Back in action for the first time since an August 2014 knee injury, welterweight prospect Alex Garcia spoiled the comeback of Mike Swick, decisioning the Ultimate Fighter season one veteran via unanimous decision.
“It was a good fight and there was a lot of hype for us since Swick was coming back after a long time away,” Garcia said. “Fighting a legend like Mike, who’s been here since the first Ultimate Fighter, was a dream for me. Obviously I didn’t want to win by decision, but now I have something to grow from next time I step into the Octagon.”
Scores were 30-27 twice and 29-28 for Garcia, now 13-2. The 36-year-old Swick, fighting for the first time since December of 2012, falls to 15-6.
“It was really tough,” Swick said. “I trained really hard and I put in the work. I should’ve won – I mean, I know I lost the fight – but, coming in I should have won. He was tiring out and I couldn’t take advantage like I normally do. My timing wasn’t there and I didn’t perform the way I used to.”
POWERFUL takedown by @AlexGarciaMMA #UFC189 prelims live on @FOXSports1 http://t.co/nMBqoTVZSL
— #UFC189 (@ufc) July 12, 2015
Garcia got a takedown to begin the bout, and while Swick didn’t stay grounded long, Garcia put him right back on the seat of his pants, this time against the fence. Midway through the round, Swick got back to his feet and began firing off crisp punches, all starting with the jab, and the veteran’s ability to keep the fight at range allowed him to stay standing for the rest of the round.
The pace slowed in the second, Garcia getting more takedowns and also getting closer with his strikes, and while Swick had success with his jab when standing, he wasn’t putting together enough offense to slow “The Dominican Nightmare” down.
Forced to take some more risks in the final round, Swick pressed the action and had success in the first 2:30, but Garcia dumped him to the mat once more, adding in enough strikes and position control to keep him there for the rest of the round and wrap up the victory.
