UFC 228 Podcast Notes, Analysis From Sean Ross Sapp Of Fightful.com

Jarred Brooks def. Roberto Sanchez via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Brooks is looking to stop a really rough skid in this fight. He knocked himself out and got robbed in previous fights. The majority of this fight takes place up against the cage. Brooks was really heavy on top and evened up the fight after losing the first round. This just wasn’t a great fight. They carried a pace like they were fighting four weight divisions up from where they are. Brooks really needed this win, however.

Irene Aldana split decisions Lucie Pudilova in a classic.

Commentary seemed really biased towards Aldana. This is a messy, gritty brawl on the feet. Pudilova got busted open heavily and refused to relent. From a physical perspective, the cards were all in Aldana’s favor, and early that was the story. Pudilova starts scoring a bunch of jabs, and Aldana lands everything BUT jabs. Pudilova would keep coming forward, even when she didn’t throw anything. Aldana finally turns on the jabs and mixes in overhands and uppercuts. Pudilova is taking 2 to give 1, but she’s pressing so hard. Personally I had this scored for Pudilova, but the Aldana win doesn’t bother me. This is one of the best fights of the year, and one of the best female UFC fights I’ve ever seen.

Jim Miller chokes out Alex White

When an MMA fighter says “yeah, I don’t really watch MMA,” it doesn’t typically fill me with optimism about them. How many cases of lyme disease has Joe Rogan seen!? He says Miller has one of the worst cases he’s ever seen. Alex White doesn’t watch MMA, didn’t know much about Jim Miller, got rear naked choked by Jim Miller, probably because he doesn’t ever watch Jim Miller. Jim Miller stops a four fight winning streak. He got an outstanding ovation after his record setting 30th UFC fight.

Diego Sanchez kisses Craig White good night

White really got into the head of Sanchez before this fight, and Sanchez comes out accordingly and almost gets guillotined. A nice high crotch takedown from Sanchez gives him top control and the round. White is landing often with upkicks. Diego Sanchez is big brothering Craig White, who is a good 4-5 inches taller, and a full weight class up from where Diego primarily competes. Even when White cracks Diego Sanchez, Diego immediately takes him down. This is all Diego Sanchez besides upkicks. Hope that kiss on the nose was worth it. This fight is gonna be on one of those “MMA FIGHTER BIT BY KARMA” gifs.

Darren Stewart rises from the dead to TKO Charles Byrd

Byrd goes right after Stewart and lands a big overhand. He’s landing often and pretty easily took the first round. Stewart just goes super saiyan and destroys Byrd with a disgusting elbow that led to the big TKO comeback win. So far this is a pretty good event.

Geoff Neal decapitates Frank Camacho

This was a match made in heaven for Neal. Camacho’s grappling brought him to the dance, but he doesn’t seem as interested in utilizing it as he does trying to secure an extra $50,000. Camacho isn’t going to get it tonight, as he got boxed up and walked into a walk-off head kick that will be on highlight reels for years to come. Neal is getting more dangerous every fight.

#8 Sterling submits #10 Stamann with an all-time great finish

I thought Stamann controlling the clinch would be an important part of this fight, because that was a strength of Sterling’s. Instead, they just trade head kicks. Sterling is able to switch up his striking quite a bit and Stamann was forced to fight defensively. Sterling handled Stamann on the ground, too, and got a huge pop for a full nelson, that he transitions into a Suloev Stretch. FANTASTIC. 

#9 Tatiana Suarez drowns #6 Carla Esparza

Suarez immediately takes down Esparza and dominates her before the ref mercifully steps in during the Suarez HAD to call out Rose Namajunas after a performance like that. We need more of it, especially in the top of the division. All of the women’s divisions are wide open. You just need to win impressively and ask. Suarez admits backstage she’ll eventually move to 125 pounds

Abdul Razak Alhassan KO’s Niko Price

Abdul Razak Alhassan just went in there, chucked and ducked and dropped Niko Price. FIN. Alhassan is one of the most cheery dudes you can find. Alhassan knew Price was a brawler and just went at his game. He admitted he thought Price would take him down.

#5 Jimmie Rivera beats #7 John Dodson and puts us all to sleep

Dodson fires off the same head kick that knocked out Rivera in June, and Rivera barely blocked it. Rivera looks to slip a lot and counter, and does it very well. Dodson’s speed allowed him to land early, get ahead and work a defensive fight while circling. Story of his career, but he’s likely losing the fight. I don’t get Dodson’s corner telling him to go out there and “have fun,” in a close fight that isn’t getting Dodson anywhere near a title shot. Rivera edges it out. Dodson can blame himself and his corner for that one

#15 Zabit Magomedsharipov taps Brandon Davis

Anyone else notice how heavy on Brandon Davis UFC went on Embedded this week? I’m most impressed with Zabit’s ability to keep his hands clasped. Zabit taps out Brandon Davis with a Suloev Stretch!!! Well, he did what he was supposed to.

#2 Jessica Andrade deads  #4 Karolina Kowalkiewicz 

Karolina comes into this fight with a win over Rose and a two fight winning streak. Andrade has two wins since her title shot last year, but ended the night with three. Andrade slugs it out, and Karolina never truly recovers past landing a couple of jabs. Andrade follows with one of the most violent hook knockouts of the year, and in women’s MMA history. Joanna has taken a backseat to Andrade and Suarez.

UFC Welterweight Championship
Tyron Woodley (c) submitted #2 Darren Till 

I’d rather Dan be quick on the draw than late given Woodley’s history, and he is early. Somehow Woodley wins MMA fights where he doesn’t do anything. I see Till is giving Woodley a taste of his own medicine by doing actually nothing during an MMA fight. Woodley slugs till and drops him, then follows him to the ground with big elbows. Doesn’t seem like that shoulder is slowing him down at all. Woodley applies a brabo and is awarded his black belt.  Tyron Woodley just dominated Till. Meanwhile, Till laid one of the biggest goose eggs in UFC Championship history. I had a lot of questions about Woodley’s power after surgery. They’ve all been answered