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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
UFC FIGHT NIGHT 73
AUGUST 8, 2015
LIVE FROM NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE
=====UFC Fight Pass Prelims Quick Results=====
-Scott Holtzman def. Anthony Christodoulou via submission (rear naked choke) at 2:40 of the third round
Note: Christodoulou is terrible. Just awful. Holtzman used the first two rounds as sparring practice, landing punches whenever he wanted, then he scored a takedown in the third and scored the choke for the win.
-Marlon Vera def. Roman Salazar via submission (triangle choke) at 2:15 of the second round
Note: Slick submission from the bottom by Vera. Salazar wasn't doing much offensively with his takedowns, and wound up getting caught.
-Jonathan Wilson def. Chris Dempsey via KO at :50 of the first round
Note: Wilson dropped Dempsey with a quick straight left, then dropped down two big hammerfists to finish it off.
=====Fox Sports 2 Prelims=====
Rich Hansen will not be able to bring Fox Sports 2 coverage. As such, we'll have quick results on the FS2 prelims as they come in, and the round by round updates will begin with the FS1 main card. Sorry for any inconvenience.
-Dustin Ortiz def. Willie Gates via TKO at 2:58 of the third round
-Chris Camozzi def. Tom Watson via unanimous decision (29-27, 30-26, 29-27)
-Uriah Hall def. Oluwale Bamgbose via TKO at 2:32 of the first round
=====Fox Sports 1 Main Card=====
-Jon Anik and Kenny Florian on the call tonight, and they kick off the broadcast showing Glover Teixeira and Ovince Saint Preux arriving at the arena earlier in the day. They run down what's to come before throwing to our first main card fight of the evening.
MAIN CARD FIGHT ONE: RAY BORG VS. GEANE HERRERA (FLYWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Herrera ran to the center and wanted to get things going fast. Borg took a punch as he shot in, but picked Herrera up and scored a nice takedown. Borg tried to pass Herrer'a guard, but the newcomer did a good job keeping him there initially. Borg got himself to half guard, then tried to set up a choke. Herrera defended as Borg tried to slowly get into a finishing position. Herrera fought out of it and attacked for a heel hook, but ate some big punches. Borg went for his own heel hook. He got free and dropped a big right hand as he got back into Herrera's half guard. Borg tried to set up a kimura of his own and tried to use it to pass. He dropped some heavy hands from the top and passed. He almost got to mount but Herrera got him back to guard. Borg passed again to side control and landed some strikes. Borg used an arm triangle to transition to the mount. He tried to tighten it up from mount but lost it. Herrera got back to guard and tried for a triangle, but Borg got free and into his half guard. Borg ended the round on top.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Borg. Close to a 10-8 with how much offense he had, but nice defensive ground work through much of it from the newcomer.
ROUND TWO: Borg slipped on an early wheel kick attempt. He landed a nice left and shot in. Herrera tried to grab for a kimura as Borg completed the takedown, but Borg was in his half guard and got free. Borg passed to side control, then tried to lock on a guillotine as he passed over to mount. He tightened the hold but Herrera defended well and got free. That looked real close to getting finished, nice job from Herrera to escape. Borg landed a big elbow from the top. Borg continued working to pass and again attacked for the guillotine choke. He lost it but kept working into better positions, using Herrera's defense against him. Herrera defended from an arm triangle choke attempt. Borg got in another elbow and continued working effectively from the top. He landed a strike. Herrera again tried for a triangle from the bottom but Borg passed to side control. Great work from Borg. Borg tried to attack for a D'Arce and briefly moved to mount. Herrera managed to escape. Herrera again went for the triangle, but Borg easily got out and landed a few hard strikes late.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Borg. Another "close to 10-8" round from Borg. Lots of fun offense from top position, but Herrera's got some good defense to keep himself alive.
ROUND THREE: Herrera scored a few early strikes, but Borg again got him to the ground. He landed some strikes. Herrera landed a hard elbow from the bottom that cut Borg open badly. Borg passed to half guard. Borg was just leaking like a faucet, and they brought the doctor in to look at the cut. They can't stop this fight. They didn't and restarted them in half guard. Borg went to lock in the guillotine from the top again, then tried for the D'Arce before giving it up. Borg landed several strikes from the top. Herrera kept trying to attack from the bottom, but was finding no success. Borg continued to work effectively despite the cut. Herrera swept and got into the mount, but Borg immediately popped out. Herrera went for a guillotine, but Borg wound up in side control. Herrera tried to attack for an inverted guillotine, but Borg passed to side control on the other side. Borg landed some big strikes from the top. Herrera landed a couple of elbows. Borg again tried to set up the guillotine choke. He kept trying for it, but Herrera's defense was solid. Borg got mount and took the back just before the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Borg. Dominant top game tonight, but good defensive showing from Herrera in his debut, just not nearly enough against the constantly active Borg.
WINNER: Borg via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
STAR RATING: (***-) Entertaining ground fight. Borg is a ton of fun to watch, and he's going to continue making waves at this pace.
MAIN CARD FIGHT TWO: SARA MCMANN VS. AMANDA NUNES (WOMEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Nunes tried to keep her distance and landed a nice combination as McMann stepped in close. McMann tried to rush but got hit by a few counter strikes. Nunes landed a hard leg kick. McMann shot in and tried really hard to complete the takedown, but Nunes impressively stuffed it. McMann pawed in with a couple of strikes. Nunes went for a wheel kick, but McMann took her back standing and tried to drag her down. She failed, and Nunes got in some strikes to break. Impressive takedown defense from Nunes so far. Nunes landed a hard left hand. Nunes got in to the body and landed a hard right hand behind it. Nunes dropped McMann with a big combination. She took her back and landed a big elbow. She tried to flatten her out and started unleashing strikes. McMann tried to fight it off. Nunes locked on a choke, crushing McMann's jaw in the process, and she forced the tap! Holy hell that was awesome.
WINNER: Nunes via submission (rear naked choke) at 2:53 of the first round
STAR RATING: (***) Fantastic work from Amanda Nunes. Her takedown defense was much better than expected, her striking is excellent, she's got very good instincts on the ground, and that was a massive win for her career. Ronda needs someone new to fight, right?
MAIN CARD FIGHT THREE: JARED ROSHOLT VS. TIMOTHY JOHNSON (HEAVYWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Both guys pawed out their lead hands early. Rosholt threw out an overhand right. Johnson tried to close distance, but got clinched at the cage as he missed a strike. They jockeyed for position and Rosholt got in some knees to the legs. Johnson landed some punches to the back and turned Rosholt around. Rosholt tried to buck loose to land a strike, but Johnson held tight. Rosholt got in a knee to the body. Johnson then bullied Rosholt down, but Rosholt popped up. Johnson stayed heavy and Rosholt tried to set up a front headlock. Johnson defended and things stalled out a bit. The crowd booed the inactivity. They were finally separated with just under two minutes left in the round. Rosholt came back ahead, but Johnson landed a counter right. Rosholt ducked under a punch and scored a takedown, passing right into mount. Rosholt tried to set up a von flue choke but lost it. He landed a strike from side control. Rosholt landed a hard elbow. He landed some hard punches as Johnson tried to sweep. Rosholt ended the round on top with a few elbows.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Rosholt. Not a good opening round, but clearly Rosholt's. Very passive work from both.
ROUND TWO: Slow start to the second. Johnson then came lumbering forward and landed a few strikes. Rosholt fired back with an uppercut and clinched. He tried to duck down for a single leg, but got held off with some big punches in close from Johnson. Johnson's nose got busted open in close. Rosholt landed a hard elbow. He got in another. His takedown attempt got stuffed. He missed a strike and Johnson grabbed a body lock. Rosholt turned him around and landed a hard elbow. Johnson got in an uppercut. Johnson grabbed a headlock but had to give it up. Johnson was cut open over his left eye. Johnson tripped Rosholt up, but Rosholt bucked him off and got on top with two minutes to work. Rosholt landed a hard elbow from half guard. Johnson got in a couple from the bottom. Rosholt was moving in slow motion. Rosholt tried to grab a crucifix, then went for the arm lock on the right arm. He lost it, but landed some elbows to end the round.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Rosholt. Ugh. He's so slow about his offensive attacks on the ground. No urgency to work towards a finish when he's been in very good positions in which to secure one.
ROUND THREE: Johnson came out firing, but Rosholt grabbed an early clinch. They were warned to work. Rosholt went for the single leg and secured the takedown. Johnson worked his way back up and got his back on the cage. Rosholt's lack of urgent offense makes him just not at all fun to watch. They were separated. Johnson leapt in with a strike but missed. Rosholt landed a counter left. Johnson tried to get in and Rosholt looked gassed. Johnson landed a couple of strikes. Rosholt fired back. Johnson clinched and drove Rosholt to the cage. Things stalled out again as Rosholt just turned him around and rested. Rosholt separated with a knee, then they clinched again. Johnson got in a hard knee to the body. Johnson rocked Rosholt with a left. He landed another big one and Rosholt was a little on the ropes. Johnson scored a takedown, but ran out of time to do anything. Stupid.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Johnson. The takedown was idiotic when he needed a finish there. He had Rosholt reeling late and failed to capitalize. Not a good fight.
WINNER: Rosholt via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (*) Bad fight. Bad fight IQ from Johnson late that cost him his chance to win that one in the third.
MAIN CARD FIGHT FOUR: DEREK BRUNSON VS. SAM ALVEY (MIDDLEWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Alvey just took a couple of steps out from his corner and Brunson slowly made his way across. He threw a big left hand and shot in, but Alvey stuffed him at the cage. Brunson landed a few short strikes to the body, then started opening up. Alvey tried to grab a Thai clinch, but Brunson started landing some big uppercuts and other punches in close. Brunson stayed on Alvey in the clinch. Alvey landed a knee to the body. Brunson tried to get some space, and he landed a big combination on Alvey. He tried to rush him, and landed some big strikes. Alvey was hurt bad as Brunson continued to land. Alvey went down and Brunson landed a few more strikes and Mario Yamasaki stepped in. Maybe a tad early, but Alvey had taken a ton of damage prior to that.
WINNER: Brunson via TKO at 2:19 of the first round
STAR RATING: (**) That wasn't necessarily the smartest strategy to throw as wild as he was throwing considering Alvey's power, but he did tons and tons of damage before Alvey finally went down.
MAIN CARD FIGHT FIVE: MICHAEL JOHNSON VS. BENEIL DARIUSH (LIGHTWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Dariush opened with a leg kick as Johnson tried to press in early. Johnson pawed out a few strikes and Dariush feigned a shot. Johnson closed in on Dariush and threw a few strikes that were blocked. Dariush came ahead and landed the leg kick again. Both missed heavy strikes. Johnson got in with a leg kick. They traded punches in the center. Both missed or had strikes blocked in an exchange. Dariush landed a nice jab. They traded punches. Dariush tried to shoot in but didn't get all the way in and gave it up. They pawed out jabs at one another. Dariush connected. Dariush got in a nice knee to the body. Neither was committing a ton to anything they threw. Dariush landed a nice leg kick and covered up on a counter combo from Johnson. Dariush shot again to no avail. Johnson rocked Dariush with a counter-strike but Dariush got to his feet. Johnson smelled blood and tried to finish him off on the cage. His attack slowed as Dariush got his wits about him. They traded punches. Johnson landed a combo. He got in a kick to the body. Johnson landed the right hand again. Good chin on Dariush as he recovered well. Johnson rushed in with a knee at the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Johnson. Was a methodical round for much of it, but Johnson took it with that very good final minute.
ROUND TWO: Johnson came out the aggressor to follow up on the end of that last round. Dariush landed a couple of strikes. He shot in but Johnson got out of the way and landed a punch to the body. Dariush landed a body strike. He got in a short combo and covered up. He jumped in with a knee to the body. Dariush connected on a jab. Dariush landed the jumping knee but ate an overhand left that nearly floored him. Johnson landed a couple of jabs. Dariush landed a hard body kick. He covered up and avoided a few strikes. Johnson landed a hard left. He connected on another, then stuffed a shot. Dariush again jumped in with that knee well out of range. They traded punches again. Johnson got the better of an exchange, but Dariush connected on a couple of strikes. Dariush landed a couple of strikes again, avoiding the counters. Johnson landed the left hand again, though Dariush was almost out of range. Dariush got in with an uppercut. He shot in again but got stuffed. Johnson landed the left hand again. He tried to up the pace of his strikes. Dariush shot in again and nearly got it down, but Johnson nicely defended and circled free. Dariush got back to the body with a kick. Dariush landed a short elbow, then got in a superman punch off the cage to end the round.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Johnson. Close round, but Johnson's output is much more effective right now.
ROUND THREE: Both came to the center early, missing a few strikes. Dariush landed a knee to the body. Johnson landed the right hand. Dariush tossed out some jabs and caught Johnson from range. He ducked away from a combination. Dariush shot again and Johnson quickly sprawled and popped up. His speed's been a big part of this fight's story. Dariush connected on a few strikes. Dariush landed a nice right hand. He jumped in with the knee but didn't fully connect. Dariush landed a jab. Dariush connected on a few strikes as Johnson's output slowed a bit. Dariush landed a hard leg kick. The crowd got a little restless as the two weren't landing much for a stretch. Dariush landed a nice two-punch combo. Dariush landed the knee to the head but ate a counter. Dariush threw out some more jabs. Johnson landed a short combo. Johnson tried to rush and caught him with a right hand at the end of a combo. Dariush continued landing the jab and jumped in for a couple knees that he missed. Dariush landed a left hand out of a brief clinch. Johnson landed a counter-right as Dariush missed an uppercut. Dariush landed a hard leg kick and circled out. He got in a nice uppercut. Johnson tried to press late, but Dariush got out. Dariush landed another jab before the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Dariush. His best round of the fight, but not enough to take this decision.
WINNER: Dariush via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (**) It was a competitive fight, but that's just one of the worst decisions in a long, long time. That's up there with Diego Sanchez over Ross Pearson. Wow.
MAIN EVENT FIGHT SIX: GLOVER TEIXEIRA VS. OVINCE SAINT PREUX (LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT)
ROUND ONE: Teixeira closed distance and immediately went for a takedown. He got OSP down into half guard. Saint Preux got a little space and got back to his feet. He landed a knee to the groin in the clinch and things were brought to a halt. OSP dropped Teixeira with a shot to the body and rushed him at the cage. Teixeira tried to turn it into a takedown, but Saint Preux landed some big strikes. Teixeira to his feet and Saint Preux landed a few more. Saint Preux threw a body kick, but Teixeira caught it and took him down. He quickly passed to mount and the tide massively turned. Saint Preux covered up, but Teixeira still got some strikes through. Saint Preux gave up his back and tried to get a hook out. Saint Preux used it to escape, but Teixeira stayed on him with a body lock as they stood. Saint Preux looked for an arm, but Teixeira dropped him again with a takedown. Saint Preux got mounted again. Saint Preux reversed and got on top. He tried to set up the von flue choke, something he's pulled off before, but Teixeira defended. Teixeira escaped and got to his feet. OSP drove in. He landed a couple of strikes at the cage. Teixeira tried to walk him down and they traded punches at the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Teixeira. Close round, and OSP did some good things offensively, but he got taken down several times and mounted more than once. Hard to score that one, but I think Teixeira's top game edges it for him slightly.
ROUND TWO: OSP landed a couple of body kicks. Teixeira tried to rush in. OSP landed another body kick but got taken down. However, he popped right back to his feet. OSP kept his hands down as he circled, and got hit with a counter right. Teixeira landed a couple of body punches. OSP returned fire to the head. Saint Preux circled, but Teixeira closed distance, picked him up, and easily took him down into half guard. He tried to posture up, but Saint Preux defended. The attack slowed a bit and some in the crowd got a bit restless. Saint Preux continued to cover up and defend. Saint Preux tried to lock Teixeira up. Boos came down as Teixeira wasn't doing a ton. He started throwing down some elbows, but OSP continued to cover up and defend. Teixeira was getting through with some strikes, though. OSP finally got his back on the cage. He ate a knee to the body but got to his feet. Teixeira got in a left hand. OSP landed a left on the way out. He got in a body kick and a quick flurry to end the round.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Teixeira. OSP's doing damage on the feet, but he needs to keep himself there if he hopes to win this fight.
ROUND THREE: Saint Preux tried to work from distance as Teixeira tried to get in close. Teixeira landed a short flurry on the cage. OSP shot in, but Teixeira countered and took his back standing. He brought him to the cage and took him down. That was dumb on OSP's part. Teixeira landed a couple of punches. Teixeira briefly looked for an arm triangle choke, but had to give it up. Saint Preux not offering up much or anything from the bottom and he got mounted. Teixeira did some damage from the top. Saint Preux gave up his back and Teixeira locked on the choke. Saint Preux tried to fight it but he went out cold, quieting the crowd.
WINNER: Teixeira via technical submission (rear naked choke) at 3:10 of the third round
STAR RATING: (**+) Good performance from Teixeira. Saint Preux fell short, and it's clear he's just got a ceiling. His gas tank isn't there, the fight IQ up against the ground game isn't there, and while he was hunting for the KO in the first round, he let himself get taken down way too often. Just not a very good performance from him in this one.
-That's all for tonight, and it brings us to the end of a crazy string of events. The schedule slows down for a bit here in August, but we'll have plenty of reactions throughout the week to this card and this five-week run of fights as we move forward. Next up for the UFC is Fight Night 74 in 15 days from Saskatoon!
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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