A highly anticipated featherweight match-up and clash of styles kicked off the UFC 288 Pay-Per-View card in Newark, NJ on Saturday. That fight saw the return of Kron Gracie, not seen in competition since 2019, against Canadian striker Charles Jourdain.
Both men had clear paths to victory; who could execute their game plan more effectively was the question.
Jourdain showed some fast hands early, sneaking through the guard of Gracie, then circling out of range of any counters. Gracie, however, managed to close the distance, pressing the Jourdain against the fence, only for the Canadian to fight him off. The next clinch attempt saw Jourdain throw Kron off him. Once out of danger, Jourdain found a home for his uppercut — repeatedly. He was also doing a good job listening to his corner, pushing Kron Gracie off of him the second his coach called for it.
Being frustrated on the feet, Gracie finally opted to pull guard. Jourdain stayed compact, holding his arms close to his head, making it hard for Gracie to grab anything. And when the opening came, Jourdain scampered back to his feet. Gracie would close the distance again with about 30 seconds to go, but Jourdain fought off the takedown attempt and found some space to escape. Jourdain finished the round landing a combo, the uppercut again finding a home.
Gracie and Jourdain both fired kicks early in the second; Gracie closed the distance, but couldn’t hang on to Jourdain. Gracie tried to pull guard, standing, and Jourdain held him up, pressing him against the fence. Eventually they’d slip down, Jourdain in Gracie’s guard — not where he wanted to be. Jourdain did stay a little more active on top this time, while Gracie tried throwing elbows off his back.
After more than a minute on the ground, Jourdain slipped out, moving back to the feet without Gracie having made much headway. Jourdain landed a three or four punch combo, though Gracie covered up, deflecting a fair bit of those strikes. Gracie found a home for a left hand in the final minute, then tied up along the fence and pulled guard once more.
The opening minute of round three played out on the feet, with Jourdain throwing more, and landing more. Gracie tried taking the fight to the fence, but Jourdain escaped. Again, his uppercut was on point. This round, however, Jourdain opted to target the body more than once. He mixed in a knee to cap off his next combo.
Gracie, meanwhile, was in need of a finish, and took the fight where he needed it by pulling guard. But with Jourdain again staying tight, hands close to his head, Gracie had nothing to grab on to. He appeared to be attempting to set up a sweep, to no avail. Instead, Jourdain escaped back up, while Gracie sat back in guard, inching towards him, scooting forward looking to lure Jourdain back down.
In the final minute, Jourdain pretty much landed at will, with Gracie offering nothing on the feet. Jourdain let loose with a flurry at the final bell, underscoring his efforts and a certain victory.
Official Result: Charles Jourdain def. Kron Gracie by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
