Ramiz Brahimaj vs. Court McGee
Round 1
In this welterweight battle between an older lion and a young, hungry thundercat, TUF 11 winner McGee (20-10, 9-9 UFC) will try to hold the line against Brahimaj (9-3, 1-1 UFC), where the latter will hope to make it two in a row after his ear exploded in 2020. There is nothing but respect between these two fighters, who touch gloves before referee Chris Tognoni. The venerable veteran leads the dance with several kicks from afar, aiming them to varying targets. McGee avoids a punch combination to throw back one of his own to the body and head. They land single shots at the same time, and Brahimaj winds up with a left hand that snaps McGee’s head back. McGee scores a solid left hand after a few jabs to set up a takedown, and he pushes Brahimaj into the fence when he cannot take him down. In the clinch, Brahimaj grimaces, and McGee groans to pick his man up but there is nothing doing with this takedown effort. McGee sells out for a double, and he lifts Brahimaj off the ground and slams him into the mat. Brahimaj turns to his side in an effort to stand, and after a brief struggle, he succeeds to get back up. “The Crusher” looks to grind and crush Brahimaj up against the fence, going after another takedown and making life miserable for Brahimaj. Once more, McGee elevates his opponent and drops him down. This time, Brahimaj turns to his knees and nearly gives up his back, but he stands up before McGee can set anything up. Brahimaj gets off a short knee up the middle while McGee is in close, and it does not discourage McGee from looking for a takedown. Brahimaj successfully shoves McGee away to gain some breathing room, in which he gives chase with long strikes. McGee gets off a clean one-two, and he connects with a pair of right hooks when Brahimaj is finding his range. They land strikes at the same time, and Brahimaj catches his opponent with the left. McGee gives it right back to him, and they trade it out. McGee cracks his man with a crisp right hand over the top, sending Brahimaj crashing to the canvas right before the bell sounds. Before McGee can try to force a stoppage, the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 McGee
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 McGee
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 McGee
Round 2
McGee is ready to engage right out of his corner, and he does so with a few fierce punches and a leg kick that gives Brahimaj issues. Brahimaj gathers his thoughts and charges in to hit his own takedown. The veteran climbs back up to his feet without issue, only for him to turn the tables and ground Brahimaj instead. The youngster fights his way back up to his feet, but McGee is pressuring him with every bit of weight he can muster. Brahimaj briefly threatens with a guillotine in this close proximity, but there is nothing to be had as McGee is too crafty and more than willing to effectively embrace the grind. As Brahimaj tries to wing a punch, McGee turns around him to find a better angle, one he uses to set Brahimaj on the ground again. Brahimaj springs up, but he cannot break the grip of “The Crusher.” As Brahimaj wriggles, he manages to get his arms free and pushes off, and when he scores a punch, McGee hits him back harder. Only a few seconds elapse before McGee charges in for a double, one he uses to push Brahimaj back against the fence. Brahimaj manages to break off, and McGee is there to punch him in the face. Damage continues to mount on Brahimaj’s face, as his left eye starts leaking from right hands of the Utahan. McGee blitzes forward again for one final takedown try, one he hits right before the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 McGee
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 McGee
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 McGee
Round 3
Brahimaj feebly offers a glove touch that might have been construed as a hug, and McGee taps his foe’s glove and then crashes in to pursue a takedown. McGee goes after a double, and he turns the corner to plant Brahimaj on the floor again. Brahimaj defends with a guillotine off his back, and McGee shrugs it off as he tries to set over and pass guard. Brahimaj utilizes a rubber guard to go after an omoplata, but McGee does not register the submission and instead keeps heavy top pressure to shut Brahimaj down. From another angle, Brahimaj goes after a guillotine with his left arm, and McGee wriggles his neck out so that he can keep grinding. The Fortis MMA fighter may have blood leaking in his eye and he might be down on the scorecards, but he does not quit and is constantly searching for something until he scoots his way to the wall. Brahimaj gets to a knee, and McGee pulls his hand out to splat Brahimaj on his face. McGee, taking Brahimaj’s back, sets up a rear-naked choke. The choke is not there, but McGee uses the opportunity to force Brahimaj to turn over and surrender full mount. McGee ties up an arm-triangle choke, but with the cage to his side, he cannot find the right leverage to secure the submission. Once more, Brahimaj turns over to give up his back, and McGee is quick to attack the neck. Brahimaj alternates between fighting off rear-naked chokes when McGee has his back to preventing arm-triangles when allowing McGee to take mount again, as this sequence continues. In a final burst of energy, Brahimaj stands, but it is far too little, too late, as the grueling fight is over.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 McGee (30-27 McGee)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 McGee (30-26 McGee)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 McGee (30-27 McGee)
The Official Result
Court McGee
def.
Ramiz Brahimaj
via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
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