LAS VEGAS, NV – AUGUST 24: (RL) Francis Marshall knocks down Denis Buzkuja in a featherweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on August 24, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
The featured preliminary card bout at UFC Las Vegas 96 on Saturday pitted lightweights Denis Buzkuja against Francis Marshall.
Both fighters had one win and two losses under the UFC banner but worryingly for “Fire” Marshall, he had lost two fights in a row and was looking to avoid a third defeat, with Buzkuja coming into the fight coming off a win over Conor Matthews.
Early in the bout, Marshall was on the offensive right away, moving forward and looking to take down Buzkuca. Marshall was partially hit with a body kick in the process, but was able to grab Buzkuca with both hands while he had him pressed up against the cage. From there, the match was a stalemate. Midway through the round, Marshall finally managed to take his opponent down to his knees. Marshall was able to land one hook and some short strikes for most of the round, but was unable to land the other hook.
With about a minute left in the round, Buzkudza broke free and both fighters returned to their space. Dennis landed a few hard kicks to his opponent’s body. Marshall came charging in with about 20 seconds left and again drove his opponent against the cage. As the two fighters returned to their space, Marshall took Dennis down with one blow. It wasn’t too bad, as Buzkudza got back up and recovered, and the round ended with both fighters trading blows.
At the start of the second round, Marshall again charged forward, forcing his opponent back against the cage. Francis landed a highlight-reel-worthy right punch that took his opponent down, then landed some strikes from up top. Dennis managed to survive and miraculously managed to get to his feet. Shortly after, Buzkudza landed a body kick. Marshall quickly recovered with a blitz, forcing his opponent against the cage before moving back into space. Half the round had passed, and Buzkudza finally landed a big punch on his opponent.
Marshall, sensing the tide had turned, attempted a takedown a few seconds later, but Dennis successfully defended. Buzkudza landed a few punches, dodged one, and landed a punch of his own, one that drew blood from his opponent’s nose. With just seconds left in the round, Buzkudza overpowered his opponent while pinning him against the cage, creating the biggest moment of the bout, and landing some big strikes that left his opponent uneasy.
At the start of the final round, Buzkuca was again able to release his hands from the slip. Marshall was still fighting back with his own strikes, but he wasn’t landing as flat and hard as he had earlier in the bout. Dennis was swinging the leather around, keeping his hands high and looking to attack until the middle of the round. Francis dodged the blows, and as the fighters got back into space, Dennis again missed a half-hearted takedown attempt. Seconds later, Dennis made Francis pay for a narrowly missed punch with a slick counter.
With under a minute left, Marshall began to ramp up his offensive efforts, forcing Dennis to get even more defensive. With under 30 seconds left in the bout, Marshall attempted a single-leg attack across the Octagon. While he wasn’t able to score a takedown, Marshall was able to keep his opponent busy against the cage. That was how it played out for both men as the bell rang to end the bout.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Francis Marshall defeats Denis Buzkuja via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
