Wrestling Entertainment Series has announced the lineup for its debut event.
The show was originally scheduled for June 4 but was later rescheduled to Saturday, July 9.
Several wrestlers advertised for the original date do not appear on the lineup for the rescheduled show. Adam Scherr (Braun Strowman) was once scheduled to face Alistair Overeem but has now been replaced by Moose. Westin Blake & Steve Maclin are no longer advertised for the tag team title match against the Legion of Pain. Killer Kross, Deonna Purrazzo, Chelsea Green, Madison Rayne, Tenille Dashwood, Mike Bennett, Biff Busick (Oney Lorcan), and Dirty Dango (Fandango) are no longer scheduled to perform as well.
Damo (Killian Dain), Steph de Lander (Persia Pirotta), and Eric Young have been added to the show.
The debut event for WES will take place on July 9 from the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, England. It will air live on FITE TV. The full lineup for the show is as follows:
Alistair Overeem vs. Moose for the World Championship
Lina Fanene (Nia Jax) vs. CJ Perry (Lana) for the Women’s World Championship
The Legion of Pain (AOP) vs. BT Gunn & Kez Evans for the World Tag Team Championships
Steph de Lander (Persia Pirotta) & Anastasia vs. She Wolves for the Women’s Tag Team Championships
Samuray del Sol (Kalisto) vs. Lince Dorado
Dean Muhtadi (Mojo Rawley) vs. Damo Mackle (Killian Dain)
Pre-Show: Eric Young vs. Zac Zodiac
Pre-Show: Levis Valenzuela Jr. (No Way Jose) vs. Jody Fliesh
Several former WWE stars — along with the pro wrestling debut of a former UFC fighter — are advertised for Wrestling Entertainment Series’ debut show.
Wrestling Entertainment Series is a new promotion that’s being launched by the tag team formerly known as The Authors of Pain. Its debut show is taking place at Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, England on Saturday, June 4. The event will air live via Fite TV.
In the main event of the show, former UFC star Alistair Overeem will make his in-ring debut against Adam Scherr (Braun Strowman). It’s advertised that the match will be to crown Wrestling Entertainment Series’ first World Champion.
World Championship match: Adam Scherr (Braun Strowman) vs. Alistair Overeem
Women’s Championship match: Lina Fanene (Nia Jax) vs. CJ Perry (Lana)
Tag Team Championship match: Gzim Selmani & Sunny Dhinsa (The Authors of Pain) vs. Westin Blake & Steve Maclin (Wesley Blake & Steve Cutler)
Killer Kross (Karrion Kross) vs. Samuray Del Sol (Kalisto) vs. JONAH (Bronson Reed)
Women’s Tag Team Championship match: Madison Rayne & Tenille Dashwood vs. Deonna Purrazzo & Chelsea Green
Dean Muhtadi (Mojo Rawley) vs. Lince Dorado
Pre-show match: Mike Bennett (Mike Kanellis) vs. Biff Busick (Oney Lorcan)
Pre-show match: Dirty Dango (Fandango) vs. Levis Valenzuela Jr. (No Way Jose)
This will be the first time Fanene, Perry, Selmani, Dhinsa, and Muhtadi have wrestled since their WWE releases.
Selmani & Dhinsa are going by the name “Legion of Pain.” They’ll be managed by their former NXT manager Paul Ellering.
When the launch of Wrestling Entertainment Series was announced, it was stated that the promotion has “several yet-to-be-revealed dates across Europe & the Middle East” scheduled for 2022.
Months after Dana White said the organization would likely be cutting more fighters, the UFC has released both former heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos and former title challenger Alistair Overeem.
ESPN’s Ariel Helwani reported that dos Santos had five fights left on his contract while Overeem had two. Helwani reported that UFC offered dos Santos a short notice fight at this month’s UFC 260 against Marcin Tybura which he declined, leading to his release.
Given the high-profile UFC 259 this weekend, it’s likely White will discuss the releases during his media obligations.
The 37-year-old (21-9) has lost four straight dating back to June 2019, all by knockout or TKO. He had been with the company since October 2008 and is best remembered for his 2011-13 trilogy with Cain Velasquez that saw him both win and lose the title with the first fight kicking off their network deal with Fox.
In an Instagram post announcing his release, he indicated he wants to keep fighting.
He faced virtually every big name at heavyweight during a thirteen year run that included Stipe Miocic, Frank Mir, Fabricio Werdum, Mark Hunt, Derrick Lewis, Francis Ngannou and Overeem himself.
The 40-year-old Overeem (47-19-0-1) won titles in every promotion he has competed in except for the UFC. He is coming off a second round knockout loss to Alexander Volkov last month which snapped a two-fight winning streak. He has won four of his last six.
He signed with the UFC in 2011 and debuted against Brock Lesnar in a dream fight, defeating the physically weakened former champion in the first round. Like dos Santos, Overeem fought a litany of big names through his ten years in the UFC including dos Santos himself, Mir, Miocic, Hunt, Werdum, Ngannou and Andrei Arlovski. He fought for the title just once, losing to Miocic by first round knockout at UFC 203 in September 2016 — the same show CM Punk debuted on.
If he wants to keep fighting, Overeem does have an extensive history with Bellator MMA president Scott Coker from their Strikeforce days while Japan’s RIZIN could be an option given his past fighting for both PRIDE and Dream. Coker has been open to cross-promotion in the past, especially with RIZIN.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC On ESPN+ 42: Overeem vs. Volkov, emanating from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Octagon returns to Las Vegas for the first time in 2021 for the first of four events in the month of February with a heavyweight main event featuring two men with a combined 106 professional fights between them.
Alistair Overeem will be looking to make it three consecutive wins when he battles Alexander Volkov in the night’s five-round headline bout. Overeem is coming off back-to-back wins over Walt Harris and Augusto Sakai in 2020 and is eager to get another UFC title shot. Volkov is looking to win for the second straight time after defeating Harris in October, and is also looking to get himself a long-awaited title shot.
In the co-main event, it is an important bantamweight contest as Cory Sandhagen takes on former UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar. The winner could be in line to challenge the winner of the UFC Bantamweight Championship bout between Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling, which takes place at UFC 259 on March 6. Also on the main card is a lightweight bout as long-time UFC veterans Michael Johnson and Clay Guida square off, flyweight bout between Alexander Pantoja and the debuting Manel Kape, and a lightweight rematch between Diego Ferreira and Beneil Dariush. Dariush defeated Ferreira at UFC 179 in October 2014, and both men are on solid win streaks, as Ferreira has won six straight and Dariush five straight.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 5 p.m. eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.
Rivera took this fight early in the week. Rivera throws a high kick and Osbourne counters with a left hand that drops Rivera and then lands some punches from the top and this is quickly stopped. It lasted maybe thirty seconds. Big win for Osbourne here.
Official Result- Ode Osbourne def. Jerome Rivera by knockout (punches) at :26 of Round 1
> Timur Valiev (14-2 1 NC, 0-0 1 NC UFC) vs. Martin Day (8-5, 0-3 UFC) Featherweights
Day throws a high kick early. Valiev with a leg kick. Valiev with another calf kick. Valiev still throwing leg kicks. He’s still throwing leg kicks but mixing in feints. Valiev lands a leg kick and Day counters with a combo. Valiev tries a takedown and gets the back of Day standing as they work to the fence. Valiev gets a brief takedown but right back to their feet. Valiev landing punches from the back. Valiev gets Day back to the ground and Valiev now working in the half-guard but moves to the full guard of Day. Day keeping Valiev from doing a ton of damage but Valiev lands a couple of elbows. Day with a couple of elbows from the bottom. 10-9 Valiev.
Valiev starting with some leg kicks in the second. Valiev with an overhand right followed by a leg kick. Valiev grabs the single leg and gets the takedown. Valiev in the half-guard and has top underhook and landing some punches. Valiev moves to side control. Valiev trying to find the neck but lets go. Valiev with some right hands from the guard and then lands a nice elbow. Valiev landing from the top. Day not able to do much from the bottom. Valiev working from the top but Day sweeps and ends the round on top as Valiev was chasing a submission. 10-9 Valiev, 20-18 Valiev.
Valiev lands some leg kicks to start. Day trying to land but having trouble defending the kicks. Valiev gets a takedown and is in the half-guard. Valiev moves to the side and Day almost gives up his back but gets Valiev back in his full guard. Valiev landing from the top. They get to their feet and Valiev has the back and drags Day to the mat but they stand again. Valiev with some knees to the body. They go back to the mat but stand again and Valiev still has the body lock. Day trying to switch but can’t escape. Valiev gets back to the half-guard. Valiev with some right hands. Dominant showing from Valiev. 10-9 Valiev, 30-27 Valiev.
Official Result- Timur Valiev def. Martin Day by unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-26)
Choi lands a high kick. Choi with a right hand. Both men are warned about their fingers being extended. Zalal with a stiff jab. Choi was a high kick. Zalal with the jab. They trade left hands. Zalal tries for a takedown and they clinch against the fence. Choi pushing Zalal’s head down and Zalal landing hammerfists to the thighs of Choi. Choi landing elbows as he defends the takedown from Zalal. Choi with a couple of shoulder strikes and they are broken up by the referee. Choi comes forward with some punches. They break. They trade body kicks and Choi lands a combo. Choi gets a late takedown. 10-9 Choi.
Zalal with a leg kick and Choi counters with a right hand. Choi lands a right hand. Zalal jumping up in the clinch looking for a choke but uses it to reverse position. Zalal looking for the single leg trying to get the fight to the mat but Choi showing good defense. They are broken up from the clinch. Choi lands a combo. Choi with a right hand and just misses a head kick attempt. Choi with the jab and is controlling the center. Choi runs in with a combo and pushes Zalal against the fence. Choi gets a takedown along the fence and stands. Choi with some kicks to the downed Zalal, but lets him up. Choi with a leg kick. Choi landing late and they trade late. 10-9 Choi, 20-18 Choi.
They trade to start the third and both looking for openings. They clinch against the fence and Zalal gets a takedown and is looking for a guillotine choke. He had it locked in tight but Choi escapes and gets on top. Zalal looks for a triangle choke but Choi escapes. Choi lands from the top and they stand. They clinch and Zalal gets a brief takedown. They stand and Zalal pushes Choi against the fence. Choi reverses position and is looking for a takedown. Good fight here. 10-9 Zalal, 29-28 Choi.
Official Result- Seungwoo Choi def. Youssef Zalal by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
McCann comes forward right away. Both landing right away. McCann with some punches and Procopio with a leg kick. They clinch against the fence. McCann lands a knee to the body and Procopio looking for a takedown against the fence. McCann landing punches as she defends. They battle for underhooks against the fence and McCann with a couple of foot stomps. Procopio gets a takedown and is in the half-guard of McCann. Procopio gets to side control and McCann is looking to explode up from the bottom. Procopio landing from the top and moves to the mount as she lands. McCann is trying to scramble but having no luck. Procopio lands from the mount and McCann gives up her back. Procopio looks to set up an armbar but lands instead and has a choke locked in as the round ends. 10-9 Procopio.
They are trading to start the second and McCann landing better but Procopio now landing better and they clinch. Procopio looking for a takedown but pushes McCann against the fence. Procopio has the body lock and gets the takedown. McCann gets an armbar from the bottom and has it locked in deep but Procopio defends for a moment. McCann still working for it but Procopio defending it well. Procopio able to escape and now in the half-guard of McCann. They get to their feet and McCann is breathing heavy. Procopio has McCann pinned against the fence. Procopio gets the takedown. McCann lands some elbows from the bottom. Procopio stands and lands a right hand as she goes back to the half-guard. 10-9 Procopio, 20-18 Procopio.
They trade to start the third and clinch. McCann lands an elbow and Procopio with a knee. They clinch against the fence. Procopio reverses position. Procopio gets a takedown and is working in the guard of McCann. Procopio sits back looking for a heel hook. McCann trying to roll out. They stand and Procopio has the body lock. She now has the back of McCann standing. McCann with a back elbow but Procopio gets the takedown. They are scrambling on the mat but not much is happening. Procopio still has the back and the body lock. She gets McCann back down and has the back and lands some punches. She lands more as the fight ends. 10-9 Procopio, 30-27 Procopio.
Official Result- Lara Procopio def. Molly McCann by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 30-27)
> Karol Rosa (13-3, 2-0 UFC) vs. Joselyne Edwards (10-2, 1-0 UFC) Women’s Bantamweights
Rosa gets Edwards down within the first 15 seconds. Rosa working from the top as she flattens Edwards out away from the fence. Rosa landing short punches from the top but neither doing much of anything. Rosa lands an elbow from the top. Rosa with some punches from the top. Rosa gets to the mount and lands some punches. Edwards is able to escape and they stand and Edwards lands a right hand. They are trading and Edwards landing better. Rosa lands a leg kick and they clinch to end the round. 10-9 Rosa.
They trade leg kicks and both miss huge left hooks. Rosa with a heavy leg kick that hurts Edwards. Rosa with more leg kicks and Rosa clinches and lands a knee. Rosa with some more knees to the body. Rosa lands some punches as they break. They trade leg kicks. Edwards lands a combo. They are trading near the fence. Rosa with a combo ending with a leg kick and then Edwards comes forward with a combo. They clinch and Rosa gets a takedown. Rosa landing from the top but she has a cut somewhere and blood is pouring out all over Edwards. Rosa still landing from the half-guard and Edwards not able to do much from the bottom. Rosa looking to set up a kimura but goes back to punching. Rosa finishes the round on top. 10-9 Rosa, 20-18 Rosa.
Blood is pouring from Rosa’s mouth as the third starts. They trade and Rosa changes levels and gets a takedown. Edwards lands a few strikes from the bottom as Rosa is just holding on from the top. Rosa stands and Edwards gets to her feet. Rosa with a leg kick. Edwards with a leg kick and they clinch against the fence. They battle for underhooks as Rosa has Edwards pinned against the fence. Rosa gets Edwards back to the mat and is working from the top. Rosa remains on top as the fight ends with her landing some ground and pound. 10-9 Rosa, 30-27 Rosa.
Official Result- Karol Rosa def. Joselyne Edwards by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Devonte Smith (10-2, 2-1 UFC) vs. Justin Jaynes (16-6, 1-2 UFC) 160-pound Catchweights
Smith is returning from a long layoff, and Jaynes took this fight on Tuesday. Smtih with some leg kicks. Smith lands a jab that stuns Jaynes. Jaynes lands an overhand right. Smith with a high kick. Smith with a body kick. Smith with a combo. Jaynes lands a punch that hurts Smith. Smith with a high body kick. Smith with a left hook and then a combo. Smith comes forward and lands. Jaynes grabs the leg and Smith lands some punches that seem to hurt Jaynes. They break and Smith lands late. 10-9 Smith.
Jaynes lands a combo and then tries a body lock takedown but Smith lands some punches to defend. Smith is able to reverse and get a takedown into side control. Smith with pressure from the top and lands a short elbow. Smith slides into the mount against the fence. Smith landing punches as Jaynes is giving up his back. Smith landing big punches from the back and is looking for a choke and he almost had it but Jaynes escapes and Smith explodes to his feet. Jaynes is ordered up by Keith Peterson and they call a timeout to check on Jaynes’ eye. It looks horrible. They call the fight off as the bruising under Jaynes’ left eye is really bad. This is the right call. Great showing by Smith.
Official Result- Devonte Smith def. Justin Jaynes by TKO (doctor stoppage) at 3:38 of Round 2
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> Mike Rodriguez (11-5 1 NC, 2-3 1 NC UFC) vs. Danilo Marques (10-2, 1-0 UFC) Light Heavyweights
Marques going right for the takedownand completes it. Rodriguez gets to his feet but Marques has the body lock as they battle against the fence. Marques gets another takedown but isn’t doing much with it. Marques gets to side control and lands a few elbows. Rodriguez works to his feet but Marques still has the body lock and takes him back down but is still doing nothing. Marques lands a couple of left hands as they stand. Rodriguez lands an elbow before they break. 10-9 Marques.
Rodriguez looking to land to start the second. Rodriguez with a leg kick. He lands another as Marques is looking for a takedown, and Rodriguez lands an uppercut. Rodriguez with another leg kick. Marques gets a takedown. Marques lands some short punches. Marques gets the mount and lands some short punches. Marques with more right hands. He lands more as Rodriguez has shown no way to get out from the bottom here. Marques gets the back. Marques with the body triangle and is now looking for a rear-naked choke and Rodriguez is out! Marques gets the submission win with seconds left in the second round.
Official Result- Danilo Marques def. Mike Rodriguez by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:52 of Round 2
> Diego Ferreira (#10, 17-2, 8-2 UFC) vs. Beneil Dariush (#13, 18-4-1, 12-4-1 UFC) Lightweights
They trade kicks to start. Dariush lands some left hands. Dariush shoots for a takedown against the fence. Ferreira defending well and he drops down looking for an omaplata and looks for an armbar before they scramble up. Dariush gets a takedown but they get up and trade punches in a wild exchange. They were trading and Dariush lands a knee to the body that hurts Ferreira bad. Ferreira tries to bait Dariush to the mat and Dariush gets on top. Dariush landing but Ferreira looking for a leg lock but Dariush escapes and moves to the guard of Ferreira. Dariush with big punches from the top. Dariush looks for the back. They get to their feet. Ferreira lands a combo that cracks Dariush. Ferreira with a body kick. They trade at the end and Ferreira lands a front kick to the face that stuns Dariush. 10-9 Dariush.
They are trading big punches to start the second. Dariush with a kick. Ferreira with a front kick to the body of Dariush. Dariush with a leg kick and Ferreira lands a right hand. Dariush shoots for a takedown and completes it. Dariush in the guard of Ferreira. Dariush stands and Ferreira nearly lands an upkick as Dariush goes back into his guard. They scramble up and Dariush is on the back. Dariush lands a knee and Ferreira tries to roll for a leg lock but Dariush escapes. Dariush jumps on the back of Ferreira standing but they separate. Dariush gets a takedown. They get to their feet. Dariush with a leg kick and Ferreira lands a punch then Dariush gets a takedown. Dariush in the guard of Ferreira and both landing punches. Dariush moves to the half-guard. Ferreira with elbows from the bottom and Dariush landing punches from the top. Dariush ends the round on top. 10-9 Dariush, 20-18 Dariush.
Dariush with a leg kick. Ferreira lands a left hand and Dariush counters with a leg kick. Dariush with a left hand. They trade punches. Ferreira lands a counter right hand. Dariush chasing a takedown but Ferreira escapes. Dariush lands a kick to the groin of Ferreira and we have a timeout. We get back to action and they trade body kicks. They trade left hands. Dariush tries a takedown but Ferreira slips away and Dariush lands a left hand as he gets up. Dariush with a left hand. Dariush with another left hand. Dariush lands a kick and Ferreira dumps him to the mat and Ferreira looks to get on top but they end up getting to their feet. They’re trading in close range. Dariush gets a takedown. Dariush has the back of Ferreira and is looking to get the hooks locked in. Ferreira escapes and Dariush looks for a leg lock as time runs out. Really good fight here. 10-9 Dariush, 30-27 Dariush.
Official Result- Beneil Dariush def. Diego Ferreira by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Pantoja lands a right hand. Kape looking for an opening. Pantoja with a body kick. Kape with a left hand. Pantoja with a leg kick. They trade punches. Pantoja looks for a takedown opening but Kape defends. Pantoja with a right hand and then a body kick followed by a leg kick. Pantoja lands some right hands. Pantoja being more active. Kape lands a right hand. Pantoja with a leg kick. Pantoja with a body kick. Kape tries a cartwheel kick but misses and Pantoja gets on top and lands some ground-and-pound. 10-9 Pantoja.
Kape lands a couple of punches to start the second. Pantoja with a kick and then a right hand. They trade kicks and both land punches. Pantoja with a leg kick and eats a counter combo from Kape. Pantoja with a body kick. Pantoja with a right hand. Kape with a leg kick. Pantoja with a right hand and Kape counters with a combo. Pantoja with a body kick. They trade kicks. Kape with a high kick and Pantoja counters with a right hand. Kape gets a takedown and has the back of Pantoja as they stand and they break. They trade late and Kape with a late takedown. 10-9 Pantoja, 20-18 Pantoja.
They trade quick punches to start the third. Kape with a left cross and Pantoja lands a right hand. Kape looking to get more active in this round. They trade and Kape is just so much faster but his volume is lower than Pantoja’s. They are trading and Pantoja lands a body kick. Kape still looks fresh. Kape with a quick combo. Kape landing more as he hurts Pantoja. Pantoja with a body kick. Kape lands a jab. Kape with a body kick and gets a takedown but they get right back up and Pantoja lands a knee. They exchange late and Kape has the back as the fight ends. Good fight. 10-9 Kape, 29-28 Pantoja.
Official Result- Alexandre Pantoja def. Manel Kape by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
> Michael Johnson (19-16, 11-12 UFC) vs. Clay Guida (35-20, 15-14 UFC) Lightweights
Johnson lands a combo. Guida lands a right hand. They trade in close range. Guida lands a hard right hand. Guida lands some hard right hands. Guida with a head kick. Guida is throwing hard punches. Johnson tries to land a knee as Guida rushes in for a takedown. Guida gets a takedown. Guida works from the top but they stand and Johnson lands a knee as they break. Johnson with a combo and lands a knee to the chin. They clinch and Johnson controlling the underhook against the fence. They trade knees and separate. Guida lands a hard right hand. Johnson with a combo. Guida lands a right hand and Johnson counters with a left. Guida lands two late right hands. Fun round. 10-9 Guida.
They trade to start the second. Johnson lands a combo. Guida shoots in and gets a takedown against the fence. They work to their feet but Guida with relentless pressure against the fence. Johnson landing some hammerfists as Guida was working for the takedown and they break as Johnson lands a knee. Guida shoots for another takedown. Guida trying hard for it but Johnson defending well. They break and Guida still trying for the takedown but Johnson defends and has Guida pressed against the fence. They break. They trade punches. Guida trying for a takedown again but Johnson defending as time runs out. 10-9 Johnson, 19-19.
They both rush to the center and are throwing. Both throwing wild punches and neither landing. Johnson lands a jab and Guida with a knee. Johnson rocks Guida with a punch. Guida chases a takedown and gets it against the fence. They get to their feet and Guida has Pantoja pressed against the fence. Guida gets Johnson down and has the back and is looking for a rear-naked choke. He has it locked in but not super tight and Johnson is defending. Johnson is able to escape but Guida still has the body triangle. Guida finishes the fight in that position. Fun fight. 10-9 Guida, 29-28 Guida.
Official Result- Clay Guida def. Michael Johnson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Cory Sandhagen (#2, 13-2, 6-1 UFC) vs. Frankie Edgar (#4, 24-8-1, 18-8-1 UFC) Bantamweights
Edgar with a leg kick as he is coming forward. Sandhagen with a leg kick. Edgar comes forward and Sandhagen lands a flying knee and Edgar is out cold! What a knockout by Sandhagen, holy cow.
Official Result- Cory Sandhagen def. Frankie Edgar by knockout (flying knee) at :28 of Round 1
> Alistair Overeem (#5, 47-18 1 NC, 12-7 UFC) vs. Alexander Volkov (#6, 32-8, 6-2 UFC) Heavyweights
Volkov comes forward and lands a leg kick. Volkov lands a right hand. Overeem looking for an opening. Volkov with a leg kick and follows it with a right hand. Overeem with a left hand. He lands another. Overeem with a left hand. Volkov with a high body kick. Volkov lands a punch and Overeem slipped and Volkov got on top and was landing but Overeem was able to get to his feet. Volkov lands two right hands and follows it with a knee. Volkov lands a few jabs and then lands punches as Overeem was covering up. Great round for Volkov. 10-9 Volkov.
Volkov landing to start the second. Overeem looking to clinch. Overeem covering up as Volkov looks to land. Volkov stuns Overeem with a combo. Volkov lands some punches that hurt Overeem. Volkov landing against the fence as Overeem covers up. Overeem is cut open. Volkov landing again. Volkov lands a combo and Overeem falls to the mat and Jason Herzog stops the fight. Volkov with the win and he looked outstanding in this fight.
Official Result- Alexander Volkov def. Alistair Overeem by TKO (punches) at 2:06 of Round 2
A look at the different directions Brock Lesnar could go is the lead story in the new issue of the Observer. We look at the money he can generate for a fight with Jon Jones, the reality about his trying to fight today, why he’s a free agent right now, what Tony Khan said about Lesnar, and why, unless Dana White isn’t telling the truth, it’s unlikely he will fight. Plus we’ve got comments by both White and Scott Coker on fights they would want to make if he does want to fight.
Also in this issue:
Positive COVID tests of Dwayne Johnson, A.J. Styles, Kevin Nash, Glover Teixeira and others that came out this week.
Payback, including the genesis of the Roman Reigns heel turn, the Rey Mysterio injury, the booking of the show, plus poll results and star ratigns.
New Japan at Jingu Stadium, including Tetsuya Naito growing up going to the stadium, all three-time IWGP champions, most IC tilte runs in Japan, business notes, plans for the tour going on this weeeknd, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.
The departure of Mauro Ranallo from WWE, looking and his five years in the company, his background prior to the company, what old and new projects he’s expected to work on, and why he left.
The NXT title Iron Man match, next Takeover shows, Rey Mysterio television cartoon show, Paul Levesque stock sales, Levesque talks UK brnad, more on different allegations against WWE talent, returns of peope who have sit time out, change to Payback, Charlotte Flair news, Renee Young talks leaving WWE, Styles talks Heyman, lots of TV ratings updates internationally, new member of WWE Board of Directors, WWE market value and the most watched shows of the past week on WWE Network.
This past week’s UFC show.
Bio of Tom Anderson, who wrestled as The Claw and one half of the Masked Interns tag team. We look at two of the most tasteless angles in wrestiling that he was involved in, how one failed miserably and how the other was a huge business success. This includes the death of Alberto Torres, the heyday of the The Interns, the history of the masked doctors tag team and where it all came from, and classic stories involving Paul “Bear” Bryant, Ken Ramey, Lonnie Mayne, Beauregarde and what top promoter wouldn’t use the Interns and Ramey and why.
The life and career of Ric Drason, from bodybuilding to wrestling, including what two AEW stars he started, the glory days of Gold’s Gym in Santa Monica and the characters involved, his art work that sold millions of T-shirts, how one of the greatest wrestlers of all-time got his name from him, and why he had chacnes to be a star and the reason he never was.
A major change in how television ratings are done and how this is expectede to impact sports the most.
A comparison of the last week of AEW with competition and the show this past week where the only television competition was a replay show. We look at how this impacted every audience, what the audience numbers are likely to be for a regular unopposed Wednesday for AEW or NXT, and go in depth as to both sides of why WWE and USA would or would not want to move NXT. We also look at the huge change in the AEW audience from 8/12 to 9/2. We also have how the audience ebbed and flowed during the Iron Man match.
Ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.
Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
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SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE
Our weekend show is already up on the site covering AEW, Smackdown, the WWE’s new doctrine regarding third party deals and much more.
Matt Hardy has been released from the hospital. He was doing much better today. Every company needs to have a better mechanism when it comes to stopping matches. Every company will have concussions issues because it is inherent with the product and always has been. It’s hard to do and performers hate it, but matches need to be stopped after concussions or even last night, if there was no concussion, because the risk was very clear of being one. There are a lot of questions regarding AEW clearing Matt Hardy to do the finish last night after cracking his head on the floor and seemingly being out of it. WWE has done the same on several occasions in recent months including twice with Kairi Sane, and New Japan had a similar issue on last year’s U.K show with KENTA in the Ishii match. It should be stopped and get them checked out.
AEW released an announcement saying that Hardy took an MRI and CT scan and both indicated he did not have a concussion. He is being driven back home at this time and he will be appearing on Wednesday’s television show doing a promo.
I’ll have a lot more about last night’s show in the new issue, but there are a number of lessons to learn out of it.
AEW is the No. 4 most searched topic on Google today, but that’s 50,000 searches because it’s early in the day. It was not on yesterday’s list. Alistair Overeem was No 17 yesterday with 50,000, which would be one of the lowest UFC marks of the year. Dwayne Johnson was No. 4 on Wednesday with 500,000 for coming out that he and his family had COVID-19. Wrestling fan Ron Jeremy was No. 8 on Monday with 200,000 for his latest arrest.
As it turns out, based on schedule changes, there is no NHL game on USA this Wednesday. Like last week, NXT will still be airing on Tuesday and there will be a replay on Wednesday. Right now the replay is scheduled by SYFY and not USA.
UFC
Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contenders show at 8 p.m. on ESPN+
Tafon Nchukwi vs.Al Matavao – light heavyweights
Cameron Church vs. Sherrard Blackledge – lightweights
Phillip Hawkes vs. Khadzhimurat Bestaev – middleweights
Mana Martinez vs. Drake Rodriguez – bantamweights
Aliaskhab Khizriev vs. Henrique Shiguemoto – middleweights
MISCELLANEOUS
While it is listed and it’s been out everywhere that today is Wendi Richter’s 59th birthday, her personal Facebook page as well as women’s wrestling historian Ken Raftery has said she told him personally that her birthday is September 8, 1960, so she actually turns 60 on Tuesday.
We want to make mention of the death of longtime subscriber Robert Solari II, who had helped out a lot of talent in the Detroit area over the years. He also hosted a pro wrestling hotline for years. He passed away early Saturday at the age of 49.
CWE results from Friday night in Winnipeg: Mike Mission b Dick Blood-DQ, Sammy Peppers b Roy Cheeks, Travis Cole b Kevin O’Doyle, Shaun Martens & Bobby Schnik b Rob Stardom & Johnny Malibu, Jude Dawkins b Dragneel, Cory Diamond & Alix Zwicker b Danny Duggan & Kat Von Heez-DQ, Adrien Burton b Tyler James, EZ Ryder b Kevin Cannon-DQ, Kevy Chevy b Bryce Bentley, Chad Daniels b AJ Sanchez. Next show in Winnipeg is 10/2 with a spin the wheel make the deal match.
Turner Classic Movies on Friday night ran the Let the Good Times Roll music documentary on 50s rock and roll and during the video of the 1959 No. 1 hit song Charlie Brown, there was a lot of Gorgeous George match and out of the ring footage including i a woman’s hair salon, and disinfecting the ring. (thanks to Mike Lano)
Showcase TV in the U.K. which airs on Sky Ch. 192 in the UK and airs Fight Network programming looks to have dropped its pro wrestling content, at least temporarily. They had aired Impact and ROH in regular time slots until about ten days ago. Impact continues in the U.K. on 5Star in a late night time slot (thanks to Matthew Evans)
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC on ESPN 8: Overeem vs. Harris, emanating from the Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.
The Octagon remains in Jacksonville as the UFC finishes up their stretch of three events in eight days inside the empty arena with a heavyweight main event and an overall strong card.
Former title challenger Alistair Overeem takes on Walt Harris in the five-round headline bout. Overeem is looking to get back into the win column after having his lip split by Jairzinho Rozenstruik in December. Harris returns to action for the first time since the tragic kidnapping and murder of his stepdaughter, fighting with a heavy heart as he looks to move his unbeaten streak to five straight.
In the co-main event, it is a battle in the women’s strawweight division as former title challenger Claudia Gadelha looks to end Angela Hill’s three-fight win streak as Hill fights for the third time this year already. Also on the main card is streaking Dan Ige, winner of five straight, welcoming Edson Barboza to the featherweight division, middleweights Eryk Anders and Krzysztof Jotko meet, and Song Yadong takes on Marlon Vera.
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.
They trade early and Nascimento landing some leg kicks. Mayes throwing kicks but missing a little. They clinch and Nascimento looking for a takedown along the fence. They break and Nascimento with some leg kicks. Mayes lands a punch. Mayes with a leg kick and follows it with a body kick. Nascimento comes in with a flurry and lands a nice punch before they clinch. Nascimento gets a takedown and is in the half-guard. Nascimento stands and lands some punches before he gets back into the guard of Mayes. Nascimento stands and lands a punch. Mayes scrambles to his feet and they trade. 10-9 Nascimento.
Nascimento lands some good punches and a head kick before they clinch against the fence. Mayes has Nascimento against the fence and Nascimento is able to get a takedown and has the back and gets a rear-naked choke locked in and Mayes taps. Nascimento scores a win in his UFC debut.
Official Result- Rodrigo Nascimento def. Don’Tale Mayes by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:05 of Round 2
> Cortney Casey (8-7, 4-6 UFC) vs. Mara Romero Borella (13-7 1 NC, 2-3 UFC) Women’s Flyweights
They trade and clinch early and Borella gets a takedown and is in the guard of Casey. Borella working from the top and landing some short punches. Casey looking for a triangle choke and then an armbar but Borella escapes and scrambles back to the top. Casey still looking for an armbar and has the arm and is looking to extend it. She has it locked in and Borella taps! Slick submission by Casey as she gets the win.
Official Result- Cortney Casey def. Mara Romero Borella by submission (armbar) at 3:36 of Round 1
> Darren Elkins (24-8, 14-7 UFC) vs. Nate Landwehr (13-3, 0-1 UFC) Featherweights
Elkins landing the jab early on. Elkins lands a straight right hand. They trade punches and Herb Dean warns Elkins about leaving his fingers out straight. Elkins tagging Landwehr and shoots for a takedown. Elkins completes the takedown against the fence and is working from the top. Elkins almost had the neck as they scramble to their feet. They break. Elkins lands a combo. Landwehr started to land some good punches and kicks and Elkins is cut open. Elkins shoots for a takedown and Landwehr with some dirty boxing. They exchange comes in the final moments of the first. 10-9 Elkins.
The cut on Elkins was from an accidental clash of heads. They trade early and Landwehr lands a nice uppercut followed by a straight left hand. Elkins is trying for a takedown but Landwehr is defending the attempts. Elkins lands two nice right hands. They exchange after Elkins misses a takedown. They trade right hands. Elkins with a right hand. They trade punches and Elkins is landing some good right hands but Landwehr is landing his combos good. Elkins with a body kick and follows it with a combo. Elkins goes for a takedown but Landwehr lands a knee right to the chin. Elkins trying to lock up the takedown but Landwehr gets the underhook and spins Elkins to the fence but they break. They are both constantly throwing shots. They clinch but break and Landwehr lands a right hand after they break. Elkins now lands a right hand. Elkins’ face is a bloody mess. Landwehr with an elbow and Herb Dean calls a timeout for the doctor to check on the cut on Elkins. He’s cleared to continue. Landwehr showboating and fighting with one hand behind his back. 10-9 Landwehr, 19-19.
Landwehr lands a knee to the jaw but Elkins fires back with a right hand. Elkins’ face is a mess. Elkins is looking for a takedown but Landwehr able to reverse to the top but they scramble up. They trade in close range. I don’t know how Elkins can see. He is landing combos and they are trading in close range. Elkins throwing punches as he comes in looking for a takedown. They trade position and Landwehr with some body punches. Elkins lands a straight right as they break. They trade and Elkins is just covered in blood. Elkins with a nice right hand. Elkins lands some good punches and then a right hand. Landwehr slowing down and Elkins coming on strong. Landwehr with a hard uppercut. They trade late and Landwehr rocks Elkins. This fight was so great. Close fight too. 10-9 Elkins, 29-28 Elkins.
Official Result- Nate Landwehr def. Darren Elkins by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Rivera took this fight on 36 hours notice. Rivera with a quick Superman punch. Chikadze with a leg kick and then a body kick. Chikadze with a leg kick. Rivera comes forward with some punches but they miss. Rivera lands a left hand and Chikadze with a knee. They trade. Rivera lands a punch and Chikadze lands a knee. Chikadze with a body kick. Rivera with a leg kick and Chikadze lands a left hand followed by a leg kick. Chikadze with another leg kick and Rivera checks it. 10-9 Chikadze.
They trade early in the second and Chikadze is landing more. Rivera tries a takedown and Chikadze defends. Chikadze with a front kick right to the face. Chikadze with a high kick and then lands an uppercut. Chikadze with a high kick and follows it with a left cross. Chikadze with a left hand and Rivera has a cut under his eye. Rivera lands a left hand. Chikadze lands a nice combo. 10-9 Chikadze, 20-18 Chikadze.
Chikadze lands a big knee and Rivera falls to the ground and then gets right back up and starts throwing punches. They scramble to the ground and get up. Rivera lands a left hand. Chikadze lands another knee right to the jaw. Chikadze with another high kick. Chikadze lands some more body kicks. They trade late and scramble to the mat as the fight ends. 10-9 Chikadze, 30-27 Chikadze.
Official Result- Giga Chikadze def. Irwin Rivera by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
> Anthony Hernandez (7-1 1 NC, 1-1 UFC) vs. Kevin Holland (16-5, 3-2 UFC) Middleweights
Holland lands a right hand. Holland lands an elbow and then a big knee to the body that hurts Hernandez. Holland lands another as Hernandez falls to the mat and Holland starts following up with punches and finishes it off. Impressive showing from Holland.
Official Result- Kevin Holland def. Anthony Hernandez by TKO (strikes) at :39 of Round 1
> Matt Brown (22-16, 15-10 UFC) vs. Miguel Baeza (8-0, 1-0 UFC) Welterweights
Brown looking to land the jab right away. They trade kicks. Baeza lands a nice jab and the follows it with a leg kick. Baeza with a leg kick. Baeza with a left hand. Brown lands a combo. Brown lands a hard combo and a hard right hand that sends Baeza’s mouthpiece flying. Brown landing elbows and they break and Baeza is on wobbly legs. Brown with an elbow against the cage. They clinch and Brown lands a knee. Baeza lands some leg kicks. Brown lands a hard combo and then Baeza lands a hard punch that rocks Brown and Brown falls backwards and they scramble on the mat. Baeza on top and landing some punches and elbows to the body. They scramble to the feet. They break. Baeza with a right hand. Brown with an elbow. Brown with a left hook. Close round. 10-9 Brown.
Baeza lands a nice combo to start the second. Baeza then lands a counter left hook that drops Brown and he finishes it on the ground. Big stoppage by Baeza.
Official Result- Miguel Baeza def. Matt Brown by knockout (punches) at :18 of Round 2
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> Song Yadong (#14 BW, 14-4-1 1 NC, 4-0-1 UFC) vs. Marlon Vera (#15 BW, 15-5-1, 9-4 UFC) Featherweights
These guys are fighting up a weight class for this one. Vera with some kicks to start. Yadong now with a leg kick. Vera tries a high kick but Yadong blocks it. They keep trading and both are landing some good punches and kicks. Yadong with a right hand and then a quick combo. Yadong with a left hook. They clinch against the fence and both land some body punches. They trade knees to the body. Vera with a nice inside elbow and then a couple of knees to the body. 10-9 Yadong.
Both throwing early but neither landing much. Yadong lands a couple of right hands and Vera with a leg kick. Yadong lands a nice combo to the body. Vera with a quick combo as he grabs the clinch but they quickly break. Yadong was landing some nice punches to the jaw of Vera and Vera was a little stunned but still pressing forward. Yadong with a hard left hook. Vera lands a high kick and Yadong grabs the leg but lets go. Vera lands a nice jab and then a well-timed knee as Yadong was coming in. They clinch against the fence and Vera with some knees. They break and they have a wild exchange against the fence. Yadong lands a nice combo and a hard right hand. Vera with a hard left to the body. Frantic pace to this close round. 10-9 Vera, 19-19.
They trade and Vera gets a takedown and almost got the mount but ended up in the guard of Yadong. Vera stands to try and transition and Yadong is able to get to the fence and they work to the feet. Vera rips the body and they break. They trade in close range. Yadong lands a nice combo. Yadong with a right hand and then lands another as Vera was coming in for an uppercut. Vera with a knee to the body. They both land some good shots. Vera with a knee to the body. Vera gets a trip takedown but they quickly gets up. Vera with a knee. Yadong with a hard elbow. Yadong tries a takedown and Vera gets his back and steps over to the top. Vera lands and then they stand. Close fight. 10-9 Vera, 29-28 Vera.
Official Result- Song Yadong def. Marlon Vera by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Eryk Anders (13-4, 5-4 UFC) vs. Krzysztof Jotko (21-4, 8-4 UFC) Middleweights
Both throwing shots but not much landing. They clinch and Jotko with some short punches. Jotko lands a nice combo. They trade and Anders goes for a takedown but Jotko tries to grab the fence to block. They go to the mat for a moment but scramble up and separate. Jotko lands as Anders initiates a clinch. They break and Anders lands a couple of heavy shots. Jotko with two leg kicks. Jotko goes for a takedown and has the back of Anders. Jotko tries a takedown but Anders reverses and then Jotko reverses as they scramble up. Anders just misses a head kick. They clinch and both land some good shots. Anders with some body punches and has the neck as the round ends. 10-9 Jotko
Anders comes rushing right in looking for a takedown but Jotko defends. Jotko with a leg kick as Anders applies pressure but they separate. Jotko lands a left hand. Jotko with an elbow and Anders tries for a takedown but Jotko defends. They break from the fence. Anders goes for a takedown again but Jotko still defends. Anders with a spinning elbow on the break. They trade in close range and Anders again going for a takedown. Anders with some knees against the fence. Jotko getting warned again for trying to grab the fence. 10-9 Anders, 19-19.
Anders trying right away for a takedown as Anders has the body lock. Anders with a short knee and lands an elbow as he is trying to finish a takedown. Jotko escapes and lands some good punches and lands one right on the jaw. Anders still chasing the takedown as he pushes Jotko against the fence. They break and both trade punches and Anders again pushes Jotko against the fence. Jotko talking trash. Jotko landing some knees to the body. They break and exchange. This fight was ugly. 10-9 Jotko, 29-28 Jotko.
Official Result- Krzysztof Jotko def. Eryk Anders by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
> Dan Ige (#15, 13-2, 5-1 UFC) vs. Edson Barboza (#11 LW, 20-8, 14-8 UFC) Featherweights
They are trading early and Barboza lands a right hand that sends Ige down to the ground. Barboza gets into his guard and lands from the top. Ige with some hammerfists from the bottom. They get to their feet and Barboza lands a body kick. Ige with a big swing that just misses but lands a body punch. Barboza with a leg kick. Ige with some body punches. Barboza with a leg kick. Ige has a cut under his right eye. Ige with a right hand and they clinch for a second. They break and Barboza with a body kick. Barboza with a late leg kick. 10-9 Barboza.
Ige lands a nice combo and a flying knee. Barboza with a body kick. They trade and Ige initiates a clinch against the fence. Barboza has the plumb clinch and lands some knees to the body while Ige is landing some body punches. Ige with a right hand as they break and Barboza with a body kick and left hook. Ige with a hard combo. Barboza with a body kick and a leg kick. Ige with a combo and Barboza lands a leg kick. Barboza with another hard body kick and follows it with a leg kick. They clinch and Ige with an inside elbow. Ige tries a takedown but Barboza defends it. Barboza with a knee to the liver that hurts Ige and they scramble to the mat and Barboza on top. Ige with hammerfists from the bottom but Barboza lands on top to end the round. 10-9 Barboza, 20-18 Barboza.
Barboza lands a nice combo to start the third. They trade and Barboza lands a leg kick. Ige with an overhand right. They trade in close range. They clinch and Barboza with a nice body combo against the fence. Ige goes for a takedown but Barboza defends. Ige lands a nice right hand and follows it with another nice punch. Barboza with a hard leg kick. They trade and Ige gets a takedown and is landing from the top. Ige working in the half-guard and landing body punches from the top. He finishes the round with some good shots from the top. Close fight. 10-9 Ige, 29-28 Barboza.
Official Result- Dan Ige def. Edson Barboza by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
> Claudia Gadelha (#6, 17-4, 6-4 UFC) vs. Angela Hill (12-7, 7-7 UFC) Women’s Strawweights
Both missing their punches so far in the first thirty seconds. Gadelha lands a right hand. Hill lands a left hand. Hill lands some right hands after Gadelha lands a good combo. They trade in close range and then clinch against the fence. Gadelha working hard for a takedown against the fence. Hill digging the underhook. Gadelha gets the takedown and is in side control and lands a left hand. They push against the fence but Gadelha retains side control. Gadelha lands a left hand from the top and then a hammerfist. 10-9 Gadelha.
They trade to start the second. Hill lands a good right hand. They trade in close and Hill lands a right hand that drops Gadelha. Hill lets her up. Hill lands another right hand. Gadelha is cut around her eye. Hill with a combo. Gadelha lands a good combo and then shoots for a takedown. Hill with a knee to the body as Gadelha pushes her against the fence. They break and Hill just misses an elbow. Gadelha with a combo. Hill lands a right hand. Gadelha with a right hand. They trade hard punches. Hill with a combo to the body. They trade punches. Hill working to the body more. Hill with a body kick and lands a late flurry. 10-9 Hill, 19-19.
They trade to start the third. Gadelha with a leg kick and Hill lands a left hand. Both land a good punch. Gadelha with a right hand and then another. Hill lands a jab and then another left hand. Gadelha with a leg kick. Hill with a right hand and Gadelha fires back with one. They trade punches. Hill with a knee to the body and then a high kick. Gadelha with a right hand and then a left hook. They both miss spinning attempts. They trade in close and Gadelha gets a clinch. Gadelha with a big elbow as they break and then a right hand. Gadelha with a late combo and they both land late. Close fight. 10-9 Gadelha, 29-28 Gadelha.
Official Result- Claudia Gadelha def. Angela Hill by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Overeem with a spin kick to the body. Harris lands a left hand and then a high kick. Harris just misses some big punches. Harris lands a big combo that drops Overeem. Overeem still scrambling on the mat as Harris is landing big punches. Harris landing a lot of punches but Overeem is surviving. That could have been stopped a couple of times there but Overeem gets to his feet. Harris with a front kick and Overeem is still hurt. Overeem grabs Harris and has him on the mat and is in side control. Overeem has a big cut open over his left eye. Overeem landing from the top as he has Harris pinned on the bottom. Harris getting warned for fingers in the cage. Harris breathing heavy. Overeem landing left hands from the top. Overeem with some big knees to the body. Overeem with a nice comeback in the round. 10-9 Harris.
Harris with a high kick after Overeem misses some punches. Harris missing his punches. Overeem with a leg kick. Overeem with a head kick and then a right hand and Harris goes to the ground. Overeem grabs the back and is landing lots of punches and Harris not doing much to defend. Overeem gets full back control and is landing. Overeem all over Harris as he flattens him out and keeps landing. Overeem still landing punches and this is finally stopped. Overeem gets the win as Harris is emotional after the fight.
Official Result- Alistair Overeem def. Walt Harris by TKO (punches) at 3:00 of Round 2
When all the punches and kicks are thrown, all the blood is wiped off faces, and we get answers to all of our burning questions, there will be the UFC 203 post-event press conference, streamed live here in the early Sunday morning hours.
What are those questions we want answered? We’re glad you asked.
– How did former WWE star CM Punk fare in his MMA debut?
– Did Stipe Miocic successfully defend his UFC heavyweight title for the first time?
– Did Alistair Overeem claim his last major fighting title with UFC gold?
– Did youth or experience win out in Urijah Faber vs. Jimmie Perez?
– Did anyone else get attacked by an elevator like C.B. Dolloway did?
– Did any major future fight announcements get made, especially for UFC’s NYC debut?
Watch all of those questions get answered and more after UFC 203: Live From Cleveland wraps up.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 203: Miocic vs. Overeem, eminating from the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.
We’re looking for your thoughts on this show, as well as tomorrow’s Backlash show, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worest match to [email protected]
The event is headlined by UFC Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic making his first title defense against challenger, Alistair Overeem. In the co-main event, it is a heavyweight battle as former UFC Heavyweight Champion Fabricio Werdum meets Travis Browne in a rematch of their April 2014 bout won by Werdum. Also on the card is the MMA debut of former professional wrestler C.M. Punk, who makes his much-hyped Octagon debut against Mickey Gall.
********** YANCY MEDEIROS (12-4 1 NC, 3-4 1 NC UFC) VS. SEAN SPENCER (12-5, 3-4 UFC)
First round: Medeiros with a body kick. Low kick by Spencer. Medeiros with a body punch. Left by Spencer. Spencer with a nice right. Body kick by Medeiros. Low kick by Spencer. Low kick by Spencer. Body kick by Medeiros. Left by Spencer. Medeiros with a body kick which knocked Spencer to one knee. Body kick by Spencer. Lots of Whoo chants which often happen s at UFC shows. Very close round. 10-9 Medeiros.
Second round: Medeiros landed a left kick to the head which knocked Spencer down. Medeiros grabbed a guillotine, but then let it go and got behind him and grabbed a choke and had it in deep for the submission.
DREW DOBER (16-7 1 NC, 2-3 1 NC UFC) VS. JASON GONZALEZ (10-2, 0-0 UFC)
First round: Gonzalez hurt him with a punch. Dober kicked him low. Dober was given a warning. Dober landing a flurry of punches. He’s landing a lot of punches and the ref stopped it as Gonzalez went down. The sequence was a right to the jaw, left to the jaw, a few punches missed or grazed, then a huge right, then a left and another right and it was over. 1:45
NIK LENTZ (26-7-2 1 NC, 10-4-1 1 NC UFC) VS. MICHAEL MCBRIDE (8-1, 0-0 UFC)
First round: McBride missed weight by two pounds. Lentz landed some punches. He landed a knee to the head but McBride spun out of a choke attempt. Lentz got behind him and took him down into back control. Lentz with a knee to the body and another trip takedown. McBride back up. Lentz got him down again. McBride trying for a leg lock. Lentz throwing punches from back position. Lentz tried a guillotine again but McBride out. Lentz throwing punches. Lentz throwing some punches and elbows from back control. 10-9 Lentz.
Second round: McBride landing punches. Lentz landing punches. McBride seems real tired but put Lentz down and has his back. Lentz is back up. McBride with punches and took him down again. Lentz is trying for a guillotine. Lentz got his back. Lentz working for a head and arm choke. Lentz landing a lot of punches from back position. McBride put his thumb up like he was okay but the ref stopped it.
First round: Magalhaes with a body kick. Magalhaes got the takedown. Tavares back up. Tavares pushing Magalhaes up against the cage. Not much happened this round. Both trading knees at short range. Magalhaes 10-9.
Second round: Body kick by Magalhaes. Body kick by Magalhaes Good right by Tavares. Front kick by Tavares. Low kick by Magalhaes. Magalhaes got a takedown but Tavares right back up. Another close round, could go either way. 19-19
Third round: Tavares pushed him into the fence. Magalhaes working for a guillotine. He let it go. Tavares landed punches. Low kick by Tavares. Both traded. Body kick by Tavares. Right by Tavares. Body kick by Tavares. Magalhaes with a left hook. Right by Tavares and a high kick. Magalhaes in with some punches. Tavares with a knee. Tavares definitely took this round, so I’ve got 29-28 but the first two rounds were close.
First round: Eye is from Cleveland and is the big crowd favorite here. Eye landed a right. Nice right by Correia. Right by Eye. Eye took her down but Correia was let back up. Eye landing more punches. Eye 10-9.
Second round: Eye landing punches. Both were landing punches. Both were bleeding at this point. Eye 20-18.
Third round: Eye landing body kick. Correia landed. Both traded. Eye landed a left. Correia landed a left. Correia landing more punches. Both in a clinch and landing punches. Correia’s round so 29-28 Eye.
Scores: 29-28 Correia 29-28 Eye 29-28 Correia. The crowd is really upset. Fact is this fight could have gone either way.
First round: Andrade took her down. Andrade cut over the left eye from an elbow. Andrade with a high takedown into side control. The cut look s nasty. Andrade landing punches. Short power bomb by Andrade. Andrade landing punches. Andrade with good punches. Andrade back in side control. Calderwood got half guard back. Andrade working for a guillo0tine. Calderwood tapped. This was a strong one-sided win for Andrade.
Jimmie Rivera (19-1) vs. Urijah Faber (33-9)
First round: Front kick by Faber. Nice right by Rivera. Low kick by Rivera. Very little happening. Both are moving. A quick trade. Very hard to score because so little happened. Faber may have a right hand injury because he’s not throwing the right. Rivera 10-9.
Second round: Low kick by Rivera. Accidental low blow kick by Faber. Rivera landed a few punches. Low kick by Rivera put Faber down. Right by Rivera. Another low kick by Rivera. Another low kick by Rivera. Another low kick by Rivera. Faber’s left knee looks swollen. Another low kick by Rivera. Hard low kick by Rivera. Another low kick by Rivera. They traded punches. Rivera’s round I’ve got it 20-18. Boring fight.
Third round: Both swinging. Body kick by Faber. Faber tried for a takedown but didn’t get it. Right and left by Rivera. Rivera dropped down for the takedown. Low kick by Rivera. There was an accidental eye poke by Faber. Rivera back with punchds. Rivera landed more late. Rivera said he couldn’t see out of his right eye from that eye poke as soon as the match ended. Rivera 30-27. Boring fight.
Scores: All three had it 30-27 for Rivera. It’s sad to see Faber in this position.
Rivera was almost in tears about fighting Faber saying he grew up watching him. He said he couldn’t see out of his right eye the last three minutes of the fight. He told the doctor he wanted to finish the fight. He kind of apologized for not finishing. Rivera said he knew Faber doesn’t check kicks so he took advantage of that.
C.M. PUNK (0-0, 0-0 UFC) VS. MICKEY GALL (2-0, 1-0 UFC)
First round: Mickey Gall came out to “Hey Mickey” after all the controversy so Dana gave in on that. Punk came out to “Cult of Personality.” Punk looked so happy coming out and just being in the cage. It’s so weird how this is the real main event. Punk got a big reaction. Gall took him right down. Gall landing big shots from the top. Gall working for a guillotine. Gall go this back and working for a choke. Gall gave it up and punching and again working for a choke. Gall landing lots of punches. Gall is landing a lot of punches and again working for a choke. Punk escaped. Gall got it again and Punk tapped. This was a one-sided slaughter. This is just reality. 2:14
Gall said this has been crazy, it was a great opportunity, said people hate too much, he hated all the things people have said with Punk. We’ll all be dead in 100 years fuck the hate. He said this was a great opportunity for me, he said people may say you’re a gimmicky fight but I’m no gimmick. He challenged Super Sage Northcutt next. That’s exactly who he should have called out. Exactly.
Punk’s right ear looks like hell. Punk said this was a hell of a mountain to climb. He said this doesn’t mean he’s going to stop believe it or not. Said Mickey was a hell of a fighter. Said this was the second best night of my life other than getting married. Life’s about falling down and getting up and said to believe in yourself. Sometimes the outcome won’t always be what you desire it to be but the true failure is not trying at all, This was the time of my life.
First round: Werdum came out with a flying side kick that landed to the chin which was one of the best moves of the fight. Wedrum went for takedown. Werdum tried a Jushin Liger koppo kick but that missed as well. Werdum looks so slow. Browne suffered a dislocated finger and popped it back in. The dislocation came from a punch. The referee went to stop the fight as an injury time out which makes no sense. The fight should have been stopped. They all argued about whether to allow the fight to continue and they let it continue. Werdum with a body kick. Werdum is now landing. Werdum landing all kinds of punches. Browne actually landed some punches. Werdum with a spin kick to the body. Browne landed a left. Another left by Browne. Low kick by Werdum. Brown landed a right. Front kick by Werdum. Browne threw him down. Werdum with low kick. Werdum dropped him with a right. Werdum landing punches on the ground. Werdum got his back. Werdum working for a choke. Werdum landing lots of punches from back position until the round ended. 10-8 Werdum.
Second round: Spin kick by Werdum. Werdum landing punches. Werdum with a body kick. Fans are booing as nothing is happening. Browne with a front kick. Werdum with a right to the chin. Uppercut by Werdum. Left by Browne landed. Werdum is so slow. Brown with a left hook to the body. Crowd booing now. Browne with a left. Low kick by Browne. Werdum tried another Liger kick that missed. Werdum 20-17.
Third round: Browne with low kick and another. Werdum with a low kick. Werdum tried a takedown but Brown easily blocked it. Side kick by Werdum. Werdum landing punches. Werdum landing more pucnhes and knees. Browne with high kicks. Right by Browne. Browne landed a right. Werdum dropped down for a takedown that didn’t come close. Werdum landed a right. Left by Werdum. The crowd is booing this like crazy. It’s really bad fight with both looking slow and doing little aside from Werdum having him in trouble late. Werdum 30-26
Wedum started mocking the fans booing. Werdum threw a kick at Edmond Tarverdyan (Browne’s trainer) when Tarverdayn started mouthing off to him. There’s going to be trouble for that. It was broken up quickly. Bruce Buffer went to calm Werdum down. Werdum’s corner was hot as well.
Scores: 29-28, 29-27 and 30-27 for Werdum.
The crowd is booing Werdum heavily in his interview. Werdum said it was a good fight blamed the booing on this being Stipe Miocic’s house.
First round: Loud Stipe chant. Overeem moving backwards. Body kick by Oveeeem. Overeem just running away. Overeem deked him with a left and put on a guillotine but Miocic is out of it. That was insane. Miocic landed a left but Overeem with a body kick and a left. Miocic landed a right. Miocic with good punches. Miocic landed a good right. Miocic landing good punches. Miocic landed punches and Overeem is running away. Overeem with a body kick. Overeem with an uppecut and knee to the body. Loud “Stipe” chants. Body kick by Miocic. Left by Overeem and a body kick. Body kick by Miocic. Miocic landing several punches. Miocic took him down and is pounding on him. Miocic finished him with punches on the ground. Overeem was out after a series of punches on the ground. That was a hell of a round. This is one of the biggest celebration pops in UFC history. Overeem was out cold. They tried to get him on the stool and he fell back down. 4:27
Miocic interview. Said Overeem kicked harder than he thought. Said he kicked hard as f***.
Overeem said Stipe was the better man today, he’s a great athlete and he came to fight. Overeem said that Miocic tapped from the guillotine and the ref didn’t see it. He said it’s a bummer. He said he’s the better fighter but he wasn’t the better fighter.They showed the replay and no tap and the fans booed the hell out of it. Now theyr’e going to look at it again. There was no tap. Overeem looked like the kid who lied and got caught red handed.
While all of the offical weigh-ins took place Friday morning, the roster of sluggers and sluggettes for Saturday’s UFC 203 will publicly take to the scales at 6 PM EST for all of the world’s eyes to see.
That means CM Punk will (possibly) be stripping down to his Underoos for the first time in several years for public consumption. Punk hit the scales at 170 pounds, meaning there’s nothing else standing in his way, aside from slipping on a pipe or an attack by HHH, from him making his MMA debut against Mickey Gall Saturday.
The card also features heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic vs. Alistair Overeem, a redemption fight in Fabricio Werdum vs. Travis Browne, Urijah Faber looking to prove people wrong against rising prospect Jimmie Rivera, a Sempervive special in Joanne Calderwood vs. Jessica Andrade, and more.
For more coverage of CM Punk and UFC 203, visit the Related Articles links below.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC FIght Night 87: Overeem vs. Arlovski from the Ahoy Rotterdam in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. This marks the first time the UFC has held an event in The Netherlands. The event is headlined by a five-round bout in the UFC heavyweight division as Alistair Overeem looks to secure the next title shot when he puts his three-fight win streak on the line against former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski. Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 10:30 AM eastern time with preliminary action all the way thru the main card.
Gates out to “Purple Rain” by Prince so he wins some points from me right away. And Ulka Sasaki counters that with Hunter Hearst Helmsley’s “Ode to Joy”. Advantage Gates.
Sasaki looks like a rail at this weight. He shoots for a takedown right away but Gates defends against the cage. Sasaki completes it 45 seconds in. Gates working for a triangle but Sasaki fights him off. Gates to his feet at 1:45 but Sasaki takes his back standing. Gates landing punches to Sasaki’s head but Sasaki won’t let go of his back. Sasaki with another takedown at 2:45. Gates up at 3:15 and they’re in a cage clinch with Gates in control. Sasaki stuffed on a takedown attempt and eats a hard punch from Gates that stuns him. Gates with a hard knee to the head and follows up with a punch combo. 10-9 Sasaki but close
Sasaki with a takedown 30 seconds in after eating some punches standing. Gates with a guillotine from a sitting position but gives up on it quickly. Gates to his feet at 1:15 and has Sasaki pinned against the cage. Sasaki gets control but Gates landing elbows to the head. Sasaki with another takedown at 1:45. Gates gives up his back at 2:00 and Sasaki with a full body lock. Sasaki landing elbows and punches to the head to set up a rear naked choke. Sasakigets the choke at 3:30 and Gates taps quickly.
WINNER – ULKA SASAKI (19-3-2) by submission (rear naked choke) at 3:30 of the 2nd rd
WELTERWEIGHTS- LEON EDWARDS (10-3, 2-2 UFC) VS. DOMINIC WATERS (9-4, 0-2 UFC) (Lukasz Bosacki – ref)
Waters out to “Run this Town” by Rhianna and Jay Z. Good tunes so far today. Edwards counters with “Mo Money, Mo Problems” by Notorious B.I.G. Dead heat right there. Lot of heat between these guys and this one should be fun.
Waters gets a takedown 30 seconds in. Edwards up right away and takes Waters down. Waters working for an armlock and Edwards stands up to escape. Waters shoots for a takedown and eats a hard shot to the head from Edwards at 2:00. Edwards uses a front headlock to keep Waters down after defending the takedown. Edwards takes his back at 3:00 and then gets mount at 3:15. Edwards not doing anything from mount as Waters is holding him close. Edwards finally landing some punches and elbows at 4:30 and then working for a shoulder lock. 10-9 Edwards
Waters shoots for a takedown right away, eats a knee and then gets taken down by Edwards. Edwards actually landing more punches from guard than he did from mount. Edwards into side control at 1:30. Ref stands them up at 2:15 though. Waters rocks Edwards with a punch after the standup but Edwards goes to a cage clinch right away. Quick separation. Edwards knocks Waters down with a jab at 3:30 but lets him up. Waters initiates a cage clinch at 3:45 and takes Edwards’ back standing. Waters with a takedown off a suplex at 4:30 and Edwards landed hard. Might be enough to steal him the round. Waters lands a few light punches before the buzzer. Very close. 10-9 Waters, 19-19
Waters eats a hard high kick to the head early. Both corners though Edwards won both rounds, which could be right. Waters with a takedown at 1:00. Waters landing light punches to the body but not even trying to advance and Edwards to his feet at 1:45. Edwards lands a front kick to the face and Waters shoots for a takedown but stuffed easily by Edwards. Edwards with a flying knee followed by a punch combo. Waters shoots for a takedown and they end up in a cage clinch. Waters completes at 3:15 but Edwards right up. Waters still in control of a cage clinch. Edwards lands a knee to the body on another takedown attempt by Waters and ends up on top of him. Edwards landing punches to the body and head. Edwards landing elbows as well as the round ends. 10-9 Edwards, 29-28 overall
WINNER – LEON EDWARDS (11-3) by unanimous decision (30-27 x 3)
FLYWEIGHTS- (#5) KYOJI HORIGUCHI (16-2, 5-1 UFC) VS. NEIL SEERY (16-11, 3-2 UFC) (Marc Goddard – ref)
The string of awesome walkout songs came to a crashing halt here. No idea what song either guy used. Seery’s still pic looks like he’s 36 going on 100. Horiguchi cornered by Sami Zayn…no wait, that’s former WEC Champion Mike Brown.
Horiguchi knocks down Seery with a punch combo 30 seconds in and all over him but Seery weathers it. Seery sweeps and almost ends up on top but does get to his feet. Horiguchi with a takedown at 1:15. Seery working for an armlock but gives it up quickly. Seery to his feet and in control of a cage clinch. Quick separation. Crowd is loving this. Both guys throwing bombs at 2:00. Horiguchi knocks Seery down with a punch at 2:15. Seery to his feet quickly. Seery bleeding under his left eye. Horiguchi with a takedown at 3:15. Seery landing some elbows to the head from the bottom. Horiguchi postures up and drops a hammer fist. Horiguchi into side control at 3:45 and working for a head and arm choke. Seery to his feet at 4:30. Horiguchi with a hard body kick. Almost a 10-8 but definitely Horiguchi’s round, 10-9
Horiguchi backs up Seery with a punch combo early. Seery now cut under his right eye and bleeding heavily. Horiguchi takes him down at 45 seconds. Seery to his feet at 1:15. Horiguchi covered in Seery’s blood as well. Seery advancing for the first time in the fight. Seery with a takedown attempt but Horiguchi ends up taking his back standing. Seery escapes fairly quickly. Seery continuing to advance but Horiguchi landing punches while retreating and moving out of the way of Seery’s punches for the most part. Horiguchi with a nice punch combo at 4:00. Horiguchi with a takedown at 4:30. Closer round but still clearly to Horiguchi and he’s now up 20-18
Seery advancing to start again. His corner seems to have closed the cut but there’s still a lot of swelling around that eye. Horiguchi initiates a cage clinch at 1:30 and gets a takedown off a trip. Horiguchi stands up and Seery follows. Horiguchi rocks Seery with a punch but he stays on his feet. Another hard shot from Horiguchi sends Seery reeling into the cage but again he stays up. Seery still advancing and shoots for a takedown at 2:30 which ends up in a cage clinch. Horiguchi gets control. Cut around Seery’s right eye has opened up again and bleeding heavily. Seery breaks free from the clinch but Horiguchi takes him down off a single leg. Seery up quickly. Horiguchi landing knees to the body while maintaining control of a clinch. Separation at 4:15. Seery stuns Horiguchi with a body shot but he recovers quickly. Seery gets a takedown at 4:45 but Horiguchi sweeps into top position. 10-9 Horiguchi, 30-27 overall
WINNER – KYOJI HORIGUCHI (17-2) by unanimous decision (30-26; 30-27 x 2)
PRELIMINARY CARD (FOX SPORTS 1- 12 PM ET/9 AM PT)
LIGHTWEIGHTS- YAN CABRAL (12-2, 2-2 UFC) VS. REZA MADADI (13-4, 2-2 UFC) (Leon Roberts – ref)
Madadi with a takedown attempt early but stuffed by Cabral. Cabral stuffed on a takedown attempt of his own at 1:00. These guys look like middleweights after seeing two flyweight fights on the prelims. They are big lightweights. Madadi in control of a cage clinch at 2:00. They trade light knees but nothing much happening. Separation at 3:00. Cabral lands a knee to the body and then shoots for a takedown but stuffed by Madadi. They’re in another cage clinch and crowd getting restless. Cabral finally gets a takedown out of the clinch at 4:00. Cabral working for a Kimura and uses it to advance into mount. Cabral takes his back and working for a rear naked choke while securing a body lock. Madadi to his feet and escapes right before the round ends. 10-9 Cabral
Crowd boos heavily when they didn’t touch gloves to start the round. Then they exploded with cheers when they did. Then they did it again to an even louder pop. That was great. Madadi advancing and lands a punch combo at 1:15. Cabral with a takedown attempt. Madadi ends up in a cradle position with control of Cabral but Cabral escapes and gets up. Back to a cage clinch at 1:45 with Cabral in control. Ref warns them at 2:30 with not much happening. They separate on their own at 2:45. Back to a cage clinch with Madadi in control at 3:30. Madadi landing knees to the body but the ref’s had enough and breaks them. Both swinging wild punches but missing and then Madadi gets a takedown. Cabral landing punches from the bottom and Madadi stands up, making Cabral follow him. Madadi with a nice punch combo and then clinches up on the cage again as the round ends. 10-9 Madadi, 19-19
Madadi rocks Cabral with a hard right early and Cabral shoots for a takedown. They end up in another cage clinch. Separation at 1:00. Madadi lands a spinning back fist and Cabral shoots for another takedown. Madadi with a front headlock choke but gives it up quickly. Madadi rocks Cabral with punches and the ref steps in to stop him as Cabral was out on his feet.
WINNER – REZA MADADI (14-4) by TKO at 1:56 of the 3rd round
LIGHTWEIGHTS- JON TUCK (9-2, 3-2 UFC) VS. JOSH EMMETT (9-0, 0-0 UFC) (Rich Mitchell – ref)
Tuck gets the party going around with “Jump Around” by House of Pain. Emmett seems very relaxed and confident for a guy making his UFC debut on less than one week’s notice. Tuck opens up with a nice punch combo. Emmett landing punches of his own and mixes in a hard body kick at 1:45. Emmett falls after missing a head kick and Tuck follows him to the ground, briefly taking his back but Emmett up quickly. Emmett stalking him now and picking him off with punches. Emmett shoots for a takedown right before the round ends but stuffed. 10-9 Emmett
Tuck rocks Emmett with a knee to the head early but doesn’t follow up and Emmett recovers. Emmett with a nice kick/punch combo at 2:45 but really not much happening other than both guys trading single shots. Crowd whistling/booing at 4:30 as nothing is happening. Emmett rocks Tuck with a hard left at 4:45. I almost never do this but that was a 10-10 round, 20-19 Emmett
Emmett opens with a punch combo. Round is going the same as Round 2 for the most part although Emmett is definitely more active. Crowd is very quiet. Emmett with some bleeding on his nose from a Tuck punch. Tuck advancing at 2:45 and the crowd is really starting to turn on the fight. Jon Anik says it’s the first time tonight but it’s definitely not. Emmett acting like he may have broken a finger and Tuck is picking up the pace at 3:45. Tuck chasing him down but not really throwing much of anything. Tuck finally hits him with a punch combo and follows up with a knee. Emmett literally running away at 4:30. Tuck stuns him with a combo at the end. 10-9 Tuck, 29-29 overall. Apparently, Emmett’s bone was sticking out of his finger at the end of the round.
WINNER – JOSH EMMETT (10-0) by split decision (29-28 x 2; 28-29)
Emmett’s finger was mangled as they did a close-up of it in his post fight interview.
MIDDLEWEIGHTS- MAGNUS CEDENBLAD (13-4, 3-1 UFC) VS. GARRETH MCLELLAN (13-3, 1-1 UFC) (Lukasz Bosacki – ref)
McLellan looks like a long-lost member of the Wyatt family and comes out to 80’s classic “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC. Cedenblad couldn’t look more different. Like a really tall accountant.
Cedenblad with early cage control but it’s McLellan landing more shots, mostly kicks to the body and legs. Cedenblad knocks McLellan down with what might’ve been his first landed punch at 2:30 but McLellan right up. Cedenblad lands another hard right at 4:15. McLellan misses a spinning back fist right before the buzzer. 10-9 Cedenblad
Cedenblad rocks McLellan with a kick to the body and then finishes him off with punches.
WINNER – MAGNUS CEDENBLAD (14-4) by TKO at 47 seconds of the 2nd round
LIGHTWEIGHTS- RUSTAM KHABILOV (19-3, 4-2 UFC) VS. CHRIS WADE (11-1, 4-0 UFC) (Leon Roberts – ref)
Khabilov gets the first takedown off a clinch at 1:15 but Wade right up. Both guys mostly trading leg kicks for the first two minutes. Crowd solidly behind Khabilov with RUSTAM chants. Wade with the first punch combo after a front kick to the body of Khabilov at 3:00. Wade initiates a cage clinch. Khabilov takes control, takes the back of Wade and gets a takedown. Wade up at 4:15 but Khabilov takes him down again and nails him with hammerfists to the head. Khabilov still on his back in a front headlock position. 10-9 Khabilov
Khabilov controlling the pace early. Wade knocks Khabilov down with a head kick and follows him to the ground but Khabilov recovers quickly and ends up on top. Khabilov takes his back. Wade escapes into top position but gets caught in a triangle at 1:45. Wade escapes and still in top position but Khabilov has him tied up in the guard pretty well. Khabilov bleeding from the mouth, probably from the kick. Wade not able to do anything from the guard, despite his corner telling him to strike. Wade stands up at 4:00 and Khabilov follows him. Khabilov with a punch combo backs Wade up. Khabilov with a takedown at 4:30. Khabilov working for a head and arm choke and lands some elbows to the head. 10-9 Wade, 19-19 overall
Wade advancing to start the round. Nice punch exchange 45 seconds in. Khabilov takes Wade’s back standing at 1:15 and gets a takedown. Khabilov with a full body lock on the ground. Wade landing light punches to the head while Khabilov working for a choke. Khabilov landing hard punches to the head and gives up the body lock to improve position. Khabilov takes the back again and landing a ton of punches to the head and body. Wade desparately trying to get to his feet and does at 3:30 but Khabilov takes him right back down, landing in his guard. Khabilov into side control at 4:15 and continuing to land punches. Wade briefly up at 4:45 but Khabilov takes him right back down again. 10-8 Khabilov. 29-27 overall
WINNER – RUSTAM KHABILOV (20-3) by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x 2)
MAIN CARD (FOX SPORTS 1- 2 PM ET/11 AM PT)
WOMEN’S STRAWWEIGHTS- (#10) KAROLINA KOWALKIEWICZ (8-0, 1-0 UFC) VS. HEATHER JO CLARK (7-4, 1-0 UFC) (Marc Goddard – ref)
Clark is fighting for the first time since the TUF 20 finale in December 2014. They pretty much trade single shots for the first 90 seconds. Clark with a punch combo and initiates a cage clinch at 2:00. Quick separation. Clark with another punch combo and back to the cage clinch at 2:45. Quick separation. KK slips off a high kick attempt but Clark lets her up. Clark initiates another cage clinch. Separation at 4:00 as KK punches out of it. Nice punch exchange at 4:15. KK stuns Clark with a spinning back kick. Clark initiates another cage clinch and landing punches to the body as the round ends. 10-9 Clark
Kowalkiewicz more aggressive to start the 2nd. Nice punch combo from KK 45 seconds in. Clark initiates a cage clinch and gets a flash takedown but KK right up. Nice punch combo at 2:15 from KK. Clark with a cut on the side of her nose and she initiates another cage clinch at 2:45. KK gets separation after a series of knees to the body but Clark clinches up again the first chance she gets. KK lands elbows to the head and breaks out of the clinch, chasing Clark across the cage. KK with a Muay Thai clinch in the centre and lands knees to the body. KK with a takedown and takes Clark’s back, working for an armbar. She loses position but holds on to the armbar right before the round ends. 19-19, rd 2 for KK
Kowalkiewicz advancing again to start. Clark pushes her against the cage and clinches at 1:30. KK landing body punches and gets separation fairly quickly. KK rocks Clark with a punch combo and tries for a takedown but they end up in a cage clinch. Clark ends up in control. Quick separation and KK with another punch combo. Clark goes for the takedown but KK lands some knees to the body. Clark clinches on the cage but KK separates quickly. Clark now advancing. KK lands a hard knee to the body and follows up with a punch combo. Clark clinches up on the cage again at 4:15. KK separates and just peppering Clark with punches and elbows. KK landing a ton of punches right before the bell, almost finishing Clark. 10-9 Kowalkiewicz, 29-28 overall
WINNER – KAROLINA KOWALKIEWICZ (9-0) by unanimous decision (30-27 x 2, 29-28
KK gets a post-fight interview and thanks all the fans from Poland and asks for a top 5 fighter next time out. Best use of mic time so far tonight.
Krylov was called “The Miner” in the pre-fight video package but was back to “Al Capone” by the time Buffer did the ring intros. Krylov rocks Barroso early with punches but the Brazilian clinches up on the cage to stop his momentum. Krylov landing knees to the legs from the clinch. Crowd booing 1:45 in as not much happening, unusual for a Krylov fight. He’s only been out of the first round once according to the announcers. Separation at 2:15 and both guys landing punches. Barroso lands an uppercut and shoots for a takedown at 2:45 and they end up in a cage clinch. Barroso completes the takedown at 3:15 but Krylov up quickly. Krylov advancing. Krylov with a punch combo backs Barroso up and they clinch again. Krylov landing knees to the legs and body. Separation at 4:15. Another cage clinch at 4:30 initiated by Krylov and then Krylov separates with a punch combo to close the round. 10-9 Krylov
Krylov all over Barroso with punches and kicks to start the round and they end up in another cage clinch. After Krylov tries to separate, Barroso gets a takedown. Krylov sweeps to top position. As Krylov tries to posture up, he’s nailed by an upkick. Krylov warned for a headbutt to the chest but gets to keep his position. They bring Marc Rattner in and he questions that decision as well. Krylov in his guard and landing punches to the head. Krylov postures up to improve position and ends up in a triangle but he quickly escapes. Krylov takes his back at 3:00 and secures a rear naked choke and gets the quick tap.
WINNER – NIKITA KRYLOV (20-4) by submission (rear naked choke) at 3:11 of the 2nd round
And he changed his nickname again, as Buffer refers to him as “The Miner” in the winner’s announcement.
WOMEN’S BANTAMWEIGHTS- (#14) GERMAINE DE RANDAMIE (5-3, 2-1 UFC) VS. ANNA ELMOSE (3-0, 0-0 UFC) (Rich Mitchell – ref)
de Randamie is from the Netherlands and gets a superstar reaction coming out. Elmose looks so happy. Crowd exploding with every shot that de Randamie lands early but Elmose pushes her into a cage clinch. early. Crowd going nuts with chants I can’t make out. Elmore landing just enough punches to avoid a separation . de Randamie lands knees to the body to break free and the crowd explodes with each one. Elmose with a takedown attempt but de Randamie defends and ends up on top. Crowd is so loud with each punch landed, it can’t help but influence the judging. de Randamie landing hard knees to the body against the cage and Elmose down. One more shot and the ref steps in to stop it and the place comes unglued. Can’t imagine what it will be like if Overeem knocks out Arlovski.
WINNER – GERMAINE DE RANDAMIE (6-3) by KO at 3:46
In her post-fight promo, Jon Anik brought up that she was offered the Cyborg fight next week in Brazil but turned it down to be on this card in her home country. That fight would make sense to do next if Cyborg beats Leslie Smith.
WELTERWEIGHTS- (#13) ALBERT TUMENOV (17-2, 5-1 UFC) VS. GUNNAR NELSON (14-2-1, 5-2 UFC) (Marc Goddard – ref)
Nelson opens up with a punch combo. Nelson standing there with his chin out, daring Tumenov to hit him. Tumenov advancing. Nelson with a side kick that pushes Tumenov back into the cage. Nelson with a takedown at 2:00 and moves quickly into mount. Nelson not doing a lot from the position but does land a couple hard elbows. Tumenov escapes at 4:30. Tumenov with a nice punch combo and a side kick before the buzzer. 10-9 Nelson
Tumenov advancing to start. Tumenov with swelling on his forehead from those elbows from mount in Round 1. Nelson shoots for a takedown and they’re in a cage clinch 45 seconds in. Tumenov has a big cut on his back, not sure where it happened. Nelson with a takedown at 1:30 and right into side control. Nelson into mount at 2:15. Tumenov tries to escape and gives up his back. Nelson with a full body triangle and landing punches to the head from behind. Nelson working for a choke and he gets it and the quick tap.
WINNER – GUNNAR NELSON (15-2-1) by submission (rear naked choke) at 3:15 of the 2nd round
HEAVYWEIGHTS- (#12) ANTONIO SILVA (20-7-1, 3-5-1 UFC) VS. STEFAN STRUVE (26-8, 10-6 UFC) (Leon Roberts – ref)
Crowd is so loud you can barely hear Buffer’s intro. Struve drops Silva with a knee early and finishes him with elbows on the ground. Crowd is going nuts. Silva is completely done as a fighter.
WINNER – STEFAN STRUVE (27-8) by TKO at 16 seconds
That was the third fastest finish in UFC HW history. He dedicated the fight and performance to Jordan Parsons, who passed away earliest this week. He did a promo in Dutch with no translater that the crowd seemed to like.
Place came unglued for Overeem’s entrance, as expected. Arlovski advancing to start and opens up with a punch combo that seems to hurt Overeem but he weathers it. Arluvski backs him up to the cage at 1:00 and they’re in a cage clinch. Crowd chanting for Overeem and the ref warns them to work as they’re stalled against the cage. Overeem escapes after a knee to the body but Arlovski still advancing. Overeem clinches in the centre and lands some knees to the body but Arlovski separates. Arlovski lands a hard body kick followed by a leg kick and the crowd explodes for each one. Overeem gets a trip takedown after a couple more leg kicks at 4:00. Overeem landing punches to the head and body from guard. Overeem postures up and gets nailed by an Arlovski upkick so he backs off a bit. 10-9 Overeem but close
Arlovksi advancing to start again. Overeem rocks Arlovski with a punch to the face but Arlovski fires back with a crisp cobo. Overeem drops Arlovski with a front kick and then finishes him off with punches on the ground. Arlovski actually looked really good up until that kick. Overeem is a serious contender.
WINNER – ALISTAIR OVEREEM (41-14) by TKO at 1:12 of the 2nd round.
Overeem dislocated his toe after the head kick and the doctor put it back into place after the fight.
Overeem had his goals set out before the promo. He challenged the winner of Miocic/Werdum to a title fight at MSG in November and then promised to defend the title next year in The Netherlands.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC On FOX 17: Dos Anjos vs. Cerrone 2 from the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. The UFC’s final event of 2015 airs on FOX with UFC Lightweight Champion Rafael Dos Anjos making his first title defense against top contender Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, winner of eight straight fights. They fought once before in 2013, a bout won by Dos Anjos. In the co-main event, it will be a long-awaited heavyweight bout as former UFC Heavyweight Champion Junior Dos Santos takes on Alistair Overeem. Follow along with our live coverage beginning at 3:30 PM eastern time with preliminary action.
We’re looking for your thoughts on these three shows this weekend, with a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to Dave Meltzer
HEAVYWEIGHTS- FRANCIS NGANNOU (5-1, 0-0 UFC) VS. LUIZ HENRIQUE (8-1, 0-0 UFC)
First round: Ngannou has an 83 inch reach. Low kick by Ngannou and Henrique, a Brazilian wrestling champion, got the takedown. Henrique keeping busy from the top. The ref ordered a standup even though he was busy. Henrique going for a takedown but Ngannou defending. Trading punches and Ngannou landing and got a nice punch. Close round. Henrique got the takedown and top control but Ngannou had the best punch late. Ngannou 10-9.
Second round: Ngannou landing punches. Knee by Ngannou. Henrique moving in trying for a takedown. Crowd booing as they are in a clinch. The ref separated them. Henrique moved him into the cage. Nganou landing punches. He dropped him with a hard left uppercut in a flurry and it’s over.
First round: This a rematch of a fight Hassan won on TUF. Both throwing and missing. Luque landed a left. Luque landed a big right, Hassan shot in for a takedown and Luque immediately grabbed his neck, working for an Anaconda choke and Hassan passed out. Hassan had no idea what happened.
WELTERWEIGHTS- KAMARU USMAN (6-1, 1-0 UFC) VS. LEON EDWARDS (10-2, 2-1 UFC)
First round: Usman working for a takedown but doesn’t have it Edwards landed a head kick Edwards with more punches. Usman again working for a takedown and got it. Edwards is working for a triangle. Usman landing punches from the top now Edwards back up. Close round. Usman 10-9.
Second round: Usman with a body kick. Nice left by Umasman. Usman working for a takedown and got him down. Usman working the body from the top. Edwards go back up. Edwards trying for a takedown but can’t get it. The ref separated them. Trading punches. Nice right by Usman. Edwards kneed him low. Usman with a takedown. Usman 20-18.
Third round: Usman with another takedown. Edwards back up. Edwards went for a guillotine but Usman took him down into side control Usman landing a lot of punches from back postion now. Lots of knees to the butt by Usman. Usman dominated the round, should win 30-27, could be 30-26 or 29-28 or 29-27.
Scores: 29-28, 30-27 and 29-28 for Usman.
PRELIMINARY CARD (FOX SPORTS 1- 5 PM ET/2 PM PT)
FEATHERWEIGHTS- COLE MILLER (21-9) VS. JIM ALERS (13-2)
First round: Both guys trading punches and kicks from distance early. Miller with a huge reach advantage. Alers landing slightly more through 2:00. Miller with a nice punch combo at 2:15. Nice punch exchange at 3:15. Miller with a nice punch combo at 4:00. Alers answers back with a combo at 4:15. 10-9 Miller but really close.
Second Round: Alers staggers Miller with an early punch and also landing leg kicks. Alers with some damage around his right eye from the first round. Nice combo at 1:00. Total strikes are 29-26 Alers. Miller hit with an eye poke. The poke was really bad and Miller can’t open his eye so the fight is called off. No Contest.
NIK LENTZ VS. DANNY CASTILLO, LIGHTWEIGHTS
First round: Castillo tried for a takedown. Nice right by Castillo and left hook by Lenz. Lentz with an awesome looking hip toss into side control. Lentz going for a guillotine. Castillo out and on top. Lentz again going for a guillotine. Castillo with a head and arm choke attempt. Nice punches by Lentz and knee from a Thai plumb. Big right by Lentz. Knee and punches by Casillo. Great round. Right by Castillo. Lentz 10-9.
Second round: Head kick and punch by Castillo. Right by Lentz. Good body kick by Lentz. Punches moving in by Lentz. Lentz with punches and a body kick plus a takedown. Knee by Lentz but Castillo avoided it. Lentz with a body kick. Castillo looks tired. Castillo failed on a takedown. Lentz landing knees. Lentz tried for a guillotine but lost it as Castillo got on top in side control. Lentz gained guard and Lentz got back up. Left by Lentz. Castillo landing punches. Lentz 20-18.
Third round: Lentz with a hip toss but Castilo back up. Right by Lentz. Lentz with punches and a knee. Castillo took him down. Knee by Castillo. Castillo poked his eye. Castillo with a kick to the jaw. Takedown by Castillo. Lentz back up. Lentz wanted a takedown but Castillo on top. Lentz moving.in. Body kick by Lentz. Close round but I’ve got Lentz 30-27, could be 29-28.
Scores: 29-28 Castillo, 29-28 Lentz 30-27 Lentz
Lentz said he’s had a lot of medical problems stemming from cutting to 145 in the past. He also said he’s had trouble and even had problems making 155, said he hyperextended his knee in the fight.
MIDDLEWEIGHTS- JOSH SAMMAN (12-2, 3-0 UFC) VS. TAMDAN MCCRORY (13-3, 3-3 UFC)
First round: McCrory pressing him against the fence. Samann took him down. McCrory working for a triangle. NowMcCrory is working for an ambar. Now he’s back to attempting a triangle. McCrory scrambled to the top. Escape and reverse by Samann. McCrory reversed and got his back working for a choke. McCrory working for an armbar now. Samann out and on top. Samann landing some punches from back position. Very close round. McCrory 10-9.
Second round: Samann is working for a takedown. He powered McCrory down. McCrory used a headlock to reverse to the top, and got Samann’s back and is working for a choke. McCrory keeping back control. McCrory landing punches and elbows. McCrory with hard elbows. McCrory keeping hin down. McCrory 20-18.
Third round: McCrory with a head kick. Samann back with McCrory with a head kick and Samann back with a head kick. McCroty took him down, landing punches and now working for a choke. McCrory staying on top. McCrory remaining on top and landing punches. McCrory working for an uma plata. Now McCrory is working for a triangle. McCrory holding the triangle and throwing elbows. Samann finally tapped.
WOMEN’S BANTAMWEIGHTS- (#5) SARAH KAUFMAN (17-3 1 NC, 1-1 1 NC UFC) VS. VALENTINA SHEVCHENKO (9-1, 0-0 UFC)
First round: Shevchenko landed several shots. Now they’re in a clinch. Takedown by Shevchenko. Kaufman back to her feet. Kaufman went for a takedown and Shevchenko blocked it and ended up on top in the mount. Kaufman regained guard. Kaufman back up. Kaufamn went for a heel hook. Shevchenko escaped and has Kaufman’s back. Elbow from close range by Shevchenko. 10-9 Shevchenko.
Second round: Spin kick b Shevchenko. Knee by Shevchenko. Shevchenko with an elbow. Hip toss by Shevchenko. Kaufman throwing elbows off her back. Kaufman back up and they’re in a clinch. Both trying to throw the other. Shevchenko 20-18.
Third round: Shevchenko with another takedown. Kaufman back up. Knee by Kaufman. Another bodylock takedown by Shevchenko. Kaufman with a takedown into side control. Kaufman throwing elbows to the head. Kaufman landing elbows. Now she’s throwing elbows to the body. Kaufman throwing elbows to the body. Kaufman has the mount and pounding on her. Kaufman went for an armbar in the last seconds but Shevchenko slipped out. Kaufman’s round but Shevchenko should win 29-28.
Scores: 29-28 Kaufman 29-28 Shevchenko 29-28 Shevchenko. The judge scoring for Kaufman, man, I don’t know about him.
First round: Body kick by Dollaway and low kick by Dollaway. Dolloway missed a punch and Marquardt with a hard body kick. Low kick by Marquardt. Dollaway rocked him with punches. Low kick by Marquardt. Knee by Marquardt. Head kick by Dolloaway. Dollaway 10-9.
Second round: Trading punches and Marquardt knocked him out on a counter right. It was a right to the jaw.
FEATHERWEIGHTS- (#7) CHARLES OLIVEIRA (20-5 1 NC, 8-5 1 NC UFC) VS. (#9 LW) MYLES JURY (15-1, 6-1 UFC)
First round: Oliveira missed weight by 4.5 pounds. Oliveira took him down. Jury went for an armbar and Oliveira got his back. Olivera now with a guillotine and he tapped out Great ground work by Oliveira.
First round: Both out swinging. Karolina landed a few punches. Markos with a right. Crowd going crazy all night with Whoos. Flair is not in the building. Karolina cracked her with a right. Marko s with a right. Markos pushed her into the cage. Karolina with punches . Markos with a right. Right by Markos. Markos with low kicks and punches. She landed a lot of shots but Karolina nailed her with a right. Close round. Karolina 10-9.
Second round: Karolina thowing low kicks now. Nice right by Karolina. Left and right by Karolina. Low kicks by Karolina. Markos with a takedown. Markos in piggy back position. Markos is also holding a body triangle. Markos stayed behind her the entire round. Markos so 19-19.
Third round: Markos landed rights. Markos with a takedown but Karolina rolled through and on top. She’s in full mount. Punches and elbows by Karolina. Knees to the body by Karolina. Markos back up. Time running out. Karolina’s round so she should win 29-28.
Scores: 29-28, 29-28 and 30-27 Karolina.
They just announced Sage Northcutt vs. Andrew Holbook to the main card on the 1/30 FOX card from Newark.
LIGHTWEIGHTS- (#6) MICHAEL JOHNSON (16-9, 8-5 UFC) VS. (#15) NATE DIAZ (17-10, 12-8 UFC)
First round: Johnson landing low kicks. Johnson continues to land low kicks. Left by Diaz. Diaz starting to land. Diaz starring to land and laughing at him. Diaz chants. Hard body kick by Johnson. Johnson missing punches short. Competitive fight. Close round 10-9 Diaz.
Second round: Johnson with body kicks. Diaz switching stance. Diaz landing jabs. Diaz landing more. Diaz staring to land regularly. Left by Diaz.. Johnson with a left. Johnson with a right and Diaz with a left. Body kick by Johnson. Johnson big left. Diaz chants. Another left by Johnson. Diaz with lefts. Great round. Johnson with a right. Diaz landed. Diaz landing and making fun of him and landed a left and another left. Johnson back with a right. Left by Diaz. Another left by Diaz. Johnson with a left. Another left and another by Johnson. Body kick by Johnson. Diaz with two lefts. Diaz continues to land. High kick by Diaz. Diaz continues to land now. Diaz’s round 20-18.
Third round: Johnson with a body kick. Both throwing. Nice left by Johnson. Diaz with a left. Head kick by Diaz. Diaz landing punches. Knees by Diaz. Diaz landing more punches. Jabs and a left by Diaz. Johnson back landing and Diaz back. Johnson landing all kinds of punches. Johnson with a right. Johnson took him down, which made no sense. Diaz 30-27.
Scores: All three had it 29-28 for Diaz.
So Nate Diaz did an interview where it was all bleeped out but he wanted Conor McGregor saying he already punked out Cerrone and Dos Anjos at the press conference.
HEAVYWEIGHTS- (#2) JUNIOR DOS SANTOS (17-3, 11-2 UFC) VS. (#9) ALISTAIR OVEREEM (39-14 1 NC, 4-3 UFC)
First round: Brazilians chanting “You’re gonna die” at Overeem. Nobody touched for nearly two minutes. Body kick by Overeem. High kick by Dos Santos blocked. Low kick by Overem. Overeem short on a left. Knee to the body by Overeem. Left by Overeem. Left by Overeem. Low kick by Overeem. Crowd booing. Dos Santos bleeding from the nose. Overeem with a body kick. Dos Santos missed a spin kick. Overeem 10-9.
Second round: Body kick by Junior Body kick by Overeem. Another body kick by Overeem. Dos Santos missed a spin kick. This fight sucks by the way. Knee by Dos Santos First thing he’s done the whole fight. Low kick by Dos Santos. Another low kick by Overeem. Overeem with a kick to the body. Low kick by Overeem. Nice left by Overeem. Dos Santos bleeding from the right eye. Dos Santos finally started punching late in the round. Overeem dropped him with a left and finished him with a punch on the ground. The left hook knocked Dos Santos flying. Dos Santos was really mad at the stoppage. 4:43
UFC LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP- (C) RAFAEL DOS ANJOS (24-7, 13-5 UFC) VS. (#2) DONALD CERRONE (28-6 1 NC, 15-3 UFC)
First round: Loud USA chant. Dos Anjos landed early. Low kick by Cerrone. Knee by Dos Anjos and now he’s taking him apart, a kick to the body and Dos Anjos throwing a ton of punches and Cerrone is in a lot of trouble. He’s taking a ton of punches. Cerrone survived. Dos Anjos had his back and kept throwing punches until Herb Dean stopped it. 1:06
Dos Anjos said he was happy. Dos Anjos said he’d face McGregor in Brazil or in Ireland.
