The prelims for UFC Vegas 18 were book-ended by stoppage victories by first Ode Osbourne, and closed out by Devonte Smith in the featured prelims — watch Saturday's prelims video highlights here.
Devonte Smith def. Justin Jaynes via TKO (doctor stoppage) - 2:38 R2
Devonte Smith absolutely outclassed short notice replacement Justin Jaynes, almost finishing the fight with a rear-naked choke in the second, but once Jaynes got back to his feet, the fight was stopped due to a very ugly swelling directly on his left eye.
The first blitz of the weekend --@Koe_KingKageUFC has Jaynes on his heels to close RD 1. #UFCVegas18 pic.twitter.com/2QMY7biTer
— UFC (@ufc) February 7, 2021
That was TIGHT -- But Justin Jaynes manages to escape! #UFCVegas18 pic.twitter.com/B0PcPMLoC6
— UFC (@ufc) February 7, 2021
------
— UFC (@ufc) February 7, 2021
Our featured prelim is called after swelling on Justin Jaynes's eye. #UFCVegas18 pic.twitter.com/8HrtyXZmSI
BACK WITH A DUB! --#UFCVegas18 pic.twitter.com/aLiBgHngkC
— UFC (@ufc) February 7, 2021
Karol Rosa def. Joselyn Edwards via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
After a very exciting back and forth first round, Brazil's Karol Rosa utilized brutal leg kicks to chop down the base of Panama's Joselyn Edwards and ride consistent pressure to a decision victory. Edwards had her moments, including opening up a nasty cut inside Rosaès mouth during a blitzing sequence in the second round, but it wasn't enough.
Straight to work! @KarolRosaUFC is wasting no time -- #UFCVegas18 pic.twitter.com/hKtipBK6Sr
— UFC (@ufc) February 7, 2021
The leather is starting to fly as we close RD 1 --#UFCVegas18 pic.twitter.com/Z72Q3ivPvC
— UFC (@ufc) February 7, 2021
"Somebody's going down this round." --
— UFC (@ufc) February 7, 2021
Action is HEATING up over on #ESPNPlus. #UFCVegas18 pic.twitter.com/uxvhCgIA3i
The sweet taste of victory! --
— UFC (@ufc) February 7, 2021
---- @KarolRosaUFC took some damage but just kept going. #UFCVegas18 pic.twitter.com/BY1ScgJT05
Lara Procópio def. Molly McCann via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-27, 29-28)
Brazil's Lara Procópio utilized her plus grappling skills to a unanimous win over England's Molly McCann. Procopio's consistent takedown skills were threatened with an armbar from McCann in the second round, but once she had survived that scare she coasted down the stretch.
Can @MeatballMolly lock it in!? -- #UFCVegas18 pic.twitter.com/S35VGXWXfe
— UFC (@ufc) February 6, 2021
Tough one at flyweight --
— UFC (@ufc) February 7, 2021
-- Your #UFCVegas18 decision is coming up on #ESPNPlus pic.twitter.com/GY30vL0C03
The night belongs to @LaraProcopioUFC ----
— UFC (@ufc) February 7, 2021
What did you think of her showing? #UFCVegas18 pic.twitter.com/Xyn36nlgOg
Of note, Molly McCann left her gloves in the cage after the fight, indicating she may be considering retirement, but she later clarified it was to honor her late father.
Molly McCann leaves gloves in the cage.#UFCVegas18 pic.twitter.com/H2Ot57JvpL
— Jed I. Goodman (@jedigoodman) February 7, 2021
Before I get into it. I left the gloves in the cage for my dad. There’s still fight in this old dog yet. @dc_mma @DominickCruz
— Molly McCann (@MeatballMolly) February 7, 2021
Seung Woo Choi def. Youssef Zalal via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
In his first fight back in the octagon in close to two years, Korean Seung Woo Choi utilized effective striking and avoiding the takedowns from Youssef Zalal to the best performance of his career.
Across the board!
— UFC (@ufc) February 6, 2021
---- @Sting_Choi gets the UD from Vegas. #UFCVegas18 pic.twitter.com/JBDM0EFIji
Timur Valiev def. Martin Day via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-26)
Russia's Timur Valiev dominated Hawaii's Martin Day in a fight that featured Valiev using effective striking to get to his wrestling, and then dominate Day on the ground. Not an especially flashy fight, but an incredibly dominant performance by Valiev that was shown on the scorecards.
3️⃣0️⃣- 2️⃣5️⃣ x2️⃣, 3️⃣0️⃣- 2️⃣6️⃣
— UFC (@ufc) February 6, 2021
---- @TimurValiev_DF extends his undefeated streak at #UFCVegas18! pic.twitter.com/9uB1ZuzsVR
Note that while the above tweet says Valiev extended his undefeated streak, he was knocked out in his last fight vs. Trevin Giles, only to have the win vacated due to a positive marijuana test.
Ode' Osbourne def. Jerome Rivera via KO (punches) - 0:26, Rd 1
Jamaica's Ode' Osbourne got UFC Vegas 18 off to a fast start, catching Jerome Rivera's headkick, and delivering a counter right hand down the pipe to put an early end to Rivera's night.
THE JAMAICAN SENSATION!
— UFC (@ufc) February 6, 2021
Welcome to the Octagon, @OdeOsbourne ----
[ #UFCVegas18 - LIVE on #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/VVEGvpueI6
Clocked in, clocked out
— UFC (@ufc) February 6, 2021
Hard to have a first win better than @OdeOsbourne -- #UFCVegas18 pic.twitter.com/tfnETQ3gP2
UFC Vegas 18 takes place from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is headlined by a heavyweight fight between Alistair Overeem and Alexander Volkov. Stay tuned to Fightful for all the action from the card.
Fightful has all of your MMA needs covered. Follow us on Twitter for updates, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive interviews, lists, news updates, and predictions.