Fighters from around the globe dream of the day they’ll step into the UFC octagon for the first time. For five athletes, Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 10 event marked that special moment in their career.
Check out this week’s rookie report to see what kind of first impression those fighters made on the sport’s biggest stage from Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, N.Y.
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Michel Pereira
Division: Welterweight
Result: Michel Pereira def. Danny Roberts via knockout (flying knee, punch) – Round 1, 1:47
Record: (23-9 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
Grade: A+
Talk about a first impression.
Michel Pereira made an impact before he ever set foot in the cage, fighting back tears in one of the more emotional walks you’ll ever witness. Moments later, Pereira was showing off a few breakdancing moves while he as introduced by Joe Martinez. Of course, there was still the small matter of a fight.
Pereira impressed there, as well.
In less than two minutes of cage time, Pereira showed off the flash that has become his hallmark. Rolling thunder? Check. Bit of capoeira dancing? Check. Jumping off the cage? Did that twice, bro.
But it wasn’t just the flash that impressed, it was the substance of the finish that ultimately ended up winning Pereira a “Performance of the Night” bonus. A leaping knee landed clean, and then Pereira fired a devastating straight right to finish off his wounded prey. It was jaw-dropping, even without anything that had happened up that moment. It was, in a word, spectacular. Pay attention when this man steps in the cage.
Charles Jourdain
Division: Lightweight
Result: Desmond Green def. Charles Jourdain via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Record: (9-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Grade: B+
At 23 years old, Charles Jourdain agreed to make his UFC debut in enemy territory, facing durable veteran Desmond Green in his hometown of Rochester. That meant the Canadian had to try and shake off the octagon jitters as he was cascaded with a chorus of boos. Not exactly an ideal assignment.
Oh, and he was fighting up a division, as well.
Despite having the deck stacked against him, Jourdain turned in a very respectable performance. His movement and creativity were evident, especially as he settled into a rhythm in the second round, keeping Green at bay. A late series of Green takedowns sealed Jourdain’s fate in the final frame, but he made a game effort of the 15-minute affair, firing off strikes until the bitter end, and should be commended for his effort.
Despite the setback, Jourdain is certainly one to watch in his sophomore outing, especially if he’s booked at 145 pounds.
Austin Hubbard
Division: Lightweight
Result: Davi Ramos def. Austin Hubbard via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Record: (10-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Grade: C+
Austin Hubbard really didn’t do much terribly wrong in his UFC debut, he just found himself locked in the cage with a dangerous Davi Ramos, a man with eyes on the top of the division.
Hubbard showed capable movement and put together a few slick combinations. However, Ramos’ power made it difficult to stay in the pocket for extended periods of time, and the Brazilian did visibly wobble the former LFA champ in the third. Ramos was also able to score takedowns throughout the contest, though Hubbard showed capable defense in staving off the submission ace.
In short, it’s clear Hubbard has a developed set of skills. He simply didn’t get much opportunity to show it off against a tough opponent who is just now beginning to earn a little shine of his own. A return booking against a less-experienced foe should give Hubbard a better opportunity to display his wares.
Derrick Krantz
Division: Lightweight
Result: Vicente Luque def. Derrick Krantz via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:52
Record: (24-11 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Grade: A-
Derrick Krantz may not be on a short track for a UFC title, but in terms of game opponents stepping in on short notice against ranked competition, it doesn’t get much better than what “D-Rock” did on Saturday night.
After fighting in front of UFC president Dana White at March’s LFA 63 event, Krantz’s willingness to plead his case directly to the UFC boss earned him an invitation to fight on Dana White’s Contender Series. But when Neil Magny was forced out if his planned co-main event with Vicente Luque on fight week, Krantz was willing to go one step further and enter the octagon on the shortest of notices.
Unsurprisingly, he was a huge underdog in the contest, but Krantz charged across the cage at the start of the fight and blasted Luque with an overhand and then an uppercut that left the Brazilian contender staggered.
Luque eventually gathered his wits, battling off a few submission attempts in the process, and battled back to score a first-round TKO victory, extending a five-fight winning streak and keeping himself in position for a big fight next time out. But Krantz, whose career record suggests he may not necessarily beat the elite of the division, proved that he is willing to go toe-to-toe with anyone at 170 pounds, regardless of circumstances, and he quite nearly shocked the world.
Felicia Spencer
Division: Women’s featherweight
Result: Felicia Spencer def. Megan Anderson via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:24
Record: (7-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
Grade: A+
Felicia Spencer came to the UFC as the reigning Invicta FC featherweight champion, and she made quick work of the woman who held the title before her, Megan Anderson.
The Canadian grappler showed absolutely no sign of nerves in the contest, calmly dealing with Anderson’s aggression, taking her to the floor and securing the first-round rear-naked choke. The women’s featherweight division is an odd one for the UFC, started as a reason to showcase Cris Cyborg, though the title is currently held by dual champ Amanda Nunes. Macy Chiasson won a season of “The Ultimate Fighter” contested at the weight class, but she promptly moved down to bantamweight, where she’s currently looking quite impressive.
Anderson was the only true featherweight on the roster outside of Nunes and Cyborg, but UFC president Dana White said the promotion is committed to developing the weight class. In Spencer, a true featherweight who also previously competed at 155 pounds, the promotion has seemingly found a strong building block.
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