UFC Vegas 26: Waterson vs Rodriguez | 6th Round Post-Fight Show

Zane Simon & Mookie Alexander are here tonight, Sat, May 8th., 2021, to breakdown the UFC VEGAS 26: ‘Waterson vs. Rodriguez’ event. The guys will have hot takes, possible next fights, as well as reactions to the overall event.

Tonight, entering the octagon for the main event, we had a women’s strawweight battle between former Invicta FC Atomweight Champion, Michelle ‘The Karate Hottie’ Waterson, who was coming at this bout off a split decision win over Angela Hill at UFC Vegas 10 last September, giving her a 18-8 record; and her opponent tonight once appeared on DWTNCS - Brazil Season 1; Marina Rodriguez, who was coming off a win against Amanda Ribas via Punches at UFC 257 in January, with a 13-1 fight record to date. Rodriguez got a touch closer to her first UFC title shot goal, when she rode out veteran contender Waterson to earn a unanimous decision victory in her main event debut.

In the co-main, we had a welterweight tilt between Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone, holding a 36-15 record. He is the man who currently holds records for the most wins in UFC history with 22, the most finishes in UFC history with 16, and has tied the record for most bouts in the organization with a total of 33. Furthermore, his post fight award total is 16. His contender, Alex ‘The Great White’ Morono, who was coming at this bout off a loss to Anthony Pettis last December, was holding an overall 18-7 record, and was the solid underdog. Near the end of the first round, Morono ducked an attack in the center of the octagon and landed a powerful right. ‘Cowboy’ was dazed and Morono rushed in for heavy combinations alongside the cage and the ensuing finish. What an expeditious shocker.

In the main card opener, Gregor Gillespie didn’t disappoint his fans tonight on his return to the octagon, as ‘The Gift’ efficiently lay waste to Carlos Diego Ferreira via KO/TKO, Ground & Pound near the end of the second round. After the bout, he acknowledged that his lengthy layoff caused him to have doubts about his place in the lightweight division. This win put him in a position to take a run at the lightweight top 10. Prior to that, we had anticipated a somewhat lackluster undercard, which got whittled down to just three bouts, two of which ended in decisions, but we did get treated to an exciting anaconda choke sub at just 2:52 of Rd 1 when Carlston ‘Moçambique’ Harris rapidly defeated ‘The Beast’ Christian Aguilera in the featured prelim.

Overall, this now 9-bout card saw 2 exhilarating 1st Rd finishes – that anaconda choke sub of Aguilera & then Cerrone taken out, we had 2 KO/TKO’s - including our co-main, & 6 decisions - including 1 Majority, & our Main Event. Rounding things out, bonuses for putting forth POTN efforts went to Alex Morono & Carlston Harris; FOTN honors went to Diego Ferreira vs. Gregor Gillespie. What a night of fights we have to share with you, join us to discuss all the action...

Here’s a look at the UFC VEGAS 26: ‘WATERSON VS RODRIGUEZ’ RESULTS & UPDATED FIGHT RECORDS:

ESPN/ESPN+ MAIN CARD | SAT. MAY 8
9. Marina Rodriguez (13-1) vs Michelle Waterson (18-8) - DEC, Unanimous

8. Alex Morono (19-7) DEF Donald Cerrone (36-16) - KO/TKO, PUNCHES (Standing TKO). at 4:40 of Rd 1

7. Neil Magny (25-8) DEF Geoff Neal (13-4) - DEC, Unanimous

6. Marcos Rogério de Lima (18-7) DEF Maurice Greene (9-6) - DEC, Unanimous

5. Gregor Gillespie (14-1) DEF Diego Ferreira (17-4) - KO/TKO, G&P at 4:51 of Rd 2, Total 9:51

4. Phil Hawes (11-2) DEF Kyle Daukaus (10-2) - DEC, Unanimous

ESPN/ESPN+ PRELIMS
3. Mike Trizano (9-1) DEF L’oduvit Klein (17-3) - DEC, Unanimous

2. Jun Yong Park (13-4) DEF Tafon Nchukwi (5-1) - DEC, MAJORITY

1. Carlston Harris (16-4) DEF Christian Aguilera (14-8) - SUB, Anaconda Choke at 2:52 of Rd 1

Be sure to follow Zane - @TheZane Simon & Eddie - @MookieAlexander; and follow @BloodyElbow on twitter for all the latest in MMA happenings.