UFC Tampa: Mike Davis knocks out Thomas Gifford in ugly scenes

Mike Davis took on Thomas Gifford in one of the bouts on the UFC Tampa preliminary card and from the opening round it was clear which way the fight was going.

It overshadowed the results of the main card, including highly-rated Mackenzie Dern’s undefeated streak coming to an end and Joanna Jedrzejczyk’s dominant victory over Michelle Waterson in the main event.

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Davis absolutely dominated Gifford and rocked him over and over again before the bell rang to end the opening round.

The ugly beat down continued for a further two more rounds before Davis landed the final blow with 15 seconds remaining in the fight and sent Gifford falling face first to the canvas in scary scenes.

Fans watching on however were disgusted the fight almost went the distance with Gifford simply unable to stop the flood of punches from landing.

Some pointed the finger at the referee for failing to step in while others highlighted the corner for not throwing in the towel.

The referee who was in charge of the fight, Andrew Glenn, was later pulled from the card following the sickening display.

His remaining fights were handed to long-time UFC referee Herb Dean.

Later in the card it was another knockout that had fans up and out of their seat, but this time their was no outrage being directed towards the referee.

In the opening round of Niko Price’s fight agains James Vick, Price found himself in a bad position on his back as Vick reigned down punches.

But Price didn’t panic and waited for his moment to strike and when it came he delivered an upkick right into the grill of Vick and turned his lights out.

Far to say the insane knockout is almost a shoe in for the knockout of the night award with fans left picking their jaws up off the floor over the stunning victory.

The night ended with Joanna Jedrzejczyk winning all five rounds of her main event against Waterson.

Waterson had one moment in the fight when she was able to get the former champion’s back, but after failing to capitalise, Jedrzejczyk continued to land blows at will.

All three jusges scored all five rounds to the Polish star.

UFC TAMPA FIGHT CARD & RESULTS

Joanna Jedrzejczyk defeated Michelle Waterson via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50, 45)

Cub Swanson defeated Kron Gracie via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Niko Price defeated James Vick via KO (upkick), 1:44 of round 1

Amanda Ribas defeated Mackenzie Dern via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Matt Frevola defeated Luis Pena via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

Eryk Anders defeated Gerald Meerschaert via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

Ryan Spann defeated Devin Clark via submission (guillotine choke), 2:01 of round 2

Mike Davis defeated Thomas Gifford via KO (right hook), 4:45 of round 3

Alex Morono defeated Max Griffin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)

Deiveson Figueiredo defeated Tim Elliott via submission (guillotine choke), 3:08 of round 1

Marlon Vera defeated Andre Ewell via TKO (elbows), 3:17 of round 3

Miguel Baeza defeated Hector Aldana via TKO (leg kicks and punches), 2:32 of round 2

Marvin Vettori defeated Andrew Sanchez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

JJ Aldrich defeated Lauren Mueller via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)