Fairfax, Va. -- Nik Lentz must have been thinking, "This blows."
Low blows by Thiago Tavares against Lentz forced the fight into a majority draw Monday at UFC Fight Night 20 at the Patriot Center.
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Tavares (14-3-1) appeared to win the first and third rounds, but his low blows cost him. Lentz (17-3-2) at first did not appear as if he would recover from the decisive point deduction in Round Three. He managed to get up but lost the round.
Two judges scored the bout 28-28, with another 29-27, resulting in a majority draw. When two judges score a bout a draw, the other judge's card does not break the tie.
Tavares got the better of the first three minutes of the fight and appeared ready to end it with two minutes left when he secured a flying guillotine similar to the one Ben Henderson finished off Jamie Varner with the night before to win the WEC lightweight belt. Rather than tapping out, Lentz held on and slammed Taveres, getting just enough space to eventually pull out of the hold and delight the crowd.
The first minute of Round Two featured hearty exchanges of kicks, many of which found the mark.
Tavares was faster, but Lentz got in the best blow, a right leg to the ribs. Lentz got Tavares against the fence and landed solid inside shots with both hands. While Tavares was not hurt, he slowed his pace as a result.
Tavares then slowed Lentz with the first illegal groin kick.
Lentz's steady pace paid dividends as he began to win the standup, the blood on Tavares' face being an indicator. Lentz might have had Tavares in some trouble during the second round, doing enough to win it and set up what appeared to be a decisive third stanza.
With 4:06 remaining, Tavares caught a right kick and then delivered a heavy groin kick that stopped the fight and resulted in a one-point deduction from referee Mario Yamasaki.
Lentz, while down, appeared to be in distress, but managed to get back into action.
Tavares tried to push the pace, but Lentz was ready and earned a takedown, narrowly missing the mount as Tavares butterflied and worked back to the feet. Tavares began to batter the game Lentz, who took heavy blows but did not much budge and held on until the unfulfilling decision.
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