UFC On ESPN MAIN CARD BLOG
Mounir Lazzez kicked off the main card with a win good enough to bring over UFC president Dana White after.
Lazzez bested Abdul Razak Alhassan, scoring a decision victory. Alhassan missed weight for the contest, giving Lazzez a little bit extra cheddar on the side.
You know its a good night when the Boss says hello! 🤝 #UFCFightIsland1 pic.twitter.com/mdtXo6eEiX
— UFC (@ufc) July 16, 2020
Using her distance advantage, Talia Santos was able to sweep all three rounds on all three scorecards and claim a decision over Molly McCann in a female flyweight contest.
Most might have expected Jimmie Rivera to walk through Cody Stamann, but the two had an entertaining and back-and-forth three-round battle.
In the end, it was Rivera declared the winner via decision.
Scorecards? 📝 Send them in!#InAbuDhabi @VisitAbuDhabi #UFCFightIsland1 pic.twitter.com/DhN64VToe7
— UFC (@ufc) July 16, 2020
Rivera appeared to early score a finish early on, but Stamann showed his abilities by surviving.
𝕊𝕨𝕒𝕣𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕘!@JimmieRivera135 is looking for a quick night 😳#InAbuDhabi @VisitAbuDhabi #UFCFightIsland1 pic.twitter.com/gojDj2mL7b
— UFC (@ufc) July 16, 2020
The decision train continued in the co-main event as Tim Elliott bested Ryan Benoit.
For Elliott, the win was his first since a 2017 victory over Mark De La Rosa, snapping a three-fight losing skid. He is now 16-11-1 overall in his career.
NON-STOP IN ROUND THREE. #UFCFightIsland1 pic.twitter.com/bgjVRzSuRJ
— UFC (@ufc) July 16, 2020
After four decisions to begin the main card, it would come as no surprise that the main event went the distance.
Following five hard-fought rounds and 25 minutes, Calvin Kattar was declared the winner over Dan Ige.
Absolute respect to close the night. #UFCFightIsland1 pic.twitter.com/bpE52skdsv
— UFC (@ufc) July 16, 2020
The 32-year-old Kattar followed up his May finish of Jeremy Stephens, improving to 22-4 overall and 6-2 with the UFC. He also holds wins over Ricardo Lamas and Shane Burgos.
For Ige, the loss snapped a six-fight win streak.
That is all for tonight as we will return this Saturday night with UFC Fight Night: Figueiredo vs. Benavidez 2, also known as UFC FIght Night 172 or UFC on ESPN+ 30.