Faber absorbed the kick, and was undeterred by the strike.
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Rivera continued to pepper Faber’s lead leg with kicks for the remainder of the round, but the two fighters were relatively inactive, combining for just 32 strikes landed in the second stanza. Rivera mixed leg and body kicks and then a left/right hook combination. Push kick to the chest by Faber.
Rivera connected on a hard right hand. Faber just misses with a head kick attempt.
Low kick for Rivera.
Faber, perhaps frustrated, came out for the third and final round winging several haymakers that Rivera was able to dodge. Rivera lands a right hand counter.
Faber just short with a left hook.
Wild swing and a miss by Faber to kick off the 3rd. Bit of a lull in the action with both men respectful of what the other brings to the table. Rivera unleashed another leg kick, which Faber caught, only for Rivera to whack him with a hard punch. Faber pumps out the jab as the rounds draws to a close. Rivera landed a nice low kick midway through the round, which dropped Faber to a knee momentarily. Leg kick, then left hook. More crisp counterpunching by Rivera, with Faber looking increasingly helpless. Body kick from Faber. Right hand lands for Rivera now. Also, Faber rushed in twice for clinches, but was shrugged off by Rivera.
Powerful leg kick from Rivera and those are taking a toll. Left hook for Faber.
Faber didn’t look good at all in the bout. Leg kick attack again by Rivera, as Faber’s left leg was clearly unsteady and hurting. Now one to the outside.
Faber wades in with big punches, but hits thin air.
Another kick from Rivera and Faber tries unsuccessfully to catch it.
Rivera suffers an eye poke and that forces a stoppage as the doctor takes a look, but he’s ok to continue.
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Back to it they go. Faber threw a lot of kicks in the first few minutes. Faber, for his part, seemed tentative and in particular seemed to disinclined to use his right hand. Body kick for Rivera that’s nearly caught. Faber didn’t get a point taken, but in all honesty he really should have. A right hand followed by a left landed for Rivera. Eye poke by Faber with an open hand across the face. Rivera swinging wildly, but doesn’t connect, and that’s it, we’re heading to the judges.
