LIVE UFC BROOKLYN REPORT: Real-time results & analysis of Cejudo-Dillashaw, Hardy-Crowder

UFC Fight Night Brooklyn
January 19, 2019
Brooklyn, New York from Barclays Center
Live on ESPN+ (6 PM ET), ESPN (8 PM ET), and ESPN+ (10 PM ET)

ESPN+ Prelims

Chance Rencountre vs. Kyle Stewart (Welterweight/170)

Favorite: Kyle Stewart -160

Round 1: They are exchanging straight shots in the center of the octagon right out of the gate! Stewart fires off a kick and it lands low. Rencountre will get up to five minutes to recover. Back to the action and Rencountre shoots in for a double leg. Stewart is down against the fence but he’s looking to stand up. -Rencountre is looking to tie Stewart up and possibly take his back. He has a body lock along with one hook against the fence. Rencountre pulls Stewart’s hips down and he now has the back on the ground with one hook in. Rencountre transitions to the mount but returns to the back as Stewart attempts to stand. Rencountre has an arm under Stewart’s neck and he’s looking for a finish here. Stewart taps and this fight is over! Rencountre used great control and showed himself to be the superior grappler. This is the sixth first round finish of his career.

Result: Chance Rencountre def. Kyle Stewart via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) Round 1, 2:21

Analysis: Chance Rencountre picked up his first UFC win here, and he did so in very impressive fashion. Stewart never got to show much of his skill set but he did take this fight on short notice so perhaps he will get another shot despite the poor performance.

Belal Muhammad vs. Geoff Neal (Welterweight)

Favorite: Geoff Neal -190

Round 1:  Muhammad is dancing around early as Neal stalks him. Short right-hand lands for Neal. Neal connects with a body kick and from there secures a clinch against the fence. Muhammad secures an under hook though and uses it to escape back to the center. Neal lands a left had but Muhammad connects with a counter shot. Muhammad shoots in for a double, but Neal is managing to stay on his feet so far. He breaks Muhammad’s grip and we are back in the center of the octagon. Muhammad is allowing Neal to control the pace of the fight. He’s allowing Neal to throw and for the most part is not returning counter shots of his own. Neal doesn’t seem to have any respect for Muhammad’s power. Muhammad shoots in for a single but Neal steps right out of it. (10-9 Neal)

Round 2: Muhmmad connects with a right body kick out of the gate but Neal returns a series of punches and Muhammad ate most of them. Muhammad scores with a quick takedown but Neal pops right back up. Muhammad is getting caught in the pocket. He’s landing shots of his own, but Neal is certainly landing the bigger shots. Muhammad connects with a serious left hook to the body! Neal is avoiding a lot of the shots to the head, but he is not defending his body well. Muhammad is looking for a takedown again, but Neal defends once again. Muhammad whiffs on a jab and Neal returns a hook to the body. Muhammad eats a left hook and then a right! Neal lands another right hand in the final seconds of the round! That last flurry by Neal made things interesting but I still think this was Muhammad’s round. (10-9 Muhammad)

Round 3: Neal lands a solid left hand in the initial exchange. Neal has slowed a bit but not enough for is to be an issue yet. Muhammad shoots in for a lazy takedown, but Neal’s defense holds up. Muhammad moves in for another takedown, but Neal stops it again. Neal connects with a left hand and Muhammad is down! Neal is looking for a finish! Muhammad is busted open but he’s back on his feet with two and a half minutes left in the round. Muhammad is starting to slow down; his shots do not have much behind them. Neal lands a grazing Headkick but Muhmmad shakes it and returns a right hand. Headkick lands for Neal and Muhammad is down! Muhammad is surviving! He’s back on his feet but Neal is firing shots at the bloody and busted face of Belal Muhammad! This fight absolutely lived up to the hype! Geoff Neal will probably get the decision here but Belal Muhammad again showed the heart that he is becoming well known for. (10-9 Neal)

Result: Geoff Neal def. Belal Muhammad via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)

Analysis: Geoff Neal’s post fight speech reminded me of why I am a fan. He’s such a humble guy that it’s just hard not to cheer for him. The same thing applies for Muhammad though. Good fight by two good fighters and it will be interesting to see what is next for both guys.

Dennis Bermudez vs. Te Edwards (Lightweight/155)

Favorite: Te Edwards -130  

Round 1: We are seeing some good exchanges early. Edwards connects with a grazing head kick. Bermudez shoots in for a single leg but Edwards steps out of it. Good short left-hand lands for Bermudez. Bermudez is looking for another takedown but Edwards steps out of it again. Bermudez connects with a right hand against the fence. Bermudez shoots in for another takedown, and Edwards sprawls but ends up giving up the position anyway. Bermudez is in top control in the half guard position and Edwards isn’t doing anything about it. Bermudez is starting to mix up some ground and pound in the final seconds of the round. Weird round and game plan by Bermudez but it appears to be working and Edwards seems a bit resigned to his fate when he ends up in some of these bad positions that we’ve seen him in. (10-9 Bermudez)

Round 2: Bermudez moves in for a takedown. Edwards briefly had the neck, but Bermudez pushed through and completed the takedown. Bermudez moves into side control and he’s looking for a kimura with plenty of time left in the round. Bermudez seemed to be in a really good position to complete the arm lock, but he let Edwards out of it. That was a weird sequence of events…Edwards is back on his feet and Bermudez follows. Bermudez scores again with a quick takedown. Edwards didn’t seem to offer up much defense really. Bermudez is in top position with thirty seconds left. Bermudez has been slowly cooking Edwards throughout this entire fight and its impressive but still somewhat interesting seeing such a measured performance from him. He’s usually a pretty wild fighter. (10-9 Bermudez)

Round 3: Trevor Wittman is joining the commentary team at the start of each round and he is explaining certain moments from the previous round. It’s a bit of an interesting touch and it’s something that I hope continues. He isn’t staying for the entire round but still it enhances the product, I think. Bermudez scores with an early takedown and it seems like Edwards is dealing with fatigue here. Bermudez is looking for a mounted guillotine, but Edwards is fighting it! Three minutes remain in the round. Bermudez gives up the choke attempt and he is looking to soften his opponents up with punches and elbows. Bermudez now moves to the armbar, but Edwards defends and pulls out of the position. Edwards is looking for some magic on the feet, but Bermudez takes him right back down. Just a fantastic performance tonight by Dennis Bermudez here tonight and so far, it looks like lightweight was the right move for him. Edwards lands a few parting shots as the round ends, but it just wasn’t enough (10-9 Bermudez) (30-27 Bermudez)

Result: Dennis Bermudez def. Te Edwards via Unanimous Decision (30-26 x3)

Analysis: Dennis Bermudez retired post fight and gave a shout out to his uncle who is suffering from cancer. He fought 17 times in the UFC and will now go out with a win in his final fight.

ESPN Prelims

Cory Sandhagen vs. Maurio Bautista (Bantamweight/135)

Favorite: Cory Sandhagen

Round 1: As I turned the fight on the first thing, I saw was Sandhagen connect with a big flying knee. Bautista is down but right back on his feet! Bautista is up and shoots for a takedown but falls right into an inverted triangle choke! Bautista escapes though but Sandhagen is staying on him.  Sandhagen is looking for an armbar and this fight is over! Well…that was quite a way to kick of the ESPN prelims. Cory Sandhagen continues to pull rabbits out of the hat and that’s the second reference to magic that I’ve made tonight.

Result: Cory Sandhagen def. Maurio Bautista via Submission (Armbar) Round 1, 3:31

Analysis: Cory Sandhagen asked for a top ten opponent next and after that performance I think he should get one. He is absolutely a fighter to watch in this division.

Alonzo Menifield vs. Vinicius Moreira (Light-heavyweight/205)

Favorite: Alonzo Menifield -280

Round 1: Menifield scores early with a knockdown! Moreira is defending himself though and Menifield lets him up. Menifield connects with a jab and then a hard-right hand! Moreira is very stiff. Menifield lands another right hand! He is a sitting duck right now if he can’t get this fight down to the ground. Moreira connects with a short spinning back kick and secures an under hook! He forces the fight against the fence and he is forcing Menifield to work now. The Brazilian is looking for a takedown but Menifield is defending is so far. Menifield finds some separation and lands a big right hand off an ill-timed spinning kick by his opponent! Moreira is down, and he is out after absorbing a few shots on the ground! Alonzo Menifield now moves to 8-0 in his MMA career and he is now officially 1-0 in the UFC.

Result: Alonzo Menifield def. Vinicius Moreira via TKO (Punches) Round 1

Analysis: Menifield was very aggressive early in looking for a finish but Moreira made him work for it. He found it in the end though and he is without a doubt one of the more interesting prospects in the division now.

Joanne Calderwood vs. Ariane Lipski (Flyweight/125)

Favorite: Ariane Lipski -200

Round 1:  Lipski opens up early with a mean flurry of strikes! Calderwood grabs a clinch and forces the fight against the fence and they are now fighting for position there. Calderwood completes a takedown and she is now threatening with a rear naked choke. Lipski is defending so Calderwood transitions to mount, and she is now threatening with a head and arm triangle choke. Lipski is fighting, and again Calderwood transitions, she takes the back again and is looking for another rear naked choke. Calderwood transitions to the armbar attempt with twenty seconds left in the round! Lipski will survive but that was a nice string of sub attempts by Calderwood who is mostly known for her striking. (10-9 Calderwood)

Round 2: Calderwood connects early with a right hook! Lipski will definitely be looking to keep this fight on the ground, but you have to wonder how long it will be until Calderwood looks for the ground again. Short knee connects for Calderwood. Calderwood is targeting the thigh of Lipski with a front kick, and its clearly frustrating her opponent a bit. Right hand lands for Calderwood and then she covers up to avoid a return combination from Lipski. Calderwood secures an under hook and forces the fight against the fence. It was from this position earlier that Calderwood took the fight to the ground. (10-9 Calderwood)

Round 3: Calderwood is mixing it up early. She scores with a slick spinning elbow and Lipski seems to be dealing with a bit of shell shock. Just as I say that she scores with a nice headlock takedown. She is now looking to get something done from side control with two and a half minutes left in the round. Calderwood recovers her guard and closes it. She is probably just looking to avoid big damage at this point. She throws up an armbar and Lipski could be in trouble here! Lipski is defending but she is running out of time to make something happen in this fight. Lipski escapes the armbar but Calderwood recovers guard again. She attacks with another armbar, but Lipski will be saved by the bell. My best guess is that Calderwood won all three rounds here. (10-9 Calderwood) (30-27 Calderwood)

Result: Joanne Calderwood def. Ariane Lipski via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-26 x2)

Analysis: Joanne Calderwood had a fantastic and very well-rounded performance tonight. She took on a newcomer to the UFC but was still an underdog so that probably just makes this win a little bit sweeter.

Donald Cerrone vs. (11) Alexander Hernandez (Lightweight/155)

Favorite:  Alexander Hernandez

Round 1: Hernandez connects early with a big left hand! Cerrone changes levels and completes a takedown! Hernandez struggles to his feet but Cerrone takes him right back down! Again, though Hernandez climbs back to his feet! Hernandez has a clinch and they are exchanging knees! Cerrone lands a hard right straight that backs Hernandez up a bit. Cerrone lands a grazing head kick as they separate from a clinch. Hernandez eats a hard-right knee! Hernandez is busted open and Cerrone is starting to pile on the strikes. Big elbow lands for Cerrone and a left hook! Cerrone’s timing is perfect! Huge knee lands for Donald Cerrone! Wow this is a hell of a fight! Hernandez just avoids a last second high kick from Cerrone! Wow I’m having trouble breathing! (10-9 Cerrone) In case you couldn’t tell I thought that was a great round. Cerrone is landing some big shots but Hernandez just keeps moving forward and isn’t allowing himself to be broken.

Round 2: Hernandez is looking for a takedown early after forcing the fight against the fence. Cerrone separates and lands a low kick. Cerrone is attacking with a flurry of strikes! Hernandez is trying to get off the line but Cerrone has him in his sites! Kick to the body lands for Donald Cerrone!  Cerrone has a clinch and he lands some hard knees to the body of Alex Hernandez! Hernandez lands a jab and a short elbow! He’s still in this fight! Cerrone is starting to mix up punches and kicks to the body and legs! Huge Headkick lands for Cerrone!!! Hernandez is tough but Cerrone is beating the hell out of him! And this fight is over! Wow! Wow! Wow!

Result: Donald Cerrone def. Alexander Hernandez via TKO (Headkick and Punches) Round 2, 3:43

Analysis: Well I pretty much said it all above. That was an absolutely fantastic fight! Alex Hernandez is as tough as they come but Donald Cerrone is just an absolute savage. He is 36 and just took out a young up and comer like it was nothing. That was his 40^th fight under the UFC/WEC banner and man was it something to see.

ESPN+ Main Card

(12) Glover Teixeira vs. Karl Roberson (Light-heavyweight)

Favorite: Pick Em

Round 1: Teixeira moves in for a quick takedown but Roberson scores with some big elbows early against the fence! We saw him use those to defeat Ryan Spann on the Tuesday Night Contender Series. Teixeira is on his feet but he’s struggling to get a takedown! He was badly hurt by those elbows! He finds it though and takes the mount! Quite a turn of events there for the Brazilian! Teixeira moves into side control looking for an arm triangle and Roberson taps! Great back and forth fight there and what an effort by Glover Teixeira to survive those elbows!

Result: Glover Teixeira def. Karl Roberson via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) Round 1, 3:21

Analysis: Karl Roberson let a massive win slip right through his fingers but what can you do? Glover Teixeira is a solid veteran and he proved that here tonight.

Rachael Ostovich vs. Paige Van Zant (Flyweight/125)

Favorite: Paige Van Zant -180

Round 1:  They exchange trip takedowns early. Ostovich is currently in top control in Van Zant’s guard. Nothing is happening, and we see a stand up. Ostovich scores with another takedown and she is threatening the neck of PVZ. She has a guillotine but its hard to tell how tight it is. The grip is broken but Ostovich still has top control. PVZ went for an ankle lock but Ostovich kicks out of it. Ostovich is on her feet and takes PVZ down in the final seconds of the round. (10-9 Ostovich) It is what it is so far. Ostovich is bullying PVZ in the grappling exchanges but she needs to watch out for submission attempts.

Round 2: Ostovich scores early with another takedown. PVZ escapes out of the back though and takes the back of Rachael Ostovich. Paige Van Zant transitions to mount and she is landing some shots from there. She is now attacking with an armbar and Ostovich taps! Nice come from behind victory for Van Zant but tough break for Rachael Ostovich.

Result: Paige Van Zant def. Rachael Ostovich via Submission (Armbar) Round 2, 1:12

Analysis: Paige Van Zant did not look good in the first round, but she got it together in the second. Rachael Ostovich had a good story and gave a good performance, so I assume we will see her again.

(2) Joseph Benavidez vs. (8) Dustin Ortiz (Flyweight/125)

Favorite: Joseph Benavidez -240

Round 1:  Benavidez scores early with a takedown and then another. Ortiz is working to his feet with the aid of the fence. Benavidez connects with a huge left hand and Ortiz is down! He appears to be okay, but Benavidez jumps down into his guard and passes right into half guard. (10-9 Benavidez) I missed a part of this round but from what I saw it was all Benavidez.

Round 2: Benavidez moves in for a takedown early but Ortiz sprawls. Benavidez connects with a sweeping low kick. Ortiz connects with a short-left hook and Benavidez appears to be a bit off. Benavidez forces the fight against the fence, but Ortiz has his neck. Ortiz looks for a takedown, but Benavidez shoves his head to the mat and keeps his footing. Benavidez tries taking the back, but Ortiz moves with him and takes him down. We are seeing lots of good wrestling exchanges here in the middle of the round. Ortiz briefly takes side control but Benavidez pops back up to his feet. Benavidez connects with a nice left hook just as Ortiz drops for a takedown. Ortiz completes it anyway though and he takes the back of Joseph Benavidez, but he only has ten seconds to work here. (10-9 Ortiz) But it was a very close round and it could easily be 2-0 Benavidez. The first was far more decisive than the second though.

Round 3: Ortiz scores early with a side kick to the body and follows it up with a right hand. Benavidez follows it up with a takedown though and he’s working for top control. Ortiz sweeps him, but Benavidez reverses it right back. The referee keeps warning Ortiz for throwing illegal elbows, but they appear to be legal. I’m not sure what the deal is with those. Benavidez takes the back and he is now working from there with a body triangle. He’s looking for a rear naked choke, but Ortiz is defending. Ortiz is back on his feet, but Benavidez still has his back and pulls him right back down. Ortiz nearly completes a reversal, but Benavidez manages to stay with him. Ortiz now has a body lock against the fence, but Benavidez has his neck! They’re scrambling, and Ortiz nearly takes the back, but Benavidez defends. Ortiz lands a few crisp shots in the final seconds of the round, but Benavidez probably did enough here. (10-9 Benavidez) (29-28 Benavidez)

Result: Joseph Benavidez def. Dustin Ortiz via Unanimous Decision

Gregor Gillespie vs. Yancy Medeiros (Lightweight/155)

Favorite: Gregor Gillespie -475

Round 1: Gillespie is bullying his opponent early with a body lock as he attempts takedowns. Medeiros is looking to get up, but Gillespie is staying on him. Relentless pressure here by Gillespie so far. Dominant round for Gillespie but not a whole lot happened. (10-9 Gillespie)

Round 2: Gillespie scores early with another takedown and he is just dominant from these positions. Gillespie moves into mount and Medeiros isn’t offering up much of anything. Gillespie is attacking with punches and Medeiros is rolling to his back. Gillespie is turning up the heat and landing shots here! This fight is over! Medeiros just never had an inch and was controlled from start to finish.

Result: Gregor Gillespie def. Yancy Medeiros via TKO (Punches) Round 2, 4:59

Analysis: I am sorry that the results aren’t more thorough but honestly that was nothing but a dominant grappling performance by Gillespie. He scored with takedowns early and then just systematically broke his opponent down until he found the stoppage. This fight was not even somewhat competitive, and Gillespie is going to be a problem. He is talking about how tactical his approach was in his post-fight speech and its great and you should listen to it. He’s a funny guy and an interesting fighter to watch.

Greg Hardy vs. Allen Crowder (Heavyweight/265)

Favorite: Greg Hardy -475

Round 1:  Hardy connects early with a left hand. Crowder is okay, but Hardy is turning it up! Crowder has a body lock and he’s looking to control Hardy against the fence. Crowder scores with a takedown and things just got interesting. Hardy almost got to his feet, but Crowder takes him down again. Crowder moves into side control, but Hardy is trying to cage walk. Crowder takes the neck and jumps guard, but Hardy pulls out and he’s now in top position. Crowder is working from his back but so far Hardy is defending. (10-9 Crowder) I am not really sure what to say. Its not bad but it isn’t good. Hardy looks absolutely shot. He is taking deep, deep breathes.

Round 2: Both guys seem tired. Crowder is taunting Hardy. He lands a few big shots and shoots in for a takedown but Hardy sprawls it. Hardy lands an illegal knee and the doctors have filled the cage. This fight is over, and Greg Hardy has been disqualified. Well that was not a good look for Hardy. He looked like a guy in his forth fight and appeared to run out of gas pretty early. I guess we’ll see what the future holds for the former NFL All-Pro.

Result: Allen Crowder def. Greg Hardy via DQ (Illegal Knee) Round 2, 2:28

©Henry Cejudo vs. TJ Dillashaw for UFC Flyweight Championship

Favorite: TJ Dillashaw

Round 1: Cejudo connects early and Dillashaw is down! Cejudo is looking for the kill! Dillashaw is looking to get to his feet but eats an uppercut and Dillashaw is down again! Cejudo is landing some shots and this fight is over! Wow…well…I am not sure what to say.

Result: Henry Cejudo def. TJ Dillashaw via TKO (Punches) Round 1, 0:32

Analysis: Questionable stoppage but I’m not mad about it. Cejudo looked great and now wants to face Dillashaw at bantamweight. Benavidez will want the next shot at Cejudo but really a rematch with Dillashaw makes sense.