Welterweight Luke Jumeau was unable to add to the NZ win column at UFC 243, falling to a split-decision loss to Diego Lima at UFC 243 in Melbourne on Sunday.
After not fighting since December 2018, 'The Jedi' showed plenty of signs of his long layoff. He never quite found his rhythm and struggled to overcome Lima's reach advantage, which the Brazilian employed expertly in a largely lacklustre contest.
Lima established his range in the early stages and used his kicks well. Jumeau managed just a few ripostes, but couldn't land anything significant.
Lima went back to his kicks in the second round, with even greater effect. Meanwhile, the Hamiltonian was largely reduced to counter shots, as Lima controlled the Octagon and used his reach advantage to fight at a distance that Jumeau struggled to close.
Late in the second, Jumeau had his best moment of the contest, when he landed a left hook that staggered Lima.
He was was unable to capitalise any further, but it may have been enough to steal him the round.
Heading into the final round, Jumeau ramped up this aggression and lunged with power shots that Lima was repeatedly able to deflect.
The Brazilian lanced a few straight right hands that likely carried plenty of weight in the judges' eyes in the context of a bout devoid of any clean scoring shots.
Newshub.
