Fighters from around the globe dream of the day they’ll step into the UFC octagon for the first time. For four athletes, Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 3 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 Target Center in Minneapolis.
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Amanda Ribas
Division: Strawweight
Result: Amanda Ribas def. Emily Whitmire via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 2:10
Record: (7-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
Grade: A
Amanda Ribas’ UFC debuted was delayed by an incident with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, but she certainly made the most of her first in-cage impression, attacking Emily Whitmire from the opening bell and keeping the pressure high until she was able to get the second-round finish.
A black belt in both judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Ribas’ grappling chops are undeniable. Her swarming transitions saw her move immediately to dangerous positions, leaving her opponent under intense danger at every turn. But Ribas also showed that she’s not an old-school grappling artist, happily slugging away on the feet to advance her position into the clinch, where she was able to take the action to the canvas with relative ease.
Top top it all off, Ribas – an admitted “white belt in English” – gave an absolutely incredible post-fight interview, full of energy and just enough humor, admitting her biggest fear of the week was the official weigh-in “because I’m a little bit fat and I love chocolate.”
Ribas did allow Whitmire a bit of top control in the opening round after missing on a choke attempt, but she escaped with minimal damage. Keep an eye on this one.
Dequan Townsend
Division: Light heavyweight
Result: Dalcha Lungiambula def. Dequan Townsend via TKO (strikes) – Round 3, 0:42
Record: (21-9 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Grade: C
Dequan Townsend deserves credit for simply taking this fight, stepping in on just four days’ notice, especially against such a highly touted prospect in Dalcha Lungiambula.
Townsend attacked with just a moderate pace, which one would expect from a fighter unsure if he was entering the night with a full tank of gas. When he did strike, he showed impressive speed for a big man, flashing out quick jabs and a few punishing low kicks. A flying knee missed at one point but showed a glimpse of what he’s capable of doing on the feet.
On the floor, Townsend showed decent defensive capabilities, avoiding any real serious damage in the position and even briefly threatening with an armbar. He didn’t, however, show any real sense of urgency in returning to the feet, or any real special abilities to accomplish the mission.
Townsend’s coaches begged him to open up in the third, and unfortunately he was clipped in the opening minute before really getting an opportunity to follow the instructions. Overall, it’s difficult to be too critical of Townsend given the uphill battle he was facing, so a second fight – when he can have at least one practice while focusing on the matchup – will likely be a true measure of his abilities.
Dalcha Lungiambula
Division: Light heavyweight
Result: Dalcha Lungiambula def. Dequan Townsend via TKO (strikes) – Round 3, 0:42
Record: (10-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
Grade: B
It doesn’t take a martial arts expert to pick up on the physical gifts Dalcha Lungiambula brings to the cage. The chiseled former multi-division champion for Africa’s Extreme Fighting Championship has a clear upside, though his UFC debut didn’t necessarily make you think “definite future champion.”
Lungiambula did show flashes of blazing speed, both with leaping punches and also powerful takedowns, as well. His comfort in the clinch is evident, a clear product of his judo background. But there are areas that need to be refined. His punches, while powerful, also leave him exposed for counters from a seasoned striker, and he tends to rush forward with his head down and not entirely focused on the target.
Lungiambula’s pace also leaves a little to be desired, as well. Methodical in his approach, likely as a need based on his heavily muscled frame, Lungiambula doesn’t necessarily seem prepared to be pushed at full speed over the course of 15 minutes – much less 25. Forced back to the feet in the second round after referee Travis Metteer determined there was insufficient amount of activity, Lungiambula seems to save his energy for the biggest moments, much like Yoel Romero.
Of course, Romero is also one of the most feared fighters in all of the sport, so maybe it’s not the worst model. In short, Lungiambula looks to have a tremendous ceiling, but there are some refinements to be made before he’ll strike you as someone ready to tackle the division’s elite.
Journey Newson
Division: Bantamweight
Result: Ricardo Ramos def. Journey Newson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Record: (9-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Grade: B+
First assignments don’t get much tougher than stepping in on two weeks’ notice and facing a young stud like Ricardo Ramos, but that’s exactly what Journey Newson did to make his way into the UFC.
Despite the challenge, Newson showed incredible composure and an inherently calm nature throughout the 15-minute affair, a trait that would seem to suggest he’ll be capable of remaining focused no matter the assignment. At just 5-foot-5, Newson’s frame comes with some limitations, especially against rangy opponents like Ramos, but the newcomer showed his chops in all aspects of the game.
Powerful, creative strikes? Check. Chin capable of withstanding a few flush spinning elbows? Check. Grappling skills capable of getting out of dangerous spots, not to mention threaten with a submission attempt or two of your own? Check and check.
Ultimately, Newson lost a clearcut decision to Ramos, but what he showed inside those 15 minutes suggests there will be plenty of fights that go the other way in his near future.
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