Live-Blogging: COVID-19 Delayed UFC 249 Prelims

UFC 249: Ferguson vs. Gaethje

​Hello, and welcome to a special edition of ‘Live-Blogging on Shish on Mixed Martial Arts’. It is a special edition, because the UFC is going to try to get their PPV event UFC 249 completed, after being postponed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
This will be the first of three events to be held at VyStar Veterans Memorial Coliseum in 8 days, for the most popular MMA promotion. There will be one on Wednesday and Next Saturday. But tonight I will blog the Prelims of UFC 249: Ferguson vs. Gaethje. Here is the Card:

UFC 249 Prelims open with Anik, Rogan, and DC all in a one camera angle. And then after the break, the three announcers have their own table and camera. They went split screen to get all three on your television set. 

5:32 p.m. CDT: 30 minutes before the first fight.

Ryan Spann vs. Sam Alvey (Light Heavyweight Bout):
In this light heavyweight bout, it features a couple of Americans. Ryan Spann takes on Sam Alvey. Spann comes in with a record of 18-5, while Alvey enters tonight’s fight with a record of 33-12-0, 1 NC. Alvey is known for his knockouts, while Spann is a submission expert.
However, Spann is statistically better than Alvey in every striking category but defense. The same goes for grappling, where Alvey’s lone grappling stat that he is better is takedown defense.
For the Tale of the Tape, Spann has advantages in height, reach, and leg reach.

​Alvey, the refs of the event and ring announcer Michael Buffer are not wearing masks. Everybody else are wearing masks. Spann probably will not wear a mask. Alvey is in blue trunks. Spann is in gold trunks. Dan Miragliotta is the referee.

Round 1:
4:50: Spann with a right. 
4:41: Spann with a takedown.
4:35: Alvey with some hammer fists.
4:19: Both fighters are up, but Spann pins Alvey to the cage.
4:00: Spann takes down Alvey. 
3:40: Spann has a standing arm triangle. 
3:24: Alvey with some punches.
3:12: Alvey is slowing punching. 
2:58: Alvey nearly got submitted.
2:47: Alvey gets out of the submission.
2:20: Alvey with a right.
1:54: Spann misses with some combo.
1:42: Alvey with a leg kick.
1:26: Spann with a kick to the knee.
1:07: Alvey with a leg kick.
:47: Spann with a right punch.
:33: Alvey with a right hook.
:20: Spann with a combo. Spann connected with a right.
:00: The End of Round 1.
My Guess: Spann wins Round 1, 10-9.

Round 2:
​4:49: Alvey blocks a head kick.
4:38: Alvey with a right.
4:30: Spann with a combo.
4:15: Spann had Alvey pinned to the cage.
4:00: Spann with a combo. Alvey goes to the cage.
3:47: Alvey with a leg kick.
3:33: Spann catches Alvey feet and got him to the cage.
3:13: Alvey with a leg kick.
3:00: Alvey with a leg kick.
2:50: Spann with a leg kick.
2:43: Alvey with a right, after Spann had a combo.
2:10: Alvey with a left punch.
2:00: Spann with a kick to the midsection.
1:28: Spann with a right punch.
1:08: Alvey with a leg kick.
:30: Spann with a punch.
:00: The End of Round 2. 
My Guess: Alvey wins Round 2, 10-9. 

Round 3:
​4:40: Spann with some combos. Spann pins Alvey to the cage.
4:15: Alvey breaks up Spann off the cage.
3:31: Alvey with a leg kick.
3:25: Alvey with a combo. 
3:05: Spann with a leg kick.
2:58: Spann getting aggressive with some combos.
2:40: Spann with a kick to the midsection.
2:29: Alvey with a combo. 
2:22; Alvey with a left hook.
2:10: Spann with a combo.
1:53: Spann with a left jab.
1:36: Spann with a combo.
1:19: Alvey with a head kick.
1:06: Alvey with a right hook.
:57: Alvey with a takedown.
:40: Alvey trying with a choke.
:22: Spann gets away from Alvey.
:12: Alvey with a punch.
:00: Alvey ends the fight with some aggression. The End of Round 3 and Fight.
My Guess: Alvey wins Round 3, 10-9. Alvey wins Fight 29-28.

Result: Ryan Spann wins by split decision. 29-28, 29-28, 28-29
​
Bryce Mitchell vs. Charles Rosa (Featherweight Bout):
The next Prelim features a pair of Americans. Bryce Mitchell enters this fight with a record of 12-1, while Charles Rosa comes in with a record of 11-3. Both fighters are known as submission artists.
For striking, Rosa strikes more per minute. However, Mitchell is statistically better at accuracy, defense, and absorbs fewer per minute.
As for their grappling, Rosa is a takedown artist, but Mitchell has scored more submissions.
Their tale of the tape looks like as though Mitchell has the advantages in height, reach, and leg reach.

Round 1:
Keith Peterson is the referee. 
Mitchell is in blue and Rosa is in black.
4:38: Mitchell takes down Rosa. 
4:12: Mitchell with a black.
4:01: Mitchell with an arm triangle.
3:44: Rosa is breathing heavy.
3:29: Rosa got to his knees.
3:10: Rosa with a reverse triangle.
2:32: Mitchell with a submission. Mitchell with a leg lock and arm triangle twister.
1:23: Mitchell goes to the top mount.
1:04: Mitchell with some ground and pound.
:44: Mitchell with an arm triangle.
:33: Rosa gets out of an arm triangle.
:00: The End of Round 1.
My Guess: Mitchell wins Round 1, 10-9.

Round 2:
​4:35: Mitchell with another takedown.
4:18: Mitchell is in 3/4 mount.
3:45: Rosa is trying to the side.
2:45: Mitchell with some punches.
2:10: Mitchell still has the dominate mount.
1:56: Rosa tried to get leg.
1:33: Mitchell trying to get an arm triangle.
1:12: Mitchell with an elbow.
1:03: Mitchell relentless with an arm triangle.
:44: Rosa goes to the side.
:24: Mitchell with a twister.
:00: The End of Round 2.
My Guess: Mitchell wins Round 2, 10-9.

Round 3:
4:50: Mitchell takes Rosa down and went to a twister.
4:07: Mitchell has both hands on Rosa's arm.
3:43: Mitchell goes to the grappling.
3:17: Mitchell has a game plan with his grappling.
2:39: Mitchell gets Rosa on his back.
2:20: Rosa gets back up on his knees.
2:10: Mitchell with an arm triangle.
1:44: Mitchell with some side punches.
1:10: Mitchell has Rosa's back.
1:00: Rosa is breathing hard.
:40: Mitchell got up and back on Rosa.
:21: Crucifix and ground and pound.
:10: Mitchell with some ground and pound.
:00: The End of Round 3 and Fight.

My Guess: Mitchell wins Round 3, 10-9. Mitchell wins fight 30-27. 

Result:
Mitchell wins by unanimous decision. 30-25*2, 30-24.

​​Vicente Luque vs. Niko Price (Welterweight Bout):
This is a welterweight bout featuring 2 American Welterweights. Vicente Luque takes on Niko Price. Lugue comes in with a record of 17-7-1, while Price comes in with a record of 13-3-0, 1NC.
Both fighters are knockout specialists. While Luque is statistically better than Price in significant strikes, Price absorbs fewer strikes per minute than Luque.
As far as grappling is concerned, Price is the better takedown and submission specialist. However, Luque is more accurate with his takedowns.
Their tale of the tape has Price has the advantages in height, reach, and leg reach.

Price is in blue trunks. Luque is in gold trunks. Jason Herzog is the referee.

Round 1:
4:55: The start with some combos.
4:45: Price with a leg kick.
4:38: Luque with a leg kick.
4:28: Luque's leg kick nearly tripped up Price.
4:08: Luque with a couple of leg kicks.
3:57: Price with a head kick.
3:44: Luque with a leg kick. But Price with a combo.
3:32: Price with a leg kick.
3:18: Luque with a leg kick.
2:55: Price with a leg kick.
2:47: Luque with a right.
2:33: Luque with a leg kick.
2:22: Luque with a leg kick.
2:17: Price with a punch.
2:10: Price with a leg kick.
2:00: Price with hook to the body.
1:50: Price with a punch.
1:44: Price with a leg kick. 
1:25: Price with some aggression.
1:19: Price with a takedown.
1:05: Price with a choke.
:43: Price couldn't get the submission.
:30: Both fighters get back up off the cage.
:15: Both fighters exchange strikes.
:04: Luque with a  right to the head.
:00: The End of Round 1.
My Guess: Price wins Round 1, 10-9.

Round 2:
4:53: Both fighters exchange leg kicks.
4:38: Price with a leg kick.
4:28: Price with a right to the temple.
4:14: Fight paused for a low strike.
4:14: Fight continues.
3:50: Luque with a leg kick.
3:40: Luque counters Price jab, with a couple jabs.
3:21: Luque with a combo.
3:10: Luque with a leg kick.
3:02: Price with some aggression.
2:50: Luque tags Price.
2:35: Luque with a leg kick.
2:14: Luque with a left punch.
2:05: Price pins Luque to the cage.
1:19: Luque with some combos.
1:00: Luque with a leg kick.
:55: Price with a kick to the stomach.
:45: Price with a kick to the body.
:37: Luque with a leg kick.
:30: Both fighters exchange fists.
:12: Both fighters exchange punches.
:00: The End of Round 2. 
My Guess: Luque wins Round 2, 10-9.
​
Round 3:
4:55: Price with a leg kick.
4:37: Luque with a punch.
4:27: Both fighters exchange leg kicks.
4:07: Price with a couple of jabs.
3:54: Price with a leg kick, but Luque with a combo.
3:37: Price face is busted up.
3:20: Luque swiching legs.
3:07: Price had Luque pinned to the cage.
2:47: Both fighters continue to exchange combos.
2:28: Price connected on a couple of punches.
2:10: Price with a jab.
1:49: Price goes down on a left hook by Luque.
1:30; Price with an elbow to Luque.
1:30: The fight is paused looking at Price's eye.
1:23: The Doctor calls the fight. Price has a swollen left eye.

Result: Vicente Luque wins by TKO (Doctor Stoppage) in Round 3.
​
Carla Esparza vs. Michelle Waterson (Women’s Strawweight Bout):
In this women’s strawweight bout, it features another pair of Americans. Carla Espinoza taking on Michelle Waterson. Esparza comes in with a record of 15-6, while Waterson comes in with a 17-6.
Waterson is a submission specialist. While Esparza is known for going the distance.
For striking, Waterson is better in landing per minute and accuracy. However, Esparza is better at defending strikes and absorbs fewer per minute.
As for the grappling, although Esparza has more takedowns, Waterson is more accurate, defends more, and has more submissions.
The Tale of the Tape looks like this, Waterson has advantages in height and leg reach. While Espinoza has an advantage in reach.

Espinoza is in the black trunks. Waterson is in the blue trunks. Dan Miragliotta is the referee.

Round 1:
4:30: Waterson showing some jabs.
3:46: Waterson with a leg kick.
3:37: Esparza with a right 
2:14: Waterson with a leg kick.
1:52: Esparza tried for clinch.
1:41: Esparza with a strike.
1:30: Waterson with a leg kick.
1:18; Waterson with a kick to the side.
:52: Waterson with a kick combo.
:35: Esparza with a takedown.
:00: The End of Round 1.
My Guess: Waterson wins Round 1, 10-9.

Round 2:
​4:47: Esparza with a combo.
4:08: Esparza with a leg kick.
3:51: Esparza with a combo. 
3:24: Body kick by Waterson.
2:54: Still some feeling out by both fighters.
2:44: Esparza with a comob.
2:32: Waterson with a leg kick.
2:23: Waterson with a combo ending with a leg kick.
2:08: Waterson with a leg kick.
2:00: Esparza trying for a takedown.
1:15: Esparza with a kick.
:54: Esparza with a combo.
:38: Waterson with a knee to the body.
:23: Esparza with a combo.
:00: The End of Round 2.
My Guess: Waterson wins Round 2, 10-9.

Round 3:
​4:27: Waterson with a leg kick.
4:03: Esparza with a right.
3:32: Waterson with a leg kick.
3:17: Waterson with a leg kick.
2:55: Waterson with a leg kick.
2:35: Waterson with some kicks.
2:18: Esparza tried to clinch.
1:49: Waterson with a leg kick.
1:40: Esparza tried to get a takedown.
1:17: Waterson with a leg kick.
1:00: Both fighters exchange kicks.
:30: Esparza tried for a takedown.
:20: Esparza got aggressive.
:10: Waterson gets caught with her kick, but Esparza would go for a combo and then let's Waterson off the hook.
:00: The End of Round 3 and Fight.

My Guess: Waterson wins Round 3, 10-9. Waterson wins Fight, 30-27.

Result: Esparza wins by split decision.

Aleksei Oleinik vs. Fabricio Werdum (Heavyweight Bout):
This Heavyweight fight has Russian Oleinik taking on Brazilian Werdum. Oleinik comes in with a record of 58-13-1. While Werdum enters into tonight’s contest with a record of 23-7-1.
For their striking, Werdum is statistically the better striker than Oleinik. As for their grappling, Oleinik is better than Werdum, except for takedown defense.
Their tale of the tape is height advantage for Werdum, while Oleinik has a 3-inch reach advantage.

Oleinik is in the red trunks. Werdum is in the black trunks. Herb Dean is the referee.

Round 1:
4:51: Oleinik with a couple of jab attempts.
4:33: Werdum with a combo.
4:22: Oleinik with a punch to the side.
4:11: Both fighters exchange knees.
4:02: Oleinik with some combos.
3:50: Werdum with a kick.
3:38: Oleinik has Werdum pinned to the cage.
3:22: Werdum with a kick.
3:14: Oleinik with some punches.
3:00: Oleinik with some combos.
2:42: Oleinik with some combos.
2:23: Oleinik with some combos.
2:22: Werdum with a knee.
1:51: Oleinik pinned Werdum to the cage.
1:21: Werdum had Oleinik in a choke, for a little bit.
:58: Oleinik with some punches.
:43: Werdum with a knee to the stomach.
:30: Oleinik with some combos.
:00: The End of Round 1. 
My Guess: Oleinik wins Round 1, 10-9.

Round 2:
​4:47: Oleinik with a spinning fist.
4:33: Werdum with a leg kick.
4:26: Werdum with a standing guillotine.
3:49: Werdum with knee.
3:40: Oleinik gets out of the guillotine.
3:22: Oleinik with a right.
3:10: Oleinik with a left.
2:48: Oleinik pins Werdum.
2:40: Werdum with a kick to the head.
2:25: Oleinik with some combos.
2:10: Werdum took down Oleinik.
1:36: Werdum gets the back.
1:15: Oleinik got out of the predicament.
:45: Oleinik getting aggressive.
:32: Oleinik trying for a takedown.
:17: Oleinik with some punches.
:00: The End of Round 2.
My Guess: Oleinik wins Round 2, 10-9.

Round 3:
​4:55: Oleinik with a jab.
4:48: Werdum with a leg kick.
4:40: Werdum with a takedown.
4:30: Werdum with some punches.
4:18: Werdum has Oleinik's behind.
4:03: Werdum going for an armbar. 
3:51: Oleinik gets on top mount.
3:32: Both fighters exchange some punches.
3:13: Werdum has an kamura attempt. 
2:48: Werdum having the kamura.
2:24: Werdum going for an armbar.
2:00: Werdum on top mount.
1:37: Oleinik got out of the mount and standing up.
1:14: Oleinik with a leg kick.
:55: Oleinik with some combo.
:43: Werdum with a knee.
:35: Werdum with a knee.
:26: Werdum with another takedown.
:10: Werdum with a guillotine.
:00: The End of Round 3 and Fight.
My Guess: Werdum wins Round 3, 10-9. Oleinik wins Fight 29-28.

Result: Aleksei Oleinik wins by split decision.
​
Featured Prelim: Anthony Pettis vs. Donald Cerrone (Lightweight Bout):
The featured prelim has some names in this bout. Anthony Pettis takes on Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone. Pettis enters tonight’s fight with a record of 22-10-0, while Cerrone comes in with a record of 36-14-0, 1 NC. Pettis is known for knockouts, while Cerrone specializes in submissions.
Striking is even, except for landed per minute where Cowboy has the advantage. For grappling, Cowboy has the advantage in everything but takedown advantage which goes to Pettis.
For the Tale of the Tape, Cowboy has the advantages in height, reach, and leg reach.

Cerrone is in the blue trunks. While Pettis is in the black trunks. Keith Peterson is the referee.

Round 1:
4:55: Pettis with a leg kick.
4:33: Cerrone with a body shot.
4:24: Cerrone with a kick to the stomach.
3:53: Cerrone with a combo.
3:39: Pettis with a leg kick.
3:10: Cerrone with a leg kick.
2:40: Cerrone with a leg kick.
2:33: Pettis got into a grapple by Cerrone.
1:55: Cerrone with a combo.
1:44; Pettis with a jump kick. But Cerrone with a takedown.
1:25: Cerrone has top mount.
1:05: Cerrone is up. But Pettis is now back up.
:40: Cerrone with a jab.
:33: Pettis with a spinning heel kick to the body.
:14: Pettis with a counter right jab. 
:00: The End of Round 1. 
My Guess: Cerrone wins Round 1, 10-9. 

Round 2:
​4:52: Cerrone with a left hook.
4:38: Pettis with a kick to the head.
4:05: Both fighters exchange knees.
3:49: Pettis with a left punch.
3:34: Pettis misses a heel kick.
3:18: Cerrone with a leg kick.
2:59: Pettis with a leg kick.
2:48: Pettis missed a flying knee.
2:35: Cerrone with a leg kick.
2:07: Cerrone with some combos.
1:48: Pettis' face is getting busted up.
1:17: Cerrone with a takedown.
:50: Pettis gets back off the mat.
:36: Pettis blocks the kick from Cerrone.
:05: Cerrone with a kick to the stomach.
:00: The End of Round 2. 
My Guess: Cerrone wins Round 2, 10-9.

Round 3:
​4:55: Both fighters exchange kicks.
4:30: Pettis with a left hook.
4:15: Cerrone with a combo.
3:43: Cerrone with a kick.
3:25: Cerrone with a combo.
3:03: Cerrone with a combo.
2:53: Pettis with a kick.
2:28: Pettis with a kick.
2:05: Cerrone with a leg kick.
1:52: Pettis with some punches.
1:27: Pettis with a head kick.
1:10: Cerrone with a head kick.
:44: Cerrone with a kick to the arm.
:31: Both fighters exchange punches.
:16: Pettis gets out of a clinch.
:00: Cerrone with some combos. The End of Round 3 and Fight.
My Guess: Cerrone wins Round 3, 10-9. Cerrone wins fight, 30-27. 
 
Result: Anthony Pettis wins by unanimous decision.