Alexandre Pantoja, Khalid Taha & Brandon Davis Secure Finishes on UFC 236 Prelims Card

Scrambles, reversals, punches n bunches - round 1 has everything! #UFC236 pic.twitter.com/pgkyK8nUPD

— UFC (@ufc) April 14, 2019

The ordering process for Ultimate Fighting Championship pay-per-views has changed: UFC 236 is only available on ESPN+ in the U.S. Lightweight prospect Matt Frevola didn’t have too many problems in dealing with Jalin Turner’s long reach and height as he won every round in the featured UFC 236 preliminary bout.

Frevola scored multiple takedowns and controlled the pace of the fight on the canvas, threatening with scattered submissions when he could. “The Tarantula” dished out some solid striking while on the feet that forced Frevola into his takedowns, but Turner (8-5) never did enough damage to change the course of the contest. In the end, all three judges saw it 30-27 for Frevola, who rose to 7-1-1.

Pantoja Shows Reis What Time It Is

Flyweight contender Alexandre Pantoja looked terrific in dispatching longtime veteran Wilson Reis in the opening frame. “The Cannibal” was taken down by his fellow Brazilian at the midway point of the round, but Pantoja (21-3) quickly climbed back to his feet. From there, Pantoja cracked Reis (24-9) with a right straight to the face, sending him to the canvas. “The Cannibal” followed him down and unloaded an endless storm of punches until referee Jason Herzog had no choice but to waive it off.

The end came officially at 2:58 of the first.

Griffin Notches First UFC Majority Decision of 2019

Max Griffin had to fight tooth and nail with rival Zelim Imadaev for three grueling rounds and prevailed by the skin of his teeth. “Pain” scored several takedowns in the first two rounds, but he wasn’t able to ever keep Imadaev down to inflict damage.

Imadaev (8-1) had a point taken from him in the first for grabbing the fence and he rallied in the third with a torrent of punches and knees. But with his gas tank emptied, Griffin (15-6) survived the Russian’s late onslaught and won the fight via majority decision. One judged had the welterweight duel 28-28, but that score was offset by the other two, who favored Griffin 29-27.

Taha Smokes Salmon

It took Boston Salmon nearly two years to get back into the cage for hand-to-hand combat. Germany’s Khalid Taha made sure his return to action was short-lived as “The Warrior” obliterated Salmon in just 25 seconds.

As soon as the bantamweight showdown began, Taha (13-2) slammed a left hook onto Salmon’s jaw, sending him sprawling face-first onto the canvas. As referee Blake Grice was rushing to intervene, Taha landed a few follow-up punches. Salmon (6-2) immediately protested the stoppage and sprung back to his feet, but the damage was already done.

Related » UFC 236 Round-by-Round Scoring

Muhammad Rebounds with Big Win

After losing the opening round because he was out-struck by fellow welterweight Curtis Millender, Chicago’s Belal Muhammad dominated rounds two and three to win a unanimous decision. “Remember the Name” scored multiple takedowns of Millender (17-5) and controlled the pace on the ground.

Muhammad (15-3) wasn’t able to finish “Curtious” off his feet, but he dished out enough ground-and-pound to get the job done. In the end, Muhammad was given the judges’ verdict via tallies of 29-27 (twice) and 30-26).

Jackson Cruises Against Tough Soukhamthath

Bantamweight contender Montel Jackson dominated veteran Andre Soukhamthath for three rounds and won a lopsided unanimous decision. “Quik” landed solid kicks and punches and scored a few powerful takedowns en route to an easy win.

Jackson (8-1) was given the judges’ nod 29-27, 30-27 and 30-26 after a relatively subdued three rounds. Soukhamthath fell to 13-7.

Botelho Takes Two Rounds from Mueller

Poliana Botelho’s move up to flyweight was a success as she toppled American Lauren Mueller (5-2) via unanimous decision. Botelho (8-2) used solid striking and a powerful clinch game early to win the first two rounds. “Princess Tiger” rallied late with punches and knees to the head in the third when Botelho ran out of gas, but Mueller’s late surge wasn’t enough.

Botelho won the judges’ favor on scores of 29-28 across the board.

Davis Spoils Costa’s Octagon Debut

Brandon Davis had to wade through a little bit of hell in order to win the opening bout of UFC 236, but he succeeded. “Killer B” was rocked on multiple occasions from punches to the head from bantamweight opponent Randy Costa, but Davis (10-5) never panicked.

The Mississippi fighter turned the tables early in the second when he rocked “The Zohan” with punches and follow-up knees to the body. Once Davis took him down, he latched on a rear-naked choke, cranked it and forced Costa (4-1) to tap out. The end came at 1:18 of the second.