UFC on FOX 30 prelim results and video: Makhachev submits Johnson, Dawodu dominates Arnett

On the televised portion of the UFC on FOX 30 prelims, Jordan Mein deployed a controlling top game on Alex Morono for the bulk of the bout. Morono spent a lot of time on his back across the first-two rounds, and despite going for it in the third, Mein was able to scramble back on top to close out the final round. Also on the card, Calgary’s own Hakeem Dawodu appeared in top form, showcasing his polished striking to earn a commanding decision win over Austin Arnett. Islam Makhachev also did his thing tonight, grounding Kajan Johnson early in the fight, and then submitting him with a gorgeous armbar from the full mount. Opening up the FOX prelims, Gadzhimurad Antigulov started strong, making Ion Cutelaba carry his weight for a good portion of time, but then, the tide turned. Cutelaba started dishing out heavy knees and elbows from the clinch to prompt the first round stoppage. Of course, Cutelaba called out Daniel Cormier in his post-fight interview.

FOX prelims:

Jordan Mein def. Alex Morono by unanimous decision: Welterweight

Mein went right after Morono, swinging with bad intentions and encouraging Morono to do the same. Mein hit a beautiful trip into top position, and controlled Morono until the referee stood them up. Morono gave up another takedown right away, and spent the rest of the round on his back. Mein picked up an early takedown to kick off the second stanza, and actually went from an arm triangle from inside the full guard of Morono. Tons of top control racked up for Mein, plus a couple of mean elbows scored here and there as Morono did not return to his feet in the second round.

Morono went for it in the final frame. He went backed up Mein with his strikes before finding top position. Morono controlled Mein on the ground, before fully committing to a guillotine that led to Mein in top control. Mein attacked the neck of Morono for the rest of the round but couldn’t sniff out a finish.

I mean, just look at these mean elbows from Mein:

Hakeem Dawodu def. Austin Arnett by unanimous decision (30-27 x3): Featherweight

A lot of feinting and feeling out was going on to open up this featherweight fight. Dawodu started to deploy a leg attack, chopping down Arnett with inside and outside attacks. Several welts appeared on the legs of Arnett in the areas that Dawodu was targeting. Arnett circled along the outside for the rest of the round, unable to mount any substantial offense.

Arnett began throwing straights right down the pipe to connect early in the second stanza. Dawodu attacked the body with punches, but Arnett continued to land his straight punches. The punches of Dawodu started to land, both high and low, when he began to counter the forward pressure of Arnett. Dawodu finished up the round strong, owning the center of the Octagon and touching Arnett whenever he got close. Arnett forced a takedown early in the final round, but Dawodu easily shrugged it off and continued to pop away in the center of the cage. The strikes began adding up for Dawodu as he did not take his foot off of the gas, and continued to chase down a finish until the final bell.

Dawodu is pretty sick with the strikes:

Islam Makhachev def. Kajan Johnson by submission (Armbar) at 4:43 of round 1: Lightweight

Johnson circled the outside as Makhachev brought the forward pressure to start the bout. Tons of feeling out was going on, but Makhachev did blast a takedown with about 90 seconds remaining in the opening round. Makhachev quickly took the full mount, and beautifully transitioned to an armbar, and after a minor adjustment, Johnson was forced to tap.

Ion Cutelaba def. Gadzhimurad Antigulov by TKO at 4:25 of round 1: Light Heavyweight

Antigulov picked up an early takedown here, forcing Cutelaba to work from his back. Cutelaba was forced to carry the weight of Antigulov across the first-half of the opening round, but did manage to get back to his feet and sneak in some damaging blows here and there. Antigulov ate a couple of mean knees from the clinch, and then ate several elbows and uppercuts before the referee stepped in to stop the fight.

This is some mighty fine clinch work from Ion Cutelaba: