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On the heels of UFC's successful return to live programming with 249, Dana White and co. presented a UFC fight Night card from the Jacksonville arena that, in all honesty, looked pretty modest on paper but it still had potential to entertain the fight fans who are in lockdown all around the world.
Anthony Smith and Glover Teixeira in a Light Heavyweight clash in the main event of UFC Fight Night Jacksonville. Ben Rothwell welcomed former LHW title contender Ovince Saint Preux to the heavyweight division in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night Jacksonville.
Lightweight prospects Alexander Hernandez and Drew Dober squared off against each other on the main card as well. Bantamweights Andrei Arlovski featured on the main card of UFC Fight Night Jacksonville in a heavyweight clash against Phillipe Lins.
All-action Bantamweights Ricky Simon and Ray Borg fought each other in what was expected to be fast and furious show-stealer.
On that note, here are the results and highlights of UFC Fight Night Jacksonville:
UFC Fight Night Jacksonville Results - Prelims
Micheal Johnson and Thiago Moises rounded up the main card with a Lightweight contest.
Sijara Eubanks def. Sarah Moras via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Omar Morales def. Gabriel Benitez via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Brian Kelleher def. Hunter Azure via (punches) (3:40, Round 2)
Chase Sherman def. Ike Villanueva via TKO (punches and elbow) (0:49, Round 2)
UFC Fight Night Jacksonville Results - Main Card
#6. Michael Johnson vs. Thiago Moises (Lightweight)
Michael Johnson wanted to kickstart another journey towards securing a possible Lightweight title shot and the long-time veteran looked to get resurgence rolling with a win over Thiago Moises. Moises was 1-2 in the UFC and he needed a win to get his career back on track.
Round 1: Johnson in the blue trunks took the southpaw position while Moises was in orthodox. Johnson was the one to press forward.
Moises changed levels and shot for the takedown after 40 seconds. Johnson stuffed it but Moises kept up the pressure with the inside leg kicks. Johnson was looking to sprawl and brawl while Moises intended to take the fight to the ground. Moises went for the right high kick, which hit Johnson's guard.
Johnson connected with a solid body kick. He followed it up with a straight left. He led with his power hand and landed a few good strikes. Johnson kept Moises on the back foot by not letting down with the volume of strikes. Johnson kept landing with the 1-2, to the face and the body, while also mixing it up with the body kicks. Michael's hands looked smooth and fluid in the first round. Johnson was controlling all the engagement as he put in the work against the fence. They ended the round in a clinch against the cage.
10-8 Johnson
Round 2: Moises went for the single leg right off the gate and he trapped Johnson's right leg. Johnson found himself on top of Moises but Rhiago pulled guard and didn't let go of Johnson's right leg. He rolled over and locked in the heel hook. The referee missed the first tap from Johnson but he eventually stopped the fight as The Menace was in a lot of pain.
Result: Thiago Moises def. Michael Johnson def. via submission (heel hook) (0-25, Round 2)
That was a big win in the book for Thiago Moises that revitalizes his UFC career. He called out Anthony 'Showtime' Pettis in his post-fight interview at UFC Fight Night Jacksonville.
You've got to feel bad for Johnson as he dominated the first round and somehow got caught in a heel hook early in the second.
What's next for The Menace, who is on a 3-fight losing streak for the second time in his career?
#5. Andrei Arlovski vs. Philipe Lins (Heavyweight)
This was Philipe Lins' UFC debut and he could not have asked for a more respected opponent than The Pitbull. Both heavyweights were from American Top Team, which made the fight even more intriguing.
Round 1: Arlovski drew first blood with the inside leg kick. Lins switched stances early and was quite light and bouncy on his feet.
Lins landed a 1-2 while pressing forward. The UFC newcomer got into the pocket ripped a flurry of hooks. He followed it up with a big right that pushed Arlovski back. Arlovski pushed in but got caught with a big right counter strike from Lins.
Lins forced Arlovski to circle the case. While Lins was the aggressor, Arlovski had his moments, one of which included landing a clean backfist.
10-9 Lins
Round 2: Lins landed a hard body kick while Arlovski shifted to southpaw. The vet connected with a good inside leg kick. Arlovski began to settle in defensively as the numbers began to even out. They clinched for a few seconds with Arlovski landing an elbow on the break.
Lins slowed down a little as the round progressed. Arlovski attempted a hook, but Lins caught him with a short left.
Arlovski connected with a 1-2, followed by a few kicks. Herb Dean called for a timeout after Arlovski got kicked in the groin.
The fight resumed after Arlovski gave the thumbs up. The former Heavyweight Champion was winning the round and he continued the good work in southpaw. Lins wanted to make it a dirty boxing fight and he got into range and went for a few wild haymakers. Arlovski stepped back and slowed the pace down until the end of the round.
10-9 Arlovski
Round 3: Arlovski circled around the Octagon as Lins stalked him. Philipe landed a hard counter right. Arlovkis responded with a kick. Lins got back with a body kick.
Arlovski's corner called for the inside leg kicks and he obliged. He mixed it up with a front kick. Arlovski got caught on the back foot and ate a few hooks.
Lins almost kicked Arlovski in the groin again and he was one mistake away from getting a point deducted, which could have been a difference-maker in such a close fight. Arlovski tried to maintain distance as we went down the stretch. He kept up with the kicks as the fight came to an end.
Result: Andrei Arlovski def. Philipe Lins via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
The constant kicking game of The Pitbull did the trick as he returned to the win column against a dangerous fighter who won $1 Million in PFL last year.
#4. Ricky Simon vs. Ray Borg (Bantamweight)
Ray Borg had back-to-back wins to his name and he looked to continue in the same vein against Ricky Simon. Simon sported the mullet-less look as he walked down to the Octagon. This fight had all the makings of taking home 'Fight of the Night' honors.
Round 1: The Bantwnweights circled around the cage before Simon changed levels and nailed the takedown.
Simon got in some good ground and pound but Borg got up to his feet and pushed Simon against the fence. Simon flipped positions and got Borg down again.
They got back on their feet and Borg landed a solid combo in which the body shot did some damage. Borg cracked Simon with three body shots while coming in. Simon got Borg's and he fired off a few kicks to the thighs. Simon kept on the body lock and took Borg down before settling for side control.
10-9 Simon
Round 2: The exchanged strikes before Borg came in with a strike and changed levels. Sion stuffed the takedown and landed one himself.
He got into side control and attempted an armbar. Borg forced himself back to the feet but Simon was throwing a lot of combinations. Ricky had more than 90 significant strikes to Borg's 23.
Simon's striking was crisp as his three-piece and two-piece combos ripped through Borg's guard. Simon went for the double leg but Borg defended it. Simon went for the double leg but Borg defended it. Simon, however, rolled around and got Borg's back before taking him down.
Borg landed with a big right but Simon showboated by faking the wobbly legs. Borg connected with a good body shot as the round came to an end.
10- 9 Simon
Round 3: Borg and Simon were having fun in there as they exchanged words. Borg was finally moving well and he landed another big body shot.
The body shots to the liver were landing for Borg but he wasn't following it upon them. Simon changed levels picked Borg up and dumped him down to the mat.
Simon took side control. Borg landed a few elbows from the back. Simon slipped up with the position and Borg rolled over to land into Simon's guard. They got back up and Simon landed another takedown.
The fight didn't stay on the ground for long as both men circled the Octagon within seconds. Both men attempted flying knees with 20 seconds to go. Borg landed quick 1-2s as the fight ended.
Result: Ricky Simon def. Ray Borg via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
That was a fun fight that was deservedly won by Ricky Simon, who showed a wide range of skills to get another win in the book. More importantly, will the mullet return?
#3. Alexander Hernandez vs. Drew Dober (Lightweight)
Drew Dober was coming off two destructive first-round wins and he looked to build upon the momentum against the #15 ranked Lightweight Alexander Hernandez.
Round 1: Dober was in southpaw while Hernandez was in orthodox.
Hernandez started off quick as he got in the kicks. Dober landed a good left but Hernandez came back with a body kick. Hernandez connected with a 1-2 followed by a kick. Dober slipped in a punch before Hernandez secured the single leg and got the takedown.
Dober did great to get back to his feet and he began to press forward. Drew faked the takedown and landed a solid left,
Hernandez hurt Dober with a good jab. Dober committed with a left but Hernandez entered with a level change. Dober defended the takedown and they moved around again.
Dober moved forward and tried to cut Hernandez's movement. Dober landed two good shots followed by a precise jab. Hernandez may have been poked in the eye as the round ended.
10-9 Dober
Round 2: Hernandez landed a body kick but accidentally poked Dober in the follow-up. Dober entered with a combo but got tagged by a right hook.
The eye bothered Dober as he piled on the pressure. Hernandez changed levels but Dober defended it really well and landed a knee on the break. Hernandez had a few good moments.
Hernandez had more volume but Dober had the pop in his limited strikes.
Dober knocked Hernandez down with a huge left. Alexander stated in the fight and executed a clutch takedown to buy some time and recuperate. Dober forced his way back him and he rocked Hernandez with another massive left. Hernandez took many shots on his feet but he landed another hail mary takedown. He couldn't keep Dober down and he kept getting punished with huge combos until Herb Dean saw enough and stopped the fight.
Result: Drew Dober def. Alexander Hernandez via TKO 4:26, Round 2)
Drew Dober now has a number next to a name!
#2. Ben Rothwell vs. Ovince Saint Preux (Heavyweight)
OSP moved up to the heavyweight division for the first time in his MMA career and he was welcomed by veteran knockout artist Ben Rothwell.
Round 1: They touched gloves and the fight got underway. OSP attempted a few kicks but Rothwell looked to trap OSP against the cage.
OSP ate a straight right to the chin and continued with the kicks. Rothwell continued to touch OSP with the rights. OSP went high with the kick but Rothwell caught it.
Rothwell worked over OSP's neck from the top. The ref warned Ben for lack of inactivity and he obliged with a few strikes. OSP got back to his feet and slipped out with 20 seconds on the clock.
10-9 Rothwell
Round 2: OSP connected with a kick to the body underneath Big Ben's guard.
Rothwell landed a big right and a few uppercuts. OSP slipped out but got stalked and ate a few more uppercuts.
They clinched and OSP delivered two uppercuts. Ben laned a few uppercuts. OSP was breathing really heavily as he ate a body shot. Rothwell leaned in and clinched. He pushed OSP against the fence. OSP tried to dig the under hooks while Ben tried to control the position with his head.
OSP dropped Rothwell with a counter left before the round ended.
10-9 OSP
Round 3: OSP showed some urgency as he looked to land that left.
He briefly got caught in a clinch and absorbed a few knees before he fought out of the position with an uppercut. Rothwell picked up the pace as he followed OSP with big rights. He forced the clinch again and landed a nasty knee to the body.
Both men sat in the corner and caught their breath. Rothwell had the advantage in the clinch as he controlled OSP's wrists. OSP slithered out and rocked Ben with two big lefts followed by an uppercut.
Rothwell relentlessly chased after OSP, who responded with a big right but Rothwell landed one himself. They threw haymakers at each other in the pocket as the fight came to a close. They got busy right at the end with OSP knocking Ben down at the buzzer.
Result: Ben Rothwell def. Ovince Saint Preux via unanimous decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Big Ben got the job done as he may have potentially sent OSP back to the LHW division!
#1. Anthony Smith vs. Glover Teixeira (Light Heavyweight)
Glover Teixeira was a man on a mission as he had beaten three young Light Heavyweights in 2019 and he wanted that title shot again in 2020. Anthony Smith had similar title aspirations which perfectly set up the main event of the evening.
Round 1: Smith rocked Teixeira with a right as soon as the fight kicked off. Lionheart looked faster of the two as he kept pumping the jab from the outside. Teixeira was having a tough time closing the distance.
Smith's right-hand shot kept getting through the guard. Glover got in a few shots before going for the single-leg takedown. A timeout was called due to an inadvertent groin strike on Smith.
The fight got underway again and Smith resumed piling up the volume with his strikes. Glover stayed in Smith's face and got in a few strikes as well.
10-9 Smith
Round 2: Smith connected with the combinations. Glover blocked most of the following shots while also attacking Teixeira's lead leg.
Smith pushed Glover and landed an uppercut followed by a spinning back fist. Glover closed the distance and went for a big right. Glover kept up the pace as per his corner's advice.
Glover's lead eye swelled up as a result of a strike, however, that didn't keep him down as he hurt Smith with a barrage of rights and lefts. Smith was slowing down and eating a lot of punishment. He survived but Glover kept tagging Smith with left hooks and kicks to the body and head.
10-9 Teixeira
Round 3: Glover officially turned the tide as he rocked Smith with a big uppercut Smith covered up and Glover dropped him with another big strike. Teixeira was all over Smith and all he needed to do was to keep punching until the referee stopped the fight.
Glover, however, ditched the ground and pound and looked for the rear naked choke. He bailed on it for the strikes but Smith was still in it as he defended.
Teixeira began to work for an RNC as he got hold of Smith's back. Glover absolutely clobbered Smith from the for the rest of the round. Smith somehow survived until the end.. He's called 'Lionheart' for a reason!
10-8 Teixeira
Round 3: Teixeira stunned Smith with another uppercut. Smith backed off and it looked like the end of it. However, Smith fired off a few elbows and kept pushing forward.
Glover stayed disciplined and looked for the openings to exploit. Smith got rocked by another uppercut followed by a few shots and that sent him down to the ground. Teixeira worked for another RNC but he found no success. He let Smith back up to his feet and continued to get the jab in. Smith was wobbling around as Teixeira continued the battering.
He took Smith down again with ease and got into side control. Teixeira kept drilling Smith with elbows and punches from various angles. It was a domination.
10-8 Teixeira
Round 4: Smith told his corner that he felt that his teeth were falling out but they told him to 'sell out' in this round. It took Teixeira ten seconds to get the fight back to the mat.
Glover mounted Smith and unloaded the ground and pound until the referee finally stepped in to stop the fight.
Result: Glover Teixeira def. Anthony Smith via TKO (1:04, Round 5)
Did Anthony Smith's corner fail him here? They probably did as Smith should not have fought for as long as he did.
Teixeira now has four wins on the trot another title crack may not be that far away. Not bad for a 40-year-old man, eh?
