Charles Jourdain spoils Kron Gracie’s return at UFC 288
The Ultimate Fighting Championship returned to us tonight, May 6, 2023, for UFC 288, going down live from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Headlining the event is the return of former UFC flyweight & bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo (16-2), who makes his first appearance in three years in attempt to reclaim his throne against current champion Aljamain Sterling (22-3).
Co-headlining the event is a five-round welterweight affair between no. 4 ranked Belal Muhammad (22-3, 1 NC) and no. 5 ranked former title challenger Gilbert Burns (22-5).
Opening up the main card was a featherweight showcase between Canadian striker Charles Jourdain (14-6-1) and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu sensation Kron Gracie (5-2), who returns to the cage himself tonight following a near four-year layoff.
Continue reading to see how this featherweight bout went down:
Official Result: Charles Jourdain def. Kron Gracie via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Jourdain is known for his kicks, but his boxing is looking sharp early on tonight, as catches Gracie with a number of right hands in combinations throughout the first round.
Gracie pulls guard midway through the round, though he’s unable to secure any type of submission and remains on his back until Jourdain forces a standup with one minute left in the second.
Gracie pulls guard twice in the second as well, keeping Jourdain in his guard through much of the round. He’s trying to be offensive but Joudain is defending well, and he’s spending a lot of time on his back.
Round three shows much of the same, as Jourdain out-strikes Gracie, whilst also spending some time in his guard.
Charles Jourdain gets back to his winning ways tonight at UFC 288.
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