UFC Fight Night 152 Prelims: Aspen Ladd, 8-0, Outlasts Sijara Eubanks in Slugfest

"KEEP YOUR SEATBELT ON!" - @BrendanFitzTV@AspenLaddMMA and @SarJnCharge swing until the bell #UFCRochester pic.twitter.com/a8AlNyB1us

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 19, 2019

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Aspen Ladd needed every bit of her grit and guile.

The undefeated MMA Gold Fight Team rep rode takedowns, ground-and-pound and a near submission in the second round to a unanimous decision over Sijara Eubanks in the featured UFC Fight Night 152 prelim on Saturday at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, New York. Ladd (8-0, 3-0 UFC) swept the scorecards with 30-26, 29-27 and 29-28 marks from the judges, as she continued her ascent in the Ultimate Fighting Championship women’s bantamweight division.

Eubanks (4-3, 2-1 UFC) appeared to win a majority of the standup exchanges but too often found herself in disadvantageous positions. Ladd executed a takedown in the second round, achieved full mount and transitioned to the back before making her move on a rear-naked choke. Eubanks escaped, only to be met with ferocious ground-and-pound. Round 3 took place entirely on the feet, the two women uncorking punches without much regard for defense. Ladd closed the distance late, cut off her rival’s path to a Hail Mary knockout and then threw caution to the wind in the final 10 seconds. They stood toe to toe and let their hands fly, though neither woman gained a discernible advantage, the crowd roaring its approval.

Ladd now holds a 2-0 advantage in her head-to-head series with Eubanks.

Green Outpoints Newcomer Jourdain

Well-timed takedowns and lead-hand counters carried Hard Knocks 365 product Desmond Green to a unanimous decision over Charles Jourdain in a three-round undercard battle at 155 pounds. All three cageside judges scored it for Green (23-8, 4-3 UFC): 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28.

Jourdain (9-2, 0-1 UFC) had his moments, especially with leg kicks. Still, the TKO Major League MMA champion was a step behind Green in all phases. Jourdain, 23, threw caution to the wind in the third round, where he continued to tenderize the Rochester, New York, native’s leg with kicks. However, Green counteracted whatever gains the Canadian made with three takedowns in the final 90 seconds of the fight.

The setback put an end to Jourdain’s run of four consecutive victories.

Related » UFC Rochester Round-by-Round Scoring

Debuting Pereira Unwinds Roberts

Scorpion Fighting System representative Michel Pereira wiped out Danny Roberts with a flying knee and a straight right in the first round of their preliminary welterweight tilt. Roberts (16-5, 5-4 UFC) met his end 1:47 into Round 1, losing for the second time in as many appearances.

Pereira (22-9, 1-0 UFC) dazzled in his promotional debut. He cracked Roberts from the outside, threatened with a variety of high-risk, high-reward strikes and waited for an opening to present itself. Pereira took flight as the Cage Warriors Fighting Championship veteran moved forward, blasted him with a knee and the sent him crashing to the canvas with a concussive right hand. Referee Todd Anderson arrived on the scene soon after to prevent the dazed-and-confused Roberts from taking further damage.

It was the 12th first-round finish of Pereira’s career.

Dawson Choke Subdues Trizano

Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series alum Grand Dawson submitted “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 27 winner Michael Trizano with a rear-naked choke in the second round of their undercard confrontation at 145 pounds. The previously unbeaten Trizano (8-1, 2-1 UFC) waved the white flag 2:27 into Round 2.

Dawson (14-1, 2-0 UFC) pressed forward with a chin-first approach and absorbed a number of punishing jabs on his way in, resulting in visible damage to his right eye. He was undeterred, took down Trizano inside the first minute of the second round and advanced to full mount before transitioning to the back. From there, Dawson flattened out the Team Tiger Schulmann export and cinched the fight-ending choke.

The 25-year-old Dawson has posted five straight wins, four of them finishes.

Herman Knee Scrambles Cummins

“The Ultimate Fighter 3” finalist Ed Herman short circuited two-time NCAA All-American Patrick Cummins with a knee strike and follow-up punches in the first round of their preliminary light heavyweight clash. Cummins (10-7, 6-7 UFC) succumbed to blows 3:39 into Round 1.

The two men fought at a glacial pace, stood in front of one another and cut loose with power punches. Herman (24-14, 11-10 UFC) conceded a takedown, managed to scramble to his feet and engaged the Kings MMA rep at close range before delivering a brutal knee from the clinch. Cummins stumbled backward and collapsed to the canvas, where he was met with a volley of punches that necessitated the stoppage.

The win snapped a three-fight losing streak for Herman.

Cummings Guillotine Submits Giles

Factory X standout Zak Cummings submitted the previously unbeaten Trevin Giles with a guillotine choke in the third round of their undercards scrap at 185 pounds. Cummings (23-6, 8-3 UFC) forced the tap 4:01 into Round 3, authoring a dramatic come-from-behind victory.

Giles (11-1, 2-1 UFC) spent two-plus rounds exploiting a significant difference in athleticism. Cummings stepped up his attack in the waning moments of the third round, floored the Legacy Fighting Alliance veteran with a counter overhand left and clamped down on the guillotine. Giles struggled in vain to free himself before electing to bow out.

Cummings, 34, has rattled off four wins in five appearances.

Arce Kick KOs Erosa

Former two-division Ring of Combat champion Julio Arce knocked out Julian Erosa with a head kick in the third round of their preliminary featherweight pairing. Erosa (22-8, 1-4 UFC) packed his bags 1:49 into Round 3, as he suffered his third consecutive defeat.

Arce (16-3, 3-1 UFC) managed distance beautifully, utilized sublime head movement and countered “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 22 semifinalist at every turn. Erosa grew increasingly desperate as the fight drifted into its latter stages, kept his hands low and paid a steep price in their final exchange along the fence, catching a picture-perfect head kick to the side of the head. No follow-up shots were necessary.

The 29-year-old Arce has won eight of his last nine bouts.