Fighters from around the globe dream of the day they’ll step into the UFC octagon for the first time. For two athletes, Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 11 event marked that special moment in their career.
Check out this week’s rookie report to see what kind of first impression they made on the sport’s biggest stage from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
* * * * *
Max Rohskopf
Division: Lightweight
Result: Austin Hubbard def. Max Rohskopf via TKO (doctor stoppage) – Round 2, 5:00
Record: 5-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC
Grade: D-
Max Rohskopf stepped up on just 10 days’ notice to face Austin Hubbard in Las Vegas and showed a glimpse of his dangerous ground game before eventually retiring from the fight after the second round.
In a back-and-forth opening round, Rohskopf showed up well as he went toe to toe with Hubbard and, when the action went to the mat, showed some of his attacking grappling skills as he pursued a heel-hook, forcing Hubbard to go on the defensive.
But after the restart and the momentum swung significantly away from Rohskopf as Hubbard battered him with strikes throughout the second stanza. As Hubbard’s confidence grew, Rohskopf’s belief drained away and, when the disconsolate debutant returned to his stool at the end of the round, he repeatedly told coach Robert Drysdale he wanted him to “call it,” telling him, “I don’t have it anymore.”
Drysdale tried to rally his man and convince him to go back out for the final round, but Rohskopf knew he was done, and told referee Mark Smith as much when the eagle-eyed official saw him in distress.
Unfortunately for Rohskopf, his first taste of the octagon proved to be a bitter one as he was overwhelmed after a heavy dose of punishment in Round 2. After stepping in on just a few days’ notice for his debut after a promising start to his career, I hope the UFC doesn’t just cast him aside and instead gives him a second chance – with a full camp – to show the skills that made him an unbeaten prospect prior to Saturday night.
Next up: Short-notice debutant comes up big with a quickfire finish
Justin Jaynes
Division: Lightweight
Result: Justin Jaynes def. Frank Camacho via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 0:41
Record: 16-4 MMA, 1-0 UFC
Grade: A
One word: Wow!
Justin Jaynes stepped in on just two days’ notice, made weight, then got into the cage against a noted Fight of the Night specialist, and finished him on the feet inside a minute in emphatic fashion.
Jaynes accepted the fight late on Wednesday for his octagon debut, cut 15 pounds in two days, then smoked Camacho, who had picked up Fight of the Night bonuses in three of his previous six UFC appearances.
A big left hand started it all as Jaynes planted his feet, sat down on his punches and landed clean with a wide left hook around Camacho’s shoulder. Once he saw his opponent was hurt, Jaynes wasted no time at all as he unloaded a vicious barrage of punches that forced referee Herb Dean to step in and stop the punishment after just 41 seconds. As first impressions go, it’s hard to top that.
After the fight, Jaynes said, “I want people tomorrow to look at this and go, “Oh (expletive), that was pretty awesome.”
Mission accomplished, Justin.
