UFC Minneapolis results & video: Anders violently KO’s Moreira

Check out the results and highlights from the UFC Minneapolis preliminary card, including Ricardo Ramos winning a decision over Journey Newson.

The UFC Minneapolis preliminary card just concluded with Ricardo Ramos running away with the scorecards against promotional newcomer Journey Newson. Ramos landed a couple of his patented spinning elbows as he brought the pressure behind his crafty striking. The Brazilian now moves to 4-1 within the UFC.

Before that, Eryk Anders dropped Vinicius Moreira with punches and then violently knocked him out with ground strikes in the opening round. The referee kind of just stood by as Moreira took a couple of unnecessary blows. Nonetheless, Anders snapped a three-fight losing skid in spectacular fashion. Jared Gordon and Dan Moret went the full-fifteen minutes tonight. The opening round was action packed, before Gordon began to take over in the grappling department. Gordon walked away with the unanimous decision.

Both Dalcha Lungiambula and Dequan Townsend made their promotional debuts against each other tonight. It was the much more explosive Lungiambula who owned the grappling exchanges across the first two-rounds, and then let his hands go in the final frame to get a TKO finish. Also on the undercard, Amanda Ribas made good on her UFC debut with a second-round submission of Emily Whitmire. Opening up the show, Maurice Greene picked up a first-round TKO of Junior Albini in what was a rather exciting slobber-knocker. Greene has now won all three of his UFC fights.

Prelims:

Ricardo Ramos def. Journey Newson by unanimous decision (30-27 x2): Bantamweight

Ramos pressed forward behind his strikes, backing up Newson to start the bout. Newson botched a takedown, resulting in his back being taken. He scrambled back to his feet where Ramos was ready to strike. Ramos continued to press forward in the second round, hunting for the standing elbow. Newson was making Ramos miss a bunch, but he wasn’t close enough to really land anything substantial either.

Newson came out throwing unorthodox strikes to kick off the final frame. He then jumped a tight guillotine, but gave up the top position. Back on the feet, Ramos got back to pressing his opponent with his strikes. He dropped Newson with a ridiculous spinning elbow that briefly dropped him. Newson recovered and even hurt Ramos with a leg kick before the round ended.

Eryk Anders def. Vinicius Moreira by KO at 1:18 of round 1: Light Heavyweight

Anders found himself fighting off the early takedown attempts of Moreira in the opening round. Moreira was relentless but Anders refused to give in. Anders delivered a punching combo that dropped Moreira and then proceeded to drop a violent series of unblocked punches. The referee was a bit slow to get in there and stop the fight and Moreira went unconscious. Yikes!

Jared Gordon def. Dan Moret by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28): Lightweight

There was hardly any feeling out going on here. The lightweights went toe to toe with strikes until Gordon used an eaten head kick to take top position. Moret scrambled back to his feet and began teeing off on Gordon with knees to the body. Moret found top position early in the second round and quickly took the back. He worked hard for an RNC but Gordon was able to fight it off and roll on top. Moret threatened with armbars from his back, but ate some punches and remained on the bottom for his troubles.

Moret jumped a guillotine in the third round, but just gifted Gordon top position as a result. Gordon began to grind and wear on Moret, forcing his opponent to carry his weight. Gordon would continue to win the scrambles, ultimately planting Moret on his back until time ticked away.

Dalcha Lungiambula def. Dequan Townsend by TKO at :42 of round 3: Light Heavyweight

Lungiambula showed off some serious explosive power in his hands in the opening act. He used his punches to close the distance and score a trip takedown. When Townsend did stand back up, Lungiambula scooped him right up and planted him right back on the mat. Townsend had not much of anything for the control of Lungiambula.

Lungiambula powered through a takedown right out of the gate to kick off the second act. He was so controlling from the top that Townsend struggled to do much of anything off of his back. The referee stood up the fighters with about 14-seconds remaining in the round. It was enough time for Townsend to land a flying knee to at least get on the scoreboard. A thudding left to right hand dropped Townsend early in the third round. Lungiambula quickly pounced, dropping some serious ground strikes to bring the bout to an end.

Amanda Ribas def. Emily Whitmire by submission (RNC) at 2:10 of round 2: Strawweight

After eating a head kick in the opening sequence, Ribas punched her way into the clinch before taking the back standing. Whitmire fought off the rear-naked choke but ended up on the floor with Ribas still attached. Whitmire ultimately spun into top position to finish the round in the dominant position. The second round saw Ribas close the distance and take the fight to the ground. She pounded away from the top position as she transitioned to the back again. Ribas worked quickly for the rear-naked choke and Whitmire was forced to tap.

Maurice Greene def. Junior Albini by TKO at 3:38 of round 1: Heavyweight

The big men came out and began exchanging leather right away. Albini was the one throwing the harder shots while Greene was throwing the volume. Then, a jab briefly bucked Albini and then a cross dropped him. Greene took top position but Albini got back to his feet and ended up rocking Greene. This fight was all action. Greene recovered and put together a combo that again dropped Albini. The followup ground strikes sealed the deal and Greene walked away with the TKO win.