UFC on ESPN 2 took place Saturday, March 30, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The card was headlined by a lightweight slugfest between Edson Barboza and Justin Gaethje.
Closing odds are courtesy of Several Bookmakers. Here’s a quick recap of each of those fights.
Favorites that Won
Jack Hermansson secured an early takedown and converted into a guillotine choke to submit David Branch in the first round for the biggest win of his career. Hermansson closed -135 with the return on Branch +121
In a close fight midway through round three, Sodiq Yusuff landed a counter that dropped Sheymon Moraes. While Yusuff didn’t get the finish, it was the key separation he needed to win the third round and therefore the fight. Yusuff closed -152 while Moraes closed +131
Marina Rodriguez cut open Jessica Aguilar early in this bout and continued to beat her up for 15 minutes to win a wide decision. Rodriguez closed -370 while Aguilar closed +300
Des Green had no problems with veteran Ross Pearson as he steamrolled him on the feet earning a TKO victory in the first round. Green closed the biggest favorite on the card at -556 with the return on Pearson +415
In a fight with a lot of scrambles, Kevin Holland did just enough to convince two of the judges to award him the fight over Gerald Meerschaert. Holland closed -222. Meerschaert closed +195
Alex Perez secured takedowns in all three rounds and out landed Mark de la Rosa by a wide margin to win a unanimous decision. Perez closed -417 while de la Rosa closed +326
Underdogs that Won
Justin Gaethje landed a right hand as Edson Barboza was circling away that sent the Brazilian to the canvas. Before Gaethje could follow Barboza to the mat and finish the bout, the referee stepped in and stopped the fight. Gaethje closed -101 while Barboza closed -118
Down in the third round and needing a finish, Josh Emmett landed a tremendous right hand that knocked Michael Johnson out on the feet for a thrilling victory. Emmett closed +116. Johnson closed -141
Michelle Waterson fought a smart, tactical fight outlanding Karolina Kowalkiewicz to win a decision and move into strawweight title contention. Waterson closed +135 while Kowalkiewicz closed -159
After being beat up for 14 minutes of this bout, Paul Craig earned a late submission off his back to stun Kennedy Nzechukwu late in the third round. Craig closed +167 with the return on Nzechukwu closed -192
Kevin Aguilar did some beautiful combination work to out land Enrique Barzola to win a decision and to continue his rise in the featherweight division. Aguilar closed +120 while Barzola closed -135
Casey Kenney was in a dogfight with Ray Borg and came out on top by holding top position longer in the contest. Kenney closed +225 with the return on Borg -256
Maryna Moroz came out firing out landing Sabina Mazo in the first couple of rounds to get out to an early lead to hold on in round three to win a decision. Moroz closed a +155 underdog while Mazo closed -175
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