Michael Bisping vs. Thales Leites met in a middleweight bout for the main event at UFC Fight Night 72. These two went through a war that was back and forth. This fight saw it all, takedowns and a share amount of striking that shined light on both men. In the end (and after five rounds) Bisping got the W when he was awarded a split decision victory.
UFC Fight Night 72 took place on Saturday, July 18, 2015, at The SSE Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland.
Michael Bisping (27-7) is 4-2 in his last six fights, he is currently on a two-fight winning streak. Bisping was victorious at UFC 159 with a win over Alan Belcher by Technical Decision. He lost to Tim Kenney by unanimous decision in April of 2014, he came back and beat Cung le in August by fourth round TKO. In his next bout, he lost Luke Rockhold in November by second-round guillotine choke. Michael Bisping defeated C.B. Dollaway by unanimous decision at UFC 186. He beat Thales Leites by split decision at UFC Fight Night 72.
Thales Leites (26-4) is currently on a one-fight losing streak. In his last six bouts, he has finished three of them. In those six bouts, he beat Tom Watson at UFC 136 by unanimous decision, Ed Herman at UFC 167 by unanimous decision and then first-round knockout of Trevor Smith at UFC Fight Night 39. He followed up with wins over Francis Carmont at UFC Fight Night 49 by second-round knockout and then Tim Boetsch at UFC 183 by second-round triangle choke. He was beat by Michael Bisping by split decision at UFC Fight Night 72.
Here is the play-by-play from this fight:
Round 1: Leites kicked Bisping in the junk to begin the round. Bisping ducked a left hook so he can land his right hook. Good slip and counter. Bisping misses a combo, but finished it with a head kick. With one minute remaining, Bisping landed a single-leg takedown. Bisping on top in half guard, works him over with ground and pound. Leites scrambled off his back and to his feet to end the round.
Round 2: Typical Bisping is starting to open up more as the fight goes on. He landed a straight right followed by a head kick. Leites has slowed down compared to the previous round. As the round moves on, Leites is starting to find his range. Bisping landed a big left hook at 1:05 remaining in the round.
Round 3: Leites opened the round with a series of strikes that hurt Bisping. Leties clinches with him on the fence. Bisping pushes him off as he starts to bleed from his left temple. After being kicked so much in the legs by Leties, Bisping starts throw some of his own. Leties got a double leg takedown at 1:01, but Bisping made his way back to his feet. They exchange to the bell.
Round 4: Leties blitzed him with strikes to open the round. Bisping looks like a warrior defending his home country. Bisping is dragged his right leg as he moves due in part to Leites’ leg kicks. Bisping is back peddling and growing tired as this round moves on. Leites went for a takedown, but Bisping shrugged him off.
Round 5: This close fight has entered its final round. Bisping tagged him with two back-to-back left jabs. Bisping with an uppercut that pops the crowd. Bisping with a right hook then a head kick. Bisping has found new energy as this fight comes to a close. Leites with a good combo that hurts Bisping. Bisping with another combo that Leites shakes his head at. They swung for the fences to close the fight.
Result: Michael Bisping def. Thales Leites via split decision (47-48, 49-46, 48-47)
We have full results from this event on the main news board.
