The UFC closes out the 2015 year in style with it’s 17th installment of UFC on FOX headlined by Rafael dos Anjos and Donald Cerrone. Here are the results of the prelims that are shown on UFC Fight Pass, and Fox Sports 1. UFC on FOX results will be updated in real time, so sit back and enjoy the fights!
Ngannou smashed Henrique in opening bout
It appears the UFC’s shallow heavyweight division has some new talent. The massive 6’4″ Francis Ngannou wins his UFC debut against fellow debuting talent Luis Henrique with a second round KO. Henrique stole the first round after catching a kick and putting his hulkish opponent on his back. Ngannou waited patiently however, stuffed some takedowns in the second round, and then smashed Henrique with a blistering punching combination. A few lead lefts put Henrique on his heels, and then a beautiful left uppercut put Henrique out cold. Ngannou, the Frenchman, is an exciting new prospect in the heavyweight division – he showed decent takedown defense, good boxing, and stunning knockout power to couple his 83″ reach.
Luque gets revenge, chokes out Hayder Hassan with anaconda
In what was a rematch between two TUF: ATT vs. Blackzilians competitors, Vincente Luque scored revenge over Hayder Hassan. From the beginning, Hassan looked his normal self as he began throwing heavy shots – many coming close to their target. Luque pressured Hassan with footwork, but waited patienty. A clean right hand blasted Hassan against the cage, forcing him to shoot for a takedown. Luque defended, and synched up an anaconda choke. Luque swept Hassan to the mat and tightened the hold, putting Hassan out cold at just 2:13 into the first round. Very impressive submission and execution from Luque.
Usman wears down, dominates Edwards
TUF: ATT vs. Blackzilians winner, Kamaru Usman, used his dominate wrestling approach to wear down and batter prospect Leon Edwards for three rounds. Things didn’t start off easily for the Nigerian; Edwards landed clean strikes, avoided the clinch, and threatened with a triangle choke in the first round. From there, Usman steadily took over the bout as he was able to tie up with Edwards, take him down, and smash him with punches and knees. It was a very physical performance from Usman who put a lot of pressure on Edwards from the second round until the end. Ironically, the hardest shot of the night was landed by Usman in the second round when a short left hook put Edwards on his heels. Great showing from the TUF winner over a dangerous prospect in Leon Edwards.
Miller/Alers ruled No Contest due to eye poke
It was an anti-climactic ending to what was a good, competitive fight between Jim Alers and Cole Miller. However, Alers caught Miller with an accidental eye poke in the second round coming in which haulted the bout. Miller said he was unable to see even after taking several minutes to try and recover – the bout was ruled a No Contest. Throughout the fight, Alers tried to close the distance and land his hard punches, but Miller’s jab and straight punches were giving him trouble. In the second round, Miller continued to land his technical shots, but just as he was gaining some momentum there was the accidental eye poke.
Nik Lentz defeats Castillo by split decision
Returning to lightweight, Nik Lentz was successful in defeating Danny Castillo by split decision – turning Castillo’s recent skid into four straight losses. Lentz and Castillo engaged in several entertaining grappling exchanges, but Lentz’s pressure and aggression was too much for Castillo. They both landed some decent shots on the feet, but Lentz’s relentless takedowns and top game scored him enough points on the scorecards to give him the judge’s favor. Castillo was able to get off some good offense as well as he scored several takedowns throughout the bout, but Lentz met them with guillotine attempts, and almost always got back up to his feet. Very impressive lightweight return for Nik Lentz.
McCrory chokes Samman in round three
Tamdan McCrory made a successful return to the UFC courtesy of his high-level Brazilian jiu-jitsu game. Samman and McCrory both obliged to the grappling game, but it was McCrory who always seemed one step ahead of the Florida-native. Samman took McCrory down several times, but immediately found himself in submission danger. McCrory threatened with triangles, armbars, kimuras, and omoplatas off of his back, but Samman slipped out of nearly every attempt – until the third round. After taking top position and landing effective flurries of ground and pound, Samman reversed position for the final part of round three. McCrory however immediately attacked from his guard with a triangle choke attempt. Samman couldn’t get out of this one, and forced Samman to submit. Very impressive return by “The Barncat”.
Bantamweight newcomer Shevchenko decisions Kaufman
In her highly-anticipated UFC debut, 17-time muay thai champion Valentina Shevchenko pulled away with the split decision against #5 ranked Sarah Kaufman. In a surprising turn of events, Shevchenko (who took the fight on 8-days notice) dominated the clinch and takedown game between the two. Shevchenko had no problem throwing Kaufman to the mat and establishing top control on the contender. However, Shevchenko never really opened up on the feet outside of a few body kicks. It wasn’t until he third round that Kaufman had much success when she turned the tables on Shevchenko and took her to the ground. Kaufman dominated total ground strikes, and had Shevchenko mounted near the end of the bout. It was too little too late for Kaufman though as Shevchenko took the split decision on the scorecards.
Marquardt snaps recent losing streak, starches CB Dolloway
Things weren’t looking too good for Nate Marquardt going into the second round against fellow middleweight CB Dolloway. Nate found himself on rubbery legs earlier in round one, something he has become all too accustomed to due to his recent losing streak. However, a clean right hand counter on a blitzing CB Dolloway was all it took to put “The Doberman” out cold. Marquardt was offering very little outside of some powerful leg kicks in round one, but as the savvy veteran that he is, you can’t count this old dog out – not even if you’re a Doberman (sorry, bad pun). Fantastic win for Marquardt, clean KO – hopefully this gives him the momentum he needs to continue to give out some more great performances.
Oliveira guillotines Jury in round one
Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira made quick work of Myles Jury in Jury’s 145 lb debut. Unfortunately for Jury, Oliveira proved to be too much of a test. Once again, Oliveira’s jiu-jitsu game proves too dominant for most who come across it. Oliveira quickly took Jury down and transitions to the back. He couldn’t get the rear-naked; Jury defended very well and eventually get back up to his feet. Waiting for him was a tight guillotine which Oliveira slapped on with great technical expertise. Oliveira committed to the choke and quickly got the tap just a few minutes into the first round. Oliveira’s Brazilian jiu-jitsu continues to prevail against the division’s best.
