"Pezao" was wide with big hooks and low kicks while Kyle punched straight and long, unfurling quick and precise counters. On two different occasions Kyle seemed to stagger de Lima with punches, but the Brazilian, who might have been "playing possum", continued to burst out with ruthless combinations at close range. de Lima's left hook was sighted in and he meshed it with a devastating low kick. Kyle doubled and tripled a piston-like jab while landing the cleaner punches in the opening five minutes.
de Lima keyed off multiple low kicks and swiped his mean left hook to establish ground in the second. Just as he seemed to be evening things out, Kyle charged and landed a double leg takedown. "Pezao" defended well and used the cage to stand back up, but digested what looked to be a knee below the belt. Groaning at the referee but not getting the intervention he was looking for, de Lima was slammed to the canvas by a clinch trip from Kyle.
Using his reach well, Kyle needled jabs to control distance in the third, dodging incoming strikes and hitting a strong double leg a few minutes in. Creeping up to half guard, the AKA product peppered with punches while maintaining a wide base to keep de Lima underneath him until time expired.
The judges saw it 30-27 and 29-28 twice for Mike Kyle, whose technical boxing and takedowns earn him the unanimous decision over Marcos Rogerio de Lima.
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