Roger Bowling went back-and-forth with Tarec Saffiedine but lost by unanimous decision in a welterweight bout.
The Cincinnati native took on Saffiedine on the “Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman” main card in San Diego, Calif. The fight aired live on Showtime.
Bowling came out pushing the pace in the first round by mixing up strikes to the head and the body but was never able to hurt his opponent.
Saffiedine, who started slow, was able to counter Bowling’s wild punches and stuff his takedowns. Every time Bowling would get in close, Saffiedine would initiate the clinch and land knees that would win him the opening round.
In the second and third round, “Relentless” continued to push forward with his powerful strikes but was countered with kicks and punches by Saffiedine.
Throughout the fight, Bowling tried to drag the fight to the ground but was stuffed on his seven takedown attempts. On Bowling’s last takedown attempt, the “Sponge” was able to take Bowling’s back and ended the third round with a choke locked in.
The fight would go to the judges and all three judges scored the fight 30-27 in favor of Saffiedine.
With the win, Saffiedine has now won three straight fights and moves his record to 13-3.
With the loss, Bowling drops his record to 11-3 and ends his two fight wining streak.
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