UFC women’s featherweight champion Cris “Cyborg” Justino vs. Holly Holm — the biggest women’s marquee fight UFC could put on with its current roster — was announced late Thursday for UFC 219 on December 30th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV.
The promotion had been trying to put the fight together, but last week Holm’s agent, Lenny Fresquez, said the match was dead. However, negotiations restarted the past few days and were just completed, giving UFC a championship fight for a PPV that is just over six weeks away.
Justino (18-1-1) won the championship in a UFC weight division that really only has one competitor, herself. She overwhelmed longtime bantamweight Tonya Evinger to win the vacant title earlier this year.
Holm, who also fights at bantamweight, moved up to featherweight to face Germaine de Randamie in the first-ever UFC women’s featherweight championship fight earlier in the year, created partiall because a UFC PPV in Brooklyn needed a main event title match.
De Randamie won the match via close decision, and then was stripped of the title when not facing Justino, who the division was created for.
Holm (11-3), is beat known for beating Ronda Rousey before more than 56,000 fans in Melbourne, Australia, in one of the most memorable moments in UFC history. She followed that up losing three fights in a row before knocking out Bethe Correia in June.
Holm also drew one of the company’s best television ratings of the past several years in a fight against Valentina Shevchenko, which she lost via decision.
Justino has been a major name fighter coming off a Strikeforce featherweight title win over Gina Carano that set a ratings record at the time for Showtime. She lost her title after testing positive for Stanazolol, but has not lost a fight in more than 12 years.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC Fight Night 120: Poirier vs. Pettis, emanating from the Ted Constant Convocation Center in Norfolk, Virginia.
The event is headlined by an exciting five-round bout in the lightweight division as long-time perennial contender Dustin Poirier looks to continue his run to a title shot as he takes on former UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis.
Poirier is looking to stay out of the loss column and crack into the top five at 155 pounds. Pettis is looking to make it two straight wins since returning to the lightweight division, where he once stood as the man to beat.
In the co-main event, it will be a slugfest between two hard-hitting favorites as Matt Brown, in what could be his retirement bout, takes on the original Ultimate Fighter winner, Diego Sanchez. Opening the main card is another lightweight battle between veteran favorites as Joe Lauzon takes on Clay Guida.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.
UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS | 7 PM ET/4 PM PT
> Darren Stewart (7-1 1 NC, 0-1 1 NC UFC) vs. Karl Roberson (5-0, 0-0 UFC) Middleweights
They were trading kicks but neither were landing them. Stewart was throwing some spin kicks with no success. They did trade leg kicks and Stewart landed a right hand. Roberson landed an uppercuts and some knees in the clinch. Roberson then got a takedown on a throw and took the back. Roberson landed some punches from the back. Roberson was working from the back looking for the choke and had it in. He got Stewart to tap! Roberson with the first round finish in an impressive UFC debut.
Official Result- Karl Roberson def. Darren Stewart by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:41 of Round 1
They were tagging each other early. Collier slipped on a kick but was able to get up. Fortuna landed a left hook. Collier missed a spin kick. Fortuna landed a punch to the body. Collier hurt Fortuna with a left hand. Collier with a leg kick. Fortuna grabbed the back of Collier looking for a takedown. Collier defended and then landed a leg kick. Fortuna landed a spinning back fist. They traded big punches. Collier rocked Fortuna late. Close round. 10-9 Collier.
Collier with some wild punches that weren’t coming close to landing. Fortuna got a takedown and took the back as they stood up. Collier shook him off. Fortuna is slowing down and Collier landed a spin kick to the body. Collier with a leg kick. Collier is controlling the pressure and the Octagon. Both still swinging wildly. Fortuna scores a takedown and is in the guard but moves to an arm-triangle out of nowhere. Collier fought it and escaped but Fortuna is in full mount. Collier was able to escape and went into Fortuna’s guard. Collier with a big elbow from the top. 10-9 Collier, 20-18 Collier.
Collier landed a nice combo finishing with a head kick. Big right hand by Collier. Fortuna attempted a takedown but Collier slipped out. Fortuna got a takedown but Collier reversed immediately and stood up. Collier with an overhand right. He is outworking Fortuna big time here. Collier with a leg kick. Fortuna rocked Collier with a right hand. Fortuna with a head kick. Collier coming back with more volume at the end. 10-9 Collier, 30-27 Collier.
Official Result- Jake Collier def. Marcel Fortuna by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
> Court McGee (18-6, 7-5 UFC) vs. Sean Strickland (18-2, 5-2 UFC) Welterweights
They were trading early and McGee landed a head kick but fell on the end and Strickland ended up on top. McGee was able to get out from the bottom and up to his feet. They were trading on the feet. Both were landing good punches and kicks but McGee had slightly more volume. Strickland with a head kick and McGee with a body kick. Strickland landing the jab and McGee having trouble getting inside the range. McGee with a leg kick. Strickland with a right hand. 10-9 Strickland.
They were both looking to land something when McGee shot for a takedown. Strickland defended but McGee grabbed the back against the fence. Strickland grabbed the cage to defend a takedown and got a warning, but he was able to escape. They traded and McGee shot for a takedown but it was defended. McGee misses a spinning back fist attempt. Both men land right hands. McGee is the busier fighter. McGee goes for a takedown but Strickland sprawls out. McGee coming forward more. Close round. 10-9 McGee, 19-19.
McGee lands a head kick flush to the chin of Strickland. McGee continues to come forward more. McGee shoots for a takedown but it is defended again by Strickland. They go to the ground and Strickland is in half-guard landing punches and elbows. McGee is able to get up from the bottom and grabs the back of Strickland. McGee gets a brief takedown but Strickland posted with his hands to defend. Strickland gets a big takedown and was looking for a choke at the end. Strickland with big punches from the back at the end. 10-9 Strickland, 29-28 Strickland.
Official Result- Sean Strickland def. Court McGee by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
FOX SPORTS 1 PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT
> Angela Hill (7-3, 2-3 UFC) vs. Nina Ansaroff (7-5, 1-2 UFC) Women’s Strawweights
Hill landing the jab early and Ansaroff landing the leg kick. Hill landed a big left hand. Hill with a combo ending with a leg kick. Hill grabs the back. They broke and both are trading leg kicks. Hill’s seem to have more power. Ansaroff is landing the jab. They are trading in the pocket. Hill with non-stop pressure. Hill lands a left hand. Hill with a head kick. They trade leg kicks. Hill lands a right hand. Hill finishes the round with a leg kick and they trade right at the end. Close round. 10-9 Hill.
They came out trading kicks. Ansaroff landed a right hand that busted the nose of Hill and she is bleeding from there. Both ladies landing punches. Ansaroff went for a takedown but Hill defended though Ansaroff landed a high kick on the break. Both women landing big combinations. Ansaroff with a right hand. Ansaroff with big body kicks. Hill fires back with a jab to the body followed by an overhand right. Hill with a right hand that stuns Ansaroff. Ansaroff back with body kicks. Hill lands a hard right hand. They trade late. Another close round. 10-9 Ansaroff, 19-19.
Ansaroff with a spinning back kick to the body. Both coming out looking to finish it and this round will decide it. Hill landing more kicks but both are landing hard and with a lot of volume. Ansaroff landed a right hand but Hill firing back with punches and kicks. Ansaroff with a push kick. Ansaroff with the jab. Ansaroff with a high kick. Hill with a leg kick but slips to the mat though she gets up. Ansaroff with a leg kick. Ansaroff with a combo ending with an uppercut. They trade kicks. Ansaroff with a big combo ending with a head kick at the end. Good fight. 10-9 Ansaroff, 29-28 Ansaroff.
Official Result- Nina Ansaroff def. Angela Hill by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Sage Northcutt (8-2, 3-2 UFC) vs. Michel Quinones (8-2, 0-1 UFC) Lightweights
Quinones right away with a leg kick. Northcutt with a right hand. Northcutt with another right hand. Big combo ending with a leg kick from Northcutt. Northcutt with a combo but the kick is blocked. Quinones landing nothing but leg kicks. Northcutt just misses a spinning head kick. Northcutt with some big kicks as Quinones runs away. Northcutt with the jab. Northcutt with another big combo. Northcutt with a late takedown. 10-9 Northcutt.
Quinones unable to find any openings. Quinones with a leg kick. Northcutt with the double jab and a big body kick. Quinones with a leg kick but Northcutt fires back with a combo. They trade leg kicks. They trade punches and Northcutt lands a head kick. Northcutt with some right hands and a high kick. Northcutt lands some right hands and an uppercut. Northcutt with a huge takedown with twenty seconds to go and is working from side control to end the round. 10-9 Northcutt, 20-18 Northcutt.
Northcutt coming out fast as is Quinones. Quinones with an axe kick. Northcutt with a triple jab. Northcutt with a body kick. Northcutt stalking Quinones around and is landing kicks to the body. Quinones unable to land anything and what he does gets countered. Northcutt with a brief takedown. Quinones lands a right hand but doesn’t follow up on it. Northcutt with a front kick. Northcutt goes for a late takedown. He breaks and lands a combo and misses a cartwheel kick. 10-9 Northcutt, 30-27 Northcutt.
Official Result- Sage Northcutt def. Michel Quinones (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Suarez comes out aggressive and gets the clinch looking for a throw. They break and Suarez misses a head kick. Pereira with a combo as Suarez closes the distance. Pereira has the neck and a guillotine but Suarez fights out. Suarez scores a takedown and is in side control. Both throwing punches and Suarez transitions to the back. They scramble and Suarez gets the back again and is working for a choke. Suarez still working for it. She’s landing punches from the back but can’t find the choke. Suarez moves back to side control and lands some hammerfists. 10-9 Suarez.
Suarez gets another takedown at the start of the round. Suarez landing some punches but is mostly transitioning on the mat. Suarez gets the mount and started landing ground and pound. Suarez with some elbows. Suarez landing more punches from the top and Pereira can’t get out from the bottom. Dominant round by Suarez. 10-8 Suarez, 20-17 Suarez.
Suarez with a left hand and then she gets another takedown and is working from side control. Suarez with some punches and elbows and she moves to a north-south position. Suarez with elbows to the body. Pereira trying to escapes. Suarez has the neck and with a knee to the legs. Suarez back to the mount. Suarez with punches and elbows from the mount. Suarez back to side control. Suarez has the back and is landing and looking to set up the choke. Time runs out though. Dominant performance by Suarez. 10-9 Suarez, 30-26 Suarez.
Official Decision- Tatiana Suarez def. Viviane Pereira by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
> John Dodson (#8, 19-8, 8-3 UFC) vs. Marlon Moraes (#9, 18-5-1, 0-1 UFC) Bantamweights
Moraes with an immediate leg kick. Moraes with a body kick and a left hook. Dodson with a left hand. Moraes with a spin kick to the body. Dodson with a double left hand. Dodson drops Moraes with a left hand but he recovers quickly. Moraes with a leg kick. Moraes with a low kick and it got Dodson right in the cup and we have a timeout. Dodson almost threw up because of the kick. We get back to action and Moraes lands a right hand and a body kick. Both men land solid combos. Another timeout for an eye poke. Dodson with a late head kick. 10-9 Dodson.
They trade heavy punches and Moraes lands some good left hands. Moraes with a body punch. Moraes with a hard right hand. Moraes just misses a body kick. Moraes with another body kick. Dodson with his own body kick. Moraes with a right hand. Dodson gets a takedown but Moraes grabs the leg looking for a heel hook. Dodson escapes and they get to their feet. Dodson gets another brief takedown. Moraes with a spin kick that grazed the top of Dodson’s shoulder. Moraes with more pressure. Moraes gets a takedown. They get back to their feet and trade at the end. Close round. 10-9 Moraes, 19-19.
This round decides it and Moraes coming out aggressive. Moraes with a kick but Dodson catches the leg and Moares gets away. Moraes lands a right hand. Moraes slips but Dodson unable to capitalize on it. Dodson with a body kick followed by a left hand. Round is close. Dodson with a left hand. Moraes working hard for the takedown. The referee breaks it up as Moraes was working. Moraes with a late guillotine but the round ends. It looked like Dodson tapped after the horn sounded to end the round. Crazy close round. Dodson did tap after the horn. 10-9 Moraes, 29-28 Moraes.
Moraes had a spirited callout of Jimmie Rivera after the fight, wanting to fight him at UFC 219 on December 30.
Official Result- Marlon Moraes def. John Dodson by split decision (30-27, 27-30, 30-27)
FOX SPORTS 1 MAIN CARD | 10 PM ET/7 PM PT
> Joe Lauzon (27-13, 14-10 UFC) vs. Clay Guida (33-17, 13-11 UFC) Lightweights
Guida coming out with leg kicks. Guida with a big right hand and then drops Lauzon with a right hand. Guida with hammerfists from the top. Guida with big punches and Lauzon is in trouble. Big elbows and hammerfists and this fight is stopped! Wow. Big TKO win in the opening minutes by Guida. That stoppage was way late.
Official Result- Clay Guida def. Joe Lauzon by TKO (strikes) at 1:07 of Round 1
> Raphael Assuncao (#4, 25-5, 9-2 UFC) vs. Matthew Lopez (#13, 10-1, 2-1 UFC) Bantamweights* (Lopez missed weight by 2.5 pounds)
They were trading early on and Assuncao was looking for head kicks. Both missed big punches. Assuncao lands a big combo. Assuncao faked a takedown attempt and landed a left hand. They trade kicks. Assuncao with a glancing head kick. Lopez gets a takedown. They get back to their feet. Close round. Not a lot to it. 10-9 Assuncao.
They trade and Assuncao is landing leg kicks and landed a left hook. Assuncao with another heavy leg kick. Lopez goes for a takedown but some chain wrestling from both and Assuncao escapes. Assuncao with more leg kicks and Lopez is favoring his lead leg. Assuncao with another heavy leg kick. Assuncao lands a right hand. They both tag each other with punches. Assuncao with another heavy leg kick. 10-9 Assuncao, 20-18 Assuncao.
Assuncao right back to kicking Lopez’ lead leg. Assuncao with a head kick. Assuncao with another big leg kick to the lead leg. That is his only real attack but it is effective. Lopez’ leg is not the same color it was at the start of the right. All of a sudden Assuncao went for a flying knee, missed but then knocked Lopez out cold with a right hand. WOW. Big finish by Assuncao in a complete dominant performance. Assuncao then calls to finish the trilogy with champion TJ Dillashaw. They’ve met twice with each man winning once- Assuncao got his win before Dillashaw became a champion for the first time, and Dillashaw got his win in between title reigns.
Official Result- Raphael Assuncao def. Matthew Lopez by knockout (punch) at 1:50 of Round 3
> Nate Marquardt (35-18-2, 13-11 UFC) vs. Cezar Ferreira (11-6, 7-4 UFC) Middleweights
Ferreira starts with a leg kick. They trade punches. Ferreira with a big left hand. They trade leg kicks. Ferreira lands another hard right hand and then a body kick. Ferreira just misses a head kick. Ferreira with a leg kick. Marquardt trips Ferreira up with a leg kick. Marquardt with a right hand. Methodical round. 10-9 Ferreira.
They were trading some punches. Marquardt shot for a takedown but it was defended. Marquardt had double underhooks. They break. Marquardt goes for a flying knee but Ferreira reverses into a takedown attempt. Marquardt sprawls out. Ferreira with a body kick. Not a lot of action in this. Ferreira with a left hand and then a right hook that stuns Marquardt, who fires back with a right hand. Marquardt knocks down Ferreira with a flurry late in the round. 10-9 Marquradt, 19-19.
Ferreira gets a takedown to start the third round. Ferreira with control from the top but they scramble to their feet. Ferreira with a big slam on Marquardt. Ferreira moves to side control. Ferreira not doing much from the top and Marquardt is tired on the bottom. Marquardt tries to get out but Ferreira has his neck. Marquardt able to slip into the guard of Ferreira and lands some elbows from the top and cuts Ferreira up at the horn. 10-9 Ferreira, 29-28 Ferreira.
Official Result- Cezar Ferreira def. Nate Marquardt by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
> Junior Albini (#12, 14-2, 1-0 UFC) vs. Andrei Arlovski (#13, 25-15 1 NC, 14-9 UFC) Heavyweights
Interesting choice of shorts for Albini. Albini aggressive early. Arlovski with a head kick and then attacks the body. Albini unable to land his attacks. They clinch and nothing happens so they break. Arlovski with a right hand. Arlovski with some leg kicks and then a right hand. Albini with a left hand and then a knee to the body. Albini with a left hook. They trade in the clinch. Albini with a left hook. They trade late. 10-9 Albini.
Arlovski attacking the body with punches. They clinched but nothing happened and they separated. Albini landed a punch and they clinched again and nothing was happening. They separated again. Arlovski landed a right hand. Arlovski with a leg kick and a right hand. Arlovski with a combo and then lands a straight right that connects. Spinning back fist from Arlovski and then he lands an uppercut. Albini has really slowed. 10-9 Arlovski, 19-19.
Arlovski is attacking the body. Arlovski with a double jab and then an uppercut. Albini landed a right hand. Arlovski with a head kick. Arlovski with a right hand and then a switch kick that was blocked. Brief timeout as Arlovski was poked in the eye. Arlovski opening up and lands an elbow. Albini is bleeding. Arlovski lands a combo. Arlovski with a spinning back fist and then a series of uppercuts. Albini with a left hand. Arlovski with a groin strike on Albini. Albini with a combo and they clinch. Nothing happens to end the fight. 10-9 Arlovski, 29-28 Arlovski.
Official Result- Andrei Arlovski def. Junior Albini by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
> Matt Brown (20-16, 13-10 UFC) vs. Diego Sanchez (27-10, 16-10 UFC) Welterweights
Sanchez rushes forward and lands a right hand and shoots for a takedown. They’re clinched and Brown lands a knee to Sanchez’ head. They separated. They trade left hands. Sanchez goes for another single-leg but Brown defends it. Sanchez with a combo. Brown with a leg kick then snaps the jab. Brown with a short range elbow. Sanchez with a liver kick. Brown with a leg kick. Brown then lands an elbow that knocks Sanchez out. Wow. Big finish by Matt Brown with a standing elbow. Brown did talk of retirement before this bout, but backed off of it during fight week, and said he would take time to think about it.
Official Result- Matt Brown def. Diego Sanchez by knockout (elbow) at 3:44 of Round 1
> Dustin Poirier (#8, 21-5 1 NC, 13-4 1 NC UFC) vs. Anthony Pettis (#13, 20-6, 7-5 UFC) Lightweights
Pettis right away with leg kicks. Pettis with a flying knee followed by a right hand. Poirier with a left hand and then scores a takedown. Pettis is working for a guillotine from the bottom but Poirier pops out and Pettis now looking for a kimura. Poirier with punches from the top. Poirier stands up and Pettis sweeps and he gets to his feet and presses Poirier against the fence, Poirier with an elbow and Pettis with an elbow of his own. Both landed knees and punches. Pettis defends a takedown attempt from Poirier. They trade punches and Pettis with a body kick. Poirier with a big combo that hurts Pettis and Pettis with a spinning back fist. Poirier with some big punches at the end of the round but Pettis landed a big uppercut. Crazy finish to the round. 10-9 Poirier.
Pettis controlling the Octagon to start the second and he lands a couple of right hands. Poirier goes for a takedown and he gets it against the fence. Pettis working for a triangle from the bottom but Poirier gets out. Pettis looking for an armbar but it allows Poirier to land some big punches. Pettis cut open and gives up the back. Poirier now working for the choke. Pettis is pouring blood. Pettis spins into the guard of Poirier. Pettis with some big elbows from the top and Poirier with some up-elbows from the bottom. Pettis with more elbows and he takes the back but Poirier slips out. Poirier now on top and they are scrambling around. They get to their feet and Pettis has the back and gets a takedown. They scramble on the mat again. The referee calls timeout as Pettis is bleeding pretty badly. The blood is all in Pettis’ eyes. The fight goes on. Pettis looking for the triangle. He had it locked in but Poirier slipped out. Poirier with big punches to end the round. What an awesome round and fight. 10-9 Poirier, 20-18 Poirier.
Pettis with a head kick. Poirier shoots for a takedown and completes it. They get to their feet. Poirier has the back as they go to the mat again. Poirier working for a choke and now gets the mount. All of a sudden the fight is over and it looks like Pettis has tapped! Pettis appears to have hurt his ribs in a scramble and tapped out due to injury. Poirier with the big win and he went over to Sean Shelby and started screaming that he wanted the winner of Eddie Alvarez vs. Justin Gaethje and that he wanted a bonus. He may get both after this.
Official Result- Dustin Poirier def. Anthony Pettis by TKO (injury) at 2:08 of Round 3
The UFC has found a replacement for Anderson Silva ahead of their show in Shanghai, and it’s a rather unexpected one.
After Silva was pulled from his scheduled main event against Kelvin Gastelum at UFC Fight Night 122 in Shanghai, China due to being flagged for a potential USADA violation, finding a suitable opponent to step in on short notice looked to be a daunting task, but Michael Bisping appears to have stepped up to the challenge.
Bisping, who just lost the middleweight championship to Georges St-Pierre at UFC 217 last Saturday, is getting right back to action after agreeing to face Gastelum. The bout was first reported by Ariel Helwani of MMA Fighting.
Bisping claimed to not have suffered much damage despite being choked out by St-Pierre in their fight, and he’ll now begin his path towards getting a rematch by taking on Gastelum, who is looking to rebound from a submission loss himself after facing Chris Weidman in July. The UFC is expected to officially announce Bisping vs. Gastelum shortly, perhaps on tonight’s UFC Fight Night 120 broadcast.
UFC Fight Night 122 will air exclusively on Fight Pass on November 25th and will mark the company’s first trip to mainland China.
In a wild scene, Conor McGregor made an appearance at Bellator 187 in Dublin, Ireland today and ended up getting into a confrontation with a referee.
Charlie Ward, who is one of McGregor’s teammates and trains at SBG Ireland, defeated John Redmond in one of the show’s main card fights. McGregor then hopped the cage to celebrate with Ward, and he ended up getting into a confrontation with referee Marc Goddard and shoving him.
McGregor had previously been admonished by Goddard at last month’s UFC show in Poland when McGregor was getting too close to the Octagon during Artem Lobov’s fight against Andre Fili.
A video posted by TMZ also shows McGregor slapping a Bellator staffer during today’s show. Bellator released a statement about the altercation: “We’re aware of the in-cage altercation involving Conor McGregor and a Bellator staff member. Viacom and Bellator hold the safety and well-being of our staff in the highest regard and we’re currently reviewing the situation.”
Bellator 187 will air on Spike TV at 9 p.m. Eastern time tonight.
Anderson Silva, 42, one of UFC’s greatest fighters, tested positive for a banned substance for the second time in an out-of-competition test taken on October 26th.
The UFC reported today that they were notified by USADA about the test failure and the provisional suspension.
Silva was scheduled to headline the company’s November 25th show in Shanghai, China, against Kelvin Gastelum. UFC officials said they were looking for a new opponent for Gastelum.
This was the second time Silva has failed a test.
Silva tested positive for four banned substances, steroids Drostanolone and Androsterone, as well as anxiety medications Oxezepam and Tamazepam on January 31st, 2015, the date of his five-round decision win over Nick Diaz.
He claimed the anxiety medications were due to problems sleeping and the steroids were unknowingly a part of a pill he had gotten from Thailand to improve sexual performance.
The substance he tested positive in the latest failure won’t be publicly revealed until he goes through his hearing process and final discipline is decided on.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 217: Bisping vs. St. Pierre, emanating from Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.
The UFC returns to the Big Apple for their biggest event of the year, with three title fights, and featuring the return of arguably the greatest fighter in UFC history looking to capture gold in a second weight division.
Former UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre makes his long-awaited return to the Octagon after four years as he challenges Michael Bisping for the UFC Middleweight Championship.
The fight has been a roller coaster since first being announced in March, and at many times it looked like it wasn’t going to happen, but they will finally step across from each other tonight. St. Pierre looks to regain gold and win his 13th straight fight while Bisping looks to make his second title defense successful. Both men have vowed to retire the other.
In the co-main event, it is another long-awaited title fight as rivals and former teammates go to war. UFC Bantamweight Champion Cody Garbrandt makes his first title defense when he takes on former champion T.J. Dillashaw. They have gone back-and-forth all over the last year, and after being scheduled to fight in July only to be postponed, they finally square off.
In our third title fight, it will be UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk looking to continue her dominance at 115 pounds when she defends against Rose Namajunas. Namajunas has won four of her last five and will pose an interesting test for Jedrzejczyk, who is looking to remain undefeated and win her 15th straight fight.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.
We are looking for your thoughts on tonight’s event, so send a thumbs up, a thumbs down or a thumbs in the middle along with a best fight and a worst fight to Dave at [email protected].
Zahabi was on the attack early and got the clinch and landed a knee before they scrambled to the mat with Ramos on top. They scrambled a bit on the mat before getting to their feet. Ramos lands a couple of heavy leg kicks. They traded and Zahabi was looking to set up the takedown. Ramos got a brief takedown but Zahabi got up. Zahabi landed a right hand. Zahabi landed some good punches and took the back of Ramos. Zahabi tried a judo throw but Ramos reversed out and got a slam as they got to their feet before the round ended. 10-9 Ramos.
Zahabi is pressing the action but not doing much on the attack as Ramos lands a leg kick to start the second round. Zahabi landed a couple of right hands. Ramos went for a kick but it was caught by Zahabi who missed taking him down. Zahabi landed an uppercut. The pace slowed at the end as both were looking to set something big up. Zahabi landed the jab a couple of times towards the end. 10-9 Zahabi, 19-19.
They came out trading to start the third round. Zahabi applying the pressure. Zahabi landed an uppercut. Zahabi looking for a big punch. Zahabi landed another uppercut. All of a sudden Ramos landed a spinning back elbow that knocked Zahabi out cold. Wow. It came out of nowhere. One of the best knockouts of the year.
Official Result- Ricardo Ramos def. Aiemann Zahabi by knockout (spinning back elbow) at 1:58 of Round 3
> Aleksei Oleinik (#9, 52-10-1, 4-1 UFC) vs. Curtis Blaydes (#12, 7-1 1 NC, 2-1 1 NC UFC) Heavyweights
Blaydes gets a quick takedown but Oleinik is dangerous on the mat. They got back up. Oleinik landed an uppercut. They traded punches. They clinched and Oleinik landed a heavy uppercut. Oleinik landing more punches. Blaydes got a takedown. They got to their feet and traded strikes before Blaydes got another takedown and is in side control. Blaydes landed a big right hand and Oleinik landed some punches in return. They clinched and both landed uppercuts. Blaydes then droped Oleinik with a hard punch. Oleinik got back up and had Blaydes clinched against the fence. Oleinik then fell as he tried to drag Blaydes down. Blaydes landed some big right hands at the end, it was a surprise that Oleinik survived. 10-9 Blaydes.
Blaydes came out landing punches and kicks. Oleinik was landing in return but not with the volume of Blaydes. Blaydes got a big takedown and is working in the guard. Blaydes got to his feet and then landed an illegal kick as Oleinik was getting to his feet. It barely touched his ear. We have some controversy now. The fight was stopped by the doctor and the referee as Oleinik was deemed unable to continue. Blaydes is furious. We are going to instant replay to determine a decision. Blaydes was then announced as the winner. This is weird. Even Blaydes is confused.
Official Result- Curtis Blaydes def. Aleksei Oleinik by TKO (doctor stoppage) at 1:56 of Round 2
FOX SPORTS 1 PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT
> Randy Brown (9-2, 3-2 UFC) vs. Mickey Gall (4-0, 3-0 UFC) Welterweights
Brown landed a solid combo inside the first thirty seconds. Gall is on the retreat. Gall fired back with a big right hand. They clinched and Brown landed a hard knee to the body. Brown with another knee and then got a takedown. Brown landed some big hammerfists. Gall went for a kimura but it allowed Brown to posture back up. Brown in total control from the top but Gall is working from the bottom. Brown landing some big elbows from the top. Gall can’t get up. Brown with more hard elbows and Gall is cut open. 10-9 Brown.
Gall still bleeding pretty good to start the second. Brown landed a kick and Gall tried a takedown but ended up on the bottom but was able to reverse and is in the guard of Brown. They were scrambling on the mat and Brown may have landed an illegal upkick but they continued. Gall is in side control. Gall landing some punches as he’s trying for the mounted crucifix position. They scrambled and Gall went back into the full guard. Gall looking for a choke in side control but didn’t have it. Brown escaped but Gall got into the full mount but Brown was able to slide out from the bottom. Strong round for Gall. 10-9 Gall, 19-19.
Gall went right for a takedown but ate an uppercut from Brown on the way in and Brown started to tee off on Gall on the mat looking to finish. Gall was able to survive and recover by grabbing the neck. Gall is pouring blood. Brown landing enough punches to keep the fight down and Gall isn’t doing anything on the bottom. Brown landing more from the top inside the guard. Gall grabbing the neck and grabbed the fence and has a guillotine locked in but Brown was able to escape. Gall can’t get up from the bottom. Brown stands up and Gall follows but the fight ends with no action. 10-9 Brown, 29-28 Brown.
Official Result- Randy Brown def. Mickey Gall by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)
NEWS: The UFC announced their schedule for the first three months of 2018. There will be nine events. It kicks off January 14 in St. Louis, Missouri. Following that will be UFC 220 in Boston, Massachusetts. Rounding out January will be a January 27 event in Charlotte, North Carolina. February has three events- February 3 in Belem, Brazil, UFC 221 on February 10 in Perth, Austraila, February 18 in Austin, Texas, and February 24 in Orlando, Florida. Two events take place in March, with UFC 222 on March 3 in Las Vegas, and an event on March 17 in London, England.
> Ovince Saint Preux (#6, 21-10, 9-5 UFC) vs. Corey Anderson (#7, 9-3, 6-3 UFC) Light Heavyweights
Saint Preux landed a hard left hand to start off. Anderson got a couple of big takedowns back-to-back inside the first minute and has the back. They got back to their feet and Anderson is working hard to get another takedown. Anderson was landing punches as Saint Preux was back up and Anderson went for another takedown against the fence. Anderson with a spinning elbow and back to work for the takedown. They broke the clinch and back to the center. Saint Preux with a knee to the body as he stuffs a takedown attempt. Saint Preux with a late flurry that drops Anderson. 10-9 Anderson.
Saint Preux with a big head kick to start the second and Anderson is in trouble. Anderson got a quick timeout as he lost his mountpiece and it allowed Anderson to recover. Anderson working for a takedown. They broke and Anderson went right back working for another takedown. They broke away again. Anderson attempts another takedown and finishes it this time. Anderson gets to the back. They get to their feet. Anderson drags the fight back to the mat and Anderson is landing punches but they get back up. Slower pace at the end. 10-9 Anderson, 20-18 Anderson.
Anderson went for a takedown but it was defended though he landed a right hand on the break. Anderson lands a right hand followed by a left. Saint Preux then knocked Anderson out cold with a head kick out of nowhere. That is a comeback win there and we have another contender for a bonus. That was nasty. OSP called for a fight with Ilir Latifi next on December 30.
Official Result- Ovince Saint Preux def. Corey Anderson by knockout (head kick) at 1:25 of Round 3
> Walt Harris (10-6, 3-5 UFC) vs. Mark Godbeer (12-3, 1-1 UFC) Heavyweights
Harris coming out firing with some kicks. They trade punches. Harris with a grazing head kick. They are both throwing with lots of power. Harris gets a takedown into side control and goes right to mount and landed some big punches. Harris working inside the full guard. They trade punches on the mat, Harris with more power being he’s on top. Harris with heavy left hands inside the guard. Godbeer able to get to his feet but eats some knees to the body before they break. Harris with a left hand and Godbeer with a body kick. Harris landed a low blow and the referee called timeout and Harris landed a head kick after timeout was called. That seemed blatant and is definitely a foul. The fight is stopped as Godbeer is unable to continue. This should be a disqualification win for Godbeer.
Official Result- Mark Godbeer def. Walt Harris by disqualification (illegal kick) at 4:25 of Round 1
> James Vick (11-1, 7-1 UFC) vs. Joseph Duffy (16-2, 4-1 UFC) Lightweights
They were throwing feints early. Vick landed a body kick but got tripped up as Duffy grabbed his leg. Duffy with the pressure. Duffy lands some punches but Vick counters with a straight right hand followed by an uppercut. Duffy lands a right hand. Duffy landing the jab. Duffy grabs the leg on a kick and gets a takedown. Duffy trips Vick on an inside leg kick. Duffy with a right hand to the body. Vick just misses a head kick. Duffy lands a right hand and scores a takedown. Vick grabs the neck. They each land in the final seconds of the round. 10-9 Duffy.
Duffy with a body kick to start the second round. Duffy with a head kick. He’s able to keep away from Vick’s attacks, which is good with Vick’s reach advantage. Vick lands a left hand after ducking under a right hand. Vick lands the jab and a leg kick. Neither man unable to get a big advantage over the other but both landing. Vick just misses a head kick. More methodical pace to this round. Vick lands a head kick after hurting Duffy with a low kick. Vick then drops Duffy with a right uppercut and starts landing punches and finishes him right before the horn to end the round. Wow. Big win for James Vick. Vick calls for a main event spot on the February UFC event in Austin.
Official Result- James Vick def. Joseph Duffy by TKO (punches) at 4:59 of Round 2
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> Johny Hendricks (18-7, 13-7 UFC) vs. Paulo Costa (10-0, 2-0 UFC) Middleweights
Costa with a leg kick and then a big body kick. Costa with another body kick. Hendricks with a leg kick. Hendricks went for a takedown but Costa broke the clinch with a knee. Costa misses a spinning head kick. Costa with a body kick and Hendricks lands a left hand. Costa controlling the Octagon and lands a right hand. Hendricks with a leg kick following a combo. Coata with a knee to the body. Hendricks lands two left hands followed by a leg kick. Costa misses again on a spinning head kick. Costa with a big knee and a body kick at the end. 10-9 Costa.
We have an eye poke to start the round and a quick timeout but back to action quickly. Costa hurts Hendricks with a head kick and is teeing off with punches. Costa with a head kick and then another. Costa with a right hand and Hendricks is in trouble. Costa with an uppercut and more punches on the ground as Hendricks was going for a takedown and the fight is stopped. Costa with the big win.
Official Result- Paulo Costa def. Johny Hendricks by TKO (punches) at 1:23 of Round 2
> Stephen Thompson (#2, 13-2-1, 8-2-1 UFC) vs. Jorge Masvidal (#4, 32-12, 9-5 UFC) Welterweights
Thompson looking for leg kicks early. Both being patient. Masvidal with a body kick. Thompson with a side head kick. Masvidal with a leg kick and Thompson fires back with a combo. They are both looking for openings but not much is there. Masvidal with a body kick. Thompson lands a right hand. Thompson with a front leg side kick to the body that drops Masvidal. Masvidal with a leg kick and Thompson fires back with a left hand. Thompson with another straight left hand. 10-9 Thompson.
Thompson with a front leg side kick to the head. Masvidal then landed a good combo of punches against the fence. Thompson knocks Masvidal down with a right hand. Masvidal gets up. Both men being patient. Thompson lands a left hand. Masvidal has been unable to get inside the range of Thompson. Masvidal clipped Thompson with a left hook. 10-9 Thompson, 20-18 Thompson.
Masvidal went for a takedown against the fence but it was defended. He needs to win this round. Thompson lands a good combination. Thompson with another good combo and just misses a wheel kick to the head. Masvidal with a body kick and Thompson counters with a side kick to the body. They traded right hands. Thompson lands a good series of punches. Thompson is cut underneath his eye. Thompson with a good combo of punches. Thompson with a right hand. They trade punches at the end of the fight. 10-9 Thompson, 30-27 Thompson.
Official Result- Stephen Thompson def. Jorge Masvidal by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
> Joanna Jedrzejczyk (C, 14-0, 8-0 UFC) vs. Rose Namajunas (#4, 6-3, 4-2 UFC) UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship
Intense stare down. Both ladies land early. Jedrzejczyk with a combo and a leg kick. Namajunas knocks Jedrzejczyk down with a big right hand. Namajunas gets the mount then has the back but lets Joanna up. Namajunas with a right hand. Namajunas then drops Jedrzejczyk with a left hand and then finishes her off. WOW. This is a huge upset. Namajunas is the new champion. Jedrzejczyk also tapped out due to the strikes.
Official Result- Rose Namajunas def. Joanna Jedrzejczyk by knockout (punches) at 3:03 of Round 1, Namajunas becomes the new UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion
No glove touch here either. Garbrandt looking for a heavy right hand early as Dillashaw works his movement. Garbandt just misses a body kick. Dillashaw missing on his leg kick attempts. Garbrandt lands a combo on Dillashaw. Wild flurry from both. Garbrandt lands a right hand and then a combo. Garbrandt with some body punches. Dillashaw just misses a head kick. Dillashaw landed a big right hand. Garbrandt dropped Dillashaw with a right hand with just five seconds left. Dillashaw stumbled to his corner and is in trouble. Garbrandt shot him the finger and told him he’s number one. 10-9 Garbrandt.
Dillashaw misses a head kick and Garbrandt taunts him over it. Dillashaw then knocked Garbrandt down with a head kick but Garbrandt got back up. Garbrandt seems okay after the knockdown. Dillashaw then rocks and drops Garbrandt down with a right hand and finishes him! Dillashaw is once again the champion at 135 pounds. Another upset on this card.
Official Result- TJ Dillashaw def. Cody Garbrandt by knockout (punches) at 2:41 of Round 2, Dillashaw becomes the new UFC Bantamweight Champion
> Michael Bisping (C, 30-7, 20-7 UFC) vs. Georges St. Pierre (25-2, 19-2 UFC) UFC Middleweight Championship
They touched gloves! Both men patient in the opening thirty seconds. St. Pierre lands a right hand. He lands the jab. Bisping missing his punches. St. Pierre with a roundhouse kick. Bisping lands a right hand. St. Pierre with a leg kick followed by a right hand then rocks Bisping with a jab but Bisping fires back with a right hand. St. Pierre gets a takedown. Bisping tried to grab the fence to block it. They got back up. St. Pierre with a Superman punch that rocks Bisping and just misses a spin kick. 10-9 St. Pierre.
Bisping unable to establish his range and is fighting conservative. St. Pierre lands a left hand. Bisping misses a right hand. Bisping with an inside leg kick. St. Pierre with a side kick. St. Pierre with a body kick. Bisping lands a right hand. St. Pierre with the double jab and gets the takedown. St. Pierre in half-guard. Bisping tried to grab the shorts of GSP to get up. They got to their feet. Bisping with a right hand. Bisping with a jumping head kick. St. Pierre with a body kick. 10-9 Bisping, 19-19.
St. Pierre gets a takedown to start the third. Bisping has St. Pierre in his full guard. St. Pierre is cut open. Both men landing strikes on the mat. They get back to their feet and GSP is a bloody mess. Bisping lands a right hand. GSP lands a couple of overhand rights. St. Pierre with a side kick to the body. St. Pierre drops Bisping with a left hand and is dropping elbows and has Bisping in a lot of trouble. GSP looking for the fnish and grabs the back and locks in a rear-naked choke. It is in deep and Bisping is out! GSP has choked Bisping unconscious. GSP wins in his return. We have a new champion.
Official Result- Georges St. Pierre def. Michael Bisping by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:23 of Round 3, St. Pierre becomes the new UFC Middleweight Champion
UFC 217 is a big one Saturday night as UFC returns to New York City’s Madison Square Garden with a main event of middleweight champion Michael Bisping vs. former welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre, returning to action in a new weight class after four years of inactivity.
In the night’s co-main event, heated rivals Cody Garbrandt and TJ Dillashaw will meet for Garbrandt’s bantamweight title while women’s strawweight champ Joanna Jedrzejczyk puts her title up against Rose Namajunas.
In another key main card fight, Stephen Thompson, fresh off two unsuccessful title challenges against Tyron Woodley, squares off with Jorge Masvidal in a pivotal welterweight matchup.
The last fight our panel will be picking a winner for is the featured FS1 prelim bout between lightweights James Vick and “Irish” Joe Duffy.
If you’re new here, our panel picks are listed below and listed alongside the fighter’s names are their worldwide FightMatrix rankings, as well as BestFightOdds.com betting odds. The panelist’s 2017 records is in parentheses in addition to panel consensus picks as well as a line where we show how the betting favorites did:
Dave Meltzer (49-21; .700) — Wrestling Observer publisher
Tom Lawlor (21-11; .636) – Co-host Filthy Four Daily; pro wrestling undercard fighter; UFC enhancement talent currently suspended due to wellness violation
Mike Sempervive (44-26; .629) — Wrestling Observer Live and Big Audio Nightmare co-host
Steve Juon (44-26; .629) — MMA Mania writer, Angry Marks publisher
Mike Sawyer (44-26; .629) — Tough Talk MMA publisher
Ryan Frederick (40-30; .571) — WrestlingObserver.com UFC writer
Paul Fontaine (38-32; .543) — MMADraws.com publisher, WrestlingObserver.com writer
Front Row Brian (38-32; .543) — MMA newsbreaker, beloved internet personality, podcast host
> UFC Middlweight Champion Michael Bisping (30-7) vs Georges St Pierre (25-2)
Most of the focus has been on the return of GSP after a long layoff. Since being beaten by Matt Serra in one of the greatest upsets of all time, he hasn’t lost in over 10 years. We last saw him edge out Johny Hendricks by decision at UFC 167 (2013), a controversial result that was followed up by him feuding with Dana White over his announcement of taking time off.
He’s also never faced anyone even close to the size of Bisping, who won The Ultimate Fighter and several UFC bouts at light heavyweight. Bisping has won five straight en route, including wins over former champs Anderson Silva and Luke Rockhold as well as the legendary Dan Henderson in his last title defense.
The big question: can GSP’s wrestling ability and presumed speed advantage overcome the speed and boxing ability of Bisping? The other big question for those interested in UFC business is whether lapsed fans will return to see the former face of the sport in GSP. We shall soon find out.
Garbrandt stormed his way into the title scene with three straight first round KOs before completely dominating Dominick Cruz to capture the title last December. This set up a fight with longtime rival and former training partner Dillashaw, a fight originally scheduled to happen this summer before a Garbrandt back injury postponed it.
Dillashaw is a former bantamweight champion with two title defenses before he dropped it to Cruz in January 2017. White wanted him to drop down to flyweight earlier this year to challenge Demetrious Johnson, but Johnson refused, causing a bit of a public argument between the champ and his boss.
The winner will likely face the winner of Cruz and Jimmie Rivera (December fight) as their next challenger.
> UFC Strawweight Champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk (14-0) vs Rose Namajunas (6-3)
While a win will give Joanna Champion a tie with Ronda Rousey for the most title defenses by a female UFC fighter, she is also fast approaching the men’s consecutive title defense record that was just set by the aforementioned Johnson. Should she emerge victorious on Saturday, it will be her seventh straight win in a title fight and sixth defense of her belt.
Since losing her first title challenge to Carla Esparza at the TUF 20 finale, “Thug Rose” has won four of her last five fights, including three by submission, to get another crack at the title. Most feel she will be outmatched in this one, but she has been proving people wrong for most of her career and hopes to do so again on Saturday.
Stephen Thompson (13-2-1) vs Jorge Masvidal (32-12) WELTERWEIGHTS
Thompson is fresh off 10 rounds of mostly razor-thin action with current champion Tyron Woodley. However, the last fight in particular was not something anyone is particularly interested in seeing again as they had one of the most poorly received title fights in history. An exciting win on a big stage here would go a long way to rehabbing his image in the eyes of fans.
Since moving to welterweight, Masvidal is just 3-2 but does have wins over Donald Cerrone and Jake Ellenberger. His last fight was a close split decision to Demian Maia so he’s very close to title contention. If he wins here, fans will be clamoring for him to get a title shot but he’d probably need one more quality win to earn it.
> James Vick (11-1) vs Joe Duffy (16-2) LIGHTWEIGHTS
Vick has fought most of his career bouts in UFC with a loss to the very tough Beneil Dariush being the only blemish on his record. He very nearly won the TUF 15 competition, losing to eventual champ Mike Chiesa after three prelim wins.
Signed to a new deal, Duffy is famously one of the only fighters to ever beat current divisional champ Conor McGregor. The Irish-born fighter has won four of his five UFC fights including three in the first round. His only loss was to hard-hitting Dustin Poirier in his toughest UFC matchup to date.
In a crowded division of contenders, neither of these two are getting a title shot any time soon but more high-profile fights will come for the winner of this one.
> Johny Hendricks (18-7) vs Paulo Henrique da Costa (10-0) — Main Card MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Hendricks #20; +248 betting underdog
Costa #65; -270 betting favorite
> Mark Godbeer (12-3) vs Walt Harris (10-6) HEAVYWEIGHTS
Godbeer #71; +310 betting underdog
Harris #48; -340 betting favorite
> Ovince St Preux (21-10) vs Corey Anderson (9-3) LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
St Preux #11; -141 betting favorite
Anderson #15; +130 betting underdog
> Mickey Gall (4-0) vs Randy Brown (9-2) WELTERWEIGHTS
Gall #212; -105 betting favorite
Brown #123; +105 betting underdog
> Curtis Blaydes (7-1) vs Oleksiy Oliynyk (55-10-1) HEAVYWEIGHTS
Blaydes #32; -330 betting favorite
Oliynyk #10; +300 betting underdog
Aiemann Zahabi (7-0) vs Ricardo Ramos (10-1) BANTAMWEIGHTS
Zahabi #117; +185 betting underdog
Ramos #54; -185 betting favorite
Action begins with the Fight Pass prelims at 6:30 PM EST and moves over to FS1 at 8 PM EST. The main card airs on PPV at 10 PM EST, and our own Ryan Frederick will have play by play coverage of the show.
EA Sports announced today that Conor McGregor would be the cover athlete for the next installment of their UFC video game franchise, UFC 3, which is scheduled to be released for both the Xbox One and Playstation 4 consoles on February 2nd, 2018.
McGregor was also featured on last year’s cover, sharing the spotlight with Ronda Rousey. “Two belts, two covers. EA Sports got it right again,” McGregor said about being chosen for UFC 3.
For the first time, the game will feature a component where decisions made outside the Octagon will affect your career path. The G.O.A.T. career mode will allow players to strategically promote upcoming fights, create heat for rivalries, and more.
McGregor became the first UFC fighter to hold championships in two weight classes at the same time when he knocked out Eddie Alvarez last November at the company’s Madison Square Garden debut. By defeating Alvarez, McGregor added the lightweight title to the featherweight belt that he had won from Jose Aldo in 2015.
McGregor was later forced to vacate the featherweight title, with interim champion Aldo holding the belt before losing it to Max Holloway.
The UFC returns to MSG this Saturday night with UFC 217, where Georges St-Pierre will return to the Octagon after an almost four-year absence to challenge Michael Bisping for his middleweight belt.
Even though they aren’t fighting at Saturday’s UFC 217, middleweight champion Michael Bisping and welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal got into a verbal confrontation waiting for elevators, marred by a gay slur uttered by Masvidal.
Captured on video below, you’ll see the two arguing profanely back and forth with Bisping saying Masvidal is “trash” and that he’ll lose Saturday. Masvidal responds in kind and as Bisping gets onto the elevator, you hear Masvidal clearly say “f*ggot” to him.
The two have had heat stemming from a confrontation prior to UFC 213 earlier this year.
This comes a day after UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor apologized for his own gay slur slip up after teammate Artem Lobov lost at UFC Gdasnk and just over a month after heavyweight contender Fabricio Werdum apologized for a similar comment to now-interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson at a press event.
On Saturday in New York City, Bisping is scheduled to defend the title against the returning Georges St. Pierre in the main event while Masvidal is scheduled to face Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson on the main card.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC Fight Night 119: Brunson vs. Machida, emanating from Ginasio do Ibirapuera in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The event is headlined by the return of former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida, who competes for the first time since June 2015, as he takes on Derek Brunson in a five-round middleweight main event.
Machida is looking to end a two-fight losing skid and place himself back into the title hunt in a crowded 185-pound division but he’ll have to get by the always tough Brunson, winner of six of his last eight fights.
In the co-main event, Demian Maia looks to work towards another title shot when he takes on Colby Covington, a rising welterweight who has won four straight fights. Also on the main card is a battle of rising bantamweight contenders Pedro Munhoz and Rob Font, exciting UFC veteran Jim Miller battles Francisco Trinaldo, and the always exciting John Lineker takes on Marlon Vera.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.
UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS | 7 PM ET/4 PM PT
> Marcelo Golm (5-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Christian Colombo (8-2-1, 0-1-1 UFC) Heavyweights
Golm landed a big left hook right at the start of the fight. Golm then unleashed a combo on Colombo and had him rocked against the fence. Golm took Colombo down into the mount and was pounding away from the top. This fight is close to being stopped. Colombo gave up his back and Golm was unloading punches on a busted open Colombo. Golm gets a choke in and Colombo taps out! Golm with a quick win in his UFC debut. This looked like a mismatch.
Official Result- Marcelo Golm def. Christian Colombo by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:08 of Round 1
They have been trash talking each other since the weigh-ins. Figueiredo missed a spin kick right at the start. They were battling in the clinch early. Figueiredo stuffed two takedowns early but Brooks was able to pick him up and slam him to the mat. Brooks worked in the guard. Figueiredo was able to spin out to his feet and then had a quick drop down to the mat before they got to their feet and separated. Brooks got another slam takedown into the guard. Brooks with some punches from the top at the end of the round. 10-9 Brooks.
Figueiredo was stalking Brooks around the Octagon to start the second and landed a big right hand, then an upkick and an uppercut. Brooks was able to fight back with a takedown but Figueiredo had the neck for a guillotine but Brooks popped out. Figueiredo went for another guillotine attempt but Brooks got back out. They were scrambling and Brooks grabbed the shorts to grab the back and the referee stood them up and warned Brooks.Figueiredo got a late takedown. 10-9 Figueiredo, 19-19.
Brooks got a quick takedown but Figueiredo reversed and grabbed the neck for a choke but Brooks popped out. They scrambled to their feet. Brooks with another slam takedown but they got right back up. Brooks has the back and is landing knees to the body. Brooks with a suplex but they got right back up. Figueiredo attacked with a kimura but Brooks got his arm out. They got to their feet and Brooks is tired. Figueiredo landed some solid punches. Figueiredo is landing but he’s not attacking much and it might cost him a chance at winning the fight. Brooks missed a late takedown but got one with ten seconds left. Close fight. 10-9 Brooks, 29-28 Brooks.
Official Result- Deiveson Figueiredo def. Jarred Brooks by split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
FOX SPORTS 2 PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT
> Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (17-5, 3-1 UFC) vs. Max Griffin (13-3, 1-1 UFC) Welterweights
They were firing back and forth to start. They both went for flying knees at the same time and clinched before breaking. They were trading punches and Griffin is bleeding under his right eye. Dos Santos is landing more. Griffin rocked Dos Santos with a right hand and dropped him and went into the guard. Dos Santos was able to recover and he got to his feet. Dos Santos then rocked Griffin with a right hand and Griffin is stumbling around the Octagon. Dos Santos is landing more and Griffin goes to the mat. Dos Santos gets on top and is landing from the back and looks for a choke. They get up and Dos Santos with a big knee and some big punches. Griffin looks out on his feet but he survived the round. That should have been stopped. 10-8 Dos Santos.
Griffin came out for the second round but still looks in trouble. Dos Santos throwing with a lot of power and he’s just missing some head kicks. They traded left hands and Dos Santos landed a following left hook. They are both throwing. Griffin landed two right hands. Griffin dropped Dos Santos with a right hand but Dos Santos got back to his feet. Griffin landed some more punches. Dos Santos is holding his hands low. Dos Santos landed an uppercut as they went into the clinch. They traded knees late. 10-9 Griffin, 19-18 Dos Santos.
Dos Santos was coming out with some kicks and was following them up with some punches. Griffin was strictly looking to land a big overhand right but was landing some. Dos Santos then landed a big right hand that rocked Griffin. Griffin came back landing some good punches. Dos Santos then started landing big right hands and had Griffin rocked again. Dos Santos landed some knees in the clinch before they broke. Dos Santos landed some punches and Griffin looks done in this fight. Griffin landed some soft knees in the clinch but Dos Santos was firing back with harder knees and punches. Dos Santos landed a right hand at the end. Fun fight. 10-9 Dos Santos, 29-27 Dos Santos.
Official Result- Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos def. Max Griffin by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-28)
> Hacran Dias (23-5-1, 3-4 UFC) vs. Jared Gordon (13-1, 1-0 UFC) Lightweights
Dias was being the aggressive fighter in the opening minute and was landing punches and kicks. Gordon was firing back. Gordon got a takedown against the fence but Dias was able to get back to his feet and they broke. They traded punches. Dias landed a nice combo as they were in short range. They were trading and Gordon is having an issue with his right eye. It doesn’t seem to be affecting him much. Both were landing punches at the end of the round. Good round. 10-9 Dias.
They came out trading to start the second. Gordon went for a takedown but it was stuffed by Dias against the fence. They went to the mat for a moment with Dias in the better position but they got back to their feet and clinched. Gordon looks to be tiring due to his high output. They clinch again and Gordon is landing short punches. Gordon with some knees to the body and then punches to the body and head. He just misses a head kick on the break. Gordon gets a takedown and is working in the half guard. Gordon with hammerfists from the top but he grabbed the fence and was warned. More hammerfists from Gordon and he is looking for the finish. Gordon goes to the mount and is landing more punches. This could have been stopped several times. Dias survives. Big round for Gordon. 10-8 Gordon, 19-18 Gordon.
Dias had trouble getting to his feet at the end of the second round. Gordon is the fresher fighter and he is pushing the action early. Gordon went for a takedown but it was defended. They were battling for underhooks against the fence and Gordon tried another takedown but it was stuffed. They broke the clinch. We have a timeout due to an eye poke. Back to action and Gordon gets a takedown and is working in the half-guard and is landing punches. Complete domination from Gordon over the final two rounds. Gordon was landing punches and it looked like it was going to be stopped but the referee backed off. That was weird. Gordon with more ground and pound. This should have been stopped so many times. Dias grabbed the arm for a late armbar but time ran out. 10-8 Gordon, 29-26 Gordon.
Official Result- Jared Gordon def. Hacran Dias by unanimous decision (29-26, 29-27, 30-26)
> Antonio Carlos Junior (8-2 1 NC, 5-2 1 NC UFC) vs. Jack Marshman (22-6, 2-1 UFC) Middleweights
They were both looking for openings to land strikes early in the fight. Carlos Junior lands a solid combination followed by a leg kick. He landed another but was caught by Marshman who let it go. They clinched against the fence and Carlos Junior tripped Marshman to the mat. Carlos Junior is working from the half-guard and looking to pass to mount. Carlos Junior is landed some punches and elbows. He gets to the mount position. Carlos Junior landing punches from the top. Marshman gives up his back and Carlos Junior locks in the rear-naked choke and gets the quick tap.
Official Result- Antonio Carlos Junior def. Jack Marshman by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:30 of Round 1
> Vicente Luque (11-6-1, 4-2 UFC) vs. Niko Price (10-0 1 NC, 2-0 1 NC UFC) Welterweights
They were trading early with long punches. Luque was landing with leg kicks while Price was strictly punching. Luque looked to be landing with more power. They traded leg kicks. Luque landing the jab. Price just missed a front kick. Price is now landing the jab. They each landed left hands. Luque with a leg kick followed by a left hook. They traded left hands. Luque with a flying knee. Price with a flurry late. Close round. 10-9 Luque.
Luque started the second round attacking the legs of Price with kicks. Luque landed a nice combination ending with a left hook that had Price stunned. Price is bleeding from under his left eye and is fighting backwards. Luque really controlling the center of the Octagon. Luque then dropped Price with a left hand and is looking for the finish. Luque has a D’arce choke locked in and he gets Price to tap out! Big submission win for Luque.
Official Result- Vicente Luque def. Niko Price by submission (D’arce choke) at 4:08 of Round 2
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> John Lineker (#5, 29-8, 10-3 UFC) vs. Marlon Vera (10-3-1, 4-2 UFC) Bantamweights
Lineker has a huge size disadvantage but is an exciting fighter. Vera with a low kick. Vera with a high kick. Vera with another low kick. Lineker hasn’t done anything yet. They trade leg kicks. Lineker with a couple of leg kicks. Lineker lands a big left hook and then to the body and then back to the head. Lineker with a right hand. Lineker with a series of punches to the head and body and then lands a leg kick. Vera backing up towards the fence. Lineker with a late right hand. 10-9 Lineker.
Vera coming forward to start the second round. Vera with a leg kick. Lineker with a big leg kick and then a big combination. Lineker with a combo and they clinch against the fence. Lineker starting to tee off more but Vera lands a knee to the body. Vera with a leg kick. Lineker is just stalking Vera down. Vera with the jab but misses a flying knee. Vera with a body kick. Lineker with a combo to the body. Lineker with a leg kick that trips Vera to the mat. Lineker goes into the guard. Big elbows from the top by Lineker. 10-9 Lineker, 20-18 Lineker.
Lineker comes out firing away at the body of Vera. He throws every punch with the intention of it being the last one he throws. Vera went for a flying knee but missed and it threw Lineker off his gameplan for a moment. They clinched and Vera landed the knee on the break. Lineker with a right hand. Lineker with some more heavy right hands. Vera with a leg kick. Lineker with some big punches to the body. Vera with a knee to the body. Vera went for another flying knee to no success. Lineker lands a left hook followed by a right to the body. Lineker with a spin kick to the body. 10-9 Lineker, 30-27 Lineker.
Official Result- John Lineker def. Marlon Vera by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
> Thiago Santos (#15, 15-5, 7-4 UFC) vs. Jack Hermansson (16-3, 3-1 UFC) Middleweights
Both men utilizing footwork to start the fight looking for openings. Santos slipped on a kick but got up and landed a liver kick. Santos rocked Hermansson with a big right hand and had him running backwards. Santos still has him in trouble. Santos is landing with more volume but Hermansson survived the onslaught. Hermansson with a body kick but eats a left hook from Santos. Santos with a jumping body kick and then drops him with a right hand and Santos finishes the fight at the bell! Big finish by Santos right at the end of the first round. It was a left uppercut that knocked Hermansson down.
Official Result- Thiago Santos def. Jack Hermansson by TKO (punches) at 4:59 of Round 1
> Francisco Trinaldo (21-5, 11-4 UFC) vs. Jim Miller (28-10 1 NC, 17-9 1 NC UFC) Lightweights
Trinaldo landed a left hand early. Miller caught a kick from Trinaldo and landed a right hand and they went to the mat. Trinaldo got into the guard of Miller. Trinaldo got to his feet and Miller soon followed. Miller lands a left hand and then scores a takedown. Miller with an elbow from the top. Trinaldo trying to find an opening on the bottom but Miller is keeping him down. Miller with some punches to the body. The referee with a questionable standup at the end of the round. 10-9 Miller.
Miller landed a couple of left hands to start the second round. Miller lands a leg kick and then a right hook that stumbles Trinaldo. Trinaldo landed a hard left hand. Trinaldo with a left hand to the body. Trinaldo with a combo and then a body kick. They traded punches and Miller scored a takedown. Trinaldo jumped to half-guard and Miller had the neck but Trinaldo popped out. Trinaldo with some elbows from the top towards the end of the round. 10-9 Trinaldo, 19-19.
Trinaldo is on the attack to start the third. Miller went for a takedown but it was stuffed. Trinaldo started to attack the body and Miller is getting tired and on shaky legs. They clinch and Miller with an uppercut. They clinched against the fence and battled for underhooks but broke before anything big happened. Miller goes for a kick but Trinaldo grabs the leg and gets the takedown and is working in the guard and landing from the top. Trinaldo with some elbows as he rides out the fight on top. 10-9 Trinaldo, 29-28 Trinaldo.
Official Result- Francisco Trinaldo def. Jim Miller by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Pedro Munhoz (#12, 14-2 1 NC, 4-2 1 NC) vs. Rob Font (#13, 14-2, 4-1 UFC) Bantamweights
Font came out the aggressor throwing right hands and high kicks. Munhoz with a heavy leg kick. Font firing with uppercuts. They trade leg kicks and Font fires back a right hand. Font with the jab and Munhoz counters with two left hooks. Munhoz with a left hook. Font is finding success with the jab. Munhoz with a combo but has a takedown attempt stuffed. Munhoz hurts Font with a right hand and then grabs the neck and locks in a guillotine choke and Font taps out! Super quick submission out of nowhere.
Official Result- Pedro Munhoz def. Rob Font by submission (guillotine choke) at 4:03 of Round 1
Maia pressed forward and landed the first left hand. He landed another right over the ear. Covington is missing his punches as Maia continues to land the left hand. Maia landed more and had Covington on the run. Maia had a takedown stuffed. Covington landing now and he hits a leg kick. Maia is landing more left hands and Covington is cut open around his eye. They are trading and Covington lands a nice combo to the body. Maia’s leg is turning red from leg kicks. Both men landing left hands. Maia shoots for a takedown but it is stuffed. Close round. 10-9 Maia.
They traded left hands to start the second. Maia went for another takedown but it was again defended. Maia went for a single leg but Covington sprawled. Maia goes for another and it is defended again. Covington lands a couple of overhand lefts. Covington then lands an uppercut. They are scrambling around as Maia is looking to drag the fight to the mat but Covington is staying standing. Maia landed a couple of right hands. Both men landing strikes. Covington with some big punches at the end. 10-9 Covington, 19-19.
Maia looks tired heading into the third. Both landing punches in the first minute and Maia seems to have power left. Maia landed a right hand in close range. Covington landing more with combos. Maia has a takedown defended. Maia’s punches are coming so slow. Covington defends another takedown attempt. Maia lands a knee to the chin. Covington with a leg kick. Maia is bleeding everywhere and he can not get the fight to the mat. Fight ends with not a lot of action. Covington is flipping the crowd off. 10-9 Covington, 29-28 Covington.
Official Result- Colby Covington def. Demian Maia by unanimous decision (29-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Machida starts off with a leg kick. Brunson already looking to set up the left hand. Machida landed a straight left hand as Brunson tried to attack. Brunson with a leg kick. Machida lands a left hand as Brunson came forward. Brunson landed a left hand and Machida goes down and Brunson knocks him out cold with punches on the ground. Wow. Machida was out after the first punch on the mat and he took some extra un-needed punches as the referee was late stopping it.
Official Result- Derek Brunson def. Lyoto Machida by knockout (punches) at 2:30 of Round 1
The UFC announced today that a battle of former champions will headline the company’s next FOX special as Robbie Lawler, the former welterweight champion, will face Rafael dos Anjos, the former lightweight champion.
The next FOX special will air on December 16th from the MTS Centre in Winnipeg.
With the show headlining on FOX, the winner would have a strong case for a title shot at welterweight champion Tyron Woodley, who is currently out of action with a torn labrum.
Lawler, who is currently ranked as the number one contender for the title, has a 28-11 record with one no contest. He lost the title to Woodley via first round stoppage and has yet to get a rematch, but also hasn’t pushed hard for it.
Dos Anjos, 27-9, is ranked fifth in the division. Dos Anjos had a strong run at lightweight before losing the title to Eddie Alvarez. Then, after losing to Tony Ferguson, he moved up saying the weight cut had been difficult. He moved to welterweight and has beaten Tarec Saffiedine and Neil Magny.
The other top fight currently on the show is Glover Teixeira (26-6) vs. Misha Cirkunov (13-3). Cirkunov had won eight fights in a row before being knocked out in 28 seconds by Volkan Oezdemir on May 28th in Stockholm.
Tickets for the show go on sale to the public on October 20th, and to Fight Club members on October 18th.
Cejudo was a guest at former NFL player Ronnie Lott’s celebrity golf tournament and was staying at the Fountaingrove Inn in Santa Rosa, California yesterday when it was affected by the fires. The San Francisco Chronicle wrote that Cejudo broke his ankle jumping from a second-story balcony trying to escape the hotel, but Cejudo clarified that he only suffered burns on his foot.
The Olympic Gold Medal that Cejudo won in 2008 was lost in the fire.
Cejudo is scheduled to face Sergio Pettis at UFC 218 in Detroit, Michigan on December 2nd. Ariel Helwani noted that it was unclear if that would go on as planned, though Yahoo’s Kevin Iole tweeted that Cejudo is heading to Brazil to start his training camp.
Thirteen people have died and roughly 150 have been reported missing in the wildfires. All of us send our thoughts to everyone in Northern California who has been affected by them.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 216: Ferguson vs. Lee, emanating from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
As the city of Las Vegas continues to mourn after the horrific events of this past Sunday, the UFC will do their part in entertaining the fans in “The Fight Capital of the World” by bringing a night full of bouts inside the Octagon.
The event is headlined by a battle for the Interim UFC Lightweight Championship as Tony Ferguson takes on Kevin Lee in one of the best fights, on paper, made this year. Both men are on long win streaks, as Ferguson has won nine straight and Lee has won five straight, and both are looking to wrap UFC gold around their waists, and perhaps more importantly, secure a shot against Conor McGregor when he returns.
The semi-main event looks to see history made as UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson will attempt to set the record for most consecutive title defenses as he defends against Ray Borg. They were pushed back a month after Borg was forced to pull out of UFC 215 last month, leaving Johnson having to wait to stamp his position as the best fighter in the sport.
Also on the main card is an intriguing heavyweight matchup as former UFC Heavyweight Champion Fabricio Werdum takes on Derrick Lewis, and lightweights Beneil Dariush and Evan Dunham kick off the main card.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.
We are looking for your thoughts on tonight’s event, so send a thumbs up, a thumbs down or a thumbs in the middle along with a best fight and a worst fight to Dave at [email protected].
BREAKING: The heavyweight bout between Fabricio Werdum and Derrick Lewis was a last-minute scratch from the card due to a back injury suffered by Lewis. Werdum is staying on the card as Walt Harris is going to replace Lewis, which means Mark Godbeer is now off the card.
Tavares was coming out as the aggressor early one attacking the legs and utilizing his jab. Leites landed a right hand but Tavares was firing back with more volume. Tavares got Leites in trouble with a left hand and Leites was backtracking before grabbing a leg and forcing Tavares against the fence looking for a takedown. They broke the action due to stalling by Leites but Leites went right back for a takedown against the fence. They were broken up again. Tavares hurt Leites with punches late in the round. 10-9 Tavares.
They traded leg kicks to start the second before Tavares started landing more punches. Tavares is clearly the better striker and has been blocking Leites’ attempts to grapple. They traded kicks but Tavares landing more and then landing the jab. Leites finally got a brief takedown but Tavares got right back to his feet. They separated. They were trading punches and Tavares was landing hard leg kicks. 10-9 Tavares, 20-18 Tavares.
They both came out swinging as this round could determine the winner. Tavares was landing so Leites grabbed a clinch against the fence. Both men were working to take down the other. They broke and Tavares was working the jab until Leites got poked in the eye. Leites’ face is a mess. Tavares started landing even more and Leites went to the mat. Leites was inviting Tavares down but Tavares wasn’t having any of it. Tavares dropped Leites with a leg kick. Leites got up and went working hard for a takedown. Leites whiffed on a takedown and Tavares was landing punches and kicks to a downed Leites. Big round for Tavares. 10-8 Tavares, 30-26 Tavares.
Official Result- Brad Tavares def. Thales Leites by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
> John Moraga (#11, 17-6, 6-5 UFC) vs. Magomed Bibulatov (#15, 14-0, 1-0 UFC) Flyweights
Moraga was attacking the legs early to keep Bibulatov at a distance. Moraga landed a right hand. Moraga then rocked Bibulatov and then dropped him with a left hand that knocked Bibulatov out cold! Great finish by Moraga and he hands Bibulatov his first career loss.
Official Result- John Moraga def. Magomed Bibulatov by knockout (punch) at 1:36 of Round 1
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> Matt Schnell (10-4, 0-2 UFC) vs. Marco Beltran (8-5, 3-2 UFC) Flyweights
Schnell looking to control the distance at the start. Beltran has a head kick checked by Schnell. Front kick by Beltran. Schnell with a leg kick as he backs Beltran up to the fence. Beltran lands a heavy leg kick. Both men still feeling each other out. They each landed some good punches and kicks but neither man did much to convincingly win the round. 10-9 Schnell.
Beltran coming out aggressive to start the second round with a leg kick. Beltran with a leg kick but Schnell fired back with a right hand followed by a leg kick. Schnell ducking under Beltran’s punches and he’s controlling the action. Beltran landed a solid head kick. He tried another but Schnell grabbed the leg and kick the other leg of Beltran. Beltran now pushing the pace a little more as Schnell is just looking for counters. Schnell with a right hand. They trade and Schnell lands more in close range. Another close round. 10-9 Schnell, 20-18 Schnell.
They quickly clinch to start the third round. They quickly broke and got back to the center of the Octagon. Neither man landing much thru the first bit of this round. Schnell then kicked Beltran low to force a timeout. Beltran just misses a high kick. They both landed in a close exchange. Beltran with a head kick. Schnell lands a right hand. Schnell lands another and then a combo that stumbles Beltran. Beltran got a late takedown. Close fight. 10-9 Beltran, 29-28 Schnell.
Official Result- Matt Schnell def. Marco Beltran by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
> Pearl Gonzalez (6-2, 0-1 UFC) vs. Poliana Botelho (5-1, 0-0 UFC) Women’s Strawweights
Gonzalez rushing right to Botelho. Gonzalez with a series of leg kicks and then clinches up against the fence. Botelho with some elbows as Gonzalez is looking for a takedown. Botelho with more elbows but not much is happening otherwise. They are broken apart by the referee. Both come out kicking but Gonzalez landing better. They clinch again and battle for position. Botelho has the underhooks but they are just not doing anything. Botelho with more elbows. 10-9 Botelho.
Gonzalez went right back to trying to take Botelho down against the fence. This fight is not good so far. Botelho landing punches and more elbows as Gonzalez is just relentless on looking for a takedown. They are finally broken up by the referee. Gonzalez looking tired. Botelho lands the jab and then a leg kick. Botelho misses some big right hands. Boring fight. 10-9 Botelho, 20-18 Botelho.
Gonzalez attacking the legs at the start of the third. Gonzalez grabs the leg of Botelho and pushes her against the fence but Botelho lands a punch. Gonzalez back to working hard for a takedown against the fence. The crowd is booing this one big. Botelho landing more punches and now knees to the body. They are broken up again. Gonzalez back to the clinch and the crowd immediately boos. They are broken up quicker and Botelho goes right on the attack. She just misses a head kick and Gonzalez goes back to the clinch. Botelho reverses into a takedown to end the fight. 10-9 Botelho, 30-27 Botelho.
Official Result- Poliana Botelho def. Pearl Gonzalez by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Lando Vannata (9-2, 1-2 UFC) vs. Bobby Green (23-8, 4-3 UFC) Lightweights
Ryan’s internet kicked out in Vegas so Paul Fontaine taking over from here.
This was a crazy fight. Vannata was docked a point in the first and it turned out to be crucial. He threw an illegal knee while Green was down. The replay showed it didn’t land but the ref docked him a point anyway. That made it a 9-9 first.
The next two rounds were wild with both guys going all-out for a win and somehow managing to stay in till the end. Vannata appeared to land the harder shots but his face was a crimson mask by the end as Green’s shots obviously did more damage. The last two rounds could’ve gone either way and the first was an obvious 9-9. I scored it 29-27 Green and Ryan had it 29-27 Vannata
Official result – split draw on scores of 29-27 Vannata, 29-27 Green and 28-28
> Tom Duquesnoy (15-1 1 NC, 1-0 UFC) vs. Cody Stamann (15-1, 1-0 UFC) Bantamweights
Nothing could follow that last fight. This wasn’t bad but the crowd got restless at the end. I thought Duquesnoy pretty clearly won the first round and the last two Stamman took over with his wrestling as he got numerous takedowns and then the thread of the takedown allowed him to do more on the feet. It wasn’t a blowout but Stamman clearly won the last two and I had it 29-28 for him.
Official result – Cody Stamman by split decision on scores of 29-28, 28-29 and 30-27
On most nights, this would’ve been fight of the night but nothing is likely to top the Green/Vannata fight from earlier. Dariush had a great first round, nearly finishing Dunham with great punches and elbows on the feet and doing a lot of damage when it went to the ground. But he seemed to tire himself out trying to finish by the end of the round. Dunham stayed in it and did much better in the last two rounds. They were fairly close but Dunham did enough to take both rounds in my book and I gave a 10-8 to Dariush in round 1 meaning it was a 28-28 draw
Official result – majority draw (29-28 Dariush, 28-28 x 2)
> Mara Romero Borella (11-4 1 NC, 0-0 UFC) vs. Kalindra Faria (18-5-1, 0-0 UFC) Women’s Flyweights
Both women making their UFC debuts on a PPV main card is almost unprecedented. Borella made the most of it as she got an early takedown and eventually worked her way into mount. Faria gave up her back, allowing Borella to secure a rear naked choke for the win.
Official result – Mara Romero Borella by submission (rear naked choke) at 2:54
> Fabricio Werdum (#2, 21-7-1, 9-4 UFC) vs. Walt Harris (10-5, 3-4 UFC) Heavyweights
Very similar to the last fight, only faster. Werdum got a takedown 30 seconds in. He quickly moved into mount. Harris gave up his back and instead of going for the choke, Werdum grabbed an arm and Harris quickly tapped.
Official result – Fabricio Werdum by submission (armbar) at 1:05
> Demetrious Johnson (C, 26-2-1, 14-1-1 UFC) vs. Ray Borg (#3, 11-2, 5-2 UFC) UFC Flyweight Championship
Johnson targeted Borg’s lead leg with kicks early. Borg had a couple of failed takedown attempts and one on of them Johnson stuffed it and ended up on top. He was workmanlike on the ground with several different submission attempts. At one point the strike count was 23-0 and I’m not sure Borg did land a strike in the round. 10-8 Johnson on my card
Borg started off a little strong, getting a takedown but Johnson got right up. Borg took his back standing and had a choke for a bit but Johnson shook him off and ended up on top on the ground. Johnson took over from there, landing all kinds of punches and elbows on the ground and a few more submission attempts. At one point the strike count was 62-1. Another 10-8 round for Johnson.
More of the same here. Borg got a takedown but Johnson got right up. Borg attempted another and Johnson just fell on top of him. He maintained top control for the whole round, with several submission attempts. Strike count was 95-7 at one point. 10-8 Johnson
Borg got an early takedown but Johnson got right up and then got one of his own. He was all over him on the ground, constantly advancing and working for subs. Strikes count was 125-11 and Johnson landed many more after that. Another 10-8, although I suspect there’s no way the judges will have this score, I have 40-32 after 4
Johnson got an early takedown but Borg managed to get to his feet. Borg was stuffed on a takedown attempt and then Johnson got another takedown and moved right into side control. Borg managed to get almost to his feet but Johnson landed hard knees to the body. Borg briefly to his feet and Johnson picked him up and started a suplex but grabbed an armbar on the way down. He looked like he was going to rip his arm off and Borg tried to fight it off before tapping. Best performance I think I’ve ever seen in a title fight. Johnson is the best ever, at any weight class.
Official result – Demetrious Johnson by submission (armbar) at 3:15 of the 5th round
> Tony Ferguson (#2, 22-3, 12-1 UFC) vs. Kevin Lee (#7, 16-2, 9-2 UFC) Interim UFC Lightweight Championship
Despite the awesome last fight, the crowd was pretty hot for this one. Ferguson clearly the crowd favorite but Lee had a better first round. He was landing more often on the feet but it was fairly close. Lee got a late takedown and quickly took side control. He get mount with about 30 seconds left and landed a ton of punches and elbows and Ferguson was in real trouble but managed to get to his feet before the round ended. Lee had a punch after the bell and was warned by ref Herb Dean. 10-9 Lee
Round 2 was entirely on the feet. It was pretty close but Ferguson was more active and probably did more damage as well. Lee had cuts on his cheek and forehead and was bleeding from his nose. Significant strikes were 24-16 for Ferguson and it’s all tied up after 2.
Lee was very tired coming out for the third and clearly wanted to take things to the ground. He got an early takedown but Ferguson had a really tight triangle attempt and then nearly finished Lee with an armbar. Lee had a nice escape and maintained top control for about a minute afterward. Ferguson got to his feet but Lee got another takedown. It was almost a replay of the first time as Ferguson immediately secured a triangle. Lee tapped out right before he passed out and the ref stopped it.
Official result – Tony Ferguson by submission (triangle choke) at 4:02 of the 3rd round
Ferguson, of course, called out Conor McGregor after the fight, telling him to defend, or vacate. The crowd had been behind Ferguson all night but booed him after that one.
Lee was despondent after the fight. He admitted he had a staph infection and that’s why he had such a hard weight cut. He put over Ferguson and said he didn’t give him enough credit prior to the fight.
UFC is back in Las Vegas for UFC 216 tonight and after the horrific tragedy earlier this week, hopefully a show headlined by two title fights can help clear fans’ minds, even if for just a few hours.
Lightweights Tony Ferguson and Kevin Lee will each main event a PPV for the very first time as they meet for the interim lightweight title in both guys’ first tiel opportunity. Ferguson in particular has a penchant for picking up post show bonus awards and both would love a big money fight with divisional kingpin Conor McGregor, should he return to the sport.
The other title bout sees Demetrious Johnson attempt to defend his flyweight title for a record 11th straight time as he goes up against Ray Borg. This fight was originally scheduled for last month in Edmonton but Borg had health issues just a couple days before the fight and it was scrapped.
Former heavyweight champ Fabricio Werdum will attempt to rebound from a tough loss against Derrick Lewis, also coming off a loss. The winner will remain in title contention while the loser will probably drop to the role of divisional gatekeeper.
Longtime lightweight vet Evan Dunham will attempt to continue his late career renaissance with a fifth straight win as he goes up against the very tough Beneil Dariush in another main card fight. Rounding out our panel picks is a middleweight clash on the Fight Pass portion of the show as veterans Brad Tavares and Thales Leites meet for the first time.
If you’re new here, our panel picks are listed below and listed alongside the fighter’s names are their worldwide FightMatrix rankings, as well as BestFightOdds.com betting odds. The panelist’s 2017 records is in parentheses, and we also have panel consensus picks as well as a line where we show how the betting favorites did:
Dave Meltzer (45-21; .682) — Wrestling Observer publisher
John Pollock (44-22; .667) — Fight Network analyst, Live Audio Wrestling co-host, MMA Report co-host
Favorites (44-22; .667)
Consensus Picks (41-24; .631)
Tom Lawlor (18-11; .621) – Co-host Filthy Four Daily; pro wrestling undercard fighter; UFC enhancement talent currently suspended due to wellness violation
David Bixenspan (41-25; .621) – Deadspin pro wrestling columnist; Between the Sheets podcast host
Mike Sempervive (40-26; .606) — Wrestling Observer Live and Big Audio Nightmare co-host
Steve Juon (40-26; .606) — MMA Mania writer, Angry Marks publisher
Mike Sawyer (40-26; .606) — Tough Talk MMA publisher
Ryan Frederick (36-30; .545) — WrestlingObserver.com UFC writer
Paul Fontaine (35-31; .530) — MMADraws.com publisher, WrestlingObserver.com writer
Front Row Brian (34-32; .515) — MMA newsbreaker, beloved internet personality, podcast host
> UFC interim lightweight championship: Tony Ferguson (22-3) vs Kevin Lee (16-2)
Ferguson is on one of the most impressive runs in the entire company since dropping a decision to Michael Johnson in May 2012. Since that loss, he’s won nine straight, including six by stoppage. Perhaps even more impressive, he’s picked up six post show bonus awards in that stretch. Lee has won five straight with the last four coming via stoppage. He’s also coming off a very impressive performance in his first main event, a first round submission over Michael Chiesa.
While these guys might not be big names to casual fans, hardcores have been waiting for this one since the day it was announced. It’s hard to imagine this fight being any less than excellent.
> UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson (27-2-1) vs Ray Borg (11-2)
Speaking of great runs, flyweight king Demetrious Johnson has not lost in almost six years since challenging Dominick Cruz for the bantamweight title. He’s the only champion in the division’s history and has pretty much run through all the contenders, including some more than once. Borg has a modest two fight win streak but is the remaining top contender DJ hasn’t baten yet. He made weight with a half pound to spare and vows to win the title and then defend against Johnson in a “historic rematch”.
Many feel that if Johnson retains his title and breaks the record, he’ll move back to bantamweight for potential big fights with names like Cody Garbrandt or TJ Dillishaw.
> Fabricio Werdum (21-7-1) vs Derrick Lewis (18-5) HEAVYWEIGHTS
When we last saw Lewis, he lost a tough fight against Mark Hunt after which he “retired” in a post-fight interview. That didn’t last long as he’s back here against former champion Werdum in what is the biggest fight of his career to this point. Werdum desperately needs a win after a tough loss to Alistair Overeem. A second straight loss after the age of 40 could signal the end is near for the former champion, but a win over a rising contender could get him in the title mix of a thin division. He’s lost two of his last three.
One thing is almost for sure. This one shouldn’t take long.
Lewis #10; +221 betting underdog: Frederick, Fontaine
> Evan Dunham (18-6) vs Beneil Dariush (14-3) LIGHTWEIGHTS
Dunham looked to be nearly done in UFC following his third straight loss in July 2014. Since that time, he’s racked up four straight wins including the fight of the night in his last bout over Rick Glenn. He’s on the verge of a top 10 ranking. Dariush came into UFC with a blaze of glory but has been finished in two of his last four. Once thought to be a future title contender, he’s a long way from that now in a stacked division. He badly needs a win here to stay relevant at 155.
> Brad Tavares (15-4) vs Thales Leites (27-7) MIDDLEWEIGHTS
With 32 UFC fights between them, it’s hard to believe these two veterans have never met in the Octagon. Tavares was last beaten by the current interim champion Robert Whittaker. He’s won two straight and three of his last four and another win would be really big for the Hawaiian.
Leites has won two of his last three and has not been finished in a fight in over seven years. The longtime contender is coming off a win over Sam Alvey in which he made him look average. A victory over Tavares would be one of the biggest in his long career.
> Maria Romero Borella (11-4) vs Kalindra Faria (18-5-1) LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
Borella #17; +190 betting underdog
Faria NR; -195 betting favorite
> Tom Duqesnoy (15-1) vs Cody Stamman (15-1) BANTAMWEIGHTS
Duquesnoy #20; -150 betting favorite
Stamman #43; +148 betting underdog
> Lando Vannata (9-2) Vs Bobby Green (23-8)LIGHTWEIGHTS
Vannata #117; -199 betting favorite
Green #106; +190 betting underdog
> Pearl Gonzalez (6-2) vs Poliana Botelho (5-1) STRAWWEIGHTS
Gonzalez NR; +128 betting underdog
Botelho NR; -135 betting favorite
> Walt Harris (10-5) vs Mark Godbeer (12-3) HEAVYWEIGHTS
Harris #47; -302 betting favorite
Godbeer #72; +279 betting underdog
> Magomed Bibulatov (14-0) vs John Moraga (17-6) FLYWEIGHTS
Bibulatov #8; -500 betting favorite
Moraga #28; +472 betting underdog
Matt Schnell (10-4) vs Marco Antonio Beltran (8-5) FLYWEIGHTS
Schnell #85; -112 betting favorite
Beltran +126; +110 betting underdog
Action begins with the Fight Pass prelims at 6:30 PM EST and moves over to FX at 8 PM EST. The main card airs on PPV at 10 PM EST, and our own Ryan Frederick will be cageside covering the show.
In one of the most dramatic weigh-ins in UFC history, Kevin Lee, with just minutes to spare, showed up and weighed in at 154.5 pounds at about 12:15 p.m. Pacific time to make his interim lightweight title fight with Tony Ferguson official.
The weigh-ins were held between 10 and 11 a.m. this morning, and Lee showed up at the last minute, stripped naked, and was 156 pounds, putting the fight in jeopardy. Lee, who was 174 pounds on Thursday afternoon, had said that making weight was going to be no problem.
Lee and Ferguson headline UFC 216 tomorrow night from the T Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, on a show that also includes Demetrious Johnson vs. Ray Borg for the flyweight title. Borg, who has had issues with making weight, and fell ill last month in trying to make weight for that bout, forcing a cancellation, made it this time with no problems.
There was one weigh-in casualty earlier today. Nik Lentz, who had issues with cutting weight, never came to the scale and was pulled from the show, meaning his fight with Will Brooks is off.
Lentz vs. Brooks was scheduled for the prelims on FX between 8 and 10 p.m. It will be replaced on FX by Marco Beltran vs. Matt Schnell, a fight that was originally scheduled to open the show on Fight Pass.
In all, there will be 12 fights tomorrow starting at 7 p.m. Eastern time.
