Promotional newcomer Jared Vanderaa received a rude welcome to the UFC from Sergey Spivak at UFC Vegas 19, as Spivak dominated on the ground en route to a second-round TKO victory.
Sergey Spivak’s UFC run has been inconsistent since the 26-year-old joined the promotion in 2019. Going 2-2 in his four UFC bouts, Spivak alternated wins and losses ahead of his rescheduled bout with Jared Vanderaa at UFC Vegas 19. The matchup was previously slated for UFC 256 in December, but was moved after Vanderaa tested positive for COVID-19.
Vanderaa, 28, impressed with his first round finish of Harry Hunsucker on Dana White’s Contender Series last November. The promotion hurried to give him his promotional debut before the year was out, but it instead came at UFC Vegas 19. Vanderaa was on a two-fight winning streak ahead of his debut, winning five of his last six and tallying four finishes along the way.
Spivak worked his jab early as Vanderaa pressed the Moldovan, putting Spivak on the back foot. After a few heavy kicks from Vanderaa, Spivak landed a hard right hand and getting some space, which he used to push Vanderaa back and land a takedown. After some work against the cage, Vanderaa found his way to his feet, only to be taken down again shortly thereafter.
Spivak worked hard while in Vanderaa’s guard, mixing in some ground and pound while he looked to improve his position. Vanderaa was active from his back, but was largely ineffective as Spivak finished the first round in dominant fashion, earning more than three minutes of top control.
Thankfully for Vanderaa, the second round began on the feet. Spivak landed an early jab, before taking advantage of a lazy head-kick from Vanderaa, once again getting the fight to the ground. Vanderaa was clearly running out of energy, and Spivak was relentless from half-guard. Spivak dealt a consistent wave of fists and elbows, with Vanderaa struggling to change position.
A cut came open above the left eye of Vanderaa, which Spivak made worse with every punch thrown. Spivak then unloaded several flurries of punches, with blood now pouring from Vanderaa’s face.
The fight could’ve been stopped several times, and was eventually called late in the second-round. The victory gave Spivak back-to-back UFC wins for the first time in his career, while Vanderaa learned some tough lessons in his promotional debut.
Serghei "Polar Bear" Spivac mauled him for the TKO finish 😳 #UFCVegas19 pic.twitter.com/OVq0rHPxlM
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) February 20, 2021
Result: Sergey Spivak def. Jared Vanderaa by TKO (ground and pound), Round 2, 4:32
