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*** For MMAmania.com's UFC Fight Night 42: "Henderson vs. Khabilov" play-by-play coverage of the main card click RIGHT HERE. ***
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) lit up Tingley Coliseum on Sat. night (June 7, 2014) in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for UFC Fight Night 42: "Henderson vs. Khabilov," broadcast on FOX Sports 1 (FS1).
Before the main card competitors lunged at each other for a chance at glory, the "Prelims" were broadcast online through Fight Pass and FS1, providing mixed martial arts (MMA) fans with a string of sub-par match ups.
In the "Prelims" main event, Sergio Pettis won his second fight inside the Octagon against Yaotzin Meza, boring the home crowd to near death with his performance.
In the first round, both fighters were light on the feet and looked for openings, while Meza landed a few leg kicks. The pace was rather slow, with Pettis repeatedly switching stances. They showed a lot of respect for each other, yet it wasn't very fun to watch. Pettis did try to excite the crowd with a cartwheel kid, though.
Pettis continued to work the lower body with kicks, staying outside of Meza's range while doing so. The UFC lightweight champion's little brother was more active, as Meza landed sporadically. There weren't many takedown attempts from Meza, either. Pettis stunned Meza in the second round, but he was unable to finish him.
The third round was much of the same stuff, with Pettis gaining confidence and circling away from Meza's weak punches, until Meza put him on his back to finish the round strong.
Lance Benoist snapped a two-fight losing streak and made a successful return to the Octagon after a 10-month absence, beating Bobby Voelker by unanimous decision.
The first round was a technical striking battle between both athletes, as neither of them wanted to rush things or do anything risky. Benoist didn't show much rust in his return, landing takedowns and keeping up with the former Strikeforce scrapper.
Voelker's inability to muster up combinations kept him predictable, and Benoist started to look like the smarter striker. The Missourian clocked Voelker with a head kick, and then looked to tire him out in the clinch. "Vicious" did better towards the end of the round, landing his punches and scored a takedown of his own.
Benoist dominated Voelker in the third round, taking him to the ground and excelling in top position for the majority of five minutes. Unable to find an answer for his adversary's positioning, the Kansas City resident had to defend submissions and found himself on his back at the end of the round.
Scott Jorgensen got a much-needed victory over Danny Martinez, winning his battle by unanimous decision.
Both fighters began trading strikes right from the opening bell, with Martinez throwing a lot of volume. Jorgensen was working the takedowns in the first round, eventually taking "Gremlin's" back and threatened with a rear-naked choke. Martinez eventually escaped, and the two combatants slugged it out at the center of the Octagon to finish the first round.
Martinez came out like a man possessed in the second round, blasting "Young Guns" with a plethora of punches. "Gremlin" dropped him with a left hand, and then continued to pummel Jorgensen with power shots. The former WEC title challenger was able to bounce back, nailing Martinez with punches of his own and another huge takedown.
With the fight for the taking in the third round, Jorgensen began by using his wrestling to secure the takedown, while Martinez had the advantage on the feet. "Young Guns" leaned on his wrestling to win the fight, using his superior grappling base to seal the deal.
Opening up the FS1 broadcast, Jon Tuck dominated promotional newcomer Jake Lindsey, forcing him to verbally tap in the third round.
Tuck rocked his foe in the first round, and then continued to own the fight on the feet. He tormented "Librarian" in the clinch, keeping active with his dirty boxing and then took his opponent down to continue the punishment.
Another right hand from the Chalan Pago resident wobbled Lindsey, and "Super Saiyan" scored another takedown afterwards. In a surprising finish, Tuck was drilled Lindsey with heel kicks to the body, which forced "Librarian" to quit.
The very first fight of the night saw Patrick Cummins earn his first UFC victory by beating Roger Narvaez, stopping him with punches in the second round.
"Durkin" implemented a takedown heavy game plan, driving "The Silverback" to the mat whenever he pleased. The first round was a little slow, despite Cummins having his way against his opponent.
Cummins landed a crisp shot behind Narvaez's ear while the Texan was crouched down, looking as if it was a shot to the back of the head. Narvaez went down, and the former barista followed up with punches until the referee stepped in. Replays showed the shot was legal.
Here are the entire UFC Fight Night 42 "Prelims" quick results:
-- Sergio Pettis def. Yaotzin Meza by unanimous decision (29-28x3)
-- Scott Jorgensen def. Danny Martinez via unanimous decision (29-28X2, 30-27)
-- Jon Tuck def. Jake Lindsey via submission (heel kicks) at 2:47 of R3
-- Patrick Cummins def. Roger Narvaez via technical knockout (punches) at 2:28 of R2
Make sure to follow our UFC Fight Night 42: "Henderson vs. Khabilov" play-by-play coverage of the main card RIGHT HERE.