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411’s UFC Fight Night Report: Green Upsets Dawson

October 7, 2023 | Posted by Robert Winfree
UFC on ESPN+ 87 Image Credit: UFC

MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET)
#10 Grant Dawson (156 lbs.) vs. Bobby Green (156 lbs.)
Abdul Razak Alhassan (184.5 lbs.) vs. Joe Pyfer (185 lbs.)
Joaquin Buckley (170 lbs.) vs. Alex Morono (170.5 lbs.)
Drew Dober (155.5 lbs.) vs. Ricky Glenn (155.5 lbs.)
Bill Algeo (146 lbs.) vs. Alexander Hernandez (145.5 lbs.)

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 4 p.m. ET)
Ion Cutelaba (205.5 lbs.) vs. Philipe Lins (204 lbs.)
Diana Belbita (115.5 lbs.) vs. #15 Karolina Kowalkiewicz (116 lbs.)
Nate Maness (126 lbs.) vs. Mateus Mendonca (125.5 lbs.)
Vanessa Demopoulos (116 lbs.) vs. Kanako Murata (115.5 lbs.)
Johnny Munoz (136 lbs.) vs. Aori Qileng (136 lbs.)
JJ Aldrich (125.5 lbs.) vs. Montana De La Rosa (126 lbs.)

Hello everyone and welcome to 411mania’s LIVE coverage of UFC on ESPN+ 87, I’m Robert Winfree and I’ll be your host for the evening. The UFC is back after a week off and they’ve brought a card that is pretty clearly one that keeps the machinery turning but also has some decent fights sprinkled throughout. The main event is designed as a coming out part for Grant Dawson, Dawson recently became ranked largely to help sell this fight but cynicism aside he’s not yet lost in the UFC and is trying to breakthrough the logjam at the top of the lightweight division. Across from Dawson is the somewhat resurgent Bobby Green, Green has been getting some props recently for his long tenure in the sport and Green is trying to score one of his biggest wins in terms of quality of opposition. Elsewhere on the card Joe Pyfer and Abdul Razak Alhassan has potential for fireworks, Drew Dober is trying to bounce back from a loss, and Alexander Hernandez wants his first featherweight win in the UFC against Bill Algeo. As for the prelims, Ion Cutelaba and Philipe Lins should have action, Mateus Mendonca lost his first UFC fight but definitely left the impression of an action fighter, and Kanako Murata ends a pretty long layoff against Vanessa Demopoulos. For a typical fight night card, this one isn’t half bad.

UFC on ESPN+ 87 comes to the world from the UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. John Gooden, Daniel Cormier, and Paul Felder will be on commentary, and let’s see if this group can keep Cormier from podcasting too much on the professional broadcast. Because we’re at the Apex we’re in the smaller 25 foot cage set up, so keep that in mind. Also Nevada does allow instant replay and the ability to restart a fight after replay is used if that’s applicable to the situation.

Montana De La Rosa has gone 1-3-1 in her last five fights and is on a two fight losing streak, if she wants to salvage her time in the promotion she can ill afford a third consecutive loss here. JJ Aldrich just broke a two fight losing streak with a win a couple of months ago, she’s trying to build another winning streak here and maybe start a legitimate push towards the top of the division. The odds lean towards De La Rosa at -150 to +125 for Aldrich.

Women’s Flyweight Bout: JJ Aldrich (12-6, 125.5 lbs.) vs. Montana De La Rosa (12-8-1, 126 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: De La Rosa is two inches taller with half an inch of reach advantage. Southpaw for Aldrich as we get going. Both women paw with the lead hand, bit of a leg kick from De La Rosa. They trade punches in close. Right hands are traded. Aldrich falls short with some punches, then De La Rosa misses a right hand. Leg kick from Aldrich, De La Rosa counters with a solid right hand. Bit of a head kick from De La Rosa. Aldrich fires a few jabs. They tie up, Aldrich slips to the back standing and they hit the fence. De La Rosa gets chest to chest and lands some short punches while they fight for position. Elbow from Aldrich, De La Rosa then lands a glancing uppercut as they break. Left from Aldrich. Aldrich avoids a high kick then lands a solid jab. Bit of an inside leg kick from De La Rosa then they trade jabs. One two from Aldrich lands. Jab from Aldrich, De La Rosa does land a couple of counters. Bit of a flurry from De La Rosa then a head kick to punctuate it. High kick from De La Rosa is blocked but she lands a right hand. They feint away the final seconds.

SCORECARD: 10-9 De La Rosa but a close one

ROUND TWO: Aldrich comes forward and tries to establish some striking threat, De La Rosa lands a right hand to back her off. De La Rosa misses a poorly executed chicken kick. Left hook from De La Rosa. They both miss power hand punches. They trade punches in close again. Bit of a right hook from Aldrich. They clinch up but break quickly and without incident. Bit of a right from De La Rosa. Aldrich lands a one two. De La Rosa shows a few more kicks but doesn’t land anything. Short right from De La Rosa in close. They trade rights again. Aldrich lands a jab. Left from Aldrich. Another left from Aldrich. Short right from De La Rosa in close. Aldrich lands a body kick, they tie up and trade knees then break as the round ends.

SCORCARD: 10-9 Aldrich, 19-19 overall

ROUND THREE: Aldrich lands a jab to start the round. One two from Aldrich. De La Rosa misses a few punches. The total lack of takedown attempts from De La Rosa is surprising, she might be down two rounds at this point. Bit of a right from De La Rosa. Aldrich avoids a takedown but they wind up clinched and trade some knees then De La Rosa lands an elbow as they break. They trade rights. Stiff left from Aldrich lands. De La Rosa’s nose is bleeding and has been since that clinch situation earlier. Aldrich lands a jab. De La Rosa has a few strikes blocked. They trade one twos. Aldrich misses a spinning back kick then blocks a high kick from De La Rosa. More jabs from Aldrich as she keeps De La Rosa at the end of her strikes. De La Rosa lands an elbow. Body kick from Aldrich lands, then a one two. De La Rosa lands a right to the body. They tie up, trade knees then De La Rosa lands an elbow as they break. Rights are traded again. Aldrich lands a left hand. De La Rosa misses a head kick, Cormier promises to leave commentary if De La Rosa wins the decision and I now have a rooting interest as the round ends.

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

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – JJ Aldrich via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

Well unfortunately Cormier will stick around. Mic time for Aldrich, she wanted to finish the year strong and gives love to De La Rosa and did mostly expect this kind of fight.

Aoriqileng has gone 2-3 in the UFC overall but he’s 2-1 at bantamweight and while he’s coming off of a loss he’s trying to avoid his second UFC losing streak by getting back on the winning side of things. Johnny Munoz has traded losses while going 2-3 in the UFC, he’s also coming off of a loss and is hoping that pattern holds long enough to avoid his first losing streak. This one closed as a -110 pick ’em.

Bantamweight Bout: Johnny Munoz (12-3, 136 lbs.) vs. Aori Qileng (24-10, 136 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Munoz has two inches of height and reach advantage. Munoz switches stance a bit as he circles, he’s mostly orthodox but is showing southpaw just a bit. Aoriqileng lands a leg kick. Munoz starts showing the jab a bit as he circles, Aoriqileng is methodically stalking forward. Right hand from Aoriqileng. Calf kick from Aoriqileng. They trade rights, Munoz might have landed better and then he ties up against the fence. Outside trip from Munoz against the fence but Aoriqileng wall walks. Munoz slips to the back standing and drags things back down with one hook in. Both hooks now for Munoz. Munoz starts fishing for the choke and landing some punches to try and open it up. Body triangle for Munoz now, he starts to lose that and grabs at an armbar but Aoriqileng defends and cracks him with a right hand from top position as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Munoz

ROUND TWO: Aoriqileng pushes forward right away, he lands a bit of a left then tosses Munoz down and lands punches as he goes into full guard. Some hammer fists from Aoriqileng as Munoz works to control posture. Munoz angles for an armbar, he gets the legs in position but Aoriqileng postures through that and gets back on top in full guard. Aoriqileng stands free and lands some leg kicks to the downed Munoz then lands a right hand as he returns to the mat, then stands again. Munoz is unsure if he can safely get up yet, eventually the ref makes them stand and reset. Aoriqileng lands a calf kick then a right hand. A few body shots from Aoriqileng, he’s just trying to set up the kill shot. Munoz tries a takedown, he gets a clinch on the fence and starts looking for trips. Elbow from Aoriqileng as he’s got Munoz on the fence. Munoz thinks about jumping for a guillotine, he’s unable to get it though and they separate just before the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Aoriqileng, 19-19 overall

ROUND THREE: Aoriqileng with a quick jab to the body then a right hand. Right to the body from Aoriqileng. Aoriqileng with a calf kick. Bit of a right from Aoriqileng then another calf kick. Munoz catches a body kick and tries for a takedown but Aoriqileng forces him into the fence and then pulls free. Aoriqileng lands a calf kick. Munoz with a bit of a right hand. Another calf kick from Aoriqileng then a left to the body. Aoriqileng lands a left to the body that drops Munoz as he was changing levels, but Munoz returns to his feet. Munoz tries a takedown but Aoriqileng defends. Aoriqileng eventually pushes Munoz over and gets on top in full guard again. A few punches from Aoriqileng land as Munoz is trying to figure out what he wants to do with his guard. Munoz tries to invert for a leg lock, Aoriqileng tries to defend and lands a few hammer fists as Munoz is after a calf slicer. More hammer fists from Aoriqileng and that forces Munoz to move, they scramble back to the fence and they’ll end the round in the clinch.

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

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

Mic time for Aoriqileng and his translator, he expected a tough fight and puts over his team for getting him ready. He talks about his preparation and getting into great physical shape to deal with Munoz. To close he thanks his coaches again.

Kanako Murata suffered a dislocated elbow in her last UFC outing which contributed to her having been out of action for a bit over two years, but she’s back in action now and looking to avoid her first ever losing streak. Vanessa Demopoulos had a three fight winning streak broken when she missed weight and the couldn’t get anything offensive going against Karolina Kowalkiewicz back in May, she’s hoping to avoid her first UFC losing streak by handing Murata a loss in her return fight. Despite the layoff the odds are pretty solidly with Murata at -355 while the payout on Demopoulos sits at +280.

Strawweight Bout: Vanessa Demopoulos (9-5, 116 lbs.) vs. Kanako Murata (12-2, 115.5 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Demopoulos is an inch taller while Murata has two and a half inches of reach advantage. Southpaw for Murata as both women start feinting. Murata almost looks like she’s a weight class smaller than Demopoulos in overall frame now that they’re close to each other. Inside leg kick from Murata. Body kick from Murata. Demopoulos catches a kick and forces a clinch on the fence. Knees from Demopoulos in close. Murata spins Demopoulos into the cage and then gets a takedown into half guard. Demopoulos is half sitting on the fence and works to build for a wall walk while Murata is trying to break down her base. Murata stands free and they reset on the feet. Body kick from Demopoulos. Murata lands an inside leg kick then avoids a head kick. Left hand then a right behind it from Murata. Demopoulos lands a right hand to counter a body kick. Murata catches a body kick and gets a takedown into full guard. Some elbows from Demopoulos off of her back, Murata lands a couple of punches as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Murata but a close one

ROUND TWO: Demopoulos comes forward as the round starts. Murata avoids some kicks. Demopoulos lands a right to the body then lands a knee as they clinch up but Murata gets a takedown into half guard. A few short blows from Murata land and Demopoulos gets full guard. There’s a cut around the left eyebrow of Murata, it’s not bad but it’s visible. Demopoulos goes to rubber guard for control. Murata eventually postures through that and fires the Donkey Kong hammer fists a couple of times. Demopoulos with some elbows from her back. Replay shows that cut on Murata came from a clash of heads on the feet, again it’s not a fight stopper from what I can see. Murata’s lack of ground and pound urgency is becoming an issue at this point, she should have landed more. Hammer fist from Murata then she passes to half guard and lands body shots. Demopoulos hip escapes to full guard again and lands some elbows. Murata lands a couple of punches and they just trade on the mat as the round ends.

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

ROUND THREE: Demopoulos comes forward, and eats a bit of a left. Body kick from Demopoulos. Murata catches a body kick and gets a takedown then lands a couple of rights before Demopoulos grabs at rubber guard to stifle the offense. Demopoulos goes to full guard and tries elbows again. Murata is working Demopoulos towards the fence and they trade some strikes on the mat along the way. Lefts from Murata land. Demopoulos tries an armbar but she’s on the wrong arm and Murata keeps her folded up and lands punches before Demopoulos gets full guard again. Murata with more lefts before Demopoulos grabs her head to control posture. They trade punches again then Murata lands a couple of elbows. Murata lands a couple of hammer fists. Demopoulos goes to rubber guard again but Murata postures around it and stacks her up again. Murata grabs a crucifix position and lands some elbows while half fishing for a kimura. Demopoulos picks at the ankle but Murata stays on her back as they stand and hits a high crotch lift as the round ends.

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

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Vanessa Demopoulos via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

That’s surprising, I don’t object to Demopoulos getting the first but rounds two and three felt like they should have gone for Murata. I’ll have to watch the second round again, that seems to be the one I’d actually dispute. Mic time for Demopoulos who feels her damage even from the bottom is what won her the fight. She knew she’d be on her back this fight but could overcome she tried to stay in the fight the whole time.

Commentary confirms news that’s been on Twitter for a bit, Philipe Lins vs. Ion Cutelaba is off as Lins has some kind of medical issue. That explains a lot of the earlier vamping, we waited 30 minutes before the first fight from the start of broadcast. This is the second time recently Lins has had health issues day of fight. Commentary speculates this might be a mental or emotional block, and the UFC is trying to book that again for next week so we’ll have to wait and see.

Nate Maness has gone 3-2 in the UFC but is on a two fight losing streak right now, he’s hoping to halt that skid and get a little momentum in the flyweight division. Mateus Mendonca suffered his first professional loss in his UFC debut back in January, he’s returning to action here and is looking for that all important first UFC win. Mendonca is a decent favorite at -270 to +220 on Maness.

Flyweight Bout: Nate Maness (14-3, 126 lbs.) vs. Mateus Mendonca (10-1, 125.5 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Maness is four inches taller, has half an inch of reach advantage, and is eight years older. They touch gloves to get us going. Maness lands a calf kick. Mendonca is pressuring forward and starts looking to fire kicks of his own. Double leg from Mendonca and he gets Maness down, Maness bounces right up into the clinch. They keep battling in the clinch for a bit then Mendonca tries a leg scissor takedown but Maness gets on top technically. Mendonca keeps looking for that leg but Maness spins away from the pressure then Mendonca comes up looking for another takedown on the fence. Some knees go back and forth then Maness hits the body a few times. A few more knees from Maness, Mendonca drops for another leg lock and Maness gets on top and lands punches to the body and head while smothering Mendonca. Mendonca forces things into more or less 50/50 guard and Maness keeps landing hammer fists. Some body shots from Maness, Mendonca is trying to adjust his grip and the leverage but he can’t quite find a full on lock yet. Maness lands a couple of lefts that seem to bother Mendonca and he gets out of the leg entanglement and into full guard. More punches from Maness land, Mendonca is badly hurt and might have gone out and eventually the ref steps in and halts things.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Nate Maness via TKO, punches, at 4:40 of Round 1

The First Round Finish Club thanks Mr. Maness for his work this evening. Mic time for Maness, he feels great and calls himself blessed to do this for a living and gives glory to God before calling out CJ Vergara. Not an unreasonable call out. He talks us through the finish and feels Mendonca didn’t want to deal with his power which is why he went for leg locks so quickly.

Here’s the finish. Brutal finishing stuff from Maness, Mendonca isn’t doing a great job of protecting his head and Maness is able to find the chin repeatedly.

Karolina Kowalkiewicz is currently on a three fight winning streak that has rebuilt the former title challenger up to the top fifteen rankings, if she can get to four in a row here it could easily earn her a shot at someone ranked above her next. Diana Belbita has gone 2-3 in the UFC overall but is 2-1 since moving to strawweight, she’s hoping to get the biggest win of her career here as well as build her first UFC winning streak. The odds lean towards Kowalkiewicz at -150 to Belbita’s +125.

Strawweight Bout: Diana Belbita (15-7, 115.5 lbs.) vs. #15 Karolina Kowalkiewicz (15-7, 116 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Belbita has four inches of height and reach advantage, she’s also a full decade younger. They touch gloves, then both get to landing leg kicks and throwing punches. Jab from Kowalkiewicz lands. Blebita lands a couple of punches in close. Both land knees as they tie up, then Belbita hits a headlock throw but predictably gives up the back in the process and Kowalkiewicz gets both hooks in. Kowalkiewicz rides into full mount, but Belbita is able to sweep on top then stand free but lands a combination as Kowalkiewicz stands. Poor John Gooden has to read Power Slap adverts with, presumably, a straight face. They clinch up and hit the fence, Belbita with a few knees but Kowalkiewicz lands an elbow as they break. Commentary now unironically talks about Power Slap stats and I want to mute this crap. Belbita lands a jab. A few more jabs from Belbita as Kowalkiewicz circles. They trade punches in close. Kowalkiewicz lands a jab in close and she keeps trying to find knees but hasn’t quite landed them yet. Belbita avoids a spinning back fist and lands a couple of knees in close. Another knee from Belbita. Kowalkiewicz lands a right hand, but Belbita lands a better one. They tie up and trade in close for a moment. Belbita lands another right hand. Spinning elbow from Kowalkiewicz but Belbita ties up and lands knees in the clinch. They’ll end the round just after Kowalkiewicz gets a brief takedown.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Belbita

ROUND TWO: Both women get back to moving into the pocket and trading. Belbita lands a leg kick then a front kick. Kowalkiewicz lands a body kick but eats a leg kick. They trade in close again, Belbita lands a left to the body and Kowalkiewicz forces a clinch. Kowalkiewicz is looking for takedowns on the fence but Belbita is able to stay upright. They trade knees then break apart. Jab from Belbita then they trade rights. Belbita lands a jab. Kowalkiewicz tries southpaw and lands a front kick. Some body shots from Kowalkiewicz when southpaw then she goes back orthodox. They split jabs for a bit. Belbita digs a left to the body. Bit of a knee from Belbita. More jabs are traded while they circle. Kowalkiewicz lands a right to the body. Belbita lands a front kick. They tie up and hit the fence, Belbita spins Kowalkiewicz into the fence and then lands a right hand. Knees go back and forth as they jockey for position then eventually separate. They trade punches again. Kowalkiewicz lands an uppercut. Bit of a right from Kowalkiewicz. Belbita lands a body kick but Kowalkiewicz forces a clinch off of it. Belbita hits a guillotine throw to get on top in leg drag and they trade punches on the mat to close the round.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Kowalkiewicz, 19-19 overall

ROUND THREE: Kowalkiewicz lands a front kick to start the round. Belbita lands a few jabs. More strikes are traded as they circle. They just keep clashing together over and over, Kowalkiewicz has started adding rights to the body in there during these exchanges. Front kick from Belbita. Another body kick from Belbita, Kowalkiewicz doesn’t like those front kicks to the body but she’s gutting through them. They tie up and hit the fence but nothing comes of it and they break. Kowalkiewicz lands an uppercut and seems to be reading the defense of Belbita at this point. Another uppercut from Kowalkiewicz. Belbita lands a right hand. Kowalkiewicz lands an uppercut but Belbita does land a left hook counter. Front kick from Kowalkiewicz. Belbita lands a right hand then a body kick. Kowalkiewicz has a spinning back fist blocked. They split jabs again, then trade rights. Front kick from Belbita but Kowalkiewicz jabs the body then lands a right uppercut. Bit of a body kick from Belbita. Kowalkiewicz lands a right hand. They get close and just unload for the final seconds of the round.

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

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Karolina Kowalkiewicz via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

While I’ll stand by Belbita taking the first I think it was close enough to have gone to Kowalkiewicz. Mic time for Kowalkiewicz and she calls the camp the hardest of her career and mentions some family members who’ve passed during this time and dedicates the win to her family. She mentions Belbita’s takedown defense being really good but she promises to improve her wrestling going forward and is just happy to have won. Asked about the future she says food.

Well that’s it for the prelims, but we’re still on ESPN+ for the main card.

Alexander Hernandez scored a win in his last fight to break a two fight losing streak, now he’s back at featherweight where he’s 0-1 in the promotion and looking for his first taste of success in the weight class. Bill Algeo has gone 4-3 in the UFC but he won his last fight and is trying to build another winning streak here. Pretty close one here but Hernandez closed at -120 to an even +100 for Algeo.

Featherweight Bout: Bill Algeo (17-7, 146 lbs.) vs. Alexander Hernandez (14-6, 145.5 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Algeo is three inches taller with an inch of reach advantage. Both men are doing a lot of early stance switching, Algeo probing early with leg kicks then avoids a high kick. Algeo checks a body kick, that looked painful. Some more kicks from Algeo as he’s keeping Hernandez at distance. Hernandez misses a right hand, Hernandez is switching with Algeo and trying to keep open stances. Bit of a combination from Algeo lands. Glancing high kick from Algeo. Hernandez lands a right to the body. Hernandez keeps chipping at the legs of Hernandez as he circles. Both men miss lead hand hooks then Algeo off balances Hernandez with a side kick. Spinning back kick from Algeo lands. Bit of a body kick from Algeo then a right hand. Jab from Algeo then another spinning back kick on the end of a combination. Glancing knee from Algeo, he’s fighting long and tall to frustrate Hernandez. Hernandez jabs the body. Bit of a hook kick from Algeo then an inside leg kick. Hernandez with a right to the body. Algeo lands a jab then a hook off of it. Calf kick from Algeo then a knee as he’s backed up Hernandez to end the round.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Algeo

ROUND TWO: Algeo gets back to sniping at distance while Hernandez is trying to press closer. Knee from Algeo then a front kick. Glancing left from Algeo. Hernandez lands a right to the body. Algeo lands a body kick. Hernandez blocks a left hand. Left to the body from Hernandez. Algeo lands a strike, Hernandez claims it was a poke but replay shows it was a punch. It was the thumb, mostly in a fist but it seems like the thumb poked out just a bit before contact so it’s ruled illegal and Hernandez will get time to recover. Hernandez takes a little over two minutes then we’re back to fighting. Body shot from Hernandez, Algeo responds with a leg kick. Body kick from Algeo lands. Hernandez is pushing forward more, the range is still a bit of a problem for him though. Algeo lands a leg kick. Bit of a right from Algeo. Hernandez lands a right hand. Hard calf kick from Algeo. Hard left from Algeo drops Hernandez, Hernandez bounces up but Algeo follows up before Hernandez grabs a clinch to stifle the offense. They fight for position in the clinch, then Hernandez misses an elbow as they break. Algeo lands a body kick. Hernandez misses a left hook in close. Algeo lands a jab then a front kick to the body. Spinning back fist from Algeo but Hernandez lands a right hand to counter. Hernandez lands another right to the body. Another left from Hernandez lands, that’ll be the last blow of the round.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Algeo but a closer one, 20-18 Algeo overall

ROUND THREE: They touch gloves for the last round. Hernandez avoids a few punches and starts coming forward then forces a clinch. Algeo fights off the takedown and they trade punches then break. Body kick then a left hand from Algeo. Left hand from Algeo, Hernandez counters with a left to the body. Another left from Algeo lands. Jabs from Algeo as he keeps Hernandez at distance. Bit of a head kick from Algeo then a combination and a body kick. Algeo lands a left hand then a body kick. Hernandez lands a body shot of his own. They trade power hand punches. Left from Algeo, Hernandez complains of another eye poke but the ref calls it a punch and tells them to keep fighting. Algeo lands more punches. Bit of a body kick from Hernandez. Commentary says Hernandez was right, it was the thumb again and the ref botched that. Algeo lands a front kick. They trade some body kicks then Algeo lands a left hand. Hernandez lands a right. Alego keeps stabbing the body with front kicks. Bit of a left from Hernandez. They trade to the body again then Algeo lands a knee. They trade punches again, then a knee and a right form Algeo and he hits a takedown to close the round.

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

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Bill Algeo via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

Mic time for Algeo after that one, he’s very happy and puts over Hernandez as a tough guy and he’s happy add that win to his resume. He puts over his uncle who’s over 1,000 days sober. Asked what he wants, he wants Bill Quarantillo, Kron Gracie, Dr. Fauci, Nate Landwher, or Mark Zuckerburg since his call outs never work. I appreciate the humor there.

Drew Dober just had a three fight winning streak broken by Matt Frevola, he’s hoping to rebound and avoid his first losing streak since 2021. Ricky Glenn has gone 1-2-1 in his last four fights and was most recently knocked out by Christos Giagos back in April, he’s trying to avoid his first ever losing streak with a win here. Dober is among the bigger favorites on the card at -395 to Glenn’s +310.

Lightweight Bout: Drew Dober (26-12 1 NC, 155.5 lbs.) vs. Ricky Glenn (22-7-2, 155.5 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Glenn is four inches taller but has just half an inch of reach advantage. Southpaw for both men and they touch gloves to get us going. Glenn shows some front kicks early, then Dober jabs the body. Calf kick from Dober. Dober lands a left to the body. Glenn jabs and avoids a head kick. Both men land lefts. Another left hand from Dober then a leg kick behind it. Dober keeps landing calf kicks, then a one two. Uppercut and a right hand from Dober, Glenn is wobbled and Dober keeps pressing and landing punches then eventually Glenn pulls guard but Dober stands free. Another left from Dober lands. Hard left from Dober drops Glenn, he gets on top and lands punches from top position until the ref jumps in.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Drew Dober via TKO, punches, at 2:36 of Round 1

The First Round Finish Club thanks Mr. Dober for his work this evening. Mic time for Dober, he came in just to react and puts over Glenn as someone he couldn’t have expectations against. He talks us through the finish, noting he stopped looking for the finish as he got a bit too hyped for knock outs his last fight and it cost him, now he’s getting back to set ups and it’s paying off. He’s surpassed Dustin Poirier for most (T)KO’s in the lightweight division. Asked about doing this in front of his new daughter he waxes poetic and a little emotional to close the interview.

Dober with a nice finish here, he’d already hurt Glenn earlier and this left to the temple knocks Glenn’s head around and drops him. Solid stuff from Dober, who is continuing to refine his game and he might be due another step up in class.

Alex Morono has gone 5-1 in his last six fights only dropping a late notice replacement fight when he battled Santiago Ponzinibbio in December of 2022. Most recently Morono defeated Tim Means and now looks to build another winning streak while hopefully taking a step towards ranked opposition again. Joaquin Buckley scored a win when he returned to welterweight back in May of this year, now he’s trying to build another winning streak and prove he’s found his footing in his new weight class. The odds are with Buckley here at -180 to +150 for Morono.

Welterweight Bout: Joaquin Buckley (16-6, 170 lbs.) vs. Alex Morono (23-8 1 NC, 170.5 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Morono is an inch taller but Buckley has four inches of reach advantage. Buckley quickly charges Morono and they swing at each other. Southpaw for Buckley once they settle down a bit. A lot of circling from Buckley. Morono avoids a left hand, both guys have settled down a bit and are struggling to find the target. Left hand then a right hook from Buckley land and wobble Morono for a second. Inside leg kick from Buckley. Morono avoids a few punches. Bit of a right from Morono. Both men swing punches but neither land. Both men land rights. Double leg from Buckley and he lands in the full guard of Morono. Morono grabs an armbar, Buckley is able to defend and then gets free to reset on the feet. Morono jumps for a guillotine, Buckley slams him with authority as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Buckley

ROUND TWO: Morono off balances Buckley with a head kick early into the second but he bounces up quickly. Bit of a left from Buckley. They trade power hand punches. Buckley with a clubbing left hand. A few jabs from Morono start to land. Buckley pushes forward but can’t find the target with his punches. Body kick from Buckley, Morono didn’t like that one but let’s see if Buckley realized it. Both men miss hooks. Front kick from Morono and Buckley falls short with a left hand. Buckley lands a left to the body. Buckley avoids a spinning back fist and lands a couple of body shots. Right hook from Buckley in close. Morono with a front kick. Both men swing and land in close, Buckley then lands a front kick to the body. Left to the body from Buckley and he ties up then moves to the back in the clinch. Morono gets chest to chest again pretty quickly. Buckley with a knee to the body then a right hand as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Buckley but closer than the first, 20-18 Buckley overall

ROUND THREE: Both men come out swinging but not quite landing. Buckley lands a left to the body then one to the head, Morono is bleeding from the mouth after that one. Morono lands a body kick and avoids a head kick. Buckley keeps pressuring forward and lands another left to the body. Another left from Buckley lands. Body shot from Buckley, then Morono kicks him in the groin but Buckley doesn’t want time out and keeps pressuring. Buckley lands a body kick then a left to the body. Morono is struggling now and Buckley lands an uppercut. More body shots from Buckley in close, he’s starting to melt Morono just a bit. Morono pushes into a silly wheel kick attempt and gets on top in side control. Buckley quickly fights up and they trade punches. Right hook from Buckley in close, he’s breaking Morono down now against the fence. Buckley with punches again in close. Right hand from Buckley. Morono pulls guard and Buckley lands hammer fists as Morono tries to work a high guard. Buckley keeps landing punches and hammer fists, but he can’t get enough of a flurry together to force the stoppage. Buckley stands free and makes Morono stand with him. Morono misses a right hook and slips, Buckley gets back on top in full guard and unloads with elbows as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Buckley, could be a 10-8, 30-27 Buckley overall

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Joaquin Buckley via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27 x2)

I don’t hate a 10-8 for Buckley in the third there. Mic time for Buckley, he says the world doubts and discredits him but they can’t stop what’s destined for him and he’s coming for the welterweight throne. He wants to be in a main event next if possible.

Joe Pyfer has a four fight winning streak that includes two wins in the UFC which has earned him a step up slightly in class here, but if he can continue his winning ways he’ll quite likely be staring down a more notable name for his next opponent. Abdul Razak Alhassan has gone 2-4 in his last six fights but he’s coming off of a win and is trying to build his first winning streak since 2018 here. Pyfer is a notable -355 favorite to +280 on Alhassan.

Middleweight Bout: Abdul Razak Alhassan (12-5, 184.5 lbs.) vs. Joe Pyfer (11-2, 185 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Pyfer is four inches taller with two inches of reach advantage, he’s also 11 years younger. They touch gloves to get us going. Double leg from Pyfer then he tries a standing arm triangle but can’t finish it and Alhassan gets him on the fence. Bit of an elbow from Alhassan as they break the clinch. A bit of stance switching from Alhassan now and he lands a body kick. One two from Pyfer. Double leg from Pyfer and Alhassan tries a guillotine, he had his guard in play that might be working. Alhassan uses that to stand though and they reset. Body kick from Pyfer. Bit of a body kick from Alhassan. They trade calf kicks, Alhassan landed better there. Pyfer misses a few punches, then Alhassan misses a right hand. Right hand from Pyfer partially lands. Pyfer is swinging heavy now, those are blocked then he lands a leg kick. Heavy body kick from Pyfer, then Alhassan returns it. Alhassan feints his way in close but can’t find a punch. Pyfer fires punches that are blocked. Alhassan blocks a right hand to close the round.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Pyfer

ROUND TWO: Pretty quick clinch but nothing comes of it. Alhassan lands a calf kick, he’s coming forward and Pyfer might be fading just a bit. Another calf kick from Alhassan, Pyfer fires punches but they’re blocked. Double leg from Pyfer and he slams Alhassan down into half guard. Arm triangle attack from Pyfer, Alhassan isn’t fighting it until it’s a bit too late and Alhassan taps but it doesn’t look like a tap to the ref and he winds up going to sleep.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Joe Pyfer via Technical Submission, arm triangle, at 2:05 of Round 2

Mic time for Pyfer, he says he was worried about this fight and puts over Alhassan. He says it’s important to know that even if you come from nothing and are scared if you believe in yourself you can excel. He feels he was better than Alhassan everywhere and he talks about working hard on his overall game. Asked about the future he welcomes the pressure, wants a bonus, and mostly wants a new contract in the UFC.

Nice arm triangle from Pyfer, Alhassan was starting to find some success but Pyfer read the situation and changed the real estate of the fight to stop the budding momentum from Alhassan.

Grant Dawson has gone 8-0-1 in the UFC which has seen him climb all the way to number 10 in the rankings, he’s trying to keep his exceptional record alive here and earn a shot at someone ranked above him with another win. Bobby Green just ended a three fight winless streak by submitting Tony Ferguson back in July, he’s looking for his first winning streak since 2022 and hoping to earn one of the bigger wins of his career by taking out a ranked opponent. The odds are heavily with Dawson at -500 to +380 on Green.

Lightweight Bout: #10 Grant Dawson (20-1-1, 156 lbs.) vs. Bobby Green (30-14-1 1 NC, 156 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: These two are the same height but Dawson has an inch of reach advantage and is eight years younger. Green open southpaw but will switch a lot, and he quickly moves Dawson backwards. Dawson misses some punches. Green lands a left hand that drops Dawson, he gets on top and pounds him out.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Bobby Green via KO, punches, at :33 of Round 1

The First Round Finish Club thanks Mr. Green for his work this evening. Green gets an interview after that one, he gives glory to God first and foremost. He talks us through the finish and wants to bring people into the cage but they wont let him despite this being the end of the night. Asked about now being ranked going forward he thanks his coaches for all of their work and says he doesn’t call shots he just fights whoever is in front of him because this is fun, but he’d like to fight in December and be the most active UFC guy for 2023.

Well on that surprising upset, UFC on ESPN+ 87 comes to a close. For a card that had some promise on paper it more or less delivered, if there was a real problem it was just the pacing which I can’t truly fault them for given a fight falling out on fight day like that. We’ll be unpacking all the fallout from this event on the 411 Ground and Pound MMA Podcast tomorrow, plus look ahead to UFC on ESPN+ 88 next week. I’ll be back for that event and I hope you will too. Until then thank you so much for reading, stay safe out there, and keep checking 411mania for all of your pop culture needs.

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