Kamaru Usman vs Emil Meek
With three huge body slams, a flurry of elbows, and extended control on the mat that gassed out his opponent, Kamaru Usman came away with yet another statement win, this time against Emil Meek. Extending his professional win streak to 11, Usman’s prowess and threat to his division can no longer be overlooked. Kamaru Usman is the first welterweight since Jon Fitch in 2008 to win his first seven UFC welterweight fights. His seven-fight UFC win streak is the longest active streak in the welterweight division. He passes Santiago Ponzinibbio with his (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) unanimous decision win.
THEY SAID IT:
Kamaru Usman: “I said from the start that [Meek] wouldn’t be able to hang with me. No one can. That’s why all of the guys in this division run from me. It is time for me to fight someone ranked above me. I want Colby Covington. He likes to talk a lot and I’ll be the one to shut him up. Dana White, that’s the fight. Let’s go.”
Riding the momentum of a roaring hometown welcome, Michael Johnson came out hot, dropping Elkins several times. But Elkins’ notoriously iron chin helped him return fire. Elkins scored a takedown early in the second, finishing the fight with a submission with the same fervor as Johnson had started with. Elkins gets the win with a rear naked choke at 2:22 in the second round, and spoiling Johnson’s debut at featherweight. Darren Elkins has the 2nd-longest active UFC win streak in the featherweight division with his sixth consecutive win (Holloway, 11).THEY SAID IT:
Darren Elkins : “This was one of the biggest wins of my career and I think I am due for some respect. Michael Johnson came to fight tonight and we had a fun one but I had been practicing that submission throughout my camp. When the opportunity came, I took it and that’s how I fight. I know that I’m not going to be the next one to challenge for the title but I feel like I’m close. I want the fight that gets me to the title shot next. I don’t care who. I know I’m ready. No one has a better win streak in this division than the champion himself so I hope to see him soon.”
Action starts at 8 pm ET
The all-Missouri between Alex White and James Krause battle captured the attention of the crowd, both for their hometown heroes and the willingness of both fighters to get physical. White in particular was able to eat some punches while standing and delivering numerous heavy combinations, while Krause did his best work from the mat. It was a battle of absolute heart, with momentum continually switching back and forth, and their sportsmanship and regard for one another was on full display throughout. Despite being notably out-struck by White, Krause’s ground control swayed the judges for the unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).THEY SAID IT:
James Krause: “Honestly, I didn’t feel my best tonight. I felt flat, heavy and [White] packs a hell of a punch but winners find a way to win and that’s what I did. The exchanges on the feet were wild and that’s what we expected so I knew I would need to wrestle him and grind for the win. I am proud of being from Missouri and I want to be a positive example here so it was amazing to fight and win in my hometown. Next for me, I would like to break into the Top 15 and I think I deserve a ranked opponent. I am going to the gym to sharpen up my tools more and I’m confident that I will rise to the occasion when the time comes to do so.”
Marco Polo Reyes spoiled the UFC debut of Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series alumni Matt Frevola in a short but thrilling no-holds barred brawl that caught Frevola on the losing end of Reyes’ heavy left hook. Reyes scores the first round KO.THEY SAID IT:
:Marco Polo Reyes
“I knew I had the power to knock him out but I had to be careful because [Frevola] is a very powerful guy so I tried to keep my distance but still get in and out. That worked out even better than expected and I was able to get the finish. I had a setback in my last fight but now I am back in the win column and it feels amazing. Thank you to St. Louis and all of the fans watching. It is an honor to perform for you.”
In the third women’s bout of the evening, Irene Aldana’s size advantage was the story of the fight, continually closing the distance and winning the strike battle in an avalanche (140-43) as well as the significant strikes (52-26). Talita Bernado’s game was valiant, but Aldana was relentless. Unanimous decision for Aldana (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).THEY SAID IT:
Irene Aldana :“It was incredible to get the win tonight. I have struggled with my nerves previously so getting this win was very important to me. [Bernardo] was much tougher than I thought. She was durable and kept pushing so I had to be careful but I felt I was doing more throughout the fight than she was. I wanted the finish and controlled the exchanges but she is very tough and she was heavy on the ground. I feel great and have no injuries so I would like to fight again in the next 2 or 3 months. I would love to fight Bethe Correia or Marion Reneau. To me, those are the fights that make the most sense.”
Two years away from the Octagon did not seem to result in ring rust for Korean Kyung Ho Kang, who survived some brutal early strikes from Cannetti only to turn the tables and execute a perfect triangle choke at 4:53 in the first round for the submission win. It’s Kang’s third win in a row.THEY SAID IT:
Kyung Ho Kang“It feels great to be back in the Octagon and I am very happy with this performance. I want to fight again soon and I will continue to finish those who are in front of me.”
Action starts at 6:30pm ET
Kalindra Faria vs Jessica Eye
Jessica Eye scored a much-needed win in her debut at flyweight, surviving some brutal head kicks from Kalindra Faria and controlling much of the fight from the ground. Thanking her team for all the trouble she put them through, Eye promises to win the division Eye (29-28, 29-28) by split decision over Faria (29-28). Faria falls to 0-2 in the UFC.THEY SAID IT:
Jessica Eye“I feel on top of the world. It’s been 5 years since I’ve been able to fight at 125 so, to be back at my weight class and get the win, nothing can compare. I was a little shaky walking out. I had a lot of nerves built up for this moment. It all felt very natural though. I won that fight with grit, takedowns and striking and that’s what being a fighter is all about. It feels unbelievable. I’m not going to say what’s next just yet but you will see very soon!”
Danielle Taylor vs JJ Aldrich
While Taylor’s strikes and kicks appeared to land with more power early, Aldrich’s notable size and reach advantage, coupled with her forward-marching style, resulted in far more signigicant strikes. The third round belonged almost soley to Aldrich, stunning Taylor with a spinning backhand and keeping the pressure on until the final bell. UD for Aldrich (29-28). THEY SAID IT:
JJ Aldrich“
Mads Burnell vs Mike Santiago
Both fighters looked agressive early to kick off the Saint Louis card in style. Burnell scored early on some takedowns, with Santiago controlling the latter half of the round with his own takedown and an attempted choke. Standing and trading to start the second, Santiago knocked Burnell to the mat, and kept him there for much of the 2nd until the momentum swung back to Burnell, who controlled from the top with some heavy hands after Santiago gave up his back. Burnell nearly excecuted a RNC as the round expired. Burnell returned to top control until the final minute of the third round when Santiago was able to return to his feet and pay back some of the damage he was taking. In the end it wasn’t long enough, and Burnell gets the UD (28-28, 29-28, 29-28)THEY SAID IT:
Mads Burnell: “I am very happy to have my first UFC win. My respect to Santiago, he is a true warrior and it was a tough fight. Wrestling was the key to success tonight. I felt a lot heavier than he did and used that to my advantage. Now that I have my first UFC win, I want to keep improving and I will finish whoever is next for me.”
