Fight Night: Volkan vs Smith
- Sean Covington
- Oct 27, 2018
- 3 min read
Main card:
Alex Garcia vs Court McGee
Getting into trouble early wasn’t a plan Court McGee wanted to start with but sometimes it’s the hand you’re dealt. McGee showed patience and scored a takedown late in the 1st, steering clear of the power of Alex Garcia. McGee caught Garcia with a jab in the opening moments of the 2nd and stayed on top for the rest of the round until they were stood up with about a minute to go. McGee closed out the round on top of Garcia.
Garcia worked hard in the 3rd for a submission but McGee ended up on top. Both guys kept working the entire fight, not something you see in every UFC fight. The crowd’s boos in the last 45 seconds were completely unwarranted.
McGee-unanimois decision
Gian Villante vs Ed Herman
Ed Herman was bleeding early in the 1st, no urprise there as these two men were swinging for the fences. Herman ate a big power shot but Gian Villante didn’t pursue Herman aggressively afterward.
The second round was…repetitive.Gian Villante had to have thrown the same combo at least 6 times in a row and didn’t connect once. Dan Hardy was right to give Gian a hard time about it on commentary.
In the 3rd we actually saw a leg kick or two. Villante had a game plan and he stuck with it to the very bitter end. Both men eft bloody but that had to have been the most one note fight I’ve ever seen. I don’t understand how Ed Herman really lost, I mean I do but I disagree to say the least.
Gian Villante-split decision
Andre Soukhamthath vs Jonathan Martinez
Didn’t take long for Andre Soukhamthath’s right hand to find it’s mark but Andre was unable to capitalize. Jonathan Martinez ate a knee to the cup and after he recovered, Andre went back to work with devastating body shots and nearly knocked him out with a spinning elbow.
Martinez was catching another barrage from Andre however the ref stopped his momentum after Andre threw a glancing knee to the cup. After that short stoppage, Martinez took Andre to the ground and took control of the fight.
The 3rd round was close. Martinez kept Andre pressed against the cage mostly but Andre gained the upper a few good times to even out the round. Martinez is certainly going to be a guy to watch, he’s young and has a wealth of talent.
These guys are gonna have to do this all over again once in a few years with some high stakes.
Andre Soukhamthath – unanimous decision
Misha Cirkunov vs Patrick Cummins
Patrick Cummins was just out muscled, plain and simple. Misha Cirkunov had a beautiful takedown into what would very shortly become an arm triangle. Misha is a guy who can be a star because of his attitude; he is passionate and knows what and WHO he wants. Volkan has another date with Cirkunov in the future.
Misha Cirkunov-submission
Michael Johnson vs Artem Lobov
Always great to see fighters step in at the last minute, really shows that they love the sport, that they WANT to do it. Michael Johnson fought scared, he was in and out so fast he was barely fighting. Johnson fought a smart fight, stayed active but did the typical UFC thing and just fought to survive, not to finish. This is why I don’t like Michael Johnson as a fighter, he is skilled but will stay a gatekeeper because he is content with survival.
With a guy like Artem Lobov, simply landing punches is easy because he’ll willingly take most of them. Lobov pressed forward and looked for power shots; nothing new.
Michael Johnson-unanimous decision
Volkan Oedzdemir vs Anthony Smith
I feel like Anthony Smith showed his hand too early. It looks like Smith had a game plan but wasn’t quite sure about it. An eye poke from Smith stopped the action but Volkan Oedzdemir only needed about 30 seconds to recover.
Volkan’s nose was bloodied but he worked through it, taking Smith to the ground with ease. Anthony Smith didn’t do a single thing in round 2.
Smith got Volkan to the 3rd round like he wanted and the fight certainly picked up. Blood now pouring from Volkan’s nose. One takedown from Smith is all it took for him to put Volkan away with a rear naked choke. Looks like that game plan was perfect after all. Smith’s 5th fight in 13 months, very impressive.
Anthony Smith- submission
Another great night of highly competitive fights. There were a lot of names on this card that we’ll be seeing again real soon at the top of their divisions. Dan Hardy was brilliant the entire night and an absolute gem. Dan Hardy may even better than Daniel Cormier at this! Definitely looking forward to hearing Hardy call another great night of fights.
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