Rookie Report Card: Grading all Octagon newcomers UFC Winnipeg post-mortem

Nallo came out like a man possessed, landing a head kick and a straight right within the first 15 seconds and nearly scoring a finish. But that’s the gamble with his style.

Out of nowhere, Herbert cracked him with a right hand that dropped him. Herbert swarmed with ground-and-pound, but Nallo survived by clinging to a leg and working his way back up. Still wobbly, he ate another clean combination — a left hand and right hook — that dropped him again, and this time Herbert pounced on him, knocking him out (watch highlights).

Two minutes of absolute chaos.

This is the Nallo experience: kill or be killed. He got finished, but he showed he belongs in terms of danger and excitement. Plus, I think he gets a passing grade for it.

Nallo should fight Charlie Campbell in his second outing.

Final grade: C-

Marcio Barbosa

Marcio Barbosa, one of the most violent prospects from Contender Series last year, wasted no time making a statement. It took him just over a minute to absolutely flat line Dennis Buzukja — and it wasn’t subtle.

It was a disgusting knockout (watch it here).

The 27-year-old now owns 15 career knockouts — all in the first round — which is just absurd. What makes him even more dangerous is his unpredictability. He can be composed and technical or go full chaos mode without warning.

Either way, someone’s getting hurt, and he’s a must-watch fighter already.

For his second Octagon appearance, I would like to see him rematch Gabriel Santos, whom he lost to in LFA in 2022 (his last loss).

Final grade: A+

Julien Leblanc

Julien Leblanc, who was on the verge of retirement, randomly got the call to the big show to face the winless Robert Valentin, and it did not go well. Le threw an early head kick, but that was about it.

Valentin immediately took over, ripping three hard body kicks before rocking Leblanc with a punch. From there, it was easy work — a takedown, back take, and quick submission.

Over in seconds.

It’s hard to understand the signing here beyond filling out a Canadian card, and unfortunately, it’s tough to see a path forward for him to win any fight in the division

I guess he could fight Tre’ston Vines in a loser-go-home type of fight.

Final grade: F

Gokhan Saricam

Gokhan Saricam had a tough assignment in welcoming back Tanner Boser, and early on, it looked like he might get sent packing. Boser landed a heavy hook that would’ve put away most fighters, but Saricam stayed composed.

The two traded big shots, with Saricam mixing in leg kicks and forward pressure. He had his moments of trouble — even getting swarmed briefly — but recovered well.

In Round 2, after both men had their moments again, Saricam found his opening. He perfectly timed a counter right hand off a low kick that dropped Boser and immediately followed with ground-and-pound for the finish (watch highlights).

It was a huge statement as he is the first man to knock Boser out at Heavyweight in the Octagon. Saricam is a good addition to the dreadful Heavyweight division.

I would like to see him fight Steven Asplund in his second outing.

Final grade: A

Mark Vologdin

This was chaos in its purest form.

Mark Vologdin entered with massive hype after a legendary Contender Series war (watch it here) and was matched tough against John Castaneda.

Early on, Vologdin looked sharp — fast hands, heavy calf kicks, and good takedown defense. But the fight quickly turned into a war. Castaneda landed big shots, including multiple fouls that resulted in a point deduction in the second round.

Vologdin, true to form, just kept marching forward, eating shots and firing back.

In the third round, he was taking serious damage — borderline punching bag territory — before turning it into a moment. With 20 seconds left, Castaneda pointed to the ground Max Holloway-style, and the two swung wildly.

Vologdin even partially landed a third rolling thunder before securing a takedown to close.

Because of the fouls, it ends in a draw.

He’s insanely fun to watch… but this style is dangerous long-term, especially at 5’3” in a stacked Bantamweight division. I hope he decides to drop back to Flyweight.

Until the news that I’m manifesting happens, he should fight China’s Alatengheili next.

Final grade: B-

Jamie Siraj

Feel-good story… brutal reality.

After battling serious health issues that almost cost him his life and grinding for over a decade, Canada’s Jamie Siraj finally got his shot in the UFC — but the moment didn’t go his way.

Facing John Yannis on short notice, Siraj started okay, switching stances and trading early. But once Yannis found his range, it was over quickly.

A clean right hand rocked Siraj, and Yannis followed up with more shots, eventually dropping him. Siraj panic-shot, but Yannis defended easily and finished him with elbows (watch highlights).

It was a very rough debut.

Losing to Yannis, who is one of the lowest-ranked Bantamweights in the entire division, is a tough one for Siraj, so his UFC run could be short.

I would like to see him fight a fellow grappler like Alberto Montes to see if he fares any better.

Final grade: F

For more highlights and finishes from UFC Winnipeg click here.