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UFC’s latest trip to Charlotte, NC was a strange one, so to speak—in a night that saw the judges hand out questionable scores in multiple fights.
Nevertheless, the main event of the evening saw a clear victor emerge, as ‘Jacare’ turned back the clock to make short work of Derek Brunson. In the co-main event of the evening, Andre Fili was awarded a decision by the judges, while most felt the scores should’ve gone the other way.
Several other intriguing matchups also took place at the event—the complete results of which have been noted as follows—
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#Main Card (FOX)
#1 Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza vs. Derek Brunson
Jacare knocked out Brunson in a matter of seconds in their first encounter back in 2012.
The Brazilian grappling phenom repeated the performance in 2018, destroying Brunson with a vicious Headkick and follow-up strikes. Both fighters started out cautious with Jacare using the jab to gauge distance.
Brunson tried to turn the heat on, however, telegraphed his combinations with his feet, and ended up walking right into a picture-perfect Headkick. Jacare ended the fight with a few punches on the mat, and reestablished himself as one of the 185-pound division’s elite.
Result: Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza def. Derek Brunson via KO (Headkick & Punches) (Round 1, 3:50)
#2 Andre Fili vs. Dennis Bermudez
Andre Fili put on a great performance against perennial contender Dennis Bermudez.
Nevertheless, most experts and fans alike believe that Bermudez deserved the judges’ nod rather than Fili. Bermudez out-struck his foe and seemed to be a tad better in every avenue of the fight.
Regardless, two of the three judges inexplicably scored the fight in favor of Fili—continuing the trend of questionable judging throughout the course of the night.
Result: Andre Fili def. Dennis Bermudez via Split Decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)
#3 Gregor Gillespie vs. Jorge Rinaldi
Gregor Gillespie absolutely trounced Jorge Rinaldi in the very first round.
Gillespie timed Rinaldi coming in, and began tagging him at will. The end came shortly after, as Gillespie unleashed a vicious barrage of punches on Rinaldi; forcing the referee to step in and stop the fight.
Result: Gregor Gillespie def. Jorge Rinaldi via TKO (Punches) (Round 1, 4:46)
#4 Drew Dober vs. Frank Camacho
Drew Dober seems to have improved since his last outing in the Octagon.
While Dober put on a great performance, in a highly entertaining fight, Camacho seemed to have the upper hand in the striking exchanges. This was yet another fight that could’ve been scored the other way.
Dober had his moments in the fight, however, Camacho seemed to land the stronger, crisper strikes. Nevertheless, in the end, the judges chose to score the fight in favor of Dober.
Result: Drew Dober def. Frank Camacho via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
#Preliminary Card (FOX Sports 1)
#1 Bobby Green vs. Erik Koch
Bobby Green put on a vintage performance, by using his boxing skills to a T against Erik Koch.
Green pumped out his jab, and kept his feet moving—befuddling Koch from connecting on the former. Green then started landing the 1-2s consistently, and thoroughly out-pointed his foe.
While Green could’ve pursued the finish had he put his foot on the gas, he chose to focus on getting back his groove and rhythm after a string of underwhelming performances over the years.
Result: Bobby Green def. Erik Koch via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
#2 Mirsad Bektic vs. Godofredo Pepey
Mirsad Bektic is perhaps one of the most underrated fighters in the UFC roster today.
Bektic kept Pepey at bay with excellent distance management and timing. While Pepey had his moments too in the brief fight, Bektic punctuated a pocket exchange by landing a beautiful body shot; downing Pepey for the finish.
Result: Mirsad Bektic def. Godofredo Pepey via TKO (Body Punch) (Round 1, 2:47)
#3 Katlyn Chookagian vs. Mara Romero Borella
Katlyn Chookagian put on a decent performance in a matchup that didn’t feature too much action, so to speak.
The decision handed out in this fight could’ve gone either way too, and Borella did catch the former with a few slick combinations over the course of the fight. Nevertheless, the judges awarded the victory to Chookagian after 3 rounds of slow-paced action.
Result: Katlyn Chookagian def. Mara Romero Borella via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
#4 Randa Markos vs. Juliana Lima
Randa Markos did what she had to do so as to avoid Lima’s wild hooks and grappling.
This bout didn’t feature much action and Markos seemed content at staying away from her foe’s looping strikes. Markos didn’t deviate from the game-plan and stayed disciplined until the very end for the decision victory.
Result: Randa Markos def. Juliana Lima via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
#5 Ji Yeon Kim vs. Justine Kish
Kim and Kish was yet another matchup on this card that could’ve gone either way.
In fact, most argued that Kish should’ve been awarded the victory by the judges. Kim didn’t land much of her offense in the matchup, and it was Kish who doled out a few slick combinations.
Nevertheless, on a night of strange scorecards, Kim was awarded the decision victory, despite her lack of success on the feet and the mat.
Result: Ji Yeon Kim def. Justine Kish via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
#6 Vinc Pichel vs. Joaquim Silva
Vinc Pichel avoided Silva’s vaunted striking, and kept the latter at bay with straight punches.
Pichel started off a bit tentative, however, Silva seemed complacent as well, owing to which the former started opening up with the jab. Pichel’s defensive striking was on point, as he avoided Silva’s overhands and countered excellently.
In the end, the judges scored the bout in favor of Pichel.
Result: Vinc Pichel def. Joaquim Silva via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
#Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)
#1 Niko Price vs. George Sullivan
Niko Price absolutely annihilated George Sullivan—tagging and subbing the latter.
While the first round gave fans a glimpse of what was to come, Price turned up the heat in Round 2, rocking Sullivan with well-timed strikes. Price took matters to the mat and finished off Sullivan with a beautiful Rear-Naked Choke.
Result: Niko Price def. George Sullivan via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) (Round 2, 4:21)
#2 Cory Sandhagen vs. Austin Amett
Cory Sandhagen showcased a vastly improved boxing game against Austin Amett.
Sandhagen waited patiently for Amett to over-extend on his strikes, following which the latter landed hard counters, diversifying them on the fly. Sandhagen’s combinations caught up with Amett in Round 2, and the referee stepped in to bring a halt to the contest.
Result: Cory Sandhagen def. Austin Amett via TKO (Punches) (Round 2, 3:48)
