Hometown hero Chris Weidman made his Long Island debut a successful one as he earned a third-round submission win over Kelvin Gastelum in the main event of UFC on FOX 25.
Weidman used his reach on the feet and his grappling to control Gastelum on the ground. Gastelum however, found effective pockets of striking, including a quick right hand that almost finished the fight late in the first round.
Weidman recovered in the second round to revert to his wrestling and force Gastelum on the defensive, cinching in an arm triangle in the third round.
In case you missed the prelims:
CHRIS WADE DEF FRANKIE PEREZ VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
SHANE BURGOS DEF GODOFREDO PEPEY VIAUD (30-26, 30-26, 29-28)
JUNIOR ALBINI DEF TIMOTHY JOHNSON VIA TKO R1 2:51
MARLON VERA DEF BRIAN KELLEHER VIA SUBMISSION R1 2:18
JEREMY KENNEDY DEF KYLE BOCHNIAK VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
CHASE SHERMAN DEFÂ DAMIAN GRABOWSKI VIA UD (30-27, 30-26, 30-27)
ALEX OLIVEIRA DEF RYAN LAFLARE VS VIA TKO R2 1:50
ERYK ANDERS VS RAFAEL NATAL VIA TKO R1 2:54
ELIZEU ZALESKI DOS SANTOS DEF LYMAN GOOD VIA SD (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)
MAIN CARDÂ
#4 JIMMIE RIVERA Â VS #9 THOMAS ALMIEDAÂ
After three rounds, @JimmieRivera135 gets his 20th win in a row! #UFCLongIsland pic.twitter.com/TGTUBJSM3z
— UFC (@ufc) July 23, 2017
WINNER: JIMMIE RIVERA VIA UD (30-26, 29-28, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: JIMMIE RIVERA VIA UD
Andrews: A fantastic fight, but the Rivera’s technical prowess overcome the heart and bombs of Almieda.
#12 PATRICK CUMMINS VS #13 GIAN VILLANTEÂ
A devastating overhand by @GPVillante rattles Cummins! #UFCLongIsland pic.twitter.com/wbMkkFCKwh
— UFC (@ufc) July 23, 2017
WINNER: PATRICK CUMMINS VIA SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: PATRICK CUMMINS VIA UD
Andrews: Cummins out struck Villante and used the threat of a takedown disrupt the rhythm and tire out Gian. A disappointing performance for the hometown hero.
#10 DENNIS BERMUDEZ VS #12 DARREN ELKINSÂ
Victory via split decision! @DarrenElkinsMMA gets the nod in an extremely close fight! #UFCLongIsland pic.twitter.com/2T2VWwgrFJ
— UFC (@ufc) July 23, 2017
WINNER: DARREN ELKINS VIA SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: DARREN ELKINS VIA UD
Andrews: A battle of wrestling and Elkins won early and held on in the third as Bermudez found his striking. Not a barnburner, but a tactical fight.
MAIN EVENT
#5 CHRIS WEIDMAN VS #8 KELVIN GASTELUM
THAT'S IT!!!!! @ChrisWeidmanUFC gets the tap in round 3!!!! WHAT A WIN FOR THE ALL-AMERICAN!! #UFCLongIsland pic.twitter.com/xkctd2ptTs
— UFC (@ufc) July 23, 2017
WINNER: CHRIS WEIDMAN VIA SUBMISSION R3 3:45
ANDREWS PREDICTION: KELVIN GASTELUM VIA TKO
Andrews: Gastelum nearly ended the fight late in the first round, but give Weidman credit as he rebounded to use his wrestling and control Gastelum on the ground to work for the arm triangle.
