Tag: Alexander Volkanovski

UFC 325 live results: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes 2

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

After a succesful debut on Paramount+ last weekend for UFC 324, major UFC action is back as the Octagon returns to Australia for UFC 325 at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney.

The main event is a rematch for the UFC Featherweight Championship as reigning champion Alexander Volkanovski defends against Diego Lopes. It has been less than a year since their first fight, a fight for a then-vacant featherweight title won by Volkanovski. He hasn’t fought since then, while Lopes is coming off a thrilling knockout win over Jean Silva in September that got him right back into a title fight.

In the co-main event, it’s an exciting lightweight fight pitting fan favorite Dan Hooker against Benoit Saint-Denis. Also on the main card is a lightweight bout between Rafael Fiziev and Mauricio Ruffy; a heavyweight bout that sees fan favorite Tai Tuivasa return against Tallison Teixeira; and a lightweight bout between Quillan Salkilld and Jamie Mullarkey kicks off the main card.

PRELIMS | 5 PM ET/2 PM PT

> Road to UFC 4 Bantamweight Final- Sulang Rangbo (10-3) vs. Lawrence Lui (7-1)

They trade before Lui scores a takedown and has the back of Rangbo and lands some knees. They get to their feet. They separate. Lui lands a combo. Rangbo lands some punches. Lui with a series of punches as Rangbo backs up. Rangbo then rocks Lui with some shots, and Lui lands an uppercut in return that briefly hurts Rangbo. Rangbo lands an uppercut as Lui looked to shoot. Rangbo lands a combination. Lui looks for a takedown and has the back as they go to their knees. They break and Rangbo lands a nice body kick. 10-9 Rangbo.

They trade left hooks. Rangbo lands an uppercut as Lui throws a combination. Lui shoots for a long takedown but Rangbo is able to escape. Lui lands a combination with a solid left hand. Lui looks for a takedown, but Rangbo defends and lands a right hand as they separate. Lui pressuring and lands a combo. Rangbo lands a quick combo. Lui has the back and drags the fight to the knees and lands some left hands. They get to their feet but Lui still has the body lock and lands some knees. They scramble and Rangbo lands a series of shots on the break. They trade to end the round. 10-9 Lui, 19-19.

Rangbo lands a right hand as they trade combinations. Rangbo lands a combination. They’re both landing punches as Lui is pressuring. Lui scores a takedown and is landing shots against the fence as he is controlling Rangbo. Lui with some knees. They get to their feet for a moment but Rangbo trips it back down. They scramble up but Lui has back control and is keeping Rangbo against the fence. They separate and both throw big punches to end. 10-9 Lui, 29-28 Lui.

Fight Result- Lawrence Lui def. Sulangrangbo by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

> Road to UFC 4 Featherweight Final- Keiichiro Nakamura (7-1) vs. Sebastian Szalay (10-1)

Nakamura lands a leg kick as Szalay lands a counter flurry of punches. Szalay lands a left hand and then backs Nakamura up with another. Nakamura lands a body kick. Szalay lands a spin kick. Nakamura lands a few leg kicks. Szalay with a combination to the body and lands a right hook as Nakamura tripped while circling. Nakamura lands a leg kick. Szalay lands a combination. Szalay with a combo to the head and body. Nakamura just landing kicks and not really a lot of them as Szalay is more active. Nakamura lands a leg kick. 10-9 Szalay.

They trade kicks and Szalay backs Nakamura up with a combo. They trade and Szalay drops Nakamura with a left hand but he is able to get right up. They trade leg kicks. Nakamura tries a spin kick, but Szalay grabs the leg and dumps him to the mat, though Nakamura gets right up. Szalay with some body shots but pokes Nakamura in the eye, so time out is called. It was actually a clash of heads and they continue. Szalay lands some punches and Nakamura lands a leg kick. Szalay lands a combo. They trade punches. Nakamura lands some late kicks. 10-9 Szalay, 20-18 Szalay.

They’re trading inside the first minute. Szalay lands a body kick. Nakamura is doing more pressuring as he’s working the jab more, and Szalay is backing up more this round. Szalay lands a combination to the body and then to the head. Szalay with more body shots followed by a solid right hand. Nakamura then lands a brutal knee that drops Szalay and some follow-up shots end it! What a finish by Nakamura!

Fight Result- Keiichiro Nakamura def. Sebastian Szalay by TKO (strikes) at 3:48 of Round 3

> Road to UFC 4 Lightweight Final- Sangwook Kim (13-3) vs. Dom Mar Fan (8-2)

Kim grabs a single leg right away and pushes it against the fence looking for the takedown. Fan tries to separate but Kim grabs the leg again. Kim gets Fan down and has the back. Fan is throwing back punches that aren’t doing a whole lot. Fan is able to escape and has the advantage as they get to the feet. They trade knees in the clinch and Kim lands body shots. Fan with a pair of elbows as he’s looking for a takedown. They’re both battling for a takedown as they go down for a moment, but stay clinched as they stand. Kim with a shot and Fan lands a knee to the body. Kim lands some body shots. Fan lands an elbow. Close round. 10-9 Fan.

They’re trading and Fan lands some shots that hurt Kim. Kim gets the body lock and presses it against the fence. They separate. They exchange jabs. Fan lands a body kick and Kim with a leg kick. Kim attacks the single leg and they go to the mat, but Fan ends up back on top. Fan takes the back as they stand, but Fan drags it back down. Fan keeps control as they scramble and lands an elbow as they break. Fan with some big punches but Kim is now landing some big shots. Fan lands a knee. 10-9 Fan, 20-18 Fan.

Kim immediately grabs the body lock and pushes it against the fence. Fan lands a knee and a pair of elbows as Kim lands to the body. They break apart and Fan works the jab. Fan landing more and Kim lands a groin strike, but Fan is ready to go. Fan then lands a kick to the groin of Kim and time out is called. They get back going and Kim lands a right hand. Fan with a combo and lands a head kick. They’re trading big shots in close range. Kim lands a right hand and then to the body before clinching. Fan lands an elbow on the break. Fan lands a left hand and they tie up. Kim lands to the body. They trade inside the pocket late. 10-9 Mar Fan, 30-27 Mar Fan.

Fight Result- Dom Mar Fan def. Sangwook Kim by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Featherweights- Kaan Ofli (12-4-1, 1-2 UFC) vs. Yizha (26-5, 1-2 UFC)

They both throw but are missing before Ofli gets the clinch. They scramble to the mat and continue to scramble as Ofli gets on top. Ofli gets inside the guard and lands a right hand. Ofli lands some more and they scramble up but remain clinched. They separate and Ofli rocks Yizha with a punch. Yizha recovers and they trade as Ofli is slowing down. Yizha lands a body kick and a right hand. Yizha lands a right hand that hurts Ofli. Close round. 10-9 Ofli.

Ofli lands a leg kick. Yizha drops Ofli with a left hook and starts landing from the top. Yizha attacks the back as they stand. They break and Yizha lands some more big punches and Ofli is backing up. Ofli looks for a takedown but Yizha defends. Yizha lands to the body. Yizha lands some knees and some elbows. Ofli lands a right hand. They trade leg kicks. Ofli lands and then Yizha lands some big body and head shots. Yizha lands a left hand and Ofli briefly goes down, but gets right up and they both land. Yizha lands a leg kick. 10-9 Yizha, 19-19.

Ofli lands a leg kick. Ofli with another stiff calf kick. Yizha lands to the body. Ofli lands a body kick. Yizha with a right hand to the body. Ofli shoots for a takedown against the fence but Yizha defends. They separate. Yizha catches a leg and lands a right hand. Both land combinations. Yizha lands a solid left hand. Yizha gets a brief takedown and has the back as they stand. They trade late. 10-9 Yizha, 29-28 Yizha.

Fight Result- Kaan Ofli def. Yizha by majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)

> Welterweights- Jonathan Micallef (8-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. Oban Elliott (12-3, 3-1 UFC)

Micallef throws a body kick but Elliott catches the leg and scores the takedown. Elliott is working inside the guard of Micallef, but Micallef is able to get to his feet. Elliott has clinch control against the fence. They separate. Elliott lands a right hand. Elliott lands a combination. Elliott lands and has brief clinch control. They separate and Micallef lands a right hand that puts Elliott on his knees, but he quickly stands. They trade inside the pocket. They clinch and Micallef lands a knee. Micallef has the back and lands some knees. They separate. Elliott lands a left hand and Micallef has a cut open around his eye. 10-9 Elliott.

Elliott lands a high kick. Micallef throws and Elliott lands some counter punches. Elliott lands a right hand. Micallef with a short uppercut. Micallef lands a jab but eats a stiff calf kick from Elliott. Micallef lands a right hand. Elliott lands a big combination before they clinch. Micallef gets the back and drags it down and has full back control. Micallef locks in a rear-naked choke. Elliott is trying to fight it off as he throws some punches. Micallef locks it in tighter and Elliott goes out cold! What a finish from Micallef!

Fight Result- Jonathan Micallef def. Oban Elliott by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:31 of Round 2

> Middleweights- Jacob Malkoun (8-3, 4-3 UFC) vs. Torrez Finney (11-0, 1-0 UFC)

Malkoun works the jab and looks for a takedown, but Finney defends it. Malkoun back to working the jab. Malkoun lands a right hand. Malkoun lands a combination ending with a right hand. Finney lands a quick left hook. Malkoun backs Finney up with a right hand. Malkoun hurts Finney some more with more punches. Malkoun lands an uppercut followed by a jab. Finney lands a left hook. Malkoun with a big combination against the fence. Malkoun continues to connect and hurt Finney. Malkoun throws Finney to the mat and starts landing big shots from the top. Malkoun looks for a guillotine choke. Finney fights it off and gets inside the guard of Malkoun. Finney with a big right hand from the top. 10-9 Malkoun.

Finney looks to be dealing with a knee injury. Malkoun works the jab and they trade big punches. Malkoun lands a combination. Finney lands a few big punches on Malkoun. Malkoun works the jab, landing a series of them. Malkoun continues to work the jab. Malkoun drops Finney with a big right hand. Finney is trying to scramble for a takedown but Malkoun lands some big shots from the top before taking the back. Malkoun lands some left hands from the back as Finney crawls to the fence. Malkoun with more left hands from the back. Malkoun is looking for a choke. He’s got a neck crank locked on. He lets go. They stand late. 10-9 Malkoun, 20-18 Malkoun.

Finney lands more to start the third, but Malkoun connects with a right hand. Malkoun works the jab. They clinch and Malkoun lands a right hand on the break. Malkoun lands a right hand. Malkoun goes back to the jab. Malkoun pushes Finney against the fence as they clinch. Malkoun just pressuring against the fence. They break apart and Malkoun lands some punches. Malkoun lands some big shots and gets Finney down to the mat. Finney gets up but Malkoun still has control and they go back down. 10-9 Malkoun, 30-27 Malkoun.

Fight Result- Jacob Malkoun def. Torrez Finney by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)

> Middleweights- Cam Rowston (13-3, 1-0 UFC) vs. Cody Brundage (11-7-1 1 NC, 5-6-1 1 NC UFC)

Rowston lands a leg kick. Brundage connects with a pair of left hands. Rowston lands a solid combination followed by a leg kick. Rowston lands a high kick. They trade leg kicks. Brundage lands a combination. Brundage with a left hook as Rowston was ducking. Brundage rushes forward and lands a left hand as they clinch against the fence. Rowston lands a knee as he reverses and lands some more knees in control. Brundage clips Rowston with a right hand and lands a pair of big punches that hurt Rowston for a moment. Rowston lands a calf kick. Rowston with another heavy calf kick. Rowston lands a low blow and time out is called. They get back going and Rowston lands a leg kick. He lands another. Rowston connects with a flush right hand. They trade. 10-9 Rowston.

Rowston pressuring forward and lands a front kick. Rowston connects with a right hand. Brundage rushes forward and lands some wild shots. Rowston with a big combo. Rowston has Brundage against the fence and lands. Rowston lands a knee as Brundage looks for a takedown. Rowston sprawls and lands some big punches. Rowston landing lots and lots of punches from the back and Brundage isn’t defending and it is stopped! Big finish from Rowston as he continues to impress.

Fight Result- Cam Rowston def. Cody Brundage by TKO (punches) at 4:08 of Round 2

> Light Heavyweights- Junior Tafa (6-4, 2-4 UFC) vs. Billy Elekana (9-2, 2-1 UFC)

Elekana lands a leg kick. Elekana with a body kick and Tafa lands a leg kick. Tafa drops Elekana with a right hand. Elekana starts scrambling for a leg and grabs the body lock as they stand. Tafa forces separation. Tafa with a leg kick. Elekana with a left hand. Elekana shoots for a takedown but Tafa defends it. Tafa lands a solid counter left hand. Elekana hurts Tafa with a jab. Elekana shoots for a takedown against the fence. They separate and Elekana stuns Tafa again with a jab. Tafa lands a left hand. Tafa lands a big right hand and some follow-up shots against the fence. Tafa lands a leg kick. Tafa lands to the body. Tafa lands some big shots at the end of the round but eats a counter from Elekana. 10-9 Tafa.

Tafa pressing forward and landing more to start the second. Tafa works the jab. Elekana works the jab as well as he’s avoiding and Tafa is slowing. Elekana hurts Tafa with a right hand. Tafa lands to the body. Elekana gets Tafa down to the mat and takes the back. Elekana locks in a rear-naked choke and Tafa pretty much immediately taps. Elekana gets the win.

Fight Result- Billy Elekana def. Junior Tafa by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:18 of Round 2

MAIN CARD | 9 PM ET/6 PM PT

> Lightweights- Quillan Salkilld (10-1, 3-0 UFC) vs. Jamie Mullarkey (18-8, 6-6 UFC)

Salkilld immediately goes for a takedown but Mullarkey is trying to defend it as he gives up his back. Salkilld lets go and lands some punches before they tie back up. Mullarkey scores a takedown but Salkilld quickly reverses to the feet. Salkilld with a leg kick. Mullarkey forces a clinch against the fence. Salkilld gets a big takedown into side control, then steps around to take the back. Salkilld looking for a rear-naked choke and has it locked in and Mullarkey taps! Another impressive win for Salkilld.

Fight Result- Quillan Salkilld def. Jamie Mullarkey by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:02 of Round 1

> Heavyweights- #12 Tai Tuivasa (14-8, 8-8 UFC) vs. #15 Tallison Teixeira (8-1, 1-1 UFC)

Tuivasa rushes forward and both swing before Teixeira scores a takedown. Teixeira landing big shots from the half-guard. They get to their feet as Teixeira still has body control. Teixeira trips Tuivasa back down and is in the full mount. Teixeira lands a pair of elbows. Teixeira still landing as Tuivasa is trying to escape. There is not a lot happening. Teixeira lands some punches and mixes in an elbow. They stand and Teixeira lands a knee on the way up. Tuivasa lands a right hand as they clinch. 10-9 Teixeira.

Both throwing kicks but none are connecting. Tuivasa lands a right hand and Teixeira lands a knee. Tuivasa lands an elbow and Teixeira with a knee followed by a body kick. Tuivasa with a pair of leg kicks. Tuivasa with another hard calf kick and lands a right hand. Teixeira lands a combination and scores a takedown. Tuivasa almost works his way up but Teixeira keeps him down. Teixeira gets the full mount. He takes the back and lands some punches. Teixeira gets back the full mount and lands. 10-9 Teixeira, 20-18 Teixeira.

Teixeira with some side kicks. Teixeira tries for a takedown but Tuivasa shakes him off. Teixeira is tired. Tuivasa clinches and lands a knee. He separates and Tuivasa lands some big punches that hurt Teixeira. Teixeira lands a right hand. Tuivasa lands a left hook then a big right hand. Teixeira gets a tie up. Both men are exhausted. Tuivasa lands an elbow. Tuivasa forces a clinch as both are tired. Tuivasa lands some big punches, mixing to the body. Tuivasa lands an elbow and a right hand and Teixeira shoots for a takedown, but Tuivasa sprawls to rest. Tuivasa lands some body shots. Tuivasa gets the back and lands a big shot but falls down and the fight ends. 10-9 Teixeira, 29-28 Teixeira.

Fight Result- Tallison Teixeira def. Tai Tuivasa by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Lightweights- #9 Rafael Fiziev (13-4, 7-4 UFC) vs. #14 Mauricio Ruffy (12-2, 3-1 UFC)

Both throwing and missing on kicks early. They trade leg kicks about a minute in. Fiziev lands a left hand. Ruffy lands a knee. Fiziev lands a hard calf kick. They briefly clinch and Fiziev lands a body kick after they separate. Ruffy lands a jab and Fiziev lands a left hand. Ruffy lands a head kick. Fiziev with a body kick. Ruffy works the jab. Ruffy lands a knee followed by a right hand as Fiziev lands a leg kick. Ruffy lands the jab and a leg kick. 10-9 Ruffy.

Fiziev lands a leg kick. Ruffy with a spin kick to the body. Fiziev lands a body kick. Ruffy works the jab. Ruffy lands a leg kick. Fiziev is still pressing forward and controlling the distance. Ruffy with a double jab. Ruffy lands a nice right hand. Fiziev tries a spin kick but almost falls as it misses. Ruffy with a leg kick. Fiziev with a solid body kick. Ruffy works the jab. Fiziev with a leg kick but Ruffy counters with a jab. Ruffy rocks Fiziev with a right hand and Fiziev goes down. Fiziev is trying to get Ruffy down but Ruffy gets on his back and lands. Fiziev stands and Ruffy lands more big shots as Fiziev goes back down and more punches from Ruffy ends it! A big finish from Ruffy to pick up the win.

Fight Result- Mauricio Ruffy def. Rafael Fiziev by TKO (punches) at 4:30 of Round 2

> Lightweights- #6 Dan Hooker (24-13, 14-9 UFC) vs. #8 Benoit Saint-Denis (16-3 1 NC, 8-3 UFC)

Saint-Denis lands a hard body kick. Hooker with a high kick. Saint-Denis looks for a takedown but Hooker grabs the neck, though Saint-Denis escapes. Hooker with a high kick and Saint-Denis grabs the leg, but lets go. Hooker with a body kick. He lands another. Saint-Denis lands a right hand. They tie up but break apart. Saint-Denis lands a left hand. They clinch and Hooker reverses and lands to the body. They separate. Hooker with a body kick then a head kick. They tie back up and scramble for underhooks. Hooker pushes Saint-Denis against the fence. Saint-Denis gets Hooker down and is in side control. Saint-Denis lands some elbows. Saint-Denis is working for an arm. Hooker scrambles and they get to their feet. Saint-Denis with a knee and an elbow as Hooker lands to the body. They are both throwing wild shots and Hooker connects before Saint-Denis gets a takedown. Saint-Denis lands from the top and lands some elbows. 10-9 Saint-Denis.

Saint-Denis goes for a takedown and Hooker looks for a guillotine choke, but they scramble up. Saint-Denis is still working for a takedown as Hooker tries to defend. Saint-Denis gets it down into mount and lands lots of elbows. Saint-Denis looks for an arm. Hooker with body shots from the bottom. Saint-Denis lands from the mount. Saint-Denis is looking for an arm-triangle choke. It is close to being in but Hooker is fighting it. Saint-Denis lets go but gets back into mount and is landing lots of shots. Hooker is busted open. Saint-Denis lands to the body. Saint-Denis with lots of elbows from the top. Saint-Denis with more big shots from the top. Tons of punches from Saint-Denis and Herb Dean steps in to stop it. Big win for Saint-Denis!

Fight Result- Benoit Saint-Denis def. Dan Hooker by TKO (punches) at 4:45 of Round 2

> UFC Featherweight Championship- C Alexander Volkanovski (27-4, 14-3 UFC) vs. #2 Diego Lopes (27-7, 6-2 UFC)

Lopes lands a leg kick. He lands another. Volkanovski lands a pair of leg kicks. Lopes lands another leg kick and connects with a right hand as Volkanovski shoots for a takedown. They trade kicks. Volkanovski lands a right hand and they exchange inside the pocket. Lopes with a leg kick. They trade kicks. Volkanovski shoots for a takedown and has the body lock against the fence. Volkanovski lands as they break. Lopes lands a body kick. 10-9 Volkanovski.

Volkanovski lands a leg kick. They trade kicks. Volkanovski with a jab and Lopes lands a solid leg kick. Volkanovski with a leg kick and Lopes fires one back. Lopes with a leg kick followed by a right hand. Volkanovski lands a jab. Lopes with a combo and a nice leg kick. Volkanovski lands a left hand as Lopes comes forward. Volkanovski lands a series of punches and Lopes lands on the end. Volkanovski with a big right hand. Volkanovski lands two more right hands and Lopes partially connects with a left hand. Volkanovski with another combo that lands. Lopes looks for a takedown but Volkanovski grabs the neck and jumps up for a guillotine choke. Lopes escapes and is inside the guard of Volkanovski. They stand and Lopes jumps up on the back as the round ends. 10-9 Volkanovski, 20-18 Volkanovski.

Lopes lands a combo. They’re both being more patient right now. Lopes lands a leg kick. Lopes with a combo and Volkanovski lands a jab. Volkanovski lands a right hand. Volkanovski with a right hand to the body. Lopes lands an elbow off a brief clinch and Volkanovski works the jab. Volkanovski lands a right hand and then hurts Lopes with another right hand. Volkanovski looking for a takedown but Lopes defends. Volkanovski with another right hand. Lopes lands a body kick. Volkanovski lands a right hand and Lopes lands to where Volkanovski goes to his knees for a brief second but he gets right up. Lopes with a knee. 10-9 Volkanovski, 30-27 Volkanovski.

Lopes lands a leg kick. Volkanovski lands a solid jab followed by a hard right hand. Volkanovski with a short right hook. Volkanovski lands a combo. Lopes with a body kick. Lopes with a pair of leg kicks. Volkanovski works the jab. Lopes with a leg kick and a right hand. Volkanovski lands a right hand. Time out is called after Volkanovski lands a groin strike. They get back to action and trade. Volkanovski lands a right hand. 10-9 Volkanovski, 40-36 Volkanovski.

Volkanovski working the jab. Volkanovski gets the takedown and Lopes grabs the neck. Lopes lands a knee as they stand. Volkanovski lands a jab that almost drops Lopes as they clinch. Volkanovski gets a takedown and has back control as they stand. Lopes reverses and gets a takedown and takes the back. Volkanovski rolls to his feet and has Lopes on his back. Volkanovski shakes him off and lands some elbows before reversing position. Volkanovski has the leg and Lopes looks for an arm as they go to the mat. Lopes looks for an armbar from the bottom. Volkanovski gets out and is on top. Volkanovski stands. 10-9 Volkanovski, 50-45 Volkanovski.

Fight Result- Alexander Volkanovski def. Diego Lopes by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 50-45) to retain the UFC Featherweight Championship

Alexander Volkanovski vs Diego Lopes 2 Fight Preview and Breakdown UFC 325

Posted on by Jake Skudder

Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes run it back for the UFC Featherweight Championship at UFC 325, a rematch that pits elite championship craft against a dangerous finisher with momentum after beating Jean Silva back in September.

Volkanovski won their first meeting by decision way back in April 2025, surviving late danger and pulling away with cleaner work and veteran pacing. This is the Australian’s first fight since that win and he’s 1-2 in his last 3 (loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 298 and loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 294).

Volkanovski vs Lopes 2 Preview

Volkanovski vs Lopes 2 tale of the tape and experience edge

FighterRecordAgeHeightStanceKOSUB
Alexander Volkanovski27-4371.68 mOrthodox133
Diego Lopes27-7311.80 mOrthodox1112

Volkanovski has built his reigns on minute winning habits, layered feints, and round management, while Lopes has carved a reputation as a finisher who can end fights fast on the feet/mat AS WELL as being able to take it the distance.,

Volkanovski vs Lopes 2 striking style matchup: pace, positioning, and shot selection

On paper, Volkanovski’s biggest stylistic advantage is sustainable volume with efficient defense. UFC Stats lists him at 6.18 significant strikes landed per minute (SLpM) while absorbing 3.36 (SApM), with 56% striking accuracy and 58% striking defense. Lopes lands less volume at 4.10 SLpM and absorbs more at 4.72 SApM, with 48% accuracy and 47% defense.

Metric (UFC Stats)VolkanovskiLopes
SLpM6.184.10
SApM3.364.72
Striking accuracy56%48%
Striking defense58%47%

That gap suggests a pretty familiar state of play: Volkanovski using feints, stance reads, and angles to win the jab and low kick exchanges, then building combinations when Lopes loads up. Lopes’ best moments tend to come when he forces chaotic exchanges, especially after he pressures Volkanovski toward the fence and throws in bursts.

Volkanovski vs Lopes 2 grappling and scrambling: control vs submission threat

Volkanovski is not a pure wrestler, but he does blend takedowns into striking rhythm. Volk has 1.67 takedowns per 15 minutes (34% accuracy), compared with Lopes at 0.79 per 15 (55% accuracy). The more important stylistic note is what happens after contact: Lopes owns a heavy submission profile historically, and his best path is turning any clinch, knockdown, or scramble into back exposure and chokes.

Volkanovski vs Lopes 2 keys to victory and prediction lean

Volkanovski’s path: Volk needs to keep exchanges long, win minutes with volume, and change levels just enough to break Lopes’ pressure rhythm. If he stays disciplined defensively, the statistics support the chances of him winning rounds consistently.

Lopes’ path: Lopes HAS to volatility early, attack the body and legs to slow Volkanovski’s footwork, then hunt submissions if Volkanovski shoots or slips into scrambles.

Lean: Volkanovski by decision, unless Lopes lands a momentum swing that forces extended grappling danger, which is where the rematch can flip fast.

UFC 325 Predictions Volkanovski vs Lopes 2

Posted on by Jake Skudder

The UFC heads to Sydney with a stacked card and a featherweight title rematch on top as Alexander Volkanovski (c) meets Diego Lopes for the second time at UFC 325. Volkanovski enters as the favorite (around -162), while Lopes sits as the live underdog (around +136) in the latest widely posted lines.

Below are my UFC 325 predictions for the main card. Bear in mind that the odds and bout order can move during fight week:

UFC 325 Predictions

Volkanovski vs Lopes 2 prediction

Pick: Alexander Volkanovski by decision

The simplest read here is that Volkanovski wins minutes when he is in the octagon and has done for most of his career. In the first fight, he showed he can manage Lopes’ danger, stay disciplined, and bank rounds with pace, positioning, and clean combinations.

Lopes is explosive and creative, and he absolutely has finishing upside if he can force messy exchanges or he catches Volk leaning on the exit. But over five rounds, Volkanovski’s experience in long title fights and his ability to make adjustments on the fly push me toward another points win, especially with a home-crowd boost in Sydney just adding that extra cherry on top.

Saint Denis vs Hooker prediction

Pick: Benoit Saint Denis to win

Hooker is tough, opportunistic, and dangerous when he can keep the fight in his preferred ranges. The problem for the New Zealander is Saint Denis tends to turn fights into sustained pressure, and that style can sap a striker’s output if they are forced to defend for long stretches. Saint Denis is currently priced as a heavy favorite, and I can see him getting the win here potentially via submission, although I could also see him grabbing the decision.

Fiziev vs Ruffy prediction

Pick: Rafael Fiziev to win

This feels like a “who wins the cleanest exchanges” fight at lightweight. Fiziev’s edge is that he is been-there, done-that against elite competition and is typically the sharper technician when the fight is fought at range. Ruffy can absolutely swing momentum with a big moment, but my lean is Fiziev controlling the striking tempo and landing the clearer shots.

Teixeira vs Tuivasa prediction

Pick: Tallison Teixeira to win

Heavyweight volatility is real, and Tuivasa is always one clean connection away from flipping a fight. Still, with Teixeira a strong favorite, the expectation is that he carries the more reliable tools for winning exchanges and limiting the kind of extended brawl where Tuivasa thrives. I am siding with the favorite, but I would not be shocked if this ends suddenly either way with a KO.

UFC 325 predictions table

FightPickConfidence
Volkanovski vs Lopes 2Volkanovski by decisionMedium
Saint Denis vs HookerSaint DenisMedium-High
Fiziev vs RuffyFizievMedium
Teixeira vs TuivasaTeixeiraMedium

UFC 325 Fight Card Volkanovski vs Lopes 2

Posted on by Jake Skudder

The UFC heads back to Sydney for a loaded 14-fight lineup topped by a featherweight title rematch, Alexander Volkanovski (c) vs Diego Lopes 2 at UFC 325. The fight card blends some top tier proven names with rising talent, including a high-stakes lightweight clash between Benoit Saint Denis and Dan Hooker, plus a heavyweight banger featuring Tai Tuivasa and Tallison Teixeira.

With bout order always subject to late changes, this is the current UFC 325 fight card snapshot for Volkanovski vs Lopes 2.

When is UFC 325? Date, location, how to watch

UFC 325 takes place at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia. U.S. viewers will see it on Saturday, January 31, 2026, while the local Sydney date is February 1 due to time zones. For viewing options, look at Paramount+ in the U.S., with UK broadcast details commonly tied to TNT Sports.

UFC 325 main card: Volkanovski vs Lopes 2

Here is the main card as it stands:

FightWeight classOdds
Alexander Volkanovski (c) vs Diego LopesFeatherweight titleVolkanovski -162, Lopes +136
Benoit Saint Denis vs Dan HookerLightweightSaint Denis -305, Hooker +245
Rafael Fiziev vs Mauricio RuffyLightweightFiziev -125, Ruffy +105
Tallison Teixeira vs Tai TuivasaHeavyweightTeixeira -298, Tuivasa +240
Quillan Salkilld vs Jamie MullarkeyLightweightTBD

Volkanovski and Lopes run it back with the belt at stake, while Saint Denis vs Hooker has real “winner gets a fast track” energy at 155. Fiziev vs Ruffy is a style fight that could steal the show, and Tuivasa vs Teixeira brings pure heavyweight volatility.

UFC 325 prelims and early prelims

Prelims

  • Billy Elekana -218 vs Junior Tafa +180, light heavyweight
  • Cam Rowston -278 vs Cody Brundage +225, middleweight
  • Jacob Malkoun -185 vs Torrez Finney +154, middleweight

Early prelims

  • Jonathan Micallef -148 vs Oban Elliott +124, welterweight
  • Yizha -205 vs Kaan Olfi +170, featherweight
  • Sangwook Kim vs Dom Mar Fan, lightweight
  • Keiichiro Nakamura vs Sebastian Szalay, featherweight
  • Sulangrangbo vs Lawrence Liu, bantamweight
  • Aaron Tau vs Namsrai Batbayar, flyweight

UFC 314 live results: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes featherweight title fight

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

The Octagon returns to Miami, Florida, for another major pay-per-view event as a new champion will be crowned at UFC 314 inside the Kaseya Center.

The vacant UFC featherweight championship is on the line in the main event as former longtime UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski looks to recapture the gold when he takes on streaking Diego Lopes, winner of five straight fights.

The title is being vacated by Ilia Topuria, who is moving to 155 pounds. Volkanovski is fighting for the first time in just over a year after losing the title to Topuria.

In the co-main event, it is a five-round lightweight battle as Michael Chandler looks to end his two-fight losing skid when he takes on British superstar Paddy Pimblett, who is on an eight-fight win streak.

In another major main card bout, former interim UFC featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez welcomes former two-division Bellator champion Patricio “Pitbull” Freire to the UFC. Pitbull is arguably the greatest fighter in Bellator’s history and he makes his long-anticipated UFC debut in his quest to capture UFC gold.

Also on the main card is a featherweight bout pitting Bryce Mitchell against Jean Silva, and Nikita Krylov takes on former title challenger Dominick Reyes in a light heavyweight bout.

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> Women’s Bantamweights*- Nora Cornolle (8-2, 2-1 UFC) vs. Hailey Cowan (7-3, 0-1 UFC)

*Cornolle missed weight by 1.5 pounds

Cornolle lands and pushes it against the fence and lands some knees. Cowan switches position but Cornolle reverses back and lands some knees. Cowan gets it to the mat but Cornolle looks for an armbar. Cowan gets it out and works from the half-guard. Cowan mixing punches and elbows as she’s controlling from the top and trying to pass guard. They scramble and almost get to their feet but Cowan is able to take Cornolle’s back. 10-9 Cowan.

Cowan lands a body kick and Cornolle lands a right hand. Cornolle with a body kick and lands an elbow as they clinch. Cowan gets a takedown but Cornolle gets the back. Cornolle locks in a rear-naked choke and it’s in tight. Cowan is trying to fight it off but she ends up tapping! Cornolle picks up the win.

Fight Result- Nora Cornolle def. Hailey Cowan by submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:52 of Round 2

> Middleweights- Tresean Gore (5-2, 2-2 UFC) vs. Marco Tulio (13-1, 1-0 UFC)

Tulio lands a jab then a leg kick. Tulio lands a combo then a spin kick and follows with a calf kick. Tulio tries a jumping knee but Gore lands a right hand. Gore lands a right hand followed by a left hook. Tulio with a front kick to the body. Tulio with a jab and a right hand. They trade leg kicks and Tulio follows with a right hand. Tulio lands some more kicks but Gore rocks him with a left hook. They tie up and Tulio lands a knee to the body and an elbow as they separate. Tulio lands a right hand. They trade left hands. Tulio with a body kick and landing some jabs. Tulio landing lots of punches and has Gore in trouble. Tulio mixes to the body and head. Tulio drops Gore with a left hand and gets on top as Gore has a big cut opened up. They get up and Tulio lands a knee. Gore lands a big right hand. Gore lands a right hand and Tulio lands a spin kick. Exciting round. 10-9 Tulio.

Tulio landing lots of punches and mixes in some kicks. Gore lands some jabs. Tulio lands a groin strike and timeout is called. They get back to action and Tulio is landing kicks and lands a spin kick then a spinning back fist. Tulio works the jab and lands a right hand. Tulio with more body kicks. Tulio rocks Gore with a head kick and Gore ends up falling down and Tulio starts landing shots from the top, mixing in elbows. Tulio with big shots but Gore is trying to get out of trouble. They get to their feet. Tulio lands a big left hand. Tulio drops Gore with a right hand and it is stopped! What a finish by Tulio!

Fight Result- Marco Tulio def. Tresean Gore by TKO (punches) at 3:16 of Round 2

> Flyweights- Sumudaerji (16-7, 3-4 UFC) vs. Mitch Raposo (9-2, 0-1 UFC)

They trade big punches as Raposo lands a big combination. Raposo lands some more punches but Sumudaerji covers up. Sumudaerji lands a leg kick. Sumudaerji lands a combo followed by a body kick. Raposo lands a right hook. Sumudaerji lands a pair of leg kicks. Raposo scores a takedown and gets the back as they scramble up. Raposo keeps back control and gets another late takedown. 10-9 Raposo.

Sumudaerji lands a body kick then a leg kick. Raposo lands a left hand. Raposo shoots for a takedown against the fence but Sumudaerji defends. Sumudaerji lands a leg kick. Sumudaerji lands a combination. Sumudaerji lands a leg kick that gets checked and he falls to his butt for a moment. He gets up and lands a pair of leg kicks. Sumudaerji misses a spin kick and Raposo is able to get a takedown but they get right up. Raposo has the back. They separate and Sumudaerji lands a jab. Sumudaerji with a leg kick. Raposo has it pushed against the fence but is unable to score a late takedown. 10-9 Sumudaerji, 19-19.

Sumudaerji lands a jab and a leg kick. Raposo lands a right hand. Sumudaerji landing and Raposo is able to score a takedown, but Sumudaerji is able to scramble to his feet and lands an elbow as they break. Sumudaerji is landing and Raposo scores a takedown, but they quickly get up. Sumudaerji lands an elbow as he defends the clinch. Raposo trying hard for a takedown. They separate. Raposo gets a brief takedown but has body control as they stand. Sumudaerji lands some defensive punches. Sumudaerji lands a knee. Sumudaerji defending with some short punches and elbows. Raposo is just holding on. 10-9 Sumudaerji, 29-28 Sumudaerji.

Fight Result- Sumudaerji def. Mitch Raposo by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

> Middleweights- Sedriques Dumas (10-2, 3-2 UFC) vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk (19-9 1 NC, 7-7 1 NC UFC)

Dumas lands a body kick. They’re doing a lot of hand fighting. Oleksiejczuk lands a left hook to the body. Dumas scores with a body kick. Oleksiejczuk lands a left hand. He lands two more with one to the body. Oleksiejczuk lands a left hand. He lands two more. Oleksiejczuk drops Dumas with a left hand and starts landing from the top. Dumas is covering up as Oleksiejczuk is teeing off with lots of punches from the top and it is stopped. Dumas is complaining but is told by Marc Goddard he gave him three chances and Dumas wasn’t defending. Big finish from Oleksiejczuk.

Fight Result- Michal Oleksiejczuk def. Sedriques Dumas by TKO (punches) at 2:49 of Round 1

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> Featherweights- Darren Elkins (29-11, 19-10 UFC) vs. Julian Erosa (30-11, 8-7 UFC)

Erosa lands a jab and Elkins gets off balance and falls down for a moment. Elkins lands a right hand and Erosa lands a leg kick. Elkins lands a leg kick and gets a takedown. Elkins gets inside the guard of Erosa. Elkins stands and Erosa hurts Elkins with an upkick. Erosa stands and Elkins is chasing the takedown as he’s hurt. Erosa defending with some elbows and they separate. Elkins lands a right hand. Elkins gets a takedown but Erosa rolls through to his feet and lands a knee. They trade jabs. Erosa lands and Elkins stumbles to the mat and grabs Erosa’s leg. They scramble and Elkins is chasing a leg. They get up and break apart. Elkins lands a right hand. Erosa lands a leg kick and a big knee then hurts Elkins with a right hand. Elkins is chasing a leg but Erosa is landing lots of punches and it is stopped.

Fight Result- Julian Erosa def. Darren Elkins by TKO (punches) at 4:15 of Round 1

> Lightweights- Jim Miller (38-18 1 NC, 27-17 1 NC UFC) vs. Chase Hooper (15-3-1, 7-3 UFC)

Hooper lands a body kick. Miller lands a combo. Hooper throwing front kicks. Miller connects with a left hand. Hooper shoots for a takedown and Miller is defending. Miller grabs the neck and Hooper is able to roll out. Miller gets on top and lands and Hooper looks for a triangle choke. Miller lands some left hands from the top. They scramble and Hooper scores a takedown. Miller with an elbow from the bottom. Hooper gets Miller’s back and is on it as they get to their feet. Hooper lands from the back. Miller is able to shake Hooper off. Hooper attacking an arm from the bottom. He almost had an armbar but Miller escapes and they stand. Hooper lands a body kick and Miller lands a counter right hand. 10-9 Hooper.

Miller lands a left hand. Hooper lands a front kick then a spinning back fist and scores a takedown. Hooper jumps on the back and gets the hooks in as Miller stands. Hooper trying to get a choke in but Miller fights it and Hooper jumps off the back but still has control and trips Miller to the mat and gets into side control. They get to their feet and Hooper gets it back down. They stand and Hooper has the back and drags it back down. They roll and Hooper attacks a leg. 10-9 Hooper, 20-18 Hooper.

Hooper looking for a takedown but Miller defends. Hooper gets a takedown. They stand and Hooper takes it back down. Hooper has the back with the body lock in. Hooper is now attacking the ankle as Miller is looking to attack an arm. Hooper returns to inside the guard of Miller. Hooper just controlling from the top but there is not lots of action going on. Hooper lands some punches. 10-9 Hooper, 30-27 Hooper.

Fight Result- Chase Hooper def. Jim Miller by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

> Women’s Strawweights- #1 Yan Xiaonan (19-4 1 NC, 9-3 UFC) vs. #3 Virna Jandiroba (21-3, 7-3 UFC)

Jandiroba looks for a takedown but Xiaonan shakes it off and lands to defend. They trade kicks. Xiaonan lands a side kick. Xiaonan lands a right hand to the body. Xiaonan lands a left hook. Jandiroba looks for a takedown but Xiaonan lands to keep her at a distance. Jandiroba grabs the body and pushes it to the fence. Jandiroba gets it down and looks at taking the back. Jandiroba is on top but Xiaonan is landing from the bottom. Jandiroba looks for a kimura. She lets go and gets to north-south position but rolls back to the guard as they trade punches on the ground. They get up and quickly roll to the mat as Jandiroba attacks the arm but time runs out. 10-9 Jandiroba.

Jandiroba immediately goes for the leg and gets a takedown. She takes the back of Xiaonan. Jandiroba has the hooks in on the back and is attacking the kimura. Jandiroba landing from the back. She is constantly attacking the neck as she lands punches. Jandiroba rolls for an armbar but loses it and Xiaonan stands and starts landing punches as she gets inside the guard of Jandiroba. Jandiroba looks for an armbar but doesn’t quite have it in, but it allows her to get side control. Jandiroba now locks in an armbar but Xiaonan defends and escapes. 10-9 Jandiroba, 20-18 Jandiroba.

Xiaonan lands a leg kick. Jandiroba looks for a takedown but Xiaonan lands, though Jandiroba lands a left hand. Xiaonan lands a combination. Jandiroba looks for a takedown but Xiaonan defends. Xiaonan lands a knee as Jandiroba looks for a takedown. Jandiroba tries to get it down and Xiaonan clearly and blatantly grabs the fence. She gets warned and Jandiroba is still able to get it down. Jandiroba landing from the back. She continues to land. Jandiroba has an armbar locked in but the buzzer sounds to end it. 10-9 Jandiroba, 30-27 Jandiroba.

Fight Result- Virna Jandiroba def. Yan Xiaonan by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Featherweights- #15 Dan Ige (18-9, 10-8 UFC) vs. Sean Woodson (13-1-1, 7-1-1 UFC)

Woodson lands a leg kick. He lands another. Woodson lands another leg kick. Woodson lands a jab. Ige with a right hand. Woodson lands a leg kick. Ige pressing forward and lands a right hand. Ige lands to the body. Woodson lands a jab. Ige with a body shot. Ige lands a leg kick. Woodson lands a combination. Woodson lands a jab and they trade leg kicks, then Woodson lands a combo. Ige lands to the body. Woodson lands a stiff jab. Woodson with a jab and a left hook. 10-9 Woodson.

Ige lands to the body and then lands a right hand. Woodson lands a jab. Ige grabs the body lock briefly but they separate. Woodson lands a jab. Woodson lands a leg kick. Ige throws and ties up against the fence as he has a leg. They break apart. Woodson lands a leg kick followed by an uppercut. Woodson lands a jab as Ige throws a right hand. Ige lands a left hand. Ige lands a right hand and a leg kick. Ige shoots for a takedown but Woodson is sprawling to defend. They get to their feet. They break apart. Ige lands a left hand. Woodson with a high kick that Ige blocks and Ige lands a counter right hand. 10-9 Woodson, 20-18 Woodson.

Woodson lands a combination. Ige hurts Woodson with a right hand and then lands to the body. Ige lands a combination. Ige lands to the body and Woodson is covering up. Ige with a flurry of shots. Woodson looks for a takedown and Ige defends and starts landing punches and it is stopped. That is a bad stoppage.

Fight Result- Dan Ige def. Sean Woodson by TKO (punches) at 1:12 of Round 3

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> Light Heavyweights- #8 Nikita Krylov (30-9, 11-7 UFC) vs. #11 Dominick Reyes (14-4, 8-4 UFC)

They trade punches. Reyes rocks Krylov with a jab. Reyes lands a body kick. Reyes with a leg kick. Reyes lands a high kick. Reyes with a left hand. Krylov rushes in and Reyes drops him with a massive left hand and Krylov is out cold! What a knockout by Reyes!

Fight Result- Dominick Reyes def. Nikita Krylov by knockout (punch) at 2:24 of Round 1

> Featherweights- #13 Bryce Mitchell (17-2, 8-2 UFC) vs. Jean Silva (15-2, 4-0 UFC)

Mitchell presses forward. Silva with a high kick. Mitchell throwing side kicks as Silva is being patient. Mitchell lands a leg kick. Silva lands a body kick. Mitchell with a side kick to the body. Mitchell lands a leg kick. Silva lands a right hand. Mitchell with a stiff calf kick. Mitchell with a spinning back fist. Mitchell shoots for a takedown but Silva defends and they get to their feet. Mitchell with a leg kick and lands a left hand. Silva with a jab and a jump kick to the body. Silva with a spin kick that connects to the chin. Mitchell looks for a takedown but Silva locks in a guillotine choke. Silva has it in tight as Mitchell is trying to fight it. Mitchell gets his head out and they scramble up. Close round. 10-9 Silva.

Silva lands a leg kick and lands a right hand and Mitchell goes to the ground. Mitchell gets up and looks for a takedown but Silva defends. Mitchell still trying to get it down but Silva defends and they separate. Silva with a left hand and then a step-in elbow. Mitchell keeps trying to take Silva down but Silva is defending all of the attempts and landing on the break. Mitchell lands a leg kick. Silva lands a leg kick and a right hook to the body. Mitchell tries for another takedown attempt but Silva grabs the neck and has a D’Arce choke locked in and Mitchell taps!

Fight Result- Jean Silva def. Bryce Mitchell by submission (ninja choke) at 3:52 of Round 2

> Featherweights- #5 Yair Rodriguez (19-5 1 NC, 10-4 1 NC UFC) vs. Patricio Pitbull (36-7, 0-0 UFC)

They’re feeling each other out and hand fighting for the first minute. Rodriguez lands a leg kick. Pitbull lands a leg kick. They trade kicks. Rodriguez lands a leg kick. Rodriguez tries a jumping switch kick but Pitbull blocks it. Rodriguez lands a head kick. Rodriguez lands a body kick. They tie up. Pitbull tries a trip but they separate. Pitbull with a right hand. Pitbull lands a leg kick. Rodriguez with a front kick. Pitbull lands a kick and trips Rodriguez to the mat and gets to the half-guard. Pitbull controlling as Rodriguez lands, though lots were to the back of the head. 10-9 Rodriguez.

Pitbull with a high kick then a leg kick. Rodriguez with a pair of leg kicks. Pitbull lands a left hand and then lands big in an exchange. Rodriguez lands a body kick. Rodriguez lands a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Rodriguez with a short uppercut. Pitbull scores a takedown. Rodriguez squirms to the fence and gets to his feet. Rodriguez lands a right hand. Rodriguez with a pair of high kicks. Pitbull lands a right hand. Rodriguez with a leg kick. Rodriguez lands a combo and a high kick then a body kick. Pitbull looks for a takedown as Rodriguez defends and lands some foot stomps. Rodriguez gets a late takedown. 10-9 Rodriguez, 20-18 Rodriguez.

They trade leg kicks. Rodriguez lands a combination. Rodriguez with a pair of body kicks. Pitbull lands a left hand and then a right hand. Pitbull connects. Rodriguez lands a body kick. Pitbull lands a right hand. Rodriguez with a jumping knee and Pitbull lands a left hand. Rodriguez connects and Pitbull goes down. Rodriguez gets on top and lands some shots to the head and body. Rodriguez lands some big elbows and more punches. They trade on the mat. Pitbull locks in an armbar but Rodriguez is able to escape and is on his feet. Rodriguez attacks a leg. Pitbull attacking a leg as well. They both escape to their feet and Pitbull lands a right hand. 10-9 Rodriguez, 30-27 Rodriguez.

Fight Result- Yair Rodriguez def. Patricio Pitbull by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Lightweights- #7 Michael Chandler (23-9, 2-4 UFC) vs. #12 Paddy Pimblett (22-3, 6-0 UFC)

Pimblett lands a leg kick. He lands another. He lands an inside leg kick. He lands a body kick. Pimblett with another leg kick. Pimblett lands a combo and Chandler with a counter right hand. Chandler gets a big takedown despite a fence grab from Pimblett. Chandler with a knee to the body. Pimblett lands some elbows. They stand and go back down as Chandler lands some big punches. They get to their feet. Pimblett jumps up and pulls guard. They stand and separate. Pimblett lands a right hand. Pimblett with a leg kick. Chandler lands a right hand as Pimblett lands a leg kick. Pimblett lands a right hand. Chandler lands a left hand. Pimblett with a jump kick. Pimblett lands a leg kick. 10-9 Pimblett.

They trade punches. Pimblett lands a leg kick. Pimblett lands a jab. Pimblett with two right hands. They trade leg kicks after Pimblett lands a left hand. Pimblett with a head kick. They trade leg kicks. Pimblett lands a combination. Chandler lands a groin strike and timeout is called. They get back to action and trade leg kicks. Chandler looks for a takedown and has the back and slams Pimblett down. Pimblett gets right back up. Pimblett lands some elbows and Chandler takes it back down. Pimblett rolls into the guard of Chandler. Pimblett with some knees. Pimblett with some elbows from the top. Pimblett gets the back of Chandler. Pimblett with some big elbows. Pimblett has the mount and lands. Chandler gives up his back. Pimblett with some big punches. 10-9 Pimblett, 20-18 Pimblett.

Pimblett lands a big knee and Chandler is retreating and split open. Pimblett chasing Chandler and lands a short left hand. Pimblett gets the back and gets a big takedown. Pimblett with some elbows and Chandler is leaking blood everywhere. Pimblett with a big left hand. Pimblett with some elbows. Pimblett has the mount and is landing lots of punches. Pimblett looking for the finish as he’s landing lots of punches and elbows and it is stopped! What a performance from Pimblett!

Fight Result- Paddy Pimblett def. Michael Chandler by TKO (strikes) at 3:07 of Round 3

> UFC Featherweight Championship- #1 Alexander Volkanovski (26-4, 13-3 UFC) vs. #3 Diego Lopes (26-6, 5-1 UFC)

Volkanovski lands a leg kick. Volkanovski with a high kick. They trade leg kicks. They trade inside the pocket as Volkanovski lands a left hand and Lopes lands an uppercut. Lopes with some body shots. Volkanovski lands a leg kick. Lopes lands a right hand. Volkanovski with a big right hand. Volkanovski connects and makes Lopes stumble from a left hand. Volkanovski lands a jab. Volkanovski gets a body lock and almost gets it down and lands a knee. Volkanovski with some left hands from the back and gets Lopes down. Volkanovski with lots of big right hands from the top. 10-9 Volkanovski.

Volkanovski lands a right hand. Volkanovski with a jab. Volkanovski lands a leg kick as Lopes lands a right hand. Volkanovski lands a leg kick and Lopes lands a left hand. Volkanovski lands a right hand. Volkanovski working the jab and lands a body kick then a leg kick. Volkanovski lands a right hand and Lopes stumbles back and the fence actually keeps him up. Volkanovski ties up against the fence. They separate. Volkanovski works the jab. Volkanovski lands a leg kick. Volkanovski back to working the jab. Volkanovski lands a big right hand as both land inside the pocket. Volkanovski lands a left hand. Lopes drops Volkanovski with a right hand late. 10-9 Volkanovski, 20-18 Volkanovski.

Volkanovski lands a right hand. They trade leg kicks. Volkanovski lands a right hand. They trade left hands and both clipped one another. They trade right hands. Volkanovski lands a big right hand. They trade inside the pocket. Volkanovski looks for a takedown but Lopes defends. Volkanovski lands with a right hand. Lopes lands a body kick. Volkanovski lands a right hand. 10-9 Volkanovski, 30-27 Volkanovski.

They trade leg kicks. Volkanovski lands a combination. Volkanovski lands a right hand and Lopes connects to the body and lands a right hand off a brief clinch. Lopes lands a calf kick. Volkanovski lands a jab. Lopes with a left hook and one to the body as Volkanovski lands a counter right hand. Volkanovski with a right hand and Lopes lands an uppercut. Volkanovski looks for a takedown but Lopes defends. Volkanovski is retreating. They trade in close range. Volkanovski’s eye is damaged. Volkanovski lands a right hand and a jab. Volkanovski lands a right hand. Volkanovski with a right hand. They trade late. Close round. 10-9 Lopes, 39-37 Volkanovski.

Volkanovski with a jab. Volkanovski lands a right hand. Lopes lands a combo. Lopes lands a leg kick. Volkanovski lands a solid combination. Lopes lands a right hand. Volkanovski with a jab. Volkanovski lands a jab and a left hook. Volkanovski lands a right hand. Volkanovski with some jabs. Volkanovski with a combo. Lopes lands a leg kick. Volkanovski with a pair of jabs. Lopes with a combo. Volkanovski with a jab. Lopes pressing forward. Volkanovski with a big left hook. Volkanovski lands a right hand. 10-9 Volkanovski, 49-46 Volkanovski.

Fight Result- Alexander Volkanovski def. Diego Lopes by unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46) to win the UFC Featherweight Championship

UFC 298 live results: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria featherweight title bout

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

The Octagon returns to Southern California for UFC 298 from the Honda Center in Anaheim, California — a venue the company is guaranteed to return to multiple times over the next four years.

In the highly anticipated main event, UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski looks to continue his long reign at the top of the division as he defends against Ilia Topuria. This will be Volkanovski’s sixth title defense as he looks to remain undefeated as a featherweight while Topuria enters his first title shot undefeated overall in his career with 14 straight wins.

The co-main event is a big one at middleweight as former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker takes on Paulo Costa. Also on the main card: Geoff Neal takes on undefeated Ian Garry in another important welterweight matchup; Merab Dvalishvili takes on former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo in a potential bantamweight title eliminator; and Anthony Hernandez battles Roman Kopylov in a middleweight bout.

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> Women’s Flyweights- #15 Andrea Lee (13-8, 5-6 UFC) vs. Miranda Maverick (12-5, 5-3 UFC)

Maverick lands a leg kick. She lands another. Maverick initiates a clinch off a left hand and is looking for the takedown. They go to the mat and Lee is able to get into side control. Maverick scrambles to her feet and Lee has the back and gets a big takedown. They get to their feet and Lee still has the back. She lands an elbow and they break. Maverick lands a left hand. They trade leg kicks. Maverick lands a left hand to the body as Lee lands a body kick. Maverick with a pair of left hands. Maverick lands an overhand left. Maverick lands a combo as Lee lands a body kick. Maverick with a body kick. They trade leg kicks. Maverick looks for a takedown and Lee has the neck. Maverick gets the takedown and lands some from the top, ending the round there. Close round. 10-9 Maverick.

They trade as Maverick lands a body kick. Lee returns with a body kick. Lee with another body kick. Maverick fakes a left hand and shoots for a takedown against the fence. Maverick gets it to the mat and lands from the half-guard. Lee gets Maverick into her full guard. Lee is able to escape to her feet. Maverick lands a left hand then a high kick. Maverick lands a leg kick. Maverick lands a left hook. Maverick lands the jab then a left hand. Maverick lands a pair of leg kicks. Lee gets a brief takedown as Maverick reverses it and lands from the top to end the round. 10-9 Maverick, 20-18 Maverick.

Maverick lands a step-in elbow then a big body kick. Maverick lands a combo ending with a leg kick. They trade and Maverick lands a body kick. They tie up for a moment and Maverick lands as they break. They trade in close range. Lee lands a body kick. Maverick pressing forward and finding a home with the left hand. Maverick shoots for a takedown and lands a combo as they break. Maverick lands a head kick then a big body kick. Maverick gets a takedown. Lee has a high guard but Maverick is defending from the top. Lee is looking for a triangle choke and is landing elbows. Lee lands some punches as time expires. 10-9 Lee, 29-28 Maverick.

Official Result- Miranda Maverick def. Andrea Lee by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Welterweights- Oban Elliott (9-2, 0-0 UFC) vs. Val Woodburn (7-1, 0-1 UFC)

Elliott lands a leg kick as Woodburn closes the distance. They clinch and Elliott lands an elbow then a knee to the body as they break. Elliott lands a head kick but then Woodburn rocks him with a flurry. Elliott goes to the mat for a moment but gets up and Woodburn keeps landing. Elliott is able to get a takedown. Elliott gets the back and flattens Woodburn out. Elliott lands some punches. Elliott still on the back landing punches as he’s trying to set up a choke. Elliott with more punches. Elliott now gets the mount and lands some big punches. Woodburn gives up his back and Elliott flattens him out and lands. They make it to the end of the round. 10-9 Elliott.

Woodburn lands a body kick. Elliott lands a right hand and they trade wild punches inside the pocket. Elliott with some body kicks as he’s pressuring. Woodburn lands a body kick. Elliott with a body kick and Woodburn lands a right hand. Woodburn gets the back of Elliott on the feet. Elliott gets a takedown and has the back of Woodburn. Elliott with some punches from the back. Elliott ends the round on the back. 10-9 Elliott, 20-18 Elliott.

They clinch up but quickly separate. Elliott lands a jab then a right hand. Elliott with some more jabs. Elliott lands a combo. Woodburn lands a right hand. Elliott shoots for a takedown and Woodburn sprawls, but Elliott is able to complete the takedown. Elliott is able to work his way to the full mount. Elliott with some punches and a couple of elbows from the top. Woodburn is able to escape and has the back as they stand. Woodburn is trying to get it down but he needs a finish. They separate and trade at the end. 10-9 Elliott, 30-27 Elliott.

Official Result- Oban Elliott def. Val Woodburn by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Welterweights- Josh Quinlan (6-1 1 NC, 1-1 UFC) vs. Danny Barlow (7-0, 0-0 UFC)

Barlow lands a left hand. They trade big punches. Barlow pawing with the jab. Quinlan lands a body kick. Barlow lands a leg kick then a body kick. Quinlan lands a body kick. Barlow with a double jab and follows it with a straight left hand. Barlow lands a right hand. Quinlan lands a nice left hand then a right hand. Barlow lands a left hand. Quinlan with a leg kick. We have a timeout for an eye poke. They get back to action and Quinlan lands a right hand. Barlow lands a left hand. Barlow lands late. 10-9 Barlow.

Quinlan comes forward and lands a right hook. Barlow lands a combo and they exchange body kicks. Barlow with a body kick then Quinlan lands a leg kick. Quinlan lands a left hand. Barlow with a double jab. Barlow landing with more volume in close range. Barlow lands a left hand then a jumping knee. Barlow with a left hand. We have a timeout for a groin strike. They get back to action. Barlow lands a nice combination and follows it with another left hand. Quinlan shoots for the takedown but Barlow stuffs it. Barlow lands another jumping knee. Barlow lands a big left hand. 10-9 Barlow, 20-18 Barlow.

Quinlan lands a body kick. Barlow with a left hand then a body kick. Barlow with another flying knee. Quinlan lands a right hook. Quinlan lands a combo but then Barlow drops him with a left hand and lands big hammerfists. Quinlan gets to his feet and stumbles down and Barlow lands. Quinlan goes down again but gets up and Barlow lands more punches and it is stopped. What a finish from Barlow!

Official Result- Danny Barlow def. Josh Quinlan by TKO (punches) at 1:18 of Round 3

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> Light Heavyweights- Zhang Mingyang (16-6, 0-0 UFC) vs. Brendson Ribeiro (15-5, 0-0 UFC)

Mingyang with a leg kick to start. Mingyang with a big body kick. Ribeiro lands a stiff jab then follows with a big right hand. Ribeiro with a hard jab. They trade big shots in the pocket. Ribeiro lands a right hand. Mingyang drops Ribeiro with a big left hand and some follow-up shots get the stoppage as Ribeiro was out. What a knockout from Mingyang!

Official Result- Zhang Mingyang def. Brendson Ribeiro by knockout (punches) at 1:41 of Round 1

> Bantamweights- Rinya Nakamura (8-0, 2-0 UFC) vs. Carlos Vera (11-3, 0-0 UFC)

Nakamura lands a leg kick. Vera lands a spin kick to the thigh and Nakamura grabs him and they go to the mat. Vera looks for a leg lock. Nakamura spins out and has the back. Nakamura lands some left hands from the top. Vera trying to grab the leg again. Nakamura scrambles out and is in the guard of Vera. Vera lands an upkick. Nakamura with some left hands from the top. Nakamura working from the top as he steps over to half-guard. Vera being active on the bottom. Nakamura gets the back and lands before standing. 10-9 Nakamura.

Nakamura lands a leg kick. Vera lands a body kick and Nakamura gets a takedown. Nakamura working from the top. Nakamura lands some punches from the top. Vera lands an upkick. Nakamura gets the back and looked for a choke. Vera rolls and escapes. Nakamura still has the back and lands some left hands. They roll on the mat and Nakamura looks for an arm-triangle choke but Vera rolls out. Nakamura gets it back down and is on the back. Nakamura ends the round on top. 10-9 Nakamura, 20-18 Nakamura.

Vera with a jumping head kick that Nakamura blocks. Nakamura lands a left hand. Nakamura with a right hook. Vera attempts a spin attack and falls to the mat. Nakamura gets on top and has the back. They get to their feet as Nakamura has back control and he lands a knee. Nakamura lands a right hand from the top. Vera looks for a triangle choke. Vera looked for a leg lock but Nakamura gets his leg out. Nakamura has the back as they stand. Vera rolls but Nakamura stays on top. Nakamura lands from the back. 10-9 Nakamura, 30-27 Nakamura.

Official Result- Rinya Nakamura def. Carlos Vera by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Heavyweights- #15 Marcos Rogerio de Lima (21-9-1, 10-7 UFC) vs. Junior Tafa (5-1, 1-1 UFC)

de Lima with a leg kick. He lands another. He lands a third one and then a fourth. They trade punches. de Lima with a leg kick. He lands a right hand. de Lima with a leg kick and Tafa is hurt. They clinch. They separate. de Lima lands a big leg kick then another. de Lima with a big combination against the fence. de Lima gets a takedown. de Lima with some left hands from the top. de Lima lands more from the top. de Lima ends the round on top. 10-9 de Lima.

de Lima lands a big leg kick. They clinch and de Lima pushes it against the fence. They break. Tafa lands a right hand. de Lima with a leg kick and Tafa falls down. de Lima lands from the top and it is stopped. Big finish from de Lima.

Official Result- Marcos Rogerio de Lima def. Junior Tafa by TKO (leg kick) at 1:14 of Round 2

> Women’s Strawweights- #3 Amanda Lemos (13-3-1, 7-3 UFC) vs. #7 Mackenzie Dern (13-4, 8-4 UFC)

Lemos lands a leg kick. Lemos with a hard body kick. Lemos lands a combo. Lemos with a high body kick. Lemos with a leg kick. Lemos lands a right hand then a high kick. Lemos lands a calf kick. Lemos with a body kick. Dern keeps missing her punches. Dern ducks under a right hand and gets a takedown. Dern with some left hands from the top. Dern ends the round landing from the top. 10-9 Lemos.

Lemos with a body kick. Dern lands a jab. Lemos with a hard leg kick. Lemos hurts Dern with a right hand as she was rushing in and follows it with a flurry. Lemos drops Dern with a right hand and is landing big shots from the back. Dern is able to survive for now as Lemos is on top. Dern is working for a leg. Lemos stands. Dern is ordered to her feet. Dern lands a right hand. Lemos with a high kick and then a hard leg kick. Lemos with a combo. Lemos with a leg kick and Dern lands a right hand. Lemos gets a takedown. Dern reverses from the top and lands. 10-9 Lemos, 20-18 Lemos.

Dern lands a big right hand and Lemos goes down briefly but gets up and scores a takedown. Dern had the arm but Lemos gets it free. Lemos with right hands from the top. Dern is looking for a leg. Dern is able to get to the top in the half-guard. Dern lands a couple of elbows from the top. They get to their feet and Dern is pressuring against the fence. They scramble to the mat and Dern is looking for a leg. Lemos lands a couple of punches. 10-9 Dern, 29-28 Lemos.

Official Result- Amanda Lemos def. Mackenzie Dern by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

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> Middleweights- #15 Anthony Hernandez (11-2 1 NC, 5-2 UFC) vs. Roman Kopylov (12-2, 4-2 UFC)

Hernandez lands a right hand. Kopylov lands some leg kicks. Kopylov lands a left hand. Kopylov with a body kick and Hernandez tried a takedown but he escaped. Hernandez landed a right hand. Kopylov lands a left hand. Hernandez with a right hand. Kopylov with a nice left hand followed by a body kick. Hernandez with a series of right hands and he goes for a takedown against the fence. They separate and Hernandez lands before going for another takedown. Kopylov is defending but Hernandez is pressuring big time. Hernandez with some knees. 10-9 Hernandez.

Hernandez lands a right hand. They trade kicks. Kopylov lands a left hand to the body. They are both landing in close range. Kopylov hurts Hernandez with some punches and lands a body kick. Hernandez lands a couple of uppercuts. Hernandez pressing forward and eats a body kick from Kopylov. Hernandez gets the back of Kopylov against the fence. Hernandez gets the takedown. He has the back and is looking for a choke. He has the back and almost has the choke in but it’s around the chin. Kopylov somehow survives but Hernandez gets it locked in in a better position and Kopylov taps! What a finish from Hernandez!

Official Result- Anthony Hernandez def. Roman Kopylov by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:23 of Round 2

> Bantamweights- #2 Merab Dvalishvili (16-4, 9-2 UFC) vs. #3 Henry Cejudo (16-3, 10-3 UFC)

They trade leg kicks after Dvalishvili lands some right hands. Dvalishvili with an inside leg kick. Cejudo rocks Dvalishvili with a left hand. Cejudo with a leg kick. Dvalishvili lands a leg kick. Dvalishvili gets a takedown after grabbing a single leg and getting a trip. They get to their feet and separate. Dvalishvili lands a right hook as they separated. Dvalishvili lands and they scramble to the mat with Cejudo getting on top. Cejudo with some right hands. They scramble and Cejudo has the back. They get to their feet and go to the fence. Cejudo with some knees to the legs and thighs. They both land in the clinch. Cejudo lands a knee to the body. 10-9 Cejudo.

Dvalishvili lands a leg kick and Cejudo fires back with a hard leg kick. Cejudo gets the back and they briefly were on the mat but separate. Cejudo lands a combo. Dvalishvili with a leg kick. Dvalishvili lands a right hand. Dvalishvili lands a combo. Cejudo with a left hand. Dvalishvili lands a hard combination. Dvalishvili gets a takedown. They get up but Dvalishvili gets it back down and lands. They get to their feet and break as Dvalishvili lands a body kick. Cejudo looks for a takedown and Dvalishvili grabs the neck and lands a pair of knees. Dvalishvili with some left hands as he has neck control. Dvalishvili has a guillotine choke locked in but Cejudo survives to the end. 10-9 Dvalishvili, 19-19.

Cejudo lands a combo. Cejudo with a leg kick. Dvalishvili lands a body kick. They trade and Dvalishvili grabs the body and lands some knees against the fence. They break and Dvalishvili lands a leg kick. Cejudo lands a hard leg kick. Dvalishvili lands a right hand. Dvalishvili picks Cejudo up and carries him across the Octagon before slamming him down. Dvalishvili lands from the top. They separate. Cejudo lands a leg kick and tries for a takedown but Dvalishvili defends by landing to the body. Dvalishvili taunts Cejudo at the end. 10-9 Dvalishvili, 29-28 Dvalishvili.

Official Result- Merab Dvalishvili def. Henry Cejudo by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Welterweights- #8 Geoff Neal (15-5, 7-3 UFC) vs. #10 Ian Garry (13-0, 6-0 UFC)

Neal with a leg kick. Garry lands a front kick. Garry lands a front kick to the thigh then a high kick. Garry with an inside leg kick. Neal lands a body kick. Neal with another inside leg kick. Garry lands a knee. Neal lands a left hand as they tie up. They separate as Neal lands a left hand. Garry lands a body kick then a knee to the body. Garry with some high kicks. Garry lands a left hand. Garry with a body kick then a front kick. Neal lands a left hand and then another one at the end. Close round. 10-9 Neal.

Garry lands a combination to start the second. They clinch against the fence. They separate and Garry lands a right hand then a knee to the body then lands another right hand. Neal lands a leg kick. Neal with a leg kick then a right hand and they clinch. They break apart. Neal lands a left hand. Garry with a front kick. Garry lands a body kick then a knee to the body. Neal lands a combo. Neal with a high kick. They trade punches and clinch against the fence. Another close round. 10-9 Garry, 19-19.

They clinch against the fence after Neal misses a punch. They separate and Garry with a high kick. Garry with a body kick and Neal lands to the body then the chin. Garry lands a jab then a combo as Neal lands a leg kick. Garry with a knee to the body. Garry lands a body kick. Neal lands a punch then they clinch. They separate. Neal lands a left hand. Garry lands an elbow then a jab. Neal lands a combo. Garry with the jab. Garry with a left hand. Garry with an elbow. 10-9 Garry, 29-28 Garry.

Official Result- Ian Garry def. Geoff Neal by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)

> Middleweights- #3 Robert Whittaker (24-7, 15-5 UFC) vs. #6 Paulo Costa (14-2, 6-2 UFC)

Whittaker with a leg kick. He lands another. He lands another. Costa with a leg kick then a head kick. Whittaker with another leg kick. Costa with another head kick. They trade left hands. Costa lands the jab. Whittaker with a leg kick. Whittaker with an overhand right. Whittaker lands a jab. Costa with a left hand then a leg kick. Whittaker lands a right hand. They trade leg kicks. Whittaker lands a left hook then a leg kick. Whittaker lands the jab. Costa with a snap jab. Whittaker lands a combo. Whittaker with a leg kick. Costa with a spin kick that connects and hurts Whittaker and he follows it up with some punches but time runs out. 10-9 Costa.

Costa with a leg kick. Whittaker lands a double jab. Costa with a head kick. Costa lands a jab. Whittaker with a high kick then a leg kick. Whittaker with a calf kick. Costa lands a jab. We have a timeout for an eye poke by Costa. Whittaker lands a left hand. Whittaker with a leg kick then a left hand. Whittaker lands again. Costa with a head kick. Whittaker with a hard leg kick. Whittaker lands a big combination. Whittaker with another leg kick. Whittaker with some hard left hands. Costa lands a leg kick. Costa with a high kick. Whittaker lands a leg kick. Whittaker with a leg kick then a right hand. Costa with a leg kick. Whittaker lands a leg kick. 10-9 Whittaker, 19-19.

Costa lands a right hand. Whittaker with a leg kick. Whittaker lands a left hand. Whittaker lands a hard leg kick. Whittaker with a combination and lands a leg kick. Whittaker with a hard leg kick after Costa taunts him. Costa with a body kick. Costa with a jab. Costa with the jab. Whittaker lands a jab. Costa just misses the spin kick. Whittaker lands a right hand. He lands a jab. Whittaker lands a leg kick. Whittaker with a left hand. Whittaker with a leg kick. Whittaker with a jab. Whittaker with a left hand. 10-9 Whittaker, 29-28 Whittaker.

Official Result- Robert Whittaker def. Paulo Costa by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

> UFC Featherweight Championship- C Alexander Volkanovski (26-3, 13-2 UFC) vs. #3 Ilia Topuria (14-0, 6-0 UFC)

Volkanovski with a leg kick then a body kick then another leg kick. Topuria just barely lands a right hand. Volkanovski with a body kick then a leg kick then back to the body. Topuria with a heavy leg kick. Topuria with a jab as Volkanovski lands a leg kick. Volkanovski with a body kick. Volkanovski with a leg kick. Topuria lands a big right hand. Volkanovski with a body kick then a jab then an inside leg kick. They trade kicks and Volkanovski lands a few knees in a brief clinch. Volkanovski with a high kick. Close round. 10-9 Volkanovski.

Volkanovski with a high kick. Topuria lands a right hand. Volkanovski with a body kick. Topuria lands a nice combo. Topuria lands to the body in a brief clinch. Volkanovski lands some more kicks. Topuria with a right hand. Volkanovski lands a pair of jabs then some kicks. Volkanovski with a pair of jabs and Topuria lands a right hand. Volkanovski with another jab as Topuria lands a right hand. Topuria blitzes forward and lands a massive right hand that puts Volkanovski out cold. Wow! What a knockout by Topuria to win the title.

Official Result- Ilia Topuria def. Alexander Volkanovski by knockout (punch) at 3:32 of Round 2 to win the UFC Featherweight Championship

JNPO: The MMA year in review, pt. 3

Posted on by Josh Nason

The third installment in my Josh Nason’s Punch-Out four-part MMA year in review series rolls on with a look at July, August & September 2023.

Joining me as always is Paul Fontaine of the In The Clinch podcast, The Dynamite Show, and wrestling TV ratings writer for this very website.

It was a month of big business for the UFC as they held four pay-per-views from Las Vegas, Utah, Boston, and Australia that generated over $30 million in gate revenue.

The quarter saw Sean Strickland upset Israel Adesanya for the UFC middleweight title, Alexandre Pantoja win his first UFC flyweight title, and Sean O’Malley finally climb to the top of the UFC bantamweight mountain.

Robbie Lawler retired in spectacular fashion, there was a major development in the Cung Le vs. UFC class action lawsuit, the UFC held their first-ever Noche UFC event to big acclaim, and tons more.

If you missed any of the series, check out the archives.

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UFC 294 live results: Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski 2

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

The Octagon returns to pay-per-view this weekend with their annual visit to Abu Dhabi for UFC 294: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski 2 from the Etihad Arena in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

The card underwent a recent shake-up to the two big fights, but arguably is now stronger than before. In the main event, UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev defends against UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski in a rematch. The two fought in February in the current front-runner for 2023 Fight Of The Year, which was won by Makhachev. Volkanovski is taking this rematch on twelve days’ notice, replacing Charles Oliveira.

In another fight coming together on short notice, former UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman steps in on eleven days’ notice to take on undefeated Khamzat Chimaev at 185 pounds. Usman is coming off a pair of welterweight title fight losses to Leon Edwards, while Chimaev steps inside the Octagon for the first time in 13 months.

Also on the main card is a light heavyweight bout between Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker, a middleweight bout pitting Ikram Aliskerov against Warlley Alves, and a bantamweight bout between Said Nurmagomedov and Muin Gafurov.

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> Middleweights- Shara Magomedov (11-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Bruno Silva (23-9, 4-3 UFC)

Magomedov lands an inside leg kick. He lands some more leg kicks. He lands a high kick and one to the body. Silva lands a body kick. Silva lands another body kick then a combination. Magomedov lands a hard leg kick and then rocks Silva with a right hand then a knee. Magomedov with another hard leg kick and then he defends a takedown attempt from Silva. Silva lands a couple of left hands. Magomedov lands a pair of hard leg kicks. They trade punches. We have a timeout for a groin kick from Magomedov. They get back to action. Magomedov lands another loud leg kick. They both land nice left hooks simultaneously. They trade and Silva lands some nice punches and Magomedov lands some leg kicks. 10-9 Magomedov.

Magomedov lands a body kick then an axe kick followed by a leg kick. Silva lands a left hand followed by a leg kick. Magomedov lands a head kick then a pair of body kicks. Magomedov lands a combo ending with a knee. Magomedov eating Silva up with some kicks but Silva is able to get a takedown. Magomedov lands some elbows from the bottom. Silva stands and Magomedov lands some upkicks as Magomedov is staying active from the bottom. Magomedov doing better on the mat though Silva now lands from the top. Silva stands and Magomedov lands more upkicks. Silva lands from the top but eats a massive upkick from Magomedov. Close round. 10-9 Magomedov, 20-18 Magomedov.

Magomedov lands a leg kick and Silva is able to get a takedown. They both land on the mat. Silva lands some punches and elbows from the top. Magomedov landing left hands from the bottom but Silva lands right hands from the top. Both are working on the mat as Silva remains on top. They get to their feet and Magomedov lands a knee. Silva tries a takedown as he pushes it against the fence but Magomedov rocks him with an elbow. Silva is able to get another takedown. Both landing on the mat. Magomedov lands a flurry of elbows from the bottom. Both landing hammerfists on the mat. Silva gets to side control. They get to their feet late. Fun fight. 10-9 Magomedov, 29-28 Magomedov.

Official Result- Shara Magomedov def. Bruno Silva by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Women’s Strawweights*- Viktoriia Dudakova (7-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Jinh Yu Frey (11-9, 2-5 UFC)

*Dudakova missed weight by .6 pounds

Dudakova lands a right hand. Frey lands to the body. They clinch and Dudakova lands a knee as she looked to get it down but Frey broke it up. Frey lands to the body. Dudakova looks for a takedown as she pushes it against the fence. They separate. Dudakova lands a left hand. They have a clash of heads and timeout is called. They get back to action and have a quick exchange. They clinch and Dudakova lands a series of knees. They tie up and Dudakova trying for a takedown but Frey shakes it off. Frey lands a body kick. Dudakova lands a big left hand that drops Frey late. 10-9 Dudakova.

Dudakova lands to start before Frey is able to get a takedown. Frey in side control but eats a few punches from Dudakova on the bottom. Frey lands some elbows and knees from side control. They get to their feet for a moment but Frey lands a punch and Dudakova goes back to the mat. Frey gets back on top. Dudakova looks for an armbar but Frey defends. Dudakova gets a warning for having her fingers inside of Frey’s glove, but an illegal upkick was missed. They stand and Dudakova lands a combo. They trade late. 10-9 Frey, 19-19.

Dudakova lands a combo as Frey landed a body kick. Frey went for a takedown but Dudakova defended. Frey lands a right hand. They trade in close range and Frey lands a nice left hand, though Dudakova is ahead on volume in this round. Dudakova lands a right hand. Dudakova lands a right hand then a stiff jab. They tie up and Frey pushes it against the fence. Frey trying hard for the takedown and lands a knee but Dudakova keeping it on the feet. Dudakova lands some knees. They trade late. 10-9 Dudakova, 29-28 Dudakova.

Official Result- Viktoriia Dudakova def. Jinh Yu Frey by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Featherweights- Nathaniel Wood (19-5, 7-2 UFC) vs. Muhammad Naimov (9-2, 1-0 UFC)

They both land leg kicks to start. Wood lands a nice leg kick and Naimov counters with a combo that hurts Wood. Naimov is able to get a takedown and is working from the top. Naimov landing from the top. He continues to land left hands from the top. They get to their feet. They clinch and Naimov lands a pair of groin strikes and Wood is in a lot of pain as they call timeout. They get back to action. Wood lands a pair of leg kicks. Wood lands a big left hand that hurts Naimov and Naimov might’ve fallen down if not for the fence. Wood follows up with a pair of punches before getting a takedown into side control. He looks for the arm as he moves to the back but lets Naimov get on top. Naimov in side control and grabs the neck. They get to their feet. Wood lands an elbow. 10-9 Naimov.

Naimov lands a kick to the groin of Wood to start the second and we have another timeout. They get back to action without a point taken away. They immediately clinch against the fence. Wood gets a takedown. They get to their feet as Wood has the back. Naimov tries to grab the fence. Naimov is able to get a takedown. Wood almost got to his feet but Naimov is able to keep it down. Wood is able to work it to the feet after not a ton of action on the mat. Wood looking for the arm and a kimura attempt as he lets Naimov take him down. Naimov with some knees to the thighs of Wood. They get to their feet and clinch at the end. 10-9 Naimov, 20-18 Naimov.

Naimov lands a kick. Wood grabs the back and pushes it against the fence but they separate. Naimov lands a high kick. Wood partially lands a left hand. Naimov lands a left hand and a leg kick. They trade kicks. Naimov drops down for a takedown and is able to secure it. They get to their feet and Wood lands a big right hand and then lands another. Wood lands another combo. Naimov tries a spin kick and falls to the mat and Wood lands a lot of big punches at the end from the top. 10-9 Wood, 29-28 Naimov.

Official Result- Muhammad Naimov def. Nathaniel Wood by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Lightweights*- Mike Breeden (10-6, 0-3 UFC) vs. Anshul Jubli (7-0, 1-0 UFC)

*Breeden missed weight by 3.5 pounds

Jubli lands a leg kick. Breeden lands a leg kick. Jubli lands to the body. Jubli lands a body kick. Breeden lands a combo. Jubli lands a right hand and a knee to the body. They trade as Jubli lands to the body and Breeden lands a right hand. Jubli lands a right hand to the body. Jubli lands a combo. Jubli lands a knee. Breeden lands a leg kick. Jubli ahead on volume here. They trade punches. 10-9 Jubli.

Jubli hurts Breeden with a right hand and starts swarming. Jubli lands a knee and a body kick. Jubli with more right hands and Breeden is cut open. Jubli with a body kick and they clinch. Breeden is throwing punches but not really landing as Jubli lands some right hands. Breeden lands a right hand. Jubli lands a right hand and Breeden counters with a combo. Breeden lands a body kick. They trade punches. Jubli lands a right hand. Jubli with a pair of leg kicks and Breeden counters with some punches. Jubli lands a right hand. They trade late. 10-9 Jubli, 20-18 Jubli.

They’re trading to start the third as Jubli is landing punches. Breeden is barking at Jubli. Jubli lands a big right hand. Breeden is landing and taunting Jubli. Jubli lands a leg kick and Breeden lands a right hand. Breeden lands a flurry against the fence. Breeden lands a stiff jab. Breeden’s taunting is affecting Jubli. Jubli tries a takedown but Breeden defends. They trade right hands. Jubli lands a pair of body kicks. He lands a right hand and Breeden lands a big left hand. Breeden lands a combo and drops Jubli and lands another right hand and gets the finish. What a comeback from Breeden!

Official Result- Mike Breeden def. Anshul Jubli by knockout (punch) at 3:00 of Round 3

> Middleweights- Abu Azaitar (14-3-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Sedriques Dumas (8-1, 1-1 UFC)

Azaitar lands some big punches and gets Dumas down but scrambles up and gets a takedown. Azaitar landing from the bottom as Dumas is trying to improve his position. Dumas lands a knee to the body from the top. Azaitar getting warned for hitting the back of the head. Dumas is controlling from the half-guard. He ends the round on top. 10-9 Dumas.

Dumas lands a leg kick. He lands another. He lands another. Azaitar rushes forward with punches and lands a right hand. Azaitar lands another right hand that makes Dumas circle away. Dumas lands a leg kick. Azaitar lands a leg kick. Dumas lands a stiff jab. They trade some big punches. Azaitar catches a leg and lands some right hands as he gets Dumas down. Azaitar lands from the top but they scramble up. Azaitar lands a leg kick. 10-9 Azaitar, 19-19.

Dumas lands a leg kick. Dumas lands a spin kick. Dumas rushes in and Azaitar lands some punches. They have a timeout for a hair pull. Dumas lands a left hand that hurts Azaitar but he’s able to recover. Azaitar lands a big flurry to the body. Azaitar is landing more here but there’s not a ton of activity. They trade kicks. Azaitar tries a late takedown and Dumas lands a head kick. Close fight. 10-9 Azaitar, 29-28 Azaitar.

Official Result- Sedriques Dumas def. Abu Azaitar by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Bantamweights- Javid Basharat (14-0, 3-0 UFC) vs. Victor Henry (23-6, 2-1 UFC)

Henry lands a leg kick. Basharat lands a leg kick. Henry lands a leg kick as Basharat lands a right hand. Basharat lands a combo. Basharat gets a takedown. They scramble up and Basharat has the back. They separate and both land leg kicks. Henry lands some leg kicks. They tie up late and Basharat lands some knees. Close round. 10-9 Basharat.

We have an immediate groin strike on a kick from Basharat and Henry goes down in pain. The doctor is in and is telling Henry that he got kicked in the leg and not the groin, which is completely wrong. The fight is waved off as the five minute clock on the timeout runs out and Henry is still in tons of pain. This will either be a no contest or a disqualification, but likely a no contest.

Official Result- Javid Basharat vs. Victor Henry ends in a no contest (accidental groin strike) at :15 of Round 2

> Lightweights- Mohammad Yahya (12-3, 0-0 UFC) vs. Trevor Peek (8-1, 1-1 UFC)

Peek lands a leg kick. Peek lands a combo and Yahya goes down for a brief moment. Peek is able to get a takedown and is in the half-guard. They get to their and Peek has it pushed against the fence. Peek lands a knee to the inside leg of Yahya. They separate and Yahya lands a body kick. Peek lands a leg kick. Yahya lands a left hand. Peek lands a left hand and Yahya lands a jumping knee. Yahya has the neck and drags it down for a choke attempt but Peek escapes near the end. 10-9 Peek.

They trade kicks. Yahya lands a body kick as Peek lands a right hand to the body. Yahya landing to the body with kicks as both are looking for openings. Yahya with a partial head kick. Peek lands a combo and then a body shot. Yahya slipped to the mat and Peek looks for a takedown against the fence. Peek lands a flurry. Yahya lands a left hand. They trade some big punches. Peek lands a combo to the body and head. Yahya lands a body kick. 10-9 Peek, 20-18 Peek.

Peek lands some punches to start the third. Peek landing some big shots against the fence. Peek gets it down and kind of has the mount. They get to their feet and Peek has the body lock and gets it back down. They get to their feet. Yahya lands a pair of body kicks. Peek lands a right hand. Yahya lands a left hand. They trade and Yahya pushes it against the fence but Peek reverses position. They separate. Peek lands some heavy right hands. Peek gets a takedown and is in the half-guard. He has full mount but Yahya escapes late. 10-9 Peek, 30-27 Peek.

Official Result- Trevor Peek def. Mohammad Yahya by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

> Flyweights- #10 Tim Elliott (19-12-1, 8-10 UFC) vs. #11 Muhammad Mokaev (9-0 1 NC, 4-0 UFC)

Elliott lands a leg kick. Mokaev lands a right hand but Elliott is able to get a takedown. They scramble to their feet. Mokaev comes forward and lands. They trade punches and Mokaev shoots for a takedown but Elliott defends. Elliott lands some knees but a couple of them were illegal and a timeout is called. They get back to action and Mokaev lands a high kick. Mokaev lands a right hand and combo before getting a takedown. Elliott has the neck and is looking for a guillotine choke. Elliott loses it but goes back for it. Mokaev landing body punches as he escapes the choke. Mokaev lands from the top. 10-9 Mokaev.

Mokaev gets a takedown. Elliott is looking for a guillotine choke. Mokaev landing heavy body punches and is able to get his neck free. Mokaev working from the top and keeping Elliott pinned on the bottom. Mokaev lands a right hand and it allows Elliott to look for a triangle choke. Mokaev then slams Elliott to the mat to get out of it and is working back in the full guard. Mokaev still landing from the top. 10-9 Mokaev, 20-18 Mokaev.

Mokaev looks for a takedown but Elliott is defending. Elliott now landing some knees and some of them were clean but he also landed a couple of illegal ones so we have another timeout. They get back to action in the same position. Mokaev is able to reverse and gets a big takedown on Elliott. Mokaev working from the top and locks in an arm-triangle choke and gets Elliott to tap. What a finish from Mokaev!

Official Result- Muhammad Mokaev def. Tim Elliott by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 3:03 of Round 3

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> Bantamweights- Said Nurmagomedov (17-3, 6-2 UFC) vs. Muin Gafurov (18-5, 0-1 UFC)

Nurmagomedov throws a front high kick. Gafurov lands a leg kick. Nurmagomedov lands a head kick. Gafurov shoots for a takedown but Nurmagomedov quickly locks in a guillotine choke. It is in tight and Gafurov taps on the opposite side of the referee and falls asleep. What a finish from Nurmagomedov!

Official Result- Said Nurmagomedov def. Muin Gafurov by submission (guillotine choke) at 1:13 of Round 1

> Middleweights- Ikram Aliskerov (14-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. Warlley Alves (14-6, 8-6 UFC)

Aliskerov landing some early punches as Alves lands some leg kicks. Aliskerov lands a body kick. Aliskerov lands a right hand and then a jab that buckles Alves. Aliskerov is landing a flurry with a jumping knee that hurts Alves and a flurry ends up finishing it. What a showing from Aliskerov!

Official Result- Ikram Aliskerov def. Warlley Alves by TKO (strikes) at 2:07 of Round 1

> Light Heavyweights- #2 Magomed Ankalaev (18-1-1, 9-1-1 UFC) vs. #7 Johnny Walker (21-7, 7-4 UFC)

Walker lands a right hand. He lands a leg kick and then another. They trade leg kicks. Ankalaev lands a right hand. Ankalaev lands a body shot and Walker faked being hurt to try a flying knee that missed. Ankalaev gets it down for a moment and is trying to get the back. Ankalaev lands a clear illegal knee and we have a timeout. The doctor then stops the fight claiming Walker couldn’t continue and all hell broke loose as Walker pushed the referee, Ankalaev and Walker still kept trying to go after each other, security and even Dana White came in to calm things down.

Official Result- Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker ends in a no contest (accidental foul) at 3:13 of Round 1

> Middleweights- #1-WW Kamaru Usman (20-3, 15-2 UFC) vs. #4-WW Khamzat Chimaev (12-0, 6-0 UFC)

Chimaev lands a body kick. Chimaev shoots for a takedown but Usman is defending. Chimaev takes the back standing and Usman goes to a knee but gets up. Chimaev flattens Usman out for a moment and lands punches. Usman gets to his knees but Chimaev has full back control. Chimaev still landing from the back. They stand and Chimaev is on the back still and is looking for a choke. Usman slams Chimaev down but Chimaev still has the back on the ground. Chimaev looking for the choke again but lets go. Chimaev lands some more. 10-8 Chimaev.

Usman lands a leg kick. Usman lands a left hand. Chimaev lands a body kick. Chimaev lands a low kick. Usman lands a right hand. Chimaev lands a leg kick. Chimaev with a head kick attempt that Usman blocks. Usman lands a right hand after a jab then a calf kick. Usman lands a left hand. Chimaev gets a takedown. Not much happens on the ground as Usman played good defense. Close round. 10-9 Usman, 19-18 Chimaev.

Chimaev shoots for a takedown but Usman easily defends and spins away. Usman lands a right hand. Chimaev lands a right hand and Usman fires back with one. Chimaev tries a takedown but Usman defends. Usman lands a jab and a right hand in close range. Usman lands a jab and is landing away at Chimaev. Usman with a combo. Chimaev is able to get the takedown. Chimaev is on top but not doing much though he is keeping Usman pinned to the bottom. They scramble up. Usman lands a right hand. They swing late. 10-9 Chimaev, 29-27 Chimaev.

Official Result- Khamzat Chimaev def. Kamaru Usman by majority decision (29-27, 29-27, 28-28)

> UFC Lightweight Championship- C Islam Makhachev (24-1, 13-1 UFC) vs. C-FW Alexander Volkanovski (26-2, 13-1 UFC)

Makhachev lands a leg kick. He lands another. He shoots for a takedown and pushes it against the fence. Both are landing as they’re tied up with Makhachev landing some knees. They separate. Makhachev lands a body kick. Makhachev lands a left hand. Makhachev lands a head kick and Volkanovski goes down. Makhachev gets on top and starts landing and finishes it off! What a finish from Makhachev!

Official Result- Islam Makhachev def. Alexander Volkanovski by knockout (head kick & punches) at 3:06 of Round 1 to retain the UFC Lightweight Championship 

UFC 290 live results: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Yair Rodriguez

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

International Fight Week, the annual big UFC celebration week in Las Vegas, culminates with UFC 290: Volkanovski vs. Rodriguez, taking place at the T-Mobile Arena, with two title fights and a stacked card.

UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski and Interim UFC Featherweight Champion Yair Rodriguez meet in a title unification bout in the main event. Volkanovski is making his fifth title defense, while Rodriguez is looking to become the undisputed champion after winning the interim title against Josh Emmett in February.

UFC Flyweight Champion Brandon Moreno defends against Alexandre Pantoja in the second title fight. Pantoja holds two previous wins over Moreno, and comes in riding a three-fight win streak. Moreno defeated Deiveson Figueiredo in January to become the undisputed champion, and this is his first defense of his second title reign.

Also on the main card is a middleweight title eliminator bout between Robert Whittaker and Dricus Du Plessis, a lightweight bout pitting Jalin Turner against Dan Hooker, and undefeated middleweight prospect Bo Nickal battles debuting late replacement Val Woodburn. A stacked preliminary card is highlighted by the retirement fight of former UFC Welterweight Champion Robbie Lawler.

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> Lightweights- Kamuela Kirk (11-5, 1-1 UFC) vs. Esteban Ribovics (11-1, 0-1 UFC)

Kirk lands a jab then scores a takedown. Kirk passes the half-guard and went for the armbar but gets the back and is working towards a choke. He almost has it locked in. Ribovics is fighting it off. Kirk landing punches from the back. Kirk still working from the back. Kirk still working from the back looking for the choke. He’s now on top but Ribovics survives the round. 10-9 Kirk.

Ribovics lands a leg kick and Kirk lands a solid combination. They trade kicks and Ribovics lands a flurry. They trade leg kicks and Ribovics lands a combo. Ribovics lands a nice right hand. They tie up and Ribovics gets the takedown. Kirk threw his legs up but they stood and Kirk landed a flying knee then a front kick. Ribovics lands to the body. Kirk shoots for a takedown but Ribovics defends. Kirk lands and continues to pressure looking for the takedown. Ribovics lands a spinning elbow to break. They trade some big shots. Kirk lands to the body then a right hand. Kirk lands some knees as Ribovics lands to the body, then Kirk lands a right hand. Ribovics lands a combo and Kirk stumbles. Ribovics throws Kirk to the ground and starts landing from the top. They get up. Ribovics lands and Kirk stumbles again but gets up. Ribovics lands more big punches. Ribovics lands big shots against the fence and Kirk survives. 10-9 Ribovics, 19-19.

We have a groin strike to start the round by Ribovics. They get back to action and Ribovics lands a leg kick before they trade punches. Ribovics landing combos and kicks low and high. Kirk scores a takedown. Kirk works from the top but Ribovics is able to escape to the feet and they separate. Ribovics lands a nice right hand. Kirk tries a takedown but Ribovics defends. Ribovics lands a combo ending with a head kick, then lands a big right hand. Kirk is able to get a big takedown. They get to their feet and Kirk has the back. They tie up. Ribovics lands as they break and lands big combos at the fence. Kirk tries a takedown but Ribovics defends and is on top landing big punches. They’re scramble and stand as Ribovics lands. Ribovics lands an uppercut. Ribovics lands a knee to the body and they trade. Good fight. 10-9 Ribovics, 29-28 Ribovics.

Official Result- Esteban Ribovics def. Kamuela Kirk by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Flyweights- Shannon Ross (13-7, 0-1 UFC) vs. Jesus Aguilar (8-2, 0-1 UFC)

Ross lands a leg kick and then Aguilar lands a massive right hand that puts Ross immediately to sleep. What a knockout by Aguilar!

Official Result- Jesus Aguilar def. Shannon Ross by knockout (punch) at :17 of Round 1

> Bantamweights- Cameron Saaiman (8-0, 2-0 UFC) vs. Terrence Mitchell (15-2, 0-0 UFC)

Mitchell gets a takedown but Saaiman has a guillotine choke locked in and it’s in deep. They get to their feet but scramble down and Mitchell is on top. They scramble and get to their feet. Saaiman lands a knee to the body. Saaiman gets it down and has the back and lands some punches. He flattens Mitchell out and is landing big left hands and it is stopped! Big finish and an impressive showing from Saaiman.

Official Result- Cameron Saaiman def. Terrence Mitchell by TKO (punches) at 3:10 of Round 1

> Light Heavyweights- Vitor Petrino (8-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Marcin Prachnio (16-6, 3-4 UFC)

Petrino lands a left hand. Prachnio lands some punches. Petrino lands a heavy leg kick. Prachnio lands a right hand. They clinch against the fence and trade knees before separating. Petrino lands a head kick. He lands a left hook and then a right hand and Prachnio is hurt. Petrino tries a takedown but Prachnio is defending. Petrino gets the takedown but they work to the feet. Petrino lands a right hand as they break. Prachnio with a leg kick. They trade inside the pocket. Petrino lands a pair of body kicks. He gets another takedown. Petrino lands from the top. 10-9 Petrino.

Petrino gets an early takedown and is working inside the guard. Prachnio is landing from the bottom but Petrino is in control from the top and looking for an arm. Petrino landing from the top and is still setting something up and then takes the back of Prachnio. Petrino working for a rear-naked choke. Prachnio is able to escape. Prachnio makes it to the end of the round. 10-9 Petrino, 20-18 Petrino.

Petrino lands a jumping knee. Both are landing punches. They trade kicks. Petrino lands a combo. Prachnio lands a few punches. Petrino gets a takedown. He lands from the top and gets the full mount and continues to land. Petrino looks for an arm-triangle choke. It is in tight and Prachnio taps! Petrino gets his first career submission win and looked impressive.

Official Result- Vitor Petrino def. Marcin Prachnio by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 3:42 of Round 3

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> Light Heavyweights- #14 Jimmy Crute (12-3-1, 4-3-1 UFC) vs. Alonzo Menifield (13-3-1, 6-3-1 UFC)

Crute lands a leg kick as Menifield lands a right hand. Menifield lands a big right hand that makes Crute stumble back briefly. Menifield lands and Crute shoots for a takedown but Menifield gets it back to the feet. They clinch and Crute lands some knees. Menifield lands a big right hand as they backed away for a moment but got right back clinched together. Crute reverses position and continues to land knees. They trade knees. 10-9 Crute.

Menifield lands a right hand and then lands a jab. Menifield lands a right hand. Crute shoots for a takedown and briefly had it but they got up. Crute trying for a takedown but Menifield had a guillotine locked in and Crute quickly taps! Finish out of nowhere from Menifield!

Official Result- Alonzo Menifield def. Jimmy Crute by submission (guillotine choke) at 1:55 of Round 2

> Women’s Strawweights- Yazmin Jauregui (10-0, 2-0 UFC) vs. Denise Gomes (7-2, 1-1 UFC)

Gomes lands a right hand and drops Jauregui early. She gets on top and is pounding away on Jauregui and keeps landing and it is stopped! Wow, what an upset and a finish from Gomes.

Official Result- Denise Gomes def. Yazmin Jauregui by TKO (punches) at :20 of Round 1

> 130-pound Catchweights- Tatsuro Taira (13-0, 3-0 UFC) vs. Edgar Chairez (10-4, 0-0 UFC)

Taira lands some leg kicks early. He continues to land leg kicks and then lands a right hand. Chairez lands a right hand to the body then lands a left hand that sits Taira down. Chairez gets on top and locks in a guillotine choke but is in the half-guard and doesn’t have the choke. Taira is working from the top and pressuring. Chairez is getting warned about his toes being in the cage. Chairez keeps doing it despite multiple warnings. Taira with some elbows from the top to end the round. 10-9 Taira.

Chairez lands a jab as Taira lands some punches and Taira gets a takedown. Taira working from the top and lands some elbows. Taira gets the mount and is landing a lot of punches and elbows from the top. He continues to land and goes for a triangle choke but Chairez is able to survive the round. 10-9 Taira, 20-18 Taira.

Chairez lands a body kick. Taira lands a right hand and Chairez fires back with a combo. Chairez lands a jab as Taira lands some leg kicks. Taira gets a takedown. Taira working from the top and is in control. They work their way to the feet. Chairez has a guillotine choke locked in and ends up with a mounted guillotine choke but Taira is able to survive to the end. 10-9 Chairez, 29-28 Taira.

Official Result- Tatsuro Taira def. Edgar Chairez by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)

> Welterweights- Robbie Lawler (29-16 1 NC, 14-10 UFC) vs. Niko Price (15-6 2 NC, 7-6 2 NC UFC)

Lawler lands a combo. Lawler lands some big left hands and knocks Price out cold with a vicious punch. What a vintage and fitting end to the career for Lawler, who is very emotional afterwards.

Official Result- Robbie Lawler def. Niko Price by knockout (punches) at :38 of Round 1

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> Middleweights- Bo Nickal (4-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Val Woodburn (7-0, 0-0 UFC)

Woodburn lands first. Nickal lands a big flurry and then knocks Woodburn down with a left hand and is about to get on top but it is stopped after a right hand from the top. Big finish from Nickal.

Official Result- Bo Nickal def. Val Woodburn by TKO (punches) at :38 of Round 1

> Lightweights*- #11 Jalin Turner (13-6, 6-3 UFC) vs. #12 Dan Hooker (22-12, 12-8 UFC)

*Turner missed weight by two pounds

Turner lands a leg kick. Turner lands a nice combo then we have a timeout for a groin strike. They get back to action. They’re trading kicks. Hooker landing front kicks to the leg. Turner lands a spin kick to the body. They clinch and both land punches. Hooker landed a nice uppercut before they broke. Turner lands a left hand. They trade kicks. Hooker lands a right hand then Turner fires a combo and landed a nice right hook. Hooker lands a right hand. Turner lands a big combo late. 10-9 Turner.

They trade to start the second. Turner lands a body kick followed by a right hand. Hooker lands a leg kick. He lands another. Turner lands a leg kick. Turner with a front kick to the body. Turner lands a big high kick and has Hooker in trouble. Turner lands some punches and they clinch and Turner lands a right hand as they break. Turner lands a right hand. Turner lands to the body. Hooker lands a right hand. Turner scores with a leg kick. Hooker is busted open. Hooker lands a big right hand and then lands a combo and flurry. Turner lands a knee but falls down and Hooker gets the back and squeezes for a choke late. 10-9 Hooker, 19-19.

Turner looking rocked and Hooker rocks him with a combo. They trade in close range. Hooker with some big punches as Turner looks exhausted. Turner is able to get a takedown. They get to their feet. Hooker lading big punches. Turner lands a knee. Hooker lands and Turner goes down. Hooker lading punches from a standing position. Hooker is on top and landing. Turner lands a short elbow from the bottom. Hooker still landing and working from the top. Hooker postures up and is landing left hands. They get to their feet and Turner lands a body kick. Hooker lands a left hand. Incredible fight.

Official Result- Dan Hooker def. Jalin Turner by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

> Middleweights- #2 Robert Whittaker (24-6, 15-4 UFC) vs. #5 Dricus Du Plessis (19-2, 5-0 UFC)

Whittaker lands a high kick. They trade kicks. They trade kicks again. Whittaker lands a nice right hand. Whittaker lands a jab. Whittaker lands a leg kick and then gets a takedown. Du Plessis tried to get the neck but Whittaker escaped and they end up back on the feet. They trade punches in close range. Du Plessis lands a knee. Whittaker lands a left hand. Whittaker lands and Du Plessis grabs him and gets a headlock takedown. Du Plessis lands an elbow that cuts Whittaker open. Du Plessis looking for a D’Arce choke. He lands an elbow and lands punches from the top at the end. 10-9 Du Plessis.

They trade to start the second and Whittaker lands a right hand. Whittaker lands a combo. Du Plessis lands a combo. Whittaker lands a jab followed by a high kick. Du Plessis lands a right hand that stumbles Whittaker. Du Plessis pouring it on with a flurry and Whittaker is covering up as he falls down. Du Plessis still pouring it on and it is stopped! What a performance and statement from Du Plessis getting the finish.

Official Result- Dricus Du Plessis def. Robert Whittaker by TKO (punches) at 2:23 of Round 2

> UFC Flyweight Championship- C Brandon Moreno (21-6-2, 9-3-2 UFC) vs. #2 Alexandre Pantoja (25-5, 9-3 UFC)

Moreno immediately ties up with Pantoja and pushes it against the fence. They remain clinched up with Moreno having the edge and landing knees to the legs of Pantoja. Pantoja lands a knee as they break. Moreno lands a left hook. Moreno lands a combo and Pantoja lands some knees in a brief clinch. Pantoja lands a left hand. Pantoja drops Moreno with a left hand and gets on top and lands a big elbow. They get back to their feet and trade. Pantoja lands a knee and Moreno lands a left hook. Pantoja gets the back for a moment but they break. 10-9 Pantoja.

Moreno lands some good early jabs. Pantoja lands a right hand and they are swinging in the pocket. They trade left hands. Moreno lands a combo and takes the back and drags it down. Moreno is working from the top now and they get to their feet. Moreno lands a combo and Pantoja is now looking tired. Moreno lands some left hooks. Moreno landing the jab. Pantoja lands a left hook. Moreno gets a late takedown. 10-9 Moreno, 19-19.

Pantoja lands a groin strike at the start of the third and we have a timeout. They get back to action and Pantoja gets the back standing. They go to the mat and Pantoja is on the back working for a choke. Moreno is defending everything even though Pantoja has the body triangle. Moreno escapes to the guard of Pantoja and then gets to his feet. Moreno lands some nice left hands. Pantoja lands a big left hook. Moreno lands a combo ending with a head kick. Moreno lands a combo. Moreno with another combo ending with a head kick. Pantoja gets another takedown. Moreno goes for an omaplata and ends up on his feet. Moreno goes into the guard and Pantoja lands some elbows. They get to their feet. 10-9 Pantoja, 29-28 Pantoja.

They’re trading to start the fourth. Moreno lands a combo. Pantoja with some leg kicks. Pantoja lands a low kick and they trade punches. Moreno lands a left hook. Pantoja gets a takedown. Moreno is working for a leg. Pantoja in side control. There isn’t much going on here. Pantoja gets the back as they stand. Pantoja drags it back down. Moreno reverses position and is in the guard. They get to their feet. Moreno lands a combo and Pantoja tries a late takedown and Moreno lands a big elbow at the end. 10-9 Pantoja, 39-37 Pantoja.

Pantoja landing a combo. They’re trading in close range. Moreno lands a flurry. Pantoja lands a big combo. The pace has slowed compared to the rest of the fight but they’re still evenly landing. Pantoja gets a takedown. Moreno gets to his feet and Pantoja is on his back. Pantoja is high on the hips and has the body triangle on and is landing. They end the fight there. 10-9 Moreno, 48-47 Pantoja.

Official Result- Alexandre Pantoja def. Brandon Moreno by split decision (46-49, 48-47, 48-47) to win the UFC Flyweight Championship

> UFC Featherweight Championship- C Alexander Volkanovski (25-2, 12-1 UFC) vs. IC Yair Rodriguez (15-3 1 NC, 10-2 1 NC UFC)

Rodriguez lands a high kick and just misses a head kick. Rodriguez lands a body kick and Volkanovski gets a takedown. Volkanovski moves it to the fence and is working from the top. Volkanovski landing and they almost get up but Volkanovski was landing and they went back to the mat. Volkanovski lands from the top. He ends the round landing from the top. 10-9 Volkanovski.

Rodriguez landing kicks from range to start the second. He lands a spin kick. Volkanovski lands some big shots against the fence and Volkanovski gets a takedown despite Rodriguez grabbing the fence. They get right back up. Volkanovski gets it right back down. Volkanovski landing from the top and Rodriguez is a bloody mess right now around his ear. Volkanovski with elbows from the top. Volkanovski with more shots from the top as he’s in complete control. Volkanovski ends the round landing from the top. 10-9 Volkanovski, 20-18 Volkanovski.

Rodriguez gets warned for a couple of fouls by Herb Dean. Volkanovski lands a right hand after Rodriguez lands some kicks. Rodriguez with a high kick but Volkanovski blocks it. Rodriguez lands a high kick and then some low kicks. Rodriguez landing more kicks. We have a timeout for a clash of heads. They get back to action and Rodriguez lands a high kick. Volkanovski lands a big right hand and then a flurry against the fence before getting a takedown. Volkanovski landing big punches from the top and it is stopped! Big finish from Volkanovski and he remains the undisputed champion.

Official Result- Alexander Volkanovski def. Yair Rodriguez by TKO (punches) at 4:19 of Round 3 to retain the UFC Featherweight Championship

UFC 284 notes: Makhachev retains 155-pound title, Rodriguez wins interim gold

Posted on by Josh Nason

The top two pound-for-pound fighters in the UFC went to battle at Saturday’s UFC 284 with lightweight champion Islam Makhachev earning a unanimous decision win over featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.

Makhachev earned scores of 48-47 (twice) and 49-46 in the first defense of the vacant title he won by defeating Charles Oliveira last October.

The pay-per-view took place in Perth, Australia — Volkanovski’s home country.

Makhachev’s next title defense likely will come against either the winner of Oliveira vs. Beneil Dariush at UFC 288 or Justin Gaethje if he can defeat Rafael Fiziev at UFC 286. The popular Dustin Poirier remains an option as well, but he has no fight lined up as of now.

The loss is Volkanovski’s first in the UFC — a 13-fight stretch dating back to his promotional debut in November 2016. It was his first lightweight fight since that debut.

It’s expected he will return to featherweight and look for the fifth defense of the title he won in December 2019. 

Assuming he does, he will face new interim champion Yair Rodriguez who defeated Josh Emmett in the co-main event to win the title. The 30-year-old submitted Emmett in the second round for his first reign of any kind in the UFC.

UFC 284 live results: Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 284: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski, emanating from the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.

The Octagon is back in Australia for the first time since October 2019 with a big card featuring two title fights, including a native Australian looking to become a double champion and establish himself as the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world.

UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev makes his first title defense against UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski in the main event, which is a battle between the top two pound-for-pound fighters in the UFC. Makhachev, who is #2 in the P4P rankings, won the lightweight title when he submitted Charles Oliveira in October at UFC 280. Volkanovski moves up looking to secure his second championship and keep his top spot in the P4P rankings in front of a raucous crowd that will be behind him.

In the co-main event, we have an interim title up for grabs as Yair Rodriguez and Josh Emmett will compete for the Interim UFC Featherweight Championship. Both are on impressive runs in the division. Rodriguez is coming off a win over Brian Ortega in July, while Emmett is riding a five-fight win streak.

Also on the main card is a welterweight bout between rising prospects Jack Della Maddalena and Randy Brown, a heavyweight bout pitting Justin Tafa against Parker Porter, and an exciting light heavyweight bout between Jimmy Crute and Alonzo Menifield.

Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.

We are looking for your thoughts on tonight’s event, so send a thumbs up, a thumbs down or a thumbs in the middle along with a best fight and a worst fight to Dave at [email protected].

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> Lightweights*- Zubaira Tukhugov (20-5-1, 5-2-1 UFC) vs. Elves Brener (13-3, 0-0 UFC)

*Tukhugov missed weight by 1.5 pounds

Brener with a leg kick. Tukhugov lands a jab. Brener with an inside leg kick. He lands another leg kick. Tukhugov lands a right hand. Brener with a knee and Tukhugov lands a right hand in return. Tukhugov lands a left hand and then lands a right hand. Tukhugov lands a solid left hook and follows it with a right. Brener with a couple of leg kicks. Brener with some leg kicks. Tukhugov has a cut open. Tukhugov lands a few punches. Tukhugov pressing forward and lands a left hand. Tukhugov with a right hand. 10-9 Tukhugov.

Tukhugov lands a left hook. Brener lands a left hand. Both land in close range. Tukhugov coming forward and landing better. Tukhugov with a combination and then lands a big right hand. Tukhugov continuing to press forward and is landing with slightly more volume in this round. Tukhugov lands a right hand as Brener misses a left hook. Tukhugov’s cut is bleeding more but not affecting him too much. Tukhugov lands a left hook. Brener lands a spin kick at the end. 10-9 Tukhugov, 20-18 Tukhugov.

Tukhugov with a leg kick. Tukhugov lands a nice combo. Brener lands a jab. Brener with a high kick. Tukhugov pushes Brener towards the fence and looks for a level change. They separate and Brener lands a spinning back fist. Brener with a leg kick and Tukhugov goes back for the takedown attempt. They separate and both land. Tukhugov goes for a takedown and Brener defending by landing some elbows. They break and Brener on the attack. Brener with a body kick then a high kick. 10-9 Tukhugov, 30-27 Tukhugov.

Official Result- Elves Brener def. Zubaira Tukhugov by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)

> Featherweights- Shane Young (12-6, 2-3 UFC) vs. Blake Bilder (7-0-1, 0-0 UFC)

Bilder with a leg kick. Bilder with an inside leg kick. Young lands the jab. They trade jabs. Young lands a left hook. Young with a leg kick. Bilder scores a takedown and is in the half-guard of Young. Bilder with some good work landing from the top but Young is able to scramble up. Bilder lands some punches and a kick as Young got up. 10-9 Bilder.

Bilder with a left hand then a leg kick. They trade punches inside the pocket. Young lands the jab as Bilder lands a leg kick. Bilder lands a left hand. Young with a leg kick. Young lands a right hand. Bilder lands a jab after a low kick. Bilder looks for a takedown and lands a knee but Young switches and scores a brief takedown and they quickly stand. Bilder lands a jab and leg kick. Young with a combo against the cage and then lands a right hand. Young lands another right hand. They trade leg kicks. 10-9 Young, 19-19.

They trade left hooks. Bilder with a high kick. Young lands a right hand then sprawls on a takedown attempt from Bilder. Bilder lands a solid jab. Bilder with a leg kick and then an outside leg kick. They trade in close range and Bilder with an inside leg kick. Young with a combo. Bilder with a series of punches. They both land left hands. Bilder picking up the pace. Bilder with a quick combo. Bilder lands a huge right hand. Bilder tries a takedown but Young defends. Young lands a combo. Young with a jab. Young tries a late takedown after Bilder lands. 10-9 Bilder, 29-28 Bilder.

Official Result- Blake Bilder def. Shane Young by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Women’s Strawweights- Loma Lookboonmee (7-3, 4-2 UFC) vs. Elise Reed (6-2, 2-2 UFC)

Lookboonmee with a leg kick. They trade inside the pocket. Lookboonmee with a leg kick. She lands a body kick. Reed with a leg kick. Lookboonmee with a hard leg kick. Lookboonmee lands a right hand as Reed was coming forward. Lookboonmee with a body kick. They tie up and both land as it gets pushed against the fence. Reed lands a knee in the clinch. Lookboonmee gets a takedown and Reed is bleeding from her nose. Reed is able to reverse and scramble to the top and is now in the half-guard. Reed landing from the top. Reed gets the back and both are landing punches. 10-9 Reed.

Lookboonmee gets a big slam takedown early in the second and has the back of Reed. Lookboonmee looking for the rear-naked choke and has it in deep and Reed taps! Big submission win for Lookboonmee.

Official Result- Loma Lookboonmee def. Elise Reed by submission (rear-naked choke) at :44 of Round 2

> Featherweights- Jack Jenkins (10-2, 0-0 UFC) vs. Don Shainis (12-4, 0-1 UFC)

Shainis pushes it against the fence as Jenkins lands some knees. Shainis lands some knees and lands one to the groin of Jenkins and we have a timeout. They get back to action and Shainis looks for the takedown but Jenkins defends and lands a knee. Jenkins with a leg kick. Jenkins with a combo then a leg kick. Shainis with an inside leg kick. He shoots for a takedown but Jenkins defends and Jenkins lands a big head kick. Jenkins with a heavy leg kick. He lands another. Shainis lands a nice combo. Jenkins lands the jab. Jenkins with a right hand. Shainis with a hard leg kick but Jenkins lands a hard one in response. 10-9 Jenkins.

Jenkins with a quick combo to start the second. Jenkins with a leg kick. Shainis lands another groin strike and we have another timeout. They get back to action and tie up and Jenkins throws Shainis to the mat and gets on top in the half-guard. Shainis is able to reverse after Jenkins controlled on the top and they scramble to their feet. They break and Jenkins with some heavy leg kicks. Jenkins lands to the body with the left hand and pounds away with several leg kicks. Shainis gets a takedown right into mount. Jenkins gives up his back. Shainis with a couple of big elbows. Jenkins is able to get up and lands to the body and gets a takedown and has the back. Jenkins tries for a choke but time runs out. 10-9 Jenkins, 20-18 Jenkins.

Shainis with a combo. Jenkins gets it down and takes the back looking to get the hooks in. Jenkins lands but they scramble up. Jenkins is able to get another takedown. Shainis is trying to trap an arm as Jenkins is looking to improve his position on the top. Shainis lets go of the arm. Jenkins working from the half-guard and briefly gets the mount before going back into the guard as he’s controlling from the top. Jenkins with some right hands from the top as he’s looking for a late finish. They get to their feet and break. Jenkins lands a big front kick. 10-9 Jenkins, 30-27 Jenkins.

Official Result- Jack Jenkins def. Don Shainis by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

ESPN PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT

> Lightweights- Jamie Mullarkey (15-5, 3-3 UFC) vs. Francisco Prado (11-0, 0-0 UFC)

Mullarkey with a leg kick as Prado lands a right hand. Prado throws a high kick but eats a leg kick from Mullarkey at the same time. Prado connects with a left hand. Mullarkey gets a takedown. Mullarkey working inside the guard of Prado. Mullarkey lands an elbow. Mullarkey with some left hands from the top. They get to their feet after Mullarkey lands a left hand. Mullarkey drags it back down. He’s back in the half-guard of Prado. Mullarkey lands a big shot and Prado has a cut opened up. Mullarkey with another elbow. He ends the round on top. 10-9 Mullarkey.

Mullarkey with a leg kick. Prado with a leg kick. Prado with a quick combo. Mullarkey with a hard leg kick. They trade and Mullarkey lands a nice jab. Prado shoots for a takedown but Mullarkey defends and they get right up. Mullarkey with a left hook as Prado lands an uppercut. They trade inside the pocket and both land left hooks. They trade leg kicks. Mullarkey with a left hand. 10-9 Mullarkey, 20-18 Mullarkey.

Prado with a body kick. They both land left hooks as they exchange. Mullarkey lands some leg kicks. Prado lands a right hand. Prado shoots for the single leg but Mullarkey defends. They exchange leg kicks. Prado lands a left hook. Mullarkey gets the takedown. Prado grabs the arm and Mullarkey is looking to break it loose. Prado is able to sweep to the top and is working for the kimura. Mullarkey escapes and they get to their feet. Prado with a left hand. 10-9 Mullarkey, 30-27 Mullarkey.

Official Result- Jamie Mullarkey def. Francisco Prado by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Flyweights*- Shannon Ross (13-6, 0-0 UFC) vs. Kleydson Rodrigues (7-2, 0-1 UFC)

*Rodrigues missed weight by one pound

Rodrigues with a spin kick. Rodrigues with a leg kick. Rodrigues with some leg kicks and lands a big flurry and has Ross in trouble. He continues to land big shots and finishes Ross off quickly. Big win for Rodrigues.

Official Result- Kleydson Rodrigues def. Shannon Ross by TKO (strikes) at :59 of Round 1

> Featherweights- Josh Culibao (10-1-1, 2-1-1 UFC) vs. Melsik Baghdasaryan (7-1, 2-0 UFC)

Baghdasaryan with a leg kick. Culibao with a leg kick. Culibao with a body kick. Baghdasaryan with a leg kick. Baghdasaryan continues to leg kicks. Culibao lands one. They trade leg kicks then Culibao lands a combo. Baghdasaryan with a high body kick. They continue to trade leg kicks but Baghdasaryan is now mixing punches to the head and body. Baghdasaryan with a jab to the body. Baghdasaryan lands a big kick to the groin and we have a timeout. Culibao recovers and they get back to action just before the first ends. 10-9 Baghdasaryan.

Baghdasaryan with a high kick. Baghdasaryan pressuring and landing kicks. Baghdasaryan with a body kick. Culibao with a leg kick. Culibao lands a left hand and Baghdasaryan slips on a kick. Culibao grabs the back and locks in a rear-naked choke. He has it in deep and Baghdasaryan taps! What a quick finish as Culibao capitalizes there, great submission.

Official Result- Josh Culibao def. Melsik Baghdasaryan by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:02 of Round 2

> Light Heavyweights- Tyson Pedro (9-3, 5-3 UFC) vs. Modestas Bukauskas (13-5, 1-3 UFC)

Bukauskas lands a right hand to the upper body of Pedro. Bukauskas with a leg kick. Pedro lands a left hook. Bukauskas lands a combo. Pedro with a body kick and they clinch against the fence. Pedro gets the takedown and Bukauskas tried to grab the top of the fence to block it. Pedro with an elbow from the top. Pedro has side control and tried to get the mount but now has neck control. Pedro tried for a guillotine choke but Bukauskas gets out and Pedro now in the half-guard. Pedro with a body kick. Bukauskas lands a right hand. Bukauskas with a leg kick. Bukauskas lands with a punch late. 10-9 Pedro.

Pedro with a calf kick. Bukauskas with a left hook. Bukauskas with a body kick. Pedro lands a left hand and an uppercut to the body. Bukauskas with a body kick. Bukauskas lands a left hook. Pedro with a leg kick. Bukauskas lands a right hand. Pedro lands a leg kick then a kick right to the groin and we have a timeout. They get back to action. They trade leg kicks. Pedro with a leg kick. Pedro shoots for the takedown as he pushes it against the fence. They break. Bukauskas lands a left hook. 10-9 Bukauskas, 19-19.

Pedro with a body kick. Pedro with a teet kick. Bukauskas with a leg kick. Bukauskas lands a left hook. Pedro shoots for the takedown against the fence as they clinch against the fence. They break. Pedro with a body kick. They briefly clinch against the fence before separating. They clinch again and Bukauskas lands a knee. He lands another. Both guys are tired. Bukauskas with some knees. They separate. They clinch again and Bukauskas lands a big combo as they break. Ugly fight. 10-9 Bukauskas, 29-28 Bukauskas.

Official Result- Modestas Bukauskas def. Tyson Pedro by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

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

> Light Heavyweights- #13 Jimmy Crute (12-3, 4-3 UFC) vs. Alonzo Menifield (13-3, 6-3 UFC)

Menifield lands a left hand. He lands a right hand. He lands another and Crute gets a takedown. He has the back against the fence. They get up but Crute slams him back down. They get up and Menifield lands some right hands as Crute is trying to get him back down. Crute gets Menifield back to the mat. Crute had the neck but Menifield popped out. They scramble up and trade punches. They rock each other. Crute lands a kick and falls down and Menifield gets on top. Menifield lands some left hands as he moves to the back. Menifield still landing from the back. They get to their feet. Menifield with a big elbow and lands some big punches and Crute goes down but drags Menifield down at the end to survive. 10-9 Menifield.

They trade jabs. Menifield lands a punch and Crute falls to the mat. Menifield gets on top as Crute tries to scramble to his feet. Menifield has the back and lands small punches as Crute crawls to the fence. They get to their feet. Menifield lands some elbows as Crute lands a knee. They break. Menifield lands a left hand. Crute lands a combo. Crute lands a knee. Menifield with a right hand. Crute with a head kick and Menifield lands a left hand. Menifield lands some big punches and Crute backs up to the fence and they clinch. Crute is trying for the takedown and gets it. Crute looks for a choke. He has the back and lands a couple of left hands. He’s working for the choke. Crute landing punches from the back and tries for the choke but Menifield survives the round. 10-9 Menifield, 20-18 Menifield.

Menifield lands the jab. Crute tries for a takedown and lands a knee. Crute almost had the takedown but Menifield grabs the fence and timeout is called. Menifield has a point taken away. They get back to action in the clinch. Crute is able to get the takedown and gets right into the mount. Menifield is trying to turn and Crute lands some shots from the top as Menifield retains his half-guard. Crute gets side control and is looking for the kimura but Menifield defends. Crute gets the back. Crute with some right hands. They get to their feet and Crute has the back as the fight ends. Wild fight. 10-8 Crute with the point deduction, 28-28 DRAW.

Official Result- Jimmy Crute vs. Alonzo Menifield ends in a majority draw (29-27, 28-28, 28-28)

*Breaking- Jens Pulver was just announced as the next inductee for the 2023 class into the UFC Hall Of Fame.

> Heavyweights- Justin Tafa (5-3, 2-3 UFC) vs. Parker Porter (13-7, 3-2 UFC)

They trade to start and Porter lands a combo ending with a leg kick. Porter comes in and Tafa lands a left hand that drops Porter and the fight is all over. What a knockout by Tafa.

Official Result- Justin Tafa def. Parker Porter by knockout (punch) at 1:06 of Round 1

> Welterweights- Jack Della Maddalena (13-2, 3-0 UFC) vs. Randy Brown (16-4, 10-4 UFC)

Maddalena with a leg kick. Brown with a combo. Brown lands another combo. Brown lands some more but Maddalena is keeping his arms up. Brown with a front kick. Maddalena lands a right hand and Brown was on wobbly legs and went to the mat. Maddalena gets on top and was landing hammerfists then took the back and locked in a rear-naked choke that gets Brown to tap. What a beautiful finish by Maddalena.

Official Result- Jack Della Maddalena def. Randy Brown by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:13 of Round 1

> Interim UFC Featherweight Championship- #2 Yair Rodriguez (14-3 1 NC, 9-2 1 NC UFC) vs. #5 Josh Emmett (18-2, 9-2 UFC)

Rodriguez both throwing front kicks. Rodriguez lands a head kick that backs Emmett up. Rodriguez still throwing front kicks that are landing. Rodriguez with a leg kick. Rodriguez with a body kick. They trade punches inside the pocket. Emmett lands a right hand. Rodriguez with a body kick. Rodriguez misses a spin kick but lands a right hand. Rodriguez lands a head kick and Emmett lands a left hand. Rodriguez goes to the canvas and Emmett gets on top. Emmett takes the back and is landing right hands. Rodriguez looked for a triangle choke but Emmett passed to side control. They trade elbows on the mat. They trade punches on the ground and Rodriguez with some elbows from the bottom. Close round. 10-9 Rodriguez.

Emmett lands some hard punches and Rodriguez circles away. Rodriguez lands a hard body kick that forces Emmett to shoot but Rodriguez defends. Rodriguez with a knee to the body then a right hand. Rodriguez with some big body kicks. Emmett trying for a takedown against the fence but Rodriguez defending. Rodriguez lands a knee on the break. Rodriguez with a head kick. Rodriguez hurts Emmett with an elbow. Rodriguez with a leg kick. Rodriguez with a question mark kick and follows with a left hand. Emmett lands a right hand. Rodriguez lands a flying knee that Emmett eats and Emmett catches him and takes it down. Rodriguez landing elbows from the bottom. Rodriguez looking for a triangle choke and has it locked in and Emmett taps! Rodriguez is the new interim featherweight champion!

Official Result- Yair Rodriguez def. Josh Emmett by submission (triangle choke) at 4:19 of Round 2 to win the Interim UFC Featherweight Championship

> UFC Lightweight Championship- C Islam Makhachev (23-1, 12-1 UFC) vs. FW C Alexander Volkanovski (25-1, 12-0 UFC)

Makhachev with a body kick. Volkanovski with a quick combo. Volkanovski lands a left hook then another. They both land inside the pocket and Makhachev lands a head kick that hurt Volkanovski. Makhachev grabs the back against the fence. Makhachev gets it down and has the back of Volkanovski. Makhachev with a neck crank. Volkanovski being composed. 10-9 Makhachev.

Volkanovski lands as he comes in after Makhachev misses some strikes. Makhachev with a body kick. Volkanovski hurts Makhachev with a flurry and Makhachev drops down and scores a takedown. They get to their feet but Makhachev still has the back. Makhachev tries a takedown but Volkanovski is able to pop up to his feet. Makhachev quickly grabs the clinch. Volkanovski reverses against the fence and lands some left hands and they separate. Volkanovski with a leg kick. Makhachev hurts Volkanovski with a left hand and then a knee. Makhachev with a combo. Volkanovski with a leg kick. They clinch against the fence. 10-9 Makhachev, 20-18 Makhachev.

Makhachev with a head kick. Volkanovski lands a right hand. They trade leg kicks. Makhachev with a right hand. Volkanovski with an inside leg kick. Makhachev gets it down and takes the back as they work their way up. They break and Volkanovski lands. Makhachev lands a left hand. Volkanovski lands and forces Makhachev to slip. He gets up and Volkanovski has clinch control and gets a brief takedown. Close round. 10-9 Volkanovski, 29-28 Makhachev.

Volkanovski with a leg kick. Makhachev lands a left hand. Volkanovski with a left hook. Makhachev with a left hand. Makhachev gets a takedown. They get to the fence but Makhachev gets the back. He has the body lock. Volkanovski with some back punches. Makhachev just holding on but not doing much. Volkanovski with some back punches. Volkanovski is landing lots of punches and Makhachev is just holding on and not doing anything. 10-9 Makhachev, 39-37 Makhachev.

Makhachev lands a left hand. Volkanovski with a leg kick. Makhachev lands a knee then a left hand. Volkanovski with some combos in the pocket as Makhachev lands some knees. Makhachev gets a takedown but Volkanovski quickly reverses as they scramble up. Volkanovski tries a knee and Makhachev grabs him and they go to the mat. Volkanovski lands on the mat and they stand. Volkanovski lands and they clinch. They break and Volkanovski with a left hand. They clinch and Volkanovski has pressure. They break. Volkanovski lands a big right hand that hurts Makhachev and Volkanovski gets inside the guard and starts landing. Volkanovski with some big shots from the top at the end. Fantastic fight. 10-9 Volkanovski, 48-47 Makhachev.

Official Result- Islam Makhachev def. Alexander Volkanovski by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) to retain the UFC Lightweight Championship

Champion vs. champion fight set for February’s UFC 284

Posted on by Josh Nason

For the first time since March 2021, the UFC will hold a champion vs. champion fight at February 11th’s UFC 284.

Announced on Saturday after weeks of rumors, new UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev will defend against UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.

UFC 284 will take place in Perth, Australia.

The 31-year-old Makhachev defeated former champion Charles Oliveira at October’s UFC 280 to win the vacant title while Volkanovski is riding a 22-fight win streak (12-0 UFC). 

Makhachev has won 11 straight and is 12-1 in the UFC while Volkanovski has been the featherweight champion since December 2019 and has four title defenses to his credit.

The UFC’s last such fight was in March 2021 when then-light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz defended against middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, picking up a decision win.

The UFC has held several champion vs. champion fights through the years with notable ones including Georges St. Pierre vs. BJ Penn (UFC 94); Conor McGregor vs. Eddie Alvarez (UFC 205); and Daniel Cormier vs. Stipe Miocic I (UFC 226).

UFC 276 live results: Adesanya vs. Cannonier, Volkanovski vs. Holloway 3

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 276: Adesanya vs. Cannonier, emanating from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

It is 2022 International Fight Week in Las Vegas, the home of combat sports and the UFC, with a week full of events capped off by UFC 276, which features an absolutely stacked card with two title fights and some big match-ups on the card.

In the main event, UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya makes his fifth title defense of the undisputed title as he defends against top contender Jared Cannonier. Both men last fought at UFC 271 in February as Adesanya successfully defended against Robert Whittaker in their rematch while Cannonier scored a brutal second-round knockout of Derek Brunson. Cannonier then called for a title shot after the fight, which he gets on the heels of two straight wins and wins in five of his last six.

In the co-main event, UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski defends against former champion Max Holloway in their trilogy bout. Volkanovski has won the first two fights, beating Holloway for the title at UFC 245 in December 2019, then defending against Holloway at UFC 251 in July 2020 in a fight that many scored for Holloway. Volkanovski is coming off a defense against Chan Sung Jung at UFC 273 in April, while Holloway is coming off a win over Yair Rodriguez in November.

Also on the main card is a middleweight bout that could determine the next title challenger as Sean Strickland battles Alex Pereira, a welterweight fight between former UFC Welterweight Champion Robbie Lawler and Bryan Barberena, and the main card opens with an exciting bantamweight bout between Pedro Munhoz and rising contender and star Sean O’Malley.

The main prelims are stacked and will be the first MMA fight shown in prime time on ABC, capped off with a lightweight bout between Brad Riddell and Jalin Turner. The other ABC fights will see the all-time UFC wins leader will be decided between Jim Miller and Donald Cerrone in a welterweight clash, Ian Garry takes on Gabe Green in a welterweight bout, and a middleweight bout pitting Brad Tavares against Dricus Du Plessis.

Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6:30 p.m. eastern time with preliminary action all the way thru the main card.

We are looking for your thoughts on tonight’s event, so send a thumbs up, a thumbs down or a thumbs in the middle along with a best fight and a worst fight to Dave at [email protected].

***If you enjoy my UFC coverage, please check out this fundraiser I’m running to help pay for some major surgery my dog is about to undergo. Any donation is greatly appreciated- Fundraiser by Ryan Frederick : Help For My Best Bud Copper (gofundme.com)

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

> Women’s Bantamweights- Jessica-Rose Clark (11-7 1 NC, 4-3 UFC) vs. Julija Stoliarenko (9-6-1, 0-4 UFC)

Clark came out to Shawn Michaels’ WWE theme. Clark clips Stoliarenko with a right hand early and had her hurt. Clark lands a combo and Stoliarenko gets a takedown and passes to side control. Stoliarenko going right for the armbar and has it in and Clark taps! That was quick. Clark looked to dislocate her elbow as well. That was nasty.

Official Result- Julija Stoliarenko def. Jessica-Rose Clark by submission (armbar) at :42 of Round 1

> Women’s Flyweights- #10 Jessica Eye (15-10 1 NC, 5-9 1 NC UFC) vs. #13 Maycee Barber (10-2, 5-2 UFC)

They clinch up early with both landing. Barber with some knees as Eye was landing to the body and they go against the fence. Eye pushing Barber against the fence. Barber with an elbow after landing some punches. Eye with a knee and then Barber with an elbow, then a knee then another big elbow. They reverse and Barber with a knee. They break and Eye lands a right hand. They clinch back up as Barber lands some elbows. Barber with another elbow then another big one. Barber with some big punches against the fence. Barber with a knee. They remain clinched and Barber is landing some big shots. They trade knees. 10-9 Barber.

Barber lands a right hand. They clinch back up. Eye working for a takedown. Barber lands a knee as she defends. Barber lands a big elbow and a knee as they break. Eye shoots for a takedown but Barber defends as they tie up against the fence. Barber with an elbow and they break. Barber lands a head kick and Eye gets the takedown and steps over to the half-guard. Eye controlling from the top but there is not a lot of action going on. Eye gets to side control for a second but gets back to the half-guard. Eye lands with some punches late. 10-9 Barber, 20-18 Barber.

Barber with a head kick that Eye blocks. Barber with an elbow. Eye lands a right hand. Barber with a head kick and follows it with a right hand. Eye ducks under a punch and grabs the body lock and pushes it against the fence. They trade right hands and Barber lands a head kick as they break. They both land in the clinch before breaking. Eye lands a right hand. They trade punches. Barber lands a front kick then a right hand and a question mark kick. They trade punches. They trade in close range and Barber tries a head kick and Eye grabs the leg and pushes it against the fence. They break after Eye lands a right hand. Barber lands a right hand. Eye tries a takedown and has a leg and Barber lands some hammerfists as she defends and they get to their feet. Eye pushes it against the fence. Barber with a big elbow. Solid fight. 10-9 Barber, 30-27 Barber.

Official Result- Maycee Barber def. Jessica Eye by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

After the fight, Eye announced her retirement.

> Middleweights- #9 Uriah Hall (17-10, 10-8 UFC) vs. #13 Andre Muniz (22-4, 4-0 UFC)

Muniz with a body kick. Hall lands a quick jab as they’re feeling each other out. Muniz lands a body kick. Hall lands a combo with his back to the fence. Muniz with a leg kick. Hall lands a right hand and Muniz gets a takedown. Muniz gets to side control. Muniz lands from the top and is looking to find a submission and Hall is doing a good job of defending. Muniz gets the mount and went for a triangle choke but Hall slipped out to his feet. Muniz grabs the body and drags it down and has the back. Muniz looking to attack the arm. Muniz with some right hands from the back. 10-9 Muniz.

They trade kicks to start the second. Muniz lands a body kick then a right hand. Muniz tries a takedown but Hall slips away as he defends. Muniz gets a trip takedown next to the fence and Muniz is in Hall’s full guard. Muniz with some short punches from the top. Muniz gets to the mount. Muniz lands an elbow. Muniz lands from the top and looks for an arm. Hall gives up his back. Muniz with some punches from the back. Muniz tries to get the arm but Hall gets up and lands some big right hands at the end. 10-9 Muniz, 20-18 Muniz.

Muniz with a leg kick. Muniz lands a left hand. Muniz lands a right hand and drops for a takedown. Muniz gets the takedown. Hall gives up his back and Muniz is looking for a choke. Muniz is working hard from the back but Hall gets to his feet though Muniz is still on his back. Hall tries to slam himself down to break the grip but Muniz still has the back. Hall spins into the guard of Muniz and lands some punches at the end. 10-9 Muniz, 30-27 Muniz.

Official Result- Andre Muniz def. Uriah Hall by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

ABC PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT

> Middleweights- #12 Brad Tavares (19-6, 14-6 UFC) vs. Dricus Du Plessis (16-2, 2-0 UFC)

Du Plessis comes forward landing low kicks and with a combo. Tavares lands a right hand as Du Plessis was shooting for a takedown that hurt Du Plessis. Tavares keeps it on the feet. They’re clinched against the fence. Du Plessis tries a takedown but Tavares reverses and is in side control. Tavares now trying to get to the guard as he controls from the top and they get to their feet. Du Plessis looks for another takedown but Tavares defends. They break and Tavares with a head kick. Tavares hurts Du Plessis with a right hand and Du Plessis tries a takedown but Tavares defends. They’re clinched against the fence and Tavares with a knee. They trade knees. They break and Du Plessis with a spinning back fist. Tavares lands a front kick and a right hand. 10-9 Tavares.

They throw in close range and Du Plessis with a knee and Tavares with a right hand. Du Plessis lands a combo. Du Plessis with a right hand. Tavares has a cut open. Tavares with a big body kick. Du Plessis with a spinning back fist. Tavares with a leg kick. Du Plessis lands some hard punches. Tavares lands a jab as Du Plessis was pressing forward. Tavares is bleeding badly now. Du Plessis with a left hand. Du Plessis tries a takedown but Tavares defends and lands a knee to the body. They trade leg kicks. Du Plessis with a right hand. Du Plessis lands a knee. Tavares with a front kick to the body. They trade late and Du Plessis rocks Tavares late. 10-9 Du Plessis, 19-19.

Tavares lands a right hand. Du Plessis with a right hand and he lands another. Du Plessis with some kicks. Du Plessis with a left hand. Du Plessis landing more early in the third here. Tavares with a high kick then a body kick. They trade kicks. Du Plessis with a right hand and follows it with a left. Tavares with a leg kick. Du Plessis with a right hand. Tavares lands a jab and Du Plessis with a spinning back fist. Tavares with a jab. Du Plessis with a couple of nice right hands then a body kick. Tavares lands a couple of jabs. Du Plessis with a combo and Tavares is a bloody mess again. Du Plessis with a right hand then a spin kick. Du Plessis with a combo. Du Plessis with a massive right hand. They trade right hands. Du Plessis with a left hand. They trade late. Fun fight. 10-9 Du Plessis, 29-28 Du Plessis.

Official Result- Dricus Du Plessis def. Brad Tavares by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Welterweights- Ian Garry (9-0, 2-0 UFC) vs. Gabe Green (11-3, 2-1 UFC)

Green with some leg kicks as Garry lands a knee up the middle. Garry with a high kick. Garry lands a jab then a leg kick. Garry with a leg kick and they trade against the fence with Green landing a nice combo. Garry with a body kick. They trade punches and Garry pressing forward. Green lands a left hand to the body. Garry with a right hand. Green lands a right hand as Garry lands a knee. Garry with a combo then hurts Green with a right hand. Garry with a body kick. Garry with the jab. Garry with a knee and Green with a left hand. Garry with a big combination. 10-9 Garry.

Garry with a leg kick. They trade punches. Garry with a high kick. Garry with a nice combination. We have a timeout for an eye poke. Garry with a leg kick after they get back to action. Garry with a high kick and a right hand. They clinch against the fence. Garry gets a takedown and has the back and lands but they get to their feet and Green has back control and lands a knee. They break and Garry with a knee to the body then lands several combinations. Green with a left hand. They’re trading punches. Green lands a big left hand late. 10-9 Garry, 20-18 Garry.

Green lands some leg kicks then Garry drops Green with a right hand. Garry gets on top and looks for a choke but they get to their feet and are clinched against the fence. Green trying for the takedown but Garry defending. They remain clinched and Garry lands a knee as they break. They trade leg kicks. Garry landing more punches and lands an uppercut and leg kick. They trade at the end with Garry landing more. 10-9 Garry, 30-27 Garry.

Official Result- Ian Garry def. Gabe Green by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Welterweights- Jim Miller (34-16 1 NC, 23-15 1 NC UFC) vs. Donald Cerrone (36-16 2 NC, 23-13 1 NC UFC)

Cerrone with a leg kick after throwing a combo. Cerrone with a body kick. Miller with a calf kick. Miller lands a left hand. Miller with a left hand. They trade in close range. They trade body kicks. They trade in close range and Cerrone lands with more volume. Cerrone with a combo. Miller grabs a leg and gets a takedown and lands a left hand as doing so. Miller in the guard of Cerrone. Miller with an elbow from the top. Miller with more left hands from the top and he was landing then Cerrone swept to the top. Both landing on the ground and Miller tries for an armbar and they both try for leg locks at the end. 10-9 Miller.

They trade punches to start the second. They trade kicks as Cerrone landed a head kick as Miller landed a body kick and Cerrone slips to the mat and Miller grabbed the neck and locked in a guillotine choke and it is in tight. Cerrone taps! Jim Miller gets it done to become the all-time wins leader in UFC history.

Official Result- Jim Miller def. Donald Cerrone by submission (guillotine choke) at 1:32 of Round 2

After the fight, Cerrone announced his retirement.

> Lightweights- #14 Brad Riddell (10-2, 4-1 UFC) vs. Jalin Turner (12-5, 5-2 UFC)

Turner lands a right hand and Riddell goes for a takedown and Turner grabs the neck for a guillotine choke and has it locked in tight and Riddell taps! That was quick and an excellent finish by Turner.

Official Result- Jalin Turner def. Brad Riddell by submission (guillotine choke) at :45 of Round 1

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> Bantamweights- #9 Pedro Munhoz (19-7 1 NC, 9-7 1 NC) vs. #13 Sean O’Malley (15-1, 7-1 UFC)

They trade leg kicks to start. Munhoz with a leg kick. O’Malley with a couple of body kicks and Munhoz with a calf kick. He lands two more and O’Malley is checking them. O’Malley with a leg kick. O’Malley just misses a spin kick. Munhoz with a calf kick then another. O’Malley with a right hand. O’Malley lands a kick right on the cup and we have a timeout. They get back to action and O’Malley with a left hand and Munhoz with a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Munhoz throws a high kick but O’Malley blocks. Munhoz with another leg kick and O’Malley with a body kick. O’Malley with a spin kick to the body. O’Malley with another spin kick to the body at the end. 10-9 Munhoz.

Munhoz throwing more kicks. O’Malley lands a right hand and just misses a wheel kick. O’Malley with a body kick. Munhoz with a leg kick. He lands another after O’Malley lands some body kicks. O’Malley with the jab. We have a timeout for an eye poke on Munhoz. Munhoz says he can’t see and the doctor tells the referee to wave off the fight and it is over. We’re going to a no contest.

Official Result- Pedro Munhoz vs. Sean O’Malley ends in a no contest (accidental foul) at 3:09 of Round 2

> Welterweights- Robbie Lawler (29-15 1 NC, 14-9 UFC) vs. Bryan Barberena (17-8, 8-6 UFC)

Barberena with a leg kick. Barberena with a leg kick. Lawler with a right hook to the body. Lawler lands a left hand then another to the body. They both land in close range. Barberena lands a nice right hand. Barberena with a left hand and Lawler lands big to the body and they exchange in close range. Lawler with a big uppercut then a big left hand. Lawler with a left hand. Barberena with some body shots. Barberena with a left hand. They both land left hands. Barberena with a combo. Barberena’s hands just don’t stop moving. Lawler lands to the body then head. Barberena with some body punches and an elbow. Barberena just keeps throwing. Lawler lands an uppercut. They both land in close. Lawler with a combo. Lawler with a left hand then a big knee. 10-9 Lawler.

Barberena coming forward and keeping his hands moving but not landing. Lawler with a big left hand. Lawler with the jab. He lands it again and it rocks Barberena. Lawler with a body kick then another jab. They trade wild punches in a wild exchange. Barberena lands some leg kicks. Lawler lands a big jab. Lawler with a combo. They both land left hands. Barberena hurting Lawler with some big shots inside the pocket. They both land nice shots. Barberena with a left hand. Lawler lands a left hand. They both land in close. Lawler with a left hand. Barberena with a big right hand and is teeing off on Lawler and it is stopped. Big finish by Barberena there.

Official Result- Bryan Barberena def. Robbie Lawler by TKO (punches) at 4:47 of Round 2

> Middleweights- #4 Sean Strickland (25-3, 12-3 UFC) vs. Alex Pereira (5-1, 2-0 UFC)

Pereira with a leg kick. He lands a body kick. Strickland pushing forward but eating leg kicks from Pereira. They trade jabs. Pereira with a right hand. Pereira with a leg kick. Strickland with the jab. Pereira lands a right hand and Strickland with a jab. Pereira with a leg kick. Pereira then lands a left hook that stumbles Strickland  and follows it a right hand that drops Strickland and it is all over! What a knockout by Pereira.

Official Result- Alex Pereira def. Sean Strickland by knockout (punches) at 2:36 of Round 1

> UFC Featherweight Championship- C Alexander Volkanovski (24-1, 11-0 UFC) vs. #1 Max Holloway (23-6, 19-6 UFC)

They circle and feel each other out in the opening moments. Volkanovski lands a couple of leg kicks. Volkanovski lands a right hand. Volkanovski lands a combo. Volkanovski lands a right hand and Holloway with a body kick. Volkanovski lands a quick combo. Holloway with a knee as Volkanovski lands the right hand. Volkanovski with another right hand. Holloway lands a nice jab. Volkanovski lands a right hand after a brief clinch. Volkanovski lands a left hand and follows it with a right and then another left hand. They trade right hands. Volkanovski with the jab and Holloway fires back with a right hand. Holloway lands a right hand and they trade in the pocket. Holloway with a back elbow late. 10-9 Volkanovski.

They trade punches to start the second. Holloway with a leg kick. Holloway pressing forward. Volkanovski lands a jab. Volkanovski lands a big right hand. Volkanovski with a leg kick. They trade in close before clinching and Volkanovski lands a big elbow. Volkanovski gets the back against the fence then lands a big elbow before they break. Volkanovski with a big punch and Holloway has a big cut opened up. Holloway with a leg kick. Volkanovski lands a jab. Holloway is leaking. Holloway with a body kick. Holloway lands a combo. They both throw wild strikes. Volkanovski lands a combo and Holloway with a knee. Volkanovski with a combo. 10-9 Volkanovski, 20-18 Volkanovski.

Volkanovski with a body kick. Volkanovski lands a left hook. Holloway lands to the body. They trade kicks then trade punches inside the pocket. Holloway with a high kick. Volkanovski with a combo. Volkanovski with a quick combo. Holloway lands a nice left hand after Volkanovski landed a leg kick. Volkanovski with a big combination. They clinch against the fence. They break and Volkanovski landing the jab. Volkanovski with a right hand. Holloway lands a knee and follows it with a right hand. Volkanovski with a combination. Holloway with a right hand late. 10-9 Volkanovski, 30-27 Volkanovski.

They clinch and Volkanovski lands as they break before clinching back up. They break and Holloway lands a knee then a right hand. Holloway lands some good kicks. Volkanovski with a right hand. Holloway with a body kick. Volkanovski steps in and Holloway grabs the back and was looking for a takedown but Volkanovski defends and they break. Holloway with a nice combo and Volkanovski counters with an uppercut followed by a right hand. Holloway with a spin kick. Volkanovski with a right hand. They trade in close range. Volkanovski with the jab and Holloway lands a right hand. Holloway with a spin kick. 10-9 Volkanovski, 40-36 Volkanovski.

Volkanovski with a right hand. Holloway shoots for a takedown and pushes it against the fence but Volkanovski defends. They break and Volkanovski with a leg kick. Volkanovski with a head kick. Volkanovski with the double jab. Volkanovski with two hard leg kicks. Volkanovski with the jab and he ducks under Holloway throwing a head kick. Volkanovski with a body kick. Volkanovski with a combination. Holloway’s face is a mess. Volkanovski still landing the jab and avoiding Holloway’s punches. Volkanovski with the double jab and blocks a high kick. Volkanovski with a combo. What a showing from Volkanovski. 10-9 Volkanovski, 50-45 Volkanovski.

Official Result- Alexander Volkanovski def. Max Holloway by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) to retain the UFC Featherweight Championship

> UFC Middleweight Championship- C Israel Adesanya (22-1, 11-1 UFC) vs. #2 Jared Cannonier (15-5, 8-5 UFC)

Adesanya came out to The Undertaker’s theme, full entrance with hat and urn and all. Adesanya landing leg kicks early. Cannonier with a right hand to the body. Adesanya with more leg kicks. Adesanya with a body kick. Cannonier lands some leg kicks. Adesanya with a calf kick. Adesanya landing more punches late. Adesanya with a right hand. Cannonier didn’t land a single strike to Adesanya’s head during the round. 10-9 Adesanya.

Adesanya with a head kick and then Cannonier lands a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Cannonier with a body kick. Adesanya still landing leg kicks. Adesanya with short punches. Adesanya with a leg kick. Cannonier with a high kick. He lands a leg kick. Adesanya misses some punches and Cannonier lands a right hand. Cannonier with the jab. Adesanya with a leg kick. Adesanya lands to the body and a body kick. Adesanya with a nice combo. We have a timeout for an eye poke. They get back to action. They trade body kicks. Adesanya with the jab then a leg kick. Cannonier lands another. Adesanya with a body kick. 10-9 Adesanya, 20-18 Adesanya.

Adesanya with a leg kick. Cannonier lands a left hand. Adesanya with the jab. Cannonier tries a takedown but Adesanya defends and Adesanya lands a stiff jab as they break. They both land punches and Cannonier pushes it against the fence. Adesanya defends a takedown and they break. Adesanya with the jab and a high kick. Adesanya with a combo. Cannonier lands a nice combo. Cannonier lands a right hand as Adesanya landed a body kick and they clinch against the fence. Cannonier landing some knees as Adesanya is landing ear slaps. They break at the end and Adesanya with a knee. 10-9 Cannonier, 29-28 Adesanya.

Adesanya with the jab and Cannonier’s head snaps back. Adesanya with a leg kick. They trade body kicks and Adesanya’s sounded harder then he followed it with the jab. Adesanya with the jab then a right hand. Cannonier with a quick combo. Adesanya with a leg kick. They clinch against the fence. They break. Cannonier with a leg kick but Adesanya landing with more volume. They clinch again. Cannonier with an elbow as Adesanya was landing ear slaps and short punches. Cannonier with a couple of knees but he’s just hanging on. Cannonier with an elbow before they break. Adesanya with a right hand. 10-9 Adesanya, 39-37 Adesanya.

Cannonier lands a right hand. Adesanya with a leg kick. Adesanya with some jabs. Cannonier with a body kick. Adesanya with a head kick. Adesanya with the jab. Adesanya with a body kick. They trade leg kicks. Adesanya still landing leg kicks and Cannonier clinches against the fence and is holding. Adesanya with short punches. Cannonier with some knees. Cannonier trying for a takedown but Adesanya defends and they break. Cannonier lands a jab and Adesanya stuns Cannonier with a jab. Cannonier lands a right and they clinch right back up. Adesanya lands a head kick as they break. Adesanya with a right hand. Adesanya with the jab. Adesanya with a right hand and leg kick. 10-9 Adesanya, 49-46 Adesanya.

Official Result- Israel Adesanya def. Jared Cannonier by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 50-45) to retain the UFC Middleweight Championship

UFC 273 live results: Two title fights, Burns vs. Chimaev

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 273: Volkanovski vs. The Korean Zombie, emanating from the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.

The Octagon returns to Jacksonville for their second straight April pay-per-view event in the arena with another stacked card featuring two title fights and one of the promotion’s big upcoming stars in a big featured bout.

In the main event, UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski makes his fourth title defense as he defends against “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung. Volkanovski is coming off a decision win over Brian Ortega at UFC 266 in September, and has won 20 straight fights. Jung gets his second shot at winning UFC gold and last fought in June, scoring a main event win over Dan Ige.

In the co-main event, it is the long-awaited rematch for the UFC Bantamweight Championship, as current champion Aljamain Sterling and current interim champion Petr Yan look to settle the score. Sterling became the champion at UFC 259 in March 2021 when Yan was disqualified after landing an illegal knee. Sterling ended up having to have neck surgery following the fight, and Yan would win an interim title fight over Cory Sandhagen at UFC 267 in October to set up the rematch.

Also on the main card, former title challenger Gilbert Burns battles the much-hyped and undefeated Khamzat Chimaev in a pivotal welterweight bout. Also, Mackenzie Dern takes on Tecia Torres in a strawweight bout.

Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.

We are looking for your thoughts on tonight’s event, so send a thumbs up, a thumbs down or a thumbs in the middle along with a best fight and a worst fight to Dave at [email protected].

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> Bantamweights*- Julio Arce (17-5, 4-3 UFC) vs. Daniel Santos (10-1, 0-0 UFC)

*Arce missed weight by a half-pound

Santos is making his UFC debut. Santos throwing big punches early and lands a right hand. Arce with a high kick. Santos throws some heavy shots and connects then Arce lands a jab. Arce continuing to land the jab. Santos only throwing big shots as they clinch. Santos lands a big elbow before they break. Santos lands an uppercut elbow as they clinch. They break. Santos with a right hand. Arce with a head kick and Santos barely blocks it. Arce lands a few jabs. Arce with a left hand. They trade body kicks. Arce lands a jab then a left hand. Santos lands a right hand and Arce lands a left hand. Arce with a high kick. Arce lands a big head kick and some big punches. 10-9 Arce.

Santos is swinging big to start the second but missing a lot of his shots. They clinch but break. They trade in close range. Arce lands a combination as Santos is missing most of his shots. Both guys landing near the fence as Santos lands to the body. They separate and Santos lands more to the body. Arce lands a nice combination. Santos still coming forward and throwing and landing some. Arce ahead on volume in the round. Santos with a leg kick. Arce with the jab. 10-9 Arce, 20-18 Arce.

Arce lands the jab. Santos throws a head kick but Arce blocks it. They trade body kicks. They’re trading in close range and Arce is landing a little more. Arce with a head kick and Santos blocks it. Santos still coming forward and throwing but not landing much. Arce lands a solid combination. Arce lands the jab as Santos misses a spinning back fist. Santos with a spin kick that just barely lands to the body. Arce with a high kick. Arce with a left hand to the body. Santos tries a spin kick and falls to the mat and Arce lands a big left hand. They both throw big shots at the end. 10-9 Arce, 30-27 Arce.

Official Result- Julio Arce def. Daniel Santos by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Women’s Strawweights*- Piera Rodriguez (7-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Kay Hansen (7-5, 1-2 UFC)

*Hansen missed weight by 2.5 pounds

Rodriguez is making her UFC debut. Hansen with a quick combination to start. Rodriguez with a leg kick. Hansen lands a solid jab. Hansen gets a takedown but they’re at the fence and Rodriguez uses it to get to their feet. They trade and Hansen gets another takedown, this time in the center of the Octagon. Rodriguez with an elbow from the bottom while Hansen is working in the guard. Hansen lands from the top as she passes to side control. Hansen is looking to set up an arm-triangle as she gets back to the half-guard. Hansen ends the round in the guard of Rodriguez. 10-9 Hansen.

Rodriguez with a body kick then a leg kick. Rodriguez lands a right hand. Rodriguez with an uppercut inside the pocket. They clinch against the fence. Hansen working hard for the takedown against the fence. They break for a moment but clinch right back up against the fence. Rodriguez gets a takedown and rolls to side control. Rodriguez has the back and lands some punches. Rodriguez has back control and lands some elbows. She’s trying to set up something but Rodriguez moves to the top. Hansen attacks the leg but time runs out. 10-9 Rodriguez, 19-19.

Rodriguez gets a takedown after not much happens to start the third round. They get to their feet. Rodriguez with a leg kick. She lands one to the body and they clinch. Hansen tries for a takedown but Rodriguez defends. They clinch against the fence. Rodriguez has the pressure and control against the fence and looks for a takedown but Hansen defends. Hansen grabs the neck but Rodriguez pops out. Hansen with a knee. Rodriguez pressuring against the fence. They break and Hansen with a front kick to the body. Rodriguez gets a late takedown and ends the fight on top. 10-9 Rodriguez, 29-28 Rodriguez.

Official Result- Piera Rodriguez def. Kay Hansen by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Heavyweights- Aleksei Oleinik (59-16-1, 8-7 UFC) vs. Jared Vanderaa (12-7, 1-3 UFC)

Oleinik tries a big overhand right and misses. Oleinik lands the right hand. Oleinik with a leg kick then a right hand. Vanderaa throwing the jab. Oleinik lands a jab and then lands a right hand. Oleinik lands another right hand and goes for a takedown but Vanderaa defends and lands a knee. Oleinik lands a right hand. They clinch and Oleinik tries to pull guard but Vanderaa stays up and lands some punches. They scramble and Vanderaa has the back of Oleinik and has the hooks in. Vanderaa has the back mount and is landing punches. Vanderaa looking for a choke but lets go. Vanderaa looking for a triangle choke and lands some punches. Oleinik escapes and has the back of Vanderaa now. Oleinik looking for a rear-naked choke. Oleinik switches to side control and has the scarf hold in. Vanderaa taps! Oleinik gets win number 60 in his career in a fun fight.

Official Result- Aleksei Oleinik def. Jared Vanderaa by submission (scarf hold) at 3:39 of Round 1

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> Welterweights- Mickey Gall (7-4, 6-4 UFC) vs. Mike Malott (7-1-1, 0-0 UFC)

Malott is making his UFC debut. They trade punches early. Malott lands a right hand that stuns Gall. Gall with a combination against the fence. Malott with a leg kick. Malott lands a nice right hand. Gall lands a double jab. Malott with the jab. Malott with a combination. Gall scores a takedown but they get right up. They’re trading and then Malott lands a left hook and Gall does a face plant to the mat and Malott lands some follow-up punches that he didn’t need to and gets the finish. What a debut from Malott!

Official Result- Mike Malott def. Mickey Gall by TKO (punches) at 3:41 of Round 1

> Women’s Bantamweights- #4 Aspen Ladd (9-2, 4-2 UFC) vs. #7 Raquel Pennington (13-8, 10-5 UFC)

Pennington landing a jab to the body early and lands a right hand. Pennington lands a right hand. Pennington with a body kick. They clinch and Pennington with an elbow as she pushes it against the fence. They break. Pennington lands a left hand and a body kick. Ladd with a high kick. Pennington lands a combo against the fence. Ladd with a body kick. Pennington lands a right hand. Pennington lands a left hand. Ladd lands a  left hand. Pennington lands a left hand. Pennington with a nice combination. Pennington with a body kick. They trade punches in close range. Pennington with a big right hand. Pennington with some knees in the clinch late and they exchange in a flurry at the end of the first. 10-9 Pennington.

Ladd lands a couple of kicks to start the second. Pennington lands a right hand. They trade punches. They exchange punches inside the pocket and Pennington pushes it against the fence in a clinch. They break and trade punches then Ladd lands two kicks and pokes Pennington in the eye and we have a pause in the action. They get back to work and Pennington pressing forward. They trade inside the pocket and Ladd lands a nice left hook. Pennington lands a big right hand. Pennington landing with more volume after Ladd lands a combo. Pennington with a combo. They clinch against the fence. They break. Ladd with a high kick. They clinch and Pennington with some dirty boxing as she lands right hands and an uppercut. Pennington with a nice combination. Pennington lands a left hand. Pennington lands a late flurry. 10-9 Pennington, 20-18 Pennington.

Ladd with a body kick. Ladd with a body kick and Pennington lands a right hand. Pennington with a leg kick. They clinch against the fence. Ladd has the Thai plumb and lands some short knees. They trade knees. Ladd gets a takedown and is in the guard of Pennington. They get to their feet and Ladd has the back and Pennington lands a back elbow. Ladd gets another takedown but they get up. Ladd still has the back. Ladd lands a knee as she’s pressuring against the fence now. They trade knees to the body. Ladd trips it to the mat. They get up and Ladd still has the body lock. Ladd with another knee. They end in the clinch. 10-9 Ladd, 29-28 Pennington.

Official Result- Raquel Pennington def. Aspen Ladd by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Middleweights- Anthony Hernandez (8-2 1 NC, 2-2 UFC) vs. Josh Fremd (9-2, 0-0 UFC)

Fremd is making his UFC debut. Fremd with a leg kick and then another. They trade punches. They clinch as Hernandez is looking for the takedown. Hernandez still trying hard for the takedown and gets it and has the back. Hernandez gets the neck and looks for the guillotine but they get up. Hernandez gets a takedown and has the back. Hernandez looks for the guillotine and now moves to the D’Arce choke. Fremd is defending. Hernandez lets go and still has the back as Fremd is grabbing the fence. Hernandez goes for a standing arm-triangle but Fremd breaks it up with a knee. They break and Hernandez with an elbow and follows it with a combo. Hernandez lands a big right hand as they break. Fremd lands a right hand. Hernandez with a right hand and gets a takedown. Hernandez has the back of Fremd against the fence. They get to their feet. Hernandez lands a right hand and gets another takedown. 10-9 Hernandez.

Hernandez lands a punch and gets a brief takedown. They break. Hernandez pressuring with more takedown attempts and he has the back against the fence. Hernandez looking for the neck to set up a choke. He lets go and lands some elbows and body punches. Hernandez with some elbows. He mixes punches and elbows. Fremd now goes for a guillotine choke. Hernandez escapes but is on the bottom. They get to their feet and Fremd has the back standing. Fremd gets the takedown against the fence. They get to their feet. Fremd with a knee as they break. Fremd with a couple of big right hands. Fremd tries for a takedown but Hernandez has the neck and has a guillotine but Fremd turns out. Hernandez with some big punches on the ground as the round ends. Close round. 10-9 Hernandez, 20-18 Hernandez.

Hernandez gets a takedown right away to start the third. They get up and Hernandez with a big slam takedown and looks for the guillotine choke. He lets go and looks for the D’Arce choke but lets go of that. Hernandez on top and lands some elbows. Hernandez lands some knees to the body on the ground. Hernandez gets the back and lands some big elbows. Hernandez has the mount and looked for a rear-naked choke. Hernandez with some right hands and Fremd lands an up-elbow. Hernandez has a reverse triangle choke locked in but Fremd gives a thumbs up and they make it to the end. 10-9 Hernandez, 30-27 Hernandez.

Official Result- Anthony Hernandez def. Josh Fremd by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Welterweights- Ian Garry (8-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Darian Weeks (5-1, 0-1 UFC)

Garry with a front kick to the body. Weeks with a leg kick. Garry with a leg kick and Weeks falls to the mat for a second. They clinch against the fence and Weeks with some knees. Garry reverses position and they break. Garry with a front kick and then a body kick. Garry with a question mark kick. Garry with the jab. They clinch. They break near the end. 10-9 Garry.

Garry with a snap jab that whips Weeks’ head back. Garry with a combination. Garry lands a couple of jabs. Weeks is barely doing anything on the feet as they clinch again against the fence. Weeks with a big elbow as they break. Garry with a front kick to the body. Garry lands a right hand. Garry lands a combo and gets away from Weeks throwing punches. Garry with a body kick and a right hand. Weeks gets the back and almost gets a takedown. They break and Weeks lands a left hook on the break. Garry with a leg kick. Garry with a late flying knee that doesn’t really connect. 10-9 Garry, 20-18 Garry.

Garry with a quick combo. Garry with a leg kick. Garry with a big combination and he lands kicks to the body and legs. Garry with another combo. Weeks goes for a takedown but Garry defends. Garry with the jab and then lands a left hand. Garry with the jab. Weeks lands a left hand. Garry with the calf kick. Garry lands a right hand and Weeks stumbles. Garry lands a leg kick and a jab to follow up. Garry with a knee against the fence and they break. Weeks has the back at the end. 10-9 Garry, 30-27 Garry.

Official Result- Ian Garry def. Darian Weeks by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

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> Lightweights- Vinc Pichel (14-2, 7-2 UFC) vs. Mark Madsen (11-0, 3-0 UFC)

They trade leg kicks to start. They trade leg kicks again. Madsen landing several leg kicks early. Pichel with a body kick. Pichel with a leg kick. He lands another. Pichel lands a right hand. Madsen with a leg kick. Pichel lands a leg kick. Madsen gets a takedown and is into side control. They get to their feet and Pichel escapes and lands a knee on the break then a jab. Pichel with a leg kick. Madsen lands a huge right hand. They trade leg kicks. 10-9 Madsen.

Madsen throwing right hands early in the second but not connecting. Pichel with a leg kick. Madsen with a leg kick. Pichel with a nice body kick. Pichel lands the jab. Pichel with a leg kick. Madsen gets a takedown and has the back near the center. Pichel has the back as they’re battling for position on the mat. Madsen escapes to his feet and Pichel looks for a takedown as gets up. Pichel with a leg kick. Pichel shoots for a takedown against the fence. He completes it. 10-9 Pichel, 19-19.

Madsen lands a right hand. Pichel with a jumping knee and follows it with a right hand. Pichel with a leg kick and he continues to land more as he’s putting on the pressure to start the third. They clinch and Madsen has the back but they break. Pichel with a front kick to the body. Madsen gets the takedown and is in the half-guard. He moves to the full guard of Pichel. Both land elbows on the mat as Madsen has top position. Madsen keeping Pichel planted on the bottom. They get to the fence and Madsen is keeping Pichel down on the mat. Pichel goes for a kneebar late but Madsen gets back on top and lands punches as the fight ends. 10-9 Madsen, 29-28 Madsen.

Official Result- Mark Madsen def. Vinc Pichel by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Women’s Strawweights- #5 Mackenzie Dern (11-2, 6-2 UFC) vs. #7 Tecia Torres (13-5, 9-5 UFC)

Torres landing some right hands as Dern is coming into range. Dern tries for a takedown but Torres shakes her off. They clinch against the fence and trade positions. They break. Torres with a leg kick. Torres with another leg kick. Dern shoots for a takedown and Torres lands a right hand. Dern pressuring and throwing more but Torres landing more. Torres with an inside leg kick. Dern with a right hand. Dern lands another right hand. They trade and Dern rocks Torres with a right hand. Torres with a side kick. Dern with another right hand and Torres with another side kick. Close round. 10-9 Torres.

They trade and Torres lands a nice counter shot. They clinch against the fence and Dern jumps up and is looking to attack the arm. Dern trying to find a kimura. Torres doing a good job of staying balanced on her feet. They go to the mat and Dern looking for the armbar. Torres escapes. Dern still attacking the arm as Torres is defending well. Dern now attacks the leg. She has it and is looking for a kneebar. Torres survives the round. 10-9 Dern, 19-19.

Dern throwing to start the third as Torres circles away. Dern with a body kick. Torres with a leg kick. Dern with a left hand. Torres with a short leg kick. Torres lands a right hand and a heel to the chin as Dern was trying to grab the leg for a takedown attempt. Dern gets a takedown and Torres lands an upkick that sends Dern down and they get up. Torres with a spin kick to the body. Dern lands a couple of right hands then Torres lands a punch. Torres with a body kick and Dern falls down trying to bait Torres to the ground but she has to get up. Torres with a body kick. Torres with a leg kick. Dern lands a right hand as Torres goes for a late takedown. Great fight, close fight. 10-9 Torres, 29-28 Torres.

Official Result- Mackenzie Dern def. Tecia Torres by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

> Welterweights- #2 Gilbert Burns (20-4, 13-4 UFC) vs. #11 Khamzat Chimaev (10-0, 4-0 UFC)

Chimaev coming forward and lands a right hand and goes for the takedown. Chimaev with some knees. They trade knees and Chimaev with a foot stomp. They go to their knees and trade punches. Chimaev drags Burns to the mat. They get up and Chimaev still has the body lock. Burns rolls and Chimaev ends up on top. Chimaev stands and lands some kicks. Burns with a leg kick and then a right hand. They trade inside the pocket. Burns with a body kick. Burns with a right hand then a jab. Chimaev with a combination. Burns with a right hand. Burns with a left hook. They trade in close range. Chimaev with a leg kick after Burns hit him and he slipped. Chimaev with a body kick. Chimaev drops Burns with a straight right hand and gets on top and starts throwing hammerfists. Chimaev stands and lands a kick. Burns has a big cut opened up. Chimaev with a right hand. 10-9 Chimaev.

Chimaev with a leg kick. Burns shoots for a takedown but Chimaev gets out of it. Chimaev with a right hook. Burns lands a right hand that wobbles Chimaev. Chimaev with a right hook and Burns counters with a big body kick. Chimaev with a leg kick. Chimaev with a right hand. Burns with a couple of leg kicks and a right hand. Burns tries for a takedown but Chimaev defends. Burns clips Chimaev with a left and he falls but gets up. Burns with a big flurry as he has Chimaev hurt but Chimaev recovers and lands a combo. Chimaev has a cut open. Burns with a body kick. Chimaev with a leg kick. Burns with a right hand. Burns tries for a takedown but Chimaev sprawls and gets on top. Burns with hammerfists and pushes Chimaev off and they stand. Burns with the jab. They trade punches. Burns with a right hand. Chimaev lands a right hand. Chimaev with a right hand. Burns lands a big right hand. Burns lands a punch and Chimaev slips and Burns looked to try and soccer kick him. They trade on the mat at the end and there may have been some illegal shots in there. 10-9 Burns, 19-19.

Burns with a leg kick. Chimaev with the jab. Burns lands a jab. Chimaev lands a right hand. Burns shoots for the takedown but Chimaev defends. They scramble. Chimaev starting to land big punches against the fence and Burns is covering up. Chimaev lands a big knee and Burns is in trouble. Burns looks gassed. They break from the clinch. Chimaev with a right hand. Chimaev lands a good combo. Burns misses a right hand. They trade punches. Chimaev with a combination. Burns with a right hand. Chimaev pressing forward. Burns with a right hand and then another and a third. Chimaev with a right hand. Chimaev with an uppercut. Chimaev with a body kick. What a crazy fight! 10-9 Chimaev, 29-28 Chimaev.

Official Result- Khamzat Chimaev def. Gilbert Burns by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> UFC Bantamweight Championship- C Aljamain Sterling (20-3, 12-3 UFC) vs. IC Petr Yan (16-2, 8-1 UFC)

Sterling with a leg kick. Sterling with a body kick and a right hand. Sterling with a body kick. Yan has been missing almost all of his punches. Yan with a body kick. Yan lands a left hand. Yan misses his punches as he was rushing in. They both land punches. Sterling with a body kick. Yan with two left hands. Sterling still circling as Yan is trying to find an opening. Sterling looks for a takedown and Yan lands a left hand. 10-9 Yan.

Yan with a body kick. Sterling shoots for a takedown but Yan defends. Sterling gets Yan to the mat and has the back. Sterling has the body triangle on. They both land punches on the mat as Sterling has the body lock. Sterling with a left to the body. Sterling with some big left hands. Sterling looking for the rear-naked choke. Sterling lets go and is landing big punches from the top. Sterling with more punches. Sterling with complete control in the second. 10-8 Sterling, 19-18 Sterling.

Sterling landing to start the third and Yan lands a low kick. They trade kicks. Sterling shoots for a takedown but Yan defends. They clinch against the fence. They break. Sterling lands a left hand. Sterling gets a takedown against the fence and takes the back again. Sterling has the body triangle locked in again as they’re against the fence. Sterling with some punches from the back. Sterling in complete control on the mat as the crowd is booing, but only because they don’t like Sterling. Yan has no answers on the mat right now. 10-9 Sterling, 29-27 Sterling.

Yan lands a left hand to start the fourth. Sterling goes for a takedown but Yan defends and lands a combination as they break. Sterling dives for a takedown but Yan sprawls. They get to their feet. Yan with a knee. Sterling with a body kick. They trade left hands. Sterling gets the back standing and jumps on it but is too high and Yan escapes. Yan goes to the mat and Sterling looked for a triangle but Yan gets in the guard of Sterling. Yan working from the top and lands a big right hand. Yan gets the back standing. They end the round laying on the ground. 10-9 Yan, 38-37 Sterling.

Yan with a leg kick and Sterling trips to the mat but gets up. Sterling with a body kick. Yan with a leg kick. Sterling tries for a takedown but Yan defends as they get against the fence. They break. Sterling lands a combination. Sterling goes for a takedown has has the back against the fence. Yan escapes and they break to the center. Sterling lands an elbow. Sterling trying for a takedown and Yan with a left hand to the body. Sterling shoots again but Yan stuffs it. Sterling with the jab. Yan with a jumping knee and follows it with a left hand. Sterling shoots for a takedown but Yan defends and takes the back. They get to the fence and break. Sterling with an up-elbow and shoots for the takedown. Yan defends and has the back as they’re on their knees. They end the fight in that position. This will be interesting. 10-9 Yan, 47-47 DRAW.

Official Result- Aljamain Sterling def. Petr Yan by split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47) to become the Undisputed UFC Bantamweight Champion

> UFC Featherweight Championship- C Alexander Volkanovski (23-1, 10-0 UFC) vs. #4 Chan Sung Jung (17-6, 7-3 UFC)

Volkanovski lands a left hand. Volkanovski with a body kick. Jung lands a right hand. Volkanovski lands a counter left hook. They trade kicks. Volkanovski with a leg kick. Volkanovski with a leg kick after they trade jabs. Volkanovski with a nice combination. Volkanovski with some more big punches. Volkanovski with the jab. Volkanovski lands a right hand and Jung is wobbled. Volkanovski gets a takedown. Jung quickly gets up. They tie up against the fence. They break. Jung lands a left hand. Volkanovski lands a left hand and Jung falls to his butt. He gets up and Volkanovski with a leg kick and a nice combo. 10-9 Volkanovski.

Jung with a leg kick. Volkanovski with an inside leg kick. He lands another. Volkanovski with a body kick. Volkanovski with a right hand. Jung with a leg kick and Volkanovski checks it. Volkanovski with a big right hand. Volkanovski with the jab. Volkanovski with an inside leg kick. Jung lands a left hand. Jung with a front kick. Volkanovski with a right hand. Volkanovski lands some big punches and Jung falls but gets up and Jung lands a big left hand. Volkanovski gets a takedown against the fence. Volkanovski with punches from the top. They get up and break. Volkanovski with an elbow and uppercut as they break. Volkanovski with two solid right hands. Volkanovski gets a trip takedown against the fence. They get up and break and Volkanovski with a right hand. Volkanovski with a body kick then a jab. Jung pressing forward but getting tagged. 10-9 Volkanovski, 20-18 Volkanovski.

Jung lands a leg kick. They trade in close range. They exchange jabs. Volkanovski with a right hand. Volkanovski lands in close range. Jung with an uppercut and follows it with a couple of shots that land. Volkanovski with a knee as they briefly tie up. Volkanovski with a right hand. Volkanovski with a right hand and then scores a brief takedown but Jung gets right up. Volkanovski has control against the fence. They break and Volkanovski with a combination. Volkanovski with a leg kick and then a short right hand and a left hook. Jung lands a nice combo. Volkanovski with a left hand. Volkanovski drops Jung with a right hand and gets on top. Volkanovski with shots from the top as he’s looking for the finish but Jung survives the round. 10-9 Volkanovski, 30-27 Volkanovski.

The doctor asked Jung if he wanted to continue and he did, so they let it go on. Volkanovski with some leg kicks. Volkanovski with a big right hand and then another and Herb Dean stops the fight. That was the right call. An absolutely dominant showing from Volkanovski as he retains the title.

Official Result- Alexander Volkanovski def. Chan Sung Jung by TKO (punches) at :45 of Round 4 to retain the UFC Featherweight Championship

Daily Update: Dynamite ratings notes, CMLL, Volkanovski vs. Holloway off

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This week’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns program, Wrestle Kingdom 16 review

The WWE’s road to WrestleMania took a detour on 1/1 due to COVID-19, but the original plans on the final destination are said to be still in play.

Roman Reigns tested positive for COVID-19, with the WWE reporting it hours before the show started. The decision was made to move Brock Lesnar into the WWE title match, and make it a five-way. Lesnar won the match, pinning champion Big E after an F-5, none of which was part of the original plans.

ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

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If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE

Our podcast schedule for the weekend is TBD. The plan is to do a show on WrestleKingdom with Fumi Saito which is our annual tradition at some point, as well as something with Garrett Gonzalez and a Saturday night show with Bryan Alvarez.

One of the four wrestlers a main event in tomorrow night’s Battle of the Belts show, which is listed as Britt Baker vs. Riho for the women’s title and Cody Rhodes vs. Sammy Guevara for the TNT title is out of action due to medical protocol. Tony Khan has confirmed that as has AEW Twitter. They will announce a new match on tonight’s Rampage show for tomorrow night’s show in Charlotte. There will also be a full house show card live.

Smackdown tonight on FOX is from the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT. The show is basically sold out (there are a few scattered tickets). Announced are The Usos vs. New Day in a street fight for the tag titles, Rick Boogs vs. Sami Zayn and the show is being built around a confrontation between Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar.

AEW airs Rampage at 10 p.m. Eastern tonight on TNT with Adam Cole vs Jake Atlas (TV debut,this is the match where Atlas was injured), Ruby Soho & Riho vs. Britt Baker & Jamie Hayter and Eddie Kingston & Santana & Ortiz vs. 2.0 & Daniel Garcia in a no DQ match that was said to be wild.

Regarding the ratings for Wednesday’s Dynamite, the 18-34 number was far above what the show has done in a long time. It beat Raw in that demo, and Raw did its best number since September in 18-34 on Monday night. The 238,000 viewers was the most for any cable wrestling show since the 9/6 Raw show. It was the most for any AEW show since 2019 when there were far more homes who had access to cable and fourth most in AEW history. While minute-by-minute numbers are not available, based on quarters, besides the title match, the big success was the Ruby Soho vs. Jade Cargill match.

CMLL announced that tonight’s show at Arena Mexico as well as all CMLL shows between now and Tuesday are off. CMLL said the shows being canceled are preventative measures to protect people from COVID. Polvora publicly tested positive but a number of stars missed shows this past week.

The third night of WrestleKingdom, a sold out event at the Yokohama Arena featuring New Japan vs. NOAH matches, airs on PPV tonight with an English language option with Kevin Kelly and Chris Carlton, on ABEMA TV:

Kosei Fujita vs. Yasutaka Yano

Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Yuji Nagata vs. Mohammed Yone & King Tani & Akitoshi Saito

Gedo & Taiji Ishimori vs. Hayata & Seiki Yoshioka

Desperado & Douki vs. Yo-Hey & Nosawa Rongai

Tomohiro Ishii & Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi & Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato vs. Daisuke Harada & Hajime Ohara & Daiki Inaba & Yoshiki Inamura & Kinya Okada

Zack Sabre Jr. & Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs. Naomichi Marufuji & Yoshihari Ogawa

Minoru Suzuki & Taichi & Taka Michinoku vs. Takashi Sugiura & Kazushi Sakuraba & ?

Evil & Dick Togo vs. Go Shiozaki & Masa Kitamiya

Sho vs. Atsushi Kotoge

Shingo Takagi & Tetsuya Naito & Bushi & Sanada & Hiromu Takahashi vs. Katsuhiko Nakajima & Kenou & Manabu Soya & Tadasuke & Aleja

Kazuchika Okada & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Keiji Muto & Kaito Kiyomiya

The big stuff on the show will be the generational battle of Okada vs. Muto for the first time, at least since Okada has become a star, as well as the Takagi vs. Nakajima match-up in the semi.

ESPN reported today that the just announced Alexander Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway fight scheduled for 3/5 is off due to Holloway aggravated a prior injury. Ariel Helwani has thrown out the name Chan Sung Jung, noting that Volkanovski’s side wants him as the replacement and Jung is up for it.

ROH will have its awards TV show airing this weekend. They will announce winners of the Male Wrestler of the Year, Female Wrestler of the Year and Tag Team of the Year, as well as the top five for Match of the year.

The Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame issue will be out on late Thursday night. There are five new inductees in this year’s class voted on by reporters, historians, active and former wrestlers and industry professionals from all over the world.

For this weekend WWE has house shows tomorrow night in Glens Falls, NY and Sunday at the TD Gardens in Boston. We are looking for reports on these shows as well as from the full AEW show in Charlotte tomorrow and major indie shows to [email protected]

We are doing polls currently on the following shows: New Japan’s 1/4 and 1/5 Tokyo Dome shows, 1/8 Yokohama Arena show and Impact’s Hard to Kill tomorrow night in Dallas on PPV. You can leave a thumbs up, down or middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]

WWE

The company will have its fourth quarter earnings report on 2/3 with Vince McMahon, Nick Khan, Stephanie McMahon and Frank Riddick.

A DAZN interview with Bron Breakker coming off his NXT title win on Tuesday.

UFC

MMA Junkie reported Derrick Lewis vs. Tai Tuivasa for the 2/12 PPV show at the Toyota Center in Houston, which is Lewis’ hometown.

Rafael Fiziev vs. Rafael dos Anjos is earmarked but not signed for a 2/19 show according to MMA Fighting.

OTHER NOTES

Impact has reached a deal with Allen Media Group and Sports.TV. It will feature 60 sports channels including The Fight Network from Canada MMA TV and Impact.

New Japan posted the January 4, 2020, match with Kazuchika Okada vs. Kota Ibushi on YouTube. This was one of the best matches in Tokyo Dome history, and really in company history as well (thanks to Suju Abraham).

The Orpheum in Ybor City, FL, which in its time has seen some of the best current wrestlers in the U.S. perform under the Evolve banner, announced that they were closing. Evolve ran shows there from 2012 to 2020 featuring The Young Bucks, Eddie Kingston, Malakai Black, Sammy Guevara, Joey Janela, Ruby Soho Serena Deep, Thunder Rose, Drew McIntyre, El Generico, Matt Riddle, Ricochet, Apollo Crews, The Street Profits, Roderick Strong, Zack Sabre Jr., Rocky Romero, Johnny Gargano, Chris Hero, Rich Swann,Davey Richards, EC 3, Homicide, Jonathan Gresham, Tessa Blanchard, Jazz and Ember Moon.

Defy Wrestling announced its fifth anniversary show on 2/12 at Washington Hall in Seattle. Christopher Daniels will defend his Defy interim title on that show.

An interview with Kerry Morton, son of Ricky Morton, talking about the start of career and being on the debuting NWA USA show on YouTube.

Josh Mathews of Impact Wrestling talks about producing for the promotion.

AIW on Thursday night in Lakewood, OK at the Winchester Music Tavern headlined by Max Caster.

Cage Fury Fighting Championships, the MMA group that C.M.Punk does the announcing for, has its first show of the year on 1/29 at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia. Middleweight champion Aaron Jeffrey (10-3) faces Rex Harris (12-5) in a title match. The CFFC shows air live on UFC Fight Pass.

Bellator announced Leah McCourt (6-1) vs. Sinead Kavanagh (7-5) for its 2/25 show in Dublin, Ireland headlined by Gegard Mousasi defending the middleweight title against Austin Vanderford. Vanderford was one of the ATT fighters in the AEW Dan Lambert angle and is 11-0, but Mousasi is a giant step up in competition for him.