UFC Vegas 21 video: Charles Jourdain debuts ‘Showtime’ ground and pound, stops Marcelo Rojo in third

In a brutal meeting of two seasoned strikers, Charles Jourdain used every technique in his arsenal – and even debuted a new one of sorts – before Marcelo Rojo finally capitulated in the third round of their UFC Vegas 21 slugfest.

Jourdain’s early work paid dividends as the fight went into deep waters, and a hellacious bout of ground and pound led to a stoppage by body shot at the 4:31 mark of the final frame.

Check out the finish below:

The finish was a culmination of two-plus rounds of body work, which came in counter to Rojo’s preference for the muay Thai plumb. In that position, he hoped to land knees up the middle that might erase the work Jourdain did at distance. Instead, it provided a prime opportunity for the Quebec native to land body shots almost at will.

After the Argentinian Rojo was knocked to the ground, Jourdain landed punch after punishing punch from top position. At one point, he even used the cage as a vault a la Anthony Pettis’ famous “Showtime Kick,” ending his jump with a hammerfist that raked his opponent’s face.

Check out the crazy sequence.

Rojo availed himself well in the early portions of the fight, trading strikes with his rangy opponent and landing several hard hooks and knees inside. But in the speed and timing department, it was Jourdain with better shot selection. When Rojo advanced with punches, he took kicks to the leg. When Rojo tried the same attack, he was cut off with punches.

In the second round, Jourdain landed a punch that dropped Rojo, and momentum began to shift permanently. Tough but exhausted, Rojo began to fade as Jourdain continued to pepper him with strikes. After Rojo survived on the canvas, it looked as though he may survive the bout. When his body shut off, referee Mark Smith stepped in to prevent further punishment.

Jourdain gets back to the win column after a shaky go of things in his past four outings. A TKO win over Doo Hoo Choi was followed by a split decision loss to Andre Fili and a draw against Josh Culibao.

UFC newcomer Rojo goes back to the drawing board after knocking out Victor Hugo Madrigal in Combate Americas.