Tim Boetsch once again showed that a fight is never over, coming back from being dominated by Yushin Okami in two rounds of action to win by KO at 0:54 of round 3.

Tim Boetsch came out looking to set the pace against Yushin Okami to start, landing his kicks early, but it was Okami that landed the first significant strikes of the bout. Okami landed with crisp, straight left hands, and stiff jabs to score throughout most of the opening round. Boetsch countered with more kicks but failed to get off in time to counter the straighter, crisper punches of Okami. Boetsch looked for a takedown late in the round, but could only briefly secure a single as Okami stepped out of the attempt and took the center of the cage. Okami then continued to land his jab to finish out a very strong round to take an early lead on the scorecards.

Okami started the second round aggressively, coming forward and connecting with his jab before firing off another big knee up the middle to the body. Okami closed the distance and went to work in the clinch, working for a takedown against the cage. He changed levels and drove through the body of Boetsch, getting the takedown, but gave up his neck in the process. Okami stepped over and out of trouble of the guillotine and secured an arm triangle of his own, before transitioning to full mount to end a dominating second round with a flurry of ground-and-pound.

Boetsch came out with a sense of urgency and desperation in the final frame, closing the distance and going for broke against Okami. The strategy paid off as Boetsch connected with knees in the clinch, and then backed Okami up with a pair of overhand rights. As Okami staggered back, Boetsch kept coming, uncorking a head kick that send Okami reeling into the cage. Smelling blood, Boetsch poured it on, securing the head of Okami while firing off a flurry of huge uppercuts. A left hand, and more uppercuts floored Okami, ending a dramatic comeback KO victory for Boetsch.

The win keeps Boetsch perfect at middleweight (2-0), and moves him to 14-4 overall (5-3 UFC).

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