Kicking off the UFC Vegas 78 main card at the UFC Apex on Saturday were middleweights Josh Fremd and Jamie Pickett. Though with Fremd missing the middleweight limit by three pounds, the complexion of the fight had changed a little.
Fremd (10-4) comes off a submission victory over Sedriques Dumas in March, but that’s about all that will help his case following a bad weight miss on Friday.
Pickett (13-9) may be fighting for his job as he take on Fremd while riding a 3-fight losing streak. To his credit Pickett has been a company man taking fights that nobody else wants including against Bo Nickal at UFC 285 in March.
With both men needing an impressive finish in this one to save their roster spots most fans were expecting an exciting bout.
Round 1 Fremd used his size to put pressure on Pickett who was trying to get his jab game and calf kicks going, but was quickly clinched and put on the fence. Most of the round was Fremd with the pressure on the fence.
Round 2 was more of the same but Pickett was able to take advantage of the positions and possibly stealing the round.
Round 3 Pickett came out a lot more aggressive looking to land shots on Fremd, then shot and got him down, but had a tough time making something happen with the take downs early.
Fremd was able to sweep Pickett, worked ground and pound in half guard, but Pickett wasn’t quitting. Pickett was able to get back to his feet, but Fremd wasn’t about to let him fire off any strikes and kept him on the fence.
The rest of the fight went the same way as Fremd chose to not give Pickett any room to fire anything off that could possibly end the fight.
Official Result: Josh Fremd def. Jamie Pickett via Unanimous Decision (30-27×3)
