UFC Vegas 99 featured an interesting stylistic middleweight matchup between Anthony Hernandez and Michel Pereira inside the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Click here to watch Hernandez post-fight press conference. Footage via ‘MMA Junkie’ on YouTube.
UFC Vegas 99 Main Event: Anthony Hernandez vs. Michel Pereira
UFC Vegas 99’s main event showcased contrasting styles at middleweight as No. 13-ranked Anthony Hernandez (13-2-0, 1NC) dominated the dynamic striker No. 14-ranked Michel Pereira (31-12-0, 2NC).
Anthony ‘Fluffy’ Hernandez beat the dynamic Brazilian striker Michel Pereira as the dominant grappler secured a fifth-round TKO stoppage at UFC Vegas 99.
The main event bout opened with Pereira applying pressure on the feet as the experienced fighter looked to prioritize attacking Hernandez’s midsection.
This approach seemed to have initial success, as Pereira had Hernandez hurt to the body early in the opening round; however, the striker was unable to find a finishing exchange.
This early exchange was the only piece of success Pereira had in this matchup, as the fight completely shifted that point forward.
Hernandez secured takedowns in every round of the fight, using his grappling edge to deliver serious ground and pound on Pereira.
After the first round, Hernandez showed pure dominance as he kept securing takedowns on the striker. Pereira endured such a one-sided affair until the referee stopped the action in the fifth round.
Result: Hernandez via KO/TKO R5
UFC Vegas 99 Co-main Event: Rob Font vs. Kyler Phillips
UFC Vegas 99’s co-main event featured a showdown between bantamweights as No. 10-ranked Rob Font (21-8-0) neutralized No. 12-ranked Kyler Phillips (12-3-0).
The dark horse of the bantamweight division spoiled another rising prospect as veteran Rob Font outclassed Kyler Phillips over the last two rounds to secure a decision victory.
Phillips came into this fight with the game plan of outworking Font in the grappling department. However, Font had other plans, as he was able to nullify Phillips’s grappling threat after the first round.
As Phillips struggled to execute efficient grappling, he continued to drain in energy, and Font capitalized on being the fresher fighter.
From then on, Font showed a clear advantage in the striking exchanges as he out-landed Phillips in the closing rounds, ultimately earning him the nod on the judges’ scorecards.
Result: Font via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Charles Johnson vs. Sumudaerji
This UFC Vegas 99 main card matchup was closer than the scorecards indicated as flyweight Charles Johnson (17-6-0) defeated Sumudaerji (16-7-0).
UFC Vegas 99 was host to intriguing matchups at flyweight. This particular fight proved to be an excellent pairing by the UFC matchmakers, as both men engaged in a tightly contested three-round bout.
Johnson made good use of his wrestling background in this fight, attempting takedowns in every round. This prioritization seemed to have served Johnson well, as he was outstruck on the feet by Sumudaerji in two of the three rounds.
However, the takedowns and minor control time accumulated seemed to have given Johnson the edge on the scorecards at the end of the fight.
Johnson has been climbing the flyweight division, and this victory has landed him a spot in the top 15 rankings.
Result: Johnson via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Other Fights on UFC Vegas 99
Main Card:
- (135 lbs.) Jake Hadley (11-4-0) vs. Cameron Smotherman (12-4-0): Smotherman via Decision
- (145 lbs.) Darren Elkins (29-11-0) vs. Daniel Pineda (28-17-0, 3NC): Elkins via Decision
Prelims:
- (125 lbs.) Matheus Nicolau (19-6-1) vs. Assu Almabayev (21-2-0): Almabayev via Decision
- (135 lbs.) Brad Katona (16-4-0) vs. Jean Matsumoto (16-0-0): Matsumoto via Decision
- (W 135 lbs.) Joselyne Edwards (14-6-0) vs. Tamires Vidal (7-4-0): Edwards via Submission R3
- (W 115 lbs.) Jessica Penne (14-9-0) vs. Elise Reed (8-4-0): Reed via Decision
- (W 115 lbs.) Melissa Martinez (8-1-0) vs. Alice Ardelean (9-7-0): Martinez via Decision
- (265 lbs.) Austen Lane (13-5-0, 1NC) vs. Robelis Despaigne (5-2-0): Lane via Decision
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