On the prelims the Australians and Kiwis were a perfect 7/7. In total they lost just 1 fight. We got 6 finishes and some interesting decisions. Below is a summary of each and every fight with my opinions included as well.
Fight 1 (Women’s Strawweight): Alexia Thainara defeats #14 Loma Lookboonmee via Unanimous Decision
Early in round 1 the fighters were trading with nice combos and counters. Thaianara attempted a takedown, but clinched instead. After breaking the clinch Lookboonmee landed a big head kick. Thainara finally gets a takedown, with Lookboonmee eventually giving her back to be able to stand up. She eventually escaped but was taken down again. The round ends with Thainara landing huge 12-6 elbows in full mount. I think it’s a clear 10-9 round for Thainara.
Round 2 began with another Thainara trip/takedown. Thainara seems to be really good at trips and leg sweep takedowns. Once returning to their feet, Lookboonmee shows off her kicks and superior kickboxing. Thainara got another creative takedown though. Again Lookboonmee took ground and pound, gave up back to get up, and eventually escaped. The fighters brawled on the feet for the last 10 seconds. Lookboonmee had flashes but it’s another 10-9 for Thainara.
Round 3 began with a clinch and Thainara throwing down Lookboonmee. After a scramble Lookboonmee actually had position though but let Thainara up. After more clinch time, Thainara kicks off the cage for a takedown and held her for the rest of the round. No real submission attempts all fight for Thainara, but I have it 30-27.
After the judges decision, they agree, all 3 have 30-27 for Thainara, and Thainara will be entering the Women’s Strawweight rankings after just 2 UFC fights.
Fight 2 (Heavyweight): Brando Peričić defeats Elisha Ellison via R1 KO
Peričić landed some big kicks only, Ellison started cautious but landed a nice combo. Brando Peričić landed a huge right hand that turned into a sprawl. Peričić pounded him against the cage before Ellison pulled guard and went down. Peričić landed big elbows and punches on the ground, eventually knocking Ellison out for the victory.
This fight was all Peričić, and for a fight originally scheduled for the Contender Series, Ellison doesn’t exactly look UFC caliber. Although, in the heavyweight division we need more bodies so it’s not the worst that he has a contract.
Fight 3 (Women’s Bantamweight): Michelle Montague defeats Luana Carolina via Unanimous Decision
A cautious start by both fighters before Montague landed a takedown. Carolina cut Montague with a big elbow from the bottom. Carolina then almost got an armbar from bottom as well. Montague had ground control for most of the round but I’m giving the round to Carolina, 10-9. I would expect the judges to give it to Montague though.
Carolina wobbled Montague with an early punch, Montague survived with a takedown though. Carolina landed an illegal upkick while Montague was grounded, causing a stop. Referee Steve Perceval took a point for the upkick. The referee did keep them standing after the return to the fight, not returning them to the position. Montague was able to get to the clinch, and eventual takedown. Carolina had her in a triangle but no real threat. After a scramble Montague was back on top and ended with ground and pound. Clear 10-9 for Montague, 10-8 with the deduction.
In round 3, Montague threw Carolina down early and landed some big ground and pound. An elbow to the head cut Carolina. Carolina had a choke attempt but Montague got out of it. Montague got another takedown quickly after Carolina got up, throwing her down. Montague had ground and pound from a mounted triangle. Montague then had a rear naked choke grip but couldn’t get under the chin. Carolina survived the round but definitely lost. I have 10-9 Montague but could see a 10-8 for a total of 29-27.
Judges scored the contest 30-26, 30-25, and 29-26. 1 judge gave Carolina round 1, and 2 gave Montague a round 3 10-8. Luana Carolina was the #15 fighter, albeit in a different weight class. I think Michelle Montague could be in for a ranked fight in her next appearance.
Fight 4 (Bantamweight): Colby Thicknesse defeats Josias Musasa via Unanimous Decision
Thicknesse looked fast out of the gate, landing a head kick into a takedown attempt. Musasa stayed up, eventually catching a leg and tripping Thicknesse, who escaped. Musasa dropped him with a punch, but Thicknesse got up quick. After denying a couple more takedowns, Musasa finally got taken down. Thicknesse had him in mount with big ground and pound with Musasa’s arm pinned. Thicknesse ends the round choking Musasa, but Musasa gives the ref a thumbs up and survives. 10-9 for Thicknesse but Musasa looked better on the feet.
Musasa denied more Thicknesse takedowns, eventually leading to a clinch. Musasa’s leg kicks really started adding up here. Thicknesse’s nose started to bleed late in the round. Musasa won the round 10-9.
Thicknesse started round 3 by hitting Musasa with a kick straight to the groin. Musasa looked hurt bad, but was able to continue after 4 minutes. Both fighters are re-energized by the break, but Musasa’s takedown defense is spectacular. Thicknesse gets hurt and tries a desperate takedown but can’t get him down still. Thicknesse finally lands a take down with 2 minutes left and gets Musasa into mount. Musasa is unable to get out but didn’t take much damage. I say Musasa won the round 10-9, and the fight 29-28.
All 3 judges scored the contest 29-28 in favor of Colby Thicknesse. I’m not surprised but it feels like a robbery to me. Thicknesse gets rewarded from going 2-14 on takedown attempts. He also did not go for a submission attempt or do significant damage in the 3rd round.
Fight 5 (Lightweight): Jamie Mullarkey defeats Rolando Bedoya via Unanimous Decision
Mullarkey landed an early takedown in round 1. He had Bedoya’s back for most of the round and won the round pretty handedly. Definitely a 10-9 for Mullarkey.
Round 2 is much of the same, with Mullarkey 1-dimensionally shooting takedowns. Mullarkey does attempt and begin landing shots on his feet, before getting into the clinch. Another mostly boring round, but a 10-9 for Mullarkey once again. He has the fight in the bag as long as he doesn’t get finished.
Round 3 Bedoya was winning early, surviving takedowns and landing shots. Most notable shot was a spinning back elbow by Bedoya. Mullarkey gets a late takedown but I’m giving the round to Bedoya, 10-9.
All 3 judges agree, scoring the contest 29-28 in favor of Mullarkey. To be honest, the fight seemed rather low level, but solid win for Mullarkey.
Fight 6 (Middleweight): Cam Rowston defeats Andre Petroski via R1 TKO
Rowston kept his distance well, using the reach advantage. Rowston landed a few nice kicks, knees, and combos. Petroski rushed forward and got dropped by a left hook. Petroski tried an armbar on Rowston, but Rowston got out of it and started dropping elbows. Referee Steve Perceval stopped the contest, giving the win to Rowston by TKO.
Fight 7 (Light Heavyweight): Navajo Stirling defeats Rodolfo Bellato via Unanimous Decision
Bellato was on the front foot early, with Stirling looking to clinch or counter. Both fighters traded blows. Bellato landed some big hooks with Stirling electing to clinch. Stirling then landed a big combo but ate a knee. Very close round but I’ll give the edge to Stirling, 10-9.
Stirling converts a clinch to a takedown. Stirling started to bleed while on top, appeared to be the nose. Bellato eventually got up, but didn’t do enough on the feet to take the round I fear. Although, he did end the round with a takedown of his own. I give Stirling a 10-9 and an unconvincing 20-18 win.
Round 3 is mostly more of the same to start. A lot of clinch with occasional big strikes when separated. Bellato got his back and got the takedown, but Stirling was able to get to a knee, and then back to his feet. Some big strikes late, with Stirling landing the biggest shots. I give Bellato the round, but Stirling the fight, 29-28.
The judges give 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28 in favor of Navajo Stirling. I don’t disagree but didn’t feel as dominant as a 30-27.
Fight 8 (Lightweight): Tom Nolan defeats Charlie Campbell via R1 Submission
A huge Campbell left hook knocked Nolan down. Campbell decided to let Nolan back up. Both fighters came to scrap and put on a performance. Nolan hurt Campbell back, getting him to a knee. Nolan then landed a takedown, and got Campbell’s back. Nolan got the rear naked choke and got the tap.
Fight 9 (Welterweight): Neil Magny defeats Jake Matthews via R3 Submission
The fight started very slowly. Magny probably had the advantage early on the feet. Magny had a clinch but Matthews got his neck and went to the ground with a minute left. After a roll into full guard the 1 arm guillotine got tight. Jim Perdios stepped in and evidently stopped the fight in the final second. Magny was not out and immediately protested. The referee then said the fight is still going. Either way it’s 10-9 Matthews.
Matthews landed the first big punch of round 2. He then got Magny’s neck again, this time with over 3 minutes left in the round. Matthews had a tight triangle but couldn’t finish. Matthews held ground control for a while with no real threat or damage for a while. Another 10-9 for Matthews.
Magny immediately got his head stuck again. He was able to turn and return to his feet against the cage. Magny is wearing Matthews out. Matthews tries to run and gets chased down. Magny got full mount with half the round left but Matthews got to his feet. Magny picked Matthews up and got him back to the ground. Magny went for a D’Arce Choke and Matthews had to tap. Magny escapes with a tough and controversial win. Matthews was the biggest favorite on the card and the first Aussie to lose.
Editor’s Note: Jake Matthews’ team has filed an official dispute over the controversy that happened in round 1. At the time of publishing no decision had been made by the UFC.
Fight 10 (Featherweight): Jack Jenkins defeats Ramon Taveras via Unanimous Decision
Ramon Taveras did miss weight in this fight by 1 pound. On the feet early, the fighters exchanged blows. Jenkins landed multiple body kicks early. Simultaneous kicks led to a groin shot landing on Jenkins. After just an 11 second break though, the fight continued. Jenkins landed a big head kick that hurt Taveras and followed it up with hooks to the head. Jenkins continued to land kicks, some to the body, some to the leg, and some to the left arm of Taveras. Taveras didn’t look bad but Jenkins clearly won the round, 10-9.
Jenkins continued firing kicks in the second, but Taveras was more aggressive with the jabs and punches. Taveras attempted a takedown but ended up in the clinch. Taveras shot a knee straight to the Groin of Jenkins, for the second groin shot stop. Taveras received a hard warning but no points were taken. The fight continued after less than a minute. Jenkins continued landing big kicks. Neither fighter used many combinations. Jenkins threw Taveras down and then got him against the cage. Jenkins landed a true takedown with 20 seconds left and ended on top. Very close round but I still think Jenkins was definitely the winner, 10-9.
Jenkins got into the clinch again early, eventually getting the take down. The referee had to threaten to stand the fighters up, but Jenkins began to work towards the cage. Jenkins went for a choke but Taveras escaped and got top position. Jenkins eventually escaped and hammered Taveras in the last few seconds. I give the round to Jenkins but it likely doesn’t matter, he should win regardless. I have it 30-27.
Judges scored it 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28 for Jack Jenkins. It’s an expected result give the fight. Jenkins looks good and looks like a force in the featherweight division coming back from injury.
Fight 11 – Co-Main – (Light Heavyweight): Jimmy Crute defeats Ivan Erslan via R1 Submission
Erslan landed some decent early strikes, but Crute was able to shoot a takedown. Erslan got up but Crute still had his back. Crute had a backpack position and was able to stay on top after a scramble. Crute grabbed Erslan’s head from the back and pulled up and Erslan tapped. Looked like a WWE style neck crank.
Fight 12 – Main Event – (Light Heavyweight): #3 Carlos Ulberg defeats #7 Dominick Reyes via R1 KO
Both fighters started rather calculated. Reyes came out on top in the first major exchange. Not much happened in the fight until Ulberg hit a big 1-2 where the right hand knocked Reyes Out cold. Ulberg has done a lot towards securing himself a title shot. Obviously, that also rests on how the Ankalaev/Pereira and Prochazka/Rountree fights go as to whether Ulberg is next in line. I think if Pereira and Jiri win, they won’t give Jiri a 3rd shot at Poatan and that would be Ulberg’s best shot at an immediate title shot.
