Tag: ufc

UFC on ESPN 71 live results: Tatsuro Taira vs. Hyun Sung Park

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

After two months away, the Octagon is back inside the UFC Apex in Las Vegas for the first of four events in August as UFC On ESPN 71 takes place.

The main event is a bout that came together less than a week ago, as Tatsuro Taira takes on Hyun Sung Park in a five-round flyweight bout. Park is stepping in on short notice as a replacement for Amir Albazi, who wasn’t medically cleared to compete. Taira is looking to bounce back after suffering his first career loss in October, while Park puts his perfect 10-0 record on the line in his first UFC main event.

The co-main event sees a match-up of exciting upcoming lightweights as Mateusz Rebecki battles Chris Duncan. Also on the main card is a battle of ranked female bantamweights as Karol Rosa takes on Nora Cornolle; the all-time wins leader in the UFC welterweight division, Neil Magny, looks to add to that record against Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos; and featherweight fireworks are expected as Danny Silva battles Kevin Vallejos.

ESPN PRELIMS | 6 PM ET/3 PM PT

> Women’s Strawweights- Piera Rodriguez (10-2, 3-2 UFC) vs. Ketlen Souza (15-5, 2-2 UFC)

Rodriguez with an inside leg kick and Souza lands a leg kick. Rodriguez with a leg kick then a pair of jabs as Souza lands a leg kick. They trade kicks. Souza lands a double jab before Rodriguez grabs the clinch and lands a few knees before letting go. They tie up and Rodriguez tried to trip Souza to the mat, but was unsuccessful. Souza then lands a combo ending with a knee. Souza lands another combination. They clinch and Rodriguez lands a series of knees and elbows before letting go. Souza lands a combo but Rodriguez is able to score a takedown. Rodriguez lands from the top before Souza is able to force a stand up. They trade as Souza lands an uppercut. Souza lands a kick as Rodriguez is able to score a takedown. Souza attacks the arm. 10-9 Rodriguez.

They trade and Rodriguez lands some knees in the clinch, then lands a head kick when they separate. They trade leg kicks. Rodriguez with a high kick. Souza lands a left hook, but Rodriguez returns fire as she pushes Souza to the fence and then scores a takedown. Souza is able to quickly scramble to her feet. Souza lands a flying knee and Rodriguez is able to score a takedown off of it. Souza attacks a leg but uses it to sweep up and then lands as she pushes Rodriguez to the fence. Rodriguez lands a pair of knees to cause separation. Souza lands and Rodriguez slips to the mat, but gets up and they are trading flurries. Souza grabs the body lock against the fence. They break apart and trade. 10-9 Rodriguez, 20-18 Rodriguez.

They trade and Rodriguez lands a knee up the middle. They trade and Rodriguez scores a takedown, but Souza is able to quickly scramble up. They break away from a clinch. They trade body kicks. Rodriguez is pressing forward as they trade leg kicks. Rodriguez lands a knee as Souza lands a left hook. They trade body kicks. Rodriguez scores a takedown. She lands from the top and keeps Souza down on the mat as they go the distance. 10-9 Rodriguez, 30-27 Rodriguez.

Fight Result- Piera Rodriguez def. Ketlen Souza by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

> Flyweights*- Rafael Estevam (13-0, 2-0 UFC) vs. Felipe Bunes (14-7, 1-1 UFC)

*Estevam missed weight by four pounds

Bunes with a front kick then a jab as Estevam lands a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. They trade kicks up the middle then trade leg kicks. Estevam tries a takedown but Bunes is able to sprawl and they stand. They trade while tied up before separating. Estevam with a pair of kicks and Bunes gets a brief takedown but Estevam explodes to his feet and they break. Estevam lands to the body and scores a takedown. Bunes trying to attack with submissions from the bottom but Estevam lands and passes guard into side control. Bunes tries for a version of a triangle choke but Estevam is holding on. Estevam makes it to the end. 10-9 Estevam.

Estevam comes forward and backs Bunes to the fence as he’s throwing. Estevam connects and gets the clinch. They break and both land solid punches. They trade and Estevam scores a takedown. Estevam lands from the top. Estevam stands and Bunes just misses an upkick before Estevam gets back into the guard and lands an elbow. Estevam lands some from the top. Estevam continues to land and gets the back and lands more. They stand late. 10-9 Estevam, 20-18 Estevam.

They trade right hands. Estevam scores a takedown. They get up and Estevam lands a right hand followed by a left hand. Bunes connects and they trade in close range. Estevam lands solidly and scores a takedown. Both land elbows and Bunes attacks the arm. Estevam gets loose and lands before taking the back of Bunes. Estevam with more punches before he gets the body triangle locked on. Estevam landing while looking for a choke. 10-9 Estevam, 30-27 Estevam.

Fight Result- Rafael Estevam def. Felipe Bunes by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Featherweights- Austin Bashi (13-1, 0-1 UFC) vs. John Yannis (9-3, 0-0 UFC)

Bashi lands some big punches. Yannis lands a body kick. Bashi ducks under and scores a takedown. Bashi lands and takes the back and is on it as they stand. Bashi with punches from the back as they go back to the mat. Bashi continues to land and is looking to set up a choke. Bashi landing punches as Yannis is trying to escape. They stand and Bashi is on the back and locks in a rear-naked choke and Yannis taps! An impressive win from Bashi.

Fight Result- Austin Bashi def. John Yannis by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:39 of Round 1

> Middleweights- Nick Klein (6-2, 0-1 UFC) vs. Andrey Pulyaev (9-3, 0-1 UFC)

Klein gets a quick takedown and is landing as they stand. Klein gets it back down and has the back and lands. Klein works for a choke and almost has it, but Pulyaev escapes and they stand. Klein forces it to the fence and gets it back down for a moment. They separate and Pulyaev lands a big left hand. Klein shoots for a takedown and pushes it against the fence. Pulyaev lands a knee as they separate. Klein gets the back and scores a late takedown. 10-9 Klein.

Klein shoots for a takedown and pushes Pulyaev against the fence. Klein scores a takedown. They separate and Pulyaev lands and lands a body kick and Klein goes down and some follow-up shots end it for Pulyaev! What a finish!

Fight Result- Andrey Pulyaev def. Nick Klein by TKO (strikes) at 1:31 of Round 2

> Middleweights*- Rodolfo Vieira (10-3, 5-3 UFC) vs. Tresean Gore (5-3, 2-3 UFC)

*Gore missed weight by 3.5 pounds

Vieira with some early jabs as he also lands a leg kick. Gore lands a leg kick. Vieira looks for a takedown as he pushes Gore against the fence, but they quickly separate. They trade leg kicks. Vieira shoots again, but Gore defends the attempt. Gore lands a leg kick. Vieira shoots for another takedown attempt and pushes Gore against the fence. Gore is able to defend as they break apart. Gore lands a calf kick. Vieira is finally able to score a takedown. Gore gives up his back as they stand. Vieira with a right hand as Gore spins. They break apart. Gore with a pair of right hands. Vieira lands a calf kick. Vieira with a combo. 10-9 Vieira.

Vieira with a jab and Gore lands a left hand. Gore looks to land as Vieira looks for a takedown, but Gore backs up. Gore lands a jab. Vieira with a combination. Vieira shoots but Gore defends. They trade leg kicks. Vieira with a right hand. Vieira shoots for a takedown but Gore is defending. They break apart and trade jabs. Vieira with a leg kick. Gore lands a leg kick and Vieira lands a brief flurry. Gore with another leg kick and Vieira counters with a combo. They trade as Vieira lands a big combo, but he is poked in the eye by Gore and timeout is called. They get back to action but nothing really happens. 10-9 Vieira, 20-18 Vieira.

They trade in close range and Vieira lands some shots that back Gore up. Gore lands a leg kick. Vieira lands a jab then a heavy leg kick. Gore with a double jab. Vieira lands a solid right hand and then shoots for a takedown, but Gore stuffs it as Vieira pushes it to the fence. Vieira lets go and they separate. Vieira lands a combination. Vieira lands again. Vieira with a solid combination and goes back after the takedown. Gore defending by landing. They break apart. Vieira with a stiff jab. Vieira with a hard calf kick. Vieira with a pair of combos as he lands a solid right hand. Vieira with a right hand. Vieira pushes Gore to the fence and lands to end it. 10-9 Vieira, 30-27 Vieira.

Fight Result- Rodolfo Vieira def. Tresean Gore by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

> Bantamweights- Rinya Nakamura (9-1, 3-1 UFC) vs. Nathan Fletcher (9-2, 1-1 UFC)

Nakamura with a body kick. Nakamura trips Fletcher up with a leg kick. Nakamura lands a right hand. Nakamura with a left hand. Nakamura hurts Fletcher with a body kick and then Fletcher goes down and Nakamura starts landing from the top and it is all over! What a finish from Nakamura!

Fight Result- Rinya Nakamura def. Nathan Fletcher by TKO (strikes) at 1:02 of Round 1

ESPN MAIN CARD | 9 PM ET/6 PM PT

> Featherweights- Danny Silva (10-1, 2-0 UFC) vs. Kevin Vallejos (15-1, 1-0 UFC)

Vallejos lands a right hand. They land leg kicks at the same time. Vallejos lands a leg kick. Silva with a knee up the middle. Vallejos lands a right hand. They trade inside the pocket and Vallejos lands a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Vallejos lands a high kick. Silva lands a combination. Vallejos looks for a takedown and has the back against the fence. Vallejos lands a knee. They separate. Vallejos lands a combination. Silva scores a takedown. 10-9 Vallejos.

Vallejos lands a right hand. Silva with a high kick that Vallejos blocks. Silva with a quick combo and Vallejos lands a right hand. Vallejos with a combo and lands a left hand to the body. Vallejos with a pair of stiff right hands. Vallejos lands a combo and Silva swings and lands. Silva looks for a takedown but Vallejos defends. Vallejos lands an elbow. Vallejos scores a takedown. They get up. Vallejos lands a combo and a right hand. Vallejos with a hard right hand. He lands another. 10-9 Vallejos, 20-18 Vallejos.

Silva lands a knee. They trade. Vallejos scores a takedown but Silva is able to scramble to his feet. They separate. Vallejos lands an uppercut. Silva lands a knee. Silva with a left hand. Vallejos scores with a right hand. Vallejos lands a combination and then a big combo. Silva fires back and lands. Vallejos lands a right hand. Vallejos lands to the body. Silva lands a knee and then taunts Vallejos. Vallejos grabs the body and lands an elbow on the break. Vallejos lands a combo to the body. Vallejos lands a right hand. Vallejos with a stiff left hook. He’s landing the bigger punches. Vallejos lands a right hand and then another. Vallejos lands an elbow and a left hand. Fun fight. 10-9 Vallejos, 30-27 Vallejos.

Fight Result- Kevin Vallejos def. Danny Silva by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

> Welterweights- Neil Magny (29-13, 22-12 UFC) vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (25-9-1, 11-5-1 UFC)

Zaleski with a leg kick. Magny works the jab. Magny looks to grab the body lock but Zaleski defends, though Magny lands a knee on the break. Zaleski with a leg kick and Magny lands a quick combo. They trade and Zaleski gets the clinch. They battle for position. Magny lands some and Zaleski grabs the back. They separate. Magny lands a jab. Zaleski with a body kick. They both miss and Zaleski grabs the back. They separate and trade leg kicks. Zaleski with a combination and scores a late takedown. 10-9 Zaleski.

They trade and Zaleski gets a takedown. They battle for position and Zaleski attacks the legs. He lets go to get top position. He lands from the top as Magny lands some short shots from his back. They both land and Magny tries to scramble up, but Zaleski keeps him down in the half-guard. They get to their feet and Magny pushes it to the fence. Magny scores a takedown and gets to the top. Zaleski is able to scramble up but Magny lands some knees. Zaleski drops to the mat to slip away and Magny gets the body lock. Magny drags Zaleski down from the back and has the hooks in. Magny lands some punches and is looking to get the finish. Magny with lots of punches as Zaleski is covering up and it is stopped! Magny with a great finish after losing the early part of the round.

Fight Result- Neil Magny def. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos by TKO (punches) at 4:39 of Round 2

> Women’s Bantamweights- #10 Karol Rosa (18-7, 7-4 UFC) vs. #12 Nora Cornolle (9-2, 3-1 UFC)

Rosa with a combo after Cornolle lands a body kick. Cornolle with a hard calf kick and then another. Cornolle with a leg kick and Rosa lands a combination. Rosa with more big punches. Cornolle lands a big right hand. Rosa lands a left hook. They clinch and Cornolle lands a knee to separate. Cornolle lands a leg kick. Cornolle with a leg kick and Rosa lands a few right hands. Rosa lands and they clinch. They trade knees against the fence. Cornolle with a knee and Rosa lands a left hand. They separate and Cornolle lands a flurry. They clinch back up with Rosa having position. They break before tying back up and Cornolle lands a knee. They break as Cornolle lands an elbow. Rosa with a knee as they clinch. 10-9 Rosa.

Rosa scores an immediate takedown. Rosa lands to the body from the half-guard as Cornolle is looking to attack an arm. They both land elbows to the body. Rosa landing to the body as Cornolle is pinned down to the mat. Rosa trying to set up an arm-triangle choke but doesn’t have the right position, though she now has full mount and continues to land to the body. Rosa has side mount and looks for a choke again. Rosa has the back and looks for the choke. It was on the chin and Cornolle fights it off. Rosa lands from the top. Dominant round from Rosa. 10-8 Rosa, 20-17 Rosa.

Rosa gets a takedown right away and is working from the half-guard. Rosa landing to the body. Rosa controlling from the top as she’s landing and Cornolle is pinned on the bottom. Rosa with punches and elbows from the top and is looking to take the back. Rosa looking for a choke as she lands punches. Big shots from the top by Rosa to end it. 10-8 Rosa, 30-25 Rosa.

Fight Result- Karol Rosa def. Nora Cornolle by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-27, 29-27)

> Lightweights- Elves Brener (16-5, 3-2 UFC) vs. Esteban Ribovics (14-2, 3-2 UFC)

Ribovics lands a leg kick and Brener looks for a takedown but they clinch against the fence. They scramble to the mat and Ribovics ends up on top. Brener tries to take the back and they scramble up. Brener lands a combo. Ribovics with a body kick. Brener lands some punches. Brener lands a stiff jab. Brener with a leg kick. Ribovics lands some solid punches and Brener lands some counter shots. Ribovics lands a combo. Ribovics is pressuring and landing. Ribovics lands a right hand and Brener goes down. Ribovics lands from the top but Brener is able to get up. Brener lands a leg kick. Brener with a combination. Ribovics with a high kick. They trade inside the pocket and both land leg kicks. Ribovics with a high kick. Ribovics lands a combination. 10-9 Ribovics.

They trade to start the second. Ribovics lands a flurry and Brener lands a left hand. Ribovics lands a leg kick. Ribovics with a big combo. Brener lands a jab as he’s circling away. Ribovics with a big combination. Ribovics with a left hand as Brener lands a knee. Brener works the jab. Ribovics with a stringing combination. Ribovics lands as they exchange in close range. Ribovics lands a combo. Brener slips on a kick, but gets up and they trade. Brener lands a combination. Brener with slightly more volume late in the second. Brener with a big left hook after they trade. Brener lands a big combo. Close round. 10-9 Brener, 19-19.

They trade inside the pocket. Brener looks for a takedown, but Ribovics defends. Ribovics with a high kick. They both land clipping punches. Ribovics pressing forward and lands a combo against the fence. Ribovics lands to the body then a right hand to the head. Ribovics lands a big combo. Ribovics lands a left hand. Ribovics lands some more punches. They trade big shots in close range and Ribovics lands to the body. They trade big punches. Ribovics with an uppercut and Brener lands a left hand. Ribovics with a right hand. Ribovics with a knee and a left hand then a high kick. Brener lands a big left hand. Brener with a spinning back fist and Ribovics lands a counter right hand. Ribovics with a front kick. Tremendous fight. 10-9 Ribovics, 29-28 Ribovics.

Fight Result- Esteban Ribovics def. Elves Brener by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

> Lightweights- Mateusz Rebecki (20-2, 4-1 UFC) vs. Chris Duncan (13-2, 4-1 UFC)

Rebecki with a leg kick as both are throwing big punches. Duncan lands a right hand. Rebecki lands a left hand. Rebecki with a leg kick. Duncan lands two straight right hands. Rebecki drops Duncan briefly with a right hook and lands big as Duncan stands. Duncan throws a kick and Rebecki trips him to the mat and gets on top, but they scramble up. Duncan lands a body kick. Rebecki with a leg kick. They trade in close range. Rebecki lands a leg kick. Duncan lands an elbow. Rebecki lands as he comes forward. Duncan with another elbow. Rebecki lands a leg kick. They trade inside the pocket. Rebecki trips Duncan up with a kick to score a takedown. Rebecki has the back as they stand and they separate. Rebecki with a right hook. 10-9 Rebecki.

They come out trading and Rebecki lands a leg kick. Duncan with a body kick. Duncan lands an uppercut as Rebecki lands. Duncan lands a right hand. Rebecki with a left hand and a combination. Duncan stuns Rebecki with a right hand and then again with a head kick. Duncan lands a knee as Rebecki scores a takedown. They scramble up. They’re both landing in close range and Rebecki’s face is an absolute mess. Rebecki lands a body kick. Duncan with a right hand. Duncan lands an uppercut. Duncan with a body kick. Rebecki lands two left hands. Duncan with a body kick. Rebecki lands a leg kick. Duncan with a knee up the middle. Duncan lands an uppercut. 10-9 Duncan, 19-19.

They trade and Rebecki gets a brief takedown, and they scramble up. Duncan lands a nice combination. I have no idea how Rebecki can see. Rebecki lands a left hand. Rebecki looks for a takedown, but Duncan stuffs it. Duncan looks for a choke as they go to the mat for a moment, but Rebecki rolls out to his feet. Duncan lands a right hand and then another. Duncan lands a knee up the middle. Rebecki lands a left hand but eats an elbow from Duncan. Duncan lands a combo. Duncan with an uppercut as they trade in close range. Duncan with two right hands and Rebecki lands a big left hand. Both guys are a bloody mess. Duncan lands a combination. Duncan with a right hand and a head kick. They tie up and Duncan with a big pair of knees. What a fight! 10-9 Duncan, 29-28 Duncan.

Fight Result- Chris Duncan def. Mateusz Rebecki by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

> Flyweights- #6 Tatsuro Taira (16-1, 6-1 UFC) vs. Hyun Sung Park (10-0, 3-0 UFC)

Park lands a leg kick. Taira lands a right hand and then drops Park with another right hand and jumps on top. Taira looking to pass the guard and work from side control. Taira grabs the back as they get to their feet. Taira drags it back down and is on the back as they stand. Taira looking for the neck from the backpack position. Taira with some body shots. Taira drags it to the ground from the position. Taira with big punches. Taira lands some more. 10-9 Taira.

Taira gets an early takedown. Park is able to get up but Taira is able to get it right back down and has the back. Taira is working for a choke and doesn’t quite have it under the chin, but he is squeezing and Park ends up tapping! Complete domination from Taira.

Fight Result- Tatsuro Taira def. Hyun Sung Park by submission (face crank) at 1:06 of Round 2

JNPO: UFC is bigger than ever, so why is traditional MMA media shrinking?

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: Josh Nason (circa 2013!)

Follow me for a second or 10.

Just over two weeks ago, I saw a tweet from a former MMA media member giving praise to a current one about his video on this social post from another media member noting there was only one media member present at the UFC media day for their recent Nashville show.

Got all that? Good. On today’s Josh Nason’s Punch-Out, we’re talking about the state of the MMA/UFC media and where everyone went despite the UFC being stronger financially than ever.

Helping me do that is the man who put together that reaction video: James Lynch, a longtime MMA media member who also covers other sports.

We talked for nearly an hour about, well, everything happening in the space from why outlets are dropping coverage to why people are leaving to the consumption habits of today’s consumer on social media and YouTube to the financial decisions one has to make in order to cover a show or not.

This is a conversation that applies to all sports as the way things are covered continues to be affected in favor of more cost-conscious measures.

If you’re into media matters, this free show is for you.

Click here to listen for free or on either our Spotify/Apple Podcasts feeds (search for Wrestling Observer)

UFC on ABC 9 live results: Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

The Octagon returns to Abu Dhabi for the first of two events in 2025 as UFC On ABC 9 takes place inside the Etihad Arena on Yas Island.

The main event is a big battle at middleweight as former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker takes on rising contender Reinier de Ridder. Whittaker is looking to rebound following a loss to Khamzat Chimaev in October. de Ridder is in his first main event as he looks to continue the strong start to his UFC career and move to 4-0 in the promotion.

In the co-main event, it’s a battle at bantamweight as former UFC Bantamweight Champion Petr Yan takes on Marcus McGhee.

Also on the main card is a middleweight fight pitting Shara Magomedov against Marc-Andre Barriault; a flyweight bout between Asu Almabayev and Jose Ochoa; and a light heavyweight slugfest between Nikita Krylov and Bogdan Guskov.

ESPN PRELIMS | 12 PM ET/9 AM PT

> Heavyweights- #13 Martin Buday (15-2, 6-1 UFC) vs. Marcus Buchecha (5-1, 0-0 UFC)

They trade jabs and Buchecha with a front kick. Buchecha gets a brief takedown but Buday is able to scramble up. Buchecha stays on his back for a moment before being ordered up. Buchecha shoots for a takedown but Buday defends. Buchecha lands and looks to get Buday down and is able to pull guard, but Buday stands. Buchecha is told to stand. Buchecha lands a pair of right hands and grabs the body. Buday lands a knee and they break. Buchecha throws a front kick and Buday lands a right hand. Buchecha tries a single leg but Buday defends. Buday lands a big right hand. They trade in close range. Buchecha lands a right hand and they clinch. They trade knees and Buchecha lands an elbow and right hand. They trade before tying up. 10-9 Buchecha.

Buday lands a right hand. He throws a front kick as Buday lands a right hand. Buchecha scores a takedown and is in the guard of Buday. Buchecha lands some punches and elbows to the body. Buchecha looking for an arm and a kimura but Buday escapes, though he gives up his back. Buchecha landing from the back. Buchecha with right hands. Buchecha looking to set up a choke. Buday is able to slip out and ends up on top. Buday ends the round on top. 10-9 Buchecha, 20-18 Buchecha.

Buday lands a leg kick. Buday lands a right hand. Buday lands a left hook. Buchecha looks for a takedown but Buday defends. Buchecha looks to get Buday down but Buday defends. Buchecha keeps spamming takedown attempts but Buday is defending and landing punches. Buchecha tries to pull guard but Buday is on top and lands a pair of elbows. Buchecha is able to scramble to Buday’s back and is landing punches. Buchecha has the hooks on and is taking control of an arm. Buday is trying to scramble up as Buchecha lands some short punches. Buday gets on top and lands some hammerfists. Close fight. 10-9 Buday, 29-28 Buchecha.

Fight Result- Martin Buday def. Marcus Buchecha by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Featherweights- Mohammad Yahya (12-5, 0-2 UFC) vs. Steven Nguyen (9-2, 0-1 UFC)

Nguyen drops Yahya with a massive right hand to start and tries to land from the top but Yahya gets up. Yahya lands a kick and Nguyen lands a left hand and Yahya briefly goes down, but gets up. Nguyen continues to land punches. Nguyen lands and Yahya goes back down but he gets right back up. Nguyen lands a right hand and Yahya goes back down after Nguyen lands a left hand. Yahya gets back to his feet. Yahya lands a leg kick and Nguyen connects with a right hand. Yahya is still throwing. They trade inside the pocket and Nguyen drops Yahya again after connecting. Nguyen lands from the top but Yahya rolls to his feet and gets a brief takedown, but they get up. Nguyen drops Yahya again with a big right hand and lands. Ridiculous round from Nguyen. 10-8 Nguyen.

Yahya was stumbling to his stool between rounds but we continue. They trade in close range and Yahya rocks Nguyen, who stumbles back. They start trading and Nguyen drops Yahya for a sixth time in the fight. Nguyen gets on top and lands some punches. Nguyen controlling from the top and looks for an arm-triangle choke as he has the mount. Yahya scrambles to his feet. Yahya lands a right hand. Nguyen lands a right hand that hurts Yahya. Yahya looks for a takedown but Nguyen defends and they break. They trade and Nguyen lands a big left hook. Nguyen with a pair of uppercuts. Yahya’s left eye is completely closed and he probably has a broken orbital bone. Nguyen drops Yahya again with another right hand. 10-9 Nguyen, 20-17 Nguyen.

The fight has been stopped as Yahya can’t continue due to the damage to his left eye.

Fight Result- Steven Nguyen def. Mohammad Yahya by TKO (doctor stoppage) at 5:00 of Round 2

> Light Heavyweights- Ibo Aslan (14-2, 2-1 UFC) vs. Billy Elekana (7-2, 0-1 UFC)

Aslan with some early leg kicks as Elekana lands a pair of body kicks. Both looking for openings to land punches. They trade a few punches as Aslan lands more leg kicks. Elekana with a body kick. Elekana with more front kicks to the body. Aslan lands a right hand. Elekana with a left hand. Aslan lands a body kick. Elekana with a body kick. 10-9 Elekana.

They trade kicks. Elekana lands a jab. Elekana lands a left hand. Aslan lands a leg kick as Elekana lands a left hand. Elekana with a pair of front body kicks. Aslan with a pair of jabs. Elekana looks for a single leg but Aslan defends. Aslan with a high kick. 10-9 Elekana, 20-18 Elekana.

They trade leg kicks as both are still looking to land solid shots. Elekana lands a left hand. Elekana with a left hook. Elekana with a left hand and Aslan’s head snaps back. Aslan with a double jab. Aslan with a jab and Elekana lands a left hand. Elekana lands a combo and then a left hand. Elekana with a left hand. They trade in close range and Elekana lands late. 10-9 Elekana, 30-27 Elekana.

Fight Result- Billy Elekana def. Ibo Aslan by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Women’s Strawweights- #7 Amanda Ribas (13-6, 7-5 UFC) vs. #10 Tabatha Ricci (11-3, 6-3 UFC)

Ribas just misses a spin kick. Ricci lands a left hand. Ricci pushes it to the fence as Ribas defends. Ribas gets a big takedown and is in side control. Ricci is able to get up as they stay tied up. They trade knees. Ricci lands a pair of short knees. Ribas is landing to the body to defend. They are both landing while tied up against the fence. They are separated. Ribas with a leg kick and left hand. They trade and Ricci pushes it to the fence. They separate. Both are throwing sloppy punches but neither landing. Ricci lands a right hand. They trade right hands. 10-9 Ribas.

Both looking to land as Ricci is trying to initiate a clinch. Ricci lands a body kick. Ribas lands a left hand then a right hand and a leg kick. Ricci grabs the body and pushes it against the fence. Ricci lands a pair of elbows. She lands another and Ricci gets Ribas down. Ricci is landing lots of big punches and it is stopped! Ricci with a finish out of nowhere.

Fight Result- Tabatha Ricci def. Amanda Ribas by TKO (strikes) at 2:59 of Round 2

> Bantamweights- Davey Grant (14-7, 7-6 UFC) vs. Da’Mon Blackshear (17-7-1, 5-3-1 UFC)

Grant lands a leg kick. Grant lands more leg kicks. Blackshear scores a takedown and has the back of Grant. He’s looking for a choke as Grant tries to escape. Blackshear gets the hooks on as they scramble. Blackshear looks for the choke as he has a face crank on. Blackshear lets go. Blackshear is attacking the arm and looking for an armbar. Blackshear is unable to lock it in as the round ends. 10-9 Blackshear.

Blackshear with a body kick as Grant lands a right hand. Blackshear with a body kick. Grant with a right hand to the body. Grant with a leg kick. Blackshear lands a combo. Grant lands a combination ending with a head kick. Grant lands a left hand then a body kick. Blackshear with a leg kick then a high kick. Grant lands a right hand and a leg kick. Blackshear with a right hand. Grant lands a left hook. Grant lands a right hand. Grant with a combo ending with a high kick. Grant with two more high kicks. 10-9 Grant, 19-19.

Grant is pressing forward and landing punches and body kicks. Grant lands a leg kick. Grant with another hard calf kick. Grant lands. Blackshear looks for a takedown but Grant defends and then Grant lands inside the pocket. Blackshear looks for a takedown but Grant sprawls. Grant with a leg kick and then a combination. Grant lands a combo. Grant with a stiff leg kick. He lands another. Blackshear lands a jab and a right hand. Grant with another leg kick. He keeps landing them. Blackshear shoots for a takedown but Grant defends again and then lands a combo. Grant with a body kick. 10-9 Grant, 29-28 Grant.

Fight Result- Davey Grant def. Da’Mon Blackshear by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Welterweights- Muslim Salikhov (21-5, 8-4 UFC) vs. Carlos Leal (22-6, 1-1 UFC)

They trade left hands. Salikhov lands a body kick. Leal with a straight left hand. Salikhov lands a massive right hand and Leal goes down and is out and it is all over! What a knockout by Salikhov!

Fight Result- Muslim Salikhov def. Carlos Leal by knockout (punch) at :42 of Round 1

> Bantamweights- Bryce Mitchell (17-3, 8-3 UFC) vs. Said Nurmagomedov (18-4, 7-3 UFC)

Nurmagomedov lands a head kick then a leg kick. Nurmagomedov lands a left hand. Nurmagomedov lands some more and Mitchell grabs the body and briefly gets it down, but they scramble right back up. They battle against the fence and Nurmagomedov lands on the break. Nurmagomedov lands a knee and Mitchell goes down to the mat. Nurmagomedov gets on top and lands some. Mitchell trying to throw his legs up. Mitchell with small punches from the bottom. They scramble up. Nurmagomedov lands a knee as they’re tied up. 10-9 Nurmagomedov.

Mitchell looks for a takedown against the fence and is able to get Nurmagomedov down. Mitchell is attacking an arm as Nurmagomedov is landing to the body from the bottom. Mitchell is pressuring from the top and now looking to set up a choke. Nurmagomedov is able to reverse to the top. They scramble up and Mitchell has the back and is able to drag Nurmagomedov back down and has back control. They stand and Nurmagomedov lands a knee. Nurmagomedov throws a spin attack but Mitchell ducks under and gets a takedown. 10-9 Mitchell, 19-19.

They tie right up and Nurmagomedov grabs the neck. Mitchell gets it down but Nurmagomedov has a mounted guillotine choke, but Mitchell escapes. Nurmagomedov works from the top. Mitchell is able to reverse to the top. Mitchell is working for an arm-triangle choke. Nurmagomedov is grabbing the cage to try and defend. He grabs it twice more. Mitchell takes the back with the hooks in as Nurmagomedov was trying to escape. Mitchell is controlling as Nurmagomedov again grabs the fence with his feet. 10-9 Mitchell, 29-28 Mitchell.

Fight Result- Bryce Mitchell def. Said Nurmagomedov by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

ABC MAIN CARD | 3 PM ET/12 PM PT

> Light Heavyweights- #10 Nikita Krylov (30-10, 11-8 UFC) vs. #13 Bogdan Guskov (17-3, 3-1 UFC)

Krylov with a high kick. He lands a leg kick. Guskov with an inside leg kick. Krylov lands a big right hand. Krylov with a leg kick. Guskov lands a combo. Guskov with a left hand. Guskov with a right hand to the body. Guskov lands a big right hand. Krylov lands as Guskov was rushing forward. Krylov lands a leg kick. Guskov lands a right hand. Krylov with a body kick. Guskov drops Krylov with a right hand and starts landing from the top. Guskov gets the back and starts to land and it is all over! Guskov gets the big finish in the first.

Fight Result- Bogdan Guskov def. Nikita Krylov by TKO (punches) at 4:18 of Round 1

> Flyweights- #9 Asu Almabayev (21-3, 4-1 UFC) vs. Jose Ochoa (8-1 1 NC, 1-1 UFC)

They trade leg kicks. Both throw punches before Almabayev ties it up. Ochoa lands some knees to break, but Almabayev pushes it against the fence. Almabayev pressuring against the fence as Ochoa lands some body shots. Almabayev gets a takedown into side control and gets back control as they scramble up. Almabayev with some knees to the body before he jumps on the back. He lets go and they separate. Almabayev with a right hand and a head kick. Almabayev gets the back and drags it back down. Almabayev cranks around the chin. Almabayev working for a choke. Almabayev jumps off and they trade. They break apart. Almabayev with a right hand. He goes for a spin kick but Ochoa grabs the back and takes it down with the body triangle on. 10-9 Almabayev.

Almabayev shoots for a takedown after landing low kicks, but Ochoa defends and they separate. Ochoa lands and Almabayev shoots for a takedown, but Ochoa defends and lands a knee as they break. Almabayev scores a takedown. They scramble and Almabayev pushes it against. They separate. Ochoa lands a knee but Almabayev is able to take him down. Almabayev lands from the top. Almabayev controlling from the top as Ochoa looks for a triangle choke. 10-9 Almabayev, 20-18 Almabayev.

Almabayev lands a leg kick. He ducks under a right hand from Ochoa and grabs the body and scores a takedown. Almabayev was grabbing the fence so Jason Herzog separates them. Almabayev shoots for a takedown, but Ochoa grabs the neck and looks for a guillotine choke, but Almabayev slips his head out. Almabayev starts landing from the top and lands some hammerfists. Ochoa is able to scramble to his feet. Ochoa lands a left hand as they break a clinch. Almabayev lands a big right hand. Almabayev looks for a takedown against the fence as Ochoa lands some elbows to defend. They trade knees before separating. Almabayev grabs the back as the fight ends. 10-9 Almabayev, 30-27 Almabayev.

Fight Result- Asu Almabayev def. Jose Ochoa by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Middleweights- Shara Magomedov (15-1, 4-1 UFC) vs. Marc-Andre Barriault (17-9 1 NC, 6-8 1 NC UFC)

Magomedov landing lots of leg kicks to start as Barriault is pressuring him around. Barriault shoots for a takedown against the fence. Barriault gets a takedown and Magomedov grabs the fence trying to help himself get up. They stand and separate. Magomedov lands a leg kick. They clinch against the fence and Magomedov lands a pair of knees and an elbow as they separate. Magomedov lands a leg kick. Barriault clinches it against the fence. Magomedov lands some elbows as they break. Magomedov barely lands a spin kick. 10-9 Magomedov.

Magomedov lands some low kicks to start the second. Magomedov lands a combo. Barriault with a leg kick. They tie up and Magomedov lands a knee and Barriault lands a right hand on the break. Magomedov lands an elbow that cuts Barriault open. Magomedov starting to land with lots of volume moving forward and landing kicks. Barriault lands a big right hand and pushes Magomedov against the fence and lands an uppercut. Magomedov is bleeding from the nose and Barriault lands as they separate. Barriault pushes it against the fence and lands some dirty boxing. Magomedov starts teeing off against Barriault against the fence and has Barriault in trouble but they make it to the end of the round. 10-9 Magomedov, 20-18 Magomedov.

They trade before tying up against the fence. They break and Magomedov lands a high kick. Magomedov lands a right hand as Barriault rushes in. Magomedov with a jab as Barriault lands a leg kick. Magomedov with a short left hook. Magomedov with a flying knee as Barriault rushes in and lands an elbow on the break. Magomedov with a heavy leg kick. Magomedov lands a pair of elbows as they break a clinch. Magomedov with a jumping knee and a head kick. Magomedov looks for a takedown and lands a knee before getting it down. Magomedov with a big flurry from the top and he looks for a late finish but time runs out. 10-9 Magomedov, 30-27 Magomedov.

Fight Result- Shara Magomedov def. Marc-Andre Barriault by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Bantamweights- #3 Petr Yan (18-5, 10-4 UFC) vs. #12 Marcus McGhee (10-1, 4-0 UFC)

McGhee with a body kick. McGhee with an inside leg kick. McGhee with a jab. Yan lands a leg kick. Yan with a right hook. Yan lands a leg kick then a left hand. McGhee with a knee. Yan lands a leg kick. Yan with a right hand. McGhee lands a combo. They tie up and Yan with some uppercuts before they break. McGhee lands a combination. Yan lands a combo. McGhee with an inside leg kick. McGhee with a leg kick. Yan lands a big combo. Yan with a right hand. They trade. Close round. 10-9 Yan.

Yan pressing forward. He throws and McGhee ducks under and looks for a takedown. Yan defends and they separate. McGhee lands a combination. McGhee with a right hook to the body. McGhee with a short uppercut. Yan with a high kick. Yan lands a big combination. McGhee with a knee and Yan lands a left hand then a right hand. McGhee is cut open but lands some punches and an elbow. Yan with a massive right hand. Yan with an uppercut and big elbow in a brief clinch. Yan with a jumping knee. McGhee with a jab. Yan lands a stiff jab. Yan lands a combo to the body. Yan with a quick flurry. Yan with a knee and a right hand. Yan lands a left hand. Yan with a right hand. 10-9 Yan, 20-18 Yan.

They both land in close range. Yan lands a combination. Yan lands a combination against the fence. Yan grabs the back of McGhee against the fence and lands some knees. Yan with more knees to the butt and legs. Yan keeping the pressure against the fence as he keeps landing knees and gets a brief trip before they get right up. They spin and McGhee is trying for a takedown but Yan is landing to defend. They separate and Yan lands a head kick. Yan trips McGhee to the mat and looks for a kimura. Yan has the back as they stand and lands some knees and body shots. 10-9 Yan, 30-27 Yan.

Fight Result- Petr Yan def. Marcus McGhee by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Middleweights- #5 Robert Whittaker (26-8, 17-6 UFC) vs. #13 Reinier de Ridder (20-2, 3-0 UFC)

de Ridder throws wildly right away. de Ridder grabs the single leg and Whittaker is landing to defend and de Ridder lets go. They tie up and de Ridder with some short knees. They break apart. Whittaker lands a combo. de Ridder shoots for a takedown but Whittaker defends and lands a jab. Whittaker lands a pair of jabs. Whittaker lands a combination. de Ridder looks for a takedown but Whittaker defends. de Ridder lands a knee to the body. They break apart and Whittaker lands a jab. de Ridder with a high kick. Whittaker with a left hook. de Ridder lands a knee. Whittaker lands a right hand. 10-9 Whittaker.

They trade and de Ridder connects as Whittaker slips. Whittaker with a high kick that de Ridder blocks. de Ridder with a jab but eats a right hook from Whittaker. Whittaker lands a combo. de Ridder with a left hand. de Ridder with a step-in knee. Whittaker lands a right hand. de Ridder with another knee. Whittaker lands a jab. de Ridder with a big knee and he takes Whittaker down. de Ridder gets into the full guard of Whittaker. de Ridder working from the top as he lands to the body. de Ridder with some punches from inside the guard. de Ridder with an elbow from the top. 10-9 de Ridder, 19-19.

de Ridder lands a knee and lands a combination and Whittaker is backing up. Whittaker then drops de Ridder with a punch and starts landing from the top. Whittaker with some right hands from the top. de Ridder is able to escape to his feet. They clinch against the fence. They separate. Whittaker lands a left hand. de Ridder scores a takedown. de Ridder controlling from the top as he’s trying to pass guard to mount. de Ridder was looking to set up a D’Arce choke but Whittaker blocks it. de Ridder with some body shots. de Ridder with some shots from the top at the end. Close round. 10-9 Whittaker, 29-28 Whittaker.

de Ridder lands a knee and pushes it against the fence. de Ridder with some knees. They separate. Whittaker misses before de Ridder pushes him against the fence. They separate. de Ridder with a shoulder strike. de Ridder tries a takedown but Whittaker ends up taking the back and they separate as they stand. de Ridder with a jab. Whittaker lands a jab. de Ridder with a left hand and Whittaker lands a right hand. Whittaker lands a right hand and then works the jab. Whittaker lands a right hand. de Ridder with a knee to the body. de Ridder lands a left hand. 10-9 de Ridder, 38-38.

Whittaker with a double jab. Whittaker landing as de Ridder looks for a takedown, but Whittaker defends. de Ridder pushes it against the fence. They separate and de Ridder lands a knee before they clinch back up. They break apart. Whittaker lands a jab and de Ridder looks for a takedown, but Whittaker defends and they clinch against the fence. They break apart but de Ridder gets it clinched back up. Whittaker separates. Whittaker with a body shot. They clinch back up but separate. Whittaker lands as he presses forward. They tie back up. Close fight. 10-9 Whittaker, 48-47 Whittaker.

Fight Result- Reinier de Ridder def. Robert Whittaker by split decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47)

Daily Update: TNA Slammiversary, UFC fallout, CMLL notes

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest Headlines

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

This week’s issue is one of the biggest of the year when it comes to major shows and we have one our biggest issues of the year out:

  • Full coverage of All In Texas including why matches ended the way they did, business numbers, lots of injury updates, booking notes on the top matches,  PPV numbers, gate, merch, history of Texas stadium shows, complaints about the length and why, interest level comparisons with WWE this week and the past month, next head-to-head and more
  • Bill Goldberg’s retirement, his comments, a look into the ratings of the show, WWE side of the story, what could have been done differently, Seth Rollins angle looked at, SummerSlam card revealed, how to accurately look at the numbers and more.
  • WWE Evolution, early numbers, booking thoughts.
  • Great American Bash and competition wth All In.
  • ROH Supercard of Honor featuring an incredible main event
  • Dragon Gate has its biggest show of the year
  • The life and times of the Amazing Kung Fu on the death of Eddie Hamill and his influence on how babyfaces in the U.K. work
  • The most detailed look at the ratings for all the wrestling television shows this past week, with demo, comparisons with last year and quarters.
  • A look at the CMLL anniversary show
  • MJF heading to Mexico to challenge for title
  • Arena Mexico has trios match with young wrestlers that was super
  • Alberto turns face in AAA
  • G-1 Climax first week news
  • Celebrity returns to Japanese rings
  • MMA legends do pro wrestling title match
  • Cowboy Bob Ellis and the Hall of Fame
  • Tokyo Joshi Pro in the U.S.
  • Slammiversary is TNA’s  biggest event in years
  • Update on lawsuit against AEW
  • Tony Khan talks a number of subjects after All In
  • The story behind the Dralisico & Dragon Lee win over FTR in Mexico and what happened next
  • Advance ticket sales for WWE & AEW upcoming shows
  • Dana White talks about White House show for next year
  • MMA champion shot five times this past week
  • Randy Couture update
  • Business of Taylor vs. Serrano
  • Lawsuit involving Real American Beer
  • Stratus talks Evolution
  • SummerSlam advances

This Week’s Back Issue

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Sunday Update

CMLL vs AEW ROH Card Bandido
Image Copyright: AEW

— Garrett Gonzales and I did a show last night talking about the news of the past week as well as talking UFC, SmackDown, business strategies, Jon Jones, G-1, an incredible trio, and a ton of other subjects coming out of the weekend. Bryan and I will be talking about weekend news tomorrow night after Raw.

— After the UFC show last night Dana White said, when asked about Jon Jones fighting on the White House show next year, was quite negative. “I just can’t risk putting him in big positions, in a big spot, and have something go wrong, especially on the White House card.” Jones responded saying that he was a little disappointed but was ready to fight on the show.

— Adding AJ Styles to tonight’s Slammiversary show at the UBS Arena in Belmont, NY, has put it over the top. It is at 6,805 tickets out. That’s 2,400 up from when Styles was first announced for the show. The legit TNA U.S. record is 6,700 paid and they did 8,000 in London as the all-time record. While 6,805 is not a paid number, it is going to be either the No. 1 or No. 2 show in company history and largest since 2013. The lineup for tonight:

  • Trick Williams vs. Mike Santana vs. Joe Hendry for the TNA title
  • Masha Slamovich vs. Jacy Jayne for the TNA & NXT women’s titles
  • Nic & Ryan Nemeth defend the tag titles against The Hardys, AJ Francis & KC Navarro and Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz with  the Hardys saying if they don’t win they will retire
  • Moose vs. Leon Slater for the X title
  • Ash & Heather by Elegance defend the Knockouts tag titles against The Iinspiration (the former Iconics)
  • Indi Hartwell vs. Tessa Blanchared
  • Mustafa Ali vs. Cedric Alexander
  • DarkState vs. Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers & JDC & Matt Cardona

— Looking for reports from these weekend shows:

  • SmackDown on Friday in San Antonio (only dark matches)
  • NXT on Friday in Sebring, FL
  • WWE last night in Corpus Christi, TX
  • NXT last night in Tampa, FL
  • WWE tonight in Edinburg, TX

— We’re looking for results, finishes and highlights to [email protected]

— We’re also doing polls on the first night of G-1 yesterday in Sapporo as well as TNA Slammiversary tonight in Belmont, NY, thumbs up, down or middle, best and worst match from each show to [email protected]

— G-1 is back on Tuesday from Sendai at 5:30 a.m. Eastern time with an A block show with Ryohei Oiwa vs. Callum Newman, Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Oleg Boltin, Evil vs. Sanada, Taichi vs. David Finlay and Yota Tsuji vs. Yuya Umura.

— Raw tomorrow has CM Punk and Roman Reigns appearing, Becky Lynch has a proposal for Lyra Valkyira, Sheamus vs. Rusev, Jaquin Wilde & Cruz del Oro vs. New Day vs., Creeds and Sami Zayn returns against Karrion Kross.  

— Nina Samuels sustained an injury and is off the 7/27 Progress show so her loser leaves town match with Kanji is off the show and will take place when Samuels can return.

— AEW announced a 9/24 Dynamite date in Pittsburgh at the Petersen Events Center.

— Matches that are among the best of the weekend are:

  • Konosuke Takeshita vs. Gabe Kidd from the first night of G-1
  • Mistico & Bandido & Atlantis Jr. vs. Barboza & Difunto & Zandokan Jr,. from Friday night at Arena Mexico
  • Templario vs. Mascara Dorada from Friday – Rushed however
  • The four-way tag team match on Smackdown
  • Mistico & Bandido vs. Mortos & Volador Jr. from last night at Arena Coliseo and people also have raved about the post-match where Bandido brought his daughter to the ring

— Friday’s Arena Mexico show drew a sellout of 16,000, the third sellout in four weeks. CMLL is now in its hottest business period since 1991. The six-man tag mentioned above was said to us by one regular as the best match they thought of the year. I wouldn’t put it at that level, but the heat was incredible even by Arena Mexico levels and I will say the work from the rudo trio was the best work by a rudo trio in a match I’ve seen there this year. The Fantasma trio are so fast, aggressive, bumping and selling machines and have perfect ring positioning.    

— Mistico & Dorada vs. Mortos & a mystery partner headlines Oaxaca, Mexico tonight.

— KENTA is the new GHC champion, beating Kenoh for the title today at Korakuen Hall in 28:04.  He will next defend against Naomichi Marufuji. Kenoh beat Ozawa for the title on Saturday also at Korakuen Hall.

— Amanda Nunes has officially enrolled in the UFC drug testing program for a potential title fight with Kayla Harrison.

— Neon and Mascara Dorada of the Sky Team face off this coming Friday at Arena Mexico in the finals of the Leyenda de Plata. They did a single elimination tournament where Neon beat Max Star and Titan and Dorada beat Captain Suicida and Templario. Friday’s show goes head-to-head with AAA at Juan de la Barrera Gym with Alberto vs. Mesias and if Alberto loses, he must leave AAA.

— For Google searches, UFC was the No. 1 of the weekend at 1.22 million. Most were for Dustin Poirier. UFC did a great job with the retirement. It blew away the Bill Goldberg retirement from WWE the prior week. Interest level also was on different levels Manny Pacquiao was at 1 million and Oleksandr Usyk was 100,000. Nothing from pro wrestling was close this weekend.

— Regarding the comments by Daniel Cormier in the interview with Demetrious Johnson about him being on the banned list for something real bad, this is not a new story. TKO legal to this point has not cleared Lesnar due to the Janel Grant lawsuit. It’s been the same situation since he was pulled from a planned surprise appearance at the 2024 Royal Rumble.

— ACW from last night at the MJN Convention Center in Poughkeepsie, NY: Real 1 (Enzo Amore) b Zack Clayton to keep the National title, Lena Kross b TRina San Antonio, Sidney Akeem b AJZ, Parker Boudreaux b Danny Doring, Carlito b Lee Sparrow & Brian Myers, Sent2Slaughter b Crowbar & Kerr, Mike Santana b Dante Casanova, Indi Hartwell b Vicki Ventuto, Matt Riddle b Richard Holliday via DQ so Holiday retained the ACW title. Announced for the next show on 10/18 is Holiday defending in a four-way against Riddle, Nic Nemeth and Matt Cardona and Vampiro debuts.

— WWE LFG airs on A&E tonight at 10 p.m.

— TNA announced Mike Santana vs. Joe Hendry for Thursday’s live TV show in Kingston, RI.

UFC 318 live results: Dustin Poirier retirement fight vs. Max Holloway

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

For the first time in just over a decade, the Octagon heads to the Big Easy for the retirement of a future Hall of Famer as UFC 318 takes place inside the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The main event sees the BMF Championship on the line as current titleholder Max Holloway defends against home state boy Dustin Poirier in Poirier’s retirement bout. It is the third time Holloway and Poirier square off with Poirier ahead 2-0 following wins in February 2012 and April 2019.

The co-main event is a battle of ranked middleweights as former title challenger Paulo Costa returns from a year-long layoff to battle Roman Kopylov. Costa is looking to end a two-fight losing skid, while Kopylov is looking to score his third straight win.

Also on the main card is a welterweight bout between Kevin Holland and Daniel Rodriguez; a featherweight fight pitting Dan Ige against former two-division Bellator Champion Patricio Pitbull; and a lightweight fight between long-time veteran Michael Johnson and Daniel Zellhuber.

UFC on ESPN2 PRELIMS | 6 PM ET/3 PM PT

> Women’s Flyweights- Carli Judice (4-2, 1-1 UFC) vs. Nicolle Caliari (8-3, 0-1 UFC)

Caliari comes forward with a jab and a high kick. Judice lands a jab and Caliari lands a right hand. Judice with a front kick. Judice lands a left hand and a knee up the middle. Caliari gets a brief takedown and has the back as they stand. Caliari with a pair of knees. Caliari lands a knee as they break. Judice with another knee up the middle. Caliari looks for a takedown but Judice grabs the back and starts landing. Judice with a sharp elbow in the clinch and a knee as they break. Judice lands a left hand and Caliari lands a counter combination. Judice with a jab and a left hand. Caliari looks for a takedown but Judice defends and ends up on top, but they stand a moment later. Caliari lands a solid right hand. Judice with a solid combination then a knee up the middle as they clinch. 10-9 Judice.

Caliari lands a right hand. They trade and Judice lands a series of punches. Judice with a body kick. Judice lands a combination. Judice continues to land with more volume. Caliari looks for a takedown but Judice defends as they clinch against the fence. Caliari looks for a takedown but Judice defends and Caliari stays on her back trying to bait Judice to the mat, but is stood up. Caliari lands a right hand. Judice lands a body kick. Judice with a knee up the middle and then lands a left hand. Judice with a combo. Judice with a flurry and Caliari is busted up. They trade. 10-9 Judice, 20-18 Judice.

They’re trading and Judice is lighting Caliari up with combinations. Caliari gets a brief takedown and they clinch as they get to their feet and separate. Judice starts landing a flurry and is teeing off on Caliari. Judice lands a big knee to the body and Caliari crumbles to the mat and a couple of punches end it. What a finish by Judice!

Fight Result- Carli Judice def. Nicole Caliari by TKO (strikes) at 1:30 of Round 3

> Middleweights- Brunno Ferreira (13-2, 4-2 UFC) vs. Jackson McVey (6-0, 0-0 UFC)

Ferreira lands a body kick. McVey lands a body kick. They’re really feeling each other out as Ferreira lands a right hand. Ferreira lands a stiff calf kick that McVey didn’t like. Ferreira gets a takedown but allows McVey to take his back. Ferreira is able to escape into side control and lands an elbow. Ferreira gets to the mount. Ferreira gets the arm and locks in an armbar and McVey taps! Impressive finish from Ferreira!

Fight Result- Brunno Ferreira def. Jackson McVey by submission (armbar) at 3:35 of Round 1

> Heavyweights- Ryan Spann (22-11, 8-6 UFC) vs. Lukasz Brzeski (9-6-1 1 NC, 1-5 UFC)

Spann lands a right hand and Brzeski stumbles a little. Spann gets a takedown and quickly gets the mount as he looks for an arm-triangle choke. He lets go and starts landing elbows and punches. Spann gets the arm-triangle choke locked back in but lets go. Brzeski starts rolling and Spann lands a hammerfist. They stand and Spann has a standing guillotine choke locked in. Brzeski goes to his butt trying to escape but he taps! Spann picks up the submission win inside of the first round.

Fight Result- Ryan Spann def. Lukasz Brzeski by submission (guillotine choke) at 2:47 of Round 1

> Light Heavyweights- Jimmy Crute (12-4-2, 4-4-2 UFC) vs. Marcin Prachnio (17-8, 4-6 UFC)

They’re trading early. Crute looks for a takedown against the fence and is able to score a takedown. Prachnio lands some from the bottom as he is throwing elbows. Crute lands from the top. They scramble up and Prachnio lands a knee as they remain clinched. Crute gets it back down and has the neck. They get on their feet and Prachnio lands a knee as they break. Prachnio lands to the body. They trade punches. Crute is looking for a takedown as he has the back. He gets Prachnio down. Crute quickly snatches an arm and looks for an armbar. He has it in deep as Prachnio is trying to kick off. Crute twists and Prachnio taps out! Armbar finish from Crute to pick up the win.

Fight Result- Jimmy Crute def. Marcin Prachnio by submission (armbar) at 4:42 of Round 1

> Welterweights- Adam Fugitt (10-4, 2-2 UFC) vs. Islam Dulatov (11-1, 0-0 UFC)

Dulatov lands a right hand. They both kick at the same time as Dulatov lands a punch. Dulatov with a pair of leg kicks and a right hand. Dulatov with a high kick and Fugitt lands a leg kick. They pressure against the fence but separate. Dulatov lands a flurry and a knee and a right hand as they briefly tie up. Dulatov lands a combination. Fugitt grabs a single leg looking for a takedown. Dulatov escapes and lands. Dulatov drops Fugitt with a left hand and finishes it off with a couple of follow-up shots. What a debut from Dulatov!

Fight Result- Islam Dulatov def. Adam Fugitt by knockout (punches) at 4:06 of Round 1

UFC on ESPN PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT

> Middleweights- Ateba Gautier (7-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. Robert Valentin (10-5 1 NC, 0-2 UFC)

Gautier lands some leg kicks and starts teeing off with big punches against the fence. Gautier lands and Valentin stumbles to the mat, but gets up. Gautier with an uppercut and is landing big body shots then lands a knee. Valentin is having trouble standing. Gautier with a body shot and lands some more big punches as Valentin crumbles down and it is all over! What a finish from Gautier!

Fight Result- Ateba Gautier def. Robert Valentin by TKO (punches) at 1:10 of Round 1

> Welterweights- Francisco Prado (12-3, 1-3 UFC) vs. Nikolay Veretennikov (12-6, 0-2 UFC)

They trade leg kicks as Prado lands a right hand and scores a takedown. They both attacked for chokes and Prado switched to taking the back of Veretennikov. Prado then transitions to looking for a triangle choke. Prado looks for an armbar and Veretennikov picks him up and slams him down to break it. Veretennikov then starts landing punches from the top. Veretennikov gets inside the guard of Prado and lands before they stand. Veretennikov lands a knee to the body then another. Veretennikov with a left hand on the break. Veretennikov lands a body kick. Veretennikov with a body shot and a spin kick before landing another knee to the body. Prado pushes it against the fence. Veretennikov with another knee. 10-9 Veretennikov.

Veretennikov lands a leg kick and they trade. Veretennikov lands a right hand and Prado briefly goes down. Prado gets up and tries to clinch and look for a takedown but Veretennikov defends and lands on the break. Prado lands a leg kick and a combination. Prado then scores a big takedown. Prado working from the top landing short punches. Prado is looking to set up an arm-triangle choke, but Veretennikov is able to scramble up. Veretennikov lands a jab. Veretennikov lands to the body before Prado lands a flurry, including to the body. Veretennikov lands a knee. Prado with a combo. Veretennikov with another knee and a right hand. Prado lands a right hand. Close round. 10-9 Prado, 19-19.

Veretennikov lands a combo and Prado shoots for a takedown against the fence. Veretennikov is able to reverse to a takedown of his own, but they scramble up and Prado lands an elbow as they separate. Prado lands a leg kick. Veretennikov with a knee in a brief clinch. They trade inside the pocket at Prado lands a right hand. They scramble to the mat as Prado ends up on top. Prado with some elbows from the top and attacks for a choke, but lets go. Veretennikov is able to slip out to his feet. Veretennikov lands and throws a spin kick, but Prado grabs the body. Veretennikov ends up on top as they go to the mat. Prado gets up and they tie up against the fence. Prado lands a knee. Veretennikov jumps for a guillotine but Prado is out of it and landing short body shots. Prado controlling from the top. He ends the fight on top. 10-9 Prado, 29-28 Prado.

Fight Result- Nikolay Veretennikov def. Francisco Prado by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

> Middleweights- #10 Marvin Vettori (19-7-1, 9-6-1 UFC) vs. #11 Brendan Allen (24-7, 12-4 UFC)

They trade kicks. Allen lands a jab as Vettori throws a high kick. Allen with some more kicks. Vettori lands a right hand that clips Allen. Allen with a right hand and a high kick. Allen scores a takedown. Allen with some punches from the top. He takes the back and is landing and gets the body lock on. Allen landing punches as Vettori is busted open. They get to their feet. Allen has the back and takes it down and attacks the neck. He was too high and Vettori gets out and is on top and now inside of Allen’s guard. Vettori controlling from the top now. Vettori takes the back of Allen and looked for a choke but let go. They stand and Vettori lands before they separate. Allen lands a body kick. Vettori lands a combination. Vettori with a body kick. Allen lands a jab. Vettori lands a left hand. They trade late. 10-9 Allen.

Vettori working the jab and leg kick. Allen lands a left hand then a right hand. Vettori with a right hook as Allen lands a body shot. They trade leg kicks. Allen lands a body kick. They trade in close range. Vettori lands a series of combos. Allen lands a big right hand and Vettori backs up. Allen is coming forward and lands a leg kick. They trade inside the pocket. Vettori lands a combination. Vettori’s face continues to show lots of damage. Allen lands a combination. Allen landing some solid punches but Vettori is also landing decently as well. Allen with a high kick. Vettori lands a left hand. 10-9 Allen, 20-18 Allen.

Allen lands a body kick and they trade punches. Vettori lands a left hand. Allen with a leg kick. Allen lands a right hand. Allen with another stiff right hand. Vettori lands a body kick. Vettori lands a big left hand. Allen returns fire and connects. They both land in close range. Allen lands a body kick. Vettori lands a left hand. They start trading in close range and Allen backs Vettori up with a left hand and a knee. Allen gets a takedown but they scramble back to their feet. Allen with a right hand and some elbows. They trade in the pocket. They both land big flurries at the end. Fun fight. 10-9 Allen, 30-27 Allen.

Fight Result- Brendan Allen def. Marvin Vettori by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Bantamweights- #12 Kyler Phillips (12-3, 6-2 UFC) vs. #15 Vinicius Oliveira (22-3, 3-0 UFC)

Oliveira with an immediate body kick. Phillips lands a right hand and Oliveira stumbles back. Phillips rushes in and they briefly tie up but separate. Phillips lands a right hand. He lands another. Phillips lands a jab then a body kick. Phillips lands two more big right hands that keep Oliveira off balance. They trade jabs. Phillips with a jumping knee. Oliveira lands a leg kick. Phillips continues to press forward and lands a body kick. Oliveira lands a body kick. Oliveira with a right hand. Phillips with an uppercut. They trade big in close range. Oliveira lands some kicks. Phillips lands a knee. Oliveira with a late flurry. 10-9 Phillips.

Oliveira drops Phillips with a left hand, but he gets right up. Oliveira is attacking and Phillips is stumbling around as Oliveira lands. Phillips grabs the back and they go down with Oliveira on top. They get to their feet and Oliveira is continuing to land with volume. Oliveira lands a leg kick as Phillips hasn’t been able to mount any offense. Oliveira lands some big punches. Phillips lands a combination and a high kick. Oliveira scores a takedown. He ends the round on top. 10-9 Oliveira, 19-19.

Phillips lands a right hand. Oliveira lands a body kick. Phillips with a body kick. Phillips lands a right hand. Oliveira with a right hand and one to the body. Phillips with a high kick. Oliveira lands a combo. Oliveira with a calf kick. Phillips lands to the body followed by a left hand. Oliveira lands another calf kick. Oliveira lands to the body. Oliveira with another leg kick. Phillips lands a spin kick. They trade as Phillips lands a right hand. He lands another. Oliveira lands a right hand. Phillips with a right hand. Oliveira lands and gets a brief takedown. 10-9 Oliveira, 29-28 Oliveira.

Fight Result- Vinicius Oliveira def. Kyler Phillips by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

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> Lightweights- Michael Johnson (23-19, 15-15 UFC) vs. Daniel Zellhuber (15-2, 3-2 UFC)

Zellhuber lands a body kick. Johnson kicks out Zellhuber’s leg and Zellhuber goes to his back, but gets up and Johnson’s shorts tear apart. Zellhuber lands a body kick. They trade kicks and Johnson lands a left hand. Zellhuber with a high kick. Zellhuber with a body kick as Johnson lands a leg kick. Johnson lands a left hand. Zellhuber with a body kick. He lands another. Johnson lands a groin kick and timeout is called. They get back going. Johnson lands a right hand and attacks the body. Johnson connects with a combo. Johnson lands to the body. Zellhuber with a high kick. Johnson lands a left hand. Johnson lands a combination as Zellhuber lands a body kick. Zellhuber with two high kicks and a body kick. 10-9 Johnson.

Johnson with a left hand as Zellhuber lands a series of kicks. Johnson with several body shots. Johnson with a combo as Zellhuber lands a big body kick. Zellhuber lands to the body with a kick again. Zellhuber lands upstairs. Johnson lands a combo. Zellhuber with a body kick. Johnson drops Zellhuber with a left hand and gets inside the guard. He lets Zellhuber back up. Johnson lands a big combo. Zellhuber lands a left hand. Johnson with a combo. Zellhuber lands two body kicks. Johnson lands a left hand. Zellhuber lands a right hand. 10-9 Johnson, 20-18 Johnson.

Johnson lands to the body. Zellhuber with a head kick. Zellhuber with a body kick. Zellhuber lands a side kick. Johnson with a left hand. Zellhuber lands a high kick. Zellhuber with a pair of high kicks. Johnson lands to the body. Johnson lands to the body again. Zellhuber with a high kick. Johnson with a counter left hand. Zellhuber lands a body kick. Johnson lands to the body. Zellhuber lands a body kick. He lands several more body kicks. They trade and Johnson goes for a late takedown but Zellhuber lands a late right hand. 10-9 Zellhuber, 29-28 Johnson.

Fight Result- Michael Johnson def. Daniel Zellhuber by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Featherweights- #11 Dan Ige (19-9, 11-8 UFC) vs. Patricio Pitbull (36-8, 0-1 UFC)

Ige lands a leg kick. Pitbull with a leg kick. Pitbull lands another leg kick. Ige with a quick combo and an inside leg kick. Pitbull with a hard leg kick. Pitbull grabs the back and gets a big takedown but they get up. Pitbull trips Ige back down but they scramble right back up. Ige tries to switch but Pitbull retains control. They get to their feet. Pitbull lands a step-in knee. 10-9 Pitbull.

They trade. Ige lands a right hand. They trade but both are being patient. Pitbull lands a pair of jabs. Pitbull hurts Ige with a punch and starts landing as Ige is trying to recover. Ige lands an elbow as they separate. Pitbull lands a jab. Pitbull scores a takedown. Pitbull lands from the top, mixing in some punches and elbows. 10-9 Pitbull, 20-18 Pitbull.

Ige lands a head kick as Pitbull was going for a takedown and lands some punches to defend and Pitbull lets go and backs off. Ige lands a left hook. Pitbull scores a takedown. Ige is able to scramble out to the feet. Ige landing with more volume as he lands a flurry. Pitbull looks for a takedown as he has the body lock and the back. He lets go. Ige lands a body kick. Ige tries a high kick but Pitbull grabs the leg and lands a takedown. Ige rolls to a leg and tries to land hammerfists. They just trade hammerfists. 10-9 Ige, 29-28 Pitbull.

Fight Result- Patricio Pitbull def. Dan Ige by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Welterweights- #13 Kevin Holland (28-13 1 NC, 15-10 1 NC UFC) vs. Daniel Rodriguez (19-5, 9-4 UFC)

Rodriguez lands to the body trying to back Holland up as they clinch. Both look for position before breaking. Holland lands a leg kick. He looks for a takedown but Rodriguez defends as they go to the fence. Holland lands a combo as they separate. Holland lands a high kick. Rodriguez with an inside leg kick. Holland with a leg kick as Rodriguez lands a body shot. Holland lands a right hand and a jab. Holland with another right hand. Holland with another right hand. They trade leg kicks and Rodriguez lands a pair of left hands. Holland lands a right hand but gets tagged by Rodriguez. Holland with a jab and Rodriguez lands a stiff jab. Rodriguez lands a left hand and Holland counters with a combo. Holland with a high kick. Close round. 10-9 Rodriguez.

Holland lands as Rodriguez rushes in. Holland lands to the body. Rodriguez lands a left hand and Holland stumbles to the mat. Rodriguez gets on top and starts landing lots of punches. Holland retains his half-guard and they get back up. Holland looks for a takedown but Rodriguez easily defends. Rodriguez lands a right hand. Rodriguez lands a combo and Holland falls down. Rodriguez with some shots from the top as Holland is in trouble. Rodriguez backs up and they stand. Holland lands a right hand. Holland gets a takedown. He gets to the half-guard and lands. Holland grabs the neck as they stand and Holland lands a left hand as they break. Rodriguez lands a left hand. Holland looks for a takedown but Rodriguez defends. Holland with a jumping knee. 10-9 Rodriguez, 20-18 Rodriguez.

Holland lands a jab and Rodriguez lands a left hand. Holland with a right hand. Rodriguez lands a leg kick. Holland rushes in and lands. Holland connects and drops Rodriguez with an uppercut. Holland gets on top and lands some elbows. Rodriguez is able to get up and they clinch against the fence. Holland lands some big shots as they break and Rodriguez is hurt badly. Holland with more shots and Rodriguez returns fire. Holland with more uppercuts in the clinch. Holland lands an uppercut and Rodriguez is hurt and Holland is trying to finish it. Rodriguez tries a takedown but Holland is landing. Holland looks for a choke but Rodriguez escapes. Rodriguez gets the mount and starts landing. They scramble as both are exhausted. Rodriguez looks for a choke. Rodriguez gets back into the mount. He lands. Wild fight. 10-9 Rodriguez, 30-27 Rodriguez.

Fight Result- Daniel Rodriguez def. Kevin Holland by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Middleweights- #13 Paulo Costa (14-4, 6-4 UFC) vs. #14 Roman Kopylov (14-3, 6-3 UFC)

Costa runs forward and lands a leg kick. He lands another. He lands a third kick. Kopylov lands a combo. Costa lands a leg kick. Costa lands a right hand and a body kick. Kopylov with a body kick. They trade kicks. Costa mixing kicks high and low. Costa with another body kick. Kopylov lands a left hand. Kopylov lands a body kick. Costa lands to the body. Costa lands and Kopylov’s mouth piece goes flying as he goes down. Costa is landing but Kopylov is able to get back to his feet. Costa with a body kick. 10-9 Costa.

Kopylov with a front kick. Costa with some heavy leg kicks. Costa with a leg kick. Costa lands a right hand. Costa with a high kick. Costa lands and Kopylov lands some counter punches. Costa lands to the body. Kopylov with a body kick. Costa lands some big shots and Kopylov is hurting. Costa with a combo to the body. Costa with a high kick. Kopylov lands a right hand. Kopylov with a body kick. Kopylov with a straight left hand. Costa lands a body kick and Kopylov lands a counter right hand. Costa lands a right hand. 10-9 Costa, 20-18 Costa.

Costa with a leg and body kick. Kopylov connects with a combo and Costa fires back his own combination. Kopylov lands a body kick. Costa lands a right hand and one to the body. Costa with a body kick. Kopylov hurts Costa with a right hand, but Costa is able to shake it off. Kopylov with a combo. Costa lands a body kick. Kopylov with a left hand. Costa lands to the body. Costa looks for a takedown but Kopylov defends. Costa with a body kick. Costa lands to the body. Costa with more body shots. 10-9 Costa, 30-27 Costa.

Fight Result- Paulo Costa def. Roman Kopylov by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> UFC BMF Championship- C/#5 LW Max Holloway (26-8, 22-8 UFC) vs. #6 LW Dustin Poirier (30-9 1 NC, 22-8 1 NC UFC)

Poirier lands a left hand. Holloway with a right hand and a short leg kick. Holloway works the body and lands a right hand. Poirier with an inside leg kick. Holloway lands a body kick. Holloway drops Poirier with a right hand and Holloway lands and lets Poirier up, and then sends him back down with a left hand. Poirier gets to his feet. Poirier with a left hand and a right hook. Holloway lands a body kick. Poirier lands a left hand. Holloway with a right hand. Holloway lands a combo. Poirier with an inside leg kick. Poirier lands a body kick then a jab. Holloway with a body kick. 10-9 Holloway.

Holloway lands a combo. Holloway with a quick combo inside the pocket. Poirier lands a left hand. They trade leg kicks. Poirier lands a right hand. Holloway with a body kick. Poirier lands a left hand but eats a counter right hand from Holloway. Holloway rocks Poirier with a combination. Holloway starts landing big shots against the fence. Poirier shoots for a takedown but Holloway gets the back and starts landing from the mount. Holloway gets to his feet as Poirier is trying to defend off his back, but Holloway lets him up. Poirier then stuns Holloway with a combination. They trade in close range. Poirier with a left hook to the body then a jab. Poirier then drops Holloway and attacks the neck for a guillotine. Poirier with big elbows from the top to end the round. WOW. 10-9 Holloway, 20-18 Holloway.

They trade jabs. Holloway with a high kick. They trade leg kicks. Poirier with an inside leg kick. Holloway lands a left hand. Poirier lands a right hand. Holloway lands a body kick. Poirier lands a jab. Holloway with a spin kick to the body. Holloway lands a right hand. Holloway lands a combination. Holloway with a head kick. Holloway with a spin kick. Holloway lands to the body. Holloway lands a combo. Poirier lands a left hand followed by a jab. They trade body kicks. 10-9 Holloway, 30-27 Holloway.

Poirier lands a left hand. Holloway lands a right hand to the body. Poirier lands a jab as Holloway circles. Holloway with a double jab and a right hand. They both land as they circle. Poirier lands a left hand and they trade inside the pocket. Holloway with a jab. Holloway lands to the body. Poirier with a jab. Holloway lands a body kick. Holloway works the jab. Holloway lands a combination. Holloway with a body kick as Poirier lands an uppercut. Holloway lands a combo. Poirier with a big left hand. Holloway lands a straight right hand. Holloway with a left hook to the body. Poirier lands a left hand. Poirier with a big left hand. Holloway with a spin kick. Poirier connects late. 10-9 Poirier, 39-37 Holloway.

Holloway lands a combo. Poirier lands a short knee. Poirier with a left hand and Holloway counters with a left hook. They trade punches. Poirier lands a big combination. Holloway mixes to the body. Poirier lands a right hand. Holloway connects to the body and lands a high kick. Holloway lands a body kick as Poirier lands a combo. Holloway lands a right hand. They trade and Holloway lands a right hand. Poirier with two left hands. Holloway with a combination and a body kick. Poirier lands a left hand. Holloway lands a combo. Holloway lands a combination. Poirier with a right hand. They start swinging in the center as both land to end it. 10-9 Holloway, 49-46 Holloway.

Fight Result- Max Holloway def. Dustin Poirier by unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46)

November 26, 2007 Observer Newsletter: Where things stand business-wise, Congress looking to investigate pro wrestling

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

When looking at where things were a year ago, and today, it really shows just how much things change in pro wrestling and MMA. A year ago, UFC was the hot commodity, booking the best feuds, and building them up. WWE seemed to have lost its way to a degree, and people were writing obituaries for the sport of boxing, saying after the last De La Hoya fight, it was done.

After one of the biggest weekends of the year, it’s clear that everything is different. Boxing is thriving, with HBO re-inventing the formula of match promotion television. Round two is the build up of the 12/8 Floyd Mayweather vs. Ricky Hatton fight with the 30 minute weekly show until fight time showing their preparation as well as living their life.

It’s the outside drama and personality development, more than the training footage, that made the first episode. Mayweather has gone from the cocky adversary in the De La Hoya series to a multi-dimensional larger-than-life character, living in the mansion, but raising kids, with all the hangers-on, and continuing the problems with the father who raised him to be a boxing superstar.

Subscribers can read this issue here.

UFC on ESPN 70 live results: Derrick Lewis vs. Tallison Teixeira

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Following a week off, the UFC kicks off a busy stretch of events as the Octagon returns to the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee for UFC on ESPN 70.

The main event is a five-round heavyweight slugfest as popular long-time veteran Derrick Lewis returns to action against undefeated rising contender Tallison Teixeira. Lewis is returning from a 14-month layoff looking for his second straight win. Teixeira is in a main event in just his second UFC fight, and is looking to improve on his perfect 8-0 record, which has seen him score all finishes inside the first round.

In the co-main event, former title challenger Stephen Thompson takes on Gabriel Bonfim in welterweight action. Also on the main card is a featherweight bout between Calvin Kattar and Steve Garcia; Nate Landwehr meets Morgan Charriere in featherweight action; and Vitor Petrino battles Austen Lane in a heavyweight bout.

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> Women’s Strawweights- Fatima Kline (7-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Melissa Martinez (8-1, 1-1 UFC)

Kline with a quick leg kick. She lands a high kick. Martinez is circling around as Kline is looking for an opening. Kline lands a head kick. Kline continues to land kicks as Martinez isn’t working with much offense. Kline lands a jab and a right hook. Kline lands a right hand. Kline with a short combination. Martinez lands a body kick as Kline was looking for a body lock, but they separate. Kline lands a pair of stiff jabs. Martinez with a high kick. Kline lands a pair of solid punches. 10-9 Kline.

They trade and Kline lands a knee as they were briefly tied up. They clinch against the fence with Kline having the advantage. Kline lands a few knees against the fence before they separate. Kline lands a body kick. Kline with a right hook as she rushes in. Martinez lands a body kick. Kline with a left hand. Kline lands a body kick. Martinez lands a left hand as Kline lands a leg kick. Kline pushes it to the fence as she lands and they are clinched up. Kline lands an elbow. They separate and trade before Kline looks for a takedown, but Martinez defends. Kline with some short punches and knee in the clinch. 10-9 Kline, 20-18 Kline.

Kline comes out landing a flurry as she connects with a high kick and a combination. Martinez lands a counter right uppercut. Kline lands a combination. Kline with a jab. Kline with a left hand. Kline drops Martinez with a head kick and finishes it off with some shots from the top. What a finish from Kline!

Fight Result- Fatima Kline def. Melissa Martinez by TKO (head kick & punches) at 2:36 of Round 3

> Lightweights- Mitch Ramirez (8-2, 0-1 UFC) vs. Mike Davis (11-3, 4-2 UFC)

They trade leg kicks after Ramirez lands a counter left hand. Davis scores a takedown and has the neck as they scramble up, but Ramirez is able to escape. Ramirez lands a leg kick and Davis grabs the back of Ramirez and slams him down. Davis immediately has a rear-naked choke locked in. Ramirez is trying to defend. Davis lets go and keeps the back. Davis continues to have the body triangle locked on as he’s working for the chin. Davis with some hammerfists from the back. Davis gets a rear-naked choke locked back on for a moment, but Ramirez squirms out. Davis is still working for it but Ramirez is defending by attacking the hands. Ramirez is trying to escape but Davis keeps the back as the round ends. 10-8 Davis.

Ramirez lands a knee then a flurry against the fence. Davis circles away and Ramirez lands a left hand. Ramirez with a leg kick. Davis with a left hook. They trade leg kicks. Ramirez with a leg kick. Davis lands a leg kick and a right hand followed by a jab. Ramirez is throwing and Davis lands a clean one-two combination. Davis with a step-in knee. Ramirez lands a body kick. Davis lands a right hand. Ramirez with a combination. Davis with a short flurry. Davis lands a big combo and a big right hand. Davis with another right hand and Ramirez is a little wobbled. Davis with another nice combo. Davis with another combo and lands a jumping knee. Davis is teeing off against the fence and drops Ramirez and it is stopped after some more punches. What a finish from Davis!

Fight Result- Mike Davis def. Mitch Ramirez by TKO (strikes) at 4:08 of Round 2

> Heavyweights- Kennedy Nzechukwu (14-5, 8-5 UFC) vs. Valter Walker (13-1, 2-1 UFC)

Walker swings big and rushes in. Walker landing some punches against the fence. Nzechukwu looks for a takedown but Walker has the back. Walker drops down and grabs the leg and locks in a heel hook that is in deep and Nzechukwu taps! Big finish from Walker out of nowhere.

Fight Result- Valter Walker def. Kennedy Nzechukwu by submission (heel hook) at :54 of Round 1

> Women’s Flyweights- Lauren Murphy (16-6, 8-6 UFC) vs. Eduarda Moura (11-1, 2-1 UFC)

They trade jabs. Moura lands a leg kick. She lands another. Moura lands a big right hand and Murphy stumbles back briefly. Murphy scores a takedown but they quickly scramble up. Moura scores a takedown into side control. She gets into the half-guard of Murphy. Moura landing punches from the top. Murphy pushes Moura off with her feet and they stand. Moura lands a combination. Murphy lands a jab. Moura lands a leg kick. 10-9 Moura.

Moura with a leg kick. Moura lands a combination. Moura with a leg kick. Moura lands a big left hand. They trade in close range. Murphy lands a right hand. Murphy looks for a takedown but Moura defends and they break a brief clinch. Moura lands a right hand. Murphy ducks under a Moura right hand and looks for a takedown, but Moura defends and lands a right hand on the break. Moura lands a combo. Moura with a left hand. Moura scores a takedown. They get up and Moura has the back against the fence. Moura looking to get Murphy to the mat. Murphy defending with some elbows. They separate. 10-9 Moura, 20-18 Moura.

Moura lands a combination. Moura lands a leg kick. Murphy looks for a takedown against the fence. Murphy gets Moura down and locks in a guillotine choke. It is in tight but Moura is able to scramble out of trouble. Murphy lands a knee. They stand and Murphy still has the choke locked in. Murphy lands a pair of knees and lets go of the choke and lands an elbow. Murphy lands a combination. Moura lands a combination. They trade punches as Murphy lands a jab. Moura lands a leg kick and they trade right hands. Murphy lands a right hand and another one at the bell. 10-9 Murphy, 29-28 Moura.

Fight Result- Eduarda Moura def. Lauren Murphy by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Welterweights- Jake Matthews (21-7, 14-7 UFC) vs. Chidi Njokuani (25-10 1 NC, 5-3 UFC)

Njokuani with a high kick and then a heavy body kick. He lands another heavy body kick. Matthews with some dirty uppercuts as they clinch. Matthews sweeps Njokuani to the mat and gets on the back. Njokuani stands with Matthews on his back working for a choke. Matthews has it locked and Njokuani is trying to shake him off but he taps instead! What a finish from Matthews!

Fight Result- Jake Matthews def. Chidi Njokuani by submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:09 of Round 1

> Welterweights- Max Griffin (20-11, 8-9 UFC) vs. Chris Curtis (31-12 1 NC, 5-4 1 NC UFC)

Curtis lands a jab. Griffin lands a leg kick. Griffin with a jab. Curtis lands a jab and Griffin lands a body kick that was just a little low and timeout is called. They get back going and are feeling each other out. They trade in close and Curtis complains of being poked in the eye, but is told to keep fighting. Griffin pushes it against the fence and lands on the break. Griffin lands a high kick. Curtis actually complained of a clash of heads. Griffin with a jab and a right hand. They clinch against the fence with Griffin having advantage. They break and trade at the end. 10-9 Griffin.

Curtis is pressing forward as Griffin is circling and landing. Curtis lands a big right hand. Griffin with a high kick and a right hand. Curtis lands and Griffin trips down to the mat but gets up. They’re trading as Curtis is pressing forward. Curtis with a combination. Curtis with another combo. Griffin with a high kick that Curtis blocks. Griffin grabs the back of Curtis at the fence. They break apart and Curtis continues to stalk Griffin down. Curtis lands a combination, and Griffin responds with his own. Curtis lands a knee. Curtis pressuring Griffin against the fence. They trade at the end. 10-9 Curtis, 19-19.

They’re both landing inside the pocket to start the third. Curtis lands to the body. Curtis lands a combo to the body. Griffin with a combo. Curtis is pressuring. Griffin lands a leg kick. Curtis with a left hand. Griffin lands a combination. Curtis lands in response and presses forward. Curtis with a left hand and a right hook to the body. Curtis lands a combination against the fence. They trade in close range. Griffin continues to circle away as Curtis is coming forward. Curtis lands a right hand. They trade. Close fight. 10-9 Curtis, 29-28 Curtis.

Fight Result- Chris Curtis def. Max Griffin by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

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> Light Heavyweights- Junior Tafa (6-3, 2-3 UFC) vs. Tuco Tokkos (10-5, 0-2 UFC)

Tokkos with a leg kick. He lands another. Tafa with a right hand to the body. Tokkos looks for a takedown and pushes it against the fence. Tokkos gets Tafa down to the mat. They scramble to their feet. Tokkos is trying to get it down as Tafa lands some elbows. Tokkos gets Tafa to the mat. Tafa looks for a choke as they stand, but lets go and lands some elbows. Tokkos is looking for a choke but Tafa ends up on top landing some big punches from the top to end the round. 10-9 Tafa.

Tafa lands a big right hand and Tokkos is hurt. Tokkos crumbles to the ground and Tafa lands from the top. Tafa backs up and Tokkos is ordered up. Tafa lands and Tokkos looks for a flying knee and scores a takedown. Tokkos is landing from the top. He’s finally landing some decent ground-and-pound. Tokkos with some left hands as Tafa is trying to scramble up. Tokkos in side control and lands some punches. Tafa is covering up as Tokkos is landing. Tokkos looks for a choke. Tokkos lets go and has wrist control. Tokkos locks in an arm-triangle choke. He is squeezing and Tafa taps!

Fight Result- Tuco Tokkos def. Junior Tafa by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 4:25 of Round 2

> Heavyweights- Vitor Petrino (11-2, 4-2 UFC) vs. Austen Lane (13-6 1 NC, 1-3 1 NC UFC)

Lane lands a right hand. Lane with an inside leg kick. Petrino with a leg kick and Lane lands one. Petrino trips Lane to the mat and gets on top. Petrino gets the full mount and is controlling the neck. Petrino is trying to find an opening for an arm-triangle choke. Petrino working for the choke but Lane is defending for now. Petrino with some body shots from the mount as he lets go of the choke attempt. Petrino with lots of big punches from the top before taking Lane’s back. Petrino looking for a rear-naked choke as he has it around the chin. He gets it under the neck and Lane taps! Big submission finish from Petrino!

Fight Result- Vitor Petrino def. Austen Lane by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:16 of Round 1

> Featherweights- Nate Landwehr (18-6, 5-4 UFC) vs. Morgan Charriere (20-11-1, 2-2 UFC)

Charriere lands some early leg kicks. Charriere lands a jab. Landwehr with a high kick. Charriere with two big leg kicks followed by a right hand. Landwehr connects with a left hand. Landwehr with a quick combo but eats a big left hand from Charriere. Charriere with a stiff jab. Charriere lands a right hand as Landwehr was rushing forward. Landwehr lands a solid combination followed by a right hand. Charriere lands a leg kick and scores a takedown. Landwehr is able to get up, but his foot was trapped and Charriere gets him back down. They get up and Charriere is trying to get it back down as Landwehr has the neck. 10-9 Charriere.

They trade to start the second and Charriere lands to the body. Landwehr lands a right hand. They both connect in close range. They are continuing to land in close range as Charriere lands a big right hand, but both landed there. Landwehr lands a right hand. He lands another. Landwehr lands a jab. Charriere with a right hand. Landwehr lands a flurry of punches. Landwehr landing with more volume this round as Charriere’s offense has slowed. Landwehr with a big combination. Landwehr with a head kick. Charriere with a left hook. They both land solid right hands. Charriere connects late. 10-9 Landwehr, 19-19.

Charriere landing lots of big shot against the fence as he’s teeing off on Landwehr. Lots of big punches from Charriere and he drops Landwehr with a left hand. Charriere continues to land and it is stopped! What a finish from Charriere!

Fight Result- Morgan Charriere def. Nate Landwehr by knockout (punches) at :27 of Round 3

> Featherweights- #14 Calvin Kattar (23-9, 7-7 UFC) vs. Steve Garcia (17-5, 6-2 UFC)

Garcia throwing kicks early on. Neither is landing much early on here. Garcia lands a combo. Garcia with a series of body kicks then lands a left hand and Kattar stumbles momentarily. Garcia lands a left hand. Garcia lands a combo. Garcia being super active while Kattar isn’t landing much at all. Kattar lands a leg kick. Kattar lands a right hand. 10-9 Garcia.

Kattar lands a right hand as Garcia is pressing forward. Garcia lands a left hand. Garcia with a head kick that Kattar mostly blocks. Garcia with a spin kick to the body. Kattar lands a counter right hand and Garcia swings back with some punches. Kattar lands another right hand and Garcia lands some counter punches. Garcia lands several counter punches, mixing to the head and body. Garcia with a big left hand that busts the nose of Kattar up. Garcia continues to be way more active with his offense. Garcia with a left hand to the body. Garcia lands a big combination. 10-9 Garcia, 20-18 Garcia.

Garcia is pressing forward and landing. Kattar with a high kick. Garcia with a pair of left hands. Garcia drops Kattar with a left hand and tries to get on top, but Kattar quickly got up and they clinch against the fence. They separate and Garcia continues to walk Kattar down and land left hands. Garcia with a combination. Garcia with another combination starting with an elbow. Garcia kicks Kattar’s leg out with a front kick. Garcia ducks under a Kattar attack and lands a left hand. They trade left hands. Kattar lands a knee and just misses a spinning back fist. Garcia still moving forward and lands. Garcia lands a big left hand and a spin kick late. 10-9 Garcia, 30-27 Garcia.

Fight Result- Steve Garcia def. Calvin Kattar by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Welterweights- #12 Stephen Thompson (17-8-1, 12-8-1 UFC) vs. Gabriel Bonfim (17-1, 4-1 UFC)

Thompson with a leg kick. Bonfim lands two leg kicks. Thompson with a head kick that Bonfim blocks. They trade body kicks. Bonfim lands a right hand. Thompson with a high kick. Bonfim shoots for a takedown. He gets the back and gets Thompson down, but they stand. Bonfim still has the back and gets it down again. Bonfim jumps on the back as Thompson gets on his feet. Bonfim cranking across the chin with a choke attempt. He lets go. Thompson gets out and is on top. They stand and Thompson lands a knee. They separate and Thompson lands a body kick. Thompson lands a leg kick and Bonfim lands a counter left hand. 10-9 Bonfim.

Thompson with a side kick. Thompson with a quick leg kick. Bonfim shoots for a takedown but Thompson is able to defend. They clinch against the fence. They separate and trade leg kicks. Bonfim lands a big left hand. Thompson lands a body kick then a high kick. Thompson lands a spin kick. Bonfim looks for a takedown and gets the back. Bonfim has back control against the fence. They separate. Thompson lands a left hand. Thompson with a head kick. Bonfim lands a big right hand. Thompson with a kick and Bonfim connects and Thompson slips down for a moment as his shin is busted open. Thompson with a big head kick that wobbles Bonfim. Thompson is rushing in and Bonfim looks for a takedown but the round ends. 10-9 Thompson, 19-19.

Thompson lands a high kick. Bonfim looks for a takedown but Thompson defends as they’re against the fence. Bonfim with some heel strikes to the gash on Thompson’s leg. They break apart. Thompson with a high kick. Bonfim lands a body kick. Thompson with another high kick. Thompson lands a side kick to the body. They tie up as Bonfim is looking for the takedown. Thompson lands an elbow as they break. Thompson just misses a spin kick. Thompson with a quick leg kick and a side kick and lands another head kick that Bonfim eats. Bonfim scores a takedown. Thompson trying to get up and lands some left hands as Bonfim is holding him. They stand and Bonfim drags it down but is just holding on. Thompson with some body shots as Bonfim is holding on. Thompson keeps defending Bonfim trying to get him down. Close fight. 10-9 Thompson, 29-28 Thompson.

Fight Result- Gabriel Bonfim def. Stephen Thompson by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

> Heavyweights- #9 Derrick Lewis (28-12 1 NC, 19-10 UFC) vs. #13 Tallison Teixeira (8-0, 1-0 UFC)

Lewis with a jump kick. Teixeira looks to have poked Lewis in the eye. They trade and Lewis drops Teixeira with a left hand. Lewis is teeing off from the top and Teixeira is squirming and not covering up. Lewis keeps landing and it is stopped as they start to stand! What a finish from Lewis!

Fight Result- Derrick Lewis def. Tallison Teixeira by TKO (punches) at :35 of Round 1

Daily Update: Ticket advances, UFC at the White House, Jelly Roll

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

This Week’s Back Issue

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Sunday Update

— Bryan and I will be back tonight talking about all the weekend news with Wrestling Observer Radio.

— Sorry about the problems with the issue this past week. We had a major computer glitch and it’s still not completely fixed but we were able to somehow get enough to do an issue at the last minute. We did get an interview with Kenny Omega up on the site on Friday to somewhat alleviate that. It’s one of the best interviews we’ve done as Omega was very often about his thoughts on his matches with Kazuchika Okada and Gabe Kidd, where he stands physically, his future and so many other topics including how Lucha Libre is affecting the rest of the American and Canadian wrestling scene.

— For this coming weekend, these are the ticket advances for the major wrestling shows:

  • ROH Supercard of Honor on Friday – unavailable but it’s at the Esports Arena in Arlington, TX, which is a small building.
  • AEW All Out at Globe Life Field – 20,636. Tony Khan did an interview where he talked about a potential $3 million gate, noting they’ve never done a $2 million show previously. They are probably hovering around the $2.7 million range, or could be slightly lower.
  • NXT Great American Bash at Center Stage – 593. The place holds 772. It will be sold out but the idea that they didn’t immediately sell out such a small building indicates doing three shows over the same weekend and two the same day in Atlanta was not a good idea. One would think on a different weekend in another city they would have done far better. But this show was always a suicide mission. They did charge very high ticket prices that may have kept people from attending.
  • WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event at State Farm Arena – 10,731. They are 1,700 shy of capacity. I would have thought Bill Goldbeg’s retirement match in Atlanta would be an instant sellout, but like the afternoon show, they will end up sold out.
  • WWE Women’ s Evolution at State Farm Arena – 4,804. This will end up as probably the lowest paid for a WWE PPV since since the 2019 Stomping Grounds show in Tacoma. I’m confident it would have been an easy sellout last week at the Mohegan Sun Casino as originally planned. It’s bad in a sense that it took years for WWE to do a show like this after the first one had a somewhat weak advance although it ended up fine and did low levels of viewership (it wasn’t the lowest PPV number but was lower than most). Now this not selling tickets may lead them to believe the concept doesn’t work. For years they didn’t do it based on the idea they believed the concept didn’t work, but with a larger overall start power for women, they did try again. Again, the decision to flood the market this coming weekend very much hurt WWE on the guise of hurting AEW. I guess we’ll know if all these shows do cut into the AEW buy rate, which was the goal of doing all these shows this coming week.

— Donald Trump announced Thursday that he wanted to hold a UFC event on the grounds of the White House in 2026 as part of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. He said he wanted 20,000 to 25,000 people there. We were told by people with knowledge of the area that getting that many would be impossible, but you know how that goes.  This is very serious. It’s not something he just said out of the blue and they are talking with UFC about it. Both Jon Jones and Conor McGregor have talked of wanting to be on such a show.  Jones, who just retired last week, put himself back into the UFC drug testing protocol after he had pulled out with his retirement announcement last week.

— I have a story up on the front page with the ratings details of the AEW shows I didn’t get into the issue.

— Regarding the Wrestlevotes story from a few days ago and Jelly Roll, WWE sources confirmed the report and said he is scheduled for Smackdown this Saturday and to do something at SummerSlam.

— Bayley will be putting up gear from a recent match for auction with all money going to the families impacted by the tragedy at Camp Mystic girls summer camp.

— There will be a fourth Takayamamania show on 9/3. Minoru Suzuki, Katsuyori Shibata, KENTA and Naomichi Marfufuji will be the main event. Yoshihiro Takayama will be there live and announce who teams with who in that tag match.

— Maple Leaf Pro before about 2,500 in Laval, Quebec last night:  Stu Grayson & Evil Uno b  Sheldon Jean & Bryce Hanson, Rohan Taja b Hammerstone to keep the Grail Holder title, Thom Latimer b Matt Cardona to keep the NWA title, Michael Allen Richard Clark won scramble over TJP, Mike Bailey, Psycho Mike  Rollins, Jonathan Gresham and Bhupinder Gujjar, Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson b David Finlay & Drilla Moloney with the magic killer on Moloney, Gisele Shaw b Shotzi Blackheart to keep the women’s title (finish was messed up b the ref but match said to be good), Josh Alexander b  Ace Austin to keep the Canadian men’s title and PCO b Dan Maff in a House of Pain match with Billy Gunn as referee. People were raving about how amazing the crowd reaction to PCO was on the show.

— Among the matches people have raved to me about for this weekend include Alec Price & Jordan Oliver & Marcus Mathers vs. Billie Starkiz & Megan Bayne & Miyu Yamashita from the GCW show last night, Tomohiro Ishii vs. Taichi and El Desperado vs. Kosei Fujita from today’s New Japan show, and Hiroshi Tanahashi vs.Gabe Kidd from Friday’s New Japan show. I’d also recommend FTR vs. The Outunners which was great from last night’s Collision as was Kyle Fletcher vs. Daniel Garcia.

— New Japan and Stardom both sold out Korakuen Hall for shows today.

— In the gauntlet for the final spot in G-1 in the A block, replacing injured Hirooki Goto, Taichi advanced. They did a gauntlet today at Korakuen Hall.  Chase Owens first beat Satoshi Kojima.  Owens then faced Taichi, which Taichi won.  Taichi then beat Ishii in 17:33. Tanahashi beat Tiger Mask, who then announced his retirement for one year from now.  Sho & Douki beat Master Wato & Yoh to keep the IWGP jr. tag title and Desperado beat  Fujita to keep the IWGP jr. title/

— The A block adds Taichi to Tanahashi, Oleg Boltin, Yota Tsuji, Yuya Uemura, David Finlay, Evil, Sanada, Calllum Newman and Ryohei Oiwa.

— We didn’t get a crowd for Friday at Arena Mexico with Mortos in the main event, but the advance was very strong.

— Update for Raw tomorrow is Bron Breakker vs. Sami Zayn, Jey Uso vs. Bronson Reed, Kairi Sane vs. Roxanne Perez, Seth Rollins vs. Penta and Becky Lynch appearing.

— Bandido is now a double champion having ended Erik Ortiz’s two plus year reign as Riot champion last night in Monterrey.

— The Cauliflower Alley Club is spearheading donations for Wendi Richter, who lost her home and most of her possessions in a fire. You can go to califloweralleyclub.org/donations and put FOR WENDI RICHTER.

— Vincent James McMahon would have turned 111 today had he still been alive. He passed away 41 years ago of cancer.

— Irv Muchnick, who is writing a book about Rikidozan, wrote this to his family, the family of the legendary Sam Muchnick, after seeing Queen of the Ring this weekend:

“I got wind of a new movie called Queen of the Ring, streaming only. I watched last night on Prime. It’s the story of a pioneer woman pro wrestler, Mildred Burke. Review below.

In 1990, when he was running the short-lived daily sports newspaper The National, the late great Frank Deford published his piece about Burke, one of the all-time best sports longform articles. Frank was going to turn it into a book but didn’t have time, and a writer named Jeff Leen picked it up. Leen, investigations editor of the Washington Post, grew up in suburban St. Louis watching my uncle’s Wrestling at the Chase. His Burke bio, published in 2009, is serviceable, but not masterly like Deford. And Leen falls for the hype that the first women’s pro wrestling circuits were more than a backwater.

Burke’s life story is legitimately captivating. Her business partner and husband on paper only, Billy Wolfe, abused her and ran a training and booking center in Columbus, Ohio, that was, for all intents and purposes, a prostitution ring. When Burke and Wolfe split and they eventually had to blend their competing companies, Burke fought June Byers for the “championship” in Atlanta in 1954 – likely the most recent full “shoot” or real match in pro wrestling.

Burke gets a quick mention in my upcoming Rikidozan book because she led a troop who entertained U.S. servicemen in Japan after World War II and helped set up and train the first women wrestlers there. From the 1980s onward, the women in Japan have lapped the athleticism of the men; indeed, they have their own promotions there for the simple reason that every time they do a single guest match on a main men’s promotion’s event, they steal the show and the men are afraid to invite them back. (Burke would like to have believed that the same thing happened in her day in the U.S. – dream on.)

I approached the Queen of the Ring movie with hope. The director-writer, Ash Avildsen, is the son of the late John G. Avildsen, who made the Academy Award-winning Rocky in 1977 and the iconic The Karate Kid in 1984.

Alas, despite pretty good cinematography on a small budget, and a game effort by lead actress Emily Bett Rickards with a predictably lame script, this is an all-time howler. It makes A24’s The Iron Claw look like Citizen Kane.

There are the expected Hollywood hype touches, with steroids. Burke is an avatar of feminism, and a big-time success. She has a house in the hills. When a hotel in the South refuses to give a room to one of her Black wrestlers, Burke buys up every room in the hotel. The Billy Wolfe character is as hapless as he is controlling and violent, in the way of Ike Turner in the Tina Turner biopic What’s Love Got to Do With It?

Some current women wrestlers have roles and of course do the stunt scenes – all with moves that assuredly were not in the repertoire of the 40s and 50s.

The National Wrestling Alliance features not Sam Muchnick, but a “commissioner” out of the “Manhattan” office, played by wrestling personality Jim Cornette. (Cue the bobsled sports organization weighing the Olympic credentials of the Jamaicans in Cool Runnings.) The father of today’s Vincent K. McMahon is there, and he remarks that his young son advises him to go with the lady wrestlers. Uh … Vince McMahon was maybe three years old at the time of that scene, living in a trailer park in North Carolina with Vincent J.’s first wife and her second husband, after he abandoned the family. Young Vince didn’t even know his father until he was a teenager years later.

And maybe the funniest thing of all: Walter Goggins of The White Lotus as Jack Pfeffer, a wrestling promoter. Pfeffer was an influential carny-type operator who developed the career of Buddy Rogers, the biggest box office of the 50s. Pfeffer also was an Eastern European immigrant who spoke with a thick Yiddish accent.”

— Episode three of the current season of WWE LFG is tonight on A&E at 10 p.m.

— AEW Dynamite on Wednesday from Garland,TX, has Samoa Joe vs. Wheeler Yuta, Megan Bayne vs. Tay Melo vs. Queen Aminat a vs. Thekla for the No. 2 spot in the  women’s Casino gauntlet, Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli & Young Bucks vs. Adam Page & Will Ospreay & Powerhouse Hobba & Katsuyori Shibata plus confrontations with MJF and Mark Briscoe and Mercedes Mone and Toni Storm.  

— Mortos vs. Mistico will be on the live Collision show Thursday night.

— For the same reason as NXT and Dynamite being down a little, I expect much lower than usual rating for SmackDown on Friday and for Collision, the weekend is tough for last night plus it aired live on the West Coast, which always hurts numbers, especially since I don’t know if that was even publicized. It’s likely you’re just getting mostly DVR viewers when it comes to West Coast audiences. So whatever the number is, don’t take it seriously or overreact.

— Jazz was on Memphis Wrestling yesterday.

Former UFC fighter Ben Askren receives double lung transplant

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Some positive news emerged on Monday morning as former UFC fighter Ben Askren continues to battle for his life.

Askren’s wife Amy announced that Ben has received a double lung transplant, and she asked everyone to pray that these new lungs take to Ben’s body as if they were his own. Askren has been hospitalized for several weeks amid a battle with severe pneumonia following a staph infection. Last week, Amy shared that Ben had been added to the lung transplant list and was showing some signs of improvement with more moments of awareness, though he was not able to look at his phone yet and respond to the messages that people have sent him. All of his other organs are doing okay.

“We are so thankful to share that Ben has received a double lung transplant. We are forever thankful to the donor and his family. This is the beginning of a new lifestyle for Ben, but every new day he has is a gift,” Amy wrote this morning. “It still doesn’t feel real that he was walking around completely healthy just 5 weeks ago. So much can change so quickly. Please keep Ben in your prayers that his body welcomes the new lungs as if they were his own. I am constantly in awe of all the people carrying us through right now. I can’t wait to tell Ben all about It.

“I’m hopeful that in coming weeks Ben will be able to give the next update, but hopefully he will wait until the drugs wear off.”

The 40-year-old Askren is a legendary amateur wrestler who went on to become a star in MMA with organizations like ONE, Bellator, and the UFC. Before this health battle, he was slated to be part of the new Real American Freestyle amateur wrestling organization that Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff are launching.

Daily Update: More on IWGP World title change, UFC 317 & WWE Night of Champions fallout

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest Headlines

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • The new issue of the Wrestling Observer is up on the site right now:
  • Jon Jones announces his retirement, a look back at a remarkable career inside the cage and a story of problems and controversy outside the cage.  We look at his background, details on his latest arrest, and thoughts by others.
  • Preview to Night of Champions, the stories and the direction
  • Who is Aaron Wolf and why he’s starting his career under more pressure than almost anyone in recent history, his background as a fan, and as an Olympic gold medalist and world champion in judo.
  • A look at All In Texas and the largest attendance and biggest grossing non-WWE PPV shows in history.  What milestones has the show already broken with two weeks out, and what’s the final milestone that it’s touchy if it can break.  We look at money adjusted for inflation and AEW’s former biggest shows as  well as big shows from Crockett, WCW and the 114 year  milestone.
  • A look at the combined CMLL,  AEW,  NJPW and RevPro Fantastica Mania at Arena Mexico on Friday.  We look at moves CMLL should make to take advantage of its new exposure, popularity and  position in the wrestling ecosystem, the big tag team main event and the future booking direction.
  • The most detailed look at the television ratings for pro wrestling and MMA this past week, including how segments did, demos, did and comparisons to one year ago.  
  • A detailed look and discussion of how Raw on Netflix is doing and on AEW Dynamite on MAX.
  • More on CMLL’s big week at its other arenas
  • Next CMLL tournament
  • AAA booking direction and when WWE takes over the booking and state of current angles
  • One of the best matches of the year took place on Saturday
  • Dragon  Gate has its biggest event of the year
  • Lots of G-1 updates
  • Jun Kasai vs. Desperado looked at
  • Sabu funeral
  • Tom Lawlor physical issues discussed in detail
  • Ronda Rousey physical issues discussed as well
  • Real American Freestyle early ticket advance
  • Tetsuya Naito back in action and new name of his faction
  • Mistico and MJF angle in MLW
  • More on many AEW and WWE stars health updates
  • Which company has a higher injury rate by percentage, AEW or WWE, with the actual stats.
  • AEW ratings comparison between the end of 2024 and the current MAX era
  • Mortos on wrestling at  Arena Mexico after 15 years
  • Update on AEW performers who aren’t being used
  • More on  the Cung Le lawsuit settlement
  • Dana White goes into promoting boxing and BJJ
  • Internet personality arrested for threatening Joe Rogan
  • Crazy story about Sedriques Dumas and UFC signing him to fight this week and how bad a look that was, and the fight falling apart
  • Why the UFC main event this week is so big
  • Update on Ben Askren nd B Penn
  • Update on Janel Grant lawsuit against  Vince McMahon and TKO
  • How another sport’s move from TV to streaming compares with Raw and what we can learn from it as it relates to Raw
  • Boxing legend and former MMA champion both talk performing in WWE
  • Thoughts on Cody Rhodes saying his babyface run is almost over
  • WWE star doing a record album as a tribute to 1990s All Japan Pro  Wrestling

This Week’s Back Issue

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Sunday Update

[email protected]

— Our weekend show was done last night covering Night of Champions, UFC 317, All In & Forbidden Door business, AEW ratings, Mistico vs. Bandido and more.

— No real major news coming out of Night of Champions. No injuries that we are aware of. Paul Levesque said that would be the last John Cena vs. CM Punk match.  He said he was proud of Punk for apologizing to Saudi Arabia.

— Because Night of Champions was an early show, we have placings for all the key countries except Australia and New Zealand. The show was the No. 2 show for the day on Netflix in Canada, No. 5 in India, No. 2 in Mexico, No. 2 in Saudi Arabia and No. 2 in the U.K. U.S. rankings aren’t available because it aired on Peacock in this country. It appears to have done similar numbers to Smackdown the night before. It was similar in placing in Canada, Mexico, lower in India and lower in Saudi Arabia and the U.K. We’ll be able to get a good international estimate on Tuesday.

— We’re looking for your thoughts on Night of Champions, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]

— Zack Sabre Jr. beat Hirooki Goto earlier today in Nagoya  to win the IWGP title. There has been a ton of weird confusion around it because the show didn’t air on New Japan World. New Japan signed an exclusive broadcast deal for the show in the home Japan market since it was the last show after 59 years of regular events for pro wrestling at Dolphins Arena in Nagoya. It was formerly known as the Aiichi Ken Gym. I don’t know why it was a worldwide exclusive since it airing on New Japan World in the U.S. or U.K., or other countries even on a delay, won’t affect broadcast numbers in Japan. We were told it was an excellent match.  

The Aiichi Ken Arena is very much a legendary building there, I wouldn’t rank it with Madison Square Garden but perhaps more like Kiel Auditorium, the Cow Palace or the Omni in Atlanta.  It was the building where Antonio Inoki beat Andre the Giant via armbar submission before the Hogan-Andre match in Pontiac, tons of G-1, the 1984 Bruiser Brody & Stan Hanswen vs. Funks match,  the All Japan first appearance on Riki Choshu’s army and tons of G-1 bouts. Today’s show aired live on national television in Japan because of that, so the exposure in Japan, the key market, was far higher than any show in a long time.  

There was no Goto injury. The booking was based on getting the most people to see the title change on a high profile show. The reality is that Goto as champion was always planned as a relatively short-term gimmick, but this wasn’t an AEW decision, it was an NJPW decision, and the idea it was changed on a house show and not a big show shows zero understanding of Japan. That said, even in Japan there were fans negative feeling they pay for New Japan World, and the Desperado vs. Jun Kasai match was put on a PPV last week and not a regular show on World, and then this wasn’t on at all. It should be noted that this show will be put up on the site at some point. It’ll be put up when the TV-Asahi broadcast exclusive window ends.

— Complete results of today’s show: 

  • Katsuya Murashima drew Daiki Odashima
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Shota Umino & Ryusue Taguchi b Tatsumi Fujinami & Hiromu Takahashi & Leone
  • Evil & Ren Narita & Yujiro Takahashi & Chase Owens b Yuya Uemura &N Tomohiro Ishii & Taichi & Yoshi-Hashi
  • Oleg Boltin b Yuji Nagata to keep the Never title
  • Dragon Kid & El Desperado & Yoh & Master Wato b Sanada & Sho & Douki & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
  • El Phantasmo b Taiji Ishimori to keep the TV title
  • Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji & Shun Skywalker b Great O’Khan & Callum Newman & Jakob Austin Young
  • Zack Sabre Jr. b Hirooki Goto to tin the IWGP title
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Naomichi Marufui b Kaito Kiyomiya & Ryohei Oiwa

— Lots coming out of UFC. Dana White said he was mad that Paddy Pimblett was allowed in the cage after Ilia Topuria’s win. Topuria was running down Pimblett bad on the mic after he won the lightweight title beating Charles Oliveira for the vacant title. Pimblett was at ringside and Joe Rogan called for Pimblett to get in the cage. Topuria shoved him hard and they had security keep them apart. It created a match people want to see but is probably not the fight UFC wanted for Topuria next.

— Mistico beat Bandido with La Mistica before a sellout of 16,000 fans on Friday night at Arena Mexico. This has to be the highlight of Bandido’s career, as he grew up with the dream of wrestling Mistico in the building, which he did achieve previously but this was the first timed as the main event sellout for him in a singles match. A number of people raved about it as a spectacle and even said Friday’s show was as good or better than Fantastica Mania, even though no match was as good as the prior Friday’s tag match that headlined (Mistico & Mascara Dorada vs. Bandido & Hologram).

— In Google searches for the weekend, UFC 317 did 1.27 million searches which is a very high number the way they calculate it now. Jake Paul’s fight with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., which Paul won by any decision since Chavez appeared totally washed up and did nothing, did 500,000. It should be noted that Paul fights always have a lot of curiosity but most of the recent ones have bombed on PPV. People are curious but don’t necessarily want to watch them. WWE Night of Champions did 130,000, which is below most PLE shows. Ben Askren did 20,000.

— Paul vs. Chavez set the Honda Center gate record for boxing of $1.57 million.

— Raw for tomorrow has New Day vs. Finn Balor & JD McDonagh for the tag titles, Sheamus vs. Rusev, Sami Zayn & Penta vs. Bronson Reed & Bron Brakker, announcements for Evolution and more with Gunther and Bill Goldberg.

— Dana White, when asked about Justin Gaethje saying he’d retire if he didn’t get a title match with Topuria, said that if he’s thinking about retirement, he should just retire.

— The second episode of the new season of WWE LFG airs at 10 p.m tonight on A&E

— ROH’s web site has put up all three FTR vs. Briscoes matches from 2023. These were all place winners in match of the year balloting.

— Brie Garcia (Bellla) was on the broadcast panel for the X Games show that aired today on ABC.

— Hall of Famer Johnny Saint turned 83 today.

— Regarding those stories last week of Vince McMahon talking with Dave Feldman about buying BKFC (from McMahon’s side they’ve neither confirmed nor denied them), the reality is BKFC is owned 77 percent by Triller so the idea of McMahon buying from Feldman makes no sense.

— WWE has put on sale three-day combo tickets for Smackdown on 10/10, Crown Jewel on 10/11 and Raw on 10/13, all at the RAC Arena in Perth. The building will be set up for about 11,500 all three nights so I expect quick sellouts at high prices.  

— Besides the Mistico vs. Bandido and Mascara Dorada & Flip Gordon & Neon & Esfinge vs. Rocky Romero & Magnus & Rugido &  Volador Jr. matches, from Friday at Arena Mexico the other weekend bouts getting raves are Goto vs. Sabre Jr. from today and Kazusada Higuchi’s KO-D title win over Chris Brookes earlier today.

— House of Champions will present a WWE ID Showcase on 7/19 in Orlando FL, featuring mostly matches with WWE ID talent.

WOR: WWE’s weekend in Saudi Arabia, UFC 317 recap, notes & news

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including the UFC PPV report with Paul Fontaine, a full recap of WWE in Saudi Arabia, both Smackdown and Night of Champions, the week CM Punk has had, RAW on Monday, AEW All In gate notes, ratings, and tons more! A fun show as always so check it out~!

Timestamps:

Start: UFC 317 recap

27:57: Notes from WWE SmackDown, CM Punk apologizes for ‘mean tweet’

34:13: WWE Night of Champions recap

57:04: WWE Raw start time & lineup, AEW All in advance

1:00:47: Ratings, Mistico vs. Bandido & other CMLL thoughts, Filthy Tom Lawlor update

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UFC 317 live results: Two title fights in Las Vegas

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

It’s UFC International Fight Week as the promotion celebrates with all sorts of events in their home city of Las Vegas, capped off by UFC 317 taking place at the T-Mobile Arena.

The main event sees the vacant UFC lightweight championship on the line as former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria takes on former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira. The title became vacant following Islam Makhachev’s decision to move up a weight class to challenge for the welterweight title.

Topuria is moving up a weight class after vacating a title himself, dropping the featherweight title in his quest to add his name to the list of fighters to hold UFC titles in two different divisions. Oliveira is looking to regain a title he’s previously held and is coming off a November win over Michael Chandler.

The co-main event will see UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja defend against Kai Kara-France. Pantoja is making his fourth title defense while Kara-France gets his second chance to hold UFC gold following an August win over Steve Erceg.

Also on the main card is a potential flyweight title eliminator between Brandon Royval and Joshua Van; a lightweight fight pitting Beneil Dariush against Renato Moicano; and an exciting bantamweight bout between prospects Payton Talbott and Felipe Lima.

UFC 317 ESPN+ PRELIMS | 7 PM ET/4 PM PT

> Heavyweights- Jhonata Diniz (8-1, 2-1 UFC) vs. Alvin Hines (7-0, 0-0 UFC)

Hines lands a right hand. Hines rushes in but Diniz tosses him aside. Diniz connects with a jab and then a leg kick. Hines with a right hand to the body as Diniz lands a left hook. Hines lands a right hand. Hines gets a takedown and lands a knee as they were getting up and separating. Diniz with a high kick and a jab. Hines lands a right hand as Diniz is landing with damage. Diniz with a left hook. Hines shoots for a takedown but Diniz defends and lands as they separate. Diniz lands a leg kick and stumbles and lands a right hand as Hines was rushing in. Diniz with a solid left hook. Hines is busted up. Hines lands a combination. Diniz lands a flurry late. 10-9 Diniz.

Hines looks for a takedown but Diniz shakes him off. Diniz lands a body kick. Diniz lands a calf kick. Hines with a leg kick. Diniz lands a left hook then a high kick. Diniz with a big left hook. Hines looks for a takedown but Diniz defends. Diniz hurts Hines with a left hook. Hines lands a big right hand. They trade in close range. Diniz lands a big left hook. Hines with a right hand. Diniz lands a left hand. They trade late. 10-9 Diniz, 20-18 Diniz.

Hines lands a right hand. He lands another as Diniz blocks a clinch attempt. Diniz with a short left hand. Hines with a left hand. Hines shoots for a takedown but Diniz defends. Diniz looks tired and Hines lands a right hand and a leg kick. Time out is called for an eye poke by Hines. They get back going after the doctor checks on Diniz. Hines lands a right hand. Diniz with a left hand. Hines with a right hand as Diniz lands a leg kick. Diniz with a left hand and a leg kick. Hines with a jab. Hines lands a right hand and a jab. Hines with a big right hand. Hines with a high kick. Diniz with a combo. Diniz with a head kick. He lands a combo. 10-9 Hines, 29-28 Diniz.

Fight Result- Jhonata Diniz def. Alvin Hines by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Welterweights- Niko Price (16-8 2 NC, 8-8 2 NC UFC) vs. Jacobe Smith (10-0, 1-0 UFC)

Price lands a leg kick as Smith connects. Smith is landing and hurting Price. Smith slams Price to the mat and starts landing elbows. Price is warned for grabbing the fence twice. Smith smothering Price from the top. Smith passes guard and lands some punches. Price is attacking an arm. Smith lands some shots that cut Price open. Price gives up his back. They get to their feet. They scramble and separate. Price lands a right hand and an inside leg kick. Smith with a nasty jab. Smith lands a left hand. Smith lands a right hand. Price with a combo. Smith stuns Price with a left hand and lands a head kick. 10-9 Smith.

Smith lands a left hand. Price lands a leg kick. They trade in close range. Smith lands a knee to the body. Smith lands a right hand as Price lands a leg kick. Smith gets Price down and lands two right hands. Smith with a couple of hammerfists from the top. Smith smothering and landing from the top. Smith with more punches from the top. Smith gets Price’s back. He is landing and takes full back control. Smith quickly locks in a rear-naked choke that is in deep and Price taps! Smith with an impressive submission to stay undefeated.

Fight Result- Jacobe Smith def. Niko Price by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:03 of Round 2

UFC 317 ESPN PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT

> Lightweights- Terrance McKinney (16-7, 6-4 UFC) vs. Viacheslav Borshchev (8-5-1, 3-4-1 UFC)

Borshchev lands a leg kick. McKinney gets a takedown and locks in an anaconda choke that is in deep. Borshchev tries to roll out but McKinney has a guillotine choke locked in deep. Borshchev is trying to fight out of it but he taps! Big finish from McKinney!

Fight Result- Terrance McKinney def. Viacheslav Borshchev by submission (guillotine choke) at :55 of Round 1

> Women’s Flyweights- #8 Viviane Araujo (13-6, 7-5 UFC) vs. #10 Tracy Cortez (11-2, 5-1 UFC)

Cortez lands a leg kick. Araujo lands a combination. Cortez scores a takedown. Araujo has the neck but Cortez is able to take the back. Araujo reverses and gets the back of Cortez as she gets to her feet. Araujo gets full back control. Araujo has the body triangle. Cortez is trying to escape as Araujo lands. Cortez is able to reverse to top position. Cortez with some punches from the top. Cortez with some punches and elbows to the body of Araujo. Cortez is attacking the neck. Cortez with some hammerfists from the top. Cortez looks for a guillotine choke as they get to their feet. Cortez drops down with it and it’s in tight but Araujo survives the round. 10-9 Cortez.

Araujo lands a jab. Cortez lands a right hand. Cortez with a pair of jabs. She lands another pair of jabs. Araujo lands a combination. Cortez fakes a takedown attempt and lands a right hand. Cortez with a body kick and a right hand. Araujo lands a right hand. Cortez grabs ahold of Araujo and pushes it to the fence. Cortez lands a right hand and looks for a takedown. Araujo looks for a guillotine choke but Cortez ends up on top and lands a left hand. Cortez lands to end the round. 10-9 Cortez, 20-18 Cortez.

Cortez lands a combination. Cortez lands a right hand and Araujo lands a front kick to the chin of Cortez. Cortez scores a takedown. Cortez working from the half-guard and smothering from the top. Cortez continuing to land from the top as Araujo is stuck on the bottom. Cortez with some elbows and follows with some hammerfists. Cortez with a flurry from the top. Cortez looking for an arm-triangle choke. Araujo defended and Cortez lets go and lands some more punches and elbows. 10-9 Cortez, 30-27 Cortez.

Fight Result- Tracy Cortez def. Viviane Araujo by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Featherweights- Hyder Amil (11-0, 3-0 UFC) vs. Jose Delgado (9-1, 1-0 UFC)

Amil with some leg kicks. They clinch up and Delgado looks for a takedown but Amil reverses and they scramble to their feet. Delgado lands a big knee that drops Amil and some follow-up punches lead to the finish. Amil gets up and has no clue what happened. Massive knockout by Delgado!

Fight Result- Jose Delgado def. Hyder Amil (strikes) at :26 of Round 1

> Middleweights- Jack Hermansson (24-8, 11-6 UFC) vs. Gregory Rodrigues (16-6, 7-3 UFC)

Rodrigues lands a combination. Hermansson with a jab. Rodrigues backs Hermansson up with a flurry. Rodrigues lands a right hand then an uppercut. Hermansson with a leg kick. Hermansson lands a leg kick. He lands another. Hermansson lands a right hand and presses forward throwing. Hermansson lands a left hook. Hermansson lands a jab and a right hand. Rodrigues lands a massive left hook and Hermansson goes down out cold! What a knockout by Rodrigues!

Fight Result- Gregory Rodrigues def. Jack Hermansson by knockout (punch) at 4:21 of Round 1

UFC 317 ESPN+ PPV MAIN CARD | 10 PM ET/7 PM PT

> Bantamweights- Payton Talbott (9-1, 3-1 UFC) vs. Felipe Lima (14-1, 2-0 UFC)

Lima lands a leg kick after both throw. Lima with a left hand and a knee. Talbott pushes Lima against the fence looking to get it down, but they break to the center. Lima lands a kick and scores a takedown, but Talbott gets up. Lima tries for a takedown, but Talbott rolls and ends up on top. Talbott lands a right hand and takes the back of Lima. Lima rolls for a leg but Talbott is able to scramble out. Talbott with some elbows from the top. They scramble up and Talbott has body control. Talbott makes a mistake and Lima ends up on top inside the guard of Talbott. Lima lands. They scramble up and Talbott lands an elbow. Close round. 10-9 Talbott.

Talbott lands a jab. Lima with a solid combination. Lima misses a right hand and looks for a takedown. They scramble and Talbott ends up on top. They continue to scramble and get to their feet. Lima barely misses a spinning back fist. Lima with a right hand to the body. Lima shoots for a takedown, but Talbott defends and gets on top. Talbott with some punches from the top before he backs off and they stand. Talbott with a spin kick. He lands another to the body. Talbott lands a right hand and Lima lands to the body. Lima drags it down as he has the back. Talbott shakes Lima off of his back and is now in side control. Talbott gets the mount late and lands. 10-9 Talbott, 20-18 Talbott.

Talbott pressing forward and they trade as Lima circles away. Talbott with a body kick then a leg kick. Lima with a right hand followed by a knee. They clinch against the fence. Lima scores a takedown. They scramble to their feet as Lima holds onto the body of Talbott. They break apart. They trade. Talbott lands a spin kick to the head of Lima. Lima throws a high kick and slips. Talbott ends up on top and lands. Talbott gets the mount but Lima is able to slide out. Talbott landing from the top and lands a big right hand before getting the back of Lima. Talbott with lots of punches as they stand. 10-9 Talbott, 30-27 Talbott.

Fight Result- Payton Talbott def. Felipe Lima by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Lightweights- #9 Beneil Dariush (22-6-1, 15-6-1 UFC) vs. #11 Renato Moicano (20-6-1, 12-6 UFC)

Dariush with a high kick. Dariush lands a body kick and a left hand. Dariush with a leg kick. They trade kicks and Moicano lands a left hand. They trade leg kicks. Dariush with another inside leg kick. Moicano closes the distance and lands a right hand. Dariush with an inside leg kick. Dariush lands a left hand and a leg kick and then another. Dariush lands a kick but stumbles back a little. They trade in close range before clinching up. Dariush lands a body kick after they separate. Dariush with a pair of kicks. They have an exchange in close range. Moicano lands a high kick. Moicano lands a right hand that drops Dariush. Dariush tries to get it down but Moicano scrambles to the back and lands some punches. They get up and Moicano lands a knee and a right hand. Dariush with a leg kick. 10-9 Moicano.

Dariush comes out looking to land and they tie up. They scramble for a moment and Dariush has the back of Moicano. They both battle on the feet for position. Dariush gets the back of Moicano and jumps on it for a moment. Dariush briefly gets Moicano down as he’s pressuring. They stand and Dariush keeps pressuring against the fence and gets it back down. Dariush working from the half-guard and keeping Moicano pinned on the bottom. Dariush with some punches from the top. Dariush looking to set up a choke but gave it up and lands some short elbows. Dariush with some punches from the top. 10-9 Dariush, 19-19.

Dariush with a pair of kicks. Dariush with a Superman punch and then scores a takedown. He looks to take the back but Moicano reverses and is on top. Dariush is attacking the leg and they stand. Dariush lands a body kick then two more. Moicano grabs the back on the feet but they break apart. Dariush lands a left hand and a knee to the body. Dariush with a pair of leg kicks. Dariush with more kicks and Moicano looks for a takedown. Dariush lands two big left hands as they break. Dariush scores a takedown. Dariush has the back and jumps up on it as they stand. Dariush gets it down. They stand and Dariush lands a pair of knees. Dariush pushes it to the fence and lands a knee before they separate. Moicano looks gassed. They tie up against the fence. They break apart. Moicano lands a jab and Dariush lands a left hand. Moicano looks for a takedown but Dariush defends. 10-9 Dariush, 29-28 Dariush.

Fight Result- Beneil Dariush def. Renato Moicano by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Flyweights- #1 Brandon Royval (17-7, 7-3 UFC) vs. #12 Joshua Van (14-2, 7-1 UFC)

Royval with a leg kick. Royval with some more kicks. Royval with more leg kicks as he’s keeping Van from attacking. Van lands a left hook followed by a right hand. Van lands another right hand. Royval with a body kick and Van lands a right hand. They trade in close range as Van lands a combination. Van with another stiff right hand. Royval lands a left hand. Van lands a right hand and Royval stumbles. Royval with a jab. Royval lands a leg kick. Van lands a right hand. Van with another right hand. Van lands a leg kick and some punches. Royval lands a combo. Van attacks the body. 10-9 Van.

They’re exchanging punches early on as Van lands a combination. Royval lands a knee. Royval with a straight left hand. Van lands a right hand. Royval with a combination. Van lands a combination. Royval lands a left hand. Van lands a body kick. Van with a knee to the body. Both are landing in close range. Van with a big combination. Royval works the jab. Van lands a leg kick. Van with a combination to the body. Royval pressing forward and Van lands inside the pocket. Royval with a right hand. Van lands a big combination. They trade big punches. Fantastic round. 10-9 Royval, 19-19.

They trade in close range. Van lands a combination. Royval working the jab. Van lands a combo. Royval with a left hand but eats a right hand from Van. Van with some body shots but Royval is pressing forward and landing. Van with a big right hand and then a combination. Royval lands a body kick. Van lands a combo and Royval counters with a flurry of punches. Van lands to the body as they clinch but quickly break. They trade in close range. Royval throwing more but Van connecting better. Royval retreats a little to reset. Van lands a combo. They trade and Van lands a big right hand. Van with a left hook. Royval with some leg kicks. Royval with a nice combination. Van lands a right hand. Van with another right hand. Van with a combo and a knee. Van with a stiff jab. Van lands a big left hand. They are both swinging for it inside the pocket and Van drops Royval! Van is landing from the top and Royval survives! 10-9 Van, 29-28 Van.

Fight Result- Joshua Van def. Brandon Royval by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

> UFC Flyweight Championship- C Alexandre Pantoja (29-5, 13-3 UFC) vs. #4 Kai Kara-France (25-11 1 NC, 8-4 UFC)

Pantoja lands a right hand and a leg kick. Pantoja is pressing forward and landing. Kara-France swings and Pantoja scores a takedown. Pantoja gets the back and has the body triangle locked on. Pantoja lands some punches from the back. Pantoja is able to get to the top and looks for an arm-triangle choke. He lets go but has the mount though he goes to the half-guard. Pantoja with some shoulder strikes from the top. Pantoja with a knee to the body. Pantoja takes the back and has a choke while landing. 10-9 Pantoja.

Pantoja lands a combo. Pantoja with a heavy body kick. Pantoja with a combo. Kara-France lands. Pantoja lands a leg kick and scores a takedown. They scramble up but Pantoja keeps pressuring, but Kara-France is able to force separation. Kara-France swinging big. He lands a right hand. Pantoja with a jab. Pantoja landing with more volume but it’s a slow-paced round. Kara-France lands a leg kick. Pantoja with a leg kick and a right hand. 10-9 Pantoja, 20-18 Pantoja.

Pantoja comes out swinging and connects and lands a body kick. Kara-France is throwing but Pantoja is able to grab him after Kara-France lands a right hand. Pantoja has the back against the fence. Pantoja drags it to the mat. Pantoja has the back and locks in the body triangle. Pantoja locks in a rear-naked choke. Kara-France is trying to fight it off but it’s locked in and Kara-France taps! Complete domination from the champion as he retains.

Fight Result- Alexandre Pantoja def. Kai Kara-France by submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:55 of Round 3 to retain the UFC Flyweight Championship

> UFC Lightweight Championship- #3 P4P Ilia Topuria (16-0, 8-0 UFC) vs. #2 Charles Oliveira (35-10 1 NC, 23-10 1 NC UFC)

Oliveira with a quick leg kick. Topuria lands a jab. They swing inside the pocket as both connect. Oliveira is cut open. Oliveira shoots for a takedown and pushes it to the fence. Oliveira tries a takedown but Topuria ends up on top. Topuria gets to side control and has the crucifix position. Oliveira looking for a leg. Topuria scrambles out. Topuria stands and lands a leg kick. Oliveira is ordered up. Topuria lands a right hand. Oliveira with a short uppercut. Topuria lands a massive right hand followed by a left hook and Oliveira goes down and is out cold! A big knockout by Topuria!

Fight Result- Ilia Topuria def. Charles Oliveira by knockout (punch) at 2:27 of Round 1 to win the UFC Lightweight Championship

UFC on ABC 8 live results: Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree Jr.

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

The Octagon heads to the country of Azerbaijan for the very first time as UFC action returns to network television with UFC on ABC 8 from the Baku Crystal Hall in Baku.

The main event is a big fight at 205 pounds as former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill takes on former title challenger Khalil Rountree Jr. for five rounds. Both men are looking to get back into the win column as Hill is on a two-fight losing skid while Rountree Jr. is coming off an October title fight loss to Alex Pereira.

In the co-main event, it’s an exciting lightweight bout between ranked contender Rafael Fiziev and rising contender Ignacio Bahamondes. Fiziev is looking to end a three-fight losing skid while Bahamondes comes in riding a three-fight win streak.

Also on the main card is a heavyweight bout between Curtis Blaydes and the debuting Rizvan Kuniev; a 165-pound catchweight bout between the debuting Tofiq Musayev and Myktybek Orolbai; and a featherweight bout pitting Muhammad Naimov against Bogdan Grad.

UFC on ESPN PRELIMS | 12 PM ET/9 AM PT

> Heavyweights- Hamdy Abdelwahab (4-0 1 NC, 1-0 1 NC UFC) vs. Mohammad Usman (10-4, 3-2 UFC)

Abdelwahab lands a big leg kick to start things. He lands another followed by a jab. Abdelwahab with another big leg kick. Abdelwahab working the leg kick early to keep the distance. Abdelwahab with a leg kick followed by a combination. Abdelwahab lands a right hand. Usman has landed very little, mostly jabs. Usman with a pair of jabs but eats a leg kick from Abdelwahab. Abdelwahab lands a right hook. He lands a leg kick. Abdelwahab lands a right hand and Usman stumbles back. 10-9 Abdelwahab.

They both land some jabs to start the second. Abdelwahab looks for a takedown but Usman defends and they break to the center. Usman lands a jab and timeout is called for an eye poke. They get back to action. Abdelwahab with a leg kick and a right hand. Usman lands a big right hand and Abdelwahab was backing up. He looks to have recovered but Usman lands another big right hand. They trade punches. Usman ducks under some Abdelwahab offensive attempts. Usman lands a jab. Usman with a big combination. 10-9 Usman, 19-19.

They trade in the first minute. Usman lands a right hand. They trade jabs. They continue to trade jabs and Abdelwahab lands a right hand, but Usman is being more active. Abdelwahab lands a leg kick. Usman lands a right hand to the body and he’s been consistently landing more during this slow-paced round. Usman with a jab to the body. Usman lands a big right hand. Abdelwahab is backing up and Usman starts to land a flurry to the body. 10-9 Usman, 29-28 Usman.

Fight Result- Mohammed Usman def. Hamdy Abdelwahab by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Flyweights- #12 Tagir Ulanbekov (16-2, 5-1 UFC) vs. Azat Maksum (17-1, 1-1 UFC)

Ulanbekov with a leg kick. Maksum lands a combo. They tie up briefly. Ulanbekov lands a right hand and looks for a takedown. Ulanbekov picks Maksum up but Maksum is able to avoid being taken down. Ulanbekov lifts Maksum up again but Maksum is able to escape and lands. Maksum lands a jab. Ulanbekov lands a right hand. They trade at a distance. Maksum with a series of jabs. Ulanbekov lands a right hand. Ulanbekov with a jab followed by a head kick. Ulanbekov lands a right hand. 10-9 Ulanbekov.

Ulanbekov lands a left hand and Maksum slips for a moment. They trade in the pocket. Ulanbekov lands a clean right hand. Ulanbekov with a stiff jab. Ulanbekov lands a right hand. They tie up but break quickly. Ulanbekov lands a combo as Maksum works the jab. Ulanbekov is looking for a takedown against the fence. They separate. Ulanbekov lands a body kick. Ulanbekov grabbed the fence as Maksum was looking for a takedown, but he ended up getting it. They get up and Maksum scores a takedown and Ulanbekov has a choke locked in as the round end. 10-9 Ulanbekov, 20-18 Ulanbekov.

Maksum lands a right hand and follows with a jab. Maksum with a combination. They tie up and Ulanbekov lands a knee. They separate and Ulanbekov lands a combination. Maksum fires back. Ulanbekov looks for a takedown as he pushes it to the fence. Maksum defends and they break apart. They trade while tied up. Maksum looks for a takedown but Ulanbekov defends and they tie up. Ulanbekov with some knees and he lands an elbow. They trade in the pocket and Ulanbekov lands a right hand. Ulanbekov lands an elbow as they both land in close range. Ulanbekov with more big punches. Maksum with a late takedown at the end. Close fight. 10-9 Ulanbekov, 30-27 Ulanbekov.

Fight Result- Tagir Ulanbekov def. Azat Maksum by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

> Women’s Bantamweights- Irina Alekseeva (5-2, 1-1 UFC) vs. Klaudia Sygula (6-2, 0-1 UFC)

Alekseeva comes out aggressive but Sygula is landing more in the first minute. They clinch and Alekseeva lands some shots but Sygula lands when they separate. They trade as Alekseeva was pressing forward. Sygula with a right hook and lands a combination. Alekseeva with a leg kick. Sygula lands a combination as she was rushing in. Sygula lands a right hand. Sygula with another combination. Alekseeva lands a right hand. Timeout is called for a groin strike. They get back going and Sygula lands and Alekseeva counters with a flurry. Sygula lands a combo. 10-9 Sygula.

Sygula lands a combination. They both land in close proximity to each other. Alekseeva is backing Sygula up with pressure and lands a leg kick. Time out is called again for another low blow. They get back to action and Alekseeva lands a leg kick. The pace has slowed as compared to the first. Alekseeva lands a combination. They trade late. 10-9 Sygula, 20-18 Sygula.

They trade before clinching up. They break and Sygula lands. Sygula then rocks Alekseeva and Alekseeva was stumbling and Sygula starts to land before they tie up. Sygula gets a takedown and starts landing hammerfists from the top. She gets the mount and starts landing short punches and some elbows. Sygula ends the fight on top. 10-9 Sygula, 30-27 Sygula.

Fight Result- Klaudia Sygula def. Irina Alekseeva by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Women’s Bantamweights- Daria Zhelezniakova (9-2, 1-1 UFC) vs. Melissa Mullins (7-1, 2-1 UFC)

Zhelezniakova with a quick combination. Zhelezniakova landing a lot of punches in the early going as she wobbles Mullins with a left hook. Zhelezniakova connecting a lot. Mullins shoots for a takedown but Zhelezniakova defends and lands a stiff left hook. Mullins’ face is already red. Zhelezniakova lands a right hand. Zhelezniakova lands a combo. Mullins lands an uppercut. They trade in short range and Mullins lands another uppercut. Zhelezniakova is backing up now. Zhelezniakova lands a combination. Zhelezniakova with another stiff combo. Mullins lands a combo. Zhelezniakova with another stiff combo. Mullins scores a takedown. Mullins lands and looks for an armbar. Zhelezniakova is able to survive the round. 10-9 Zhelezniakova.

Zhelezniakova with a combo. Mullins lands a right hand. Zhelezniakova lands a combo. Mullins with a combo and lands a jab. Zhelezniakova lands a right hand. Zhelezniakova with a jab as Mullins is pressing forward. Zhelezniakova lands a good combo. Zhelezniakova lands to the body and Mullins was hurt. Zhelezniakova rushing forward and lands and has Mullins in trouble. Mullins is able to score a takedown to recover. Zhelezniakova has control of the neck of Mullins. She lets go and Mullins is able to retain top position to end the round. 10-9 Zhelezniakova, 20-18 Zhelezniakova.

Zhelezniakova coming forward and working the jab. Both being patient in the round as Zhelezniakova is working the jab. Mullins lands a pair of leg kicks. Zhelezniakova lands a right hand. Mullins looks for a takedown and Zhelezniakova grabs the fence to avoid it. Mullins keeps the pressure on but Zhelezniakova is defending. Zhelezniakova breaks away from Mullins. They trade late. 10-9 Mullins, 29-28 Zhelezniakova.

Fight Result- Daria Zhelezniakova def. Melissa Mullins by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

> Middleweights- Ismail Naurdiev (24-7, 3-2 UFC) vs. Jun Yong Park (18-6, 8-3 UFC)

Naurdiev with some attacks to the leg and body early. Naurdiev lands while they were clinched. Naurdiev lands after they separate and lands some body kicks. Naurdiev with a combination. Park lands a jab and Naurdiev lands a counter right hand. Naurdiev lands a combination. Naurdiev with another combo and he lands a flurry ending with a right hand. Naurdiev connects to the body then the head. Park marching forward and lands some punches. Park lands a right hand. Time out is called for an eye poke. They get back to action and Naurdiev lands a right hand. Naurdiev with a left hook then a combination. Park wobbles Naurdiev with a combination. Park lands and Naurdiev slips for a moment. 10-9 Naurdiev.

Time out almost immediately is called due to an eye poke. They get back going and Naurdiev lands some leg kicks as Park lands a right hand. They are against the fence and Park is on his knee. Naurdiev lands an illegal knee and starts teeing off as Park is hurt and the referee stops it to call time out. Naurdiev thinks the fight was stopped and he’s won but time out was called. Park looks like he isn’t going to be able to continue. Park shouldn’t be allowed to continue to fight but he is going to, and Naurdiev has two points taken away. They get back going and Naurdiev lands a leg kick and Park looks for a takedown. They separate. Naurdiev lands a combo and a body kick. They trade and Park pushes it to the fence. Naurdiev reverses and looks for the takedown. Naurdiev picks Park up and puts him on the mat. Naurdiev takes the back. They get to their feet. Park gets Naurdiev to the mat and has the back. Park with some punches from the back and almost had a choke. 10-7 Park, 19-17 Park.

They trade. Park lands a combo and puts it at the fence and lands a knee to the body. Park gets the fight to the mat and has the back. Park landing from the top as Naurdiev looks gassed. Park looked for the arm and a kimura but let go. Park now controlling from the top as he lands. Park with some elbows. Park has full back control with the hooks locked in. Park with lots of punches from the back. Park with more punches. He ends the fight there. 10-8 Park, 29-25 Park.

Fight Result- Jun Yong Park def. Ismail Naurdiev by unanimous decision (29-26, 29-26, 29-25)

> Welterweights- Seokhyeon Ko (11-2, 0-0 UFC) vs. Oban Elliott (12-2, 3-0 UFC)

Ko landing early as he lands some leg kick and mixes some punches. Elliott clinches and Ko gets a takedown. They quickly get up and Ko almost gets it down and is eventually able to. They get to their feet and separate. Elliott lands some leg kicks and Ko forces him to the fence. Elliott with a shoulder strike. 10-9 Ko.

Elliott shoots for a takedown but Ko is able to score a takedown. Ko has back control as Elliott is trying to escape. Ko with some right hands from the top. Ko working from the back as he’s looking for a choke. He almost had it in as he had it around the nose but lets go and has top control. Ko with an elbow from the top. Ko continues with elbows from the top. 10-9 Ko, 20-18 Ko.

They trade before tying up and Ko gets a takedown. Ko is in control from the top and Elliott is cut open. Elliott tries to scramble up but Ko keeps it down and keeps controlling as he maintains top position. Ko with some punches from the top. Ko in control from the top. Elliott looks for a reverse triangle choke but Ko shakes his finger no as the fight ends. 10-9 Ko, 30-27 Ko.

Fight Result- Seokhyeon Ko def. Oban Elliott by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

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> Featherweights- Muhammad Naimov (12-3, 4-1 UFC) vs. Bogdan Grad (15-2, 1-0 UFC)

Naimov with a leg kick. Grad lands a leg kick. He lands another. Naimov lands a leg kick and hurts Grad with a head kick. Naimov lands a flurry and they tie up. Grad gets a takedown. They both battle in the clinch after quickly standing before they separate. Naimov with a leg kick. They tie back up as Grad pushes it to the fence. Naimov lands a knee. Grad with a knee. Grad with a lot of knees as they end the round tied up. 10-9 Naimov.

Grad with a body kick. Grad lands a right hand. Grad with a body kick. Grad lands a left hook. Naimov with a combination. Naimov lands a high kick. Grad pushes it to the fence looking for a takedown. Naimov lands an elbow. They separate and both land leg kicks. Naimov lands a combo as Grad lands a body kick. Grad shoots for a takedown but Naimov grabs the neck. Naimov landing punches to defend but Grad gets a late takedown. 10-9 Grad, 19-19.

Grad with a leg kick. Naimov just misses a back elbow but lands a spinning head kick. Grad gets a takedown and takes the back. Naimov is able to reverse to the top and is working inside of Grad’s guard. Naimov landing from the top but not a lot of action is going on. They are stood up by the referee. Grad immediately pushes it to the fence. They battle before separating. Naimov with a spin kick. Naimov lands a left hand. 10-9 Naimov, 29-28 Naimov.

Fight Result- Muhammad Naimov def. Bogdan Grad by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Lightweights- Nazim Sadykhov (10-1-1, 3-0-1 UFC) vs. Nikolas Motta (15-5 1 NC, 3-2 1 NC UFC)

They’re trading leg kicks early on. Sadykhov lands a body kick and Motta counters with his own body kick. Sadykhov connects with a left hand. Sadykhov with a combination. Sadykhov with a left hand. Motta throws a flurry and lands a left to the body. Motta lands some more to the head and body and is landing against the fence. Motta with big flurries against the fence as Sadykhov is covering up. Motta landing a lot but Sadykhov is able to land a knee that gets Motta to back up. Sadykhov with another knee and now he is landing a flurry against the fence. They separate and both land big flurries. Sadykhov with a combo and a head kick. Sadykhov with a right hand and a knee to the body. They trade kicks. Sadykhov looks for a takedown but Motta defends. Sadykhov with a pair of elbows at the end. Wild round. 10-9 Motta.

Motta lands a combo. Sadykhov with a spinning kick. Sadykhov lands a straight left hand. Sadykhov lands an elbow that splits Motta open. Sadykhov with another combo. Motta with a head kick. Motta lands a combination in close range and then an elbow. Sadykhov with a combination and lands a left hand. Sadykhov with a series of elbows as Motta pushes it against the fence. They separate and both land combinations. They clinch with Sadykhov landing knees as Motta lands uppercuts. Sadykhov separates and starts landing and connects with a right hand and Motta goes to the mat and it is all over! An incredible fight and finish from Sadykhov!

Fight Result- Nazim Sadykhov def. Nikolas Motta by TKO (punches) at 4:17 of Round 2

> 165-pound Catchweights- Tofiq Musayev (22-5, 0-0 UFC) vs. Myktybek Orolbai (13-2-1, 2-1 UFC)

Orolbai gets an early takedown and is working from the top. He’s keeping Musayev pinned down and landing. Musayev tried to get up but Orolbai keeps it down. Musayev ends up scrambling up to his feet. Musayev lands a body kick but Orolbai is able to score a takedown. Orolbai looking for a kimura and has it locked in and Musayev taps! A submission finish from Orolbai to silence the crowd as Musayev was in his UFC debut in his home country.

Fight Result- Myktybek Orolbai def. Tofiq Musayev by submission (kimura) at 4:35 of Round 1

> Heavyweights- #5 Curtis Blaydes (18-5 1 NC, 13-5 1 NC UFC) vs. Rizvan Kuniev (13-2-1 1 NC, 0-0 UFC)

Blaydes gets an immediate takedown. They quickly get up and Blaydes has it pushed against the fence. Blaydes has back control and Kuniev grabs the fence. Blaydes with some knees from the back. Blaydes gets it down as Kuniev tried to grab the fence multiple times. They stand and Blaydes with more knees from the back. They separate. Blaydes with a leg kick. Blaydes lands an uppercut. Blaydes with a jab. Blaydes with a left hook. Kuniev lands a right hand and then a combination. Blaydes pushes it to the fence. 10-9 Blaydes.

Kuniev lands a jab and a leg kick. Blaydes with a jab. Blaydes looks for a takedown as Kuniev lands a kick and Kuniev is able to defend. Blaydes with a double jab. Kuniev lands a right hand and then an uppercut. Kuniev lands a combination. Kuniev lands another solid combination. Kuniev with a flurry and Blaydes has no response. Kuniev with a pair of right hands that hurt Blaydes. Blaydes trying for a takedown but Kuniev defends. They trade jabs and Kuniev lands a combination. Kuniev with a flurry. Kuniev lands a series of uppercuts and Blaydes lands a right hand. 10-9 Kuniev, 19-19.

Blaydes with a jab and a pair of leg kicks. Kuniev lands a knee and follows with some uppercuts and a combo as Blaydes was backing up. Blaydes lands a leg kick. Kuniev with another combination. Blaydes lands a right hand and looks for a takedown against the fence. Blaydes has the back and lands some knees as Kuniev is grabbing the fence. Blaydes with some more knees. They separate. Kuniev lands a combination. Kuniev with an uppercut. Kuniev pushes it against the fence. They separate. Blaydes with a combination. Blaydes pushes it against the fence. They trade elbows at the end. Close fight. 10-9 Kuniev, 29-28 Kuniev.

Fight Result- Curtis Blaydes def. Rizvan Kuniev by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

> Lightweights- #11 Rafael Fiziev (12-4, 6-4 UFC) vs. Ignacio Bahamondes (17-5, 6-2 UFC)

They trade leg kicks. Bahamondes lands a leg kick. Fiziev with a combo to the body. Fiziev lands a leg kick. Bahamondes with a side kick. Fiziev lands a body kick. Fiziev with a combination to the body. Bahamondes lands a body kick then a leg kick. Fiziev lands a body kick. Fiziev lands a left hook. Bahamondes with a spin kick to the body. Fiziev lands a right hand. 10-9 Fiziev.

They trade and Bahamondes with a high kick. Bahamondes looks for a takedown but Fiziev is defending against the fence. Bahamondes with a back elbow. Bahamondes still trying for a takedown but Fiziev landing to defend. Fiziev lands to the body as they separate. Bahamondes lands a knee. Bahamondes with an inside leg kick. Fiziev lands a combination. Bahamondes lands a right hand. Bahamondes with a leg kick then a body kick. Bahamondes lands a body kick and Fiziev counters with a combo to the body, though Bahamondes lands a head kick. Fiziev scores a takedown. Fiziev with a pair of leg kicks as Bahamondes stands. Fiziev gets another takedown. Fiziev stands and lands a hammerfist and some leg kicks. Fiziev lands and Bahamondes slips. 10-9 Fiziev, 20-18 Fiziev.

Bahamondes lands a right hand. They clinch up and Fiziev lands a big combination to the body of Bahamondes. They break apart and Fiziev lands a left to the body. Bahamondes lands a combination. They trade as Fiziev was rushing in. They trade and Bahamondes lands a left hand. Bahamondes shoots for a takedown but Fiziev defends and makes Bahamondes pull guard. Fiziev stands and lands a left hook. Fiziev lands a combination. Bahamondes with a spin kick. Fiziev lands a knee. Bahamondes pushes Fiziev against the fence. They break and Bahamondes lands a combo. Bahamondes with a solid series of punches. Fiziev lands to the body. Fiziev scores a big takedown and starts landing from the top. Bahamondes with elbows from the bottom and they stand. Bahamondes tries a kick and Fiziev ends up in mount on top. Fun fight. 10-9 Fiziev, 30-27 Fiziev.

Fight Result- Rafael Fiziev def. Ignacio Bahamondes by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Light Heavyweights- #4 Jamahal Hill (12-3 1 NC, 6-3 1 NC UFC) vs. #7 Khalil Rountree Jr. (13-6 1 NC, 9-6 1 NC UFC)

Hill with a leg kick and Rountree lands a hammerfist. Hill with a pair of leg kicks. Hill with more leg kicks and he lands a jab. Rountree with a heavy leg kick. Hill with a left to the body as Rountree lands a leg kick. Rountree with a right hook. Rountree with a heavy leg kick after they have an exchange. They trade kicks and Rountree lands some punches. Rountree with a leg kick. Hill with a leg kick. Rountree with a body kick. 10-9 Rountree.

They trade right hands. Rountree lands a body kick. They trade and Rountree lands a leg kick. Hill lands a right hand. They trade kicks. Rountree lands a leg kick. Hill lands a leg kick. Hill lands a leg kick. Rountree with an inside leg kick. Rountree slips on a kick and Hill tries to take advantage but they stand. Hill with a left hand to the body. Rountree lands a heavy calf kick. 10-9 Rountree, 20-18 Rountree.

Hill lands a right hand. Rountree with a leg kick. They trade punches. Rountree lands a left hand and then connects to the body. Rountree with a heavy leg kick. Rountree lands a left hand and Hill briefly goes to his butt but gets up. Rountree lands a leg kick. Rountree lands a left hand and a leg kick. Rountree with a body kick and a leg kick. Rountree drops Hill with a right hook. Hill gets up and circles away. 10-9 Rountree, 30-27 Rountree.

Both looking for openings as Rountree connects. Rountree lands an inside leg kick. Rountree with a left hand. Rountree with a leg kick and Hill is having trouble standing steady. Rountree lands a combo and Hill almost went down. Rountree with a body kick. Rountree lands a left hand. Rountree with a combination. Rountree lands a left hand. Rountree connects. 10-9 Rountree, 40-36 Rountree.

Rountree lands a combination. Rountree with a left hand. They trade inside the pocket. Rountree with a left hand. Rountree lands a right hook. Rountree with a left hand. Hill lands a leg kick. Rountree with some punches and a leg kick. Rountree lands a left hand. They trade and Hill lands a body kick. Rountree with a combination. Rountree with a combination. 10-9 Rountree, 50-45 Rountree.

Fight Result- Khalil Rountree Jr. def. Jamahal Hill by unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 50-45)

November 6, 2007 Observer Newsletter: WWE Cyber Sunday recap, UFC extends deal with Spike TV

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

WWE’s annual Cyber Sunday show has more intrigue than a normal PPV event, largely because fans vote for stipulations and matches. Usually they are predictable, and WWE heavily pushes viewers to vote a certain way. But that’s no guarantee they will.

The 10/28 show at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC, drew a nearly full house of about 14,000 fans, and while there were no huge angles, surprises or title changes, it was an overall good show paced by three strong matches that finished. Even though the strongest hype was for Randy Orton vs. Shawn Michaels and the Raw title match most often goes last, because the Smackdown match was having a clean finish, it was Batista pinning Undertaker clean after three Batista bombs. On Smackdown the past few weeks, they pushed the storyline that Batista had never pinned The Undertaker, and by doing so, giving him the clean win seemed to build a rematch.

Subscribers can read this issue here.

UFC on ESPN 69 live results: Kamaru Usman vs. Joaquin Buckley

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

The Octagon returns to Atlanta, Georgia for the first time since April 2019 as the State Farm Arena hosts UFC On ESPN 69.

Headlining the card is the return of former UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman, who battles streaking contender Joaquin Buckley in a pivotal five-round clash. Usman is fighting for the first time since a loss to Khamzat Chimaev in October 2023, and is looking to end a three-fight losing skid. Buckley comes into the fight on the heels of six consecutive wins.

In the co-main event, former UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Rose Namajunas looks to get back into the title picture in the flyweight division as she takes on rising contender Miranda Maverick, winner of four straight fights.

Also on the main card is a middleweight bout between Edmen Shahbazyan and Andre Petroski; former UFC Bantamweight Champion Cody Garbrandt returns against Raoni Barcelos; and Alonzo Menifield takes on Oumar Sy in light heavyweight action.

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> Women’s Flyweights- Jamey-Lyn Horth (7-2, 2-2 UFC) vs. Vanessa Demopoulos (11-7, 5-4 UFC)

Horth lands some early leg kicks. Demopoulos lands a right hand. Horth lands some more kicks, mixing to the body and legs. Demopoulos with a right hand to the body, but Horth counters with a body kick. They trade before Demopoulos pushes it to the fence. Horth lands a big right hand as they separate. Demopoulos is backing up and Horth lands some right hands. Horth with a body kick as she is pressuring. Horth continues to land with more volume as Demopoulos is having trouble closing distance. Horth lands a knee followed by a few right hands. Horth lands some big shots against the fence but Demopoulos grabs the clinch. Horth scores a takedown and works from the side. Demopoulos is able to survive the round. 10-9 Horth.

Horth lands a combination. Horth lands a liver kick then a leg kick. She lands another body kick. Demopoulos looks for the takedown and pushes it to the fence. Horth with a pair of knees and lands a left hand as they break. Horth lands a leg kick. Demopoulos rushes in and Horth lands a right hand. Horth lands a knee in a brief clinch. Horth with a pair of jabs and Demopoulos is able to connect with a head kick. Demopoulos lands a big right hand. They trade in close range as Horth lands some teet kicks. Horth lands two right hands. 10-9 Horth, 20-18 Horth.

They trade and Horth lands some body kicks. Horth gets a brief takedown but they scramble up. Demopoulos grabs the back and they roll to the mat. Horth is able to spin into inside the guard of Demopoulos. Horth lands a big right hand from the top. Horth with some hammerfists from the top. Demopoulos pushes Horth off and they get to their feet. Demopoulos lands a right hand. They trade punches and Horth lands some leg kicks. Demopoulos lands a right hand. Horth lands a combo then works the jab. Horth lands a big combination. They trade late and Demopoulos misses a takedown attempt. 10-9 Horth, 30-27 Horth.

Fight Result- Jamey-Lyn Horth def. Vanessa Demopoulos by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Welterweights- Phil Rowe (10-5, 3-3 UFC) vs. Ange Loosa (10-4 1 NC, 2-2 1 NC UFC)

Loosa lands a pair of leg kicks and a right hand. They trade leg kicks and right hands. Loosa lands another right hand. Loosa lands a jab. Rowe lands a right hand. Loosa immediately shoots for a takedown and finishes it against the fence. Loosa landing to the body from inside the guard of Rowe. Rowe trying to escape but Loosa keeps him down and lands some elbows. Loosa remains on top and landing to end the first. 10-9 Loosa.

They’re trading to start the second as Loosa lands some leg kicks. Loosa lands a right hand. Loosa is trying for a takedown as he lands some knees. They separate. Rowe with a knee and a right hand. Rowe working the jab and lands a body kick, then lands an uppercut. Rowe lands a right hand. Loosa with a calf kick. Rowe lands a combo and Loosa gets a brief takedown, but Rowe is able to sprawl to his feet. They separate. Rowe pressuring and landing more punches and lands a knee. Rowe with a combination and lands some right hands. Rowe lands a knee up the middle. Loosa counters with some big right hands and then drops Rowe with a big punch. Loosa gets on top and lands some punches. 10-9 Loosa, 20-18 Loosa.

Both looking for openings in the first minute as Loosa lands a leg kick and a pair of right hands. Rowe with a leg kick and Loosa grabs the leg and pushes it to the fence. Loosa scores a takedown. They get to their feet. Rowe lands a jab. Rowe with a combo and a high kick. Rowe landing against the fence. Rowe with a knee to the body. Rowe lands a right hand and an uppercut. Rowe with a knee and wobbles Loosa with a combo. Rowe is teeing off looking for a late finish and he lands a big combination. Rowe landing big right hands and Loosa falls to the mat and it is all over! What a comeback from Rowe!

Fight Result- Phil Rowe def. Ange Loosa by TKO (punches) at 4:03 of Round 3

> Bantamweights- Ricky Simon (21-6, 9-5 UFC) vs. Cameron Smotherman (12-5, 1-1 UFC)

Smotherman with a leg kick as Simon lands a jab. Simon lands a pair of leg kicks then a high kick. Simon gets a big takedown. Simon working from the top and grabs the back and looks for a choke before going back to landing. Simon controlling from the top. They get to their feet and Simon continues to land. 10-9 Simon.

They’re trading jabs. Simon scores a takedown. Simon working from the top and looking for an arm-triangle. He lets go for the time being and lands an elbow. Simon rolls to the back as they get to their feet. Simon controls and lands a knee and they break apart. Simon lands a combo. Simon with a body shot. Smotherman with a combo. Simon with a jab. 10-9 Simon, 20-18 Simon.

Smotherman pressing forward and Simon lands. Simon with a right hand. Simon grabs the back and tries for the takedown, but Smotherman is keeping it up. Simon pressuring against the fence and trying for the takedown. Simon lands a combo and is able to get the takedown. They work to the feet and Simon keeps Smotherman against the fence before Smotherman is able to land an elbow to force a break. Smotherman lands to the body. Smotherman with a knee. Simon lands a jab. Simon with a right hand and then a big combination. Simon pushes it to the fence looking for the takedown. They separate. Simon with a stiff jab. Smotherman lands a right hand. Smotherman connects late. 10-9 Smotherman, 29-28 Simon.

Fight Result- Ricky Simon def. Cameron Smotherman by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Flyweights- Cody Durden (17-7-1, 6-5-1 UFC) vs. Jose Ochoa (7-1 1 NC, 0-1 UFC)

They trade leg kicks early and Ochoa starts mixing shots to the head and body. They trade leg kicks. Ochoa with a body kick. They clinch against the fence as Durden looks for a takedown. They separate and Ochoa mixes punches to the head and body. Durden looks for another takedown attempt but Ochoa defends. Ochoa lands a series of kicks, mixing to the legs, head and body. Ochoa lands a big left hand and Durden is backing up. Ochoa with a combo and Durden lands two big right hands. Durden scores a takedown. Durden ends the round on top. 10-9 Ochoa.

Ochoa rocks Durden with a huge uppercut to start the second and then drops Durden with a big combination and Durden is out as Ochoa lands some shots before it is stopped. What a finish from Ochoa!

Fight Result- Jose Ochoa def. Cody Durden by knockout (punches) at :11 of Round 2

> Bantamweights- Malcolm Wellmaker (9-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Kris Moutinho (14-6, 0-2 UFC)

Wellmaker with some heavy calf kicks to start. He lands a right hook to the body then back to the leg kicks. They trade leg kicks. Wellmaker lands a big left hook then a right hand. Wellmaker landing big shots and Moutinho tries to clinch. Wellmaker lands to the body. They separate. Moutinho lands a combo. Wellmaker lands a big left hand. Moutinho with a leg kick. They trade. Wellmaker lands a front kick then lands a massive right hand and Moutinho face plants to the mat out cold! What a vicious knockout by Wellmaker!

Fight Result- Malcolm Wellmaker def. Kris Moutinho by knockout (punch) at 2:37 of Round 1

> Welterweights- Michael Chiesa (18-7, 13-7 UFC) vs. Court McGee (22-13, 11-12 UFC)

McGee rushes in but neither land their punch attempts. McGee with a quick combo. McGee lands a leg kick. Chiesa with a left hand. Chiesa throws and McGee dips under and they clinch but quickly break apart. Chiesa lands a right hook. Chiesa lands a jab and McGee lands a combination. McGee with a leg kick. They trade kicks. McGee lands a right hand to the body. Chiesa lands a body kick. 10-9 McGee.

McGee with a right hand and a kick that lands right to the cup of Chiesa and timeout is called. They get back to action and start trading. Chiesa lands a left hand. McGee presses forward and lands a combo. Chiesa lands a combination. Chiesa presses forward with a combo and lands a jab. McGee with a leg kick. Both still searching for openings. Chiesa lands a left hand. Chiesa landing slightly more this round. Chiesa with a combo. 10-9 Chiesa, 19-19.

They trade. Chiesa lands a high kick and a left hand and they clinch up against the fence. Chiesa has control and lands a knee as they reverse position several times. McGee with a pair of body shots. Chiesa tries for a takedown but McGee keeps it on the feet. They trade knees. McGee gets a brief takedown but Chiesa gets up and lands a knee and a combo on the break. Chiesa lands a combo. Chiesa lands a left hand as McGee lands a body kick. McGee lands a right hand. Chiesa lands a combo and McGee lands a counter combination. Chiesa with a body kick. 10-9 Chiesa, 29-28 Chiesa.

Fight Result- Michael Chiesa def. Court McGee by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Light Heavyweights- Paul Craig (17-9-1, 9-9-1 UFC) vs. Rodolfo Bellato (12-2-1, 1-0-1 UFC)

Craig with a body kick. Bellato lands a pair of leg kicks. Bellato lands a right hand. Craig with a leg kick. Craig shoots for a takedown but Bellato defends, though Craig lands a knee on the break. Craig with a left hand and he lands a knee. Craig with a body kick. Craig with a big body kick. Craig looks for a single leg takedown and Bellato is defending. Craig gets a brief trip takedown and Bellato works up to his feet. Craig tries a takedown but Bellato ends up on top. Craig lands from the bottom. Bellato with short body punches and stands. Bellato with punches from the top and Craig lands an upkick and Bellato was knocked out cold. It may have been an illegal kick but Bellato was out cold and woke up and is still out and thinking the fight is going on and trying to fight the referee. Doctors are coming in and checking on Bellato. Replay shows Bellato was on one knee when Craig landed the upkick that knocked him out cold. They are reviewing everything to make the right decision. It was called that the kick was an accidental foul.

Fight Result- Paul Craig vs. Rodolfo Bellato ruled a no contest (accidental foul) at 4:59 of Round 1

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> Light Heavyweights- #15 Alonzo Menifield (16-5-1, 9-5-1 UFC) vs. Oumar Sy (11-0, 2-0 UFC)

Sy with a big body kick. Sy lands a leg kick as Menifield connects with a right hand. Sy lands a leg kick. Sy with a high kick. Sy with a leg kick. Menifield missing his punch attempts. Sy with a body kick and Menifield is able to land a quick flurry. Sy lands a jab. Menifield lands a right hand. Timeout is called for an eye poke. They get back to action and Menifield lands a right hand. Sy lands a head kick. Sy with a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Sy lands a left hand. 10-9 Sy.

Sy with a body kick. He lands another. Sy lands another body kick. Sy looks for a takedown against the fence. Sy working hard for the takedown but Menifield is defending. Sy pressing against Menifield and nothing is happening. Menifield is landing elbows to defend as Sy is still working for the takedown. Sy gets Menifield to the mat. They get to their feet and Sy remains pressuring. 10-9 Sy, 20-18 Sy.

Sy lands a leg kick. Menifield with a leg kick. Menifield lands a jab. Sy with an inside leg kick. Menifield with a left hand. There is nothing happening. Menifield lands a jab. Menifield lands another jab. Sy with a leg kick. Sy lands a jab. Nothing happens. 10-9 Menifield, 29-28 Sy.

Fight Result- Alonzo Menifield def. Oumar Sy by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Middleweights- Mansur Abdul-Malik (8-0, 2-0 UFC) vs. Cody Brundage (11-6 1 NC, 5-5 1 NC UFC)

Abdul-Malik with a low kick and Brundage fires two kicks back. Abdul-Malik with a leg kick. Brundage lands a leg kick. Abdul-Malik lands and Brundage lands a counter right hand. Abdul-Malik with a high kick and Brundage fires one back. Brundage with a leg kick. Abdul-Malik with a leg kick. Abdul-Malik just misses a quick combo. Abdul-Malik lands a body kick. Abdul-Malik with a flying knee attempt and Brundage lands in response. 10-9 Brundage.

They trade kicks and Brundage lands a right hand. Abdul-Malik lands a body kick. They trade leg kicks. Abdul-Malik lands a quick flurry. They both connect with right hands as both were swinging. Abdul-Malik lands a body kick. Brundage lands a right hand. Abdul-Malik lands a knee. Abdul-Malik with a body kick. They trade as Brundage lands a right hand. Brundage with some kicks. 10-9 Brundage, 20-18 Brundage.

They both come out swinging and both connect with some big punches before they break apart for a moment. There was a clash of heads as Abdul-Malik landed a knee and Brundage was hurt and Brundage goes down and Abdul-Malik starts teeing off and it is stopped. They are debating how to call this due to the clash of heads. They’re going to the scorecards.

Fight Result- Mansur Abdul-Malik def. Cody Brundage by technical unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

> Bantamweights- Cody Garbrandt (14-6, 9-6 UFC) vs. Raoni Barcelos (19-5, 8-4 UFC)

Garbrandt throwing quick combinations. He connects with a flurry. Garbrandt with a body kick. Garbrandt lands a right hand and Barcelos slips to the mat. Garbrandt looked for a leg but Barcelos defends. Barcelos lands a right hand. Barcelos lands a big knee. They break apart. Garbrandt lands a left hand. Barcelos with a heavy leg kick. Garbrandt lands a knee and a big left hook. Barcelos lands a right hand. Garbrandt with some quick counter punches. Barcelos looks for a takedown and they scramble to the mat. 10-9 Garbrandt.

Barcelos comes out looking for a takedown as he pushes Garbrandt against the fence. They separate. Garbrandt lands a combo. Barcelos lands a leg kick. Barcelos still looking for takedown openings and Garbrandt defends and lands an elbow. Barcelos with a leg kick. Garbrandt lands a right hand to the body. Barcelos with a right hand and a left hand. Barcelos lands an uppercut. Barcelos looks for a takedown but Garbrandt defends. Barcelos with a right hand. Garbrandt lands a quick combo. Barcelos lands a right hand and Garbrandt was on the retreat as the round ended. 10-9 Barcelos, 19-19.

Garbrandt lands a combination. Barcelos with a heavy leg kick. Garbrandt lands a leg kick. Barcelos with a heavy leg kick. Barcelos lands a right hand. Barcelos with a leg kick and Garbrandt is looking for a takedown as he pushes Barcelos to the fence. Barcelos is defending and takes the back of Garbrandt. Garbrandt with some backward punches. Garbrandt is able to use the fence to spin to the top and he lands before they stand. They trade against the fence. Garbrandt hurts Barcelos with a knee but he quickly recovered. 10-9 Barcelos, 29-28 Barcelos.

Fight Result- Raoni Barcelos def. Cody Garbrandt by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Middleweights- Edmen Shahbazyan (14-5, 7-5 UFC) vs. Andre Petroski (13-3, 8-2 UFC)

They trade several body kicks. Shahbazyan lands a left hand. Shahbazyan with a left hand. Shahbazyan works the jab after Petroski lands a leg kick. Petroski lands a right hand and goes for a takedown. They separate and Shahbazyan lands a left hook that wobbles Petroski for a moment. Petroski looks for a takedown but Shahbazyan defends. Shahbazyan lands a big left hand. Shahbazyan with a big body kick. 10-9 Shahbazyan.

Shahbazyan lands a leg kick. Shahbazyan with a stiff left hand. Petroski connects with a right hand. He lands another as they have a quick exchange. They have a timeout for an eye poke. They get back to action and both look for openings. Petroski gets the back as he looks for a takedown, but Shahbazyan defends and they separate. Petroski with a high kick. He lands a nice right hand. Shahbazyan lands a body kick. Shahbazyan with a head kick and a right hand to the body. Shahbazyan with a combo to the body then to the head. 10-9 Shahbazyan, 20-18 Shahbazyan.

They trade and a clash of heads occurs and timeout is called. They get back going. Petroski lands a leg kick. Shahbazyan lands several right hands. Petroski gets a brief takedown and Shahbazyan is able to quickly work his way up. They trade in close range. Shahbazyan lands a pair of body kicks. They trade punches. Shahbazyan with a body kick and then drops Petroski with another one. Shahbazyan gets on top and looks to land, but backs off and lets Petroski up. Shahbazyan with a high kick. Petroski looks for a takedown but Shahbazyan spins away. They trade kicks. 10-9 Shahbazyan, 30-27 Shahbazyan.

Fight Result- Edmen Shahbazyan def. Andre Petroski by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Women’s Flyweights- #7 Rose Namajunas (13-7, 11-6 UFC) vs. #11 Miranda Maverick (15-5, 8-3 UFC)

They trade kicks. Namajunas with a pair of left hands. Namajunas lands some kicks. Maverick throws the jab and Namajunas connects with a right hand. Namajunas lands a combo after Maverick lands. Maverick with a leg kick. Namajunas lands a right hand. Maverick lands and makes Namajunas stumble for a moment. Namajunas looks for a takedown as she takes Maverick’s back. Maverick defends and they break apart. Maverick lands a body kick and Namajunas lands a right hand. 10-9 Namajunas.

Namajunas lands a big combination. She lands another quick combo. Maverick lands a body kick. Namajunas scores a takedown. Namajunas working from the top as Maverick is looking to throw her legs up. Namajunas gets the back of Maverick as they get to their feet. Namajunas jumps on the back and they go back to the mat. Namajunas is looking for a rear-naked choke. Maverick is able to escape and scrambles to the top and looks for an arm-triangle choke. She almost had it in but Namajunas is able to escape. Maverick has the back and lands some punches. Close round. 10-9 Namajunas, 20-18 Namajunas.

Maverick looking for a takedown against the fence. Namajunas defends and Maverick lets go and they separate to the middle. Namajunas connects with a left hook and Maverick goes down. Namajunas gets on top and lands before getting side control. Namajunas landing as she gets into the half-guard. Namajunas looking to set up an arm-triangle choke. Namajunas lets go and retains top control. Maverick is able to sweep to the top, but then Namajunas sweeps back into side control. Namajunas controlling from the top. 10-9 Namajunas, 30-27 Namajunas.

Fight Result- Rose Namajunas def. Miranda Maverick by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Welterweights- #5 Kamaru Usman (20-4, 15-3 UFC) vs. #7 Joaquin Buckley (21-6, 11-4 UFC)

Buckley comes out looking to land. Usman ducks under Buckley throwing and scores a takedown. Usman working from the half-guard landing shots and putting pressure onto Buckley. Buckley tries to get up, but Usman keeps him down and lands some elbows from the top. Usman with more shots and pressure from the top. Usman continues to land from the top. Usman has cut Buckley open with the elbows. Usman with more elbows and punches. 10-9 Usman.

Buckley rushes in and lands. Usman lands a body kick. Buckley lands a body kick. Usman lands to the body. Usman shoots from long range and scores the takedown. Usman landing from the top. Usman with smothering pressure from the top as he lands punches and elbows. Usman ends the round on top. 10-9 Usman, 20-18 Usman.

Buckley lands some leg kicks. Usman lands a body kick. Buckley looking to land but Usman is keeping a closed guard with good defense. Buckley lands a combo. Usman lands a body kick. Buckley lands a big combination. Usman scores a takedown. Usman landing punches from the top. Usman with some knees as Buckley is trying to get up but Usman is in total control. 10-9 Usman, 30-27 Usman.

Usman with a high kick. Buckley lands a left hand. Buckley with some short leg kicks as both are looking for openings. Buckley lands a combination. Usman lands a right hand. Usman shoots for a takedown as he pushes Buckley against the fence. Usman gets Buckley down to the mat. Usman with some right hands from top position as he has Buckley pinned down. 10-9 Usman, 40-36 Usman.

Buckley with a combination ending with a head kick. They trade as Usman lands a big jab. Usman looks for a takedown but Buckley is able to defend. Usman looks again but Buckley defends again and lands as they separate. Usman lands a jab as Buckley lands a small flurry. Usman pushes Buckley against the fence. They separate and Buckley lands some punches. Buckley lands another combination as he connects with an uppercut. Usman is having to circle away as he was hurt. They trade. 10-9 Buckley, 49-46 Usman.

Fight Result- Kamaru Usman def. Joaquin Buckley by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)