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00:00...in the middleweight division.
00:01Well, expect the temperature to rise here.
00:04Zachary Reese and Michel Pineda both bring the heat.
00:06Tonight they are charged with kicking off our main card here at Toyota Center.
00:13A local boy from two hours down the I-10 in Shiner.
00:17Zachary Reese returns to Texas in the best form of his UFC career,
00:20coming off a submission win over Jackson McVay in early November
00:24that served to extend his unbeaten streak to three.
00:26Tonight, the Dana White's Contender Series grad has a big challenge in his way
00:31in the form of the well-versed Michel Pineda.
00:34One of the most explosive and unpredictable fighters in the UFC,
00:39Brazil's Pineda is must-see TV every time he graces the octagon.
00:43As he steps in here against Reese tonight in Houston,
00:46the Las Vegas-based wildcard will look to tap into the offensive arsenal
00:49that at one point produced three straight first-round finishes
00:52of Andre Piotrowski, Michal Oliksejciuk, and Ihor Potieri.
00:58Coming up next, big thanks at middleweight as Zachary Reese
01:01squares off with Michel Devalador-Pereda.
01:20Here comes Michel Pineda with a big smile on his face,
01:24excited to get back to action.
01:25And, you know, what makes this matchup intriguing, too,
01:28is these guys have shared the mat with each other at Extreme Couture,
01:31which forced Zachary Reese to go and train back here in Texas full-time
01:35for this training camp.
01:36Now, listen, Michel Pereira, when he was on that winning streak,
01:39he is a dynamic striker, unorthodox.
01:42We've seen him do backflips inside of that octagon.
01:45We've seen him show really good fundamentals in jiu-jitsu
01:47with good submission skills and knockout power.
01:50I feel like what has really given him trouble as of lately, Michael,
01:53is the fact that he goes out there and he almost seems to be second-guessing himself.
01:57It also seems like the gas tank has failed him at a time.
02:00And when facing somebody like Reese, who's a big, strong middleweight,
02:05who's going to bring the action to you,
02:06you just got to hope that the training camp has really pushed him to the limits
02:10and he comes in phenomenal shape.
02:11Yeah, and that's what I'm genuinely curious about here tonight
02:14because you mentioned the gas tank.
02:15And we used to see him coming out and doing backflips and dancing
02:18and basically gassing himself out before the fight even started.
02:22You know, lately he's lost a couple.
02:25But he's been to very high-level competition.
02:27Our main event tonight, Anthony Hernandez, and, of course,
02:30Abus Maga made up as well.
02:32So he's not losing to slouches.
02:34And he was on that 8-5 win streak and he was very impressive.
02:37I mean, look at the physique on him.
02:39You can clearly see he's a physical specimen.
02:42Extremely explosive.
02:44And he's wild and unpredictable.
02:46Extremely powerful.
02:47And if he gets his arms wrapped around your neck,
02:50he is a big problem for anybody.
02:52Now, against Zachary Reese, a tall, long, Thai boxer.
02:57I'm not sure what the approach is going to be.
02:59We might see shooting go for a takedown because, as you mentioned,
03:02he does have high-level jiu-jitsu.
03:0448th professional mixed martial arts fight at 32 years of age.
03:08And certainly we have all, at times, acknowledged the highs and lows,
03:12the ebbs and flows, the thrill and the agony of this man's career.
03:16There's no denying the skill set.
03:17There's no denying the appetite for competition.
03:19And there's no denying if I looked like that for a day in my life,
03:22I would never wear a shirt.
03:23And there's no denying that John Anik is the GOAT.
03:25He comes back from the toilet bed, ladies and gentlemen.
03:28Straight away with the stats.
03:29I love this.
03:30That was maybe the greatest urination of my life.
03:33Maybe the longest pee of my entire life.
03:36There you go.
03:38Are you taking it?
03:40If Michel Panetta can hold serve as a slight favorite here on the road
03:43against the Shiner, Texas native Zachary Reese.
04:09Well, in all his glory, there is Zachary Reese as we welcome you back to the main card.
04:14This is one of the gentlemen around whom this fight card was built.
04:16Fighting out of Houston.
04:18Born in Shiner, Texas, where he resides.
04:21Population just north of 2,000.
04:23They got one stoplight, but they have eight bars barred in Shiner, Texas.
04:28But, Michael, you've been the champion in this division.
04:30I'll start with you on Zachary Reese.
04:32I mean, this man certainly physically looks the part.
04:34Biggest spot of his career.
04:35Beckett's here tonight.
04:36I'm going to swing by Shiner, Texas sometime, though.
04:38That sounds like my kind of place.
04:39Listen, Zachary Reese, I loved the last fight of his when he went out there against Jackson McVeigh.
04:46That showed me everything I need to know about this guy because it didn't start off too well.
04:52It was a pure Muay Thai fight in the clinch.
04:55They were exchanging knees and elbows in a vicious way.
04:59And he was on the receiving end of a lot of those blows.
05:02He got dropped once or twice, but he didn't give up on himself.
05:05And what happened, he comes out in the second round and finishes the fight.
05:09It was a beautiful performance.
05:10And that's why I'm so excited about this one because him versus Michelle Pereira, it's a great way to kick
05:16off this main card.
05:17Unbelievable way to kick it off.
05:19You know you're going to get action nonstop.
05:20And one of the things Zachary Reese did so well in that fight, like you talked about, Michael,
05:24is he made the adjustments that got him that win.
05:27It was back and forth in the clinch, wasn't going his way a lot of the times, found the weakness
05:32in the wrestling,
05:33and attacked it until he got that submission as well.
05:42All right, we begin and end the main card of the middleweight division.
05:45Zachary Reese, the plus 140 underdog here near closing time, is 31.
05:49Michelle Pineda, 32.
05:51Reese taller by 3 inches.
05:52He will have 4 inches in reach.
05:55All right, now for the introductions, here is Bruce Buffett.
06:01Ladies and gentlemen, we are live from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
06:17For UFC fight night, Strickland versus Hernandez.
06:22And now, this fight is three rounds in the UFC middleweight division.
06:29Introducing first, fighting out of the blue corner.
06:33A striker holding a professional record, 31 wins, 14 losses, 2 no contests.
06:39He stands, 6 feet 1 is tall, weighing in at 186 pounds.
06:45Fighting out of Las Vegas, Nevada, the way of Baraba, Para, Brazil.
06:50Michelle, Michelle, De Molina, Pereira.
06:59And now, introducing his opponent, fighting out of the red corner.
07:05A big car corner, holding professional record.
07:0810 wins, 2 losses, 1 no contest.
07:11He stands, 6 feet 4 inches tall, weighing in at 185 and 1 half pounds.
07:18Fighting out of Houston, Texas.
07:22By way of Shiner, Texas.
07:26Zachary Salmon Race.
07:34And when the action begins, a referee in charge, Herb Dean.
07:42Herb Dean will also handle the main event between Sean Strickland and Anthony Fluffy Hernandez.
07:47Back behind the black person.
07:47Chris and Blair getting started for round one.
07:49Red David Cruz with us as well.
07:51Big spot for Zachary Reese tonight.
07:54We'll see how he handles it.
07:56He is in black out of that southpaw stance.
07:58Michelle Podeda is in yellow.
08:02Podeda with the signature break dancing.
08:07Oh, and a hard body kick.
08:13I know you guys mentioned during the walk the previous training familiarity with these two athletes.
08:18Yes, sir.
08:19Yeah, so, Reese said that they did about 10 rounds of training together.
08:23And he didn't want to, you know, talk about what happens in the training room.
08:27But he had a little smile on his face.
08:28And he said he's very comfortable with the matchup.
08:31So, make of that what you will.
08:34You know, it is so different, though, when you're in here.
08:37And everything is with lethal intention the whole time you're throwing.
08:41And also, you'll be following four outs gloves.
08:45Reese hacks into the right hand.
08:47We don't kick from Reese.
08:50Seems like he's okay.
08:52That was a hard right hand.
08:55Early knockdown for Podeda, who welcomes Reese back to his feet.
09:05And, you know, when we were talking about Michel Pereira on the walk, I wanted to see him get a
09:12little bit more violent, get a little bit more aggressive with his strikes.
09:15And he is doing that.
09:16And that front kick up the middle, Michael, is one of his best weapons.
09:19Well, every single shot, it is to hurt you.
09:22It is to finish you.
09:25That right hand that he dropped in with, those body kicks.
09:32Even when he fought Anthony Hernandez, the fight started, and he was doing a lot of damage.
09:37Nasty front kick.
09:38But obviously, can you maintain that kind of pace and pressure throughout 15 minutes?
09:46And I think that's been the balancing act that he's been trying to find.
09:49He comes out so aggressive.
09:51Here, let's take a look.
09:52Here's the right hand.
09:53Oh, yeah.
09:55Yep, on the button.
09:56Right on the chin.
09:57And as he's off balancing on one leg, so.
10:00Stop.
10:01Stop.
10:03Get him?
10:03I heard a thigh.
10:04I didn't see it.
10:07I heard a guy calling for them to re-rack a replay so he can get eyes on it again.
10:14Oh, man.
10:15Looked pretty clean to me.
10:25That looks quite clean.
10:29I certainly am not going to cast any judgment on putting it in control.
10:32Maybe it, like, jopples your cup.
10:34I don't know if that word, so just watching.
10:36But that one looks pretty clean.
10:38Yeah.
10:39I'll give him the benefit of the doubt because so far he's landed some heavy shots.
10:44He's dropped him with the right hand.
10:48Huh?
10:50It's not like he's looking for, you know, a way to take a break right now, so.
10:56But he didn't look good.
10:58So, her game giving Michelle Panetta the benefit of the doubt.
11:02Texas fans are not.
11:07Panetta just gave her a nod of acknowledgement.
11:10Yeah, I think it just, as it hit the shorts, could have pulled on the jockstrap.
11:15But still.
11:16Again, looking to counter.
11:18He's got to be careful, Pereira.
11:19He's reaching down with that lead hand when Reece kicks and then throwing the right.
11:33Reese went into fifth gear there for a second.
11:41Nice commitment to the body there by Reece.
11:52Goal Fighters have invested in the body early.
11:55Pereira attacks it again.
12:02The left-hand of Reece.
12:04Oh, come on.
12:05He brought it up.
12:11We'll get you a replay on the second inadvertent low blow.
12:19Come here.
12:20Come here.
12:21And now, Herb Dean is calling over the review official.
12:28Let's take a look.
12:31Fair or foul?
12:32That's a foul.
12:35They said it was a foul.
12:40Maybe a different angle on it.
12:46It's the only angle I think we have.
12:48Well, Jeff Rexroad is serving in that role as the review official.
12:53And he said that it was a foul.
12:56So, Pereira continues to get his time.
13:05That looks...
13:07I don't know.
13:09I broke the belt line, if you ask me.
13:12Right.
13:13Never a dull moment.
13:15Here we go.
13:15Under two minutes to go in a round one.
13:16Come on, boys.
13:17Oh!
13:18Oh!
13:19Let's get after it now.
13:21We've had a lot of rest.
13:23We've had a lot of rest.
13:25We've had a lot of rest.
13:27We've had a lot of rest.
13:28We've had a lot of rest.
13:29Kick, he's stepping in.
13:30Hands are coming very low.
13:34Although, that'll go.
13:37Reese is getting a little wild, though, when he's swinging those hooks.
13:42Pineda resets just over a minute to go in a round.
13:48Reese stalking his prey.
13:52This is the most dangerous round, when you're fighting Michel Pereira.
13:56The first round is very dangerous, and then the threat level does concede a little bit, or diminish.
14:08Let's see what Pereira can do here.
14:14He's talking about standing there, meant to pulse the right hand.
14:19Have a stayed with it.
14:23Underhook there for Pereira.
14:25Grabs the neck.
14:26Good knee.
14:31Reese has been the more effective striker through four and a half minutes.
14:35Pereira mixing it up with one takedown.
14:37That's a nice combination by the Brazilian.
14:40A lot of redness on the body of Reese.
14:43From the kicks.
14:44The teams.
14:48He's stepping right into danger.
14:50Pereira was just a little sharper with his strikes to be able to time him.
14:55He's also getting wild.
14:57Both these guys.
14:58With a lot of openings.
14:59He's tried that, and...
15:03That is the Jackson.
15:04Grenetic pace through five.
15:07He will follow the Texan, Zachary Reese, into his corner.
15:12Let's just breathe at first, all right?
15:14Get that long.
15:14Cover.
15:15You know, he's gassing.
15:16You've got to make sure we're not.
15:17That's why you work so hard, so you can recover, okay?
15:21He's already gassing, so just...
15:23The main thing is you catch your breath, because he's coming out this next round tired already.
15:27Your range is good.
15:29When he's backing out, that means he's hurt or he's tired, okay?
15:32I need you not over-swinging when you come and he's going underneath you.
15:34I need you going to the body with teeps, with kicks, with punches, and then come back up top, all
15:39right?
15:39I want you snapping that lead hand a little more as well.
15:42When you're in softball, we circle right, and we set up that heavy left kick.
15:45If you need to throw the two with it to disguise the left kick, do it.
15:48You're just over-committing on things, right?
15:50So just don't over-commit, and then on your kicks, try to get a little bit more range,
15:53because you're kind of stuffing those.
15:55Second turn.
16:00Well, most of the loudest ovations this week have been reserved for that man, Anthony Fluffy Hernandez,
16:06itching closer to another UFC main event, this time against the former champ, Sean Strickman.
16:14Adam Copley, Jeremy Mahone, chiefing the corner of Zachary Reese.
16:19Some pointed advice after round one.
16:21They want him going to the body.
16:22Coach Dean Thomas, what do you see?
16:23Yeah, I think Zachary Reese needs to really increase his activity, because Pajada's so tight,
16:28and it looks like he's getting tired.
16:30Oh, that's a nice body shot.
16:31But it looks like he's getting tired, and I believe he caught them low blows so that he could breathe
16:36a little bit,
16:37because I believe Michelle Pajada is getting tired, and he needs to rest.
16:41Well, he just landed two huge knees to the midsection.
16:45Yeah, he's always going to be most dangerous in the opening parts of these rounds,
16:49where he gets a rest in the corner and comes out and then explodes.
16:52But again, you already see him start to just fade back a little bit, taking deep breaths.
17:04The Reese corner, looking for him to work that midsection of Michelle Pajada.
17:09And not Jameis' kicks, John, they were calling for.
17:12And we and Michael were pointing that out, too, that he's kind of opening himself up a bit when he's
17:17throwing these big kicks.
17:19Tonight's social media posts are brought to you by Threads,
17:21where conversations happening inside and outside the octagon.
17:24Take it to Threads.
17:27Again.
17:30And again, we're going to re-rack the replay to see the extent to which Pajada was fouled.
17:35Yeah, I mean, that's a pointer in the eye.
17:38Fingers extended.
17:46You can't do that.
17:50I don't know how bad it was.
17:52Yeah.
17:52I mean, the fingers were extended.
17:55I will say that.
18:00Yeah, I saw the fingers come out.
18:02Take the fingers out.
18:07So as most of you know, Michelle Pajada will have five minutes, 300 seconds to recover.
18:16Over that way.
18:23Do you need time?
18:24See, and this is why Jason Herzog speaks a little Brazilian Portuguese, right?
18:28Because I'm not sure Pajada knows what do you need more time even means.
18:32Yeah, that's a good point, John.
18:34But I think he's going to take as much time as he can.
18:51Thanks to Fabiano getting in there.
18:58And if you're Michelle Pajada, right, last thing you need to tune in is the boo boats.
19:03Well, he's getting a lot of opportunities to rest.
19:06Yes, he's been fouled.
19:08Not egregiously.
19:10Not particularly damaging, but he gets a chance to rest.
19:14Now, this is a great way to mix it up for Zachary Reese, just like he did in his last
19:18fight.
19:19Good shots as well.
19:20I've been waiting for this from Reese, to be honest with you.
19:24Especially since they've trained together.
19:26They've grappled together.
19:27He knows exactly how he does in those situations.
19:30Yeah, he said that he dominated him in the grappling scenarios.
19:34And Zachary Reese has been busted wide open.
19:36Not sure if it's the nose that's leaking or what,
19:38but I think it's the nose because he was spitting blood out, John.
19:43Pareda did a good job getting back to his feet, though.
19:52Oh, right on the neck slash chin by Reese.
19:58And to Dean Thomas' point, Zachary Reese is opening up.
20:05Oh, that's a solid left hand.
20:08Yeah, that was clean.
20:11And that's what I'd like to see a little bit more from Zachary Reese.
20:13Clash of heads there.
20:14Accidental.
20:16He's trying to be a bit more sharp, a bit more precise.
20:19Yes.
20:20Michel Panetta is so wild to begin with.
20:21You don't want to try to match that with him.
20:26Oh, they're just clashing into each other.
20:34You're trying to have a car crash fight with a guy who's in a truck.
20:39Yeah.
20:40Spinning attack from Reese.
20:43Panetta-wise to it.
20:44Just over two minutes here to go in round two.
20:49Oh.
20:51They are crashing as a safe one.
20:54Every time they're both landing.
20:55Both going.
20:56Yeah.
20:59Body kick is there.
21:01Oh, my gosh.
21:02I thought that went wrong.
21:03I know.
21:03I know.
21:04So did I.
21:08Reese with the hands very low.
21:11Oh, snap that right.
21:13Hand on that chin.
21:16Panetta with a lot of big reactions here in round two.
21:24Reese loading up far too much though.
21:26He's swinging that with everything that he has.
21:29And when he's landed, Michael, he hasn't done that.
21:31Straight down the middle.
21:33He's telegraphing the shots.
21:34Yes, indeed.
21:36Some serious discoloration under the eyes of Zachary Reese.
21:39Almost could see the purple already.
21:47There's been no fundamentals from either man.
21:50No setting up the power shots.
21:52Just standing there and just...
21:55Whatever you got.
21:56Flying knee.
21:58Massive right hands.
22:00Jumping galbows.
22:07Not nearly the sting on Panetta's offerings as we saw in round one.
22:11Yeah, he slowed down significantly.
22:14That's a good shot.
22:15Left hand, right hand.
22:16He didn't know it was a swing there.
22:18Step in, clean left hook, right hand behind him.
22:21That is what Zachary Reese has got to try to get back to here.
22:25And then you throw a spinning hook kick.
22:36Reese attacks the body late in round two.
22:43As you say, John, there's a lot of bruising under the eyes.
22:47Just missed with a flying knee.
22:50Oh.
22:53Two rounds down, one to go.
22:55Two rounds down, one to go.
22:55We will follow Michel Pareda into the blue corner.
23:04He's got the eyes.
23:06That's Michel Pereira, my irmão.
23:08That's Michel Pereira, my irmão.
23:09That's Michel Pereira, brother.
23:11That's Michel Pereira.
23:12That's Michel Pereira.
23:13Listen, those two rounds were yours, brother.
23:16You got to keep the standard right there.
23:17Two rounds were yours.
23:18Keep the standard.
23:21Watch out for that left hook.
23:23But he comes in with a left overhand, okay?
23:25Listen, keep the standard, right?
23:27Keep it going.
23:29Focus.
23:30Breathe.
23:32That's the last round.
23:34That's everything, okay?
23:35Be smart.
23:37You're Michel Pereira.
23:39You're a champion.
23:42Put on that show now.
23:43Put on that show, brother.
23:45Put on that show.
23:46So here we see Zachary Reece, big left hand.
23:50Wobbles Pereira.
23:52And of course, he was opening up with some exciting stuff.
23:55As you see him here.
23:58Pereira with the job.
24:00Reece just covered in blood.
24:02Flying knee connects right under the chin.
24:06Pereira took that one well.
24:09Well, you see the mutual respect between these former Extreme Couture training partners,
24:14Zachary Reece and Michel Pereira.
24:15Yeah, the corner line, what they saw from Pereira,
24:18they were saying, that's the Pereira that we know.
24:20But he was exhausted between rounds.
24:23Reece on the flip side.
24:24He was smiling.
24:25He was very calm.
24:27So Reece has to push the pace here.
24:30Yeah.
24:30To maximize that.
24:31Yeah, I agree.
24:32I think he needs to sharpen it up.
24:34Take some power off of these shots.
24:36Find the mark.
24:37Get Pereira on the back foot.
24:38Do some feints.
24:39Get in to try to draw out these big, powerful shots.
24:42And kind of predictable shots that you see sometime from Michel Pereira.
24:47Watch those fingers.
24:50Go.
24:51You don't need any more fouls in this fight.
24:53Probably don't need too many more warnings either.
24:56Agreed.
24:59This is good.
25:00Go to the body for Reece.
25:02Nice work.
25:04Slowed Pereira down.
25:05As I say, he was exhausted at the end of two.
25:10About a year and a half ago, Michel Pereira had put the finishing touches on an eight-fight winning streak.
25:16Now in danger of dropping four straight.
25:26Reece trying to create an angle.
25:28Changes the level now.
25:29I like that.
25:30Yep.
25:31Sticks him with the knee.
25:39You've got to set those up, though.
25:41There was an opportunity there to land a nice little jab.
25:44Then throw the head kick.
25:48And this corner was even asking him for that same side.
25:52Throw the left, then the kick behind it.
25:57Oh, man.
25:58You've got to be careful.
25:59That's two in a row.
26:00Yeah.
26:02So that has got power.
26:07Oh, I just ate that.
26:15Under three minutes now to decide it.
26:21Personal best on the leg kick front for Zachary Reece, who has a decided advantage in the significant strike column.
26:29That's a good shot.
26:31Putting right on the chin there.
26:33It was hot.
26:34Yeah, you gotta watch those fingers.
26:36They are out a lot of the time.
26:44They are out a lot of the time.
27:09A lot of fans and perhaps bettors were expected that this fight would not go this long.
27:15Oh, I did not expect it.
27:18Yeah, and Reece seems to have slowed down a lot here as well.
27:22Not much happened for the last 90 seconds, which is surprising.
27:28Yeah, he's having trouble with that nose, too.
27:30Uh-huh.
27:32Yeah, that's going to affect your breathing.
27:35That will cause problems with the cardio.
27:37Again, he hesitated on that left-hander.
27:39He backed up.
27:40He thought about it.
27:41He cocked it.
27:41Yeah.
27:42He didn't throw it.
27:43Yeah, he is stepping into range, but not throwing and putting himself in danger.
27:47Luckily, he hasn't really been caught in this round with a big, clean shot from Pereira.
27:58Again, yeah.
28:02You've got to be careful when you feint and then step in without a strike.
28:06It's fine to feint and stay out at range.
28:08Oh!
28:08There's a nice left hand.
28:09Went to the body and then up top did Reece Panetta on the counter.
28:13And especially, Paul, when your hands are so hard.
28:15Exactly.
28:16If you're going to step into range and feint, you've got to throw something.
28:19Oh!
28:21Yeah.
28:22Good scramble.
28:23Nice urgency from both men.
28:25Yeah, got the sense at our fighter meeting that perhaps Reece, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ground
28:30belt, might go submission hunting on the black belt.
28:34See that?
28:35The guy breathed out of his gun.
28:36Just a cloud of blood.
28:42Savagery out of Zachary in this lane as he left the right hand.
28:45Oh, back and forth.
28:46Back and forth behind Pereira.
28:48They both connected there, but you saw the reaction from Reece when he got it.
28:52Yeah, he with that right hand.
28:55And if you're Panetta, can't really idle now.
29:05Panetta with a late knee to the body.
29:09And that'll do it.
29:11The former teammates turned foes.
29:14Michelle Panetta and Zachary Reese go the distance to kick off the main card here in Houston.
29:25We will catch our respective threats, tally up the judges' scorecards, and be right back with you as UFC Fight
29:33Night continues part of it.
29:48All right, the official decision is in.
29:50Here is Bruce Buffett.
29:53Ladies and gentlemen, after three rounds, we go to the judges' scorecards for a decision.
29:59The judges score the contest.
30:00Jacob Montalvo has it.
30:0229-28, Pereira.
30:05Ryan Thompson has it.
30:0629-28, Reese.
30:08And Chris Lee scores the contest.
30:1129-28 for the winner by split decision, Michelle DeMolidor-Pereira.
30:24All right, so Michelle Panetta gets his 10th UFC win, his 30-second pro MMA win.
30:30The Zachary Reese corner despondent.
30:33Certainly thought they had done enough to get it done.
30:36We will show you the scorecards from our judges.
30:40Jacob Montalvo gave Michelle Panetta the first two rounds, as did Chris Lee.
30:46Those two judges were aligned.
30:47Ryan Thompson saw round two for Zachary Reese.
30:50All three judges had Reese in round three, but Michelle Panetta gets it done on two of the three cards
30:56in the battle.
30:57Tatiana Suarez, former world title challenger, will fight Lupe Godinez April 11th at UFC 327.
31:04Also with us tonight, the former UFC lightweight champion, the legend Rafael Dos Anjos.
31:12And recent featherweight world title challenger, the uber-popular Diego Lopez with us here.
31:20For UFC fighters.
31:21Also the champ is here, UFC BJJ lightweight king, Carlos Anjique is in the building.
31:26He's a Houston native, and nice to have him catching the action with us here in his hometown.
31:55A productive rookie year has many believing Jacoby Smith is one we're tracking long term in the welterweight division,
32:00and he will aim to show you why tonight as he squares off with newcomer Josiah Harrell.
32:09An all-American wrestler at Big 12 powerhouse Oklahoma State, Jacoby Smith has made a seamless transition from the match
32:16to the octagon.
32:16A pair of UFC wins last year pushed his record to 11-0, and tonight the talented prospect hopes for
32:23a statement win in this first appearance of 2026.
32:27Standing in the way of that initiative is fellow unbeaten Josiah Harrell, a standout on the regional circuit who has
32:33earned all but one of his 11 pro wins via finish.
32:36The 27-year-old Harrell already picked up his first win of the year in January and aims to collect
32:41another one here in his much-anticipated UFC debut.
32:46Coming up next, Jacoby, Kobe Smith takes off the muscle hamster, Josiah Harrell.
32:55Well, as John said before the feature, this UFC debut has been a long time coming for Josiah Harrell after
33:04doctors found a rare disease that blocked the blood flow to nearly half his brain.
33:09Now, I spoke to his team yesterday, and they told me they were able to review those brain scans, and
33:15half the brain was actually dark.
33:17As John mentioned, he went to have surgery six months later. He is not a patient guy, guys. He said
33:23he was hiking within days. He was back on the pads a week later.
33:27He battled seizures along the way, but fighting isn't just what he does, it's who he is. And tonight, after
33:33fighting for his life, he finally makes the walk.
33:37All right, Heidi, nicely done. And Matt Brown, one of the most decorated knockout artists in UFC history, is entrenched
33:42in his corner.
33:42Michael, that man knows a thing or two about hard work, and it seems like work ethic leads the dance
33:47for Josiah Harrell.
33:51Looks like we're having an issue.
33:52There we go. We got me. Yeah, Josiah Harrell. I mean, this man is so inspirational, obviously, what he went
33:58through there.
33:59And then training a week later, hiking, hitting pads a week later. That's crazy.
34:04But let's look at what happened before that. He accepted a short-notice fight against Jack Delamade later.
34:09And now, once again, stepping up on short notice against Jacoby Smith. A hot prospect.
34:16And you think, this man's kind of out of his mind. But no, he's 11-0. He's got six knockouts,
34:21four submissions.
34:22And I'm telling you, he is very, very good. He is a natural-born fighter.
34:26One of his fights in the LFA, he shoots a double-lead takedown, goes straight through the door and into
34:32the crowd.
34:32And the door was locked. It wasn't that the door was unlocked. That's how much power he generated.
34:38He's coming into this one extremely confident.
34:41Yeah, and you take a look at both of these men, and they are just stout welterweights, packing a lot
34:47of power, and both with good wrestling backgrounds.
34:50But for Harold, yeah, just the fact that he was getting back from brain surgery and hitting up his coaches
34:57when he landed, days later, or however long it was, and said,
35:01All right, I've got to hit the mitts. And they're like, Hey, son.
35:03No, like, I'm not going to do that.
35:05Why don't you talk?
35:05Yeah, you're out of your mind.
35:06But it just shows the passion and the need to do this and the drive that this young man has
35:12for this sport to go through all that and to be itching to get back into competition the way he
35:17did.
35:18And he certainly understands the explosive athlete with whom he is dealing tonight, but he's ready to spring the upset.
35:44All right, so here is the born fighter and former D1 All-American wrestler from Oklahoma State University.
35:51The Oklahoma-born, Tallis, Texas-based Jacoby Smith, 11-0 in the UFC, coming off a submission win over Nico
35:58Price.
35:59Hay is in the barn, another hard worker here, and he's championship-driven.
36:04We'll see how he handles this particular challenge tonight, Paulie.
36:06And I think the hard work that you just mentioned there, John, it's even at another level than it ever
36:11has been before in his career.
36:12He feels like he really relied on athleticism and just pure talent before.
36:17But going and training again with DC at AKA and understanding what it needs to be at the highest level
36:23is really going to pay off for him tonight.
36:27All right, welcome back.
36:29As we continue our main card at Welch-A-Wake, Jacoby Smith taking on Josiah Harrell.
36:33Michael, that is Jacoby Smith.
36:34Physical specimen, 11-0, and trying to get the biggest win of his career to date tonight.
36:39Yeah, physical specimen is an understatement.
36:41And remember this name, Jacoby Smith, because if he actualizes even half of what he's manifesting in his mind, this
36:49man's going to be an absolute superstar.
36:51He said he's not going to stop until he's got at least $10 million in his bank account.
36:5411-0, undefeated, nine finishes, a Division I All-American wrestler out of Oklahoma State.
37:02And then the fact that he trained with Daniel Cormier, he's soaking up all of that information and knowledge and
37:08experience.
37:09And the hand speed and the power that he has.
37:12I mean, he is the total package.
37:15And I'm telling you, coming up against Josiah Harrell, he could not have been more confident at the fighter meetings.
37:21He wasn't arrogant.
37:22It was just an understanding of the potential that he has and the life that he's lived and the athletic
37:28success that he's had throughout it.
37:33Certainly doesn't appear as though nerves are an issue for Jacoby Smith in advance of his third UFC appearance.
37:38It comes against 27-year-old Josiah Harrell.
37:42A few inches, the difference in height.
37:45Four inches, the reach advantage for the betting favorite, Jacoby Smith.
37:49All right, now for the particulars, we go back inside of Bruce Buffer.
37:54Ladies and gentlemen, this fight is three rounds in the UFC Walter Waite Division.
38:00Introducing first, fighting out of the blue corner, an undefeated professional artist, holding a perfect professional record.
38:08Eleven wins, no losses.
38:10He stands, five feet, seven inches tall, weighing in at 171 pounds, fighting out of Columbus, Ohio,
38:20the muscle hamster, Josiah Harrell.
38:28And now, introducing his opponent, fighting out of the red corner, an undefeated mixed martial artist, holding a perfect professional
38:37record.
38:38Eleven wins, no losses.
38:40He stands, five feet, ten inches tall, weighing in at 171 pounds, fighting out of Dallas, Texas,
38:50as Jacoby, Colby, Colby, Smith!
38:57And with the action begins, our referee in charge, Perry Hatley.
39:04Jacoby Smith with the easiest backflip I've ever seen in my life.
39:08He didn't even put any effort into that.
39:10Yeah, he's a freak.
39:12Well, and he said he has hit another level of shape during this training camp.
39:17He also said he's so trained up to adapt, he is ready for the unexpected.
39:23Taking on the short-notice newcomer, Josiah Harrell, who is in black.
39:28So they have identical records.
39:31All the accolades, though, are on the side of Jacoby Smith.
39:35Having said that, though, I was very impressed with the tape that I saw of Harrell.
39:41Outstanding athlete in his own right, played football, wrestled, and ran track in high school.
39:45Actually tried to walk on at the University of Cincinnati.
39:50And these guys are specimens, man.
39:53Shooting early on Jacoby Smith.
39:55Now, one thing last time for Smith against Nico Price last time out.
40:01Did start to fade.
40:02I mean, granted, he still got the finish in the second round.
40:05But maybe that's a part of the strategy for Harrell.
40:09Harrell's corner being chiefed by the MMA legend Matt Brown.
40:13And he did acknowledge, did Josiah in our fighter meeting,
40:15that he's got to be willing to grapple.
40:17He's got to present different looks to Jacoby Smith.
40:21But Jacoby does carry the chin quite hard.
40:25He leapt in a second to go for a straight right.
40:27The chin was hanging out there waiting to be punched.
40:30So keep an eye on that.
40:37Harrell's high school football coach coined him the muscle hamster.
40:41And it stuck into his pro fighting career.
40:49Good connection with the right hand by Smith.
40:53Oh, God.
40:54Body kick.
40:55Yeah.
41:03Smith spent about one week of this training camp in Vegas.
41:06Four weeks at Daniel Cormier's Academy Fight Club in Gilroy, California.
41:12You know, and this might be somewhere where you can catch Jacoby.
41:14Certainly in the wrestling department, it's Smith with all the accolades,
41:18but I don't know about the submission game.
41:23Oh, that was a nice head kick.
41:25Yeah, it was.
41:30Smith's so composed.
41:32Yeah.
41:32Left hand.
41:33Left hook got through clean.
41:39Left fingers, left fingers, left fingers.
41:41Oh, I got to watch that right hand.
41:44Usually we see a little more from the previous fights I've seen of Harrell.
41:47A little more side-to-side movement, in and out.
41:50He's kind of getting stuck a little flat front.
41:51Nice takedown from Smith.
41:53And that's the difference.
41:54You can see the levels of wrestling now.
41:57That is how you take it.
41:58But look at that.
41:58Right back up to his feet.
42:00Nice body kick by Harrell.
42:02Yeah, and Harrell also, in his fights, I've seen really big heavy game.
42:06He didn't like that right hand from Smith.
42:08Big reaction.
42:11Jacoby really fine in the range of his hands.
42:14Wow.
42:15Guess the takedown.
42:16But look at that.
42:17I mean.
42:18On the real.
42:20Big shots here too.
42:22Oh, he's out.
42:22He's out, right?
42:2312-0.
42:25Jacoby Smith in a big way tonight.
42:29And Kerry Hattley maybe didn't like the extra blows.
42:32How about Jacoby Smith?
42:35He's coming up.
42:38Too good.
42:39Too good.
42:41Insane.
42:42He talked about how he was on another level now.
42:45Stepping it up.
42:46Training.
42:48Living a cleaner life outside of the cage.
42:51I mean, that was phenomenal.
42:53The way that he took him down.
42:55The technique.
42:56The precision.
42:57The brilliance of it.
42:59And then just the devastating follow-up shots immediately.
43:05Josiah Harrell in a world of trouble right now.
43:11Still fighting.
43:12Still doesn't know that the fight has ended.
43:15As the medical personnel attend to Harrell.
43:22Let's take a look.
43:24It's clipped with that knee.
43:25Gets a takedown.
43:26But look at the reversal.
43:27Just springs right over.
43:28And then immediately starts landing.
43:33Nasty.
43:34Nasty shots.
43:35And I mean, the amount of shots that he eats before the referee finally gets in.
43:39And then he gets aggressive with Jacoby, who's only doing his damn job in there.
43:43No, that was a super late stoppage from Kerry Hatley.
43:49It is the referee's job, not the fighter's job, to stop the fight.
43:54Yeah, I mean, you see Hatley's frustration, but he was sort of the man in error.
43:57Didn't get in there quick enough.
43:59There's the reaction from the Crutchman.
44:01Kyle Crutchman, Ryan Benoit, Anthony Montalvo.
44:05That's a big moment for Jacoby Smith.
44:07I mean, made it look like a walk in the park as he bounces Josiah Harrell from the ranks of
44:14the unbeaten.
44:14Next Saturday night, all-action flyweights.
44:16Headline a loaded card south of the border.
44:18Two-time flyweight champ Brandon Moreno returns to put on another show.
44:22He takes on the rising prospect Lonnie Cavanaugh, the main card.
44:25Hits from Mexico City at 8 p.m. Eastern.
44:27Freeloms at 5.
44:28Pre-fight coverage at 4.
44:30All of it yours next Saturday on Paramount+.
44:36What a moment for Jacoby Smith.
44:38Nice to see Josiah Harrell exit under the power of his own two feet.
44:42To make this one official, here's Bruce.
44:45Ladies and gentlemen, referee Kerry Hatley has called a stop to this contest.
44:50At three minutes, one second of the first round.
44:53Declaring the winner by knockout, Jacoby, Kobe Smith!
45:04I'm here with the winner, a very impressive Jacoby Smith.
45:08Jacoby, that was an amazing display, a brutal display of mixed martial arts.
45:13Did anything about that surprise you?
45:16Another one.
45:19Keep on stacking these knockouts out.
45:21Houston, Houston, Texas.
45:23We have a star in the building tonight.
45:27What's next for me?
45:28What's next?
45:29Who y'all think I should call out?
45:32I got a name in mind.
45:34Outside of the top 15, that's where I want to be.
45:37But if not, Kevin Holland, where your bitch ass at?
45:42Kevin Holland, solid call out.
45:47That's three wins in the UFC so far.
45:50Three stoppages.
45:52What does the future hold for Jacoby Smith?
45:56Keep building with the program.
45:58You know, UFC doing me right.
46:00I'm trying to build.
46:01I'm trying to go quick.
46:02I'm in my prime.
46:04What's next for Jacoby Smith?
46:06Y'all let me know.
46:06I'm about to go do business with Dana, Mick, Sean Shelby.
46:11They'll be posting.
46:13You guys will know.
46:13Stay tuned, baby.
46:14Stay fucking tuned.
46:17Take a look at the screen.
46:19Walk me through this finish.
46:23I didn't want to waste too much energy getting out of there,
46:25so I was going to just roll through my traditional ejecto-sito cus.
46:30Get up on top, start banging.
46:32I knew I had them when I had leverage.
46:34I could bring it back.
46:35As soon as three or four of them touched,
46:37I knew it was over with.
46:39I felt this body go limp.
46:40And that's all she wrote.
46:41Well, Jacoby, three in a row, 12-0 overall.
46:44One of the brightest prospects in all of the UFC.
46:47Your winner, ladies and gentlemen, Jacoby, Kobe, Smith!
46:52Huge result for Jacoby Smith tonight.
46:55Nice job by the boss, Dana White, pointing us to that fight.
46:57If you don't know now, you know.
47:01What a moment for Jacoby Smith.
47:04Got to think they're celebrating at the Academy Fight Club
47:07back in Gilroy, California.
47:11Jacoby Smith has arrived, folks, 12-0 after disposing of Josiah Harrell
47:17properly here tonight in Houston.
47:20Well, the UFC stars are out tonight.
47:23There's the former UFC light heavyweight champion,
47:25in Jamal Sweet Dreams Hill.
47:27We'll be right back.
47:27And Jamal Sweet Dreams Hill.
47:28Продолжение следует...
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