A day after he declared he was a free agent, former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis has signed a multi-fight deal with the PFL.
He will be part of their upcoming “season” format in the lightweight division while saying he wants to compete at welterweight the next season.
“I’m looking to make a run at another world championship, and the PFL format will allow me to do that in 12 months and do it again the following year at 170 pounds. The offer the PFL gave me was extremely fair and they presented it as a partnership. Ready for a new chapter and a fresh start. Gonna be a fun ride,” he said to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani.
A partner of ESPN, the PFL will kick off on April 23rd with five events to follow through the end of June. The group didn’t run any events in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Pettis (24-10) defeated Alex Morono by decision in his final UFC fight on Saturday and has won his last two overall, the first winning streak he’s had in four years. He had been with the UFC for nearly a decade.
The UFC’s relationship with Disney appears to be extending past ESPN as soon as next month.
Based on a tweet, MMA Fighting and MMA Junkie confirmed and reported Tuesday that the UFC is planning to return to network TV on Saturday, January 16th on ABC. Headlined by Max Holloway vs. Calvin Kattar, the event is the first of three in eight days on Fight Island.
Neither MMAF or Junkie could confirm what portion would be on ABC and what would be on the various ESPN networks. UFC president Dana White (seen above) shared a photo of the Junkie report on his Instagram without comment, essentially confirming the news.
If it indeed comes through, this would be the UFC’s first show on network TV since December 15, 2018 — their final UFC on Fox event which closed out a six year deal that preceded the ESPN contract.
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Former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis is becoming a free agent.
Days after he defeated Alex Morono by decision at the UFC’s final event of the year, Pettis took to social media to announce the news, accompanied by a thank you letter to the UFC, Dana White, the Fertittas, and others.
Pettis was part of the WEC merger in 2010. After winning their lightweight title with the “Showtime kick” on Benson Henderson in their final ever event, he lost to Clay Guida in his UFC debut. However, he rebounded and defeated Henderson for the UFC version of the title and defended it successfully once in a submission win over Gilbert Melendez.
After losing the title to Rafael dos Anjos in his next fight, he never got back to that championship level again and failed to get back-to-back wins until his last two UFC bouts — a stretch of 12 fights over four years. Along the way, he experimented with both featherweight and welterweight, flipping back and forth between 155 and 170 frequently the last few years.
Pettis’ brother, Sergio, fights for Bellator.
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MMA Junkie via MMA DNA noted that a planed but yet-to-be announced January 30th UFC card is no longer on the books and any fights planned for that date are being moved.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 241: Cormier vs. Miocic 2, emanating from the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
The Octagon heads back to Southern California for one of the biggest fight cards of the year featuring a heavyweight title fight and the long-awaited return of one of the biggest stars in the sport.
In the main event, UFC Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier defends the championship against the main he defeated to win that title, Stipe Miocic. Cormier returns to action for the first time since a November title defense over Derrick Lewis as he has spent time recovering from a back injury. Miocic is fighting for the first time since losing the championship to Cormier at UFC 226 in July 2018.
In the co-main event, it is the return of Nate Diaz, fighting for the first time in three years, as he takes on former UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis. Diaz returns to a lot of fanfare and gets a fight he’s wanted for a while against Pettis, who is looking to go 2-0 at 170 pounds after knocking out former title challenger Stephen Thompson in March.
Also on the main card is a middleweight bout that has been in the makings for a while as former title challenger Yoel Romero takes on undefeated Paulo Costa in what could bring on lots of fireworks.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.
We are looking for your thoughts on tonight’s event, so send a thumbs up, a thumbs down or a thumbs in the middle along with a best fight and a worst fight to Dave at [email protected].
> Sabina Mazo (6-1, 0-1 UFC) vs. Shana Dobson (3-2, 1-1 UFC) Women’s Flyweights
They trade kicks to start. They trade high kicks. Mazo hurts Dobson with a body kick and starts landing punches and then some knees and elbows in the clinch. Mazo gets a takedown against the fence. Mazo with some punches from the top. Mazo with a few elbows from the top. Dobson able to sweep and almost got the back of Mazo but Mazo ends up back in her guard. Mazo landing more and they stand and Mazo lands some knees. Mazo gets another takedown against the fence. Mazo gets the mount. Mazo with some more punches from the top as the round ends. 10-8 Mazo.
Mazo landing some punches and Dobson shoots in for a takedown but Mazo defends and lands some knees. Mazo controlling the clinch as she keeps landing knees against the fence. Dobson lands a couple elbows but is still eating knees from Mazo. Mazo gets Dobson down to the ground. Mazo lands some on top but they get to their feet. Dobson lands a right hand. Mazo with a front kick. 10-9 Mazo, 20-17 Mazo.
Dobson trying to land the right hand but missing. Dobson with a leg kick and Mazo fires back with a body kick. Mazo with a body kick. Mazo with some leg kicks and then a liver kick. Dobson lands a combo. Mazo lands a bunch of knees against the fence, going to the body and the head. Mazo with more knees and Dobson is having trouble defending. Mazo gets a takedown and into side control and lands some knees to the body. Mazo looking for the mount but lands from the top and is in complete control. This fight hasn’t even been close. Mazo lands more punches from the top as the fight ends. 10-8 Mazo, 30-25 Mazo.
Official Result- Sabina Mazo def. Shana Dobson by unanimous decision (30-24, 30-25, 30-25)
> Kyung Ho Kang (15-8 1 NC, 4-2 1 NC UFC) vs. Brandon Davis (10-6, 2-3 UFC) Bantamweights
They trade leg kicks. Kang with a right hand. They trade right hands. Kang goes for a takedown but Davis defends. Davis with a knee as they break. Kang with the jab. Davis with a leg kick and Kang slips. Kang stuns Davis with a jab. Davis with more low leg kicks. They trade and Kang with a high body kick. Kang is landing the jab and drops Davis with a right hand. Davis quickly gets up and Kang takes the back. They go to the mat and Davis is trying to shake Kang off. Kang gets to mount but loses it and in the half-guard of Davis. Kang ends the round on top. 10-9 Kang.
They both come out firing to start the second. Kang with a leg kick. Kang shoots for a takedown but Davis defends it, goes for an armbar and loses his guard to Kang. Davis able to explode out from the bottom and they get up and break to the center. They trade punches. Davis with a high kick but Kang blocks it. Kang with a combo ending with an inside leg kick. Kang lands a right hand. Davis with a body kick. Davis lands a right hand. Davis with a leg kick and lands a late flying knee. Close round. 10-9 Davis, 19-19.
Davis with a right hand and follows with a leg kick. Davis slips on a kick attempt and Kang takes advantage and gets to side control on Davis. They are stood up from side control as Kang had good positioning. That was a bad stand-up. Kang gets Davis back down and is in side control once again. Kang isn’t doing much here but lands a couple of punches. Davis scrambles to his feet. Kang tries to take the back but Davis slips away and lands a big combo. Kang gets a takedown and is in the guard. Both are landing on the ground. Kang landing from the top and keeping busy. 10-9 Kang, 29-28 Kang.
Official Result- Kyung Ho Kang def. Brandon Davis by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Both ladies being patient in the first minute. Cifers lands a right hand. Esquibel lands a right hand. Cifers with a body kick. They trade punches. Esquibel lands a right hand and Cifers lands a counter right. Cifers with a right hand that lands right on the jaw. Esquibel with a head kick. Esquibel lands a left hand. Cifers with a combo. Esquibel shoots for a takedown but Cifers shakes her off. Cifers with a hard leg kick. Cifers with a right hand. Esquibel almost had a takedown at the end. 10-9 Cifers.
They are both throwing to start the second but nothing much is landing. Cifers with a leg kick that hurts Esquibel. Esquibel gets a takedown and is in the guard of Cifers. They are stood up. Cifers gets a takedown and lands a punch to the back of the head and they get up and break and Cifers lands a knee. Esquibel gets a takedown and Cifers is going for a triangle and an armbar but is in a bad position to secure it. They scramble to their feet. They trade late. 10-9 Cifers, 20-18 Cifers.
Esquibel misses a left hand and Cifers lands a leg kick. Cifers with a high kick. There is not a lot of offense going on. Cifers with a leg kick. Cifers with a leg kick and follows with a body kick. They trade punches. Esquibel gets a takedown and is in the guard and lands an elbow. Esquibel with some body punches from the top. They are stood up. Esquibel with a front kick to the chest. Esquibel with a left hand. Cifers with a combo and lands a body kick. Esquibel gets a late takedown but Cifers reverses to the feet. 10-9 Esquibel, 29-28 Cifers.
Official Result- Hannah Cifers def. Jodie Esquibel by unanimous decision (30-28, 30-27, 30-27)
They are trading early and Bermudez lands a punch and Kenney with a head kick that just barely lands. Bermudez gets a takedown. Kenney is going for a leg. Bermudez gets into the half-guard and moves to the full guard of Kenney. They get up and Kenney gets a takedown. Kenney is locked up in the half-guard of Bermudez. They scramble to their feet. They trade and Kenney with a left hand late. 10-9 Kenney.
Bermudez shooting for a takedown against the fence to start the second. Bermudez gets the back as they go to the mat and Bermudez scrambles to side control. Kenney reverses to the top. Kenney switches and has the back and locks in a rear-naked choke. Bermudez trying to slide out and does. They scramble to their feet. Bermudez lands a punch and they clinch. Kenney is tired. Bermudez gets Kenney to the mat and takes the back and is looking for a choke now. Kenney slips out and gets to his feet and goes back to the ground on top. Close round. 10-9 Kenney, 20-18 Kenney.
Kenney with a leg kick. Bermudez lands a right hand. They both land a combo. Bermudez with a nice combination. Bermudez gets a takedown and is in side control. Bermudez looks for a guillotine from the top but doesn’t have it locked in and he goes back to the half-guard. Bermudez landing from the top. He has big control from the top and ends the round with punches from the top. Close fight. 10-9 Bermudez, 29-28 Kenney.
Official Result- Casey Kenney def. Manny Bermudez by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Giagos with a body kick to start. Klose with some leg kicks. Giagos tags Klose with a left hand. They tie up and Klose lands several knees to the body. They break but then tie up once again. They trade knees and Giagos lands his knee harder. Giagos has been the controlling fighter in the clinch. They break and both miss punches. Klose initiates the clinch and pushes Giagos against the fence. Klose with an elbow as they break. Giagos with a combo late and Klose tags Giagos with a hard right hand at the end of the round. 10-9 Giagos.
Giagos with a big knee to start and they have a wild exchange. Giagos with a body kick and goes into a takedown and in the guard of Klose. Giagos landing from the top and then gets the back of Klose and has a rear-naked choke locked in. It is just on the chin and Klose gets out for a moment. Klose stands and Giagos is still on his back. He loses it and they break. They trade and Giagos lands a nice right hand. Klose with an uppercut and follows it with a hard right and Giagos is hurt. Giagos goes for a takedown but Klose defends. Klose trips Giagos to the mat and gets on top and lands a hammerfist. Klose with big punches from the top. Klose opens up a cut on Giagos. Big end of the round for Klose. 10-9 Klose, 19-19.
They clinch right away but break. Klose with a big leg kick and Giagos went to the ground but got up. Klose with an uppercut but Giagos counters with a left hook. Both throwing punches. Giagos lands a right hand. Giagos lands a combo. Klose clinches and lands a knee to the body followed by an uppercut. Giagos lands a right hand after they break. They both land punches. They trade and clinch and Klose with a foot stomp. They break and trade. Klose shoots for a takedown and picks Giagos up and slams him down but Giagos grabs the arm and tries for an armbar but Klose gets free. They get up and Giagos’ left eye is a mess. Giagos lands a right hand. They exchange late. Really good fight. 10-9 Klose, 29-28 Klose.
Official Result- Drakkar Klose def. Christos Giagos by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Sandhagen lands a right hand. Sandhagen lands an uppercut. Assuncao with a left hand. Sandhagen with an inside leg kick. Sandhagen with another inside leg kick. Assuncao with the jab. Sandhagen lands a right hand. Sandhagen with a left hook to the body. They clinch and Assuncao with a couple of knees to the body. They break and Assuncao with a left hand. Sandhagen with a right hand and then a flying knee. Sandhagen with a leg kick. 10-9 Sandhagen.
They trade punches and Sandhagen gets the clinch. Sandhagen with a knee to the head and they break. Sandhagen with a leg kick and Assuncao grabs it and they scramble to the ground and Assuncao has the back. Sandhagen able to reverse to the top and passed guard. They get up and Sandhagen takes Assuncao’s back as they go to the mat. Assuncao goes to the top as Sandhagen grabs the leg. Assuncao gets to the back and lands some punches. They continue to scramble on the mat. They continue to scramble on the mat as the round ends. Close round. 10-9 Sandhagen, 20-18 Sandhagen.
They trade to start the third. Assuncao lands a nice combo. Sandhagen with a right hand to the body. Assuncao gets a single leg and scores a takedown but they scramble to their feet. Sandhagen with an uppercut to the body. They trade body kicks. Assuncao grabs the back against the fence. Assuncao gets a brief takedown. They get up and Assuncao still has the back and lands a knee. Assuncao picks Sandhagen up and delivers a big slam but Sandhagen gets up and gets the clinch advantage. Sandhagen with the jab. Assuncao just slips away from a knee and gets the clinch. Sandhagen with a flying knee. 10-9 Assuncao, 29-28 Sandhagen.
Official Result- Cory Sandhagen def. Raphael Assuncao by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
> Devonte Smith (10-1, 2-0 UFC) vs. Khama Worthy (14-6, 0-0 UFC) Lightweights
Worthy took this fight earlier this week. Smith with a body kick. Smith lands a right hand. Smith with a high kick and Worthy blocks it. Smith with a leg kick. Worthy with a right hand to the body. Smith with a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Smith with a leg kick. Neither able to find much with their punches. Worthy with a leg kick. Worthy then drops Smith with a left hand followed by an uppercut and Smith is in all sorts of trouble and Worthy finishes him off. Wow, what a win for Worthy after taking this fight less than a week ago.
Official Result- Khama Worthy def. Devonte Smith by TKO (punches) at 4:15 of Round 1
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> Derek Brunson (#8, 19-7, 10-5 UFC) vs. Ian Heinisch (#10, 13-1, 2-0 UFC) Middleweights
Heinisch opening up quick with an uppercut and hurts Brunson with a head kick but Brunson shakes it off and grabs ahold of Heinisch. They break. They trade. Brunson with a body kick. Brunson is landing the straight left hand. Brunson shoots for a takedown but Heinisch defends. Heinisch lands a right hand. Brunson with a combo. Brunson shoots from a distance and pushes Heinisch against the fence. Close round. 10-9 Heinisch.
They trade leg kicks to start. Heinisch with a right hand that Brunson barely blocks. Brunson with a hard combo and Heinisch shoots for the takedown but Brunson sprawls. Brunson with a high kick. Brunson with a left hand and then another and Heinisch is stunned. Brunson with a body kick. Big flurry from Brunson and he takes the back of Heinisch. Brunson lets go and they trade punches. Brunson misses a head kick and slips but gets up. Brunson with some body kicks. Heinisch misses some heavy right hands. Heinisch goes for a takedown but Brunson defends and lands some big left hands. 10-9 Brunson, 19-19.
They are trading punches and Brunson lands a left hand and grabs a leg. He moves to the back and slams Heinisch down but they pop back up. Brunson lands a nice left hand. Heinisch shoots for a takedown but Brunson stuffs it. Brunson gets the body lock and gets a takedown and has the back. Heinisch gets out and grabs the leg but they break. They trade and Brunson getting the better of the exchanges. Brunson landing body kicks but Heinisch lands some punches. Both men are tired with a minute left. They trade late. 10-9 Brunson, 29-28 Brunson.
Official Result- Derek Brunson def. Ian Heinisch by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Gabriel Benitez (21-6, 5-2 UFC) vs. Sodiq Yusuff (9-1, 2-0 UFC) Featherweights
Yusuff throwing bombs right away and cuts Benitez open within seconds. Yusuff with a hard kick and follows with a right hand. Yusuff with more big punches. Yusuff with a combo. Benitez with a knee to the body followed by a leg kick. Benitez with a leg kick. Benitez with more inside leg kicks and Yusuff lands some punches. Benitez lands two left hands. Benitez drops Yusuff with a left hand but he gets up. Benitez swarms on him as he covers up. Benitez lands another left hand. Benitez with a leg kick. Yusuff drops Benitez with a right hand and then finishes him off with hammerfists on the ground. What a great finish by Yusuff as he gets the first-round stoppage.
Official Result- Sodiq Yusuff def. Gabriel Benitez by TKO (punches) at 4:14 of Round 1
> Yoel Romero (#2, 14-3, 9-2 UFC) vs. Paulo Costa (#7, 12-0, 4-0 UFC) Middleweights
Costa with a body kick to start. Romero with a left hand and Costa stumbles back. Romero with a head kick. They have a quick scramble. Costa misses a head kick. Costa hurts Romero with a punch and then Romero drops Costa with a left hand. Costa gets up. Costa with a body kick. Romero with another left hand. Costa with a right hand followed by a body kick. Costa with a combo. Romero with a knee to the body. Costa with a knee to the groin of Romero and Romero goes down and we have a timeout. We get back to action. Romero with a left hand. Costa with a head kick that Romero blocks. Romero with a takedown attempt and Costa lands punches and then Romero lands punches. They both land hard punches. Romero with a left hand. Romero with more left hands. Costa applying pressure and lands a wheel kick. 10-9 Costa.
Romero with a body kick. Costa with a combo. Costa with a body kick and Romero counters with a right hand. Costa with a couple of left hooks. Costa with a combo and he is teeing off and Romero is yelling at him while he is eating punches. They trade kicks. They trade punches. Romero has great speed but his footwork has seemed off. They trade punches. Romero with a left hand. Costa lands a right hand but Romero counters with a left hand. Costa with a high kick and Romero sticks his tongue out at him. Romero with an uppercut. Romero with a late takedown. 10-9 Romero, 19-19.
Romero with a left hand and then he lands a big flurry. Romero with a left hand and Costa lands two body kicks. Romero with a straight left hand. Romero pokes Costa in the eye and we have a timeout. Back to action and Costa with a leg kick. Costa keeps landing punches and Romero sticks his tongue out every time. Romero with a combo. Romero with a pair of left hands. Costa with a body punch and one to the head. Romero with an uppercut and a left hand. Costa with a right hand. They are throwing down and Romero lands some big punches. This is wild. Romero with a big flurry of punches and Costa is fading. Costa’s nose is pouring blood. Romero with a combo. Costa with a head kick that Romero eats. Romero gets a takedown but Costa is able to scramble up. Great, great fight. 10-9 Romero, 29-28 Romero.
Official Result- Paulo Costa def. Yoel Romero by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Anthony Pettis (#7, #9 LW, 22-8, 9-7 UFC) vs. Nate Diaz (19-11, 14-9 UFC) Welterweights
Diaz with a combo to start his attack. They trade kicks. Diaz with some pressure and Pettis lands a right hand. Pettis with a leg kick. They trade punches. They trade and clinch and Diaz lands a knee to the body and some body punches. Pettis lands a combo as they break. Diaz with a front kick to the body. Pettis with a combo and high kick. They clinch and Diaz with some body shots. They break. Diaz with a right hand. Pettis with a knee and Diaz gets a takedown. Pettis looking for a guillotine but Diaz pops out. Diaz in the guard. Diaz takes the back and lands some punches and then gets to the mount. Diaz gets the back again and lands some punches and has back control as the round ends. 10-9 Diaz.
Pettis falls down after they trade leg kicks but gets up and they clinch for a moment. Pettis lands a left hand. Pettis with a combo and lands a right hand. Diaz is cut around his eye and he keeps checking it. We have a timeout so the doctors can check on the eye of Diaz. Back to action. Pettis with a right hand. They trade right hands. Diaz with a knee to the body. Pettis lands a left hand. Diaz gets the back and scores a takedown and has side control. Diaz lands from the top but Pettis scrambles out. Diaz with a knee after they stand. Diaz with a big elbow along with fence. Diaz with a combo. Pettis is running out of gas. Diaz with a knee to the body. Loud chants for Diaz. Diaz with a big knee followed by a right hand. Pettis counters with a right but Diaz with an uppercut. Pettis with an elbow and Diaz is cut open. They trade at the end. 10-9 Diaz, 20-18 Diaz.
Diaz looks the fresher fighter heading to the third. Pettis with an uppercut as they clinch. They trade in phone booth range. Diaz with a combo. Pettis with a high kick. Diaz with a front kick. Pettis lands a right hand. Diaz with a combo and then more punches and lands some knees to the body and head. Pettis goes to the mat and Diaz is on top and landing punches. Diaz has the back and tries to get the hooks in. Crowd is loud for Diaz. Pettis spins into the guard of Diaz. Diaz landing from the bottom and blocking any offense from Pettis. Pettis lands an elbow and stands but goes back into the guard. Diaz landing from the bottom and went for an armbar but Pettis escapes and Diaz ends up on top and then gets the back. Great grappling here. Diaz landing punches from the back and takes the back. Pettis gets to the guard and Diaz throws up a triangle as time runs out. 10-9 Diaz, 30-27 Diaz.
Official Result- Nate Diaz def. Anthony Pettis by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Miocic with an inside leg kick. Cormier with a pair of leg kicks. Cormier with a left hook. Miocic with an inside leg kick. Miocic with another. Cormier with a right hand. Cormier with another right hand. They trade. Cormier shoots for a single leg and then picks him up and slams him to the ground. Cormier in side control and gets to the half-guard. Cormier with some short punches from the top but Miocic defending well. Cormier being patient from the guard of Miocic. Cormier with a big left hand from the top. Cormier with more punches from the top. Miocic tries an upkick and now Cormier trying for the back. Cormier with hammerfists. They get to their feet. Cormier with late elbows. 10-9 Cormier.
Miocic lands a jab. Miocic with an inside leg kick. Cormier with a hard leg kick. Miocic with a knee to the body. Miocic lands a right hand. Miocic with a combo. Cormier with the jab. Cormier with an elbow. Cormier with an uppercut and then a straight right hand. Cormier with another right hand. They trade punches. Miocic lands a right hand. Cormier with a hard right hand. Cormier with an elbow and they clinch. They break and Miocic lands a combo. Cormier with a right hand. They both land in an exchange. Miocic with a left hand. Cormier with a left hand and they clinch. They break. Miocic lands a right hand. Cormier with a hard uppercut. Cormier with a jab. They trade punches. Miocic with a body kick. Cormier with some punches and a head kick. They trade late. 10-9 Cormier, 20-18 Cormier.
Miocic lands a combo with a hard right hand. Miocic tries a takedown but Cormier easily defends and just misses a head kick. Cormier with the double jab. They are tagging each other in close range. They clinch and Miocic pushes Cormier to the fence. Miocic with a knee to the body. Miocic tried a spinning elbow as they broke but missed. Miocic with a combo. Cormier with the double jab. Cormier with a body kick. Cormier with the jabs again. Cormier lands a right hand. Miocic takes Cormier down but Cormier right back up. Miocic with a knee to the body. Cormier lands a combo. Cormier with a hard right hand. Cormier with a combo but Miocic lands a right hand. They trade punches late. 10-9 Cormier, 30-27 Cormier.
Miocic with an inside leg kick. Cormier with a leg kick. Cormier lands a left hand. Miocic misses a right hand. Miocic with a left hand to the body and then a right hand. The pace has slowed. Miocic is applying pressure but not throwing a lot. Miocic now going with left hands to the body. Cormier with a right hand. Miocic still ripping to the body. Cormier with a right hand. Cormier lands another right hand. Miocic lands another left hand to the body and follows it with a right hand. Miocic then lands a right hand that drops Cormier and he finishes him off in the fourth round. Wow, big win by Miocic as he regains the title.
Official Result- Stipe Miocic def. Daniel Cormier by TKO (punches) at 4:09 of Round 4 to win the UFC Heavyweight Championship
This will be Diaz’s first MMA fight since August 20, 2016 when he lost to Conor McGregor by majority decision at UFC 202. Pettis last fought back in March, defeating Stephen Thompson by KO.
There were attempts last year to make a match between Diaz and Dustin Poirier in a lightweight bout for UFC 230. However, Poirier pulled out of the event due to an injury and the fight ended up being cancelled.
Diaz and Pettis will co-main UFC 241, as Daniel Cormier will be in the main event defending the UFC Heavyweight championship against the person he beat for it, Stipe Miocic. A match between Yoel Romero and Paulo Costa has also been signed.
UFC 241 takes place on August 17 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC On ESPN+ 6: Thompson vs. Pettis, emanating from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Octagon heads back to the Music City with an entertaining main event headlined by a former champion and former title challenger.
Former welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson returns after a ten-month layoff looking to get back in the win column as he takes on former UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis, who moves up to 170 pounds for this fight looking to get back in the win column and win a third different UFC weight division.
In the co-main event, it will be heavyweight action as Curtis Blaydes takes on winner of eight straight, Justin Willis. Also on the main card is a flyweight bout with potential title shot implications on the line as Jussier Formiga takes on the undefeated Deiveson Figueiredo, and a women’s flyweight bout between undefeated hot propsect Maycee Barber and JJ Aldrich.
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.
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> Eric Shelton (#11, 12-5, 2-3 UFC) vs. Jordan Espinosa (#14, 13-5 1 NC, 0-0 UFC) Flyweights
Espinosa with a quick spin kick to the body of Shelton. Espinosa shoots in but Shelton defends. Espinosa with a leg kick. Shelton lands a right hand. Shelton with a left hook. Shelton with a counter right hand after Espinosa misses a punch. Shelton with a right hand. Espinosa with the jab and then a body kick. Espinosa with a kick to the cup and we have a timeout. Espinosa with some leg kicks as we get back to action. Shelton with a body kick. Espinosa shoots and Shelton defends against the cage but Espinosa lands a knee to the body on the break. Shelton with the double jab. Shelton with a leg kick. 10-9 Espinosa.
Shelton landing more to start the second. Espinosa with a body kick but eats a combo counter from Shelton. Espinosa with a leg kick. Shelton just misses a right hand. Espinosa with a leg kick. Shelton lands a right hand and a body kick. Shelton with a leg kick. Shelton lands a right hand. Espinosa gets a takedown but Shelton scrambles out from the bottom. Shelton lands a right hand. Espinosa with an outside leg kick. Shelton charges in with a combo. 10-9 Espinosa, 20-18 Espinosa.
Espinosa with a front kick and then pokes Shelton in the eye and we have a timeout. Shelton with the double jab as we get back to action. Shelton with a right hand. Shelton catches a kick from Espinosa and lands a right hand. Espinosa with a leg kick. Shelton with a body kick and then comes with a heavy leg kick. Shelton lands a right hand and then the jab. Shelton landing more punches. Shelton continuing to come forward. Shelton with the jab. They trade punches. Shelton with a right hand. They trade wild punches late. 10-9 Shelton, 29-28 Espinosa.
Official Result- Jordan Espinosa def. Eric Shelton by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
> Ryan MacDonald (10-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Chris Gutierrez (12-3-1, 0-1 UFC) Bantamweights
Gutierrez with a leg kick. They trade low kicks. Gutierrez with a body kick. Gutierrez landing punches as MacDonald comes inside. Gutierrez with a right hand to the body. Gutierrez with a big body kick. MacDonald with a right hand. Gutierrez with a side kick to the body. Gutierrez with a right hand to the body. MacDonald with a combo ending with a leg kick. 10-9 Gutierrez.
Gutierrez with a strong leg kick that knocks MacDonald off balance. MacDonald has a cut open on his head. Gutierrez with a jab. Gutierrez with a high switch kick. Gutierrez with a body kick. Gutierrez with a head kick. Gutierrez with another high kick. MacDonald now limping. Gutierrez really effective with his kicks. Gutierrez with a spin kick to the body. Gutierrez defending a takedown by grabbing the neck of MacDonald. MacDonald catches a kick and looks for a takedown but nice defense by Gutierrez. Gutierrez with a right hand to the body. 10-9 Gutierrez, 20-18 Gutierrez.
Gutierrez with more kicks. Gutierrez with a big body kick. MacDonald bleeding heavily from the cut on his head. They trade kicks. Gutierrez with more inside leg kicks but he has slowed down his pace and isn’t as active. Gutierrez with a body kick. Gutierrez with a leg kick. Gutierrez with more leg kicks. Gutierrez tries a takedown but ends on his back. MacDonald gets into his guard. Gutierrez rolled out from the bottom as the fight ends. 10-9 Gutierrez, 30-27 Gutierrez.
Official Result- Chris Gutierrez def. Ryan MacDonald by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Randa Markos (#15, 8-6-1, 4-5-1 UFC) vs. Angela Hill (8-5, 3-5 UFC) Women’s Strawweights
They trade and then clinch against the fence. Markos with some knees as they break and they trade and Markos coming out firing. Markos gets a takedown against the fence and into side control. Markos looking to get the mount and takes the side and almost the back against the fence and is landing punches. Markos has the back and one hook in. Markos landing punches. Markos has full back control now and now looks for an armbar. Hill holding on. Markos still attacking and has it and Hill quickly taps! That was an impressive showing from Markos.
Official Result- Randa Markos def. Angela Hill by submission (armbar) at 4:24 of Round 1
> Alexis Davis (#5, 19-8, 6-3 UFC) vs. Jennifer Maia (15-5-1, 0-1 UFC) Women’s Flyweights
They trade inside early on. Maia lands a combo. They trade and clinch against the fence. Davis with some knees in control of the clinch. They trade knees. They break and Maia lands a combo before Davis clinches. They break and Maia lands a big combination. Maia hurts Davis with the big punches. Davis shoots but Maia sprawls away. Maia lands more combos. Davis initiates another clinch. Maia trades positions to control the underhooks. Maia applying pressure as the round ends. 10-9 Maia.
Davis lands a combo to start the second. Davis with another combo and Maia pushes her away with a front kick to the body. Maia lands a right hand. They continue to trade. Davis catches a kick and sweeps the leg for a takedown and gets right into mount. Davis lands some punches from the top. Davis with some punches and elbows from the top as she looks to be trying to set up a choke but Maia has an underhook from the bottom. Davis ends the round in a dominant positon from the top. 10-9 Davis, 19-19.
They trade to start the third. Both land combos inside the pocket. Davis with a body kick. Davis with a one-two but Maia lands an overhand right. Davis with a body kick. Davis with a high kick. Maia with a combo. Both are landing but Maia landing harder. Maia with the jab. Maia with a hard punch. Davis with a leg kick. Maia lands a right hand. Davis with a leg kick. Maia with a right hand. Davis with a couple body kicks. Davis clinches. Maia breaks and lands a combo. Davis with a body kick. Close fight. 10-9 Maia, 29-28 Maia.
Official Result- Jennifer Maia def. Alexis Davis by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Marlon Vera (12-5-1, 6-4 UFC) vs. Frankie Saenz (13-5, 5-3 UFC) Bantamweights
Vera with an outside leg kick and Saenz coming back with aggressive striking attacks. Vera with a high kick. Saenz with a right hand. Vera with a heavy leg kick that hurts Saenz. Vera then drops Saenz with a hard jab and starts landing punches on the ground and the referee stops it. Vera gets the stoppage but some of the punches did land behind the head of Saenz. Still, an impressive showing for Vera.
Official Result- Marlon Vera def. Frankie Saenz by TKO (punches) at 1:25 of Round 1
> Bryce Mitchell (10-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Bobby Moffett (14-3, 1-0 UFC) Featherweights
Mitchell with an inside leg kick. Mitchell throwing punches towards the body. Mitchell with a high kick and then drops Moffett with a left hand. Moffett recovers and shoots for the single leg. Moffett completes the takedown. They get up and Mitchell has the neck. Moffett chasing the takedown. Moffett gets to the top and Mitchell locks in a triangle and Moffett is in trouble. Mitchell now attacking for an armbar. Moffett pushes off and escapes and they get to their feet. Mitchell shoots against the fence but it is defended. Mitchell with a body kick. Mitchell with an inside leg kick and Moffett counters with a right hand. They battle for underhooks against the fence. 10-9 Mitchell.
Moffett gets an early takedown. Moffett landing punches as Mitchell gives up a little bit of his back. Moffett takes the back but they get to their feet. Mitchell escapes and they get back to the center. Mitchell with a spin kick to the body. They trade and Moffett gets a takedown. Moffett setting up a choke from the top. He has a D’arce choke locked in but Mitchell is defending. Moffett lets it go and Mitchell is on top. Mitchell now takes the back of Moffett. Mitchell lands some elbows. Moffett gets back to side control. 10-9 Moffett, 19-19.
They trade and Moffett goes for a takedown but Mitchell defends. Moffett then scores on the takedown. They scramble back to their feet. Moffett scores a takedown but Mitchell is trying to attack the arm. Moffett landing from the top and now attacks for the D’arce choke again. Mitchell trying to explode back to his feet and takes the back of Moffett looking for a choke. Mitchell has the choke locked in as he flattens Moffett out. The choke is let go but Mitchell still has the back and lands a couple of punches. Mitchell attacking for the choke again. Mitchell lets go and they get to their feet at the end. 10-9 Mitchell, 29-28 Mitchell.
Official Result- Bryce Mitchell def. Bobby Moffett by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Barber with a body kick. Aldrich coming forward. Aldrich rocks Barber with a straight left hand. Barber on her back but gets to her feet. They trade. Aldrich landing well. They trade left hands. Barber with a leg kick but is eating combos from Aldrich. Aldrich with a right hook. They clinch for a moment and Barber with an elbow. Aldrich with a straight right hand. Aldrich with a left hand and Barber goes to the mat again. She gets to her feet. Barber with an inside elbow. 10-9 Aldrich.
They trade early in the second. Aldrich is countering all of Barber’s attacks. Aldrich lands some strikes in the clinch. Barber now pressing forward and lands some punches. She is landing more now. Barber with a low kick. They clinch and Barber with an inside elbow. Barber rocks Aldrich with a left hand and starts landing as she comes forward. Aldrich initiates a clinch against the fence. Barber landing big punches and lands a big knee and more punches and she stops Aldrich! Wow. Barber came back from being down in the fight as she stays undefeated.
Official Result- Maycee Barber def. JJ Aldrich by TKO (strikes) at 3:01 of Round 2
> Luis Pena (5-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Steven Peterson (17-7, 1-1 UFC) Featherweights* (Pena missed weight by 2.5 pounds)
Pena did miss weight for this one. Peterson attacking for the takedown right away. Pena attacking for a kimura. They are scrambling around and Pena gets top position but Peterson looks for an armbar but gets slammed down by Pena. Pena escapes and lands a left hand. Peterson rolling for a leg lock but Pena ends up in side control. Pena gets in the full guard and Peterson cut above his eye. Peterson gets up and gets wobbled by a right hand from Pena. They clinch against the fence. They break. Peterson with a leg kick. Pena with a flying knee. Pena with a late combo. 10-9 Pena.
Peterson lands a right hand. Pena with a combo. They trade in close range. Peterson gets the back and climbs on him but Pena shakes him off. Pena with a right hook. Peterson has the clinch and gets a takedown. They get up and Peterson has back control and gets another takedown. They scramble to their feet. Peterson has the back and eats some back elbows from Pena. They break and Pena lands an elbow and a knee. Pena with an elbow and a flying knee. Peterson with a spinning back elbow. Peterson goes for a takedown against the fence but Pena defending. Pena with some late combos. 10-9 Pena, 20-18 Pena.
Peterson immediately gets the clinch but Pena gets away. Pena with an uppercut followed by a head kick. Pena lands a left hand and Peterson wobbles. Peterson goes for a takedown but Pena switches to get the back. They break and Peterson lands a right hand. Peterson with an inside leg kick. They scramble and Pena gets in the guard. Pena lands from the top and then stands. Pena trying to get back in the guard. Peterson gets to his feet but eats a big head kick from Pena. They clinch at the end. 10-9 Pena, 30-27 Pena.
Official Result- Luis Pena def. Steven Peterson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Formiga misses a head kick. Formiga lands a combo. They clinch and trade knees before breaking. Figueiredo with a front kick and then lands an uppercut. Figueiredo with a spin kick. Formiga with a right hand and gets a takedown and in the guard of Figueiredo. Figueiredo able to get to his feet but Formiga still has the body locked against the fence. Figueiredo tries a trip but Formiga keeps ahold of him as they get to their feet. Formiga has the underhooks and gets a takedown. Formiga gets to full mount and starts throwing down punches. Formiga with a big elbow. Strong end to the round for him. 10-9 Formiga.
Formiga with a leg kick. Figueiredo tries for a big overhand right but Formiga ducks under it. They trade punches. Figueiredo with an inside elbow. Formiga misses a spin kick. Formiga with a high body kick. Formiga shoots for the single leg and completes the takedown and is in the full guard of Figueiredo. Figueiredo throwing some elbows from the bottom. Formiga with some punches from the top. Formiga with more punches from the top. Figueiredo with an elbow and Formiga is cut open pretty badly. Formiga moves to the half-guard. Formiga rides out the round in that position. 10-9 Formiga, 20-18 Formiga.
Figueiredo stalking Formiga around the Octagon as he moves forward. They clinch and Formiga is against the fence but they break. Figueiredo with an uppercut. Figueiredo tries to wind up a punch but stumbles as Formiga escapes the attack. Formiga circling around the Octagon. Formiga lands a combo. Formiga gets a takedown and Figueiredo has the neck. Formiga escapes and is in the half-guard. Formiga steps over to the mount. They trade punches on the ground. Figueiredo pushes him off as they get to their feet. Figueiredo looking to land a big punch. Formiga with an elbow and he shoots late. 10-9 Formiga, 30-27 Formiga.
Official Result- Jussier Formiga def. Deiveson Figueiredo by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
> John Makdessi (16-6, 9-6 UFC) vs. Jesus Pinedo (16-4-1, 1-0 UFC) Lightweights
Both looking to land kicks. Pinedo just misses a head kick. He misses another. Makdessi is a notorious slow starter. Makdessi with a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Makdessi with a side kick to the body. They trade in close range. Makdessi catches a side kick from Pinedo but lets him go. The crowd is booing loudly in this fight, and nothing is happening. A real lack of action. Makdessi with a low kick and right hand. Nothing happened, more of a 10-10 round, but gotta pick someone. 10-9 Makdessi.
Pinedo with a body kick and goes down for a moment but gets back up. Makdessi with a side kick. Pinedo with a body kick again. Makdessi with some kicks. Pinedo with a body kick and Makdessi blocks and fires back with his own kicks. There is a real lack of action in this fight. Pinedo with a combo. Makdessi with a couple of side kicks. Pinedo fires a kick and Makdessi catches it. Pinedo starts teeing off and lands a kick that wobbles Makdessi. Pinedo misses a flying attack and falls to the mat. 10-9 Pinedo, 19-19.
Makdessi landing leg kicks and Pinedo is limping. Makdessi continuing with leg kicks and Pinedo misses a high kick. The crowd is booing again. Pinedo with a combo. Makdessi with some kicks to the leg and goes to the body. They trade kicks. Makdessi lands a right hand. Makdessi catches a kick from Pinedo. Not gonna lie, this fight is awful. Makdessi lands the left hook. Pinedo with a left hand. Makdessi with a right hand and a spin kick. 10-9 Makdessi, 29-28 Makdessi.
Official Result- John Makdessi def. Jesus Pinedo by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Blaydes with a right hand followed by a leg kick. Blaydes with another leg kick and goes for a takedown. Blaydes with a knee and then finishes the takedown. Blaydes has Willis secured and looks to land punches. Blaydes with some knees to the thighs. They get to their feet and Blaydes immediately suplexes Willis to the mat. They get up and Blaydes takes him right down again. Blaydes with more knees to the thighs. Blaydes suplexes Willis down again. Blaydes with big punches from the back. 10-8 Blaydes.
Blaydes with a straight right hand that rocks Willis and Blaydes chases him around and gets the body lock and scores a big takedown. Blaydes on top looking to get to the mount. Blaydes gets the back and Willis trying to get to his feet. Blaydes with knees. Blaydes landing punches. They get to their feet and Blaydes with another suplex as he retains back control. Blaydes lands some punches. Blaydes with more punches. 10-8 Blaydes, 20-16 Blaydes.
Willis lands a punch but is standing flat and out of Blaydes’ range. Patient start to the round from both men. Blaydes changes levels to shoot but was too far away from Willis. Blaydes shoots in looking to finish a takedown. They still battle in the tie-up against the fence as Blaydes is working hard for the takedown. They separate. Blaydes gets an easy takedown into side control. They get to their feet but nothing happens. Pure domination from Blaydes. 10-9 Blaydes, 30-25 Blaydes.
Official Result- Curtis Blaydes def. Justin Willis by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-25)
> Stephen Thompson (#3, 14-3-1, 9-3-1 UFC) vs. Anthony Pettis (#8 LW, 21-8, 8-7 UFC) Welterweights
Thompson with a quick kick. Pettis with a body kick. Pettis with another body kick and Thompson counters with his own body kick. They trade leg kicks. Thompson with a combo ending with a high kick. Pettis with a big leg kick. They trade kicks. Thompson with another combo. Pettis with a body kick. Pettis slips on a spin kick. Thompson with a body kick followed by a combo. They trade punches. Thompson with a spin kick. They trade kicks. Pettis with a spin kick. 10-9 Thompson.
Thompson with a head kick. They trade leg kicks. They continue to trade kicks. Thompson lands a left hand. Pettis with a right hand to the body. Thompson with some leg kicks. Pettis with an outside low kick. Thompson with a couple of left hands. Thompson with a combo. Pettis with some leg kicks. They trade leg kicks. Thompson with a high switch kick. Pettis with a couple of leg kicks. Pettis then lands a Superman punch and knocks Thompson out cold! Wow. That was a massive knockout by Anthony Pettis. Incredible finish.
Official Result- Anthony Pettis def. Stephen Thompson by knockout (punch) at 4:55 of Round 2
As the clock struck midnight and we entered 2019, All Elite Wrestling finally became official. Weeks of speculation culminated with AEW being formally announced at the end of a Being the Elite episode that was released at midnight Pacific time on January 1, 2019. With that came the announcement of Double or Nothing, which is the sequel to All In. While there are plenty of questions about what the roster for AEW will look like, the initial group of wrestlers has started to come into focus.
The most detailed coverage of All Elite Wrestling heads up the new issue of the Wrestling Observer. Take an extensive look at the promotion, from its beginnings, background on its owners, its front office structure, senior management, contracts with the top guys, different concessions, other stars being talked with, details behind the Chris Jericho signing, an update on Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi, and more on proposed television deals.
Look at the New Japan WrestleKingdom show. Read about the top matches, changing of talent, MSG show, Bullet Club changes, business surrounding WrestleKingdom big shows of 2019 and early 2020 as well as full coverage of the Dome show with match-by-match coverage, star ratings and poll results.
Read about the life of “mean” Gene Okerlund, his background before wrestling, his death and his wrestling career.
Look at the NXT UK Takeover show, update on several injured WWE stars, most watched WWE videos of 2018, new executive hire, and an injured wrestler may become an announcer.
Go in-depth on the Jon Jones situation covering the test results, how the story changed, what the experts said, what is misleading as well as the world of drug testing and PED usage.
ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to Dave Meltzer, or by using PayPal directing funds to [email protected].
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If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can choose one free classic issue or two free classic issues with a 40-issue subscription.
TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE
(by Bryan Rose and Joseph Currier)
WWE
Happy birthday to Shane McMahon, who turns 49 today. His birthday will play a part in a segment for tonight’s SmackDown, with The Miz saying he’s going to throw Shane “The Best Birthday Bash in the World.” Rey Mysterio vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas and Carmella vs. Sonya Deville are also set for the episode, and the build to WWE Champion Daniel Bryan vs. AJ Styles and SmackDown Women’s Champion Asuka vs. Becky Lynch at the Royal Rumble will continue.
205 Live moves back to airing live after SmackDown at 10 p.m. Eastern time tonight. Cruiserweight Champion Buddy Murphy issuing a non-title open challenge to anyone who meets the 205-pound weight limit has been advertised for the show.
WWE Network News is reporting that episodes of WWE Superstars from April of 1992 will be added to the network on January 21. The show has been entangled in legal issues, hence why they adding shows starting on that date.
The season four premiere of Total Bellas averaged 505,000 viewers on Sunday night. The rating in the 18-49 demo was a 0.23. That’s down from the season three premiere, which averaged 517,000 viewers. The season three finale did 617,000 viewers.
Former WWE wrestler Eva Marie is officially part of the cast for CBS’ Celebrity Big Brother season two. The season premieres on January 21.
Pro Wrestling
Ivelisse is saying that she is “being legally held hostage” by Lucha Underground. She said that they convinced her to do season four of the show under the promise that she would be released after the season concluded but are still refusing to let her go. Eric Van Wagnen told Pro Wrestling Sheet that no producers, executives or lawyers at MGM make those kinds of decisions and that the LLC, which is ran by Dorian Roldan and John Fogelman, are in charge of that.
Joey Ryan tweeted about the situation with Ivelisse: “I back Ivelisse 100% on this. Prior to S4, we were told anybody who requested a release would be granted one. Some did and left after the tapings. Others showed faith in the product and now seems are being punished for it. With no S5 in sight, it’s petty to keep anyone locked up.”
Showbuzz Daily noted that they don’t have any ratings for the Pursuit Channel: “CABLE NOTE: Because so many people have asked, note that we have no ratings at all for the Pursuit service, including for IMPACT WRESTLING.” Impact debuted on the channel last Friday and also simulcasts on Twitch.
Ariel Helwani is reporting that Anthony Pettis will move up to welterweight to fight Stephen Thompson. The fight hasn’t been signed, but it is expected to be finalized in the next new days for the Fight Night event on March 23 in Nashville.
Tyron Woodley told Ariel Helwani recently that he wants to move to middleweight by the end of 2019.
UFC is hinting that new title belts will be shown on January 19, their first ESPN+ card.
Jennifer Maia has accepted a six-month suspension for violating the UFC’s anti-doping policy after testing positive for substances found in a contaminated dietary supplement.
Ed in San Antonio presents the WON/F4W Empire Events for WRESTLEMANIA Weekend (more to be added):
Sunday, April 6th, at 12:00 pm: Empire lunch (all you can eat) at Churrascaria Plataforma ($90 per person), located at 316 W. 49th street in Manhattan. Purchase tickets here~!
Luxury Bus to MetLife Stadium for Wrestlemania: We will depart from the Hilton Midtown (site of Wrestlecon) located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas. Departure time is 4:00 pm and will return from MetLife approximately 30 mins after the event. Times are subject to change, and cost $67.00 per person for the round trip. Purchase tickets here~!
It appears that Tony Ferguson will return from injury at the UFC’s biggest show of the year.
MMA Junkie first reported last night that Ferguson will face Anthony Pettis at UFC 229. That pay-per-view is taking place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 6 and is being headlined by Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor for the lightweight championship.
The UFC has yet to officially announce Ferguson vs. Pettis.
Ferguson, who was then interim champion, was supposed to face Nurmagomedov in an undisputed title fight at UFC 223 this April with McGregor being stripped of his belt, but Ferguson suffered a knee injury while promoting the event and had to be replaced. Max Holloway initially stepped in to face Nurmagomedov, but problems with his short-notice weight cut led to Nurmagomedov instead defeating Al Iaquinta to become champion.
With Ferguson on the same card as Nurmagomedov vs. McGregor, he would likely be the backup plan for the main event if anything were to cause Nurmagomedov or McGregor to be unavailable to fight. Ferguson tweeted yesterday that he has three opponents to train for.
According to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway will not compete on Saturday’s UFC 223 show as he was declared medically unfit to fight, likely due to having to cut a massive amount of weight in just six days notice.
Reports are that Holloway wanted to keep trying to make weight, but was told by the New York State Athletic Commission that he could not.
The LA Times’ Lance Pugmire tweeted that Dana White told him the new main event will be Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Anthony Pettis for the what would be the vacant lightweight championship. MMA Junkie reported that is the working plan, but it hasn’t been officially announced yet.
Pettis attempted to make weight, but hit 155.2 pounds. .2 over what it would take to make the fight. He had two hours to lose that .2 of a pound, but NY State officials later pulled the scale and UFC officials said he wasn’t going to weigh back in.
Paul Felder and Al Iaquinta threw their hats in the ring as well, but the commission shut down Felder due to, of all things, the rankings because he is unranked. Helwani said Iaquinta is the front runner but he weighed in .2 over as well, so that causes an issue for a title shot.
Pettis was set to face Michael Chiesa on the main card, but Chiesa was forced by the athletic commission to withdraw due to cuts on his face suffered when Conor McGregor threw a metal dolly through a van window Thursday.
We’ll have more on this confusing situation as it develops.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC Fight Night 120: Poirier vs. Pettis, emanating from the Ted Constant Convocation Center in Norfolk, Virginia.
The event is headlined by an exciting five-round bout in the lightweight division as long-time perennial contender Dustin Poirier looks to continue his run to a title shot as he takes on former UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis.
Poirier is looking to stay out of the loss column and crack into the top five at 155 pounds. Pettis is looking to make it two straight wins since returning to the lightweight division, where he once stood as the man to beat.
In the co-main event, it will be a slugfest between two hard-hitting favorites as Matt Brown, in what could be his retirement bout, takes on the original Ultimate Fighter winner, Diego Sanchez. Opening the main card is another lightweight battle between veteran favorites as Joe Lauzon takes on Clay Guida.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.
UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS | 7 PM ET/4 PM PT
> Darren Stewart (7-1 1 NC, 0-1 1 NC UFC) vs. Karl Roberson (5-0, 0-0 UFC) Middleweights
They were trading kicks but neither were landing them. Stewart was throwing some spin kicks with no success. They did trade leg kicks and Stewart landed a right hand. Roberson landed an uppercuts and some knees in the clinch. Roberson then got a takedown on a throw and took the back. Roberson landed some punches from the back. Roberson was working from the back looking for the choke and had it in. He got Stewart to tap! Roberson with the first round finish in an impressive UFC debut.
Official Result- Karl Roberson def. Darren Stewart by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:41 of Round 1
They were tagging each other early. Collier slipped on a kick but was able to get up. Fortuna landed a left hook. Collier missed a spin kick. Fortuna landed a punch to the body. Collier hurt Fortuna with a left hand. Collier with a leg kick. Fortuna grabbed the back of Collier looking for a takedown. Collier defended and then landed a leg kick. Fortuna landed a spinning back fist. They traded big punches. Collier rocked Fortuna late. Close round. 10-9 Collier.
Collier with some wild punches that weren’t coming close to landing. Fortuna got a takedown and took the back as they stood up. Collier shook him off. Fortuna is slowing down and Collier landed a spin kick to the body. Collier with a leg kick. Collier is controlling the pressure and the Octagon. Both still swinging wildly. Fortuna scores a takedown and is in the guard but moves to an arm-triangle out of nowhere. Collier fought it and escaped but Fortuna is in full mount. Collier was able to escape and went into Fortuna’s guard. Collier with a big elbow from the top. 10-9 Collier, 20-18 Collier.
Collier landed a nice combo finishing with a head kick. Big right hand by Collier. Fortuna attempted a takedown but Collier slipped out. Fortuna got a takedown but Collier reversed immediately and stood up. Collier with an overhand right. He is outworking Fortuna big time here. Collier with a leg kick. Fortuna rocked Collier with a right hand. Fortuna with a head kick. Collier coming back with more volume at the end. 10-9 Collier, 30-27 Collier.
Official Result- Jake Collier def. Marcel Fortuna by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
> Court McGee (18-6, 7-5 UFC) vs. Sean Strickland (18-2, 5-2 UFC) Welterweights
They were trading early and McGee landed a head kick but fell on the end and Strickland ended up on top. McGee was able to get out from the bottom and up to his feet. They were trading on the feet. Both were landing good punches and kicks but McGee had slightly more volume. Strickland with a head kick and McGee with a body kick. Strickland landing the jab and McGee having trouble getting inside the range. McGee with a leg kick. Strickland with a right hand. 10-9 Strickland.
They were both looking to land something when McGee shot for a takedown. Strickland defended but McGee grabbed the back against the fence. Strickland grabbed the cage to defend a takedown and got a warning, but he was able to escape. They traded and McGee shot for a takedown but it was defended. McGee misses a spinning back fist attempt. Both men land right hands. McGee is the busier fighter. McGee goes for a takedown but Strickland sprawls out. McGee coming forward more. Close round. 10-9 McGee, 19-19.
McGee lands a head kick flush to the chin of Strickland. McGee continues to come forward more. McGee shoots for a takedown but it is defended again by Strickland. They go to the ground and Strickland is in half-guard landing punches and elbows. McGee is able to get up from the bottom and grabs the back of Strickland. McGee gets a brief takedown but Strickland posted with his hands to defend. Strickland gets a big takedown and was looking for a choke at the end. Strickland with big punches from the back at the end. 10-9 Strickland, 29-28 Strickland.
Official Result- Sean Strickland def. Court McGee by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
FOX SPORTS 1 PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT
> Angela Hill (7-3, 2-3 UFC) vs. Nina Ansaroff (7-5, 1-2 UFC) Women’s Strawweights
Hill landing the jab early and Ansaroff landing the leg kick. Hill landed a big left hand. Hill with a combo ending with a leg kick. Hill grabs the back. They broke and both are trading leg kicks. Hill’s seem to have more power. Ansaroff is landing the jab. They are trading in the pocket. Hill with non-stop pressure. Hill lands a left hand. Hill with a head kick. They trade leg kicks. Hill lands a right hand. Hill finishes the round with a leg kick and they trade right at the end. Close round. 10-9 Hill.
They came out trading kicks. Ansaroff landed a right hand that busted the nose of Hill and she is bleeding from there. Both ladies landing punches. Ansaroff went for a takedown but Hill defended though Ansaroff landed a high kick on the break. Both women landing big combinations. Ansaroff with a right hand. Ansaroff with big body kicks. Hill fires back with a jab to the body followed by an overhand right. Hill with a right hand that stuns Ansaroff. Ansaroff back with body kicks. Hill lands a hard right hand. They trade late. Another close round. 10-9 Ansaroff, 19-19.
Ansaroff with a spinning back kick to the body. Both coming out looking to finish it and this round will decide it. Hill landing more kicks but both are landing hard and with a lot of volume. Ansaroff landed a right hand but Hill firing back with punches and kicks. Ansaroff with a push kick. Ansaroff with the jab. Ansaroff with a high kick. Hill with a leg kick but slips to the mat though she gets up. Ansaroff with a leg kick. Ansaroff with a combo ending with an uppercut. They trade kicks. Ansaroff with a big combo ending with a head kick at the end. Good fight. 10-9 Ansaroff, 29-28 Ansaroff.
Official Result- Nina Ansaroff def. Angela Hill by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Sage Northcutt (8-2, 3-2 UFC) vs. Michel Quinones (8-2, 0-1 UFC) Lightweights
Quinones right away with a leg kick. Northcutt with a right hand. Northcutt with another right hand. Big combo ending with a leg kick from Northcutt. Northcutt with a combo but the kick is blocked. Quinones landing nothing but leg kicks. Northcutt just misses a spinning head kick. Northcutt with some big kicks as Quinones runs away. Northcutt with the jab. Northcutt with another big combo. Northcutt with a late takedown. 10-9 Northcutt.
Quinones unable to find any openings. Quinones with a leg kick. Northcutt with the double jab and a big body kick. Quinones with a leg kick but Northcutt fires back with a combo. They trade leg kicks. They trade punches and Northcutt lands a head kick. Northcutt with some right hands and a high kick. Northcutt lands some right hands and an uppercut. Northcutt with a huge takedown with twenty seconds to go and is working from side control to end the round. 10-9 Northcutt, 20-18 Northcutt.
Northcutt coming out fast as is Quinones. Quinones with an axe kick. Northcutt with a triple jab. Northcutt with a body kick. Northcutt stalking Quinones around and is landing kicks to the body. Quinones unable to land anything and what he does gets countered. Northcutt with a brief takedown. Quinones lands a right hand but doesn’t follow up on it. Northcutt with a front kick. Northcutt goes for a late takedown. He breaks and lands a combo and misses a cartwheel kick. 10-9 Northcutt, 30-27 Northcutt.
Official Result- Sage Northcutt def. Michel Quinones (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Suarez comes out aggressive and gets the clinch looking for a throw. They break and Suarez misses a head kick. Pereira with a combo as Suarez closes the distance. Pereira has the neck and a guillotine but Suarez fights out. Suarez scores a takedown and is in side control. Both throwing punches and Suarez transitions to the back. They scramble and Suarez gets the back again and is working for a choke. Suarez still working for it. She’s landing punches from the back but can’t find the choke. Suarez moves back to side control and lands some hammerfists. 10-9 Suarez.
Suarez gets another takedown at the start of the round. Suarez landing some punches but is mostly transitioning on the mat. Suarez gets the mount and started landing ground and pound. Suarez with some elbows. Suarez landing more punches from the top and Pereira can’t get out from the bottom. Dominant round by Suarez. 10-8 Suarez, 20-17 Suarez.
Suarez with a left hand and then she gets another takedown and is working from side control. Suarez with some punches and elbows and she moves to a north-south position. Suarez with elbows to the body. Pereira trying to escapes. Suarez has the neck and with a knee to the legs. Suarez back to the mount. Suarez with punches and elbows from the mount. Suarez back to side control. Suarez has the back and is landing and looking to set up the choke. Time runs out though. Dominant performance by Suarez. 10-9 Suarez, 30-26 Suarez.
Official Decision- Tatiana Suarez def. Viviane Pereira by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
> John Dodson (#8, 19-8, 8-3 UFC) vs. Marlon Moraes (#9, 18-5-1, 0-1 UFC) Bantamweights
Moraes with an immediate leg kick. Moraes with a body kick and a left hook. Dodson with a left hand. Moraes with a spin kick to the body. Dodson with a double left hand. Dodson drops Moraes with a left hand but he recovers quickly. Moraes with a leg kick. Moraes with a low kick and it got Dodson right in the cup and we have a timeout. Dodson almost threw up because of the kick. We get back to action and Moraes lands a right hand and a body kick. Both men land solid combos. Another timeout for an eye poke. Dodson with a late head kick. 10-9 Dodson.
They trade heavy punches and Moraes lands some good left hands. Moraes with a body punch. Moraes with a hard right hand. Moraes just misses a body kick. Moraes with another body kick. Dodson with his own body kick. Moraes with a right hand. Dodson gets a takedown but Moraes grabs the leg looking for a heel hook. Dodson escapes and they get to their feet. Dodson gets another brief takedown. Moraes with a spin kick that grazed the top of Dodson’s shoulder. Moraes with more pressure. Moraes gets a takedown. They get back to their feet and trade at the end. Close round. 10-9 Moraes, 19-19.
This round decides it and Moraes coming out aggressive. Moraes with a kick but Dodson catches the leg and Moares gets away. Moraes lands a right hand. Moraes slips but Dodson unable to capitalize on it. Dodson with a body kick followed by a left hand. Round is close. Dodson with a left hand. Moraes working hard for the takedown. The referee breaks it up as Moraes was working. Moraes with a late guillotine but the round ends. It looked like Dodson tapped after the horn sounded to end the round. Crazy close round. Dodson did tap after the horn. 10-9 Moraes, 29-28 Moraes.
Moraes had a spirited callout of Jimmie Rivera after the fight, wanting to fight him at UFC 219 on December 30.
Official Result- Marlon Moraes def. John Dodson by split decision (30-27, 27-30, 30-27)
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> Joe Lauzon (27-13, 14-10 UFC) vs. Clay Guida (33-17, 13-11 UFC) Lightweights
Guida coming out with leg kicks. Guida with a big right hand and then drops Lauzon with a right hand. Guida with hammerfists from the top. Guida with big punches and Lauzon is in trouble. Big elbows and hammerfists and this fight is stopped! Wow. Big TKO win in the opening minutes by Guida. That stoppage was way late.
Official Result- Clay Guida def. Joe Lauzon by TKO (strikes) at 1:07 of Round 1
> Raphael Assuncao (#4, 25-5, 9-2 UFC) vs. Matthew Lopez (#13, 10-1, 2-1 UFC) Bantamweights* (Lopez missed weight by 2.5 pounds)
They were trading early on and Assuncao was looking for head kicks. Both missed big punches. Assuncao lands a big combo. Assuncao faked a takedown attempt and landed a left hand. They trade kicks. Assuncao with a glancing head kick. Lopez gets a takedown. They get back to their feet. Close round. Not a lot to it. 10-9 Assuncao.
They trade and Assuncao is landing leg kicks and landed a left hook. Assuncao with another heavy leg kick. Lopez goes for a takedown but some chain wrestling from both and Assuncao escapes. Assuncao with more leg kicks and Lopez is favoring his lead leg. Assuncao with another heavy leg kick. Assuncao lands a right hand. They both tag each other with punches. Assuncao with another heavy leg kick. 10-9 Assuncao, 20-18 Assuncao.
Assuncao right back to kicking Lopez’ lead leg. Assuncao with a head kick. Assuncao with another big leg kick to the lead leg. That is his only real attack but it is effective. Lopez’ leg is not the same color it was at the start of the right. All of a sudden Assuncao went for a flying knee, missed but then knocked Lopez out cold with a right hand. WOW. Big finish by Assuncao in a complete dominant performance. Assuncao then calls to finish the trilogy with champion TJ Dillashaw. They’ve met twice with each man winning once- Assuncao got his win before Dillashaw became a champion for the first time, and Dillashaw got his win in between title reigns.
Official Result- Raphael Assuncao def. Matthew Lopez by knockout (punch) at 1:50 of Round 3
> Nate Marquardt (35-18-2, 13-11 UFC) vs. Cezar Ferreira (11-6, 7-4 UFC) Middleweights
Ferreira starts with a leg kick. They trade punches. Ferreira with a big left hand. They trade leg kicks. Ferreira lands another hard right hand and then a body kick. Ferreira just misses a head kick. Ferreira with a leg kick. Marquardt trips Ferreira up with a leg kick. Marquardt with a right hand. Methodical round. 10-9 Ferreira.
They were trading some punches. Marquardt shot for a takedown but it was defended. Marquardt had double underhooks. They break. Marquardt goes for a flying knee but Ferreira reverses into a takedown attempt. Marquardt sprawls out. Ferreira with a body kick. Not a lot of action in this. Ferreira with a left hand and then a right hook that stuns Marquardt, who fires back with a right hand. Marquardt knocks down Ferreira with a flurry late in the round. 10-9 Marquradt, 19-19.
Ferreira gets a takedown to start the third round. Ferreira with control from the top but they scramble to their feet. Ferreira with a big slam on Marquardt. Ferreira moves to side control. Ferreira not doing much from the top and Marquardt is tired on the bottom. Marquardt tries to get out but Ferreira has his neck. Marquardt able to slip into the guard of Ferreira and lands some elbows from the top and cuts Ferreira up at the horn. 10-9 Ferreira, 29-28 Ferreira.
Official Result- Cezar Ferreira def. Nate Marquardt by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
> Junior Albini (#12, 14-2, 1-0 UFC) vs. Andrei Arlovski (#13, 25-15 1 NC, 14-9 UFC) Heavyweights
Interesting choice of shorts for Albini. Albini aggressive early. Arlovski with a head kick and then attacks the body. Albini unable to land his attacks. They clinch and nothing happens so they break. Arlovski with a right hand. Arlovski with some leg kicks and then a right hand. Albini with a left hand and then a knee to the body. Albini with a left hook. They trade in the clinch. Albini with a left hook. They trade late. 10-9 Albini.
Arlovski attacking the body with punches. They clinched but nothing happened and they separated. Albini landed a punch and they clinched again and nothing was happening. They separated again. Arlovski landed a right hand. Arlovski with a leg kick and a right hand. Arlovski with a combo and then lands a straight right that connects. Spinning back fist from Arlovski and then he lands an uppercut. Albini has really slowed. 10-9 Arlovski, 19-19.
Arlovski is attacking the body. Arlovski with a double jab and then an uppercut. Albini landed a right hand. Arlovski with a head kick. Arlovski with a right hand and then a switch kick that was blocked. Brief timeout as Arlovski was poked in the eye. Arlovski opening up and lands an elbow. Albini is bleeding. Arlovski lands a combo. Arlovski with a spinning back fist and then a series of uppercuts. Albini with a left hand. Arlovski with a groin strike on Albini. Albini with a combo and they clinch. Nothing happens to end the fight. 10-9 Arlovski, 29-28 Arlovski.
Official Result- Andrei Arlovski def. Junior Albini by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
> Matt Brown (20-16, 13-10 UFC) vs. Diego Sanchez (27-10, 16-10 UFC) Welterweights
Sanchez rushes forward and lands a right hand and shoots for a takedown. They’re clinched and Brown lands a knee to Sanchez’ head. They separated. They trade left hands. Sanchez goes for another single-leg but Brown defends it. Sanchez with a combo. Brown with a leg kick then snaps the jab. Brown with a short range elbow. Sanchez with a liver kick. Brown with a leg kick. Brown then lands an elbow that knocks Sanchez out. Wow. Big finish by Matt Brown with a standing elbow. Brown did talk of retirement before this bout, but backed off of it during fight week, and said he would take time to think about it.
Official Result- Matt Brown def. Diego Sanchez by knockout (elbow) at 3:44 of Round 1
> Dustin Poirier (#8, 21-5 1 NC, 13-4 1 NC UFC) vs. Anthony Pettis (#13, 20-6, 7-5 UFC) Lightweights
Pettis right away with leg kicks. Pettis with a flying knee followed by a right hand. Poirier with a left hand and then scores a takedown. Pettis is working for a guillotine from the bottom but Poirier pops out and Pettis now looking for a kimura. Poirier with punches from the top. Poirier stands up and Pettis sweeps and he gets to his feet and presses Poirier against the fence, Poirier with an elbow and Pettis with an elbow of his own. Both landed knees and punches. Pettis defends a takedown attempt from Poirier. They trade punches and Pettis with a body kick. Poirier with a big combo that hurts Pettis and Pettis with a spinning back fist. Poirier with some big punches at the end of the round but Pettis landed a big uppercut. Crazy finish to the round. 10-9 Poirier.
Pettis controlling the Octagon to start the second and he lands a couple of right hands. Poirier goes for a takedown and he gets it against the fence. Pettis working for a triangle from the bottom but Poirier gets out. Pettis looking for an armbar but it allows Poirier to land some big punches. Pettis cut open and gives up the back. Poirier now working for the choke. Pettis is pouring blood. Pettis spins into the guard of Poirier. Pettis with some big elbows from the top and Poirier with some up-elbows from the bottom. Pettis with more elbows and he takes the back but Poirier slips out. Poirier now on top and they are scrambling around. They get to their feet and Pettis has the back and gets a takedown. They scramble on the mat again. The referee calls timeout as Pettis is bleeding pretty badly. The blood is all in Pettis’ eyes. The fight goes on. Pettis looking for the triangle. He had it locked in but Poirier slipped out. Poirier with big punches to end the round. What an awesome round and fight. 10-9 Poirier, 20-18 Poirier.
Pettis with a head kick. Poirier shoots for a takedown and completes it. They get to their feet. Poirier has the back as they go to the mat again. Poirier working for a choke and now gets the mount. All of a sudden the fight is over and it looks like Pettis has tapped! Pettis appears to have hurt his ribs in a scramble and tapped out due to injury. Poirier with the big win and he went over to Sean Shelby and started screaming that he wanted the winner of Eddie Alvarez vs. Justin Gaethje and that he wanted a bonus. He may get both after this.
Official Result- Dustin Poirier def. Anthony Pettis by TKO (injury) at 2:08 of Round 3
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 206: Holloway vs. Pettis, eminating from the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The event is headlined by a battle for the Interim UFC Featherweight Championship as Max Holloway takes on former UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis. This bout is a replacement for the original main event, which was scheduled to be UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier defending against Anthony Johnson.
This fight will only be a title fight for Holloway after Pettis missed weight on Friday. If Pettis were to win, there would be no interim champion, so there is a lot on the line for Holloway. Holloway has put together one of the most impressive win streaks in the UFC, having won nine straight fights.
The co-main event is a potential barnburner in the welterweight division as Donald Cerrone looks to extend his three-fight win streak when he takes on Matt Brown. A featherweight bout between sluggers Cub Swanson and Doo Ho Choi, and a middleweight bout between Tim Kennedy and Kelvin Gastelum also highlight the main card.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6:30 PM eastern time with preliminary action all the way thru the main card.
Ortiz got a couple of takedowns early but Makovsky was defending. Ortiz got back mount and was looking for a choke when Makovsky got out and reversed with a takedown of his own. They were grappling in a clinch with both landing some knees and elbows. Makovsky got a takedown late but Ortiz reversed into full guard on top as the round ended. 10-9 Ortiz in the first. Ortiz went back into grappling mode in the second and got a takedown and took the back of Makovsky. Ortiz was attacking with punches and elbows from the back and was looking to find a choke. Makovsky was able to scramble out to the feet. Makovsky got a late takedown but Ortiz scrambled out and landed some knees to the body. 10-9 Ortiz in the second and I had him up 20-18. Makovsky got a takedown in the third but Ortiz had the neck but Makovsky got free into the guard. Ortiz was able to get to his feet and was able to push the fight against the fence for a moment. Makovsky was able to defend some takedown attempts from Ortiz before Ortiz finally got him down and moved to mount and was landing some strikes. They got up and Ortiz drug it down for a moment late. Makovsky got a late takedown but Ortiz was able to scramble out onto top. I had the third 10-9 for Ortiz and Ortiz winning 30-27 overall. Ortiz got the decision, but one judge gave the fight to Makovsky. I wouldn’t agree with that at all, but the right guy won.
Official Result- Dustin Ortiz def. Zach Makovsky by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
> Jason Saggo (12-2, 3-1 UFC) vs. Rustam Khabilov (20-3, 6-2 UFC) Lightweights- Khabilov missed weight, coming in at 158.5 pounds
Khabilov was on the attack early with punches and kicks but Saggo came back and landed some kicks before Khabilov landed two big right hands and scored a takedown. Khabilov spent the rest of the round in the guard but was mostly neutralized by Saggo in the guard. It was still a 10-9 round for Khabilov. Both were tentative on their feet landing kicks before Saggo landed a jumping kick. Khabilov was being patient on the feet and found the takedown with less than two minutes to go in the round. Saggo was able to get to his feet but started eating a lot of huge strikes from Khabilov. He had Saggo in trouble late but Saggo escaped. Khabilov was able to reverse a Saggo takedown attempt at the end of the round. A 10-9 round for Khabilov, and I had him up 20-18. They were trading strikes early in the third. Khabilov got a takedown into the guard of Saggo. Khabilov landed a lot from the top. They got up and Khabilov got another takedown. Saggo almost reversed to an armbar but Khabilov escaped to the guard. Khabilov got a third takedown in the round late. That was definitely a 10-9 round for Khabilov and I had him winning a clear 30-27 decision. He took the decision on all the scorecards, and Khabilov called out Kevin Lee in his post-fight interview.
Official Result- Rustam Khabilov def. Jason Saggo by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> John Makdessi (14-5, 7-5 UFC) vs. Lando Vannata (8-1, 0-1 UFC) Lightweights
They were trading back-and-forth early. No real openings were there but Vannata was the aggressor. Makdessi was landing jabs. Out of nowhere Vannata knocked Makdessi out cold with a spinning wheel kick! A highlight reel finish and a big knockout win for Vannata. One of the best knockouts of the year. Vannata may be a lot richer at the end of the night.
Official Result- Lando Vannata def. John Makdessi by knockout (head kick) at 1:40 of Round 1
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> Mitch Gagnon (12-3, 4-2 UFC) vs. Matthew Lopez (8-1, 0-1 UFC) Bantamweights
Lopez got a takedown stuffed early. Gagnon then rocked Lopez with a big punch and swarmed on looking for the finish. Gagnon had Lopez in a lot of trouble landing punch after punch. Gagnon had the back and looked to lock in a choke but Lopez was able to defend and scrambled to guard. Lopez amazingly recovered but the fight should have been stopped. They got up and both men dropped looking for leg locks. Lopez survived the round but clearly 10-9 for Gagnon. Gagnon went for a takedown in the second but Lopez reversed into full guard. Gagnon was able to scramble out but Lopez drug him to the ground and was looking for a choke from the back. Lopez got into mount but Gagnon got back up. Lopez got another takedown late. 10-9 round for Lopez and I have it even 19-19, but Gagnon could’ve gotten a 10-8 first. Gagnon landed a low blow at the start of the third. Lopez recovered and then got a takedown and was grinding from the top. Gagnon was able to get to his feet. Lopez scored another big takedown. Lopez landed quite a few punches from the back. Lopez went for a choke but the fight ended without him finding it. 10-9 third round for Lopez and I have him winning 29-28. It’ll come down to how the first round is scored. Lopez won on all scorecards. Interestingly, no judge gave a 10-8 round in the first for Gagnon, but one judge had a 10-8 round for Lopez, likely the third.
Official Result- Matthew Lopez def. Mitch Gagnon by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)
> Valerie Letourneau (#9, 8-5, 3-2 UFC) vs. Viviane Pereira (11-0, 0-0 UFC) Women’s Strawweights- *Letourneau missed weight, coming in at 117.5 pounds
Letourneau caught a leg and scored a takedown and was in the mount against the fence. Letourneau landing punches from the top. Pereira was able to get back to her feet. Pereira had Letourneau against the fence and was trying a takedown but Letourneau is just too big for her. Pereira just holding the clinch and Letourneau lands some knees. 10-9 opening round for Letourneau. They were trading in the second round. Pereira standing a lot on the outside and Letourneau being the more aggressive fighter. Pereira got a takedown off the clinch against the fence. Pereira landed some hammerfists and then let Letourneau back up. 10-9 second round for Pereira, 19-19 after two. They were trading in the third with neither getting the edge. A very slow third round. They got in a clinch and neither got the edge. They traded at the end. No clear round winner in the third. I’m giving it 10-9 to Letourneau for volume, and have it 29-28 Letourneau. Pereira took the fight on two scorecards. Not a bad call as neither did anything in that third round, or in most of the fight.
Official Result- Viviane Pereira def. Valerie Letourneau by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
> Olivier Aubin-Mercier (8-2, 4-2 UFC) vs. Drew Dober (17-7 1 NC, 3-3 1 NC UFC) Lightweights
They were trading earlier and Aubin-Mercier dropped Dober with a left hand briefly. Dober was bleeding heavily from the nose. Aubin-Mercier was landing the jab at will and tagged Dober with a left hand and then dropped him for a moment with a body punch. Dober slipped on a kick. Dober cracked him late with a left hand and another. 10-9 round for Aubin-Mercier. Dober dropped Aubin-Mercier with a left hand and went right into the full guard. Aubin-Mercier grabbed a leg lock and used it to sweep Dober and he ended up into the full guard of Dober. Aubin-Mercier transitioned to the back and was able to get the arm under Dober’s neck and locked in a rear-naked choke. Dober tapped out and Aubin-Mercier gets the win by submission! First win for a Canadian fighter tonight.
Official Result- Olivier Aubin-Mercier def. Drew Dober by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:57 of Round 2
They were trading with Krylov landing primarily kicks and Cirkunov punches. Cirkunov got a takedown. Krylov got to his feet. Krylov landed a body kick followed by a right hand. Cirkunov got another takedown but Krylov scrambled up and got a takedown of his own. Cirkunov swept to the top but they scrambled up. Cirkunov landed a big left hand and got another brief takedown. Cirkunov dropped Krylov with a left hand and locked in a deep guillotine and Krylov tapped! Cirkunov with the submission win in the first! That’s eight straight wins overall for Cirkunov, four straight in the UFC. Cirkunov expressed a desire to fight Shogun Rua in his post-fight interview.
Official Result- Misha Cirkunov def. Nikita Krylov by submission (guillotine choke) at 4:38 of Round 2
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> Jordan Mein (29-10, 3-2 UFC) vs. Emil Meek (8-2-1 1 NC, 0-0 UFC) Welterweights
Mein is back from retirement. They traded leg kicks and Mein got a takedown but Meek got right back up. Meek landed a big leg kick and Mein countered with a takedown. They scrambled to their feet. Meek started landing punches that stunned Mein. They traded punches and Mein landed a big right hand. Mein landed two kicks then a left hand and got a takedown. Meek made a grimace and pointed to his ribs. They got up and started trading. Meek hurt Mein with a right hand. Fun first round. 10-9 Mein. Mein landing leg kicks in the second but Meek is coming back with a flurry of punches. Meek scored a takedown. Meek working from half-guard as Mein is doing nothing on the bottom. Meek looking for an arm-triangle in the mount. He had it in but Mein hip escaped. Meek landing punches from the top as the round ended. 10-9 Meek in the second, 19-19 so far. They traded early in the third and Meek pushed Mein against the fence. Meek got a takedown. The pace really slowed. Meek remaining on top and neither doing much. The crowd booing the slow pace of the round. Meek with more punches from the top. Mein tried a kimura but couldn’t get it as the fight ends. 10-9 Meek and I have it 29-28 Meek. All three judges had it the same.
Official Result- Emi Meek def. Jordan Mein by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Tim Kennedy (#10, 18-5, 3-1 UFC) vs. Kelvin Gastelum (#8 WW, 12-2, 7-2 UFC) Middleweights
The first round was mostly all Kennedy as he took Gastelum down multiple times and was wearing him down with a body lock. Gastelum was able to escaped and tagged Kennedy a couple of times and Kennedy had a swollen right eye, and Gastelum rocked him late. I think he stole it at the end so I had it 10-9 Gastelum.
Kennedy tried to put this fight back to a grind in the second with a body lock but Gastelum escaped and was getting the better of the striking battle. Gastelum definitely had a speed edge on the feet and Kennedy started to show signs of gassing as the round wore on. 10-9 round for Gastelum and I had him up 20-18.
Gastelum was picking Kennedy apart on the feet early in the third round and had him close to being finished. He continued to tee off and dropped Kennedy and finally finished it in the third as John McCarthy stepped in. A big win for Gastelum and he looked very good in this fight. He expressed his desire to go back to 170 pounds after the fight. He looked great here so that might not be the right move.
Official Result- Kelvin Gastelum def. Tim Kennedy by TKO (punches) at 2:45 of Round 3
> Cub Swanson (#4, 23-7, 8-3 UFC) vs. Doo Ho Choi (#11, 15-1, 3-0 UFC) Featherweights
They were going back-and-forth on their feet with both men landing hard punches. The output was more Swanson but Choi was connecting more and landing with more power and he had some real snap on his punches. All action on the feet in the first round. I had it 10-9 Choi.
The second round was so awesome. They were throwing punches back and forth and both men had the other close to being finished. They were just cracking each other in an amazing sequence. Swanson changed the pace for a moment but they got back up and were cracking each other with punches again. At one point, Swanson landed a cartwheel kick and a spinning back fist in back-to-back sequences. They both somehow survived. One of the best rounds of the year. I had it 10-9 Swanson, 19-19 after two.
The third round was nuts as well. They were just hitting each other with everything they had. Swanson cracked Choi with so many punches it was unreal how his chin held up. Both men were just hitting each other so hard. Swanson had Choi in trouble a lot but Choi was unreal in survivng. It was another amazing round. Swanson dropped him at the end. We have a late front runner for fight of the year. I had round three 10-9 for Swanson and the fight 29-28 for Swanson.
The crowd went crazy after the fight. All three judges had the fight for Swanson. He credited Choi for calling him out and making him question himself and said he trained hard for the fight. Choi- “If this is what losing feels like, I’m going to train even more, and I’m not going to lose again.” He said he is a huge fan of Swanson and really wanted to fight him.
Official Result- Cub Swanson def. Doo Ho Choi by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
> Donald Cerrone (#5, #10 LW, 31-7 1 NC, 18-4 UFC) vs. Matt Brown (#14, 20-15, 13-9 UFC) Welterweights
The first round mostly stayed standing and they were cracking each other, but Cerrone had more volume and had Brown in trouble. Brown did land some big punches and had Cerrone in a triangle choke at one point, but Cerrone escaped. Brown came on better at the end of the round. I had it 10-9 for Cerrone.
They were trading and Brown dropped Cerrone at one point and had him in trouble. Cerrone then ended up dropping Brown a few moments later. Both were landing, but as the round wore on, it looked like Cerrone’s punches were doing more damage and had Brown in more trouble.. Brown’s face was a bloody mess in this round. It was close, but I had it 10-9 for Cerrone based on damage. I had it 20-18 Cerrone.
They hugged at the start of the third round, but it didn’t last much longer after that. Cerrone landed a perfectly placed head kick and Brown went out cold! A highlight-reel knockout win for Cerrone! Cerrone said he wanted on the Denver card on January 28 in his post-fight interview.
Official Result- Donald Cerrone def. Matt Brown by knockout (head kick) at :34 of Round 3
> Max Holloway (#2, 16-3, 12-3 UFC) vs. Anthony Pettis (#5, 19-5, 6-4 UFC) Interim UFC Featherweight Championship for Holloway, Pettis missed weight, coming in at 148 pounds
The first round was a lot of a feeling out process. Holloway was leaving himself wide open and Pettis was able to strike accordingly with side kicks and high kicks. Holloway started to find his strikes late and was landing clean and hard strikes as the round progressed. It started going his way at the end. I had it 10-9 for Holloway.
Holloway knocked Pettis down early in the second and Pettis got up and was starting to be more aggressive, likely sensing he was down in the fight. He kept closing in on Holloway, but that allowed Holloway to attack the body. Holloway was getting the better of the exchanges so Pettis tried to turn this into a clinch grind but the round ended before he could get anything going. I had round two 10-9 for Holloway, and him up 20-18.
As we start round three, it appears Pettis has a broken hand. It clearly has affected his gameplan as he stopped throwing his right hand and was mostly going for kicks. Holloway was executing his offense very well, mixing his striking with some well-timed trip takedowns. Pettis did hurt him with some jabs but that seems to be his main course of offense. Holloway then landed a beautiful sequence to the body that stunned and dropped Pettis and Holloway poured on the punches until Yves Lavigne stepped in and stopped it. A big finish by Holloway and he is now the Interim UFC Featherweight Champion.
Holloway called out Jose Aldo to unify the championships at UFC 208 in Brooklyn in February. Pettis said he broke his right hand with the first punch, and said he was going back to 155 pounds as the weight cut to 145 pounds is too much for him.
Official Result- Max Holloway def. Anthony Pettis by TKO (strikes) at 4:50 of Round 3
Anthony Pettis will miss an opportunity to become the Interim UFC Featherweight Champion as he missed weight for the UFC 206 headliner during the official weigh-ins on Friday morning. Ariel Helwani reported that he was going to miss prior to him stepping on the scale during MMAFighting’s live video feed of this morning’s weigh-in festivities.
Pettis officially weighed in at 148 pounds. He had to weigh in at no more than 145 pounds to make his title fight against Max Holloway official. Holloway had already successfully made weight at 145 pounds earlier during weigh-ins.
This is the first time a fighter has missed weight for a championship bout since Travis Lutter missed weight at UFC 67 way back in February 2007.
The fight will still take place and will remain a five-round main event. If Holloway wins, he becomes the Interim UFC Featherweight Champion. Should Pettis defeat Holloway, he will not become champion. Pettis was looking to become the fourth fighter in UFC history to win championships in two different weight classes.
Here’s some advice for your gambling and fantasy needs for Saturday’s UFC 206 event in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, headlined by Max Holloway taking on Anthony Pettis for the Interim UFC Featherweight Championship on pay-per-view.
MAIN CARD
Interim UFC Featherweight Championship- Max Holloway (16-3) vs. Anthony Pettis (19-5)
Betting Odds: Holloway (-210), Pettis (+175) DraftKings Salaries: Holloway- $8,800, Pettis- $7,400 Key Statistic: Pettis has never been finished in his career Analysis: This is a very interesting and high-level fight for the interim championship at 145 pounds. Holloway is on fire, having won nine straight fights, but he fights the toughest opponent he has had since that streak began in Pettis. Pettis is a man who has never been finished in his career, extremely durable and ultra flashy. He presents a different style that Holloway hasn’t seen in those nine fights. Holloway has to be prepared for an opponent who will look to finish him in any possible way. Holloway is a pressure fighter whereas Pettis is someone who is patient in looking for openings. Holloway is much improved over his young career, and he throws a lot of volume on his feet. Pettis may try and take this fight to the mat and Holloway has been submitted in his career. This is really a close fight. With it being so close, a bet on Pettis isn’t a bad move at all. Holloway is significantly higher in fantasy salaries, and I don’t see him finishing Pettis, which limits his value. However, this fight will go 25 minutes if Holloway is ahead, and volume adds up. Both men are good fantasy plays as Pettis can score the finish.
Donald Cerrone (31-7 1 NC) vs. Matt Brown (20-15)
Betting Odds: Cerrone (-290), Brown (+245) DraftKings Salaries: Cerrone- $9,300, Brown- $6,900 Key Statistic: Cerrone with 16 career wins by submission Analysis: Cerrone and Brown are ready to throw down in a welterweight slugfest serving as the co-main event on Saturday. Cerrone has been on a tear since moving up to 170 pounds, winning three straight to become a bonafide contender. Brown needs a win badly in this one, but it is a tall order. As exciting as Cerrone is in fights, he is also very smart and calculated, and his best shot at winning is actually getting the mat to the ground. Cerrone has won 16 fights by submission, while Brown has been submitted ten times in his career. Cerrone is better on the feet, but Brown is good at applying pressure, and Brown will have a size edge over him. Cerrone is just too technically good for Brown, and I see a submission win for him. Cerrone has the highest salary value on this card, and is the biggest betting favorite. He is a good play for both.
Cub Swanson (23-7) vs. Doo Ho Choi (15-1)
Betting Odds: Swanson (+190), Choi (-230) DraftKings Salaries: Swanson- $7,300, Choi- $8,900 Key Statistic: Choi has 12 wins by knockout Analysis: Swanson is a big-time veteran of the sport, with 12 years of experience at just 33-years-old. Choi is a super prospect at 25-years-old and winner of 13 straight fights. Choi has three wins in the UFC, all by knockout in the first round. This is his toughest test. Swanson is quick on his feet but tends to keep his hands low, and Choi is an excellent counterpuncher with tremendous power. He is also good enough of a defensive wrestler that he will be able to negate any level changes that Swanson comes at him with. Swanson has only been knocked out once in his career, but he does have a lot of mileage on him. If there is a fighter who is going to be the next to finish him on the feet, Choi is the perfect candidate. I like Choi a lot in this fight. However, with all of that being said, Swanson holds some real value at $7,300 in fantasy as he is Choi’s toughest fight yet, and there is always that potential for upsets by veterans.
Tim Kennedy (18-5) vs. Kelvin Gastelum (13-2)
Betting Odds: Kennedy (-135), Gastelum (+115) DraftKings Salaries: Kennedy- $8,300, Gastelum- $7,900 Key Statistic: Kennedy hasn’t fought since September 2014 Analysis: Kennedy welcomes Gastelum back to 185 pounds in his first fight in over 26 months. Kennedy is a strong middleweight, and Gastelum is going to be giving up some size. Kennedy has power and is a great wrestler, though Gastelum is a solid wrestler himself. Gastelum is a southpaw, and he might have a slight edge on the feet, but Kennedy is a pressure fighter who isn’t afraid to turn a fight into a grind. He is an excellent grappler who knows how to keep opponents on the mat, and he is adept at winning scrambles. This might not be a crowd-pleasing fight, but I’m picking Kennedy to win it by decision. They’re close on the betting odds, so you can make some money on this fight. I’m not sure if I would favor either in fantasy line-ups as I don’t expect a finish here. Kennedy would be the play there, though, with his ability to score takedowns, which rack up points.
Jordan Mein (29-10) vs. Emil Meek (8-2 1 NC)
Betting Odds: Mein (-155), Meek (+135) DraftKings Salaries: Mein- $9,000, Meek- $7,200 Key Statistic: Mein coming out of retirement to fight for first time since January 2015 Analysis: Mein makes his return to competition as he welcomes the debuting Meek. It’s a tough first fight coming out of retirement for Mein, who is still young at 27, but will be fighting for the 40th time. Mein is a skilled striker with good power, with 16 knockout wins. He has also been finished seven times in his career. Meek has killer instinct as all of his wins have come by a finish, and he has ultra power in his hands, and he is a better grappler. Mein has stayed training during his retirement, but ring rust is hard to shake off. He is the more talented fighter, and that might be enough to get him the win. Meek is an excellent play in fantasy at a $7,200 salary. You’d be foolish to not consider him.
PRELIMS
Nikita Krylov (21-4) vs. Misha Cirkunov (12-2)
Betting Odds: Krylov (+100), Cirkunov (-120) DraftKings Salaries: Krylov- $8,100, Cirkunov- $8,100 Key Statistic: Krylov has never been the distance in his career Analysis: This is a rare fight between two prospects at 205 pounds, and it’ll determine which one is closer to title contention. Both men are big light heavyweights. Krylov is a proven finisher, having won all 21 of his fights by finish. He also has been finished in all four of his losses. Cirkunov has ten wins by finish, and has been submitted in both of his losses. Krylov is a better striker while Cirkunov is a better wrestler. This is a dead-even fight, both in betting odds and fantasy value. Krylov is the better bet to score a finish, and he would be the fantasy play in this one.
Olivier Aubin-Mercier (8-2) vs. Drew Dober (17-7 1 NC)
Betting Odds: Aubin-Mercier (-170), Dober (+150) DraftKings Salaries: Aubin-Mercier- $8,200, Dober- $8,000 Key Statistic: Aubin-Mercier averages just under three takedowns per fight Analysis: Two southpaws match up in an interesting bout at 155 pounds. Aubin-Mercier is big and athletic for the weight class and is a strong takedown artist. Dober is more technical on his feet, but he has an underrated submission game. Aubin-Mercier has to work his takedown game as Dober will make him pay on the feet, especially with counters. Aubin-Mercier is just a slightly better fighter, and he has seven wins by submission. I feel like he is getting his eighth, and is a good fantasy play. I would avoid Dober at his salary.
Valerie Letourneau (8-5) vs. Viviane Pereira (12-0)
Betting Odds: Letourneau (-175), Pereira (+155) DraftKings Salaries: Letourneau- $8,400, Pereira- $7,800 Key Statistic: Letourneau has a 7-inch height advantage Analysis: Pereira makes her UFC debut boasting an undefeated record, but gets a former title challenger in Letourneau. Letourneau is going to have a huge size advantage, with seven inches in height, five inches in reach, and she cuts a lot of weight to make 115 pounds. She is the better striker of the two. Pereira is going to have to hope for a takedown and some time from the top. I think Letourneau will be able to keep it standing and take a decision. Neither fighter is a recommended fantasy play in your line-ups.
Mitch Gagnon (12-3) vs. Matthew Lopez (8-1)
Betting Odds: Gagnon (-155), Lopez (+135) DraftKings Salaries: Gagnon- $8,600, Lopez- $7,600 Key Statistic: Gagnon has eleven wins by submission Analysis: Gagnon returns after being out of action for almost two years. Lopez looks to rebound from his first career loss suffered in his UFC debut. Gagnon is quick on his feet but lacks the true power that Lopez holds. Gagnon is the better takedown artist, and he is more adept at finding submissions. Lopez has seven wins by finish, all in the first round, so he is dangerous. Gagnon has eleven submission wins, ten of which came in the first round. This will be explosive. Lopez is a good value play in fantasy contests at a modest $7,600 salary.
John Makdessi (14-5) vs. Lando Vannata (8-1)
Betting Odds: Makdessi (+160), Vannata (-185) DraftKings Salaries: Makdessi- $7,500, Vannata- $8,500 Key Statistic: Both men land over five significant strikes per minute Analysis: This will be a high-volume action fight. Makdessi has probably peaked as a fighter as he fights the same fight offensively and defensively in his recent fights. Vannata has taken notice of that, and he himself is an excellent lightweight prospect. As good as Makdessi has looked, this feels like a fight to get Vannata a win. Makdessi can be tricky on his feet, but Vannata has more tricks of his own, and has a good grappling game to back him up. He is more powerful, more athletic, and better overall, and this feels like a lock for him to win. He is a good bet and a great fantasy play as I see him getting a finish.
Jason Saggo (12-2) vs. Rustam Khabilov (20-3)
Betting Odds: Saggo (+170), Khabilov (-200) DraftKings Salaries: Saggo- $7,100, Khabilov- $9,100 Key Statistic: Khabilov has 28 takedowns in UFC competition Analysis: Saggo is a potent striker but he has a huge test in front of him in the form of Khabilov, one of the most-gifted takedown artists at 155 pounds. Khabilov averages over four takedowns per 15 minutes, and we know that will be coming. He is also solid on his feet. The biggest knock on Khabilov is his ability to be completely inactive in fights. It could cost him and Saggo is a decent underdog pick. If he doesn’t give away rounds, Khabilov is a safe bet to win the fight. I’m not sure how valuable he will be in fantasy contests, as while takedowns score a lot of points, he isn’t a guaranteed finish, something his $9,100 salary will need.
Zach Makovsky (19-7) vs. Dustin Ortiz (15-6)
Betting Odds: Makovsky (-160), Ortiz (+140) DraftKings Salaries: Makovsky- $8,500, Ortiz- $7,700 Key Statistic: Ortiz has never been finished in his career Analysis: These guys are mirror images, and this should be a technical flyweight fight to open the action on Saturday. It could also become a very boring fight. Ortiz has never been finished in his career, and I don’t expect that to change on Saturday. Makovsky is a more skilled wrestler, and Ortiz may just be a tad better on the feet. Neither man will likely take a lot of chances, but both could be fighting for their roster spot. I would pick Makovsky to win this fight by a decision. I wouldn’t play either in fantasy contests, but if I had to, Ortiz has better value at a $7,700 salary.
A key featherweight bout has been added to December’s UFC 206 event as Max Holloway (16-3, 12-3 UFC) will put his nine-fight win streak on the line when he takes on former UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis (19-5, 6-4 UFC). The bout was first reported by TSN in Canada.
Holloway will be looking to accomplish a rare feat inside the Octagon of getting ten straight wins after posting back-to-back decision wins over Ricardo Lamas and Jeremy Stephens in his two most recent fights. He also has scored wins over notable ranked fighters such as Cub Swanson and Charles Oliveira during his win streak, which has seen him finish six of his nine opponents.
The streak has catapulted Holloway to third in the UFC’s official rankings, and many think he is next in line for a title shot after the situation between Jose Aldo, Conor McGregor and the unification of the UFC Featherweight Championship gets sorted out.
Pettis is looking to score his second straight win since moving down to 145 pounds after scoring a submission win over Charles Oliveira in August. That ended his three-fight losing skid which started with losing his UFC Lightweight Championship to now former champion Rafael Dos Anjos, and followed with losses to current champion Eddie Alvarez and Edson Barboza.
Despite the skid, Pettis has never been finished in his career, and even though he has just one fight at 145 pounds, he finds himself currently ranked sixth and could be in line for a title shot with a win over Holloway.
Other additions to that event today include a bantamweight bout between Mitch Gagnon (12-3, 4-2 UFC) and Matthew Lopez (8-1, 0-1 UFC), and a women’s strawweight bout change as Valerie Letourneau (8-5, 3-2 UFC) now takes on debuting Viviane Pereira (11-0, 0-0 UFC), who is a replacement for the injured Poliana Botelho.
UFC 206 takes place on December 10 from the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The event is headlined by a UFC Light Heavyweight Championship bout as Daniel Cormier defends against Anthony Johnson.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC On FOX 21: Maia vs. Condit from the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
The event is headlined by a five-round welterweight bout between top contenders as Demian Maia takes on former Interim UFC Welterweight Champion Carlos Condit. In the co-main event, former UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis fights for the first time at 145 pounds as he takes on Charles Oliveira. Plus, Paige VanZant makes her return to the Octagon to take on Bec Rawlings.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 5 PM eastern time with preliminary action all the way thru the main card.
LIGHTWEIGHTS JEREMY KENNEDY (8-0, 0-0 UFC) VS. ALESSANDRO RICCI (10-3, 0-0 UFC)
Both these guys are Canadian and both are making their UFC debuts. Even though Ricci has three losses they have all come against guys with big-league experience. Kennedy has racked up his perfect record against no-names on the Canadian and Taiwan regional scene.
Ricci took this fight on five days notice. Kennedy is the big crowd favorite, being from suburban Vancouver. Brian Stann joins Mike Goldberg for commentary for this show as Joe Rogan is pretty much only doing PPVs with his new deal.
Kennedy is 11 years younger than Ricci and has a slight reach advantage. Yves Lavigne is the referee.
ROUND 1 – Kennedy trying to make it a clinch game early, controlling Ricci on the cage. Crowd chanting JUNIOR BACON CHEESEBURGER, which apparently is Kennedy’s nickname. Sounded like KENNEDY to me.
Kennedy finally got a takedown with 30 seconds left after controlling the clinch all round. Ricci got right up though. Very close round, 10-9 Kennedy
ROUND 2 – Significant strikes are 23-15 through 1:15 of round 2 for Kennedy. Kennedy starting this round the same way much of Round 2 went. He did get a takedown at 1:45
Ricci up quickly but Kennedy still controlling things and doing more damage here from the clinch. Kennedy got another takedown at 3:30 and controlled things the whole way up until then.
Kennedy 3 of 9 on takedowns through 4:30 of Round 2. Ricci has done almost nothing this round though. Kennedy with a really nice punch combo right before the round ended. Easy 10-9 Kennedy, 20-18
ROUND 3 – Ricci looks exhausted coming out while Kennedy is still fresh. Ref warns them to work 1:00 in as they started off in the clinch and nothing happening.’
Kennedy with 7:17 of clinch control through 13 minutes of the fight and gets another takedown at 2:15. Ricci easily up again and they’re right back to the clinch.
Kennedy with another takedown at 3:30 but Ricci with a guillotine attempt. Kennedy easily escapes it. Crowd starting to boo a bit even though their guy is winning, mostly cause this fight is awful.
Ricci got up briefly but Kennedy took him right down again for his fifth takedown. He’s doing absolutely nothing on top though, not even trying to advance or land strikes. Enough to win the round and the fight though. 10-9 Kennedy, 30-27
WINNER – JEREMY KENNEDY (9-0) by unanimous decision (30-27 x 2; 29-28)
HOT TAKE – Terrible fight. Kennedy won but he’s going to get lit up by most guys in this division. Ricci took the fight on short notice and might get another chance but he’s not really UFC caliber either.
149 LB. CATCHWEIGHT (LAPRISE MISSED WEIGHT) CHAD LAPRISE (10-2, 3-2 UFC) VS. THIBAULT GOUTI (11-2, 0-2 UFC)
Canada vs France here with Laprise having the hometown advantage. Both guys are on two fight losing streaks so this could be loser leaves town.
Gouti is slightly younger and a has a 1.5 in reach advantage. Laprise of course missed weight pretty badly. Kevin Dornan is the ref.
ROUND 1 – Laprise dropped Gouti with a punch 1:30 and all over him. Gouti briefly up but gets dropped again and turtles so the ref stepped in to call it.
WINNER – CHAD LAPRISE (11-2) by TKO (punches) at 1:36
HOT TAKE – Well, that’s it for Gouti. With a couple wins in Europe he could get brought back at some point, I suppose. Laprise did what he had to do. If he missed weight like this again he might have to go back to 170, where he won the TUF Nations show.
In Laprise’s post-fight interview he apologized to Gouti, the fans and Joe Silva for missing weight and said that he’ll be going back to 170. He put over his coaches, including the late Shawn Tompkins in the most Canadian of Canadian accents you could imagine.
PRELIMINARY CARD (FOX- 6 PM ET/3 PM PT)
LIGHTWEIGHTS SHANE CAMPBELL (12-5, 1-3 UFC) VS. FELIPE SILVA (7-0, 0-0 UFC)
Campbell is the last Canadian on the card here in the third fight on the show. Silva is Brazilian and making his UFC debut.
Campbell is 3 years younger, at 29, but is giving up six inches of reach to Silva. Silva KO’d a former UFC fighter in the first round in his last fight. Big John is the referee.
ROUND 1 – Silva looking really crisp with his striking and drops Campbell with his first extended combination. Campbell down and Silva all over him until the ref stops it.
WINNER – FELIPE SILVA (8-0) by TKO (punches) at 1:13
HOT TAKE – Silva looked really good here. He’s got crazy power which you could see in the limited time he was in there and he’s going to have a reach advantage against most guys in the division. Campbell may get another chance but with 4 losses in 5 UFC fights, maybe not.
In his post-fight promo, Silva didn’t want to call any specific fighter out, saying it was too early in his UFC career to do that, but said he really wants to be on the November show in Brazil.
MIDDLEWEIGHTS GARRETH MCLELLAN (13-4, 1-2 UFC) VS. ALESSIO DI CHIRICO (9-1, 0-1 UFC)
South Africa vs USA is up next. Di Chirico’s perfect record was spoiled in his UFC debut in April. McLellan is fighting for the first time in North America after a long career in Europe and his native continent of Africa.
Di Chirico is 7 years younger, at 26, and has a 2 inch reach advantage. Ref is Kevin Dornan once again, who gives the 4 Horseman hand signal after McLellan does the John Cena salute. Not making that up.
ROUND 1 – Di Chirico with the clear advantage on the feet early. McLellan throwing a variety of kicks but Di Chirico blocking or checking most of them.
McLellan landed a nice uppercut that opened up a cut under the left eye of Di Chirico. Di Chirico with a 16-4 advantage in head strikes landed through 4 minutes.
McLellan stuffed on a late takedown attempt. 10-9 Di Chirico
ROUND 2 – McLellan took him down to open but Di Chiricho gut up quickly and then got a takedown of his own and blitzed him with ground and pound.
McLellan weathered it but there’s some pretty heavy bleeding around his right ear from the elbows of Di Chirico. McLellan visibly tired, though, halfway through the round.
Di Chirico got another takedown at 3:00 but didn’t do any damage and McLellan up. Di Chirico’s punches are much slower now and don’t have the power behind him they did earlier.
Both guys landing heavy shots from the clinch in the last minute. Di Chirico with a 22-12 advantage in significant strikes. Di Chirico grabbed the fence to avoid a takedown but the ref missed it. 10-9 Di Chirico, 20-18 overall
ROUND 3 – Brian Stann said that in looking at the replay it appeared Di Chirico didn’t grab the fence in the last minute there. Di Chirico got an early takedown and moved right into mount.
McLellan with a nice escape and ended up in top position. He did nothing on the ground though and Di Chirico got up pretty easily.
Both guys just throwing haymakers and landing 3:00 in. McLellan looks dead on his feet but not really in danger of being finished just yet.
McLellan’s face is a bloody mess and Di Chirico’s white trunks are red with his blood as well. McLellan got a late takedown but seems content to lay and pray. 10-9 Di Chirico, 30-27
WINNER – ALESSIO DI CHIRICO (10-1) by split decision (29-28 x 2, 28-29)
HOT TAKE – I’ve seen (a lot) worse but 29-28 McLellan was a bad scorecard there. Third round was close I suppose. Neither of these guys will ever contend for a title. Di Chirico earned another fight though.
McLellan is just not a UFC-level fighter and I’ve never thought he was. I’m baffled how he still keeps getting fights.
Di Chirico sent shout-outs to his friends and family in Italy after the tragedy there earlier this week.
Barzola is from Peru and was the season 2 winner of TUF Latin America. Bochniak is the first American on this card and lost his UFC debut after coming in with a lot of hype.
Their heights and reach identical but Barzola is 2 years younger at 27. Dan Miragliotta is the ref for the first time tonight.
ROUND 1 – First couple of minutes very even on the feet. Barzola with a 21-5 advantage in strikes landed through 4 minutes.
Bochniak came on a bit at the end but Barzola did enough to win a boring first round. 10-9 Barzola
ROUND 2 – Bochniak may have hurt himself landing his foot after throwing a kick early in the first. First half of the round is almost exactly the same as the first. Barzola with maybe a slight advantage.
Bochniak with 12 leg kicks landed through 3:30 of round 2. None of them have done significant damage though as Barzola is moving exactly the same as he did at the start of the fight.
Bochniak had a nice punch combo at the 4:00 mark that may be enough to steal the round. Barzola got a late takedown though and I don’t know how to score this one. I rarely do this but 10-10, 20-19 overall for Barzola
ROUND 3 – Total strikes landed through 11 minutes were 58-24 for Barzola. Bochniak has probably landed the harder strikes though.
Barzola with his first takedown attempt at 2:30 but stuffed after they had fairly even stand-up again to start the round. Bochniak has a mouse under his right eye.
Crowd getting restless as they’re basically just dancing around now. Barzola with a very slight striking advantage but again very close. Bochniak coming on late in the round as he probably senses he’s down in the fight. 10-9 Barzola, 30-28 overall
WINNER – KYLE BOCHNIAK (7-1) by split decision (29-28 x 2; 27-30)
HOT TAKE – All 3 rounds were very close so any score was okay. Bochniak looked baffled when the 30-27 score went against him. Both guys are prospects but have a long way to go. They each fought like they were trying not to lose which is going to hurt them moving forward.
They are airing a ton of commercials for UFC 203 and heavily featuring CM Punk. They’ve also showed clips from the reality show so it’s clear that he’s the focus of that show in terms of drawing casuals.
MIDDLEWEIGHTS SAM ALVEY (27-8 1 NC, 4-3 UFC) VS. KEVIN CASEY (9-4-1 2 NC, 1-2-1 2 NC UFC)
A battle of Americans here although Alvey has fought in Canada before and always puts the fans over. Alvey said in the pre-fight video package that Casey’s jaw “looks pretty punchable”.
Alvey is 3 inches taller but Casey has a 1.5 inch reach advantage. Casey is 35 years and 5 years older than Alvey. Yves Lavigne is the ref for the 2nd time tonight.
ROUND 1 – First couple minutes was Alvey stalking Casey and Casey landing occasional punches or kicks while retreating. Alvey hasn’t landed a single punch through 2:15.
Casey took it to the clinch and they basically had a stalemate for the next couple of minutes. Ref didn’t even threaten to separate them, which is unusual because neither guy doing anything.
Alvey landed a couple knees to the body, which may have been his first strikes landed and then closed with a flurry of punches that stole the round in my eyes. 10-9 Alvey
ROUND 2 – Alvey’s corner told him to pick up the pace between rounds. He does come out throwing early and also lands a couple of leg kicks.
Alvey dropped Casey with a combo at 2:00 and then backed up, forcing Casey back up. Alvey with another combo around 3:30 and Casey looks like he’s just waiting to get knocked out.
Alvey with a 19-6 advantage in head strikes landed through 9 minutes. Alvey dropped him with another combo at 4:30 and went to the ground with punches and elbows. Casey barely defending the ref stopped it just before the round was going to end.
WINNER – SAM ALVEY (28-8) by TKO (punches and elbows) at 4:56 of the 2nd round
HOT TAKE – Another impressive finish from Alvey. That should be it for Casey as he just has no heart. Not sure why Alvey waited so long to throw punches because it seemed at any point in this fight that he could’ve finished it.
Alvey put over the Canadian fans. He then put over his wife for taking care of 3 kids, including a one-month old, and also taking care of him during his fight camp.
Then he asked for a fight on the Manchester show against anyone at 185 or 205. Are you listening Tom Lawlor?
Stann then asked him to talk about his wife and the excellent corner job she did. Alvey gave his wife credit for scouting his opponent, finding him a fight team and said she knows more about MMA than he does. Crowd loved this.
MAIN CARD (FOX- 8 PM ET/5 PM PT)
LIGHTWEIGHTS JOE LAUZON (26-11, 13-8 UFC) VS. JIM MILLER (26-8 1 NC, 15-7 1 NC UFC)
This is a rematch from UFC 155 in what was an all-time great fight. Both guys scored 1st round KO’s at UFC 200 and this has fight of the night written all over it as they’ve combined for 24 post-fight award bonuses.
Both guys are 32. Lauzon has a 2 inch height and a very slight reach advantage. Big John will officiate.
ROUND 1 – Lauzon with a submission attempt 15 seconds in, taking Miller down with a leg lock but he got out of it. Both guys throwing at a pretty heavy pace early one they got back to the standup.
Lauzon definitely the aggressor but Miller landing a lot of strikes while retreating. Miller falls down after missing a spinning back fist and Lauzon into his guard at 2:30.
Lauzon pretty active from the top, mixing in punches, elbows and even knees to the body. Miller gets to his feet at 3:45.
Total strikes are 29-21 for Lauzon through 4 minutes. Lauzon defended a takedown attempt with 15 seconds left that saved the round for him. 10-9 Lauzon
ROUND 2 – Miller has a 26-15 advantage in distance strikes landed through 30 seconds of round 2 and he’s closed the gap in total strikes to where they’ve even. Lauzon backs up Miller to the cage with punches at 1:30 but Miller punches his way right back to the center.
Miller with small cuts on his forehead and around his nose but no heavy blood yet. Miller really landing a lot of counter punches.
Lauzon with a knockdown at 3:15. He’s landed 20 body strikes through 8 1/2 minutes. Lauzon with a Kimura attempt but gives it up quickly.
Miller working for a triangle from the bottom. He gives that up but lands a lot of head punches. Lauzon finished on top and probably did enough to take the round but it was close. 10-9 Lauzon, 20-18
ROUND 3 – Huge ovation for both guys to start the round. Miller all over Lauzon with punches to start, way more aggressive than he’s been the entire fight but Lauzon not anywhere close to going down.
Lauzon’s face showing the effects of that flurry from Miller and Miller now with a big cut under his left eye. Lauzon with a takedown at 1:45.
Lauzon not doing a lot of damage from top position but working very hard to advance position. Miller to his feet at 3:30. Lauzon with a late takedown that may cinch the round and the fight if any judges had it even after 2.
Lauzon into mount right before the round ended and an armbar attempt at the buzzer. 10-9 Lauzon, 30-27. Fight was way closer than that score would indicate.
WINNER – JIM MILLER (27-8) by split decision (29-28 x 2; 28-29)
HOT TAKE – All 3 rounds were close so again, any score was possible. This was definitely fight of the night but not quite a fight of the year candidate. Neither guy is a top contender but we should be able to see them in fun fights for another couple of years at least.
Great way to kick off the main card. Miller says that Lauzon said “no more” to him after the fight so we won’t get a third fight.
We are back to international conflict here after a couple of USA vs USA fights. USA takes on Australia in a strawweight fight.
VanZant is just 22 and 5 years younger than Rawlings. Rawling has a two inch height advantage but VanZant with one more inch of reach. Dan Miragliotta is the ref.
PVZ runs across the Octagon to start but Rawlings very quickly establishes control. VanZant doing a lot of dancing, ironically, but Rawlings landing more strikes through 2 minutes.
Crowd reacting big time to a lot of Paige’s moves but the spectacular kicks are missing by a large margin. Rawling very patient and waiting for her opportunities and landing at an efficient clip.
Total strikes are 22-9 for Rawlings through 4 minutes. VanZant landed her only combo of punches with about 15 seconds left but not enough to take the round. 10-9 Rawlings
ROUND 2 – PVZ dropped her with a flying head kick and finished Rawlings with punches on the ground.
WINNER – PAIGE VANZANT (7-2) by KO (kick) at 17 seconds of the seconds round
HOT TAKE – Well that finish came out of nowhere. Seemed like a bit of an early stoppage but the way that Rawlings went down, it can certainly be justified. VanZant has a lot of work to do if she’s going to keep fighting though because Rawlings was dominating her before she got caught.
VanZant said she had a terrible fight camp and almost pulled out of the fight. She asked for a fight on the Sacramento card later this year which she will certainly get.
CM Punk was interviewed via satellite from Chicago. Punk says he doesn’t think the crowd or the cameras or anything will affect him. He will be nervous to be in a fight for the first time.
Punk says that he’s not doing this to become a star, he’s doing this because he wanted to do it. He thinks that if Gall is focused on that, it will be to his disadvantage.
He says that no one has managed to put any kind of pressure on Mickey Gall in his fights and that’s what he intends to do. Much better interview than the one on Fight Pass earlier this year.
FEATHERWEIGHTS (#7 LW) ANTHONY PETTIS (18-5, 5-4 UFC) VS. (#6) CHARLES OLIVEIRA (21-5 1 NC, 9-5 1 NC UFC)
Pettis is dropping down a weight class after two straight loss at 155. Oliviera has won 6 of his last 7 with the only loss being something of a fluke to Max Holloway.
Oliveira is 26 and 3 years younger. He also had a 1.5 inch reach advantage. Yves Lavigne is the ref for the third time tonight.
ROUND 1 – Oliveira caught a kick to open and used it on a takedown attempt. After a minute of struggling on the cage, he gave it up.
Oliveira took him down at 1:45 and immediately took Pettis’ back. Pettis swept into top position and the crowd exploded. Pettis got to his feet and forced Oliveira to follow.
Pettis dropped Oliveira with a couple of body kicks and went into his guard, landing a ton of punches. Pettis moved into side control fairly easily as Oliveira is clearly rocked.
Total strikes are 24-9 for Pettis through 3:45. Oliveira to his feet and got another takedown. He immediately took Pettis’ back but again Pettis escaped and ended up in top position.
Pettis landing a ton of punches i the last 30 seconds with no defense from Oliveira but he rides out the round. 10-8 Pettis
ROUND 2 – Oliveira went for a takedown to start but Pettis ended up on top. He quickly stood up as he wants no part of Oliveira’s ground game, despite his advantage in Round 1.
Oliveira’s midsection is bright red from the Pettis body kicks earlier. He’s also got some bruising under his left eye.
Oliveira way more aggressive this round, landing a lot of punches standing. Pettis keeping up with him though. Oliveira takes his back standing and drags him to the mat at 2:45.
Oliveira secured a body lock while working for a rear naked choke. Pettis again escaped and swept into position. He went to his feet at 4:00 and Oliveira followed.
Both guys landing super hard strikes in the last minute and Oliveira got another takedown right before the bell, 10-9 Oliveira, 19-18 Pettis overall
ROUND 3 – Oliveira got another takedown to open the round. Pettis with an armbar attempt from the bottom but Oliveira defends it and takes the back.
Pettis again escapes and ends up on top in north/south position. Oliveira to his feet and took Pettis down again but Pettis grabbed him in a guillotine and got the tap.
WINNER – ANTHONY PETTIS (19-5) by submission (guillotine) at 1:49 of the third
HOT TAKE – That couldn’t have gone better for Pettis. He beat Oliveira at his own game and immediately established himself as a contender. He should get a big name next like Frankie Edgar or Max Holloway as he’s definitely a future title contender. Great fight.
Pettis admitted that he was a little gassed out at the end. Stann tried to get him to call someone else but all he would say is that he was here to win the belt.
More CM Punk hype as they showed clips of the reality show, including some still shots from his pro wrestling days. They showed clips of Mickey Gall in training and talking as well.
There’s been virtually no hype for the heavyweight title fight or top contender’s fight on the same show. Clearly this is being marketed around Punk.
WELTERWEIGHTS (#3) DEMIAN MAIA (23-6, 17-6 UFC) VS. (#4) CARLOS CONDIT (30-9, 7-5 UFC)
Maia is a former middleweight title contender who has a well-established rep as the best grappler in all of MMA. Condit formerly held the interim welterweight title and the WEC title and is coming off a fight of the year candidate in a title fight with Robbie Lawler in January.
Condit is the clear crowd favorite in Vancouver. Maia is walking a little gingerly on the way to the cage.
Maia is 6 years older, at 38. Condit has a 1 inch height and 3.5 inch reach advantage. Big John is the ref for the main event.
ROUND 1 – Well, Maia got it to the ground 45 seconds in with a takedown. Maia took his back at 1:30. Full body lock and rear naked choke from Maia and Condit taps.
WINNER – DEMIAN MAIA (24-6) by submission (rear naked choke) at 1:52
HOT TAKE – The look on Condit’s face after the ref stopped it tells me that he’ll probably retire after this fight, which is a shame. Maia did what everyone knew he that he could do and is certainly in line for a title shot. Whether he gets it or not, who knows?
Maia put over Condit after the fight, saying that he thought that he was the uncrowned champ. He says he’s earned a title shot and hopes he’ll get a title shot.
He says that he wants the winner of Tyron Woodley and Steven Thompson, which Bryan Stann says is the next title fight in the division. I’m not sure Woodley is aware of that.
Condit got interview time as well. Stann asked him if he would return to the Octagon. Condit said he doesn’t know what the future holds but put over Maia and says it just wasn’t his night.
The UFC returns to Canada this weekend for their next event on the FOX network as UFC On FOX 21 takes place on Saturday from the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia. The event is headlined by a five-round bout in the welterweight division as contenders Demian Maia and Carlos Condit do battle.
If you’re looking to score some money playing daily fantasy for Saturday night’s event, below is advice on some of the fighters featured on the card.
TOP PLAY
Anthony Pettis ($10,400)
After a long time competing as one of the best lightweights in the world, former UFC and WEC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis is dropping to 145 pounds in an attempt to revitalize his career and make a run at becoming a champion in the featherweight division. Pettis is coming in having lost three straight fights, which may make him a weird choice as the top fantasy play to some readers. However, when Pettis is on top of his game, he is one of the best fighters in the world. He hasn’t been at the top of his game recently, for whatever reasons, and perhaps the move to 145 pounds is what he needs to get him going again.
For his debut in the weight class, Pettis will be taking on Charles Oliveira in the co-main event of Saturday night’s card. Oliveira is one of the most pure talented fighters in the division, but one who hasn’t quite put everything together yet and get him into true title contention status. He has been on the cusp for some time, but every time he has that match-up that could propel him into the spotlight, he falls. He is a fighter who wins fights he’s expected to win, and loses fights he’s expected to lose, and hasn’t won that big one that he was supposed to lose. Going by the betting odds and the salaries for fighters on this card, he’s expected to lose, so this is his shot at scoring an upset. Pettis is going to have to come right after Oliveira if he’s going to take this win. Oliveira tends to fold under pressure, and while he has shown solid striking, Pettis’ flashy style is much more dangerous.
I also don’t think Oliveira is on the same level that the fighters who have defeated Pettis are on. Pettis has nasty kicks, and if he adjusts to the weight cut quickly, he has the chance to make this a quick night. I like Pettis as the top play.
BEST VALUE
Carlos Condit ($10,000)
Carlos Condit came super close to becoming the new UFC Welterweight Champion in January, losing a very close decision to then-champion Robbie Lawler. There was lots of talk that Condit was going to retire following the bout, but Condit returns on Saturday night for the headline position when he takes on Demian Maia. Condit brushed off the retirement talk saying he still loves what he’s doing, and he’s among the best welterweights in the world.
His five-round bout with Maia is going to pit your classic match-up in striker against grappler. Condit also has conditioning that is very hard for 170-pounders to match, and he can go for 25 minutes without getting tired. In fact, the longer a fight goes, the more in rhythm Condit begins to get with his huge arsenal of strikes. His opponent, Maia, has only been in three five-round fights, and he is 1-2 in those bouts. He lost decisions to Anderson Silva and Jake Shields, and won a lackluster decision over Ryan LaFlare. Maia is solid for a couple of rounds, but he begins to fade as the fight wears on. He is the best jiu-jitsu practiconer in the welterweight division, and he will be looking to take Condit down early, and he likely will. Condit is good at scrambling to his feet, and Maia uses a lot of energy holding opponents down.
Condit is very tough to submit, and if he can avoid the early grappling onslaught from Maia, it will open his striking late. As Maia begins to fade, Condit will be coming on strong, and a later round stoppage is certainly in the cards. With the fight being five rounds, and the match-up being very close, Condit is a great value at his salary as he will rack up points with striking, and his chance at a later finish is very solid. He has the best value for his salary.
FIGHTER TO AVOID
Kevin Casey ($9,200)
Kevin Casey’s six-fight UFC career has been weird, to say the least. He holds just one win in that time, two losses, a no contest due to a drug test failure overturning his win, a no contest due to an eye poke in the first minute, and, most recently, the rare split draw. Casey finds his back against the wall when he steps inside the Octagon on Saturday night as he takes on Sam Alvey. Alvey is looking to score his second straight win after a quick submission win over Eric Spicely.
Alvey is fighting for the third time in as many months, and he looks to keep the momentum going. Alvey is a finisher as 20 of his 27 career wins have come by stoppage, with 17 coming by knockout. Casey will also be giving up some size to Alvey to go along with giving up the experience. Casey is a solid jiu-jitsu artist, with a black belt, but he has yet to show his grappling skills all that much inside the Octagon. He has preferred to stand and strike, and, well, that isn’t condusive to getting a win over Alvey. Alvey hits hard, and Casey doesn’t have a strong chin. He also leaves himself open to be countered on the feet with the hands, and since Alvey is more of a straight puncher than an overall striker, Casey won’t often find a leg to grab in a striking attack to take the fight to the mat.
Casey has his back against the wall, and this is going to be a tough fight for him to get the win. I’m expecting Alvey to finish Casey, and I’m willing to say that this is fight most likely to see a finish. Casey is the one fighter to avoid on this card.
UNDERDOG TARGET
Shane Campbell ($8,800)
Shane Campbell will be making his fifth trip inside the Octagon on Saturday night, and he finds himself in a must-win situation. Campbell is just 1-3 in his first four UFC bouts and has lost two straight. He is coming into this fight after being submitted by Erik Koch in May in a fight where Campbell was winning early on the feet before succumbing to the grappling ability of Koch. Campbell will be taking on an opponent making his UFC debut in Felipe Silva, who enters the UFC with a perfect 7-0 record.
Silva has finished his opponents in six of those seven wins, with all of those wins coming in the first round. Silva is dangerous in that first round, but outside of that, his conditioning comes into play big time. He also has fought lower-level competition and Campbell is a big step up in competition with his experience. Campbell is a better striker on the feet as he has lots of professional kickboxing experience, and he is a much cleaner striker. Silva also doesn’t have the grappling credentials that both Koch and James Krause had when they took on Campbell in his last two fights.
Campbell is a sneaky play for an upset, and he has a low salary at just $8,800. Only two fighters have a lower salary than him. Silva’s undefeated record may scare people, but he is unproven on the big stage, and Campbell is a hard-nosed veteran. Campbell is your top underdog target.
WHO MIGHT SURPRISE
Paige VanZant ($10,800)
A Paige VanZant win wouldn’t be a surprise as she is one of the biggest betting favorites on the card and has the second-highest salary of all 22 fighters on the card. Many are expecting her to score the win when she makes her Octagon return taking on Bec Rawlings in one of the top fights on the card. Rawlings is a tough opponent and has won two straight fights, but VanZant is the more talented strawweight.
Both women are aggressive fighters though VanZant is a much more pressure fighter. She has also fought tougher competition, though she came up on the losing end in her last fight. She has a tremendous amount of heart that is matched only by her gas tank. VanZant doesn’t get tired, and Rawlings does as she carries a lot of size for a 115-pound fighter. Rawlings has good top control on the ground, but VanZant is crafty on the mat and is good at finding submissions. VanZant is also better on the feet of the two, and at just 22-years-old, the sky is still the limit for her. Rawlings is a good bounce back fight for VanZant as she is a tough test, but one that VanZant should be able to pass if she is going to be a title contender in the future.
A sneaky result here would be VanZant finding a submission after using a solid amount of ground-and-pound. She has done that before, and she is a scrappy fighter. She has a good chance at getting a finish, which even though her salary suggests might happen, it’s far from a guarantee. I think she finishes Rawlings, and that makes her a surprise play for those thinking she’ll just win by going the distance.
OUR LINE-UPS
RYAN FREDERICK- Paige VanZant ($10,800), Anthony Pettis ($10,400), Carlos Condit ($10,000), Adam Hunter ($9,700), Jim Miller ($9,100)
I have Anthony Pettis as my top play above, and I’m going with him in my line-up. I truly feel he will finish Charles Oliveira and get himself back on track. Oliveira is a very talented fighter, but he has a lot of flaws and falters against stiff competition. Pettis is stiff competition. He is risky based on his past three fights, but I see him getting back into the win column. Paige VanZant is making her return and looking to make a statement that she is going to be a future title challenger, and I expect her to be aggressive and wear down Bec Rawlings and score a finish in the later stages of their fight.
Carlos Condit is in the main event and has an extra ten minutes to score points. I expect him and Demian Maia to go the distance, though Condit can score a late finish. I like him to win the main event, and to score a handful of extra points in the extra time. Adam Hunter is making his UFC debut opposite an opponent also making his UFC debut in Ryan Janes. Hunter is an aggressive fighter and a finisher, and a quick finish and win for him is what I’m confident will happen. The last fighter on my team is Jim Miller. He holds a win over Joe Lauzon already, and I think he has a style that will have the upper hand on Lauzon. I like him to win.
PAUL FONTAINE- Alessio Di Chirico ($11,000), Sam Alvey ($10,200), Carlos Condit ($10,000), Jeremy Kennedy ($9,800), Charles Oliveira ($9,000)
Di Chirico is a huge favorite despite losing his UFC debut in April. I believe that’s more due to the fact that his opponent Garreth McLellan is just not a very good fighter. I expect a quick finish for the Italian fighter here. Smilin’ Sam Alvey should knock out Kevin Casey in fairly short order. Casey has just never lived up to the potential he showed on The Ultimate Fighter and he could be gone from UFC after this one. I like Condit to keep the main event on the feet and pepper Maia with punches the entire fight. If he doesn’t finish him, he’ll land a ton of strikes in a five round fight and score points.
Jeremy Kennedy is unbeaten coming into his UFC debut and he’s facing a fellow Canadian fighting for the first time in the Octagon as well. Ricci has faced similar competition and lost 3 times so I like Kennedy here. My last pick is Charles Oliveira who I think will finally win a big fight. I think the cut to 145 is really going to hurt Anthony Pettis and I like Oliveira to win by submission as he has in most of his UFC fights.
PEACH MACHINE- Paige VanZant ($10,800), Joe Lauzon ($10,300), Carlos Condit ($10,000), Chad Laprise ($9,900), Charles Oliveira ($9,000)
Condit will whhhhip Maia if Maia is dumb enough to keep it standing. I believe he’s that dumb and that Condit is a superior fighter. Oliveira has a lot of potential and Tony Pettis hasn’t exactly looked good recently. Pettis jumped the shark when he lost the strap. Lauzon looked great pummeling Diego Sanchez, and I expect JoeLa to toss a beatin’ on Jimmy Miller. PVZ needs a win here and I’m hoping she’s got her act together since DWTS. I picked Laprise because his cost allowed me to get to exactly 50,000. This is week 2 of 9 consecutive. We didn’t do great last week, not in the money, but my picks did go 4-1. This should be at least another 4-1 outing.
