UFC: Hall vs. Strickland Quick Results & Thoughts

Main Card

(185) Sean Strickland def. Uriah Hall via unanimous decision (50-44, 50-45, 49-46)

According to MMA Math, Sean Strickland > Anderson Silva. And that's why MMA Math doesn't work. But this was a great performance from Strickland, who looked a level above the #8 ranked Hall here. He almost broke Hall physically and mentally, but Hall pulled himself together and showed amazing heart in the 5th going for both. Top tier battle.

(115) Cheyanne Buys def. Gloria de Paula via TKO (head kick & punches) at 1:00 of R1

Amazing timing on the quick finish from Buys, and you had to feel for her during her emotional post-fight interview where she talked about how broke she was. Fortunately, this win netted her the $50K bonus for Performance of the Night.

(170) Jared Gooden def. Niklas Stolze via KO (punch) at 1:08 of R1

Gooden came out all guns blazing with heavy, powerful strikes, and right as the commentary team suggested he save his gas tank... one of his bombs connected flush and shut the lights off. Awesome.

(145) Melsik Baghdasaryan def. Colin Anglin via TKO (head kick & punches) at 1:50 of R2

Great head kick finish. Baghdasaryan really started to find his striking flow in the second round, and the head kick came shortly after some fluid combos. Excellent UFC debut.

(170) Jason Witt def. Bryan Barberena via majority decision (28-28, 29-27, 29-28)

I thought the featured prelim had Fight of the Night sown up, but instead that distinction went to this main card opener. Relentless pressure from both fighters, both landing incredible punches, but it was the wrestling advantage of Witt that made the difference.

Prelims

(155) Chris Gruetzemacher def. Rafa Garcia via UD (29-28 X 3)

This fight lived up to the winner's name, because it was as gritty as it gets. Body shots, knees, elbows and clinch strikes for days. Total war!

(145) Kai Kamaka III vs. Danny Chavez goes to a majority draw (29-27, 28-28 X 2)

A wild fight. Kamaka has a reckless style that backfired in this one, as he committed multiple fouls, leading to the point deduction and ultimately the draw.

(115) Jinh Yu Frey def. Ashley Yoder via UD (30-27 X 3)

Just an aggressive all-striking scrap. Very technical and competitive, absolutely worth your time.

(125) Zarrukh Adashev def. Ryan Benoit via UD (30-27 X 2, 29-28)

Benoit's leg was mince meat, but that didn't stop him plowing forward trying to take Adashev's head off. It wasn't successful, but was damn fun to watch!

Catchweight (173.5) Phil Rowe def. Orion Cosce via TKO (punches) at 4:21 of Round 2

Not a ton happening in the first, but this got exciting real quickly in the 2nd round as Rowe uses his rangy frame to stun Cosce a number of times before the ref waved it off. Great way to start the card.