The UFC is going all out on the prelims tonight and it’s actually sort of funny because this is one of their weaker cards of late. Out of the twelve fights, their plan is to show ten of them (two on Facebook, three on Ion, and five on the PPV).
The main event of the Ion fights features Spencer Fisher against Ross Pearson.
The results of the Facebook fights saw Chinese fighter Tiequan Zhang stop Jason Reinhardt very quickly with a guillotine choke and Anthony Perosh submit Tom Blackledge in the first round with a rear naked choke.
Nick Ring faces Riki Fukuda in the first prelim fight on Ion.
1. Nick Ring vs. Riki Fukuda
It was a nice little back and forth to start the show. Fukuda is pretty relentless and scored two takedowns, one right at the end of the round. Ring’s leg kicks and overall striking game was better, and the mix of styles made it a really solid round.
Both guys look good. It’s going to be a close fight if it goes all the way to decision. Fukuda got another takedown, and much like the first round, Ring had the better striking, though Fukuda held his own.
Fukuda got another takedown and actually held position for a bit and then shot in and got another one. Ring should be fighting with a little more urgency, but he’s not. Even though Ring looked like the stronger person, Fukuda was able to hold him down. Ring may have just been tired. This was easily Fukuda’s round.
Winner: Nick Ring by unanimous decision
The scores were 29-28 all in favor of ring. I would’ve had it the other way around. I’m not sure how Ring won that second round at all, and he for sure was outclassed during that third round.
2. Alexander Gustafsson vs. James Te Huna
Te Huna had a takedown and position early on and seemed to overpower Gustafsson, but shortly before the round ended, Gustafsson got his back and sunk in the rear naked choke. Te Huna fought it, ended up getting hammered from the mount, and then turned again and was choked out.
Winner: Alexander Gustafsson by way of 1st round submission
3. Spencer Fisher vs. Ross Pearson
Fisher actually looked really good in his movement, but his punches were a bit wide and didn’t connect all that much. Pearson was throwing straight punches that landed better. It was all stand up. Pearson’s head butted Fisher on the nose.
Much more competitive second round. Fisher was setting up his straight left with a pawing jab. Once the fight got to the inside, Pearson started to open up and throw. Fisher’s stuff was coming from the outside.
Near the end of a round that looked even to me, Pearson caught Fisher’s foot on a kick attempt and took him down and staid on top of him for the rest of the round. That could’ve decided the fight, though Fisher landed the best shot of the round, which was a nasty straight left hand. If anything, I was more impressed with Fisher for hanging with Pearson the way he did.
Winner: Ross Pearson
Pearson won by scores of 30-27, 29-28, and 29-28.