UFC Vegas : Prelims Results Recap

JOSHUA BURKMAN (29-12 , 1NC)  vs. KJ NOONS (12-8)

(Lightweight Bout – 3 Rounds)

Burkman made his 155-pound debut opposite a former star at ‎lightweight in KJ Noons. The ex-Strikeforce champion made their first round more of a sparring match affair versus the fast-paced battle most fans had hoped for.

Noons popped his jab and circled out while Burkman took his time in returning a lazy jab and leg kicks to close the distance but neither engaged much for the first 5 minutes.

Heading into Round 2 the two stepped up the pace sliding into their second gear. Burkman taking over now as the aggressor landing some shots in the pocket as well as closing the distance well using the clinch. The highlight of the round was “The People’s Warrior” ability to get the takedown on Noons by lifting him over his head via a modified fireman’s carry and putting him on his back side. He then pressed on winging away some shots as Noons looked to counter but came up short as the shots were wide.

Going into the 3rd Round Burkman took over the fight as he walked his man down, pressed the action by either putting combinations together or shooting in for the takedown. He also mixed his strikes well adding a sneaky left kick to the legs or body of Noons which threw the former title holder’s rhythm totally off. Burkman also worked well off the clinch ‎as he smothered his foe with short punches and elbows then dropped down a level to secure a couple of takedowns to cement the victory in what is a triumphant debut in the crowded and stellar lightweight division.

RESULT‎: Joshua BURKMAN defeats KJ Noons via unanimous decision with scores of 30-27 on all of the judge’s score cards.

‎DERRICK LEWIS (14-4) vs. DAMIAN GRABOWSKI  (20-3)

(Heavyweight Bout – 3 Rounds)

Grabowski tried to impose himself on Lewis by forcing the takedown early and drilling him into the Octagon floor, a rare sight in the division were fighters don’t necessarily start off with overly athletic manuevers. However, Lewis popped right back up following the takedown and started to trade big shots with his man almost insulted that his foe didn’t want to stand and trade with him. A few exchanges of jabs, straight shots and high kicks later, Lewis managed to muscle Grabowski unto his back.

The “Polish Pit Bull” did his best to fight on the mat off of his back throwing up kicks. Lewis looked to control his foe’s feet, shove them aside and land something big and he did. A standing to ground punch came flying in the form of a massive overhand shot that smashed the former M-1 Global heavyweight champ’s face. The heavyweight turned and curled up as Lewis followed up with some strikes as the referee jumped in to call it off. ‎

‎

RESULT:  Derrick “The Black Beast” Lewis stops Damian Grabowski via 1st Round TKO at (2:17).

RAY BORG (9-2) vs. JUSTIN SCOGGINS (11-2)

(Flyweight Bout – 3 Rounds)

A pair of 125ers on the rise collided in Borg and Scoggins. Borg closed the distance and hit the takedown on his man just 30 seconds into Round 1. Scoggins quickly got the fight back on the feet back which did little to deter Borg’s approach. ‎A minute in the match morphed from a fast-paced wrestling bout to a modified kick boxing match in the middle of the Octagon. Borg fishing for takedowns from the outside as he slapped kicks to his man’s legs and body while Scoggins returned fire swinging leg kicks from either foot. Borg shot in for one final takedown just before  the round came to a close but Scoggins was out of harm’s way quickly thanks to his great footwork.

Going into Round 2 “The Taz Mexican Devil” unexpectedly ‎jumped guard which Scoggins accepted willingly seeing as how the ground game is one of his many strengths. From their the tide turned completely in the favor of the South Carolina fighter as he showcased his talent of blending in kicks with his takedowns and strikes.  Not surprising as the former IKF kickboxing champion favors some nice footwork and can set up a wicked leg kick or mean 2-punch combination from all angles.  If he wasn’t keeping his man at the end of his strikes he would set up his man perfectly to sink in a takedown then go to work from his foe’s guard.

By the 3rd Round Scoggins ‎had this in the bag simply from his slick Octagon control, controlling the pace and distance and keeping his man on the canvas, driving him to the mat anytime he wanted, frustrating the  22-year old to the point that he was on the offensive the entire round.  For more than half of the stanza Scoggins took the fight to the mat with relative ease working out of Borg’s guard landing strikes from all angles. Never in jeapordy of any threats to his dominant performance tonight as he continues climbing the ladder to the Top 10 of the division.

RESULT:  Justin Scoggins defeats Ray Borg via Unanimous Decision with scores of 30-26, 30-27 and 30-27.

NOAD LAHAT (9-2) vs. DIEGO “The Pitbull” RIVAS (7-0) ‎

(Featherweight Bout – 3 Rounds )

‎Another pair of 145ers on the card continued the featherweight action. An accidental eye poke brought things to a halt though, but only for a few seconds. Once they picked back up Lahat drove his man to the mat off of a well-timed takedown. From their the only second Israeli born fighter to compete in the UFC displayed his black belt in jiu-jitsu as he attacked with a mean guillotine choke from top position. Rivas survived the assault but then found himself being mounted by his foe who then transitioned to a side choke or triangle choke. Again Rivas kept his composure as the minutes passed before Lahat attacked one more time, this time with a rear naked choke. Had the fight gone on longer for a few more seconds, he would’ve probably gotten the tap as Rivas slid and squirmed to defend but looked the worse for wear.  ‎

Going into Round 2 Rivas needed something big to get himself back in the fight after what was likely a 10-8 round thanks to Lahat’s grappling clinic for the better part of 5 minutes.
He did, in the form of a masterfully timed flying right knee seconds into the 2nd Round. It rattled the chin of Lahat who had slightly ducked under absorbing the entire force of the impact straight on his chin. He slowly crumbled to the mat as Rivas jumped on him landing three unanswered hammer fists as the referee came in to waive it off.

RESULT:  Diego Chivas stops Noad Lahat via TKO at (0:23) of Round 2 with a flying knee.

MICKEY GALL (2-0) vs. MIKE JACKSON ‎(0-1)

(Welterweight Bout – 3 Rounds)

New Jersey’s Gall welcomed UFC newcomer Jackson to the Octagon in the most horrible of ways. He patiently waited for the opening, jabbed his way into his foe’s chest and threw a clubbing overhand right that landed clean on the chin of Jackson. ‎The Texan stumbled backwards to the mat along the cage wall with little room to defend what was next or resist the inevitable outcome. Gall pounced on his fallen opponent passing guard and taking his back partially, only missing the angle due to the closeness of the cage wall which disabled him from scooting over. Once he turned a bit and adjusted the angle, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt cranked on the neck of his foe as his forearm was sunken in under Jackson’s chin forcing the tap.

RESULT: Mickey Gall submits Mike Jackson via Rear Naked Choke at 45 seconds of Round 1.

ARTEM LOBOV (12-12-1) vs. ALEX WHITE (11-2)

(Featherweight Bout – 3 Rounds)

A pair of 145ers in Lobov and White kicked the night off from the MGM Grand Garden Arena inside the MGM Grand Casino in Las Vegas. For the first four minutes of the opening round “The Russian Hammer” nailed his man with lead right hands and counter left hooks as he pressed forward landing some heavy leather. However, his typical style of winging shots while impressive and fun to watch was limited to the 1-2 combinations or wild and wide punches. White stood his ground with about a minute left and landed a clean straight left hand counter right down the middle that brought Lobov’s come forwad approach to a screeching halt, possilby stunning the TUF 22 competitor. From there White pushed on behind a few more strikes before landing the takedown on his foe. He controlled the action from then on implementing his superior grappling unto his foe.

Going into Round 2 White threw more counters and kept the fight in the middle of the Octagon which enabled him to completely control the match. He also stood in the pocket ‎landing a crisp right hand shot over and over to the point Lobov’s left eye had swelling and a bad cut. Shortly after that he landed another takedown incidentally disarming his foe’s attack. Lobov was more conscious of being so reckless and thus he did not come forward with as much heat and in turn, White was clearly in control as he landed counters and hit his takedowns.

Heading into Round 3 the tide had shifted completely to the side of White. The talented fighter was coming off of a layoff but the inactivity did not result into any visible ring rust as he popped his jadband cross in the pocket setting up a solid takedown at about the halfway mark of the round. With about a minute left Lobov marched forward on his foe recklessly with his hands at his waist side launching bombs as he threw heat strictly from the hip. Everything came with fight ending intentions but missed more than half of the time. The few that landed did so on the shoulders or guard of White who weathered the late rally before sinking in another perfectly timed takedown to secure his win.

RESULT:  Alex White defeats The Ultimate Fighter Season  22 Finalist Artem Lobov via unanimous decision with scores of 30-27 on all three score cards.