Who were the winners at UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Cowboy? Click below to get the results for all the fights at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2016.
Oliveira vs Cerrone | Carneiro vs Brunson | Mendes vs Garbrandt | Kawajiri vs Bermudez | Riggs vs Camozzi | Campbell vs Krause | Strickland vs Garcia | Bamgbose vs Sarafian | Leleco vs Smith | Coy vs Webb | Evans-Smith vs Reneau | Fasholz vs Murphy | Abdurakhimov vs Hamilton
UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Cowboy main card
Donald Cerrone defeats Alex Oliveira
“Cowboy” Cerrone proved he is the best cowboy in the UFC after tapping out Alex “Cowboy” Oliveira by triangle choke at 2:33 of round 1. Cerrone and Oliveira traded in the stand up for a bit and then went right into the clinch and onto the fence. But as soon as the fight went to the ground, Cerrone showed off his brilliant jiu-jitsu skills. He took the mount position and swung his leg around to get a quick triangle position, and Oliveira knew he had nowhere to go.
More from Fight Night Pittsburgh: Full results | Post-fight bonus recap | TITLE | Brunson, Garbrandt get big wins | Strickland, Bamgbose show off power punches | Evans-Smith gets back to winning ways | Backstage interviews: Chris Camozzi, Sean Strickland, Oluwale Bamgbose | Octagon interviews: Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone, Derek Brunson, Ashlee Evans-Smith
They said it:
Donald Cerrone: “That was my 30th walk. We got here at 1 o’clock today and went through the walk about 10 times, that’s the best I’ve ever felt in here. My hat is off to this dude, he took a fight on short notice against me and that’s really cool. I’m going to do 155-pounds and 170-pounds, so if you want to get hurt, I know a guy.”
Prefight reading/viewing
- Cerrone following his own path in return to Octagon
- 'Cowboy' Oliveira always ready for a fight
- Oliveira reveals hunch that 'Cowboy vs Cowboy' was coming
- Watch: Cerrone & Oliveira talk about the Cowboy Life
- Watch: Joe Rogan previews the big fight
- Watch: Donald Cerrone - The Working Class Man
- Watch: Cowboy Oliveira fighting for a better future
Derek Brunson defeats Roan Carneiro
Derek Brunson continued his winning streak against Roan Carneiro, landing a succession of punches hovering over Carneiro to earn the TKO at 2:38 of the first round. Brunson now has three straight first-round finishes and said after the bout that he is going to keep TKOing opponents and is eyeing the title.
They said it:
Derek Brunson: “With USADA in place now, there’s an even playing field. I work really hard, I know I’m improving, I don’t even look for the takedowns anymore, they’re just there for me. I got him to the ground and landed a few punches and saw that he was stunned so I went for the finish. It doesn’t matter who I fight next, I’m here to fight and get better. I want to chill and enjoy my kids, enjoy my family then I’ll figure out who I want to fight next. I can guarantee it’ll be someone who will get me closer to a title shot.”
Roan Carneiro: “I am ready to fight again as soon as possible. I had a great camp and I was dominant in the beginning, but because I fell over and got hit with a right hook, that was it. I’m ready to fight again, I don’t want to wait too long.”
Prefight reading/viewing
- Watch: Joe Rogan previews the co-main event
- Worry-free Carneiro ready to make impact in UFC return
- Brunson looking to kickstart breakthrough year
- Watch: The Matchup - Brunson vs Carneiro
Cody Garbrandt defeats Augusto Mendes
All eyes were on Cody Garbrandt as he made his return to Pittsburgh in from of what he called his hometown fans. Garbrandt cut his teeth in MMA in Pittsburgh before coming to the UFC and returned in hero-like fashion, Koing Augusto Mendes at 4:18 of the first round to improve to 8-0 overall and 3-0 in the UFC. The fight was fast-paced and almost like everyone at Console Energy Center was just waiting for someone to connect with a big punch. Garbrandt continues to live up to his hype and continues to showcase his lightning fast striking inside the Octagon.
Prefight reading/viewing
- Watch: New names added late to Pittsburgh card
- Garbrandt taking fast lane toward title opportunities
- Augusto Mendes fighter profile
- Watch: Cody Garbrandt - Ready to Put on a Show
- Watch: Cody Garbrandt's Roots
Dennis Bermudez defeats Tatsuya Kawajiri
Dennis Bermudez is known for his cardio and aggressiveness, and he put both on display against Tatsuya Kawajiri to earn a unanimous decision win (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). Bermudez lost the takedown battle, 4-3, but was able to out-strike Kawajiri, 120-27 and 61-12 (sig. strikes) in the bout. Bermudez stops a two-fight losing streak and after the fight asked for a fight with Ricardo Lamas or BJ Penn.
They said it:
Dennis Bermudez: “I just played it smart. Typically when I throw a high volume of punches and get right in my opponent’s face it gets me in trouble. They throw right down the middle and I get hit, so I played tonight a little smarter and Kawajiri is a different type of opponent. Like I said in the Octagon, I either want a rematch with Ricardo Lamas or a fight with BJ Penn. Penn is the bigger name, but I’ll be happy with either.”
Tatsuya Kawajiri: “I actually expected him to come with that game plan, it was typical Dennis Bermudez. I only had a little time to prepare for this fight, it was a short time span from my last fight, so I hope to commission myself better in the next fight.”
Prefight reading/viewing
Chris Camozzi defeats Joe Riggs
It didn’t take very long for Chris Camozzi to finish his bout against Joe Riggs, landing a serious of vicious knees to the head that led to the KO at 26 seconds of the very first round. Camozzi picks up his second win in a row and said after the fight that fans can expect to see a new and improved Camozzi going forward — a fighter that is looking to finish. Pretty good start to his new run in the UFC.
They said it:
Chris Camozzi: “Everything lead up to that hip feint, which is something we’ve been working on in practice the entire camp. I threw a rear hip feint and then landed a jab and as soon as he hunched over I locked him up in the clinch and hit him with the knees. I want a top-10 opponent next with a full camp. Every time I get a top-10 opponent, it’s on short notice. I fought Jacare twice on a combined 20 days’ notice, so I just want a full camp and a top-10 guy.”
Prefight reading/viewing
James Krause defeats Shane Campbell
As soon as you get a little momentum going in the UFC good things tend to happen. James Krause picked up his second straight win with a unanimous decision win against Shane Campbell (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). Krause and Campbell were determined to trade whenever they were in striking distance, and the early goings were fast-paced and back-and forth. Krause landed three takedowns to two for Campbell, but was out-struck considerably overall, 75-54 and 62-43 (sig. strikes).
They said it:
James Krause: “I’m really disappointed, I’m not here to be mediocre. I know I won, but that’s not how I wanted to do it. Both chokes were really tight, he did a great job getting out of those. After a performance like that, I’m not in a position to call anyone out.”
Shane Campbell: “I’m not too sure what to say about the fight. I’ve grown a lot as a fight and I’m just going to keep growing.”
Prefight reading/viewing
UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Cowboy FS1 prelims
Sean Strickland defeats Alex Garcia
Sean Strickland dominated Alex Garcia on the feet, using his jab to bloody the face of Garcia before landing the final blows to get the KO at 4:25 of the second round. With the win, Strickland improves to 17-1 and adds his ninth KO win to the list. Garcia landed three takedowns in the fight but wasn’t able to do much with them. Strickland out-landed Garcia, 113-41 and 84-23 (significant strikes).
They said it:
Sean Strickland: “I was happy that Alex had a good record. Watching him fight, he’s good, but he was a little too slow – I’m used to training with really quick guys. I was on my back and heard my coach, Sam Alvey, yell for me to get up because there was only a minute left. Alex took me down a couple times, so I knew I needed to go for broke and that I needed a finish to get the win. There’s a guy who just beat Jake Ellenberger – Tarec Saffiedine – I think that would be a great fight and that’s what I want next.”
Prefight reading/viewing
- Alex Garcia continues fight back from ACL injury
- Sean Strickland fighter profile
- Watch KO of the Week: Alex Garcia vs. Ben Wall
Oluwale Bamgbose defeats Daniel Sarafian
Oluwale Bamgbose had his coming out party in Pittsburgh, landing a left head kick and then an upper cut to a downed Daniel Sarafian, knocking him out to collect his first UFC win. Bamgbose improves to 6-1, all six wins have come by way of knock out. After his win, Bamgbose spoke to Jon Anik and said that he’s hard to deal with because of his blazing speed and his punching power, which is like a heavyweight. The middleweight put his division on notice with the huge KO.
They said it:
Oluwale Bamgbose: “I expected this outcome for the most part. I was nervous but it feels amazing. I worked my tail off and this is the result. I wanted to show more and hope I can in my next fight. I’m not going anywhere. I'm here to stay.”
Daniel Sarafian: “I got caught by a surprise, there was nothing I could do. I had a great camp, I’m going to go home and train more. I’m disappointed because I couldn’t show my skills or what I had been working on this whole camp.”
Prefight reading/viewing
Anthony Smith defeats Leonardo Augusto Leleco
Anthony Smith came out throwing high volume strikes and was rewarded when his fight with Leonardo Augusto-Leleco went to the judges, earning a unanimous decision victory (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). It was a tough loss for Augusto-Leleco, who out-struck Smith and came on strong in the third round. He landed 121 total strikes and 64 significant strikes to only 66-57 for Smith. But “Lionheart” landed two takedowns and arguably came closer to finishing the fight.
They said it:
Anthony Smith: “I fought on January 29th, so it was less than a month turnaround on top of the short notice. No short notice fight to get into the UFC is ever ideal, but when they call there’s no way you ever say no, you have to be ready to go. I thought that I was in better shape than I am, it wasn’t pretty but I’ll take the W. Whatever the UFC wants for me next, I’m game, but some notice would be nice.”
Prefight reading/viewing
- Watch: New names added late to Pittsburgh card
- Anthony Smith fighter profile
- Leonardo Augusto Leleco fighter profile
Nathan Coy defeats Jonavin Webb
Nate Coy picked up his first UFC win against Jonavin Webb, earning a unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) to open the FS1 prelims. Coy out-struck the young and talented Webb, 71-36, and landed three takedowns total in the fight.
They said it:
Nathan Coy: “I don’t think there’s any difference between a short notice fight or a full camp because I train every day. I know Jonavin had a little hype behind him, but he came in with exactly what I expected. I want to fight Rick Story. I fought his teammate Mike Pierce years ago and beat him, right after the fight Rick got in the cage and called me out but once he got into the UFC I never heard from him again. I tried calling him out using the social networks, but never got any traction from it, so I think now is the time.”
Jonavin Webb: “The late change of opponents didn’t change anything, I just didn’t show up today.”
Prefight reading/viewing
UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Cowboy FIGHT PASS prelims
Ashlee Evans-Smith defeats Marion Reneau
In a huge upset, Ashlee Evans-Smith knocked off No. 12-ranked Marion Reneau in the UFC FIGHT PASS main event by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-27). Reneau came out in the first round and almost finished Evans-Smith twice, with a barrage of punches and then a tight and deep guillotine late in the round that Evans-Smith was able to withstand until the horn to end the round. After that, Evans-Smith took over and capitalized on a very stagnant Reneau, out-landing her opponent 40-29 in significant strikes. Evans-Smith also landed the only takedown in the fight.
They said it:
Ashlee Evans-Smith: “This win proves to myself, more than anyone, that I belong here. Marion was more tentative than I thought, don’t get me wrong she put it on me, but I thought she’d be more aggressive. This may sound boring to some, but I really want to avenge that loss to Raquel Pennington next.”
Marion Reneau: “I don’t see what the judges saw. I don’t know how I lost that fight, I did more damage in both the first and second rounds.”
Prefight reading/viewing
- Evans-Smith positive outlook could bring Octagon success
- Rising contender Marion Reneau no longer a secret
- Watch: Fight preview
Lauren Murphy defeats Kelly Fasholz
Lauren Murphy survived an early onslaught of strikes from Kelly Fasholtz in the opening round to come back and finish the UFC debutant by TKO at 4:55 of the third and final round. Murphy showed off her veteran savvy, eating 50 significant strikes in the first five minutes and standing up from a knock down to come back an earn the victory. Faszholz took the fight on eight days’ notice and showed her skills in defeat. She was quick and hit hard in the first round, but in the end she wasn’t able to knock off Murphy, who owns an 8-2 career record. The win was the first for Murphy in the UFC after losses to Sara McMann and Liz Carmouche in her first two outings.
They said it:
Lauren Murphy: “I think I had a little adrenaline dump because I was so excited to get my first UFC win. I’m learning as I go how important the mental game actually is. Sarah Moras isn’t going to escape this whooping though. I trained for her, expected to fight her and still expect to fight her.”
Prefight reading/viewing
Shamil Abdurakhimov defeats Anthony Hamilton
Shamil Abdurakhimov took home a unanimous decision victory (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) in the first fight of the UFC FIGHT PASS prelims at Fight Night Pittsburgh. Abdurakhimov was the more active fighter, landing 94 significant strikes in the three rounds compared to only 25 for Hamilton in the fight. Abdurakhimov wins in his UFC debut, while Hamilton loses his second fight in his last three.
They said it:
Shamil Abdurakhimov: “This win is in honor of Gabriel Abramovich Yushvayev. I also want to thank Scorpion Club and my trainers, Magomedov “Propeller” Magomed, Ismailov “Kobra” Magomed and Dzhamdulatov Mangust Mammay.”
Anthony Hamilton: “I have to work on my cardio and be able to hit that gas pedal. It’s just like Greg (Jackson) said, I need to have that next gear, cut angles and be able to push a little harder when I have my opponent hurt or in a bad position.”
Prefight reading/viewing
