Here’s everything that happened at UFC Fight Night 155 last night in Sacramento

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) made its presence known to Sacramento, California, last night (Sat., July 13, 2019) for UFC Fight Night 155. With perhaps the least interesting headlining fight of the year atop the event, at least fans were promised action throughout the undercard, which featured some exciting match ups. Plus, Urijah Faber returned from retirement, which added a bit of intrigue as well.

Let’s take a look at the best techniques and performances of the night!

Germaine de Randamie should never have been the underdog last night.

“The Iron Lady” had won her last four contests, including a pair of Top 5 victories over Holly Holm and Raquel Pennington. I understand that Aspen Ladd entered the bout undefeated with a dangerous wrestling attack, but her best win was ... Sijara Eubanks? Eubanks is tough, but her best wins came at 125 pounds, and stylistically she is a far cry from de Randamie anyway.

The fight could really only play out in dominant fashion for either woman, as the skill differentials in striking and grappling were so vast. Ladd tends to rely on her hands to draw her opponent into a striking exchanges before making use of her wrestling — a bad strategy opposite the decorated kickboxer. Ladd moved forward behind her robotic boxing, and de Randamie promptly sent a right hand down the pipe that saw Ladd fall face-first.

Cry early stoppage if you’d like — you are technically correct — but Ladd was on another planet looking in a completely different direction from de Randamie when she hit the mat.

Urijah Faber is not a young man anymore, but damn if he doesn’t look and fight like one.

Ricky Simon, meanwhile, is a young man. The 26-year-old bruiser possessed many of the same traits as Faber: a quality wrestling background, great physicality, and a deep gas tank. If you expected Faber to get beat up by a younger version of himself, you are forgiven — after all, it’s what the odds makers predicted as well, setting Simon as a 3-1 favorite.

However, at no point in Faber’s career has he been beaten by someone wanting to trade right hands with him. Simon came out wild, looking to take advantage of youth and speed and whatnot. It worked momentarily before backfiring spectacularly, as Faber slipped his head off the center line to deliver a brutal right direct to the temple.

Often, simply trying to overwhelm a less athletic fighter is a recipe for success, but it doesn’t work if the other man is actually just as dynamic!

Mirsad Bektic has some serious guts.

Leading up to the fight, I fully expected Bektic to play it safe while on the feet. At this point, Emmett’s punching power at 145 pounds is a fairly well-known and fearsome quality. If Bektic had hung back and kicked, hoping to time a takedown as Emmett surged forward with power shots, it wouldn’t have been a cowardly move — it would’ve been smart!

Instead, Bektic boxed with Emmett. He stepped in firmly behind his jab-cross. The Georgian athlete looked for his left hook numerous times. He really seemed to believe that he would land first and stop Emmett or at least hurt him badly enough to put Emmett on the defensive.

But, Emmett was the faster man. While it never connected perfectly, his overhand intercepted Bektic’s entries a couple times, and even when blocked it seemed to stagger his foe slightly. When Emmett showed a low kick then speared a jab straight through Bektic’s jaw, it was a surprising strike to bring about the end of the fight — but the knockout itself seemed like it was imminent.

One week or two before last night’s fights, Fili spoke to Team Alpha Male after a group practice. After 13 years of training, “Touchy” explained that only now, he felt like he was making the biggest gains of his entire career. After years and years as a professional, everything was clicking.

Fili felt that way before the fight, and it looked that way in the cage. Against a dangerous Muay Thai striker in Sheymon Moraes, Fili was composed and active, clearly with a plan in mind. When Moraes attempted to blast him with a power kick, Fili countered beautifully with a cross-kick combination. Both strikes landed clean, stunning Moraes. Fili pursued the finish patiently, picking his shots until a right hook counter sent Moraes down for good.

After a four year period where Fili alternated wins and losses, struggling to find his footing, “Touchy” has now won four of five. He’s really putting it all together technically as he enters his athletic prime, making it an exciting time to be a fan.

I’ll be honest, a lot of the fights last night were not particularly interesting. They did not offer exceptional techniques or performances that I feel necessitate going into great detail — but I’ll still shout out a few athletes.

Marvin Vettori pushed a hard pace and fought smartly in all areas to outclass Cezar Ferreira. The young Italian is one to watch in the future, particularly since he’s at such a great camp in King’s MMA. The same goes for Brianna Van Buren, who was absolutely dominant in her bout with Livia Renata Souza. Against a skilled foe, the debuting athlete landed extended combinations and big slams — the American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) representative was very well trained indeed.

Lastly, Jonathan Martinez likely avoided a decision loss with a picture-perfect knee in the final round opposite Liu Pingyuan (watch highlights here). The Texan is a clean striker who may have a higher ceiling than many expected at just 25 years of age.

For complete UFC Fight Night 155: “De Randamie vs. Ladd” results and play-by-play, click HERE!

Source: Mmamania.com

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Ultimate Fighting Championship • Ultimate Fighting Championship • Ultimate Fighting Championship • Sacramento, California • Ultimate Fighting Championship • Card (sports) • Urijah Faber • Germaine de Randamie • Underdog (term) • Eiffel Tower • Holly Holm • Raquel Pennington • Aspen Ladd • Wrestling • Strike (attack) • Grappling • Strike (attack) • Wrestling • Kickboxing • Boxing • Urijah Faber • Dick the Bruiser • Professional wrestling • You Are Forgiven • Mirsad Bektić • Jab • Georgia (country) • Overhand (boxing) • Low kick • Jab • Cross (boxing) • Strike (attack) • Knockout • Fili • Urijah Faber • Fili • Muay Thai • Forward (association football) • Fili • Fili • Strike (attack) • Fili • Hook (boxing) • Fili • Cezar Ferreira • Italy • Great Camps • Mixed martial arts • Livia Renata Souza • American Kickboxing Academy • Pingyuan County, Shandong • Forward (association football) • Ultimate Fighting Championship • Sports commentator •