Andre Ewell vs. Charles Jourdain

Round 1
Up next is an all-action fight in the men’s featherweight division, when Jourdain (11-4-1, 2-3-1 UFC) and his 100% finish rate take on a man known as “Mr. Highlight” Ewell (17-8, 4-4 UFC). Referee Mark Smith has laced up his shoes to keep up with the potentially torrid pace of this one, and the fighters warmly touch gloves before getting after it. Ewell springs in and out of distance, flicking a jab out early. Jourdain counters with a leg kick, and Ewell stops in his tracks and looks frustrated before throwing one right back. The two trade single strikes back and forth, with Ewell going for power punches while Jourdain aims ripping leg kicks that irritate Ewell every time. Jourdain darts forward with a combination ending with a leg kick, and he steps back but still absorbs a leg kick that flies his way. They come together in a flurry, and Jourdain makes certain to end his combinations with slapping leg kicks. Ewell swats at him with a left hook, aiming punches that largely collide with the guard. Jourdain does not change things up, with punch salvos ending with low kicks. Jourdain just misses with a high kick, and he absorbs a flush body kick for his effort. Jourdain stings his opponent with a left hook, and Ewell is ready to put on a show as he swings back with bad intentions. Ewell keeps a wide stance as he switches back and forth between orthodox and southpaw, and he surprises Jourdain with a flying knee on the chin. Jourdain falls backwards but gathers himself, where he puts aggression on Ewell and kicks him in the face with the top of his foot. Ewell wears it well and throws back, but it is Jourdain putting his foot on the gas and giving chase. Ewell catches Jourdain coming in with a clean left hand, but Jourdain settles down and kicks Ewell in the body. Ewell stays busy from the outside, turning a combination to circle around behind Jourdain’s back. Jourdain turns off and comes back, only to need to duck a looping punch. “Air” gets some air with a flying knee, and Ewell pushes him over and takes top position with 30 seconds left in the round. Jourdain threatens with a guillotine choke to stand back up, and he delivers a heavy leg kick and a few thudding punches right before the round ends.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ewell
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ewell
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Ewell

Round 2
The featherweights meet in the middle and start trading, with Jourdain upping the volume and adding up with leg kicks. Ewell comes back at him with furious strikes, only to absorb a leg kick at the end of his combinations. Jourdain cracks Ewell with a left hand, one that stuns Ewell for a moment. The Canadian does not falter with his assault on the lead leg of his opponent, no matter the stance of Ewell. Ewell jabs out a few times, but Jourdain is there to pound his shin on Ewell’s knee and thigh. Suddenly, “Air” Jourdain goes up high with a kick, and once more it lands cleanly on the face. Jourdain starts to stalk Ewell down, cutting off the angles and shelling up when Ewell fires back at him. As they start to throw recklessly, Jourdain stumbles and has to reset. Ewell stands in the pocket and trades, not budging an inch when Jourdain comes at him, until Jourdain starts throwing kicks again. Ewell ducks out of the way of a high kick and a spinning back fist, and he sticks out a few jabs. Jourdain has a head kick get blocked, but he continues to walk “Mr. Highlight” down. When Jourdain works the liver with a left, Ewell bites down on his mouthpiece to swing right back at him. Jourdain pursues a takedown, and settles for a trip, only to get Ewell to drop to his knees. Ewell begins to start fading as Jourdain turns up the pace, continuing to work him at a safe distance. A few clean left hands land flush for Jourdain, who is not concerned about what comes back at him from Ewell. A punch to the body sets up two to the head, and Jourdain tears into him with an elbow, a few punches and a destructive knee that puts Ewell on wobbly legs. Ewell breaks free and stumbles across the cage, and Jourdain sprints after him and practically leaps into half guard to try to finish the job. Jourdain sits up and cracks Ewell with ground-and-pound, and he briefly considers a submission until posturing up to hurt Ewell with more hellacious blows. With seconds to spare, Jourdain slaps on an irregular choke, but time expires before he can secure anything.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Jourdain
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Jourdain
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain

Round 3
They touch gloves to start off the last round, and Jourdain is right there to kick the chest. Ewell backs away as Jourdain swarms towards him, and he lands a single leg kick but one that comes back at him is much heavier. Every strike Jourdain lands draws a reaction out of his opponent, and he mixes things up to the body while Ewell tries to regain his composure and catch his breath. They clash together, and when they separate, Ewell jabs at him. This allows Jourdain to wreck his leg with a few more low kicks, and Ewell settles on a clubbing right hand that makes Jourdain stagger back from the impact and not from the damage. Jourdain knows a finish could be around the corner with a well-timed combination, and he opens up with a few punches and a spinning back fist for good measure. Ewell suddenly counters him back with a front kick that glances off his chin, and Jourdain is hurt and has to shake off the cobwebs. Jourdain blocks a flying knee so that he can go back to his constant forward movement, and he batters Ewell’s lead leg and throws haymakers that are barely avoided. Ewell scores a slapping combination, and Jourdain loads up on a pair of right hooks that shake Ewell up. Jourdain zings a high kick that is barely blocked, and he pressures Ewell back to the wall to unload a combination on him. Ewell eats a leg kick and tries to respond with a kick of his own, but Jourdain rushes forward to knee him in the body a few times. The knees hurt Ewell, and he bends over and trips when Jourdain throws him back. “Air” Jourdain shouts gutturally as he wants to finish the fight, and he pours it on with a long combination that ends up with several brutal knees to the head and body. Smith implores Ewell to fight back, and Jourdain continues to tee off on Ewell with knees while he is bent over. A trio of clean knees land flush for the Canadian, who screams and throws with everything he has. Jourdain spins with a kick that connects right straight to the jaw of Ewell, and he is barely able to stay on his feet. Still, Ewell swings back at the 10-second clapper, as Jourdain tells him to keep fighting. They throw down right to the bitter end, with the final blow a push kick from Jourdain that sends Ewell flying as Jourdain embodies his inner King Leonidas. What a wild ending to a terrific battle!

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain (29-27 Jourdain)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain (29-27 Jourdain)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain (29-28 Jourdain)

The Official Result
Charles Jourdain def. Andre Ewell via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-27)

Marlon Vera vs. Andre Ewell

Round 1
Riding a four-fight finish streak, Vera (14-5-1, 8-4 UFC) looks to keep his momentum going as he faces off against Ewell (15-5, 2-1 UFC) at bantamweight. Drawing the assignment is referee Andrew Glenn. Touching gloves, this potentially exciting bantamweight battle has begun. As Vera comes in with a leg kick, Ewell leaps forward with a straight left. "Chito" dives in for a quick takedown, and Ewell stuffs it and gets out of the way. The American leans down with a straight left to the body, and Vera tries to reply with a looping right hand over the top. A heavy leg kick from Vera scores, so Ewell responds by digging another punch to the body. Vera charges forward and unexpectedly goes for a standing arm-triangle choke, and Ewell falls over on top of Vera. Vera keeps the choke tight, and Ewell is trying to fight hands to break the grasp of Vera, and he does. Sitting on top, Ewell tries to get past the guard of the Ecuadorian, looking to posture up so he can start strikes. From his back, Vera throws several elbows that appear to cut the top of Ewell's head. The American finally sits up, and "Chito" pounces on the opportunity to seek an armbar, but Ewell backs away and the two return to their feet. Vera presses forward with multiple front kicks, and Ewell throws hard body shots in response. Ewell unloads with a four-punch combination that is mostly blocked, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Vera
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Vera
Cole Shelton scores the round: 10-9 Vera

Round 2
Round 2 begins with Vera opening with a body kick from his lead leg, and then low kick from his back leg. Ewell starts up with more lunging strikes to the body, and as Vera comes forward to respond, the American backs off. A heavy inside leg kick sends Ewell bouncing off the fence, and Ewell is content to try to counter and pick his shots. "Chito" throws a kick up high and partially glances off the chin of his opponent, and Ewell wings heavy leather that just falls short. Another body kick lands for Vera, and as he swarms Ewell, Ewell circles out of danger. Vera tries a high-risk spinning kick and falls over, but before "Mr. Highlight" can pounce on him, Vera gets back to his feet. Vera wings big hooks, but with his hands held very low, Ewell is able to get out of the way in time. Vera commits on a heavy leg kick, so Ewell comes back with a hard straight right that stands Vera up. Vera continues to press the action and come forward, so Ewell strings together a combination as his mouth is wide open. "Chito" rips another kick to the lead leg of Ewell, and crashes in to pull for a standing arm-triangle choke again, but Ewell is wise to it and defends it. Keeping Ewell pinned against the fence, Vera lets off several knees, until Ewell separates. A front kick from Ewell hurts him, and a combination from Vera does some damage as Ewell falls against the fence. "Chito" pours it on, but Ewell may be playing possum, as he wings a huge right hand that just whiffs. The two swing until the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Vera
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Vera
Cole Shelton scores the round: 10-9 Vera

Round 3
Ready to start up right where they left off, Vera comes forward strong, but Ewell wings a right hand that skims off Vera's chin. Ewell drops down with several long punches to the body, but Vera whips a head kick that bounces off the side of Ewell's head. The two men trade furiously, and it is Ewell that again is forced to back off. A few more hard kicks get the attention of Ewell, and he catches a kick but can do nothing with it. When Vera kicks again, Ewell is able to finally make him pay for his efforts. Vera cracks Ewell's inside leg with two audible kicks, and Ewell is trying to put on a brave face but that leg appears to be somewhat compromised. As Vera pours it on, he comes in with several hard knees, and with nowhere to run, Ewell is forced to absorb them. Both men dig to the body, and Ewell comes up short with a spinning back fist. As Ewell tries to recover, Vera walks him down and pulls for a guillotine choke.
Although Ewell defends himself from the submission, he falls to his back, and Vera sits up to unload hellacious punches and elbows. Feeling that the finish might be around the corner, "Chito" rains down vicious punches until Glenn feels enough is enough and calls the fight.
With the win, Vera has now won five straight fights -- all by stoppage -- and becomes the first man to ever finish Ewell with strikes.

The Official Result
Marlon Vera def. Andre Ewell R3 3:17 via TKO (Elbows and Punches)