UFC on ESPN 1 Preliminary Card Results: Aljamain Sterling Decisions Jimmie Rivera

UFC on ESPN 1 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 (Sunday, February 17, 2019) will come from in the form of UFC on ESPN 1. Headlining the card are Francis Ngannou and Cain Velasquez, but there’s a whole bunch of great fights also taking place on the preliminary section of the card.

Jimmie Rivera vs. Aljamain Sterling in a bantamweight closes the preliminary card on ESPN in what should be an interesting fight. In round 1, Rivera with an underhook as he’s got Sterling against the fence. They’ve separated and they’re back to the center of the cage, where Sterling lands a leg kick. Almost a takedown for Sterling. Rivera’s balance and strength is incredible. In round 2, Rivera retreating and he may have been stunned. Sterling takedown countered by Rivera’s front headlock. Aljo back to his feet having been in no bothersome moment. In round 3, Sterling with the single leg but Rivera stops that. Rivera showing some urgency but he seems to be having problems closing the distance and getting past the size disadvantage and Aljo’s kicking range. Sterling slips and Rivera follows him to the ground. Sterling scrambles and he’s back to his feet. The judges gave the win to Sterling.

Benito Lopez vs. Manny Bermudez is next in a bantamweight bout. In round 1, Bermudez gets hold of Lopez and takes him down. He’s got the back already. Lopez scrambles and Bermudez is now in Benito’s guard, landing punches. Bermudez got the fight back to the ground and he’s able to submit Lopez with quickness.

Ashlee Evans-Smith vs. Andrea Lee is next in a women’s flyweight bout. In round 1, they trade body kicks but as Anik says, Evans-Smith is telegraphing these strikes. Excellent level change by Lee but no takedown. In round 2 , lee with a terrific combination. Mixing up her strikes well. Evans-Smith with the single leg attempt but Lee defends it. Evans-Smith getting drilled to the body and now the head. Lee scrambling and she’s back to her feet. In round 3, Lee stops another takedown. Smashes Evans-Smith with an uppercut. Lee went for a takedown at the end of the round but it was defended well. The judges gave the win to Lee.

Scott Holtzman vs. Nik Lentz in a lightweight bout opens the ESPN preliminary bouts. In round 1, Lentz goes for the takedown and almost got Holtzman seated on the mat, but Scott is back up and fighting the hands. In round 2, Lentz getting peppered with that straight right down the middle. Good two-punch combo by Lentz, who now drives forward for a takedown. Lentz with the front headlock. Drops down for a guillotine but that doesn’t look tight. He’s out of it. In round 3, Lentz eating quite a few shots from Holtzman, who is defending the takedown and dropping down some elbows. Lentz is gassed. The judges gave the win to Lentz.

Renan Barao vs. Luke Sanders is next in a bantamweight bout finishes off the ESPN+ preliminary card. In round 1, early inside leg kick for Barao. He’s going kick heavy in this opening minute as Sanders tries to come forward. Big right hand sends Sanders in retreat mode. Sanders is also still getting drilled with kicks. In round 2, Sanders pressuring more to start the round and lands a couple of punches, including a strong left hand from his southpaw stance. He finished Barao with a big left hand.

Opening the ESPN+ prelims is Aleksandra Albu vs. Emily Whitmire in a women’s strawweight bout. In round 1, Whitmire takes the back and goes for the rear-naked choke! And she gets the tap in just 61 seconds

Here are the results:

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

Bantamweight bout: Aljamain Sterling defeated Jimmie Rivera via unanimous decision (30-27×3)

Bantamweight bout: Manny Bermudez def. Benito Lopez by submission (D’arce choke) at 3:09 of Round 1

Women’s Flyweight bout: Andrea Lee def. Ashlee Evans-Smith via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Lightweight bout: Nik Lentz def. Scott Holtzman by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET)

Bantamweight bout: Luke Sanders def. Renan Barao via KO (punches) at 1:01 of R2

Women’s Strawweight bout: Emily Whitmire def. Alexandra Albu via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:01 of R1