UFC on ESPN 3 Prelims: Eryk Anders Wrecks Vinicius Moreira in Minnesota

Eryk Anders (12-4) reclaims some shine and snaps a three-fight skid, ransacking Vinícius Castro while the ref stares on! The former Alabama linebacker has stopped nine, eight by knockout, and seven in round one. #UFCMinneapolis pic.twitter.com/fD6ylhP9l8

— Kyle Johnson (@VonPreux) June 30, 2019

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Former Legacy Fighting Alliance champion Eryk Anders steadied himself inside the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s light heavyweight division, as he knocked out Vinicius Moreira with punches in the first round of their UFC on ESPN 3 prelim on Saturday at the Target Center in Minneapolis. Moreira (9-3, 0-2 UFC) bit the dust 1:18 into Round 1, as he was finished for the second time in as many appearances.

Anders (12-4, 4-4 UFC) denied the Brazilian’s bid for takedowns and even moved into full mount at one point. However, he did real damage on the feet. There, the onetime University of Alabama linebacker leveled Moreira with a clean left hand, followed him to the canvas in a kneeling position and uncorked a burst of crushing punches that left his adversary stiff and unconscious.

The win halted a three-fight losing streak for Anders.

Ramos Spoils Newson Debut

Ricardo Ramos won for the fifth time in six outings, as he took a unanimous decision from Journey Newson in a preliminary bantamweight scrap. Ramos (13-2, 4-1 UFC) swept the scorecards with matching 30-27 marks from the judges, allowing the Brazilian to put some distance between himself and a Feb. 2 technical knockout loss to Said Nurmagomedov.

A short-notice substitution for the injured Sergio Pettis, Newson (7-2, 0-1 UFC) performed admirably in his organizational debut. The 30-year-old King of the Cage veteran slammed kicks into Ramos’ lead leg and countered effectively in spurts. However, Ramos had too much firepower and landed the most decisive blow of the fight in the third round: a spinning back elbow that echoed through the arena and briefly sat down Newson.

The setback closed the book on Newson’s four-fight winning streak.

Gordon Outpoints Reeling Moret

Former Cage Fury Fighting Championships titleholder Jared Gordon snapped a two-fight losing streak with a unanimous decision over Dan Moret in a three-round undercard battle at 115 pounds. All three cageside judges scored it for Gordon (15-3, 3-2 UFC): 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28.

Moret (13-6, 0-3 UFC) had his moments, including a first-round rally in which he delivered a series of knees to the body from close range and a second-round head-and-arm throw that led him to full mount. However, Gordon remained calm under duress and turned the tide in his favor with superior grappling and doggedness in the scrambles. Moret bit down on an ill-advised guillotine choke early in the third round and wound up on the bottom, eating short punches while precious time drained off the clock.

The 32-year-old Moret remains winless in three starts inside the Octagon, his position on the UFC roster now tenuous at best.

Related » UFC on ESPN 3 Round-by-Round Scoring

Lungiambula Downs Replacement Townswend

Former two-division Extreme Fighting Championship Worldwide titleholder Dalcha Lungiambula cut through Dequan Townsend with punches and elbows in the third round of their preliminary light heavyweight encounter. A short-notice replacement for Justin Ledet, Townsend (18-8, 0-1 UFC) succumbed to blows 42 seconds into Round 3.

Lungiambula (10-1, 1-0 UFC) executed multiple takedowns across the first 10 minutes and kept his counterpart pinned to the canvas with suffocating control. He sprang forward inside the first minute of the third round with a left hook-right hook combination that floored Townsend and set the stage for the finish. Lungiambula advanced to full mount and cut loose with punches and elbows until the deed was done.

The 33-year-old Lungiambula has rattled off six consecutive wins.

Ribas Choke Submits Whitmire

Former Jungle Fight champion Amanda Ribas made a successful Octagon debut, as she submitted Emily Whitmire with a rear-naked choke in the second round of their undercard pairing at 115 pounds. Whitmire (4-3, 2-2 UFC) raised the white flag 2:10 into Round 2, her modest two-fight winning having run its course.

Ribas (7-1, 1-0 UFC) imposed her will on the Xtreme Couture standout and forced her to play defense throughout the first round, where she climbed to the back, secured position with a body triangle and hunted a finish. Whitmire survived to see the middle stanza but failed to keep a safe distance. Ribas dragged her to the mat, advanced to mount and battered her with rapid-fire punches. She then transitioned to the back for the fight-ending choke.

The 25-year-old Ribas has recorded back-to-back victories since her November 2015 knockout loss to Polyana Viana.

Surging Greene Buries Albini

Factory X representative Maurice Greene buried Junior Albini with punches in the first round of their preliminary heavyweight affair. Albini (14-6, 1-4 UFC) bowed out 3:38 into Round 1, as he suffered his fourth consecutive defeat.

Greene (8-2, 3-0 UFC) softened the Brazilian with a steady jab and a series of kicks to the body and legs. He dropped Albini to a knee with a counter right hook, floored him with a straight left and swooped into top position. Once it became clear the Astra Fight Team export was not yet ripe for the picking, Greene returned to a standing position and resumed his assault. An overhand right sent Albini crashing to the canvas once more, and a volley of hammerfists sealed his fate.

The 32-year-old has posted three straight wins.