UFC 238 results and video: Sterling gets big win over Munhoz

Check out the results and highlights from the UFC 238 ESPN prelims, including Tatiana Suarez out-grappling Nina Ansaroff to win a unanimous decision.

The ESPN part of the UFC 238 prelims just finished up with the #2 ranked strawweight Tatiana Suarez dominating the #3 ranked Nina Ansaroff in the wrestling department for the bulk of two rounds. Ansaroff rallied in the third, stuffing takedowns and landing some volume, but Suarez held on to get the decision win. This makes it five-straight UFC wins for Suarez, who should be next in line to compete for a title. Before that, the promotion’s #3 ranked bantamweight Aljamain Sterling out-struck the #4 ranked Pedro Munhoz to earn a unanimous decision. Sterling has now banked four-straight wins in a tough division, and called for a title shot in his post-fight interview.

The UFC’s #13 ranked Alexa Grasso completely outclassed the #10 ranked strawweight Karolina Kowalkiewicz on the feet en route to a unanimous decision victory. Grasso had a stellar performance which is hopefully a sign of things to come. She has alternated wins and losses in all five of her UFC fights. Opening up the ESPN prelims, the UFC’s #15 ranked featherweight Calvin Kattar scored a highlight reel knockout of the #10 ranked Ricardo Lamas. This makes back to back finish wins for Kattar, who is now 4-1 in the UFC.

ESPN prelims:

Tatiana Suarez def. Nina Ansaroff by unanimous decision (29-28×3): Strawweight

It didn’t take very long for Suarez to get the fight to the ground. When Ansaroff did get back up, she was taken right back down again. Ansaroff did a good job of not absorbing much damage off of her back, but spent the round predominantly defensive. The domination of Suarez continued into the second frame. Ansaroff struggled to mount much of any offense since she was busy defending the takedown. The third round saw Ansaroff spend a lot more time on the feet. There she was able to rack up some volume and dish out a bit of damage.

Aljamain Sterling def. Pedro Munhoz by unanimous decision (30-27 x3): Bantamweight

Sterling started strong, going right at Munhoz with hard kicks. Munhoz weathered the early aggression and started to press forward himself. Sterling began to backpedal, fighting off of the back foot. He continued to throw back, countering as Munhoz moved forward. Sterling continued to score with his strikes as Munhoz pressed forward. Blow after blow scored, but Munhoz just ate them. He ended up dropping Sterling with a heavy leg kick, and briefly locked up a guillotine. Sterling took back the round with his punches on the feet. The final round saw more pressure from Munhoz, but also more counters from Sterling. Munhoz ate a lot of strikes as he moved forward, and didn’t return as much heat in return. Sterling really worked his feints, making Munhoz react and then popping him with a punch.

Alexa Grasso def. Karolina Kowalkiewicz by unanimous decision (30-27 x3): Strawweight

Grasso came out showcasing some clean boxing, tagging Kowalkiewicz with fast hands. Kowalkiewicz wore the strikes rather well and continued to press forward. She never really took back the round. The hands of Grasso were there in the second round too. That didn’t stop Kowalkiewicz from going into terminator mode. She kept pressing forward, eating shots and returning a few of her own. The volume from Grasso continued to hit well into the third. Whether it was knees and elbows in the clinch or punches from open space, Grasso was handily outclassing Kowalkiewicz. Down the stretch, Grasso went full psycho, unloading a beautiful sequence of violence to finish up the round with an exclamation point.

Calvin Kattar def. Ricardo Lamas by knockout at 4:06 of round 1: Featherweight

Kattar was able to rock Lamas with a stiff jab around the midpoint of the opening round. That’s when Lamas began to back up. Kattar did a great job of attacking the body, which ultimately opened up the head. Kattar hit a hook cross combo that slumped Lamas. The referee was right there to stop the fight.