MMA Gradebook: Rating Every Fight From UFC on ESPN+ 3

If you’re like us and watch an absurd amount of mixed martial arts each week, you probably wished there was some sort of rating system so you’re not forced to sit through a boring fight waiting for something to happen. In order to help, we at Sherdog rate the fights on major cards for your convenience. If you happen to miss an event, check back here for ratings so you can pick and choose which bouts to watch and which to skip.

Fights are ranked on the scale shown here, based on competitiveness, the skill and technique on display, excitement, and the story and drama of the contest. However, just because a fight is one-sided doesn't mean it receives a bad rating. Max Holloway vs. Brian Ortega, for example, would have scored high for Holloway’s showcase of technique and the overall drama despite it being a one-sided domination. With that out of the way, let's get into this week’s bouts.

Damir Ismagulov vs. Joel Alvarez

Decent fight that saw Ismagulov easily win all three rounds. Alvarez was hesitant to pull the trigger all fight and in turn, was getting eaten up with jabs and overhand rights. Not the best fight but a good performance from Ismagulov earns this an average rating. [2.0]

Diego Ferreira vs Rustam Khabilov

Ferreira was in control of the entire fight and put on a fantastic striking performance. Many wanted to see this fight on the ground since both men have elite grappling backgrounds, but it was nice to see Ferreira show off his hands more. Ferreira is now on a four-fight win streak and has looked fantastic since his 2-year layoff in 2016. [2.25]

Michel Prazeres vs Ismail Naurdiev

Not the most exciting fight but it's worth the watch for Naurdiev’s performance alone. The 22-year-old was the biggest underdog on the card making his debut against a veteran on an 8 fight win streak and still won an easy decision. The incredible debut from Naurdiev earns this fight a 2.5 and he is definitely a prospect to keep your eye on in the future.

Damir Hadzovic vs Marco Polo Reyes

The first round was stagnant but Hadovic landed a quick takedown to open the second round, immediately moved into mount, and finished the fight with ground and pound. Nothing special but the finish is worth the watch. [2.5]

Gillian Robertson vs Veronica Macedo

After getting dominated in the first round, Gillian Robertson made an incredible comeback in the second and won via submission. Robertson hit a beautiful sweep by using an armbar attempt to pass into mount and then take her back for the rear naked choke. Again, not a great first round but you don’t want to miss the sweep and the finish in the second round. [2.75]

Chris Fishgold vs Daniel Teymur 3

Great back and forth action on the feet and on the ground in the first round with Fishgold just getting the better of Teymur. Fishgold immediately took the fight to the ground in the second round and locked up a rear-naked choke a minute or so into the round. Best fight of the prelims so far and definitely worth the watch for the competitive first round and quick finish in the second. [3.0]

Carlo Pedersoli Jr. vs Dwight Grant

Dwight Grant might be the most calm, cool, and collected fighter I have ever seen. Pedersoli was just edging him out in the first round before Grant landed a beautiful counter overhand right in the closing seconds and finished the fight with ground-and-pound. Pedersoli’s mouthpiece went flying out of his mouth and nearly hit the other side of the cage. This was Grant’s first UFC win and brings him to 9-2 overall. Crazy finish earns this a three-star rating to cap off the prelims.

Klidson Farias de Abreu vs Magomed Ankalaev

Not bad, not great. I would watch this just for the nasty broken nose Abreu suffered but overall it was nothing special. Ankalaev controlled the fight from bell to bell and brought his UFC record to 2-1 and 12-1 overall. [2.0]

John Dodson vs Petr Yan

Great showcase from Yan as he continues to roll through his opponents. Yan was caught with a big left hand early in the second round but he recovered quick and ended up winning the round and taking home a unanimous decision. Dodson is one of the greatest flyweights of all time and Yan completely shut him down for three rounds, bringing his UFC record to a perfect 4-0. I’ve been saying since his debut that Yan is a future champion but needs some time to develop first. He completely proved me wrong with this performance and showed that he is Top 10 ready at just 26 years old. [2.75]

Liz Carmouche vs Lucie Pudilova

Sadly the only fight featuring someone from the Czech Republic ended up being the worst fight of the night. Neither would pull the trigger on the feet and Carmouche did nothing with her top position until a leg lock attempt in the final minute of the fight. The crowd was rocking every second of this fight but the women only landed a combined 21 significant strikes. [1.5]

Gian Villante vs Michal Oleksiejczuk

A body shot KO is always going to get a high rating in my book. Quick finish and an impressive performance by the young Oleksiejczuk who gets his first UFC win against a proven vet in Villante. [3.0]

Marcos Rogerio de Lima vs Stefan Struve

The only reason this gets an average rating is for the arm-triangle finish by Struve in the second, but it was a bad fight before the finish. Credit to Struve for being able to finish the arm-triangle from mount after getting dropped with the first punch thrown by De Lima. [2.0]

Jan Blachowicz vs Thiago Santos

The first two rounds were dead even with both men feeling each other out. At the start of the third, Blachowicz wanted to push the pace and ran forward with a sloppy combo and was caught with a beautiful counter right and left hook from Santos. Santos pounced on him and finished the fight with ground and pound. Santos is now 3-0 at light heavyweight with all three wins coming by knockout. [2.75]