Tonight the seventh episode of the Ultimate Fighter Season 21 aired on Fox Sports featured the seventh fight between the American Top Team & Blackzilians.
Vicente Luque (7-4-1) vs. Nathan Coy (14-5)
Round 1 – Coy shoots for a takedown less than 10 seconds in. He fights for a single leg against the cage, but Luque avoids and breaks free. They exchange strikes and Luque lands a nice knee up the middle to Coy’s chin. Luque overextends on a punch and allows Coy to maneuver inside for a body lock. Coy controls the action against the cage and drops for a single leg takedown. Luque fights off the hands and lands a hard punch on Coy as he breaks free. Coy is bleeding over his right eye due to the strike. Luque loosens up with his strikes. He lands a number of hard body kicks and combinations with his hands. Coy again uses Luque’s aggression against him to close the distance. He goes back to the takedown against the cage, but Luque does everything right to defend. Coy keeps control against the cage and works knees to Luque’s legs and body while throwing punches and elbows to the head. Luque frees himself and lands an inside leg kick that causes Coy to stumble. He follows with a flying knee and right book that both connect. Coy initiates the clinch again but is unable to secure a takedown before the end of the round.
Round 2 – An exchange of punches opens the round. Coy is more aggressive with his strikes, but Luque counters with two hooks, one of which appears to hurt Coy. Coy fires back with a straight punch but it’s countered by Luque’s uppercut. Luque is quicker with his strikes and lands a two inside leg kicks and a body kick. Luque tried to kick again, but Coy catches it and lands his first takedown of the fight. Luque quickly works back to his feet, but Coy drags him to the ground again. Coy lands a few punches on the ground, but it doesn’t take long for Luque to create distance and use the cage to stand up. Coy has control of the clinch position against the cage. The referee warns him for inactivity. Coy works hard to secure a double leg takedown. Coy finally gets his takedown due to ankle pick, but Luque steps over and transitions to an armbar. Coy defends the submission and stays on top for the remainder of the round.
The judges declare the fight a draw after two rounds and a third sudden-victory round will decide the winner of the fight.
Round 3 – Coy shoots for a takedown off the first striking exchange, but Luque easily stuffs the attempt. They stand at range and strike. Luque lands an inside leg kick followed by a body punch. Luque lands another hard body kick that stuns Coy and forces him to take several steps back. Luque chases him down but Coy uses that aggression to control the body lock and once again control the fight on the cage. Coy briefly grounds Luque with a leg sweep, but can’t control the fight on the ground. Coy eats a hard knee to the body as the fighters’ scramble and falls to his back. He dives for Luque’s legs as they move to the feet, but Luque is aware and grasps his hands around Coy’s neck for a D’arce choke. Coy struggles to break free but is forced to submit.
Vicente Luque def. Nathan Coy via submission (D’arce choke) – Round 3, 2:26
