Wrapping it up
The latest UFC Fight Night in Calgary ended up like a normal card were snoozers were alternated by knockouts. The main card (which we will talk about later) did not disappoint though as the two main attractions were quite a show in terms of what the future holds at the 145lb division.As the featherweight division rankings are bound to be shaken up, some prospects might also break in on their respective divisions' rankings. Here are some of what transpired in this weekend's festivities.
Quick hits:
Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)
- John Makdessi def. Ross Pearson by unanimous decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-28)
- Katlyn Chookagian def. Alexis Davis by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- Dustin Ortiz def. Matheus Nicolau by KO at 3:49 of the first round
- Nina Ansaroff def. Randa Markos unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Devin Powell def. Alvaro Herrera by TKO at 1:52 of the first round
Preliminary Card (Fox)
- Jordan Mein def. Alex Morono by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28
- Hakeem Dawodu def. Austin Arnett by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Islam Makhachev def. Kajan Johnson via submission (armbar) at 4:43 of the first round
- Ion Cutelaba def. Gadzhimurad Antigulov TKO at 4:25 of the first round
Main card
Alexander Hernandez vs Olivier Aubin-MercierIt seemed like a battle for North American supremacy in the UFC as Alexander Hernandez from the USA faced Olivier Aubin-Mercier from Canada. The Texan Hernandez was looking to go two for two inside the Octagon while Aubin-Mercier, a native of Montreal-Quebec wants to etch his name in the list of greats coming from his hometown.
Hernandez pushed the pace early on and brought it to Aubin-Mercier. A counter attack late in the first round from the Canadian prompted Hernandez to shoot for his life thus taking down Aubin-Mercer to score the first round in his favor.
Still on defense mode in the second round, Hernandez kept the action on the ground where Referee Marc Goddard had no choice but to restart the two on their feet. A clinch battle ensued where Hernandez had control till the round ended.
Hernandez continued his pace in the third round while an exhausted Aubin-Mercier made sure to still keep fighting as there were brief moments of a comeback for him. It wasn't enough for "The Canadian Gangster" though to earn him the victory.
Joanna Jedrezjczyk vs Tecia Torres
The only women's match on the main card featured two UFC Straweight standouts who never experienced being at the bottom as No. 1 ranked Joanna Jedrzejczyk took on the No. 5 ranked Tecia Torres. This was a typical striker vs striker match as the two saw action on their feet most of the fight.
Jedrzejczyk used her length to her advantage as she controlled the action before Torres was able to close in with a clinch. Torres tried for a takedown as well but Jedrzejczyk was able to defend and fight back with unanswered kicks till Torres made fired back with a late flurry to end the round
The final round was no different from the first two as Jedrzejczyk tried to extend her lead with her reach while Torres tried to catch up by trying to get her opponent in a clinch. Torres scored a takedown but was not able to pin Jedrzejczyk down for long as the two got up and continued fighting in the clinch till the end.
Result: Joanna Jedrzejczyk def. Tecia Torres by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Jose Aldo vs Jeremy Stephens
Former UFC Featherweight champion Jose Aldo looked to bounce back as he took on an always dangerous Jeremy Stephens. Many speculate that we are seeing the twilight of Aldo's days as one of the best after two straight knockout losses at the hands of current champion Max Holloway.
Stephens opened the fight swinging. He was literally throwing bombs that prompted Aldo to be more cautious.
The King of Rio however showed his timing and precision skills as he fired back causing a cut under Stephens' eye. This did not stop Stephens however as he continued to deliver heavy strikes.
Aldo then would land a counter left punch to the liver which would drop Stephens, which prompted Aldo to follow up with some heavy and uncontested strikes to the ground. Despite Stephens' efforts to tell the referee that he is still conscious, he wasn't intelligently defending which prompted referee Yves Lavigne to stop the match.
Result: Jose Aldo def. Jeremy Stephens by TKO at 4:19 of the first round
Eddie Alvarez vs Dustin Poirier
The main event featured two fighters who has a knack for putting up strings of impressive performances in the UFC. Unfortunately, one impressive run has to end as Eddie Alvarez took on Dustin Poirier.
More than a year after their initial encounter, which saw the match turned into a "No Contest" due to an accidental illegal knee, history almost repeated itself but let us first talk about the action.
Alvarez was very methodical with his strikes as he mixed body and head strikes in the opening round. Poirier was able to hold his own but it was Alvarez who convincingly took the round.
The former lightweight champion anticipated return fire from Poirier as he went for takedowns in the second round. Alvarez was in control until an illegal elbow shot prompted referee Marc Goddard to issue a warning and restart both fighters on the feet.
This is where it spelled trouble for Alvarez as Poirier was able to land a knee in a subsequent exchange which hurt the former champion. Porier would then follow up with a series of strikes which continued to hurt Alvarez, prompting the referee to step in and stop the fight.
Result: Dustin Poirier def. Eddie Alvarez by TKO at 4:05 of the second round
How will the card's results affect the UFC rankings? Are there title implications for the winners? Leave a comment and let us know your thoughts.
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