UFC Moncton Fight Pass Preliminary Card Results and Recap

By
Dan Doherty
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UFC Moncton Prelims
Credit: Jay Anderson/Cageside Press

UFC Moncton starts with a trio of fights on UFC Fight Pass, highlighted by the debut of DWTNCS alum and knockout artist Te Edwards.

UFC Moncton ends a multi-week break for the world’s biggest promotion, highlighting some talent from north of the border in New Brunswick, Canada. Fan-favorite Volkan Oezdemir looks to add to his resume of quick knockouts when he takes on surging light heavyweight Anthony Smith. The headliner is supported by a co-main event of Artem Lobov vs. Michael Johnson, who took the fight on short notice. Canadian contender Misha Cirkunov will look to put an end to his two-fight losing streak against Patrick Cummins.

Prior to the six-fight main card, three fights kick off the action in Canada on UFC Fight Pass. Stevie Ray and Jessin Ayari were first to throw down, with Ray trying to end a two-fight losing streak against Ayari, who has not fought since losing to Darren Till in May of last year.

Former Olympic wrestler Arjan Singh Bhullar takes on Marcelo Golm in the second bout of the evening. Bhullar attempts to bounce back from a submission loss to Adam Wieczorek, while Golm also comes in with a 1-1 UFC record.

In the featured bout, Te Edwards makes his promotional debut against fellow newcomer Don Madge. Edwards earned his sixth career victory on the Dana White Tuesday Night Contender Series, needing only 28 seconds to earn a contract with the UFC. He also has a 43 second knockout in Bellator under his belt. Madge is a South African fighter who has stopped his last four opponents, with only one escaping the first round.

Stevie Ray vs. Jessin Ayari

About a minute and change into the conteste, Stevie Ray landed a nice left hand that Ayari answered with a quick right. The pace slowed down after a second exchange in which Ayari landed a pair of punches. Sparse shots were landed for each fighter, with neither fighter quite taking control.

Stevie Ray started the second round with a few loopy kicks that couldn’t connect cleanly. He was finding more success going low with his kicks. Ayari attempted to clinch, but Ray broke free quickly and went back to his leg kicks. Ray started to open up on his German opponent, mixing in straight punches with his leg kicks. Ayari was able to land a swift counter left near the close of the round, but Ray was not shaken.

Ray stayed consistent with his leg kick strategy, slowing any advances of Ayari. Ayari seemed to be at a loss, attempting to clinch but nothing coming of it. His only option was to wait and attempt to land a counter over the jab of Ray. The Scotsman landed several left hands in a row. Ayari got aggressive near the end of the bout, and Ray obliged, waving him forward. The two swung for the finish as time expired.

Stevie Ray def. Jessin Ayari by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)

Arjan Bhullar vs. Marcelo Golm

Arjan Bhullar had control of the Octagon early, but it was Golm who was striking with more frequency. A leg kick swept Bhullar off his feet, but he bounced back up quickly. Bhullar landed a few heavy shots on the feet, mainly uppercuts, then pushed Golm against the fence. Following their separation, more hard shots landed for Bhullar, with a right followed by a left and an uppercut. Bhullar used the swing in momentum to push Golm to the cage. The round ended with both fighters away from the cage.

Golm started the second round aggressively with a head kick attempt and follow-up punches, but Bhullar pushed him back with a combination that landed. Golm swung the round back in his favor with a body shot that stumbled Bhullar, pushing the Olympian to the cage. Bhullar tried to counter with a takedown attempt, but Golm avoided it. The Brazilian landed a flying knee to the body as the leg kicks from Golm started to add up. Bhullar clinched up with Golm against the fence again, but once again had his takedown stuffed. Bhullar was able to regain a favorable position against the fence to ride out the round.

Bhullar started the final round he ended the previous one, by pushing Golm to the cage. About a minute later, Bhullar was finally able to land his first takedown of the fight, lifting Golm up and slamming him to the canvas. Golm had no chance to get the Olympic-caliber wrestler off of him until there was little time left in the bout.

Arjan Bhullar def. Marcelo Golm by Unanimous Decision (29-28 x2, 29-27)

Te Edwards vs. Don Madge

The fight got off to a blistering start, with Madge landing a heavy combination then knocking down Edwards with a straight left. Edwards rebounded with a takedown as Madge pursued a finish. Edwards used it as an opportunity to recover, but Madge did not let him rest, looking for a triangle. Edwards bucked him off and stood up, but Madge did not follow. Edwards went back to the ground with Madge, but not for too long, as he stood up again on his own. The ref stood Madge up, and the South African pushed Edwards to the fence to end the round.

Madge started the second round with a body kick, leading Edwards to the fence. Edwards blocked a left head kick, then went to his left, right into a right head kick that slept him. What a win for the South African Madge.

Don Madge def. Te Edwards by KO (Head Kick) in Round 2 (0:14)

Check back come fight time for results and a full recap of the UFC Moncton Fight Pass Prelims!

UFC Moncton: Oezdemir vs. Smith Fight Pass Preliminary Results

Stevie Ray def. Jessin Ayari by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)

Arjan Bhullar def. Marcelo Golm by Unanimous Decision (29-28 x2, 29-27)

Don Madge def. Te Edwards by KO (Head Kick) in Round 2 (0:14)

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