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Blachowicz outslugs Manuwa in thrilling rematch

Matthew Childs / REUTERS

A rematch no one wanted to see exceeded expectations on Saturday.

In what play-by-play man John Gooden fittingly anointed a "festival of face-punching," light heavyweights Jan Blachowicz and local favorite Jimi Manuwa atoned for their tepid 2015 tilt with a three-round slugfest the former took by unanimous decision in UFC Fight Night 127's co-headliner in London.

Blachowicz not only avenged the verdict he'd dropped to Manuwa three years ago but extended his win streak to three and brought his nine-fight promotional slate above the .500 mark with the impressive showing.

To the surprise of no one, Manuwa wasted little time taking the center of the cage and walking Blachowicz down while looking to treat him to his fearsome power, but it was the Pole who supplied the matchup's first telling blow. As Manuwa put him on the back foot, Blachowicz responded with a combination that sent the Londoner crashing to the canvas:

Manuwa valiantly survived the onslaught to see the second round, and outlanded Blachowicz with a varied attack before cracking him with a head kick as time wound down to make it anyone's fight heading into the last stanza.

With Manuwa seeking a home for his haymakers, Blachowicz wisely disrupted his efforts with an active jab and the occasional combination, then scored a perfectly timed takedown to close out the barn burner and seal the victory on all three scorecards.

The 38-year-old Manuwa is now riding his first two-fight skid 364 days after scoring a KO of Corey Anderson in the UFC's previous visit to his native London.

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