411’s UFC on FOX 18 Report 1.30.16

Hello everyone and welcome to 411mania’s LIVE coverage of UFC on FOX 18. I’m Robert Winfree, your host for the evening as I’ll be relaying all of the action to you just as I see it. January has been a pretty awesome month so far for MMA, Condit vs. Lawler and Cruz vs. Dillashaw were awesome fights and overall solid events. Now the UFC is looking to keep that momentum going tonight as the main event has some serious title implications. While the next title fight at light heavyweight is most likely to be the return of Jon Jones trying to reclaim the title he never lost from Daniel Cormier the winner of tonight’s main event should be the next contender as Anthony Johnson has only lost to Daniel Cormier at light heavyweight and Ryan Bader is currently riding a five fight winning streak. The co-main event also has some title implications, given the erratic nature of the heavyweight division a win for either Barnett or Rothwell could set the up for a title shot sooner rather than later. This event comes to the world from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey (the closest the UFC is coming to New York City for at least another few years) with Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan on commentary.

Tony Martin is is just 1-3 in the UFC but those losses are to opposition like Beneil Dariush and Rashid Magomedov, plus his lone win prevented a three fight losing streak, but he’s coming off of a loss to Leonardo Santos and needs a win here because 1-4 in your first five fights in the UFC could easily mean getting your walking papers in the absolutely stacked lightweight division. Felipe Olivieri is making his UFC debut here but brings a three fight winning streak with him, all of those also being (T)KO wins in the first round, and while Martin may not have the biggest name he’ll be looking to make a big first impression tonight.

Lightweight Bout: Tony Martin (9-3, 155 lbs.) vs. Felipe Olivieri (14-4 1 NC, 155 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Martin is three inches taller than Olivieri but only has an inch and a half of reach. Touch of gloves to get us going. Olivieri lands an inside leg kick. Martin lands a low leg kick. Olivieri circling, lands a hard leg kick. Martin lands a jab to the body, Olivieri lands another leg kick then Martin gets the clinch on the fence. Martin looking for a double leg, elevates and tries to slam but Olivieri is back up, then Martin uses an outside trip to get the fight to the mat. Olivieri gets to butterfly guard and wall walks back up but can’t get free of Martin. Martin lands a couple of knees in the clinch, one to the face one to the body. Martin looking for another takedown, he keeps trying for a high crotch single leg but Olivieri’s balance is impressive and then the ref separates them. Odd place for a break, Olivieri lands another hard leg kick, that leg is already swelling, but Martin gets the clinch again. Olivieri lands a couple of elbows while Martin is bent over looking for a takedown. Martin can’t get the takedown and Olivieri able to separate. Martin back into the clinch, Olivieri gets free and lands a leg kick. Olivieri tries a flurry that misses and they clinch to end the round.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Olivieri

ROUND TWO: Touch of gloves for the second round. Martin stalking forward, Olivieri circling. Olivieri lands a leg kick. Olivieri lands a body kick then another couple of leg kicks. Martin’s offense is limited so far, he lands a leg kick of his own. Olivieri lands a leg kick after eating a left hook. Martin lands a right hand. Martin lands a left then a right. Olivieri lands a leg kick, Martin starting to get his hands going now. Olivieri lands a leg kick to the rear leg then a left. Martin lands a short right. Martin lands another right over the jab of Olivieri. Martin lands a right, Olivieri is slowing down a little. Martin lands a double jab then a right. Martin lands a right then eats a leg kick. Martin lands a jab. Martin lands another right. Another right from Martin, Olivieri has a cut around the left temple from those rights. Martin lands a left then a right hook. Olivieri is hurt and Martin tries to flurry, Olivieri grabs the clinch to recover and the round ends with some knees being traded in the clinch.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Martin, 19-19 overall

ROUND THREE: Touch of gloves and a quick hug to start the third. Martin lands a jab. Olivieri lands a left hook then a leg kick. Martin lands a jab but eats an inside then an outside leg kick. Martin lands a right to the ear of Olivieri, he’s going with hooks to counter the guard of Olivieri. Olivieri lands a body kick, Martin lands a couple of jabs. Olivieri lands a body kick. Martin goes for a double leg that stalls out on the fence. Martin hits an outside trip and passes to half guard. Martin keeping control, gets the back as Olivieri rolls to his knees. Martin with just one hook in, rolls a bit and goes for the choke, arms under the neck and Olivieri taps weakly as he passes out.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Tony Martin via Submission, rear naked choke, at 3:02 of Round 3

Martin gets an interview. Asked about the leg kicks he says that Olivieri blocked takedowns in the first so he adjusted to striking in the second and he hit him hard then he saw Olivieri tiring in the third so he went after the finish. He talks about losing his last fight via rear naked choke but feels good about getting payback.

Damon Jackson has yet to find his first UFC win, he lost his debut to Yancy Medeiros then had his loss to Rony “Jason” Bezerra overturned when Bezerra tested positive for a diuretic. He’s after that all important first UFC win tonight because another loss could spell the end of his UFC run. Levan Makashvili is 1-1 in the UFC, winning his debut but losing a close split decision to Hacran Dias his last time out that may or may not have been influenced by a certain MMA chicken judge. Makashvili needs to rebound here if he wants to start moving up the ranks of the featherweight division.

Featherweight Bout: Damon Jackson (9-1 1 NC, 145 lbs.) vs. Levan Makashvili (7-2, 145 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Jackson has three inches of height and two and a half of reach on Makashvili. Jackson comes out swinging, lands a right. Jackson pumping the jab now, Makashvili not throwing a lot yet. Makashvili lands an inside leg kick. Jackson moving forward, both men land rights then they clinch. Jackson has Makashvili on the fence and they trade some knees. Makashvili spins Jackson into the cage, Jackson able to reverse that. More knees traded back and forth, at least they’re not resting here. The ref breaks them apart as they’d reached a stalemate. Makashvili lands a right then a left hook. Jackson avoids an uppercut and gets the clinch on the fence looking for a takedown. Jackson is bleeding, can’t see where from. Makashvili defending the takedown well against the fence, lands a few more knees to the body. Jackson switches to a single leg, he’s got nothing though and is eating a lot of short lefts from Makashvili. Jackson switches to a double leg, Makashvili defends and the round ends there.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Makashvili

ROUND TWO: Jackson comes out jabbing, Makashvili looking to counter. Jackson lands a right, Makashvili not throwing combinations now. Makashvili lands a couple of switch kicks high. Makashvili lands a right but Jackson gets the clinch on the fence. Jackson looking for a takedown, they break after trading knees. Jackson lands a right. They clinch and trade then break. Both miss rights then Jackson has the clinch on the fence. Jackson with some knees to the thigh then they start trading knees to the body. The ref separates them after they stall out. Makashvili catches a leg and lands a couple of rights. Jackson shoots another double leg that stalls out on the fence. More knees being traded. Makashvili gets Jackson on the fence, Jackson reverses and they trade some more knees then trade punches in close as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Jackson, 19-19 overall

ROUND THREE: Jackson comes out jabbing again, Makashvili misses a counter right. Jackson misses a high kick, they clinch and Makashvili gets the clinch. They again stall out on the fence, Jackson keeping his back off the fence and they’re trading knees. The ref separates them again. Makashvili lands a body kick. Makashvili hits a double leg and lands in half guard, Jackson uses the threat of a guillotine to scramble to his feet. Jackson blocks a high kick and they clinch then break in the middle of the cage. Jackson jabs into the clinch, Makashvili spins him into the fence and drops for a takedown that Jackson defends. Makashvili gets another takedown after pulling Jackson away from the fence. Jackson sitting on the fence, tries to hit a switch but Makashvili avoids it. Makashvili sitting on the legs, Jackson back up but Makashvili lands an illegal knee, Jackson still had his hand on the mat. Makashvili might have been aiming that knee at the shoulder but it did impact the head so Jackson gets time to recover. No point deduction, it was accidental and Jackson is ready to continue. Jackson comes forward again, now he’s complaining of an eye poke. Replay confirms the eye poke so we’re stopped again and this time the ref takes a point from Makashvili after the second foul in the round. The doctor is coming in to check the eye of Jackson. The doctor and Jackson both say he can continue so we’re back to fighting. Jackson misses a high kick, Makashvili lands a body kick. Jackson lands a body kick. Makashvili tries for a takedown that stalls out on the fence as time expires.

SCORECARD: 9-9 after the point deduction for Makashvili, 28-28 DRAW overall

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Majority DRAW (29-27 Jakcson, 28-28 x2)

No interview for either man.

Matt Dwyer is 1-2 in the UFC with an impressive KO over William Macario sandwiched between losses to Albert Tumenov and Alan Jouban, tonight he looks to get his UFC record to an even 2-2 and get 2016 off on a winning note. Randy Brown is unbeaten as a professional fighter and makes his UFC debut tonight on the heels of being featured on Dana White lookin’ for a fight so expect commentary to be high on him, a win over Dwyer would keep him perfect as a fighter and get his UFC career off to a great start.

Welterweight Bout: Matt Dwyer (8-3, 169 lbs.) vs. Randy Brown (6-0, 171 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Both of these men are tall, Brown is 6’3 to Dwyer at 6’4 but Brown has an inch and a half of reach on Dwyer. Brown the aggressor, both men flashing the jab early. Dwyer lands a leg kick. Dwyer lands another leg kick. Dwyer lands a right hand. Dwyer hits another leg kick. Brown not doing a whole lot, Dwyer hits another leg kick then a right hand. Brown lands a straight kick to the body. Dwyer lands an overhand right then another leg kick. Dwyer misses a couple of wild hooks, Brown’s lack of offense is surprising. Brown lands a body kick. Dwyer lands another right as Brown hopped forward. Brown stalking forward now, Dwyer circles off of the fence. Brown lands a jab. Dwyer lands another leg kick. Brown misses a wheel kick. Dwyer lands another hard leg kick. Dwyer misses a high kick then Brown misses a couple of punches as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Dwyer

ROUND TWO: Dwyer comes out kicking, Brown has open hands and the ref warns him about that. Dwyer lands a couple of leg kicks. They clinch after Brown misses some punches and they jockey for position against the cage. Brown able to get Dwyer on the fence, Dwyer reverses and lands a couple of knees to the body. Brown able to spin Dwyer into the fence again and the ref breaks them after that stalls out. Dwyer lands another leg kick. Brown lands a body kick. Dwyer hits another couple of leg kicks. Brown able to land a right. They clinch and trade knees to the body before Brown gets Dwyer on the cage. Brown able to hit a throw from the clinch and goes for a d’arce choke as Dwyer rolls to his knees. Brown bails on the choke as Dwyer gets the clinch again. They fight in the clinch, Dwyer grabs a single leg but can’t finish it. Dwyer switches to a double leg and finally gets Brown down. Brown quickly wall walks then lands some elbows to the head of Dwyer while Dwyer tries for another takedown. Brown lands a knee, Dywer lands an elbow as time expires.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Brown, 19-19 overall

ROUND THREE: Touch of gloves for the final round. Dwyer got poked in the eye but the ref didn’t see it, Brown tries to flurry, Dwyer fires back and Dwyer gets the ride position as Brown tried for a choke. Brown back up but Dwyer still has one hook in, Brown able to spin into him and starts looking for a takedown. Brown has the back standing now, Dwyer up and Brown trying to become a back pack. Brown bails on that and they separate. Dwyer lands a right. Dwyer lands a leg kick, Brown pushes into the clinch. Dwyer able to get Brown on the fence. Brown able to spin Dwyer and we get time after Brown landed a knee to the groin of Dwyer. Dwyer will get up to five minutes to recover, he’s ready to go though and we’re back. Both men miss rights. Brown lands a couple of knees to the head of Dwyer. Dwyer able to hit a throw but Brown hustles to top position and tries for another d’arce choke. Dwyer on his knees, he’s trying to reverse to top position while Brown holds the d’arce position. Brown bails on the choke and they stand in the clinch. Dwyer looking for another takedown, Brown defends. Dwyer tries to drag Brown to the mat, they scramble and regain their feet. They trade in the clinch wildly as time expires.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Brown, 29-28 Brown overall

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Randy Brown via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

Brown gets an interview. He says it feels great to be in the UFC then thanks the crowd, he says this wasn’t his best performance but he plans on bringing the heat. He says this was the first time he fought someone who was about his height who knew what they were doing striking, he puts over his coaches to close the interview.

That wraps up Fight Pass fights, now to Fox Sports 1 for more preliminary action.

Alex Caceres returns to featherweight here after going 0-3 in his past three at bantamweight and now looks to break that three fight losing streak here. Masio Fullen is 1-1 in the UFC he won his UFC debut but was finished his last time out by Makwan Amirkhani and is after a win here to get his 2016 off in style.

Featherweight Bout: Alex Caceres (10-8 1 NC, 145 lbs.) vs. Masio Fullen (10-5, 145 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: These two are equal in height but Caceres has three and a half inches of reach on Fullen. Touch of gloves to get us going, Caceres fighting southpaw. Caceres lands an outside leg kick. Fullen looking for an angle to attack from, Caceres lands a body kick. Caceres lands an inside leg kick, Fuller lands a bit of a right. Fullen lands an outside leg kick. Fullen lands a right hand. Fullen lands a left hook, then an uppercut. Caceres lands a body kick. Caceres lands a high kick. Caceres lands a left. Fullen seems unable to get into a rhythm or figure out the range here. Caceres lands a side kick to the body, Fullen just misses a high kick. Fullen lands a right to the body. Caceres lands a 360 degree roundhouse kick. Caceres lands a follow up left and he tries to flurry against the fence. They fight in the clinch, Caceres hits a trip then lands a couple of lefts as Fullen regains his feet. Caceres lands a knee to the head of Fullen before they break. Fullen misses a left hook. They circle away the final seconds of the round.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Caceres

ROUND TWO: Touch of gloves for the second round, Fullen lands a right to counter a kick from Caceres. Fullen looking to counter kicks with a right hand, he’s falling short but his timing is nice. Fullen lands a spinning back kick then a right. Caceres misses a spinning kick and Fullen gets the clinch because of it but Caceres spins out quickly. Caceres lands a left. Fullen lands a leg kick, this is a really awkward fight. Caceres lands a low kick then just misses a high kick. Caceres lands a leg kick and Fullen lands a counter right. Fullen pushes forward and lands a right hand. Caceres lands a jumping knee to the body. Caceres tries a double leg, easily stuffed and they stall out on the fence. Caceres lands a couple of knees to the body and thigh then they break. Fullen lands a left but he’s letting Caceres dictate the distance and rhythm of the fight. They clinch again, Caceres gets Fullen on the fence and lands some more knees. Caceres breaks the clinch then FUllen misses a kick as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Caceres, 20-18 Caceres overall

ROUND THREE: Touch of gloves for the last round. Fullen tries a couple of punches that miss, Caceres lands a body kick. Fullen lands a bit of a right, Caceres lands an inside leg kick. Fullen still circling but he’s allowing Caceres to control much of this. Fullen misses a wheel kick. Caceres lands a spinning leg kick. Caceres lands a bit of an uppercut in close. Fullen lands a left. Caceres bulls into the clinch then separates without anything happening. Caceres lands a body kick. Caceres lands a knee to the body in close then a high kick. Fullen misses a spinning kick, Caceres lands a left. Caceres misses a kick and Fullen lands a left. Caceres catches Fullen with a left, tries to flurry but Fullen gets the clinch to buy himself time. Caceres lands a left as they break. Caceres moving forward, trying to finish but Fullen able to weather the storm until time expires.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Caceres, 30-27 Caceres overall

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Alex Caceres via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

Well, that was certainly 15 minutes of two guys in a cage. Mic time for Caceres, who jokes his performance wasn’t bad for a vegan. He says this win has been a long time coming, he puts over the Lab for getting him ready to deal with wrestling and help build his confidence.

George Sullivan is 3-1 in the UFC with that loss coming to Tim Means but he rebounded with a win over Dominic Waters and is after a second consecutive win here. Alexander Yakovlev is 1-2 in the UFC but is coming off of a win over Gray Maynard at lightweight and looks to get a win in his return to welterweight tonight.

Welterweight Bout: George Sullivan (17-4 1 NC, 171 lbs.) vs. Alexander Yakovlev (22-6-1, 171 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Yakovlev has three inches of height on Sullivan but just half an inch of reach. Yakovlev fighting southpaw. Sullivan lands a couple of outside leg kicks. Sullivan lands another couple of outside leg kicks. Yakovlev lands a body kick then a hard inside leg kick. Yakovlev catches a kick then gets a takedown, Sullivan quickly back up but Yakovlev has him on the fence. Knees being traded in the clinch then they separate. Yakovlev tries a body kick, then gets a takedown when Sullivan tries to charge into a counter. Yakovlev lands in side control, Sullivan trying to hip escape to half guard. Yakovlev passes to full mount, Sullivan trying to scramble and Yakovlev has the back now but with just one hook in Sullivan back to his feet and Yakovlev has the rear waist lock. Yakovlev lands some knees to the thigh before breaking the clinch. Yakovlev lands a body kick, Sullivan already looks like he’s slowing down. Leg kicks traded. Yakovlev lands a left then a right that floors Sullivan, a few follow ups as Sullivan lays flat on his back and this one is over.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Alexander Yakovlev via KO, punches, at 3:59 of Round 1

Yakovlev and his translator get some mic time. He says he saw the counter opportunity with punches because of how Sullivan would move into leg kicks and once he heard his coaches call for it he knew it was there.

Dustin Ortiz is 3-1 in his last four with that loss being to top contender Joseph Benavidez and coming off of finishing Willie Gates with strikes in the third round. A win here for Ortiz is necessary for him to move further up the ranks at flyweight. Wilson Reis is 2-1 at flyweight after debuting at bantamweight, he’s coming off of a loss to Jussier Formiga but a rebound win over the top ranked Ortiz would be the biggest of his UFC run thus far.

Flyweight Bout: #9 Dustin Ortiz (15-4, 125 lbs.) vs. #12 Wilson Reis (19-6, 126 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Reis fighting southpaw. Both men probing distance with jabs and low kicks. Reis misses a high kick, Ortiz tries a high kick that’s blocked. Ortiz lands a straight right. Ortiz lands a right to the body. They clinch then break, Ortiz landed a right as they separated. Ortiz just misses a high kick. They clinch, Ortiz lands a right as they break. Ortiz lands a body kick, Reis lands a bit of a counter right hook. Reis looking for a single leg against the fence, he’s looking to ride Ortiz down, hits a trip and tries to take the back but Ortiz shakes him off and stands then breaks after eating a right from Reis. Ortiz lands a body kick. Reis lands a left. Reis lands a body kick, Ortiz lands one of his own. Ortiz blocks an attempted double leg, Ortiz stays with it and gets to the fence where they trade body shots then break. Ortiz grabs a single leg, Reis avoids it and spins to the back, Ortiz back up and Reis completes a double leg takedown as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Reis

ROUND TWO: Reis misses a couple of punches, lands a left in close. Ortiz is keeping his head too high when they trade in close and Reis is starting to find the counter punches. They trade body kicks, Ortiz tries a takedown and they scramble then regain their feet without anyone getting the better of it. Ortiz lands a left, Reis lands a counter left. Reis shoots a double leg against the fence, gets the clinch and then the back standing. Reis lands a couple of short lefts and breaks, Ortiz then lands a body kick. Power hands traded. Reis lands an outside leg kick. Ortiz lands a right. Ortiz gets to the clinch, Reis avoids a takedown and gets Ortiz to the fence then takes him down but Ortiz pops right back up. Reis still has Ortiz on the fence then they break. Ortiz shoots a double leg but again Reis defends and gets Ortiz on the fence. Reis drops for a double leg and gets Ortiz down, but again Ortiz back up. Reis lands some short lefts in the clinch then they separate. Reis catches a kick and tackles Ortiz to the mat. Ortiz tries to roll but Reis gets full back mount while Ortiz is on his knees. Reis looking for the choke, Ortiz trying to defend. Reis lands some short rights, tries to switch to an armbar and looks to sit back with it but Ortiz defends for the final seconds before the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Reis, 20-18 Reis overall

ROUND THREE: Ortiz tries a high kick that’s blocked. Ortiz lands a right, both men swinging then Reis shoots a double leg and gets to the fence. Reis immediately transitions to the back, just one hook in while Ortiz is on a knee. Reis bails on that then gets a trip takedown from the clinch. Ortiz back to his knees and Reis again has the back but can’t get the second hook in and Ortiz is back up and they separate. Reis lands a right, he’s looking to counter what Ortiz offers in close. Ortiz lands a left in close then Reis gets the clinch on the fence. Reis to the rear waist lock now. Ortiz able to turn into him but Reis trips him again, Ortiz back up but Reis hits a double leg. Ortiz back up again but Reis is winning these positional exchanges. Reis has the rear waist lock again and drags Ortiz down, lands a few rights. Ortiz able to hit a switch and escape to his feet. They clinch again and Reis hits a double leg along the fence and moves into full mount. Ortiz gives up the back with a minute left, Reis lands some short lefts. Ortiz able to get one hook out and get to his knees, Reis bails on the back to avoid being swept. Reis with some punches from the clinch, just superior grappling from Reis as time expires.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Reis, 30-27 Reis overall

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Wilson Reis via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

Impressive fight from Reis, he out grappled a talented scrambler in Ortiz. Reis gets an interview, he puts over Ortiz as crafty but at the end of the first round he started to figure out what he wanted to do. He says he wanted to get a finish but Ortiz had great defense then says he’s happy to have made Ortiz work because he knows Ortiz doesn’t get tired usually and he got him tired tonight. He says he’s pumped to get back in the gym after that win.

Rafael Natal is on a three fight winning streak, most recently beating Uriah Hall, and has finally cracked the top fifteen rankings. A fourth consecutive win here would move Natal up the ranks and possibly get him a top ten opponent next. Kevin Casey is coming off of a No Contest after getting poked in the eye and being unable to continue against Antonio Carlos Junior and needs a win here to elevate his stock and remain undefeated in the UFC.

Middleweight Bout: #15 Rafael Natal (20-6-1, 185 lbs.) vs. Kevin Casey (9-3 2 NC, 185 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Casey fighting southpaw. Lots of circling early. Casey lands a bit of a left, Natal lands a counter right. Casey lands a left, Natal tries a double leg that Casey sprawls on but he can’t get free and Natal gets the clinch. Casey able to spin Natal into the fence. Natal can’t get out of the clinch, Casey just kind of holding on. Casey lands a knee to the body then they trade rights as they break. Casey misses a left and an uppcut. Natal shoots and hits a double leg into the guard of Casey. Casey back up before Natal can mount any offense. Natal tries another takedown, this time Casey reverses it and lands on top. Natal back up quickly and Casey lands a left before they separate. They clinch again then separate without incident. Casey lands a right and a couple of lefts, Natal lands a right that drops Casey just at the horn to end the round.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Natal

ROUND TWO: Natal lands an inside leg kick that goes into the groin of Casey and he’ll have up to five minutes to recover. Casey takes a bit of time, likely to help recover from the punch at the end of the first, but he’s good to continue. Natal lands a right. Natal lands another counter right then tries for a takedown and after a fight for it does complete it, landing in the guard of Casey. Natal struggling to get strikes off from top position, finally able to pass to half guard. Natal lands a couple of lefts, Casey to full butterfly guard and kicks Natal off then stands but can’t break free of Natal. Casey gets Natal on the fence and lands a couple of rights to the body. Natal lands a couple of knees to the body. Natal able to get Casey on the cage then Natal lands a left uppercut as they break. Natal lands an inside leg kick. Natal ducks a hook and takes Casey down again. Natal lands a couple of hammer fists from the top. Natal passes to half guard and tries to flurry, Casey recovers guard then tries a sweep into a triangle choke that Natal blocks as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Natal, 20-18 Natal overall

ROUND THREE: Slow start, both guys have slowed as the fight has gone on. Natal lands an inside leg kick. Natal pushes forward and lands a couple of punches. These two are now fighting in slow motion, Natal lands an inside leg kick. Natal lands a jab. Natal gets a low single leg takedown into the guard of Casey. Natal passes to half guard. Natal passes into full mount now with two minutes left. Natal tries for an arm triangle that Casey gets free of. Natal landing punches now, he’s postured up and lands enough of a flurry to get the ref to stop this one.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Rafael Natal via TKO, punches, at 3:37 of Round 3

That’s four in a row for Natal, who now gets an interview. He says he knew after the end of the first he could finish and went for it. He wishes his mother a Happy Birthday in Portuguese. He says he wanted to win with jiu-jitsu and is happy with his passing, he puts over his family in attendance then his various coaches to close out the interview.

Olivier Aubin-Mercier is 3-0 at lightweight in the UFC, his lone UFC loss was at welterweight, and a fourth consecutive victory would mean bigger and better things in the coming year. Carlos Diego Ferreira is 2-2 in the UFC but has lost his last two fights to Beneil Dariush and Dustin Poirier and if he’s to avoid the dreaded three fight losing streak he must get a win here.

Lightweight Bout: Olivier Aubin-Mercier (7-1, 155 lbs.) vs. Diego Ferreira (11-2, 156 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Ferreira has three and a half inches of reach on Aubin-Mercier. Touch of gloves, Aubin-Mercier fighting southpaw. Ferreira moving forward early, Aubin-Mercier circling. Ferreira lands an inside leg kick. Aubin-Mercier lands a body kick. Ferreira misses a spinning back fist, Aubin-Mercier lands a lead hand uppercut. Aubin-Mercier lands a body kick then a left. Ferreira lands a hard right then a spinning back fist and another right. They clinch then separate. They both miss then clinch again, Aubin-Mercier quickly spins out of the clinch. Aubin-Mercier lands a body kick. Ferreira lands an inside leg kick then a counter left when Aubin-Mercier tried the body kick. They clinch again, trade knees to the body then Aubin-Mercier gets Ferreira on the fence. They separate without incident. Ferreira lands a left then a knee to the body into the clinch. Ferreira has Aubin-Mercier on the fence. They separate and Ferreira lands a short left. Ferreira misses a high kick as time expires.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Ferreira

ROUND TWO: Ferreira lands a front kick to the body. Ferreira lands a jab and a body kick. They trade power hand punches. Ferreira catches a kick and gets Aubin-Mercier into the fence. They break without incident. Aubin-Mercier lands a left. Ferreira lands a right hand then a bit of a high kick. Aubin-Mercier is having trouble being effective here. Aubin-Mercier tries a single leg that stalls out on the fence, Aubin-Mercier gets a takedown but stands up immediately and they resume clinching before Ferreira spins out. Ferreira lands a left then a right uppercut. Body kick from Ferreira. They trade in close, Ferreira getting the better of these exchanges. They clinch and Ferreira lands a knee then a right before they separate. Aubin-Mercier lands a body kick. Aubin-Mercier tries a high kick that’s blocked. Ferreira lands a couple of short uppercuts in close. Aubin-Mercier lands a right hand uppercut then a body kick. Aubin-Mercier circles away from some offense from Ferreira. They punch into the clinch then separate as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Aubin-Mercier, 19-19 overall

ROUND THREE: Ferreira has a high kick blocked to start the round, then lands an inside leg kick. They clinch then break before either man did anything with it. Aubin-Mercier lands a body kick. Aubin-Mercier lands a short right hook. Ferreira lands a body kick but gets taken down by Aubin-Mercier, Ferreira threatens with rubber guard and Aubin-Mercier back up and out, then they break. Aubin-Mercier hits a trip but Ferreira easily rolls him over and lands in half guard. Ferreira into full mount then full back mount. Ferreira landing punches, looking to get the choke. Ferreira doing a good job of looking for the choke, Aubin-Mercier defending but he gets hit a few times before he’s able to hip escape into half guard. Ferreira lands a couple of elbows to the head of Aubin-Mercier. Ferreira gets the back again when Aubin-Mercier tried to sit up, Ferreira looking for the choke again. Ferreira goes to a body triangle, still landing short punches hoping to open up the choke. A few elbows now as well from Ferreira, Aubin-Mercier is just going to defend until time runs out.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Ferreira, 29-28 Ferreira overall

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Diego Ferreira via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)

No interview for Ferreira as we’re on short time to get in the next fight before the top of the hour but a good fight from Ferreira.

Tarec Saffiedine hasn’t fought since a loss to Rory MacDonald in October of 2014 but had a five fight winning streak going before that and looks to rebound from loss and injury tonight with an impressive win. Jake Ellenberger is 1-4 in his last five fights, that lone win is over Josh Koscheck, and is coming off of a KO loss to Stephen Thompson and if he wants to get back into the top of the division a win here is absolutely critical.

Welterweight Bout: #11 Tarec Saffiedine (15-4, 169 lbs.) vs. Jake Ellenberger (30-10, 170 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Saffiedine fighting southpaw. Ellenberger misses a couple of punches then blocks a high kick from Saffiedine. Saffiedine swithces to orthodox. They clinch and trade some short punches then Saffiedine lands a few knees to the body while Ellenberger holds him on the fence. Saffiedine lands another knee to the body then Ellenberger pulls out of the clinch. Saffiedine lands a body kick from the southpaw stance. Saffiedine lands a straight left. Saffiedine lands a leg kick. Ellenberger pushes forward and lands a bit of a left. Saffiedine lands another leg kick. Ellenberger lands a right hook in close and Saffiedine is wobbled. Ellenberger tries to push after him but Saffiedine lands a hard knee to the body in the clinch. Ellenberger out of the clinch and back to distance. Saffiedine lands a left and avoids the counter. Saffiedine lands an inside leg kick. Ellenberger shuffles forward and misses a left as time expires.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Ellenberger

ROUND TWO: Saffiedine has a high kick blocked. Saffiedine lands a short right hook that wobbles Ellenberger. Saffiedine lands a hard leg kick then just misses a high kick. They clinch then break without incident. Saffiedine lands a hard body kick. Saffiedine lands a jab then a right, he’s the technically superior striker here and it’s starting to really show. Ellenberger lands a bit of a left. Saffiedine lands a body kick then a leg kick. Ellenberger misses a couple of hooks badly. Saffiedine grabs a single leg, Ellenberger able to avoid being taken down. They clinch again and Ellenberger takes a knee to the groin so he gets time to recover. Ellenberger takes a minute or so to recover but he’s good to continue. Touch of gloves to get us back and Saffiedine throws a couple of hard left kicks that are blocked. Saffiedine lands a jab. Saffiedine lands a right in close quarters. Ellenberger hits a double leg, Saffiedine right back up and lands a couple of knees then a jab before time expires.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Saffiedine, 19-19 overall

ROUND THREE: Touch of gloves to start the last round, Saffiedine lands a left kick. Lots of circling, Saffiedine lands a couple of jabs. They clinch and Ellenberger gets Saffiedine on the fence. Saffiedine lands some knees to the body then they separate. Saffiedine lands a couple of leg kicks. Saffiedine lands another hard leg kick. Saffiedine dodges a right and lands a left. Ellenberger misses a wild right, Saffiedine lands a couple of hard leg kicks. Ellenberger fails on a double leg and Saffiedine lands a hard knee to the body in the clinch. Saffiedine has Ellenberger against the fence. Ellenberger drops for a takedown, Saffiedine avoids it and scrambles to get Ellenberger’s back. Saffiedine has one hook in and starts looking for the choke. Ellenberger able to get to his feet and escape the grip, then shoots and is stuffed immediately. Ellenberger tries a right as time expires.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Saffiedine, 29-28 Saffiedine overall

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Tarec Saffiedine via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

That was very underwhelming considering how hard the UFC tried to make it. Interview time for Saffiedine, who says he’s very happy to be back. He gets asked about the punch in the first round, admits he got hit but he recovered quickly, then thanks everyone for coming out.

Sage Northcutt is 2-0 in the UFC and is moving up to welterweight for this fight, he’s got a lot of attention on him given his impressive outings in his two UFC fights before this one and a third consecutive win here in a second weight class would continue his ascent in the UFC. Bryan Barberena is 1-1 in the UFC, he’s coming off of a loss to Chad Laprise but had a seven fight winning streak going before that and looks to rebound from that disappointment back into the win column. Both these men usually fight at lightweight so there’s no major size difference and Barberena is taking this fight on just eight days notice after Northcutt’s original opponent fell out due to injury.

Welterweight Bout: Sage Northcutt (7-0, 170 lbs.) vs. Bryan Barberena (10-3, 170 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: The only real difference here is age, Barberena is seven years older than Northcutt. Barberena fighting southpaw, tough of the gloves to get us going. Lots of probing with leg kicks early. Northcutt lands a right but eats a left from Barberena, they clinch and Barberena gets Northcutt on the fence. Northcutt able to spin out of the clinch and they separate. Northcutt misses a lead leg hook kick. Northcutt lands a right and left that briefly drop Barberena, Barberena back up and has Northcutt on the fence. They trade in the clinch, Northcutt hits an elevated double leg then transitions to the back, Barberena back to his feet and Northcutt has just one hook in. Barberena able to spin into Northcutt, Northcutt holding Barberena on the fence. They trade rights in close then separate. Northcutt lands a couple of rights, Barberena lands a counter right and Northcutt shoots a double leg. Northcutt gets Barberena down to a knee, Barberena back up and they break apart. Northcutt jabs the body then lands a body kick. Northcutt tries a double leg, stuffed by Barberena then Barberena gets a trip against the fence. Barberena lands a right before Northcutt kicks him off and regains his feet. Barberena lands a right hook. Both men throw some heat in close to close the round.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Northcutt

ROUND TWO: Touch of gloves for the second round. Barberena lands a jab. Northcutt misses a right then tries to turn being off balance into a kick that misses and Barberena gets on top in his guard. Barberena lands an elbow then a left. Northcutt tries to set up rubber guard, Barberena just lands an elbow. Northcutt not doing a whole lot off of his back, Barberena lands another short elbow. Barberena passes to half guard and lands some punches to the face of Northcutt. Hard elbow from Barberena lands. Northcutt is bleeding from around the right eyebrow now. Barberena lands another elbow and tries to set up an arm triangle, he’s in half guard and on the wrong side but his squeeze is enough to get Northcutt to tap out.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Bryan Barberena via Submission, arm triangle choke, at 3:06 of Round 2

Big win in terms of spotlight there for Barberena, who now gets an interview. He says it feels good to win but that he’s got his own hype, puts over his family and team for knowing he was going to win. He says he would have liked to pass to the right side but he felt he had a good position and squeeze, he could feel the blood backing up and knew it was just a matter of time before he got the tap.

Iuri Alcantara is 4-1 in his last five, the lone loss is to Frankie Saenz, and he’s coming off of a win over Leandro Issa and looking to continue rebuilding and moving up the ranks of the bantamweight division. Jimmie Rivera is riding an impressive seventeen fight winning streak including going 2-0 in the UFC and a win here over the ranked Issa would move him into the top fifteen of the division.

Bantamweight Bout: #14 Iuri Alcantara (33-6 1 NC, 135 lbs.) vs. Jimmie Rivera (18-1, 135 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Alcantara has five inches of height and two and a half of reach on Rivera. Alcantara fighting southpaw, touch of gloves ot get us going. Alcantara lands a left knee to the head of Rivera. Rivera lands an inside leg kick then just misses a spinning back fist. Rivera ducks a left then just misses a left of his own. Rights traded, Rivera the aggressor while Alcantara looking to counter. Rivera lands a straight right. Alcantara lands a knee to the body but eats a left hook. Alcantara just misses a straight left. Rivera lands a body kick. Rivera lands a right in combination then another right. Alcantara has a kick blocked and just misses a follow up left. Rivera lands a right against the fence and Alcantara escapes back to the middle of the cage. Rivera lands a right to the body then a left hook, Alcantara lands a left. Alcantara lands a body kick. Rivera gets poked in the eye but quickly walks it off and we’re back to fighting. Rivera gets a bit double leg, Rivera scrambles up as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Rivera

ROUND TWO: Alcantara misses a lead leg high kick. Rivera flashing the jab. Rivera lands a right to the body. Rivera lands a glancing left hook, then a hard left hook against the fence. Rivera lands a lead leg side kick to the thigh of Alcantara. Rivera lands a right then a leg kick, Alcantara landed a counter left. Rivera pushes into the clinch and they start trading knees to the body. Rivera lands some short lefts and knees to the thigh. Rivera can’t get a takedown and the ref separates them after they stall out. Rivera misses a right, Alcantara misses a left. Rivera catches a kick but can’t get a takedown then they trade in close with Alcantara landing a good left. Alcantara lands a left that momentarily drops Rivera, Rivera back up and gets a big elevated double leg. Alcantara sitting on the fence, looking to wall walk and regains his feet. Rivera gets the back and lands some rights before Alcantara regains his feet and they swing for a few seconds before time runs out.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Alcantara, 19-19 overall

ROUND THREE: Touch of gloves for the last round. Alcantara has a high kick blocked. Rivera stalking forward, lands a straight right then another right but Alcantara able to roll with those punches. Rivera lands a right to the body and a left hook. Alcantara lands a body kick. Rivera catches a kick and trips Alcantara down, Alcantara back up quickly. Rivera lands a left then both miss power hand punches. Rivera ducks under a high kick. Rivera lands a right to the body. Alcantara is having a hard time getting his offense going, lands a hard body kick just to prove me wrong. Rivera lands a body kick of his own. Alcantara lands a front kick to the body. Rivera lands a side kick to the body. Rivera gets close and lands a left hook. Rivera lands a low inside leg kick. Alcantara lands a left that makes Rivera slip, Rivera tries a takedown that’s avoided. Alcantara lands a body kick that Rivera catches then looks for another takedown. Rivera lands a flurry against the fence to close out the round.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Jimmie Rivera via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

Big ovation from the crowd for the hometown fighter there, no interview for Rivera though.

Josh Barnett is a former UFC heavyweight champion and is 2-1 in his current UFC run and is coming off of a dominant win over Roy Nelson. Ben Rothwell is riding a three fight winning streak over Brandon Vera, Alistair Overeem, and Matt Mitrione. The winner of this fight is in prime position to challenge for the UFC heavyweight title later this year assuming the champion can remain healthy.

Heavyweight Bout: #8 Josh Barnett (34-7, 241 lbs.) vs. #7 Ben Rothwell (35-9, 265 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Touch of gloves to get us going. Rothwell lands a bit of a right, both men cautious so far. Barnett lands a right to the chin of Rothwell. Barnett switches to southpaw, lands a couple of jabs to the body. Barnett lands a jab. They clinch, Barnett lands a bit of a right as they break. Barnett still southpaw, he likes that stance for the moment. Barnett lands a jab. Rothwell lands an uppercut and a looping right. Barnett lands another stiff right jab. They clinch again, Rothwell gets out of it quickly. Barnett jabs the body then lands a stiff left. Rothwell lands a jab and right. Barnett lands a jab and an elbow, Rothwell lands an inside leg kick. Barnett lands a left, Rothwell is bleeding from either the nose or under the right eyebrow near the bridge of the nose. They circle away the last twenty seconds or so.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Barnett

ROUND TWO: Touch of gloves for the second round. Barnett comes out orthodox this round. Barnett lands a front kick to the chest of Rothwell. They clinch, Barnett lands some knees to the body then pushes Rothwell into the fence. Rothwell able to spin out of the clinch. Barnett lands a long left from the southpaw stance. Rothwell lands an inside leg kick and Barnett goes back to orthodox. Rothwell lands a right then an uppercut in close. Barnett lands a jab and a leg kick. Barnett lands a right. Barnett misses a windmill right hand. Rothwell misses a couple of punches and a kick. Barnett lands a body kick. Barnett lands a right jab, Rothwell lands a power left. Barnett grabs a single leg and pushes Rothwell into the fence. Rothwell grabs a front head lock then transitions to a modified guillotine, pushes Barnett over onto his hip and Barnett has to tap.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Ben Rothwell via Submission, guillotine choke, at 3:48 of Round 2

People who know more about grappling than I do tell me that’s a ten finger guillotine, also the first time Barnett has been submitted in MMA. Rothwell says it’s a go-go choke then tells Stipe or Overeem or anyone who thinks they’ve got a title fight coming to step to him and he’ll beat them. He says beating Barnett is the best victory of his career so far and will remain such even after he wins and defends the heavyweight title.

Anthony Johnson has been on an impressive run lately, his only loss in his second UFC run has been to Daniel Cormier and he rebounded by stopping Jimi Manuwa if he wants another shot at the title he needs to win here. Ryan Bader is currently riding a five fight winning streak which is the best he’s done in the UFC and a sixth consecutive win here would place him in line for the next title shot against the winner of the upcoming rematch between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier.

Light Heavyweight Bout: #2 Anthony Johnson (20-5, 205 lbs.) vs. #4 Ryan Bader (20-4, 205 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Johnson has four inches of reach on Bader. Touch of gloves to get us going. Bader circling, reaches for a single leg that Johnson easily sprawls out of. Johnson has his back while Bader is on his knees, Bader trying to set up a kimura but has no control, he’s just holding the arm of Johnson. Johnson passes into full mount, Bader just holding the arm trying to keep Johnson from hitting him. Johnson gets the arm free and starts pounding on him. Bader gives up the back, Johnson keeps hitting him and Bader goes out while laying on his face.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Anthony Johnson via KO, punches, at 1:26 of Round 1

Well at least it was quick. Mic time for Johnson. First he thanks the crowd for coming out, he knew Bader would either play it safe or go right at him, Bader went at him and he was ready. He says he never gets full mount, jokes about his jiu-jitsu coming along, says that he’s always training hard. He says he’ll be waiting for whoever has the belt after Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier fight.

OK everyone, that wraps up UFC on FOX 18. Thanks for being here and reading along, I appreciate it. I’ll be hosting the 411 Ground and Pound radio show Sunday, it goes live at 8pm eastern standard time and takes live callers at [phone] if you’d like to call in and get your voice on the air. We’ll be reviewing this show and previewing next week’s Fight Night 81 when Johny Hendricks takes on Stephen Thompson in the main event. I’ll be back next week for live coverage of that event, until then thanks again for being here and keep checking 411mania for all your pop culture needs.