- UFC 101: PELLEGRINO DECISIONS NEER
by Steven Marrocco - MMAWeekly.com
It wasn't pretty, but Kurt Pellegrino got the job done against Josh Neer.
In a one-sided encounter, he eluded damage from Neer's dangerous striking attack to take the action down and keep it there.
Neer kept Pellegrino at bay, controlling posture with his legs and maintaining wrist control when strikes came down. But his lone counter-attacks, an armbar and triangle, were used against him as Pellegrino advanced position and continued to work away.
Pellegrino faked a kimura and took mount, but Neer rolled to his stomach and defended the inevitable choke attempt. From there, it was more grappling.
No one was more anxious to criticize Pellegrino's plan than Neer, who repeatedly waved his arms in protest as the bout plodded on.
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So it went for the remainder of the fight: Neer would stalk towards a big punch or kick and get taken down before he could put together the winning combination.
Pellegrino did scant damage on top, but after three rounds of hammerfists and sporadic punches, Neer's face looked worse for the wear, all but sealing his fate in the judges' hands.
Neer berated the New Jerseyan in his guard and trash talk began to go both ways as the seconds clicked away. With 30 clicks left, Neer finally managed to reverse Pellegrino, where he defended another shot with punishing elbows to the side of Pellegrino's head. He just didn't have the time.
At the bell, Pellegrino walked at Neer's back, his arms raised in victory and a smile across his face. Neer wouldn't face him.
Unanimous 30-27 scores for Pellegrino came to the surprise of no one.
