Mighty Mouse made his case for being the MMA’s most talented fighter.
The UFC returned to Pay Per View Saturday night with a card that at was ravaged by weight cutting and injury issues in the 24 hours leading up to it, but the title fights still went on. We saw a fight get canceled at the weigh-in. The real shocker was the pulling of the Heavyweight battle between Derrick “The Black Beast” Lewis (18-5 1NC #6 Ranked Heavyweight) and former Heavyweight Champion Fabricio “Vai Cavalo” Werdum (22-7-1 #2 Ranked Heavyweight) just before the event started due to an injury to Lewis. In a crazy turn of events the UFC then also canceled Walt “The Big Ticket” Harris (10-6) and Mark “The Hand of” Godbeer (12-3) and announced that Harris would be Werdum’s new opponent on the card. The short notice of this is crazy, but big props to Walt Harris for stepping up to take on a former champion. The card had a chance to have history be made with the co-main event in the Flyweight division with Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson (27-2-1 Flyweight Champion) and Ray “The Tazmexican Devil” Borg (11-3 #3 Ranked Flyweight). The main event had the much-anticipated tilt between Tony “El Cucuy” Ferguson (24-3 #2 Ranked Lightweight) and Kevin “The Motown Phenom” Lee (16-3 #7 Ranked Lightweight). The undercard was filled with some tough fights to watch and a ton of decisions, which didn’t really help this card. The Pay Per View portion was strong, however. WE saw one of if not the best submissions in UFC history, and overall the main card saved this night. With 11 fights to go through let’s get to it.
Kicking off the night on UFC Fight Pass former Middleweight Title Challenger Thales Leites (27-8 #13 Ranked Middleweight) returns to the cage to take on The Ultimate Fighter Season 11 alum Brad Tavares (16-5). Leites came out early with low leg kicks and was keeping Tavares at bay. Tavares was landing shots on the feet, and actually clipped and stunned Leites with a left hand. Leites was wobbly and backing away, and Tavares tried to follow up. Leites went for a takedown with a single leg, but Tavares kept his balance and eventually got his back up against the wall. Tavares eventually got off the cage, and they got back to the center of the cage while Tavares stopped yet another takedown attempt. Tavares finished the round with another big right hand and a flying knee that connected flush. Before the buzzer sounded. Tavares came out in round 2 and was peppering jabs into Leites whose face was now bloodied. Leites went for yet another takedown and had Tavares down for about half a second until Tavares got right back to his feet. Leites did rip a nice right hand late in the round, but Tavares seemed unaffected. The third round kicked off with a touch of gloves and they stood right in front of each other trading. Leites grabbed Tavares and clinched him up against the cage. Leites kept trying to get a takedown, but Tavares just would not allow it. Tavares was really picking his spots once they separated. Tavares had a huge cut opened up on Leites face and the low leg kicks were really having an effect. Tavares landed a right uppercut and then an overhand right behind it. Tavares ripped a leg kick that sent Leites to the mat. Tavares made him stand up. This happened again and once the ref had Leites stand up he forced himself to shoot for a double leg takedown that Tavares was able to avoid. Tavares ended the find with vicious ground and pound right before the horn sounded. The judges scored this one 30-27, 30-26, and 30-26 all for Brad Tavares. This was a big win for Tavares over a ranked opponent. Tavares showed excellent takedown defense, which he always has had, and crisp punches. Tavares saluted the Las Vegas first responders in his post-fight speech. Tavares is constantly improving and could be a threat to get into the rankings after this appearance.
Up next was UFC veteran John “Chicano” Moraga (18-6 #11 Ranked Flyweight) taking on the undefeated Magomed “Chaborz” Bibulatov (14-1 #15 Ranked Flyweight). Moraga came right out ripping low kicks to the calf. Bibulatov grabbed for one and tripped up Moraga, but he got back to his feet quickly. Then almost out of nowhere John Moraga hit a huge right hand on the temple and stumbled Bibulatov. Bibulatov backed up and Moraga missed with a huge high kick, but almost immediately after ripped a clean left hook that floored Bibulatov. Moraga pounced on him and it was all she wrote. This was a pretty big upset as far as betting odds, but Moraga proved that he is still an absolute threat at 125lbs.
In a fight that was moved to FX at the last minute, two Flyweights did battle as Marco “Psycho” Beltran (8-7) took on Matt “Danger” Schnell (11-4). These two came out slow and really were looking to find the range. The two were trading low leg kicks and really feeling each other out. Schnell was starting to try and move forward, and he was met with a front kick from Beltran, but he walked through it and ripped a big combination. The two engaged a bit more, but it was more or less a boring getting in the groove round. Schnell was coming out a little stronger in round 2 as he was moving in and out ripping combinations. Beltran was essentially not throwing at all, and Schnell was out pointing him up to this point with inside leg kicks and combinations. The round came to an end with Schnell continuing to be the only guy landing anything. The third round came out with Schnell catching a kick and forcing a clinch up against the cage. Beltran was able to get away from the clinch and then ate a nice combination on the feet. Beltran landed an overhand right, but then backed off due to Schnell landing another combination. Beltran then started to actually throw landing kicks and moving forward. Beltran had a kick caught and Schnell landed a stiff left hand in return. Beltran went for a later takedown and found himself in a guillotine that he escaped just as the round and fight ended. The judges scored this one 30-27, 29-28, and 30-27 for Matt Schnell. This was Schnell’s first victory in the UFC, and he just outpointed Beltran. Now that Schnell got the monkey off is back it will be interesting to see how he does moving forward.
The Women’s Strawweight Division was up with Pearl Gonzalez (6-3) welcoming Poliana Botelho (6-1) to the UFC. Pearl came right out throwing low kicks at Botelho. Botelho missed a big looping left hand and Pearl clinched her up against the cage. Botelho was ripping heavy elbows while her back was up against the cage defending against the takedown. The elbows just kept ripping from Botelho, but Pearl was dead set on trying to get this takedown. The referee separated the two and re-centered the. Pearl ate two low kicks and immediately went back to the clinch. Botelho reversed the position almost immediately and was now in charge against the cage. Pearl eventually got back to the dominant position, but went for a takedown and was eating elbows again as the round ended. Pearl waited about 40 seconds into round 2 before she went in for a takedown again, but Botelho landed a bunch of elbows again to the side of her head. Whatever Gonzalez game plan was this was not working. Botelho was doing serious damage with the elbows, and then the referee separated them again. Botelho was starting to rip kicks landing a hard kick to the calf of Gonzalez who had slowed considerably. Gonzalez was able to clinch up against the cage as the round ended. Gonzalez caught a body kick early, but as she was backing Botelho back against the cage she ate 3 big punches one that landed very hard. Gonzalez has Botelho pressed up against the cage, but Botelho was peppering her with shots again. This was almost a mirror image of the 1st two rounds and was a very grinding pace. Botelho was ripping knees and elbows until the referee separated. Right on the restart, Gonzalez went for the takedown again, unsuccessfully, as Botelho landed more and more elbows. There was another separation and Botelho landing a spinning kick to the body followed by a grazing head kick that finally got the crowd in it. Immediately Gonzalez went for another takedown and Botelho stopped it and actually scored a takedown of her own right before the horn sounded. The judges scored this 30-27 across the board for Poliana Botelho. Stuffing 13 straight takedowns and doing damage while doing so won her this fight. Botelho is an interesting striker, just wish we could have seen more of it after this fight.
Two 155lb UFC veterans entered the cage next as Lando “Groovy” Vannata (9-2-1) takes on “King” Bobby Green (23-8-1). Green came right out and ripped a jab right to the chin of Vannata. Green then had to eat an overhand right. Vannata landed a straight right low leg kick. Green continued to move forward and Vannata snuck in a short right uppercut. Green was able to clinch up and Lando up against the cage briefly. Vannata escaped and landed a big right high kick. Vannata landed a big right hand and Green went to the ground and then there was a ton of ground and pound then as Green was battling back to his feet Vannata threw an illegal knee. Green popped up pretty quickly after the stop and was willing to go forward. Herb Dean was forced to take a point away. On the restart, Vannata landed more shots and got a guillotine that he held from the bottom through a roll and then back to his feet. Green somehow managed to survive and get out and we separated back to the center. Vannata landed a late takedown as the round expired. Green came out in round 2 with a quick and hard right hand. Vannata returned the favor with a big right hand and then the two traded leg kicks. Vannata was just really picking apart Green on the feet with his right hand, and his low leg kicks. Green was finding space with his left hand, and he was doing some damage that was starting to show on Vannata’s face. Lando went for the clinch, and Green reversed the position. Lando eventually scored a takedown, but Green got back to his feet. Vannata then got Green’s back briefly on the ground, but Green got back to his feet where Vannata was taking advantage. He landed several shots that seemed to stumble Green. Vannata was landing hard leg kicks as well. Green was not backing down in the least responding with heavy and hard left hands as the round came to an end. The 3rd and final round was up next and Vannata came out trying to keep his combinations coming. Green was responding with less output, but every punch was doing damage. Vannata went for a takedown, but it was stuffed. Vannata’s face was covered in blood, and Green was grinding on him against the cage. Vannata was moving forward still with kicks and landed a close in elbow to the head. These two guys were absolutely going at it in the center of the cage trading punches. Vannata ripped a big combination and then scored a takedown, but Green stayed on the ground very briefly. Just before the final bell Green uncorked a huge combination that stumbled Vannata who almost immediately recovered and returned fire. What a fight this was just action packed form minute 1 hard to judge. The scores came back with 29-27, 29-27, and 28-28 for a draw. The taking of the point cost Lando Vannata a potential victory. This fight was an absolute war and we could see them run it back.
The exciting young prospect Tom “Fire Kid” Duquesnoy (15-2 1NC) returns to the cage to take on another high-level prospect Cody “Spartan” Stamann (16-1). Duquesnoy was moving forward immediately, and landing early on. Stamann eventually shot in for a takedown, but Duquesnoy was back to his feet almost immediately. Duquesnoy was continuing to move forward, but Stamann was doing a good job staying out of range and throwing shots back at Duquesnoy. Duquesnoy continued to move forward and landed a nice combination that was finished with a big elbow that forced Stamann to go for a takedown that was stuffed. Back on the feet, Duquesnoy was landing again. And Stamann landed another takedown. Duquesnoy eventually battled back to his feet landing a knee to the ribs on the break. There was an eye poke that briefly stopped the fight. These guys were trading as the round came to an end with both of them landing kicks to the body with Duquesnoy seemingly doing more damage. We went in to round 2 and Duquesnoy came out fast landing a plethora of shots while Stamann tried to cover up. Stamann was moving forward, and Duquesnoy unleashed an overhand right that sent Stamann bouncing off the cage and he immediately fired a front kick in response. Stamann landed another takedown, but Duquesnoy immediately went for a triangle that was immediately stopped by Stamann. Duquesnoy eventually battled back to his feet, but again Stamann went right back for another takedown that he secured. Stamann kept him down landing some decent ground and pound to end round 2. The third round started with Duquesnoy trying to move forward. Duquesnoy added a nice high kick, and Stamann ripped a big left hand back. Stamann was returning and moving forward at him as we got later in the round. Duquesnoy landed a late takedown just before the round and fight came to an end. The judges scored this one 29-28, 28-29, and 29-28 for the winner by split decision Cody Stamann. The wrestling and takedowns made the difference in this one, and Stamann was not afraid to stand with Duquesnoy.
Prior to the fights on the main card the UFC paid tribute to those affected by the mass shooting last week in Las Vegas, it included a speech from Dana White. It was very well done and very fitting. All the fighters were wearing a Vegas strong walk-in t-shirt the entire night it was a very solid tribute to the victims.
The Pay Per View kicked off with top 15 Lightweights going at it as Beneil Dariush (14-3-1 #12 Ranked Lightweight) takes on Evan Dunham (17-6-1 #14 Ranked Lightweight). Dunham came out draped in the Las Vegas flag, which he displayed in the cage upon entering. Dariush came right out trying to cut the cage off and move forward. They traded shots, and then Dunham went for a takedown, that was stuffed by Dariush. Dunham landed a nice left hand but ate one in return. Dunham caught a body kick, but it led to Dariush on top of him on the mat and the grappling game was on. Dunham was trying to battle back to his feet, but Dariush had the pressure on and was peppering him with big ground and pound shots. Dunham was able to survive and continue to scramble. Dunham briefly tried to grab for a leg lock, but Dariush was able to escape and come back with even more ground and pound. Dunham got back to his feet right before the round came to an end. The 2nd round started with a double leg takedown by Evan Dunham. Dariush was trying to grab a submission from the bottom, but Dunham was not allowing anything. Dariush got back up, but Dunham was keeping him pressed up against the cage. Dariush was able to gain separation, and we were back to trading shots. Dariush was ripping leg kicks that were hurting Dunham’s lead leg. After yet another leg kick Dunham was forced to clinch and had him pressed up against the cage as the round ended. They came out absolutely trading in round 3 and Dunham landed a huge head kick. Dariush was landing his jab clean, but Dunham was returning fire and hit a solid left hand. Dunham tried to change levels and forced Dariush up against the cage. When they got back to the center of the cage Dunham ripped a hard combination. Dariush responded with a leg kick that buckled the leg of Dunham again. Dunham had it forced up against the cage again and landed a solid pair of knees up the middle. Dunham hit a right hand in the center of the Octagon, but Dariush came back with a big left hand. Dunham came over the top with a left hand and was stalking Dariush at the end of the round. These two left it all out there to close out there to end the round with Dunham really dictating the pace. The judges scored this one 28-28, 28-28, and 29-28 for a majority draw. Both of these guys put everything on the line in this one, and the second draw of the night was another war.
The UFC debuts for both Mara Romero Borella (12-4 1NC) and Kalindra Faria (18-6-1) was up next. Faria came out right at a Borella and landed a nice combination, but Borella immediately landed a takedown and was on top in half guard. Borella moved her way around and ended up in full mount. Borella wasn’t doing a ton of damage, but she transitioned to taking her back. Borella locked in a rear naked choke, and it was a wrap. That grappling from Mara Romero Borella was slick and masterful. She really put a stamp on her UFC debut with a solid first-round finish. In a weight class that has just formed she could be towards the top of the list of contenders after this.
Former Heavyweight Champion Fabricio “Vai Cavalo” Werdum (22-7-1 #2 Ranked Heavyweight) stepped in against the absolute 11th-hour opponent Walt “Big Ticket” Harris (10-6) in a crazy change of events. Werdum came right out looking for a takedown and landed a single leg. Werdum got right into full mount, but Harris battled back to try and get up. Werdum took his back and within no time he took his arm and got an armbar. The tap was imminent. Fabricio Werdum is one of the best Heavyweights of all time, and this added to that. His ground game is so slick and is absolutely one of the top contenders in the division. There is almost no doubt that he will be in the title conversation following this super impressive performance.
History was on the line in the Co-Main Event of the Evening as Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson (27-2-1 Flyweight Champion) took on Ray “The Tazmexican Devil” Borg (11-3 #3 Ranked Flyweight). Johnson came right out throwing low leg kicks. Johnson was peppering him with kicks including a head kick that was blocked. Johnson threw a right, and then ripped a kick to the body. Borg then caught a kick to the body but ended up giving DJ his back briefly. Borg battled back to his feet. Borg went for a takedown that was stuffed, but DJ stuffed it. DJ ended up getting Borg’s back and was picking his spots to throw hammer fists on the mat. Johnson was just holding Borg on the mat sneaking in punches when he could. Johnson was putting on a grappling clinic just looking for submission after submission. Borg was able to stay out of serious trouble, but Johnson ended up on top fending off a kimura to end the round. Round 2 was up next and Borg immediately looked to clinch and he was holding Johnson against the cage. Borg was controlling him and landed a takedown, but Johnson was still striking him from there. Borg jumped on Johnson’s back like a backpack, but Johnson threw him off and ended up on top on the mat. Johnson was able to transition, and he kept searching for submissions, while Borg was doing a great job scrambling. As Borg made his way back to the feet he had to eat several knees to the body. Mighty Mouse eventually scored yet another takedown. Borg came right back out looking to pressure Johnson again early in round 3. Johnson was doing a great job avoiding the takedowns. Johnson spun around and was keeping Borg on the mat. Demetrious was just all over him in this round. DJ was living in side control trying to find a kimura, and he transition to full mount and then took Borg’s back. Borg was able to scramble out, but DJ remained on top. Borg got back to his feet then ate multiple body shots until another takedown landed Johnson in a guillotine late. Round 4 started with Borg getting Johnson to the mat, but it was quickly reversed and saw DJ on top again on the mat. Borg got back to his feet, and DJ was peppering him with knees to the body in the clinch. Johnson was just absolutely controlling Borg everywhere the fight was going. Johnson scored yet another takedown. Borg battled back to his feet, and had Johnson clinched against the cage for under 5 seconds. Johnson just threw him down again and was going for an arm bar as the round came to an end. The 5th and final round was next and it started with another takedown from Johnson. Borg got back to his feet, but yet again Johnson landed another takedown and avoided any submission threat from Borg. Johnson moved to full mount, and Borg got out, but Johnson stayed in control. Johnson then strapped on an armbar that he transitioned to out of a suplex and Borg battled and battled but he had nothing he could do but tap out. Demetrious Johnson is the best fighter on the planet today. The finish was a thing of beauty. Throwing Borg through the air and basically catching his arm in an armbar to finish was just style point. That was a record-setting performance that lived up to the hype. That is a finish we will not see replicated for a long time if ever. Johnson sets the record now for consecutive title defenses, and he did it in such an impressive fashion. Hopefully, he gets the respect that he is owed
The Interim Lightweight title was on the line in the main event when Tony “El Cucuy” Ferguson (24-3 #2 Ranked Lightweight) and up and coming prospect Kevin “The Motown Phenom” Lee (16-3 #7 Ranked Lightweight) took center stage. Tony came out trying to stalk Lee, but Lee was not worried and returned some big right hands. Ferguson was very movement heavy style, and came forward and ate a big right hand from Lee that pushed him back. Ferguson popped right back up to his feet and then hurt Lee in return. Lee went for a throw, and Tony scrambled before ending up in the mission control position. Lee remained on top and was landing good knees to the body. Lee was in the north-south position, but Ferguson battled him back to having Lee in side control. Lee was able to transition in to mount and he was pounding Ferguson with as the round came to an end. Kevin Lee threw a body shot at the end of the round after it was stopped and the horn sounded. Herb Dean gave him a very stern warning immediately but did not take a point. Tony came out in round 2 moving forward and landing a nice overhand right. Tony was staying on the outside and bouncing in and out with jabs that were landing. Lee went for a takedown, but Tony sprawled to avoid it. Ferguson snuck in a short left uppercut that connected. Lee responded with a body kick and big punch. Ferguson sold it and just kept moving forward. Lee went for another takedown, but Ferguson was able to stuff it. Lee came forward to start round 3 and scored a big takedown slam to start the round on top. Lee ended up backing off after finding no success on the mat. Ferguson missed wildly with a punch, but avoided the takedown. Ferguson was moving forward consistently and not wasting any time. Lee scored another takedown. Ferguson took advantage however and got him in a tight armbar that Lee somehow reversed and got out of. Lee was on top, but Ferguson was still searching for submissions. Ferguson locked in a triangle choke and Kevin Lee’s lights eventually turned out. Tony Ferguson is the new Interim Lightweight Champion. This was a war between these two, but Tony Ferguson proved that he is one of the best Lightweights in the world. That pushes his win streak to 10 in a row. Tony Ferguson represents such a challenge for everyone else in the Lightweight Division including ‘The Notorious” Conor McGregor (21-3 Lightweight Champion). Who knows what the matchup is next, but this is well deserved for Ferguson who is by far the most successful Ultimate Fighter Winner in UFC history. He proceeded to call out Conor McGregor in the post-fight interview. Lee was super humble in defeat and he has a bright future ahead of him.
The undercard tonight was very lackluster. Outside of the Moraga knockout of the previously unbeaten Magomed Bibulatov and the Lando Vannata and Bobby Green war it was a little disappointing. The main card, however, was top notch. From the Evan Dunham and Dariush war and the two first-round submissions. Mighty Mouse then put on an absolute clinic with a crazy flying armbar victory to set the all-time record for consecutive title defenses. The main event was a great back and forth fight that saw an excellent submission finish from Ferguson. This muddies the waters at 155 with the looming Conor McGregor fight hanging overhead. The UFC takes a week off only to return on October 21st live from Poland with a headlining 170lb matchup between Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone (32-9 1NC #6 Ranked Welterweight)) and fast-rising prospect Darren Till (15-0-1). That one should be a banger exclusively on UFC Fight Pass.
