Fighters from around the globe dream of the day they’ll step into the UFC octagon for the first time. For one athlete, Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 26 event marked that special moment in their career. Check out this week’s rookie report to see what kind of first impression he made on the sport’s biggest stage from Spark Arena in Auckland, New Zealand. * * * * * Joshua Culibao Division: Lightweight Result: Jalin Turner def. Josh Culibao via TKO (ground-and-pound) – Round 2, 3:01 Record: (8-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) Grade: D- Sydney native Culibao was all smiles ahead of his first UFC appearance, and he grinned his way to the octagon as he soaked up the occasion of his octagon debut. But, despite his sunny outlook, things didn’t go “Kuya’s” way on fight night as he was finished in the second round by Jalin Turner in Auckland.
Follow this link:
UFC on ESPN+ 26 rookie report: Grading the lone newcomer in Auckland – MMA Junkie