UFC Fight Night 105 Preliminary Results: Santiago Ponzinibbio Outstrikes Nordine Taleb
It’s once again fight day here at LowKickMMA, and the talent on display tonight (Sunday, February 19th, 2017) will come in the form of UFC Fight Night 105. Headlining the card are Derrick Lewis and Travis Browne, but there’s a whole bunch of great fights also taking place on the preliminary section of the card.
Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Nordine Taleb in a welterweight bout closes the preliminary card on FOX Sports 1. In round 1, low kicks from Taleb still doing work. Ponzinibbio starting to get into chasing rather than cutting in. Not a ton of action in this round. In round 2, they trade long punches, Ponzinibbio pressuring more effectively again. Possible eye poke on Taleb but there wasn’t a pause in the action. Ponzinibbio threw a lot of jabs in this round, which led to Taleb bleeding from his nose. Ponzinibbio with a left-right combo and the right hand dropped Taleb. Ponzinibbio gets in guard and works him over with strikes. In round 3, Taleb was warned about extending his fingers to open the round. Ponzinibbio continued to target the nose of Taleb and cause further damage. Taleb held his own and forced a cut on the right temple of Ponzinibbio. They exchanged shots to end the round. The judges gave the win to Ponzinibbio.
Carla Esparza vs. Randa Markos is next in a strawweight bout. In round 1, they had a feeling out process for the first three minutes of the round. The fans were booing because of this. Esparza scored a single leg takedown with two minutes to go and got her in side control. Esparza worked her over with strikes. Markos getting the crucifix off her back and she’s smashing Esparza with hammerfists. Esparza finally spins out to land some ground and pound of her own to end the round. In round 2, another perfectly timed single leg takedown from Esparza late in the round. Esparza gets to side right away, wraps up an arm-triangle, passes almost completely to the other side. Markos survives the round. In round 3, after being stuffed twice in this round, Esparza scored a takedown with two minutes to go. Markos scrambled to her feet and Esparza landed a knee strike to the face of Markos. It was an illegal and busted open Markos. Esparza with a late takedown and some ground and pound to finish the round. The judges gave the win to Markos by split decision.
Reginaldo Vieira vs. Aiemann Zahabi is next in a bantamweight bout. In round 1, Zahabi landing now with head kicks mixed in with punches when he backed Vieira close the cage. Zahabi tagged him with a straight right. Vieira fired back but Zahabi was calm and picking his shots. Vieira scored a takedown with two minutes to go and held him down while Zahabi landed some elbows that allowed him to get to his feet. Vieira scored a takedown to end the round. In round 2, in the middle of the round, Zahabi briefly gets space but Vieira soon pushes him back to the fence. Failed takedown allowed Zahabi to escape, trying to pressure. Vieira landed 19 leg kicks in this round. Vieira dropped him with a combo and landed several strikes on the ground to end the round. In round 3, they trade punches, Vieira shoots and lifts Zahabi body up but Zahabi escapes the second he hits the mat. Zahabi swarming, backs Vieira off, but Vieira shut down the swarm by jumping on a guillotine late. The judges gave the decision win to Zahabi.
Jack Marshman vs. Thiago “Marreta” Santos in a middleweight bout opens the FOX Sports 1 preliminary bouts. After having a feeling out process, Santos with a good takedown and some powerful ground and pound.Santos diving in on another takedown as Marshman gets up, but we’re back at range now and throwing.Santos dropped hard by a Marshman overhand, and he’s hurt. Marshman tried to finish him but Santos got back up to his feet. They have a wild exchange to end the round. Santos with a wheel kick out of nowhere drops Marshman, which led to Santos swarming him with strikes for the finish.
The only UFC Fight Pass prelim is Ryan Janes vs. Gerald Meerschaert in a middleweight bout. Janes presses early and clinched with him up against the fence. Janes scored a takedown in the opening minute and worked him over with strikes from guard. Janes gets over-aggressive on the ground and got tapped with an armbar.
Here are the results:
PRELIMINARY CARD (FS1, 7 p.m. ET)
Santiago Ponzinibbio def. Nordine Taleb by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Randa Markos def. Carla Esparza via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Aimann Zahabi def. Reginaldo Vieira via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Thiago “Marreta” Santos def. Jack Marshman via TKO (kick, punches) – Round 2, 2:21
PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC Fight Pass, 6:30 p.m. ET)
Gerald Meerschaert def. Ryan Janes via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 1:34
