Jared Gordon utilized his wrestling and heavy ground-and-pound to defeat Chris Fishgold at UFC Fight Island 1.
England’s Chris Fishgold was fighting for the first time in a year at UFC Fight Island 1. And the Liverpool native had added motivation to win, after missing weight and being forced to cough up 20% of his purse to opponent Jared Gordon on Wednesday.
Fishgold entered the fight three pounds over the featherweight limit. He also entered looking to get back in the win column after falling to Makwan Amirkhani in Stockholm last year. Gordon, for his part, was 1-3 in his last five, and coming off a lose to Charles Oliveira. After a cornerman tested positive for COVID-19, broadcaster Paul Felder will step into Gordon’s corner for the fight.
Gordon went for a head kick to start the contest, but it was blocked. Fishgold wanted to have some fun after a blocked combination, but Gordon wasn’t having it. Fishgold landed a right hand and Gordon responded with a takedown, taking the back of his opponent. Fishgold started to roll, but Gordon countered with a guillotine. Fishgold escaped then stood up, and the striking was more active this time around. Gordon shot in for another takedown and got it, but this time Fishgold tried the guillotine. It was fairly tight, but Gordon eventually broke free and rode out the little time left throwing ground and pound.
Fishgold came out in the second round and landed a solid right hand. Gordon timed it the third time it came around and ducked under for a double-leg. Fishgold tried to guillotine Gordon again, but Gordon elevated and passed to side control to break free. Gordon started working the kimura and Fishgold was able to retain full guard. Without the guillotine threat, Gordon started peppering Fishgold with ground-and-pound. Gordon stayed active enough from guard for the referee to threaten to stand them up. With 30 seconds left, Gordon passed guard to half guard.
Fishgold came out hard in round two, throwing heavy blows Gordon’s way. Fishgold then shot for a takedown, but Gordon stuffed it then took top position. He attempted to take the back of Fishgold, but fell off and the fight returned to the feet. Gordon stuffed another takedown then established back side control. Gordon locked up one arm with his leg and started laying down hammerfists as Fishgold struggled to defend. The arm of Fishgold popped free, but the strikes kept coming from Gordon. A dominant end to the fight for Gordon, who looked excellent in this contest.
Gordon detailed afterwards that his girlfriend had a miscarriage then was diagnosed with COVID-19 in the leadup to the fight. It was an emotional victory for Gordon.
Official Result: Jared Gordon def. Chris Fishgold by Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
