The octagon descended on Glasgow for the first time since 2015 with the SSE Hydro providing one of the best atmospheres on the calendar of the UFC. So what did we learn in Scotland?
Danny Henry produces a brilliant comeback
Danny Henry produced an outstanding turnaround to defeat Daniel Teymur. Teymur landed at will in the first round with Henry struggling to cope with the Swede’s combination of leg kicks and overhand strikes. The Scot came back in a barnstorming second round to almost finish Teymur, with a rear-naked choke sunk in before the bell rang.
Both showing so much heart. ❤️️
What a fight from Danny Henry and Daniel Teymur. 👏 #UFCGlasgow
Teymur was on borrowed time, with the previously unbeaten Swede looking exhausted as the third round began. Henry began the round quickly and when he secured the takedown, there was no question as to how the fight would end. Teymur was unable to get back to his feet and Henry’s hand was raised infront of an astonishing crowd in Glasgow.
The former doorman from Edinburgh then told fans in his octagon interview “I’m going to go backstage and have some soup” as Scotland got their first victor of the evening.
Galore Bofando produces a rare KO by slam
A lot of questions were raised as to Galore Bofando and Charlie Ward’s credentials as UFC fighters but the former produced a spectacular slam KO with just over two minutes on the clock to win his octagon debut.
What a way to make your debut. 💪 #UFCGlasgow
Bofando was trying to defend the takedown from the Irishman and when turning out of the clinch and avoiding the trip, threw Ward to the ground with a face plant finishing the SBG Ireland prospect.
It was Bofando’s first fight in nearly two-and-a-half years and with such a rare form of knockout, I think we’ll see him back in the octagon soon enough. What a way to make your debut!
Khalil Rountree silenced the crowd
When Paul Craig made his walk to the octagon, the arena erupted for Scotland’s own light heavyweight. The Scottish Hit Squad submission specialist is one of the nation’s favourite stars and was expecting a tough fight against Khalil Rountree, a runner up of the Ultimate Fighter Season 23.
From the off, Rountree pressed the pace and pushed Craig on to the back foot and looked more dangerous as the fight grew on. The Scot struggled to press forward and move out of the American’s range and with a few seconds left in the first round, Rountree threw a high leg kick and followed it up with a right and left combo, dropping Craig to the canvas. Rountree then followed it up with vicious hammerfists, causing the referee to stop the fight with four seconds of the round remaining.
Rountree improves his record to 6-2 with Craig slipping to 9-2.
Paul Felder also didn’t read the script
If you thought Paul Craig’s octagon walk was loud, Stevie Ray’s turned it up a notch. The Edinburgh-based lightweight cranked up the volume as he prepared to face Paul Felder. The Scot started the stronger, utilising the clinch to his advantage before Felder managed to gain control.
The American dropped Ray with knees, followed by punches before landing vicious elbows from the top. The referee was forced to stop the fight with Felder stunning the crowd into a partial moment of silence, before chants of Stevie ‘F****n’ Ray rang out around the arena.
Stevie Ray is now also a free agent, with that being the last fight of his UFC contract. He’s 5-2 in the octagon, but will he get a new deal?
Cynthia Calvillo is a strawweight star
The 30-year old from Sacramento, California took on hometown favourite Joanne Calderwood in her third UFC outing. Calvillo only made her professional mixed martial arts debut less than 11 months ago and had to travel to enemy territory to fight a higher ranked, more experienced opponent.
Calderwood began the quicker, keeping Calvillo at range before the American began to get inside the range. Calvillo then managed to secure the takedown before beginning to lock in an armbar but the Scot was saved by the bell.
In the second round, Calderwood probably landed the better of the strikes, but the round was pretty even. Calvillo was counterpunching and found her timing. Going into the third it was possibly one round to each.
The third round again was a very close round, Calvillo managed to secure a takedown before again working her way towards a finish before the bell put an end to her whilst seeking a rear-naked choke. The judges scorecards ruled in favour of the American and she moves on to bigger things at 115 pounds.
What’s next for Calvillo, is she destined for the top 10?
Ponzinibbio shocks the MMA world
Popular Icelandic welterweight Gunnar Nelson, looked set to continue his march up the division with Santiago Ponzinibbio not deemed to cause Nelson any issues.
In reality, Ponzinibbio came out and after an uneventful first minute stunned Nelson with a right hand which sent the Icelander back pedaling before the Argentinian stalked him down, finishing him with a flurry of strikes including a straight left that sparked Gunnar Nelson down to the ground.
The referee was forced to step in and call an end to the fight with one minute and twenty-two seconds on the clock. The SSE Hydro was stunned by what it had just witnessed, with not many people calling a Ponzinibbio victory.
Santiago Ponzinibbio gets the biggest win of his career with a HUGE KO over Gunnar Nelson! #UFCGlasgow
What’s next for Gunnar Nelson?
