UFC Vegas 23 Prelims Video Highlights: Jessica Penne Ends Long Hiatus With Victory
The undercard for UFC Vegas 23 featured a controversial finish in the heavyweight bout, and an emotional return from a former title challenger.
Check all those and the rest of the video highlights below.
Alexander Romanov def. Juan Espinal via Technical Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
After a very exciting first two rounds that featured extensive heavyweight grappling, Juan Espinal kneed Alexander Romanov in the groin. Romanov could not continue and because the fight had entered the third round we went to a technical decision, which saw Romanov emerge on top. Its a shame, because this fight was very exciting, and the ending was very anti-climactic.
These two are throwing bombs! — #UFCVegas24 pic.twitter.com/aj3SSwvVpj
— UFC (@ufc) April 18, 2021
King Kong pouring it on! —-
[ #UFCVegas24 LIVE on @ESPN & #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/KthXq9zy2h— UFC (@ufc) April 18, 2021
By technical split decision, Alexandr Romanov is declared the winner. #UFCVegas24 pic.twitter.com/nYktSGnOws
— UFC (@ufc) April 18, 2021
Jessica Penne def. Lupita Gonzalez via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
After an extended four-year hiatus from the UFC, Jessica Penne returned with a win via a tight victory over UFC newcomer Lupita Gonzalez. The fight featured Gonzalez throwing heat while on the feet, and Penne returning with long stretches of back control in each of the three rounds. Close fight that either fighter could’ve won.
Threw her across the octagon —— #UFCVegas24 pic.twitter.com/wGVnQHWhm3
— UFC (@ufc) April 18, 2021
Crazy pace all 3️⃣ rounds from these two!
How do you think the judges scored it? #UFCVegas24 pic.twitter.com/A873F9tiyA
— UFC (@ufc) April 18, 2021
That’s what they call a comeback! —@JessicaPenne locks in the win after being out of the Octagon for 4 years.
[ #UFCVegas24 Prelims continue live on @ESPN & #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/yNJRrWvor8— UFC (@ufc) April 18, 2021
Gerald Meerschaert def. Bartosz Fabinski via Technical Submission (Guillotine Choke)(Rd. 1 2:00)
Gerald Meerschaert secured the 24th submission victory of his very long MMA career by putting Bartosz Fabinski to sleep with a guillotine choke early in the first round.
Locked in TIGHT —@The_Real_GM3 gets the job done quickly! #UFCVegas24 pic.twitter.com/SQrbZlPMXC
— UFC (@ufc) April 18, 2021
Middleweight submission king —@The_Real_GM3 stands alone at 185 with 6 subs! #UFCVegas24 pic.twitter.com/f9VPlxy80k
— UFC (@ufc) April 18, 2021
Austin Hubbard def. Dakota Bush via Unaniamous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Austin Hubbard weathered an early storm from UFC debutant Dakota Bush and then ground out a very boring decision victory. There are no highlights from this fight because it was super dull.
And they go the distance!
How’d you score it — #UFCVegas24 pic.twitter.com/RupjtnoTQi
— UFC (@ufc) April 18, 2021
Tony Gravely def. Anthony Birchak via TKO (Rd. 2 1:30)
Tony Gravely proved why he was the heaviest favorite on the card by coming out early and taking the fight to Anthony Birchak. His left hook consistently found the mark, and he mixed in his wrestling to absolutely dominate Birchak the entire fight. After almost finishing Birchak in the first round with some heavy ground and pound, he finally ended the show with yet another heavy left hook.
Absolutely relentless on the ground in RD 1–@TonyGravely135 picks up the pace at #UFCVegas24. pic.twitter.com/hRQZRYWNOG
— UFC (@ufc) April 17, 2021
PUT HIM OUT —@TonyGravely135 gets it done early in RD 2! #UFCVegas24 pic.twitter.com/f8jVExoiF1
— UFC (@ufc) April 17, 2021
That’s how you open up a show!
— @TonyGravely135 gets the TKO in our first bout of the night.
[ We’re live on @ESPN & #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/9fL4VIKD9h— UFC (@ufc) April 17, 2021
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