Fight Night 127 turned out to be a strong afternoon of fights.
The UFC was live on UFC Fight Pass Saturday Afternoon with a Top 10 Heavyweight Matchup from London, England in the main event. We ended up with 2 fights being scratched late including one day of, due to an eye infection. None the less we moved forward with 10 bouts. That included the main event featuring Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Fabricio “Vai Cavalo” Werdum (23-8-1 #3 Ranked Heavyweight) who took on Russian standout Alexander “Drago” Volkov (30-6 #8 Ranked Heavyweight). A card that didn’t necessarily have the big names certainly was a fun afternoon. We saw a bunch of finishes including 2 different finishes at the last second of the third round, which is unheard of. The Co-Main event was an absolute slugfest and one of the most entertaining fights at 205 in a while. Let’s take a look back at what was UFC Fight Night 127 from London.
A Heavyweight matchup was the start of the card as Mark “The Hand of” Godbeer (13-4) took on undefeated newcomer Dmitry Sosnovskiy (11-0). Godbeer came right out moving forward and pressed the fight up against the cage. Eventually Sosnovskiy pulled Godbeer down to the mat and was on top. Godbeer was trying to keep him close to him to avoid major ground and pound. Sosnovskiy moved into side control from there. The referee decide to eventually stand them up. Godbeer landed a hard right then left. Sosnovskiy went for a takedown, but was stuffed. Godbeer then was able to take the back of Godbeer, and then it transition to him being on top in guard. Godbeer ended the round with a hard elbow and stayed on top. Sosnovskiy landed a hard right hand to start the round. Godbeer hit a body kick, and then Sosnovskiy pressed Godbeer up against the cage. Sosnovskiy had the top position on the mat, but it only lasted for about 30 seconds before Godbeer reversed and was then on top. Sosnovskiy went for a kimura from the bottom, but Godbeer managed to free his arm. Godbeer held top position, but the fight was stood up. Sosnovskiy landed a brutal shot that stumbled Godbeer who rushed forward, and ended up mounted. Godbeer was trying to scramble, but Sosnovskiy ended up taking the back of Godbeer and locking in a tight rear naked choke. Godbeer had no choice but to tap. This was a solid debut for Sosnovskiy. He was able to battle through some adversity, and when the opportunity came up he took it with the submission. Now back in the cage and finally making his UFC debut Sosnovskiy could have a real solid chance in the Heavyweight Division.
We headed back to 155lbs as Stevie “Braveheart” Ray (21-8) entered the Octagon against “Ragin” Kaman Johnson (23-12-1). Johnson landed a front kick to the thigh early. These guys were really feeling each other out before anything gets thrown. Ray threw a body kick, but there was really a lot of dancing. Johnson landed a hard leg kick that connected. Ray landed a nice spinning back kick. Jonson returned a low leg kick and then a body kick. Ray missed a spinning wheel kick. Ray was walking Johnson around the cage trying to corner him, but there was no action. The crowd was getting restless, and there was just no action as the round came to an end. The second round started with more dancing, and then Johnson landed a hard right hand that back Ray off against the cage. Johnson landed a takedown, but ended up in a guillotine of Ray. Ray used that to battle away into a front headlock position. Johnson snuck out, and had Ray pressed up against the cage landing knees to the body. Johnson landed another takedown, and was on top. When Ray battled back to his feet, he then landed a takedown of his own. Johnson got back to his feet and glanced an elbow of Ray as they separated. Ray came forward with a hard right hand and then a takedown. Ray was holding Johnson down, and when he was trying to get back to his feet Ray kept dragging him to the mat where the round ended. The final round started with. Ray trying to push the pace. Johnson landed a hard right hand coming back. Ray landed a hard one-two. He then finished another combo with a left hand. Ray hit a few more punches and Johnson looked to be wobbled. Johnson changed levels and went for a takedown, but Ray got away. Ray tried for a leg lock in a scramble, but Johnson ended up on top. Johnson was just holding him down and they were eventually stood up. Johnson landed a hard leg kick. Ray came back with a hard right and a superman punch that connected. Ray feinted and scored a late double leg take down. Ray was just peppering left hands to Johnson’s head as the round came to an end. The judges would decide this one and scored it 29-28 Johnson, 29-28 Ray, and 29-28 for the winner by split decision Kajan Johnson. This was a really close fight, but the early control from Johnson is what put it away. The striking from Johnson was really solid. Johnson then admonished the crowd for booing which was an interesting choice.
Up next we had Paul “BearJew” Craig (10-2) welcome undefeated Magomed Ankalaev (9-1) to the UFC.Craig was trying to walk forward into Ankalaev. A hard body kick from Ankalaev appeared to hurt Craig, and he immediately tried to close the distance. He got in close and Craig landed a knee directly to the groin of Ankalaev, which caused a stoppage. On the restart Craig went for a takedown, but Ankalaev kept it on the feet. A left hand from Ankalaev when they were in tight forced Craig to go for the takedown. He got it, and was able to avoid the reversal from Ankalaev. Craig was trying to take the back of Ankalaev, but he was able to reverse it and Ankalaev ended up on top looking to unload. Ankalaev was just unloading on Craig, and finished the round in the mount just unloading hammer fists. We started round 2 with Ankalaev trying to get his punches off. Ankalaev landed a few hard left hands, and was holding Craig off him. Craig tried to change levels, but Ankalaev was able to stay on his feet and return big shots on the break. Craig then avoided a big punch and landed a takedown. Ankalaev however was able to reverse the position, and ended up on top in side control. Ankalaev ended the round on top. We started round 3 with a big rush forward from Ankalaev that ended with a big head kick. Ankalaev avoided a takedown from Craig and forced Craig to stand back up with him. Ankalaev was just ripping left hands that were hurting Craig. Ankalaev scored a takedown, but Craig got back to his feet. Ankalaev had Craig hurt, and Ankalaev pounced on him and was throwing heavy ground and pound. Ankalaev was just all over Craig as he was pounding on Craig trying to end the fight. Craig threw up a last second triangle choke in desperation, and somehow got a TAP WITH 1 SECOND LEFT! That was absolutely an unbelievable comeback at the absolute death. Paul Craig overcame the most adversity you can go against in a fight. Craig breaks his 2 fight losing streak and though the fight wasn’t super impressive he showed amazing heart and pulled out an absolute improbable victory.
At Featherweight next, we had Danny “The Hatchet” Henry (12-2) take on another UFC newcomer Hakeem “Mean” Dawodu (7-1-1).Danny Henry came right out and smashed Dawodu with a right hand. Henry then immediately went for a guillotine and latched n. Dawodu escaped twice, but Henry just stayed on it and he actually put Dawodu to sleep in the first minute of the very first round. Henry spoiled the debut of Dawodu and put on a real show for the home fans.
The Welterweights were involved next as Danny “Hot Chocolate” Roberts (15-3) took on Oliver “The Future” Enkamp (7-2).Enkamp came out looking to find the distance for his kicks. Roberts landed a straight left hand that forced Enkamp to clinch and looked for a takedown. Enkamp landed a nice knee to the body on the separation. Roberts then on the separation landed a hard left hand that spun Enkamp around and sent him to the mat where the referee stepped in to save him. Danny Roberts absolutely needed this victory, and he got it. Roberts has serious power and showed it in front of the very delighted London crowd.
The final prelim of the night saw John Phillips (21-7 1NC) and Charles “Kid Dynamite” Byrd (10-4) do battle.Phillips threw a left hand, and Byrd immediately went for the takedown and worked his way into the mount immediately. Byrd was trying to land some ground and pound. Byrd ripped two very hard elbows that connected. Byrd then was smashing shots with his shoulder into Phillips’ face. Byrd was just controlling Philips on the mat trying to land more and more shots as the round wore on. Byrd transitioned to the back and started squeezing for a rear naked choke. Eventually, it was too much and Phillips was forced to tap. Charles Byrd is such an intriguing prospect and his grappling and submission game is just so solid. He is certainly going to have to be watched going forward.
The main card starts off at 170lbs as Leon “Rocky” Edwards (15-3 #15 Ranked Welterweight) took on Peter Sobotta (17-6-1).Leon Edwards came right out and landed a big shot that stunned Sobotta and crashed him to the mat. Edwards jumped on top, but found himself in a precarious position and a threatened arm bar. Edwards worked his way out, and stayed on top. Finally Edwards backed off and forced Sobotta to stand back up with him. Sobotta landed two hard jabs that snapped back the head of Edwards. Sobotta leaned down into a hard body kick from Edwards just prior to the round coming to an end. We started round 2 with Edwards moving forward, and he ended up landing a kick to the groin and we had a stoppage. On the restart Edwards just continued to move forward and ended up clinching. Edwards tripped Sobotta down to the mat and landed on top. Sobotta was working from the bottom and grabbed for a kimura. Sobotta used that grip to transition to trying to take Edwards back. Edwards was trying to shake Sobotta off of him and get free. Edwards was able to free his arm and end up on top on the mat again. The referee stood them up after some inaction. Edwards landed a kick to the body, but that was it as the round came to an end. The final round was next and it started with Edwards countering Sobotta and landing. Edwards countered with another left hand that connected hard. Sobotta went for a takedown and it was blocked. Edwards then went to the takedown himself, but Sobotta blocked it. Edwards landed a hard uppercut, and then another left hand. Sobotta then got the fight to the mat, and was on top. That did not last long however and Edwards reversed the position and was on top. Edwards was able to open up Sobotta with some big punches and he was just pouring blood. Edwards was getting in a lot of shots and the referee was threatening to stop the fight. Edwards just continued to pound Sobotta with shots as the referee appeared to step in right at the last second to give Leon Edwards the victory. Leon Edwards looked solid this afternoon with his finish of Peter Sobotta. He now has to get the Top 15 opponent he has been looking for.
Rising French prospect Tom “Fire Kid” Duquesnoy (16-2 1NC) went up against Terrion “Flash” Ware (17-7).Duquesnoy came right out with heavy shots and a big combination that backed Ware up. Duquesnoy landed two hard leg kicks, and was really moving constantly around the Octagon. Duquesnoy followed up a big right hand with another hard leg kick. Duquesnoy just continued to landed combinations that end with leg kicks. Duquesnoy hit a big head kick, but Ware continued to move forward. Duquesnoy landed another combination, but Ware seemed unaffected. Ware returned a head kick of his own, but Duquesnoy was able to block it. Ware landed a nice combination, but he had to eat a hard left hand counter from Duquesnoy. Ware landed a late takedown, and was briefly in the mount trying to land a few shots as the round expired. We jumped into round 2 and it was Duquesnoy landing even more shots and working his leg kicks. Ware got in close and ripped a nice combination while Duquesnoy landed a leg kick. The two traded hard left hands to the body. Ware was trying to press forward, and Duquesnoy responded with a hard left hand that landed flush. Ware then landed a low kick to the groin that paused the fight briefly. We restarted, and Duquesnoy again landed a nice combination and hit a hard leg kick at the end. Duquesnoy tried to grab a takedown, but Ware was able to reverse, and just missed getting Duquesnoy’s back. Ware was now on top trying to land some heavy elbows and that is where the round ended. The third round started with a combination and a ripping leg kick. Ware was pressing forward however and landed a nice kick to the body. Ware was pressing Duquesnoy up against the cage, but Duquesnoy reversed the position and landed a hard knee to the body. Ware tried for a takedown, but found no success. Duquesnoy was doing a great job avoiding the punches now from Ware. Ware snuck in a straight right that connected. Ware was just constantly moving forward and pressing Duquesnoy back. Ware tried for a takedown, and almost had it but Duquesnoy stayed on his feet. Duquesnoy then went for one of his own, but it was stopped. They traded shots in the middle of the Octagon as the bell sounded. The judges scored this one 29-28, 29-28, and 30-27 for Tom Duquesnoy. This was a fun close fight, and it really could have gone either way. Terrion Ware, despite being 0-3 in the UFC, deserves another 3 rounds in the promotion. Tom Duquesnoy is only 24 and is now 2-1 in the UFC. He is just going to continue to improve and get better.
Two Light Heavyweights were up next in the Co-Main event as Jimi “Poster Boy” Manuwa (17-3 #4 Ranked Light Heavyweight) took on Jan Blachowicz (21-7 #11 Ranked Light Heavyweight).Manuwa came out moving forward swinging very hard. Manuwa then feinted and landed a hard head kick that partially landed. Manuwa was literally swinging with every fiber of his being on every punch. Blachowicz threw a head kick that was blocked. Manuwa was just stalking him trying to find an opening. Blachowicz snuck in a left hook and an uppercut that stumbled Manuwa. Blachowicz landed a left hand and Manuwa went back on his butt. Blachowicz came diving forward and tried to grab for a bulldog choke, but Manuwa avoided it and got back to his feet. Blachowicz was all over him however and continuing to land punches. Blachowicz tried for a takedown, but Manuwa was able to stay on his feet. Blachowicz had Manuwa pressed up against the cage and was landing good shots. He backed off and landed 2 more shots against the fence. Manuwa was still trying to move forward, but Blachowicz was firing off counters to Manuwa. They ended the round with a nice flurry in the center of the Octagon. Round two started again with Manuwa trying to push forward. Blachowicz was countering really well. Manuwa pressed him towards the cage, but Blachowicz caught a kick and landed a takedown. Manuwa immediately got back up. Manuwa landed a really hard left hand, but Blachowicz returned fire and the right hand appeared to stumble Manuwa who stayed standing. Blachowicz had Manuwa pressed against the side of the cage, and his back was now covered in the blood pouring out of Manuwa’s nose. Blachowicz took it to the mat and was very close to getting Manuwa’s back, but Manuwa slid out. As they stood back up Blachowicz threw a huge head kick that was blocked at the last second. Manuwa landed a nice punch that again forced Blachowicz to try and clinch. These guys were trading shots back and forth with under a minute left in round 2. Manuwa landed a hard head kick and Blachowicz was stumbled, but somehow stayed on his feet. Blachowicz went for a desperation takedown, but Manuwa stayed on his feet and they ended the round pressed up against the fence. Blachowicz was working with kicks early in round three including a hard body kick. Manuwa was punishing forward and they both traded big punches again with Manuwa leading out. Blachowicz landed a counter right on the Temple of Manuwa. Blachowicz landed a nice uppercut, and Manuwa was trying to respond. Manuwa landed a hard body kick, but when he started coming forward Blachowicz landed a hard uppercut. Blachowicz landed a nice double left jab and a right cross. Blachowicz was just landing more punches, and then at the last few moments Blachowicz ripped a takedown that kept him on top of Manuwa as the round and fight came to an end. The judges scored this excellent fight 29-28, 29-28, and 30-27 for the winner Jan Blachowicz. This was just a flat out awesome performance for Jan Blachowicz. One that is easily the biggest of his career. This is now 3 wins in a row for Blachowicz and most certainly puts him firmly in the Top 10 and even closer to the title picture. It is crazy to think that is the case if you look at where he was just a year or two ago losing 4 of 5 fights in the UFC. Blachowicz most certainly deserves a Top 10 or even maybe a Top 5 guy next.
Finally the Main event was next as Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Fabricio “Vai Cavalo” Werdum (23-8-1 #3 Ranked Heavyweight) took on Russian standout Alexander “Drago” Volkov (30-6 #8 Ranked Heavyweight).Werdum immediately sprinted at Volkov and threw a side kick that missed. Werdum then changed levels and landed a takedown on Volkov. Werdum got the fight exactly where he wanted it and was throwing heavy ground and pound. Werdum was just really dominating on the mat keeping the fight there and unleashing heavy punches when he had the opening. Volkov got back to his feet with less than 2 minutes left in the round. Volkov started smashing uppercuts and sneaking them n between Werdum’s guard. Volkov started to back off and then tried to pull guard. Volkov stayed out of that game and backed off. Volkov forced Werdum up. They clinched briefly and Werdum threw a jumping knee. Volkov backed away and then dove in for a takedown and secured it late in the round. The second round started with some low leg kicks from Werdum. Werdum kept trying to move forward, but Volkov landed a nice counter right hand. Volkov tried to move forward and he almost walked into a takedown but he avoided it. Werdum eventually secured a takedown and went to work. Werdum opened up a cut on Volkov’s head, and threatened late with a kimura but we were headed to round 3. The round started fast with another side kick from Werdum. However Volkov ripped a hard shot that really opened up a cut under the right eye of Werdum. Volkov kept staying out of the ground game and the damage of Werdum’s eye was really showing. The swelling was all over the right eye of Werdum and there was almost no way he could see out of it. Werdum tried a spinning back fist but missed. Volkov stopped a takedown, but ended up giving up his back to Werdum. Volkov slid out and got away and was going to force Werdum to stand up. Werdum tried for a takedown, but he was unsuccessfully. Volkov landed three hard punches and then another kick. Volkov caught two straight kicks and threw Werdum down both times just prior to the round coming to an end. The beginning of round 4 saw Volkov trying to throw more left hands to take advantage of that closed eye of Werdum. They spent time grappling on the ground and Volkov was staying out of trouble and in any dangerous situations. They got back on the feet after two hard right hands from Volkov. When they got back to the feet Volkov landed a huge combination and it finished with an uppercut that floored the former champion. Volkov dove on top and the referee had to save Werdum from further damage. Volkov has made his case for being in the Top 5. He now stands very close to potentially a title shot with his undefeated record in the UFC. A win like this over a guy who many consider one of the best of all time to do it will go a long way.
This was a really fun afternoon of fights for the London contingent of fans. We saw some really late finishes that made this card really fun. The UFC Fight Pass cards are always a crapshoot, but this one actually came through with flying colors. The first round finishes along with the co-main and main event that were a lot of fun makes this one of those cards MMA fans will hate to have missed. We now take a few week break until UFC 223 and the much anticipated Lightweight Title showdown between Tony “El Cucuy” Ferguson (25-3 Interim Lightweight Champion) and Khabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov (25-0 #2 Ranked Lightweight). That is a fight that has fallen apart multiple times everyone needs to keep their fingers crossed that we make it to the finish line and we finally get that fight in Brooklyn April 7th. We also get the much-anticipated rematch between “Thug” Rose Namajunas (8-3 Women’s Strawweight Champion) and the former Champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk (11 #1 Ranked Women’s Featherweight). A lot of questions surrounding that fight and whether Joanna can regain her title that Rose took in stunning TKO fashion in November of 2017. That is going to be a super fun night of fights and UFC 223 can’t come soon enough.
