What We’ll Remember About This Fight
A new and improved Rick Story did everything in his power to make sure that he didn’t end up losing his third straight fight inside the Octagon, and after outworking Brock Jardine for almost the entirety of their three round fight, he did just enough to save his job.
Story is now back in the win column for the first time since he won a decision against Thiago Alves at UFC 130 and handed Jardine the loss in “The Machine’s” UFC debut.
What We Learned About Rick Story
Rick Story wasn’t taking any chances tonight.
In the past, we’ve seen “The Horror” willing to trade on the feet for a while before trying to work his signature ground and pound, but even if he did have a slight advantage on the feet, he didn’t want to test it against Jardine.
It wasn’t the most exciting fight in Story’s career, but he dominated on the mat and possibly saved his roster spot. Overall, it was exactly what he needed.
What We Learned About Brock Jardine
Despite getting thrown to the wolves against Story in his UFC debut, Jardine at least showed he belongs in the Octagon in his first career UFC fight.
Jardine was able to escape from the ground numerous times, despite a fellow wrestler doing his best to hold him down. If his striking was a little tighter, he would have had more opportunities on the feet to give Story some trouble.
What’s Next for Rick Story
It was a much needed win for Story, but he’s still going to need to work his way back up the welterweight ladder if he wants to get back into title contention.
Matt Brown won a solid fight earlier tonight, and with “The Immortal” now having won three fights in 2012, it’s time to give him a step up in competition against Story.
What’s Next for Brock Jardine
It wasn’t the UFC debut that he was hoping for, but Jardine wasn’t terrible. He’ll definitely get another shot inside the Octagon.
A fight with Ricardo Funch, who lost to Dan Miller on the Facebook prelims earlier tonight, would be a decent matchup, but if Funch ends up getting the boot from Joe Silva, it may end up being better for Jardine to fight a top prospect making his debut.
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