To say it wasn’t my day wagering would be an understatement. My betting record on the card was 5-7, and I hit none of my plays. I clawed to a 3-3 record during the main card after going 2-4 during the prelims. However, I couldn’t complain as everyone at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas and fans worldwide were treated to a fantastic card. To review all my picks and analysis from before the card, click here.
Lightweight: #4 Beneil Dariush versus #8 Arman Tsarukyan
There is a seven-year difference between these two fighters, but don’t let Beneil Dariush’s salt-and-pepper hair colour fool you, as he is a fierce competitor. However, Arman Tsarkukyan is a worthy competitor and has earned his chance to fight one of the top contenders in the weight class. The Armenian fighter didn’t waste any time within the first minute of the opening round. He just missed landing a knee to Dariush’s head but hit a right hook that stunned his opponent. Nothing more was needed, and Tsarkuyan’s hand was raised as the medical staff checked Dariush.
Lightweight: #12 Jalin Turner versus #13 Bobby Green
Bobby Green could hear the trash-talking during the fighter intros. Confidence is one thing Green is undoubtedly capable of, and he knows how to hold his own in the octagon. He and Jalin Turner exchanged shots for the first three and a half minutes of the first round. As the clock had 150 seconds left, Turner caught Green on the side of the head. It took a moment for the impact to sink in, and Green dropped almost three seconds after taking the blow. As Green lay defenceless, Turner repeatedly delivered more blows to the back and side of Green’s head. It was almost 11 seconds before the referee finally called the fight. It was a topic of conversation if the referee let the fight continue too long. It took time for Green to recover, but he managed to get back on his feet for the official decision and to shake hands.
Bantamweight: #8 Rob Front versus Deiveson Figueiredo
Davison Figueiredo managed his first fight in Bantamweight very well. He took his fair share of strikes from Rob Front. However, the former champion had two takedowns in the first round. Round two was very similar in fashion, and the consensus was that Figueiredo was up two rounds to zero. Font had to go for broke in the third round, but around 3:30 left, he took an excellent shot to the head. This could have ended the fight, but Font held his own for the remaining time. The war went to the judge’s decisions, and they all agreed Fig won, 30-27.
Welterweight: #9 Sean Brady versus Kelvin Gastelum
In his welterweight return, Kelvin Gastelum spent most of the first round on the defence. Sean Brady came out dominantly and held fierce ground control for most of the first round. The second round was very similar, and Brady likely held a 20-18 lead heading into the final round. The judges weren’t needed as Brady quickly took down Gastelum to start the third round and worked his way to a submission win.
Lightweight: Clay Guida versus Joaquim Silva
You wouldn’t know Clay Guida is 41 years old, by the way, came out flying to start the fight. Guida was jumping around the change and landed some heavy blows. However, Silva took charge of the first round after throwing a crucial uppercut. The second round was tight, but most felt Guida did enough to tie the fight up. The third and deciding round was won by the younger fighter, Silva. Guida looked like he ran out of steam and left himself defenceless at various times. Silva fought a brilliant round and did enough to earn the 29-28 given by all three judges.
Middleweight: Punahele Soriano versus Dustin Stolzfus
Punahele Soriano kept paced with Dustin Stolzfus in the first round. Stoltzfus likely earned a 10-9 round if it mattered, but he took off in the second round. He landed some beautiful punches before executing an explosive takedown. Little time was wasted before Stolzfuz found Soriano’s exposed neck and completed his sixth career submission victory.
Quick Prelim Thoughts
- I slept on Veronica Hardy and won’t make that mistake again.
- Wellington Turman won the first round but let his guard down in the second. Jared Gooden knew when to capitalize.
- Rodolfo Bellato took a massive beating and still found a way to win.
- I hope Joe Solecki is okay after suffering that devastating body slam from Drakkar Klose.
- Cody Brundage must have been watching Klose as he did his own insane body slam to Resse Zachary.
- Former champ Miesha Tate still has a lot of fight left.
I went 2-4 on my Prelim picks, as I only scored on Rodolfo Bellato and Drakkar Klose.
The UFC will return on Saturday, December 9th, 2023, with another fight card that will surely not disappoint. Song Yadong and Chris Guitierrez headline the ten-fight card. The event was initially set to take place in Shanghai, China, but was relocated to UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, for an undisclosed reason. I will post my complete analysis and picks later this week, so stay tuned.