Seattle, WA – The UFC on FOX 8 fight card is not only top heavy, but the preliminary portion of the card has some very high level fights on it as well.
UFC on FOX 8: Johnson vs Moraga Preliminary Report
MMASucka.com will be bringing you a live report after each preliminary fight happens with post-fight reaction from the winners (and sometimes the losing fighters as well).
Keep it locked beginning at approximately 1:15pm PT/4:15pm ET.
Yaotzin Meza def. John Albert via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 2:49 of Round 2
A grappling duel started off the UFC on FOX 8 fight card, as Albert and Meza traded submission attempts on the mat. The hometown boy Albert had the crowd cheering the entire fight, that was until Meza turned the tablesand locked in a rear naked choke to finish the fight in the second round.
“We knew he was going to go out there and that we were going to have a strong first round. I’ve seen his videos and he always comes out strong in the first round then dies off. I knew I just had to get passed the first round. I had him in that tight guillotine and he got out. I just kept trying to push the pace. I heard him getting tired. Going into the second, we got into a little scramble and we ended up in that triangle. When he got me in there, I wanted to pick him up and throw him but I knew I was going to get tired. So, I put him back down and I was able to remain calm. I felt his legs starting to get tired and when he gave me a little breather, I was able to get out. Once I got out, I felt his whole body was dead, so I was able to control him. I wanted to keep hitting him but then I figured we might as well just get it over with. So I took control and finished it off.”
Justin Salas def. Aaron Riley via Split Decision (29-28,28-29,29-28)
Both Riley and Sales seemed content just standing and banging for the first round. Sales landed two takedowns, but Riley wanted no part and got immediately back to the feet. As round 1 ended, both men had some blood splattered on their faces. Sales landed a takedown early in the second round, but again Riley got back to his feet. Round 2 ended the same way the first did, with both men trading shots. The pace continued through the final frame right til the bell sounded.
Justin Salas:
“That’s the fight I’ve been waiting for. I wanted to go out there and show the world I’m a fighter. My last fight I was really disappointed that I didn’t get to show who I am and how I fight. But, I’m getting more and more comfortable in there. I’m just going to keep working and getting better and keep developing my game. I knew he was tough and I felt like we were going to get into a battle because we both have similar styles. It was a great experience and I can’t wait to keep evolving. This is what I’ve been dreaming of my whole life and now that I’m here, I don’t want to leave. I want to be here and I want to keep climbing the mountain.”
Aaron Riley:
“It was a good scrap. It was just a tough loss. Hats off to him.”
Germaine de Randamie def. Julie Kedzie via Split Decision (30-27,28-29,29-28)
The women take to the cage and bring it right from the get go. The two clinched against the cage and battled for control for the better part of the first round. With a minute and a half left the referee decided to break the two up and they took to the center of the Octagon. The two traded for the first couple of minutes, then Kedzie was able to take the fight to the mat and finish the round in top position. The final frame was very similar to the other two; Kedzie wound up getting a takedown with just over thirty seconds to go.
Germaine de Randamie:
“I wanted to leave with a little bit more. But, I’ve been out for a year and I feel that I started off a little bit stiff in the beginning. I have to say, Julie is a veteran, and all the respect to her. This is amazing, and it’s a dream come true that I’m the first Dutch women to step into the Octagon.”
Julie Kedzie:
“Every fight you look back and you don’t think you preformed your best. I didn’t listen to my coaches enough. I didn’t see a 30-27 score, I thought I won the second round and I thought the third round was pretty close but I can see them giving it to her. I’m proud I stood with the fiercest female kick boxer in the world, but I’m disappointed in my debut. Dana, I can do better.”
Ed Herman def. Trevor Smith via Split Decision (30-27, 27-30,29-28)
Herman landed a giant right hand, which forced Smith to immediately clinch and push the fight against the cage. When the two split from the cage both men rocked each other. They then met in the center of the cage and Smith once again cracked Herman with a stiff shot. Herman was wobbly and got hit again, but kept pushing forward. Herman landed an uppercut followed by a knee which stunned Smith, but the two once again clinched against the cage. With one-minute left the two heavy handed strikers separated and began throwing again. The round ended with the two slugging it out against the cage. A high-kick landed by Herman and he immediately pounced on a turtled Smith. Defense didn’t seem to be what these two game-planned. Midway through the second round Smith landed a takedown, but Herman almost immediately cage-climbed his way back to the feet. Herman landed a sneaky takedown with about thirty seconds left and finished the round in side-control. The two touched gloves to start round three and just threw down. Herman landed a takedown, but ended up in a half-guard guillotine attempt. He manoeuvred his way out of it and positioned himself for an arm-triangle choke. Smith was able to work his way out of it and the two ended up back on their feet. The pace slowed midway through the third round, but both men continued to throw down. A hard fought battle from bell to bell. Dana White revealed after the fight that Smith fought with a broken hand for the majority of the bout.
Ed Herman:
“It was a battle, he was tough. He rocked me a few times and he was definitely testing me throughout. He was taking my punches a lot better than I thought he’d be able to. I’m just happy I got the win and glad to get out of here in pretty good shape. I’m going to take a few weeks off and then get back to it.”
Trevor Smith:
“I thought I won, but it was a close fight, so I’ll give him the credit. I hope it was exciting for the fans. I’ll be back.”
Daron Cruickshank def. Yves Edwards via Split Decision (30-27,27-30,30-27)
A feeling out process to start the fight. Cruickshank landed a well timed high kick, but Edwards just shoved it off. Edwards stalked Cruickshank for the entire round, but Cruickshank utilized some good leg kicks and high kicks to keep him at bay. Round 2 seemed to be a mirror image of the first, even the high kicks that Cruickshank was landing. Cruickshank landed a glancing spinning back fist to end the second round. Yet another high kick to begin the round from Cruickshank. Cruickshank continued to utilize kicks throughout the third round and even landed a nice axe kick.
Daron Cruickshank:
“I feel the crowd may not have seen it, but it was actually a very technical fight. I shut Edwards down, he didn’t know what to do against me. Every time he came in, I hit him three or four times. I was on the retreat because he put a lot of pressure on me and I wasn’t just going to stand there in front of him. But, when I was in front of him, I hit him.”
Yves Edwards:
“I feel like I won the fight. I feel like I won the first and third round for sure.”
Melvin Guillard def. Mac Danzig via Knockout at 2:47 of Round 2
Guillard utilized his speed in the first round and out landed Danzig by a landslide. His footwork added to it gave Danzig fits throughout round 1. Round 2 started the same, but Guillard was able to land a huge punch which dropped Danzig and followed up with some brutal ground and pound.
Melvin Guillard:
“I wasn’t really trying to do anything except fight my fight. He just ran into a stiff jab. Adjusting and putting that jab out there was key. Me and my coaches have been working on it and it worked out great tonight. This win means a lot to me. It means I can put those two losses behind me. I can get back to winning and get back to the top five. There’s no pressure, as long as I’m well prepared and train hard, no one can beat me at 155. This is a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.”
Danny Castillo def. Tim Means via Unanimous Decision (29-28,29-28,29-28)
Castillo looked for a takedown right off the hop, but missed and ended up landing on the second attempt. Castillo spent half of the round in Means’ guard landing some nice elbows. When the two got back to their feet, Castillo took the back and landed a nice belly-to-back suplex. He had Means’ back for seconds before the two got back to the feet. Once again Castillo was able to land a powerful takedown and finished the round in Means’ guard. To start the second, Castillo looked to use a takedown, but Means stuffed it and landed a nice knee. The pace slowed down midway through the round. Castillo was able to utilize his takedown to finish off the round. Midway through the third round Means landed two knees from the thai clinch, but Castillo just took them. When Means landed another knee, Castillo instantly went for the takedown. Means however was able to retain top position and ended up in side control.With one minute left, Means stood up and threw down a couple bombs. The two were back to their feet with thirty seconds left.
Danny Castillo:
“He’s a tough guy and he came in heavy. I don’t really have any excuses, but he was tough. My performance wasn’t what I planned it would be, but I’m happy because it’s another win and I earned it.”
Tim Means:
“I feel that takedowns count for too much. I feel if the guy is going to get on top, he needs to earn the points and not just lay there. I landed more strikes off my back than he did on top. It was a last minute fight and things went well except for the last day because the weight cut was hard on short notice. No big deal though. I lost that one, but it was a competitive fight.”
Jorge Masvidal def. Michael Chiesa via Submission (D’Arce Choke) at 4:59 of Round 2
Chiesa gets a huge round of applause as the hometown favorite. The hometown boy looked for a takedown instantly and after a bit of a struggle he was able to put Masvidal on his back. The two made their way back to their feet and ended up clinched against the fence. Chiesa landed a beautiful left hand that dropped Masvidal and followed up with ground and pound. When Masvidal came to his senses, Chiesa looked for a guillotine choke. On the way up the two traded shot for shot. The round ended with both men throwing some nice punches. Chiesa utilized the same strategy for round two and came out with a takedown, but Masvidal locked in a guillotine. Chiesa made his way out of it and ended up clinching with his foe against the cage. Masvidal grabbed a hold of Chiesa’s leg on an attempted body kick and Chiesa tried to cartwheel kick him. However, he ended up on his back with Masvidal in his closed guard. The tides had changed near the end of round 2 with Masvidal landing blow after blow. At the end of the second round Masvidal locked in an extremely tight d’arce choke to finish the fight with just one second left on the clock.
Jorge Masvidal:
“It was a good fight but I didn’t like my performance. I was so mad when I realized I got clipped that I said if he doesn’t put me to sleep here then I knew I’d get him. It didn’t hurt me, it just stunned me. He did a level change and it was beautiful. He faked a shot and threw the straight left and I didn’t see it. I just want top ten guys from here on out.”
