Vitor Petrino will be entering the UFC heavyweight rankings in a major way, scoring a clear decision win over Serghei Spivac in the UFC Sacramento co-main event.
“Spivac is a very tough opponent, experienced fighter,” Petrino said, through a translator, in his post-fight interview. “I got a unanimous decision, so I’m happy about that.”
Petrino worked to establish his jab from the outside early. After being patient to start the first two minutes, Spivac looked to attack and work a couple of powerful combinations. Petrino returned fire, however, busting up Spivac around his nose with the left jab and attacking his leg with kicks.
Petrino looked for a takedown to start round two, resulting in both men firing off big shots before Petrino succeeded in bringing Spivac down. Petrino landed strong ground-and-pound from time to time before posturing up for more damaging shots — and to threaten a choke. Spivac shook Petrino off in the last 20 seconds but didn’t get anything with it.
Spivac looked to pressure with power in the third, knowing he needed a finish. Spivac landed a pair of strong right hands, but Petrino answered by level changing and taking Spivac back down. With about two minutes left, Spivac got separation, but he couldn’t get the finish.
Petrino has now won four straight after suffering the only two losses of his MMA career, bringing his UFC record to 8-2.
