UFC on ESPN 21 Prelims: Macy Chiasson Hands Marion Reneau Fourth Consecutive Defeat

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Macy Chiasson appears to be well on her way to Top 10 status in the Ultimate Fighting Championship women’s bantamweight division.

“The Ultimate Fighter” Season 28 winner on Saturday leaned on crisp standup and a robust clinch, as she laid claim to a unanimous decision over Marion Reneau in the featured UFC on ESPN 21 prelim at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Chiasson (7-1, 5-1 UFC) drew 29-28 nods from all three judges and continued to distance herself from a September 2019 loss to Lina Lansberg.

Renau (9-7-1, 5-6-1 UFC) used efficient punching combinations and evasive lateral movement in putting together a successful first round. However, Chiasson turned the tide in the second, where she bloodied the Californian’s nose with a crushing left hand and later forced her to retreat on the end of a wicked kick to the body. The two women spent much of the final five minutes jockeying for position, but Chiasson likely sealed the deal with a trip takedown with roughly 60 seconds left on the clock.

The 43-year-old Reneau has lost four fights in a row.

Dawson Hammerfists Obliterate Santos

Glory MMA prospect Grant Dawson took care of “The Ultimate Fighter Brazil” Season 2 winner Leonardo Santos with punches in the third round of their undercard pairing at 155 pounds. Santos (18-4-1, 7-1-1 UFC) met his end 4:59 into Round 3, as he suffered his first defeat since May 2, 2009.

The first 10 minutes saw give and take from both men, leading the decisive third round. There, a fatiguing Santos conceded a takedown and accepted bottom position. Dawson (17-1, 5-0 UFC) progressed to half guard and applied some sustained but relatively ineffective ground-and-pound into the waning moments. As Santos zeroed in on an ill-advised heel hook, his counterpart stood above him and dropped one hammerfist after another until he was unconscious. So concluded the Nova Uniao export’s 13-fight unbeaten streak.

Dawson, 27, has rattled off eight straight victories.

Related » UFC on ESPN 21 Round-by-Round Scoring

Giles Sinks Undefeated Dolidze

Trevin Giles pushed his run of consecutive victories to three with a unanimous decision over previously undefeated Xtreme Couture standout Roman Dolidze in a three-round middleweight affair. All three cageside judges scored it the same: 29-28 for Giles (14-2, 5-2 UFC).

Dolidze (8-1, 2-1 UFC) fought well in spurts, piled up with points with early leg kicks and mixed in a well-timed takedown during the first five minutes. However, he wandered off the beaten path in the second round, where repeated bids for low-percentage leg locks resulted in his taking damage from ground-and-pound and pushing his cardio to the limit. Giles staggered him with a surgical straight right in Round 3, the impact drawing a significant amount of blood from the Georgian’s nose. Dolidze had his chances down the stretch and benefitted from some questionable choices by his opponent, but by then, he was running on fumes and lacked the gas necessary to carry him across the finish line.

Giles now owns a perfect 3-0 record in fights that go the distance.

Jackson Dismisses Newcomer Strader

Pure Vida MMA rep Montel Jackson disposed of promotional newcomer Jesse Strader with punches in the first round of their bantamweight clash. Strader (5-2, 0-1 UFC)—who missed weight for the match—succumbed to blows 1:58 into Round 1, his modest two-fight winning streak at an end.

Jackson (10-2, 4-2 UFC) leveled the Combate Americas veteran with a counter right hook, pumped the brakes when he was met with return fire and later floored him a second time with hooks from each hand. Strader turtled at the base of the fence and absorbed a volley of standing-to-ground punches before referee Keith Peterson arrived on the scene.

The 28-year-old Jackson has won four of his last five fights.

Silva Upends Debuting Buys

Fight Ready export Bruno Silva put away former Extreme Fighting Championship titleholder J.P. Buys with punches in the second round of their flyweight tilt. Silva (11-5-2, 1-2 UFC) brought it to a close 2:56 into Round 2, closing the book on a two-fight losing streak with his first win in more than three years.

Buys (9-3, 0-1 UFC) struggled to get in gear. Silva executed a pair of takedowns, attacked the lower lead leg with kicks on tied a bow on a strong first round when he dropped the South African to a knee with a spinning backfist in the closing seconds. Buys upped his aggression in Round 2 and pressed the issue, only to walk into a searing overhand right from the Brazilian. He tried to somersault out of danger, regained his footing and withstood being sat down a second time with a right uppercut. Buys survived the onslaught initially and returned to an upright position, but Silva decked him with another right hand over the top and forced referee Mark Smith to intervene.

The loss snapped a five-fight winning streak for Buys.