UFC on ABC 2 ‘Vettori vs. Holland’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

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Round 1

After a relaxing week off from the UFC, the promotion is back in
business for the start of a seven-week journey that includes two
events in the U.S. outside of the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. We kick
this early 13-fight card off in the welterweight division, between
two men who could not have had more diametrically opposed last
outings. In a new weight class, Kasanganay (8-1, 1-1 UFC) will try
to bounce back from the first loss of his career as the recipient
of the “Knockout of the Year” courtesy of Joaquin Buckley, and he
will face the upset-minded Palatnikov (6-2, 1-0 UFC). Drawing the
first assignment of the day is referee Chris Tognoni, and with a
touch of gloves, it’s on with the show! Kasanganay opens up with a
swinging leg kick, and he darts forward to throw punches but
Palatnikov is ready to counter him with a few shots. He lands a
couple more, only to receive retaliatory punches from Kasanganay.
Palatnikov scores a leg kick, and when he aims another, Kasanganay
drills him with an overhand right and grabs the leg. “Tshilobo”
bullies his way into a takedown attempt, where he puts the Hong
Kong native on his back in a comfortable yet heavy half guard.
Palatnikov is unable to free himself with a fence grab, and
Kasanganay is aiming his shoulder pressure for a potential
arm-triangle choke while on top. Palatnikov recovers to full guard
as Kasanganay looks to advance, but the former has his neck pressed
up against the corner of the cage and the floor, trying to walk his
way up. Palatnikov gets away with another fence grab – he is warned
by Tognoni but still does it – and stands back up. Kasanganay wings
right hooks on his way towards his opponent, where he changes
levels into a double. Once more, Palatnikov hooks his fingers on
the fence and twists his foe around, and is admonished again but
gains position because of it. The two jockey for position until
Kasanganay drops for a single, and Palatnikov punishes him with a
few thudding punches to the side of the head. Kasanganay fires off
a leg kick and chains it into a takedown attempt, but Hong Kong’s
Palatnikov is able to rebuff him and press him into the cage.
Kasanganay continues to press the takedown, but he is stopped time
and time again but is the one pressuring. Palatnikov is able to
gain separation thanks to a solid knee to the chest, and the two
trade strikes right up to the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kasanganay
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Kasanganay
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Kasanganay

Round 2

Although Palatnikov offers a glove touch, Kasanganay is not
interested and instead comes out firing. “Tshilobo” lands a heavy
right hand, and he clips Palatnikov and hurts him with a right
hand. As Palatnikov falls forward into a potential desperation
takedown, Kasanganay circles around to attack and try to finish the
job. The new Sanford MMA recruit hops on to the back in a wild
scramble, and without even getting any hooks in, he snatches up a
rear-naked choke. The grip is shockingly tight despite not having his
hooks to bolster the pressure, and Palatnikov does not know exactly
what to do as he fights to break the grip. A few seconds later,
Palatnikov surrenders, tapping out for the first time in his
career. This is a huge win for Kasanganay, who shows his first
loss was not indicative of what he can put on display.

The Official Result

Impa Kasanganay def. Sasha Palatnikov R2 0:26 via Submission
(Rear-Naked Choke)

Round 1

We traipse off of the early preliminary portion of the card to the
ESPN prelims, where we begin with what has all the makings of a
wild battle when Jung (13-2-1, 2-0-1 UFC) tries to tame
“Knightmare” Knight (9-1, 1-0 UFC). Eighteen knockouts combine for
the two 205ers’ 22 career wins, and referee Mark Smith has his
hands full early in the day with this contest. There is a
respectful touch of gloves before the two try to knock the other’s
head off, and the fight is on. Knight begins with a series of leg
kicks, chopping Jung down with kicks that have already produced a
bruise or welt on the inside of Jung’s thigh. “Sseda” responds with
his own kicks to the same target, prompting a takedown attempt from
Knight. The South Korean is able to defend the attempt, nearly
reverse the position, and get pushed off thanks to the mighty
strength of Knight. The explosive defense of Knight cannot keep
Jung off him for long, as Jung uses a body lock to plant Knight
flat on his back. Jung delivers sporadic ground punches while on
top, but is more content to squeeze down heavily to wear out the
powerful Knight. “Knightmare” starts to slug it out with his
opponent as he closes his guard, but Jung’s few elbows are much
more emphatic as he keeps embracing the grind. Smith asks the two
to start working as it has become a stalemate, so Jung steps over
into half guard and fights off a sweep from Knight. The American
looks to roll through the position, and after a second try, he
muscles his way back to his feet. Jung ducks a spinning back fist
and hits a trip takedown to put Knight back down hard again, just
like before. In half guard, Jung works with short, grinding elbows
from above until Knight turns to his side to attempt to escape
again. “Sseda” is unable to keep Knight down for long, as Knight
climbs to his knees and then feet. Knight shows some damage on his
face from the strikes of Jung, and escapes the follow-up shots to
end the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Jung
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Jung
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Jung

Round 2

There is a failed glove touch to begin the second round, and when
Knight opens up with a leg kick, Jung counters with an overhand
right that makes “Knightmare” take a funny step back. Knight
regathers himself and scores a few more leg kicks, allowing Jung to
respond in kind. Knight sits down on an overhand right when Jung
looses a leg kick at him, and the South Korean wears it well and
absorbs a body kick that follows. Jung sticks out a few jabs and
annoys Knight with leg kicks, but this is all a ruse as he closes
the distance to grab hold of Knight and easily throw him down to
the canvas. Jung lands in side control, and Knight scrambles to
protect himself but surrenders his back in the process. Jung gets a
hook in as Knight returns to his knees, and he keeps “Knightmare”
from wall-walking to get back up. Jung acts as a South Korean
backpack, but Knight is so strong that he simply stands back up for
a moment. “Sseda” trips him back down, and as Knight once more
powers back up, Jung gets a mat return. Knight gives up his back as
he tries to blast off, and Jung flattens him out and starts
pummeling Knight on the side of the head. Jung threatens with a
rear-naked choke when he is not pounding on Knight, and blood has
begun to pool below Knight’s face. Jung’s slow but effective
punches continue to land, even while Knight signals to Smith that
he is still good. With both his hooks in on the back, Jung has
Knight firmly in the danger zone, slamming his fists into Knight’s
face. The American manages a moral victory by getting to his knees
and surviving to the final round, but he is battered and
bloodied.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Jung
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Jung
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-8 Jung

Round 3

Knight is able to continue to the third round, but the energy
levels are stark as Knight plods out of his corner while Jung is
ready to sprint at him. “Knightmare” loads up on a string of
powerful overhand rights, and he gets Jung’s attention with a few
of them even when they are blocked. Jung decides to take the fight
to where he has the advantage, hitting a takedown and putting
Knight on his back. The desperate Knight scrambles wildly to get
back up, only to get wrenched right back down by the might of the
South Korean. Jung sits comfortable in side control as he keeps
Knight flat, before stepping to north-south position as he elbows
the body repeatedly. Knight clings on tight until Jung wanders over
to side control on the other side, where he delivers knees to the
torso while Knight is trapped. Smith occasionally asks Jung to keep
working, and Jung answers him every time by landing a few shots.
The control time is racking up as Knight tries to get to his side,
and “Sseda” lands a strike to the back of the head to elicit a
warning from Smith. The explosive escapes from Knight are not
nearly as effective as they were in the opening round, and Jung
maintains heavy top pressure without much worry about being swept.
Jung advances to lock up a crucifix position, as Jung traps
Knight’s left arm between his legs, and when Knight aims to burst
free, Jung moves to north-south position again. Jung thumps up the
body with punches and elbows, and Knight appears to be out of
options as he cannot kick off the fence. Knight protects his face
by angling for a half-hearted guillotine choke with no leverage at
all, but Jung does not see the opening for a Von Preux choke and
just rides out the final round on top.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Jung (30-26 Jung)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Jung (30-26 Jung)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Jung (30-26 Jung)