UFC Vancouver results: Tristan Connelly shocks Michel Pereira in front of home crowd
On Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, the UFC returned to Vancouver for UFC on ESPN+ 16.
The event takes place at Rogers Arena and will be headlined by a lightweight showdown between Donald Cerrone and Justin Gaethje. Before “Cowboy” and “The Highlight” take center stage, a welterweight bout takes place on the main card between Michel Pereira and newcomer Tristan Connelly.
Pereira, a viral sensation before getting the call to the UFC, had one of the most memorable Octagon debuts in recent memory with a first round TKO win over Danny Roberts at UFC Rochester. “Demolidor” was originally scheduled to face Sergey Khandozhko on Saturday, but Khandozhko was forced to withdraw due to visa issues. Pereira will now face a new opponent, one he’ll have to forfeit 20-percent of his purse to after missing weight by a pound on Friday.
Vancouver’s own Connelly makes his long-awaited Octagon debut riding a four-fight winning streak, and winning eight out of his last nine. Connelly is a lightweight who is stepping up a weight class to get his shot at the UFC, in his backyard to boot. In his most recent appearance, “Boondock” picked up a fifth-round TKO win over D’Juan Owens in the main event of Rise FC 4 to capture the organization’s lightweight title.
Here is how the welterweight bout between Michel Pereira and Tristan Connelly went down at UFC Vancouver, including round-by-round scoring. For full results of UFC Vancouver, get them right here.
ROUND 1
Pereira, the biggest favorite on the card, breakdancing right in front of Connelly during his introduction. Jason Herzog gets them ready to go and we’re off. Pereira with a front kick and a superman punch. Pereira flipping and turning towards Connelly, who comes out unscathed. Connelly pushes Pereira against the cage and looks for a takedown. Pereira trying to reverse, Connelly lands an elbow on the break. Body kick from Pereira and throws rolling thunder. Connelly says being it on. Body shot hurts Connelly briefly. Pereira spins around and lands a right hand and a knee. Connelly hanging in there and gets taken down by Pereira — which is pretty surprising. Connelly pushes Pereira off, who then does a back flip while Connelly is down. This is nuts! Connelly is now on top, and he jumps to side control. Connelly, back to half guard, and starts landing some short shots. Connelly mounts Pereira, who gets back to his feet. Connelly going right after his opponent, right in his face. They clinch up and Connelly gets the better of the dirty boxing. Connelly locks on a guillotine, and another. Pereira survives. Connelly may have stolen this round.
🤣 Michel Pereira is out here doing gymnastics routines pic.twitter.com/8SJfsqb5N9
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) September 15, 2019
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 for Connelly
ROUND 2
They touch gloves and Connelly has all of the momentum. Body kicks from Connelly, then to the head. Right hand from Pereira and Connelly has this crowd going crazy. Body shot seem Pereira and Connelly shoots for a takedown. Pereira sprawls, looking for a D’arce. Connelly escapes and gets to his feet. Pereira with a shot to the body once again. Connelly pushing forward, landing a right hand. Another right hand from Connelly. Pereira with a right hand and clinch knee. Connelly lands a big right hand, they clinch up and dirty box. Connelly lands hard and Pereira got stunned. Big knee from Pereira and Connelly continues to walk forward. Uppercut and a right hook from Connelly. Pereira shoots, Connelly defends and continues walking Pereira down. Pereira gets a takedown with two minutes left in the round. Connelly trying to work a triangle, but Pereira is able to thwart the attempt. Under 90 seconds to go and Connelly is busy from the bottom with elbows. Connelly looking for a kimura, Pereira escapes. Elbows from the bottom from Connelly. Under 40 seconds to go and back to the fence they go. Connelly trying to improve his position, but Pereira is heavy on top. Connelly looking to work a triangle, perhaps, as the round ends.
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 for Pereira
ROUND 3
Connelly with a big leg kick to start the final round, then shoots in for a takedown, Pereira stuffs it. They battle against the fence. Guillotine from Connelly and it’s tight! Pereira slides out of it and they are back to the feet. Connelly right in his face and Pereira looks completely spent. Right hook from Connelly and Pereira shoots. Connelly stops it easily, tries to take Pereira’s back. Connelly ends up in half guard, looking to mount. Right hammer fist from Connelly. Pereira lands a short elbow and the crowd chants “let’s go Tristan!”. Connelly still on top as we are under two minutes to go. Connelly traps an arm and unloads some big punches. Left hands repeatedly for the Canadian. Connelly continues to land short punches on Pereira and we are under a minute to go. Big hammer fists from Connelly. Shots to the body from Tristan Connelly and a left hand to the head. Connelly opening up with big left hands and elbows. Connelly unloading with a barrage as the horn sounds. The crowd is going absolutely bananas!
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 and the fight 29-28 for Connelly
Official result: Tristan Connelly def. Michel Pereira via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27 x2)
