Nate Landwehr will be leaving UFC San Diego after winning the majority decision. However, both Onama and Onama deserve a standing ovation for their performance in co-main event.
There were a number of close finishes and knockdowns, as well as some wild exchanges on the floor over the 15 minute. But it was Landwehr’s incredible toughness and marathon-like conditioning that allowed him to win the fight. Landwehr was awarded the fight by two judges with 29-27 scores, while the third official gave it to him as an 28-28 draw.
Landwehr was able to win the award, but everyone in the arena as well as all the people watching were winners. It was a great battle.
” I showed up!” Landwehr shouted. “Plain and simple. Nate the Train, I’m the roughest, toughest … and I can fight pretty damn good, too, baby. Although he’s a terrible man, I am the worst man in the .”
division.
With a reach advantage, Onama was doing a good job by keeping Landwehr at the end of his punches while establishing a slick lead jab. When Landwehr was able to close the distance, Onama started opening up with two and three punch combinations with power behind every shot.
By the midway point of the opening round, Landwehr was wearing the damage with a cut under his left eye. Onama almost won the fight by delivering a powerful punch to Landwehr that sent him crashing onto the ground. It appeared that he was finished.
Somehow despite appearing unconscious for a split second, Landwehr woke up and held on until he could get back to his feet as the featherweights continued trading shots. A late elbow from Landwehr clubbed Onama just before the horn that started to change the momentum in the fight.
At the start of round two, Landwehr was relentless with his offense as he came after Onama with nasty punches and knees to the head from the clinch. The assault continued until Landwehr eventually ended up in the mount where he began raining down shots on Onama, who shifted from dominance to survival mode.
Landwehr had complete control and began to tee off on exhausted Onama. It appeared that the fight was only seconds away from ending. Landwehr was backed off briefly when Onama landed a powerful punch, but this victory was fleeting.
Showcasing immeasurable conditioning and durability, Landwehr almost welcomed the brief comeback as he kept throwing shot after shot trying for the finish. Onama fired another shot just before the bout ended.
The Landwehr onslaught in round two and most of three was sufficient for Landwehr to win the fight. But, more importantly, he has instantly become a must-see television star, particularly after such a brutal fight.
