The UFC Octagon made a thrilling return to St. Louis as the prelims set the stage for an action-packed night of fights at the Enterprise Center. Among the standout performances were those of Trey Waters and Billy Goff, who engaged in an intense three-round battle, as well as the impressive showing by lightweights Esteban Ribovics and Chase Hooper.

In the flyweight opener, Veronica Hardy secured a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over JJ Aldrich. Hardy showcased her long-range striking skills, landing strikes that left Aldrich with a bloody nose. Though Aldrich had moments of success in the grappling exchanges, it was Hardy's dominant performance that earned her the victory. With this win, Hardy extends her winning streak to three fights, improving her professional record to 9-4-1, while Aldrich's record now stands at 13-7.

In another flyweight bout, Charles Johnson delighted his hometown crowd by earning a unanimous decision win over Jake Hadley. Johnson initially took some time to find his rhythm, but by the end of the first round, he became more effective and showcased a more aggressive style. In the second round, Johnson landed a powerful right hand that sent Hadley to the canvas. Although Hadley recovered quickly, Johnson had already done enough to secure the victory. With this win, Johnson's record improves to 15-6, while Hadley's record drops to 10-3.

The welterweight clash between Trey Waters and Billy Ray Goff proved to be a highly entertaining fight, with both fighters displaying tremendous heart and determination. Waters utilized his height and reach advantages, repeatedly tagging Goff with strikes. Goff managed to secure takedowns but found himself on the receiving end of a knee to the head while downed. Despite a valiant effort, Waters emerged as the clear winner, with all three judges scoring the fight in his favor. Waters' record now stands at an impressive 9-1, while Goff's record falls to 9-3.

In a strawweight showdown, Tabatha Ricci spoiled Tecia Pennington's return with a split decision victory. Pennington, coming back to the Octagon after a year-long hiatus, showcased her speed and striking in the opening round, but it was Ricci who made critical takedowns, evening the score. Although Ricci's attempts at takedowns were repeatedly thwarted in the second and third rounds, it was her aggression and resilience that earned her the close victory. Ricci's record now stands at 10-2, while Pennington's record falls to 13-7.

Lightweight fighters Esteban Ribovics and Terrance McKinney wasted no time delivering an explosive finish. In a fight that was not expected to go the distance, Ribovics landed a devastating head kick that quickly ended the bout within the first minute. With this knockout victory, Ribovics moves to an impressive 13-1 record, while McKinney's record drops to 15-7.

Chase Hooper put on a clinic in his lightweight bout with Viacheslav Borshchev, showcasing his submission skills. Hooper quickly took the fight to the ground and maintained control throughout the first round. In the second round, he secured a takedown, mounted his opponent, and eventually secured a D'Arce choke to force the submission at the three-minute mark. With this win, Hooper's record improves to 14-3-1, while Borshchev's record falls to 7-4-1.

The prelims of UFC Fight Night in St. Louis undoubtedly provided fans with an exciting display of skill and determination by these talented fighters. As the night continues with the main card, fans eagerly await more thrilling matchups and memorable performances.

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