Opening up the televised preliminary card at UFC 245 in Las Vegas on Saturday, ‘The Immortal’ Matt Brown returned to action. After a brief retirement, popular welterweight Brown was back in the octagon against another fan favorite, Ben Saunders, at the T-Mobile Arena.

Brown was last seen flattening Diego Sanchez with an elbow in 2017. Just over two years later, it felt like he hadn’t missed a step.

Brown held center early, Saunders staying light on his feet on the outside. They’d go to the ground a minute in, Brown on top, Saunders looking comfortable off his back. He locked in a triangle, with one of Brown’s arms trapped. Early in the fight, the lack of sweat gave Saunders the advantage. He fired off some elbows to the head, but he’d lose the choke, and later tried to secure the choke on the other side, switching legs. Brown could do little more than ride it out, and add a few punches to the body.

Saunders continued to press for the choke, pulling down on his opponent’s head. Yet Brown was able to ride it out, calm under duress, until he finally slipped free with roughly a minute left in the round. Saunder’s legs had to be somewhere around the consistency of spaghetti. He likely won the round, but the next ten minutes were going to be interesting.

Round two, Brown came out strong, backing Saunders up. A high kick hurt Saunders, but he managed to reverse Brown against the fence. Failing to land a trip, Ben Saunders instead pulled guard. Using a rubber guard, he again trapped Brown. This time, however, Brown freed himself a bit earlier, which gave him an opportunity to drop a few elbows. Saunders was doing less off his back this time, and eventually the ref stood them up. When they went down again, Saunders was spent, and Brown opened up, with an elbow and punches. Saunders wasn’t defending, and soon enough, he was out.

Returning in style! 👊

After two years out, @IAmTheImmortal is back in a BIG way! #UFC245 pic.twitter.com/5K74a1Daks

— UFC (@ufc) December 15, 2019

With the stoppage, Brown moved to a tie for second place among UFC welterweights for the most knockouts in the division. A triumphant return for the still-dangerous Matt ‘The Immortal’ Brown.

Official Result: Matt Brown def. Ben Saunders by knockout, Round 2, 4:55

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Las Vegas, NV — Ultimate Fighter 6 veteran and fan favorite Ben Saunders (22–12–2) returns this weekend at UFC 245, in a fight that promises fireworks, plain and simple. Saunders and opponent Matt Brown share at least one common trait: they never seem to have a boring fight.

It’s a fight that was as exciting for Saunders as it was for fans when he first heard about it. “Pretty much, pretty much man. The second I got the name I was like ‘let’s go.’ Then they told me the location and the date — I didn’t care about any of that,” he told Cageside Press at the UFC 245 media day this week. “In this game I’m trying to fight the best I can get my hands on. When you’re a veteran like Brown, you’ve got a name like Brown, that’s motivation.”

While Saunders, fighting as a pro since 2004, recognizes that everyone in the game is super-talented, “the longevity we’ve had in the game, I feel it can kind of get watered down, as far as when you’re getting up-and-comers.”

Not getting big names, he added, “can kind of mess with a little bit of motivation. I’m always a hard worker, and I’m always going to train hard and come in to win. But when you get a legit name that you’re excited about, knowing the fans are going to be excited about it, and then the fans actually are as excited if not more excited than even you are, there’s even better motivation.”

On the subject of motivation, Saunders also takes a peculiar mindset heading into his fights. “Most people don’t know but I feel like almost every fight, I feel like it’s my last, or it damn sure could be my last,” he revealed. “Just making it to the fight is I guess you could say a blessing.”

Injuries in camps that last eight weeks or more are of course a concern, “but I’m thinking worst case scenario, what if I get hit by a car, or what if something happens where it’s either a career-ending injury or even worse, I die? When I go out there, in my head I’m thinking ‘what if this is possibly the last thing anyone ever remembers me for?'”

Which leads Ben Saunders to giving 110% every time out. Coming in on a three-fight losing streak against Brown, the gritty welterweight will need exactly that effort to come out on top.

Watch our full UFC 245 interview with Ben Saunders above!

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Watching Matt Brown at times was akin to watching a hammer smash a nail. Brown’s opponents, in this case, being the rather unlucky nail. Now, after a two-year sabbatical, Brown is set to return in December at UFC 245, where he’ll take on the rugged Ben Saunders.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal was first to report the news Friday.

If you’re a long-time UFC fan, you likely have fond memories of ‘The Immortal’ Matt Brown. Brown (21–16) entered the UFC by way of The Ultimate Fighter 7: Team Rampage vs. Team Forrest. While he fell short of winning the show, he defeated Matt Arroyo at the finale (the pair had actually met once previously, prior to the UFC, with Brown winning that showdown as well), and embarked on a decade-long run in the promotion.

While out of action the past couple of years, Brown never officially retired following his last fight, a knockout — via his patented elbows — of Diego Sanchez. The win had snapped a three-fight skid. Overall, Brown holds wins over Sanchez, Erick Silva, Tim Means, Jordan Mein, Mike Swick, Stephen Thompson, John ‘Doomsday’ Howard, Pete Sell, and others.

Brown had been expected to return to action against Carlos Condit last year, but a torn ACL forced him out of action.

Against Saunders (22-12-2), Brown gets an opponent with his back to the wall. Saunders has lost three straight, having been finished in all three fights. Most recently, he suffered a TKO defeat at the hands of Takashi Sato in April at UFC Fort Lauderdale.

UFC 245 takes place December 14 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. A title fight between Amanda Nunes and Germaine de Randamie at bantamweight also features on the card.

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Ben Saunders is a longtime veteran of the sport who is in his third stint with the UFC. After going 4-3 in the Octagon from 2007 to 2010, “Killa B” was cut and signed with Bellator. Saunders went 7-3 there, losing to former champion Douglas Lima twice. After re-signing with the UFC in 2014, Saunders rattled off three wins in a row including the first omoplata finish in the promotion’s history. A streak-snapping loss to Patrick Cote was the last on his contract, and he won in an outside promotion before returning to the Octagon. The American Top Team product has not been as successful this time around, going 2-4 and losing by stoppage each time.

Takashi Sato will be making his promotional debut at UFC Fort Lauderdale. Sato made a name for himself in Pancrase with a 9-2 record for the promotion. The Japanese fighter is 14-2 in his MMA career with seven first-round knockouts.

Both fighters come out in the southpaw stance. Sato backs Saunders up with two hard inside leg kicks. The veteran fighter responds with a hard outside kick of his own. He charges in on a takedown but Sato just circles away from it.

They clinch and Saunders opens up with three hard knees. When they break he follows up with a low kick. He stings Sato with a lead hook. He follows up with a combination and a stiff jab.

Sato clocks Saunders with an overland left. This forces Saunders to shoot an ugly shot that Sato easily shakes off. Killa B opens up with a combo and a low kick.

Saunders gets hit with another overhand left but responds with a hard leg kick. Sato pops Saunders with two jabs but gets hit without leg kick as he attempts to dart away from the Floridian.

Saunders grabs the plum clinch and fires off some hard knees to the legs and the body. He presses the debuting fighter against the cage and continues to work the legs as the round expires.

Cageside Press Scored the First Round 10-9 Saunders

Saunders opens the round with a low kick and gets tagged with a hard overhand left. Killa B stays busy with a low kick but then gets floored by a straight right. Sato smashes Saunders with huge elbows that opens up a huge cut over the Floridian’s eye. The referee has mercy on Saunders and pulls the Japanese fighter off of Saunders giving the debuting fighter the win.

Welcome to the UFC TAKASHI SATO!!#UFCFtLauderdale pic.twitter.com/7BYFKZlaHu

— UFC (@ufc) April 28, 2019

Takashi Sato def. Ben Saunders by TKO (Punches) in Round 2 (1:18) 

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The UFC is coming to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in the BB&T Center on April 27. The card is headlined by a rematch, Yoel Romero vs. Ronaldo Souza. UFC Fort Lauderdale is featuring many up-and-coming talents, returning fighters, and a few debuts. In a welterweight bout, Ben Sauders, who will be fighting in front of his home crowd, will welcome Japan’s Takashi Sato to the UFC.

5’11″
Welterweight
28-years-old
Niigata, Japan
TRIBE TOKYO MMA
14-2
9 KO/TKO
2 Submissions (Rear-Naked Choke, Arm-Triangle)

How Does Takashi Sato Fare in the UFC:

Takashi Sato is a staple out of the promotion founded in Japan, Pancrase MMA. On the feet, he favors a right jab with his left hand cocked back and ready to unload. Sato will throw single shots but is accurate with what he throws. He does a great job sticking with his right jab and firing his left hook to the head and to the body often. He also throws a nice lead right elbow as he does have a knockout in his career by elbow. Sato cuts off his opponents well, getting them against the cage. He has shown some slick judo throws but really utilizes trips against the cage. He’s at his best when on the mat, preferably on top. Sato has two submissions but it’s his ground-and-pound that is his best aspect. Sato has been taken down and has been dropped along with being finished by submission and KO/TKO. Overall, I don’t see him as a ranked fighter but he is a good test for about anyone.

• Striking: B
• Kickboxing: D
• Clinch: C+
• Wrestling: B-
• Grappling: A
• Striking Defense: C+
• Takedown Defense: C
• Cardio: B
• Biggest Strength: Ground-and-Pound
• Biggest Weakness: Tendency to Get Hit

How he matches up with Ben Saunders:

Saunders is 1-4 in his last five fights and has been finished eight times, seven by KO/TKO. Saunders is a well-respected veteran who, although isn’t the most dangerous, still proposes a threat. Sato will finish Saunders if he fights smart. Saunders doesn’t have the wrestling to get Sato down. The only worry is if Sato follows Saunders into his guard because Saunders is no joke on the mat. Sato should be the big favorite and he should win this fight.

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The UFC made it’s return to New York City on Saturday night for UFC 230 at Madison Square Garden. The opening fight of the televised preliminary card on Fox Sports 1 saw the meeting of UFC veteran Ben Saunders, who took the fight on short notice against Lyman Good. The welterweight scrap was scheduled for three rounds or less.

As it turned out, it was much, much less.

Lyman Good opened the action with a kick that was blocked by Saunders as the two circled. The two men continued to feel each other out early on, and exchanged low kicks. Saunders landed a stiff left that was followed by a body kick. They entered the clinch next, and both men exchanged. Saunders was connecting with knees, while Good was landing multiple heavy upper cuts. Those hurt, then dropped Saunders to the mat. Lyman Good rushed in with a flurry of hammer fists after Saunders went down, which brought the fight to an end.

Cyborg seems like a good nickname for @LymanGoodMMA! #UFC230 pic.twitter.com/5Ep4EdISqm

— UFC (@ufc) November 4, 2018

Lyman Good def. Ben Saunders by knockout, Round 1, 1:32

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The UFC returned to Sao Paulo on Saturday, holding UFC Fight Night 137, the promotion’s final Brazilian stop of 2018. With a main event that saw both fighters originally advertised drop out, the UFC Sao Paulo card had taken a few hits — but still promised some interesting match-ups. In the main event, Eryk Anders and Thiago Santos, a couple of middleweights both stepping up on short notice, threw down at light heavyweight. And while the bout was contested at 205lbs, with both fighters being notable 185’ers, there was no doubt the outcome would impact their futures moving forward.

Also on the UFC Sao Paulo card, Sam Alvey faced off with the legendary Little Nog, and Canada’s Randa Markos welcomed promotional newcomer Marina Rodriguez.

Before the five-fight main card, however, and the televised prelims, came a five-fight offering exclusively on UFC Fight Pass. The Fight Pass prelims were stopped by Serio Moraes meeting the gritty Ben Saunders in the featured fight of the early action. Yet a few other bouts were just as, if not more interesting: Gillian Robertson looked to become the first UFC flyweight to capture three wins in the weight class, while Thales Leites, a former title challenger at middleweight, had his retirement fight against former Bellator champion Hector Lombard. And ex-Invicta FC champ Livia Renata Souza took on Australia’s Alex Chambers.

Check back come fight time for full results and a recap of the action. The early prelims stream live exclusively on UFC Fight Pass! The fights kick off at 6:30 PM ET.

Livia Renata Souza vs. Alex Chambers

Strawweight action kicked off the UFC Sao Paulo card, and it didn’t take long for former Invicta FC champ Livia Renata Souza to come over the top with a right, and push forward with a flurry of strikes. Souza then took opponent Alex Chambers down, and worked her way into a mounted guillotine. It didn’t take long for the tap to come after that!

The Brazilian Gangster! @LivinhaMMA makes quick work in her Octagon debut! #UFCSP pic.twitter.com/kNjwNtX7gT

— UFC (@ufc) September 22, 2018

Livia Renata Souza def. Alex Chambers by submission (guillotine choke), Round 1, 1:21

Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos vs. Luigi Vendramini

Newcomer Luigi Vendramini had to endure a tight Peruvian necktie style guillotine in the opening minute of his welterweight bout with Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos. Vendramini survived, then climbed the back of his opponent and threatened with a rear-naked choke, pulling Zaleski dos Santos to the ground in the process. The Brazilian survived as well, making it back up only for Luigi to take the back again.

However, the end would not come via submission. Instead, dos Santos would turn the pressure on, backing Venramini up and attacking with a flying knee. While the knee wouldn’t completely finish the job it was the beginning of the end, and a few strikes later the Brazilian had the victory!

FLYING KNEE!!!@ElizeuCapoeira lands an INSANE flying knee and puts Vendramini away in round 2! #UFCSP pic.twitter.com/3dXrUzDlpy

— UFC (@ufc) September 22, 2018

Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos def. Luigi Vendramini by knockout, Round 2, 1:20

Thales Leites vs. Hector Lombard

The retiring Thales Leites stayed on the outside early against Hector Lombard, who slowly stalked the Brazilian. Leites did damage first, with a right hand. Lombard, however, went to town on Leites lead leg with some punishing leg kicks. That forced Leites to change his approach and at times stances.

Round two saw the tables turn a little. This time it was Thales Leites pressing the action, backing Hector Lombard up, much to the delight of the Brazilian crowd. Lombard was on the defensive, but when they went to the ground, despite the danger Leites posed off his back, Lombard was able to control from guard then get back up. A high kick opened up a cut by the eye of Lombard, but he continued to attack the legs of Leites. Going to the third it was anyone’s fight, but Leites had taken control.

The third round saw the pace slowed a little, and the right eye of Lombard continued to be an issue. More grappling and clinching, not a lot of action in comparison to the first two rounds. In the final minute Thales Leites attacked with knees, and got the fight to the ground, controlling Lombard from the back as time ran out.

Thales Leites def. Hector Lombard by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Gillian Robertson

Gillian Robertson was boasting bright red hair for Canada as she took on UFC newcomer Mayra Bueno Silva at UFC Sao Paulo. The Canadian was looking to be the first to three wins in the UFC’s flyweight division. However, chasing the takedown, she took some damage on the feet early. A standing elbow was a particular threat for the Brazilian, who also added a spinning kick to the body as the round progressed. Robertson was on her bike, circling out of harm’s way. And when Robertson did finally secure a trip for a takedown, Silva nearly got on top. Robertson answered by attacking a leg, and eventually moved to guard.

That, however, allowed Silva to grab on to an arm while Robertson was in closed guard. She pulled back hard, and forced the tap, earning the win in her UFC debut!

Mayra Bueno Silva def. Gillian Robertson by submission (arm-bar), Round 1, 4:55

Sérgio Moraes vs. Ben Saunders

Saunders and Moraes circled each other early in the featured prelim at UFC Sao Paulo, with neither men committing to throwing a punch. Instead, they found themselves in a clinch, then went to the ground with Moraes landing on top. Saunders employed a rubber guard, but Moraes slowly, methodically passed to mount. Saunders ground game kept him alive, even when Moraes tried a late-round arm-bar!

Round two saw the fight go to the ground early again. Once again, Moraes was on top; this time, Saunders was backed up against the fence. Saunders tried to bring his leg across the back of Moraes’ neck, but Moraes was able to move to half-guard nonetheless. He then moved to full mount, with over two minutes remaining in the round. Plenty of time to look for a finish. It would come when Moraes locked in an arm-triangle choke. Saunders fought it off as best he could, but simply couldn’t make it to the end of the round, tapping out for the first time in his career.

Sérgio Moraes def. Ben Saunders by submission (arm-triangle choke), Round 2, 4:42

UFC Sao Paul Fight Pass Preliminary Card Results:

Sérgio Moraes def. Ben Saunders by submission (arm-triangle choke), Round 2, 4:42
Mayra Bueno Silva def. Gillian Robertson by submission (arm-bar), Round 1, 4:55
Thales Leites def. Hector Lombard by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos def. Luigi Vendramini by knockout, Round 2, 1:20
Livia Renata Souza def. Alex Chambers by submission (guillotine choke), Round 1, 1:21

The post UFC Sao Paulo Fight Pass Preliminary Card Results and Recap appeared first on Cageside Press.

Once upon a time, Jake Ellenberger was looked upon as a potential title challenger in the UFC welterweight division. When exactly that went wrong is difficult to pinpoint, but consecutive losses to Rory MacDonald, Robbie Lawler, and Kelvin Gastelum in 2013/2014 were the beginning of a considerable downfall for ‘The Juggernaut.’ Since that time, Ellenberger had gone 2-4, and entered into his fight at UFC Utica against Ben Saunders on a two-fight losing streak.

Saunders, for his part, had also lost two straight. Meaning one of these veterans would at least get back in the win column, and earn a bit of breathing room.

The real action in Ellenberger vs. Saunders started when Ellenberger caught a kick early in the second round. About ninety seconds in, he used that to drive Saunders into the fence, where he clinched and began peppering his opponent with uppercuts to the body. Yet just when it seemed like Jake Ellenberger might have the early finish, it was Ben Saunders landing a big knee to the body. That dropped ‘The Juggernaut’ instantly, as he covered up in pain. Saunders added a few punches to his downed foe, but the ref was already waving it off.

SHARP knee to the body! @bensaundersmma stops Ellenberger at #UFCUtica! pic.twitter.com/UC8NyB4ArF

— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) June 2, 2018

Incredibly, it was just the first fight of the evening to be over within a round. A huge win for Saunders, and perhaps time to reflect on his career for Jake Ellenberger.

Ben Saunders def. Jake Ellenberger by TKO, Round 1, 1:56

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After another injury set back for Bryan Barberena, veteran Ben Saunders has agreed to step in to take his place. Saunders will clash with fellow vet Jake Ellenberger this June at UFC Utica, otherwise known as UFC Fight Night 131. UFC officials announced the change Thursday. Barberena’s injury was originally reported last week.

For ‘Killa B’ it’s an dangerous assignment. Saunders (21–9–2) is on his second tour of duty in the UFC. And while he’s 5-3 this time around, he has lost two straight. Both of his recent losses saw him finished via KO/TKO, at the hands of Peter Sobotta and Alan Jouban. A third straight loss could once again see him on the outs with the promotion, though his popularity could earn him another shot.

Saunders previously fought in the UFC from 2007 to 2010, going 4-3 in that span. A two-fight skid saw him cut in 2010, after which he landed with Bellator MMA, where he twice made it to the final round of their welterweight tournament (seasons 5 and 8) — only to lose to Douglas Lima each time.

Jake Ellenberger, meanwhile, loses a chance to avenge brother Joe’s loss to Bryan Barberena. However, he’ll get a shot to snap a two-fight losing streak of his own against Saunders. Ellenberger (31–13) has lost four of his last five, and found himself finished by Stephen Thompson, Jorge Masvidal, and Mike Perry. His lone win in that span came against Matt Brown at UFC 201. Ellenberger has remained with the UFC nearly a decade, making his promotional debut in 2009.

UFC Utica takes place June 1 at the Adirondack Bank Center in Utica, New York.

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For the second week in a row, the UFC put on an underrated card that performed above expectations when all was said and done. What UFC Orlando (UFC on FOX 28) lacked in star power it made up for in action, with seven finishes on the card, and a number of exciting bouts brimming with fireworks.

Among those were Tecia Torres vs. Jessiaca Andrade, who put on a thrilling war in the evening’s co-main event. ‘The Tiny Tornado’ Torres found success, and a home for her right hand, early in the fight. However, as the affair wore on the powerful Andrade pulled further and further ahead, scooping Torres up and slamming her down repeatedly. In the end, Andrade picked up a unanimous decision. It was not enough, however, to convince the UFC to give them Fight of the Night, however. That honor instead went to Alan Jouban vs. Ben Saunders. That stand-up war ended roughly mid-way through the fight when Jouban sent Saunders crashing to the canvas. It was a potential Performance of the Night bonus winner, but the UFC ultimately decided the pair put on enough of a show to earn Fight of the Night.

In all honesty, any of Torres vs. Andrade, Griffin vs. Perry, and Jouban vs. Saunders could have got the nod.

Performance of the Night bonuses were handed out to Jeremy Stephens, for his second round finish of Josh Emmett, and Ilir Latifi, who choked out Ovince St. Preux via guillotine. The Stephens bonus will likely raise some eyebrows, as fans, pundits, and even fellow fighters debated some apparently illegal strikes Stephens connected with leading up to the finish. That said, the ref allowed the action to continue, and Stephens ultimately got the win.

All four UFC Orlando bonus winners will receive $50,000 for their efforts.

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