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UFC put forth another stacked show that emanated from the Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota. The main event saw Francis Ngannou take on the resurgent Junior Dos Santos in a heavyweight showdown. Flyweight contenders Jusseir Formiga and Joseph Benavidez battled it out in the co-main event.
The main card had a total of six fights out of which four ended before the full allotted time. It was a solid night of action from top to bottom and without wasting any more time, here are the results and highlights of UFC on ESPN 3.
UFC on ESPN 3 Results: Prelims
Ricardo Ramos def. Journey Newson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Eryk Anders def. Vinicius Moreira via KO (punches) (1:18, Round One)
Jared Gordon def. Dan Moret via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Dalcha Lungiambula def. Dequan Townsend via TKO (punches and elbows) (0:42, Round Three)
Amanda Ribas def. Emily Whitmire via submission (rear-naked choke) (2:10, Round Two)
Maurice Greene def. Junior Albini via TKO (punches) (3:38, Round One)
UFC on ESPN 3 Results: Main Card
#1. Paul Craig (11-3-0) vs. Alonzo Menifield (8-0) (Light Heavyweight)
Scouted by Dana White from the Contender series, Alonzo Menifield was undefeated heading into his second UFC fight. His opponent Paul Craig was coming off a win against Kennedy Nzechukwu.
The fight kicked off with Menifield being the aggressor. Craig realised that his best chance to win the fight was to take it to the ground. He shot for two takedowns but they were stuffed by Menifield.
Menifield got his combinations together with a low kick followed by a 1-2. Craig went for a back kick and looked to pull guard. However, Menifield didn't let him go and unleashed a barrage of heavy right-hand shots.
Craig had no answer to the assault and fell to the mat. The referee stepped in to stop the fight.
Result: Alonzo Menifield def. Paul Craig via TKO (punches) (3:19, Round One)
Menifield extended his record to nine wins on the trot and seems like a great addition to the Light Heavyweight division, which has been infused with promising talents of late.
#2. Marco Polo Reyes (8-5-0) vs. Drew Dober (20-9-0-1) (Lightweight)
Having lost two of his last three fights, Mexican Lightweight Marco Polo Reyes had a lot riding on his bout against Drew Dober - who also needed a big win after losing his last fight against Beneil Dariush in March.
The fight was loaded with kicks, to begin with, as both men used their legs to good effect. Dober got the better of the exchange as he hurt Reyes with a left-hand strike.
Reyes was in a bad spot and instinctively shot for the takedown. Dober had him covered and stunned him with another left. Another big left and Reyes was cornered. Reyes' legs gave way and Dober did the needful by applying the finishing touches before the referee stepped in.
Result: Drew Dober def. Marco Polo Reyes via TKO (punches) (1:07, Round One)
That was quite a statement from Dober. As for Reyes, the former TUF contestant's UFC future looks bleak at this point with two back-to-back knockout losses.
#3. Vinc Pichel (11-2-0) vs. Roosevelt Roberts (8-0-0) (Lightweight)
Vinc Pichel was looking to rebound from his last fight, which was his first loss after four consecutive wins. Roosevelt 'The Predator' Roberts had a spotless record to maintain but he was up against his toughest challenge yet.
Roberts started off strong as he took the first round courtesy of some good striking. He mixed it up well with kicks, knees and uppercuts. He used the jabs to keep Pichel at bay and even scored a takedown at the end of the round. Pichel would get back to his feet and eat a combination from Roberts before the round came to a close.
Pichel came into the second round with a game plan as he peppered Roberts with low kicks. Pichel controlled the fight in the second round and ended it by mounting Roberts.
With the scores tied at one apiece, Pichel rose to the occasion and fought a sensible third round. After a decent exchange in the centre of the Octagon, Pichel managed to take Roberts down to half guard position and pinned him near the cage.
He worked his way into a Crucifix position and got in a good volume of punches. He then locked in the guillotine but couldn't get the job done as Roberts changed levels and managed to get out.
Pichel scored another takedown in the dying stages of the fight and got complete back control at one point. While Roberts did get out of the hold, it was a little too late for The Predator as the final bell rang.
Result: Vinc Pichel def. Roosevelt Roberts via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Pichel showed his composure to weather the early storm and get an impressive decision over a competent fighter in Roberts.
#4. Anthony Ricco Martin (16-4-0) vs. Demian Maia (26-9-0) (Welterweight)
Demian Maia did a Demian Maia! It was a quintessential performance from the BJJ maestro, who fought to his strengths and earned a unanimous decision win against Anthony Ricco Martin.
The story of the fight was similar to most Maia contests. The Brazilian looked to take the fight to the ground as soon as the opening bell rang. One minute into the first round and Maia had gotten his first takedown. He landed punches from the low mount position.
While Martin worked his way back to his feet in the first round, he just couldn't break through the relentless grappling skills of Maia in the second round. Martin kept standing up only to get dumped back to the mat.
Martin had a much better showing in the third and final round. He landed a solid punch that hurt Maia. However, Maia recuperated and managed to score another takedown. And that was that!
Result: Demian Maia def. Anthony Ricco Martin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
Maia is one of the best grapplers in the world and Martin actually did a decent job to avoid getting submitted. This was the veteran's 21st win in the UFC.
#5. Joseph Benavidez (27-5-0) vs. Jussier Formiga (23-5-0) (Flyweight)
Both Joseph Benavidez and Jussier Formigo came into the co-main event of the evening with the aim of sending out a strong message to dual-weight champion Henry Cejudo.
It was Benavidez, though, who did exactly what was asked of him.
Benavidez had a strong start to the fight despite getting cut open as a result of a counter right from Formiga. The first round ended with an incredible scramble, however, Benavidez showed more diversity and range in his striking to get the first round on the scorecards.
The body kicks continued to come from Benavidez. The fight moved towards the fence as both men clinched. Benavidez landed good knees in the clinch. The body shots were a regular feature and disguised amongst them was a nasty head kick that stunned Formiga with one minute left to go in the second round.
Benavidez rushed in and let loose a host of punches to end the fight.
Result: Joseph Benavidez def. Jussier Formiga via TKO (head kick and punches) (4:47, Round Two)
This was Benavidez's third straight victory and ninth in his last ten fights. A title fight surely beckons for 'Beefcake'!
#6. Francis Ngannou (13-3-0) vs. Junior Dos Santos (21-5-0) (Heavyweight)
71 seconds. That's all it took for Francis Ngannou to let his hands to the talking tonight. JDS fans who were hoping for the revival to continue had to witness a scary sight that is often seen in fights involving the towering Cameroonian-French fighter.
Ngannou started the fight with low kicks with JDS answering with one of his own. The low kick exchange continued until JDS messed up a right hand shot. Ngannou pounced on the opportunity and landed some monstrous shots to force JDS down to his knees.
A comeback after eating Ngannou's strikes is virtually impossible.
Result: Francis Ngannou def. Junior Dos Santos via TKO (punches) (1:11, Round One)
Ngannou should ideally face the winner of Daniel Cormier vs. Stipe Miocic, which is scheduled to take place on August 18th at UFC 241.
After losses to Miocic and Lewis, Ngannou has restored his reputation of being a freakishly powerful knockout artist with three back-to-back-back first-round victories.
