UFC Fight Night 124, “Stephens vs. Choi” starts at 6:30 p.m. EST on UFC Fight PASS. The prelims get underway at 8:00 pm EST on FS1 while the main card is also airing on FS1, starting at 10:00 pm EST.
Early Prelims
Catchweight (150 lbs) Mike Santiago(21-9) vs. Mads Burnell (8-1)
Result: Burnell by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28,29-28)
Women’s strawweight Danielle Taylor(9-2) vs. JJ Aldrich(5-2)
Result: Aldrich by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Women’s flyweight Kalindra Faria(18-6-1) vs. Jessica Eye(11-6)
Result: Eye by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Prelims
Bantamweight Kyung Ho Kang(13-7 1NC) vs. Guido Cannetti(7-3)
Result: Kang by submission (Triangle choke) at 4:53 of round 1
Women’s bantamweight Talita Bernardo(5-2) vs. Irene Aldana(7-4)
Result: Aldana by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Lightweight Matt Frevola(6-0) vs. Marco Polo Reyes(8-4)
Result: Polo Reyes by KO (Punches) at 1:00 of round 1
BA-BOOM! #UFCSTL @Toro_Polo pic.twitter.com/gEhDVv4qXZ
— UFC (@ufc) January 15, 2018
Lightweight James Krause vs. Alex White
Result: Krause by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Main Card
Hello everyone, Robert Vallejos here to take you through the main card. Don’t forget to follow myself @RobMVallejos and fellow MMATorch contributor @zheydorn on Twitter. Also please listen to our weekly live podcast “MMA Talk for Pro Wrestling Fans” every Monday at 7 pm EST.
Featherweight Darren Elkins(24-5) vs. Michael Johnson(18-12)
Round 1
Johnson aggressive but losses his footing. Elkins also loses his footing and Johnson lands shots to the head. Both fighters look very unstable. Johnson landing solid punches while stiffing takedown attempts by Elkins. Johnson uses leg kicks. A leg kick by Johnson leads to a combo of punches to the head. 10-9 Johnson
Round 2
Johnson lands an illegal groin shot but gains control as they go to the ground. Elkins maintains control. Johnson nearly stands up but Elkins remains behind Johnson. Elkins has Johnson in a rear naked choke…Johnson submits.
Result: Elkins by submission(Rear naked choke) at 2:21 of round 2
Vallejos’ analysis: The script held up here. Johnson looked very good early, but Elkins seized the moment. Elkins called out champion Max Holloway. He will not get that fight, but he is on great roll.
A video tribute of Matt Hughes is playing. Hughes walks out “County Boy Can Survive” by Hank Williams Jr. Hughes gets a massive ovation.
Welcome home, Matt Hughes.#UFCSTL pic.twitter.com/2CH5mB3DGH
— UFC (@ufc) January 15, 2018
Welterweight Kamaru Usman vs. Emil Weber Meek
Round 1
Usman immediately goes for a takedown. On the ground Meek gets a guillotine. After some slow movement, Usman gains control. As they stand up locked-up, Meek goes for a kimura. Usman counters with a takedown at the fence. As they stand up Usman maintains control from behind. They go back to ground, with Usman keeping control while landing body shots. Usman 10-9
Round 2
Meek aggressive with kicks. Usman counterstrikes. Usman goes for takedown but is met with a guillotine attempt. Usman gains the advantage at the fence, before landing a take down. As they change levels, Usman maintains control from Meek’s back. On the ground against the fence, Meek tries a kimura. Usman lands elbows. Meek is very bloody. Meek attempts a guard, but a standing Usman lands powerful punches. (Usman 10-9)
Round 3
Meek lands a groin shot. Time is stopped They resume. Both men exchange 1-2 combos. Meek gets the better of Usman before they lock up. Usman lands a standing takedown. Usman keeps control. They stand. The again lock up at the fence. Usman is in control from behind. The move slightly away from the fence. Usman remains in control while Meek attempts a kimura. Usman gains side control. Usman stands up in order to slam Meek. Usman gets top control (Usman 10-9)
Result: Usman by unambitious decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Vallejos’ analysis: Usman looked completely in control here. Some will be dissapointed that he did not get a finish, but it is hard to deny that his Usman is quickly rising in the welterweight division. Everyone is calling out Covington; Usman might need to get in line.
Usman calls our Colby Covington. His promo received a negative reaction.
Women’s flyweight Paige VanZant vs. Jessica-Rose Clark
Round 1
VanZant with a roundhouse to the body. Clark counterpunching Vazant’s switch-kick attempts. They go into a standing clinch. VanZant nearly locks in a guillotine from the bottom. As they stand in the clinch. Clark grips a tight standing choke. Clark maintains her control on the ground. VanZant keeps movement the alleviate the pressure. Clark maintains control from the top. Clark lands a few punches from the top as the round ends. (10-9, Clark)
Round 2
VanZant lands a fury of punches to start the round, before Clark lands the standing clinch. Clark goes for the takedown but VanZant gets to dominant position. The briefly stand up while still locked up, as Clark gains the top position. They are warned for inactivity. VanZant gets on top. Clark attempts a triangle. VanZant keeps fighting during the triangle attempt as the round ends. (Clark 10-9)
Spinning back fist from @PaigeVanzantUFC lands, then she gets JRC to the ground! #UFCSTL pic.twitter.com/xh50dh4W4t
— UFC (@ufc) January 15, 2018
Round 3
Announcers make mention that they overheard VanZant say that she broke her right arm. VanZant attempts several Tae Kwon Do kicks. Clark lands occasional counterpunches. (10-9 VanZant)
Result: Jessica-Rose Clark by unanimous decision ( 30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Vallejos’ analysis: The fight was not exciting, but Clark executed a solid game plan. VanZant had her moments but the broken arm clearly played a role in the fight. VanZant is undoubtedly tough, but her push still does not match her current ability. She could get there someday, but now is not not the time.
Featherweight Jeremy Stephens vs. Doo Ho Choi
Doo Ho Choi walks out to the “Star Wars” theme, Stephens walk out to a Nelly song.
Vallejos’ Analysis: 30-27 Choi 😉
Round 1
Both attempt leg kicks, but miss. Both men land leg kicks. Choi lands overhand punches. Stephens lands a very powerful leg kick. Stephens lands a solid overhand right. Choi goes for a standing clinch but Stephens stuffs him with an elbow. (10-9 Stephens)
Round 2
Choi lands a frot kick to the head. Stephens counters with pressure punching against the cage. Choi counters with a jumping roundhouse kick. Stephens counters another kick flurry with punches. Stephens with a hard right that knock Choi to the ground. Stephens lands hard punches to a downed Choi, and the ref calls it.
Result: Stephens by TKO(Punches) at 2:36 of round 2
Right hook lands FLUSH!#UFCSTL @LilHeathenMMA pic.twitter.com/W5aIUonYsN
— UFC (@ufc) January 15, 2018
Vallejos’ analysis: very impressive power by Stephens. Choi can get himself into these compromising situations. Stephens called out Brian Ortega, That would be a great fight, but Ortega may be closer to champion Max Holloway than Stephens.
Ortega vs Stephens anyone?#UFCSTL pic.twitter.com/TenBUlZA0h
— UFC (@ufc) January 15, 2018
That’s all for tonight, be sure to listen tomorrow to “MMA Talk for Pro Wrestling Fans” as we break down this card, and preview UFC 220. (RV)
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