Aug 31, 2013; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chico Camus (right) fights Kyung Ho Kang during the UFC-164 bout at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports Fight Night 124 didn’t go the way Paige VanZant hoped for.
The UFC was live on FS1 for the first time in 2018 as two top 15 Featherweights clashed in the main event from St. Louis, Missouri. We originally had 13 fights set up for Sunday night however and Illness forced the cancellation of Thiago “Pitbull” Alves (27-11) and Zak Cummings (21-5). In a much scarier situation, Uriah “Prime Time” Hall (14-8 #11 Ranked Middleweight) actually passed out prior to the weigh-ins on Saturday and was taken to the hospital leaving surefire Hall of Famer Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort (26-13 1NC #12 Ranked Middleweight) without an opponent. Outside of those two fights we still had 11 matchups closing out the first live event of the year. The night, however, went on with the main event we all expected and it was a doozy as Jeremy “Lil’ Heathen” Stephens (26-14 #9 Ranked Featherweight) welcomed the return of Dooho “The Korean Superboy” Choi (14-2 #13 Ranked Featherweight). Let’s get to the recap.
The first fight on UFC Fight Pass had Mads Burnell (9-2) and Mike “Little Bully” Santiago (21-11). Santiago led right out with a jab and then a front kick to the body. Burnell caught the kick and immediately went for a takedown. Burnell secured the takedown, and went to work on the mat. Burnell had him in side control and was trying to pepper in ground and pound shots. Santiago worked his back up against the fence, and eventually got back up. Burnell however stayed right on top of him against the cage and stayed in Santiago’s face. Santiago was able to reverse the position and now he was on top briefly on the ground. Santiago grabbed for a guillotine as Burnell tried to get up and Santiago had it locked in on the feet. Santiago eventually gave up on the choke, and it was Burnell who then tried to slam Santiago back to the mat. Santiago was continuing to control Burnell and almost grabbed for another guillotine. As Burnell escaped it he grabbed for a knee and almost had a knee bar locked in. Santiago was able to escape and land some heavy punches. Burnell made his way back to the feet and was then slammed to the mat at the end of the round. Santiago was really controlling the early piece of round two. His grappling on the mat kept him on top as he tried to land ground and pound. Burnell reversed the position and grabber for a leg lock, but Santiago responded with a hard hammer fist. Burnell was able to get out and then secure a takedown of his own. Burnell was now taking control and landing a bunch of ground and pound. Santiago gave up his back and Burnell was landing at will. Santiago was able to flip and almost found himself being able to apply a Von Flue choke however Burnell instead transitioned to mount and was unloading. Santiago again gave up his back and Burnell locked in a very late Rear Naked Choke, but ran out of time in round 2. Burnell immediately came out in round 3 looking to close the distance and limit Santiago’s striking. Burnell was all over him having Santiago pressed against the cage and eventually scored the takedown. Burnell was just relentless on top of Santiago keeping him on the matt and slipping in ground and pound when he could. Santiago finally worked his way back to his feet, but he still had Burnell hanging all over him as the round and fight came to an end. The judges scored this one 29-28 all for Mads Burnell. Outside of missing weight Mads Burnell did exactly what he wanted to do in the second and third round. The ground game of Burnell is going to difficult for a lot of people to deal with going forward, and at 23 he is only going to get better.
A Women’s Strawweight Matchup was next as Danielle “Dynamite” Taylor (9-3) took on JJ Aldrich (6-2). The two danced around a bit and a hard leg kick from Taylor took out the front leg of Aldrich. She bounced back up and we were back to a feel it out situation. Aldrich landed a nice overhand right short left that landed flush, but Taylor was staying in there. Aldrich tried to set up a left high kick, but it missed. Taylor faked a takedown, and it left to Aldrich looking for a takedown, but Taylor stayed up on her feet and found herself being pressed up against the cage. Aldrich kept working and was able to secure the takedown and end up on top. Aldrich was trying to work towards a mount, but Taylor had her let leg trapped. Aldrich was not able to put together a ton of ground and pound, but ended the round on top. Round 2 saw more of the same, as Aldrich’s length appeared to be making the difference early. Taylor was struggling to find the range and get inside of Aldrich. Taylor had to eat a hard jab and was continuing to circle away on the outside. Aldrich tried to grab on and ate a hard left hand from Taylor. The jab from Aldrich continued to be the best weapon and landing over and over again. Aldrich landed another hard straight left and grabbed for the clinch as round 2 came to an end. We jumped into round 3 and an immediate hard left hand landed from Aldrich. Taylor was riding around the outside, and Aldrich was frustrated with the lack of engagement. The pressure from Aldrich was too much and she landed another big combination. Aldrich was coming forward, and ate a left hook from Taylor. Aldrich just owned the center of the Octagon and clinched her up with under a minute. The judges scored this one 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28 all for JJ Aldrich. This was one of the best performances we have seen from JJ Aldrich in the Octagon. Her striking was very open and flowing plus when she had to she used her grappling to secure the victory. At only 25 she has a real bright future ahead of her.
Closing out the Fight Pass prelims we had the Women’s Flyweight Division with Kalindra Faria (18-7-1) and Jessica “Evil” Eye (12-6 1NC). These two came out and immediately started throwing punches with Faria getting the better of the first exchange. Faria also threw a high kick that was blocked. Faria landed a big left high kick and stunned Eye who clinched and ended up on the bottom of full mount. Eye somehow recovered and we were now in a grappling battle. These two were both going for ankle locks, but Faria appeared to have the better of the two. She relinquished it and tried to posture up, but we again found ourselves in an ankle lock battle. Now Eye was getting the better, but Faria managed to free her ankle and continue to go for her own. While defending against an ankle lock from Eye, Faria ripped a hard short elbow. Eye however just continued to keep going for leg locks, and almost secured a knee bar with under 15 seconds left, but Faria escaped and we were back on the feet as the round ended. Round 2 started with some more immediate action and Eye was clinching Faria up against the cage. Eye eventually pulled down Faria to the mat, and took her back. Eye was trying to work her way out, but was tuck in a body triangle for an extended period of time. Eye was just glued to her back and really controlling the position. Faria finally escaped the body triangle, but Eye was continuing to go for her back. Eye tried for a rear naked choke, but was unable to get anything finished while absolutely dominating the round. Faria was trying to get back into the striking and threw a flying knee that she bailed on halfway through. Faria was working leg kicks, but Eye was responding with left hands. Faria landed a hard sidekick to the face, but Eye walked through it. Just over halfway through the round Eye went for and secured a takedown. Eye was controlling on top, Faria was able to get up and out of it and return back to the feet. Eye was on top on the mat, but not doing much of anything but maintaining position. Eye was looking for an arm late, but time ran out on the fight and we were headed to the judges. They scored this one 29-28 Eye, 29-28 Faria, and the winner by split decision 29-28 Jessica Eye. This was a very much needed win for Jessica Eye who had dropped 4 straight at 135lbs. Eye has some serious potential with her takedown and wrestling ability. Eye has some serious potential moving forward at 125lbs.
Kyung “Mr. Perfect” Ho Kang (14-7 1NC) returned from his mandatory Military service and took on Guido “Ninja” Cannetti (7-4). Kang was slowly but surely stalking Cannetti around, but it was Cannetti who landed a big shot knocking Kang down. Kang, however, was able to recover and get back on his feet. However, it was again Cannetti who was getting the better of the exchanges. Kang, however, scored a takedown of his own and end up on his back, however. Kang locked in a triangle and was holding it in tight. Cannetti picked up Kang from the bottom, but Kang held firm and was able to secure a tap right at the end of the round for his first win in over 2 years. This was a big return finish for Kyung Ho Kang and being able to secure the victory over adversity that late in the round was very impressive. Now that he is back full time he could make a big difference in the division going forward.
The Women’s Bantamweight division was up next as Talita Bernardo (5-3) and Irene Aldana (8-4) went head to head. Aldana came out firing and missed with a big uppercut, but landed a crisp right hook that landed flush. Aldana again landed a hard right hand and was really pressing forward early. Bernardo landed a left hand, but Aldana responded with a huge combination that finished with a right hook that stumbled Bernardo. Aldana tried to pour it on, but Bernardo shot for a takedown and secured it until Aldana immediately reversed her. Bernardo however stayed active and escaped and was now involved in the clinch game trying to neutralize the punching of Aldana. Bernardo had Aldana pressed up against the cage however she was not able to secure a takedown and Aldana was peppering her with shots despite being pressed up against the cage. Aldana escaped with about 40 seconds left in the round and was back to throwing power shots. Bernardo went for a takedown shot, but it was blocked and she went to her back and Aldana was peppering her legs with kicks Aldana snuck in a few more power punches as the round came to an end. Aldana was staying on the outside and peppering in shots from the outside for the beginning of the round, until Bernardo went for a takedown and secured it. Aldana tried for a triangle from the bottom, but Bernardo was able to escape without any issue. Bernardo was on top and trying to keep posturing up, and ended the round on top. Aldana came out in round 2 and was continuing to try and find the success with her jab; Aldana was again getting the better of the exchanges on the feet. Aldana as walking her down against the cage and ripped another big combination. The two then traded big shots and it was Bernardo ripping a hard straight right. Aldana came right back with a combination of her own. Bernardo came in for a takedown and a short shot from Aldana sent her reeling to the mat. Aldana ended up on top, but Bernardo had recovered and ended up on top. Aldana reversed the position and gout free. She stuffed a last-second takedown attempt from Bernardo and we were headed to the judges. They scored it 30-27 across the board for Irene Aldana. This was a nice all-around win for Aldana who’s striking was on point. Expect her to get a Top 15 opponent next after that performance.
The UFC debut of Dana White Tuesday Night Contender Series alum Matt “The SteamRolla” Frevola (6-1) was next as he took on Marco “El Toro” Polo Reyes (9-4).Frevola immediately fired off a blocked head kick. Frevola was looking to pressure immediately, and he ate a hard shot that hurt him as he moved forward. Frevola, however, was able to survive and the action was stopped for a second to give Frevola back his mouthpiece. When the action got restarted they started absolutely trading. Polo Reyes landed hard shots again and closed the show with an absolutely perfect right hand on the chin and shut the lights out on Frevola. The experience and counter punching of Marco Polo Reyes was the difference. HE was unaffected by the pressure of Frevola and used that aggressiveness to his advantage when he was able to close the show on Frevola’s debut.
Two Lightweights stepped into the cage next as James “The James Krause” Krause (25-8) and Alex “The Spartan” White (12-4) met. Krause was looking to move forward early, and White pushed him back and ripped a hard left hand against the cage that got Krause’s attention. Krause recovered quickly and began again to move forward. Krause eventually went for a takedown, and it led to a clinch battle against he cage. White did a great job staying up and was trying to get out of the grasp of Krause. Eventually however Krause was able to secure the takedown and was on top. Krause worked his way to the position where he had White’s arm trapped behind his body and was trying to unload ground and pound. White tried to roll out, but briefly gave up his back. White got out of it, but found himself in the side control of Krause. The side control from Krause is where he held it for the last minute of the round just controlling White on the mat. The two took some time to really engage in round 2 with Krause threatening to spin multiple times early. Krause was starting to find his range on the feet, but White returned with a combination. Krause then went for the takedown and secured it against the cage. Krause was controlling White on the mat and trying to posture up. White tried to grab for an arm bar, bur Krause avoided it with no problem. White battled his way off his back and was able to actually reverse the position and he himself ended up on top. Krause was able to get up however and then scored his own takedown. Krause grabbed for a late guillotine, but the time expired for round 2. White came out and landed a hard combination that stumbled Krause and sent him to his knees. Krause was able to rise up however and went for a takedown that was stuffed. Krause kept trying to clinch and ate a short elbow for his trouble. Krause was really using the clinch up against the cage to control the fight. White kept trying to battle off the cage, but any separation was met with Krause grabbing hold again. They finally separated and White landed a hard combination again forcing Krause to grab a hold of him. White was able to get him off of him, but Krause came right back at him. Krause went for a flying arm bar, and it appeared to be deep for a second, but White was able to escape and then had control on the mat for a second. Krause however reversed the position and was on top for the remainder of the fight and landed two hard hammer fists right at the end of the round and fight. The judges scored this one 29-28 across the board for James Krause. The move Lightweight turned out to be a successful one as Krause was really able to control where the fight went. His grappling really helped when he got into trouble on his feet and it showed. Krause is a really interesting contender going forward and it will be really interesting to see where he goes from here.
The 10th ranked fighters at 145lbs and 155lbs met next at 145lbs as Darren “The Damage” Elkins (25-5 #10 Ranked Featherweight) took on Michael “The Menace” Johnson (18-13 #10 Ranked Lightweight). Johnson came out looking to be aggressive and landed a nice left hand. Elkins responded with a kick to the body, but another left hand from Johnson landed. There was a scramble and Johnson ripped some more hard shots. Elkins threw another body kick and Johnson sent him backwards. Johnson was landing heavy shots and Elkins tried for a takedown that was stuffed. Johnson landed another stinging left hand and Elkins was trying to get out of range. Elkins snuck in a right hand of this own, and then a combination that finished with a left hook. Elkins kept trying to dive in and land shots, but it was being met with combinations from Johnson. Elkins threw a low leg kick, and Johnson just threw another connecting combination. Johnson looked very good in his first round at Featherweight. Elkins started with a body kick that was met with a combination from Johnson. Elkins then shot for a takedown and secured it very early in round 2. Elkins was trying to do damage with his ground and pound and was finding a home for his right hand. Elkins eventually was able to transition to taking Johnson’s back. Elkins was trying to soften him up and eventually grabbed for a rear naked choke, which was in deep. Johnson was forced to tap and Elkins got his 6th straight win. Darren Elkins is one of the best guys at coming back from damage in situations to pull out fights. This was a big win, and he need s a top 10 Featherweight next no doubt.
The main card got started with between Kamaru “Nigerian Nightmare” Usman (12-1 #10 Ranked Welterweight) and Emil “Valhalla” Meek (9-3-1 1NC). Meek came right out and threw a hard punch that missed. Usman rushed in for a takedown, and Meek grabbed a guillotine, but Usman was in a good position to stay out of trouble. Usman escaped the choke and was now in control on the mat. Usman waited a few seconds and then started unloading shots to the bod and head. Meek was working his way back up and was up to his feet and trying to escape. Usman was holding on and controlling Meek very well against he cage. Usman just controlled the entire round from a grappling and ground and pound standpoint. Round 2 started with Usman moving forward trying to grab hold and land shots on Meek. Meek hit a huge spinning back fist, but Usman seemed relatively unfazed and grabbed on for the clinch and had him pressed up against the cage. Usman was holding and moving Meek around the cage including dragging Meek down to the mat multiple times. Meek was fighting off his back landing some hard elbows back up at Usman. Usman was returning fire with elbows of his own from the top. Usman postured up and was landing nice downward straight punches just prior to the round ending. Round three started with Meek trying to land low kicks and mix in punches, but one of his kicks caught Usman in the cup and we took a break. On the restart Meek was coming forward and landed a nice combination in the process. Usman grabbed on to Meek and ended up almost power bombing Meek to the mat. Usman held him down briefly, but Meek got to his feet only to be taken right back down to the ground. Usman was working the legs of Meek as he tried to stand up, and just owned the grappling portion of the fight. Usman was just all over Meek who kept trying to get back to his feet, but Usman would take him right back to the mat. Usman’s wrestling skills were on full display and he was controlling the very bloody meek on the mat while mixing in the occasional elbow. Meek kept trying to get back to his feet, but every time he would end up back on the mat including being slammed down hard in the last 30 seconds. The judges would decide this one and score it 30-27 on all three cards for Kamaru Usman. This was another dominant win for Kamaru Usman. He is the scariest contender at Welterweight right now with his grappling. Expect a Top 10 Welterweight for his next bout.
In the new Co-Main event we saw Paige “12 Gauge” VanZant (7-4) made her Flyweight debut against Jessica-Rose Clark (9-4 1NC). VanZant came out looking to throw hands early, and Clark landed a nice return left hand. When Paige would rush in Clark would respond with a left hand. Clark landed a hard right hand, and we were then in a clinch. Clark scored a takedown, and Paige was able to avoid giving up her back, and started working her way back to the feet. Clark ended up back on the mat with a takedown of VanZant. Clark was holding Paige down and controlling the position and keeping Paige on her back. Clark ended the round on top where she spent most of the round. Round 2 started with a body kick from VanZant and then an attempted jumping switch kick that missed. VanZant came forward again and we had a clinch battle that went up against the cage briefly. VanZant then brought the fight to the mat, but decided to try and get up. Clark kept a hold Paige’s leg and it actually led to her being able to grab for and land a takedown. Clark was now in the same position as she had found herself in round one where she was on top controlling the fight. Paige was able to sweep and ended up back on top, but in a triangle choke. VanZant was trying to punch her way out, but Clark had the triangle in very tight. VanZant was able to survive and we would head to a third and final round. VanZant was able to keep it standing in the round and was looking to try and land her kicks. Paige laded a nice left high kick that was partially blocked. Apparently Paige was fighting still with a broken arm, and was not throwing her right hand at all because of it. These two let it hang out a bit at the end of the round and the second the fight ended Paige grabbed for her right arm and winced in pain. The judges scored this one 30-27, 29-28, and 29-28 for Jessica-Rose Clark. This was a nice win for Clark who is now 2-0 in the 125lb division. Clark overcame outside of the Octagon distractions of her house getting robbed to get this victory. Clark’s mix of grappling and striking really make her an interesting contender at 125lbs.
Finally it was time for the main event as Jeremy “Lil’ Heathen” Stephens (26-14 #9 Ranked Featherweight) welcomed the return of Dooho “The Korean Superboy” Choi (14-2 #13 Ranked Featherweight). Choi landed a nice left jab and a hard body kick. Stephens and Choi traded hard leg kicks back and forth. The leg kick trading continued and then a flurry from Stephens pushed Choi back. Stephens landed a hard overhand right to the temple and Choi seemed relatively unfazed. Choi was trying to walk Stephens down, but Stephens came back towards him. They clinched briefly and Stephens landed a hard elbow on he break. Choi landed a hard body shot before the round came to an end. The pace continued in round 2 and both guys were unloading big shots. Choi missed with a hard uppercut and Stephens landed a hard right hook. Choi went back to the leg kick well. Choi threw a leg kick and a right hand return from Stephens snapped Choi’s head back. Stephens was really finding a home for his punches and the jab kept landing. Stephens connected with another low kick, and more jabs. Stephens landed an overhand right that dropped Choi to the mat. Stephens followed up with a big shot form the top. Choi was starting to recover and then a diving elbow from Stephens followed by just a few more shots landed before the referee stepped in and ended this fight. What a big knockout win from Jeremy Stephens. Finishing a guy like Choi in that fashion is nothing short of impressive. The power of Stephens is so respectable, and it can literally beat anyone at any time. He could be poised for a big 2018 after starting it with that.
This was a pretty decent start to 2018 as far as free cards go. The main event was exactly what we expected out of Jeremy Stephens. The man is on a mission to try and finish every single fighter that stands across from him. This is a big week for the UFC as next Saturday we get a shot at history in the Heavyweight division. Stipe Miocic (17-2 Heavyweight Champion) looks to set the all-time Heavyweight Title defense record as he takes on the fast-rising phenom Francis “The Predator” Ngannou (11-1 #1 Ranked Heavyweight). We also have the Light Heavyweight Title being contested as Daniel “DC” Cormier (19-1 1NC Light Heavyweight Champion) tries to stop the rise of Volkan “No Time” Oezdemir (15-1 #2 Ranked Light Heavyweight). That card is absolutely stacked and is possibly a chance to crown the newest star in the UFC in Ngannou. The hype proved to be real just a month or so ago when he absolutely flat lined Alistair “The Demolition Man” Overeem (43-16 1NC #2 Ranked Heavyweight) in under 2 minutes. This one is going to be a fun night of fighting.
