UFC Fight Night 24: Semerzier and Russow Light Up Facebook Prelims

Mackens Semerzier made short work of “Bruce Leroy” in a featherweight bout featured on Facebook during the UFC Fight Night 24 prelims, while Mike Russow came back strong after a long layoff putting Jon Madsen away in their heavyweight match-up.

The big boys came to throw down in Seattle on Saturday night as Mike Russow got the best of Jon Madsen after punches closed the former TUF fighter’s eye, forcing a stoppage between rounds.

The fight between Russow and Madsen ended up being a somewhat sloppy and slow moving stand-up bout, as each man tried his best to land the perfect shot to end the other’s night. Russow was more aggressive throughout both rounds, while Madsen seemed to lose his gas tank after the first three minutes.

Russow looked to take advantage of his opponent’s waning cardio and pushed forward and landed a good overhand punch that left Madsen with a swollen eye, that apparently cut off his vision. The swelling was so bad that between the 2nd and 3rd rounds, the ringside physician called a stop to the bout declaring Mike Russow the winner.

“I think it was that overhand right that I tried to set up,” Russow said about the strike that ended the fight. “It’s been 10 months since I’ve been here, and this camp really worked on my conditioning, and hands a lot. I think it paid off.”

Alex Caceres may be nicknamed “Bruce Leroy” but he didn’t have the power of the “Last Dragon” with him on Saturday night as former WEC featherweight Mackens Semerzier dominated the former “Ultimate Fighter” winner en route to a rear naked choke victory.

It was apparent in the early going that Semerzier wanted to showcase his dominance, and he looked powerful pushing Caceres around the cage before taking the fight to the mat.

Once the fight hit the canvas, it was all Semerzier.

Semerzier took Caceres’ back within a few moments, and as soon as he locked his arm under his opponent’s chin, like a vice grip he tightened the hold and soon forced the tap out.

“I’m pretty happy about my performance, but I ate a left hand that I’m not happy about. I got a bloody nose. My jiu-jitsu was good. Fifteen years of training for 15 minutes – I’m real happy to be here,” Semerzier said after the victory.

“I’ve been working hard. I want to thank my team for training me. I’m happy I got the win, but I have to get better.”

Making the most of his UFC debut, Semerzier looked extremely impressive in a dominant win over Caceres, while “Bruce Leroy” may exit the UFC after the loss and get a chance to improve and then make his way back to the Octagon.