The UFC Brooklyn main card is in progress. The company’s #15 ranked lightweight Gregor Gillespie hit a buzzer-beating TKO on UFC veteran Yancy Medeiros with just one second remaining in the second round. This is Gillespie’s sixth straight UFC victory and fifth straight finish as the undefeated 13-0 fighter continues to move up the ladder. The UFC’s #2 flyweight Joseph Benavidez fought a gritty decision with the #8 ranked Dustin Ortiz. Benavidez was able to come up with a big punch that dropped Ortiz at the end of the second round, which aided him in securing the unanimous decision.
Before that, Paige VanZant moved herself back into the win column when she picked up a second round submission on Rachael Ostovich. Opening up the UFC Brooklyn main card, the #12 ranked light heavyweight Glover Teixeira overcame some early adversity to rally and realize a first-round submission of Karl Roberson. Teixeira has alternated wins and losses in his last seven bouts.
Main card:
Gregor Gillespie def. Yancy Medeiros by TKO at 4:59 of round 2: Lightweight
Gillespie quickly shot in on his opponent and started making Medeiros carry his weight. Several knees to the body scored for Gillespie as Medeiros struggled to find any separation. Gillespie continued to rag-doll Medeiros and own the opening round.
It didn’t take very long before Gillespie shot in and claimed a takedown. Rinse and repeat. Medeiros gave up the full mount and Gillespie began to land some damaging punches. Gillespie continued to remain glued to his opponent, not giving Medeiros any room to breathe. Towards the end of the round, Gillespie went hard with the strikes as time was running out, and was able to get the TKO stoppage.
Joseph Benavidez def. Dustin Ortiz by unanimous decision (29-28 x3): Flyweight
Benavidez attacked the leg of his opponent to open up the fight. Ortiz shot in but was met with a guillotine attempt from Benavidez. The scramble ensued. Benavidez caught Ortiz with an overhand left that dropped Ortiz with about one minute remaining in the round. Benavidez took top position for the remainder of the round.
Benavidez was on the hunt for the takedown in the second act. Ortiz worked his takedown defense and moved forward behind his strikes, until Benavidez engaged in a prolonged grappling exchange. The flyweights took turns taking each other’s back before the bout returned to its feet. Ortiz hit a Rock Bottom-esque takedown in the final minute of the round and then took the back before time ran out.
Benavidez scored himself a takedown in the third and worked vigorously for the back, but gave up his back in the process. The scramble continued and Benavidez made his way to the back of Ortiz where he was able to control for some time. They scrambled it out for the remaining minute of the round and traded on the feet for the final seconds.
Paige VanZant def. Rachael Ostovich by submission (Armbar) at 1:50 of round 2: (W) Flyweight
PVZ came out setting up her head kick, before Ostovich manifested a takedown in the middle of the Octagon. Ostovich was unable to do anything with the takedown thanks to PVZ being able to tie up her opponent. PVZ instantly gave up another takedown, but this time attacked a guillotine from the half guard. PVZ attacked a leg but Ostovich defended well and scrambled up to her feet where she picked up another takedown.
Ostovich scored an early takedown in the second round off the strength of an overhand right. PVZ responded by flipping the script and taking the back of Ostovich and scoring with strikes. Just when it looked as if PVZ was going to slip off the back, she attacked an armbar and Ostovich was forced to tap.
Glover Teixeira def. Karl Roberson by submission (Arm Triangle) at 3:21 of round 1: Light Heavyweight
Teixeira shot in on his opponent but Roberson met him with a set of Travis Browne elbows that dropped him. Several more clean ground strikes landed for Roberson, but Teixeira somehow recovered and escaped back to his feet. Teixeira went back to the takedown, but this time got it and worked his way into full mount. Teixeira attacked an arm triangle and was able to force the tap.