UFC Fight Night 144 Results: Jose Aldo pulls off an incredible win, TJ Dillashaw called out after the main event
UFC returned to Fortaleza, Brazil with a Fight Night card that had an exciting balance of veterans as well as young prospects looking to begin 2019 on a winning note.
Jose Aldo and Demian Maia turned back the clock against hungry up-and-comers while a new Bantamweight title contender rose to the occasion in the main event of the evening. It was a night full of finishes and elite level fighting as the fans who filled up the Northeast Olympic Training Centre certainly got their money's worth.
On that note, let's jump right into the results and highlights:
UFC Fight Night 144 Prelims Results
Markus Perez def. Anthony Hernandez via submission (Anaconda Choke) (1:07, Round 1)
Mara Romero Borella def. Taila Santos via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Thiago Alves def. Max Griffin via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Jair Rozenstruik def. Junior Albini via TKO (head kick and punches) (0:54, Round 2)
Geraldo de Freitas Jr. def. Felipe Dias Colares via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Said Nurmagomedov def. Ricardo Ramo via TKO (spinning back kick and punches) (2:28, Round 1)
Rogerio Bontorin def. Magomed Bibulatov via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Livinha Souza vs. Sarah Frota (Women's Strawweight)
This was the UFC debut for undefeated Sarah Frota (9-0), who missed weight by nearly 7 pounds. This was former Invicta Strawweight Champion Livinha Souza's third UFC fight who was going into the fight with a 13-1 record.
Round 1: The women began with a high ten to kick off the main card proceedings of the night. Frota looked the to impose her size advantage as the fight went straight to the ground within the first minute.
Frota was on top at full guard after a brief scramble as Souza landed a few punches from the bottom. Souza attempted the armbar before going back to full guard as Frota was encouraged to be more active on the mat. She worked the body with a few shots before Souza almost got in another sneaky armbar. Frota turned around and both women were back up on their feet.
Souza sprawled and shot for a takedown but Frota defended well. Both women clinched on the fence as we neared the end of the round. Souza worked the single leg takedown and wrestled Frota down for a takedown as we entered the final 10 seconds of the round. It was a bit careless on Frota's part to go down on her back that easy to end the round.
10-9 Souza
Round 2: Frota was weirdly not using her size to pepper Souza with the jabs as her corner failed to highlight the obvious fact. Souza connected with a right that seemed to have rocked Frota. Souza landed another successful takedown and assumed full guard position.
Souza was unable to pass guard as she was locked down by Frota's feet. The referee got them up due to inactivity. The fight went back to the mat as Souza landed yet another takedown. A few hammer fists from the top and the fight was back up.
Frota got a few good left shots and locked in the clinch. A few strong kees to Souza but Souza hung on. She took the fight to the mat again, transitioned to Frota's back and got in the hooks. She locked in the rear naked choke but sadly ran out of time.
10-9 Souza
Round 3: A good body kick by Souza but Frota answered with a right hand followed by a left hook. Souza used her Judo background to good effect as she notched up four takedowns up until that point.
Frota got Souza down and took the full guard position. Souza was more than happy to go to the ground and landed shots from her back. Frota, though, controlled from top position but didn't do much as the referee stood them up.
Souza shot for a loose takedown but failed. Frota with a good body kick as she continued to press forward. Frota stuffed a takedown attempt and stayed on the mat. Frota landed a few kicks as Souza remained on the ground waiting for Frota to jump in. Frota didn't take the bait as the ref called for Souza to get up as the fans grew restless.
Frota landed a power left which visibly hurt Souza. Frota pressed with a one-two as she looked to for the killer blow. The fight, however, came to a close as both ladies went the distance.
10-9 Frota
Result: Livinha Souza def. Sarah Frota via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Apart from a few knocks, it was a largely clinical performance by the Brazilian Gangster who snapped the undefeated streak of the debuting Frota, who was fined 40% of her fight purse for missing weight.