Kyler Phillips
Another impressive debut performer on the UFC on ESPN+ 27 card in Norfolk was [autotag]Kyler Phillips[/autotag], who needed all three rounds and the judges’ scorecards to get the win against Gabriel Silva, but over the course of his first 15 minutes as a UFC fighter, he showed the skills that could see him make a real impact at 135 pounds once the UFC schedule gets rolling again.
Phillips (7-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) won all three rounds on all three of the judges’ scorecards to claim a shutout win, but it was the manner of his display that left a lasting impression, as he showcased the fight IQ required to secure a clear win against a gritty, durable opponent.
Spinning strikes, slick counters and solid grappling were all on display as Phillips held the upper hand throughout an entertaining three-round scrap that saw both men earn $50,000 “Fight of the Night” bonus checks.
But it was Phillips whose performance shone through, displaying the tools needed to become a real prospect in the bantamweight division in the months ahead.
Combos on combos by @Kymatrix! #UFCNorfolk pic.twitter.com/HW7QNBTneL
— UFC (@ufc) March 1, 2020
Next up: A recap of all the rookie grades so far.