Uriah Hall: ‘I’m back to being me: smooth and cool’

“UFC Fight Night 75” was an event built around the head coaches and students of “Road to UFC: Japan”. While Josh Barnett and Roy Nelson both dished out some punishment in the card’s main event, it was Uriah Hall who stole the show at the Saitama Super Arena.

Gegard Mousasi was originally supposed to square off with Roan Carneiro on Saturday night, but an injury forced Carneiro off the card. Instead, Hall was given the opportunity to shine against the former DREAM champion and took the fight on just over one month’s notice. When the fight started, it almost looked as if Mousasi was going to control the fight and finish Hall with a choke.

“The first round didn’t go my way. I got my ass kicked,” Hall said during the post fight press conference. “He almost had me toward the end with that rear-naked choke. I was like, ‘What do I do?’ I just go back to being me… smooth and cool.”

Hall then recaptured the magic he had coming out of his first “Ultimate Fighter” fight and blasted Mousasi with a spinning heel kick and jumping knee. It wasn’t long before Mousasi was on his back trying to fight Hall off, forcing the referee to wave the fight.

“I didn’t hit him with the bone, I hit him with the flesh,” he said. “I kicked a dude in the face,” he added. “His head is really tough. I hit him with the meat close to the inner thigh area. You don’t feel it in the octagon. His head is tough.”

Hall is now riding a two fight win streak and a win over top-ranked Mousasi will do wonders for his career. Who do you think is next for Hall? Is he ready to take a permanent step up in competition? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

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