UFC Fort Lauderdale Preliminary Card Results: Takashi Sato TKO’s Ben Saunders

UFC Fort Lauderdale preliminary card results are underway as the Las Vegas-based promotion holds this latest event on television for fight fans around the world to watch the show.

It’s once again fight day here at LowKickMMA, and the talent on display tonight (Saturday, April 27, 2019) will come from in the form of UFC Fort Lauderdale. Headlining the card are Ronaldo Souza and Jack Hermansson, but there’s a whole bunch of great fights also taking place on the preliminary section of the card.

Takashi Sato vs. Ben Saunders in a welterweight bout closes the preliminary card on ESPN in what should be an interesting fight. Sato dropped him with a straight left hand and then finished him on the ground with strikes and elbows.

Andrei Arlovski vs. Augusto Sakai is next in a heavyweight bout. In round 1, they exchange punches to the head but neither man is rocked. After breaking apart from a clinch, Arlovski lands a side kick to the ribs. In round 2, They clinch against the cage at the horn. It’s a close fight. Some nice boxing exchanges in close. In round 3, Arlovski lands a hard right to the jaw early but Sakai shrugs it off. Sakai ties Arlovski up and forces him into the fence. Sakai got the split decision nod.

Carla Esparza vs. Virna Jandiroba is next in a women’s strawweight bout. In round 1, Esparza catches a body kick and scores a beautiful trip takedown. Carcara pulls guard. Esparza charges at Carcara and scores another takedown. In round 2, Virna is trying to stay on her feet and is winging overhand rights. Virna scores a takedown of her own and is now looking to pass to her right. In round 3, Esparza scores an early takedown. Virna is back up and tries a takedown, but Esparza cracks her with a knee on the way in. Vima ends the fight in half guard on top but Esparza gets the decision win.

Mike Davis vs. Gilbert Burns in a lightweight bout opens the ESPN preliminary card. In the second-round, Burns was able to take him down to the ground and soften him up with strikes that allowed him to gain back mount and secure the rear-naked choke.

Jason Gonzalez vs. Jim Miller in a lightweight bout finishes off the ESPN 2 preliminary card. In the very first-round, Miller was able to take him down and secure the rear-naked choke for the victory.

Jodie Esquibel vs. Angela Hill is next in a women’s strawweight bout. In round 1, Esquibel continues to charge at Hill, throwing tons of punches. Hill cracks her with a right-left to the head. Esquibel shoots in but can’t finish the takedown. In round 2, Equibel charges right at Hill again and again and lands a few punches. Hill ‘s strong rally wins her the second round. In round 3, they trade punches briefly before Esquibel backs off the reset. Hll is cut above her left eye late. Esquibel lands a hard right of her own at the horn. Hill grabs the decision win.

Opening the ESPN 2 prelims is Dhiego Lima vs. Court McGee in a welterweight bout. In round 1, McGee lands a kick to the belly, but he’s tagged by another left. Lima can’t seem to miss his left hand, either by way of lead or hook. McGee misses his second takedown attempt and winds up being taken down instead. In round 2, Lima is firing off his jab early. McGee lands a nice right upstairs. Lima isn’t quite as active as he was in the first and has essentially given the second frame to McGee. In round 3, McGee comes forward, looking to get inside, but Lima is backing away and popping him. Lima is moving well on his feet with about a minute left and it’s confusing McGee. Lima grabs the decision win.

Here are the results:

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN, 7 p.m. ET)

Welterweight bout: Takashi Sato def. Ben Saunders via second-round TKO (1:18)

Heavyweight bout: Augusto Sakai def. Andrei Arlovski by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Women’s strawweight bout: Carla Esparza def. Virna Jandiroba via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)

Lightweight bout: Gilbert Burns def. Mike Davis via submission (RNC) (R2, 4:15)

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN2, 5:30 p.m. ET)

Lightweight bout: Jim Miller def. Jason Gonzalez via submission (RNC) (R1, 2:12)

Women’s strawweight bout: Angela Hill def. Jodie Esquibel via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Welterweight bout: Dhiego Lima def. Court McGee by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)