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Mario Souza and Mariusz Ksiazkiewicz squared off in this week’s main event, both hoping to be the ninth middleweight to earn a contract and a place on the UFC roster this season.
Souza snapped off a high kick to start the bout, showcasing his range and dexterity, chasing a couple more that Ksiazkiewicz blocked before attacking the body and the inside of the lower leg. Ksiazkiewicz pressed forward into the clinch, clasping onto a body lock and twisting the Brazilian to the canvas in the center of the cage, landing in side control.
Ksiazkiewicz peppered Souza with short shots, but the 24-year-old Brazilian was able to create a scramble and find his way to top position, posturing up and throwing heavy blows that prompted the Polish-Canadian to tie him up in defense. Souza quickly worked out of an armbar attempt from Ksiazkiewicz, grabbing a guillotine choke as the two scrambled back to the canvas, with Ksiazkiewicz never being in any real danger.
As the two exchanged in the closing moments of the round, Souza landed a heavy elbow to the side of the head of Ksiazkiewicz well after the bell.
Souza came out slinging to start the second, hurting Ksiazkiewicz with long, powerful shots against the fence, but the steely unbeaten finisher stayed upright, pressed forward, and again initiated a clinch along the cage, taking a moment to get his breath before dumping Souza to the canvas. Working out of half guard, Ksiazkiewicz threw sporadic strikes, transitioning to side control as Souza tried to hunt for a triangle choke from bottom.
As Souza tried to shrimp in, Ksiazkiewicz gave up top position, but quickly swept Souza, again landing in side control. Souza attacked with a triangle choke again, accidentally catching Ksiazkiewicz in the side of the head with his foot to draw another warning, but the Winnipeg resident shook it off and advanced position, finishing the round in control of things on the canvas.
With both men looking tired to start the third, they traded blows in the center, with Souza again getting the better of the exchanges. But just as he did in each of the first two rounds, Ksiazkiewicz worked into the clinch and dumped Souza to the canvas, settling into half guard. Referee Mark Smith stood them back up with three minutes remaining in the round and Ksiazkiewicz again pressed into the clinch and tossed Souza to the floor, once again landing in the Brazilian’s guard.
An upkick from Souza seemed to stun Ksiazkiewicz a little as he postured up. With a minute remaining in the frame, Ksiazkiewicz dropped back looking for a leg lock, attacking an inverted heel hook, but it may have backfired, as Souza climbed through and unloaded heavy ground-and-pound before the two collapsed in a heap in the center of the cage at the final bell.
This was a gruelling, back-and-forth battle between two talented middleweights. When the scores were tallied, it was Souza who came away with the unanimous decision victory.
Official Result: Mario Souza def. Mariusz Ksiazkiewicz by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)