UFC Mexico in tweets
UFC Mexico is the books and it was not short of drama. Kicking off the main card was a pair of featherweights as Steven Peterson squared off against the returning Martin Bravo. It was the Mexican who started fast and was landing at will throughout the first round with Peterson not offering anything at all. As the second round started, it was much of the same, but as Bravo went for a spinning back fist, so did Peterson and it was the American who landed as flush as you are going to see and KO’d Bravo instantly.
Next up was Irene Aldana up against promotional newcomer Vanessa Melo at Women’s Bantamweight. From the first horn, Aldana found a home for her jab and kicks as Melo turned into a human punchbag throughout the first 5 minutes. As the fight went on, Aldana was mixing up her attacks and was constantly scoring points with the judges. With the crowd cheering on their fighter, Irene looked for a finish late on, but the Brazilian’s toughness was there to see. Aldana saw out a unanimous decision victory and is looking for a top 5 opponent to see out the year.
Brandon Moreno was returning to the UFC after a one fight stint elsewhere as he went up against Askar Askarov who was making his UFC debut at Flyweight. In the first round, it was the Dagestani fighter who was showing why he had an unbeaten record with 7 submission victories. He was dominating the grappling exchanges with over 3 minutes of control time through the first five minutes. Moreno’s lighting quick hands were on show in the second and wobbled the Russian but he saw out the round on top. The Mexican dominated the third round with most of it spent on top of Askarov. As the fight went to the judges scorecards, each judge had a different outcome and the fight was announced a split draw. Run it back?
The co-main event was upon us as homegrown Strawweight Alexa Grasso faced off against former champion Carla Esparza. Grasso was looking to put on a show in front her home fans and in the first clearly had the striking advantage with Esparza looking for the takedown. As the second started, Grasso landed a shot which troubled the former champ but Grasso remained patient and was picking her shots with great accuracy. The third round was dominated by Grasso as she hurt Ezparza badly but didn’t capitalize much to her teams displeasure. Esparza landed a takedown but Grasso ended up on top and sunk in an armbar which visibly twisted and bent the arm of the American. The fight went to the scorecards and after a re-count, it was Carla Esparza who got the majority decision to upset the Mexican crowd.
In the main event of the evening, Yair Rodriguez was defending home turf against veteran Jeremy Stephens at Featherweight. Just 15 seconds into the fight, Rodriguez caught the eye of Stephens with his fingers. Lil’ Heathen was given the allotted 5 minutes to recover but his left eye was in spasm which meant he was unable to open it for the doctor. As a result, the fight was called off and declared a no-contest. The decision didn’t go down well with the crowd who proceeded to throw water bottles into the octagon and at the exiting Jeremy Stephens.
Check out the reaction to controversial night of action
Yair Rodriguez vs Jeremy Stephens
WTH just happened. His eye wouldn’t open or he wouldn’t open it. I can’t even believe that lmao
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) September 22, 2019
If you guys think for even one second that @LiLHeathenMMA wasn’t legit hurt then you’re crazy. A swipe like that means that Yair likely accidentally tore Jeremy’s cornea. It doesn’t happen from pokes or happens from a swiping motion. Ask @TheJamesKrause how that feels #UFCMexico
— Laura Sanko (@laura_sanko) September 22, 2019
Carla Esparza vs Alexa Grasso
Esparza 💯 just let her arm dislocate to escape then right away started hitting grasso with it. Gross. Also, that arm is going to be sore
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) September 22, 2019
Brandon Moreno vs Askar Askarov
Super whack!! @theassassinbaby did that!!
— Max Griffin (@MaxPainGriffin) September 22, 2019
Irene Aldana vs Vanessa Melo
Impressive the way @IreneAldana_
counters the counter. Crisp. I see some @joannamma here. Bright future.— Jake Ellenberger (@EllenbergerMMA) September 22, 2019
Steven Peterson vs Martin Bravo
Yall ever played with beyblades? https://t.co/0xYITuGpmh
— Sodiq Yusuff (@Super_Sodiq) September 22, 2019
Check out the full main card results below
Yair Rodriguez vs Jeremy Stephens- No Contest (accidental eye poke) Round 1- 0:15
Carla Esparza bt Alexa Grasso via Decision (majority) (28–28, 29–28, 29–28)
Branon Moreno vs Askar Askarov – Draw (split) (28–28, 28–29, 30–27)
Irene Aldana bt Vanessa Melo via Decision (unanimous) (30–26, 30–26, 30–26)
Steven Peterson bt Martin Bravo via KO (spinning backfist) Round 2- 1:31
Author: Reece Williams
Follow me on twitter: @ReeceManUFC
Follow the team on twitter: @MMALatestNws
