Former Arizona State wrestler Aaron Simpson defeated Kenny Robertson via unanimous decision to improve his MMA record to 12-3 on Wednesday night on FUEL TV. Simpson was making his debut at 170-pounds after fighting his entire career at 185-pounds.
Simpson was a two-time All-American wrestler at Arizona State and finished his Sun Devil career with 110 career victories. Simpson returned to ASU as an assistant coach in the wrestling program, guiding six wrestler to All-American honors including MMA stars Cain Velasquez and Ryan Bader.
Click the jump to find out the details of Simpson's victory.
Both Robertson and Simpson started the fight off with a fast pace, landing strikes on each other during the opening minutes. Simpson was unsuccessful in multiple takedown attempts during the first round coming out of a scramble, Simpson took a vicious left hook from Robertson that opened up a cut over this right eye.
The second and third rounds were all Simpson's as the former Sun Devil took Robertson down multiple times and used successful ground and pound to hurt his opponent. Simpson controlled the second and third rounds with his wresting and was in dominant postions for the majority of the final 10 minutes of the fight.
Even though Simpson got the victory, he did not seem impressed with his performance. Simpson was trying to go for the finish with vicious ground and pound in the final minute of the fight, but Robertson was able to hang on and the fight went the distance.
The judges score cards were announced as 30-27, 29-28, 29-28, giving Simpson the unanimous decision victory and a perfect 1-0 record as a UFC welterweight.