UFC Lincoln: Re-Cap

UFC Lincoln: Re-Cap

The Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska saw the UFC return to action after an extended break and it was certainly worth the wait.

James Vick campaigned for the big fights and the headline spots and for Vick it was very much a case of be careful what you wish for. Justin Gaethje on a two-fight skid took all the pre fight trash talk of his opponent personally and unleashed a right hand that ended the proceedings before the fight had even got going.

Most of us expected another Gaethje war, but he had other ideas and for career longevity the manner of the win was much needed not to mention the win itself. Gaethje after losses to Eddie Alvarez and Dustin Poirier had to win to remain at the top of the lightweight rankings and stop a slide into the also rans, and he duly obliged.

Michael Johnson got a win over Andre Fili, I thought Johnson was fortunate and for me just doesn’t look right at featherweight, I’m not convinced he’s the same fighter he was at lightweight.

We saw the end of the long career of Jake Ellenberger, he announced his retirement after another loss, and it’s a wise decision. The loss to Barberena was his 4th defeat on the spin and he has only won 2 out of his last 11 fights and the slide has been obvious for some time and the call to retire probably should have come sooner.

The flyweight ranks looks to have found a viable new contender in Deiveson Figueiredo, his win over Moraga was impressive enough to suggest a title reign isn’t that out of the question.

Eryk Anders got the finish, a split second way from disqualification maybe, but he closed the show in spectacular fashion. Anders looks a decent prospect, but he waits a little too long to open up and you can see him getting outpointed again if he doesn’t increase his work rate.

Main Card:

Justin Gaethje def. James Vick via 1st-round KO (1:27)
Michael Johnson def. Andre Fili via split decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)
Cortney Casey def. Angela Hill via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
Bryan Barberena def. Jake Ellenberger via 1st-round TKO (2:26)
Deiveson Figueiredo def. John Moraga via 2nd-round TKO (3:08)
Eryk Anders def. Tim Williams via 3rd-round TKO (4:42)