Sean Strickland technically out strikes the stout-hearted Welshman Jack Marshman
Sean Strickland picked apart Jack Marshman on the feet for a unanimous decision win at UFC on ESPN+ 39 on Saturday, Oct. 31.
Strickland won all three rounds on the judges’ scorecards to earn his first victory after a two-year layoff due to a motorcycle accident.
Strickland vs. Marshman Preview
The UFC returns to the United States on Halloween night at UFC on ESPN+ 39, Saturday, Oct. 31.
Anderson Silva makes his final walk to the octagon in a middleweight headliner against Uriah Hall at the UFC in Las Vegas, Nevada. The co-main event is a featherweight clash between two exciting contenders in Bryce Mitchell and Andre Fili.
It’s been a while time since U.K. fight fans have seen Jack Marshman (23-9) in action, 15 months to be exact. The Welsh middleweight last entered the octagon in July 2019 at UFC 239, coming up short against the highly-touted Edmen Shahbazyan.
Marshman’s hiatus, the result of a withdrawal from a November 2019 clash with Markus Perez and the coronavirus pandemic forcing him out of the UFC London card, it will all come to an end tonight in Las Vegas.
The former Cage Warriors 185-pound titleholder will be welcomed back to action by the American, Sean Strickland, who he’ll clash with on Saturday.
We have not seen Sean Strickland (20-3) for two years since his TKO win over Nordine Taleb. A couple months after that fantastic win, Strickland got hit by a car while on his motorcycle which has put him on the sidelines with multiple injuries and even needed knee surgery.
Thankfully he is healthy and restarts his UFC quest at up a division at middleweight. Strickland has a lengthy recovery and rehab process. At times, that was uncertainty on how his body would respond to training and sparring. Yet, nearly two years after the accident, Strickland will make the walk to the octagon again on Halloween night against Marshman. The 29-year-old will also be moving up a weight class to, as previously mentioned fight will be at middleweight.
Here is how the middleweight bout between Sean Strickland and Jack Marshman went down at UFC on ESPN+ 39, including round-by-round scoring. For full results of the event, check them out right here.
ROUND 1:
Keith Peterson is the third man in the octagon. The fight gets underway, both men show respect with a touch of gloves. Both men come out fainting. Strickland walking forward. The pair are trading lead calf kicks. A lot of feints from Marshman. Sean trying to land a one,two down the pipe. Strickland is staying very technical and fighting well of his jab. Both men come and a both land a combination. Strickland lands a heavy right hand counter, backs to Marshman temporarily. A calf kick is checked by Strickland. Just out of range is Marshman as he tried to unload some bombs, Sean counters with his own flurry against the cage. Marshman switching it up and trying to land a jab to the body. A heavy right hand lands from the Welsh fighter and the facial expressions from Strickland soon turns serious, he felt that one. That ends rounds one.
MyMMANews.com scores it: 10-9 to Sean Strickland
ROUND 2:
“Head kicks there” says Strickland’s corner man. Let’s see if we see Strickland take his advice. Round two is underway, both men touch gloves. Early on a lot of feints from Marshman again. Strickland lands a double jab and follows up with a right cross clean. Both men throw punches, they are both out of range. Marshman is wearing the punches on his face now, the damage is starting to show, cut below the left eye of the Welshman. Strickland staying technical more of the same in round two. Sticking to his jab really well and keeping Marshman at range, not letting him get close to unleash his power. Strickland pumping his jab out on the nose of Marshman. Marshman walks forwards with a left hook, Strickland sees it coming and uses his head movement and avoids the punch. Strickland walking down Marshman. Ten seconds to go. Strickland continues to walk down Marshman to the end of the round and the bell goes.
MyMMANews.com scores it: 10-9 to Sean Strickland, 20-18 to Sean Strickland
ROUND 3:
Third and finally round. Strickland was pacing in between rounds and refused to sit down. Strickland is clearly up two rounds. Marshman may have to go for broke to win this fight. Strickland is now talking to Marshman in the cage. Strickland still punishing Marshman with the jab. The jab has been the story of the fight. Both men getting rowdy in the cage, talking to each other. Strickland hyping up Marshman. A lot of feints still from the Welshman. “Why can’t you fall” says Strickland after he lands clean punches on the chin. The face of Marshman is truly telling the story of the fight. Jab, jab, jab. The efficiency and the striking of Sean has been incredible tonight. A jab from Strickland and swipes out of the way to avoid Marshman’s counter. Marshman has some success and reminds Strickland he’s there. “COME ON JACK, 10 SECONDS JACK!” shouts Strickland as they both trade at the end of the third round. The bell goes.
MyMMANews.com scores it: 10-9 to Sean Strickland, 30-27 to Sean Strickland
Official Result: Sean Strickland (30-27 x 3) defeats Jack Marshman by Unanimous Decision.
