Before what’s left of UFC 234’s main card, the UFC Fight Pass Prelims take place featuring four fighters looking for their first Octagon victory.
UFC 234 suffered a huge loss today when middleweight Robert Whittaker pulled out of the main event with a hernia. The featured Fight Pass prelim bout between Lando Vannata and Marcos Mariano was bumped up to the co-main event, leaving two fights for the early prelim portion of the card.
The two-fight Fight Pass preliminary card is as follows:
- Jalin Turner vs. Callan Potter
- Wuliji Buren vs. Jonathan Martinez
Headlining the slate of fights on the streaming service will be prospect Jalin Turner against Australian debutant Callan Potter. Turner started his career at a less than ideal 4-3, but then went on a three-fight win streak to earn a spot with the UFC. A first-round finish on Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series secured him a contract, but he was scheduled to debut against the very tough Vicente Luque. Luque stopped him in the first round. The 34-year-old Potter is on his best run of his career, winning nine of his last 10 fights. He’s been called upon to replace Alex Gorgees on short notice.
But first, it will be Wuliji Buren vs. Jonathan Martinez. Buren, a Chinese bantamweight, earned a contract with the UFC after accumulating an 11-4 record with seven stoppages. He’s 0-2 in the Octagon so far with losses against Rolando Dy and Marlon Vera. Martinez was 9-1 prior to his promotional debut, which he lost to Andre Soukhamthath. Martinez has not been active lately, fighting just three times since 2016.
Check out the recaps of the UFC 234 Fight Pass Prelims below:
Wuliji Buren vs. Jonathan Martinez
Martinez started the fight with a blocked body kick, and committed to a kick-first strategy. Buren was able to get inside the kicks and trip Martinez along the fence. Martinez worked hard to stand up, and was able to reverse position, pushing Buren against the cage. Buren committed to a guillotine and was slammed to the canvas by Martinez.
Martinez passed guard to avoid the guillotine risk, then took the back of Buren. Buren crawled his way to the fence and stood up, eating a few punches as he got to his feet. After separating, Buren caused Martinez to slip by landing a low kick as Martinez went high with a kick. After some ground-and-pound by Buren and an armbar attempt by Martinez, the round came to a close.
Martinez went right back to the kicks to start the second round, utilizing leg, body, and head kicks. Buren had trouble dealing with the distance management of Martinez before a takedown attempt two minutes into the round. Buren fought through a guillotine attempt to take Martinez down, but Martinez was able to reverse position. Buren utilized a butterfly guard to sweep his opponent and regain top control. Martinez spun, but that allowed Buren to take his back. That was only temporary though, as Martinez bucked him off, stood up then secured a back clinch. Martinez worked Buren to the ground, ending the round on his opponent’s back.
The final round started like the first two, with Martinez throwing kicks and Buren landing a takedown. This time, his takedown got him right into mount. Buren went for an armbar, but Martinez twisted out of it and took the back of Buren, establishing both hooks in the process. Martinez pulled the fight away from the fence and took mount, to which Buren responded by giving Martinez his back. Martinez threw a few punches, then went for the choke. Buren sensed weakness and spun out of the position, taking top control.
Martinez pushed him away, then Buren jumped right into side control and began working for an anaconda choke in a scramble. Martinez broke free and took top control near the end of the round, postured up, and landed heavy ground-and-pound as time expired.
Jonathan Martinez def. Wuliji Buren by Unanimous Decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
Jalin Turner vs. Callan Potter
Callan Potter started aggressively, throwing a kick, a leaping punch, then pulling Jalin Turner into half guard. Potter began working for an armbar then a heel hook, but Potter pulled away. Turner stalked him down, landed a counter right hand as Potter threw a kick, then landed a left that sent Potter backward. Turner nailed Potter with a body kick then a combination as Potter fell. A few punches later and the fight was over.
Jalin Turner vs. Callan Potter by KO (Punches) in Round 1 (0:53)
