UFC Fight Night: Smith vs Teixeira Review
UFC Fight Night: Smith vs Teixeira continued the momentum of UFC 249 with a very exciting card. Nearly every single fight was fast paced, and back and fourth, which is what the fans love to see. This card may not have had the same draw as the prior event, but had just as, if not more exciting action.
Prelims
Chase Sherman vs Ike Villanueva
Chase Sherman made his UFC return in emphatic fashion. After being let go from the UFC, Sherman amassed a 3 fight winning streak, all of which coming by way of first round knockout. He dominated Villanueva who, to his credit, has a tough chin. He took more punishment than most heavyweights could, especially as somebody who prefers to fight as 205.
Chase Sherman tore up Villanueva’s lead leg, reducing his mobility, and making it easier to land those big shots. They traded combinations early, but Sherman hurt Villanueva in the second, and finished him with an elbow.
Hunter Azure vs Brian Kelleher
Brian Kelleher puts an end to Hunter Azure’s undefeated record, in dominant fashion. Azure came out strong, dictating the pace in round one, but Kelleher regained his confidence in the second, and got the finish.
Kelleher typically fights at Bantamweight, but fought at Featherweight on this occasion, as the UFC didn’t want him to endure such a strenuous weight cut. He called out Sean O’Malley post fight, telling Dana White “Get Suga Sean [O’Malley] stop protecting this guy. Get some joint papers, roll him up for me, I’m going to smoke his a**.” a Sean O’Malley vs Brian Kelleher fight could be something we see in the near future, which is a fight that would be the most challenging of O’Malley’s young career so far.
Gabriel Benítez vs Omar Morales
This fight looked more like a kickboxing match, than one in MMA. Both men pushed the pace for the entire 15 minutes, making it one of the most intense fights of the night. Morales got unanimous decision, but even in defeat, Benítez looked good.
Benítez sustained a nasty cut on his shin after a checked leg kick by Morales, limiting his movement and kicking throughout the later portions of the fight.
Omar Morales was able to keep his undefeated record intact with the unanimous decision victory, and improves his UFC record to 2-0. He’ll look to continue building upon that momentum, as he climbs the Lighweight rankings in the UFC.
Sijara Eubanks vs Sarah Moras
Sijara Eubanks gets the unanimous decision victory over Sarah Moras, after a late comeback attempt by Moras was unsuccessful. Eubanks won the first couple of rounds, using a mix of striking, and well timed level changes.
Moras needed a finish in the third, but yet again, Eubanks brought the fight to the ground. Moras attempted an armbar late, in hopes of a submission victory, but Eubanks easily slipped out, and controlled the fight on the ground for the remainder of the round.
Eubanks gets back in the win column, improving to 5-4 (3-2 in the UFC,) while Moras loses yet another one, dropping to 6-6 (3-5 in the UFC.)
Main Card
Michael Johnson vs Thiago Moises
Thiago Moises gets the win with a slick submission early in round two, after a fairly dominant round one by Johnson.
Referee Keith Peterson continues his streak of controversy, missing the tap by Michael Johnson, forcing him to endure the brutal submission, despite the obvious tap.
Thiago Moises gets back in the win column, and gets the first finish of his UFC career, with a very impressive submission. Johnson has now lost his third fight in a row, and hasn’t looked like the once great Lightweight that he was.
Andrei Arlovski vs Phillipe Lins
Andrei Arlovski gets the win over the debuting Phillipe Lins, with a fairly dominant unanimous decision victory. He heavily utilized the southpaw stance, which is something that we haven’t seen out of him much, in his 50 career fights.
Arlovski was able to overcome the much younger, and faster Lins, capitalizing on any and all openings, provided by the less experienced fighter. Andrei Arlovski has been able to innovate in his last couple of fights, no longer putting himself in the position to trade shots.
Ricky Simon vs ray borg
Despite losing the mullet, Ricky Simon was able to get the win here tonight. This was a fast paced fight, taking place on both the feet, and the canvas. Simon was able to control the grappling exchanges, while Borg edged out the exchanges on the feet.
Ricky Simon was able to edge out the split decision victory, but Ray Borg looked just as good in defeat, as Simon did in victory. They both controlled different aspects of the fight, so despite receiving a loss on his record, Ray Borg had a great showing tonight.
Alexander Hernandez vs Drew Dober
Alexander Hernandez is one of those fighters than most fans absolutely despise, so seeing him get beat in such a dominant fashion, is always a welcomed sight. Drew Dober started throwing bombs at Hernandez, who tried to change levels to survive the onslaught, but Dober was able to get up, and keep the onslaught alive.
Drew Dober will likely enter the Lightweight top 15, while that will be a distant memory for Hernandez. Dober has now won his last three fights, all by TKO, so he has plenty of momentum behind him going forward.
Ovince saint preux vs Ben rothwell
OSP vs Ben Rothwell was a slow, and methodical fight, with Rothwell stalking Saint Preux, waiting for the right moment to strike. Rothwell kept the pressure on, utilizing the clinch game to tire out the Heavyweight newcomer.
Rothwell won by split decision, after an incredibly final round. Both men emptied the gas tank, trying to get the finish, with neither man able to land the lethal blow.
Anthony Smith vs Glover Teixeira
They call him “Lionheart” for a reason. Anthony Smith endured so much pain in this fight, more than some people deemed necessary. Smith’s corner has been heavily criticized, after Smith said “My teeth are falling out,” going into the fifth round, and his corner sent him out anyways. Anthony Smith is a warrior, who was likely too proud not to go out on his shield, but this has definitely sparked debate within the MMA community.
Anthony Smith showed an incredibly amount of heart and toughness, and even though he lost, he gained the respect of everyone watching here tonight.
Glover Teixeira is now one step closer to a rematch with Jon Jones for the Light Heavyweight championship, which would be an incredibly fight. They first fought in 2014, and with how long ago that is, a rematch would be very interesting.
