Richie Vaculik defeated in UFC 193

Words by Jed Smith

Part-time fighter, full-time Bra Boy, and all-time big wave hellman, Richie Vaculik (10-4 MMA, 1-3 UFC) put on a show against San Diego’s Danny Martinez (17-7 MMA, 1-3 UFC) during the Ronda Rousey vs Holly Holm UFC 193 undercards in Melbourne yesterday. The Ours regular and professional carpet layer from Sydney’s south-east spent the better part of three rounds exchanging heavy shots with fellow flyweight Dany Martinez.

“The whole week’s been fucking crazy,” Richie told Stab, while waiting to board a flight back to Sydney. “The whole build up…it’s been great having Ronda in town for the biggest event in UFC history here. It’s been a bit of a blur to be honest.’

“The fights were amazing but unfortunately I made a few little mistakes and got out-wrestled,” he said.

The opening exchange. (Photo via mmajunkie.com)

The fight opened with the pair trading shots before Martinez got the upper hand with an early takedown and a solid elbow. Richie fought back late in the first round with a reversal only for Martinez to turn him moments later and end round one with Richie in a front headlock.

“Danny’s a tough guy, he’s fought a lot of top ten guys. I knew he was no pushover and that he’s a lot stronger than his record suggested. He’s got real heavy hands and he’s a great wrestler as well, whereas I’m a more technical fighter, so I was trying to out strike him and move around. I got my jab working and landed a few good kicks but just mistimed a couple and he took me down,” Richie said.

Round two saw the pair open with a flurry, before spending the majority of the round toe-to-toe. Martinez got the upper hand with a series of heavy shots before once again taking Richie to the mat. It was a similar story in the third round with a tired-looking Martinez keeping Richie at bay and holding on for a unanimous points victory (30-27). The experience won’t be something Richie forgets anytime soon.

Richie gracious in defeat. (Photo via mmajunkie.com)

“Well mate, I can’t compare it to I anything I’ve been a part of. To be on home soil in a history-making event like this was remarkable. The weigh-ins, the whole week has been great really. It’s something to look back on for sure,” he says.

He also credits his working class roots in south-east Sydney, and the many pitfalls of surfing some of the world’s most intimidating rock slabs for preparing him.

“Yeah it helps prepare you when the waves are hairy and you’re shitting yourself, just being able to remain calm. You can relate to that walking out to the octagon for sure; all those crazy thoughts going through your head. You train for those moments, so it’s matter of keeping your head on and making sure you make the right decisions and when it all comes to the crunch, being able to keep your head on your shoulders and not let the emotions and crazy thoughts get the best of ya,” he says.

In the main bout, Holly Holm landed a head kick and followed it up with punches as Ronda Rousey fell to the mat. The champ was knocked out a minute into the second round of the women’s bantamweight championship fight.