UFC on ESPN 13 Results, Review and Analysis: Kattar Chops Down Ige
UFC on ESPN 13 gave the MMA world high featherweight and bantamweight stakes to explain each division’s crowded contender scene moving forward.
Main even action saw Calvin Kattar pick apart underdog Dan Ige. Behind a massive reach advantage, “The Boston Finisher” proved too much for Ige while consistently popping jabs and straight rights off “50 K’s” worn face. In a fight much more one-sided than the final numbers indicate, Kattar outstruck the Hawaiian 107-87 and avoided all nine of Ige’s takedown attempts.
It was apparent from opening bell Ige was too small for his veteran opponent. Though, credit should be given to the defeated 28-year-old after he withstood heavy shots while toiling for each land. Those attributes, however, didn’t stop Kattar from erasing Ige’s questionable six-fight unbeaten run. Now a winner of two straight, Calvin Kattar moves on to bigger names. Meanwhile, after being gifted decisions against Edson Baboza, and perhaps Mirsad Bektic, a 135 lb return might best serve Ige.
The warm up co-main pitted Tim Elliot against Ryan Benoit. With each man needing victory to ensure another Zuffa fight, veteran Elliot stole early thunder by cleanly outlanding deer-in-headlight Benoit 24-17 to open round one. The same tenor began middle frame operation before Benoit awakened by offering hard connects and forward pressure.
As employment perhaps hung overhead, Elliot and Benoit unloaded hellfire during a third-round many praised as an integral slice of the card's top bout.
Overall, Tim Elliot defied both his three-fight skid and Ryan Benoit via unanimous decision buoyed by a 67-55 significant striking advantage. With that, the #14 flyweight earned another chance to make late-career noise. Meanwhile, given his moxie, hopefully Benoit will see at least one more UFC appearance after dropping three of four Octagon challenges.
Winner: Tim Elliot by Unanimous decision
Fight three brought world class 135 pound warrior Jimmie Rivera and emerging top-ten athlete Cody Stamman together for cage work.
Both men fought tense from the onset, however, with an understanding of how big fights operate Rivera did a little more scorecard hustling each round.
Cautious of his powerhouse wrestler opponent, Rivera took the early grappling war to Stamman. When the men stood, "The Terror" won paltry exchanges and ended the opening five minutes ahead 15-7 in significant strikes. Rounds two and three essentially played as the first -neither fighter threw or landed much, but Rivera ended matters ahead 90-62 in total lands.
In a small micro-battle surprise, no. 8 Rivera gained two takedowns to better no. 9 Stamman's one.
Overall, 31-year-old Rivera proved gatekeeper to the bantamweight division's upper tier. After dignified losses versus newly minted champion Petr Yan and top contender Aljamain Sterling, Rivera earned gritty victory from Dubai. On the other hand, one must now wonder if Cody Stamman has the ability to become a top player after outshining respectable opponents, but falling to elites Sterling and Rivera.
Winner: Jimmie Rivera by unanimous decision
Molly McCann vs. Talia Santos
An excellent first round saw Molly McCann pull ahead on the feet before Santos employed thudding Thai clinch knees and two takedowns to sway final scoring impressions after being outstruck 27-24.
Round two opened as McCann won the boxing exchanges. However, in an effort completely devoid from her prior Octagon loss, Santos used explosion to outgrapple her #15 ranked opponent. Closing the middle frame from dominant top position, it appeared the Brazilian pocketed rounds one and two.
Wearing a shiner under her right eye, game McCann opened the final five minutes swinging. Though, continuing earlier theme, Santos deposited her plucky foe after eating overhands.
While McCann kept the upright engagement competitive, she gave no answer for Talia Santos’ wrestling and ground fare.
After serving five takedowns and outlanding McCann 75-67, Santos earned initial UFC victory by unanimous decision. Conversely, McCann’s winning run ends at three.
Winner: Talia Santos by unanimous decision
Mounir Lazzez vs. Abdul Razak Alhassan
UFC on ESPN 13 began with Mounir Lazzez comfortably exploiting Abdul Razak Alhassan's almost two-year absence from competitive fighting. When the latter last made routine Octagon walks, first-round TKO's ensued. However, debut UFC entrant Lazzez showed great MMA tools while planting Alhassan five times and outstriking the 34-year-old 114-70 to derail his opponent's comeback hype.
Winner: Mounir Lazzez by unanimous decision
Joshua Broom of Winners and Whiners picked a 7-4 UFC on ESPN 13 card. This week, Joshua's UFC picks stand at 17-7.
