UFC Brooklyn ESPN+ prelims results: Bermudez retires with win over Edwards

On the UFC on ESPN+ 1 prelims, Dennis Bermudez earned a unanimous decision over Te Edwards, and then retired from the sport of MMA.

The UFC Brooklyn ESPN+ early prelims just finished up with Dennis Bermudez returning to the lightweight to earn a unanimous nod over Te Edwards. The victory snapped a four-fight losing skid, and on a high note, Bermudez opted to leave his gloves in the Octagon and call it a career. Bermudez finishes up his MMA career at 17-9 with 17 UFC bouts under his belt.

Geoff Neal used his striking and takedown defense to pick up a unanimous decision win over UFC veteran Belal Muhammad. The victory moves Neal to 3-0 under the UFC banner. Opening up the show, the now 13-3 Chance Rencountre realized his first UFC win with a first-round submission of UFC newcomer Kyle Stewart.

ESPN+ prelims:

Dennis Bermudez def. Te Edwards by unanimous decision (30-26 x3): Lightweight

Bermudez took the center of the Octagon before pressing Edwards up against the fence. Edwards found separation and landing some hard punches. One of the punches actually dropped Bermudez momentarily. Bermudez searched for the takedown, but Edwards did a sound job of staying vertical. The persistence of Bermudez paid off and he was able to take top position, complete with elbows, for about the final minute of the round.

Bermudez found himself top position within the first-thirty seconds of the second round. From side control, Bermudez attacked a Kimora on the far arm. Edwards hung tough and escaped the hold and climbed back up to his feet. Bermudez was able to use his hands to set up another takedown, which he kept for the rest of the round.

Edwards gave up another early takedown and found himself fighting off a Bermudez choke. Bermudez snuck into full mount and landed a bunch of ground strikes. Edwards found a way back to his feet off of a botched armbar attempt from Bermudez. With just under one minute left in the round, Bermudez got himself one last takedown.

Geoff Neal def. Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28): Welterweight

A little bit of feeling out took place across the opening minute of the fight. Neal started landing a few strikes, prompting Muhammad to shoot in for a takedown. Neal was able to remain vertical and land some meaningful punches before time ran out.

Neal got his hands going early in the second frame, throwing his punches in combinations and scoring. Muhammad was able to blast a takedown but Neal popped right back up. Muhammad started finding some success with attacking the body, both with kicks as well as punches. Neal took a moment and then resumed touching his opponent’s face with his hands.

Behind his southpaw cross, Neal continued to stuff takedowns into the third round. That left hand dropped Muhammad with about three minutes remaining in the round. Muhammad managed to stand back up to his feet, but a head kick from Neal sat him back down. Again, Muhammad stood to his feet, bloodied up in the face, and threw back. Muhammad pressed forward down the stretch, throwing some volume at Neal, but time expired before he could make any magic happen.

Chance Rencountre def. Kyle Stewart by submission (RNC) at 2:25 of round 1: Welterweight

The welterweights met in the pocket and started trading punches. An accidental cup kick from Stewart paused the action in the opening ninety seconds. Time in was called and Rencountre blasted a short-lived takedown. Stewart got back to his feet but Rencountre maintained the clinch and began working his way to the back. Once the neck presented itself, Rencountre snagged up an RNC and Stewart was forced to tap.