choke and coaxed the tapout for his seventh victory in eight outings.