UFC 234 - Bantamweight Rani Yahya (+100) vs. Ricky Simon (-120) - the Fight
I almost got the chance to roll with Rani Yahya when he came to our gym 6 years ago but never got the chance.
Round 1
Rani, like Damien Maia, are one of the few Jiu-Jitsu specialists left. Ricky takes the center and is throwing long strikes. Rani walks foward and is throwing hard strikes as he is not afraid of the take down.
Rani continues to circle to this left. Rani takes a long shot and misses. Ricky lands a hard shot and Rani goes down. Ricky backs up and makes Rani stand. Ricky lands a solid left hook and Rani is down again. Ricky makes Rani stand every time Rani goes to the ground.
Ricky stuffs another Rani shot.
Ricky shoots a double and takes Rani down but refuses to go into his guard.
My Score - Ricky 10-8
Round 2
Ricky starts the round doing more of the same. Staying at distance and throwing quick hard shots.
Rani is winging punches. Ricky takes him down with another double but stands up.
Ricky is cut under his right eye from a head butt.
Rani shoots another single and comes up short.
Rani needs to just shorten his punches and keep walking forward instead of throwing hard.
Ricky lands another fouble.
Rani lands a short right and Ricky is stunned. Ricky is running as Rani pursues throwing punches.
Ricky lands shoulder bump and Rani goes down again.
Ricky lands another double and this time Ricky goes to the ground with 15 seconds left in the round.
My Score - Ricky 10-9
Round 3
Rani shoots a double and pulls guard. Ricky gets back to his feet.
Rani shoots another single off a punch combination but misses again.
Ricky's head movement is excellent and he makes Rani miss over and over.
Rani shoots and Ricky sprawls hard on him.
They are back to their feet and a short right by Ricky puts Rani down.
Ricky ducks under a Rani right and takes Rani down again.
Ricky goes into Rani's guard with 40 seconds left.
Ricky is throwing hard ground and pound screaming as the clock runs out.