PRELIMS
Youssef Zelal def Jordan Griffin via Unanimous Decision (29-28 x3)
First round begins with Griffin coming out aggressively looking for hard strikes quickly. A few connect but Zelal uses good footwork to move away mostly. Griffin shoots for the takedown and gets it but Zelal gets to his feet quickly. Griffin continues to push forward as Zelal returns fire in a fairly even round. 10-9 Griffin.
‘The Moroccan Devil’ comes out quicker in this rounds and lands some hard strikes as Griffin looks like he’s tiring already. Zelal throwing knees whenever Griffin shoots for takedowns and is landing nice combos against the cage. Good exchanges that Zelal is getting the better of and he’s taking this round back. 19-19.
Third round now and Griffin is visibly tiring. He shoots for the takedown early and gets it but once again Zelal gets up very quickly. Some more combos land from Zelal and a big knee. Griffin constantly shooting for takedowns but Zelal getting back up every time. Zelal is completely out-striking Griffin in this fight but Griffin is pushing forward for takedowns. Will be tough for the judges to score.
Kay Hansen def Jinh Hu Frey via Submission (Round 3, 2:26)
Fight starts with both ladies feeling each other out, Hansen goes in for a takedown but Frey stuffs it and lands a big left hand that stuns her. Hansen does well to recover and they continue to feel each other out. Hansen more wary to engage now but lands a couple of decent shots. Frey looks like she’s relying on a big left-hand but can’t quite land it flush. A slow first round ends, likely a 10-9 for Frey.
Round 2 starts slowly again as Frey tries to land some leg kicks. Hansen presses her against the cage and gets a clinch before changing levels and shooting for the takedown. A beautiful trip gets the fight to the ground and Hansen is in top position. Some nice ground and pound from half guard as Hansen is controlling the round now and she keeps threatening to take the neck. She passes to side control and lands some heavy shots to the head and body but Frey doing well to not panic. Frey rolls out as the round comes to an end but Hansen scrambles and gets her back on the ground to end the round. 19-19.
Frey looking hesitant to strike at the start of the third, as Hansen walks forward and lands some nice left hands. Hansen shoots for the takedown and scrambles beautifully to get the fight down and takes the arm. She rolls over for an armbar, extends it and gets the tap-out. Great performance from the 20 year old.
Tanner Boser def Phillipe Lins via TKO (Round 1, 2:41)
Round 1 starts cagily as expected, with Lins trying to take the centre of the Octagon. A few flashes of wild punches but nothing lands too heavily. Boser looks the quicker of the two when they exchange but nothing clean yet. Boser throws a big overhand right hand that lands on the temple of Lins who’s rocked. A flurry of punches drops Lins who’s out cold and Boser lands a few more for good measure before the referee can stop it. Huge knockout win.
Khama Worthy def Luis Pena via Submission (Round 3, 2:52)
Lively start to this one with both fighters fainting and throwing nice strikes early to feel the other out. Worthy clearly the more powerful puncher already, with a lot more snap on his punches but Pena keeping his distance well and landing a few of his own too. Pena shoots for a takedown but Worthy defends it well and the fight goes back to the feet. Not a lot of significant action but this could explode into life at any second. 10-9 Khama.
Pena comes out more aggressively in the first round and lands a kick then goes for a quick takedown. He secures the takedown and jumps over to side control immediately. Pena almost immediately passes to full mount and locks in an arm triangle choke but Khama powers out. Pena lands some strikes from mount and forces Worthy to turn over and takes the back and locks in a body triangle. Pena attacking the neck now and looking for the rear naked choke but Worthy fighting to survive. Khama overpowers Pena and reverses the position and now sits in Pena’s guard but tries to land some ground and pound. Pena switches to an omoplata attempt but Worthy explodes to his feet, but Pena takes him straight back down. Pena secures the back again and goes for the rear naked choke again but the clock runs out on him. 19-19 but that could go down as a potential 10-8 round.
‘Violent Bob Ross’ opens the round with a crane kick and shoots for takedown but Khama sprawls and denies it before landing a lovely straight left-hand. Pena shoots for the takedown again but once again ‘Deathstar’ denies him. Pena starting to land some nice strikes, using his reach well. He pushes his opponent against the cage and shoots, but Worthy defends well. Worthy grabs the neck on his way down and sinks in a guillotine deep! Pena can’t escape and is forced to tap out. What an upset!
MAIN CARD
Julian Erosa def Sean Woodson via Submission (Round 3, 2:44)
Woodson comes out and immediately throws a quick one-two but Erosa evades with good head movement. ‘Sniper’ looks very loose right now and Erosa looking hesitant. Woodson using his long range well and lands a nice straight left hand straight to the chin. Lots of feints from Woodson but not a lot of significant action from either fighter yet. Erosa throwing lots of leg kicks but they’re not really having any effect on Woodson. Erosa starting to close the distance well and gets Woodson against the cage. Some nice knees and punches in the clinch and the round ends in a stalemate. 10-9 Woodson.
Erosa starts the second round with a clinch against the cage and break away with a big elbow. Woodson is looking like he’s tiring now as Erosa presses forward and is pushing him against the cage. Woodson starting to weather the storm now and landing strikes but not much venom behind them. He fakes the right hand and lands a nice knee then follows it up with a straight right hand. Erosa lands a nasty body shot against the cage and continues to press Woodson. Both fighters land big shots and Erosa is starting to get much more aggressive now. ‘Juicy J’ walking forward now and Woodson lands a beautiful jab. Erosa continues to push forward and the buzzer goes on a close round. 19-19.
Round 3 starts with both fighters more aggressive than previously. Leg kicks from Erosa then a big punch from Woodson drops Juicy J. Sniper drops into his guard and lands a few ground and pound strikes but then lets his opponent up. Erosa pushes forward again and shoots for the takedown but Woodson stuffs it well against the cage. Erosa shoots again and gets the takedown then throws him to the mat. He quickly takes the position and locks in a D’Arce choke while standing, drags Woodson to the ground and forces the tap. Huge upset win!
Takashi Sato def Jason Witt via TKO (Round 1, 0:48)
Witt comes out for a fast start to take the centre of the Octagon but Sato looks calm. Sato throws a jab and then follows it up with a big right straight to the chin that drops Witt. Witt tries to recover with a takedown but Sato sprawls and lands some huge punches to the face and the referee calls it in under a minute. Big knockout win for Sato!
Brendan Allen def Kyle Daukaus via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-27, 30-27)
Daukaus opens the round with a heavy leg kick and and nice left hand. Allen stuffs the takedown and in the clinch lands a huge knee that drops Daukaus! Allen in mount landing heavy ground and pound and looking for a choke but Daukaus is fighting the hands well. Allen takes the back and gets the hooks in, landing more strikes while trying to slide the arm under the chin. Daukaus explodes out of the hooks and gets back to his feet then takes Allen’s back! Daukaus doing brilliantly to control the position and goes for a rear-naked choke of his own but Allen gets his back to the mat and turns over, reversing the position into Daukaus’ guard. A nasty elbow opens up a nasty cut above the eye of Daukaus as the round ends. 10-9 Allen.
Second round begins with Daukaus’ cut still bleeding heavily as Allen gets a takedown. He’s landing more big elbows in the full guard and Daukaus’ looking for something to transition into, but Allen dominating the position currently. Allen goes for a guillotine but Daukaus rolls through and ends up on top in Allen’s guard. Daukaus lands some ground and pound of his own but Allen reverses the position again and lands another huge, nasty elbow from the top. 20-18 Allen.
Both men come out and continue where they’ve left off with a high pace. Daukaus secures top position and lands a nice elbow that starts to close the eye of Allen. Daukaus transitions to the back and locks in a body triangle as he attacks the neck for a rear naked choke. Allen defending very well but Daukaus controlling well. Allen explodes out of the position and reverses the roles and lands a big shot as the round comes to a close. Daukaus’ round but I think Allen takes the decision. 29-28.
Maurice Greene def Gian Villante via Submission (Arm Triangle) – (Round 3, 3:44)
Greene opens the round with several kicks to the body of Villante, keeping his distance and using his reach well early on. Villante circling but not really throwing anything at all, while Greene throws out a few jabs and more kicks. Greene throws a body kick but hits the cup of Villante and the fight is paused. The fight resumes with Villante much more aggressive now, throwing leg kicks and right hands but nothing landing really. Greene throws a head-kick and Villante partially blocks it but still takes some damage. A fairly insignificant round comes to an end, 10-9 Greene but mainly for activity.
More leg kicks from Villante in the second round as both fighters seem content to work at a relatively slow pace. Greene using his reach very well to land but not causing any real damage. Greene lands a nice combo but Villante seems unfazed by it. More leg kicks and Greene is visibly hurting from them, wincing every time one lands. A head kick lands from Villante but Greene eats it and lands a nice jab down the pipe. Greene goes for a one-two but Villante slips it and lands a big left hook of his own. Round ends with nothing significant landing for either fighter. 20-18 Greene, his reach is winning him this fight.
Round 3 Villante throws more leg kicks but Greene tries to check them. Villante lands a nice right hand and Greene feels it but evades any further damage. Greene lands a kick to the thigh and tries to push Villante away but pokes him in the eye and the fight is paused. Fight resumes and Villante lands a big left hand that drops Greene immediately! Villante jumps on Greene and lands huge elbows in full mount but Greene is surviving somehow. Villante lands more big punches but Greene survives and Villante is on top in half-guard. More ground and pound from Gian but he looks like he may have punched himself out. Greene is holding onto Villante from the bottom and out of nowhere Villante taps out! Replays show it was just a squeeze on the neck from the bottom position? It’s been called as an arm triangle though. Crazy ending.
Mike Perry def Mickey Gall via Unanimous Decision (29-28 x3)
Perry comes out swinging in the first round, walking Gall down and swinging for the fences. Subtle stance switches but Gall is circling and avoiding the strikes. Big body kick by Gall leads to a clinch but nothing comes of it. Gall lands a nice punch and has opened up a cut over the eye of Perry. Perry lands a big shot as he walks Gall down and he avoids the exchange by circling away. Leg kick by Perry but Gall replies instantly with a straight right hand. Gall using his reach advantage well and making Perry miss. He catches a kick and rushes a takedown attempt, takes the back and slams Gall down. Gall defends it well and Perry transitions to half-guard and finishes the round on top landing some ground and pound strikes. 10-9 Perry.
Second round starts with Gall using his rangy limbs well to land some nice hooks. Gall shoots for the takedown but Perry uses strength to avoid ending up on his back and Gall ends up falling backwards holding a guillotine. Perry defending it well and sits up to land some big ground and pound strikes from top position. Gall goes for a kimura which forces Perry to transition and Gall ands up in control on the feet in the clinch. Gall drops levels for another takedown but Perry defending very well against the cage and threatening a kimura of his own. Perry breaks away from the grappling and the two begin striking again in the centre but no significant punches landing.’Platinum’ still walking Gall down and lands a huge right hand that drops him! Big ground and pound from Perry and he lands two huge elbows on top position as the buzzer goes to end the round. 20-18 Perry.
Perry walking Gall down in this third round and Gall knows he needs a finish. Perry landing big punches to the body and the chin and Gall’s hands lowering as he tires. ‘Platinum’ dominating the final round, stuffing Gall’s takedown and landing a big head-kick. Perry clinches against the cage and Gall tries to roll through but Perry stays on top in half-guard. Perry starts more ground and pound, landing stiff short elbows. ‘Platinum’ advances to a crucifix position and lands more shots but Perry too strong for him and is dominating the grappling exchanges too. Good top pressure and big elbows in the ground and pound as he looks for the finish into the final 30 seconds of the fight. Gall rolls out and throws up a triangle choke with seconds remaining but Perry rolls over and the buzzer goes. Should be a comfortable decision win for Platinum. 30-26 Perry for me.
Dustin Poirier def Dan Hooker via Unanimous Decision (48-47 x2, 48-46)
Both fighters step into the middle of the Octagon and start to feel each other out. Neither one wants to concede the centre so Hooker starts to circle the outside and throw low calf kicks. He’s using his reach well to land jabs and kicks but Poirier is trying to close the range. Poirier lands a nice body kick and a big right hand that rocks Hooker and forces the clinch. Strikes in the clinch from both and Poirier using his superior boxing to stick and move and land the sharper strikes. Both fighters doing damage when they get where they want to be. 10-9 Poirier for me but it could go either way.
Hooker comes out in the second round continuing to throw those kicks to the calf. ‘Diamond’ lands a nice double jab and follows it with a big left hand that rocks Hooker again. Both men start exchanging and Poirier connects with some huge shots but Hooker eats them. A big elbow from Poirier connects again but then Hooker lands a big right hook too. Poirier connecting a lot more now and they’re hurting Hooker but he’s still standing there and firing back. Poirier shoots for a takedown against the cage but Hangman defends it well. Poirier steps in for a combo but Hooker throws up a knee that just misses but then he lands a hook on the break. Hooker throws a one-two that lands clean. Hooker lands a five-punch combo that rocks Poirier but he shoots for the takedown to survive. Hooker stays up and lands a huge combo on the cage and Poirier is hurt but the buzzer goes and maybe saves the referee from needing to make a decision. 19-19. What a round.
Third round starts at a slower pace with both guys still feeling the effects of the last round. Poirier lands a nice right hand but Hooker continues to come forward. Both men take big shots from the other and Hooker shoots for the takedown this time. Poirier takes his neck on the way down and sinks in a tight guillotine. This one looks like it could be over but Hooker pops his head out and survives. Ground and pound in Poirier’s guard as ‘Diamond’ looks for submissions but nothing sticks. Both men get back to their feet and Poirier lands two huge shots but he’s still standing. A few more strikes each and the buzzer goes. 29-28 Hooker thanks to the takedown.
Round four starts with some nice jabs from Poirier and a body kick attempt is caught by Hooker as he forces the fight to the ground. Poirier attempts to jump straight back up but Hooker chases and tries to take his back, good defence from Poirier though. Dustin gets his own takedown and controls the top position, landing heavy blows in the ground and pound. Poirier tries to take the back for a rear-naked choke but slips off the back of Hooker and transitions to an armbar. Poirier extends the arm but Hooker turns the arm to release the pressure and it turns into an omoplata. Poirier hammer-fists Hooker but the New Zealander fights out. 38-38 going into the final round.
Fifth and final round and both men are exhausted. Poirier landing the heavy strikes so far but Hooker still eating them and continuing to walk forward. Hangman shoots for a takedown but it’s stuffed by Poirier and then he lands a big right hand too. Hooker shoots for another takedown and gets it but ‘Diamond’ manages to get back to his feet quickly again and they exchange strikes. Another takedown attempt from Hooker and Poirier defends it well again to stay on the feet. Final minute of the fight and Poirier lands a beautiful uppercut in the clinch. A huge left hand looks like its hurt Hooker but he shoots for a takedown. It’s stuffed by Poirier who goes for a choke then decides to just ground and pound for the final 10 seconds. What a fight. I think Poirier has taken the win. 48-47 Dustin for me.
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