UFC Fight Night 217 Prelims: Basharat Stays Undefeated Against Mendonca

STILL UNDEFEATED! 🙌

❄️🐆 @JavidBasharat moves to a shiny 14-0 to kick off 2023 in style for the Bash Bros! #UFCVegas67 pic.twitter.com/e0yub9RE5H

— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) January 14, 2023

The UFC Fight Night 217 featured prelim delivered as two undefeated fighters in Javid Basharat and Mateus Mendonca clashed.

Mendonca (10-1) was able to show a varied attack by dragging Basharat (14-0) to the floor and looking to grapple in the back-and-forth opening round. As the fight went on, Basharat emerged as the fresher fighter as he was able to survive the submission threats and rain down some damaging punches while on top. While Mendonca would have his moments, it wound up being too little too late against "The Snow Leopard."

After 15 minutes, the judges awarded the fight to Basharat with scores of 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28.

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Alhassan Crumbles Ribeiro

Middleweights Claudio Ribeiro and Abdul Razak Alhassan didn't need 15 minutes for their preliminary clash.

While both fighters looked comfortable on the feet, it was Alhassan (12-5) that looked to initiate clinch exchanges and control the fight from a close distance throughout the first round. The second frame was much more action-packed as both came out swinging and Alhassan clipped Ribeiro (10-3) with a right hand. "Judo Thunder" kept the pressure on and unloaded until Ribeiro crumbled just 28 seconds into Round 2.

Alhassan has now won two of his last three inside the Octagon.

Rebecki Controls Fiore

The lone lightweight scrap saw Mateusz Rebecki go up against the debuting Nick Fiore.

The more experienced Rebecki (17-1) came out swinging and forced Fiore (6-1) onto the defensive by keeping up the pressure and throwing hard body kicks. "Chinczyk" would power through with a takedown and open up a gash on Fiore's head thanks to some slicing elbows. An exhausted Rebecki would allow Fiore back into the fight but still managed to get takedowns and control the action in the second and third frames.

After three hard-fought rounds, the judges awarded a unanimous decision victory to Rebecki with scores of 30-27 across the board.

Nascimento Taps Hernandez

Allan Nascimento battled Carlos Hernandez in the second and final flyweight fight of the night.

Coming out aggressive, Nascimento (20-6) was able to take the back of Hernandez (8-2) and drag him down to the mat midway through the first round. Employing a tight body triangle, the Brazilian would lock in a rear-naked choke after Hernandez stood up to try to get out of the position. Completely trapped, the tap came at 3:16 of the first round.

"Puro Osso" has now won two straight inside the promotion.

Argueta Stains Aguiire's Record

The first featherweight fight of the card saw Nick Aguirre suffer his first career defeat against Dan Argueta.

The promotional newcomer found himself in danger early on as Argueta (9-1) looked for an armbar but Aguirre (7-1) was able to reverse the position and take the back of his opponent. While "Slick" was unable to capitalize on the opportunity, it set the tone of the fight, which was filled with each fighter creating scrambles and looking for submissions. However, Argueta would gain the edge in the exchanges, both grappling and on the feet, as the fight went on with his experience proving to be simply too much for the 26-year-old.

All three scorecards were 30-27 in favor of Argueta.

Johnson Batters Flick

Flyweights Charles Johnson and Jimmy Flick opened the card.

The first round saw Flick (16-6) manage to take the back of Johnson (13-3) and look for a rear-naked choke, although "InnerG" was able to reverse position and land some solid elbows on top. The forehead of Flick would get cut and there was little defense as "The Brick" covered up and took punishment. Eventually, the referee had seen enough and waved off the fight at 4:33 of Round 1.

Johnson has now won two fights in a row inside the Octagon.