After a rough first round at UFC Vegas 6, Gavin Tucker took over against Justin Jaynes, winning by third-round rear-naked choke.
In a fight that screamed “banger alert” the moment it was booked, featherweights Gavin Tucker and Justin Jaynes threw down at UFC Vegas 6. Well, Tucker was a featherweight. Jaynes had made his UFC debut on short notice in June as a lightweight, knocking out the durable Frank Camacho. Then proclaimed he was willing to fight anywhere from featherweight to welterweight.
True to his word, Jaynes hit the mark at the scales on Friday, but as he told Cageside Press ahead of the fight, it was no easy feat, given he was a bit heavy when he took the fight. Still, he had a head of steam heading into the fight. Canada’s Tucker, meanwhile, had made a memorable debut a few years back, dismantling Sam Sicilia in an upset. A rough night at the office against Rick Glenn then stalled his process, but he returned last July to submit Seung Woo Choi. The bout with Jaynes would mark his first fight of 2020.
A left straight then a head kick landed for Tucker to start the contest. Another left connected for Tucker after he avoided a rush from Jaynes. Tucker fired the head kick twice more, but Jaynes was more mindful on defense this time. A smooth right hand found the mark for Tucker, then a combination. Jaynes swung a heavy left hand that came up short, but got an audible reaction from Tucker. Tucker’s boxing continued to look crisp as Jaynes just didn’t have an answer. Despite his struggles, Jaynes was able to knock Tucker down with a swift uppercut, one of the first punches to land for him. Jaynes jumped on top and started firing ground and pound, but Tucker squirmed his way up. He wasn’t out of the woods yet, as Jaynes landed a few more uppercuts to force a takedown attempt from Tucker. Jaynes countered with a tight guillotine, rolling Tucker to his back while holding the choke. Tucker wriggled his way out in desperation, then got to top position, attempting an arm triangle choke to end the round.
Tucker went back to the head kick strategy in the second round, firing quite a few within the first two minutes. Jaynes snuck in an uppercut, but Tucker ate it just fine this time. Tucker began mixing in body shots along with the head kicks and Jaynes was feeling it. A head kick wobbled Jaynes, then Tucker began working the body. Jaynes was simply getting battered by Tucker and just couldn’t respond to the pressure. If it wasn’t a head kick coming his way, Tucker had him covering up and defending body shots. A dominant round two for Tucker.
🇨🇦 @GavinTucker6 feeling it in the 2️⃣nd!
📺 #UFCVegas6 live now on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/TeDChXjbgn
— UFC (@ufc) August 8, 2020
Jaynes got out to a quick start in the final round, trying to pressure Tucker and connecting with a right straight. Tucker turned the tables with a gorgeous knee to the head, sending Jaynes stumbling, but not falling down. Tucker pressured him against the cage, forcing a takedown attempt. Tucker stuffed it and took the back of Jaynes, going for the rear-naked choke. It took a couple of attempts, but Tucker was able to get the tap and make it two straight wins. He called out Billy Quarantillo after the victory.
🇨🇦 Another RNC finish for @GavinTucker6! #UFCVegas6 pic.twitter.com/AIsrkkl0j7
— UFC (@ufc) August 8, 2020
Gavin Tucker def. Justin Jaynes by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) in Round 3 (1:43)
