Jamie Mullarkey has made it two knockout victories in a row after finishing Devonte Smith in the second round. Photo: @UFC_AUSNZ/Twitter.
Australia’s Jamie Mullarkey has added a second knockout UFC victory to his resume, finishing Devonte Smith via ground and pound in the second after a testy opening round.
After two losses to start his UFC career, Mullarkey has proved he belongs in the promotion with now back-to-back knock-out victories.
Round 1
Both knockout artists with a point to prove a faint heavy approach was employed by both men to start the fight.
It was clear from the opening bell that Mullarkey was looking to attack the lead leg of Smith to try and slow his movement, however, Smith was the first to land cleanly, but Mullarkey’s toughness was on full display.
Smith was having the better of the exchanges in the first, landing more significant strikes, with at the midway point of the round a right straight followed by a left wobbling Mullarkey.
The Australian was exhibiting similar toughness to his teammate, Alexander Volkanovski, not taking a backward step and continuing to pressure Smith.
Smith was able to land another good combination on Mullarkey with a punch followed by a knee, busting up the New South Wales native but again Mullarkey ate it and looked unphased.
With under a minute in the round, Smith began attacking with leg kicks and looked to land that knee again which busted up Mullarkey, however, he was wise to it, smothering the incoming strikes.
To close out the round, Mullarkey pressure started to pay dividends, landing a takedown in the final 30 seconds, which was followed up with strikes.
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Round 2
Mullarkey continued his pressure in the second round with the first minute uneventful. The Australian then began to open up, attacking the lead leg of Smith again which appeared to hurt him, with the American back peddling.
Mullarkey’s unrelenting pressure continued, attacking the lead leg at will with Smith’s movement starting to be compromised.
Smith had slowed significantly in the second, not having the same movement he had in the opening round, partly due to the leg kicks of Mullarkey.
Mullarkey then made the fight dirty, getting into the clinch where he had great success, landing a barrage of knees, followed by elbows.
When the two men broke from the clinch, Mullarkey landed damaging uppercuts to the body with a left putting Smith down to the ground, where Mullarkey followed up with ground and pound to secure the win.
Post-fight Mullarkey spoke about his game plan to try and tire Smith and then finish the fight, which appeared to work to perfection.
“He started hard, he probably got that first round I’d say, which we knew would be his best round,” said Mullarkey.
“He’s a fast, athletic guy so we needed to get the shots out of him and put that pressure on.”
At now two wins and two loses in the UFC, Mullarkey will be hoping to continued that momentum going into his next bout.
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