UFC on ESPN+ 29 rookie report: Grading the newcomers in Jacksonville

Fighters from around the globe dream of the day they’ll step into the UFC octagon for the first time. For two athletes, Wednesday’s UFC on ESPN+ 29 event marked that special moment in their career.

Check out this week’s rookie report to see what kind of first impression they made on the sport’s biggest stage from VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla.

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Ike Villanueva

Division: Heavyweight
Result: Chase Sherman def. Ike Villanueva via TKO (elbows) – Round 2, 0:49
Record: (16-10 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Grade: D

Ike Villanueva arrived in Jacksonville for his UFC debut riding a four-fight win streak and a host of first-round knockouts to his name, but against the returning Chase Sherman he was dragged out of the first round, then finished early in the second as he experienced a tough introduction to life on the big stage.

Villanueva came out looking calm and composed as he tried to assess Sherman’s timing, but Sherman’s size and reach advantage paid off early with some nasty leg kicks. Villanueva did a decent job of stepping inside Sherman’s range and landing, especially wih his counter left hook. But while his offense looked solid, it was Sherman who threw, and landed, the more significant shots as he lit up the debutant in the final two minutes of the round left Villanueva with a battered leg. To his credit, Villanueva took the shots well and showed a solid chin.

After shipping a ton of leg kicks in the first round, Villanueva wasn’t quite as mobile as he came out of his corner for the start of Round 2, and Sherman connected some solid punches, followed by a knee. Again, Villanueva took them well, but when Sherman loaded up again and hurt him with a big right hand, the debutant visibly wilted and backed away to the cage, where Sherman closed the show with a nasty elbow.

It was a tough start to life in the UFC for Villanueva as he faced an experienced fighter who returned to the octagon looking rejuvenated. His size may prove to be an issue against the UFC’s heavyweights, as he’s likely to concede height and reach to many of them, but his toughness and impressive knockout record means he’s likely to get another shot or two on the preliminary card.