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UFC Fight Night 120 went down in Norfolk, Virginia and witnessed the emergence of a new contender at Lightweight, who’s perhaps next in line for a title shot—Dustin ‘The Diamond’ Poirier.
Additionally, the main card which aired on FOX Sports, also featured a couple of old school MMA veterans deliver bone-shattering KO’s to their foes.
The prelims lacked a bit, in action, however former UFC Heavyweight Champion, Andrei Arlovski, and perennial Bantamweight contender, Raphael Assuncao, delivered some rather slick performances to set the pace for the night’s incredible main event. Here are the complete results of UFC Fight Night 120—
Main Card
#1 Dustin Poirier vs Anthony Pettis
A fight for the ages went down in Norfolk, as Dustin Poirier finally got that marquee win he’s always been looking for.
The ending was a tad anti-climactic as the fight had to be stopped when Pettis suffered a dangerous rib injury—the kind that often includes the bone being displaced and threatening to pierce one’s internal organs.
Although the extent of his rib injury is yet to be expounded upon, the fight itself was an insane war of skill and will. Poirier put on what was perhaps the best performance of his career and finished former UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis by dominating him on the feet and the mat.
Result: Dustin Poirier def. Anthony Pettis via TKO (Rib Injury) (Round 3, 2:08)
#2 Matt Brown vs Diego Sanchez
Matt Brown demolished Diego Sanchez as predicted by anyone who had even a modicum of knowledge about the savage science.
One ought to note that despite yet another brutal KO loss, Sanchez apparently intends to continue competing in MMA. Regardless, the fight was short and scary as the Immortal One fell his fellow veteran like a tree. Brief, sweet and ruthless KO delivered by Matt Brown.
Result: Matt Brown def. Diego Sanchez via KO (Elbow) (Round 1, 3:44)
#3 Andrei Arlovski vs Junior Albini
Andrei Arlovski looked good everywhere as his victory over Junior Albini saw him return to the win column once again.
Regardless, Arlovski did appear a tad hesitant to engage on the feet, but dominated the bout nonetheless. On the other hand, Albini failed to make an impression against a past-his-prime former UFC Heavyweight Champion. The judges scored the fight for the Pitbull, and rightfully so.
Result: Andrei Arlovski def. Junior Albini via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
#4 Cezar Ferreira vs Nate Marquardt
Not much transpired in this matchup, as both fighters were gun-shy from the get-go.
Although Marquardt could, in fact, have gotten the nod from the judges, Ferreira was awarded the victory. Nate ‘The Great’ of old was nowhere to be found, as the former Strikeforce savant didn’t let go of his hands in the standup nor did he force the grappling exchanges.
In the end, Ferreira impressed 2 of the 3 judges, and emerged as the victor.
Result: Cezar Ferreira def. Nate Marquardt via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
#5 Raphael Assuncao vs Matthew Lopez
Assuncao made a huge statement by utterly annihilating Lopez, with a huge KO punch.
Assuncao dominated this fight on the feet, and didn’t give Lopez any chance to fight back. In the end, the former’s tenacity proved to be too much for Lopez, who succumbed to a huge punch; falling by KO to Assuncao.
Result: Raphael Assuncao def. Matthew Lopez via KO (Punch) (Round 3, 1:50)
#6 Clay Guida vs Joe Lauzon
Clay Guida is back in a big way…The Carpenter caught Lauzon early and put him away.
Guida opened up in his usual frenetic pace, but tagged Lauzon with a monstrous uppercut that had the latter in all sorts of trouble. Following which, Guida unleashed a barrage of punches and elbows on Lauzon; finishing the fight in 67 seconds.
Result: Clay Guida def. Joe Lauzon via TKO (Punches and Elbows) (Round 1, 1:07)
Preliminary Card (FOX Sports 1)
#1 Marlon Moraes vs John Dodson
One of the most terrible decisions this year saw ‘The Magician’ John Dodson getting the short end of the stick.
Although Dodson seemed to be the cleaner fighter, with respect to combos and overall Octagon dominance, the judges saw Moraes as the rightful victor. A rematch between the two may be on the cards, as Dodson dominated every aspect of the bout, but ended up losing a decision.
Result: Marlon Moraes def. John Dodson via Split Decision (30-27, 27-30, 30-27)
#2 Tatiana Suarez vs Viviane Pereira
Tatiana Suarez enjoyed a considerable size advantage over Viviane Pereira, and on fight night, it showed.
Suarez dominated the standup and absolutely ran away with the fight towards the end. Besides, with a clear-cut win over the scrappy Pereira, Suarez etches herself as a bona fide top-15 talent in the UFC Women’s Strawweight Division.
Result: Tatiana Suarez def. Viviane Pereira via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
#3 Sage Northcutt vs Michael Quinones
Sage Northcutt impressed in a dominant decision win over Michael Quinones.
‘Super’ Sage failed to secure his blitzing finish, but did overwhelm Quinones with his athleticism nonetheless. Northcutt moves himself onward in the shark tank of a Lightweight Division, and his standup, as well as grappling game, looked incredibly crisp against the thoroughly outmatched Quinones.
Result: Sage Northcutt def. Michael Quinones via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
#4 Nina Ansaroff vs Angela Hill
Angela Hill seemed to start strong, but lost her way toward the middle of the fight.
Nina was a bit tentative in the standup early on, but visibly gained confidence as the fight progressed. Nina won a good but competitive decision over the always game Angela Hill.
Result: Nina Ansaroff def. Angel Hill via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)
#1 Sean Strickland vs Court McGee
Court McGee showed shades of his vintage style in the initial phase of this bout, but Strickland’s youth and athleticism eventually took over.
Strickland edged his veteran foe in both the striking and grappling departments, impressing the judges en route to a clear decision win.
Result: Sean Strickland def. Court McGee via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
#2 Jake Collier vs Marcel Fortuna
Jake Collier made a statement with his win over the dangerous Marcel Fortuna.
Although Fortuna was expected to run him over, Collier seemed to have put in a ton of work on his endurance and striking defence, besting Fortuna everywhere the fight went. Collier comes to the UFC Light-Heavyweight Division as a promising but vulnerable prospect.
Should Collier continue to improve his striking mechanics, he could very well be a force to reckon with about 3-4 years down the line.
Result: Jake Collier def. Marcel Fortuna via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
#3 Karl Roberson vs Darren Stewart
Karl Roberson seemed primed for a win over Darren Stewart, and when that Octagon door slammed shut, that proved to be the case indeed.
Roberson trounced Stewart in a highly technical display of his grappling skills. The former finished Stewart with a beautiful Rear Naked Choke—something that THIS BJJ savant would be proud of!
Result: Karl Roberson def. Darren Stewart via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) (Round 1, 3:41)
