Following UFC On ESPN+ 1 Win, Dennis Bermudez Retires

Dennis Bermudez has decided to walk away from professional mixed martial arts competition. Earlier tonight (Jan. 19), Bermudez went one-on-one with Te Edwards. Bermudez had been hinting at retirement to UFC interview Megan Olivi, but he made the announ…

Dennis Bermudez has decided to walk away from professional mixed martial arts competition. Earlier tonight (Jan. 19), Bermudez went one-on-one with Te Edwards. Bermudez had been hinting at retirement to UFC interview Megan Olivi, but he made the announcement following his unanimous decision victory. An emotional Bermudez left his gloves inside the Octagon and talked […]

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Dennis Bermudez Unsure of Future After Controversial Boise Loss

UFC Fight Night Boise had its share of questionable judges’ scorecards, and arguably the most questionable was the decision of two judges to score the Dennis Bermudez vs. Rick Glenn bout in favor of Glenn, with one judge even granting Glenn the s…

UFC Fight Night Boise had its share of questionable judges’ scorecards, and arguably the most questionable was the decision of two judges to score the Dennis Bermudez vs. Rick Glenn bout in favor of Glenn, with one judge even granting Glenn the shutout 30-27 win over Bermudez. It may come as no surprise that Glenn […]

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Rick Glenn Earns Split Nod Over Dennis Bermudez

Rick Glenn takes a split decision victory over Dennis Bermudez at #UFCBoise:

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Rick Glenn edged out Dennis Bermudez in Boise.

Bermudez went for a takedown early, but Glenn was prepared for it. Bermudez landed a right hand over the top. Glenn landed a punch upstairs. Glenn stuffed a takedown. A body kick was there for “The Menace.” A left hand landed for Bermudez. Glenn returned fire with his own left hand. A knee to the body found the target for Bermudez. Bermudez lifted his opponent up, but the cage saved Glenn. Bermudez swung wild with the left hook The round ended with both men trading punches.

Glenn opned up the second stanza with a kick to the body. Bermudez connected with a leg kick. Bermudez shot in and finally scored the takedown. “The Menance” dropped some punches. Glenn got back to his feet. A straight left hand landed for Glenn. Bermudez scored another takedown. Once again, Bermudez couldn’t maintain control. Bermudez brought Glenn down to the mat and yet again the control was non-existent.  knee to the body was there for “The Menace.” Glenn found himself on his back again. He landed an upkick. The round ended shortly after.

Bermudez landed a combination early in the final frame. He took the back of Glenn, but was far too high. The two engaged in the clinch. Bermudez had his takedown attempt stuffed. Glenn threw a punchout of range and Bermudez capitalized with a takedown. Blood trickled down Bermudez’s forehead. “The Menace” had the best control he’s had all fight. He scored a big elbow and briefly had his opponent’s back. The fight returned standing, but not for long. The two engaged in a scramble. The final horn sounded with Bermudez escaping a kimura attempt.

Two of the three judges scored the fight for Glenn. One of the judges surprisingly gave Glenn a 30-27 score.

Final Result: Rick Glenn def. Dennis Bermudez via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)

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UFC on FOX 27 Does Record-Low Overnight Numbers

Last night’s (Sat., January 27, 2018 ) UFC on FOX 27 from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, was low on star power, and the overnight ratings would seem to reflect that accurately. According to a report from MMA Fighting, UFC on FOX 27 brought in 1.593,000 viewers and an 0.5 rating in the UFC’s […]

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Last night’s (Sat., January 27, 2018 ) UFC on FOX 27 from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, was low on star power, and the overnight ratings would seem to reflect that accurately.

According to a report from MMA Fighting, UFC on FOX 27 brought in 1.593,000 viewers and an 0.5 rating in the UFC’s targeted 18-49 demo. Those numbers resulted in an alarming 21-percent drop from last year’s UFC on FOX event, which featured Valentina Shevchenko submitting Julianna Pena in the main event, and a lofty 35 percent dropoff from the same show two years ago, where Anthony “Rumble” Johnson submitted Ryan Bader in the show’s headliner.

The figure breaks the record of the low for a FOX overnight rating that was previously held by last July’s UFC on FOX 22 where Chris Weidman submitted Kelvin Gastelum in the main event.

The figures aren’t a big surprise considering the lack of big personalities on the card, which featured some strong fights and finishes but really only featured Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, who stopped Derek Brunson in the main event, and the Brazilian grappling expert, who is only now beginning to speak English on the mic consistently, isn’t exactly a mainstream star just yet. For example, the event featured Andre Fili vs. Dennis Bermudez in a featherweight co-main event, a solid Fight Night main card bout but not exactly a deserving co-main event for a big FOX-aired show.

It’s important to note that the numbers will be significantly higher when West Coast viewing is factored in, but it’s also important to note that UFC on FOX 27 may not enjoy as big a boost as this would normally provide because most FOX-aired cards end after 10 p.m. and get the biggest numbers when the main event is on. But this main event ended in the first round, the worst that could happen for overall numbers as the increase in final numbers did not have the time required to become a vast one.

Overall, it may have been expected in some sense, yet it’s still a concerning set of circumstances as the UFC heads into the negotiating period for their new television deal this year. It’s also shocking in some form after the Fight Night main event between Jeremy Stephens and Dooho Choi did the biggest number in almost two years just two weeks ago.

 

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Biggest Winners & Losers From UFC on FOX 27

While last night’s (Sat., Jan. 27, 2018) UFC on FOX 27 from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, may not have had the name recognition or overall excitement of last week’s UFC 220 pay-per-view and its two title fights, it was a solid card thanks to the performances of a few select – and elite […]

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While last night’s (Sat., Jan. 27, 2018) UFC on FOX 27 from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, may not have had the name recognition or overall excitement of last week’s UFC 220 pay-per-view and its two title fights, it was a solid card thanks to the performances of a few select – and elite – fighters.

The victors were obvious winners while defeat is never a good thing in the rare company of the UFC, but for some fighters at UFC on FOX 27, it was much more than a matter of simply winning or losing. For them, the ramifications of their fights would have both immediate and lasting impacts on their MMA careers, making the event a critical moment even if it wasn’t highly anticipated by the sport’s viewing public.

Let’s look back at the true biggest winners and losers from UFC on FOX 27.

Jeremy Brevard for USA TODAY Sports

Winner: Jacare Souza

An obvious choice based on his impressive first-round finish over a dangerous opponent in Derek Brunson, Jacare’s win meant so much more than just another victory on his already decorated MMA record.

Most feel he should have already gotten a title shot during his five-fight UFC win streak from 2012-2015, but in the notoriously tough middleweight landscape, there is small roomer for error and Jacare lost two bouts to Yoel Romero and champion Robert Whittaker. The dominant Brazilian jiu-jitsu master needed a win perhaps more than ever in his fighting career following a lengthy absence after Whittaker knocked him out last April and a serious pectoral tear surgery, as the window to truly contend was growing smaller for the 38-year-old vet.

Souza answered all the doubts about his status Saturday night, and he did so by showing his all-around game. Perhaps more so than any man at 185 pounds, Brunson was known for throwing caution to the wind and seeking to knock his opponent out in the first round – often to his benefit and sometimes to his detriment.

But it was Souza who scored the first-round knockout in this match-up, a rematch of their 2012 fight in Strikeforce which Souza also won by first-round stoppage, and he did it without rushing in or risking defeat in a spot where he needed a win. Jacare stalked Brunson like the true alligator his namesake would suggest patiently waits for their prey to make a mistake and head into the water, methodically picking the right time to unleash a vicious head kick that dropped Brunson.

A huge uppercut and some big hooks dropped Brunson a few more times, and although he later complained about the stoppage, it was a merciful one, one that cemented Jacare at the top of the supremely confusing middleweight title picture.

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UFC on Fox 27 Results: Ronaldo Souza Beats Derek Brunson Via KO

It was deja vu for Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza and Derek Brunson, with Jacare scoring a first-round knockout in their rematch that closed out UFC on Fox 27 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 
Both fighters have developed a reputation as first-round finisher…

It was deja vu for Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza and Derek Brunson, with Jacare scoring a first-round knockout in their rematch that closed out UFC on Fox 27 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

Both fighters have developed a reputation as first-round finishers, but this matchup seemed to feature an extended feeling-out process. 

As it turned out, Jacare had Brunson a little more figured out. 

After tagging Brunson with some right hands, Souza timed up a head kick that broke the fight wide open and sent Brunson tumbling backward. Souza’s killer instinct then went on full display as he finished him off with hooks until the referee stepped in to call the fight. 

Patrick Wyman of Heavy Hands gave Souza props for the masterful performance:

 

As Brett Okamoto of ESPN noted, the win puts Jacare right back in line for title consideration:

 

Souza was fighting for the first time since losing to Robert Whittaker in April. It’s clear with this performance that the loss may have had more to do with how good Whittaker truly rather than an indication that Jacare is through at age 38. 

Perhaps there’s another rematch to be had yet for Jacare. 

The battle of top-ranked middleweights wasn’t the only attraction on the card, though. Here’s a look at the complete results along with a closer look at the main card fights. 

 

Main Card

Ronaldo Souza def. Derek Brunson via first-round KO (3:50)

Andre Fili def. Dennis Bermudez via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 27-30)

Gregor Gillespie def. Jordan Rinaldi via first-round TKO (4:46)

Drew Dober def. Frank Camacho via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

      

Undercard

Bobby Green def. Erik Koch via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Mirsad Bektic def. Godofredo Pepey via first-round TKO (2:47)

Katlyn Chookagian def. Mara Romero Borella via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Randa Markos def. Juliana Lima via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

Ji Yeon Kim def. Justine Kish via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)

Vinc Pichel def. Joaquim Silva via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

Niko Price def. George Sullivan via second-round submission (rear-naked choke, 4:21)

Cory Sandhagen def. Austin Arnett via second-round TKO (punches, 3:48)

 

Dennis Bermudez vs. Andre Fili

Andre Fili has been alternating wins and losses in his UFC career since 2014, but against Dennis Bermudez, he found a way to break into the win column in back-to-back fights. 

Bermudez didn’t make it easy. The much shorter fighter applied constant pressure with jabs and leg kicks that forced Fili to fight off the back foot. The UFC passed along an example of the pressure Fili had to contend with:

 

The key was Fili’s ability to counter. Both in the striking and with takedowns, Fili was able to turn Bermudez’s own aggression against him and do enough in the judges’ eyes to get the decision. 

While one judge gave all three rounds to Bermudez, Fili won two rounds on the other judges’ cards. 

It was a decision that many, including Bloody Elbow, questioned:

 

Regardless of whether the judges got it right, Fili now has back-to-back wins, including one over a ranked opponent in the No. 12 Bermudez. After years of struggling to gain momentum, that’s a huge win for the featherweight. 

 

Jordan Rinaldi vs. Gregor Gillespie

Gregor Gillespie came in as the most hyped prospect on the card, and he didn’t do anything to change that perception with a first-round TKO victory over Jordan Rinaldi. 

Gillespie’s last few wins in the UFC have been striking affairs, but this time the former All-American wrestler went back to his roots. After a few exchanges, Gillespie latched on to a single leg. 

From there, it was fluid transitions and devastation. He ultimately took Rinaldi’s back and forced the referee stoppage with strikes. 

For Damon Martin of UFC.com, it was the kind of performance that reminded him of another undefeated force at lightweight:

The UFC has been patient with Gillespie’s development. He’s now 4-0 with relatively low competition, but a step up should be on the horizon. 

A stacked division might become even more stacked if Gillespie’s performance is a harbinger of things to come.  

 

Drew Dober vs. Frank Camacho

The Drew Dober-Frank Camacho fight that kicked the main card off was a three-act play of violence that was instantly the favorite for Fight of the Night. 

Camacho took the early lead. His judo trip game proved to be a big factor, with the takedowns enabling him to secure the opening round. The UFC passed along one of his takedowns:

Cardio would play a role, though. While Camacho took the early lead, Dober made investments with body shots that paid dividends in the second frame. A winded Camacho ceded the lead to Dober, who had the more crisp striking as the fight wore on. 

It would set up an interesting third round as Camacho collected himself and came out swinging. Both fighters landed solid shots, making the third and final round a toss-up that the judges all scored for Dober. 

Fox Sports UFC passed along the highlights:

It’s a big win for Dober, who moved up to welterweight for the fight. Paired with his last win over Josh Burkman in the first round, a victory on a Fox card should bump up his stock. 

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