Flyweight Amir Albazi edged Kai Kara-France by a controversial split decision to take the main event of UFC On ESPN 46 from Las Vegas, Saturday. The punch stats showed Kara-France holding an overall edge in significant strikes while defending well against Albazi's wrestling through much of the fight.
Albazi had his best round in the third, getting behind Kara-France and taking him to the mat where he eventually secured a body triangle from the back. He appeared to be very close on a rear choke attempt but was angled off slightly to the side allowing Kara-France just enough room to escape.
Kara-France seemed to have the edge over the last two rounds doubling and tripling up on the jab while mixing in leg kicks and overhand rights. But the judges saw it for Albazi with Sal D'Amato and Chris Lee favoring him 48-47 while Mike Bell saw it for Kara-France 48-47.
