UFC Fight Night Report: Jessica Andrade submits Amanda Lemos with a standing arm triangle
By: Eric Marcotte
On Saturday night, the UFC held a Fight Night event at the Apex facility in Las Vegas, Nevada. This event was headlined by a strawweight bout between the tenth-ranked Amanda Lemos, and a former champion of the division, Jessica Andrade. Andrade has largely fought at flyweight since losing her title but opted to make the move back down to 115lbs here, with the hope of earning a trilogy fight against the current champion of the division, Rose Namajunas. Lemos was riding a five-fight win streak going into this bout, and with this marking her first UFC main event, this was a huge opportunity for her to catapult herself into title contention. This card also featured UFC veteran Clay Guida in his 59th professional bout, facing a submission specialist in Claudio Puelles.
A heavyweight bout between Chase Sherman and Alexander Romanov was canceled on the day of the event due to undisclosed health concerns on Sherman’s end (described on the broadcast as a minor medical issue). Both fighters had taken this fight on short notice after Rodrigo Nascimento and Tanner Boser were both forced to withdraw from the initially scheduled bout.
The commentary team for this card consisted of Brendan Fitzgerald, Daniel Cormier, and Paul Felder. Performance of the Night bonuses were awarded to Jessica Andrade and Claudio Puelles. Fight of the Night bonuses went out to Dwight Grant and Sergey Khandozhko.
QUICK RESULTS:
PRELIMINARY CARD:
*Mike Jackson def. Dean Barry by disqualification at 3:52 of Round 1
*Philipe Lins def. Marcin Prachnio by unanimous decision (29-28 all)
*Preston Parsons def. Evan Elder by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
*Aoriqileng def. Cameron Else by TKO at 2:48 of Round 1
*Tyson Pedro def. Ike Villanueva by TKO at 4:55 of Round 1
*Sergey Khandozhko def. Dwight Grant by TKO at 4:15 of Round 2
MAIN CARD:
*Marc-Andre Barriault def. Jordan Wright by guillotine choke at 2:36 of Round 1
*Charles Jourdain def. Lando Vannata by guillotine choke at 2:32 of Round 1
*Maycee Barber def. Montana De La Rosa by unanimous decision (30-27 all)
*Claudio Puelles def. Clay Guida by kneebar at 3:01 of Round 1
*Jessica Andrade def. Amanda Lemos by standing arm triangle at 3:13 of Round 1
DEAN BARRY (4-1, 170.5) VS MIKE JACKSON (0-1, 1 NC, 170) – WELTERWEIGHT
Barry caught Jackson with a number of right hands early but was occasionally getting caught as he lunged in. A spinning back kick caught Jackson low, and he collapsed to the ground in pain. The microphone picked up every word Jackson said as he took time to recover, clearly in significant pain. Barry was issued a warning, and the fight continued. Another right hand from Barry backed Jackson up, and Jackson really was reacting poorly to Barry’s bigger shots. Eventually, a shot from Barry sent Jackson down near the cage, and while Jackson got back to his feet, Barry just swarmed him with shots against the cage, and this fight was on the verge of being stopped. Just as it looked as though this fight might be reaching its end, a finger from Barry dug into the eye of Jackson, resulting in another pause in the action. This time it was determined that Jackson could not continue, and the fight was stopped.
WINNER: Mike Jackson by disqualification at 3:52 of Round 1
This was a strange fight. Barry was one of the biggest betting favorites in UFC history going into this fight and was clearly the better fighter, but those fouls showcased his inexperience, and ultimately cost him the bout. It was interesting that these fouls were ruled intentional, when on last week’s UFC card, we had two fights ended due to illegal blows, and both were ruled unintentional. I don’t necessarily disagree with the decision here, but it’s interesting to note how different this was handled in comparison to similar fight-ending fouls that occurred in the same promotion just a week ago. Regardless, after nearly four years of inactivity, Mike Jackson remarkably recorded his first official win here, as his decision victory over CM Punk was overturned (which resulted in a no contest).
MARCIN PRACHNIO (15-5, 205) VS PHILIPE LINS (14-5, 205) – LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
Lins took Prachnio down about a minute into the fight but was unable to keep him there for any meaningful period of time. Prachnio landed a head kick as Lins jabbed the body, and nearly caught him with another one moments later. Both fighters landed short strikes throughout some messy exchanges late in the round, and Prachnio defended another takedown attempt just before time expired. 10-9 Prachnio.
The fighters traded wildly to begin round two, with Lins seemingly landing the harder shots. Prachnio did manage to cut Lins open in the exchange, but he was rocked badly, and Lins went on the attack, walking Prachnio down while throwing heavy hooks. Prachnio wrapped Lins up and bought himself time to recover, but he was looking very tired by the time this round reached its halfway point. Prachnio continued to take significant damage throughout the remainder of this round, and by the time the horn sounded, it was tough to imagine him fighting for another five minutes. 19-19.
Lins took Prachnio down just seconds into the final round. Remarkably, despite being as gassed as I’ve ever seen a fighter, Prachnio made it back to his feet, and he marched forward in an attempt to make up some ground. Lins was tired as well but seemed to have a bit more gas in the tank, which served him well for the lengthy grappling exchanges in this round. The fight went the distance, and I scored it 29-28 in favor of Philipe Lins.
WINNER: Philipe Lins by unanimous decision (29-28 all)
There were certainly some wild exchanges in this fight, specifically in the second round, but these fighters gassed pretty hard, and the final seven minutes of this one were fairly uneventful. Lins had the slightest cardio advantage, and that probably ended up deciding this one, because Prachnio just had nothing left in the tank by round three. This marked Lins first win in the UFC, as well as his first fight at light heavyweight since 2017.
PRESTON PARSONS (9-3, 170) VS EVAN ELDER (7-0, 170) – WELTERWEIGHT
Parsons nearly secured dominant position on the ground early, but Elder was able to pop back to his feet quickly. Parsons caught Elder with a heavy left hand before looking for another takedown. He was unsuccessful, but Parsons continued to pressure forward on the feet, landing strong shots. Parsons changed levels and took Elder down with just over a minute remaining in the round, where he began to work from half guard. Parsons nearly secured an arm triangle, but Elder managed to hold on until the round reached its conclusion. 10-9 Parsons.
Parsons wasted little time in taking Elder back to the ground. Elder escaped to his feet, but was quickly taken right back down. Parsons took the back of Elder, where he was looking for a rear naked choke, however Elder swept his way into top position, which saved him momentarily. It did not take Parsons long to work his way back on top, and this time he went back to the arm triangle that he nearly secured in the prior round. He applied it perfectly this time, and it seemed as though this fight was moments away from a finish, but Elder escaped one more time, and ended the round on his feet. 20-18 Parsons.
Elder defended multiple takedowns attempts in the final round, successfully keeping the fight on the feet early. Both men landed strong right hands, before Elder changed levels and took Parsons down. Parsons instantly swept into top position, where he began to work from half guard. He dominated the remainder of this round from top position, landing strong ground and pound throughout the final minutes. 30-27 Parsons.
WINNER: Preston Parsons by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
This was a very dominant performance from Parsons. While Elder showcased a lot of toughness, and his ability to escape Parsons’ submission attempts certainly impressed, this was the Preston Parsons show for fifteen minutes. His grappling ability stood out here, which is something we didn’t really get to see in his short notice debut against Daniel Rodriguez. This marked his first win in the UFC, as well as his first professional fight to go the distance.
AORIQILENG (22-11, 136) VS CAMERON ELSE (10-5, 135) – BANTAMWEIGHT
Aoriqileng tossed Else to the ground momentarily, after the fighters traded punches in the pocket. Aoriqileng attempted a flying knee after a significant body shot, and the fighters began to trade strikes wildly, with Aoriqileng seemingly landing the better shots. Another liver shot from Aoriqileng sent Else to the ground, and he proceeded to throw countless ground and pound strikes to the head and body until the fight was finally stopped.
WINNER: Aoriqileng by TKO at 2:48 of Round 1
Aoriqileng fought with a great deal of aggression, clearly looking for a quick finish. That approach resulted in a very entertaining fight while this one lasted, and a strong finish in his UFC bantamweight debut. Aoriqileng had left an impression at flyweight due to his entertaining style, but with a 0-2 promotional record, he desperately needed a win, and Aoriqileng secured that here at 135lbs. I thought the stoppage was a bit late by referee Keith Peterson, however I will always be the first to acknowledge just how difficult the job of a referee is in this sport.
TYSON PEDRO (7-3, 205) VS IKE VILLANUEVA (18-13, 205.5) – LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
There was very little activity from either man early. Pedro began to find success with his kicks to the body, and a straight right hand backed Villanueva into the cage. Pedro attempted to knee him in the body, but the knee caught Villanueva low, and the fight was paused while Villanueva was given time to recover. Eventually, the fight resumed, as Pedro chipped away at the left leg of Villanueva with leg kicks. The damage added up quickly, and Villanueva’s movement looked severely compromised. In the final seconds of the round, one final leg kick dropped Villanueva, and Pedro proceeded to knock him out with a follow up right hand.
WINNER: Tyson Pedro by TKO at 4:55 of Round 1
After over three years away from the octagon, Tyson Pedro returned, and he picked up a huge knockout win here. Pedro last fought in December of 2018, where he suffered a leg injury and was stopped by Shogun Rua moments later. Surgeries and additional injuries sidelined him for the next three years, and Tyson Pedro was beginning to feel like someone that we may never see return to the sport. To come back and pick up a first-round finish as he did here was huge for Pedro, who was clearly a bit too much for Villanueva here. Pedro is now 4-3 in the UFC, and all of his professional wins have by way of first round stoppage.
DWIGHT GRANT (11-4, 170.5) VS SERGEY KHANDOZHKO (26-6-1, 169.5) – WELTERWEIGHT
Grant came out swinging, which seemed to give Khandozhko pause early. A quick left hook from Khandozhko dropped Grant, but Khandozhko allowed him to his feet, where the fighters traded hard hooks. From this point forward, Khandozhko pressed forward in the round, looking to follow that earlier knockdown up with another. The big knockdown ultimately came, but it came from Grant, who dropped Khandozhko with an overhand right, sending him face first to the ground. It looked as though Grant was moments away from securing the finish, but Khandozhko was able to wrap Grant up on the ground, and survived until the horn sounded.
Grant landed a right hand as Khandozhko attempted a leg kick, and he bulldozed forwards, sending Khandozhko to the ground momentarily. Khandozhko returned to his feet, where he continued to pressure forward as he attempted to trap Grant against the cage. Eventually, a left hook from Khandozhko wobbled Grant, and he followed that up with a pair of left hooks that dropped Grant. Grant attempted to pick himself up and recover, but he was shelling up, and Khandozhko teed off on him until the fight was stopped.
WINNER: Sergey Khandozhko by TKO at 4:15 of Round 2
This was a very entertaining fight. Both fighters knocked the other down in the first round, and they continued to trade heavy shots in the second. I thought Grant was beginning to pull away with the round, but then Khandozhko landed that left hook that wobbled Grant, and from there Khandozhko really went on the attack, capitalizing on his opportunity to finish the fight. Khandozhko was another fighter on this card who was facing a lengthy layoff going into this one, with his last fight taking place in November of 2019. I thought he looked good considering the layoff, and Khandozhko picked up his second UFC win here, improving his record in the promotion to 2-1.
JORDAN WRIGHT (12-2, 1 NC, 190) VS MARC-ANDRE BARRIAULT (13-5, 1 NC, 188.5) – CATCHWEIGHT
Wright began the fight with a number of leg kicks as Barriault pressured forward. Barriault landed a number of uppercuts in the clinch, and Wright responded with knees to the body, before he changed levels in pursuit of a takedown. Wright was able to take Barriault down against the cage, and while Barriault picked himself up, Wright continued to press him against the cage, as he hunted for a single leg. Barriault countered with a guillotine, and he locked the hold in tight, forcing Wright to submit.
WINNER: Marc-Andre Barriault by guillotine choke at 2:36 of Round 1
Marc-Andre Barriault is not known for his submission game, but Wright really committed to that single leg attempt, giving Barriault plenty of time to get the headlock in properly before he moved into position as Wright took him to the ground. After a brutal knockout loss in his last bout, this was a great way to rebound for Barriault, who expressed his interest in fighting in front of a Canadian crowd for his next bout.
LANDO VANNATA (12-5-2, 146) VS CHARLES JOURDAIN (12-4-1, 144.5) – FEATHERWEIGHT
Vannata quickly changed levels and took Jourdain down, where he began to work from side control. Jourdain scrambled to his feet, but ate a big uppercut from Vannata moments later. Vannata pressured forward with a strong combination of strikes, but a straight right hand from Jourdain caught Vannata off balance, and sent him to the floor. Jourdain quickly locked in a guillotine choke, and the squeeze was tight, forcing Vannata to submit.
WINNER: Charles Jourdain by guillotine choke at 2:32 of Round 1
While this was a short fight, it was an entertaining one while it lasted, as you would expect from these two fighters. Most of Jourdain’s fights in the UFC have been brawls, but he has a number of submission wins prior to his time in the promotion, so it was interesting to see those skills at work here. In his post-fight interview, Jourdain acknowledged that he isn’t ready for ranked competition, but then proceeded to call out a fighter who has been ranked for over half a decade in Edson Barboza. Barboza versus Jourdain would be a fantastic fight, and I honestly wouldn’t be upset if the UFC headlined a Fight Night event with that matchup in the future.
MAYCEE BARBER (9-2, 125.5) VS MONTANA DE LA ROSA (12-6-1, 125.5) – BANTAMWEIGHT
Barber closed the distance quickly and pressed De La Rosa against the fence in pursuit of a takedown. De La Rosa took Barber down, but Barber popped right back to her fight, and they continued to wrestle against the cage. Eventually, Barber broke away and landed a hard elbow, which she followed up with a pair of hooks that seemed to hurt De La Rosa. Barber did good work in the final minute of the round, landing damaging strikes in the clinch, which was enough to earn her the round. 10-9 Barber.
They went right back to the clinch in round two. This time De La Rosa found a bit more success in dragging Barber down and took Barber’s back with two and a half minutes remaining in the round. Barber scrambled into top position, where De La Rosa attempted a triangle off of her back. Barber escaped danger and began to work from top position with just over a minute left on the clock. De La Rosa worked her way back on top in the final seconds of the round, and she narrowly edged this one out on my scorecard. 19-19.
Barber landed strong shots against the cage early in the final round, and De La Rosa was reacting poorly every time one of these big punches landed. Barber controlled the clinch exchanges against the cage for a significant portion of this round, and all of the damage was coming from her, as De La Rosa seemed entirely focused on hunting for takedowns that never materialized. The fight went the distance, and I scored it 29-28 in favor of Maycee Barber.
WINNER: Maycee Barber by unanimous decision (30-27 all)
While I imagine that the fighters had a fairly equal amount of control time, it was Barber who made the most of it, really doing significant damage whenever the opportunity presented itself. She ran into a bit of trouble when De La Rosa took her back in the second round, but remained composed, and came back to arguably win the round with late ground and pound. Barber is now 5-2 in the UFC, and she made it clear in her post-fight interview that she still envisions UFC gold in her future.
CLAY GUIDA (37-21, 154) VS CLAUDIO PUELLES (11-2, 155.5) – LIGHTWEIGHT
Guida took Puelles down early, where Puelles quickly got to work from his back. Guida was in a ton of trouble but managed to escape a number of submission attempts, including a triangle that looked especially tight. Eventually, Puelles switched to a kneebar, and Guida instantly tapped out.
WINNER: Claudio Puelles by kneebar at 3:01 of Round 1
Puelles is a very dangerous fighter on the ground, and while wrestling is Guida’s bread and butter, his choice to engage Puelles on the ground so early in the fight was a mistake. Puelles threatened submission after submission until he finally caught Guida with a kneebar, which is quickly becoming his signature submission. Puelles is currently riding a five-fight win streak, and he has actually finished three of those opponents with kneebars, which is a rather remarkable accomplishment given how few kneebar finishes there have been throughout the history of the promotion. Puelles is now 5-1 in the UFC and is nearing ranked competition at 155lbs.
JESSICA ANDRADE (22-9, 115.5) VS AMANDA LEMOS (11-1-1, 115) – STRAWWEIGHT
The fighters touched gloves to begin the main event. Andrade threw some heavy leg kicks in the opening minute but was fighting without her usual level of forward pressure. Lemos responded with a number of hard leg kicks of her own, before swinging with a right hand that found its target. Andrade proceeded to quickly close the distance, and she began to work for a standing arm triangle. Andrade locked the submission in, and the squeeze was clearly in tight, as Lemos was unable to escape, and was ultimately forced to submit.
WINNER: Jessica Andrade by standing arm triangle at 3:13 of Round 1
This was the first standing arm triangle in UFC history. Lemos was looking sharp on the feet early, but the second that Andrade started to pressure forward, she immediately found the finish, although not by her usual method of knockout. When Andrade entered the UFC, she was more known for her submission skills than her knockout power, so this served as a reminder of her grappling ability, recording her first submission victory since 2016. This also notably marked her 14th UFC win, tying Andrade with Amanda Nunes for the promotion’s all-time record among their women’s divisions. In her post-fight interview, Andrade made it clear that she will be staying at strawweight and mentioned her desire to fight for the title once more. If Rose Namajunas defeats Carla Esparza, I think there is a good chance that Andrade will get that opportunity, as the trilogy fight between the two entertaining strawweights would be easy to market.
