Who were the winners at Fight Night: Jacare vs Brunson 2? Click below to get the results for all the fights in Charlotte, North Carolina on January 27, 2018.
Action starts at 8 pm ET
Action starts at 5 pm ET
Justine Kish vs Ji Yeon Kim
Kish looked strong and comfortable in her flyweight debut, more than doubling the significant strikes of her opponent in the stand-up first round. Yeon Kim looked poised and patient throughout, clearly looking for her possible KO opening, but Kish continued to work throughout, and her left hook and leg kicks landed regularly. Sensing she was down in the scorecards, Yeon Kim began swinging for for the fences in the third, agressively hunting down Kish. While the KO she had been seeking never came, her late flurry was enough to spoil Kish's North Carolina homecoming. Split decision for Yeon Kim (29-28, 30-27) over Kish (29-28).Vinc Pichel vs Joaquim Silva
Both fighters were exceedingly patient early on, carefully finding their range. It was midway through the second that they seemed to find some comfort and traded an exact number of strikes and signficant strikes (15/12). Both fighters came out swinging for an upbeat third round, both clearly going for the win in one of the most even fights in recent memory. In the end, however, it was Pichel's slight edge in strikes that was good enough for the decision win, and his fourth straight victory.THEY SAID IT:
Vinc Pichel : “This feels really good. I knew it was a close fight and I was a little nervous about it going to the judges so getting the unanimous decision feels amazing. [Silva] is a very tough guy and was undefeated in the UFC before tonight. We had a real war out there and it’s an honor to be a part of fights like that. In terms of next steps, there’s a guy I’ve been wanting to fight for a long time who I feel is dodging me: Al Iaquinta. We fought during The Ultimate Fighter and I’ve been trying to fight him again ever since. If it’s not him, anybody else will do the trick. They’re all going to get a loss on their record when they fight me so I’m game for whoever wants to fight next.”
Vinc Pichel : “This feels really good. I knew it was a close fight and I was a little nervous about it going to the judges so getting the unanimous decision feels amazing. [Silva] is a very tough guy and was undefeated in the UFC before tonight. We had a real war out there and it’s an honor to be a part of fights like that. In terms of next steps, there’s a guy I’ve been wanting to fight for a long time who I feel is dodging me: Al Iaquinta. We fought during The Ultimate Fighter and I’ve been trying to fight him again ever since. If it’s not him, anybody else will do the trick. They’re all going to get a loss on their record when they fight me so I’m game for whoever wants to fight next.”
Action starts at 4pm ET
Niko Price vs George Sullivan
Despite a second round that was mostly controlled by Sullivan from the top position, hot prospect Niko Price waited for his opening and made a quick transition to execute the rear naked choke late in the round. Price mentioned Darren Till as a fighter he’d like to face during his Octagon interview.THEY SAID IT:
Niko Price:“I didn’t expect the fight to be so back and forth but I was very impressed with his power. He is a brute on the ground and he hits really hard but that’s what makes it so fun to be in this sport. Pushing yourself through tough moments and finding ways to win is what it’s all about. When I felt the tap, it felt like the heavens opened up. That’s the moment we live for as fighters. I hope it was impressive enough to earn me that bonus but, more than anything, I just can’t wait to get back out there and do it again next time!”
Niko Price:“I didn’t expect the fight to be so back and forth but I was very impressed with his power. He is a brute on the ground and he hits really hard but that’s what makes it so fun to be in this sport. Pushing yourself through tough moments and finding ways to win is what it’s all about. When I felt the tap, it felt like the heavens opened up. That’s the moment we live for as fighters. I hope it was impressive enough to earn me that bonus but, more than anything, I just can’t wait to get back out there and do it again next time!”
Austin Arnett vs Cory Sandhagen
Both Arnett and Sandhagen made their UFC debuts in the kickoff to Fight Night Charlotte, but it's Sandhagen who will go home with the special memories of his inaugural Octagon appearance. Arnett waited for an opening for most of the first round to his detriment, as it was Sandhagen who was in control with more than double the strikes. His flurry continued in the second, and it was more than Arnett could handle. A liver shot dropped Arnett to the mat, where Sandhagen moved in for the finish and a TKO at 3:48 in second round.THEY SAID IT:
Cory Sandhagen: “It was very important to me to treat this like any other fight even though I was making my debut. I’ve learned the importance of shutting out nerves and taking things as they come. I look at what I do as an art and I wanted to showcase that. I was able to impose my will and get the finish, which is amazing. Next, I am going to talk to my coaches and see what they think I should do but I feel good and hopefully I’ll be back out there very soon.”
Cory Sandhagen: “It was very important to me to treat this like any other fight even though I was making my debut. I’ve learned the importance of shutting out nerves and taking things as they come. I look at what I do as an art and I wanted to showcase that. I was able to impose my will and get the finish, which is amazing. Next, I am going to talk to my coaches and see what they think I should do but I feel good and hopefully I’ll be back out there very soon.”
