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*** For MMAmania.com's UFC Fight Night 44: "Swanson vs. Stephens" play-by-play coverage of the main card click RIGHT HERE. ***
We march on, fight fanatics.
After UFC Fight Night 43: "Te Huna vs. Marquardt" took place from New Zealand in the wee hours of the morning for most of us, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) was live from AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas for UFC Fight Night 44: "Swanson vs. Stephens.
"The "Prelims" were broadcast on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), with one bout taking place on UFC's digital network, Fight Pass.
In the undercard main event, Carlos Diego Ferreira dazzled in his Octagon debut by submitting Colton Smith seconds into the first round.
Smith came out in ferocious fashion, tying himself up with Ferreira right off the bat. After making a mistake by clinching with the Brazilian, Ferreira threw his counterpart straight to the mat, and it was all over with from there. Smith found himself in a modified rear naked choke after giving Ferreira his back, losing in just 38 seconds.
Johnny Bedford had a horrendous night against Cody Gibson, suffering a technical knockout loss in controversial fashion.
After landing some brutal shots to the body, followed by a flying knee, "The Renegade" nailed Bedford with a big right hand, which floored his opponent. After connecting with a weak punch while his foe was on his back, referee Kerry Hatley jumped in to intervene, but held back a little. Since he already made contact with the fighter, he stopped the fight and Bedford was livid.
"Brutal" was on his feet immediately, protesting until after the decision was read.
The action continued with a middleweight battle, with Marcelo Guimares obtaining his second win in the Octagon after beating Andy Enz by decision.
The first round saw Enz survive Guimares' takedown onslaught, catching him with some big punches. The Brazilian was never in a lot of trouble, yet he was getting caught with some solid shots that could have been dangerous had he been hit with some more.
Guimares did better on the feet in the second round, changing levels when he needed to and stayed outside of the pocket by accurately picking his blows. He was still getting caught with some of the American's punches, but it was a much better round for him.
In the third round, Guimares stuck to the game plan and tormented Enz with his grappling work, outmuscling against the cage towards the end of the round. The 22-year-old came out with a point to go for broke, but ultimately, it was not enough for him.
Ray Borg looked impressive in the first fight of the "Prelims" on FS1, tapping Shane Howell in no time.
"The Tazmexican Devil" cracked his foe with a solid right hand, and then shot for the takedown just seconds later. He eventually took Howell's back, being persistent with the rear naked choke attempt.
After pressuring the Oklahoma-based fighter, Borg found his foe's neck and put his lights out in the first round, proving it was one of the fastest paychecks he's ever earned.
Kicking off the action on Fight Pass was a heavyweight scrap, as Oleksiy Oliynyk made quick work of Anthony Hamilton, submitting him via neck crank in the first round.
The striking from both athletes was a little sloppy, complete with grappling tussles until the "Boa Constrictor" committed himself to the takedown and slapped on the neck crank for the tap.
It was his fifth consecutive submission victory, and a successful debut in the Octagon.
Check out the UFC Fight Night 44 "Prelims" quick results below:
Carlos Diego Ferreira def. Colton Smith via submission (modified rear naked choke) - Round 1, 0:38
Cody Gibson def. Johnny Bedford via TKO (punches) - Round 1, 0:38
Marcelo Guimaraes def. Andy Enz via split decision (27-30, 29-29, 29-28)
Ray Borg def. Shane Howell via submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 1, 2:17
Oleksiy Oliynyk def. Anthony Hamilton via submission (neck crank) - Round 1, 2:18
That just about sums it up.
Follow our main card play-by-play right here.
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