Gregor Gillespie put on a grappling clinic at UFC Charlotte on the way to a first round TKO of Jordan Rinaldi.
UFC on FOX 27’s four-fight main card featured a lightweight scrap between Jordan Rinaldi and Gregor Gillespie as the second bout in on Saturday. That ensured all eyes were on the pair. Both fighters entered the night coming off wins, and Rinaldi’s record was rather misleading, especially when you considered who he’d fought outside the UFC. That made this UFC Charlotte bout very promising.
Cageside Press spoke to Rinaldi heading into to UFC Charlotte about the fight with Gillespie, and Rinaldi’s road to the octagon, which included fights against Dennis Bermudez and Brian Ortega. Rinaldi had the crowd behind him on Saturday, but ultimately it wasn’t his night.
This pair of 155lb’ers went right to war out of the gate at UFC Charlotte. Gillespie was firing some serious leather, but Rinaldi held his own. Rinaldi would later fire a knee, which Gillespie caught. Rindaldi, however, was able to escape. Gillespie then took the fight to the ground, slowing the pace and working from half guard. He then passed to side control. From side control, he moved to mount, and while he didn’t score much damage, he briefly took the back. Rinaldi managed to coax him back into half guard, only to have Gillespie mount again. Rinaldi finally managed to regain his feet only for Gillespie to take the back; he soon began landing some heavy blows and flattening out Rinaldi. Rinaldi had nowhere to go, and could only cover up as the punches kept coming. He wouldn’t make it to the bell, as the ref waved it off.
Gregor Gillespie def. Jordan Rinaldi by TKO, Round 1, 4:46
