Yair Rodriguez (11-2-0) overcame the pressure and strikes of Chan Sung Jung (14-5-0)Â to collect an impressive final round TKO victory in the main event of UFC Denver Saturday evening.
Jung came out blazing with kicks and strikes to keep the usually hard charging Rodriguez cautious to return. But it was late in the fifth round when it appeared the fight would go to the judges that El Pantera avoided one more Zombie charge and landed an upward elbow that put the fight away with one second to spare.
HOW DO YOU LAND THIS?!?!?!?! OH MY @PanteraUFC!!! #UFCDenver pic.twitter.com/CJx9dMpg0h
— UFC (@ufc) November 11, 2018
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card.
In case you missed the prelims:
MARK DE LA ROSA DEF. JOBY SANCHEZ VIA SD (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
ERIC SHELTON DEF. JOSEPH MORALES VIA SD (29-28, 27-30, 30-27)
DEVONTE SMITH DEF. JULIAN EROSA VIA TKO (STRIKES) R1 0:46
DAVI RAMOS DEF. JOHN GUNTHER VIA SUBMISSION (REAR-NAKED CHOKE) R1 1:57
BOBBY MOFFETT DEF. CHAS SKELLY VIA SUBMISSION (BRABO CHOKE) R2 2:43
ASHLEY YODER DEF. AMANDA COOPER VIA SD (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)
💰 BONUSES 💰
FOTN: @KoreanZombieMMA vs @PanteraUFC
POTN: @PanteraUFC & @CowboyCerrone #UFC25Years #UFCDenver pic.twitter.com/9pRXyu967x— UFC (@ufc) November 11, 2018
MAIN CARDÂ
MICHAEL TRIZANO VS. LUIS PENA
How do you score that one? #UFCDenver pic.twitter.com/QQJo91Ti3n
— UFC (@ufc) November 11, 2018
WINNER: MIKE TRIZANO VIA SD (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: LUIS PENA VIS SUBMISSION
Andrews: Trizano enforced his game and outworked Pena. Good win.
MAYCEE BARBER VS. HANNAH CIFERS
Maycee Barber: v good.#UFCDenver pic.twitter.com/YvDBEzbO8w
— UFC (@ufc) November 11, 2018
WINNER: MAYCEE BARBER VIA TKO R2 2:01
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MAYCEE BARBER VIA TKO
Andrews: Barber used her size and strikes to wear down Cifers. Great win.
BENEIL DARIUSH VS. THIAGO MOISES
Dariush gets the dominant UD win! #UFCDenver pic.twitter.com/KBkdIibJx5
— UFC (@ufc) November 11, 2018
WINNER: BENEIL DARIUSH VIA UD (30-25, 30-25, 30-26)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: BENEIL DARIUSH VIA TKO
Andrews:  Dariush was just too much for Moises. Beneil needed the win and he made sure to get it.
#4 RAQUEL PENNINGTON VS. GERMAINE DE RANDAMIEÂ
Straight right from @IronLadyMMA connects!#UFCDenver pic.twitter.com/mrh5T04OHM
— UFC (@ufc) November 11, 2018
WINNER: GERMAINE DE RANDAMIE VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: GERMAINE DE RANDAMIE VIA TKO
Andrews: Pennington couldn’t get the fight to the ground. The striking of De Randamie was too good.
#12 DONALD CERRONE VS. MIKE PERRYÂ
THAT'S IT!! @CowboyCerrone taps Perry in round 1!
… And then brings his son in the Octagon! #UFCDenver pic.twitter.com/1LZPoIARtT
— UFC (@ufc) November 11, 2018
WINNER: DONALD CERRONE VIA Â SUBMISSION (ARMBAR) R1 4:45
ANDREWS PREDICTION: DONALD CERRONE VIA TKO
Andrews:Â Cerrone outsmarted Perry, who was doing fine until it went to the ground. The Cowboy is back.
MAIN EVENTÂ
#10 CHAN SUNG JUNG VS. #15 YAIR RODRIGUEZÂ
OH MY GOODNESS YAIR RODRIGUEZ WITH SECONDS LEFT!!!! WOW!!!#UFCDenver @PanteraUFC pic.twitter.com/J0xN3r6AIG
— UFC (@ufc) November 11, 2018
WINNER:Â YAIR RODRIGUEZ VIA TKO (ELBOW) R5 4:59
ANDREWS PREDICTION: CHAN SUNG JUNG VIA TKO
Andrews: Give Rodriguez credit. He hung in there and took everything Chung could dish out, and returned the fire one last time at the end. Great win for El Pantera.
@kenaiandrews
