UFC on FX 2 main card recap: Constantinos Philippou ends the eight-fight win streak of Court McGee with unanimous decision victory

Court McGee came into this bout riding a sizzling eight-fight win streak and looked to stay perfect in the UFC at the same time. Constantinos Philippou had other plans.

Philippou was able to outscore McGee in the standup department and effectively neutralize the takedowns of the TUF champion on his way to a unanimous decision victory to kick off the televised main card of the “UFC on FX 2” event.

McGee started the bout coming forward looking to dictate the pace while Constantinos Philippou used a lot of side-to-side movement to avoid getting into an early slugfest with the TUF 11 champion. After connecting with an early overhand right, McGee found himself on the wrong end of a powerful uppercut as Philippou began to find his range. McGee then looked to establish his kicks but Philippou was able to successfully counter with powerful right hands over the top. Philippou then started to land multiple punch combinations, including a big uppercut that halted the forward progress of McGee, and then shrugged off several takedown attempts by the TUF 11 winner.

In the second round, Philippou continued to build on the momentum after finishing strong in the first, landing a lead left hook to kick off the action. During an early exchange, it was Philippou again that landed the cleaner powershots, as he circled out after scoring. McGee again looked to get the fight to the mat, but was unable to secure a takedown as Philippou continued to show off good defense, all while landing several uppercuts and left hooks during the late exchanges.

After two rounds, it seemed that McGee needed a strong finish if he was to come back and extend his winning streak. He came out with a sense of urgency and finally started to put together multiple punch combinations against Philippou. McGee then ducked under a lead left hook from Philippou and closed the distance, putting his opponent on the cage and looking to get the fight to the canvas. McGee went with the high-crotch lift and takedown, but Philippou nullified it by springing quickly back to his feet and engaging in another big exchange. McGee continued to apply the pressure, landing several big kicks to the body and scoring with his overhand right as time wound down on the bout.

In the end, it would prove to be too little, too late for McGee, as Philippou was awarded the unanimous decision victory with scores of 29-28 across the board.

The win moves Constantinos Philippou to 10-2 overall and 3-1 in the UFC. The loss by McGee (14-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) halts his eight-fight win streak, and marks his first loss in the UFC.