Namajunas to Technical for Cortez at UFC Denver
Denver Co, three fights into her run as a Flyweight and Rose Namajunas has settled into her new division.
The precision striking of Namajunas gaining her an early lead after a left hook knock down in the first. After a right high kick and flush straight right failed to put Cortez away in the second. Namajunas went to an area of her game not regularly on display hunting takedowns over the final three rounds. Cortez game till the final horn but the night belonged to Rose and was an obvious learning experience for Cortez. Following the winner Namajunas expressed her desire to challenge for the Women’s Flyweight championship. While consecutive wins have “Thug” Rose on the right track there’s still ground to be made up as the Alex Grasso – Valentina Shevchenko saga needs a conclusion and Manon Fiorot holds a win over Namajunas.
Muslim Salikhov pulled out a split decision win over Santiago Ponzinibbio in the co-main event. A fight that felt like it really could have been scored either way. The traditional jab-based boxing of Ponzinibbio dueling against the awkward angled overhands from Salikhov. Two judges saw the fight the same giving Salikhov the first two rounds with Ponzinibbio winning the third on control. The 40-year-old “King of Kung Fu” avoids a third loss in a row.
Jean Silva made it two wins in three weeks stepping up on short notice and defeating Drew Dober. While Silva’s strikes didn’t have the exact same effect, up 10lbs his speed and eyes were on full display. Silva’s chin passed a huge test eating some of Dober’s best and returned left hooks that opened Dober in his right eyebrow. In the pocket Silva slipped the oncoming fire many times returning and landing shots that would have stopped many fighters. Dober’s aggression eventually went against him as a spinning elbow landed flush, Dober saved by the second-round bell. Two more spinning elbows expanded the cut to a point where the doctor stopped the fight early in the third.
Gabriel Bonifm rebounded from his first career loss with the first decision win of his career. Brutal knees in the clinch nullified the Ange Loosa takedowns. The rest of the fight was a boxing match that Bonifm won by having a more diversified attack. Loosa was looking for the home run shot while Bonfim used his jab, went to the body, and added leg kicks.
Juliain Erosa survived a head kick from Christian Rodriguez, battling back with his boxing. Erosa catching a kick took the fight to the ground. Erosa lost having Rodriguez’s back but managed to make it consecutive wins by guillotine when Rodriguez went into Erosa’s guard.
The main card got going in controversial fashion. Cody Brundage immediately attacking a takedown. Alhassan defending with elbows. Brundage may have gone out but kept holding on to a single leg. As the elbows continued ref Big John jumped in deeming there having been illegally landed strikes. After the doctor inspection it was determined Brundage was unable to proceed, and the fight ruled a no contest.
The first two rounds of Charles Johnson against Joshua Van could have been scored either way. Johnson putting as much speed as possible on his strikes. Van staying in Johnson face putting power on his boxing combinations. A refreshed Johnson forced Van into a wild exchange. Johnson clipping Van with a right hand behind the ear, A follow up right uppercut puts Van away.
Jasmine Jasudavicius made is back-to-back victories and wins in four of her last five taking a decision from short notice opponent Fatima Kline who replaced Vivane Araujo. Kline showed her skills on the feet but in each round was dragged to the mat from behind. Four takedowns and almost 8 minutes of control time earning the decision.
If you forgot who Montel Jackson was or his potential it be hard to blame you. Over the last 15 months he’s had three scheduled fights fail to happen. He reminded everyone in a hurry putting Da’Mon Blackshear out cold with a straight left hand in 18 seconds for his 5th consecutive victory.
Brazilian prospect Luana Santos extended her current win streak to five in a row collecting her third win inside the octagon. Santos knocked down Mariya Agapova with a left hand following to the ground hunting a hear an arm choke before transitioning to the back for a rear naked choke finish.
The number three weighed heavy on Andre Petroski but ended up working in his favor. Petroski used three takedowns to stifle the offense of Josh Fremd and the more than 12 minutes of control made the score cards simple. And most importantly the win see Petroski avoid a third straight loss.
Tuesday Even Elder didn’t have a fight. Saturday, he went up a weight class and collected his 2nd UFC win. Elder knocked down Darrius Flowers in the first round reversed Flowers takedown in the second and from mount finished a head an arm choke.
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