Former Glory MMA fighter TJ Brown fought in the city he once trained in as he faced Bill Algeo in UFC Kansas City’s featured prelim.
Brown entered the fight with a 3-1 record in his last 4 fights, to bring him to an even 3-3 UFC record, same as Algeo. Both men have had a history of fun fights in the octagon and this one seemed likely to live up to that expectation.
The fight started with Brown pressing Algeo backwards and both men keeping a high striking pace. Ninety seconds in Algeo hit Brown with a nice counter right hand and ducked in on a takedown, which he landed. Brown, however, was able to reverse the position and get on top with a Kimura grip locked up. Algeo managed to stand up from that position and thus get out of the armlock. Brown and Algeo stood right in the pocket throwing and landing bombs on each other against the fence right after that for a good ten seconds, to the crowd’s delight. The action of the fight was nearly nonstop, as even when they were not in the pocket they were always feinting or attacking, everything from leg kicks to massive right hands. When the round came to an end both men were both damaged but still clearly hungry for more.
The start of round two saw TJ Brown shoot a takedown and shuck to the back of Algeo against the fence, but Bill defended and got back to distance. Algeo ate some big shots but then suddenly he was the one dropping Brown with a short lead left elbow. Algeo jumped on top and worked to finish the fight. Brown gave up his back while trying to get up and in just a matter of seconds he had tapped to a rear-naked choke.
Following the win, Algeo stripped off his gloves ahead of his post-fight interview with Daniel Cormier, on a night that saw both Zak Cummings and Ed Herman retire. Executing a full heel turn, Algeo then announced that he was not retiring, adding “I would never retire in a dump like Kansas City!”
Official Result: Bill Algeo def. TJ Brown by Submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 1:40
