Main event: Dustin Poirier defeated Anthony PettisDustin Poirier vs. Anthony Pettis had something for everybody. The two lightweights traded on the feet and battled when the fight went to the ground. In the third round, Poirier had position on the ground and as the two scrambled, Pettis moved awkwardly and appeared to suffer an injury on the ground, forcing him to tap at 1:50 of the third round, giving Poirier the victory. In the first round, Poirier implemented his gameplan early with a takedown. He landed five of six in the fight and looked good on the ground, but Pettis was working to match him. At the end of the first, Poirier cut Pettis with a nice flurry and Pettis ended the round with a big shot of his own. The second was a firefight and Pettis was close on a triangle from his back. In the third it looked like we were building toward another great round when the injury occurred. Poirier wants the winner of Eddie Alvarez and Justin Gaethje set for UFC 218.
THEY SAID IT:
Dustin Poirier: “I feel great, man. Everybody points the finger and says I slip up in big fights, but that’s two champions in a row I just beat. I knew he’d been working on his takedowns, but I’ve been at American Top Team for five years wrestling my butt off. I knew I had a lot of work to do, so I’ve just been working. It was weird. I thought I was going to get the head-and-arm or rear-naked choke. He was hurt and I felt the power leave him. You know the point in a fight when a guy gets broken. I do that to a lot of these guys. I’m a nasty dude. I love this. This is what I live for. The talking, calling people out and acting crazy? That’s not what I do. I fight.”
WHAT AN ELBOW! Matt Brown KO’s Diego Sanchez for the finish at #UFCNorfolk! https://t.co/i7MIUI1rXE
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) November 12, 2017
Matt Brown caught a kick from Diego Sanchez and walked him into the fence before dropping his leg and unleashing a hellacious elbow that dropped Diego Sanchez for the one-shot knockout 3:44 into the first round. Brown was forced to go on the defensive in the fight as Sanchez was looking to shoot for a takedown, but Brown kept the fight standing throughout the bout. Brown announced that this would be his retirement bout, but after the KO he said he’s going to take some time to think before he closes the book on his career.
THEY SAID IT:
Matt Brown: “Diego’s one of my favorite fighters. I absolutely love the guy. I wish nothing but the best for him. It almost feels bad doing it to him, because I like him so much. That’s the game we play, I guess. I wanted to focus on this fight and enjoy the moment. It could be my last fight. I’m closing the door, but I’m not locking it. I want to think hard about what my motivations are and what I want out of this. I want to think about what I do with myself and my life. I love fighting. It’s my favorite thing in the world to do. But do I want to be a championship fighter or just fight? I don’t want to just fight. If I’m not going to be fighting towards a championship, then I’m not going to be fighting.”
Andrei Arlovski defeated Junior AlbiniAndrei Arlovski welcomed prospect Junior Albini into the the top 15 of the heavyweight division by taking a unanimous decision, 29-28, 30-27, 30-27. Albini looked strong in the first round but faded as the fight went on. Arlovski out-struck Albini, 106-74 and stuffed Albini’s takedowns as he got desperate in the third round. Arlovski stops a five-fight losing streak with the win.
THEY SAID IT:
Andrei Arlovski: “I knew he was tough. He’s young. I was sure he was going to look for a knockout. So that’s why I stuck to my game plan and made it go longer. It feels amazing. I still have a couple more years in this.”
Cezar Ferreira defeated Nate MarquardtCezar Ferreira used a pair of clutch takedowns in the third round to squeak out a close split decision, 28-29, 29-28, 29-28 over Nate Marquardt. “Mutante” out-struck Marquardt, 96-51 but the fight was closer than the numbers indictaed. Marquardt opened up a big cut on the head of Ferreira late in the fight and dropped the Brazilian at one point in the bout, as well. After the win, Ferreira called out fellow countrymen Paulo Costa.
THEY SAID IT:
Cezar Ferreira: “Moving to welterweight was the biggest mistake of my career. 185 is my weight. I feel bigger and stronger. I respect Nate a lot. He’s done a lot for the sport. He’s a very smart fighter. I knew it was going to be a tough fight, but was happy I could do my game plan. I have some personal business with Paulo Costa. He used to be in my camp to train with Vitor Belfort. A few months ago, he disrespected my team on social media. When I meet the kid in the Octagon, I’m going to teach him respect.”
Raphael Assuncao defeated Matthew LopezRaphael Assuncao was in complete control of his fight with Matthew Lopez when he decided to take the decision out of the hands of the judges. Assuncao landed a right hook right to the temple, dropping Lopez to the mat. Once there it looked like Assuncao was going to drop some unnecessary bombs, but held up as he realized Lopez was completely unconscious. After the win, Assuncao called out champion TJ Dillashaw for a trilogy fight. Both fighters have defeated the other.
THEY SAID IT:
Raphael Assuncao: “It took a few rounds to make a statement, but I made it in the third. It worked out for me. The pressure was all on me. I was pretty nervous for this fight because there was a lot on the table. There are a lot of new guys in the bantamweight division. Here I am, the veteran, making a statement and being humble. Let’s see if I get a title shot. My only loss at bantamweight is to TJ Dillashaw. I have a win over him. Let’s do the trilogy. The first fight was close. For the second fight, I fought him in my first fight after 16 months away. We fought and he beat me. Now, he’s become the champion again. Now, I know his game and I can use different parts of my arsenal.”
Clay Guida defeated Joe LauzonClay Guida put down Joe Lauzon with an overhand right behind the ear and then a right uppercut. Guida then swarmed with crazy hammer fists until the referee stepped in to earn the first-round TKO win at 1:07 of the first round. The finish is the first for Guida in almost eight years – since Jan. 1 2011 vs. Takanori Gomi. The crowd absolutely exploded for Guida, who gave a great post fight interview. Guida credited his coaches at Team Alpha Male for his improving boxing, which absolutely shocked Lauzon in the early moments of the fight.
THEY SAID IT:
Clay Guida: “Joe and I got in the UFC right around the same time. He’s someone I’ve always looked up to and a fighter I’ve always enjoyed watching. It was great to compete with him. It was awesome to get a win that quick. Any time I can put my hands on someone, which I never do, it’s awesome. It’s like hitting a grand slam in the World Series. One-hundred Forty Five pounds was cool. At 155 pounds, I’m having fun again. This is my division. I’m coming for these guys. Whoever is ready to get steamrolled, step in the Octagon with me. I think about (not getting a finish since Takanori Gomi at UFC 125 on Jan. 1, 2011). I flip the calendar and think, ‘Man, am I ever going to finish someone?’ It’s a longtime coming and to get it against someone as high-level as Joe feels pretty good.”
Marlon Moraes defeated John Dodson
THEY SAID IT:
Marlon Moraes: “I fight with my heart in there and listen to my coaches. I really put my heart in there and my coaches all think I won. So, I think I won. His style is a little bit unique, but I wasn’t impressed at all. People have hit me harder and faster, but he did have a different style. Jimmie Rivera is the fight to make. We were supposed to fight, but he didn’t want to fight me. Let’s fight. He has no opponent.”
Tatiana Suarez defeated Viviane PereiraTatiana Suarez landed four takedowns and controlled Viviane Pereira for 12:24 of the 15-minute fight to cruise to a unanimous decision win, 30-27, 30-27, 30-26. Suarez used some good-looking ground and pound throughout the contest that led to a lopsided advantage in strikes, 101-48. Suarez improves to 6-0 with the victory.
THEY SAID IT:
Tatiana Suarez: “Everybody made a big deal about our undefeated records going in – someone’s 0 has to go. It’s weird, I’ve never been more confident out there. I’m glad I won and that’s all I care about. I’m not really thinking about taking her undefeated record. I knew she was going to be a tough opponent, so I prepared for a tough opponent. I love to finish people. I just didn’t get the finish today. I had an armbar at the last second. Give me five more seconds and I would have finished it. I’ll take whatever the UFC gives me next. I want to get back in there. I had a long layoff. I just want to stay busy now.”
Sage Northcutt defeated Michel QuinonesSage Northcutt took almost a year since his last fight to make his return to the Octagon and he showcased his improvements, taking out Micehl Quinones by unanimous decision, 30-27, 30-27, 30-27. Northcutt was the more active and accurate striker, landing 74/154 of his total strikes. Northcutt has officially moved to Team Alpha Male and he had his first full camp there before this fight and he credited the time spent with Urijah Faber and company as a big reason he was able to have success in the fight. Northcutt’s quickness was evident in the battle. At one point he popped Quinones’s head back with a triple jab that brought the crowd to its feet. Northcutt now moves to 4-0 at 155 pounds.
THEY SAID IT:
Sage Northcutt: “I feel great. I’m so pumped up from the audience here in Norfolk. That was a blast. My two fights at welterweight—someone called me out, so I went up. The other was a last-minute change because my opponent was injured. I’m now 4-0 at lightweight. I’m pumped up and now training at Team Alpha Male. Team Alpha Male has been awesome. I’ve been there for about three months straight. It’s been amazing and I can’t wait to grow as a fighter. I probably could have wrestled more. It’s been almost a year since I was in the Octagon. My opponent’s a great striker, so I figured I’d stay striking with him. It was fun for me and reminded me of my karate days.”
Nina Ansaroff def. Angela HillNina Ansaroff picked up a critical win against Angela Hill by unanimous decision, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28. Ansaroff begins her first UFC win streak at two in a row and said after the fight she wants a top 10 opponent next. Ansaroff had most of her success with a strong jab and a barrage of leg kicks throughout the fight. Ansaroff finished with a 113-87 advantage in total strikes and mixed up her attacks to keep Hill off balance. Hill was strong in the first round, looking quick and working some good leg kicks of her own, but Ansaroff ended up doing more over the course of the fight.
THEY SAID IT:
Nina Ansaroff: “I expected it to be a striking battle. I knew once I started to get the better of her, she would try to clinch. It pretty much went how I thought. I should have been a bit lighter on my feet, but I got the job done and that’s all that matters. She was an Invicta champion. I guess now I have that champion under my belt. I would like a fight as soon as I’m medically cleared, so I can get going to the top.”
Sean Strickland def. Court McGeeIt had to be frustrating for Court McGee, who attempted 12 takedowns in the fight and couldn’t finish a single one, to have Sean Strickland land his only takedown in the final moments of the fight. After some confusion with the scorecard reading, Strickland was awarded the win by unanimous decision, 30-27, 29-28, 29-28. Strickland landed 101 significant strikes to just 77 for McGee. McGee recovered early from a flurry from Strickland and brought the pace for the rest of the fight. He landed more total strikes, 107-103.
THEY SAID IT:
Sean Strickland: “I’m happy that I didn’t handle it like a whiny you-know-what. I accepted the draw, but I accepted the overturn a lot better. I’m happy the decision came out the way I thought it should. It was a good performance from Court McGee. He’s a tough guy and a good grinder. I thought that he was going to slow down in the tank, but he kept pushing me. I appreciate the opportunity to come out here and fight him.”
Jake Collier defeated Marcel FortunaMarcel Fortuna seemed determined to get Jake Collier to the mat throughout their three-round scrap. Fortuna landed one of six takedown attempts and had good position on top and even tried to apply an arm triangle, but Collier was able to reverse the position and stand back up, where he won most of the exchanges. Collier was able to take the unanimous decision, 30-27, 29-28, 29-28. Collier out-struck Fortuna, 108-51 in total strikes and 85-45 in significant strikes to pick up his third UFC win.
THEY SAID IT:
Jake Collier: “Pressure is always my game plan. This is my sixth fight in the UFC. I come out, throw the kitchen sink at you and hope for the best. He had decent head movement. We trained hard for this fight, because we knew the kind of ground game he has. You’ve got to understand, I’m a white belt in Jiu-Jitsu. I’ve never even head a gi on. This guy’s a third-degree black belt and I swept him. I got up and made him get up. I didn’t want to go to the ground with him. I think that just showcases how good my wrestling is.”
Karl Roberson defeated Darren StewartKarl Roberson put on a dominant performance in his UFC debut, submitting Darren Stewart with a rear naked choke at 3:41 of the first round. Roberson impressed on “Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series” with a first-round KO and decided to show off his ground game to improve to 6-0 as a pro. Roberson landed a takedown after the two traded for a few minutes and after taking the back was able to put ona slick choke that forced Stewart to tap.
THEY SAID IT:
Karl Roberson: “I’m a kickboxer, but this is mixed martial arts. You’ve got to be dangerous everywhere. Everybody’s so ready for my kickboxing that I have to come up with more stuff. If I just train kickboxing, I’m not going to know what to do when I get grabbed. I train it all. I’m really excited. I’m always my worst critic, so there are little things I can tweak. I can get a little better with my distance, but I got the win and got it early. I’m proud.”
