UFC Philly: Justin Gaethje adds another blistering finish to his highlight reel

E. Spencer Kyte

UFC Philly: Justin Gaethje adds another blistering finish to his highlight reel image

The UFC ended a seven-year absence in “The City of Brotherly” love on Saturday night, returning to Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia with a 13-fight card airing live on ESPN and capped by a highly- anticipated lightweight scrap between all-action standouts Edson Barboza and Justin Gaethje.

Outside of the main event, this card didn’t feature many bouts that carried immediate divisional impact, but that doesn’t mean it was without intriguing, important pairings.

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With the remainder of the main card split between familiar names and emerging talents, Saturday’s fight card was one of those events destined to be crucial two or three fights down the line as the victors continue to build on the momentum they generated this weekend as 2019 rolls on. None of these performances are likely to produce an immediate title shot, but the results will have ripple effects on various divisions and could prove to be pretty important in a couple more bouts.

Plus, it produced one of the best back-to-back-to-back finishes to wrap up a card in quite some time and sent everyone into the "bye week" itching for more.

Here are the key takeaways to keep in mind from each of the main card fights in Philly.

Justin Gaethje def. Edson Barboza by KO (punch) at 2:30 of Round 1

This was a classic Gaethje fight for as long as it lasted, as aptly named “Highlight” turned this one into a demolition derby right out of the chute and then detonated a nuclear right hand over the top that sent Barboza crashing to the floor in a catatonic state.

Both men came out firing, trading leg kicks and happily going shot-for-shot in the pocket, with Gaethje getting the better of it right away. While Barboza survived getting clipped early, he was too willing to accept fighting on Gaethje’s terms and midway through the round, the Colorado-based savage made him pay.

Gaethje connected with the same right hand that felled James Vick last summer, only he was traveling in the opposite direction this time, as Barboza circled into the power, while Vick got caught trying to get out of the way.

Even though it only lasted 150 seconds, this one was somehow still even better than anticipated.

 

 

What does it mean: First and foremost, I think this one solidifies Gaethje as the most exciting and entertaining fighter on the UFC roster because the guy is in there throwing hammers at all times and whether he wins or loses, you always come away from his fights feeling like you need a post-coital cigarette.

Not only will this performance vault Gaethje back into the Top 5 and set him up for something equally big or bigger down the line — like maybe a date with the winner of the fight between Cowboy Cerrone and Al Iaquinta — but it also establishes him as a main event fixture for cards like this going forward. You couldn’t ask for a better way to close out an ESPN broadcast and Gaethje has the potential to become an even bigger star after a performance like this.

This is a tough loss for Barboza because in all likelihood, it closes the door on his hopes of one day challenging for the lightweight title. He’s one of the best lightweights in the world, but there are very clearly six or seven fighters ahead of him in the division, which means he’s best suited to being a gatekeeper to the upper echelon in the 155-pound ranks.

It’s not bad work if you can get it, but it’s also not the role anyone sets out looking to earn. Unfortunately for the talented and incredibly likable Brazilian, he competes in the best division in the sport and he’s just not quite as good as the elite fighters in the weight class.

Jack Hermansson def. David Branch by submission (guillotine choke) at 0:49 of Round 1

You’re not going to find many better efforts in a showcase opportunity than this performance from Hermansson in Philadelphia.

“The Joker” came out and took the fight to Branch, using his strikes to close the distance before hitting a beautiful foot sweep to bring the fight to the ground. He quickly started hunting for his signature modified guillotine, prompting Branch to grab a handful of fence in order to defend being dragged into the hold.

It didn’t matter.

Hermansson clamped onto the arm-in, off-center choke, tightened his grip and forced the Renzo Gracie black belt to tap, securing the biggest win of his career and his third straight finish inside the Octagon.

What does it mean: Not only is Hermansson is going to break into the rankings after this one, but his days of operating under the radar in the middleweight division should be over.

This was a dominant effort from the steadily improving former Cage Warriors standout, who has won five of his last six, all by way of stoppage. While there is nothing flashy to Hermansson’s game, he’s a jack-of-all-trades who is tough and unrelenting, which makes him a tough out for everyone and the kind of guy who just keeps making steady progress with each successive appearance.

Middleweight is in a state of flux right now, with an interim title fight on the horizon, former champions and contenders decamping for light heavyweight and guys like Hermansson suddenly making serious noise.  He’ll have a number beside his name come Monday, he should find himself in the cage with another Top 10 talent next time out and he’s now someone you have to look at as a dark horse contender to track in the 185-pound weight class.

Josh Emmett def. Michael Johnson by KO (punch) at 4:14 of Round 3

Over the first 10 minutes of this one, Emmett was a step behind, coming up just short on a number of strikes and struggling to string together combinations as Johnson did a good job of sticking and moving and staying out of trouble. Knowing he was likely down two rounds, the Team Alpha Male member came out more aggressive in the third and finally started to get Johnson’s timing down.

As the bout entered the final minute, Emmett uncorked an overhand right that caught Johnson on the button and sent him crashing to the canvas stiff as a board.

What does it mean: For Emmett, this is a massive win following an extended layoff after being on the receiving end of a similar finish that left him with a shattered face.

He got hustled into the Top 10 a little quickly after his blistering knockout of Ricardo Lamas, then fell back following his loss to Jeremy Stephens. This effort should make it clear that he’s a legitimate Top 10 featherweight and an ideal candidate to face some of these up-and-coming young talents who need to prove themselves against more veteran competition before they start getting matchups with the marquee names in the division.

Emmett is one of those veteran talents that every division needs who never gets enough credit, but is capable of delivering efforts like this on a regular basis. Turn him loose against someone like Yair Rodriguez or Mirsad Bektic and let’s see what happens.

Michelle Waterson def. Karolina Kowalkiewicz by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

This was the best performance of Waterson’s career and that’s saying something because she’s scored some impressive wins and earned a title in impressive fashion back in her Invicta FC days.

Waterson was far more aggressive out of the gate in this one, taking the fight to Kowalkiewicz in the opening round. In the second, she hit a swift head-and-arm throw that landed her in side control, where she rode out the majority of the frame before attacking an armbar late. Though the Polish standout started hot in the third, Waterson weathered Kowalkiewicz’ attack and responded, pulling away down the stretch.

What does it mean: Honestly, this probably means that Waterson will face the winner of the upcoming strawweight title fight between Rose Namajunas and Jessica Andrade. She’s won three straight, is coming off her best performance and has been someone the promotion has made an effort to showcase and promote over the last couple years.

Personally, I would rather see Waterson go out and beat someone like Weili Zhang or Joanna Jedrzejczyk in order to secure a title shot, with the winner of the fight between Tatiana Suarez and Nina Ansaroff getting the next championship opportunity, but maybe that’s just me.

Whether things shake out that way or not, this is a big step forward for Waterson, who has historically struggled with fighters positioned ahead of her in the rankings. She controlled this one from the outset and showed improved strength and aggression, putting together all of her skills in her most complete performance to date.

As for Kowalkiewicz, she’s in a weird spot right now as she’s just 2-4 over her last six, but those losses have come against Namajunas, Jedrzejczyk, Claudia Gadelha and now Waterson, a collection of the top fighters in the division. She 33 and should remain a fixture in the Top 10 going forward, though she needs a bounce-back win in a big way next time out.

Paul Craig def. Kennedy Nzechukwu by submission (triangle choke) at 4:20 of Round 3

For the first 10 or 12 minutes of this fight, people on Twitter were pretty disappointed, as Nzechukwu struggled to cut off the cage as Craig moved backward and looked to force the inexperienced newcomer to grapple.

Just when it seemed like Nzechukwu was going to ride out top position or attack with elbows from half guard, the Scottish submission ace off-balanced the Fortis MMA representative and latched on to a last-minute triangle choke to secure the finish.

What does it mean: Every UFC fighter should watch the way Craig works when he’s on his back and find ways to incorporate elements of it into their game as much as possible because the light heavyweight “Bearjew” never stops looking for setups and submissions and he’s now managed to snare to late-stage victories as a result.

Craig is limited, but he’s a perfect fit in this role as a tricky matchup for newcomers with a little bit of hype or potential. He’s the kind of guy those athletes need to beat in order to justify the buzz behind them and every time he turns one back, he buys himself two more appearances in the Octagon.

This fight was full of teachable moments for Nzechukwu, who still looks like the MMA version of a baby giraffe in there. You can see the potential and understand how things project going forward, but right now, he’s still just learning and figuring things out. He had quality moments in this one and the raw materials to make serious gains over the next couple of years.

But this one is going to sting for a while.

Sodiq Yusuff def. Sheymon Moraes by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 29-28)

In a tight, technical battle between two talented upstarts, Yusuff pulled away by finally landing a clean right hand late in the third round that put Moraes on the canvas. Though he wasn’t able to finish after following the Brazilian to the ground, the knockdown and subsequent offense was enough to swing the deciding frame in his favor and give the featherweight prospect his second consecutive UFC win.

What does it mean: This is a very good win for Yusuff, who does a very good job of fighting within himself and finding a way to land his shots. He doesn’t over-extend. He doesn’t chase. He never gets wild. He just comes forward offering combinations and paying attention to his defense.

Moraes is overlooked and underrated and Yusuff did well to pick his spots, take what was there and make things count in the third when the former World Series of Fighting title challenger started reaching a little.

These are the kind of quality building block performances that often slide by without much fanfare, but end up standing out as key moments in the development of a promising young fighter. The 25-year-old Yusuff continues to flash potential and a win like this will continue to foster confidence and propel him further in his development.

UFC Philadelphia Results

  • Justin Gaethje def. Edson Barboza by KO (punch) at 2:30 of Round 1
  • Jack Hermansson def. David Branch by submission (guillotine choke) at 0:49 of Round 1
  • Josh Emmett def. Michael Johnson by KO (punch) at 4:14 of Round 3
  • Michelle Waterson def. Karolina Kowalkiewicz by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Paul Craig def. Kennedy Nzechukwu by submission (triangle choke) at 4:20 of Round 3
  • Sodiq Yusuff def. Sheymon Moraes by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Marina Rodriguez def. Jessica Aguilar by unanimous decision (29-26, 29-27, 29-27)
  • Desmond Green def. Ross Pearson by TKO (strikes) at 2:52 of Round 1
  • Kevin Aguilar def. Enrique Barzola by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Kevin Holland def. Gerald Meerschaert by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
  • Casey Kenneny def. Ray Borg by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
  • Maryna Moroz def. Sabina Mazo by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Alex Perez def. Mark de la Rosa by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

E. Spencer Kyte