James Vick

Justin Gaethje vs. James Vick

Round 1
Vick comes out with a flying knee but misses by several feet. Vick is staying away, using his long spider legs to keep Gaethje at bay. Gaethje delivers a left to the stomach, but has to block a kick to the ribs for his effort. Gaethje closes the gap and clinches, but Vick lands a knee to the body. They split up and Vick backs into the cage. “The Highlight” unloads a massive right hook to the jaw and Vick’s lights are turned out. The Texan crumbles in a heap, completely out while Gaethje tries landing more shots.

The Official Result
Justin Gaethje def. James Vick via KO (Punches) R1, 1:27

Beneil Dariush vs. James Vick

Round 1
Vick takes a hard kick to the body, but he shakes it off and delivers one in return to Dariush before sticking the Kings MMA product with a sharp right hand. At the end of the opening minute, Vick reaches out his open left hand to catch a punch but instead pokes Dariush in the right eye. Dariush is quick to recover, annd he hits Vick with a left hand to the body as they restart. The eye poke seems to have woken up Dariush, but as he ups his aggression and charges forward to punch at Vick, “The Texecutioner” pokes him in the same eye again. Referee Beltran gives Vick a stern warning before the fight resumes this time. Dariush takes his time closing in on Vick, and once he gets close enough, the Rafael Cordeiro student sends Vick tilting to the ground with a left hook on the temple. Vick tries to cover up as Dariush pounds on him at the base of the fence, and referee Beltran is taking a very close look at the beating. Somehow, Vick stays alive and powers back to his feet, but his nose may have been broken during the blitz. Dariush keeps Vick wrapped up on the fence, but the taller Vick tries to turn the table with a Thai clinch. Dariush won’t allow his head to be pulled down, and the lightweights eventually separate to circle back to the center. Vick is put on rollerskates again when Dariush hits him with a left hook on the ear. Dariush tries to finish the job with an uppercut but narrowly misses Vick’s chin. Vick tries to push off but leaves his hands low, and Dariush connects with a thumping left hand over the top which Vick never sees coming. Vick crumbles to the ground in a heap and referee Beltran dives in to save the unconscious fighter.

The Official Result
Beneil Dariush def. James Vick via KO (Punches) R1 4:16

Jake Matthews vs. James Vick

Round 1
Matthews steps forward on Vick with a pair of long punches, but the rangy “Texecutioner” backs up toward the fence to evade. A looping left hook catches Vick on the jaw, and Matthews rushes in behind it to tangle with Vick on the fence. Matthews digs for a single-leg as Vick keeps a wide base against the fence, preventing the takedown. Matthews clasps his hands on a double-leg, lifts Vick over his shoulder and slams him down to the canvas. Vick gets back up right away, and Matthews backpedals out of striking range. After slipping a few punches, Matthews cracks Vick with a left hook, then a straight right. Vick shuts down a double-leg attempt and creeps forward on Matthews, flicking out kicks and range-finding punches which mostly bounce off Matthews’ gloves. Matthews comes over the top with a right hand, then puts one on Vick’s ribs. Matthews whips around with a spinning back fist which misses, and the outstretched hand of Vick sticks a finger into the Australian’s right eye. Referee John Sharp calls the cageside physician to examine Matthews, who is cleared to continue. Vick eats a pair of punches, whiffs on the counter and hits Matthews with a low kick. Matthews shoots for a takedown but leaves his neck exposed, and Vick capitalizes with a high-elbow guillotine choke. Vick drags Matthews to the ground and cranks on the choke from side control until Matthews submits.

The Official Result
James Vick def. Jake Matthews via Submission (Guillotine Choke) R1 4:53