It’s soon fight day, and we have Team Miller’s Dustin Neace (22-16-1) vs. Team Bisping’s Akira Corassani (9-3). UFC president Dana White does the pre-fight intros, Herb Dean is our referee, and we’re underway with our latest bout.
There’s little action early as each fighter tests his range. Nothing substantial lands in the first minute of the fight before Akira finally gets through a combination. Dustin works low kicks that don’t have much behind them. He then lands a nice combo while moving forward. Akira catches a kick and dumps Dustin, but he’s initially hesitant to go the ground before finally going into full guard. Dustin ties him up, but Akira mixed in some punches and an elbow from top. Dustin looks to maneuver, and then grabs an arm. He looks for the kimura but doesn’t have the angle. Akira delivers some punches from the top before he’s again tied up. During a scramble, Dustin grabs a heel hook and torques it. Dustin appears to let go, and Team Miller yells that Akira tapped. But the fight goes on, and Akira escapes the submission. Dustin grabs the leg again, but he can’t secure it, and Akira gets back to his feet. Both fighters look a bit depleted, and sloppy striking follows. Dustin shoots again and gets the takedown. He gets up and delivers a punch before the round ends. Despite what appeared to be a tap, Akira gets the round, 10-9, because of the no-call.
Both swing wildly to start the second round. Akira connects and clinches to put Dustin against the cage. He delivers a few knees, but they eventually separate and reset. Both connect on some punches. Akira then lands a stiff left hook that drops Dustin. He quickly follows him to the mat with more punches, but Dustin regains his composure and tries to tie him up. Akira works from half guard and then postures up to deliver punches before returning to the mat. Dustin scrambles, but Akira ends up in side control and delivers knees to the ribs. Dustin works on a triangle but can’t secure it, and Akira delivers more punches from the top. Dustin again looks for a triangle choke and an armbar, but the round ends with his offense shut down.
Before the scorecards are even read, Akira mockingly acts as though he’s machine-gunning down Dustin, who’s sitting on a stool. The coaches break it up, but Nevada State Athletic Commission executive director Keith Kizer quickly enters the cage and says, “There’s about to be a suspended fighter. You want off the show?” Bisping quickly intervenes and cools things down before Akira is tagged with a suspension.
The scores are read, and Akira takes the controversial win via majority decision.





