What’s Next? UFC: Mexico City Results
Following a trip to Mexico City back in 2017, the UFC returns with several fighters appearing from the last card, including Sergio Pettis, Brandon Moreno, Martin Bravo and a dual co-main event appearance from Alexa Grasso. Despite a massive disappointment in tonight’s main event and a split draw, the night delivered a clean submission win from Paul Craig, a standing KO from Kyle Nelson and a spectacular spinning backfist KO courtesy of Steven Peterson. Here are some thoughts on the winner’s futures and a complete list of results.
RESULTS
Claudio Puelles def. Marcos Rosa Mariano via Unanimous Decision (30-25 x 3)
Bethe Correia def. Sijara Eubanks via Unanimous Decision (29-28 x 3)
Paul Craig def. Vinicius Moreira via Submission (rear-naked choke), Rd 1
Sergio Pettis def. Tyson Nam via Unanimous Decision (30-27 x 3)
Angela Hill def. Ariane Carnelossi via TKO (doctor stoppage), Rd 2
Kyle Nelson def. Polo Reyes via TKO (elbow and punches), Rd 1
Jose Quinonez def. Carlos Huachin via Unanimous Decision (30-27 x 3)
Steven Peterson def. Martin Bravo via KO (spinning back fist), Rd 2
Irene Aldana def. Venessa Melo via Unanimous Decision (30-26 x 3)
Brandon Moreno vs. Askar Askarov ends in a Split Draw (28-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Carla Esparza def. Alexa Grasso via Majority Decision (28-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Yair Rodriguez vs. Jeremy Stephens ends in a No Contest (accidental eye poke), Rd 1
What’s Next?
Yair Rodriguez and Jeremy Stephens
There isn’t any confusion about what to do next for these two men. Rebook the fight for the co-main event in Boston next month.
Carla Esparza and Alexa Grasso
Perhaps not Fight of the Night in the eyes of the fans (see below), but these two women left it all in the cage and Esparza emerged, contentiously, the winner. The former champion locked together several takedowns and applied enough activity on the ground to squeak out a decision. She looked like vintage Esparza, and landed a few nice shots on the feet as well. She’s won two in a row, with recent losses only to Tatiana Suarez and a bad decision against Claudia Gadelha. She still has it. I’d love to see her in a fight with Nina Ansaroff after she heals up. Grasso’s stock does not go down with this loss. She looked clean on the feet and threatened a deep armbar. She is improving each time out, and a fight against the loser of Joanna and Waterson makes a lot of sense.
Brandon Moreno and Askar Askarov
This was the actual Fight of the Night. It felt so good to see Moreno back in the UFC, and the ACA product Askarov proved to be more than hype, utilizing the prestigious Dagestani wrestling that has taken over MMA. Moreno looked sharp on the feet, and as confident on the ground as he always has. I was surprised he did not threaten more submissions, as he is primarily known for. His hands have looked better than ever, in this fight and his last outing in LFA. Book Moreno against Jussier Formiga and Askarov against someone like Ryan Benoit. The future is bright at 125.
OTHER PICKS
Irene Aldana / Marion Reneau
Steven Peterson / Luiz Eduardo Garagorri
Martin Bravo / Peter Barrett
Jose Quionez / Montel Jackson
Carlos Huachin (cut from the UFC)
Kyle Nelson / Chris Fishgold
Marco Polo Reyes (cut from the UFC)
Angela Hill / Miranda Granger
Ariane Carnelossi / Hannah Cifers
Sergio Pettis / Alex Perez
Tyson Nam / Raulian Paiva
Paul Craig / Gian Villante
Vinicius Moreira (cut from the UFC)
Bethe Correia / Nicco Montano
Sijara Eubanks / Lara Procopio
Claudio Puelles / Thiago Moises
Marcos Mariano (cut from the UFC)
Author: Lance Carpenter
