Michael Johnson Vs. Thiago Moises
Moises a young pup compared to Johnson, a veteran of The Ultimate Fighter. Johnson will also hold a slight reach advantage for this lightweight contest.
Johnson holds a career record of 19-15, while Moises is 12-4 overall.
Both men come firing out after one another as they want to get it on. All standup right now, and that has stuck to the plan for Johnson who said he would work hard to avoid any groundwork.
Johnson winning the striking battle so far, peppering Moises with shot after shot by staying active and quick. The pressure of Johnson is keeping Moises at bay, not allowing him to get anything going through the first round.
Moises with the pressure to start the second, attacking and grabbing a leg. In just seconds, Moises gets the submission, forcing Johnson to tap.
Thiago Moises def. Michael Johnson via submission (heel hook) at :25 of Round 2
Andrei Arlovski Vs. Philipe Lins
Arlovski, a former UFC heavyweight champion, is just 1-4 with a no-contest since 2018, including a first round loss to Jairzinho Rozenstruik in November. His lone win during that stretch came over Ben Rothwell, who will fight later tonight.
Lins, meanwhile, looks for his fifth consecutive win after competing several times for Bellator and the PFL in recent years. His win in December over Josh Copeland came in the finals of the 2018 PFL Heavyweight Tournament.
Interestingly enough, these two are teammates at American Top Team. And there was no touch of gloves.
Lots of switching of stances by both fighters here early on, with Lins kind of taking control of the contest. Crazy series of strikes by Lins as they came in a flurry inside of the clinch.
Counter-right by Lins backs Arlovski up and he appears hurt. Lins, though, remains calm and does not engage, resulting in several kicks from Arlovski. Another great exchange from in close and both men remain standings – somehow.
Both of these men are landing with serious, serious strikes both in terms of hands and kicks. Oh man, Lins gets Arlovski low and we have a break. With no crowd, the reaction of “The Pitbull” are loud and for real, as he’ll need some time to overcome this.
Up until that pause, Arlovski was controlling the round. Lins, though, firing back here, returning fire and Arlovski is backing up quickly.
Arlovski showing more of his array of skills, tossing up some kicks both to the middle and legs. Experience has definitely helped Arlovski, who has been switching stances constantly.
Lins, though, lands with a nasty shot here, sticking with his hands and avoiding any leg kicks to not risk the chance of being docked a point after his low blow. This has been a very strong fight for Arlovski over the final stages of the past two rounds.
Andrei Arlovski def. Philipe Lins via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Ricky Simon Vs. Ray Borg
We move to the bantamweight division next as Simon seeks to end a two-fight losing streak. The 27-year-old won 15 of his first 16 before back-to-back losses in 2019 to Urijah Faber and Rob Font.
Borg, meanwhile, a year younger, has overcome so much outside the Octagon. He has picked up two wins in a row, including a decision over Rogerio Bontorin in February to improve to 13-4.
Real nice start for these two, as Simon is working the jab while looking for a power right-hand. Borg, though, answers back with his own striking. In the second, Simon with a huge takedown in the early stages to gain control of the match.
Some fun trash-talking between these two that we can hear with the crowd non-existent for the event. Simon, though, continues to be the aggressor and more active fighter.
All Simon here so far through two rounds, but Borg has the ability to make something happen here in the final five minutes. Simon approaching 10 successful takedowns in this one-sided performance.
Ricky Simon def. Ray Borg via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
More main card action continues on the next page.
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