LAS VEGAS – Rafael Estevam secured a unanimous decision win against Charles Johnson on the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 232 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Breaking down the fight, it appears Elizaveta had experienced challenges after missing weight for his UFC debut. He also had a poor weight cut that led to the cancellation of his planned debut in May.
Rafael Estevam vs. Charles Johnson
Result: Rafael Estevam def. Charles Johnson via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Updated records: Estevam (12-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Johnson (13-6 MMA, 2-4 UFC)
Key stats: Johnson landed more than three times as many total strikes as Estevam, but Estevam had nearly two full rounds of control time to sway the judges.
Estevam on the fight’s key moment
“I thought I would be able to finish him, but I’ve got to give credit to him because he had his moments, especially in the third round. He is a tough guy, but I’m happy for my performance at the end of the day. Everybody has good days. Everybody has a chance and, I just won, so I’m happy.”
Estevam on his weight miss
“Cutting weight is very, very tough. I was not the first (to miss weight), and I’m not going to be the last one. I’m sure there are many, many details to be fixed, and we’re going to fix these mistakes. Human beings make mistakes, and that happens, but we’re going to work hard to make sure that it’s not going to happen again.”
Estevam on what he wants next
“I have to sit down with my team and have the UFC show me an opponent, but I guarantee that I’m ready for anyone.”
To hear more from Estevam, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 232.
Sarah Foster is your guide to the world of Mixed Martial Arts. With a deep understanding of MMA’s intricacies and a passion for the sport, she offers comprehensive coverage of MMA events, fighter profiles, and in-depth analysis of fights. Sarah’s commitment to the octagon ensures that readers stay engaged with the latest developments in the MMA world.
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