Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
UFC checked into the UFC APEX weeks ago and can never leave, as the promotion made its presence known in Las Vegas, Nevada, once more last night (Sat., June 20, 2020) for UFC on ESPN 11. There were no complaints ahead of this card, headlined by a Heavyweight style clash with title implications. The co-main pitted two of Featherweight’s best boxers opposite each other, and the rest of the card featured plenty of action, too.
Let’s take a closer look at the best performances and techniques of the night:
An Exercise In Frustration
There’s no way Alexander Volkov was not absurdly frustrated last night.
The first three rounds were abysmal for the Russian. Blaydes took him down largely at will. Blaydes spent long periods of the fight kneeing him in the ass. When Volkov stood up, Blaydes dragged him back down. Even when the two were trading in open space, Blaydes landed harder shots in the first 15 minutes (watch highlights).
It was miserable work for Volkov, but it’s a lot easier to lean on the fence than it is to drive someone into it. Blaydes maintained a record-setting pace throughout the fight, breaking Heavyweight numbers for takedowns scored in a bout. However, this also left him rather exhausted for the championship rounds.
The last 10 minutes were Volkov’s opportunity, and he did win them on two cards. However, they were not an end to his frustration. Each time Volkov landed potentially fight-changing blows, Blaydes would cling to him and stall any momentum. When Volkov landed a takedown on his exhausted foe, the clock ran out.
Blaydes didn’t let the world on fire, but he was victorious. Volkov could win that fight with minor adjustments, but instead, he’ll likely fly home annoyed with the whole experience.
Brawl Of The Year!
I could not contain my thoughts on Josh Emmett vs. Shane Burgos (watch highlights here) to a mere blurb, so check out my full write-up on that ridiculous scrap right HERE!
Don’t Sleep On Jim Miller
Prospects come and go, but Jim Miller remains.
Roosevelt Roberts is somewhat of a stereotypical mixed martial arts (MMA) prospect. His game is well-rounded and smartly put together. He doesn’t excel too extremely in any one area, but Roberts can kickbox at range, wrestle against the cage, and wrap up necks. Athleticism and range go a long way in his success.
Against Miller, the prevailing thought was that consistency and youth would overcome the veteran. Instead — for the third time in four fights — Miller managed to get on top and submit his foe in the first round. Once Miller landed in guard early in the first, he was pretty methodical in advancing position. When Roberts turned to his athleticism and tried to buck Miller off, he found himself in a tight armbar, forced to verbally submit.
Debuting In Style
Justin Jaynes did not come to play last night.
Against a dangerous and well-rounded veteran in Frank Camacho, Jaynes understood that his chances of winning an extended fight on just three days notice were not great. Camacho is not an easy debut opponent: he can brawl, strike technically, and has a black belt in jiu-jitsu.
Rather than deal with all of that, Jaynes came out firing. Camacho was reluctant to engage in a brawl and tried to stay tighter, but that ultimately backfired. Jaynes stepped forward and ducked low, whipping a left hook up towards the chin. It landed cleanly and backed Camacho off.
The second one sent him to the mat.
With his man hurt, Jaynes put the pedal to the floor, swarming his foe with lunging hooks and heavy overhands. Camacho went out on his feet, and the referee called the bout, awarding Jaynes an electric victory and incredible debut moment.
Additional Thoughts
- Marc-Andre Barriault defeats Oskar Piechota via second-round knockout (HIGHLIGHTS): Barriault made the fight ugly, but he did so with good skill. Piechota is pretty sharp on the outside, so Barriault bullied his opponent, hiding behind his shoulders as he closed distance. Once in the phone booth range, Barriault hung heavy on Piechota with his left hand and alternated right uppercuts and elbows. He ripped the body, and whenever Piechota managed to circle out of the clinch, Barriault kicked him in the leg on the way out. He really wore Piechota down with his pressure and dirty boxing, resulting in the uppercut knockdown that ended the bout near the end of the second.
- Gillian Robertson defeats Cortney Casey via third round rear-naked choke (HIGHLIGHTS): Casey has a real slick armbar, but she cannot wrestle at all. Her preference for guard work over sprawls cost her dearly in this fight, as Robertson took her down largely at will. Robertson mostly controlled her foe from top position, but jumping on a no-hooks strangle in the final seconds of the bout landed her a stoppage!
- Austin Hubbard defeats Max Rohskopf via second-round stoppage (Details): Rohskopf clearly has some talent, but he drew a rough debut on 10 days notice. Rohskopf did an admirable job of tying together his takedown attempts with leg locks, but that’s an exhausting way to fight. Meanwhile, Hubbard defended from his back quite well, always patiently working back to his feet. The first round was close, but as Rohskopf fatigued, Hubbard’s kickboxing and experience advantage became more and more prominent. By the end of the second, it was a mauling. Truthfully, Rohskopf made the correct decision of remaining on the stool, even as his coaches tried to send him back out for further punishment. The 25-year-old prospect simply had nothing left.
To check out the latest and greatest UFC on ESPN 11: “Blaydes Vs. Volkov” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here and play-by-play results right here.