UFC on FOX 19 came and went, producing a night of entertaining action that saw seven of 11 bouts end inside the distance. After the event concluded, the UFC awarded $50,000 to two fighters for ‘Performance of the Night’ and two fighters for ‘Fight of the Night’. The lines to wager on these props were available at Several Bookmakerss. UFC on FOX 19’s Post-Fight Bonus-Award winners were… Elizeu Zaleski and Omari Akhmedov earn Fight of the Night honors for their battle to kick off the Fight Pass prelims of the evening, and they certainly card the show started on a high-note. Both welterweights had their moments throughout the contest, but it was Zaleski ultimately getting the better of Akhmedov, until eventally stopping in with strikes in the third and final round of action. Zaleski picks up his first UFC victory, while Akhmedov drops to a two-fight skid inside the Octagon, with both defeats coming by way of third round TKO. Noteworthy fight(s): – Rose Namajunas defeated Tecia Torres via unanimous decision on the judges’ scorecards and a back and forth battle that saw both 115-pounders have their moments. The victory makes them 1-1 with Torres’ previous victory over “Thug” and it puts her on an impressive three fight winning streak, likely setting her up for the next crack at the women’s strawweight gold. – Raquel Pennington defeated Bethe Correia via split decision on the judges’ scorecards following three competitive rounds of action. It was a good fight for both ladies and a big win for Pennington. Glover Teixeira earns Performance of the Night (formerly, Knockout of the Night) Teixeira stopped former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion “Suga” Rashad Evans with strikes in the opening stanza and respectfully called out Evans’ Blackzilian team-mate Anthony “Rumble” Johnson following the victory. It was a great win for Teixeira and a solid highlight to add to his reel. He improves to a three fight winning streak with three finishes and fight fans hope for the Teixeira/Rumble pairing. Noteworthy T/KO(s): – Santiago Ponzinibbio defeatd Court McGee via first round TKO, becoming the first man to stop “The Crusher” with strikes. An impressive win for the Argentenian, who improves to a two-fight winning streak inside the Octagon, with both victories coming by way of first round TKO. – Khabib Nurmagomedov dominated short notice promotional newcomer Darrell Horcher, ultimately stopping him via TKO in the second round of action. “The Eagle” looked sharp in his return following an extended injury layoff. – John Dodson made quick work of Manny Gamburyan in his return to 135-pounds, stopping “The Anvil” with striks early in the opening stanza. – Elizeu Zaleski’s aforementioned third round T/KO of Omari Akhmedov, which earned the pair ‘Fight of the Night’ honors. Michael Chiesa earns Performance of the Night (formerly, Submission of the Night) Chiesa was outstruck by Beneil Dariush in the opening round of their contest scheduled for three, and it appeared to be more of the same in the second, until Chiesa was able to take the Iranian’s back during a scramble, ultimately locking up on a rear naked choke. The choke was not under the chin, but it was cranking tight on his jaw and Dariush was forced to tap, giving Chiesa his third straight victory inside the Octagon, and arguably the most impressive victory of his professional mixed martial arts career. He has now tapped out decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts in back to back fights in Jim Miller and Dariush. Noteworthy Submission(s): – Michael Graves defeated then-fellow undefeated Randy Brown via rear naked choke in the second round of action. Graves proved to be the superior mixed martial artist of the two and his superior grappling was the difference-maker, as he was able to dominate Brown on the mat, ultimately taking his back and sinking in the choke to remain undefeated while handing his opponent his first pro defeat.
