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Rodrigo Nascimento Vs. Don’Tale Mayes

We begin the night in the same division where we will finish it in the heavyweight division.

Rodrigo Nascimento, a 27-year-old from Brazil, is a perfect 7-0 in his career with all seven bouts ending via finish. That includes five submissions to his credit, highlighted by one on Dana White’s Contender Series last July.

His opponent, Don’Tale Mayes, competed twice on the Contender Series scoring two finishes. He dropped his official UFC debut to Ciryl Gane this past October via third round submission. 

Nascimento landing with heavy kicks here in the early going after sprinting out to the center of the Octagon to start. These two big guys are wasting no time looking for the finish. 

Takedown by Nascimento following another rushed-in offensive attack. He’s got just over 90 seconds to work for a submission with both men still relatively dry. Mayes gets up and lands a counter-left on the way to his feet. 

Mayes using his own leg kicks in the second, which are keeping Nascimento at bay with distance. They again engage alongside the fence with each man taking control for a short period of time. 

Nascimento with a takedown and immediately moves to the back of Mayes, securing a submission victory with a rear-naked choke. Mayes taps and this one is all over.

Rodrigo Nascimento def. Don’Tale Mayes via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:05 of Round 2

Cortney Casey Vs. Mara Romero Borella

This one is a key one for Cortney Casey, as she is just 1-3 over her last four – of course, the win was a big one, as she topped Angela Hill, who fights in the co-main event later tonight. Overall, Casey is 8-7 with four UFC wins.

Mara Romero Borella made her Octagon debut in 2017 and is 2-3 during her time with the promotion and 12-7 overall.

All Casey needed was an opening and she took advantage, locking in an armbar with just over a minute left in the round. Borella was on top, but she failed to keep control and this on is all over.

Cortney Casey def. Mara Romero Borella via submission (armbar) at 3:36 of Round 1

Darren Elkins Vs. Nate Landwehr

The 36-year-old Darren Elkins will try to snap a three-fight losing skid when he faces Nate Landwehr next.

Elkins, 24-8 overall, is coming off losses to Ryan Hall, former UFC title contender Ricardo Lamas and current UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. The defeats to Hall and Volkanovski came via decision.

Landwehr, a former M-1 champion, suffered a knockout loss to Herbert Burns in his UFC debut this past January. The loss snapped a seven-fight win streak.

Elkins showing his submission game early on, seeking a choke of some sort in the opening two minutes. Landwehr, though, was able to survive. Good striking being delivered by Elkins too. 

Landwehr caught Elkins, opening a cut between his right eye and the bridge of his nose. He continues to stalk and control the center of the Octagon. In terms of volume, Elkins is ahead, but the power and damage has been delivered by Landwehr.

These two are enjoying this one as Landwehr lets out a loud scream and Elkins smiles back at him. Good exchange with Elkins shooting for another takedown before being denied. 

Referee Herb Dean has asked for a doctor to look at the cut on Elkins. Blood is pouring out al over his face and really getting in his eyes. Landwehr, meanwhile, is screaming at the top of his lungs at anybody who will listen, including UFC president Dana White. 

The face of Elkins is a crimson mask but he continues to find ways to land with his strikes, even attempting a takedown that was denied. These two trade until the final bell sounds and we head to the scorecards with both fighters a bloody mess and enjoying it.

Nate Landwehr def. Darren Elkins via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Check out more action from the prelims on the following page.

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