UFC on Fox: Brunson vs. Jacare 2 Charlotte NC. Spectrum Center
The UFC visits the Spectrum Center in Charlotte NC for the first time since 2010. The Main Event features a Middleweight showdown between former Strikeforce rivals Derek Brunson and Jacare Souza. This is the second UFC: Brunson vs. Jacare fight we have. The Main Event is a rematch of their showdown in 2012 with the Strikeforce promotion. Jacare knocked Brunson out 41 seconds into the first round. The Main Card also includes undefeated national champion wrestler Gregor Gillespie taking on Charlotte native Jordan Rinaldi.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLgoY9yRPZ0]
Undercard
Vinc Pichel vs. Joaquim Silva
Switching over to @FS1!
LWs square off. It’s @FromHellPichel vs @NettoBJJ! #UFCCharlotte pic.twitter.com/YzkYcwmUYX
— UFC (@ufc) January 26, 2018
Lightweight Division
Referee:
Round 1: Pichel closes immediately and draws a leg kick to begin the round. Silva bouncing around the Octogan, looking for a way in. Silva trips and takes a leg kick. Pichel charges with a leg kick and follows up with a couple jabs. Silva measuring for the right hand. Pichel complains of an eye poke. Not much action from the fighters, just a lot of movement around the cage. Less than half of the round to go and this one is a tough one to score. Silva tags Pichel with an overhand right and moves forward to gain control against the cage. Silva is doing a great job of staying out of the reach of Pichel. Pichel goes in for a takedown, but Silva keeps his balance at the end of the frame.
My Take: Hardly any action, but Silva did more. 10-9 Silva
Round 2 – Pichel aggressive, moving in but Silva keeps his distance with kicks. Pichel misses on a power punch and Silva evades by using his elusiveness around the cage. Silva catches the California Native in a clinch and goes for a choke. Pichel slips out and lands a leg kick. Pichel lands a nice combination to the body and charges in with close punches. Silva misses with a spinning kick and Pichel counters with a flurry of punches. The crowd is starting to boo as the action is minimal. Pichel lands a combination to Silva but can’t follow up. More of the same staring down to end the round.
My Take: More of the same, Pichel did a little more than Silva. Pichel 10-9, 19-19 overall
Round 3: They trade leg kicks and Silva inches forward, trying to reach Pichel. Silva chasing down Pichel and lands a leg kick. Another kick caught by Pichel, and he tries to convert to a takedown. The pace is starting to pick up as the fighters realize they actually have to fight to win. Silva pushing forward, but Pichel attacks the legs. Pichel gets tagged and is starting to bleed. Pichel connects with a solid right hand but can’t follow up. Pichel is starting to run out of gas but gets saved by the bell as this lackluster fight ends.
My Take: Pichel will win this fight by winning this staring contest
Vinc Pichel Defeats Joaquim Silva via Unanimous Decision (29-28)
That's what it means to @FromHellPichel to get the W at #UFCCharlotte! pic.twitter.com/A5tJ3qoe7z
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) January 27, 2018
Justine Kish vs. Ji Yeon Kim
Women’s Flyweight Division
Referee:
Round 1: Both fighters trade punches right away but there is no followup. Kish trying to draw Kim in with leg kicks, but Kim evades. Kish goes into a combination and nails Kim with a left hook. Kim doesn’t show any weakness to that massive shot and stands tall. High kick slip from Kish and Kim misses on the counter. Kim lands several leg kicks as Kish is struggling with the timing. Kish misses with a straight right, as Ji Yeon connects with another clean shot to the leg.
My Take: Leg Kick volume told the story in the first. 10-9 Kim
Round 2 – They trade shots early, but neither fighter gets the better of it. Nice body kick from Kish as she is doing a good job of keeping the distance from Kim’s counters. Kish closes in on her opponent and lands a right uppercut from inside. The strike volume is leaning more into the American’s favor in this round. Kish doing much better in this round avoiding the kicks and keeping the range. Kish connects again with Momentum is swinging her way.
My Take: Kish did a great job gaining the momentum back after a sluggish first 10-9 Kish
Round 3 – Kim comes out quick and corners Kish to take advantage. In the next exchange, Kim complains of an eye poke, and the action briefly pauses. Kim is throwing wild hooks with a fraction of them actually landing. A left-hand tags Kish and the American starts to bleed right above the nose. Momentum back in Kim’s direction and Kish on her heels. Kim goes back to what worked in the first round with a high volume of kicks. Kim unleashes a flurry of kicks and punches, a few connect to end the round and seal the deal for her.
Ji Yeon Kim defeats Justine Kish via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
🤦🏼♀️ 😓 What a night- There are moments I feel like a fool for believing I won. Then again,… https://t.co/YWAEJrNQua
— Justine Kish (@JustineKish) January 28, 2018
Randa Markos vs. Juliana Lima
Women’s Strawweight Division
Referee:
Round 1: Lima opens with a pair of kicks. Low-stance Markos circling her lead hand. Lima combo blocked. Markos punches into the clinch and presses to the cage. She works the knees. Lima turns to try to prevent the takedown, then tries to reverse. Markos adjusts as they careen across the cage and keeps Lima smothered. Markos looking for a trip and working knees. Lima tries to go upstairs with a knee and then reverses position. Markos traps a leg and reverses against the cage. Knees to the legs. Midway through the first round. Markos traps a leg and tries to convert. Instead, Lima stays upright and punches, forcing her to reset. Markos with the body lock. Lima reverses and works knees. Markos reverses and does the same. Not much action here with one minute remaining. Lima trying to land an elbow. Short scramble and Lima breaks it up with a takedown. In half-guard, she works to advance and gets swept into mount. Markos doesn’t have enough time and fires off a few punches and elbows to the body before the bell sounds. MMAjunkie scores the frame 10-9 for Markos.
Round 2: Markos leads with a jab and draws a pair of kicks. Markos stutter-stepping as Lima circles and kicks. Again, Markos punches in and tries a takedown, only to get reversed and end up on the bottom. Lima trying to free her left leg, which is trapped. Markos adjusts and traps both legs as Lima tries to advance. Lima barely gets a chance to work before the referee stands up the action. Markos counters a kick with punches that miss short. more kicks from Lima and Markos ties it up and uses a whizzer to get a takedown, using her left hand to punch as they hit the mat. In full mount, she pounds away at Lima, who shrimps to half-guard. More ground-and-pound from Markos as she scoots them off the cage. Punches from up top. Lima trying to scoot away. Markos stays firm. Lima recovers guard as Markos postures up. Lima’s long legs nearly take Markos off her feet, and she angles for a submission. Triangle setup, but she doesn’t have the time, and the round ends in guard. MMAjunkie scores the second frame 10-9 for Markos, putting her up 20-18.
Round 3 – Lima opens with low kicks. Markos punches in and they clinch up. Lima turns her opponent and smothers her. Another tactical scrap against the fence. Markos uses the whizzer to initiate the takedown, and again, she’s in the mount, pounding away with punches and elbows. Lima stuck. Markos postures up and resists a cage walk from Lima. Somehow, the referee is allowing them to continue without a standup. Markos simply smothering. Lima gets warned for toes in the cage as Markos holds side mount. Lima manages to walk the cage and get to her hands and knees before popping up. Markos holds the clinch and knees the legs. One minute for Lima to get back in the fight. She evades a leg trip and reverses against the cage. Fence grab keeps Markos upright off a trip. Markos reverses position and ends the frame kneeing the legs. Not the most exciting thing ever, but another 10-9 for Markos, bringing her the 30-27 decision.
Kaitlyn Chookagian vs. Romero Borella
Women’s Flyweight Division
Round 1: Chookagian presses in and draws a leg kick. Borella waiting on the counter as Chookagian jabs and kicks the body. Borella chases with a combination that’s short. They trade right hands, and Borello ends with a right that connects. Lots of feints from Chookagian. Borella misses her right. Chookagian circles in with jabs and take a leg kick. Another one lands as she tries to counter with a right hand. Borella with another low kick. Chookagian’s combination blocked. Right hand good for Borella, and Chookagian circles off. Kicks short for the American. Glancing right scores, but Borella is doing a good job at moving into range on the counter. Chookagian not using her length very effectively at the moment. Borella gets the better of a pair of rights, and she presses in for another right. When they trade rights, Borella is getting the better of it always. Less than one minute to go and Chookagian is just a bit short. Borella pushes her back with a charge. High kicks just short for Chookagian.
Round 2 – Borella sneaks in a right hand off an exchange. She’s just got a better handle on the range in close. Chookagian’s kicks are good low. Front kicks and jabs prompt Borella to close distance and fire back with punches. Chookagian’s lead leg red. Borella again wins with a right off Chookagian’s. Jab for Chookagian is constant, as are her kicks. But they’re not doing much to deter Borella. Nice footwork for Chookagian opens up right hand. Kick prompts takedown attempt from Borella, who ties up against the cage and lands a nice knee in the clinch before they break off. Swinging hook to the body from Chookagian. Past the midway point of the frame. Body kick from Borella almost initiates the clinch. She presses in and Chookagian circles off. Jab good for Borella. She keeps pressing in, looking for a right hand. Just misses as Chookagian ducks. Nice low kick counters Chookagian’s right hand. Borella good with a jab. Uppercut makes Borella smile. Chookagian sneaks in a right hand as Borella closes. Right hand good for Chookagian at the end of a combo.
Round 3 – Borella closes into a right hand. Chookagian attacks the legs and backs up as Borella closes and fires off a flurry. Charge misses and Chookagian almost repay with a high kick. Right hand good for Borella. Borella charges again and tries that right hand, and Chookagian circles off and lands a question mark quick. Hook kick also glances. Borella initiates another exchange, and Chookagian finds the right hand. Hook prompts clinch attempt from Borella, and Chookagian knees her way free. Borella shoots in again and fires off another combination. The right hand is good as Chookagian fires hers. Chookagian now circling away from power hand. They trade right hands. Chookagian trying to duck and dodge away from the advancing Borella, who’s having a heck of a time getting a hold of her opponent. Borella ducks under a punch and initiates a clinch. She’s struggling against the cage, but Borella gets the takedown. Almost immediately, Chookagian initiates a triangle and has it, and Borella is forced to escape. Back on her feet, Chookagian ends a combo with an uppercut. Less than one minute left. Right hand glancing for Chookagian. Another two and Borella gets an inside leg kick. Chookagian still mobile, firing back with counters. Borella goes for a last-ditch takedown and runs out of time as the frame comes to an end.
Result: Katlyn Chookagian def. Mara Romero Borella via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Mirsad Bektic vs. Godofredo Pepey
Featherweight Division
Round 1: Bektic closes as Pepey bounces and stays patient looking for the counter. Bektic lands a right in the first exchange and then resets. Feints from both fighters. Wheel kick way short for Pepey. Bektic jabs in and closes with a hook kick that misses. Pepey spins into a back kick. Pepey wants the uppercut as Bektic ducks. Bektic misses on a right hook off a pair of jabs and closes in. Uppercut clips Bektic as he charges into the clinch. Pepey escapes Bektic’s clutches, and Bektic lands a right hand off the next charge. Mouse under Bektic’s right eye. Leg kicks for the Bosnian. Pepey almost lands an overhand right off a feint. Bektic just short on an overhand right. Bektic follows up and lands a body shot off a lunging knee that has a delayed reaction. In an instant, Pepey goes from defending himself to crumpled on the mat. It’s over. Impressive finish from Bektic.
Mirsad Bektic def. Godofredo Pepey via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 2:47
Bobby Green vs. Erik Koch
Lightweight Division
Referee: Dan Miragliotta
Round 1: Koch engages first to begin the round with a strong right kick. Koch finding his range early with Green staying in the pocket. Green goes on the offense with a couple power shots with the right hand. Koch wraps up Green to avoid any more damage, clinching against the cage. Koch lands a nasty right hook, but nothing to follow up with. It gives Green time to clinch against the cage, Koch takes advantage and takes Green down on a trip. Koch maneuvering on top, raining elbows down. Green turns to his back to avoid the elbows and Koch goes for a choke. Green is able to escape and they both exchange kicks to finish the round.
My Take: Green was able to land a couple big shots but not enough to hurt Koch. I have it 10-9 Koch due to the takedowns and control.
Round 2: Both fighters immediately go to the clinch, Green lands a knee and Koch backs off. Green moving forward a lot more in this round, luring Koch into land a big counter. Green connects with a great kick, punch combination but Koch comes back with a combination of his round. Green is staying right under the chin of Koch and causing problems for him. Green is using his dirty boxing to land several to the body. Both Fighters are exchanging punches back and forth, Crowd starts to cheer in appreciation of the steady action. Greens lands another combination in close quarters to finish the round.
My Take: Green showed that if he can get close to Koch, he can do damage. I give that to Green 10-9.
Round 3: Green stalking his opponent, landing more shots, one of those seems to hurt Koch as he immediately clinches on Green. Green continues to get more aggressive as the fight has gone on. Green gets Koch to the ground and controls on top. Green lost focus for a second and Koch explodes and takes control but runs out of gas and Green takes back over. Green lands a couple elbows to finish the round.
My Take: Great performance in the final two rounds by Green to win the fight
Bobby Green Defeats Erik Koch Unanimous (29-28)
Bobby Green earns his first win in 4 years by defeating Erik Koch.
Back in the win column👏 #UFCCharlotte pic.twitter.com/21fI0HZX2Y
— UFC India (@UFCIndia) January 28, 2018
Main Card Live on Fox
Drew Dober vs. Frank Camacho
Welterweight Division
Round 1:
Camacho presses back Dober with jabs, then goes to the body, drawing a leg kick. Southpaw Dober misses on a straight, but landds a nice right and leg kick. They punch into the clinch, and Camacho walks Dober to the cage. They trade knees, and Dober reverses. Camacho reverses and takes Dober down. In side control, Camacho works short punches. Dober explodes and scoots to the cage before standing up. Knee to the head in the clinch. Camacho on the pursuit, and gets countered with an uppercut. Again, he does it again. Dober just a bit short, and Camacho is starting to work with his punches. Nice body kick for Dober, and follows with his leg. Dober goes with straight to the body. He’s trying to work an angle and let loose with his punches. Dober ducks into clinch. Camacho breaks off. The two clinch again, and Camacho trips Dober to the mat once again. Elbows from the bottom from Camacho. Dober again explodes and Camacho tries to keep top position. Near arm-triangle position, and Dober thinks about an arm triangle before the two settle in guard. Dober grabs and arm and tries for an armbar, but he doesn’t have the angle. The two trade short punches before Dober powers to his feet. In the final exchange, Dober gets wobbled with a right hand as the bell sounds.
A big trip by @CrankEffect highlights round one. #UFCCharlotte pic.twitter.com/Hfzr7vJN23
— UFC (@ufc) January 28, 2018
Round 2 – The two trade punches early and Dober shoots in for a takedown. They clinch, and Dober needs several attempts before he gets Camacho down. But Camacho turns the tables and reverses on the way down, and he’s again on top. Dober scoots away and gets back to his feet. Camacho to the body Dober closes. Straight left for Dober and Camacho looks like he’s out of gas. Dober attacks the body. Dober all over Camacho, who’s on wobbly legs. Finally, Camacho circles off and gets back to the center of the cage. It’s a different fight, just seconds in. Camacho still has the power, but Dober is just in his face, firing left hands. They’re tagging him over and over. Camacho resets and tries to get his breath. Dober on the counter, slams left hands in over and over. Camacho’s counters don’t have the steam. Dober all over him. Camacho firing from lowered hands. High kick slams into Camacho. Camacho digs to the body and then pursues Dober to land a lunging knee. He might be recovering now. But Dober is just more active. Jabs and straight rights landing regularly for Dober. Big right hand and Camacho is on the retreat. Camacho still has the fight and firing back. They trade big right hands. Dober is taking them and continues to fire at a higher rate. Camacho takes a pair of rights as he tries to win back some points with a final push.
Round 3 – Touch of gloves, and Dober lands a straight left and then another. Camacho lands a right hand and Dober pushes for a takedown to no avail. Camacho giving one last push, pressuring with punches. Dober sneaks in a body kick. Jabs force Camacho to reset. Dober keeping Camacho at the end of his punches. Dober shoots from the open and Camacho sprawls while punching the head. Camacho reverses on the way down and ends up on top again. Arm-triangle set up, and Dober postures up and gets to his feet. Anyone’s fight. Dober fires away and scores on a pair of combinations. Camacho’s punches miss, but a knee good. Midway point in the round. Camacho’s knee good, but he’s wearing Dober’s counters. Straight left wobbles Camacho, and yet he still comes forward. Dober goes to the body and misses on follow-ups. Camacho looks very winded and misses wide on a right hand. Big left for Dober. Camacho wading in, taking shots, looking for a knee. His right is landing periodically, but Dober is landing with more volume. Camacho punches into the clinch against the cage. Uppercut good for Dober. Body kick for Camacho. And again off a counter. Camacho eats a left hand as he pursues in close. Dober ducks for a takedown. Left takes steam off the kick. Camacho lands a big right hand, and Dober is on the defensive. Slugfest. They trade big shots and run out of time. Close round, but MMAjunkie scores the frame 10-9 Dober for superior accuracy and volume, giving him the 29-28 score in a barnburner of a fight.
Result: Drew Dober def. Frank Camacho via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Jordan Rinaldi vs. Gregor Gillespie
Lightweight Division
Round 1: Rinaldi active early with leg kicks and the ducks into hooks. Gillespie chases and puts his left hand on Gillespie who lands a head kick and doesn’t even deter Gillespie’s forward charge. Rinaldi leaps with a knee and Gillespie has his leg. Rinaldi out before Gillespie can convert. Gillespie grabs the leg again and gets the easy single. Wraps the head in half-guard and works to pass on top. Contemplating guillotine. Rinaldi hanging tight so far. Gillespie passes to side mount. Gillespie thinking about his next move. Rinaldi gives up the mount. Gillespie in control and grapevines the legs. Gillespie takes the back as Rinaldi scrambles. Rinaldi shrimps and escapes to half-guard. Gillespie again gets the mount, then quarter mount. Rinaldi can’t keep up and again gives up the mount. Gillespie setting up the choke. Rinaldi scrambles and gets to his hands and knees. Gillespie at his back and hoists him back to the mat with less than one minute to go. Gillespie riding and takes the back, pounding away with a few punches. Back mount, and Gillespie pounding away with punches. Rinaldi has nowhere to go, and Gillespie fires off punches until the referee is forced to call it off.
Result: Gregor Gillespie def. Jordan Rinaldi via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 4:46
Dennis Bermudez vs. Andre Fili
Featherweight Division
Round 1:
They start trading right off the bat. Fili paws a jab that Bermudez ducks under. Bermudez presses in with a jab and resets for the same. Head movement to avoid Fili’s counters. Leg kick draws shot from Bermudez, and Fili escapes and fires off a kick. High pace fight. Bermudez follows with a jab and pops Fili. They trade leg kicks, and Fili lands a right. Lead hook to the body from Bermudez, who’s the aggressor early on. Fili tries to stop the momentum with his jab and circles off. Uppercut draws clinch from Bermudez, who has underhooks and tries to elevate. No dice, and action stalls. A trip attempt from Bermudez, but Fili upright. Bermudez using head control and works for his left hand in close. Fili frames and misses before escaping. Left hand good for Fili. Bermudez back in and the two trade left hands. Fili ducks under on a Bermudez advance and briefly gets a takedown. Fili working the jab. Bermudez chases Fili with a stinging leg kick. Bermudez punches in with a jab and tries to land that big right. They clash heads before Bermudez smothers Fili against the cage. Fili frames and misses on a left on the break. Bermudez ducks under again then lands another nice leg kick. Fili landing with his left hand, and when Bermudez chases, he gets taken down. Bermudez pops up and runs out of time before he can get back.
Round 2 – Bermudez charges early for a takedown, and Fili sticks a jab in his face.. Fili escapes after brief clinch and circles off. They trade leg kicks and Fili fires back with a right. Bermudez gives up another takedown off a kick, and Fili gets to the back briefly. Bermudez scrambles back and can’t trip his man to the mat. Fili’s length is quite a lot to overcome. Action stalls against the cage. Bermudez elevates on a single leg, and still Fili remains upright. Bermudez gives up and starts trying to jab in. Fili keeps him honest with a takedown feint. Calf kick draws right hand from Fili. Jabs to keep Bermudez at distance. Bermudez continues to attack the legs. That’s his equalizer here. Kick draws takedown attempt from Fili, who can’t complete. Nice counter one-two from Fili as Bermudez presses in. They trade right hands, and Fili tries to duck under for a takedown. Bermudez sees it and adjusts to press his opponent to the cage. Knees to bread basket from Bermudez. Fili pummeling, and Bermudez peels off with a combo. Leg kick draws takedown from Fili, who traps the head and tries to pass guard. Elbows from the bottom, and Bermudez scrambles to his feet. Not much time to work as Bermudez smothers Fili against the cage. Another elevation from Bermudez no good, but a right hand good. Bermudez ends the frame in pursuit.
Round 3 – Bermudez charges in. Fili works jabs. Bermudez plugging forward and tries a lead hook to the body. Fili on his jabs. Bermudez repays with the same and charges into an exchange in close. Fighters equal in scoring. Fili takes his time. Fili works the jab on the restart. Bermudez tries to go high with kick, then nails the legs. Bermudez chasing down a finish. He knows it’s a close fight. Fili sniping back and gets pushed to the cage. Fili can’t get the takedown to avoid Bermudez’s fists. Fili is trying to avoid Bermudez and ride out the round. Big left for Bermudez, who’s breaking down Fili. Lead shot to the body for Bermudez, and Fili repays with right hand. Fili tries to duck under for a takedown and gets smothered to cage. Elbow sets up takedown for Bermudez, who’s on top. Fili explodes and Bermudez counters with an armbar. Fili slides out and Bermudez stays on him to clinch against the fence before running out of time.
Andre Fili def. Dennis Bermudez via Split Decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)
Main Event
Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza vs. Derek Brunson
Middleweight Division
Referee:
Round 1: Both fighters eye each other warily. Brunson pawing with lead hand. Souza circles off and looses a body kick. Brunson blocks a pulled body kick and lets go his own front kick. Souza with a body kick. Brunson very patient. Let kick lands. Souza misses with body kick. First combo from Brunson short. Souza waves him in. Brunson with front kick. Brunson again with combo that’s blocked. Souza’s guard tugh to get through. Souza right hand clips Brunson, who resets. Now Souza inching forward. Brunson pushes him back with a combo. Jab lands for Brunson. High kick blocked. Souza’s straight right blocked. Brunson puushes in with punches and Souza ducks for takedown. Whizzer keeps Brunson upright, but he spills across the mat before recovering. Souza good with a right hand in next excahgne. Out of nowhere, Souza plasters Brunson with a head kick. Brunson knocked to the canvas. Souza slaps Brunson with an overhand right. Then he stays patient and pops him with more follow up rights, and Brunson has no idea where he is. Referee Dan Miragliotta calls it off before Souza can really hurt Brunson. The rematch ends with the same result. Brunson out in the first.
