UFC on FOX 25 Results: Weidman vs. Gastelum
UFC on FOX 25, also known as UFC Long Island, was held at the Nassau Coliseum and headlined by a middleweight bout between former champion Chris Weidman and rising contender, Kelvin Gastelum.
Today marked the first time the UFC has held an event on Long Island, and the third time in the Empire State this calendar year, having been in both Brooklyn and Buffalo. Since mixed martial arts was legalized in New York in 2016, the UFC also held events in Albany and at Madison Square Garden.
Of the 22 fighters on the card, 11 were from the New York/New Jersey region. Tiger Schulmann’s MMA sent top prospects Jimmie Rivera, Shane Burgos, and Lyman Good to the Coliseum.
In the main event, Weidman took Gastelum down and worked for a kimura during the first round. Gastelum was able to survive to torque, get out of the maneuver and work to his feet before he landed a powerful left that knocked Weidman down at the end of the round. In round two, the two continued to trade powerful shots but Weidman continued with the relentless take downs. In round three Weidman poured on the punishment, backing Gastelum up with a few shots, but the Ultimate Fighter winner weather the storm and came forward again. That’s when Weidman got the fight to the ground where he applied a tight arm triangle choke to get the submission win, and get back in the win column.
Darren Elkins defeated Dennis Bermudez in the evening’s co-main event via split decision. Elkins will now likely move ahead of Bermudez in the rankings.
Patrick Cummins could barely see out of his eye and his head was split open during an accidental headbutt but somehow, once again, the battered and bloodied light heavyweight pulled out a win. Cummins earned a split decision over Gian Villante.
The number four ranked bantamweight Jimmie Rivera earned two knockdowns over Thomas Almeida in the first round in what could likely be scored a 10-8 round. Rivera earned is 20th consecutive win and his fifth straight in the UFC.
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos vs. Lyman Good was an incredible headlining preliminary bout. These two welterweights pushed the pace back and forth with the Brazilian getting the win over Good who was returning from a six-month USADA suspension.
The former University of Alabama linebacker Eryk Anders made his UFC debut and took the fight to Rafael Natal knocking him out in the first round.
Alex Oliveira defeated New Yorker, Ryan LaFlare via knockout but the fight wasn’t always going in his favor. LaFlare was dominating the fight on the ground and when the fight go back to the feet and LaFlare charged in, Oliveira threw a perfectly timed right hand that knocked LaFlare out cold.
Jeremy Kennedy was unanimous in his victory over Kyle Bochniak tonight. Kennedy earned eight takedowns in the fight and now has 21 takedowns in just three UFC fights. After the win tonight, Kennedy called out Gray Maynard.
Team Oyama’s Marlon “Chito” Vera came into enemy territory to submit Brian Kelleher inside in the first round, in front of Kelleher’s friends and family. Vera’s stock continues to rise.
UFC newcomer Junior Albini made a statement knocking out ranked heavyweight Timothy Johnson inside of one round. Albini might find himself ranked inside the top 15 come Monday.
What a fun fight that was between Shane Burgos and Godofredo Pepey. Burgos was careful to stay away from the ground game of Pepey which resulted in these two standing and trading. Everytime he knock Pepey down with a punch, he forced him to get back up. Burgos remains undefeated at 10-0, with 3 of those wins coming in the UFC.
The first fight on UFC Fight Pass was a rematch from a fight that happened back in Ring of Combat in New Jersey several years ago before both Chris Wade and Frankie Perez were signed to the UFC. Wade won that fight via split decision. Tonight, Perez sought redemption but also a win for his good friend and coach Nick Catone who tragically lost his 18-month old son just two months ago. Unfortunately for Perez and company, the result would be similar to the last time they fought, but this time it was unanimous.
COMPLETE UFC ON FOX 25 RESULTS BELOW:
MAIN CARD (FOX, 8 p.m. ET)
Chris Weidman defeated Kelvin Gastelum via submission (arm triangle choke) – Round 3, 3:45
Darren Elkins defeated Dennis Bermudezvia split decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Patrick Cummins defeated Gian Villante via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Jimmie Rivera defeated Thomas Almeida via decision (29-28, 30-26, 30-27)
PRELIMINARY CARD (FOX, 6 p.m. ET)
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos defeated Lyman Good via split decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Eryk Anders defeated Rafael Natal via knockout – Round 1, 2:54
Alex Oliveira defeated Ryan LaFlare via KO – Round 2, 1:50
Chase Sherman defeated Damian Grabowski via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-27)
PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC Fight Pass, 4 p.m. ET)
Jeremy Kennedy defeated Kyle Bochniak via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Marlon Vera defeated Brian Kelleher via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 2:18
Junior Albini defeated Timothy Johnson via knockout – Round 1, 2:51
Shane Burgos defeated Godofredo Pepey via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 29-28)
Chris Wade defeated Frankie Perez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
