UFC Fight Night: Jacare vs. Hermansson
April 27, 2019
Sunrise, Florida from BB&T Center
Live on ESPN 2 (5:30 PM ET), ESPN (7 PM ET), and ESPN+ (9 PM ET)
Note: I’ll just have results and some brief thoughts for some of these early fights. We’ll have full round-by-round coverage of most of the card.
ESPN 2 Prelims
(1) Court McGee vs. Dhiego Lima (Welterweight)
Result: 30-27 Lima, 29-28 McGee, 29-28 Dhiego Lima by split decision
Analysis: Lima won most of the fight, I had him taking all three rounds. McGee did well and was always in the fight but Lima consistently outlanded him. It was almost entirely a standing striking battle. Lima would circle the outside of the cage and landed his strikes. McGee went for some takedowns but didn’t have much luck. McGee rocked Lima hard with just a few seconds left and knocked him down.
(2) Angela Hill vs. Jodie Esquibel (Strawweight)
Result: 29-28, 30-27, 30-27 Angela Hill by unanimous decision
Analysis: This fight was basically all Hill. She looked good after losing by submission just a few weeks ago. Esquibel hurt her early in the third round but otherwise, Hill was in control the entirety of the fight. She used her reach advantage and knees from the clinch very well.
(3) Jim Miller vs. Jason Gonzalez (Lightweight)
Result: Jim Miller by submission at 2:12 of round one
Analysis: Jim Miller had a great moment, winning this fight in front of his wife and children. He dragged Gonzalez down, controlled his hands and sunk in the choke. Great win for the veteran Miller. Miller said he doesn’t know how many fights he has left in him but he feels he has at least a few more.
ESPN Prelims
(4) Gilbert Burns vs. Mike Davis (Lightweight)
ROUND ONE: Burns came out with some heavy leg kicks to start. Davis defended a takedown attempt. Burns got him down on the second try. Davis got to his feet and then rocked Burn, who started firing back. Burns landed some tight uppercuts and Davis whiffed on a spinning kick. Burns got him down let in the round and landed a big elbow before the bell. 10-9 Burns.
ROUND TWO: Burns got him down and took his back right away. Burns locked in a body triangle and rained down elbows and hammer fists. Burns worked to get the choke but gave up the body lock as a result. He tried to move to mount but couldn’t get it and was in half-guard up against the cage. He took his back again and worked for the choke while throwing elbows from behind. He got it in after some work and got the tap quickly.
Result: Gilbert Burns by submission at 4:15 of round two
Analysis: Burns looked good. He’s dangerous on the ground but he can also hold his own on his feet. His ground strikes looked really strong, which makes him dangerous when he’s also a submission threat. He probably should get a ranked opponent next.
(5) Carla Esparza vs. Virna Jandiroba (Strawweight)
ROUND ONE: Esparza used a kick attempt from Jandiroba to get a huge takedown early on. Jandiroba got up before she could do much with the takedown and they traded shots. Esparza scored another takedown but again, couldn’t do much with it and Jandiroba got up. Esparza landed a knee and an elbow in close. 10-9 Esparza
ROUND TWO: Jandiroba actually took Esparza down about a minute in. She was in half guard but Esparza got up. Jandiroba landed a couple of good shots while Esparza rushed in to try and take her down. Esparza missed another takedown attempt. Esparza landed a single leg but ended up in a guillotine. Jandiroba turned so she was on top, still holding on to the guillotine. She let go but was still on top in half guard. Jandiroba mounted her and was throwing punches. Esparza swept and ended the round on top landing punches. 10-9 Jandiroba.
ROUND THREE: Esparza got her down early on. She was laying on top landing short punches. They got up and Esparza almost landed a huge kick. Jandiroba rushed in and went for a takedown but Esparza tried to grab a choke. Jandiroba got out and was on top. Esparza worked to get up and did but Jandiroba didn’t let her go. Jandiroba took her down just before the horn. 10-9 Esparza, 29-28 Esparza, could go the other way
Result: 30-27, 29-28, 29-28, Carla Esparza by unanimous decision
Analysis: That was actually a fun fight. Esparza’s takedowns were on point in the first round but she seemed to tire a bit in the second. If this fight went five rounds I think Jandiroba would have taken it. Nonetheless, a good win for Esparza and she’ll hang around the top 10 at strawweight.
(6) Andrei Arlovski vs. Augusto Sakai (Heavyweight)
ROUND ONE: Sakai knocked him down after a head kick attempt but Arlovski bounced right back up. Arlovski was throwing big shots and looked pretty light on his feet. They traded leg kicks. Arlovski landed that right hand he’s been going to over and over. Arlovski missed a spinning back fist. Sakai landed a couple of punches and they clinched against the cage. 10-9 Arlovski
ROUND TWO: Arlovksi was attacking Sakai’s lead leg. Sakai unloaded a big combination and touched Arlovski several times. Arlovski didn’t go down though. High kick from Arlovski got a piece. Lots of standing and trading but not much landed clean. Sakai forced Arlovski against the cage and Arlovski pushed him off. Arlovski landed a low blow so they took a break. Leg kick from Sakai when they started again. Arlovski went back to the overhand right but didn’t get it. Sakai clinched but the round ended. 10-9 Sakai, 19-19
ROUND THREE: Arlovski landed a right elbow coming in as they clinched. Double leg kicks from Arlovski. Arlovski is looking tired and took a look at the clock. Sakai landed a clean punch. Nice uppercut from Arlovski followed by a body kick. Sakai tried to get him down but he didn’t seem to have the energy. Arlovski threw some kicks and kept Sakai at bay as the round ended. 10-9 Arlovski, 29-28
Result: 29-28 Sakai, 29-28 Arlovski, 29-28 Sakai by split decision
Analysis: I don’t know about that decision but neither guy did enough to really earn a convincing victory. Not much of a fight but it looks like Arlovski’s chin held up so he’s good to go for another fight as long as that stays the case. After looking to be done on at least a couple of occasions in his career, Arlovski just keeps on going. Sakai didn’t show much and wasn’t able to pull the trigger when he did have the upper hand.
(7) Ben Saunders vs. Takashi Sato (Welterweight)
ROUND ONE: Saunders landed some nice knees and was keeping the pressure on. He staggered Sato with a hook and then followed up with a couple more punches. Sato caught Saunders with a left. Saunders thought about going for a takedown to avoid getting hit but stayed on his feet and recovered. Saunders landed some knees in the clinch and Sato held on. 10-9 Saunders
ROUND TWO: Sato landed a right hand. Saunders worked some straight lefts with leg kicks. Saunders snuck in a couple of jabs. Sato then dropped him and pounced. He landed some big elbows on the ground and kept going until the fight was stopped. Saunders tried to pop up to dispute the finish but then he flopped into the cage so I’d say that was a good call.
Result: Takashi Sato by TKO at 1:18 of round two
Analysis: Nice come from behind performance from Sato. He showed early on that he could stun Saunders so he just waited for his moment, and when he got it, he capitalized. Nice win.
ESPN+ Main Card
(8) Roosevelt Roberts vs. Thomas Gifford (Lightweight)
ROUND ONE: Two tall lightweights here. Roberts took him down after some back and forth standing. Roberts passed to side control and Gifford went for a guillotine. He lost that and Roberts worked to get the mount. Gifford moved around a lot, making it difficult for Roberts to get to a good position. Gifford went for armbars but didn’t get anything particularly close. Roberts got out and landed a couple of punches. He worked on a kimura and landed some punches before the bell. 10-9 Roberts.
ROUND TWO: Roberts landed a few hard punches right away. He then countered a leg kick with another combo. Roberts showed some good head movement avoiding Gifford’s punches and landing counters. Gifford pressed forward but wasn’t landing much while Roberts was able to get some shots in. They clinched against the cage and Gifford pulled a guillotine but Roberts popped out. Roberts landed some punches on top until Gifford turned out and got his legs up in the air against the fence. It was an odd position but it seemed to neutralize Roberts’ offense. Gifford had a late armbar attempt but the horn went. 10-9 Roberts, 20-18.
ROUND THREE: Some heavy shots from Roberts in the first minute. They clinched and Gifford took him down. Roberts got back to his feet before Gifford could do anything with the takedown. Roberts got a takedown and looked for the kimura again. He didn’t get anywhere with it and went to Gifford’s guard. He landed some punches from the top as the round ended. 10-9 Roberts, 30-27
Result: 30-27 x 3 for Roosevelt Roberts by unanimous decision
Analysis: Kind of a weird fight. Gifford showed some ability to work for submissions but he didn’t have much else to offer. Roberts hit hard and worked hard on the ground, so he is definitely someone who can work his way up the lightweight rankings.
(9) John Lineker vs. Cory Sandhagen (Bantamweight)
ROUND ONE: Sandhagen was so much taller than Lineker. Lineker landed two nice body shots. He’s going to the body a lot, possibly because of the height difference. Sandhagen landed a right hook and is putting pressure on Lineker. Sandhagen went for a jumping knee. Lineker was just throwing haymakers and they all missed. Lineker landed a huge left hand. Sandhagen with multiple jabs and Lineker just throwing bombs that just missed. Leg kick from Sandhagen. He’s switching up his stance a lot as he circles the cage. Lineker with a leg kick. 10-9 Lineker
ROUND TWO: Body kick from Lineker and he followed up with some punches. Hard body shot from Lineker followed by some combinations, ending back on the body. Body kick from Sandhagen. He threw some jabs and then shot in for a takedown. He missed and pressed Lineker up against the cage and took him down. Lineker got up. Sandhagen landed a bunch of unanswered jabs. Sandhagen started to take over as Lineker slowed down his output. 10-9 Sandhagen, 19-19
ROUND THREE: Sandhagen worked the jab and teased a takedown attempt. Lineker came in throwing heavy shots, looking for a knockout. Sandhagen had no problem landing the jab. Lineker landed a big left. Lineker landed some jabs. Sandhagen with some leg kicks and a jab. Lineker rushed in with a flurry of punches, some of which connected. Sandhagen kept his distance. Lineker connected again with the left. Some more big shots from Lineker and Sandhagen shot in for a takedown but Lineker got a guillotine in. Sandhagen was gushing blood while in the choke. The horn went to end the fight. 10-9 Lineker, 29-28.
Result: 29-28 Sandhagen, 29-28 Lineker, 29-28 Sandhagen by split decision
Analysis: The crowd booed but this one really could have gone either way. It was a fun fight with Lineker throwing bombs any chance he had and Sandhagen taking a more tactical approach. Cory Sandhagen is definitely a player in the bantamweight division now.
(10) Glover Teixeira vs. Ion Cutelaba (Light Heavyweight)
ROUND ONE: I missed the first two minutes of this round. But Cutelaba caught Teixeira with a spinning back fist and then a knee that seemed to really hurt him. He nailed him with shots on the ground but Teixeira got up and seemed to recover. Cutelaba landed a big elbow as they broke from a clinch. A big jab from Cutelaba but Teixeira came back with a nice combo of his own. 10-9 Cutelaba
ROUND TWO: Nice right over top from Teixeira early. Glover rushed in and rocked Cutelaba. Teixeira missed a takedown attempt and Cutelaba landed some big punches and possibly a low blow that went uncalled. Glover landed a huge left and then a big right soon after. Teixeira pushed Cutelaba down and went to the mat with him. He moved to mount quickly and threw some punches and when Cutelaba gave up his back Teixeira got the RNC in and he tapped right away. Awesome win.
Result: Glover Teixeira by submission at 3:37 of round two
Analysis: That was a hell of a fight. Glover was hurt pretty early on in the fight and he came back to win. Cutelaba must have been really rocked from some of those punches because Teixeira just pushed him down and then moved to mount pretty quickly. Fun fight.
(11) Alex Oliveira vs. Mike Perry (Welterweight)
ROUND ONE: So Oliveira and Perry had a bit of a dance-off during Cowboy’s walkout and it was fantastic. Go back and watch. They both came out pretty hot as you might expect. Cowboy closed the distance and tried to take Perry down. No luck. Two big rights from Oliveira connected. They clinched and Perry landed a big right on the break. Cowboy rocked him with a combo. Oliveira missed a punch and Perry took his back and threw a big knee. Perry landed some big shots at the horn. 10-9 Perry, close round though.
ROUND TWO: Cowboy rushed in and Perry caught him and pushed him to the ground. Cowboy got up. Perry landed a big left. Cowboy rushed in after Perry dumped him on the mat. This is a wild, different kind of fight. Cowboy threw some leg kicks and missed a high kick. Perry took him down and was in half guard. He postured up and started throwing left hands at Oliveira. Perry landed a knee to the body before Cowboy got up. Cowboy looked to have hurt his foot at the very end of the round. 10-9 Perry, 20-18
ROUND THREE: Oliveira dislocated his toe and they reset it between rounds. Perry looked tired early on in the third. Perry rocked him with a left hand. Cowboy was moving pretty well considering he hurt his toe. Leg kick from Perry. Perry hurt Oliveira and he was wincing like he took an eye poke. Oliveira was turning away and running to get out of Perry’s way. Cowboy landed a left. Oliveira missed a spinning back fist at the end of the round. 10-9 Perry, 30-27
Result: 29-28 x 3 Mike Perry by unanimous decision.
Analysis: That was a fun and bizarre fight. I thought Perry won every round but it was closer than my scorecards indicates. Perry looked good here and despite the crazy fight, was disciplined in his approach. He was happy with the win. He talked about Darren Till and Colby Covington in his post-fight interview.
(12) Greg Hardy vs. Dmitrii Smoliakov (Heavyweight)
ROUND ONE: Hardy landed a couple of punches early, but nothing bit. Smoliakov was definitely keeping his distance and was hesitant to through. Smoliakov tried a couple of takedowns but couldn’t get it. Hardy then landed an uppercut out of nowhere that hurt him. Hardy went down with him and started throwing hammerfists. Smoliakov covered up and Hardy kept throwing until the ref stopped it.
Result: Greg Hardy by TKO at 2:15 of the first round
Analysis: Decent showing, about what you would have expected out of Hardy. I still feel a little slimy watching it. He’s going to have a hard time winning fans, so he’s going to have to get real good, real fast to justify his spot in the company. You could hear lots of boos from the crowd after his interview.
NEXT: UFC CONTINUES LACK OF DECENCY IN USING GREG HARDY
(13) Ronaldo Souza vs. Jack Hermansson (Middleweight)
ROUND ONE: Hermansson landed a big right after a bit of a feeling out period. Jacare countered with a right of his own. Hermansson using leg kicks. Jacare walked him down and got an uppercut and a body shot it. Hermansson was against the cage and Jacare was approaching. Hermansson dropped him with a combo and then he put Jacare in a choke. It looked solid but Jacare got out. Jacare looked really hurt from those punches though. They clinched against the fence for a bit. When they broke Hermansson threw a kick to the body and landed a couple of jabs. 10-9 Hermansson could maybe go 10-8 because of they near finish.
ROUND TWO: Leg kick from Hermansson. He used his jab and then threw a big right hand. Jacare landed a left hook. Hermansson threw some wild punches and a right landed. Hermansson got a takedown out of nowhere. Hermansson threw some small punches from Jacare’s guard. He had him down for quite a while and the crowd started getting impatient. The round ended with Hermansson on top landed short punches. 10-9 Hermansson, 20-18
ROUND THREE: Jacare defended an early takedown. Jacare opened up his striking a bit. Hermansson landed some leg kicks and tried to keep his distance. Jacare landed and Hermansson countered. Hermansson circling the outside and landing jabs. Jacare stuffed a takedown attempt. Jacare came in afterward with a big right. He landed another right and Hermansson covered up and backed off. He blocked another takedown attempt. Jacare landed a big right then a left hook. He dropped Hermansson with a left late in the round. 10-9 Jacare, 29-28 Hermansson.
ROUND FOUR: Hermansson with some kicks early on. Jacare landed a knee on a Hermansson takedown attempt. Hermansson landed a huge uppercut and followed up with a flurry of punches and Jacare was hurt but still firing back. Hermansson landed some jabs and increased the volume of his striking this round. Jacare was swinging bit looking for a knockout. Jacare landed a big right. Hermansson kept up with the jab and kicks. Jacare landed a couple of rights but he’s losing his power as the fight goes on. 10-9 Hermansson, 39-37 Hermansson.
ROUND FIVE: Hermansson with an early takedown. Jacare got up quickly though. Lots of jabs from Hermansson. Jacare was just getting peppered with jabs and didn’t seem to have much left in the tank. Jacare turned it up a bit with 90 seconds to go. Hermansson weathered that storm and went back to work on his jab. Jacare landed a couple of punches to the body. He then landed a right that may have rocked Hermansson. He landed another big right and some more to the body. Hermansson got the late takedown and that should seal the fight. 10-9 Hermansson, 49-46 Hermansson
Result: 49-46, 48-47, 48-47, Hermansson by unanimous decision
Analysis: I did not expect Hermansson to outstrike Jacare in the standup the way he did. That was an impressive performance and in going the full 25 minutes, he showed that he can hang with the big boys. Jacare didn’t have the killer instinct and couldn’t do much when the fight went to the ground. That said, I don’t think Jacare is done by any means. Hermansson said he wanted a top name in his next fight and that he wants the title.
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