Parker Porter had his first professional fight all the way back in 2007, his second professional fight three months later, and in his third bout he faced a young, very hungry Jon Jones. Fast forward to 2020, a year of loss, despair and tragedy. For Porter, a year he will never forget.

“It was unreal,” Porter told Cageside Press. “One of the top three feelings in my life, next to the birth of my children and the marriage to my wife.”

The former light heavyweight champion turned heavyweight Jones actually tweeted out congratulating Porter on his victory. The Connecticut native was very appreciative to hear from the arguable “GOAT” following his victory to end the year.

Congratulations Parker Porter

— Jonny Meat (@JonnyBones) November 29, 2020

“That is a cool feeling for me,” Porter began. “That is cool because he is who he is, but for him to remember me, 12 years later, I made enough of an impact on him to be remembered.”

Now, a win under his belt in the coveted UFC, 1-1 officially, Porter feels a little sense of security. Walking into his second UFC fight, with a 0-1 record with the promotion, that security was not apparent.

“Absolutely, this is before Dana [White] made any announcement of cuts,” Porter stated. “I had the cards stacked against me, I’m an older fighter, I don’t have the prettiest record on paper,” Porter continued. “This is a business, I’m up there in age, they might think, am I worth keeping? In my head I was going home, and the dream’s over.”

When asked what he has learned from his debut in the UFC, the most important thing that came up from the 36 year old is to always be ready. A new member to Thornton’s MMA, Something he wasn’t fully prepared for when accepting the UFC’s offer, but no wasn’t an option.

“Coming into the debut fight, I wasn’t training as much as I should have,” Porter explained. “I was transitioning gyms, just had a three week old baby, I was eating away, sleep wasn’t a thing,” Porter continued. “I wasn’t expecting a call. So I always need to be ready. I was way overweight, but I got the call, so I didn’t have a choice, it was happening.”

Before our interview ended, as a New Englander, I could not speak to Parker Porter and not mention CES MMA. A mainstay with the promotion, and the latest representative of the CES to the UFC production line, Porter raved about the promotion.

“I love those guys,” Porter stated. “Jimmy and them are amazing, treated me so well every interaction we had. They gave me the platform to display my talents, on a national level, they also let me fight in my home state for the first time ever,” Porter continued. “Fight Pass, they are so organized, nothing but great things to say about CES.”

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Among those is main card fighter Parker Porter who, along with Josh Parisian, broke the record for heavyweight strikes landed in a three-round bout. So maybe it’s not surprising that at least one of those punches landed appeared to do some damage to the left hand of Porter, who will need that looked at and cleared before he can come back.

Others facing the same sort of suspension are Bill Algeo (who won a one-sided decision over Spike Carlyle), Norma Dumont and Ashlee Evans-Smith (who fought one another), and Rachael Ostovich (who was defeated in the third round by Gina Mazany).

Jonathan Pearce will also be looking for clearance via x-ray before he can step back in. However, it is the right foot of Pearce that needs to be looked at to avoid the six months off.

Full list of UFC Vegas 15 medical suspensions:

Takashi Sato – 180 days or until cleared by oral maxillary facial surgeon
Parker Porter – 180 days or until cleared by left hand x-ray
Josh Parisian – 60 days
Bill Algeo – 180 days or until cleared by left hand x-ray
Spike Carlyle – 30 days
Norma Dumont – 180 days or until cleared by right hand x-ray
Ashlee Evans-Smith – 180 days or until cleared by left hand x-ray
Jonathan Pearce – 180 days or until cleared by right foot x-ray
Kai Kamaka – 45 days
Gina Mazany – 15 days
Rachael Ostovich – 180 days or until cleared by right hand x-ray
Malcolm Gordon – 60 days
Luke Sanders – 30 days

Suspensions originally reported by Kirik Jenness.

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Devin Clark

Fighting Devin Clark was a big risk for Anthony Smith. Fighting an unranked opponent is always scary for guys inside the top ten. Smith handled it well though with a beautiful first-round finish. Clark is still a very dangerous fighter at light heavyweight. His wrestling makes him worthy of top 15 ranked guys. In his next fight, he should take on fellow grappler, Paul Craig. Craig is currently on a two-fight winning streak, defeating Shogun Rua on November 21. While Clark is coming off a loss, he was willing to go five rounds on short notice, so there’s no need to drop him too far back in line.

Clark’s next fight: Paul Craig 

Takashi Sato

Takashi Sato lost via submission to Miguel Baeza in their fight at UFC Vegas 15. This loss pushed Sato to 2-2 in the UFC and likely makes his next fight a must-win. Abdul Razak Alhassan would be a perfect opponent for him in his next fight. Alhassan is also in a must-win situation after losing his last two fights. Alhassan would also be a great challenge to Sato’s striking. Both men have very powerful strikes and have shown their knockout power in the past. Sato has 11 out of his 16 wins by knockout while Alhassan has all ten of his wins by knockout.

Sato’s next fight: Abdul Razak Alhassan 

Josh Parisian

Josh Parisian lost a unanimous decision to Parker Porter this past Saturday. Parisian took this fight just three months after winning his UFC contract on the Ccontender Series. His experience matched up well with Porter but it was obvious Porter was just one step ahead of him the entire fight. For his next fight, Parisian should be looking to fight someone like Roque Martinez. Martinez is currently 0-2 in the UFC, losing his last fight to Don’Tale Mayes on November 14. Martinez, like Porter, has just about as much experience in MMA as Parisian. Parisian and Martinez are guys that won’t pull any punches. What more can you ask for in a heavyweight fight?

Parisian’s next fight: Roque Martinez 

Spike Carlyle

Spike Carlyle lost all three rounds to Bill Algeo at UFC Vegas 15. Everyone has high hopes for the exciting, energetic Carlyle. Although his UFC career has got off to a pretty rocky start. Carlyle is now 1-2 in the UFC with his only win being a TKO over Aalon Cruz in February. Carlyle is similar to Mike Perry in that he will continue to get good fights because of his big personality. He will continue to be a draw no matter how many losses he takes. Carlyle’s next fight should be against Josh Culibao. Culibao is 0-1-1 in the UFC. Losing to Jalin Turner in his debut and fight to a split draw with Charles Jourdain in October. Both men would benefit from getting a win against someone in a similar position as themselves.

Carlyle’s next fight: Josh Culibao 

Ashlee Evans-Smith

Ashlee Evans-Smith returned from a 19-month hiatus at UFC Vegas 15 — only to put on a gutsy but ultimately futile effort against Norma Dumont. Whether cage rust from the layoff came into play or not, Smith is now 1-4 in her last five fights, and has lost two straight. That said, the UFC may want to keep her around, given willing fighters are always in need during the pandemic. Plus, Dumont missed weight, so Evans-Smith has both the layoff and that as an argument to keep her spot on the roster. Next, however, she’ll be in must-win territory and should get someone in a similar spot. Vanessa Melo and Sarah Moras were supposed to fight last month, but were moved to January. If either drops out, Evans-Smith would be a short-notice option (she has a previous loss to Moras). If Evans-Smith considers going back to flyweight, where she went 1-1 recently, Lianna Jojua could be an option as well. If she’s sticking around 135 and the Moras-Melo option isn’t there, Sarah Alpar lost her octagon debut back in September, and doesn’t have a fight booked.

Evans-Smith’s next fight: Sarah Alpar

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Anthony Smith

In classic Anthony Smith fashion, he did precisely what nobody expected. He was the one to shoot the takedown on Devin Clark this past Saturday, and then instead of winning with his hands or his top game, he picked up a submission off of his back. While it’s great to see “Lionheart” back in the win column, this was a large step down for him in terms of competition. He went from fighting top contenders and Jon Jones to Clark, who was unranked. As he indicated in his post-fight speech, there’s no rush to get back to the top. Let’s ease that transition with someone else he can test his finishing skills with. Nikita Krylov has gone to the judges two fights in a row, which gives him precisely two decisions (one win, one loss) in his career. A match-up between the two would for sure bring the fun for however long it lasts.

Anthony Smith’s Next Fight: Nikita Krylov

Miguel Baeza

If you had any doubts about the potential of Miguel Baeza, he likely erased them this past weekend. Not only did he go out and stop another tough fighter in Takashi Sato, but he did so with his first submission victory. With a win over Matt Brown already helping to build his resume, Baeza is looking at a fight on the cusp of the top 15. Jake Matthews is definitely more traveled in the UFC; he’s 6-1 at welterweight with as many fights at lightweight prior. It may seem like a big ask for the MMA Masters product, but with as much a he’s showed us in three fights, the logical next step is for us to see if Baeza is ready for this level.

Miguel Baeza’s Next Fight: Jake Matthews

Parker Porter

It took Porter 13 years to make it to the UFC, but the wait in between his first and second fight may have felt longer. After a disappointing first go, Porter not only got his second chance, but made the best of it. In a clear 3-round decision over Josh Parisian, Porter not only showed different facets of his skillset, but clearly showed he has a gas tank is far beyond what we’d expect for a man of his size. For his next step, the UFC should figure out just how far that tank can take him with a bout against Don’Tale Mayes. Like most heavyweights, Mayes will have a big size advantage over Porter, but like most heavyweights, Mayes has also shown some cardio issues in the past. Although it ultimately didn’t cost Mayes against Roque Martinez, he did appear to slow the last round. Porter just might be the person to exploit that further.

Parker Porter’s Next Fight: Don’Tale Mayes

Bill Algeo

Algeo had a lot of names on his tongue after taking a unanimous decision upset victory over Spike Carlyle. Although I don’t hate his own personal matchmaking, there was a name that intrigues me even more. Johnathan Pearce won earlier on in the night over Kai Kamaka as one of the bigger underdogs. There’s a lot of parallels between the two. Both come off the Contender Series, both bit off a little more than they could chew with a seasoned veteran in their debut, and of course both looked sensational Saturday. A bout between the two would not disappoint no matter where it took place.

Bill Algeo’s Next Fight: Jonathan Pearce

Norma Dumont

In her debut, Dumont didn’t get much of a chance to show off what she can do. After scoring a takedown on Megan Anderson, she promptly was KOed by the Aussie. The subsequent drop to bantamweight went better in the cage, although not great on the scale. Dumont looked better than Ashlee Evans-Smith almost everywhere and there was a noticeable strength disparity. It’d make sense to pair her with someone a little more her size. Bea Malecki has fought at 145lbs herself (and even 155lbs while an amateur). Both fighters are also two of the lesser experienced fighters on the bantamweight roster. A bout for the two would be good experience for the fighters and be a great test to see who’s ready for that next level.

Norma Dumont’s Next Fight: Bea Malecki

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Smith was one of four Performance of the Night bonus recipients following UFC Vegas 15. “Lionheart” and opponent Devin Clark, originally the co-main event, were bumped up to the top of the card after Curtis Blaydes tested positive for COVID-19.

He made the most of things, locking up a triangle from the bottom on Clark in the opening round of their light heavyweight bout. That forced the tap, and got Smith back in the win column after back-to-back losses earlier this year.

The sixth-ranked light heavyweight was clearly elated after the fight.

The other Performance bonuses at UFC Vegas 15 went to Su Mudaerji, Nate Maness, and Miguel Baeza. Baeza locked up a submission of his own in the co-main event, using an arm-triangle to put Takashi Sato away.

Maness was also rewarded for a submission, with a rear-naked choke the key to victory in his fight against Luke Sanders. Mudaerji, meanwhile, knocked out Canadian Malcolm Gordon at flyweight — the only one of the four bonus-winning finishes not to happen via submission.

No Fight of the Night bonus was awarded at UFC Vegas 15. All four fighters will pick up an extra $50,000 for their efforts.

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Instead, he opted to step in when Shamil Gamzatov fell out of the Clark fight shortly after it was booked. But while the pair had prepped for a three-round affair, with the loss of Curtis Blaydes vs. Derrick Lewis (due to Blaydes testing positive for COVID-19), suddenly, the pair topped the UFC Vegas 15 card. And a 15-minute encounter became a potential five-round affair.

Would the extra ten minutes impact either fighter, if it went the distance? Would Smith right the ship, or would Clark continue his impressive 2020 — despite the recent loss of his Mother-in-Law? UFC Vegas 15’s makeshift main event had a lot of questions attached to it.

Clark came out quick and pressed Smith into the cage after a big right hand, but Smith got the take down and worked Clark back to the middle of the cage. Smith worked from the back of his opponent, but Clark reversed position and ended up in Smith’s full guard. Smith worked for a triangle from the bottom, locked it in tight and forced the tap from Clark! A quick, statement win from “Lionheart.”

🦁❤️ @LionheartASmith is BACK! #UFCVegas15 on ESPN and E+ pic.twitter.com/ehmdv3T0UR

— UFC (@ufc) November 29, 2020

The finish was a much-needed win for Smith, one that keeps him relevant at 205lbs.

Official Result: Anthony Smith def. Devin Clark by submission (triangle choke), Round 1, 2:34

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That meant more eyeballs on Baeza and Sato, a pair of proven finishers both inside and outside of the UFC. The undefeated Baeza was coming off a knockout of “The Immortal” Matt Brown, while Sato had 13 finishes among his 16 wins.

The action opened with both men circling each other, feeling out their opponent. Baeza threw the first strike with a big overhand punch that missed the mark. Sato pushed forward and Baeza fired off a leg kick then followed with a body kick. Sato kept pushing forward and Baeza again fired a body kick before he rushed forward with a combination. Given the pair’s finishing rate, it felt like this bout would not go the distance. Baeza pressed forward and kept working the kicks. Sato looked to land a body shot that Baeza just barely slipped away from. The two exchanged with Sato getting the clinch and Baeza reversing. A low blow on Sato brought a pause to the action, and compared to many a UFC card, it was a light night for those. Action resumed with Baeza going back to the kicks while Sato worked to close the distance with a straight. The pair clashed in close and Baeza got the better of Sato with damage visible under Sato’s right eye. Another quick clash saw Baeza slip and land on the mat but the round came to close before Sato could capitalize.

Sato opened the second round pushing the action but Baeza controlled the center of the cage and looked to counter. Baeza kept the distance and went back to the leg and body kicks as Sato tried to close in. Miguel Baeza landed a hard right that stunned Sato for a moment but Sato continued to press forward. Baeza kept working the leg kick and threw the counter right when Sato tried to close the gap. Baeza then moved forward and landed a nice 1-2 combination before he rushed in for the take down, sending Japan’s Sato to the mat. Baeza quickly took Sato’s back, locked in the hooks and tried to open Sato up for the choke. Baeza transitioned to the side and held the choke; Sato tried to defend but was forced to tap.

First submission win for @Thunder92Baeza!#UFCVegas15 live now on ESPN and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/cFjXJU6U9p

— UFC (@ufc) November 29, 2020

It wasn’t a knockout, but Miguel Baeza finished yet again at UFC Vegas 15.

Official Result: Miguel Baeza def. Takashi Sato by submission (arm triangle), Round 2, 4:28

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The easy summary of the opening minute or so of Parisian vs. Porter: two big men swinging hard and swinging wild. As they settled down a little, Porter pressed Parisian against the fence. Parisian was already bloodied. Porter landed a couple of blows in close as he moved in for a clinch; knees to the body followed. When they broke, Parisian landed a right, then split the guard with an uppercut.

Porter gutted it out, and by the halfway mark of the first round, both fighters were slowing. A pause for a fallen mouth piece gave them a chance to catch at least one breath, then Porter went on the offensive. A couple of right hands would land, and an uppercut, all for Porter. Parisian answered with a spinning back fist, and later an elbow. With roughly a minute left, Porter worked for a single-leg takedown, but Parisian quickly powered up off his knees. He’d finish the round in control, landing a few final punches.

Round two saw Porter work in a leg kick. Parker Porter then dropped Parisian, and moved in for a guillotine! The awkward position did Porter no favors, and Parisian worked his way back to his feet. There he’d go back on the attack, firing a knee before winding up backed up against by the fence. Punches were beginning to look like they were in slow motion, with the two big heavyweights just exhausted. Going to the ground, Porter began working on a straight arm-bar then a keylock. Those didn’t pan out, but Porter wound up in a good position to land some ground n’ pound, until Parisian forced his way back up again.

Porter may have looked slightly fresher entering the third. He fired off a leg kick. Porter backed his opponent up to the fence, utilizing his jab, then a standing elbow, but Parisian continued to gut it out. He was backed up and tagged with a combo, but Parisian still managed to pull off another spinning back fist, followed by a leg kick. Porter would fire back, and they’d go the distance in the end.

Parker Porter, not surprisingly, earned the unanimous decision win in a fight that saw a massive number of strikes thrown, even as the fighters themselves tired.

Official Result: Parker Porter def. Josh Parisian by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 29-28)

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Algeo, meanwhile, had made a memorable but ultimately unsuccessful UFC debut back in August, going toe-to-toe with featherweight veteran Ricardo Lamas.

Carlyle went right at Algeo out of the gate, but it was Algeo who landed the first significant strike. Carlyle found better success with a low kick, and later in the round would fall back on his wrestling, landing a takedown and working to take the back. Algeo, however, worked back up, Spike Carlyle still on him. Another takedown would see Carlyle get a tight bulldog choke, but Algeo just bared survived, and finish the round in a dominant position.

Algeo opened the second round firing a head kick. Carlyle initiated a clinch, but Algeo fought it off. A spinning back fist from Carlyle followed, the a more successful takedown, but Algeo was right back up. Going to the ground again, it was Algeo getting the back with his hooks in. He flattened Carlyle out, and worked to secure an arm-triangle choke. Carlyle avoided that only to wind up with Algeo on his back. Clearly exhausted from his own submission attempt in the first, Carlyle was just hanging on. Carlyle reverse with about 30 seconds to go in the round, finishing the frame on top.

“The Alpha Ginger” took some big swings early in round three. But Algeo stayed technical and soon had him retreating. Algeo landed a kick to the body. Carlyle went for a takedown, which Algeo fought off. He wouldn’t be able to fight off a second one with two minutes remaining, in a fight that could potentially have been scored one round a piece to that point. A step-in knee clipped Carlyle on a later takedown attempt, but he fought through it. Carlyle would stay in the driver’s seat, just barely, until the end of a close third round.

Ultimately the only surprise was that the judge’s didn’t award Carlyle a single round. Algeo, meanwhile, has his first UFC win.

Official Result: Bill Algeo def. Spike Carlyle by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

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Well, she mostly returned to the bantamweight division. After opponent Norma Doubmont, who last fought at featherweight, missed weight, the pair’s UFC Vegas 15 showdown was moved to a 139.5lb catchweight.

Evans-Smith was the favorite entering the fight, despite a layoff of nearly two years. She held center early, looking to close the distance and get her hands on Brazil’s Dumont. Norma Dumont, however, had some dangerous kicks and counters that forced Evans-Smith to halt her momentum more than once. And when Dumont came forward, her right hand looked nasty. Late in the round they’d clinch, with Evans-Smith getting a body lock with double underhooks. But Dumont was too strong and instead landed a takedown of her own at round’s end.

The second found the pair scrambling on the ground after a throw. A second trip to the ground found Dumont in side control, then on the back. Evans-Smith was active on bottom but Dumont was able to transition to mount. From there, she was able to land a few big elbows and eat up a healthy amount of clock. Evans-Smith did power up, but was looking worse for the wear, and ate a left hand back on the feet. The American would find some success at the end of the frame, however.

Round three found Evans-Smith in need of a finish. To do that, she’d need to stay off her back. In that regard, she was successful. But on the feet, she was trailing, and it was Dumont’s combinations landing hard. The Brazilian seemed to be conserving her energy, not going after the finish to the final minute, scoring a knockdown. Evans-Smith was rocked, and just barely hung on to the final bell.

Official Result: Norma Dumont def. Ashley Evans-Smith by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)

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