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UFC returned to South America this Saturday, on the 17th of November. This time they came to a destination they had never visited before. While Brazil and Chile have both hosted previous UFC events, this was the first time that UFC stopped off at Argentina, creating history at Buenos Aires with UFC Argentina.
Neil Magny and Santiago Ponzinibbio headlined the card, while Darren Elkins and Ricardo Lomas were the co-headliners. The main card had a few exciting fights lined up, but the Preliminary and Early Preliminary fights on the Undercard were no less.
In the Early Preliminary fights taking place on Fight Pass, Devin Powell took on Jesus Pinedo, after Pinedo stepped in to replace teammate Claudio Pueles on short notice. Nad Narimani took on Anderson Dos Santos, with Santos stepping in on late notice.
On the Preliminary Card, the highlight of the night was between Bartosz Fabinski and Michel Prazeres with both fighters being equally matched.
Without any further ado, let's take a look at what happened in the event.
UFC Fight Night 140 Early Prelims
#1 Anderson dos Santos vs. Nad Narimani
Round 1: Both fighters tested each other in the 1st round. It looked like both fighters were aiming to take the other out, but Dos Santos was the only one to land a proper significant strike. Both of them were looking for a knockout shot, but it did not look like either fighter would be successful.
Narimani hit a couple of strong shots to end off the 1st round.
Round 2: The second round saw both fighters look for a takedown, and allowed Narimani to hit Dos Santos with two power shots. On the other side of things, Dos Santos hit a power shot as well, forcing Narimani to back up again and again. Narimani then took Dos Santos to the ground and worked him on the ground from the top. It was all about control for Narimani in the second round.
Round 3: Dos Santos entered the third round, hyping up the crowd, but immediately upon starting, Dos Santos stopped a takedown attempt with a Guillotine Choke. Narimani had to pop out and did so, then followed up with another attempt which did not work.
Dos Santos did good by weaving in and out of Narimani's fists. Dos Santos returned the favor by throwing a couple of big shots on Nariman'sfacem before the two went to the ground.
Narimani stayed on top and tried to work Dos Santos to knock him out with Hammer Fists and Elbows, which saw the fight come to an end with both fighters still in it at the finish of round.
Results: Nad Narimani defeated Anderson dos Santos (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
#2 Devin Powell vs. Jesus Pinedo
Round 1: Pinedo controlled Devin Powell for the majority of the 1st round. Powell found himself backing off, although he kept getting hit with leg kicks every now and then.
Both fighters spent the majority of the 1st round checking each other rather than landing significant strikes.
Round 2: The crowd was firmly behind Pinedo, who found himself in control for most of the fight. Even though he was backing off again and again, it was actually Pinedo who had control. His counters saw Powell getting hurt. Powell went to the ground when he fell, but Pinedo refused to follow him down on the guard.
Pinedo kept looking for a way past the guard, but Powell was content with staying on the ground. Powell was hit with a hammer fist, but Powell refused to get up, and Pinedo ended the second round with a rush ground and pound.
Round 3: Neither fighter engaged early on in the last round, and Pinedo hit Powell for a couple of quick kicks and stopped Powell's kicks to end the first two minutes of the third round.
Powell went to his back again, and tried to find a way back to his feet, but Pinedo stopped him. The referee got him back up and the two engaged with body kicks again in the middle of the Octagon. The final seconds ended with Powell looking to get some offense in.
Results: Jesus Pinedo defeated Devin Powell via Unanimous Decision.
UFC Fight Night 140 Prelims
#1 Hector Aldana vs. Laureano Staropoli
Round 1: Hector Aldana came swinging heavy from the very first moment. Staropoli was representing his country but was hurt in the early going. Staropoli came back with a big flurry. He had damaged Aldana's eye early on. His shots were obviously hurting Aldana badly whose vision had been compromised after the cut.
Aldana's cut seemed really bad above the right eye and the doctor came in to check on it. Staropoli and Aldana started the fight fast, with both fighters looking quite good. Neither man seemed like they would be backing down. Staropoli landed another couple of big shots as they came towards the end of the 1st round. They ended the 1st round with a couple of huge body leg kicks.
Round 2: Staropoli accidentally connected with a groin shot and they had to break for a while. They got right back into the fight, and both fighters were throwing body kicks. Both the fighters had slowed down a little heading into the 2nd round, but they were still throwing significant shots.
Staropoli went for a rush and landed significant shots yet again with Aldana backed against the cage. Aldana landed leg kicks while Staropoli opened up the cut above Aldana's eye again. The round ended with neither fighter getting the advantage in the fight at all. The third round was open for anyone to take it and the fight simultaneously.
Round 3: The third round started with Staropoli going for power shots to the head of Aldana. Aldana had to back up at each moment of the beginning minute of the third round due to his lack of vision. The third round saw little offense as both fighters were tired. Staropoli landed a couple of big rings and lefts in the last few seconds. The final ten seconds saw Staropoli going for it but it was not enough.
Results: Laureno Staropoli defeated Hector Aldana via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
#2 Austin Arnett vs. Humberto Bandenay
Round 1: The first round was all about both these fighters testing and pushing each other to see what the other had to offer in the fight. The first few minutes saw them throw a few shots, but even that saw Arnett cut open. Bandenay dumped Arnett but did not follow him to the ground. Bandenay tried to put it together after getting hurt by a body kick.
The first round closed off with Arnett looking to get any offense in.
Round 2: The fighters clinched early on and neither fighter seemed willing to risk anything. They were broken apart after Bandenay was caught a bit low by Arnett. Bandenay connected while Arnett was going for a takedown, dropping him. Arnett then pinned Bandenay against the cage, not allowing him to take advantage.
Bandenay was wrapped up in a Guillotine when he went for a takedown, but the round came to an end.
Round 3: The third round saw Bandenay with somewhat of an advantage, but Arnett took the initiative with a takedown. He went on top and went for the Ground and Pound. The punches were good and ferocious, but there did not seem to be enough to take out Bandenay. Arnett caught Bandenay badly, but somehow the fighter was able to last out the round.
Results: Austin Arnett defeated Humberto Bandenay via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)
#3 Alexandre Pantoja vs. Ulka Sasaki
Round 1: Sasaki got Pantoja down early on in the first round, and came in attempting a submission. It did not work out the way he wanted and got stuck in a Triangle/Armbar from Pantoja.
Pantoja was stuck on the bottom, but got a hold of Sasaki's foot and managed to take Sasaki's back with a beautiful picture perfect. Pantoja almost cinched in the Rear Naked Choke to pick up the win. Sasaki tried to resist for a while with Pantoja trying to get his arm below the chin.
The moment it happened, it was too much. Sasaki tapped and Pantoja got the win.
The transition to get the Rear Naked Choke and the back of Sasaki, who himself is a Rear Naked Choke Specialist, was amazing. With the fight, his record went to 20-3.
In the post-fight interview he challenged Joseph Benavidez.
Results: Alexandre Pantoja defeated Ulka Sasaki via Submission (Rear Naked Choke, 1st Round, 2 minutes and 18 seconds)
#4 Bartosz Fabinski vs. Michel Prazeres
Round 1: Michel Prazeres wasted no time getting into the fight. He knocked down Fabinski within seconds of the fight starting. As if that was not enough, he then wrapped up Fabinski to get him to submit with a reverse Guillotine Choke.
Results: Michel Prazeres defeated Bartosz Fabinski via Submission (Guillotine Choke, 1st Round, 1 minute and 2 seconds).
What a way to end an otherwise tame Undercard!
Tune into Sportskeeda for all the news about UFC Fight Night 140! Coming up soon, the main card results from UFC Argentina!
