Sports
UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs Holland – RECAP
UFC returns to Orlando with 8 knockouts and some insane wars!!
December 3rd, 2022
by Shaps, Frank Mieses
In the Main Event high-level welterweight strikers Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson and Kevin Holland engaged in the absolute war we all wanted to see. The exciting fight followed a leadup that was beyond friendly between the KO artists.
Round 1 – Great first round with a ton of action. Both guys landed big shots, however Holland got the better of it with some big blows. 10-9 Holland.
Round 2- What an amazing rd of action. Wonderboy was the aggressor, but Holland was landing some big shots. While Wonderboy seemed to get the rd, it was definitely a close one. 10-9 Thompson.
Round 3- Just no let up. What a war between both fighters. Thompson and Holland are going back and forth, but Thompson is landing the harder kicks and punches. 10-9 Thompson
Round 4- Thompson continues with the variety of kicks all over Holland and severely is hurting him, but Holland is unrelenting and showing his toughness by throwing with one arm, with the other arm possibly broken. Holland seems to be in a severe amount of pain. Referee has deemed the fight should not continue.
In a highly anticipated co-main event, Bryan Barbarena (18-8, fighting out of Glendale, Ariz.) looks to climb the rankings after three straight wins with a victory over former lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos (31-14, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) steps.
Round 1 – Dos Anjos takes Bryan down in the opening minute of the rd and contains him throughout the rd. 10-9 RDA
Round 2- RDA takes down Bryan and gets a rear naked choke to end the fight at 3:20 of the rd.
Rafael Dos Anjos squeezed his way into the Top 5 on the UFC’s all-time wins list by collecting a second-round submission win over Bryan Barberena in Saturday’s co-main event.
This was a record-setting effort all around for Dos Anjos, who passed Frankie Edgar for the most time spent in the Octagon along with earning his 21st UFC victory to climb into the Top 5.
Following the victory, “RDA” called for a date with Conor McGregor, citing the synergy of his lightweight title win over Donald Cerrone in Orlando six years ago in lobbying for the chance to face the notorious Irishman whenever he returns.
OTHER FIGHTS ON THE CARD INCLUDED
At flyweight, No. 6 ranked contender Matheus Nicolau (18-3-1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) collides with No. 7 Matt Schnell (16-7, fighting out of Shreveport, La.)
Matheus Nicolau finally picked up the statement victory he’s been missing to cement his standing as a flyweight contender.
The Brazilian stopped perennial tough out Matt Schnell in a clash of Top 10 fighters, dropping him in the first round with a clean left hand, and doing the same in the second. Schnell got back to his feet, but Nicolau quickly dropped him again, swarming for the finish and winning by TKO (strikes) at 1:44 of Round 2.
Nicolau has now won all four of his fights since returning to the UFC and seven of his eight appearances in the Octagon overall. After three straight victories to start his return to the biggest stage in the sport, this was the kind of knockout finish the former Ultimate Fighter contestant and ascending flyweight talent needed to put himself in the title conversation.
No. 4 ranked heavyweight Tai Tuivasa (15-4, fighting out of Western Sydney, NSW, Australia) aims for a signature finish when he faces streaking No. 5 Sergei Pavlovich (16-1, fighting out of Moscow, Russia)
Round 1 – Pavlovich starts the fight with bad intentions and lands an arsenal of power shots and absolutely devastates Tuivasa. Pavlovich wins by KO (strikes) at 0:54 of Round 1.
This was an incredible performance from the ascending contender, who has now won five straight, all inside the opening five minutes, to push his record to 17-1 overall and put himself in the title conversation in the heavyweight division.
An intriguing matchup in the middleweight division pits No. 8 Jack Hermansson (23-7, fighting out of Oslo, Norway by way of Uddevalla, Sweden) against rising contender Roman Dolidze (11-1, fighting out of Batumi, Georgia).
Round 1 – Round starts with Hermansson throwing leg kicks and really cool trolling the action by moving side to side and staying away from Dolidze. Hermansson lands a takedown and Dolidze reverses it. Fight goes back to the feet and with Hermansson moving side to side landing kicks. Hermansson 10-9
Round 2- Round starts with alot of the same action we saw in round 1. Hermansson shoots for a takedown and gets it. Dolidze transitions to an arm bar, but Hermansson gets out of it and Dolidze slides to the back of Hermansson and has a calf slicer on one of Hermansson’s legs and is landing some heavy GNP. Ref stops the fight at 4:06 of the rd.
Roman Dolidze made the absolute most of his short-notice opportunity against Jack Hermansson, finishing “The Joker” in the second round to pick up his third victory of the year and fourth straight win overall. After replacing Derek Brunson on short notice, Dolidze should find his way into the Top 10 with this victory.
Opening the main card, middleweights battle as Eryk Anders (14-7, fighting out of Birmingham, Ala.) intends to make a statement against Kyle Daukas (11-3, fighting out of Philadelphia, Pa.)
Round 1 – Great action-packed first round with Anders getting the better of the action. Anders is throwing heavy shots and drops Daukaus who really seems hurt as the rd closes. 10-9 Anders
Round 2- Anders continues the onslaught and hurts Daukaus. He finished the fight with GNP at 2:45 of Round 2. The former National champion linebacker and one-time middleweight contender looked sharp and snaps a two-fight slide and brings his record to even at 7-7 with one No Contest inside the Octagon.
Niko Price (15-5, 2 NC fighting out of Cape Coral, Fla.) and Phil Rowe (9-3, fighting out of Orlando, Fla.) meet in welterweight war.
Round 1 – Price and Rowe going back and forth. Rowe is the better boxer and is landing very nice straight punches on Price while Price is throwing hooks. Rowe got the better of the action though and should win rd 1. Rowe 10-9.
Round 2- Great back and forth action by both fighters. Niko shoots for a takedown and Rowe reverses and ends up putting a body triangle on Niko. Niko is able to get out and they end up in a strike fest. Close rd however I have to go with Rowe. Rowe 10-9.
Round 3- One of the craziest rounds you will ever see. Niko is piecing up Rowe and gets him to the ground. He is landing some vicious ground-and-pound, but Rowe is defending well. Rowe is able to get the fight back to his feet and Price is completely gassed throwing looping punches and Rowe lands a straight. It’s all over. Phil Rowe defeats Niko Price by TKO (strikes) at 3:26 of Round 3.
The Orlando native got the better of things in the first, using his range and working behind clean strikes to keep Price at range. The second was a little closer, and Price came out like a marauder to start the third, hurting “The Fresh Prince” and emptying the tank as he chased a finish. When it didn’t materialize, Price was dead in the water and Rowe took aim.
After losing his promotional debut, Rowe, the DWCS graduate has now won three straight, all by stoppage, to establish himself as someone to keep close tabs on in the welterweight division in 2023 and beyond.
An exciting women’s strawweight bout sees Angela Hill (14-12, fighting out of San Diego, California by way of Clinton, Md.) and Emily Ducote (12-6, fighting out of Oklahoma City, Ok.) lock horns.
Round 1 –Hill is controlling the action with a broad range of kicks and punches. She has the obvious speed advantage and is throwing nice combos. Hill gets the round. 10-9 Hill.
Round 2- Hill is continuing her onslaught of combinations on Ducote and is controlling the action. Ducote really hasn’t been able to respond to Hill’s combinations. Hill takes rd 2
Round 3- Hill is continuing the action and is dominating Ducote. It is basically a sparring match with Hill getting the upper hand. The crowd is not overly pleased with Hill’s dominant performance as she takes the unanimous decision victory (30-27, 30-27, 30-27),
After dropping three straight and five of six not that long ago, Hill closes out 2022 on a two-fight winning streak to further solidify her place in the strawweight division. For Ducote, it’s a disappointing loss that should produce some teachable moments heading into her second year on the UFC roster.
Lightweight-veteran Clay Guida (37-19, fighting out of Johnsburg, Ill.) returns to action against Scott Holtzman (14-5, fighting out of Knoxville, Tenn.)
Round 1 – Holtzman is being the aggressor and is moving forward while Guida is trying to counter. Scott landed the heavier shots and should get Rd 1. 10-9 -Holtzman
Round 2- Guida starts the rd attempting takedowns and finally gets one. Scott gets up and both fighters trade, however Guida got the better of the rd. 10-9 Guida
Round 3- Back and forth action between both fighters and Guida lands a nice takedown and does what Guida does in his vintage grind it out style. Guida should win this fight 29-28.
“The Carpenter” wins by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) and now climbs into third place in UFC in terms of takedowns landed. With the win, Guida moves to 38-22 in his career with the victory, while Holtzman falls to 14-6, wrapping up his career on a three-fight slide.
Michael Johnson (21-18, fighting out of St. Louis Mo.) clashes with Marc Diakiese (16-5, fighting out of Doncaster, England by way of the Democratic Republic of the Congo) at lightweight.
Round 1 – Great action between Johnson and Diakiese. Johnson is moving forward as the aggressor while Diakiese is looking for the perfect counter. Great action between both guys however Johnson got the better of the round. 10-9 Johnson
Round 2- Johnson continues the rd being the aggressor and is landing everything in his arsenal with very nice boxing. Diakiese is trying to get back to the calf kick but is missing consistently. Johnson wins Rd 2. 10-9 Johnson
Round 3- This rd did not disappointment. Johnson was utilizing his crisp boxing while Diakiese was countering with some nice action. Johnson though got the better of the rd and should win this fight 30-27.
The Ultimate Fighter alum does win (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) and moves to 2-1 in 2022, 13-14 in the UFC, and 22-18 overall for his career with the victory.
Featherweights go to war as Darren Elkins (27-10, fighting out of Portage, In.) meets streaking Jonathan Pearce (13-4, fighting out of Phoenix, Ariz. By way of Johnson City, Tenn.)
Jonathan Pearce just keeps posting wins. Since moving down to featherweight, the Contender Series graduate has earned five straight victories, adding to that total with a one-sided, dominant decision win over Darren Elkins (30-26, 30-27, 30-27).
Natan Levy (7-1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev. by way of Herzliya, Israel) squares off against Genaro Valdez (10-1, fighting out of Tijuana, Mexico) at lightweight.
Round 1 – Round starts with Levy throwing kicks and Valdez boxing. Both fighters trading consistently throughout the rd. Levy lands a nice head kick and drops Valdez. Valdez pops back up, but Levy lands a brutal shot to the body that hurts Valdez. Levy took over the last two minutes with his variety of kicks landed on Valdez to win the round. 10-9 Levy
Round 2- both fighters trading with Valdez getting the better of the action with crisp boxing and being the aggressor. Levy lands a nice head kick and shoots for a takedown. Valdez is defending nicely. However, Levy finally gets the takedown. Rd finishes with not much action. 10-9 Valdez
Round 3- Round starts with each fighter needing to make a statement. Both fighters trading and Levy lands a kick to the groin. Valdez wants to restart the action. Valdez continues with his nice boxing combos on Levy. Levy is really trying for the takedown but Valdez defending nicely. Levy shoots for a takedown and finally gets it. Levy finishes the rd with control, but no action. 10-9 Levy.
When the scores were tallied, Levy came out with a victorious unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27), collecting his second straight UFC win. For Valdez, it’s a hard-fought loss and a second straight defeat to start his time competing in the Octagon.
Featherweight action sees Marcelo Rojo (16-8, fighting out of Tijuana, Mexico by way of Río Cuarto, Cordoba, Argentina) welcome undefeated Dana White’s Contender Series signee Francis Marshall (6-0, fighting out of Jersey City, N.J.)
Round 1 –Fighters are patiently trading back and forth with Rojo working the calf kicks. Marshall shoots for a takedown however Rojo stops it and Marshall lands a nice punch to knockdown Rojo. Rojo pops back to his feet but Marshall finally gets the takedown. Marshall is on top and slides to side control. Not much action after that. 10-9 Marshall
Round 2- Round starts with Marshall as the aggressor. Both fighters trading and Marshall lands a nasty right hook and KOs Rojo at 1:14 of the rd.
Just 23 years old, the Kurt Pellegrino protege remains unbeaten with the knockout win, moving his record to 7-0 while announcing himself as someone to watch in the featherweight division.
Kicking off the night in the strawweight division, 25-year-old Yasmine Jaregui (9-0, fighting out of Tijuana, Mexico) sets out to extend her perfect resume against Istela Nunes (6-3 1 NC, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Round 1 – Back and forth action with both fighters trading. Nunes drops Yazmin, but Yazmin recovers quickly. Yazmin pushing the action and was aggressive to finish the rd however with the Knockdown i give it to Nunes. 10-9 Nunes
Round 2 – Yazmin is keeping the aggression and knocks down Nunes. Nunes gets up, but is taking punishment. Yazmin with another knockdown and is ground and pounding Nunes. Yazmin with serious elbows and Nunes is not responding much. Ref has no choice to stop the fight.
Yazmin Jauregui defeats Istela Nunes by TKO (strikes) at 4:06 of Round 2
Visit the UFC.com for more information.
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