Before the main card begins, the UFC always treats fans to preliminary action. Well the UFC 200 prelims could easily headline any PPV card out there.
Following each bout on the preliminary card, MMASucka.com will give a report of the match and grade each winners performance.
UFC 200 Prelims Report
FOX Sports 1 Prelims
Cat Zingano vs. Julianna Pena
Zingano comes out aggressive and gets a couple of takedowns right off the hop. A failed takedown by Zingano put Pena on top in a dominating position. The number three and number five ranked women’s bantamweights fought a very competitive first round. Pena landed way more strikes from the bottom than Zingano did on the top. Zingano off her back tried to lock in a reverse triangle, but was unable to finish the TUF winner. Pena had total control of Zingano for the entire second round, with back control for the majority of the latter half. The third round began with Pena taking Zingano down — again. The third round resembled the second round, with Pena dominating the grappling game. Despite finishing the round on her back, Pena dominated the entire third frame.
Julianna Pena – B+
Julianna Pena def. Cat Zingano via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Johny Hendricks vs. Kelvin Gastelum
A clean shaven “Big Rigg” comes out with some bouncy footwork and moving away from Gastelum’s constant pressure. Gastelum’s footwork has come a long way since his days on The Ultimate Fighter. Gastelum utilized his angles to land some serious combinations over the course of the first round. A more aggressive Hendricks started the second round. “Big Rigg” dictated the pace in the second and looked to clinch as well. The third round was much of the same, Gastelum still light on his feet and Hendricks looking to clinch and take down.
Kelvin Gastelum – C+
Kelvin Gastelum def. Johny Hendricks via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
T.J. Dillashaw vs. Raphael Assuncao
Despite being out of action for some time, Assuncao looked very calm inside the Octagon at the beginning of the first round. Both men traded leg kicks and nice punches in the first round. It was a very tough round to score. The first part of the second round, Dillashaw took over and set the pace. The Brazilian was able to land his own strikes, but Dillashaw was the clear victor of the middle frame. A very close third round was won by Dillashaw taking Assuncao down with just under one-minute to go in the fight.
T.J. Dillashaw – B
T.J. Dillashaw def. Raphael Assuncao via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Sage Northcutt vs. Enrique Marin
The opening fight on the FOX Sports 1 prelims was kicked off by “Super” Sage, who is the UFC’s golden child and while he did not finish the fight, he did do enough to earn the judges nod. Heck, he even fought off a pretty tight armbar by Marin in the second round.
Marin looked disappointed by the judges scorecards when Bruce Buffer read the decision.
Sage Northcutt – C+
Sage Northcutt def. Enrique Marin via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
UFC Fight Pass Prelims
Joe Lauzon vs. Diego Sanchez
Lauzon stormed to the middle of the cage and landed strikes at will to begin the first round. A few nice punches and elbows stunned Sanchez and ultimately led to the end of the TUF 1 champion. Lauzon punished Sanchez up against the cage, which led to a very late stoppage by the referee.
Joe Lauzon – A+
Joe Lauzon def. Diego Sanchez via TKO (Strikes) at 1:26 of Round 1
Gegard Mousasi vs. Thiago Santos
Santos had his moments during this fight, however when he landed a couple well timed combinations, Mousasi had had enough and put a barrage of his own on the Brazilian. Mousasi was able to drop Santos and finish with punches just before the end of the first frame.
Gegard Mousasi – A
Gegard Mousasi def. Thiago Santos via TKO (Punches) at 4:32 of Round 1
Jim Miller vs. Takanori Gomi
The first fight of the preliminary card started with a bang. Two wily veterans tussled and it took just over two-minutes for Miller to seal the deal and finish Gomi.
Jim Miller – A
Jim Miller def. Takanori Gomi via TKO (Punches) at 2:18 of Round 1
