UFC on Fox 25 went down Saturday, with middleweights Chris Weidman and Kelvin Gastelum serving as the main event. The event, otherwise known as UFC Long Island, started off with a five-fight UFC Fight Pass prelim segment before switching over to the standard four fight televised preliminary card on Fox Sports 1.
On the televised card, former Bellator MMA standout Lyman Good took on Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos in the featured fight, while heavyweights Damian Grabowski and Chase Sherman opened up the main card. “The Vanilla Gorilla” Sherman entered the night with his popularity at a high — could the UFC’s GIF king keep things rolling along? How would Lyman Good look after being out since 2015?
Check back come fight time for a full recap and results from UFC on Fox 25’s Fox Sports 1 preliminary card!
Damian Grabowski vs. Chase Sherman
Grabowski vs. Sherman got things underway early at UFC on Fox 25, and after Sherman’s lsat outing, you would be forgiven for expecting this one to be over quick. They touched gloves, and the action was underway, with both men staying light on their feet. Sherman looked to counter, and threatened with some kicks. He had Grabowski backed up against the cage, then went high with a kick to the head that was blocked. Grabowski would try for a takedown moments later, but it was a half-hearted attempt. Another leg kick from Sherman seemed to signal that he was willing to be patient and find the right opening. In the clinch, Grabowski ate a knee from Sherman, and the Vanilla Gorilla followed up with another kick to his opponent’s lead leg. Grabowski threw an overhand right, which Sherman quickly countered. Another overhand right landed for Grabowski with just under a minute to go, but once again Sherman answered with a kick. He began landing almost at will with Grabowski up against the cage to the end of the round, mixing in kicks, body shots, and strikes to the head in a great sequence.
In the second round, Grabowski was showing damage on his lead leg, and opted to try to switch stances only to have Sherman follow suit. Sherman continued to land more frequently, following up some exchanges with right high kicks that looked like they could do some serious damage if they landed clean. A short right followed by a knee connected for Sherman with about ninety seconds remaining, and once again it was his round. For the second round in a row he unleashed a flurry of kicks and punches with Grabowski up against the fence as the clock wound down, finishing strong.
The third round saw Sherman smelling blood with a battered Grabowski needing a finish. Grabowski would attempt a takedown early that saw both men hit their knees but bounce back up. Grabowski was taking some big breaths, and swinging for the fences. The Polish fighter stayed in the fight, landing some more right hands as Sherman slowed as well, but Chase Sherman continued to get the better of the exchanges. Surprisingly, the bout went the distance, with Sherman looking strong throughout.
Chase Sherman def. Damian Grabowski by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-27)
Ryan LaFlare vs. Alex Oliveira
The “other” Cowboy was up next, with Brazil’s Cowboy Oliveira taking on Ryan LaFlare at welterweight. Oliveira flashed a spinning back kick earlier and looked to be the faster man in the cage. Laflare pressed him up against the fence, but Oliveira displayed some decent takedown defense before LaFlare tripped him to the canvas. Oliveira threatened with an arm-bar but couldn’t hold on, and LaFlare move to side control briefly. He moved in and out of half-guard and side control, but couldn’t finish as the round wound down. Regardless, he was in control on top for the majority of the round.
Once again, Alex Oliveira was the quicker man on his feet in round two, and this time, he was able to avoid the takedown. That allowed him to set up the ending, setting up a right hand perfectly timed as LaFlare shot in again. That was all she wrote as LaFlare crashed to the mat.
Alex Oliveira def. Ryan LaFlare by KO, Round 1, 1:50
Rafael Natal vs. Eryk Anders
The debuting Eryk Anders was paired up against Rafael Natal in middleweight action in the third fight of the UFC on Fox 25 televised prelims. Anders pressed the action early while Natal countered. Anders would land a couple of solid punches up top just over a minute in, which wobbled Natal. Natal would answer back a moment later, then try for a takedown only to be pushed back with Anders delivering a flying knee. Anders then chased a stunned Natal across the cage, finding himself on top dropping some hard punches. Natal worked back up, but was still stunned. A left from Anders connected and dropped him again, and that sealed the deal!
Eryk Anders def. Rafael Natal by KO, Round 1, 2:54
Lyman Good vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos
The featured fight of UFC on Fox 25 was up next. Dos Santos latched onto a leg early, looking to take Good to the ground. A hard leg kick later dropped Good for a moment. Moments later another would wobble Lyman Good, but he stayed standing. They continued to exchange on the feet for most of the round, with Good eating a number of shots. However, Good would open up a cut over the left eye of dos Santos, who was putting his all into each and every shot. Great start to the fight with this back and forth first round.
Round two started fast and furious, picking up where the first left off. Dos Santos couldn’t take advantage of his strong start, however, allowing Good back into the fight. They were more than happy to stand and trade. dos Santos landed a jump knee in an exchange towards the end of the round that made an audible crack but Good fired right back, and they swung away right until the end of the round. Both men did damage, and it was another great round heading into the third.
An early spinning kick didn’t land flush for dos Santos, but once again Lyman Good and Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos opened the round trading. dos Santos started landing a number of left hooks, setting them up with a jab. For the third straight round, this fight was a total war with both men returning fire. dos Santos displayed the more varied arsenal, but Good was in it right to the end. With just seconds to go dos Santos wobbled Good with a hook, but he stayed up, and it went to the judges. Ultimately, the back-and-forth affair went to dos Santos by split decision.
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos def. Lyman Good by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)
UFC on Fox 25 (UFC Long Island) Fox Sports 1 Preliminary Results:
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos def. Lyman Good by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)
Eryk Anders def. Rafael Natal by KO, Round 1, 2:54
Alex Oliveira def. Ryan LaFlare by KO, Round 1, 1:50
Chase Sherman def. Damian Grabowski by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-27)
