UFC St. Louis started well for Brazil. The country's first representative at the event this Saturday (11), Tabatha Ricci defeated Tecia Pennington by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) in a fight marked by balance. Unsuccessful in her takedown attempts, 'Baby Shark' controlled the American against the cage for a good part of the fight and secured her return to winning ways.
With this result, Tabatha Ricci recovers from her defeat against Lupita Godinez last November and secures her fifth victory in her last six fights.
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On the other side, Tecia Pennington suffered her second consecutive defeat since returning to competition after nearly two years away.
Grid control makes the difference for Tabatha Ricci against Tecia Pennington
Immediately after the glove touch, Tabatha Ricci wasted no time and went after Tecia Pennington , who countered the Brazilian with a right hook. The two exchanged kicks in the center of the octagon, and the Brazilian tried to clinch, but the American escaped. Tabatha closed the distance, and Tecia landed a right cross. The Brazilian kicked the American's leg hard, who responded with four straight punches. Tabatha went for a single leg takedown, but Tecia defended. The Brazilian insisted on closing the distance aiming for a takedown, but Tecia worked well with jabs, straights, and crosses to keep her away. In the final stretch of the round, Tabatha Ricci finally managed to close the distance and get a leg pass to take down her opponent, but without time to work after the takedown.
Tabatha Ricci and Tecia Pennington began the second round exchanging kicks in the center of the octagon. The Brazilian went on the offensive, but the American managed to stay out of range for the first minute. Tabatha threw a low kick and Tecia responded with a clean straight punch. The Brazilian maintained the pressure and put the American against the cage. Tabatha attempted a hip takedown, but Tecia remained standing. The Brazilian changed the level and insisted on the takedown, but the American defended again. In the final minute, Pennington managed to escape the pressure and return to the center of the octagon.
The two fighters began the third and final round exchanging blows in the center of the octagon. Tabatha Ricci closed the distance with jabs and straight punches, but Tecia Pennington escaped. Tabatha clinched again, attempted a takedown, but put Tecia against the cage. The Brazilian landed some knees and tried again to take Tecia down, without success. After another defense, Tecia managed to escape the cage and return to the center of the octagon. Tabatha landed two good knees in the clinch, while Pennington landed good straight punches. In the final stretch, Tabatha closed the distance, but it was Tecia who executed a beautiful takedown.
Chase Hooper takes no notice and 'runs over' Viacheslav Borshchev
C. Hooper was not aware of V. Borshchev (Photo: Disclosure/UFC)
The final fight of the UFC St. Louis preliminary card was a true massacre by Chase Hooper against Viacheslav Borshchev . Superior from the start, the American gave the Russian a 'lesson' in MMA and finished the fight with a triangle choke in the second round.
At 24 years old and in the UFC since 2019, Hooper has his third consecutive victory in the organization.
On the other side, Viacheslav Borshchev suffered the first submission loss of his career and now has only one win in his last four fights.
Esteban Ribovics erases Terrance McKinney in lightning and brutal knockout
Esteban Ribovics knocked out Terrance McKinney at UFC St. Louis (Photo: Twitter/UFC News)
As expected, the fifth UFC St. Louis fight, valid for the lightweight division (up to 70,3 kg), was quick. In just 37 seconds of combat, Esteban Ribovics obliterated Terrance McKinney with a brutal high kick to take the victory.
With this result, Esteban Ribovics secured his second consecutive victory in the UFC octagon. 'El Gringo', as the Argentinian is known, now has 13 wins and only one loss in his career.
On the other side, Terrance McKinney saw his two-fight winning streak come to an end.
Trey Waters defeats Billy Goff by decision after tense and balanced fight
Trey Waters defeated Billy Goff at UFC St. Louis (Photo: Twitter/UFC News)
Valid for the welterweight division (up to 77,1 kg), the third fight of UFC St. Louis ended with Trey Waters defeating Billy Goff by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28). After 15 minutes marked by balance and tension, 'The Truth's' takedown defense and strikes from medium to long range prevailed for the result.
With his victory over Goff, Trey Waters remains undefeated in the UFC, with two fights and two wins in the organization.
On the other side, Billy Goff suffers his first defeat in the octagon. Signed through the Contender Series in 2022, the 25-year-old athlete was coming off a victory over Yusaku Kinoshita in his debut.
With takedown defense up to date, Charles Johnson beats Jake Hadley
Charles Johnson defeated Jake Hadley at UFC St. Louis (Photo: Twitter/UFC News)
In the second fight of UFC St. Louis, valid for the flyweight division (up to 56,7 kg), Charles Johnson defeated Jake Hadley by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). After facing difficulties in the first round, the American recovered, controlled the distance and defended all nine takedown attempts by the Briton to secure the victory.
With this result, Charles Johnson has now secured his second consecutive victory in the UFC, bringing his record to four wins and four losses in the octagon.
On the other side, Jake Hadley suffered his second consecutive defeat. The Briton now has three losses and only two wins in the UFC.
Veronica Hardy suffers knockdown, but beats JJ Aldrich in the opening of the event
Veronica Hardy defeated JJ Aldrich at UFC St. Louis (Photo: Twitter/UFC News)
Opening the flyweight (up to 56,7 kg) bout on the preliminary card, Veronica Hardy defeated JJ Aldrich by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). The Venezuelan controlled the first two rounds and, even after suffering a knockdown in the final round, secured the victory at the end of the 15 minutes.
With this result, Veronica Hardy achieves her third consecutive victory after a three-year hiatus from the octagon.
On the other hand, JJ Aldrich sees his two-fight winning streak come to an end.
UFC St.Louis results
MAIN CARD (20 PM, Brasília time)
Heavyweight: Derrick Lewis defeated Rodrigo Zé Colmeia by technical knockout (punches) at 49 seconds of round 3.
Welterweight: Joaquin Buckley defeated Nursulton Ruziboev by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 29-27)
Light heavyweight: Carlos Ulberg defeated Alonzo Menifield by knockout (punches) at 12 seconds of round 1.
Lightweight: Carlos Diego Ferreira defeated Mateusz Rebecki by technical knockout (punches) at 4:51 of round 3.
Featherweight: Sean Woodson defeated Alex Caceres by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Heavyweight: Waldo Cortes-Acosta defeated Robelis Despaigne by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
PRELIMINARY CARD (17 PM, Brasília time)
Lightweight: Chase Hooper defeated Viacheslav Borshchev by submission (arm-triangle choke) 3 minutes into round 2.
Lightweight: Esteban Ribovics defeated Terrance McKinney by knockout at 0:37 of Round 1.
Strawweight: Tabatha Ricci defeated Raquel Pennington by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Welterweight: Trey Waters defeated Billy Goff by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Flyweight: Charles Johnson defeated Jake Hadley by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Welterweight: Jared Gooden vs. Kevin Jousset – FIGHT CANCELED
Flyweight: Veronica Hardy defeated JJ Aldrich by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
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