UFC Almeida vs. Garbrandt: Fight Pass Results Recap

Bryan ‘Kid Lightning’ Caraway (21-8) vs. Aljamain ‘Funk Master’ Sterling (12-1)

(Bantamweight Bout – 3 Rounds)

The two 135ers traded strikes in the middle of the cage for the first minute, Sterling showcased his spinning kicks and axe kicks while Caraway looked for hooks and jabs to land. Sterling then shot in on a single leg and dragged his man to the ground immediately taking his back then slapping on a rear naked choke attempt.  The New Yorker locked in a body triangle for the next couple of minutes as the Washingtonian defended the offensive assault. For the last 60 seconds Sterling twisted and turned his man into a modified full Nelson move, stretching out the limbs of a helpless Caraway as the round came to an end dominating the seasoned fighter.

Going into the 2nd Round Sterling instantly shot in for a takedown which Caraway turned into a guillotine attempt. The New York native snapped his head out and got back up to his feet were both men traded punches and kicks in the center of the Octagon ‎for the next 2 minutes or so. Caraway now was the hunter and Sterling the prey as he marched forward looking to land something big before shooting in for a takedown then dropping levels to force Sterling to the canvas. From there the Washington native transitioned to his foe’s back then back over to half guard than back to a rear naked choke attempt along the cage wall as Round 2 came to an end.

The fight was on the table going into Round 3. ‘Funk Master’ backed up a little more than necessary and Caraway was more than willing to come forward and engage before eating an overhand right from Sterling. A follow up punch from Sterling was‎ timed perfectly by Caraway who used it to sink in a takedown along the cagewall with about 3 minutes left. Sterling got the fight back up temporarily before Caraway dragged it back to the ground and started working out of halfguard landing some elbows and punches along the way. With a minute left Caraway sunk in his hooks and rode his man’s back until the bout ended, Sterling stood up for as long as he could then slammed his opponent to the ground as the fight came to an end.

RESULT: ‎ Bryan Caraway upsets 4 to 1 favorite Aljamain Sterling via Split Decision with scores of 29-28, 28-29, 29-28

(Heavyweight Bout – 3 Rounds)

Kicking off the night from inside the Mandalay Bay Events Center were heavyweights Milstead and De La Rocha.  De La Rocha started off in a lightweight-style pace coming forward landing big bombs against his man for the first few minutes of the opening round, holding nothing back for his UFC debut. He peppered his foe with 1-2 combinations over and over if not he looked to land a big overhand right or straight shot. Milstead gave as good as he got staying in the pocket searching for a counter left hook to find its mark as well as some straight blows coming up just shy of putting his man on his seat. The Pennsylvania powerhouse did a great job of keeping his composure under the heavy fire of De la Rocha who noticed the shift in momentum and drove him to the ground off of a perfectly timed takedown with 2 minutes left. Milstead hopped right back up and now pushed forward landing great combinations on a visibly exhausted De La Rocha who spent allot of gas trying to put his man away early. De La Rocha sunk in one final takedown during the last few moments ‎but again his foe popped right up and was happy to trade hooks and jabs at close range.

Going into the 2nd Round De La Rocha ‎was clearly drained of his power and pop in his punches. Milstead became methodical in his break down of his opponent for the next 4 minutes. He popped his jab and set up big over hand shots, he slipped and ducked counter punches then used the clinch to nulify most of his man’s offense mauling him along the cage. De La Rocha would not go quietly into the night still throwing big shots but they were few and far in-between. Once he was backed up along the cage wall, Milstead picked him apart from just outside of range, caefully picking his shots and battering the heavyweight with elbows and straights, as De La Rocha was a bloody mess before the referee stepped in to call off the fight and save him from any further punishment.

RESULT:  Adam Milstead ‎stops Chris De La Rocha via TKO at (4:01) of Round 2. (strikes)