Ngannou lives up to the hype! It only took 1:57 to score an impressive win by Kimura submission
They said it:
Francis Ngannou: “This is something we drilled a lot because everyone thinks that I am only a striker. I wanted to show my submission game and I want to fight someone in the top-10 so I can prove that I am ready for a a shot at the belt.”
Anthony Hamilton: “I just got caught. Francis is known as a standup guy and I didn’t expect him to pull a kimura from a standing position. My mistake, I got caught and now I have to deal with that.”
No matter his nickname, Anderson is still dominating. “Overtime” took over in the second round, pounding O’Connell until earning the TKO victory.
They said it:
Corey Anderson: “I feel like it’s my job to weed out the 205-pound division. The motivation of my coaches is the key to my evolution. The people I bring in, the people I keep around me. I keep positive people around me, I bring in the best coaches I can, the best training partners. I call in guys from around the country that I think are good training partners to train with me, working with new coaches like Nick Catone. Everything I did in there is something Nick Catone showed me. Mark Henry, Ricardo Almeida that’s how Frankie Edgar got to the top and I’m fortunate enough to have the same coaches as him and that’s what will get me to the top. I want the winner of Nikita Krylov and Misha Cirkunov. Hopefully Nikita wins because I’ve been calling him out for months, but if Misha wins, I’ll take him too.”
Sean O’Connell: “I want to congratulate Corey first of all. He’s a top-10 guy and he felt like a top-10 guy in there tonight. I couldn’t stop anything he wanted to do. Right now this does feel like the end (of my career). Hopefully there will be broadcasting opportunities for me in the future with the UFC, I’d like to pursue that avenue. I’m already a professional on that end of things, so hopefully the transition will make sense for FOX and for the UFC. My apologies for a substandard performance and I want to thank everyone who has supported me along the way.”
Safarov gave it his all in his UFC debut, but Villante was too strong en route to a second-round TKO
A back-and-forth affair for portions of the full 15 minutes, Kish proved her class by winning via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Justine Kish: “Ashley impressed me just by taking the fight on the notice that she did, that she showed up. There were things I wanted to accomplish in there that I’m a little upset that I didn’t, but it’s okay it’s something I can go back to camp and work on the things I was supposed to do. Again, I got the win, I’m really excited about it but I can’t wait to go back and work on the things I need to work on. I want to fight the champ, I want to fight the best and I want to fight frequently.”
Ashley Yoder: “Going in was definitely the most surreal, exciting experience I’ve ever had as a fighter. The energy of the fans, it was the best feeling ever. I don’t agree with the decision, but I believe it was close. I believe there are things I could have done to seal my side of it and I’m kind of regretting it now, but it’s a learning experience and I’ll grow from it.”
New York native Randy Brown put on a show in the Octagon, finishing Brian Camozzi with a knee that dropped him and a slew of punches before getting the TKO win in the second round.
Randy Brown: “Emotions are how they always are when you win. I’m happy. I came in here with intentions to do big things, so one step at a time and that’s another step taken. I feel good. The energy was amazing. There was no way I was coming in here to lose. No way. In New York, my hometown, my second home away from Jamaica, come on man. I’m trying to get on that Brooklyn card too. I’ll fight anybody. It doesn’t matter who.”
Gerald Meerschaert had a UFC debut he will never forget – earning the first round victory by anaconda choke in his 33rd professional fight.
Gerald Meerschaert: “It’s the best feeling of my life. Everything out there went pretty much according to plan. I started a little slow, but as soon as I established the things we were working on in camp, everything went smooth. He (Joe Gigliotti) did the same things he has done in previous fights. He brings big punches but not much defense, as you saw. I knew he was open to straight shots, it was more being tentative and waiting, getting comfortable to allow my shots to land. I want another fight as soon as I can. There’s no particular name, I’ll take anyone they give me.”
The Ultimate Fighter winner Andrew Sanchez continues his romp in the UFC, winning by unanimous decision over Trevor Smith (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Andrew Sanchez: “My debut against Khalil (Rountree), the obvious answer to fighting a guy like that is to take him down. He has a huge hole with his ground game, he’s twice my size – he’s a 205’er and I’m a 185’er. Now that I’m down in my weight class, I’m fighting a wrestler so I strike with the guy. I’m well rounded, I can fight any fight. Give me a grappler, give me a jiu jitsu guy, I want to fight all styles. You know who I want? I want Elias Theodorou, he won’t fight me, he’s scared of me. I called him out, he won’t fight me, so I’m telling you right now home, take the fight! Let’s do it in Brooklyn.”
What an action-packed 15 minutes! A definite winner was clear as Burgos won by a wide margin on the judges’ scorecards (30-26, 29-27, 29-28), but Trator definitely gave it his all in what was a very entertaining bout.
Shane Burgos: “If I can do this on two weeks’ notice, it’s a message to everyone that your dreams are possible. If you believe in yourself, you work hard and you truly believe, anything is possible. I fed off the energy from the crowd. This is as close to a hometown show as I am going to get. I saw my family, my wife. We’re having a baby soon, so that was for my baby coming up. My mom’s birthday was yesterday, so I wanted to do this for her. … I told my corner that if the fight goes past the first round and my hair is getting in my face to cut it (pony tail) off. It wasn’t getting in my face the first round, but it started to in the second, so I told them to cut it off. It was pretty memorable, but it was planned beforehand. That was the first Octagon haircut, right? I think that’s worth a bonus, fight of the night maybe?”
“Bonecrusher” Diakiese remains undefeated after a unanimous decision win over Perez (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Marc Diakiese: “It’s always great to get the win but I would have liked to have gotten the finish; that’s what I am here for, to finish. I got caught in the second round and my eye started bleeding and I couldn’t find my shots, so it’s just nice to shut him up. I went out there to look good, because that’s what I like to do. Personally, I would like to be on the London card. If Nick Hein is ready to go then I’d like to fight him on the London card in March.”
LOSING FIGHTER: “This was a decision I made personally, to come back. I had a rough year with my family and I needed to take all of my time and responsibilities and focus on my family. I decided to step away from what I love to do and just focus on my family while they were having a tough time, but I didn’t want to live the rest of my life saying ‘what if?’ The comeback was for me. I’m happy I did. I’m not happy with the decision, but I’m happy to be back with the UFC. I’m not sure how long I will be back, but I’m going to have some fun while I am and make some noise. The biggest motto I taught myself in the time being away is that the only person keeping you from being happy is you. I just want to be happy now and I’m happy being back.”
This battle went the distance, with Janes getting the win in his UFC debut by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Ryan Janes: “This is magic. It was good to put on an exciting fight and it’s good to get the UFC win. I don’t feel much pressure (fighting a guy in his hometown), I guess I was more preoccupied with this being my UFC debut than being in his backyard. I don’t know if you saw me out there, but I was kind of laughing while they were booing me. I’d like to fight Elias Theodorou next and prove that I’m the best in Canada.”
Keith Berish: “It was great coming out, listening to everyone cheer, seeing faces I knew – it was everything you could ask for. Being so close to my house, this was the second show in New York, people could actually travel to come and see me fight as opposed to four and a half hours to Atlantic City or Vermont, no one was going to fly to Vegas to see me. It was awesome, it was great.”
After 15 minutes, Lima defeats Aldrich by unanimous decision in dominant fashion (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
They said it:
Juliana Lima: “The game plan didn’t change too much after the change of opponents because Tatiana (Suarez) is a southpaw too. The only difference was Tatiana is a wrestler, but we worked wrestling, takedowns, stand up, everything – so I was ready to fight with anyone. This is amazing. I was expecting to finish, but just getting the win is wonderful. I will fight anyone. I want to more, I don’t fight often enough and I hope to fight in Houston in February.”
JJ Aldrich: “It was huge making my UFC debut. It was a dream come true. I am very lucky to be able to fight in Albany – it was an honor. I got to share the cage with a very tough opponent. Things didn’t go my way, but I will go back and improve and come back stronger.”
