Flash KOs Headline UFC Sacramento
Germaine de Randamie made history by tying the record for the fastest KO/TKO in UFC women’s bantamweight history in the main event of UFC Sacramento against Aspen Ladd, but it didn’t come without controversy over the stoppage.
De Randamie connected with a straight right hand in the opening seconds of the headline bout, sending Ladd to the mat. Referee Herb Dean stopped the bout; however, plenty felt that Ladd was getting into a well enough defensive position and was still able to continue fighting.
At :16 of round 1, 🇳🇱 @IronLadyMMA gets it done at #UFCSacramento! pic.twitter.com/QLRFE4iZSm
— UFC (@ufc) July 14, 2019
De Randamie, who entered this bout as the No. 1 ranked women’s bantamweight contender, could have set herself up for a shot at champ Amanda Nunes.
The co-main event of the evening featured the return of one of California’s most beloved MMA sons — UFC Hall of Famer and former WEC featherweight champion Urijah Faber. And it ended up being a successful comeback, as he scored a first-round finish of Ricky Simon.
Both men came out aggressive, with Simon landing a few solid leg kicks and a left hook, but he was dropped by Faber’s own right hand. The “California Kid” then jumped on his opponent, delivering strikes until referee Mike Beltran stepped in. This was the first KO/TKO win for Faber inside the UFC Octagon.
FABER TOOK SECONDS!!!#UFCSacramento pic.twitter.com/6B0oWQNS85
— UFC (@ufc) July 14, 2019
The remaining big highlight from the main card featured another California native — Josh Emmett — delivering another big first-round knockout, stopping Mirsad Bektic to make it three wins (all KO/TKOs) in his last four fights.
Dropped 'em with the jab, finished 'em with the GnP 👊@JoshEmmettUFC gets the finish at #UFCSacramento! pic.twitter.com/da4xDkytk9
— UFC (@ufc) July 14, 2019
UFC Sacramento Main Card (ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET):
Germaine de Randamie def. Aspen Ladd via TKO (Rd. 1, 0:16)
Urijah Faber def. Ricky Simon via KO (Rd. 1, 0:46)
Josh Emmett def. Mirsad Bektic via KO (Rd. 1, 4:25)
Karl Roberson def. Wellington Turman via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Marvin Vettori def. Cezar Ferreira via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
UFC Sacramento Preliminary Card (ESPN+, 5 p.m. ET):
John Allan def. Mike Rodriguez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Andre Fili def. Sheymon Moraes via KO (Rd. 1, 3:07)
Julianna Pena def. Nicco Montano via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)
Ryan Hall def. Darren Elkins via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Jonathan Martinez def. Pingyuan Liu via KO (Rd. 3, 3:54)
Brianna Van Buren def. Livia Renata Souza via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Benito Lopez def. Vince Morales via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)