UFC197: Prelims Results Recap

Sergio Pettis (14-2) vs. Chris Kelades (9-3)

Flyweight Bout – 3 Rounds)

Pettis headlined his first preliminary card on Fox Sports 1 and for good reason, he looked as good as fans have hoped he could for some time. Sergio stuffed the take downs of his man, was ‎quick with his jab, alert on the ground and stand-up and fixed one of the holes in his game of lacking some of the takedown defense that he has needed to stay upright and showcase his diverse striking arsenal.

Kelades pushed for a fight at close range but Sergio would not have it as he properly planted his feet or if driven back was able to use the cage wall as a tool to stay vertical and not be muscled down. He also hit shots from all angles and moved in and out of the pocket with relative ease thanks to his amazing cardio and great conditioning. Each round he remained composed and was first to land as well as put his strikes together very well negating the offense of his foe who was always a step behinf the young Milwauee native.

RESULT: Sergio Pettis defeats Chris Kelades via Unanimous Decision with scores of 30-27, 30-27 and 30-27.

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Danny \’Hot Chocolate\’ Roberts ‎(13-1) vs. Dominique \’Non-Stop Action-Packed\’ Steele (14-7)

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(Welterweight Bout – 3 Rounds)

Steele lived up to every bit of his nickname by starting off fast and explosive with a clean overhand shot that sent his man to the canvas in the first 10 seconds of the match. Roberts threw up a triangle attempt that Steele shrugged off by partially lifting his man then throwing him to the mat. The Ohio native immediately pounced on his foe taking to control and working easily out of his man\’s guard maintaining pressure and landing some good ground and pound for the majority of the match. In the last couple of minutes Roberts managed to get the bout back on the feet but he still did not have much of an answer for Steele\’s come forward approach.

The best punch that Roberts landed came in the 2nd Round behind a looping left hand. Steele absorbed the shot well and again marched forward with no remorse or respect for his man\’s power as he shot in over and over and kept the action at his temp when needed via some good strikes and overpowering the Brit in the clinch.

The same followed in the 3rd Round with Steele coming on strong as he took his man from one side of ge cage to the other as he drove in for the takedown. The United Kingdom fighter would not go quietly as he launched some punches but came up short in landing anything significant while Steele hit a 1-2 combo that sent his man to the canvas. In the final minute Roberts finally landed a clean hook that rocked his foe but instinctively Steele sbot in for a takedown in order to buy himself some time and clear the cobwebs.   ‎

‎RESULT: Danny Roberts defeats Dominique Steele via Unanimous Decision with scores of 29-28, 29-28 and 29-28.

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Carla \’Cookie Monster\’ Esparza (12-3) vs. Juliana \’Ju Thai\’ Lima (8-3)

(Women\’s Strawweight Bout – 3 Rounds)

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Returning from shoulder surgery and the loss of her title Esparza showed that she is back in true form showcasing her solid wrestling and efficient takedowns throught the 15 minutes of her match with Lima. The Ultimate Fighter season 20 winner and first ever 115lbs women\’s champion saw her timing in the Octagon and alertness sharp as ever proving that the rest and time away was probably best for her career.

She took down Lima multiple times in each round, was rarely in any kind of trouble and landed crips hooks and short elbows as she forced her opponent into her world of top control and ground and pound. ‎

RESULT: Carla Esparza defeats Juliana Lima via Unanimous Decision with scores of 30-27, 30-27 and 30-27. ‎

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Glaico ‘Nego’ Franca (5-4) vs. James The Texecutioner Vick (9-0)

(Lightweight Bout – 3 Rounds) ‎

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The Brazilian wrestler easily got the match to the ground with about 30 seconds in. His top game was sharp as he kept top control over his man with little to no retort from his Texas foe as he landed short shots and elbows. Vick finally got vertical with just about 2 minutes left but Franca kept a tight body lock on him shoving him into the cage wall. Not much action happened therefore the referee broke them up but they quickly came forward trading shots in the middle of the cage. An accidental eye poke from Vick was missed by the official as Franca pawed at his left eye and looked continuously over to the referee for assitance. Nonetheless, the swing in momentum definitely favored Vick who landed some ‎great punches and a solid front kick to the body. He got careless though while unloading some more offense thus Franca timed him perfectly shooting in and getting the takedown with 10 seconds left, keeping Vick there as the round came to a close.

The 2nd Round started with another eye poke from Vick as the two traded shots and the Texan stuck his fingers out with his arm stretched out. The referee caught it this time calling time in order for the doctor to check on Franca. He deemed that he was OK to continue so the action resumed. A visibly bothered Franca trudged forward with one eye as Vick made the most of the opportunity and landed some gerat punches from just outside of range as well as a spinning back fist. The Brazilian caught on to the striking difference and shot in for a take down. He was able to get the match on the ground hitting a toss with about 3 minutes left. This time he was not able to keep the battle on the ground for long before Vick scooted his hips, created distance and got it back standing. The TUF Live alum popped his jab and landed counter left hooks as Franca pressured but was too flat footed and lacked the angles needed to be assertive as Vick landed a spinning back kick to end the 2nd Round.

Heading into Round 3 Vick looked the fresher of the two fighters as he glided along the Octagon floor behind great footwork and conditioning. ‎He snapped some leg kicks, snapped his jab and put together some combinations all while staying just out of his man’s range. With 3 minutes left Franca went for a surpsingly poorly set up take down from way out of range, Vick easily stuffed it as the two 155ers ended up against the cage wall. Vick side stepped away and then after feinting he landed a flying knee on his man who waived him in for more. Franca cut off the Octagon this time and landed a mean overhand right on his foe which got the big oohs from the crowd. Vick returned the favor with a front kick up the middle that got just as good a reaction shortly before the round ended.

RESULT : James Vick ‎remains undefeated via Unanimous Decision over Glaico Franca with scores of 29-28, 29-28 and 30-27.