Costa landed the kick, pressed forward landing a left hook clean, Rob backs up more, costa chases, switched stances for a right hook, Rob was able to absorb the right hook due to poor spacing from Costa, costa then slips Rob’s weak return jab and avoids Rob’s hook off the jab. Costa didn’t take a step back until after the bell. Where is narrative coming from that Costa backed up after the kick?
What the hell does Rob’s intelligent defense have to do with the physical output of the punches? He was clearly a gear down after the kick.
For that matter, there was nothing intelligent about trading punches in that scenario. Grabbing ahold of Costa or shooting for a takedown were far more intelligent than trading.
Costa cost himself by over pursing and getting goofy footed after the kick. His left hook had limited power has he was caught switch foot when he threw it. The he overpursued after the left smoothering the distance need to provide quality impact.
What does a potential finish after the kick matter? That is all hearsay. What we saw is what we saw. We saw Rob control a round, get nailed, wobble, and fight back. During his fight back, his ability was deminished. After the 1 minute break, Rob’s ability returned.
I scored the fight 30-27, btw. But Rob still got hurt.