Tag: ufc

Daily Update: R-Truth, Ben Askren, UFC 316 fallout

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • WWE cuts this past week, why and more details, lots of reaction to R-Truth and the story behind it
  • Preview of the WWE Money in the Bank and Worlds Collide shows as well as updated ticket demand for the shows as well as odds
  • New Japan Dominion and Kosei Fujita win Best of the Super Juniors in one of the year’s best matches
  • The most detailed look at the ratings of all the pro wrestling TV shows this past week including competition, segments, demo and what things on the different shows boosted the audience
  • Notes on one of the biggest Arena Mexico shows this year
  • Major arena sells out seven weeks in a row
  • Newcomers behind the scenes as WWE takes over AAA
  • Stardom PPV notes
  • Major signings for Hogan & Bischoff’s RAF company
  • Who has won the most awards in specific categories in the 45 year history of the Observer awards
  • Ratings for the past season of Dark Side of the Ring
  • Notes on wrestlers recently cut by WWE
  • AEW departures and details
  • Advance ticket sales for WWE, AEW and TNA shows
  • Lots more notes on AEW going to Arena Mexico
  • Bryan Danielson says his career highlight
  • Significance of the Phil Davis lawsuit and how it affects TKO and perhaps even WWE
  • Promotion cutting prices to increase ticket buys
  • Notes on MMA reporter Jordan Breen
  • Update on WrestleMania in Las Vegas
  • Nick Khan and Vince McMahon selling TKO stock
  • How much are analysts expecting the WWE PLE right and UFC rights to end up at and what does this mean for the stock price
  • Paul Levesque and Dwayne Johnson
  • Notes on WWE counter programming AEW
  • Bill Goldberg updates
  • How much money has Dwayne Johnson made from WWE since his return 18 months ago
  • Top YouTube viewing numbers this past week

This Week’s Back Issue

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Sunday Update

— We had big shows on both Friday and last night. Friday we talked a ton of topics and had some great questions, whether WWE has past its peak and where it stands now, a great question of why the over 50 audience has grown for the remaining TV wrestling shows, Andre the Giant vs. Akira Maeda and other history.

Last night we focused on the major news and coverage of Worlds Collide, Money in the Bank, Exclusive updates on WrestleMania in Las Vegas and how it was finalized and a big key to that week, as well as R-Truth’s return, Mike Tenay announcing, Ben Askren, UFC and a lot more.

— I think everyone realizes by now that the return of R-Truth as Ron Killings was a late decision. It was very interesting as it ended up overshadowing the key points on the show, which were Cody Rhodes pinning John Cena, Seth Rollins winning MITB and the Jacob Fatu babyface turn on Solo Sikoa.  

Not sure why Paul Levesque gave the answer he did to that question basically saying it was part of the show. I’m not even sure why he didn’t just give the answer given it’s a question that was going to be asked. Cody Rhodes had the best answer pretty much thanking the fans for their input and they listened to the audience. Which they did. There are a lot of questions this opens up, but this is also far from the first time this has happened as we talked about on the show last night.

Given that, some probably aren’t happy as Christopher Killings, Ron’s son, in response to Levesque trying to intimate it was all a work (he didn’t say it but clearly he wanted you to believe that) said, in response “Stop the cap” (lying).

Ron Killings did ask for the name change to his real name as part of his new deal as many had suspected. The advantage is that when the new deal ends he will have had TV time as Ron Killings and can then go straight to using that name on indies and for personal appearances.

— Ben Askren is in very serious condition. His family has kept the situation under wraps to a degree. What has come out is he suffered a staph infection and pneumonia and those close to him have asked for prayers. Askren was one of the top college wrestlers of this generation, and then went into MMA, and even without  striking and being pure wrestling and submissions, won world titles in ONE and Bellator. He is currently signed to Hulk Hogan & Eric Bischoff’s RAF for  a comeback as a wrestler.

Wife Amy Askren wrote: “You may have heard that my husband Ben is going through something. He developed severe pneumonia, which came on very suddenly. He’s currently in the hospital and unable to respond to anything at this time. We welcome all prayers for healing and for peace. We are trying to keep life as normal as possible for our children currently and doing our best to support them thoughtfully so please refrain from discussing it with them for now.”

Pat Mineo, a wrestling insider had written, “Wrestling community, we need to pray for and rally around @BenAskren who is in critical condition and battling a severe staph infection. He is also battling severe pneumonia, prayers needed!”

We’ve heard from friends of his who don’t have full details but do now that the situation is very bad. We wish our best to him.

— Kayla Harrison’s women’s bantamweight title win over Julianna Pena, which was expected, sets up Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes. It’s the biggest fight other than Jon Jones vs.Tom Aspinall that UFC could put together. Nunes had not entered the UFC testing pool so in theory it would take six months until she does so before the fight could be booked, but UFC could also waive that. 

After the fight, Harrison, when talking about cutting to 135 said that it came very close to making her quit. She had Thursday night she was ready to just quit.  She looked so unhealthy to the point that I think they need to bring back a 145 division and that she and Nunes should fight there instead of at 135. Harrison is going to have to nearly kill herself getting to 135 and just the way she looked on the scale should cause a reaction instead of just ignoring it and hoping for the best.

— Dana White said that there were no issues with him and Turki Alashikh and that he is still promoting the Terrnce Crawford vs. Canelo Alvarez fight on 9/13. UFC officially is now running its 9/13 show as a Fight Night rather than PPV.  Originally UFC 320 was on 9/13 and last night they announced that UFC 320 will be on 10/4 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. He acted like he paid no attention and there was no issue but I’m certain everyone that has a good relationship with him asked him for weeks and this was the first time he said anything on the subject.

Alalshikh just confirmed that today, saying “My brother Dana will promote this fight. It is the fight of Riyadh Season, and we have a deal with TKO to promote it and it will be the biggest fight in boxing, and tomorrow I think I will tell the details and the platform and the place for this fight, me and Dana.”

It appears the issues that had to do with running a PPV head-to-head have been cleared up.

— On Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall, White continued to talk like they’re doing the fight and it’s done but later said it’s up to Jones and you can’t make anyone fight. He shot down the idea of Jones vs. Francis Ngannou as a co-promotion of course and said if Jones fights it’ll be Aspinall.   When it was brought up about Jones saying that rather than be stripped he’d vacate the title, White said that he wasn’t aware Jones said that and doesn’t pay attention to things like that in social media.

— A memorial service for Sabu will take place on 6/21 at 3 p.m. at The Copper Moon Event Space, 247 Center St. in Lansing,  MI.  Rob Van Dam will deliver the eulogy.

I think overall Worlds Collide was a big success. More than 10,000 fans attendeed although clearly this was a WWE audience going to a show promoted by WWE and very different from an AAA audience.  I thought the idea of doing the angle on the afternoon show to lead to Dominik Mysterio vs. Octagon Jr.. was great when it was done, but after the match, I was baffled why they did it.  It seemed so counterproductive to rush through that match in that manner.

Undertaker was backstage at the Worlds Collide show.

— Money in the Bank yesterday was the No. 2 show of the day on Netflix in Canada and was No. 1 in Mexico. We’ll have all the weekly rankings in the Observer this coming Tuesday. We should have the rest of the world rankings tomorrow.  

— We talked about the Mike Tenay situation on the show last night but he was called to do the show but the two sides did not come to a financial agreement.  

— We talked extensively about Corey Graves’ work as the lead announcer on last night’s show. He did a great job and probably was the only announcer on the WWE’s staff who could have pulled that one off.

— We’re looking for your thoughts on both Money in the Bank and Worlds Collide. You can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match for each show to [email protected]. We’re also looking for reports from the TNA tapings last night in Tempe, AZ.  We’re looking for results, angles and other notes to [email protected]

— For Google searches, last night’s UFC show did about 1.3 million and was one of the two top numbers of the weekend along with Los Angeles. Money in the Bank did 250,000 and Worlds Collide did 60,000.  

— Today is the date of two of the biggest matches in Japanese wrestling history. June 8, 1990 was the date of the Mitsuharu Misawa win over Jumbo Tsuruta which established Misawa as a superstar and led All Japan to its great success over the next decade, really until the death of Giant Baba and Misawa forming NOAH. It was a tremendous match but the key was the Misawa upset win, and the crowd reaction was amazing. I was there live and I’d estimate 75 percent of the people in the crowd were crying seeing the emotion in the building. I was too, because if you were there, you pretty much couldn’t not do it.

The only thing comparable in the U.S that I was at was when Dustin vs. Cody at the first Double or Nothing as far as people crying, but it was far more prevalent in Misawa vs.Tsuruta and just very different. Dustin vs. Cody was a great match but it’s not like that match was responsible for a boom period or set up the biggest feud that skyrocketed the promotion for a few years and created a new No. 1 star of the promotion who stayed in that spot for a decade.  

— 2018 on this day was the famous Kenny Omega s. Kazuchika Okada 2/3 falls match at Dominion, which was the last match the two had. Many people, including myself, thought this was the best match that they had ever seen.

— The episode of  Smackdown on 6/27 will air live from Saudi Arabia from 1-4 p.m. Eastern on Netflix. So it will air everywhere in the world before the U.S. where it will air on a seven hour tape delay.

— While most didn’t know, because it was in Spanish and it was not predominantly a Spanish speaking audience, Dayra Barreca, who sang the Mexican national anthem, messed up the words of the song. Mediotiempo in Mexico ran an editorial about it. They did praise Lilian Garcia doing a great job with the U.S. national anthem.

— Kirk White’s Big Time Wrestling from Friday night in Newark, CA. The show sold out. Alpha Zo b Alan Angels-DQ, Ray Rico b Jheri Jiggalo, Marcw Leis b KJ Oroso, QT Marshall b Bad Dude Tito, Jiah Jewel & Starboy Charlie b Elijah Drago & Brady Booker, Los Suavecitos b Live Danger, Aaron Solo b LJ Cleary, VertVixen b Sandra Moone to  win the BTW women’s title.  Bayley was in attendance at the show. The next show is 8/8 with Matt Cardona and Shotzi Blackheart.

— WWE has a ton of ID tournament matches in Deer Park, NY tonight at 7 p.m. and the NYWC Sportatorium:

  • Kyie Rae vs.  Zara Zakher in a women’s tournament match
  • Men’s tournament matches:
  • Sean Legacy vs. Brad Baylor
  • Aaron Rourke vs. Jackson Drake
  • Ricky Smokes vs. Cappuccino Jones
  • Jack Cartwheel vs.  Marcus Mathers
  • Jordan Oasis vs. Bryce Donovan
  • Ice Williams vs. It’s Gal

October 29, 2007 Observer Newsletter: Syfy renews ECW, Brock Lesnar signs with UFC

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

One week after the show was revamped and the decision was made to include bigger names weekly, The Sci-Fi Network agreed on 10/23 to renew ECW for a new one-year contract through the end of 2008.

No details of the contract were announced, although inside sources say the money terms were the same as the previous deal. WWE was looking for a longer-term commitment, hoping for a multi-year renewal. WWE will have Smackdown wrestlers appear regularly on ECW, and have ECW wrestlers appear regularly on Smackdown in attempts to up the profile of the show. The WWE was worried no deal would be made, and began last week putting tape delayed ECW on its web site as perhaps preparation for not getting a new deal for the brand. Even after the deal was finalized this week, WWE is still airing ECW on a next day tape delay with no commercial interruptions on the site.

Subscribers can read this newsletter here.

UFC 316 live results: Two title fights from Newark

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

The Octagon returns to Newark, New Jersey, for another major pay-per-view event as UFC 316 takes place at the Prudential Center with two titles on the line.

The main event is a rematch for the UFC bantamweight championship as Merab Dvalishvili defends against former champion Sean O’Malley. Dvalishvili defeated O’Malley for the title at last September’s UFC 306 and has since had a successful title defense over Umar Nurmagomedov in January. O’Malley fights for the first time since that loss.

In the co-main event, UFC women’s bantamweight champion Julianna Pena makes her first title defense in her second reign as she defends against former Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison. Pena defeated Raquel Pennington at UFC 307 in October to win the title for a second time. Harrison has won two straight since joining the UFC roster.

Also on the main card is a middleweight bout between Kelvin Gastelum and Joe Pyfer; a bantamweight bout that sees Mario Bautista welcome former Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix in his UFC debut; and a welterweight bout between Vicente Luque and Kevin Holland.

UFC ESPN+ PRELIMS | 6 PM ET/3 PM PT

> Lightweights- MarQuel Mederos (10-1, 2-0 UFC) vs. Mark Choinski (8-0, 0-0 UFC)

They come out trading and Mederos lands a combination. Mederos lands a step-in knee. Mederos lands some kicks. They trade inside the pocket. Choinski lands a combination. Choinski grabs the back and jumps up on Mederos’ back. Choinski jumps off and lands some knees. They break as Choinski lands a left hook. Mederos lands a pair of low kicks. They trade and Mederos lands some solid combinations. 10-9 Mederos.

They trade kicks. Choinski lands a right hand as Mederos lands a leg kick. Mederos landing some punches through the guard of Choinski. Mederos lands some kicks and some body shots. Mederos lands a combo and a leg kick and Choinski lands a counter right hand. They trade inside the pocket. Choinski lands a combination and then looks for a takedown against the fence. They separate. Mederos lands a calf kick and Choinski goes to the mat. Mederos lands from the top but they get to their feet. Mederos lands a big knee. Mederos lands another kick and Choinski goes to the mat again, but Choinski grabs Mederos and gets a takedown and jumps on the back as they stand. They separate and Mederos lands another kick that trips Choinski up. 10-9 Mederos, 20-18 Mederos.

Mederos coming out landing leg kicks. Mederos with more kicks and Choinski falls down again. Mederos lands some kicks while standing before Choinski stands. They trade in close range as Mederos lands a big right hand. Mederos with a jab. Choinski looking for a takedown against the fence. Choinski is able to get a takedown and gets into the mount. Choinski gets the back and starts working for a choke. Mederos is able to escape to his feet and Choinski has back control as the fight ends. 10-9 Mederos, 30-27 Mederos.

Fight Result- MarQuel Mederos def. Mark Choinski by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Lightweights- Quillan Salkilld (8-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. Yanal Ashmouz (8-1, 2-1 UFC)

Salkilld lands a left hand. Ashmouz comes out swinging and they clinch up. Ashmouz gets Salkilld down for a moment, but they get right up. Salkilld lands a knee. Salkilld gets a takedown and has the back as they stand. Salkilld tried to get Ashmouz down, but he grabbed the fence to defend. Salkilld with a knee. They remain clinched up. Salkilld lands a knee as they separate. Salkilld lands a leg kick. Salkilld with a big uppercut. Salkilld scores another takedown. They roll back to their feet and Salkilld has a single leg. Salkilld picks Ashmouz up and slams him to the mat. Salkilld has body control as they almost scramble up. Salkilld lands some right hands from the back as they stand. Salkilld gets another takedown. They get up and Ashmouz lands a left hook. 10-9 Salkilld.

Ashmouz with a heavy leg kick. Salkilld with a pair of kicks. Salkilld looks for a takedown against the fence and gets it. They get up and remain tied up and Salkilld gets Ashmouz down again for a brief moment as he has back control. Salkilld with some punches from the back. They go back to the mat and Salkilld lands big punches from the back. They stand and Salkilld is able to score another takedown. They stand and Salkilld lands before they separate, and Salkilld lands a body kick then a right hand and a high kick. Salkilld looks for a takedown but Ashmouz sprawls and has the neck. 10-9 Salkilld, 20-18 Salkilld.

Ashmouz lands a kick and Salkilld grabs him and briefly gets it down, but they stand and separate. Ashmouz lands a left hand. Salkilld lands a body kick. He lands another. Ashmouz lands a big combo and Salkilld looks for a takedown, but Ashmouz sprawls. Salkilld lands a knee to the body. Salkilld is able to score a takedown. They stand and Salkilld has back control. They break and Ashmouz lands a right hand. Salkilld lands a body kick then a leg kick. They trade left hooks. Ashmouz with a heavy calf kick. Ashmouz lands an uppercut and Salkilld fires back. Salkilld lands a right hand. Ashmouz lands a combo. Salkilld looks for a takedown but Ashmouz defends. Ashmouz lands a left hook. Ashmouz lands a right hand. They tie up against the fence. They roll to the mat. 10-9 Ashmouz, 29-28 Salkilld.

Fight Result- Quillan Salkilld def. Yanal Ashmouz by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

> Featherweights- Jeka Saragih (14-4, 1-2 UFC) vs. Joo Sang Yoo (8-0, 0-0 UFC)

Yoo lands a leg kick. Saragih lands a combo. Saragih comes rushing in throwing and Yoo lands a left hook that puts Saragih out cold as Saragih face plants to the mat. What a massive knockout by Yoo!

Fight Result- Joo Sang Yoo def. Jeka Saragih by knockout (punch) at :28 of Round 1

> Women’s Flyweights- #13 Ariane da Silva (17-10, 6-7 UFC) vs. Wang Cong (7-1, 2-1 UFC)

*da Silva missed weight by six pounds

Cong landing leg kicks early. Cong continuing to land leg kicks as da Silva lands a combination. Cong lands more leg kicks. da Silva grabs a leg but lets go and lands a right hand. da Silva lands a head kick. Cong lands a leg kick. da Silva lands a left hook. They clinch and da Silva lands a knee and Cong lands a right hand. Cong lands a leg kick that gets a big reaction from da Silva. Cong then lands a flurry of punches. They trade and Cong lands a right hand. Cong with another right hand. 10-9 Cong.

They trade right hands. Cong is pressing forward and landing more, though da Silva is working the jab. da Silva lands a combo. Cong with a leg kick. Cong lands some more leg kicks. Cong lands a jab. She lands an inside leg kick. They trade inside the pocket then Cong lands a leg kick followed by a combo. da Silva lands a head kick and a left hook. Cong lands a leg kick and da Silva goes down to the mat. She lets da Silva up. 10-9 Wang, 20-18 Wang.

Wang lands a combination. da Silva lands a left hand. They trade in the pocket. Wang with a right hand. They trade and Wang lands a combo. da Silva looks for a takedown but Wang defends and da Silva lands a knee as they separate. Wang with the jab. da Silva lands a combination. da Silva lands a knee. da Silva lands a right hand. Wang with a leg kick then a left hook. da Silva lands a combo ending with a knee. Wang lands a right hand. 10-9 Wang, 30-27 Wang.

Fight Result- Wang Cong def. Ariane da Silva by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

UFC ESPN PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT

> Welterweights- Khaos Williams (15-4, 6-3 UFC) vs. Andreas Gustafsson (11-2, 0-0 UFC)

Gustafsson comes out swinging and Williams gets the clinch. Gustafsson with a knee to the body. Williams with some hammerfists to the hips of Gustafsson. They remain tied up as Gustafsson lands some knees. They are separated by referee Mike Beltran. Gustafsson lands. Gustafsson with a left hand. They tie back up against the fence. They separate. They both swing wildly. Gustafsson lands some knees after they clinch back up. Williams lands as they almost separated. Gustafsson with an elbow and Williams lands some knees. Gustafsson with a knee. 10-9 Gustafsson.

They both throw before clinching back up. Gustafsson with some knees as Williams lands hammerfists to the body. They separate. They both swing and not much lands. Williams lands a combo and Gustafsson ties it back up. They both dirty box and separate. Williams with a body kick. Gustafsson lands a right hand. They tie back up. Gustafsson scores a takedown. They quickly get up and Gustafsson lands a knee before taking it back down. Gustafsson has side control and then the back as they stand. Gustafsson with some knees from the back before he drags Williams back down. Gustafsson with some left hands and elbows. Williams is cut open. Gustafsson with knees in the clinch. 10-9 Gustafsson, 20-18 Gustafsson.

They trade before clinching. Gustafsson controlling against the fence and lands some knees and shoulder strikes. Gustafsson staying busy enough to keep it from being broken up. Gustafsson lands some uppercuts. Gustafsson lands an elbow. Gustafsson lands some short punches. Gustafsson gets it to the mat but they stand. Gustafsson has the back and drags it down. Williams rolls and Gustafsson ends up on top. Gustafsson with some big elbows and hammerfists. They stand and Gustafsson has the back and lands some knees before getting it back down. They stand and Gustafsson with more knees. Gustafsson with more big left hands and gets it back down and continues to land as it ends. 10-8 Gustafsson, 30-26 Gustafsson.

Fight Result- Andreas Gustafsson def. Khaos Williams by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)

> Heavyweights- #7 Serghei Spivac (17-5, 8-5 UFC) vs. #11 Waldo Cortes-Acosta (13-1, 6-1 UFC)

Spivac with a body kick and Cortes-Acosta lands a leg kick. Cortes-Acosta with another leg kick. Spivac lands some kicks. They trade jabs and leg kicks. Spivac gets a brief takedown and has the back as they get to their feet. They break apart. Cortes-Acosta lands a right hand. Spivac lands a jab. Spivac with a high kick. Cortes-Acosta lands a right hand and they tie up. They separate. They trade jabs. Spivac working the jab and pressing forward. Cortes-Acosta lands a leg kick. Spivac with a big right hand. Cortes-Acosta with a late flurry. 10-9 Spivac.

Spivac with a high kick. Cortes-Acosta lands a right hand. Spivac lands a jab followed by a leg kick. They trade and clinch for a moment before separating. They trade kicks. Spivac with a right hand. They trade in close range as Cortes-Acosta lands a knee and a right hand to the body. Cortes-Acosta with a leg kick. Spivac looks for a takedown but Cortes-Acosta defends. Spivac lands a right hand. Cortes-Acosta lands to the body. 10-9 Cortes-Acosta, 19-19.

They both land inside the pocket to start the third. Cortes-Acosta with some leg kicks. Spivac lands a big right hand and Cortes-Acosta was hurt, but Spivac allowed him to recover by not following up. Spivac lands an elbow. Cortes-Acosta with a jab. Spivac rushes in as he lands a combo. Cortes-Acosta lands a knee. Spivac lands a combination. They trade jabs. Spivac lands a right hand. Cortes-Acosta with a right hand. Spivac looks for a takedown but Cortes-Acosta defends against the fence, but Spivac is able to pick him up and slam him down even though Cortes-Acosta tried to grab the top of the fence. They get up and separate. They trade and Spivac hurts Cortes-Acosta with a right hand late. Close fight. 10-9 Spivac, 29-28 Spivac.

Fight Result- Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Serghei Spivac by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

> Light Heavyweights- #12 Azamat Murzakanov (14-0, 4-0 UFC) vs. Brendson Ribeiro (17-7, 2-2 UFC)

Ribeiro with some early leg kicks as Murzakanov lands a body kick. Ribeiro with a high kick. Ribeiro with another high kick and Murzakanov blocks it with his arm. Murzakanov lands a left hand. Murzakanov with a left hook to the body. Murzakanov connects with a left hand and wobbles Ribeiro with another. Ribeiro goes to the mat and Murzakanov gets on top and starts teeing off. Murzakanov landing lots of left hands and it is all over! A big finish from Murzakanov!

Fight Result- Azamat Murzakanov def. Brendson Ribeiro by TKO (punches) at 3:25 of Round 1

> Flyweights- #12 Bruno Silva (14-6-2 1 NC, 4-3 1 NC UFC) vs. #14 Joshua Van (13-2, 6-1 UFC)

Silva with a pair of leg kicks. Silva is landing a lot of leg kicks early but is eating counter shots from Van. Van lands a nice combination. Silva with a side body kick. Van lands a combo and drops Silva with a right hand. Van tries to finish on the top but Silva pushes him off and gets to his feet. They trade leg kicks. Van lands a big right hand. Van lands a knee. Silva with a pair of calf kicks. Van lands a left hook. 10-9 Van.

Van lands a combo. Van with another combo. They trade punches. Van with a left hook. Van drops Silva with a right hand. Van starts landing but Silva is able to recover and get to his feet. Silva gets a brief takedown and they get to their feet. Van with more right hands. Van drops Silva again with a knee this time and starts landing from the top. Van stands and Silva is ordered up. 10-9 Van, 20-18 Van.

Silva lands a body kick. They trade jabs. Van with the jab. Van with a solid combination. Van lands a big right hand. Silva lands a jab. Van with an uppercut. Van lands a jab. Silva rushes in and Van side steps him and Silva crashes into the cage, then Van lands a right hand. Van with a left hook to the body followed by a front kick. Van drops Silva again with a right hand and a flurry finishes it.

Fight Result- Joshua Van def. Bruno Silva by TKO (punches) at 4:01 of Round 3

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

> Welterweights- #14 Vicente Luque (23-10-1, 16-6 UFC) vs. Kevin Holland (27-13 1 NC, 14-10 1 NC UFC)

Luque lands a right hand. Luque grabs the single leg and Holland lands lots of punches to defend and Luque lets go. They trade and Holland stuns Luque with a right hand. Luque lands a leg kick. Luque lands a pair of left hands as Holland lands a right hand. Luque lands a left hook. Holland with a jab. Luque with a right hand. They trade. 10-9 Holland.

They’re trading short punches early on. Luque lands a kick and slips to the mat. Holland grabs the neck and locks in a choke. It is in deep and Luque taps!

Fight Result- Kevin Holland def. Vicente Luque by submission (D’Arce choke) at 1:03 of Round 2

> Bantamweights- #10 Mario Bautista (15-2, 9-2 UFC) vs. Patchy Mix (20-1, 0-0 UFC)

Bautista landing some leg kicks and combos early. Bautista attacks the body. Mix with some leg kicks. Bautista lands a right hand and then another. Mix lands a left hand. Bautista lands a leg kick then a right hand to the body. Bautista lands a body kick. Mix with an inside leg kick and Bautista counters with a right hand. Mix lands a knee then a left hand. Bautista with an overhand right. Mix lands a leg kick. Bautista lands another right hand. Bautista lands several shots to the body. They trade kicks. Mix lands a left hand. Bautista with a right hand to the body. Mix lands a body kick. Bautista with a right hand. 10-9 Bautista.

Bautista lands some right hands. Mix with a body kick. Mix lands a jab. Mix with a right hand. Bautista lands a jab. Bautista lands a left hand. Mix lands a combo. Mix works in some jabs. Mix with a right hook to the body. Mix mixes in some kicks. Mix with a combo. Mix with an inside leg kick. Mix lands the jab. Bautista with a right hand. Bautista lands a combo. They both land combos in close range. Bautista lands a jab. Bautista lands two right hands. Bautista with a right hook to the body. 10-9 Bautista, 20-18 Bautista.

Bautista comes out landing. Mix looks for a takedown but Bautista defends it easily. Bautista lands a combination. Bautista lands another. Bautista with a pair of leg kicks. Mix lands a body kick. Mix with a jab. Mix lands a left hand. They both land in close range. Bautista lands a nice combination. Mix lands a left hand. Bautista with a jab. Bautista with some kicks, then a left hand then a jab. Bautista lands a combination. Mix stuns Bautista with a punch then lands a big knee. Mix lands a left hand. Mix lands late. 10-9 Bautista, 30-27 Bautista.

Fight Result- Mario Bautista def. Patchy Mix by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

> Middleweights- Kelvin Gastelum (19-9 1 NC, 13-9 1 NC UFC) vs. Joe Pyfer (13-3, 4-1 UFC)

Pyfer lands a body kick. He lands another. Pyfer drops Gastelum with a right hand and starts landing but Gastelum is able to get up. Pyfer lands another right hand. Pyfer with a right hand to the body. Pyfer with another right hand. Gastelum lands a left hand. Pyfer with a body kick. Pyfer lands a head kick that wobbles Gastelum for a brief moment. Pyfer follows with a jab. Pyfer drops Gastelum again with another right hand. Pyfer lands some shots then backs up to allow Gastelum back up. Pyfer lands a left hook. 10-9 Pyfer.

Gastelum lands two leg kicks. Gastelum with a left hook to the body. Pyfer lands a right hand then an uppercut. Pyfer lands a combination. Pyfer with a leg kick. Pyfer with a left hook. Pyfer lands a head kick. Gastelum lands a leg kick. Pyfer lands a right hand. Gastelum lands a left hand. They trade inside the pocket. Gastelum lands a jab. They trade as Pyfer lands a combo. 10-9 Pyfer, 20-18 Pyfer.

Gastelum landing with more output to start the third. Pyfer lands a right hand. Gastelum lands a jab. Gastelum lands a left hand. They clinch for a brief moment and separate. Pyfer scores a takedown. Gastelum immediately sprawls and gets to his feet and pushes Pyfer against the fence. They break apart. Gastelum lands a left hand. Gastelum lands a left to the body. Gastelum with another left hand. Pyfer lands a right hand. Gastelum with a leg kick. Gastelum lands two left hands. 10-9 Gastelum, 29-28 Pyfer.

Fight Result- Joe Pyfer def. Kelvin Gastelum by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 30-27)

> UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Julianna Pena (11-5, 8-3 UFC) defends against #2 Kayla Harrison (18-1, 2-0 UFC)

Harrison with a front kick. Harrison lands a jab. Harrison lands a left hand. Harrison with a body kick. Harrison grabs ahold of Pena against the fence. Harrison gets a takedown into side control. Harrison lands a knee to the body. Harrison with some left hands from the top. Pena lands several illegal upkicks and timeout is called. Pena has a point taken away. They get back going and Harrison lands a leg kick. 10-8 Harrison.

Harrison lands a left hand. Harrison with an inside leg kick. Harrison lands a body kick. Harrison with a body kick as Pena lands a right hand. They clinch against the fence. Pena is defending as Harrison has Pena against the fence. Harrison gets a takedown and is in Pena’s full guard. Harrison with an elbow then starts landing several punches. Harrison with another elbow and lands some right hands from the back. Harrison controlling from the top looking to set up a choke. Harrison then grabs the arm and quickly locks in a kimura and Pena quickly taps! Complete domination from Harrison to become the new champion.

Fight Result- Kayla Harrison def. Julianna Pena by submission (kimura) at 4:55 of Round 2 to win the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship

> UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili (19-4, 12-2 UFC) defends against #1 Sean O’Malley (18-2 1 NC, 10-2 1 NC UFC)

O’Malley with a spin kick. Dvalishvili trying to find an opening. O’Malley works the jab and to the body. O’Malley back to the jab and Dvalishvili lands a left hand. O’Malley with a right hand. Dvalishvili lands a left hand. O’Malley connects to the body. Dvalishvili lands and scores a takedown. They stand as Dvalishvili lands some knees. They separate and both land. Dvalishvili lands a left hook. Dvalishvili gets another takedown. Dvalishvili lands from the top. Dvalishvili with elbows from the top. 10-9 Dvalishvili.

Dvalishvili lands a body kick. Dvalishvili with a leg kick. Dvalishvili lands a combination. O’Malley lands a right hand. O’Malley lands a body kick. Dvalishvili with a left hand. O’Malley lands a right hand to the body. Dvalishvili looks for a takedown but O’Malley defends. O’Malley with a right hand to the body. He lands a big left hand. Dvalishvili lands a right hand. Dvalishvili lands a big right hand. Dvalishvili looks for a takedown but O’Malley defends. O’Malley with a right hand. Dvalishvili lands late. 10-9 Dvalishvili, 20-18 Dvalishvili.

Dvalishvili lands a right hand and they both connect as they swing wildly. Dvalishvili gets a slam takedown. Dvalishvili landing from the top. Dvalishvili lands to the body. Dvalishvili really controlling on the mat as he lands some knees. They stand and Dvalishvili still has body control. Dvalishvili gets O’Malley back down to the mat. Dvalishvili landing punches. They stand. Dvalishvili gets it right back down. Dvalishvili grabs the neck and looks for a choke and has one locked in. O’Malley taps! Dvalishvili keeps the championship in convincing fashion.

Fight Result- Merab Dvalishvili def. Sean O’Malley by submission (north south choke) at 4:42 of Round 3

Daily Update: Weekend preview, Greg Oliver, Francis Ngannou

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest Headlines

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

This Week’s Back Issue

Friday Update

– The weekend schedule is Garrett Gonzales and I doing a show later today covering the Observer that came out this morning, week in review and several historical topics. Bryan and I will be back Saturday night covering a slew of shows including both WWE shows tomorrow and UFC 316, as well as the rest of the news.

– The new issue of the Observer is up on the site today covering these and other items:

  • WWE cuts this past week, why and more details, lots of reaction to R-Truth and the story behind it
  • Preview of the WWE Money in the Bank and Worlds Collide shows as well as updated ticket demand for the shows as well as odds
  • New Japan Dominion and Kosei Fujita win Best of the Super Juniors in one of the year’s best matches
  • The most detailed look at the ratings of all the pro wrestling TV shows this past week including competition, segments, demo and what things on the different shows boosted the audience
  • Notes on one of the biggest Arena Mexico shows this year
  • Major arena sells out seven weeks in a row
  • Newcomers behind the scenes as WWE takes over AAA
  • Stardom PPV notes
  • Major signings for Hogan & Bischoff’s RAF company
  • Who has won the most awards in specific categories in the 45 year history of the Observer awards
  • Ratings for the past season of Dark Side of the Ring
  • Notes on wrestlers recently cut by WWE
  • AEW departures and details
  • Advance ticket sales for WWE, AEW and TNA shows
  • Lots more notes on AEW going to Arena Mexico
  • Bryan Danielson says his career highlight
  • Significance of the Phil Davis lawsuit and how it affects TKO and perhaps even WWE
  • Promotion cutting prices to increase ticket buys
  • Notes on MMA reporter Jordan Breen
  • Update on WrestleMania in Las Vegas
  • Nick Khan and Vince McMahon selling TKO stock
  • How much are analysts expecting the WWE PLE right and UFC rights to end up at and what does this mean for the stock price
  • Paul Levesque and Dwayne Johnson
  • Notes on WWE counter programming AEW
  • Bill Goldberg updates
  • How much money has Dwayne Johnson made from WWE since his return 18 months ago
  • Top YouTube viewing numbers this past week

– After denying this a few times, although we were told by multiple people it was accurate, Ric Flair announced to People Magazine that he has skin cancer. He will begin treatment next week. He said it was the second time he’s had it.

– Greg Oliver, one of the most accomplished people in pro wrestling media history and author of several books noted that he has left Slam! Wrestling the site that he created. He said that after selling the site, their decision to remove five years’ worth of images from the site, destroying countless hours of work and disrespecting those who used the stories as a part of their resume, was his breaking point but it was not the only issue. Oliver has written numerous historical books, all worthwhile and excellent resources and kept up and talked more with wrestlers of the past than any reporter in history.

– After reps of Francis Ngannou talked about being open to return to UFC, Jon Jones on Twitter said he’d be willing to face Ngannou after intimating he’s not interested in facing Tom Aspinall. Ngannou being interested in returning would say PFL doesn’t have any way to monetize the deal they had signed him to.

– This is a huge weekend of shows:

SmackDown tonight is from Bakersfield, CA —

  • LA Knight vs. Aleister Black
  • Rhea Ripley & Stephanie Vauqer & Alexa Bliss vs. Roxanne Perez & Giulia & Naomi
  • Plus a confrontation with John Cena, Logan Paul, Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso. and Seth Rollins and the rest of the men’s MITB competitors are on the show

WWE the last two weeks has done two of its three lowest ratings (only ahead of the night against Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson) for SmackDown. The past two weeks of Raw for the U.S. are also the two lowest numbers for a live regular show in its history due to the decline of viewing on Netflix.

TNA Against All Odds on TNA and Triller tonight at 9 p.m. Eastern from Tempe. AZ —

  • Ash & Heather & M by Elegance vs. Xia Brookside & Myla Grace & Harley Hudson
  • Mustafa Ali vs. Jason Hotch
  • Steve Maclin vs. Mance Warner for the International title
  • Ryan & Nic Nemeth defend the TNA tag titles against Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel
  • Santino Marella vs. Robert Stone for the Head of Authority position
  • Joe Hendry vs. Frankie Kazarian
  • Masha Slamovich vs. Lei Ying Lee for the Knockouts title
  • Trick William vs. Elijah for the TNA title

WWE/AAA Worlds Collide at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA, at 3 p.m.. Eastern tomorrow on YouTube —

  • Dragon Lee & Cruz Del Toro & Lince Dorado vs. Aero Star & Octagon Jr. & Mr. Iguana
  • Stephanie Vaquer & Lola Vice vs. Dalys & Chik Tormenta
  • Santos Escobar & Angel & Berto vs. El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. & Pagano & Psycho Clown
  • Ethan Page vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Rey Fenix vs. Laredo Kid for the NXT North American title
  • El Hijo del Vikingo vs. Chad Gable for the AAA Mega championship

Regarding the Mike Tenay stuff from the Observer today and announcing this show. Yes, there was talk regarding him. I can’t say 100 percent he’s not doing the show, but I can say 100 percent he was not as of a few days ago and I don’t anticipate that changing. I don’t know if WWE even asked him, only that he was talked about internally. I’ve seen people write like it could happen and I’m very strongly not expecting that to be the case.

The AAA and WWE talent that haven’t worked together before were all brought to Orlando this week to map their matches out.

Money in the Bank from the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, CA at 7 p.m. Eastern —

  • Solo Sikoa, LA Knight, Penta, Seth Rollins, Andrade and El Grande Americano in the Men’s Money in the Bank ladder match
  • Rhea Ripley vs. Stephanie Vaquer vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Naomi vs. Giulia vs. Roxanne Perez in Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match
  • Lyra Valkyria vs. Becky Lynch for the IC title
  • Jey Uso & Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena & Logan Paul

– UFC 316 from Newark, NJ tomorrow —

Prelims on ESPN+ at 6 p.m. Eastern

  • MarQuel Mederos (155) vs. Mark Choinski (155)
  • Quillan Salkilld (156) vs. Yanai Ashmouz (155)
  • Jake Saragih (145) vs. Joo Sang Yoo (145
  • Ariana da Silva (132) vs. Wang Cong (125) – da Silva missed weight by six pounds. The fight will go on with da Silva forfeiting 25 percent of her purse

ESPN and ESPN+ at 8 p.m. Eastern

  • Khaos Williams (170) vs. Andreas Gustaffson (170)j
  • Serghei Spivac (251) vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta (265)
  • Azamat Murzakanov (205) vs. Brendson Ribeiro (205)
  • Bruno Silva (125) vs. Joshua Van (125)

PPV at 10 p.m. Eastern

  • Vicente Luque (170) vs. Kevin Holland (170)
  • Mario Bautista (135) vs. Patchy Mix (135)
  • Kelvin Gastelum (185) vs. Joe Pyfer (185)
  • Julianna Pena (135) vs. Kayla Harrison (135) for the women’s bantamweight tile
  • Merab Dvalishvilii (134) vs. Sean O’Malley (135) for the men’s bantamweight title

This is a major show with the best hyped fight of the year in Pena vs. Harrison. Harrison looked very drained making 135 (her judo gold medal winning weight was 172 and even 145 was a huge cut. The 135 cut is a huge part of the story. Mix, who was Belltor bantamweight champion and he never lost that title ,debuts in a very interesting fight as well.

– Drew McIntyre turns 40 today.

– We will be doing weekend polls for both Worlds Collide and Money in the Bank. You can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match from each show to [email protected]

– We’re looking for reports on these weekend shows:

  • SmackDown tonight in Bakersfield, CA (any pre-show bouts or things not on the live show)
  • TNA TV tapings tomorrow night in Tempe ,AZ

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

– Former ROH super heavyweight Brian Milonas announced his retirement saying that sometimes the mind wants something the body just isn’t capable of. He noted that he has been a fan since childhood and his career has lasted nearly 23 years.

– CMLL tonight at Arena Mexico has top matches of Mistico & Atlantis Jr. & Esfinge vs. Angel de Oro & Hechicero & Volador Jr., Atlantis & Blue Panther vs. Ultimo Guerrero & Gran Guerrero, Titan & Magnus & Rugido vs. Barbaro Cavernario & Templario & Valiente and Jarochita & Lluvia defend the CMLL women’s tag titles against Dark Siluets & Zeuxis. They are working on a streak now of Friday shows that have topped 10,000.

– Voices of Wrestling has its top 30 under 30 listing for 2025 at:

– They will be taping ROH after Dynamite on 6/18 at Arena Mexico. Thunder Rosa & Persephone will work as a tag team on that show.

– A unique match with Titan vs. Robbie X with a 10:00 time limit takes place on 6/15 at Arena Mexico.

– For the first time ever, the IWGP women’s title will be defended in Europe today on the Pro Wrestling Eve show in London with Syuri defending against Alex Windsor.

– Brock Lesnar has not yet filled out forms to collect his share of the Cung Le settlement. If he doesn’t by 6/16, the money will be dispersed to other fighters. Lesnar would be receiving millions of dollars if he declares.

– Mercedes Mone captured the women’s title for Prater-Catchden promotions in Vienna Austria.

– Shotzi Blackheart vs. Nina Samuels was announced for the 6/29 Progress show in Manchester, UK at the O2 Ritz. The main event on the show is Luke Jacobs vs. Cara Noir for the Progress world title.

– Kron Gracie, the son of Rickson Gracie, has been removed from the UFC roster.

– The already taped MLW annual War Chamber match will be airing at 10 p.m. tomorrow night on beIN Sports and the MLW YouTube page. It’s a War Games match with Matthew Justice & Paul London & Bomaye Fight Club vs. BRG & Brock Anderson & CW Anderson & Bobby Fish

– Dawg Pro Wrestling on 6/28 at the Sacred Heart Church in Riverton, NJ.

– There will be a ton of WWEID tournament matches on Sunday at the NYWC Sportatorium in Deer Park, NY, at 7 p.m. Women’s tournament bout is Kylie Rae vs. Zara Zakher. Men’s are Sean Legacy vs. Brad Baylor, Jackson Drake vs. Aaron Rourke, Cappuccino Jones vs. Ricky Smokes, Jack Cartwheel vs. Marcus Mathjers, Jordan Oasis vs. Bryce Donovan and Ice Williams 

– Tod Gordon has started his weekly podcast called “Tod is Pod” which debuts today at PodcastHeatWrestling.com. The debut episode talks about Sabu.

WBD remains ‘wildcard’ in UFC TV rights negotiations, major players revealed

Posted on by Josh Nason

The UFC TV rights negotiations are heating up with a wrestling-centric player in the mix.

Reported by John Ourand in his weekly Varsity newsletter for Puck, Ourand gave an update on the talks as TKO/UFC’s exclusive negotiating window with ESPN closed recently.

Ourand noted that at least four companies are in the mix with a split in two packages appearing to be the likeliest outcome. It could be just one if one of the big streamers wants everything for themselves, leaving the sport “underexposed” — something TKO’s Mark Shapiro has cautioned about in the past.

He said renewal talks with incumbent ESPN “appear to be the furthest along” which would include retaining content for their linear networks in addition to their new direct-to-consumer ESPN streaming service launching this year.

He stated that both Amazon Prime and Netflix are in talks with the former “most interested in UFC’s pay-per-view business.” That is currently controlled domestically by ESPN where they pay UFC for the rights to sell PPVs for whatever price they choose. Of note, Prime began offering AEW PPVs earlier this year.

Ourand then noted that AEW partner WBD (Warner Bros. Discovery) is the “wildcard in the negotiations” as they have been acquiring various sports rights to help replace the NBA which has officially departed the network as of this week. He noted they would air fights on their linear channels in addition to HBO Max, but did not mention if there is any interest in PPV — a technology they are building to offer AEW PPVs.

If they were to acquire UFC rights, it’s assumed that AEW Collision would need to move from Saturdays on TNT or potentially go head-to-head on a different WBD station which seems very unlikely. Given the company’s occasional Thursday Collision due to NBA/NHL playoff games and to avoid WWE PLEs, moving to Thursdays would appear to be the most logical for a variety of reasons.

Ourand stated his sources indicate any deal closure is still nearly two months away. UFC’s current $1.5 billion deal with ESPN signed in 2018 ends at the close of 2025.

UFC main event canceled at very last minute due to medical emergency

Posted on by Josh Nason

Fighters have got pulled from fights on event nights, but rarely minutes before they are set to make the walk out.

However, that is what happened late Saturday night in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the Apex as main eventer Maycee Barber was deemed unfit to fight at UFC on ESPN 68 after she reportedly suffered a seizure backstage.

Her fight with Erin Blanchfield was so close to happening that the pre-fight video package rolled and they went to commercial before the walkouts. When they returned, they relayed the news (seen below), chalking it up to a “last-minute medical issue.”

Blanchfield later said she was waiting for her music to hit when she got the news from UFC exec Hunter Campbell who told her Barber suffered a seizure.

Blanchfield was critical of Barber ahead of the fight for her medical issues and previous pullouts, and was hesitant to accept this one. She was equally as critical at the post-event press conference, saying among other things, “(Barber is) a complete mess in every aspect of her entire life.”

Set to be contested at flyweight, Barber missed weight on Friday and had to make a deal with Blanchfield to go through with it. The two were originally slated to fight in December 2021 when Blanchfield replaced Montana De La Rosa, but Barber pulled out a month before for undisclosed reasons.

The 27-year-old Barber had a six-fight win streak going into Saturday, but hadn’t fought in more than a year. She said that after her win at UFC 299 in mid-2024, she suffered complications from the combination of pneumonia, strep throat, and a staph infection which led her to be hospitalized for nine days, saying she was diagnosed with the Epstein-Barr virus.

October 24, 2007 Observer Newsletter: Randy Couture leaves UFC, MMA interest falls in Japan

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

It was barely seven months ago when Randy Couture provided the emotional high point in UFC history when he defeated Tim Sylvia in front of the hottest crowd in company history, winning the heavyweight title just a few months before his 44th birthday.

With his fifth title win, it solidified Couture as perhaps the best fighter in UFC history, but absolutely the most successful in the clutch, and the best representative the company ever had to the public. The company didn’t have television in 2003. Couture as a 40-year-old soft-spoken tough Greco-Roman wrestler as champion in a sport seen in many places as savagery could have been marketed as a hero to middle-aged America. But on 3/3, UFC seemed at a popularity peak.

He was the underdog, as he was in most of his big fights. He was giving up size, power, striking ability and youth to a 6-8 ogre-like man who dwarfed him the day before at weigh-ins. UFC was criticized for making the match.

Subscribers can read this issue here.

UFC on ESPN 68 live results: Erin Blanchfield vs. Maycee Barber

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Action inside the Octagon is back following a week off as the UFC Apex in Las Vegas is the place to be for UFC On ESPN 68.

The main event is a pivotal bout in the women’s flyweight division as Erin Blanchfield takes on Maycee Barber. Blanchfield is looking for her second straight win following a November win over Rose Namajunas, while Barber fights for the first time in over a year, looking to extend her six-fight win streak. The winner could be in line for a title shot at 125 pounds.

The co-main event is an interesting match-up at 155 pounds as seventh-ranked Mateusz Gamrot takes on Ludovit Klein, who is unbeaten in his last seven fights.

Also on the main card is a welterweight bout between Billy Ray Goff and Ramiz Brahimaj; a light heavyweight battle pitting Dustin Jacoby against Bruno Lopes; and a women’s featherweight bout between top-five bantamweights Ketlen Vieira and Macy Chiasson.

ESPN+ PRELIMS | 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT

> Women’s Strawweights- Rayanne dos Santos (14-8, 0-2 UFC) vs. Alice Ardelean (9-7, 0-2 UFC)

They trade as Ardelean connects. dos Santos lands a combination. They trade and dos Santos lands a knee. Ardelean with a combination. Ardelean lands a left hand and dos Santos counters with a right hand. They clinch against the fence with dos Santos controlling. Ardelean reverses position. They break apart and Ardelean lands a right hand. They trade inside the pocket. They trade in close range again. dos Santos lands a right hand. Ardelean stuns dos Santos with a left hook. dos Santos lands a right hand. Ardelean lands a combo. dos Santos lands a leg kick. Ardelean with a combo and lands a left hand. 10-9 Ardelean.

Ardelean gets a brief takedown and lands a shot from the top before they stand. dos Santos lands a jab and a right hand. dos Santos looks for a takedown but Ardelean defends. They trade jabs. Ardelean lands a right hand. They trade combinations. Ardelean connects with a flurry inside the pocket. dos Santos works the jab. dos Santos lands a right hand. dos Santos lands a knee after a combo. Ardelean lands a left hand. dos Santos lands a right hand. They trade in close range and Ardelean lands a right hand. dos Santos with a right hand. They trade and Ardelean with a big combo. 10-9 Ardelean, 20-18 Ardelean.

dos Santos lands a kick and Ardelean lands a combination. dos Santos lands a combo and ends it with a knee. dos Santos lands a big left hook that briefly stuns Ardelean. They trade jabs. dos Santos lands a combo. Ardelean lands to the body then lands a right hand. They trade jabs and continue to both land in close range. dos Santos lands a combo but eats a big right hand from Ardelean. dos Santos lands a right hand. Ardelean with a jab and a right hand. dos Santos gets a takedown. They quickly scramble and Ardelean ends up on top and lands before they stand. Ardelean connecting more in close range. Ardelean with a jab. dos Santos lands a body kick. They both land big right hands as Ardelean connects with a combination. They both land to end it. 10-9 Ardelean, 30-27 Ardelean.

Fight Result- Alice Ardelean def. Rayanne dos Santos by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

> Lightweights- Bolaji Oki (9-2, 1-1 UFC) vs. Michael Aswell (10-2, 0-0 UFC)

Oki working the jab early. Oki lands a leg kick. Oki lands to the body. Oki lands a combo. Aswell with a leg kick and Oki lands a left hand. Oki lands a left hook to the body then connects with several clean right hands. Oki lands a leg kick. Oki lands another stiff right hand. They trade in close range. Oki still getting the better of the exchanges. Aswell lands a big right hand and follows with a combo. Oki with a stiff jab and a leg kick. Oki connects to the body. Aswell connects with a big left hook late. 10-9 Oki.

Oki lands a leg kick and connecting with some punches early. They trade and Aswell lands a combination. They trade in close range. Oki lands a right hand. Aswell lands a left hand. Aswell lands a combination. Oki lands a leg kick. Aswell with a combo. Aswell with small combinations. Aswell lands another combo. Oki with a right hand to the body. Oki lands a combination. Oki with a step-in knee and a big right hand. Oki with a big combination. Oki lands a right hand. Oki with a left hand. Oki with a stiff right hand. 10-9 Oki, 20-18 Oki.

They’re trading inside the pocket to start the third and Oki is landing with more impact. Aswell with a quick combo as Oki lands a jab. Oki lands a left hook. Oki with a right hand as he’s pressuring Aswell. Oki lands a combo, mixing to the body then the head. Oki with a combination. Aswell lands a combo. Oki connecting with the bigger shots. Aswell lands a right hand but Oki still chasing him down. They trade late. 10-9 Oki, 30-27 Oki.

Fight Result- Bolaji Oki def. Michael Aswell by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Lightweights- Kurt Holobaugh (21-9 1 NC, 2-6 UFC) vs. Jordan Leavitt (11-3, 4-3 UFC)

Leavitt gets an immediate takedown and is in side control. They get to the fence and to their feet as Leavitt has the back. Leavitt gets a slam takedown and keeps back control. Leavitt grabs the neck for a guillotine choke. Holobaugh rolls and Leavitt has an anaconda choke in. It is in deep and Holobaugh goes out cold!

Fight Result- Jordan Leavitt def. Kurt Holobaugh by submission (anaconda choke) at 1:39 of Round 1

> Flyweights*- Jafel Filho (16-3, 2-1 UFC) vs. Allan Nascimento (20-6, 2-1 UFC)

*Nascimento missed weight by 1.5 pounds

Nascimento lands a calf kick. He lands a leg kick and Filho with a right hand. Nascimento with another leg kick. Filho lands a big combo before getting the underhooks against the fence. Filho lands a pair of knees. They continue to battle in the clinch as Filho lands some knees. They go to the mat and Filho almost has the mount. Filho controls from the top, but Nascimento is able to push him off and they stand. Filho gets it back down and has the back. Filho gets the body triangle locked on. Filho gets the mount and looked for an arm-triangle choke, but lets go. Filho then locks in a mounted guillotine choke. Nascimento is able to survive the round. 10-9 Filho.

Filho landing to start the second and looks for a takedown against the fence. Filho gets the takedown and controls from the top. Nascimento is able to sweep to the top and lands some elbows from side control. Nascimento looks for a choke but gets into the full guard of Filho. Nascimento remains in control from the top and lands a left hand. Nascimento with a big elbow from the top. 10-9 Nascimento, 19-19.

Nascimento lands a pair of kicks. Filho with a left hand. Filho lands an uppercut and Nascimento looks for a takedown. They scramble and Filho grabs the back and has neck control. Nascimento is able to spin into the guard of Filho. Nascimento gets the back of Filho as they’re on their knees against the fence. Nascimento lands from the back. Nascimento is scrambling and they get to their feet. Nascimento has back control. Nascimento is just holding on and trips Filho down. Nascimento lands from the back. Nascimento gets the body triangle locked on. 10-9 Nascimento, 29-28 Nascimento.

Fight Result- Allan Nascimento def. Jafel Filho by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

ESPN MAIN CARD | 9 PM ET/6 PM PT

> Middleweights- Zachary Reese (8-2, 2-2 UFC) vs. Dusko Todorovic (12-5, 3-5 UFC)

Reese goes for a takedown and they scramble as Todorovic has the neck. Todorovic looks for a mounted guillotine choke but they get back to their feet. Todorovic still has the neck and Reese goes to his knees. Todorovic lands a couple of knees to the body. They stand and Todorovic lets go of the neck. Reese lands a knee to the body. They separate. They tie back up and go back to the mat with Todorovic on top. Todorovic lands some punches and elbows from the top. Todorovic ends the round on top. 10-9 Todorovic.

Todorovic lands a leg kick and Reese connects with a big right hand that snaps Todorovic’s head back. They tie up but quickly break and Reese lands a body kick. Reese lands a knee and gets away from the clinch. Reese with a big combination. Todorovic lands a body kick. They clinch back up and Todorovic pushes it to the fence. They separate. Reese lands a body kick then a push kick. Todorovic looks for a takedown but Reese pushes him off. Reese lands a body kick but Todorovic turns it into a takedown. Todorovic lands from the top before they scramble up. They tie up against the fence. Dirty boxing from both before Reese lands a left hand and a knee to the body. Close round. 10-9 Reese, 19-19.

Reese with a combo inside the pocket. Reese lands a pair of kicks. Reese lands a left hand. Todorovic shoots for a takedown but Reese slips away. Reese with a pair of leg kicks. Reese connects with a right hand. Reese with a body kick then a head kick. Todorovic looks for a takedown but Reese defends. Todorovic lands a right hand. Reese lands another body kick. Todorovic lands a right hand as Reese lands a quick flurry. Reese with a right hook. Todorovic lands two right hands. Reese looks for a takedown but Todorovic defends. Todorovic foot sweeps Reese to separate. Reese lands a left hand. Reese lands a combo. 10-9 Reese, 29-28 Reese.

Fight Result- Zachary Reese def. Dusko Todorovic by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Women’s Featherweights- #3 Ketlen Vieira (14-4, 8-4 UFC) vs. #5 Macy Chiasson (10-3, 8-3 UFC)

Chiasson lands some early leg kicks. Vieira lands a right hand. Chiasson with a high kick but eats a left hand from Vieira. Vieira with a combo to the body. Chiasson with some more leg kicks. Vieira lands a left hand. Vieira lands a flurry against the fence. Chiasson tries to clinch as Vieira continues to land. They do tie up. Chiasson lands a knee as they battle in the clinch. Vieira lands to the body. Vieira lands as they break. Chiasson lands a right hand. Vieira lands in the clinch. 10-9 Vieira.

They trade and Chiasson looks for a takedown as they scramble to the mat. Vieira is on top and inside the guard of Chiasson. Vieira landing from the top as Chiasson is trying to throw her legs up. Vieira looks to take Chiasson’s back as Chiasson rolls. Vieira with a left hand from the top. Vieira with some body shots, mixing punches and elbows, from the top. Vieira landing lots of shots from the top right now. 10-9 Vieira, 20-18 Vieira.

Chiasson looks for an immediate takedown. Chiasson grabs the leg and Vieira is able to end up on top as they go to the ground. Vieira with a left hand from the top. Vieira landing from inside the guard of Chiasson. Vieira with a couple of big right hands from the top. Chiasson tries to scramble out but Vieira grabs the back as they stand. They roll back to the mat with Vieira end up back on top. Chiasson lands from the bottom and opens a cut on Vieira. They scramble up and are tied up as Chiasson lands. They break apart. Chiasson lands an elbow then a combo. 10-9 Vieira, 30-27 Vieira.

Fight Result- Ketlen Vieira def. Macy Chiasson by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

> Light Heavyweights- Dustin Jacoby (20-9-1, 8-6-1 UFC) vs. Bruno Lopes (14-1, 1-0 UFC)

Lopes with a pair of early leg kicks. They trade leg kicks. Jacoby stuns Lopes with a jab. Jacoby lands a flurry to follow up as they tie up against the fence. Lopes lands a knee and Jacoby rocks him with some uppercuts. They break and Jacoby is landing a big flurry as Lopes is hurt. Jacoby continues to land and drops Lopes and it is all over! What a finish from Jacoby!

Fight Result- Dustin Jacoby def. Bruno Lopes by knockout (punches) at 1:50 of Round 1

> Welterweights- Billy Ray Goff (9-3, 1-1 UFC) vs. Ramiz Brahimaj (11-5, 3-3 UFC)

Goff lands a body kick. Brahimaj shoots for a takedown and completes it. Brahimaj quickly takes the back as they get to their feet. Brahimaj jumps on the back of Goff. Brahimaj jumps off the back and they remain clinched up. Brahimaj with a pair of knees. Goff almost gets a takedown as Brahimaj grabbed the neck. Brahimaj then grabs Goff’s neck and locks in a tight guillotine choke. Goff starts tapping just before he goes out cold! A great submission finish from Brahimaj.

Fight Result- Ramiz Brahimaj def. Billy Ray Goff by submission (guillotine choke) at 3:16 of Round 1

> Lightweights- #7 Mateusz Gamrot (24-3 1 NC, 7-3 UFC) vs. Ludovit Klein (23-4-1, 7-2-1 UFC)

Gamrot lands a leg kick. Gamrot lands a combo then a leg kick. Gamrot with a high kick that Klein barely blocks. Gamrot with another high kick. Klein stuns Gamrot with a jab. Gamrot chasing a takedown as Klein is defending. Gamrot has back control against the fence on the feet. Gamrot landing punches from the position. Gamrot lands a knee. Gamrot gets Klein to a knee and lands some knees. Gamrot lands more knees. 10-9 Gamrot.

Gamrot grabs a leg and gets Klein to the mat. Gamrot gets inside the guard of Klein and lands some right hands. Gamrot postures up and lands more right hands. Gamrot is smothering as he moves to half-guard. Klein with small punches from the bottom. Klein throws some elbows from his back as Gamrot is landing punches. Gamrot with more ground-and-pound from the top. Gamrot with a stiff elbow from the top. Gamrot stands and Klein is throwing upkicks. Gamrot grabs the back as they go to the fence. They trade kicks as they separate. Gamrot lands a combination. Gamrot lands a right hand. 10-9 Gamrot, 20-18 Gamrot.

Gamrot looking for a takedown but Klein defends. Gamrot lands more punches. Klein lands a kick as Gamrot was looking for a takedown and Klein sprawls. They stand and separate. They trade kicks. Klein lands a body kick. Gamrot lands a right hand. Gamrot works the jab. Klein with a head kick that Gamrot barely blocks. Gamrot lands a solid right hand. Klein connects with a left hand. Klein lands a left hand but Gamrot connects with a counter combination. Klein with a pair of kicks. Gamrot gets a takedown. Gamrot lands from the back. Gamrot with some left hands from side control. Gamrot with big shots from the top. 10-9 Gamrot, 30-27 Gamrot.

Fight Result- Mateusz Gamrot def. Ludovit Klein by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Women’s Flyweights*- #4 Erin Blanchfield (13-2, 7-1 UFC) vs. #5 Maycee Barber (14-2, 9-2 UFC)

*Barber missed weight by a half-pound

WOW. The main event has been cancelled just before the fighters were scheduled to walk out due to a last-minute medical issue with Maycee Barber.

What a disaster.

Daily Update: Mariah May, Alberto El Patron, Phil Davis

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest Headlines

Latest Audio

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Friday Update

– Garrett Gonzales and I will be doing our week in review and business show today and if you have questions for the show you can send them to @Roheblius on Twitter. Bryan and I will be back with our weekend in review on Sunday night. We did an extra show up on the site yesterday.

– The new issue of the Observer is up on the site right now:

  • Full coverage of Double or Nothing including length of the show and why, the main event finish and who knew, the long-term booking, how things can be adjusted time wise, PPV early estimates, going head-to-head with WWE and the current WWE strategy and is it working or will it backfire, and what was unique in business regarding interest levels for this show, and match by match coverage.
  • What did readers think of Double or Nothing and Battleground.
  • John Laurinaitis joins with Janel Grant in the lawsuit against Vince McMahon and WWE. We look at the strategy, why the timing doesn’t make sense on the surface and what it shows about the belief of where the case is going, as well as Laurinaitis credibility as a witness, his past, and an amazing timeline look where the dots have never been connected before.
  • Saturday Night’s Main Event, the long-term of John Cena as champion, Cena’s last match, what match did the highest number, injury notes, Jesse Ventura and more.
  • WWE spoils a world title change in Mexico, the WWE strategy in Mexico, Alberto shoots a major angle, Worlds Collide matches and how business looks and more.
  • Salman Hashimikov, the unlikely IWGP champion, and the story of one of the best heavyweight amateur wrestlers in the world who had a short pro wrestling career, but a lot of major main event matches with legends.
  • Full coverage of NXT Battleground
  • The sad plight of BJ Penn
  • Best of the Super Juniors
  • The most detailed look at the ratings for all the shows of the past week, with demos, segments, how the shows are holding up, Netflix numbers and more
  • More on AEW talent at Arena Mexico
  • The Copa Juniors Cibernetico in Arena Mexico
  • MLW title matches at Arena Mexico
  • Nanae Takahashi retires
  • Lawsuit against Billy Jack Haynes by family of his murdered wife
  • The sad story of Shannon Spruill/Daffney
  • Unique independent matches
  • A crazy angle gets two police officers legitimately suspended
  • The Jim Ross Award
  • Why things changed at AEW PPV as far as distribution
  • Why Josh Alexander signed with AEW
  • Keith Lee update
  • Ticket sales for upcoming AEW, WWE and TNA shows
  • Another lawsuit filed against TKO
  • Cain Velasquez talks Dana White’s help
  • More on future WrestleManias
  • Update on UFC & WWE rights negotiations that will happen later this year
  • WWE main roster call-ups expected and where
  • Comparing the Raw ratings from January to last week while taking sleight of hand manipulations out
  • WWE stars in TV shows

– A few comments regarding Mariah May. Her dream was always WWE, as was noted to us years ago when she was in Stardom. That’s why I was surprised she signed with AEW in the first place. It was a smart strategy on her part. If she had gone to WWE, she very well could have still been in developmental. Instead, she made a lot more money and got a chance to make herself into a legit major star, so she goes into WWE as, I don’t want to see a proven commodity because sometimes WWE dismisses outside work, but she does go in as a star and no doubt gets her dream of being in WWE and with a far higher profile, undoubtedly with more opportunity and obviously for far more money. It’s very clear doing the blow-off of the feud with Toni Storm early and never using her again was because they were aware she was leaving. To her credit, in her last match, she and Storm put on what could easily be called a legendary women’s match. It’s the same situation with Stephanie Vaquer, where she would have made more money elsewhere, in Vaquer’s case a lot more, but their dream was WWE. WWE counts on that, as the same reason they got May and Vaquer is also the same reason they didn’t get Will Ospreay and Kazuchika Okada, because of the belief they would value a WrestleMania moment above a larger paycheck or a bigger push.

– SmackDown is tonight in Knoxville, TN, the home of mayor Glenn Jacobs with both John Cena and Cody Rhodes appearing. Bianca Belair also returns tonight. Two Money in the Bank qualifiers announced are Jacob Fatu vs. Andrade vs. Carmelo Hayes and Jake Cargill vs. Nia Jax vs. Naomi. The last Wrestletix report was 13,287 tickets out. It’s a larger building than most that WWE run as a TV taping real sellout would be closer to 16,300.

– We didn’t get the Tuesday ratings until today, but the NXT rating was 650,000 viewers with an 0.14 in 18-49 and 0.08 in 18-34. It was last among the networks but barely behind Fox in 18-49. They had very tough sports competition as the New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers game did 6.71 million viewers between TNT and TruTV and a 2.06 in 18-49, while the Dallas vs. Edmonton NHL game did 1.52 million and 0.43. It was much tougher competition than AEW had Wednesday night.

– Collision tomorrow night should open very strong. Tomorrow night’s Knicks vs. Pacers game will be followed by the final episode of Inside the NBA. AEW will start at around 11:30 p.m. Eastern and 8:30 p.m. Pacific. Given that time, the first 30 minutes should have a big audience but Mascara Dorada vs. Hechicero at 1:15 a.m., well, that’s going to be tough.

– Former UFC star Phil Davis has filed a class action antitrust lawsuit against UFC and TKO claiming that their attempt to monopolize the industry and keeping down other promotions has damaged the earnings potential of top stars not in the UFC. John Nash first reported this. They also claim that it damages the earnings potential by not allowing fighters from other groups to face the biggest stars and challenge for the most prestigious championships. This is actually a very interesting case. He’s filing as a class action suit with the class being the top fighters not in UFC. They are not seeking damages but asking for all UFC fighters to have one year sunset provisions to allow the openings of other companies and an ability to bid on the top UFC fighters each year. This is the second suit filed this week against UFC and TKO, the first being former fighter Misha Cirkunov who sued to invalidate the clause in UFC contracts from 2017 to the present that ban suing over financial issues and that financial issues have to be settled in arbitration.

– For those who thought the Alberto TV Azteca angle was legit, he was on another television show on the same network that night. He got a lot of publicity out of this. While it is common knowledge in Mexico that he’s losing his title tomorrow night to El Hijo del Vikingo, in none of his media interviews have they brought up that obvious question. So it appears they had to agree to that. WWE could call an audible, as Bill Watts and Eddie Graham would have, but I’d be surprised here.

– It is official that the NXT Great American Bash show on 7/12 in Atlanta, GA, will start at 3 p.m. Eastern time. That is the exact same start time as AEW’s All In.

– UFC tomorrow will air at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+ and then ESPN joins in at 9 p.m. Eastern.

  • Rayanne dos Santos (116) vs. Alice Ardelean (115.5)
  • Bolaji Oki (155.5) vs. Michale Aswell (155)
  • Kurt Holobaugh (156) vs. Jordan Leavitt (155.5)
  • Jafel Filho (126) vs. Allan Nascimento (127.5) – Nasicmento missed weight by 1.5 pounds and will forfeit 20 percent of his purse
  • Zachary Reese (185) vs. Dusko Todorovic (186)
  • Ketlen Vieira (146) vs. Macy Chiasson (144) – This was scheduled at 135 but Vieira informed UFC and Chiasson that she couldn’t make weight so they agreed for it to be at 145. Vieira was fined 25 percent of her purse.
  • Dustin Jacoby (205) vs. Bruno Lopes (206)
  • Billy Ray Goff (170) vs. Ramiz Brahimaj (171)
  • Mateusz Gamrot (156) vs. Ludovit Klein (156)
  • Maycee Barber (126.5) vs. Erin Blanchfield (125) – Barber missed weight by 0.5 pounds and will forfeit 20 percent of her purse

A Trevin Giles vs. Andreas Gustafsson match was canceled due to an injury to Giles.

– Arena Mexico tonight is the finals of Copa Juniors with Mascara Dorada vs. Zandokan Jr. The hot trios match is Mistico & Atlantis Jr. & Neon vs. Difunto & Volador Jr. & Barbaro Cavernario. They’re on a big streak as far as Friday night attendance so this should do well again.

– Tito Santana is being inducted into the Albany, NY, International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. The induction will be on 10/2. He joins Trish Stratus, Rocky Johnson and Tony Atlas as inductees on that date.

– What is currently listed as El Hijo del Santo’s last match in Mexico is 6/20 in Tijuana. It’s only billed as his last match in Tijuana and it’s on the Crash show. He has said he wanted to do more in other cities so we shall see. He will be working in London and I’m surprised he didn’t do a farewell in California. Santo will team with El Hijo de Rey Misterio (the legit son of Miguel Lopez) & Santo Jr. against Dr. Wagner Jr. & He Hijo del Fishman & D-Luxe.

– Kirk White’s Big Time Wrestling on 6/6 in Newark, CA at the Pavilion is headlined by Aaron Solo vs. LJ Cleary. It also has QT Marshall vs. Bad Dude Tito and Alpha Z vs. Alan Angels. Cleary is the guy who was on Backlash and is the fiance of Lyra Valkyria.

– Maple Leaf Wrestling announced they will be doing a free show on 6/14 at the St. Clair College SportsPlex in Windsor, ONT at 2 p.m. Announced are Rhino, Gisele Shaw and Kylie Rae.

– Stephen Wonderboy Thompson faces Gabriel Bonfim for UFC on its 7/12 show in Nashville on ESPN.

– Memphis Wrestling TV tomorrow features Scorpio Sky.

– Kanji vs. Nina Samuels in a loser leaves town match for Progress is on its 7/27 show at the Electric Ballroom in London.

– Jeff Jarrett will be wrestling in Melville, NY tomorrow night at the Create a Pro Wrestling card at All Sportz Melville. Also on the show is Rich Swann, Luke Gallows, Brian Myers, Eddie Edwards, Bear Bronson and Alisha Edwards.

– Crusherfest takes place tomorrow in South Milwaukee, WI. Jimmy Hart has pulled out of the show. Tommy Dreamer will wrestle in the Saturday night main event. Chris Jericho’s band will be performing there tomorrow as well. The event honors the memory of The Crusher, the biggest pro wrestling star out of Milwaukee.

UFC on ESPN+ 114 live results: Gilbert Burns vs. Michael Morales

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

The Octagon is back inside of the UFC Apex in Las Vegas this weekend for UFC On ESPN+ 114.

The main event is a five-round bout in the welterweight division as former title challenger Gilbert Burns takes on undefeated Michael Morales. Burns is looking to end a three-fight losing skid after dropping a decision to Sean Brady in September. Morales is in his first main event and is looking for his 18th consecutive win and to put himself into the title picture.

The co-main event is a battle at light heavyweight as Rodolfo Bellato takes on Paul Craig in Craig’s return to 205 pounds.

Also on the main card is a lightweight bout between Sodiq Yusuff and Mairon Santos; a middleweight bout pitting Dustin Stoltzfus against Nursulton Ruziboev; and an action-packed match-up at featherweight as Julian Erosa takes on Melquizael Costa.

ESPN+ PRELIMS | 4 PM ET/1 PM PT

> Women’s Strawweights- #13 Tecia Pennington (14-7, 10-7 UFC) vs. #15 Luana Pinheiro (11-4, 3-3 UFC)

Pennington lands a pair of jabs then a pair of leg kicks before landing a head kick. Pinheiro lands a calf kick. Pennington lands a leg kick and circles away. They trade leg kicks. Pennington with a quick combo. Pinheiro lands a right hand as Pennington was looking to land, and follows it up with a couple more punches. Pennington with a leg kick followed by a right hand. They trade inside the pocket and Pennington connects with a solid right hand. Pinheiro looks for a takedown but Pennington defends, though Pinheiro lands a right hand as they separate. Pennington lands a combination inside the pocket. Pennington lands a left hand before Pinheiro lands some knees, and Pennington lands a right hand on the break. They trade and Pennington slips to the mat and Pinheiro jumps on top as time runs out. 10-9 Pennington.

They trade kicks. Pinheiro lands a leg kick. She lands another then connects with a right hand. Both are being patient and Pinheiro lands a leg kick. Pennington rushes in and connects but eats a counter combination from Pinheiro. Pinheiro lands a right hand. Pennington lands a shot that backs Pinheiro up. Pennington lands a leg kick and they trade in close range. Pinheiro lands a short uppercut. They trade and Pennington gets the body lock and lands. 10-9 Pinheiro, 19-19.

They trade kicks as Pennington lands a head kick. Pennington looking for the side kicks and Pinheiro lands a knee in the clinch. They trade kicks. Both are being patient and looking for openings. Pennington lands a spinning back fist that hurts Pinheiro for a moment. Pennington lands a side kick to the body. Pennington lands a side kick to the face and Pinheiro gets a brief takedown. They remain tied up and Pinheiro is able to trip it down, but they get up. They go back down for a moment but work back to their feet. Pinheiro with a takedown into side control. Pennington is looking for a triangle choke. Pennington lands a hammerfist from the bottom and they stand. They go to the ground late. Close fight. 10-9 Pennington, 29-28 Pennington.

Fight Result- Tecia Pennington def. Luana Pinheiro by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Flyweights- Hyun Sung Park (9-0, 2-0 UFC) vs. Carlos Hernandez (10-4, 3-3 UFC)

Park lands some leg kicks and the jab early. Hernandez lands a leg kick. Park lands a combination. Hernandez connects with a right hand. Park lands a leg kick then a quick flurry. Park lands two right hands then mixes to the body with punches and knees. Park gets a takedown and has the back as he lands to the body. Park locks in a rear-naked choke and it’s in tight and Hernandez taps!

Fight Result- HyunSung Park def. Carlos Hernandez by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:26 of Round 1

> Women’s Strawweights- Elise Reed (8-4, 4-4 UFC) vs. Denise Gomes (10-3, 4-2 UFC)

Reed pressing forward and lands a leg kick and some punches. Gomes counters with some big punches that hurt Reed. Reed is backing up and Gomes chases her down and they clinch. Gomes with some hard elbows and starts landing knees to the body. Gomes drags it down as she has back control. They stand and Gomes gets a takedown and is in the half-guard. Reed lands from the bottom as Gomes lands left hands to the body. Gomes controlling from the top and continues to land to the body. 10-9 Gomes.

Gomes rocks Reed early with punches and Reed is hurt badly. Gomes continues to land and Reed goes down to the mat. Gomes continues to land big shots from the top and it is stopped! Brutal finish from Gomes to pick up the win.

Fight Result- Denise Gomes def. Elise Reed by TKO (punches) at :30 of Round 2

> Women’s Bantamweights- Luana Santos (8-2, 3-1 UFC) vs. Tainara Lisboa (7-2, 2-0 UFC)

They trade leg kicks. Santos works the jab. Santos lands a body kick followed by a right hand. Santos back to the jab. Santos lands and Lisboa counters with a combination. Santos grabs the body lock and scores a takedown. Santos is controlling from the top and tried to transition but gets back to the half-guard. Santos controls from the top and lands to end the round. 10-9 Santos.

Lisboa rushes forward and looks to land but Santos circles away. They trade. Lisboa lands a leg kick and Santos gets a takedown off of it. Santos passes guard and has head control. Santos landing lots of punches as she has control of an arm. Santos still landing and starts looking for a kimura. Lisboa is able to turn and give up her back. Santos flattens Lisboa out and has the side mount. Santos lands some punches. Santos locks in a shoulder lock and Lisboa taps with seconds to go in the round. Big submission win for Santos!

Fight Result- Luana Santos def. Tainara Lisboa by submission (Americana) at 4:59 of Round 2

> Featherweights- Yadier del Valle (8-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Connor Matthews (7-3, 0-2 UFC)

del Valle lands an inside leg kick. He lands another. Matthews lands a leg kick. They trade high kicks. del Valle with another hard leg kick. del Valle lands another leg kick. Matthews with a body kick. Matthews throws a kick but del Valle grabs the leg and throws him to the mat. del Valle with some elbows from the top. Matthews tries to get the neck but del Valle pops out and lands some punches. He hurt Matthews with them and gets the back. del Valle still landing and he flattens Matthews out. del Valle locks in a rear-naked choke and Matthews taps! Big debut win for del Valle!

Fight Result- Yadier del Valle def. Connor Matthews by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:54 of Round 1

> Lightweights- Jared Gordon (20-7 1 NC, 8-6 1 NC UFC) vs. Thiago Moises (19-8, 8-6 UFC)

Moises with a leg kick and Gordon scores a takedown. Gordon controlling and landing from the top as Moises is trying to defend from the bottom. Gordon with some clubbing punches that aren’t clean but are connecting. They scramble up and Gordon pushes Moises against the fence. They move to the center and break apart. They trade kicks. Moises lands a combo. Gordon with a quick combo. They trade calf kicks. Moises connects with a right hand. Gordon drops Moises with a massive right hands and some follow-up shots end it! Massive knockout win for Gordon!

Fight Result- Jared Gordon def. Thiago Moises by knockout (punches) at 3:37 of Round 1

> Lightweights- Gabe Green (11-5, 2-3 UFC) vs. Matheus Camilo (9-2, 0-0 UFC)

Green with a short leg kick. Camilo lands a big leg kick. Camilo connects with a big combination. Both being patient. Camilo lands a right hand. Camilo connects and Green lands a leg kick. Camilo lands to the body then the head. Camilo rushes in and they clinch. Camilo scores a takedown. Camilo lands to the body. Camilo with an elbow from the top. He lands another. 10-9 Camilo.

Camilo lands an inside leg kick. They trade in close range and Green lands a knee. Green with a flying knee and they clinch. Camilo trips it down to the mat. He threatens with an arm-triangle choke, but Green escapes. Camilo with a right hand from the top. Camilo locks in a triangle choke. He also has the arm. Green tries to slam his way out but Camilo keeps control. Camilo trying to get the arm back but Green is able to escape. Green jumps on Camilo’s back and starts landing. Green with some body shots from the back. Green starts cranking on the face and has it under the neck and Camilo taps! What a comeback from Green in the second round.

Fight Result- Gabe Green def. Matheus Camilo by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:43 of Round 2

ESPN+ MAIN CARD | 7 PM ET/4 PM PT

> Featherweights- Julian Erosa (31-11, 9-7 UFC) vs. Melquizael Costa (23-7, 4-2 UFC)

They trade kicks early as Costa is landing body kicks. Costa with more leg and body kicks. Costa lands a body kick then a right hand. Costa lands a Superman punch that hurts Erosa for a moment. Costa then lands a head kick that wobbles Erosa. Erosa backs up to recover and lands a right hand. Costa lands a combination. Erosa rushes in and slips and Costa lands as Erosa gets to his feet. Erosa lands a right hand. Costa with a head kick as Erosa lands a right hand. Costa lands a kick then a combination. Costa with another high kick and a combo. Erosa is able to score a takedown. 10-9 Costa.

Costa landing jabs and left hands early. Costa wobbles Erosa with a combination. Costa lands and Erosa is able to score a takedown. Costa has neck control. They scramble back to their feet. They stay clinched and Erosa is controlling and landing knees. Costa sweeps Erosa to the mat and they separate. Costa lands a left hand. Costa with a body kick then a combination. Erosa lands a right hand. Costa with an elbow and a left hand. Erosa lands a spin kick and tries a takedown, but Costa ends up on top and they get to their feet. Erosa lands a big flurry against the fence. They clinch and Costa lands a combo. Erosa with a spin kick. Erosa lands a left hand. Close round. 10-9 Costa, 20-18 Costa.

Erosa with a high kick. Costa lands a body kick. They clinch and both land knees. Erosa tries a takedown but Costa ends up on top. Costa stands and Erosa lands an upkick before getting to his feet. Costa with a leg kick as Erosa lands a right hand. They clinch and Erosa with some dirty boxing. They separate and Erosa lands a combination. He grabs the body lock. They break and Costa lands a knee. Costa with a left hand. Erosa lands a right hand. Erosa with more right hands. Erosa pressing forward and both are landing. They are both landing in close range. They both keep landing. Erosa with more right hands. Costa lands a knee. They trade to end it. 10-9 Erosa, 29-28 Costa.

Fight Result- Melquizael Costa def. Julian Erosa by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Middleweights- Dustin Stoltzfus (16-6, 3-5 UFC) vs. Nursulton Ruziboev (35-9-2, 3-1 UFC)

Ruziboev lands a leg kick. He lands a jab then another leg kick before connecting with a right hand. Ruziboev lands and he falls to the mat after a clash of heads. Stoltzfus grabs the neck of Ruziboev and looks for a choke from the top. Ruziboev reverses to the top to escape and lands an elbow. Ruziboev lands from the top. They scramble up and trade as they separate. Ruziboev lands a left hook and a spin kick. Ruziboev with a left hook then a combination. Ruziboev lands and Stoltzfus looks for a takedown but Ruziboev defends. Ruziboev gets it to the mat. 10-9 Ruziboev.

Ruziboev lands a spin kick. Ruziboev lands an uppercut and Stoltzfus chases him down looking for a takedown. Stoltzfus gets it to the mat. Stoltzfus is cut open. Stoltzfus with some elbows from the top as he’s controlling. Ruziboev is able to sweep to the top and lands a knee to the body. Ruziboev landing punches from the top. Big punches from Ruziboev as Stoltzfus hunts the leg. Ruziboev continues to land from the top as the round ends. 10-9 Ruziboev, 20-18 Ruziboev.

Stoltzfus lands a leg kick and then another. Stoltzfus lands a leg kick that trips Ruziboev up and then lands a right hand on Ruziboev as he was standing. Both land before a brief clinch. Ruziboev lands a right hand. He lands a left hook. Ruziboev lands a right hand then a spin kick to the body. Ruziboev with another right hand. They trade and Stoltzfus gets a takedown. Stoltzfus gets the mount and lands some punches. He then grabs the neck and looks for a choke. They stand and Stoltzfus is cranking on the neck and Ruziboev lands a knee before they break. Ruziboev lands a right hand. 10-9 Stoltzfus, 29-28 Ruziboev.

Fight Result- Nursulton Ruziboev def. Dustin Stoltzfus by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

*Breaking- the co-main event between Rodolfo Bellato and Paul Craig is OFF the show as Bellato has been forced out due to a last-minute medical issue.

> Lightweights- Sodiq Yusuff (13-4, 6-3 UFC) vs. Mairon Santos (15-1, 2-0 UFC)

Santos lands a leg kick. Yusuff with a leg kick. Santos with a jumping switch kick. Santos lands a combo as Yusuff lands to the body. Yusuff with a combo and a leg kick. Santos lands a hard leg kick. Yusuff lands a right hand. Santos with a high kick. Yusuff lands a combination with a solid left hook. Santos lands and they briefly clinch before separating. Santos lands a jab. They both throw spin kicks and slip to the mat and Yusuff gets up first and looks for a takedown. Santos defends with an elbow. Yusuff lands a knee. 10-9 Yusuff.

Santos lands a head kick. Santos lands a jumping knee. Santos lands a jab then a combination. Yusuff is pressing forward but Santos is connecting as he lands a jab. Santos lands a right hand. He lands another right hand. Santos with a heavy leg kick. Yusuff lands a body kick then looks for a takedown, but Santos defends against the fence. Santos with some shoulder strikes. Santos lands as they separate. Santos lands a combination. Yusuff with an inside leg kick. Santos with a spin kick. 10-9 Santos, 19-19.

Yusuff pressing forward and lands a leg kick that Santos checks. Santos lands a right hand. Yusuff with a pair of leg kicks. Santos with a left hand and Yusuff with another leg kick. Yusuff lands a right hand. Santos has slowed down as Yusuff lands another leg kick. Santos with a front kick. Yusuff scores a takedown but Santos is able to quickly scramble to his feet. Yusuff pushes it to the fence and Santos starts slapping Yusuff’s back. Santos with more slaps and they separate. Santos with two body kicks. Close fight. 10-9 Santos, 29-28 Santos

Fight Result- Mairon Santos def. Sodiq Yusuff by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Welterweights- #8 Gilbert Burns (22-8, 15-8 UFC) vs. #12 Michael Morales (17-0, 5-0 UFC)

Burns with a heavy leg kick. Morales lands some punches as he connects with a right hand and a combination. Burns lands a combo and then another right hand. Morales rocks Burns with some punches and lands some more shots. Burns looks for a takedown and has it down for a second and has the back as they stand. They separate and Morales lands a flurry of big punches and Burns goes to the mat. Morales is landing and Burns gets to his feet, but Morales continues to tee off and Burns falls down to the mat again and it is stopped! What a finish from Morales!

Fight Result- Michael Morales def. Gilbert Burns by TKO (punches) at 3:39 of Round 1

WOR: Backlash, McIntyre, Saudi and Punk, UFC results, more

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including the WWE Backlash PPV from Saturday, Drew McIntyre health update, John Cena’s last match, the 300th edition of Dynamite, Saudi Arabia and CM Punk, New Japan, Collision and UFC results, and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

Timestamps:

Start: Tony Rocco passes away

6:36: WWE Backlash recap

31:29: John Cena’s final match location announced, Dynamite 300 location, Night of Champions announced for Saudi Arabia with CM Punk advertised

38:55: NJPW Resurgence notes

43:35: AEW Collision ratings & recap

58:48: UFC 315 notes

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UFC 315 live results: Two title fights from Montreal

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

For the first time in ten years, the Octagon returns to Montreal for a big pay-per-view event with two title fights as UFC 315 takes place at the Bell Centre.

The main event sees UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad make his first title defense against challenger Jack Della Maddalena. Muhammad is coming off his title fight win over Leon Edwards in July 2024, but injuries have delayed his first defense. Della Maddalena gets the first shot coming off a 16-fight win streak which includes a 7-0 record with the UFC.

In the co-main event, UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko makes her first title defense of her second reign against Manon Fiorot. Shevchenko is coming off a title fight win over Alexa Grasso in September 2024 while Fiorot is riding a 12-fight win streak including seven straight wins to start her UFC career.

Also on the main card is a featherweight bout between UFC Hall of Famer Jose Aldo and Aiemann Zahabi; a women’s flyweight bout between former champion Alexa Grasso and Natalia Silva; and a lightweight bout pitting Benoit Saint-Denis against the returning Kyle Prepolec.

ESPN+ PRELIMS | 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT

> Bantamweights- Brad Katona (14-4, 4-4 UFC) vs. Bekzat Almakhan (16-2, 0-1 UFC)

Almakhan lands a jab to the body and follows with a combination. Almakhan lands a right hand. Almakhan with an uppercut as Katona lands a right hand. Almakhan drops Katona with another uppercut and lands a hammerfist to finish it off. What a finish from Almakhan!

Fight Result- Bekzat Almakhan def. Brad Katona by knockout (punch) at 1:04 of Round 1

> Featherweights- Daniel Santos (11-2, 2-1 UFC) vs. JeongYeong Lee (11-2, 2-1 UFC)

They trade leg kicks before trading punches inside the pocket. Lee lands a pair of leg kicks as Santos lands a right hand. Santos lands a pair of body kicks. Lee lands a body kick. They trade in close range. Lee pushing the pace and lands a right hand and then drops Santos with a right hand. Santos quickly stands as Lee lands an elbow and Santos chases the takedown. Lee defends but Santos takes his back. Santos drags Lee down for a moment but they separate. Santos lands a right hand. Lee lands a jab and they trade inside the pocket. Santos lands a calf kick. They trade jabs. Lee lands a left to the body. They both land flurries in close range. Lee lands a left hook. Santos lands a right hand and Lee stumbles, but he lands a counter right hand. Lee lands a right hand. Santos lands and looks for a takedown, but Lee defends against the fence. They break. 10-9 Lee.

Lee lands an uppercut and Santos lands to the body. They trade inside the pocket. Santos misses a spin attack but is able to score a takedown. Santos has back control as they’re on the mat. Santos lands a knee to the body as they stand. They trade leg kicks. They trade and Santos gets another takedown. They get up and both connect as Lee lands a left hook. Santos lands a jumping knee. They trade leg kicks and Santos lands a pair of them. Santos scores another takedown. Santos landing from inside the guard of Lee. Lee pushes Santos off and Santos grabs the back as they stand. They break and trade. Lee clips Santos with a right hand. Santos with a spinning elbow. They both land inside the pocket. 10-9 Santos, 19-19.

They trade as both solidly land. Santos scores a takedown and looked for an arm-triangle choke but went to side control. Santos lands a pair of short elbows. They stand and Santos gets a brief takedown but they get to their feet. Lee lands a few punches. Santos lands a leg kick. Lee working the jab. Santos pushes Lee against the fence but they break. Santos lands a big right hand. They trade combos. Santos scores a takedown. They get up and Santos lands a knee before they break. Santos grabs a leg and Lee lands to defend and Santos lands a head kick as they separate. 10-9 Santos, 29-28 Santos.

Fight Result- Daniel Santos def. JeongYeong Lee by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Middleweights*- Marc-Andre Barriault (16-9 1 NC, 5-8 1 NC UFC) vs. Bruno Silva (23-12, 4-6 UFC)

*Silva missed weight by one pound

Silva lands a jab and Barriault lands some uppercuts. Barriault lands a body kick and Silva grabs the leg and lands some right hands. Barriault grabs the clinch and lands an elbow and some knees. Barriault with some big punches and lands an elbow and Silva goes down and is out cold! A vicious finish from Barriault to pick up the win!

Fight Result- Marc-Andre Barriault def. Bruno Silva by knockout (elbow) at 1:27 of Round 1

ESPN PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT

> Light Heavyweights- Navajo Stirling (6-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Ivan Erslan (14-4 1 NC, 0-1 UFC)

Stirling throwing kicks early. Erslan lands a combination. Erslan lands a right hand then a left hook. Stirling lands a spin kick. Erslan lands a right hand. Stirling with a leg and body kick. Stirling lands a pair of leg kicks. Erslan with a right hand. He lands another. Erslan with a right hand then a left hook. Stirling with a leg kick as Erslan lands a right hand. Erslan lands a right hand. Stirling with a pair of kicks. Erslan with a combo. 10-9 Erslan.

They trade and Stirling pushes it to the fence, but Erslan takes the back and lands some knees. They separate for a moment and Stirling gets a takedown. Stirling lands some punches as he has Erslan’s back. Erslan is able to reverse and he has the back of Stirling as they stand. Erslan with some soft knees. Stirling with some back punches and they break apart. Stirling with some body kicks. He lands a leg kick then a combo to the body. Stirling just misses a knee but lands a pair of kicks. Erslan lands a right hand. Erslan lands to the body. Stirling with a body kick. Stirling lands a left hand then a leg kick followed by a high kick. 10-9 Stirling, 19-19.

Stirling lands a jab as Erslan lands a right hand. Erslan with an uppercut and a right hand. Erslan landing slightly more. They trade jabs and Stirling lands an uppercut. Stirling lands a leg kick. They clinch for a moment and Stirling lands knees before they separate and trade. Stirling lands a big right hand that stuns Erslan. Erslan tries for a desperation takedown and Stirling lands some punches as he’s defending. Stirling still landing as they stand. They trade inside the pocket. Stirling lands a big elbow and lands a big flurry and Erslan falls face first to the mat but he’s alert. Stirling landing and Erslan gets to his feet and Stirling has the back. Stirling drags it down and lands. Stirling with lots of punches as the fight ends. 10-8 Stirling, 29-27 Stirling.

Fight Result- Navajo Stirling def. Ivan Erslan by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)

> Light Heavyweights- Modestas Bukauskas (17-6, 5-4 UFC) vs. Ion Cutelaba (19-10-1 1 NC, 8-9-1 UFC)

They trade leg kicks. Bukauskas lands a jab as Cutelaba lands a leg kick. Cutelaba lands a heavy leg kick. Bukauskas lands a right hand. Bukauskas lands another right hand. Cutelaba lands a right hand. Cutelaba lands some kicks. Bukauskas lands a switch kick. Cutelaba lands a right hand. Bukauskas lands a right hand. Bukauskas lands a calf kick. Cutelaba with a leg kick. Bukauskas lands a combination and then follows with another. Bukauskas lands a spin kick. Cutelaba with a spin kick. Bukauskas lands a right hand. Bukauskas with a spin kick. 10-9 Bukauskas.

They trade in close range and Bukauskas lands a right hand. Cutelaba throws a spinning elbow and trips to the mat as he throws it. They clinch against the fence. There isn’t much action happening and they are separated. Cutelaba tries a spin kick and slips to the mat again but gets up. Bukauskas lands a right hand. Cutelaba with a right hand. They trade punches. Bukauskas lands a right hand and they trade late. 10-9 Cutelaba, 19-19.

Cutelaba shoots for a takedown and pushes it against the fence. He lands an elbow. They trade knees while tied up. They separate and trade. Cutelaba lands a leg kick. Cutelaba with a right hand. Bukauskas with a high kick. They trade before clinching up. They trade knees. Cutelaba tries to trip it down but Bukauskas keeps it standing. Cutelaba lands to the body. They separate and Bukauskas lands a right hand before they tie back up. Cutelaba with short punches. Bukauskas lands and they separate. Both land some solid punches. Close fight. 10-9 Bukauskas, 29-28 Bukauskas.

Fight Result- Modestas Bukauskas def. Ion Cutelaba by split decision (27-30, 30-27, 29-28)

> Women’s Flyweights- #7 Jessica Andrade (26-13, 17-11 UFC) vs. #9 Jasmine Jasudavicius (13-3, 7-2 UFC)

They trade and both land leg kicks. They trade and Jasudavicius scores a big takedown. Jasudavicius gets the back and lands. Jasudavicius grabs the neck and locks in a rear-naked choke and Andrade taps! Big win for Jasudavicius as she establishes herself as a sure-fire title contender.

Fight Result- Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Jessica Andrade by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:40 of Round 1

> Welterweights- Mike Malott (11-2-1, 4-1 UFC) vs. Charles Radtke (10-4, 3-1 UFC)

Malott with a front side kick to the quad of Radtke. Malott lands a left hand. Malott with more side kicks. Malott lands a right hand. Radtke lands a jab then a right hand. Malott lands a combination. Malott lands another combo then a spin kick. Malott lands a left hand. Radtke lands a couple of left hands and Malott lands a counter left hand. Malott with a body kick. Malott with a pair of jabs. Radtke partially lands and Malott lands a knee. 10-9 Malott.

Malott lands a left hand as Radtke rushes in. Malott drops Radtke with a combination and starts landing from the top and it is all over! What a finish from Malott!

Fight Result- Mike Malott def. Charles Radtke by knockout (punches) at :26 of Round 2

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

> Lightweights- #13 Benoit Saint-Denis (13-3 1 NC, 5-3 UFC) vs. Kyle Prepolec (18-8, 0-2 UFC)

They trade leg kicks and Saint-Denis scores a takedown. Prepolec attacks an arm from the bottom. Saint-Denis has back control but not much action is taking place. Saint-Denis lands some right hands and then some side elbows. Saint-Denis looking for a rear-naked choke but lets go to land some punches. Prepolec stands and Saint-Denis keeps back control and takes it back down. Saint-Denis with more punches from the back. Saint-Denis has the body triangle locked in. Saint-Denis lets go and starts landing lots of punches. He jumps back on the back as Prepolec is on his feet. Saint-Denis looks for the choke but doesn’t have it in. 10-9 Saint-Denis.

Prepolec lands a left hand and they trade. Both land left hands. Prepolec lands and Saint-Denis lands a flurry and a knee and timeout is called for an eye poke by Prepolec. They get back going and both connect with left hands. Saint-Denis grabs the clinch and lands some knees and vicious elbows. They separate and Saint-Denis lands some left hands. Saint-Denis with another knee and lands some elbows in the clinch and then lands some knees. Saint-Denis with more nasty elbows. Saint-Denis grabs the back and drags it down. Saint-Denis locks in an arm-triangle choke and gets Prepolec to tap!

Fight Result- Benoit Saint-Denis def. Kyle Prepolec by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 2:35 of Round 2

> Women’s Flyweights- #1 Alexa Grasso (16-4-1, 8-4-1 UFC) vs. #5 Natalia Silva (18-5-1, 6-0 UFC)

Silva lands two leg kicks. Grasso with a leg kick and Silva lands a combination. They trade leg kicks and Silva lands a combination. Silva with a leg kick. Grasso lands a double jab. Silva with a leg kick then a high kick. Grasso looks for a takedown but Silva is landing to defend. They both land as they separate from the clinch. Silva with a side kick to the face. Grasso with a double jab. Silva lands a leg kick. Silva with another leg kick. Grasso with a leg kick. Grasso lands a jab. 10-9 Silva.

Grasso with a leg kick. Silva with a head kick. Grasso with a left hook. Silva lands a side kick. They trade. Silva with a leg kick and a left hand. Grasso rushes in and Silva lands a left hook after a high kick. Silva lands a jab. Silva lands a combination as Grasso rushes in. Silva with a head kick that grazes. Grasso lands some big punches late and Silva returns fire as the round ends. 10-9 Silva, 20-18 Silva.

Silva lands a combo and they trade leg kicks. Grasso lands a right hand and shoots for a takedown but Silva defends against the fence. They separate and Silva circles around and lands a hard left hand. Grasso lands the double jab and then a combination. Silva with a combination and a front kick then she lands a side kick. Silva with a combination. Silva lands a head kick that Grasso eats. Grasso continues to press forward and has a cut under her eye from the kick. Silva with a leg kick then a spin kick. Silva lands a leg kick. 10-9 Silva, 30-27 Silva.

Fight Result- Natalia Silva def. Alexa Grasso by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Featherweights- #11 BW Jose Aldo (32-9, 14-8 UFC) vs. #15 BW Aiemann Zahabi (12-2, 6-2 UFC)

Aldo lands a jab. Aldo lands a body kick. Aldo with a knee and follows with a left hook. Aldo lands a combination and Zahabi is backing away as Aldo rushes in and lands. Aldo lands a right hand and a body kick. Zahabi lands a combination. Aldo lands a right hand. Aldo with a front kick. Aldo lands a combo to the body. Zahabi lands a leg kick. Aldo lands a leg kick. Aldo with the teet kick and lands a right hand. Zahabi lands a left hand. Aldo rips to the body and lands a left hook. Aldo with a leg kick and a jab and a right hand. Zahabi with a left hook. Aldo lands to the body and Zahabi lands a counter right hand. Aldo lands a left hook. 10-9 Aldo.

Zahabi lands a knee to the body. Aldo lands a jab. Aldo with a left hook. Zahabi lands a leg kick. They trade in close range. Aldo lands a combo. Zahabi with a left hand. Aldo works some left hands. Aldo with a right hand to the body. Zahabi with a pair of jabs. They trade in close range and timeout is called for a groin strike. They get back going. Zahabi lands a leg kick as Aldo lands some jabs. Zahabi lands a kick to Aldo’s groin and timeout is called. They get back going and trade leg kicks. Zahabi lands a right hand. Close round. 10-9 Aldo, 20-18 Aldo.

Zahabi lands a right hand. Zahabi with a jab. They trade in close range. Aldo with a left hand. Aldo working the jab. Zahabi lands a combination. Zahabi lands a knee to the body. Aldo drops Zahabi with a right hand and then lands a big head kick as Zahabi stands and he goes back down. Zahabi stands and Aldo is landing as Zahabi is running away. Zahabi recovers and he lands a right hand and a double jab. Zahabi landing some knees now as Aldo is gassed out. Aldo tries a takedown but Zahabi pushes him off and gets on top and lands. Zahabi lands to the body but Aldo gets control of the guard. Zahabi lands from the top. Zahabi lands some big elbows. Both are exhausted, but Aldo is way more. Zahabi with two more elbows and Aldo is cut open. Zahabi landing more elbows. Close fight. 10-9 Zahabi, 29-28 Aldo.

Fight Result- Aiemann Zahabi def. Jose Aldo by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship- C Valentina Shevchenko (24-4-1, 13-3-1 UFC) vs. #2 Manon Fiorot (12-1, 7-0 UFC)

Fiorot lands a leg kick. Shevchenko lands a left hand. Shevchenko lands a right hand. Fiorot with a high kick. They trade leg kicks. Shevchenko with a right hook. Shevchenko lands a right hand. Shevchenko misses a spin kick and Fiorot lands a right hand. Shevchenko lands a right hand. Fiorot with a high kick. Shevchenko lands a right hook that stuns Fiorot. Fiorot is bleeding badly from her nose. Fiorot throws a kick and Shevchenko catches it and scores a takedown. Shevchenko lands from the half-guard. 10-9 Shevchenko.

Shevchenko lands a right hand. Fiorot shoots for a takedown and pushes it against the fence. They separate. Shevchenko with a high kick. Fiorot missing the side kick and Shevchenko lands a right hand. Fiorot lands a right hand and they tie up. Shevchenko gets a brief trip to the mat but Fiorot reverses to the feet. Shevchenko with a pair of right hands. Shevchenko grabs the body and looks for a takedown but Fiorot defends. Fiorot looks for a takedown against the fence. Fiorot has the back and lands some knees. Fiorot lands an elbow on the break. Fiorot gets a takedown. Fiorot lands to the body. Fiorot stands and lands an illegal knee that the referee doesn’t call. 10-9 Fiorot, 19-19.

Fiorot with a high kick and Shevchenko lands an inside leg kick. Fiorot with another high kick as Shevchenko lands a leg kick. They tie up and Fiorot lands a knee and elbow on the break. Shevchenko looked for a takedown but lands a right hand. They clinch and Fiorot lands a series of knees then pushes Shevchenko away. They both land and separate. Shevchenko lands a spinning back fist and Fiorot shoots for a takedown. Fiorot has the back and looks to drag it down. Shevchenko lands as they break. Close round. 10-9 Fiorot, 29-28 Fiorot.

They trade kicks. Shevchenko lands a right hook. Shevchenko lands a high spin kick. Fiorot lands a high kick. They clinch but not much happens. Fiorot is pressing forward. Shevchenko lands a spin kick to the body. They tie up and Fiorot lands some knees. They break apart. Shevchenko scores a takedown. Fiorot is able to quickly get up and lands a knee in the clinch. They separate. Fiorot with a side kick. Shevchenko drops Fiorot with a right hand and lands to end the round. 10-9 Shevchenko, 38-38.

They tie up and Fiorot lands a knee. They both land as they separate. Shevchenko lands a left hand. They tie up for a brief moment but quickly break. Shevchenko lands a spinning back fist. Fiorot pushes it against the fence and lands a knee. They both battle for advantage before separating. Fiorot lands a right hand. Fiorot gets the clinch and lands a knee. Fiorot has the back and lands some knees. They break apart. Shevchenko with a leg kick. Shevchenko lands a spin attack. Fiorot with a knee and elbow. 10-9 Fiorot, 48-47 Fiorot.

Fight Result- Valentina Shevchenko def. Manon Fiorot by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47) to retain the UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship

> UFC Welterweight Championship- C Belal Muhammad (24-3 1 NC, 15-3 1 NC UFC) vs. #5 Jack Della Maddalena (17-2, 7-0 UFC)

Maddalena lands a right hand and Muhammad lands a body kick. Maddalena with a jab, a leg kick and a right hand. Muhammad lands a jab. Maddalena with a leg kick. Muhammad lands a jab. Muhammad lands a right hand. Muhammad with a left hand. Maddalena lands a head kick then a left hand. Maddalena with a right hand and a body kick. Maddalena with a leg kick. Maddalena lands a leg kick then a high kick. Maddalena connects with a left hand. Muhammad shoots for a takedown but Maddalena defends. Muhammad lands a body kick. Muhammad lands a right hand. Maddalena lands an uppercut and Muhammad lands an elbow. 10-9 Maddalena.

Maddalena lands two body kicks. Muhammad lands a right hand. Maddalena with another body kick. Muhammad lands a jab. Muhammad with a partially landed head kick. Maddalena lands a left hand. Maddalena with some teet kicks. Maddalena lands a right hand. He lands a big right hand. They trade body kicks. They trade right hands. Muhammad hunts for a takedown but Maddalena sniffs it out. They trade in close range. Muhammad looks for the takedown again but Maddalena defends. They trade in close range. Maddalena with a spin kick. 10-9 Maddalena, 20-18 Maddalena.

Maddalena lands a jab. Muhammad lands a combo. Maddalena lands to the body and ends it with a right hand. Maddalena lands a left hand and a body kick. They trade jabs. Muhammad lands a jab. He lands a right hand. Maddalena lands a right hand. Maddalena lands a pair of jabs and Muhammad lands a right hand. They trade in close range. Maddalena lands a left hand. Muhammad lands an elbow and some right hands against the fence as he has clinch control. Maddalena goes for a takedown as Muhammad lands some elbows. Close round. 10-9 Maddalena, 30-27 Maddalena.

They trade and Muhammad lands a jab and a right hand. Muhammad is pressing forward more now and lands. Maddalena lands a quick flurry. They trade jabs. Muhammad lands a combo. Maddalena lands a counter right hand as Muhammad was coming forward. Muhammad with an uppercut and he goes for a takedown but Maddalena defends. Maddalena lands some big punches. Muhammad presses Maddalena against the fence. Muhammad takes Maddalena’s back. Muhammad lands a knee. Muhammad lands more and they separate. Muhammad lands a high kick and a jab. They tie up against the fence. Muhammad has the back and lands a couple of head kicks. They break apart. Muhammad lands a right hand. 10-9 Muhammad, 39-37 Maddalena.

Maddalena lands to the body. Muhammad lands a right hand and a body kick. Maddalena lands two left hands. Maddalena lands a knee that cuts Muhammad open. Muhammad lands a right hand that briefly wobbles Maddalena. They trade and Muhammad is able to score a takedown. Muhammad lands from the top. Maddalena is able to explode to his feet. Maddalena lands a heavy left hand that makes Muhammad stumble a little. Maddalena teeing off with big punches. Muhammad is able to force a clinch. Maddalena lands to the body. Muhammad gets a takedown and is able to get on top. They stand but Muhammad still has control. They separate and Maddalena lands a right hand and a few big punches. Maddalena with some hard right hands. Maddalena with an uppercut. 10-9 Maddalena, 49-46 Maddalena.

Fight Result- Jack Della Maddalena def. Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) to win the UFC Welterweight Championship

October 1, 2007 Observer Newsletter: Futures of Ric Flair & Shawn Michaels, UFC 76 review

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

There was a ton of conjecture over the past week regarding the careers of two of the best wrestlers of our generation and what, if any, plans there are for Ric Flair, who hasn’t been wrestling, and Shawn Michaels, who is out with a knee injury.

Flair who was doing a guest appearance on 9/22 at an auto race at the Dover International Speedway and was the hit of the media there. He told reporters that everything was fine with him and WWE and the stories that were being reported about him giving notice weren’t true. The reality was, by the weekend, they were even more true.

He said he never gave notice to WWE. What was funny was in the publicity for his appearance, he was being advertised as the recently retired pro wrestler Ric Flair. Flair said the Internet stories about him were false and he said he was coming back, denied his storyline had anything to do with it and basically said when you work for WWE, nobody is bigger than the organization and you do what they want you to do.

Subscribers can read this issue here.

UFC on ESPN 67 live results: Cory Sandhagen vs. Deiveson Figueiredo

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

For the first time in UFC history, the Octagon heads to Des Moines, Iowa for a fight card as UFC On ESPN 67 takes place inside the Wells Fargo Arena.

The main event is a battle of top-five bantamweight contenders as fourth-ranked Cory Sandhagen battles fifth-ranked former UFC Flyweight Champion Deiveson Figueiredo. Both men are looking to rebound from losses in their prior bouts, as Sandhagen dropped a decision to Umar Nurmagomedov in August, while Figueiredo lost to Petr Yan in November.

In the co-main event, rising middleweight contender Reinier de Ridder looks to improve to 3-0 during his UFC tenure as he battles undefeated prospect Bo Nickal.

Also on the main card is a welterweight bout between Santiago Ponzinibbio and Daniel Rodriguez; a bantamweight bout pitting Montel Jackson against Daniel Marcos; and a lightweight bout between returning long-time UFC veteran Jeremy Stephens, in his home town, taking on another returning fighter, Mason Jones.

ESPN PRELIMS | 7 PM ET/4 PM PT

> Women’s Flyweights- Juliana Miller (3-3, 1-2 UFC) vs. Ivana Petrovic (7-2, 1-2 UFC)

Petrovic lands a leg kick. Miller lands a right hand in close range. Miller presses forward and lands and then looks for a takedown. Miller lands a knee against the fence, and then another one. Miller still working for the takedown against the fence as Petrovic switches position. Miller lands a pair of knees. She lands another after she reverses position. They keep reversing positions and not much else is happening. Petrovic gets Miller to the mat. Petrovic lands some right hands. Petrovic gets to side control as Miller has the arm. Petrovic with body shots. 10-9 Petrovic.

Petrovic pressing forward and she lands some punches before Miller gets a clinch and scores a takedown. Miller gets the back of Petrovic. Petrovic is able to post and get this fight back to the feet. They separate. Petrovic with a front kick and Miller lands a combo. Miller scores a takedown and is in side control. They scramble up but Miller has the back and drags it down. Miller is landing punches from the back while looking to set up a choke. Miller has the body triangle locked on and lands some more punches. 10-9 Miller, 19-19.

Petrovic comes out aggressive and lands while Miller lands a right hand. Miller lands an inside leg kick. Petrovic lands a left hand. Petrovic lands a combination. Miller lands a right hand. Miller looks for a takedown against the fence. Petrovic reverses position. They separate. Both land some punches. Petrovic lands a body kick and Miller looks for a takedown as she grabs the back. Miller jumps on the back and drags it down. Miller is working for a choke. Miller lands some punches from the back and then goes back working for a choke. Miller keeps back control and lands to end the fight. 10-9 Miller, 29-28 Miller.

Fight Result- Juliana Miller def. Ivana Petrovic by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Heavyweights- Thomas Petersen (9-3, 1-2 UFC) vs. Don’Tale Mayes (11-8 1 NC, 4-6 1 NC UFC)

Mayes lands a jab as Petersen lands a left hand. Petersen scores a takedown. Petersen has the back as they work back to the feet. Petersen drags it back down but they scramble right back up as Petersen maintains body control. Petersen gets another takedown and is in side control near the center of the Octagon. Petersen lands some elbows and is working for an arm-triangle choke. He almost has it locked in as he steps over and has it locked in. Mayes is trying to fight it. Petersen lets go and gets back to the mount. Petersen lands from the top. 10-9 Petersen.

Petersen rushes in to clinch as Mayes lands a few short shots. Petersen gets Mayes down to the mat. Petersen lands from the top and controls for a bit before they work to their feet. Petersen gets the clinch and takes Mayes back down. Petersen is in side control and moves his way to the mount as he lands short punches. Petersen landing big elbows from the top. Petersen with more shots from the top as he ends the round there. 10-9 Petersen, 20-18 Petersen.

Petersen lands a left hand that wobbles Mayes. Mayes almost lands a flying knee and Petersen takes him down in the process. Petersen lands and they almost scramble up but Petersen keeps Mayes down on the mat. Petersen keeping control as they get to their feet and Petersen continues to land punches. Petersen gets it back down and lands from the top. Petersen with punches from the back and Mayes isn’t doing much. Petersen with some elbows and punches from the top. Petersen with more shots from the top to end it. 10-9 Petersen, 30-27 Petersen.

Fight Result- Thomas Petersen def. Don’Tale Mayes by unanimous decision (30-25, 30-26, 30-26)

> Bantamweights- Gaston Bolanos (8-4, 2-1 UFC) vs. Quang Le (8-2, 0-2 UFC)

Bolanos lands a leg kick as Le rushes forward and lands a right hand. Le looks for a takedown but Bolanos defends, though Le scores one on a second attempt. Le lands and they scramble up with Le having body control. Le gets it back down and has the back. Le has the body triangle locked on and lands some punches. They scramble up and Le maintains back control and takes Bolanos back down. Le has the body triangle locked back on and is controlling as he lands a few punches. Le keeps the position to end the round. 10-9 Le.

They trade kicks and Le lands a head kick. Le starts landing combos. Bolanos lands a right hand. Le grabs a leg of Bolanos and throws him down and Le jumps on top. Le has the back and locks in a rear-naked choke. It is in deep and Bolanos goes out cold! What a finish from Le!

Fight Result- Quang Le def. Gaston Bolanos by submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:54 of Round 2

> Women’s Strawweights- #9 Marina Rodriguez (17-5-2, 7-5-2 UFC) vs. #12 Gillian Robertson (15-8, 12-6 UFC)

Robertson lands some early leg kicks and then mixes to the body. Rodriguez lands a right hand and Robertson grabs the single leg and scores a takedown. Robertson working from the half-guard as she lands elbows to the body. Robertson landing punches as she has Rodriguez pinned on the bottom. Robertson now landing some elbows from the top. Robertson with more shots from the top. 10-9 Robertson.

Robertson gets a takedown and Rodriguez grabs the neck and had a choke locked in for a brief moment, but Robertson escapes and is working from the top. Robertson is landing lots of punches from the mount and Rodriguez is not covering up. Robertson with lots of punches and it is stopped. What a performance from Robertson!

Fight Result- Gillian Robertson def. Marina Rodriguez by TKO (punches) at 2:07 of Round 2

> Middleweights- Ryan Loder (7-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. Azamat Bekoev (19-3, 1-0 UFC)

They trade body kicks to start. Loder with a front kick. Both swing wildly before Loder grabs the body lock. Bekoev with some foot stomps. Loder reverses position and lands some knees as he has body control. He tries to pick Bekoev up but they break apart. Bekoev lands a right hand and Loder lands a left hand. Bekoev drops Loder with a right hand. Loder gets up but Bekoev is landing a lot of punches. Loder is eating them but Bekoev is teeing off and landing big shots. Bekoev still landing but Loder is able to land a knee and some punches. Bekoev drops Loder with another right hand and some follow-up shots from the top end it. What a performance from Bekoev!

Fight Result- Azamat Bekoev def. Ryan Loder by TKO (punches) at 2:44 of Round 1

> Women’s Bantamweights- #10 Yana Santos (15-8 1 NC, 5-5 UFC) vs. #12 Miesha Tate (20-9, 7-6 UFC)

Tate landing the jab and combinations to start things off. Tate with some body shots and lands some right hands. Tate lands some more and then Santos lands before they clinch up. They trade knees and separate. They tie back up but break as Santos lands a knee and an elbow. Tate lands a step-in elbow. Tate looks for a takedown but Santos defends. They tie up against the fence. Santos lands a knee to the body as they separate. Santos lands and grabs the back of Tate. Santos with an elbow as they break. They clinch and Santos lands a knee to the body. Santos with another elbow on the break. Santos lands a stiff jab. Santos lands a leg kick. Santos lands some more leg kicks that are hurting Tate. Tate grabs Santos and lands a knee. They both land while tied up. 10-9 Santos.

Tate comes forward and lands a pair of kicks. Santos with a punishing leg kick. Tate lands a leg kick as Santos lands a combination. Santos with a jab. Tate with some short uppercuts. Santos with a stiff leg kick. Santos lands as Tate looks for a takedown. Tate lands a flurry as they separate and then they clinch back up. They separate and Santos lands a combination. Tate looks for the takedown again but Santos defends as they go to the fence. They separate. Santos lands a combo. Tate with a body kick and Santos with a front kick. 10-9 Santos, 20-18 Santos.

Tate pressing forward. Tate lands a nice right hand as Santos lands a leg kick. Tate with a combination. Tate scores a takedown and starts landing from the top. Tate is in the half-guard against the fence and landing to the body. Tate gets the mount and starts landing lots of punches. Tate grabs the neck and is looking for a choke. She is landing to try and get her position better. Tate with more punches from the back. Tate still landing from the back as she closes it out with a big round. 10-9 Tate, 29-28 Santos.

Fight Result- Yana Santos def. Miesha Tate by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

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> Lightweights- Jeremy Stephens (29-21 1 NC, 15-18 1 NC UFC) vs. Mason Jones (15-2 1 NC, 1-2 1 NC UFC)

Both are landing leg kicks early. Jones lands some punches and some front kicks. Jones with a spin kick and a leg kick. Jones chewing up the leg of Stephens. They trade leg kicks. Jones lands a combo. Stephens lands a big right hand. Jones lands a high kick then a leg kick. Stephens with an uppercut. They trade jabs. Jones’ nose is leaking. Jones lands a right hand. Jones with a spin kick. Stephens lands a right hand. Jones lands a few uppercuts. Stephens with a pair of leg kicks. Jones gets a takedown. Jones has the back and is looking for a choke but doesn’t have it in as time runs out. 10-9 Jones.

Stephens lands a right hand and Jones lands some kicks. Jones lands a body shot. Jones lands a combination but eats an uppercut from Stephens. Jones lands to the body and Stephens lands a counter left hook. Stephens lands a right hand. Jones with a leg kick. Stephens with a right hand. Jones lands an elbow that opens a big cut on Stephens. Stephens fires back with a combination and then lands a right hand that hurts Jones. Jones shoots for a takedown but Stephens defends. Jones lands a pair of kicks. They trade and Stephens grabs the back of Jones. They separate. Jones gets a takedown. Jones has the back at the end of the round. 10-9 Jones, 20-18 Jones.

They trade in close range to start as Stephens is swinging. Jones gets a takedown and has control from the top. He tries to get the back of Stephens but they end up on their feet. Jones still has the body lock and gets Stephens back to the mat. Jones is looking for an arm to try and lock in a kimura. They work up to their feet and Jones still has the back of Stephens as he lands some knees. Jones gets some brief takedowns and lands some knees on the feet. Jones gets it back down and ends the fight landing from the top. 10-9 Jones, 30-27 Jones.

Fight Result- Mason Jones def. Jeremy Stephens by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Bantamweights- Cameron Smotherman (12-4, 1-0 UFC) vs. Serhiy Sidey (11-2, 1-1 UFC)

Sidey landing some leg kicks early. Smotherman lands some body shots and a couple of right hands. Smotherman with more body shots. Smotherman lands a combo. Sidey pushes it against the fence and lands some knees before they break. Sidey lands a few shots and Smotherman lands a counter combo. Sidey with a quick flurry. They trade before clinching and Sidey lands an elbow. Sidey lands an elbow as they break. They trade and Sidey lands a body kick. 10-9 Sidey.

Sidey gets an early takedown. They get to their feet as Sidey lands some knees to the thighs. They separate. They trade in close range. Smotherman lands a right hand. Sidey with a front kick. Smotherman lands to the body as Sidey lands a knee. Smotherman lands to the body followed by a right hand. They both throw and land at the same time. Sidey lands a body kick. Sidey looks for a takedown and pushes it to the fence. Sidey gets a brief takedown. Sidey lands as they stand and then he drags it back down. Sidey lands an elbow. 10-9 Sidey, 20-18 Sidey.

They’re trading to start the third as Sidey is looking for the takedown but Smotherman is defending. Sidey lands a front kick and scores a takedown. Sidey is looking for a D’Arce choke. Smotherman escapes and they get to their feet. Smotherman lands an elbow on the break. Smotherman with a jab to the body. Smotherman lands a left hook. Sidey lands a combination. Smotherman with a jab. They trade and Smotherman stumbles. Sidey lands a body kick. Smotherman with a combo to the body. They trade late. 10-9 Sidey, 30-27 Sidey.

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

> Bantamweights- #15 Montel Jackson (14-2, 8-2 UFC) vs. Daniel Marcos (17-0 1 NC, 4-0 1 NC UFC)

Jackson lands a body kick to start. Jackson lands some leg kicks as Marcos lands, then Jackson scores a takedown. Jackson controls from the top and stands. Marcos gets up and Jackson pushes him against the fence. They separate. Jackson lands a jab. Jackson pushes it back against the fence. Jackson tries a trip but they separate. Jackson gets a brief takedown but they pop right up. Marcos has Jackson pressed against the fence. Marcos gets a big takedown. Jackson gives up his back as they stand. They separate. 10-9 Jackson.

They trade leg kicks. Jackson lands a jab and then a left hand. Marcos gets a takedown. He is trying to take the back of Jackson. They stand and separate. Jackson with a jab. Jackson with an inside leg kick then lands a left hand. Marcos with a leg kick. Jackson with a right hand and Marcos looks for a takedown as he pushes it to the fence. They separate and Jackson lands a jab. Marcos looks for a takedown but Jackson defends with some elbows. Marcos gets a brief takedown as they pop right back up. 10-9 Jackson, 20-18 Jackson.

Jackson lands a combination. Jackson with a flurry and he lands a pair of big right hands. Jackson lands a head kick. Marcos grabs the body lock and has a brief takedown and the back of Jackson as they pop right up. They separate and Jackson lands as Marcos looks for another takedown. Marcos is just hanging on. Jackson turns his back trying to break the grip. They break and Jackson lands a knee. Marcos lands a leg kick. Marcos is gassed and misses a spinning back fist and Jackson takes him down. Jackson lands and has the neck as they stand. Jackson drags it down with a D’Arce choke locked in. Jackson is squeezing but Marcos gets out. Marcos lands. 10-9 Jackson, 30-27 Jackson.

Fight Result- Montel Jackson def. Daniel Marcos by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Welterweights- Santiago Ponzinibbio (30-8, 12-7 UFC) vs. Daniel Rodriguez (18-5, 8-4 UFC)

They trade leg kicks. Rodriguez lands a left hand. Ponzinibbio lands a leg kick. Ponzinibbio lands a body kick. Rodriguez lands a left hand and a jab. He lands a leg kick then a left to the body. Rodriguez lands a combination. Ponzinibbio lands a body kick. Rodriguez lands a jab. Rodriguez lands a left hand and Ponzinibbio lands a right hand. Ponzinibbio lands another right hand but Rodriguez defends a takedown attempt from Ponzinibbio. Ponzinibbio slips and Rodriguez hurts him with a left hand as he stands. Rodriguez is chasing Ponzinibbio down and lands as Ponzinibbio is running away. Rodriguez lands an elbow. Rodriguez lands a left hand. They trade kicks. Rodriguez lands some more. 10-9 Rodriguez.

Ponzinibbio lands a right hand then a left hook. Rodriguez lands a left hand. Rodriguez lands to the body. Ponzinibbio with a short right hook. They trade leg kicks. Ponzinibbio lands a combo. They trade and Ponzinibbio looks for a takedown but Rodriguez defends. Ponzinibbio with a combination. Rodriguez lands a jab and a body kick. Ponzinibbio with a right hand. Ponzinibbio looks for a takedown against the fence but Rodriguez defends. Ponzinibbio lands a body kick. Ponzinibbio lands a body kick as Rodriguez lands a left hand to the body. Ponzinibbio looks for a takedown and gets it. Ponzinibbio gets on top and both land to end the round. 10-9 Ponzinibbio, 19-19.

Ponzinibbio lands a big right hand. Ponzinibbio with a leg kick. They trade and Rodriguez drops Ponzinibbio with a massive left hand and it is stopped right away. Ponzinibbio got up and was stumbling away so the call was correct. What a finish by Rodriguez!

Fight Result- Daniel Rodriguez def. Santiago Ponzinibbio by TKO (punch) at 1:12 of Round 3

> Middleweights- #13 Reinier de Ridder (19-2, 2-0 UFC) vs. Bo Nickal (7-0, 4-0 UFC)

Nickal misses a right hand and they clinch right up. They both land to the body. Nickal lands an elbow on the break. de Ridder looking for a takedown as they tie right back up. They both land to the body. de Ridder lands a knee. Nickal is able to score a takedown. de Ridder looks for an armbar but Nickal escapes and has the neck, but de Ridder scrambles to the top and is in side control. de Ridder is controlling from the top and lands some short punches. They stand and de Ridder gets it back down for a moment. de Ridder with an elbow as they break. 10-9 de Ridder.

Nickal lands a leg kick. de Ridder lands in close range and they clinch. Nickal has body control as de Ridder lands to the body. de Ridder tries a trip but Nickal keeps it up. Nickal is able to get the back of de Ridder, but de Ridder spins and lands a pair of knees as they break. Nickal lands a left hand. They tie up and de Ridder is landing a lot to the body and they trade punches. de Ridder drops Nickal with a knee to the body and it is all over! What a finish by de Ridder!

Fight Result- Reinier de Ridder def. Bo Nickal by TKO (strikes) at 1:53 of Round 2

> Bantamweights- #4 Cory Sandhagen (17-5, 10-4 UFC) vs. #5 Deiveson Figueiredo (24-4-1, 13-4-1 UFC)

Figueiredo lands a leg kick. Sandhagen with some leg kicks and he looks for a takedown against the fence. They separate. Sandhagen lands a leg kick. Sandhagen lands an uppercut and Figueiredo scores a takedown. Sandhagen gives up his back for a moment but is able to transition to the top. Sandhagen with some punches and elbows from the top. Sandhagen with big hammerfists as Figueiredo attacked the leg. Figueiredo is still attacking the leg while eating shots from Sandhagen. Sandhagen escapes and lands some big shots from the top. Figueiredo attacks the leg again. Sandhagen gets on top and lands some big shots. 10-9 Sandhagen.

They trade leg kicks. Sandhagen lands a leg kick. Figueiredo grabs the back for a moment but Sandhagen escapes and lands a pair of leg kicks. Sandhagen working the jab and pressuring. Figueiredo is able to score a takedown. Sandhagen attacks the leg and uses it to reverse to the top, but Figueiredo is able to push off with his feet so they can stand. Sandhagen gets a takedown and lands some punches from the top. Figueiredo attacks the leg and uses it to reverse to the top. Sandhagen attacks the leg and reverses to the top and starts landing as Figueiredo is screaming and the fight is stopped! Figueiredo appears to have suffered a knee injury as Sandhagen picks up the win.

Fight Result- Cory Sandhagen def. Deiveson Figueiredo by TKO (injury) at 4:08 of Round 2

Daily Update: Christine Lubrano, EJ Nduka, weekend preview

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

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Friday Update

– We will have our week in review show with Garrett Gonzales tonight. Our weekend show will be Sunday night covering a giant few days of shows around the world.

– The new issue of the Observer is up on the site now. It’s loaded with news and analysis of all the major stories:

  • Lots more on the AAA sale to TKO (and that it’s not actually completed), CMLL’s cryptic response, Grand Slam Mexico, Dorian Roldan talks why he sold and Konnan and Latin Lover talk the future of AAA and in theory how things change in Mexico and the U.S., plus the major business goals.
  • Tam Nakano ends her career, Mayu Iwatani leaves Stardom, Stardom puts on its biggest show with its biggest match in history and a couple of award categories this should do well in.
  • Update on WWE Backlash
  • Update on both major lawsuits against Vince McMahon and WWE. New plaintiffs emerge in the ringboys suit and a new Vice President is implicated, and Janel Grant’s attorneys push for the case to move forward while the defendants want discovery held up.
  • Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff promote Real American Freestyle. What they need for success, what mistakes they’ve already made and is Hogan the right person to the face of the company
  • Full coverage of TNA Rebellion
  • Long story on the Hollywood Demons episode on the Von Erichs, how this is different from other stories, more on the deaths, the political situation in Texas and things in the new documentary that aren’t completely accurate, as well as dispelling major myths.
  • The most detailed look at the ratings, including placings, demos, competition and more for all the shows
  • End of the CMLL Universal championship tournament with a super finish
  • MLW vs. CMLL matches this week
  • Champion Carnival update
  • Lots of New Japan big matches coming up
  • Meiko Satomura retires
  • Big indie shows this week
  • Big Progress tournament this week
  • RVD injury update
  • More NXT stars on TNA television
  • AEW expects one of its biggest gates for upcoming show
  • Bryan Danielson talks his career and AEW
  • Advanced ticket sales for upcoming WWE and AEW shows
  • Lots of injury updates
  • PFL involved in a number of messy lawsuits
  • Freak show fight with powerlifters gets major attention
  • SmackDown time slot change
  • Did you know the person behind the movie with Liv Morgan did a movie based on a Hall of Fame 80s and 90s pro wrestling legend
  • Value of WWE’s PLEs on the open market
  • The story of the most powerful man in combat sports that most reporters aren’t touching
  • Lots of notes on the Smashing Machine movie
  • How much Dwayne Johnson has made since joining the TK Board
  • More talk on a WWE all-women’s PPV show

– SmackDown tonight is in Des Moines, IA. At this point the only stuff announced is that Randy Orton will be there, as if he wouldn’t be there leading up to the PLE where he’s challenging for the title. John Cena isn’t advertised. The Miz vs. Aleister Black is announced. They had 6,500 tickets out as of last night in an NBA arena, so this will be the weakest WWE taping attendance of late. We’re looking for reports on the show with anything before or after the show that is notable such as dark matches or Speed matches with results to [email protected]

– Pat McAfee and Booker T were hosting the kickoff show for tonight’s Fatal Fury in Times Square boxing event with Ryan Garcia vs. Rolando Romero and Devin Haney vs. Jose Ramirez. They were just on with Turki Alalshikh. Not that this is the place, as the pregame show hardly is, but It has been amazing the lack of media follow-up to The Athletic story on Alalshikh It’s really sad to see this play out before your eyes.

– Regarding Christine Lubrano and being let go as part of cuts yesterday, what we were told is that a lot of what she was doing was duplicating work being covered by Bruce Prichrd and other executive assistants. It was not an individual firing but part of a number of people let go in different departments for cost cutting reasons.

– EJ Nduka, who has been under AEW contract for two years, mostly in ROH as the partner of Lee Johnson, saw his contract expire this past week. Because of his size, physique and athletic ability, he was seen as someone with major potential by WWE, but they cut him. MLW pushed him hard as a top star until he signed with AEW.

– We’re doing polls this weekend on both nights of NJPW Dontaku, you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match for each show to [email protected]. The shows will air at 5 a.m. tomorrow morning Eastern time and 2 a.m. Eastern late tomorrow night.

The first show has:

  • Katsuya Murashima vs. Daiki Nagai
  • Toru Yano & Oleg Boltin & Yoh & Master Wato vs. Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson & Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita
  • Tomohiro Ishii & Yuya Uemura & Taichi & Taka Michinoku vs. Yota Tsuji & Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi & Bushi
  • Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi & Ryusuke Taguchi vs Callum Newman & Great O’Khan & Jakob Austin Young
  • El Phantasmo vs Konosuke Takeshita for World TV title
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
  • Shota Umino vs Shingo Takagi
  • Losers are out of Bullet Club tag team match: David Finlay & Gabe Kidd & Drilla Moloney & Clark Connors & Taiji Ishimori vs. Evil & Ren Narita & Sanada & Sho & Yoshinubu Kanemaru

– Dragon Gate Dead or Alive will be the company’s final event in Nagoya’s Dolphins Arena, taking place on Monday.

– UFC in Des Moines will air on ESPN2 and ESPN+ starting at 7 p.m. Eastern

  • Juliana Miller (126) vs. Ivana Petrovic (125.5)
  • Thomas Petersen (250) vs. Don’Tale Mayes (259)
  • Gaston Bolanos (135.5) vs. Quang Le (135.5)
  • Marina Rodriguez (115.5) vs. Gillian Robertson (115.5)
  • Ryan Loder (185.5) vs. Azamat Bekoev (155.5)
  • Yana Santos (136) vs. Miesha Tate (135.5)
  • Jeremy Stephens (155) vs. Mason Jones (155.5)
  • Cameron Smotherman (135.5) vs. Serhiy Sidey (135.5)
  • Montel Jackson (136) vs. Daniel Marcos (135.5)
  • Santiago Ponzinibbio (170) vs. Daniel Rodriguez (170.5)
  • Reiner de Ridder (185.5) vs Bo Nickal (185.5)
  • Cory Sandhagen (135.5) vs. Deiveson Figueiredo (135)

Lots of interest in the semi as it’s the first major test for Nickal and not a stylistically advantageous fight for him. Plus Stephens returns and former champion Miesha Tate is back in action.

– Arena Mexico tonight is CMLL vs. MLW:

  • Reyna Isis vs. Alejandra Quintanilla
  • Barboza & Zandokan Jr. vs. Donovan Dijak & Ikuro Kwon
  • Satoshi Kojima & Okumura defendMLW tag titles against Magnus & Rugido
  • Paul London vs. Neon
  • Matthew Justice vs. Ultimo Guerrero for the MLW Openweight Title
  • Mistico vs Kushida

– The two Fukuoka shows are the last two dates of Naito and Bushi in New Japan.

– We don’t have a number, but Forbidden Door at the O2 Arena in London tickets went on sale to the public today.

– Cedric Alexander’s WWE non-compete period ends very shortly.

– Add referee John Finnegan to the list of people who are retiring at the TWA Reunion show tomorrow night in Philadelphia. Breaker Morant and Tony Stetson are also retiring as wrestlers on the show.

– AAA has its first major show since the announcement of the sale tomorrow night at Juan de la Barrera Gym in Mexico City. Top matches are El Hijo del Vikingo & Negro Casas & Pagrano vs. Alberto El Patron & Forastero & Sanson, La Parka (debut in ring of third person in that charcter) & Octagon Jr. & Laredo Kid vs. Kento & Nobu San & Takum, and Mesias defends the Latin American title against Nino Hamburguesa.

– CMLL announced the Copa Juniors, a tournament for second generation wrestlers, takes place on 5/23 and 5/30 at Arena Mexico.

– There will be a ten-man Cibernetico on the 5/24 Dean Rasmussen tribute show put on by AEW for free on 5/24 in Glendale, AZ, the night before Double or Nothing. There will be CMLL talent in that match.

– Northeast Wrestling tomorrow night in Danbury, CT has Matt Riddle vs. Brad Baylor and NEW champion Matt Taven vs. BRG, as well as KC Navarro vs. Nic Nemeth.

– At the TNA Under Siege show on 5/23, Trick Williams & Frankie Kazarian face Joe Hendry & Elijah in the main event.

– Sting will make an appearance on the 7/25 Big Time Wrestling show at Trust Field in Charlotte, NC. It is billed as his last appearance in Charlotte with his makeup.

– Douglas Silva de Andrade of UFC was suspended for six months for testing positive for furosemide, a diuretic. The test was taken on 2/14 and led to Silva de Andrade being pulled from a match two weeks later against John Castaneda. The UFC’s drug testing partner Combta Sports Anti-Doping examined a supplement Silva de Andrade said he was taking and found furosemide in it so believe it was inadvertent usage so he was only suspended six months.

– Individual tickets for Worlds Collide and Money in the Bank on 6/7 go on sale Wednesday at 8 a.m. Pacific time. There will be a presale the day before.

– Dwayne Johnson turns 53 today. 

– Abdullah the Butcher will be honored at the August Cauliflower Alley Club banquet in Las Vegas.

– Wardlow has applied to trademark his name.

– All Caribbean wrestling announced Gal Barklay appearing on its 6/28 show in Nassau, Bahamas, the first WWEID talent to work in the Caribbean. Also announced is Prince Agballah vs. Elijiah Burke, Kenny King vs. Marty Scurll and Kaylia Capri vs. Aleah James. Mark Henry heads this organization.

– IWF announced a 10/4 show in North Arlington, NJ High school.

– Memphis Wrestling TV tomorrow features a WWE ID match with Aaron Roberts vs. Jackson Drake.