The Ultimate Fighting Championship came to Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey tonight for UFC on FOX 18: “Johnson vs Bader.” The event was headlined by a five-round light heavyweight contender’s bout between recent title challenger Anthony “Rumble” Johnson and Ryan “Darth” Bader.
Also on the card tonight, Josh “The Warmaster” Barnett faced “Big” Ben Rothwell in the heavyweight co-feature. Iuri “Marajo” Alcantara took on Jimmie “El Terror” Rivera, and “Super” Sage Northcutt met Bryan “Bam Bam” Barberena. MMARising.com has live play-by-play for the main card.
Anthony “Rumble” Johnson vs Ryan “Darth” Bader
Round 1:
Bader shot in for a takedown right away and Johnson easily stuffed it. He took Bader’s back and Bader countered with a kimura. Johnson freed his arm and rained down big shots from the top. He continued to punch from S-mount until Bader was rendered unconscious.
Winner: Anthony Johnson by KO (Punches) at 1:26 of round one. He improves to 21-5-0.
“Big” Ben Rothwell vs Josh “The Warmaster” Barnett
Round 1:
Rothwell pressured Barnett with punches in the opening minute and Barnett responded with a right cross. The fighters traded leg kicks and Barnett jabbed from a southpaw stance. Both fighters landed one-twos and Rothwell briefly initiated a clinch against the cage. Barnett broke free, but Rothwell flurried with punches and backed him up. Barnett established his jab again and Rothwell bled from the bridge of the nose. Close round. 10-9 Rothwell.
Round 2:
Barnett clinched and backed Rothwell up against the cage in round two. Rothwell circled out and landed a leg kick and an uppercut. Barnett missed with an overhand right, but he landed a body kick and a counter combination. Rothwell countered a takedown by locking on a front choke. He used it to drag Barnett down to the mat and tightened the choke from top position. Barnett had nowhere to go and tapped out. Incredible win for Rothwell.
Winner: Ben Rothwell by Submission (Front Choke) at 3:48 of round two. He improves to 36-9-0.
Jimmie “El Terror” Rivera vs Iuri “Marajo” Alcantara
Round 1:
Alcantara landed two knees early on and he avoided a spinning backfist from Rivera. Hard punches were exchanged and both men landed. Alcantara countered a one-two by landing a knee to the body. Rivera scored with a body kick and two right hooks. He flurried with punches and forced Alcantara to circle away. Alcantara answered back with a kick to the chest and time was called after Rivera was poked in the eye. Action resumed and Rivera countered a knee with a late takedown. Close opening round. 10-9 Rivera, barely.
Round 2:
Rivera backed Alcantara up against the cage and landed a series of punches in the second round. He pinned Alcantara against the fence and landed short left hands. Alcantara responded with knees and the fighters were eventually separated. Alcantara landed two body kicks and a quick flurry. He floored Rivera with a left cross, but Rivera regained his footing and took Alcantara down. 10-9 Rivera.
Round 3:
Rivera pressed the action with punches in the final round and Alcantara fired back with kicks to the body and lead leg. Rivera caught a kick and dumped Alcantara to the mat. Alcantara stood and Rivera landed three hard punches. Both men landed kicks to the body and Alcantara knocked Rivera down after swepping his leg out. Rivera stood and worked for a takedown against the cage. Another close round. 10-9 Alcantara.
Winner: Jimmie Rivera by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) after three rounds. He improves to 19-1-0.
Bryan “Bam Bam” Barberena vs “Super” Sage Northcutt
Round 1:
The fighters traded hooks in the opening seconds and Barberena pinned Northcutt against the cage. Northcutt circled away and knocked Barberena off-balance with a one-two. He hopped on Barberena’s back momentarily and broke away after landing another one-two. Northcutt stunned Barberena with punches and took him down against the cage. Barberena battled back to his feet and both men landed body kicks. Barberena tripped Northcutt, but he could not hold him down. On the feet, Barberena landed three hard right hooks before the bell. 10-9 Northcutt.
Round 2:
Barberena flurried with punches and he took Northcutt down early in round two. From the top, he landed hammerfists and elbows. Barberena passed to half-guard and he landed more hard elbow strikes. Barberena trapped Northcutt in a shoulder choke from half-guard and Northcutt hastily tapped out.
Winner: Bryan Barberena by Submission (Shoulder Choke) at 3:06 of round two. He improves to 11-3-0.
Undercard Fights:
– Tarec “Sponge” Saffiedine defeated Jake “The Juggernaut” Ellenberger by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) after three rounds. He improves to 16-4-0 with the win.
– Carlos Diego Ferreira defeated Olivier “The Québec Kid” Aubin-Mercier by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) after three rounds. He improves to 12-2-0 with the win.
– Rafael “Sapo” Natal defeated Kevin “King” Casey by TKO (Punches) at 3:37 of round three. He improves to 21-6-1 with the win.
– Wilson Reis defeated Dustin Ortiz by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) after three rounds. He improves to 20-6-0 with the win.
– Alexander “Thunder of the North” Yakovlev defeated George “The Silencer” Sullivan by KO (Punch) at 3:59 of round one. He improves to 23-6-1 with the win.
– Alex “Bruce Leeroy” Caceres defeated Masio “Lobo” Fullen by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) after three rounds. He improves to 11-8-0, 1 NC with the win.
– Randy “Rudeboy” Brown defeated Matt Dwyer by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) after three rounds. He improves to 7-0-0 with the win.
– Damon “The Leech” Jackson and Levan “The Hornet” Makashvili fought to a Majority Draw (29-27, 28-28, 28-28) after three rounds. Jackson moves to 9-1-1, 1 NC, while Makashvili is now 7-2-1.
– Tony Martin defeated Felipe Olivieri by Technical Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 3:02 of round three. He improves to 10-3-0 with the win.