UFC Fight Night 120 went down in Norfolk, VA on Saturday, and looked to continue the momentum built by UFC 217.
With a main event featuring former lightweight champ Anthony Pettis against Dustin Poirier, and a stacked undercard, UFC Norfolk was an unusually strong Fight Night event. Veteran names like Pettis, Joe Lauzon, Clay Guida, Diego Sanchez, Andrei Arlovski, and Matt Brown (is his retirement fight) peppered the card. The televised prelims boasted John Dodson against Marlon Moraes, and former Invicta FC champ Angela Hill. Were a title fight to be added, UFC Fight Night 120 in Norfolk would be a PPV-worthy card.
Early on in the evening, UFC Fight Pass hosted a three-fight online prelim that kicked off the event. Topped by a featured welterweight tilt between Court McGee and Sean Strickland, middleweights and light heavyweights rounded out the action. The first bout of the evening saw middleweights Karl Roberson (undefeated at 5-0 starting the night) take on Britain’s Darren Stewart. That was followed by American light heavyweight Jake Collier taking on Brazil’s Marcel Fortuna prior to the McGee vs. Strickland fight.
With an opportunity for any one of these bouts to steal the show, UFC Norfolk’s early fights constituted a prelim that should not be missed. Be sure to check back come fight time for full results and a recap of the night’s action!
Darren Stewart vs. Karl Roberson
Opening up the Fight Pass prelims was the undefeated Karl Roberson, taking on Darren Stewart. Once underway, Roberson connected early with a left, while Stewart opted to use spin kicks that weren’t coming close. Roberson would land a series of uppercuts in the clinch and push the fight against the fence, while Stewart worked for a takedown. As they went down, however, it was Roberson who took the back off a throw and looked to flatten Stewart out. Stewart would resist as best he could, but Roberson would eventually sink in a rear-naked choke and force the tap.
Karl Roberson def. Darren Stewart by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 3:41
Jake Collier vs. Marcel Fortuna
Collier opted to attack with leg kicks early, while Marcel Fortuna came over the top with punches. Jake Collier would connect, as would Fortuna; Collier would then slip off a punch. Both fighters were letting their offense fly, with Collier mixing in some high kicks as the round wore on. Fortuna would go to the body, Collier would answer with a left hook in the following exchange. A spinning back fist by Fortuna got Collier’s attention, landing clean, but it was Collier who seemed to do more damage with a left hook that connected by the cage. With thirty seconds to go, Collier went on the attack with a spinning back fist and follow up combinations. The pair, however, would go on to round two.
Fortuna introduced feints to set up the overhand right in round two, then moved for a takedown that led to him taking the back. Collier wore him like a backpack briefly before shaking Fortuna off. Jake Collier began working his jab, and connected with a back kick to the body. Collier would continue to work in spinning attacks throughout the round, but with the fighters tiring, Fortuna was able to take advantage, scoring another takedown late. That led to Fortuna taking full mount, but Collier was able to slip free and get on top in Fortuna’s guard. Fortuna would grab on to control posture, and they’d ride out the round.
In the third, Collier opened the action with a head kick, but Fortuna pressed on. Collier worked in more body kicks, and when Fortuna scored a takedown, Collier immediately reversed, then moved the fight back to its feet. With two minutes to go, Fortuna was looking tired but stunned Collier with a right. He’d add in a few follow-up strikes, but it was clear Collier had recovered. They’d go the distance, with the judges awarding it to Jake Collier.
Jake Collier def. Marcel Fortuna by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Court McGee vs. Sean Strickland
Court McGee opened the action with a number of kicks, immediately taking control of the fight. Strickland worked his jab, and caught McGee with a counter off a head kick. Strickland jumped onto the fallen McGee, but Court was able to fend him off and get back to his feet. They’d trade throughout most of the round, with Strickland utilizing his jab and McGee continuing to land body kicks.
Round two saw McGee connect with a right hand early, and continue to chop away at Strickland’s legs and body. Court McGee would then shoot for a double, transition to a single, then lock his arms around Strickland in an attempt to suplex him, but undeterred, Sean Strickland stayed on his feet. McGee would continue to press the action, going to the body and arm of Strickland with heavy kicks. By the final minute both men had landed a number of shots, with Court McKee controlling much of the round.
In the third, McGee went upstairs early with a kick. He’d continue to work for takedowns, and while he’d yet to land one in the fight, he was controlling the action. Strickland, however, was ahead in the striking department in terms of volume. Then late in the round, Strickland scored a takedown of his own, and was able to take the back and sink in a rear-naked choke. McGee would fight it off, and Strickland would rain down blows from behind as McGee actually punched back at his opponent. The fists flew to the final bell despite the pair being on the ground, with Strickland finishing strong.
The fight was originally announced as a majority draw, (30-27, 29-29, 29-29). However, after the broadcast, on the televised prelims, it was announced that a tallying error led to Strickland actually being the winner.
Court McGee and Sean Strickland fight to a majority draw (30-27, 29-29, 29-29) ** Later corrected to Strickland winning a majority decision
UFC Fight Night 120 Fight Pass Preliminary Card Results:
Karl Roberson def. Darren Stewart by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 3:41
Jake Collier def. Marcel Fortuna by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Court McGee and Sean Strickland fight to a majority draw (30-27, 29-29, 29-29)
