The shoulder of Brian Ortega collapsed under the historic spotlight of UFC on ABC 3 Saturday afternoon.
The main event came to a premature halt when Ortega’s shoulder dislocated on the ground against Yair Rodriguez, forcing referee Keith Petersen to halt the contest at 4:11 of the first round.
Would you want to see these two run it back? #UFCLongIsland pic.twitter.com/ilklK8QKin
— UFC (@ufc) July 16, 2022
Ortega was understandably emotional in the post-fight press conference. “The grip was tight on my arm and it dislocated – that was it – no armlock, no nothing,” Ortega said to Megan Olivi. “It was dislocated. Freak accident. It just sucks. The first time it’s every happened in my entire career. The first time it’s ever happened. I’m just taken aback by it.
“Everything was going my way. Literally I was winning every minute of the fight. I was sticking to the game plan because I do get emotional. … The world saw I was about to show what I do best, which is grapple and take control. Then the second we hit the ground my freaking arm just came out.”
Both fighters said they are willing to run it back, but for now, it goes into the book as a TKO victory for Rodriguez.
UFC president Dana White seemed receptive to an interim title fight between Rodriguez and Josh Emmett, who has been vocally pushing for a title fight.
One of the craziest battles we have seen this year, @Danger_Caged vs @Mudaerji_Su is your #UFCLongIsland Fight of the Night 💰
[ B2YB @ToyoTires ] pic.twitter.com/odIWKJE9D5
— UFC (@ufc) July 16, 2022
Matt Schnell and Su Mudaerji earned Fight of the Night, while Dustin Jacoby, Bill Algeo, Ricky Simon, Punahele Soriano, Amanda Lemos, and Li Jingliang earned performances of the night. Each fighter earned a $50,000 USD bonus.
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card.
In case you missed the prelims:
EMILY DUCOTE DEF. JESSICA PENNE VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
DUSTIN STOLTFUZ DEF. DWIGHT GRANT VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
DUSTIN JACOBY DEF. DA UN JUNG VIA KO (PUNCH) R1 3:13
BILL ALGEO DEF. HERBERT BURNS VIA TKO (RETIREMENT) R2 1:50
RICKY SIMON DEF. JACK SHORE VIA SUBMISSION (ARM-TRIANGLE) R2 3:28
PUNAHELE SORIANO DEF. DALCHA LUNGIAMBULA VIA KO (PUNCHES) R2 0:28
MAIN CARD
LAUREN MURPHY VS. MIESHA TATE
Nothing but respect after 15 hard fought minutes 👏
[ #UFCLongIsland | Main Card LIVE on @ABCNetwork ] pic.twitter.com/Nkr4ToLHoG
— UFC (@ufc) July 16, 2022
WINNER: LAUREN MURPHY VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: LAUREN MURPHY VIA UD
Andrews: Murphy put some knocks on Miesha’s face. Have to wonder what will happen going further.
SHANE BURGOS VS. CHARLES JOURDAIN
THAT FIGHT DELIVERED! 🙌 #UFCLongIsland pic.twitter.com/OcrwwS6c93
— UFC (@ufc) July 16, 2022
WINNER: SHANE BURGOS VIA MD (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: CHARLES JOURDAIN VIA SUBMISSION
Andrews: Props to Burgos for going the distance fighting a good fight.
#8 MATT SCHNELL VS. #12 SU MUDAERJI
🤯 @DANGER_CAGED WITH ONE OF THE CRAZIEST COMEBACKS OF THE YEAR!! #UFCLongIsland pic.twitter.com/hRWNVGe26i
— UFC (@ufc) July 16, 2022
WINNER: MATT SCHNELL VIA SUBMISSION (ARM-TRIANGLE) R2 4:24
ANDREWS PREDICITION: MATT SCHNELL VIA UD
Andrews: Wow! What a comeback by Matt.
JINGLIANG LI VS. MUSLIM SALIKHOV
Leech isn't done yet! 💥
[ @UFCJingliang | #UFCLongIsland ] pic.twitter.com/hJktpnaBuz
— UFC (@ufc) July 16, 2022
WINNER: JINGLIANG LI VIA TKO (PUNCHES AND ELBOWS) R2 4:38
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MUSLIM SALIKHOV VIA UD
Andrews Wow! I was expecting Muslim to better than that, but credit to Li for going after it.
#10 MICHELLE WATERSON VS. #11 AMANDA LEMOS
Lemos locked up a guillotine and Waterson tapped on her back at #UFCLongIsland pic.twitter.com/VwNAp5ODeu
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 16, 2022
WINNER: AMANDA LEMOS VIA SUBMISSION (GUILLOTINE CHOKE) R2 1:48
ANDREWS PREDICTION: AMANDA LEMOS VIA UD
Andrews: Great win for Amanda. This makes up for Jessica.
MAIN EVENT
#2 BRIAN ORTEGA VS. #3 YAIR RODRIGUEZ
WINNER: YAIR RODRIGUEZ VIA TKO (SHOULDER INJURY) R1 4:11
ANDREWS PREDICTION: BRIAN ORTEGA VIA SUBMISSION
Andrews: This happens from time to time. Let’s run it back.
Enjoy the fights.
