Don’t miss the early action from UFC Charlotte (UFC on FOX 27), going down Saturday!
UFC on FOX 27 went down Saturday at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC. The main event saw a middleweight clash between the dangerous Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza and Derek Brunson, with Jacare looking to climb back into the win column. An April loss to Robert Whittaker (who went on to claim interim middleweight gold, and be promoted to undisputed champion) snapped a two-fight win streak for the Brazilian. Brunson, meanwhile, had won two straight since a close decision loss to Anderson Silva at UFC 208.
Prior to the main card, however, a pair of bouts aired exclusively on UFC Fight Pass. At featherweight, Austin Arnett, a veteran of Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender series made his UFC debut. Though Arnett lost to Brandon Davis on DWTNCS, the UFC clearly liked what they had seen of him. Prior to the Davis loss, Arnett had won 13 straight in the promotion (check out our own Heath Harshman’s chat with Austin Arnett ahead of UFC Charlotte here!)
Opposite Arnett will be former LFA fighter Cory Sandhagen, also making his UFC debut. Sandhagen fought just last Friday at LFA 31.
In the other early preliminary card bout, welterweight George Sullivan finally got his return to the cage against Niko Price. Sullivan, out for nearly two years, talked to Cageside a few days back about his return to action.
Check back come fight time for a full recap and results! The prelims kick off at 4PM EST!
Austin Arnett vs. Cory Sandhagen
With both fighters staying light on their feet early, it was Sandhagen who pressed his opponent into the cage, and took control. The LFA vet was able to score with a number of strikes, including some hard kicks set up with body shots, prior to taking Arnett down midway through the round. Landing a number of elbows, Sandhagen had the edge on Arnett, and was looking dominant. However, Arnett then escaped, and back on the feet, Austin Arnett clipped Sandhagen. He was able to put a combination or two together before the end of the round, which saw the pair clinching against the fence.
Round two saw Sandhagen continue to attack the legs while looking for a home for his left hook. Clinching against the cage, Sandhagen then landed some slick standing elbows. Arnett circled out of harm’s way, and in the next clinch, he took the back, looking for a choke. However, Arnett was too high up, and Sandhagen reversed, dropping an elbow that opened up Arnett just below the right eye. Arnett would escape only to eat a spinning back elbow. A liver shot later in the round had Austin Arnett covering up, eating strikes along the fence. He dropped to his knees, still covering up and eating ground and pound from Sandhagen. The ref, warning him to fight back, finally waved it off, and Sandhagen had the TKO win in his UFC debut.
Cory Sandhagen def. Austin Arnett by TKO, Round 2, 3:48
Niko Price vs. George Sullivan
George Sullivan was constantly moving forward to start the featured Fight Pass prelim on Saturday. Niko Price circled out of the way, avoiding Sullivan’s power side and looking to counter. ‘The Silencer’ worked his jab, and went to the body and thigh with kicks. A combination from Sullivan, left hook/straight right, hit home while he pressed forward, and Price opted to buy recovery time by shooting for a takedown. Sullivan fought it off for a time, but Price was able to complete with a throw. Sullivan worked his way back to the fence and powered up, though he ate a knee for his troubles. Price then tried for another takedown only to eat a knee. Sullivan would try for a takedown of his own by round’s end.
It was Price pressing the action in the second, connecting on Sullivan with a right hand, knee to the body, and numerous other shots. Sullivan, however, scored a desperation takedown and landed in Price’s closed guard. This resulted in George Sullivan being in control for several minutes, dropping hammer fists, elbows, and other ground strikes. He opened up a cut on Price, and looked to be in full control. However, Price was finally able to escape, using an arm-bar attempt to create space. He got back to his feet, and transitioned to Sullivan’s back. Sullivan’s neck was exposed, and Price, having softened his opponent up with strikes, dragged him down and sunk in the rear-naked choke! That got the tap.
Niko Price def. George Sullivan by submission, Round 2, 4:21
UFC on FOX 27 Fight Pass Preliminary Results:
Niko Price def. George Sullivan by submission, Round 2, 4:21
Cory Sandhagen def. Austin Arnett by TKO, Round 2, 3:48
