UFC Fight Night 47 Prelims Results: Tom Watson Wins Early FOTN Candidate

The UFC Fight Night 47 prelims are in the books, and it was a rather decision-heavy affair. Going down in Bangor, Maine, the main card is now rolling and is headlined by Ryan Bader vs Ovince St. Preux. First up on the card was bantamweights Frankie Saenz and Nolan Ticman. What a great start to the night, as these scrappy 135-pounders went at it hard! Ticman has some very unorthodox striking, and Saenz is very powerful for the weight.

At the end of the gritty three-round affair, it was Saenz who got the nod for his constant pressure. Tom Watson and Sam Alvey threw down at middleweight. “Kong” seemed particularly angry tonight, as he battered Alvey’s legs with low kicks throughout round one. The assault on “Smilin” continued to round two, and Watson packed some hard elbows and punches too.

Alvey rallied late in the fight, and tagged a tiring Watson, but the leg work had already been done; “Kong” by decision. Next up women’s bantamweights Sara McMann and Lauren Murphy go at it. The entire first round saw McMann sit in the tricky guard of Murphy, landing ground and pound. McMann is a powerhouse and she dominates with he wrestling and clinch work through round two.

Round three I’d actually give to Murphy for her excellent defense and elbows on the ground. McMann takes the split. Zach Makovsky and Jussier Formiga meet at flyweight to round off the prelim card.

Formiga starts very strong, landing some neat takedowns and also taking the back in the first round. On to round two, and Formiga came close to locking in a rear naked choke as he won the second stanza. A game rally from Makovsky saw him win the third round, but the Brazilian did enough in my books. The judges agree.

Results

Jussier Formiga def. Zach Makovsky by unanimous decision

Sara McMann def. Lauren Murphy by split decision

Tom Watson def. Sam Alvey by unanimous decision

Frankie Saenz def. Nolan Ticman by unanimous decision