UFC 230 results: Vannata draws with Frevola, Burgos taps Holobaugh

Check out the results of the first three UFC 230: Cormier vs. Lewis preliminary card fights, including a crazy win for New York’s own Shane Burgos.

The UFC 230: Cormier vs. Lewis preliminary card is underway, but before fight night began, it was revealed that bantamweight Brian Kelleher was pulled from his matchup vs. Montel Jackson due to food poisoning. As a result, the UFC Fight Pass portion of the event proceeded with three fights instead of four. Marcos Rogerio de Lima kicked the night off with a decision win over Adam Wieczorek, while Shane Burgos got the local crowd excited with a stunningly quick comeback victory vs. Kurt Holobaugh, and Lando Vannata vs. Matt Frevola ended in a thrilling majority draw after three exciting rounds. Here’s how the fights played out.

Matt Frevola vs. Lando Vannata ends in a majority draw (29-28, 28-28, 28-28) – Lightweights

Frevola was the aggressor to start things off, attacking with heavy and powerful kicks. However, it was a head kick from “Groovy” Lando that floored Frevola. A series of punches by Vannata was followed by a stuffed Frevola takedown, then Dan Miragliotta used a brief break in the action to put Frevola’s mouthpiece back in. Frevola appeared to recover and was landing some powerful shots on Vannata in an unsurprisingly thrilling opening round. A right hand staggered Vannata momentarily, as the fans roared their approval. Vannata got stunned multiple times in the closing seconds of the round, then his takedown led to a reversal and a guillotine attempt. Frevola had the choke from mount but Vannata escaped to cap off an absolutely epic first five minutes.

A front kick and wheel kick both caught Frevola in the first minute of round two, and Frevola just miled. Two right hands by Vannata knocked Frevola down. They swung for the fences but Vannata had Frevola in bad shape. Body shots and head shots by Vannata were firing through before Frevola dove for a takedown. Vannata defended and threw elbows to the side of the head. Absolutely chaotic stuff and somehow Frevola was still in there. Frevola tried to get himself back into the fight with leg kicks that were successful in the previous round. Frevola successfully took Vannata down in the dying seconds of round two and easily fended off the guillotine, but he clearly lost the round.

The pace slowed to start the final round (understandably), then a wild sequence occurred where Frevola had a kick caught and still threw and connected on several clean head shots before pushing for a failed takedown. Vannata was the primary aggressor as the fight drew to a close, getting in some nice combination work. Frevola took Vannata down, who then rolled underneath and was back to his feet in a flash. Spinning kicks missed from both men, but the crowd oohed and aahed anyway. Frevola tagged Vannata in the closing seconds with a hard right hand but Vannata displayed a granite chin. A terrific fight that will surely hold up as Fight of the Night, which should be of some consolation considering this one ended in a majority draw.

Shane Burgos def. Kurt Holobaugh by submission (armbar) at 2:11 of round 1 – Featherweights

As expected, it was a fast-paced striking matchup from the opening second. Burgos had plenty of success with his jab, while Holobaugh mixed up his punches and kicks more fluidly, and attacked Burgos’ lead leg often. Holobaugh dropped Burgos with a counter left hook and right hand, but as Holobaugh went for the finish, he was the one who would be finished by a lightning-quick armbar from Burgos. An amazing turnaround after being hurt just seconds before that submission off of his back, and Burgos gets back in the win column while Holobaugh has lost his second straight.

Marcos Rogerio de Lima def. Adam Wieczorek by unanimous decision (30-27 x3) – Heavyweights

Wieczorek secured an early takedown, but de Lima was able to get back to his feet and then put his opponent down. De Lima was in half-guard and not doing much in the way of damage or improving his position. It stayed there for more than half the opening round, with de Lima not unleashing more serious strikes until the final seconds.

De Lima started off round two strongly with a couple of power punches and vicious low kicks. Wieczorek was getting little done off of his backfoot and was being outstruck by the Brazilian. The kicks in particular were bothering the Polish fighter, and he had some problems even standing up.

De Lima took Wieczorek down and straight into side control early in the third and final frame. He easily passed into full mount, then lost the position and Wieczorek was able to get back to his feet. A blocked head kick put Wieczorek back to the mat with de Lima on top of him, so the relief was short-lived. Dan Miragliotta did a hasty stand-up, then de Lima grounded him again and stayed on top to get the shutout victory.