Hioki wins unpopular decision over London's Hominick at TKO28

By: BILL BEACON

MONTREAL (CP) - Japan's Hatsu Hioki finished with his face covered in blood but held on to defeat Mark Hominick of London, Ont., and retain the TKO featherweight title before 5,000 mixed martial arts fans Friday night at the Bell Centre.

The crowd booed as a win by majority decision was announced. Two judges had it 48-47 for Hioki and the other had it 47-47.



The fighters stayed on their feet through nearly the entire bout, with Hominick (13-6-0) using his fists and the taller Hioki (12-1-1) mixing kicks and jabs.

Hominick was cut near his left eye early, but still managed to slip inside Hioki's defences to land punches that opened up the Japanese fighter's nose.

Hioki changed tactics and tried unsuccessfully to take Hominick down in the fifth and final round, but he managed to slip away and stay upright.

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