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UFC Austin results: Curtis Millender knocks out Thiago Alves

ByAdam Stocker|
AUSTIN, TX - FEBRUARY 17: (L-R) Opponents Thiago Alves of Brazil and Curtis Millender face off during the UFC Fight Night Weigh-in at the JW Marriott hotel on February 17, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX - FEBRUARY 17: (L-R) Opponents Thiago Alves of Brazil and Curtis Millender face off during the UFC Fight Night Weigh-in at the JW Marriott hotel on February 17, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Here is how the welterweight fight between Thiago Alves and Curtis Millender played out at UFC Fight Night 126 from Austin, Texas.

UFC veteran Thiago Alves fought promotional newcomer Curtis Millender at UFC Fight Night 126. Despite Alves being only four years older than Millender, the two have had remarkably different careers. Alves began his career in 2001 and made his UFC debut in 2005, eight years before Millender started his career.

Alves entered the fight with a 22-11 record with 12 knockouts and two submission victories. In his last fight, Alves defeated Patrick Cote at UFC 210. The win ended a two-fight losing streak for Alves. Since losing a welterweight champions fight to Georges St-Pierre at UFC 100, Alves has gone 5-5 in his last 10 fights.

Millender won his first seven professional fights, earning a Bellator contract. However, Millender lost his first two fights for the promotion and was released despite winning his third fight with the company. Millender entered Sunday’s fight with a 14-3 record with five knockouts and a six-fight winning streak.

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Round 1:

The first round started off slowly as the two fighters circled the octagon. Millender controlled the middle, while Alves was happy sticking to the outside as both fighters felt the other out. Millender landed a leg kick to keep Alves on the outside. Alves was very cautious to start the first round, attempting to figure out his range against Millender, who had a six-inch reach advantage. Millender landed a spinning kick to Alves’ body and followed it up with a left hand. The two fighters traded punches in the middle, with Millender winning the exchange with a powerful left hand that sent Alves stumbling backward. Millender continued moving forward, landing his left jab. Alves was able to recover, slowing Millender down with a leg kick and right hand. Millender landed a pair of powerful right hands. The second right dropped Alves and Millender began celebrating thinking the referee would stop the fight. However, the fight continued and Millender went to the ground and pound. Despite landing several powerful punches and a couple of uppercuts, Alves was able to escape. Alves closed out the round with a takedown.

FanSided scored it: 10-9 Millender

Round 2:

Alves started the second round throwing leg kicks, trying to keep Millender from moving forward. However, whenever, Alves cam forward he was met with a left jab. Millender used angles well to land combinations, outstriking Alves in every exchange. Alves started to mix more kicks with his punches, landing a kick to the body and a few leg kicks with right hands. Millender again slowed down Alves with a right jab and left hand. The fight ended when Millender landed a huge knee to Alves’ head. Immediately, Alves fell backward. This time, Millender could have celebrated as the referee immediately moved in to stop the fight. However, Millender learned his lesson from the first round and did not celebrate too early.

OFFICIAL SCORECARD: Curtis Millender def. Thiago Alves via knockout (knee) 4:17 Round 2

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