Forrest Griffin and Rich Franklin had to work for their victories Saturday at Odyssey Arena in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 72.
Franklin was the aggressor against Yushin Okami in the first two rounds of their middleweight fight, though few of his blows penetrated Okami's defense.
In the third and final round, Okami gained the advantage with an armlock. The Japanese fighter looked poised for the win, but the American escaped and took home a unanimous 29-28 decision.
PHOTO: AP
Griffin was tentative in his light-heavyweight fight with Hector Ramirez of Mexico, later explaining he was concerned about a repeat of his knockout loss to Keith Jardine at UFC 66. Though Griffin took a unanimous 30-27 victory, he will have to improve to earn a title shot against Quinton Jackson.
Lightweights Clay Guida and Tyson Griffin staged the fight of the night on the card of non-title bouts.
The two went back-and-forth on their feet and down on the mat.
Griffin won a split decision that was jeered by the audience.
Northern Irishmen Stevie Lynch and Colin Robinson were unsuccessful in their UFC debuts.
Lynch couldn't capitalize on support from the Irish fans in the opening fight of the event, going down 2:50 into the first round to an armbar by Brazilian Ju-jitsu specialist Dustin Hazelett.
Robinson lost to Eddie Sanchez by TKO in 0:32 into the second round of a heavyweight bout.
Marcus Davis scored a TKO victory over Jason Tan of England 1:15 into the first round of their lightweight bout. Ed Herman also came through quickly, stopping fellow American Scott Smith with a chokehold 2:25 into the first round of their middleweight fight.
There was no doubt about the middleweight match between Rory Singer and Canadian Jason MacDonald, who won by TKO 3:18 into the second round.
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