UFC Brooklyn Early Prelim Results and Recap

January 19, 2019

Dennis Bermudez UFC — Dennis Bermudez Credit: Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Dennis Bermudez vs. Te Edwards served as the featured fight of the early prelims at UFC Brooklyn — which kicked off the ESPN era for the UFC.

The UFC launched its 2019 schedule, and a new era on ESPN, with UFC Brooklyn on Saturday night. Alternatively UFC Fight Night 143, UFC on ESPN+ 1, or UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw, whatever you called it, it promised to be a momentous occasion. For once, that wasn’t hyperbole: the fate of a division possibly hung in the balance when T.J. Dillashaw took on Henry Cejudo for the flyweight title, in the evening’s main event.

Much has been said about the possible disbanding of the flyweight division. But if Dillashaw was able to defeat Cejudo and win the title in a weight class he had no intention of remaining in, then the writing would be on the wall. If Cejudo could get the upper hand, meanwhile, he might at the very least delay the elimination of the division.

Before any of that could transpire, however, three fights kicked off the card earlier in the evening. Those included Dennis Bermudez, having fallen a long way from headlining UFC cards. On a four fight slump, Dennis ‘the Menace’ was in desperate need of a win at UFC Brooklyn. There, he was set to face Te Edwards.

Check back come fight time for a full recap and results of the night’s early action! It all gets underway at 6PM EST.

Chance Rencountre vs. Kyle Stewart

Chance Recountre and Kyle Stewart were the first men in the octagon for the UFC’s ESPN era, and it was Rencountre landing first. Stewart, however, did the first real damage. Unfortunately, it was a low blow. After a warning to Stewart and some recovery time, the action got back underway, with Rencountre landing a double leg takedown. Stewart was right back up, but Rencountre was on him, practically glued to his back. One leg hooked in, he finally pulled Stewart back to the mat. Stewart would struggle back to one knee, only to give up his back, then his neck — and in short order, the history-making fight was in the books, with Chance Rencountre securing the rear-naked choke.

Sub in 1️⃣@BlackEagleMMA gets first round submission at #UFCBrooklyn! pic.twitter.com/AVYbKYuiz6

— UFC (@ufc) January 19, 2019

Chance Rencountre def. Kyle Stewart by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 2:25

Belal Muhammad vs. Geoff Neal

After what seemed like an eternity, the second fight of the night at UFC Brooklyn saw Belal Muhammad taking on Geoff Neal. A bit of a feeling out process to start this one, with Neal working in some low kicks. Muhammad was looking reserved early, but finally landed a couple of punches then shot for a takedown. Yet Neal posted up and the fight was back to the feet in a flash. Muhammad spent most of the round backpedaling, with Neal moving forward, initiating the attacks. A left hand caught Muhammad late in the round, snapping his head back, and Neal was in the driver’s seat heading into round two.

Round two saw Muhammad land a body kick early, but Neal’s hands were hitting their mark, and it was showing. Neal’s left hand continued to hit home. Muhammed dropped for a takedown, and seemingly had it, but in a scramble Neal made it back up. Muhammad finally managed to take control as the round progressed, pushing forward, and landing to the body with a punch or two. A firefight erupted at the end of the round, with Neal perhaps getting the better of the exchanges.

The third round changed everything, as Geoff Neal’s left hand worked its magic again. Just before the midway point of the round, that left landed, earning a knockdown as Muhammad hit the canvas. He would survive, but Neal was once again in control. Muhammad had just over two minutes, by the time he made it back up and had regained his senses, to make something happen. Neal then connected with a head kick which floored Muhammad, but he managed to survive again! They’d go to the final bell, but by then, the winner was clear.

Geoff Neal def. Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Dennis Bermudez vs. Te Edwards

A quick start to the featured fight at UFC Brooklyn saw Dennis Bermudez initially backing up Te Edwards, only for Edwards to push back. Bermudez would then tie his opponent up along the fence. The back and forth action continued with Bermudez sneaking in an elbow off a break, and Edwards working the body. Edwards, however, was defending each and every takedown attempt, and had power advantage. However, with two minutes remaining, Bermudez landed a knee that seemed to hurt Te Edwards. Bermudez would later get the final to the ground with a minute remaining, moving into half guard. He’d try to pin an arm for a crucifix, but Edwards pulled the limb free. Burmudez finished the frame dropping elbows.

Round two opened with a Bermudez takedown, that Edwards answered to a guillotine attempt. That didn’t work, and Te Edwards was once again on his back. Bermudez passed to side control, and Bermudez worked to isolate an arm in a kimura attempt. Bermudez would spend a decent amount of time working at the kimura, but eventually switched to a front choke attempt. Edwards would make it back to his feet at the point, launching an elbow as he did. It wouldn’t be long before Bermudez had the fight back to the canvas, however, and he’d finish the frame on top.

The third and final round of the fight started with Bermudez’s corner telling him Edwards was already broken. And once again, Edwards quickly found himself on the ground, barely trying to fight it off. Bermudez then locked in a guillotine, and the pair rolled, with ‘The Menace’ holding onto the choke. Eventually he’d have to release his hands, but he was on top again by that point. Bermudez would land a few strikes, then latch on for an arm-bar attempt. Edwards managed to break free of that, making it back to his feet with a minute remaining. He’d be down again seconds later, and it was back to the drawing board for Edwards, but back into the win column for Dennis Bermudez.

After the fight, an emotional Bermudez announced his retirement. “I’ve been through some stuff, and I thought about hanging up the gloves after those four losses in a row,” Bermudez said, before adding that he wanted his kids to look back and see that he overcame adversity. Bermudez also gave a shout out to his uncle, suffering from cancer, prior to the end of the early prelim broadcast.

Dennis Bermudez def. Te Edwards by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)