Tag: UFC on ESPN 18

UFC on ESPN 18 video: Jonathan Pearce TKOs Kai Kamaka in sizable upset

Jonathan Pearce showed once again how little betting odds mean in MMA at UFC on ESPN 18.

[autotag]Jonathan Pearce[/autotag] on Saturday showed once again how little betting odds mean in MMA at UFC on ESPN 18.

Pearce (10-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC) was a rather sizable betting underdog against Kai Kamaka III (8-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) in their featherweight matchup, but that meant nothing to him.

There was no fear from Pearce from the outset at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. He went head-to-head with Kamaka, engaging in all sorts of striking and grappling exchanges. He got a dominant position, then pounded his way to a TKO at the 4:28 mark of Round 2.

Check out the replay of Pearce’s win below (via Twitter):

Following his first UFC victory, Pearce fought back emotions but was thrilled to finally get his hand raised on the biggest stage in the sport.

“I thought he was going to put up more of a fight than that,” Pearce said in his post-fight interview with Paul Felder. “This is everything. This was for everything.”

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UFC on ESPN 18 results: Gina Mazany stops Rachael Ostovich with body kicks

Gina Mazany’s grappling wore down Rachael Ostovich at UFC on ESPN 18, but it was her striking that finished the job.

[autotag]Gina Mazany[/autotag]’s grappling wore down [autotag]Rachael Ostovich[/autotag] on Saturday at UFC on ESPN 18, but it was her striking that finished the job.

Mazany (7-4 MMA, 2-4 UFC) scored a steady stream of takedowns on Ostovich (4-6 MMA, 1-3 UFC) for the majority of the fight, getting ahead on the scorecards. She wasn’t content with a decision, though, and landed a pair of nasty body kicks in the final minute of the fight to get the third-round TKO.

The women’s flyweight bout was part of the UFC on ESPN 18 preliminary card at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. It aired on ESPN2/ESPN+.

Mazany used a lot of movement early in the fight, but was met with counters coming in. She quickly shot in for a takedown, and managed to take Ostovich’s back within the first minute of the fight. She threatened from there, but Ostovich kept composed and got back to the feet. They exchanged strikes for the next few minutes before Mazany tied the fight up against the fence. She broke free, and Ostovich found some late success countering Mazany’s punches.

Mazany took the distance away from Ostovich early in the second, using trips from the clinch to put Ostovich on the mat. Some scrambles ensued, and Mazany got into position for a north-south choke. Ostovich used her flexibility to flip over onto Mazany’s back, but she could not keep control. She couldn’t keep the fight on the feet for long, either, because Mazany went right back to her takedowns and worked over Ostovich to put herself way ahead in the fight.

With all the momentum in her favor through 10 minutes, Mazany did not let up in the final round. She pressured Ostovich with knees and elbows from inside the clinch, then scored a big takedown with less than three minutes remaining. Mazany battered Ostovich from on top, and was able to take the back again. Ostovich survived the onslaught and got back up to her feet, but was met with a brutal body kick that folded her. Ostovich somehow survived and got back up, then took another one that made her collapse, ending the fight in brutal fashion at the 4:10 mark of Round 3.

With the win, Mazany made a successful debut in the women’s flyweight division. Ostovich, meanwhile, has lost her past three.

“I’m 1-0 at 125,” Mazany said in her post-fight interview with Paul Felder. “I intend on getting better and better.”

Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN 18 results include:

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UFC on ESPN 18 video: Nate Maness rallies to submit Luke Sanders in wild fight

Nate Maness’ second UFC win was a good one.

[autotag]Nate Maness[/autotag]’ second UFC win was a good one.

Maness (13-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) rallied for a dramatic come-from-behind finish of Luke Sanders (13-4 MMA, 3-4 UFC) in their 140-pound catchweight fight Saturday at UFC on ESPN 18, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.

Sanders was landing big shots throughout the first round and nearly got the finish. He picked up where he left off in the second, engaging in crazy striking exchanges with Maness. Sitting as a -600 favorite in the live odds, Sanders got caught with a big shot that staggered him. That’s when Maness took advantage.

He got the fight to the ground, quickly moved to mount, took Sanders’ back and forced the tap from the rear-naked choke at the 2:29 mark of Round 2.

Check out the replay below (via Twitter):

https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1332857423984549890

After a triumphant performance in his second octagon appearance, Maness came ready with the callouts in his post-fight interview with Paul Felder.

“If they want to build me up slowly, Adrian Yanez is a good striker,” Maness said. “If they want to move me up, Nathaniel Wood is dangerous and that would be a good fight.”

UFC on ESPN 18 play-by-play and live results (8 p.m. ET)

Check out live play-by-play and official results from UFC on ESPN 18 in Las Vegas.

LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie is on scene and reporting live from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 18 event, and you can join us for live play-by-play and official results beginning at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT).

The event takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The event airs on ESPN2 and streams on ESPN+.

In the main event, Devin Clark (12-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) takes on former light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith (33-16 MMA, 8-6 UFC). In the co-feature, Miguel Baeza (9-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) meets Takashi Sato (16-3 MMA, 2-1 UFC) at welterweight.

Follow along with our round-by-round updates and official results beginning at approximately 8 p.m. ET for the prelims on ESPN2/ESPN+ and 10 p.m. ET for the main card on ESPN2/ESPN+.

To discuss the show, be sure to check out our UFC on ESPN 18 discussion thread. You can also get behind-the-scenes coverage and other event notes from on-site reporter John Morgan (@MMAjunkieJohn) on Twitter.

Enjoy the fights, everyone.