UFC Fight Night Las Vegas

Hello fight fans! UFC Fight Night took place this weekend at UFC APEX, Las Vegas and it was better than last week’s!

Trivia (answer at end)

Who has the most knockouts in the Middleweight division since 2020?

Rodolfo Vieira vs. Armen Petrosyan

Recap: This fight was a pick ‘em fight that was rescheduled from last year and Vieira came out victorious.  The round started off with Petrosyan taking control of the center of the octagon and putting forward pressure on Vieira and attacking his lead leg.  Vieira is known for his BJJ, so this forward pressure would make the takedown more difficult and the lead leg kicks would make the jab tougher for Vieira.  A little over 2 minutes into the fight, Vieira found an opening and went for a takedown.  Petrosyan fought to get back to his feet, but Vieira stayed on him, eventually got the half guard secured, flawlessly transitioned to mount, and then took control of the back.  Once he had the back he was able to get Petrosyan in a head and arm triangle where he squeezed until Petrosyan tapped with only 12 seconds left to go.  Vieira secured the submission at 4:48 in round 1.

What’s Next:  It wouldn’t surprise me if Vieira gets another top 15 opponent after 1 or 2 more wins.  He looked really good this fight but I still think he needs to work on his cardio if he wants to break into that realm.  He said he wants to go back to his family and recover from some injuries so we’ll see how soon he comes back.  Petrosyan is also making his way up in the ranks but will definitely need a few more consecutive wins.

Michael Johnson vs. Darrius Flowers

Recap: What a patient and smart fight for veteran Michael Johnson against the powerful Flowers.  Flowers started off the fight with a lot of leg kicks as his game plan was to implement more of a karate style.  He was finding success but then he stopped being active and Johnson’s quick hands found their rhythm.  Johnson attacked the body a lot with his hands and because of this, it helped him secure the takedowns in the second and third rounds.  In those rounds, once he got the takedown, he did an excellent job of staying in control and getting in some shots.  Johnson won this fight by unanimous decision.

What’s Next: Johnson mentioned in his post fight interview that he was trying to  unblock Flowers (he blocked him for this fight) so hopefully he finds him and can do it.  As for opponents, Johnson wants to get a few more big names under his belt and continue to fight.  He still has it in his mind that he can be a champ.  This was Flower’s second fight in the UFC.  He has some fights ahead of him so we’ll see him make his way to get to the top 15.

Brad Tavares vs. Gregory Rodrigues

Recap: This was a big swinging battle between these two Middleweights.  Tavares had the speed and Rodrigues had the undeniable power.  The two had a lot of back and forth striking exchanges that also led to some clinchwork in the first two rounds.  The first easily went to Rodrigues, the second I had to Tavares but could see it going either way as it was close.  Then, in the beginning of the third round, Rodrigues came out HOT, continued to move forward, and unleashed some very big and powerful strikes to Tavares who ended up shelling against the fence.  The ref Jason Herzog stopped the fight while Tavares was standing and unable to defend himself at 0:55 in the third round. 

What’s Next: This fight could put Rodrigues in the top 15.  If he doesn’t get that ranking, he sure is close.   He wants to fight 2 more times this year and I think his next opponent should be ranked.  Tavares is going to be a gatekeeper to get to the rankings for the up and comers.  He’s a veteran in this sport and is still in great shape to fight.

Robert Bryczek vs. Ihor Potieria

Recap: This fight went from boring, to better, to a little more action.  In the first round, the two were exchanging one for one strikes.  Barely any combinations were thrown.  There were also two breaks in here so it seemed like neither of the fighters were able to find their rhythm.  The second round was a bit better with Potieria finding his rhythm and Bryczek struggling a bit.  The third round had a lot more action where the fighters were mixing things up and Bryczek was finally finding a bit more success.  Unfortunately for him though, Potieria was connecting more with the hands and pulled off the win.

What’s Next: This was Bryczek’s first fight in the UFC and Potieria’s 5th (coming off 2 losses).  Both have a ways to go before they get ranked.

Dan “50K” Ige vs. Andre Fili

Recap: Dan “50K” Ige came into this fight ready to win and that win he got . . . along with a 50K bonus.  The two former training partners started off the fight with some back and forth striking exchanges.  Then a little over 2 minutes in, Fili threw a lazy jab.  Ige countered it with an over the top right hand that knocked Fili flat on his back.  Ige came in and finished it off with another statement punch.  It was lights out for Fili and Ige got the walk off TKO at 2:43.

What’s Next: Dan Ige’s wife is about to have a baby so he’s going to take some time to be with the family.  He wants to come back around August/September and fight either the winner of Diego Lopes and Sodiq Yusuff or the loser of Brian Ortega and Yair Rodriguez.  The latter is a big fight but we never know what Dana decides sometimes.  As for Fili, he’s not yet ranked but he has been moving up those rankings.  He took this fight on short notice so I don’t think this will lower his stock.

Jack “The Joker” Hermansson vs. Joe “Bodybagz” Pyfer

Recap: There are levels to this sport and Joe Pyfer found that out Saturday night against experienced Jack Hermansson.  Pyfer came out hot in the first and second rounds but Hermansson’s experience ended up winning the fight for him.  This was Pyfer’s first 5 round fight and Hermansson’s game plan was to get past the first round or two and pick him apart.  Hermansson got hit a bit more than he would have liked in those first two rounds, but that game plan of his worked beautifully.  By the third round, Pyfer was whiffing and at times stood right in front of Hermansson.  His coaches kept telling him to circle but he just let Hermansson punch him with the jab.  Hermansson, on the other hand, did an excellent job of attacking Pyfer’s lead leg.  This definitely threw Pyfer off and he lost a lot of power and accuracy from that damage.  Hermansson also did a solid job with his movement and pushing Pyfer back.  The combination of these two things made Pyfer hesitant to play his game which is moving forward and attacking.  Pyfer did a great job of attacking the body in the beginning but once Hermansson found his stride with those kicks, he stopped.  After 5 rounds, Hermansson came out the unanimous winner and defeated Pyfer with his experience, jab, and leg kicks.  The grappling he did was just the cherry on top for this outstanding performance.

What’s Next: Hermansson wants to fight two more times this year and have his next fight be against Imovav.  As for Pyfer, he wasn’t outclassed by any means.  It was just the experience that got him.  He has so much talent and admitted his mistakes at the end of his fight.  He’s going to come back stronger after this and I hope he really works on checking calf kicks.

Trivia Answer

Gregory “Robocop” Rodrigues with 5

Until next time fight fans!

BMF

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