Tag: brandon moreno

UFC Fight Night 268 live results: Brandon Moreno vs. Lone’er Kavanagh

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

The Octagon touches down in Mexico this weekend as the UFC closes out the month of February on Paramount+ with UFC Fight Night 268, taking place at Arena CDMX in Mexico City.

The main event is a five-round bout in the flyweight division as former UFC Flyweight Champion Brandon Moreno takes on Lone’er Kavanagh. Moreno is looking to get back into the win column following a loss to Tatsuro Taira in December. Kavanagh, who is in his first main event as a short-notice replacement for Asu Almabayev, is looking to bounce back from his first career loss, suffered in August.

The co-main event is a bantamweight battle between former title challenger Marlon Vera and David Martinez, winner of nine straight fights. Also on the main card is a lightweight bout between Daniel Zellhuber and King Green; a flyweight bout pitting Edgar Chairez against Felipe Bunes; and bantamweight action with Santiago Luna taking on Angel Pacheco.

PRELIMS | 5 PM ET/2 PM PT

> Middleweights- Damian Pinas (8-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Wes Schultz (8-2, 0-0 UFC)

They trade leg kicks to start as they feel each other out. Pinas lands a hard leg kick and Schultz shoots for a takedown, but Pinas defends and lands a right hand on the break. Pinas then drops Schultz with a combination and lands from the top, but Schultz is able to scramble back up and looks for a takedown against the fence. Schultz has the body lock and tries to drag Pinas down, but Pinas ends up on top and lands a pair of big elbows. Schultz is trying to find a leg but eats body shots from Pinas. They get to their feet and Pinas lands an uppercut. Schultz stumbles and looks for a takedown, but Pinas escapes. Pinas drops Schultz once again with a one-two combination and it is all over! Debut knockout win for Pinas!

Fight Result- Damian Pinas def. Wes Schultz by TKO (punches) at 2:30 of Round 1

> Featherweights- Erik Silva (9-3, 0-2 UFC) vs. Francis Marshall (8-3, 2-3 UFC)

Silva lands a spinning wheel kick and then a leg kick to start. They both land kicks before a timeout for an eye poke by Marshall. They get back going and Marshall looks for a takedown. Silva grabs the neck for a choke, but Marshall escapes and gets Silva fully down. Marshall is working for an arm-triangle choke as he’s trying to pass guard. Silva defends from the bottom and Marshall gets full mount. Silva gives up his back and Marshall locks in a rear-naked choke and Silva taps! Marshall gets back into the win column.

Fight Result- Francis Marshall def. Erik Silva by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:29 of Round 1

> 130-pound Women’s Catchweights- Regina Tarin (7-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Ernesta Kareckaite (6-1-1, 1-1 UFC)

They both come out swinging as they are trading. Tarin lands a big combination and Kareckaite is wobbled. Tarin continues to land and lands a left hook. Kareckaite lands a solid right hand. Tarin lands an uppercut but Kareckaite counters with a right hand. Tarin with a combination ending with a right hook. They trade heavy shots in close range. Kareckaite lands a solid right hand and they clinch up. Both land knees and Tarin lands some elbows before they separate. They trade right hands. Both land punches and Kareckaite pushes it against the fence. They break apart. Tarin lands a combo. They clinch up at the end. 10-9 Tarin.

Kareckaite lands a leg kick and a right hand. Kareckaite with another right hand. Tarin lands a few kicks. Kareckaite with a right hand. They tie up and Kareckaite lands an elbow as they break. Kareckaite pressing forward and both land. Kareckaite lands inside the pocket and Tarin is throwing a lot but not connecting as much. Tarin lands some uppercuts in the clinch before landing a knee. Kareckaite has the double underhooks. Tarin lands a knee to the body as they separate. Kareckaite with a right hand as Tarin lands a combo. Tarin lands a right hand and they tie back up. They break apart and Kareckaite lands a high kick. Kareckaite with a right hand. Tarin lands a straight right hand and then a combo ending with a kick. Kareckaite lands a body kick. Tarin with a combo ending with a solid right hand. Kareckaite looks for a takedown and gets Tarin down with seconds to go. 10-9 Tarin, 20-18 Tarin.

They come out trading before Tarin grabs the back. Tarin drags it down as Kareckaite was trying to grab the fence. They stand and Tarin still has the back, but Kareckaite spins to the front and lands a knee before they separate. Kareckaite with a leg kick. Tarin lands a combination in close range. Tarin with a big combination and Kareckaite fires back with a flurry. Tarin landed an uppercut in there and they tie up. They break apart and fire punches at each other and also clash heads. Kareckaite lands a right hand. Tarin with a right hand. Tarin looks for a takedown but Kareckaite sprawls. They clinch and Tarin lands a pair of knees. They break apart. Tarin lands a right hand. Tarin with some uppercuts in the clinch and lands some knees. They come out swinging at the end as both land. Fun fight. 10-9 Tarin, 30-27 Tarin.

Fight Result- Regina Tarin def. Ernesta Kareckaite by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Featherweights- Douglas Silva de Andrade (29-6 1 NC, 7-6 UFC) vs. Javier Reyes (22-5, 0-0 UFC)

Reyes lands a leg kick. Silva with a calf kick. Silva lands a big right hand and Reyes goes to a knee. They grab each other, which allows Reyes to get back to his feet. Silva lands a left hook. Silva with a flurry and lands a knee to the body. Silva with a spin kick and an overhand right. Silva with a leg kick. They trade and Reyes drops Silva with a right hand. Reyes starts landing from the top. Silva gives up his back and Reyes is landing lots of shots. Reyes with some elbows. They get to their feet. Reyes has the back and drags Silva down. Reyes is looking for a rear-naked choke. Reyes gets to side control and lands an elbow before Silva gets him inside his guard. Reyes with a pair of hammerfists as he passes guard. Reyes has the back and flattens Silva out and is landing lots of shots and gets the stoppage with just seconds to go! What a finish from Reyes!

Fight Result- Javier Reyes def. Douglas Silva de Andrade by TKO (punches) at 4:59 of Round 1

> Bantamweights- Cristian Quinonez (18-5, 1-2 UFC) vs. Kris Moutinho (14-7, 0-3 UFC)

Quinonez lands a right hand and immediately gets the body lock, but Moutinho fights it off as they separate. Quinonez lands a right hand. Quinonez with a right hand to the body as Moutinho lands a left hand. They trade and Quinonez gets the back and slams Moutinho to the mat. They stand and Quinonez gets it back down and has body control as they stand. Quinonez has the back on the mat looking for the hooks, but Moutinho fights out of it and they stand. Quinonez lands a right hand then a jab. Timeout is called for an eye poke by Quinonez. They get back to action. Quinonez works the jab. He’s still landing it and Moutinho’s nose is busted open a little. Quinonez lands a body kick. 10-9 Quinonez.

Moutinho rushes out and lands a combo and they tie up but separate. Quinonez scores a takedown against the fence. Mouthinho is posting up as Quinonez keeps body control. They stand and Quinonez has the back and trips Moutinho down. They stand again, but Quinonez drags it back down and briefly gets the mount before going to side control. Moutinho gives up his back and Quinonez lands. They stand and Quinonez has the back as Moutinho grabs the fence. Quinonez has the back and looks for a rear-naked choke. It’s on the chin and Quinonez lets go but has the hooks on. Quinonez looks for the choke again. He lets go to land punches. Moutinho is able to get Quinonez into his guard. They stand and Quinonez lands the jab. Quinonez with a right hand. 10-9 Quinonez, 20-18 Quinonez.

Quinonez working the jab to start the third and lands a right hand. Moutinho rushes in but eats the jab from Quinonez. Quinonez lands a right hand. Quinonez looks for a single leg and a takedown. Quinonez is able to finish the takedown. Quinonez works from the side and gets into the half-guard of Moutinho. Quinonez with an elbow from the top. Moutinho is attacking the leg from the bottom. He looks for a heel hook. Quinonez escapes and lands from the top. Quinonez stands and lands a right hand. They scramble up and break apart. 10-9 Quinonez, 30-27 Quinonez.

Fight Result- Cristian Quinonez def. Kris Moutinho by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Women’s Bantamweights- #7 Ailin Perez (12-2, 5-1 UFC) vs. #8 Macy Chiasson (10-5, 8-5 UFC)

Perez scores a takedown and lands from the top. Chiasson looks for a leg as Perez tries to roll out. Chiasson attacks a heel hook. Perez tries to stand but Chiasson keeps it down and has the back and gets the hooks in. Chiasson has the body triangle locked on from the back. Chiasson lands some elbows from the back. Chiasson with a series of left hands as Perez is trying to get to her feet. Chiasson with more left hands from the back. Chiasson scrambles and Perez ends up on top but they quickly stand. Perez gets a takedown. Perez lands a pair of left hands. 10-9 Chiasson.

Chiasson lands a left hand and both look for a takedown, but both also defend. Perez lands a body kick. Perez lands a leg kick followed by a right hand. Perez scores a takedown and has side control as he lands an elbow to the body. They are stood up by the referee in an awful stand up. Chiasson pushes it against the fence and lands a knee. Chiasson tries for a takedown but Perez ends up on top. They get to their feet as Perez has body control. Perez drags it down but they stand, and Perez trips it back down. Perez with a right hand from the top. 10-9 Perez, 19-19.

Chiasson slips on a kick and Perez gets the body lock as she stands. Perez gets into the half guard of Chiasson. Perez landing shots from the top as Chiasson isn’t doing much on bottom. A lot of the action has stalled out. They scramble and Perez jumps on the back. Perez lands and attacks the neck. They get to their feet and trade knees after being tied up. Chiasson gets the back late. 10-9 Perez, 29-28 Perez.

Fight Result- Ailin Perez def. Macy Chiasson by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Middleweights- Ryan Gandra (8-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Jose Daniel Medina (11-6, 0-3 UFC)

Gandra lands a left hand. Gandra lands a flurry against the fence. Gandra lands a knee followed by a combo. Gandra with some big shots and Medina goes to the mat and it is all over! Gandra with the big finish.

Fight Result- Ryan Gandra def. Jose Daniel Medina by TKO (punches) at :41 of Round 1

MAIN CARD | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT

> Bantamweights- Santiago Luna (7-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Angel Pacheco (7-3, 0-1 UFC)

Pacheco with a quick combo. Pacheco works the jab. Luna lands a series of punches inside the pocket. Luna lands a combo to the body followed by a series of knees. Luna with a combo against the fence and scores a takedown, but lets Pacheco up. Luna has the clinch and lands against the fence before they separate. Pacheco lands an uppercut. Luna lands a right hand then a left hook. Luna lands a body kick followed by a flurry of punches. Luna gets a takedown and is controlling on the mat. They scramble up and Luna lands a head kick. Pacheco lands but falls to his back. 10-9 Luna.

Luna lands a flurry against the fence and a body kick. They break to the center and Luna works the jab. Luna shoots for a takedown and has the back as he drags Pacheco down. Luna gets into the guard of Pacheco and lands some hammerfists to the body. They get to their feet and trade punches. Luna lands a solid combo inside the pocket. Luna with a combo to the body and a left hook. Luna backs Pacheco up with a right hand. Luna with a big combo against the fence and Pacheco is hurt. Luna capitalizes but gets the back of Pacheco. Luna gets a big takedown and is inside the guard of Pacheco. Luna with some elbows as Pacheco scrambles up. Pacheco with an uppercut and Luna lands a right hand. They have a heavy exchange. 10-9 Luna, 20-18 Luna.

Both working the jab to start the third before Luna pushes it against the fence. They break apart. Pacheco with an uppercut. Luna with a right hand and grabs the clinch to land a knee before letting go of Pacheco. They trade right hands. Luna mixes a flurry to the head and body. Luna scores a takedown. Pacheco is able to force it back to the feet. Luna lands a combo and they clinch. Luna pushes it against the fence. Luna has the body lock. They separate and Luna lands a combo. Luna grabs the neck and drops down for a guillotine choke. Pacheco is able to fight out of it but Luna lands some elbows from the bottom. They get to their feet. Luna lands to the body. They trade at the end. 10-9 Luna, 30-27 Luna.

Fight Result- Santiago Luna def. Angel Pacheco by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Flyweights- Imanol Rodriguez (6-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Kevin Borjas (10-4, 1-3 UFC)

Rodriguez lands some leg kicks to start. Rodriguez with a stiff calf kick. Borjas drops Rodriguez with a counter left hand and starts rushing in and landing as Rodriguez is trying to run away. Borjas with some punches and a knee but Rodriguez is able to score a big takedown. Borjas tries to scramble from the bottom but Rodriguez gets into the half-guard. Rodriguez landing from the top. Rodriguez with some elbows. Rodriguez with more shots from the top and they scramble up late. 10-9 Borjas.

Borjas lands a leg kick. Rodriguez with a pair of leg kicks. Rodriguez with a left hand. Rodriguez lands a quick flurry and follows it with a combination. They trade and timeout is called for an eye poke by Rodriguez. They return to action and Rodriguez is pressing forward and mixes to the head and body. Rodriguez shoots for a takedown, but Borjas defends. Rodriguez lands a right hand. Rodriguez looks for a takedown but abandons it and lands a series of punches. Rodriguez lands a heavy left hand and lands another big punch. Borjas lands a right hand. Rodriguez with a spinning elbow. Rodriguez with a big flurry and Borjas goes to his butt and a big flurry of shots by Rodriguez end it.

Fight Result- Imanol Rodriguez def. Kevin Borjas by TKO (punches) at 4:21 of Round 2

> Flyweights- Edgar Chairez (12-6 1 NC, 2-2 1 NC UFC) vs. Felipe Bunes (14-8, 1-2 UFC)

Chairez lands a leg kick. Chairez works the jab as Bunes lands a leg kick. Chairez with a hard leg kick. They clinch up and Bunes has the back against the fence. Bunes jumps on the back and has the body triangle locked on. Bunes lands some elbows to the body and shoulder of Chairez. Bunes lands a right hand and looks for a choke but Chairez defends. Bunes still attacking the body as Chairez just can’t do much with Bunes on his back. Bunes ends the round in the position. 10-9 Bunes.

Bunes with some early leg kicks. Bunes is landing with more volume. Chairez lands a leg kick. Chairez with a lead left hook and lands a right hand to the body. Chairez with the jab and follows with a right hand. Bunes lands a solid right hand. Chairez with a right hand. Chairez with a spinning back fist. Chairez lands a right hand. Bunes with a jab. They trade inside the pocket. Chairez with a jab. Bunes lands a jab followed by a combination. Chairez with a right hand. Bunes with a kick right to the groin of Chairez and timeout is called. They get back going and Chairez lands late. 10-9 Chairez, 19-19.

They trade and then Bunes scores a takedown. Chairez lands an elbow from the bottom. Chairez pushes Bunes off and they scramble up. Chairez is pressuring and working the jab and lands an uppercut followed by a combination. Chairez landing to the body. Chairez with a leg kick. Chairez lands a right hand. Bunes with a front kick to the body. They trade jabs. Bunes with a high kick. Chairez is pressing forward and Bunes circles away. Bunes lands a combination. Bunes with a left hook. Chairez lands a spinning wheel kick and lands a combination late. 10-9 Chairez, 29-28 Chairez.

Fight Result- Edgar Chairez def. Felipe Bunes by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

> Lightweights- Daniel Zellhuber (15-3, 3-3 UFC) vs. King Green (33-17-1 1 NC, 14-12-1 1 NC UFC)

Green lands a leg kick. Zellhuber stumbles throwing a punch and Green lands a knee to the body. Zellhuber lands a kick and Green scores a takedown and takes the back as they scramble up and Zellhuber escapes. Green lands a left hand. Green with a combination. Green lands to the body. Green gets a takedown but Zellhuber rolls through and they stand with Green landing a knee as they separate. Green lands a left hand. Green with a pair of leg kicks. Green lands a right hand. Zellhuber is missing on a lot of what he is throwing. They trade right hands and Green connects solidly. Green with a spin kick. Green slaps Zellhuber. Zellhuber connects to the body. 10-9 Green.

Zellhuber quickly comes forward. Zellhuber with a high kick. Green scores a takedown and is in side control. Zellhuber looks for a buggy choke. Green is using his arm to pressure Zellhuber. Green gets out and lands a few elbows and a pair of knees to the body. Zellhuber attacks the choke again. They scramble up and Green has back control. Green looks for a takedown against the fence but they separate. Green lands a right hand and a leg kick. Green with a jab followed by a combination. Green with another combination. Green lands a right hand. Green with a combo. Green rocks Zellhuber with a right hand. Green lands a left hand and Zellhuber looked badly stunned. Zellhuber falls down and Green is landing lots of punches and it is stopped! What a finish by Green!

Fight Result- King Green def. Daniel Zellhuber by TKO (punches) at 4:55 of Round 2

> Bantamweights- #9 Marlon Vera (23-11-1, 15-10 UFC) vs. #10 David Martinez (13-1, 2-0 UFC)

Martinez with a body kick. They trade some leg kicks and Martinez lands a right hand. Martinez lands a leg kick. Martinez with a calf kick. Martinez lands a right hand. Vera with a jab but Martinez lands a counter right hand followed by another right hand. Martinez lands a fast combination. Vera has been unable to land much. Vera throws a kick and Martinez sweeps for a takedown and ends up inside the guard of Vera. Martinez with some ground and pound late. 10-9 Martinez.

Martinez with some body kicks early. Martinez lands a combination. Vera with a left hand, one of the few punches he’s actually been able to land. Martinez lands to the body. Martinez with a right hand. Martinez with a high kick followed by a right hand. Martinez lands another solid right hand. Martinez lands a combination. Martinez with a combination. Vera lands a head kick but Martinez grabs the leg and trips Vera to the mat and gets inside of Vera’s guard. Martinez lands from the top and they stand. Vera with a left hook to the body. Martinez lands a leg kick. Vera with a high kick. 10-9 Martinez, 20-18 Martinez.

Vera with a quick combo and a high kick. Martinez lands a left to the body and a right hand to the head. Martinez with a hard leg kick. They trade but the pace is slowing down as Vera is closing the distance more. Martinez with a combination. They almost clinch but Martinez is able to separate and they trade. Vera lands a jab. Martinez lands to the body. They tie up for a moment but nothing happens as they break. Vera lands to the body and Martinez lands a right hand. Vera lands a combination. They tie up against the fence but quickly break. They trade jabs. Vera with a left hand to the body. Vera lands more to the body and Martinez circles away. Vera with a knee to the body. Vera lands a combo. Vera lands a left hand as Martinez is gassed and circling away. Martinez lands a right hand. 10-9 Vera, 29-28 Martinez.

Fight Result- David Martinez def. Marlon Vera by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Flyweights- #6 Brandon Moreno (23-9-2, 11-6-2 UFC) vs. Lone’er Kavanagh (9-1, 2-1 UFC)

Moreno with a left hook. Moreno works the jab. Kavanagh with a front kick. Moreno rushes in and Kavanagh lands a left hand. Kavanagh with a calf kick. Moreno with a right hand and lands to the body. Kavanagh lands some more calf kicks. Kavanagh with a head kick. Moreno lands an overhand right. Moreno connects with a left hand. Kavanagh lands a body kick. Moreno lands a left hook and follows it with a right hand. Moreno lands a leg kick. Kavanagh lands a left hand. Kavanagh with another calf kick. 10-9 Kavanagh.

Moreno lands a right hand. Kavanagh lands a leg kick and Moreno trips to the mat but quickly gets up. Kavanagh lands a few more kicks. Kavanagh lands an upkick to the body. Moreno lands a left hand and works the jab. They trade inside the pocket. Moreno lands a combo. Moreno with a leg kick. Kavanagh landing some big punches and has Moreno in trouble. Kavanagh landing and Moreno slips. Kavanagh backs off a little. Kavanagh with a jab and a leg kick. Kavanagh with a combo and a calf kick. Moreno working the jab. Moreno connects with a combination. 10-9 Kavanagh, 20-18 Kavanagh.

Moreno starts the round by landing a combination. They trade punches. Moreno lands a right hand. Kavanagh with a leg kick. Moreno landing slightly more to start this round. Moreno swings big and Kavanagh lands a left hand. They trade leg kicks. Moreno looks for a takedown as he pushes Kavanagh to the fence. Moreno has back control against the fence. Moreno with knees to the legs of Kavanagh. They separate and return to the center. Moreno lands a nice combo. Kavanagh with a high kick. Moreno lands a right hand. Kavanagh with a leg kick as Moreno lands a combo. Moreno pushes it to the fence and lands some knees along the fence. 10-9 Moreno, 29-28 Kavanagh.

Both working the jab and Moreno lands a left hand. Kavanagh with a leg kick. Moreno shoots for the takedown against the fence. Moreno with some short knees. Moreno continues to pressure against the fence and lands some more knees. They separate. Kavanagh lands a heavy leg kick followed by another. Moreno with a lunging combo. Kavanagh lands a body kick. Moreno looks for a takedown against the fence. Kavanagh lands as they break. 10-9 Kavanagh, 39-37 Kavanagh.

Kavanagh lands a calf kick. Moreno shoots for a takedown and pushes it against the fence. Moreno lands some short punches. Moreno with some knees to the legs of Kavanagh against the fence. They are separated by Herb Dean. Kavanagh lands a leg kick. Kavanagh with a high kick. Moreno pushes it to the fence looking to drag Kavanagh down. Moreno lands some knees. Moreno is trying hard to get Kavanagh down but Kavanagh is defending. Moreno takes the back but Kavanagh is able to spin out of trouble. Kavanagh lands as they separate. Moreno lands a right hand. Moreno lands a high kick. Kavanagh lands a combination and a calf kick. Moreno with a right hand. Moreno pushes Kavanagh against the fence. They break. 10-9 Kavanagh, 49-46 Kavanagh.

Fight Result- Lone’er Kavanagh def. Brandon Moreno by unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)

Brandon Moreno vs Lone’er Kavanagh Fight Preview and Breakdown UFC Mexico 2026

Posted on by Jake Skudder

Brandon Moreno headlines UFC Fight Night in Mexico City on Saturday, February 28, 2026, taking on England’s Lone’er Kavanagh in a flyweight main event at Arena CDMX. This fight reads like a classic “established elite vs rising pressure fighter” clash, with pace, scrambles and decision making likely deciding the result.

Stylistic differences in striking pace and shot selection

Moreno’s best work is built on layered pressure: he closes distance behind volume, mixes stance looks, and forces long exchanges where his timing and durability usually show up. His octagon career numbers reflect a steady, efficient output (3.89 significant strikes landed per minute, 44% accuracy) with solid striking defense (60%) while absorbing 3.62 per minute (via UFCStats).

Kavanagh’s profile is more aggressive at a similar efficiency, landing 4.29 significant strikes per minute at 49% accuracy (via UFCStats). The key question is whether he can keep that tempo when Moreno pushes him into repeated second and third phase exchanges, where Moreno is very comfortable in taking small wins and bankable minutes.

Tale of the tape

CategoryBrandon MorenoLone’er Kavanagh
Record23-9-29-1-0
Height1.70 m1.68 m
Reach70 in67 in
StanceOrthodoxOrthodox
Age (Feb 2026)3226

Stylistic differences in grappling and scramble chains

This is where Moreno can tilt the fight, because he is not just a takedown threat, he is a transition threat. Moreno averages 1.47 takedowns per 15 minutes, giving him a reliable way to change the picture if striking exchanges get messy.

Kavanagh’s clearest defensive selling point so far is his takedown resistance. In the UFC he has a 88.9% takedown defense, stopping 8 of 9 attempts. If that manages to hold against Moreno’s chaining and body lock work, the fight stays in Kavanagh’s preferred rhythm of high pace, frequent resets, and lots of open space.

Key UFC stats snapshot

MetricMorenoKavanagh
Sig. strikes landed per minute (SLpM)3.894.29
Sig. strike accuracy44%49%
Sig. strikes absorbed per minute (SApM)3.623.69
Sig. strike defense60%58%
Takedowns avg per 15 min1.4788.9% UFC TDD (8 of 9)

How this fight is likely to be won

Moreno’s cleanest path to victory is to use volume to draw big exchanges, then layer in clinch touches and takedown attempts to sap Kavanagh’s pace.

Kavanagh’s path is to win the first beat of exchanges repeatedly. If he can get off first, exit clean, and force Moreno to restart without giving up prolonged clinch time then he has a really good chance of taking a decision.

With both men making weight cleanly in Mexico City, expect a fast start and a mid fight adjustment phase where Moreno’s experience in five round reads can really matter most.

UFC on ESPN 64 live results: Brandon Moreno vs. Steve Erceg

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

The Octagon is back in the high altitude of Mexico City, Mexico, with a 13-fight card as Arena CDMX hosts UFC in ESPN 64.

The main event is a big bout in the flyweight division as former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno looks to make another run at the title when he takes on former title challenger Steve Erceg. Moreno is looking to score his second straight win after defeating Amir Albazi in November. Erceg started his UFC career off strong to quickly earn a title shot, but has lost two straight fights and is looking to get back into the win column.

In the co-main event, it is a lightweight bout sure to provide fireworks between knockout artists Manuel Torres and Drew Dober. Also on the main card is former TUF winner Kelvin Gastelum battling Joe Pyfer in a middleweight bout; a bantamweight bout pitting 20-year-old prospect Raul Rosas Jr. against Vince Morales; and a bantamweight bout between David Martinez and Saimon Oliveira.

*UPDATE- a middleweight bout between Kelvin Gastelum and Joe Pyfer has been scratched from the card after Pyfer was pulled from the bout due to an illness

ESPN2 PRELIMS | 4 PM ET/1 PM PT

> Lightweights- Marquel Mederos (9-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. Austin Hubbard (16-8, 4-6 UFC)

Mederos lands a leg kick. He lands a body kick. Mederos with another leg kick. He lands one again. Hubbard with a front kick but Mederos attacks the leg kick. Mederos with a right hand and a calf kick. Mederos lands a calf kick as Hubbard lands a jab. Hubbard lands a spin kick. Mederos lands a calf kick then a right hand. Hubbard with a body kick. Mederos with some more kicks. Mederos lands a right hand. Hubbard lands a body kick as they trade punches. Mederos lands a spin kick. Hubbard looks for a takedown against the fence and he grabs the back. Hubbard trying to get it down but Mederos is defending well. They separate. Mederos lands a left hook and lands at the horn. 10-9 Mederos.

They trade punches and Mederos lands a leg kick. Mederos lands a right hand, then Hubbard lands a combo. Hubbard lands a knee as Mederos looks for a takedown, but they break apart. Hubbard then grabs the single leg and pushes it against the fence, taking the back of Mederos. Hubbard jumps on the back as he has the hooks in. Mederos is walking around with Hubbard on his back as they go to Mederos’ corner. Hubbard is working for the choke from the back. Hubbard is trying to squeeze around the chin and they fall to the mat and Hubbard lets go. Hubbard with punches from the back. 10-9 Hubbard, 19-19.

Hubbard lands a right hand. They trade right hands as Hubbard lands a leg kick. Hubbard gets a takedown and is inside the guard of Mederos. Hubbard landing to the body from the top and keeping Mederos from getting up. Mederos lands a few elbows from the bottom. Hubbard with an elbow from the top. They try to scramble but Hubbard keeps it down and is in the half-guard. Hubbard tries to transition but slips off and Mederos ends up on top and lands an elbow. Mederos grabs the neck in a sprawl and Hubbard is cut open. Mederos with some short punches. Mederos lands a knee and an elbow as they get up. Hubbard is pressing forward. Hubbard looks for a takedown. Mederos defends and lands a hammerfist. 10-9 Mederos, 29-28 Mederos.

Official Result- Marquel Mederos def. Austin Hubbard by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

> Featherweights- Jamall Emmers (20-8, 3-4 UFC) vs. Gabriel Miranda (17-7, 1-2 UFC)

They trade big punches to start and Miranda scores a takedown. They get right up but Miranda gets it back down. Miranda is able to get the back as Emmers is scrambling. Miranda is looking for a choke. Emmers gets his head out and lands. Emmers stands and lands a leg kick as Miranda gets up. Miranda lands a short uppercut and they trade right hands. Emmers lands a combination. Emmers drops Miranda with a big right hand but backs off and lets him up. Miranda tries a takedown but Emmers defends. Emmers lands some more punches. Emmers with a right hand and hurts Miranda with an elbow. Emmers with two more right hands. They clinch against the fence. Emmers drops Miranda again with a right hand and finishes it off with a couple of hammerfists. What a finish by Emmers!

Official Result- Jamall Emmers def. Gabriel Miranda by TKO (punches) at 4:06 of Round 1

> Lightweights- Rafa Garcia (16-4, 4-4 UFC) vs. Vinc Pichel (14-4, 7-4 UFC)

Garcia lands a right hand. He lands another. Garcia mixes to the body and Pichel lands a right hand. Garcia lands a combination. Pichel with a pair of jabs. Garcia lands a left hand. Pichel with a leg kick and Garcia lands an overhand right. Pichel lands a right hand. Garcia lands a leg kick. Garcia with a stiff calf kick. Pichel lands a body kick. Garcia grabs the back against the fence. They both land foot stomps. Garcia kind of gets a takedown but they separate, though Garcia gets a takedown and ends the round on top. 10-9 Garcia.

They trade to start the second. Pichel with a leg kick as Garcia lands a pair of right hands. Garcia with another right hand. Pichel with an inside leg kick. Garcia lands a right hand. Timeout is called for an eye poke by Pichel. They get back to action and Garcia pushes the pace. Pichel lands and looks for a takedown, but Garcia defends. Pichel with a high kick. Pichel with a solid leg kick. Garcia looks for a takedown but Pichel defends. Garcia lands a knee. They separate and Pichel lands a jab. Pichel lands a right hand. Pichel landing far more in this round. Pichel with a front kick. Garcia lands a right hand. 10-9 Pichel, 19-19.

They come out trading and Pichel is getting the better of it. He lands a body kick and a knee after working the jab. Garcia lands a solid right hand and mixes to the body. Garcia with a combination and Pichel lands a counter right hand. Garcia lands a right hand to the body. Garcia lands a combo. Garcia with an uppercut and a big right hand. Pichel with a body kick. Garcia with a hard right hand and Pichel lands a counter left hand. Garcia lands another big right hand. Pichel mixes to the body and shoots for a takedown, but Garcia defends. Pichel with some kicks. Garcia with a series of left hands. Garcia gets a big slam takedown. Garcia with some right hands as Pichel gets to his feet. Pichel lands late. 10-9 Garcia, 29-28 Garcia.

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

> Women’s Strawweights- #11 Loopy Godinez (12-5, 7-5 UFC) vs. Julia Polastri (13-4, 1-1 UFC)

Polastri with a leg kick and Godinez lands a combination and a right hand. Godinez with a right hand and a body kick. Godinez with a leg kick followed by a right hand. Polastri lands an inside leg kick. Polastri throws a high kick and Godinez grabs the leg and lands a massive slam. Godinez lands and they stand, but Godinez gets it back to the mat. Godinez landing from the half-guard. Polastri trying to land from the bottom but Godinez has her pinned down. They trade elbows on the mat before they stand. Polastri with a leg kick. 10-9 Godinez.

Godinez lands a right hand. They trade kicks. Polastri with a high kick. Godinez lands a right hand. Godinez with a combination. Polastri is pressing forward but eating punches from Godinez. Godinez gets a takedown. They get to their feet, but Godinez gets another big takedown and is working from side control. Godinez with some elbows to the body. Godinez with more elbows and she takes the back and almost has a choke locked in. Polastri is able to escape and gets Godinez back in her guard. Godinez lands. 10-9 Godinez, 20-18 Godinez.

Polastri lands a leg kick. Godinez with a right hand and a leg kick. Polastri lands a leg kick. They tie up and both land knees with Godinez landing a knee as she breaks. Godinez lands a jab and a right hand. Godinez with some standing lead elbows. They tie up and Polastri lands a knee. Godinez with an elbow as they break. Polastri lands a solid right hand. Godinez with a big right hand. Polastri is coming forward and both are landing. Polastri with some big shots and Godinez tries for a takedown, but Polastri defends. They separate and Polastri with some big shots. Godinez lands a big combination and a big elbow. Polastri with a big right hand. Godinez lands. Godinez pushes it to the fence. Polastri with a knee. Godinez lands an elbow and they separate. Godinez with a jab. Godinez lands a right hand. Polastri lands two big right hands. Godinez lands two right hands. They are both landing hard shots. Polastri with more big punches against the fence. Godinez gets it down late. Crazy fun fight. 10-9 Polastri, 29-28 Godinez.

Official Result- Loopy Godinez def. Julia Polastri by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Featherweights- Christian Rodriguez (12-2, 5-2 UFC) vs. Melquizael Costa (22-7, 3-2 UFC)

Costa lands a body kick and Rodriguez with a quick combo. They tie up as Rodriguez has Costa against the fence. They trade knees against the fence. Rodriguez trying to get it down as Costa lands short punches. Rodriguez goes for a foot sweep but Costa defends and they remain tied up against the fence. Costa lands a knee. Both are looking to get it down but there isn’t a lot happening. They trade knees along the fence. Rodriguez gets the takedown and tries for the back but they scramble up. Rodriguez lands a knee as he has the neck and drops down for an anaconda choke. Costa scrambles out into side control and lands some elbows to the body. Costa with more elbows and knees. Costa lands as they scramble up. 10-9 Costa.

Rodriguez with a quick combo and a body kick as Costa lands a leg kick. Costa with a body kick. Rodriguez lands a right hand and clinches up against the fence. They separate. Rodriguez lands a left hand. Costa cracks Rodriguez with a left hand and Rodriguez drops down for a takedown, but Costa defends. Rodriguez tries to get it down and lands an elbow. Rodriguez gets a takedown but Costa is able to quickly scramble up. They clinch back up and Costa lands an elbow. Costa lands a knee that hurts Rodriguez and starts landing lots of punches. Rodriguez is scrambling around to recover but Costa is staying after him and landing. They get up and Costa gets it down and is on the back of Rodriguez. Costa looks for a guillotine choke. Rodriguez gives a thumbs up and rolls over. Costa reverses to the top. Costa with an elbow. Costa with some elbows from the top. 10-9 Costa, 20-18 Costa.

Rodriguez immediately gets a takedown. Rodriguez lands from the top but they scramble up and Costa lands a knee. They separate and Rodriguez lands some big punches and an elbow in a tie up. Rodriguez with another foot sweep and has the back as they stand. Rodriguez lands a knee. They separate and Rodriguez lands to tie it back up. Rodriguez gets Costa back down and is on the back landing left hands. They scramble up and Rodriguez lands a big elbow. Costa with a left hand. Rodriguez with some big punches. Rodriguez lands a leg kick. Rodriguez gets another takedown. Rodriguez with some big elbows from the top. Rodriguez stands and lands a hammerfist before getting back in the guard and landing shots. 10-9 Rodriguez, 29-28 Costa.

Official Result- Melquizael Costa def. Christian Rodriguez by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Middleweights- Jose Medina (11-4, 0-1 UFC) vs. Ateba Gautier (6-1, 0-0 UFC)

Gautier with a stiff jab. He lands an inside leg kick. Gautier with a right hand. Medina lands a leg kick. Gautier with a right hand. Gautier lands an uppercut. Gautier lands a heavy combination. Gautier with a head kick. Medina lands a leg kick. Gautier with a couple of big shots. Medina lands a jab. Gautier with a knee and a combo. Gautier lands an uppercut. Gautier lands a combo. Gautier with a hard left hand. Medina is eating them. Gautier lands a big combo against the fence and drops Medina with a big knee and it is stopped. Big finish from Gautier to pick up the win.

Official Result- Ateba Gautier def. Jose Medina by knockout (strikes) at 3:32 of Round 1

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> Flyweights*- Ronaldo Rodriguez (17-2, 2-0 UFC) vs. Kevin Borjas (9-3, 0-2 UFC)

*Rodriguez missed weight by one pound

Borjas lands a leg kick as Rodriguez misses a spin kick. Rodriguez with a jumping switch kick. Borjas drops Rodriguez with a right hand but Rodriguez is able to roll to his feet. They trade inside the pocket. Borjas lands a right hand. Rodriguez just misses a spin kick. Borjas lands a right hand. Borjas with another right hand. Rodriguez lands a body kick and Borjas lands a big right hand that almost dropped Rodriguez. Borjas with a jumping knee. Borjas lands a knee as Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown. Rodriguez scores a late takedown. 10-9 Borjas.

Rodriguez lands some leg kicks. Rodriguez with a body kick and lands a left hand. Rodriguez with a leg kick. Rodriguez with a jumping knee. Borjas lands a big right hand. Borjas lands another right hand. Rodriguez lands a body kick and a spin kick. Borjas lands another stiff right hand. He lands it again. Rodriguez with a front kick. Rodriguez with a body kick. Borjas lands another right hand. Rodriguez lands some kicks. They trade right hands. Borjas lands an uppercut. Rodriguez looks for a takedown and pushes it to the fence. 10-9 Borjas, 20-18 Borjas.

They exchange leg kicks. Borjas with a double jab and a right hand. Borjas lands to the body. Rodriguez lands a right hand. They trade jabs and Rodriguez connects with a solid right hand. They trade and Borjas lands a hard counter right hand. Borjas with another right hand. They trade hard leg kicks. Rodriguez with a high kick and Borjas lands a right hand. Rodriguez with a hard leg kick that is checked. Borjas lands a solid right hand. They have a wild exchange where both land. Borjas with a combo and Rodriguez lands a leg kick. 10-9 Borjas, 30-27 Borjas.

Official Result- Kevin Borjas def. Ronaldo Rodriguez by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Bantamweights- David Martinez (11-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Saimon Oliveira (18-5, 0-2 UFC)

Martinez lands a leg kick and a right hand. Martinez with a body kick then a leg kick. Oliveira lands a combination. Martinez lands a high kick. They trade and Martinez initiates a clinch and pushes it to the fence. Martinez lands as they break. Martinez lands a right hand and a leg kick. Martinez lands a right hand. Martinez with a high kick. Martinez lands a combination. Martinez hurts Oliveira with a right hand and drops him with a knee. Martinez starts landing lots of punches from the top and it is all over! What a finish from Martinez!

Official Result- David Martinez def. Saimon Oliveira by TKO (punches) at 4:38 of Round 1

> Bantamweights- Raul Rosas Jr. (10-1, 4-1 UFC) vs. Vince Morales (16-9, 3-7 UFC)

Rosas Jr. with a body kick then a high kick. Rosas Jr. lands a leg kick. Rosas Jr. shoots for a takedown but Morales defends. Rosas Jr. lands a flurry. Rosas Jr. picks Morales up and slams him down in the center of the Octagon. Rosas Jr. is in side control. Rosas Jr. looked for an arm but goes back to side control. Rosas Jr. lands a right hand from the top. Rosas Jr. scrambles to the back and looks to get the hooks in. Morales gets to the sprawl position and Rosas Jr. lands to the body. They roll and Morales ends up on top. Morales attacks the neck late and time runs out. 10-9 Rosas Jr.

Rosas Jr. lands a pair of jabs. Morales connects with a right hand. Rosas Jr. lands a leg kick. Morales lands a right hand. Morales lands a high kick and Rosas Jr. grabs the leg and gets it to the mat. They briefly get up and Rosas Jr. is able to get it back down. Rosas Jr. is trying to get the back as Morales is defending. Rosas Jr. trying to get the hooks in. Rosas Jr. keeping control of the back. Morales stands with Rosas Jr. on his back. They go back to the mat and Rosas Jr. lands. 10-9 Rosas Jr., 20-18 Rosas Jr.

Rosas Jr. works the jab and lands a body kick. Morales with a head kick. He follows with a jab. Rosas Jr. shoots for a takedown but Morales sprawls and looks for a choke. Morales looking for an anaconda choke. Rosas Jr. is trying to fight it off. Rosas Jr. is able to escape and is now in side control. Rosas Jr. with an elbow. Morales lands an elbow from the bottom. Rosas Jr. grabs the back of Morales as they scramble. Rosas Jr. has body control on the mat. Morales looks for the choke again late. He has it locked in but Rosas Jr. is able to survive to the end. 10-9 Morales, 29-28 Rosas Jr.

Official Result- Raul Rosas Jr. def. Vince Morales by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Flyweights- Edgar Chairez (11-6 1 NC, 1-2 1 NC UFC) vs. CJ Vergara (12-6-1, 3-4 UFC)

Vergara lands a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Chairez with a jab after landing a right hand. Vergara with a leg kick. Chairez working the jab. Chairez lands a big left hook and Vergara almost got dropped but was able to remain on his feet. Chairez lands a big combination and Vergara goes down. Chairez gets on the back and locks in a rear-naked choke and Vergara taps! Chairez with the big finish to score the win.

Official Result- Edgar Chairez def. CJ Vergara by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:30 of Round 1

> Lightweights- Manuel Torres (15-3, 3-1 UFC) vs. Drew Dober (27-14 1 NC, 13-10 1 NC UFC)

Torres lands a leg kick. Torres lands a stiff right hand. Torres lands a right hand. Torres with a head kick that Dober partially blocks. Torres drops Dober with a right hand and starts landing punches as Dober is attacking the leg. Torres continues to land and it is stopped! Torres gets the big finish as Dober has no clue that the fight was stopped.

Official Result- Manuel Torres def. Drew Dober by TKO (punches) at 1:45 of Round 1

> Flyweights- #2 Brandon Moreno (22-8-2, 10-5-2 UFC) vs. #8 Steve Erceg (12-3, 3-2 UFC)

Moreno connects with a left hand. Erceg with a leg kick. Moreno with a jab then a left hand. Moreno lands to the body and then follows with a body kick. Moreno connects with a punch. Erceg lands a short uppercut. Moreno lands a jab. Moreno rocks Erceg with a combination. Erceg seems to have recovered. Erceg lands a combo. Moreno lands a right hand. Erceg working the jab. Erceg lands a left hook to the body. Moreno lands a hard right hand. Erceg with an uppercut. They trade jabs. Moreno lands a body kick. Moreno lands another big right hand. Erceg works the jab and Moreno lands a right hand. Moreno with a calf kick. They trade jabs. 10-9 Moreno.

Erceg with a head kick that Moreno partially blocks. Moreno lands a hard right hand. Erceg lands a right hand and a step-in knee. They trade in close range. Moreno lands a right hand. Erceg lands a right hand and follows with a combo. Moreno lands a leg kick after they have an exchange in close range. Moreno lands a right hand. Moreno lands a jab. They trade body kicks. Erceg lands a right hand as Moreno landed a right hand. Erceg lands a combo ending with a kick. Erceg lands a jab and then a right hand. 10-9 Moreno, 20-18 Moreno.

Moreno lands a jab. Erceg lands a leg kick and follows with a jab. Erceg lands an uppercut. Moreno lands a right hand. Moreno lands an inside leg kick. Erceg with a leg kick then a jab. Erceg with a combination. Erceg with an inside leg kick. The pace has slowed a little this round. Erceg lands a step-in knee. Moreno lands a leg kick. Erceg lands a combo. Erceg lands two punches and a knee. 10-9 Erceg, 29-28 Moreno.

Moreno lands a left hook. Moreno with a left hand. Moreno lands a combination. Erceg lands a right hand. Moreno lands a right hand and just misses some left hands. Moreno connects with a right hand. Erceg lands a high kick. Moreno with a left hand. Erceg works the jab. Moreno landing slightly more in this round. Moreno lands a left hand. Moreno shoots for a takedown against the fence. Moreno with some knees and they scramble. 10-9 Moreno, 39-37 Moreno.

They trade and Moreno lands a right hand. Erceg with a right hand. Moreno with a left hand and follows with a combo. Moreno lands a leg kick but Erceg checks it. Erceg lands a right hand. Moreno lands a combination. Erceg works the jab. They trade jabs. Erceg with a body kick. Erceg with a front kick to the body. Moreno lands a right hand. Moreno lands a head kick and gets Erceg down to the ground. Moreno is trying to pass guard. Moreno gets to side control and finishes it out there. 10-9 Moreno, 49-46 Moreno.

Official Result- Brandon Moreno def. Steve Erceg by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)

UFC on ESPN+ 104 live results: Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

For the first time since July 2019, the Octagon heads back to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, as UFC on ESPN+ 104 returns to Rogers Place.

This will be the first UFC event to take place under the newest set of the Unifed Rules of MMA which now sees 12-to-6 elbows as legal, as well as the elimination of the rule where one hand on the mat signifies a grounded fighter.

The main event is a five-round flyweight bout that could serve as a title eliminator as former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno takes on Amir Albazi. Moreno is looking to end a two-fight losing skid and get back into a title fight while Albazi comes in riding a six-fight win streak. He has a perfect 5-0 mark during his UFC tenure and is looking to secure his first shot at UFC gold.

Derrick Lewis was poised to take on the undefeated Jhonata Diniz, but chose to withdraw on extremely short notice after missing Friday’s ceremonial weigh-ins due to an unspecified health issue.

In the co-main event, it’s another potential title eliminator bout as Erin Blanchfield battles former UFC women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas in a women’s flyweight bout. Also on the main card is a light heavyweight bout pitting Caio Machado vs. Brendson Ribeiro; a middleweight fight between Marc-Andre Barriault and Dustin Stoltzfus; and Mike Malott vs. Trevin Giles in welterweight action.

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> Women’s Flyweights- Jamey-Lyn Horth (6-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Ivana Petrovic (7-1, 1-1 UFC)

They trade to start. Petrovic with a high kick as she is pressing forward. Horth lands a right hand and they clinch against the fence. Horth lands a knee. Petrovic still has advantage against the fence. Horth gets the underhook but Petrovic is able to score a takedown. Petrovic gets inside the full guard of Horth. Petrovic lands and stands and Horth gets to her feet. They clinch against the fence. Horth has the back as they go to the mat. Horth looking for a choke. Petrovic slides out. Petrovic with some elbows from the top. Petrovic gets the crucifix position and lands some punches. 10-9 Petrovic.

They trade kicks and Petrovic grabs the leg and scores a takedown. Petrovic in the guard of Horth and Horth is looking for a triangle choke. She now goes for an arm. Petrovic with a pair of elbows. Petrovic escapes and they get to their feet in the clinch. Horth lands a right hand as they break. Horth with a body kick. They trade and Petrovic lands a leg kick then some jabs. Petrovic with some kicks after Horth lands. Petrovic with a late takedown but Horth sprawls. 10-9 Horth, 19-19.

Horth lands a right hand. They trade kicks. They clinch and Petrovic pushes it to the fence. They separate. Horth lands a right hand and then another. They trade punches. Horth with a pair of right hands. They tie back up and Petrovic has the neck. Petrovic looked for some form of choke but let go. Horth scores a takedown and has the back. Petrovic escapes to the top and lands a pair of hammerfists. Horth sweeps to her feet. They clinch and Petrovic lands on the break. They trade kicks. Horth with a combination and lands a right hand. Petrovic tries a takedown but Horth defends with a knee. Horth with a right hand and gets a takedown but Petrovic ends up on top and lands. Close fight. 10-9 Horth, 29-28 Horth.

Official Result- Jamey-Lyn Horth def. Ivana Petrovic by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)

They were back-and-forth rounds, so the fight could’ve gone either way. I don’t know about giving Horth all three rounds. Neither looked like they were going to be a contender soon, but a solid win for Horth.

> Bantamweights- Chad Anheliger (13-7, 2-2 UFC) vs. Cody Gibson (20-10, 2-5 UFC)

Anheliger lands two right hands. Anheliger with a leg kick. Gibson lands a stiff jab. Anheliger with a heavy leg kick. They trade and Gibson pushes it against the fence. Gibson has the back and gets a takedown and gets a hook in. Gibson spins into the half-guard. Gibson lands after letting go of a choke attempt. Gibson gets the mount and Anheliger gives up his back on a scramble. They scramble to the feet but Gibson gets it back down. They scramble and Gibson grabs the neck. Gibson with a one-arm guillotine choke but Anheliger gets out. Gibson looks for a choke but Anheliger survives. 10-9 Gibson.

They trade and Gibson gets a takedown. Gibson has the mount and lands some elbows then some punches from the back. Gibson looks for a choke. Anheliger hangs on and eats an elbow from Gibson as he lets go. Gibson with big shots from the top. Gibson with an arm-triangle choke locked in. Anheliger gets out but Gibson has the back. They scramble and Gibson ends up in side control. Gibson looking for another arm-triangle choke. They stand. They go back to the mat. Gibson with big punches from the back. 10-8 Gibson, 20-17 Gibson.

Anheliger lands a jab. Anheliger with a combination. Gibson lands and Anheliger lands a counter right hand. Gibson gets a takedown. Gibson is inside the guard of Anheliger and lands some elbows. Anheliger with some punches from the bottom. They scramble to their feet. Gibson has the back standing. Gibson drags it down. Gibson still on the back. Gibson landing punches to end it. 10-9 Gibson, 30-26 Gibson.

Official Result- Cody Gibson def. Chad Anheliger by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

Gibson was dominant in this one and looked really good. Anheliger had no answer for the wrestling and ground work by Gibson. I’m surprised there was only one 10-8 round scored. A good win for Gibson.

> Bantamweights- Serhiy Sidey (10-2, 0-1 UFC) vs. Garrett Armfield (10-4, 2-2 UFC)

Sidey with a calf kick. Sidey with a leg kick as Armfield lands. Armfield with a right hand. Sidey with some kicks. Armfield lands a left hook. They trade and Sidey with a knee to the body. Sidey with a series of jabs. They trade kicks. Sidey lands a solid combination. Armfield lands a right hand. Armfield with a combo to the body. Armfield goes for a takedown but Sidey looks for an anaconda choke. Armfield gets out. Armfield gets a takedown. They scramble to their feet. Sidey looks for a late takedown and lands some knees. 10-9 Sidey.

They trade kicks to start the second. They trade jabs. Armfield lands a right hand. Armfield lands a combination. Sidey with a body kick as Armfield lands a combo. Sidey with a body kick. They trade jabs. They trade them again. Armfield with a combination. They trade jabs. Sidey with a jumping knee and they trade jabs. Armfield with a heavy leg kick. Armfield with a combination. Sidey lands a pair of right hands. Armfield with a right hand then a jab. Sidey with a double jab. Armfield with a combination. Armfield lands late. 10-9 Armfield, 19-19.

Sidey with a jab and body kick. Armfield scores a takedown. Sidey is looking for a guillotine choke. Armfield escapes and gets on the back of Sidey as Sidey stands. Armfield looking for a choke. They go to the mat. Sidey spins into the guard of Armfield. They almost scramble up but Armfield keeps it down and is on top. He gets the back of Sidey with the hooks in. They work to their feet. Sidey lands a knee and a body kick but Armfield gets a takedown. Sidey looked for the neck but Armfield escapes and controls from the top. Armfield gets the back as he lands. 10-9 Armfield, 29-28 Armfield.

Official Result- Serhiy Sidey def. Garrett Armfield by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

I’m not sure about that decision. I thought it was clear Sidey won the first and Armfield won the final two, though Sidey landed some good shots in the second. It was a good fight though.

> Heavyweights- #13 Alexandr Romanov (16-3, 5-3 UFC) vs. #15 Rodrigo Nascimento (11-2 1 NC, 4-2 1 NC UFC)

Romanov immediately goes for the takedown and pushes it to the fence. He gets the back of Nascimento. Romanov controlling from the back and slams Nascimento to the mat. Romanov with some knees. They get to their feet and Romanov gets it back down. Romanov landing from the top. He lands some punches and elbows. 10-9 Romanov.

They trade and Romanov pushes it to the fence. Romanov with a pair of knees. They’re just holding on. They separate. Romanov shoots for a takedown but Nascimento sprawls, though Romanov switches to the back. They crawl to the fence. Romanov lands a pair of knees. They stand and Romanov still has the body. They go to the mat. They separate and Romanov lands a pair of jabs. Nascimento with a left hand. Romanov lands a combination. Romanov lands then Nascimento lands a left hand. Timeout is called for a groin strike by Nascimento. They get back to action and trade punches. 10-9 Romanov, 20-18 Romanov.

They have an awkward exchange to start. Nascimento with some leg kicks. Romanov with a leg kick. Nascimento lands a combination. They trade inside the pocket. Romanov with a flurry as they tie up. Romanov with a left hand. Nascimento with a jab. They trade in close range. Nascimento lands a jab. Romanov with a right hand. Romanov lands a combo. Romanov with a Superman punch. 10-9 Romanov, 30-27 Romanov.

Official Result- Alexandr Romanov def. Rodrigo Nascimento by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

This was an ugly fight and the less said about it, the better. Romanov has a good record but isn’t impressive, and Nascimento looked to regress this fight.

> Featherweights- Jack Shore (17-2, 6-2 UFC) vs. Youssef Zalal (15-5-1, 5-3-1 UFC)

They trade leg kicks. Zalal with a calf kick then works the jab. Shore lands a solid right hand. Shore grabs the single leg and almost gets the takedown as he pushes it to the fence. Shore is able to lift Zalal and put it on the mat but they get up. They separate and both land combinations. Zalal with a jab. Shore lands a combo. Shore looks for a takedown and pushes it against the fence. Shore gets it to the mat late and they both land. 10-9 Shore.

Zalal lands a big knee and that drops Shore to the mat. He jumps on top and locks in an arm-triangle choke. It’s in tight and Shore taps! What a finish from Zalal to pick up the win.

Official Result- Youssef Zalal def. Jack Shore by submission (arm-triangle choke) at :59 of Round 2

Zalal has been impressive since returning to the UFC, and this is his sixth straight win overall. He’s ready to mix it up with the level of competition just outside of the rankings, and maybe in the 12-15 range of the rankings.

> Bantamweights- Charles Jourdain (15-8-1, 6-7-1 UFC) vs. Victor Henry (24-6 1 NC, 3-1 1 NC UFC)

Henry with a leg kick. They trade kicks. Henry with a high kick. Jourdain with a hard calf kick. Jourdain with a left hook. He lands a high kick and then a combination. Jourdain with a jab then a leg kick. Henry lands a leg kick. Jourdain trips Henry up and went for a guillotine choke but Henry pops out. Jourdain trips Henry again, but then Henry trips Jourdain to the mat and jumps on top. They get up and Jourdain lands an elbow. Jourdain with a body kick then a left hand. Henry trips it to the mat and is on top. 10-9 Jourdain.

Jourdain with a leg kick. Jourdain lands a combo ending with a stiff right hand. They trade wildly inside the pocket. Jourdain with a calf kick then a pair of left hands. Jourdain with a head kick. Henry gets a takedown and immediately takes the back of Jourdain. Jourdain tries to roll out but Henry stays on the back. Jourdain looks for a guillotine choke as he scrambles to his back. They stand and Jourdain still has the choke locked in and they go to the mat and the choke is still in tight and Henry taps. What a finish from Jourdain!

Official Result- Charles Jourdain def. Victor Henry by submission (guillotine choke) at 3:43 of Round 2

This was fun while it lasted with lots of good ground work. Jourdain getting that guillotine choke locked in and keeping it on was impressive and this was a great win for him.

> Bantamweights- Aiemann Zahabi (11-2, 5-2 UFC) vs. Pedro Munhoz (20-9 2 NC, 10-9 2 NC)

They trade jabs. Munhoz with a jab then a leg kick. Zahabi lands a right hand and a leg kick. They trade and Munhoz works the jab. Zahabi with a right hand. They trade jabs. Munhoz lands a series of jabs. Munhoz with a left hook. Zahabi lands a kick and Munhoz with a right hand. Zahabi lands to the body. Munhoz lands a combination. Zahabi with a left hook. Munhoz lands a leg kick. Munhoz lands a right hand and is pressuring while landing the jab. Zahabi with a head kick. 10-9 Zahabi.

They trade and Zahabi lands a right hand. They trade and Munhoz lands a right hand. Zahabi lands an elbow. They continue to throw inside the pocket but Munhoz is missing most of what he throws. Zahabi with a stiff jab. Zahabi with more jabs. They trade jabs and Zahabi lands a big right hand. Zahabi lands a combination. Munhoz still throwing and landing the jab. Zahabi with a right hand. Munhoz looks for a takedown but Zahabi sprawls. They trade left hands. Munhoz looks for a takedown but Zahabi defends and lands a knee to the body. 10-9 Zahabi, 20-18 Zahabi.

Munhoz lands a combination. Munhoz with a jab. Zahabi lands a left hand. They trade in close range. Munhoz lands a left hand. Zahabi with a jab and they have a heavy exchange in the center. Zahabi lands a hard right hand. Munhoz fires back and Zahabi lands another big right hand. Munhoz with a combination. Zahabi with two hard jabs. Munhoz with a quick flurry. Munhoz with more volume but Zahabi landing with more impact. Zahabi lands a stiff jab. Munhoz with a combination. They trade jabs. Zahabi with another big right hand. Munhoz’ face is a mess. Munhoz with a jab. 10-9 Zahabi, 30-27 Zahabi.

Official Result- Aiemann Zahabi def. Pedro Munhoz by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

The story of the fight was Zahabi landing with all sorts of damage, and Munhoz’ face showed it by the end. This was the biggest win of Zahabi’s career and his fifth straight win, and he may get a ranked opponent next.

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> Welterweights- Mike Malott (10-2-1, 3-1 UFC) vs. Trevin Giles (16-6, 7-6 UFC)

Malott with a body kick. Giles lands a leg kick. They trade in close range. Malott with a body kick after Giles lands a combo. Giles with a leg kick. Giles with a leg kick as Malott lands a jab. Malott lands a pair of leg kicks then two body kicks. Malott with a high kick. Malott with a leg kick. He lands another before landing a combination. Malott with a spin kick then back to landing the leg kick. 10-9 Malott.

Malott with a switch kick to the body. Malott with a leg kick. Malott with a left hand then a body kick. Malott lands a right hand. Giles with a jab then a combination. Malott scores with two body kicks. Giles with a combo and Malott lands a pair of body kicks. Both land jabs as Malott continues to land leg kicks. Malott lands a solid right hand. They both land in close range. Malott with a high kick. 10-9 Malott, 20-18 Malott.

They trade leg kicks. Malott with a high kick. Giles lands a right hand. Malott with a jab. Giles with a head kick. Malott with a pair of leg kicks. He lands a head kick. Giles with a snap jab. Malott with a series of kicks. Malott lands a solid left hand. Giles with a right hand. Malott with a pair of body kicks. Malott with a high kick as Giles lands a right hand. Malott pressing forward. Giles lands a right hand. Giles with a jab. Malott lands a calf kick then a high kick. 10-9 Malott, 30-27 Malott.

Official Result- Mike Malott def. Trevin Giles by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Malott didn’t look as good as he did before the loss to Neil Magny, but he did enough to score the win. Giles should’ve been more active as he could’ve won this, but allowing Malott to land the leg kicks gave it away.

> Middleweights- Marc-Andre Barriault (16-8 1 NC, 5-7 1 NC UFC) vs. Dustin Stoltzfus (15-6, 2-5 UFC)

Stoltzfus lands a jab and trips Barriault up with a leg kick. Stoltzfus grabs the neck and leg on the mat. Nothing is happening. Stoltzfus gets into the half-guard. Stoltzfus with a right hand from the top. Stoltzfus looking for a D’Arce choke. Barriault escapes but Stoltzfus remains in the half-guard. They get to their feet and start blasting away at each other with punches inside the pocket. They’re both landing and Stoltzfus lands a right hand that knocks Barriault out cold! Wow, what a finish by Stoltzfus!

Official Result- Dustin Stoltzfus def. Marc-Andre Barriault by knockout (punch) at 4:28 of Round 1

This was a must-win fight for both and Stoltzfus got the job done in a wild finish after an ugly first few minutes. He saves his UFC career for now, and this was a fun ending.

> Women’s Flyweights- #13 Ariane da Silva (17-9, 6-6 UFC) vs. #14 Jasmine Jasudavicius (11-3, 5-2 UFC)

Nothing happening in the first minute. They trade punches. da Silva lands a right hand. They trade right hands. da Silva lands a combination. da Silva with a high kick. Both really feeling each other out. Jasudavicius lands a right hand. da Silva lands a right hand after a quick exchange. da Silva with a combination. da Silva with another combo. da Silva lands a head kick and Jasudavicius is able to turn it into a takedown. Jasudavicius lands late. 10-9 da Silva.

They trade to start the second. da Silva with a combo. They trade jabs. da Silva with a combo inside close range. da Silva lands a solid right hand. Jasudavicius scores a takedown. Jasudavicius gets the crucifix position and lands some. Jasudavicius gets to the half-guard and lands. Jasudavicius with some elbows. Jasudavicius with more elbows and is teeing off with punches. Jasudavicius pouring it on late with lots of punches but da Silva makes it to the end. 10-9 Jasudavicius, 19-19.

They trade to start the third. Jasudavicius lands a right hand. Jasudavicius gets a takedown. Jasudavicius working from top half-guard and landing left hands. Jasudavicius looks for a D’Arce choke. It is in tight and da Silva taps! Jasudavicius picks up the submission win.

Official Result- Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Ariane da Silva by submission (D’Arce choke) at 2:28 of Round 3

Jasudavicius continues to impress and move up the rankings with another strong win. She keeps improving and should face a top-ten opponent next.

> Light Heavyweights- Caio Machado (8-3-1, 0-2 UFC) vs. Brendson Ribeiro (15-7, 0-2 UFC)

They’re trading leg kicks in the first minute. Ribeiro with a body kick. Machado lands a left hand. Machado with a high kick. Ribeiro lands a body kick. Machado with a body kick. Machado with a head kick. Ribeiro lands a high kick. Ribeiro with another high kick. Machado lands a leg kick. Machado with a body kick. Ribeiro lands a flurry of punches but Machado shakes it off. Machado with an inside leg kick. Timeout for a groin strike. They get back to action and Ribeiro with a body kick. Ribeiro lands a right hand. 10-9 Ribeiro.

Machado lands a body kick. Ribeiro with a leg kick. Machado with a body kick as Ribeiro lands a right hand. Machado with a combination. Machado with some kicks and circles away. Machado lands a left hand. Machado with a combo. They trade kicks. Machado with a pair of body kicks. Ribeiro lands a right hand. Ribeiro with a high kick. Machado with a left hand. Both miss as they swing big. Ribeiro landed a right hand late. 10-9 Machado, 19-19.

Machado with a body kick. Machado with a high kick. Machado lands a left hand. Ribeiro with a combination. Machado lands a left hand and Ribeiro stumbles back. Machado with a quick flurry. Ribeiro with a body kick. Ribeiro lands a head kick and Machado grabs the leg before a brief clinch. Machado with a body kick. They trade and both hurt each other for a moment. Machado with a combination. Machado lands a right hook. Machado with a body kick. Machado with a spinning back fist. Ribeiro lands a standing hammerfist and a spinning elbow. 10-9 Machado, 29-28 Machado.

Official Result- Brendson Ribeiro def. Caio Machado by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

That was a boring fight. Nothing much else to say.

> Women’s Flyweights- #3 Erin Blanchfield (12-2, 6-1 UFC) vs. #5 Rose Namajunas (13-6, 11-5 UFC)

Namajunas landing the jab early. She lands a leg kick. Blanchfield with a body kick. Blanchfield with another body kick. Namajunas with a combo. Namajunas with a leg kick. Namajunas back with the jab. Blanchfield lands a right hand. Namajunas with a combo. She lands another one. Blanchfield with a left hand. Namajunas with a jab. Blanchfield lands inside the pocket. Blanchfield with a right hand. Namajunas with a left hand. Namajunas lands a leg kick. She lands a combo. 10-9 Namajunas.

Namajunas with a left hand. She lands a combo. Namajunas with a left hand. Blanchfield with a leg kick and lands a combo. Namajunas with two stiff right hands. Blanchfield looks for a takedown against the fence. Namajunas reverses and gets a takedown. They work up and separate. Namajunas lands a right hand. Blanchfield with a body kick. They trade inside the pocket. Namajunas with a right hand and then another. Blanchfield rushes in with some punches and pushes it to the fence but they break. 10-9 Namajunas, 20-18 Namajunas.

Namajunas with a jab. She lands a right hand. They trade punches. Blanchfield with a leg kick. Namajunas with a body kick. She lands a jab. Blanchfield with a combo inside the pocket. They trade. Namajunas looks for a takedown but Blanchfield defends and Blanchfield pushes it against the fence. Blanchfield gets a takedown. Blanchfield working from the half-guard. Blanchfield landing and keeping Namajunas pinned on the bottom. Blanchfield with some elbows but Namajunas is defending. Blanchfield with some punches. 10-9 Blanchfield, 29-28 Namajunas.

Blanchfield pressing forward and they trade kicks. Blanchfield with a leg kick. Blanchfield lands a combination. Namajunas with a right hand. Blanchfield with a jab. Blanchfield lands a right hand. Namajunas with a quick combo. She lands a right hand. They trade and Blanchfield clinches and pushes it to the fence. They break apart and trade. They trade right hands. Blanchfield with a right hand. Namajunas lands a left hook. Blanchfield looks for a takedown but Namajunas defends. They break and Blanchfield lands. 10-9 Blanchfield, 38-38.

They have a frantic exchange to start the fifth as both land. Namajunas looks for a takedown but Blanchfield defends and lands an elbow on the break. Blanchfield scores the takedown. Blanchfield working from the half-guard and had neck control. She lets go and lands some left hands. Blanchfield gets the crucifix position. She lands some elbows to the body. Blanchfield landing punches and hammerfists. Blanchfield gets the back of Namajunas. They get to their feet. Blanchfield lands a knee as she has body control. Blanchfield goes for a late takedown but Namajunas defends. 10-9 Blanchfield, 48-47 Blanchfield.

Official Result- Erin Blanchfield def. Rose Namajunas by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)

The fourth round was the key round, as it could’ve gone either way, and the other four rounds were split. I was surprised they all gave it to Blanchfield. She should be in a title fight next, but it’ll be a wait, so I suspect she’ll fight one more time in the meantime, and it wouldn’t surprise me if it’s Alexa Grasso, who Blanchfield brought up.

> Flyweights- #2 Brandon Moreno (21-8-2, 9-5-2 UFC) vs. #3 Amir Albazi (17-1, 5-0 UFC)

Moreno with a jab. He lands a left hand. Albazi with an inside leg kick. Albazi lands a right hand. Moreno with a left hand and body kick. Moreno lands a right hand. Moreno with a jab. Albazi lands a leg kick. Albazi with another leg kick. Moreno lands a left hand. They trade. Moreno lands a right hand and Albazi slips. Albazi with a leg kick. They trade uppercuts. Moreno with a combo ending with a pair of leg kicks. 10-9 Moreno.

Moreno with a pair of leg kicks. Moreno lands a jab then a head kick. Albazi might be hurt. Moreno lands a jab. Moreno with a straight right hand. Moreno with a jab. Moreno lands to the body. Albazi gets a takedown but Moreno scrambles right back up. Moreno lands a body kick. Albazi lands a jab. Moreno lands a stiff jab. Moreno lands a combo. They trade and Moreno lands a combo. Moreno with a left hand. Moreno lands a body kick. 10-9 Moreno, 20-18 Moreno.

They trade as Moreno keeps landing the jab. Moreno with a combination. Moreno lands to the body. Albazi with a jab. Albazi lands a combination. Moreno with a right hand. Moreno stuns Albazi with a right hand. Albazi connects with a right hand. Moreno with a leg kick. Moreno lands a series of shots. They trade leg kicks. Moreno backing Albazi up as Albazi claimed an eye poke. Moreno with a left hook. Albazi lands a right hand. Albazi looks for a single leg but Moreno punches his way out. They trade. 10-9 Moreno, 30-27 Moreno.

They’re trading and Moreno lands a combo. Moreno with a jab. Albazi lands a quick combo. Moreno with a left hook. They trade jabs. Albazi with a left hook. They trade inside the pocket. Albazi with a front kick up the middle. Moreno with a combo and Albazi lands the jab. Moreno with a right hand. Moreno with slightly more volume this round. Both continue to land as the round ends. 10-9 Moreno, 40-36 Moreno.

Moreno landing the jab and some combos early. Moreno lands a right hand. Albazi looks for a takedown but Moreno defends. Timeout is called for an eye poke. They trade as they get back to action. Moreno wobbles Albazi with a left hand and he rushes in as Albazi circles away. Moreno with a left hook. They tie up and Albazi pushes it to the fence. They separate. Albazi is busted open. Moreno with a left hook. Moreno continuing to pick Albazi apart. Moreno with a jab. Moreno lands an elbow and rocks Albazi with a right hand. Moreno lands two left hands. Moreno with a jab and a high kick. Moreno with a head kick in a wild ending. 10-9 Moreno, 50-45 Moreno.

Official Result- Brandon Moreno def. Amir Albazi by unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 50-45)

An absolutely flawless performance from Moreno. He looked like a world champion in there. I think he’s next up for a title shot.

UFC on ESPN+ 95 live results: Moreno vs. Royval 2, Rodriguez vs. Ortega 2

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

The Octagon is back at high elevation as the UFC returns to Mexico for the first time since September 2019 for UFC on ESPN+ 95: Moreno vs. Royval 2 from Arena CDMX in Mexico City.

The main event will see former UFC Flyweight Champion Brandon Moreno square off with Brandon Royval for the second time.

The two first met in November 2020 at UFC 255, a fight won by Moreno via first-round TKO. Both are also coming off title fight losses to Alexandre Pantoja, and the winner could get another crack at the champion, who will be in attendance.

The co-main event is another five-round rematch as Yair Rodriguez takes on Brian Ortega in featherweight action. The two previously fought in July 2022, but that fight never really got going as Ortega suffered a shoulder injury late in the first round, which ended the fight. This will be Ortega’s first fight since suffering that injury.

Also on the main card is a lightweight bout pitting Daniel Zellhuber against Francisco Prado; a bantamweight bout with Raul Rosas Jr. taking on Ricky Turcios; and a lightweight bout between Manuel Torres and Chris Duncan.

ESPN+ PRELIMS | 7 PM ET/4 PM PT

> Featherweights- Erik Silva (9-2, 0-1 UFC) vs. Muhammad Naimov (10-2, 2-0 UFC)

Naimov lands a spinning wheel kick and Silva fell to his butt but got right up. They tie up and Naimov lands and the fight is stopped as Silva looks to be injured. Silva is favoring his left leg as he is definitely hurt.

Official Result- Muhammad Naimov def. Erik Silva by TKO (injury) at :44 of Round 1

> Flyweights- Victor Altamirano (12-3, 2-2 UFC) vs. Felipe Dos Santos (7-1 1 NC, 0-1 UFC)

Dos Santos with a high kick. Altamirano rushes forward with a kick and lands a spin kick. Dos Santos lands a right hand. Altamirano with a head kick. They trade and Altamirano looks for a takedown. Dos Santos has the neck and Altamirano scrambles out as they get to their feet. Dos Santos lands a body kick. They may have clashed heads and Altamirano scores a takedown. They stand and Altamirano has back control and gets it back down. They scramble up. Dos Santos looks for a guillotine as they go back to the mat and he lets go. They trade knees before breaking. Altamirano lands a leg kick. Altamirano gets another takedown. They get to their feet and Altamirano scores another takedown, but they quickly stand. 10-9 Altamirano.

Altamirano lands a leg kick that trips Dos Santos up for a moment. They trade and Altamirano forces a clinch. They separate and Dos Santos lands a body kick. Altamirano with a heavy leg kick. Altamirano scores a takedown and lands a nice elbow from the top. Altamirano takes the back as they work up to the feet. They separate as Dos Santos lands a body kick. Altamirano lands a leg kick and Dos Santos lands a right hand. Altamirano ducks under a punch and gets a takedown. 10-9 Altamirano, 20-18 Altamirano.

Altamirano lands a combo as he is going for a takedown, and Dos Santos is landing to defend. They go to the mat and Dos Santos has the back and is looking for a choke. Altamirano is fighting it. Altamirano escapes and they get to their feet. Altamirano gets a takedown. Dos Santos throwing elbows from the bottom. Altamirano gets to side control and Dos Santos gives up his back. They get to their feet. Altamirano lands a knee before they separate. Dos Santos lands a right hand. Altamirano lands a knee. He lands another as Dos Santos lands a left hook. 10-9 Altamirano, 30-27 Altamirano.

Official Result- Felipe Dos Santos def. Victor Altamirano by split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)

> Flyweights- Ronaldo Rodriguez (15-2, 0-0 UFC) vs. Denys Bondar (19-4, 0-2 UFC)

Bondar with a jab and front kick. Rodriguez lands a left hook and leg kick. Bondar lands a right hand and gets a takedown. They get to their feet and both land before Bondar lands a right hand and scores another takedown. Rodriguez looking to throw his legs up but Bondar defending with some punches. Bondar stands then gets side control and they stand. Bondar lands a combo ending with a body kick. They trade inside the pocket. Rodriguez lands a right hand. Rodriguez landing some punches and lands a leg kick. Rodriguez gets a late takedown and they stand with both landing late. 10-9 Bondar.

They’re throwing haymakers to start. Bondar lands a spinning elbow. They go to the mat as Bondar looked for the arm but get to their feet in the clinch. Rodriguez lands some knees. Bondar lands an elbow on the break. Rodriguez lands a leg kick. Bondar gets a takedown. They’re scrambling around as Bondar is landing from the top and Rodriguez is landing punches as well. Bondar looks for a leg and Rodriguez lands left hands from the top. Rodriguez gets the back and looks for a choke. Bondar taps! Rodriguez gets the big finish just before the second round ends.

Official Result- Ronaldo Rodriguez def. Denys Bondar by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:59 of Round 2

> Lightweights- Claudio Puelles (12-3, 5-2 UFC) vs. Fares Ziam (14-4, 4-2 UFC)

Puelles gets an early takedown. Ziam gets his back to the fence. Puelles has the back as they stand. Puelles gets another takedown. They get to their feet and remain tied up against the fence. They separate. Ziam lands a left hook to the body. Puelles with a high kick but gets dropped by a Ziam left hand. Ziam lands from the top before backing away and they stand. Puelles shoots for a takedown but Ziam sprawls. They get to their feet and Puelles gets a takedown and is in side control against the fence. Puelles lands a knee to the body. Puelles looks for an arm. 10-9 Ziam.

Puelles gets an early takedown but they get up. Puelles with a high kick. Ziam lands a pair of knees. Puelles gets a takedown. Puelles working from the top and landing. They get to their feet and Puelles is on the back working for a choke. They go back to the ground. Ziam escapes and lands some left hands. Ziam with some punches from the top to end the round. 10-9 Puelles, 19-19.

They clinch right away. They trade knees. Puelles dropping down for a takedown. He gets it as Ziam has the neck. Ziam works to the top and Puelles escapes. They get to their feet and Puelles gets another takedown. Ziam working for the neck but Puelles escapes. Puelles tries to get it down and they scramble to the mat. They stand and scramble back down. Ziam is on top. Ziam landing from the top. Ziam lands until the end. 10-9 Ziam, 29-28 Ziam.

Official Result- Fares Ziam def. Claudio Puelles by split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)

> Flyweights*- Edgar Chairez (10-5 1 NC, 0-1 1 NC UFC) vs. Daniel Lacerda (11-5 1 NC, 0-4 1 NC UFC)

*Chairez missed weight by five pounds, Lacerda missed weight by one pound

They trade kicks to start. Chairez with a hard leg kick. Chairez with a spin kick. They trade kicks. Chairez with a hard leg kick then a combo. Chairez lands a right hand and Lacerda scores a takedown. Chairez has Lacerda in his full guard and locks in a triangle choke and Lacerda taps! Great finish from Chairez to get the win.

Official Result- Edgar Chairez def. Daniel Lacerda by submission (triangle choke) at 2:17 of Round 1

> Flyweights- Jesus Aguilar (9-2, 1-1 UFC) vs. Mateus Mendonca (10-2, 0-2 UFC)

Aguilar with a heavy kick. Mendonca lands a series of kicks and gets a takedown. They get to their feet and are tied up against the fence. Aguilar is pressuring. Mendonca gets it back down and is in side control against the fence. Aguilar is able to explode to the top and lands some punches. Aguilar with a right hand as he gets into the guard of Mendonca. Mendonca looks for an armbar but Aguilar escapes and lands some punches to end the round. 10-9 Aguilar.

Aguilar lands some leg kicks and Mendonca shoots for the takedown and gets it. They get to their feet and Aguilar lands a knee before scoring a brief takedown. Mendonca gets the back. Mendonca gets on top and is in the half-guard of Aguilar. Mendonca gets the mount and lands some right hands as Aguilar is covering up. Mendonca with more right hands but Aguilar scrambles to the half-guard. They get to their feet and Aguilar rocks Mendonca with a right hand but scores a takedown instead of continuing to land. Aguilar gets the mount. They get to their feet and Mendonca lands a flying knee. Mendonca shoots for a takedown and Aguilar ends up on top to end the round. 10-9 Mendonca, 19-19.

Aguilar lands some kicks and one trips Mendonca to the ground. Aguilar attacks the neck and locks in a mounted guillotine choke. Mendonca is able to pop his head out as he rolled to the top. Mendonca working from inside of the half-guard. They are ordered to their feet and Aguilar lands some punches. Aguilar with a leg kick. Mendonca gets a takedown after they tie up. Mendonca is looking for an arm and then a triangle and almost had it as time runs out. Close fight. 10-9 Mendonca, 29-28 Mendonca.

Official Result- Jesus Aguilar def. Mateus Mendonca by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

> Bantamweights- Cristian Quinonez (18-4, 1-1 UFC) vs. Raoni Barcelos (17-5, 6-4 UFC)

Barcelos lands a leg kick and goes for a takedown but Quinonez defends. Barcelos lands a hard right hand. They clinch against the fence. They separate. Barcelos with a right hand to the body and Quinonez with a leg kick. Quinonez lands a series of punches. Barcelos scores a takedown. They scramble up. Quinonez is landing from the back as Barcelos is grabbing the fence. Quinonez lands some knees from the back. They scramble around. Barcelos tries to roll free but Quinonez ends up in side control. Quinonez lands from the top. 10-9 Quinonez.

Quinonez lands some kicks to start the second. Quinonez landing more as he lands an uppercut and some leg kicks. Quinonez landing the jab. He lands an uppercut. Quinonez lands a big right hand and Barcelos is circling away. Barcelos gets a brief takedown but they stand, and Barcelos drops Quinonez with a right hand. They scramble up and Barcelos lands a knee. Barcelos has the neck and is squeezing. He lets go. Quinonez lands a combo. Barcelos lands two right hands. Quinonez lands a right hand and then another. Barcelos fires back. Quinonez with a combo. Wild round. 10-9 Barcelos, 19-19.

They trade leg kicks. They continue to trade as they both circle around. Barcelos grabs the single leg and gets a takedown. Barcelos gets the back and locks in a rear-naked choke that gets Quinonez to tap. Big finish from Barcelos.

Official Result- Raoni Barcelos def. Cristian Quinonez by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:04 of Round 3

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> Lightweights- Manuel Torres (14-2, 2-0 UFC) vs. Chris Duncan (11-1, 2-0 UFC)

Duncan lands a right hand and Torres backs up. Torres lands a knee as Duncan gets a takedown. They scramble up and clinch. Torres gets a takedown and lands an elbow. He is on the back as Duncan stands but they end up on the feet. Torres still has the back and gets it back down. Torres working for a choke and has it locked in and Duncan taps! Big finish from Torres.

Official Result- Manuel Torres def. Chris Duncan by submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:46 of Round 1

> Women’s Strawweights- Yazmin Jauregui (10-1, 2-1 UFC) vs. Sam Hughes (8-5, 3-4 UFC)

Hughes lands a leg kick. Jauregui lands a quick combo. Jauregui with a stiff right hand. She lands another. Hughes looks for a takedown but Jauregui lands a knee and right hand on the break. Jauregui lands a leg kick. Hughes lands a jab. Jauregui with a body kick and follows it with a combo. Jauregui lands a combo. Hughes looks for a takedown as she pushes it against the fence but they separate. They trade body kicks. Jauregui with a combo. Jauregui lands a combo with a body kick. Jauregui lands a right hand. They trade inside the pocket. 10-9 Jauregui.

They trade to start the second. Jauregui continuing to land combinations. Hughes lands a leg kick. Jauregui with a big combination and Hughes is bleeding from her nose. They trade leg kicks. Hughes with a leg kick. Jauregui with a high kick. They trade in close range. Jauregui landing combos and lands a leg kick. Jauregui with a body kick then a right hand. Hughes lands a right hand. Jauregui lands more at the end. 10-9 Jauregui, 20-18 Jauregui.

They trade to start the third and Jauregui lands a quick combination. Jauregui landing with more volume as she’s landing four for every one Hughes lands. Jauregui lands and Hughes briefly falls to the mat but gets up. Jauregui with a body kick and follows with a left hook. Jauregui with some front kicks. They trade in close range. Hughes lands a body kick. Jauregui with a leg kick. Jauregui lands a combo and Hughes looks for a takedown but lets go. Jauregui with a combination. Jauregui lands another combo. Jauregui with a leg kick then a combination. Strong fight for Jauregui. 10-9 Jauregui, 30-27 Jauregui.

Official Result- Yazmin Jauregui def. Sam Hughes by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Bantamweights- Raul Rosas Jr. (8-1, 2-1 UFC) vs. Ricky Turcios (12-3, 2-1 UFC)

Breaking: This fight has been cancelled as Rosas Jr. is suffering from an illness and was not cleared to compete.

> Lightweights- Daniel Zellhuber (14-1, 2-1 UFC) vs. Francisco Prado (12-1, 1-1 UFC)

Zellhuber with a pair of kicks. Prado with a leg kick then Zellhuber lands a body kick. They trade body kicks. Prado lands a right hand. Zellhuber with some front kicks. Zellhuber with a body kick. Zellhuber lands a left hand. Prado with a left hook to the body then one upstairs. Prado lands a flurry and Zellhuber pushes it to the fence. Prado lands an elbow on the break. They trade kicks. Prado with a combination. They clinch but break. Zellhuber with some front kicks. Prado lands a leg kick. Zellhuber with a jab. Close round. 10-9 Prado.

Prado lands a right hand to the body and Zellhuber lands a body kick. Zellhuber lands a jab and Prado’s eye is busted open. Zellhuber pressing forward and landing as Prado is throwing wild shots. Zellhuber with a body kick. Prado lands a body kick. They trade. Zellhuber lands a knee and they both swing and land. Zellhuber with a jab then a big knee. Zellhuber landing the jabs. Zellhuber with a combo. Zellhuber lands a combination. Zellhuber with a stiff right hand as Prado was rushing in. Zellhuber lands a left hook. 10-9 Zellhuber, 19-19.

Zellhuber landing to start the third and lands a front kick to the face. Prado lands a leg kick but it’s Zellhuber landing with way more volume. Zellhuber with a body kick. Zellhuber with a body kick then a knee. Zellhuber with a combination. Zellhuber with a stiff jab. Prado lands a leg kick. Prado with a left hook. Zellhuber lands a right hand then a body kick. Zellhuber with a head kick. Zellhuber lands the double jab. Zellhuber with a body kick. Zellhuber with a flurry late. Good fight. 10-9 Zellhuber, 29-28 Zellhuber.

Official Result- Daniel Zellhuber def. Francisco Prado by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

> Featherweights- #3 Yair Rodriguez (18-4 1 NC, 10-3 1 NC UFC) vs. #4 Brian Ortega (15-3 1 NC, 7-3 1 NC UFC)

Ortega might have hurt himself jumping up during his intro. They’re both swinging to start things off. Rodriguez lands a leg kick. Rodriguez lands a left hand and Ortega falls into the fence. Rodriguez lands some knees to the body. Rodriguez with a combo. Rodriguez with a body kick. They clinch and Rodriguez with a knee to the body. They trade combinations. Ortega with a body kick. Rodriguez kicks Ortega’s legs from under him and lands some big punches as he gets on top. Rodriguez with a flurry from the top. Rodriguez with a big right hand from the top. They scramble up and Ortega has the back. Ortega drags Rodriguez to the ground. Ortega is in the mount and ends the round there. 10-9 Rodriguez.

Rodriguez lands a big body kick. Ortega presses forward and lands. Ortega with an uppercut. Rodriguez lands a right hand. Ortega grabs the single leg. Ortega pushes it against the fence and gets a takedown. Rodriguez has the neck. Ortega gets out and is working from the top. Rodriguez lands some hammerfists from the bottom. Ortega with some elbows. Ortega with some left hands. 10-9 Ortega, 19-19.

Rodriguez with a body kick as they come out swinging. Ortega gets the body lock and a takedown. Ortega has the mount and locks in an arm-triangle choke and Rodriguez taps! What a comeback and finish from Ortega!

Official Result- Brian Ortega def. Yair Rodriguez by submission (arm-triangle choke) at :58 of Round 3

> Flyweights- #1 Brandon Moreno (21-7-2, 9-4-2 UFC) vs. #3 Brandon Royval (15-7, 5-3 UFC)

Moreno lands a leg kick. Royval with a body kick. Royval slips on a kick but there isn’t much happening. They trade leg kicks. Royval with a body kick. Moreno with a leg kick. Moreno lands a combo. Moreno with a right hand. He lands a body kick. Moreno with a knee to the body and lands an elbow as he breaks a clinch attempt from Royval. Royval with a body kick. Moreno lands a left hand. 10-9 Moreno.

Royval with a leg kick. Moreno lands a big right hand. Moreno lands a stiff jab. Moreno lands another right hand. Moreno with another right hand. Royval lands a combo but Moreno is piecing him up. Royval lands a knee. He lands a body kick. Moreno lands a big combination. Royval lands a jab. Royval lands a knee and Moreno lands some punches. Royval lands a body kick. Moreno gets a takedown. Royval is trying to scramble out. They get to their feet after Royval looked for a submission. 10-9 Moreno, 20-18 Moreno.

Royval with a pair of leg kicks. Moreno lands a leg kick. Both are circling around. Moreno gets a takedown. They scramble up and Moreno has the back against the fence. Royval escapes. We have a timeout for a groin strike. They get back to action and Royval lands a body kick. Royval with a pair of kicks. Moreno lands a right hand. Moreno lands a right hand and grabs the back but Royval escapes. Moreno lands a right hand, then a combo ending with a leg kick. 10-9 Royval, 29-28 Moreno.

Moreno lands as Royval presses forward to start the fourth. Moreno lands a right hand then a leg kick. They trade. Moreno tries a takedown but Royval briefly ends up on top, though they quickly get up. Royval lands a combo. Moreno with a big right hand. They trade big punches. They tie up against the fence and Royval lands some left hands before they separate. Royval lands a combo to the body. Royval lands some more kicks as he lands a high kick. Moreno with a right hand. 10-9 Royval, 38-38.

Moreno lands a right hand. They tie up and Moreno pushes it to the fence. They separate. Moreno lands a pair of big right hands. Moreno with a body kick. Royval throwing with volume but not landing a lot. Moreno with a right hand then a leg kick. Royval lands a combo but Moreno is covering up. Moreno lands a stiff jab. They both land a hard right hand. Moreno with a right hand. Moreno has the body locks and the back against the fence. They are separated by Herb Dean. Moreno with a right hand. Moreno lands to the body then a left hand. Royval lands and Moreno with a knee to the body. Moreno has the back against the fence. Moreno lands as they break and they swing late. Close fight. 10-9 Moreno, 48-47 Moreno.

Official Result- Brandon Royval def. Brandon Moreno by split decision (48-47, 46-49, 48-47)

UFC 290 live results: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Yair Rodriguez

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

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

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

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

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

ESPN2 PRELIMS | 6 PM ET/3 PM PT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*Turner missed weight by two pounds

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

UFC 283 live results: Teixeira vs. Hill, Figueiredo vs. Moreno 4

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 283: Teixeira vs. Hill, emanating from the Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The Octagon is back in Brazil for the first time since March 2020, and the promotion returns with two titles on the line, and, hopefully, two undisputed champions by the time the night ends.

The vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship is on the line, once again, in the main event as former champion Glover Teixeira looks to regain the title when he takes on Jamahal Hill. The vacant championship was supposed to be decided at UFC 282 in December, but Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev fought to a draw, and this fight was quickly booked afterwards in order to try and determine a new champion. Teixeira is fighting for the first time since losing the title to Jiri Prochazka in June, while Hill comes in riding a three-fight win streak.

In the co-main event, it is the first time two men battle for the fourth time inside the Octagon as UFC Flyweight Champion Deiveson Figueiredo and Interim UFC Flyweight Champion Brandon Moreno look to unify the titles. The three-fight series has seen an even split, with each man scoring a win and the third contest being a draw. The winner becomes the rightful top guy at 125 pounds as the division moves forward following this.

Also on the main card is a big welterweight bout pitting Gilbert Burns against Neil Magny, a women’s flyweight bout between former UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Jessica Andrade and Lauren Murphy, and an exciting light heavyweight title kicks off the main card as Paul Craig takes on Johnny Walker. The show also has ten fights on the prelims, capped off by the retirement bout of all-time legend and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.

Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 5:30 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].

ESPN+ PRELIMS | 5:30 PM ET/2:30 PM PT

> Bantamweights- Saimon Oliveira (18-4, 0-1 UFC) vs. Daniel Marcos (13-0, 0-0 UFC)

Marcos with a front kick to start. Oliveira shoots for a takedown against the fence but Marcos is defending. They separate and Oliveira lands a leg kick. Marcos fires a leg kick back. Oliveira goes back for the takedown as he pushes it against the fence. They break and Oliveira lands a spinning back fist. Marcos is pressuring and lands a right hand then a combo to the body. Oliveira with a leg kick. Oliveira goes back for the takedown. Marcos with a knee and an elbow. They break and Marcos with a body kick. Oliveira throwing some bad punches. Marcos with a combo. Oliveira pushes it back against the fence. Marcos with a knee and lands a combo after Oliveira landed a spin elbow. Close round. 10-9 Marcos.

Oliveira presses forward and has a high kick blocked. Oliveira misses a spinning back fist and falls to the mat and Marcos lands a body kick as he was getting up and then some follow-up shots. They tie up against the fence and Marcos with a knee then they break. Marcos with a leg kick. Marcos with a combo and lands a head kick. Marcos lands against the fence. They break. Oliveira lands a leg kick. Marcos with a body combo. Marcos with a combo and drops Oliveira with a knee to the body and ends it. Great finish from Marcos.

Official Result- Daniel Marcos def. Saimon Oliveira by knockout (strikes) at 2:18 of Round 2

> Women’s Featherweights- Josiane Nunes (9-1, 2-0 UFC) vs. Zarah Fairn (6-4, 0-2 UFC)

They’re trading to start the fight and Fairn lands a big body kick. Fairn landing some big shots as there is a huge size difference between them. Fairn with a body kick then some uppercuts then a big knee. Fairn still landing big shots. Nunes is bleeding and trying to land. Fairn with some big shots against the fence. Nunes lands a combo. Fairn with some uppercuts. Both land big punches. Fairn with some leg kicks and knees after Nunes lands a combo. Nunes with a combo against the fence ending with a body kick. Nunes lands some more shots as they make it to the end of the first. 10-9 Fairn.

Nunes lands to start the second. Fairn with a leg kick. Nunes lands a combo including a Superwoman punch and continues to land to the body of Fairn against the fence. Nunes is landing the jab and the pace is slowing down. They tie up against the fence. They break and Fairn with a combination. Fairn lands another combo, then Nunes responds with a combo and pushes Fairn against the fence. Nunes lands with an elbow inside the clinch. Fairn with a right hand. Fairn with a combo. Nunes lands a left hand and a flurry at the end. 10-9 Nunes, 19-19.

They continue to trade to start the third and Nunes is landing but a lot of it is hitting Fairn’s arms. Nunes with a big flurry against the fence and is connecting with solid shots. Nunes continues to land and they break to the center. Fairn now lands some nice right hands. Nunes with some tough left hands. Nunes lands some more at the end. Good fight. 10-9 Nunes, 29-28 Nunes.

Official Result- Josiane Nunes def. Zarah Fairn by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Welterweights- Warlley Alves (14-5, 8-5 UFC) vs. Nicolas Dalby (20-4-1 2 NC, 4-4-1 1 NC UFC)

They trade as Alves pushes forward. Alves with a body kick. Dalby lands a punch and Alves slips but gets back to his feet. They clinch against the fence. Dalby lands some and they break. They trade leg kicks. Dalby lands a combo and Alves fires back with a leg kick. Dalby with a leg kick. Dalby with a high kick and then lands a big right hand. Alves lands a body kick. Dalby has a cut open but lands a jab. They trade to end the round. 10-9 Dalby.

Alves lands and shoots for the takedown. Dalby looks for a triangle choke, but Alves is able to escape and has body control from the guard. Both land on the mat. They get to their feet and clinch against the fence but break. Both men land massive right hands after Alves lands an elbow. Dalby with a knee and Alves lands a leg kick. They trade and we have a timeout for an eye poke. They get back and Dalby lands a high kick. Close round. 10-9 Alves, 19-19.

Both are landing big shots to start the third. They clinch against the fence and Dalby has control, but they break. Both land before they clinch once again. Dalby has control and lands some knees before they break. Alves lands a left hand. Alves lands a big right hand. Dalby landing some combos. They trade inside the pocket. Alves with a right hand and a body kick. Dalby lands a body kick. They clinch against the fence and Dalby lands some knees and gets a brief takedown. 10-9 Dalby, 29-28 Dalby.

Official Result- Nicolas Dalby def. Warlley Alves by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

> Lightweights- Ismael Bonfim (18-3, 0-0 UFC) vs. Terrance McKinney (13-4, 3-1 UFC)

They trade right hands. McKinney with a front kick to the body. Bonfim with a nice combination. McKinney lands a right hand as Bonfim rushes in. Bonfim gets a split-second takedown but they scramble up and McKinney has it pushed against the fence. They break and Bonfim lands a big right that hurts McKinney. McKinney gets it pushed back against the fence. McKinney grabs the back and drags it down despite Bonfim trying to grab the fence. Bonfim lands some back elbows. Bonfim spins to the top and McKinney has the neck. They get to their feet and Bonfim has McKinney pushed against the fence but slips on a knee and McKinney ends the round on top. 10-9 Bonfim.

McKinney lands a left hand but Bonfim counters with a combo and lands an uppercut. McKinney lands a knee and shoots for the takedown but Bonfim defends. Bonfim lands a right hand. McKinney lands a right hand and Bonfim counters with a big left hook to the body. Bonfim with a right hand. Bonfim then lands a flying knee that knocks McKinney out cold. What a finish by Bonfim!

Official Result- Ismael Bonfim def. Terrance McKinney by knockout (flying knee) at 2:17 of Round 2

> Bantamweights- Luan Lacerda (12-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Cody Stamann (20-5-1, 6-4-1 UFC)

They feel each other out early before Lacerda lands a leg kick. Stamann lands a counter left that pushes Lacerda back. Lacerda with a body kick and lands a leg kick seconds later. They exchange leg kicks. Stamann with a combo. Stamann with a leg kick. Lacerda with a body kick. He lands another. Stamann lands a few jabs. They trade leg kicks. Stamann lands a combo inside the pocket, then lands another combo. Lacerda lands a knee at the end. 10-9 Lacerda.

Stamann with a leg kick. Lacerda lands but then Stamann lands a nice combo in return, including a leg kick that trips Lacerda up. Lacerda with a high kick. Stamann lands a right hand. They trade combinations inside the pocket. Lacerda lands a couple of big right hands and then lands to the body. Stamann fires back with some right hands. Stamann lands a left hand. Stamann with a nice inside leg kick. Stamann with a body combo. Stamann lands a right hand. Lacerda with a body kick. Stamann continues to land better at the end. 10-9 Stamann, 19-19.

Lacerda with a combo to start the third as the pace was slow to start the round. Stamann with a leg kick. Lacerda with a body kick. He lands a combo and scores a takedown. Stamann uses his legs to get right back up but Lacerda is able to get another takedown. Lacerda now attacks the neck. They get to their feet as Lacerda lets go. They trade punches. Lacerda with some body kicks. Lacerda stuns Stamann for a moment then Stamann lands a combo. Lacerda with more body kicks as Stamann is retreating. Stamann lands a quick combo. Lacerda lands at the end. Close fight. 10-9 Lacerda, 29-28 Lacerda.

Official Result- Cody Stamann def. Luan Lacerda by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Heavyweights- Shamil Abdurakhimov (20-7, 5-5 UFC) vs. Jailton Almeida (17-2, 3-0 UFC)

Abdurakhimov lands a big right hand then Almeida gets a big takedown. They get up and Almeida gets it right back down. They scramble as Almeida is looking to get the mount. Almeida is able to get Abdurakhimov’s back and about has the hooks in. Abdurakhimov spins and Almeida is in the full mount. Almeida trying to find an opening for a submission. He gets the back but returns to the mount. Almeida with some punches from the mount. Almeida goes for the arm-triangle but lets go. Almeida with some big elbows. He lands more big shots at the end. 10-8 Almeida.

Almeida with a big leg kick. Almeida with the takedown. He gets into the half-guard and lands before taking the back and landing left hands. Almeida now landing lots of right hands and Abdurakhimov is being told to fight back. Almeida gets the three-quarter mount and lands more big punches. They get to their feet and Almeida has the back, and then drags it down. He flattens Abdurakhimov out on his belly. Almeida with big punches from the back and Abdurakhimov is covering up. More big shots and Almeida gets the finish. Utter dominance from Almeida in this one.

Official Result- Jailton Almeida def. Shamil Abdurakhimov by TKO (punches) at 2:56 of Round 2

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> Welterweights- Gabriel Bonfim (13-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Mounir Lazzez (11-2, 2-1 UFC)

Lazzez with a leg kick. He lands a jab. Bonfim with a combo. Bonfim lands a nice right hand. Bonfim grabs the neck and pulls guard and has the guillotine choke locked in and Lazzez taps! What a night for the Bonfim brothers.

Official Result- Gabriel Bonfim def. Mounir Lazzez by submission (guillotine choke) at :49 of Round 1

> Lightweights- Thiago Moises (16-6, 5-4 UFC) vs. Melquizael Costa (19-5, 0-0 UFC)

They trade kicks early. Moises goes for a takedown but Costa defends. He shoots for another one but Costa defends again as Moises pushes it against the fence. Moises gets the takedown and is working from the top and lands a couple of punches. Costa gets Moises into his guard. They get to their feet and Costa lands some leg and body kicks. Moises lands a big late combo. 10-9 Moises.

They trade kicks early in the second as Moises is pressing forward. Moises lands a right hand. Moises gets a takedown against the fence as Costa was starting to show signs of fatigue. Moises lands an elbow from the top. Moises gets better position and is landing some big punches as he has back control. They stand and Moises has body control. Moises gets it back down and has the back and the body triangle locked in. Moises locks in a rear-naked choke and gets Costa to tap. Big finish by Moises.

Official Result- Thiago Moises def. Melquizael Costa by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:05 of Round 2

> Middleweights- Gregory Rodrigues (13-4, 4-1 UFC) vs. Brunno Ferreira (9-0, 0-0 UFC)

Ferreira with a leg kick. Rodrigues lands a right hand. Ferreira with a left hand. They trade in close range and Rodrigues lands a big uppercut. Ferreira lands a left hand but eats a counter right from Rodrigues. Rodrigues lands a short left hand. Ferreira looks for a single-leg but Rodrigues shakes him off. Ferreira lands a leg kick that trips Rodrigues up and he tries to get it down but they end up scrambling to their feet. Rodrigues lands a few good punches. Ferreira with a combo. Ferreira then lands a left hand that knocks Rodrigues out cold. An absolute nasty knockout as Ferreira scores the upset.

Official Result- Brunno Ferreira def. Gregory Rodrigues by knockout (punch) at 4:13 of Round 1

> Light Heavyweights- Mauricio Rua (27-13-1, 11-11-1 UFC) vs. Ihor Potieria (20-3, 0-1 UFC)

Rua with a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Rua lands a big left hook that rocks Potieria. Rua with a leg kick. Potieria lands a straight left hand. He lands a right hand. Rua’s ear is busted open. Rua with a leg kick. Rua stumbles to the fence and Potieria rushes but nothing happens. They clinch and Potieria lands a couple of shoulder strikes. They break. Rua with a leg kick. Potieria lands a left hand and then hurts Rua with a right hand. Potieria with a combo and Rua falls to his knees and some follow-up shots from Potieria gets the stoppage. This is not the way Rua wanted to go out in his retirement. A very anti-climatic finish.

Official Result- Ihor Potieria def. Mauricio Rua by TKO (punches) at 4:05 of Round 1

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> Light Heavyweights- #9 Paul Craig (16-5-1, 8-5-1 UFC) vs. #12 Johnny Walker (19-7, 5-4 UFC)

Walker with a heavy leg kick. Craig with a body kick. Craig lands a leg kick. He lands another. Walker lands a jab. Walker with a leg kick. He lands another. Walker throws a body kick and Craig grabs it. Walker then rocks Craig with a right hand and Walker keeps landing big punches as Craig holds onto the leg and Craig goes down still holding the leg and it is stopped. What a finish from Walker!

Official Result- Johnny Walker def. Paul Craig by TKO (punches) at 2:16 of Round 1

> Women’s Flyweights- #4 Lauren Murphy (16-5, 8-5 UFC) vs. #6 Jessica Andrade (23-9, 14-7 UFC)

Andrade with an inside leg kick. She lands another. She lands two more. Andrade with a flurry. Andrade back with the leg kicks. Murphy lands a jab. Andrade connects with a combo and hurts Murphy with a left hook. Andrade with more leg kicks and both connect with punches. Murphy looks for a takedown but Andrade shrugs it off. They trade punches and Andrade lands a few leg kicks. Andrade lands a big combination. Murphy gets a brief takedown but they separate. Andrade lands a leg kick. Andrade with a flurry against the fence. Andrade continues to land punches and leg kicks. She lands a big combo. Andrade with a big right hand. Andrade lands and Murphy gets another brief takedown but they break. Andrade with some big shots at the end. 10-8 Andrade.

Andrade with a body kick. Andrade with a leg kick and follows it with a right hand. Andrade lands an uppercut. Andrade with a right hand after Murphy lands a jab. Andrade with a flurry of punches that land. Murphy tries a takedown but Andrade defends. Murphy looks to shoot in but eats a big combo from Andrade. Andrade with an uppercut then a flurry of shots. Andrade lands a leg kick. Andrade lands a massive right hand. Andrade lands some kicks. Murphy grabs the leg and tries a takedown but Andrade sprawls. They get to their feet and Andrade lands to the body then head. Andrade lands a big flurry at the end of the second. 10-8 Andrade, 20-16 Andrade.

Murphy tries to shoot in and land to the body but eats a big right hand from Andrade on the break. Andrade lands a flurry including some hard right hands. Andrade with a leg kick. Murphy lands a couple of jabs. Andrade with a flurry. Andrade pushes Murphy against the fence. She’s looking for the takedown against the fence and scores it. Murphy tries to get the arm but Andrade escapes and they stand. Andrade lands a combo. Andrade with a massive flurry and Murphy is still in all sorts of trouble. Andrade with a leg kick. Andrade with more big shots. This fight should’ve been stopped a long time ago and still should be now. Andrade with more big punches. Andrade lands more big punches. Andrade with big shots. She lands more at the end. Just a brutal beatdown from Andrade. 10-8 Andrade, 30-24 Andrade.

Official Result- Jessica Andrade def. Lauren Murphy by unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-26)

> Welterweights- #5 Gilbert Burns (20-5, 13-5 UFC) vs. #12 Neil Magny (27-9, 20-8 UFC)

Magny with a leg kick. Burns with a body kick. Burns lands a jab. Burns gets a big takedown against the fence. He’s now in the half-guard of Magny. Burns looking to improve position and find the mount. Burns now looking to set up an arm-triangle. Burns gets to the mount position. Burns with a right hand then he locks in the arm-triangle choke and gets Magny to tap. What a showing from Burns.

Official Result- Gilbert Burns def. Neil Magny by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 4:15 of Round 1

> UFC Flyweight Championship- C Deiveson Figueiredo (21-2-1, 10-2-1 UFC) vs. IC Brandon Moreno (20-6-2, 8-3-2 UFC)

Moreno gets an immediate takedown as Figueiredo has the neck. Both being patient on the ground as Moreno is in the half-guard. Moreno is able to escape and they get to their feet. Figueiredo with a front kick to the body. Moreno lands a body kick. Figueiredo lands a body kick. Both land left hooks. Moreno lands a left hand. Figueiredo with a hard leg kick. Figueiredo tries a takedown but Moreno defends. Moreno with a body shot. He lands a left hand the gets another takedown. Figueiredo looks for the leg and is looking for a heel hook. Figueiredo kicked Moreno in the face while on the mat but it didn’t get called. 10-9 Moreno.

Moreno lands a right hand as he rushes forward. Moreno lands a kick and Figueiredo grabs the leg and it goes to the mat. They scramble to their feet. Moreno lands a combo. Moreno lands a jab then a right hand. Figueiredo lands a counter to the body. Figueiredo with a leg kick. Figueiredo partially lands a head kick. Moreno gets a takedown but Figueiredo reverses and Moreno sweeps to the feet. Figueiredo grabs the neck and drags it down and has a guillotine locked in but Moreno is staying patient and escapes. Moreno working from the top and lands an elbow. Figueiredo lands a couple of elbows from the bottom. Close round. 10-9 Moreno, 20-18 Moreno.

Figueiredo lands a nice body shot. Moreno lands a right hand. Moreno with a combo. Moreno swings and misses with a right hand. Moreno lands a left hand that hit the eye and Figueiredo was trying to call time but it wasn’t a poke and Moreno gets it to the ground. Figueiredo has a cut under his right eye. Moreno lands some left hands from the top. Moreno throwing crazy punches from the top and Figueiredo was throwing kicks from his back as Moreno got back into his guard. Moreno with more left hands from the top. Moreno gets side control at the end. 10-9 Moreno, 30-27 Moreno.

The fight has been stopped after the third round as Figueiredo’s right eye is completely closed and he can’t see out of it, so the doctor has stopped it. Moreno is the winner and is now the undisputed champion.

Official Result- Brandon Moreno def. Deiveson Figueiredo by TKO (doctor stoppage) at 5:00 of Round 3 to win the UFC Flyweight Championship

> UFC Light Heavyweight Championship- #2 Glover Teixeira (33-8, 16-6 UFC) vs. #7 Jamahal Hill (11-1 1 NC, 5-1 1 NC UFC)

Teixeira looking for the takedown right away and they tie up. Teixeira with some body shots and Hill lands some knees to the body as they separate. Hill with a leg kick. Teixeira still trying for the takedown but Hill defending. Hill with another leg kick. Hill lands a big body kick. Both land punches in the pocket. Hill with a right hand and then a combo. Teixeira lands a jab. Hill lands a solid combo and then another right hand. Hill still landing more. Teixeira lands a left hook to the body. Hill lands an uppercut. We have an eye poke and a timeout. They get back underway and Teixeira lands a calf kick. Hill lands a right hand. They trade late. 10-9 Hill.

Teixeira rushing in to attack the body early on in the second. Hill with a couple of leg kicks. We have another timeout for an eye poke, this time by Hill on Teixeira. They get back to action and Hill lands some big shots and a head kick and Teixeira is hurt. Hill is landing against the fence. Teixeira gets his back away from the fence and is now landing. Teixeira lands a big left hand and Hill is cut open. Hill with some body kicks. Teixeira gets a takedown and it looked easy. Teixeira gets the back for a moment and Hill spins to get Teixeira into his guard. Teixeira looking for the arm-triangle choke. He lets go. They get to their feet and separate. Hill with a high kick. Hill lands a big straight right hand. Hill with a body kick. Teixeira lands a left hand. Close round. 10-9 Hill, 20-18 Hill.

They trade to start the third and Teixeira looks for a takedown but Hill defends. Hill lands a jab. Hill lands a head kick that wobbles Teixeira. Teixeira ends up falling down and Hill gets on top and is landing. Teixeira is trying to survive as Hill is being patient in landing. Hill with more right hands and Teixeira is bleeding all over. Hill landing and Teixeira is moving and blocking with his arms. They get to their feet. Teixeira tries a takedown but Hill defends. Hill lands a body kick. Teixeira lands some jabs. Both guys are tired. Teixeira lands some shots and Hill circles away. Hill with a late combo and a knee. 10-9 Hill, 30-27 Hill.

Both of Teixeira’s eyes are cut badly. Hill with a body kick. Hill with a head kick. Hill lands a big knee as Teixeira is trying to get it down. Teixeira pushes it against the fence. They break and Hill lands some big shots. Hill still landing. Teixeira lands a big left hand. Teixeira still pressing forward but Hill is landing the jab and high kicks. Teixeira lands another left hand. Hill with a combo and then a big right hand. He has Teixeira hurt against the fence. Teixeira lands but Hill still pouring it on with the punches. Hill with a uppercut. He lands a knee and another flurry. Hill with some knees to the body and then an uppercut. They break as Teixeira somehow survived that. Hill with some late knees then a late flurry. 10-8 Hill, 40-35 Hill.

Hill lands the jab. Teixeira gets the takedown and is in the half-guard. He gets to side control and is trying to set something up. Hill tries hard to get up but Teixeira is keeping him down. Teixeira gets to the mount. Hill is able to slip out and sweeps to the top. Hill just staying on top and doing enough to not get it stood up. Hill moves to side control. They get to their feet. Hill lands a combo and then a head kick. They trade late. 10-9 Hill, 50-44 Hill.

Official Result- Jamahal Hill def. Glover Teixeira by unanimous decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-44) to win the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship

*Breaking- Glover Teixeira announces his retirement following the fight, saying he’s too tough for his own good and is now going to focus on coaching.

UFC 277 live results: Julianna Pena vs. Amanda Nunes 2

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 277: Pena vs. Nunes 2, emanating from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

The Octagon is back in Dallas for the first time in nearly four years with two title fights including one of the biggest rematches in women’s MMA history as the greatest female fighter of all-time looks to avenge a historic loss.

UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Julianna Pena makes her first title defense against the woman she defeated for the title, former champion Amanda Nunes, in the main event. Pena scored the massive upset at UFC 269 in December, submitting Nunes in the second round. The two coached the most recent edition of The Ultimate Fighter to lead to the rematch as Nunes looks to regain the title and once again become a two-division champion.

In the co-main event, an Interim UFC Flyweight Championship will be on the line as former UFC Flyweight Champion Brandon Moreno takes on Kai Kara-France. This is also a rematch as Moreno scored a decision win over Kara-France at UFC 245 in December 2019. The interim title came about after Deiveson Figueiredo claimed he was injured and unable to fight on this card while also saying he didn’t want to defend against Moreno, who is the top contender.

The rest of the main card sees a heavyweight bout between Derrick Lewis and Sergei Pavlovich, a flyweight bout pitting Alexandre Pantoja against Alex Perez, and the main card kicks off with a light heavyweight opener as Magomed Ankalaev takes on Anthony Smith. The featured prelims return to ABC with four fights, capped off with a welterweight bout pitting Alex Morono against Matthew Semelsberger.

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

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

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> Welterweights*- Orion Cosce (7-1, 0-1 UFC) vs. Blood Diamond (3-1, 0-1 UFC)

*Cosce missed weight by 1.5 pounds

They trade kicks to start. Diamond with a combo ending with a head kick. Cosce with a right hand as Diamond lands a body kick. They trade in close range and Cosce shoots for the takedown. They remain tied up against the fence and Diamond landing some knees. They reverse positions but not a whole lot going on. Cosce gets the takedown and is in side control. They get to their feet and Cosce still has the back. Cosce gets it back down for a moment but they get up and are clinched against the fence. They separate. Diamond with a late right hand and head kick. 10-9 Cosce.

They trade to start the second round. They clinch and Cosce lands some knees but not a whole lot is going on. Cosce trying hard for the takedown but Diamond is doing well to keep it on the feet as he lands a couple of side elbows. They break. Diamond with a leg kick. He lands a body kick. Diamond landing some punches and knees and has Cosce hurt. Cosce slips back and Diamond is swarming with some shots and some knees and Cosce grabs him for the clinch to recover. They break and Diamond landing some knees and big punches looking for the finish. Diamond with some side elbows. Diamond with a knee and he slips to the mat and Cosce lands some right hands. 10-9 Diamond, 19-19.

Cosce with a body kick to start the third. They trade kicks. Diamond lands a knee as Cosce initiates a tie up. Cosce gets a takedown. They try to work to their feet and do as Cosce has the back and pushes it back down. Cosce has the hooks in and is working for a choke. Cosce with some right hands. Cosce gets the mount. Cosce is working for an arm-triangle choke. He lets go to land some elbows. Diamond gives up his back. He ends the fight landing from the top. 10-9 Cosce, 29-28 Cosce.

Official Result- Orion Cosce def. Blood Diamond by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Light Heavyweights- Nicolae Negumereanu (12-1, 3-1 UFC) vs. Ihor Potieria (20-2, 0-0 UFC)

Negumereanu lands in close range. Potieira with some leg kicks. They trade in close range. Negumereanu shoots for the takedown. They clinch against the fence and not much is going on. Negumereanu gets the takedown and is in the half-guard working from there. They scramble up to their feet and Negumereanu retains the body lock and pressure. Negumereanu gets the takedown and is trying to get in the guard but Potieira pushing him off with kicks. Negumereanu with some leg kicks and Potieira is ordered to his feet. Negumereanu with a right hand. 10-9 Negumereanu.

Potieira lands a combo and they trade leg kicks. Negumereanu with a right hand. Potieira with a right hook. Potieira connects with a left hand. They trade in close range. Negumereanu lands a right hand that rocks Potieira after an exchange and they clinch against the fence. They break and trade leg kicks. They clinch and Negumereanu lands a few good knees. Negumereanu looking for a finish as he attacks with a flurry. Negumereanu with big punches and knees and they’re swinging against the fence. Negumereanu with more punches and knees. Two big knees and it is stopped. What a flurry to finish by Negumereanu.

Official Result- Nicolae Negumereanu def. Ihor Potieira by TKO (knees) at 3:33 of Round 2

> Women’s Bantamweights*- Joselyne Edwards (11-4, 2-2 UFC) vs. Ji Yeon Kim (9-5-2, 3-5 UFC)

*Edwards missed weight by 1.5 pounds

Kim with a leg kick then they both throw in close range and land. Kim with a leg kick. Edwards with a quick combo and a leg kick. Not a lot going as Edwards is throwing kicks but Kim is backing up from them. Kim with a right hand. Kim lands a jab as Edwards lands a couple of body kicks. Neither really doing a ton in this round. Edwards lands in close range and now they start to trade some shots. They clinch late. 10-9 Edwards.

Edwards pressing forward to start the second and they both land a punch. They trade punches in close rage. Edwards lands a nice combination. Kim now lands a combination. Edwards with a body kick. Kim with the double jab ending with a leg kick. They trade and Kim lands a big right hand that snaps Edwards’ head back. They trade kicks and Edwards lands a side kick. They clinch and trade knees late. 10-9 Kim, 19-19.

Kim lands a right hand. They trade in close range and both land some shots. Kim with a leg kick and lands a right hand. Edwards grabs the body lock and pushes it against the fence searching for the takedown. Edwards is able to get the takedown and is in side control. Edwards with some left hands as she looks to get the arm. Kim escapes to her feet. They tie up against the fence. They break as Edwards lands a shot. Edwards with a body kick. Kim lands a leg kick. Edwards with a leg kick. They both land inside the pocket and are teeing off on each other late. Nice flurry from both to end. 10-9 Edwards, 29-28 Edwards.

Official Result- Joselyne Edwards def. Ji Yeon Kim by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)

> Welterweights- Michael Morales (13-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Adam Fugitt (8-2, 0-0 UFC)

Fugitt with a body kick. He lands another. Morales with a jab. Morales lands a right hand. They trade in close range. Morales with a nice right hand. They tie up and Fugitt scores the takedown. Fugitt working from the top and trying to improve his position as Morales is fighting him off. They scramble. Fugitt lands a nice left hand then Morales lands some solid shots. They trade some punches inside the pocket. 10-9 Fugitt.

Fugitt with a body kick. Morales with a right hand. Fugitt tries to land a side kick but Morales grabs it and takes the back but lets go. Morales lands a combo. Both are landing in close and Morales lands a knee. Morales with a nice combo and Fugitt is having trouble on his feet but eating the shots. Morales with the jab. Morales lands some hard shots that stunned Fugitt. Fugitt tries for the takedown but Morales lands a right hand to break it up. Morales with a right hand. 10-9 Morales, 19-19.

They trade to start the third and Fugitt shoots for the takedown but Morales defends and they both land as they break. Morales drops Fugitt with a right hand and starts teeing off and Fugitt gets to his feet. Morales drops him again with a right hand and Herb Dean rushes in to stop it. Great finish by Morales.

Official Result- Michael Morales def. Adam Fugitt by TKO (punches) at 1:09 of Round 3

ABC PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT

> Lightweights- Drakkar Klose (12-2-1, 6-2 UFC) vs. Rafa Garcia (14-2, 2-2 UFC)

Klose with a body kick. He lands another. Garcia tries a takedown and Klose slips to the mat but gets up. They clinch and both land body shots. Klose with a leg kick. Garcia lands a left hook. Garcia with a leg kick. They clinch and Klose with a knee as Garcia lands some body punches and lands an overhand right on the break. Klose grabs the back against the fence and looks for the takedown. He gets it down and has back pressure. They get up and Klose still has control. Klose drags it down and lands some left hands. Garcia goes for the leg late but eats left hands from Klose. 10-9 Klose.

Klose with a right hand and he shoots for the takedown against the fence. They break. Klose with a body kick. Garcia with a leg kick. Garcia gets a takedown. There really isn’t a whole lot going on down on the mat as Garcia is keeping Klose pinned down but not doing much. They are finally stood up. Klose with a leg kick and Garcia grabs the neck. Klose lands a flurry as Garcia retreats and looks for the takedown. They clinch against the fence and Garcia with a takedown and lands punches from the back to end the second. 10-9 Garcia, 19-19.

Garcia looks for a takedown at the start of the third but Klose defends. Garcia spamming for takedowns and is able to get one but Klose has the neck. Garcia pops out and they get to their feet. The separate. Klose the one pressing forward. Klose with a right hand. They clinch and both land some uppercuts. They break and both land in close range. Klose with a leg kick. Klose continues to press forward and both land. They tie up late with both landing body shots. 10-9 Klose, 29-28 Klose.

Official Result- Drakkar Klose def. Rafa Garcia by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Heavyweights- Don’Tale Mayes (9-4, 2-2 UFC) vs. Hamdy Abdelwahab (3-0, 0-0 UFC)

Both looking to land early as Mayes lands a leg kick and eats a left from Abdelwahab. Abdelwahab lands a right hand that backs Mayes up. Mayes with a body kick. Mayes lands a left hand. Abdelwahab lands a flurry that has Mayes hurt as they go down and Abdelwahab is landing. They get up and Abdelwahab gets a takedown and lands some left hands before they stand. Abdelwahab has the body and lands some short knees. Not a lot of action going on here. They are separated by the referee. Mayes with a big right hand and tries a flying knee but eats a left from Abdelwahab. 10-9 Abdelwahab.

Abdelwahab lands a big left hand to start the second. Mayes lands a right hand. Mayes lands a nice left had. He looks to have hurt Abdelwahab and now Mayes swarms on him and starts landing big shots and Abdelwahab lands a couple. Abdelwahab is still hurt against the fence and Mayes lands some more. Mayes with a body kick. Mayes with another body kick as Abdelwahab lands a left hand. We have a time out for a groin strike but they get back to action. Abdelwahab lands a left hand. Mayes tries rushing in for something and slips to the mat and Abdelwahab gets on top. Abdelwahab with an elbow from the top at the end. 10-9 Mayes, 19-19.

Mayes with a body kick. Abdelwahab clinches against the fence and scores the takedown. Abdelwahab lands some right hands and they try to scramble up but Abdelwahab keeps it down. They’re just laying on the mat and absolutely nothing is happening. There is still nothing going on outside of Abdelwahab landing one elbow. They trade some body shots. They are finally stood up. Mayes with a high kick. Mayes with a left hand. They trade hard shots. Mayes with a big left hand. Mayes with a big combo at the end. Close fight. 10-9 Abdelwahab, 29-28 Abdelwahab.

Official Result- Hamdy Abdelwahab def. Don’Tale Mayes by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

> Lightweights- Drew Dober (24-11 1 NC, 10-7 1 NC UFC) vs. Rafael Alves (20-10, 1-1 UFC)

They don’t get going and Alves has to stop and check his toe but they get to going. Dober lands a flush head kick. Dober with a leg kick. They trade and Alves gets it to the mat. There isn’t a lot happening on the mat. Alves with some short punches. Alves lands some more and stands and lands some big leg kicks before Dober gets up. They trade punches and Alves just misses a knee. Dober lands a combo against the fence. They trade late. 10-9 Alves.

Dober lands a big body kick. Dober with a flurry against the fence. He lands a left hand as Alves circles away. Dober with a leg kick. They trade in close range. Alves with a step-in knee. Dober with a combo. Alves with a body kick. Dober with a combo against the fence. Alves with a hard body kick. They continue to trade and Dober is landing with more volume. Dober with a nice body kick. We have a time out for an eye poke. They get back to action and Alves with a body kick and they are both fighting crazy. They trade big blows against the fence. Dober with a head kick and Alves shows crazy head movement and starts to dance. Alves shoots for the takedown but Dober defends in a crazy end to the second. 10-9 Dober, 19-19.

They get right back to action and Alves throws a spin kick that misses. Alves goes for a takedown but Dober defends. Dober with a body combo. Alves lands a right hand. Dober with a left hand. Alves with a body kick. Dober drops Alves with a punch to the liver and looks to land but it is stopped. Fun fight and solid finish by Dober.

Official Result- Drew Dober def. Rafael Alves by knockout (punch) at 1:30 of Round 3

> Welterweights- Alex Morono (21-7 1 NC, 10-4 1 NC UFC) vs. Matthew Semelsberger (10-3, 4-1 UFC)

Semelsberger with a leg kick. Morono with a combo. They trade in close range. Morono with a right hand as Semelsberger lands a leg kick. Morono with a right hand. He lands another. Morono with a spin kick. Semelsberger with a leg kick. They trade in close range and Morono with a solid right hand. They’re both throwing but Morono with the slight edge on volume. Morono lands a solid right hand. Semelsberger with a body kick. We have a timeout for an eye poke. They quickly get back to work. They clinch and battle for position. They break and trade at the end. 10-9 Morono.

Morono lands a nice right hand. They both land in close range. Both still landing in range but there isn’t tons happening. Morono finding a home for the jab. Semelsberger with a leg kick and Morono lands a right hand. Semelsberger lands a right hand. They clinch against the fence and both are looking for underhooks. Semelsberger gets it to the mat. Morono looking for an armbar from the bottom but Semelsberger lands a flurry of punches. Semelsberger with some elbows from the top late. Semelsberger has a big cut opened up. 10-9 Morono, 20-18 Morono.

Semelsberger gets checked by the doctor because his eye looks bad and is basically closed but they let him go on. They both come out swinging and Semelsberger drops Morono with a flying knee and looks to finish. They scramble up but Semelsberger gets it back down. They get up and are tied up against the fence. Morono with some short punches. They break. Morono lands a right hand. Semelsberger with some body kicks but Morono landing some punches. They continue to trade right hands. They tie up as both look for a takedown. They break and both land before the end. 10-9 Semelsberger, 29-28 Morono.

Official Result- Alex Morono def. Matthew Semelsberger by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

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

> Light Heavyweights- #4 Magomed Ankalaev (17-1, 8-1 UFC) vs. #5 Anthony Smith (35-16, 11-6 UFC)

Smith with a high kick as not much happens in the first minute. Ankalaev with a body kick. They trade leg kicks. They’re still mostly feeling each other out but exchange leg kicks. Ankalaev lands a combo ending with a head kick. Smith lands a right hand and Ankalaev counters with a left hand and a leg kick. Smith misses a right hand and stumbles to the mat trying to get his feet under him and Ankalaev lands some leg kicks and is letting him stay down. 10-9 Ankalaev.

They trading to start the second and trade leg kicks. Smith looks for the takedown against the fence. Ankalaev landing some body punches to defend as they fall to the mat with Smith holding onto the body. Ankalaev landing from the top and continues to land until the fight is stopped. Smith had looked like he hurt his ankle or leg earlier and Ankalaev just kept landing until it was over.

Official Result- Magomed Ankalaev def. Anthony Smith by TKO (punches) at 3:09 of Round 2

> Flyweights- #4 Alexandre Pantoja (24-5, 8-3 UFC) vs. #6 Alex Perez (24-6, 6-2 UFC)

They are swinging for the fences early and Perez goes for a takedown but Pantoja defends. They scramble and Pantoja gets the back and has the backpack on as they stand. Pantoja working for the choke from this position as Perez is fighting it. He has it in and Perez taps! What a finish by Pantoja!

Official Result- Alexandre Pantoja def. Alex Perez by submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:31 of Round 1

> Heavyweights- #5 Derrick Lewis (26-9 1 NC, 17-7 UFC) vs. #11 Sergei Pavlovich (15-1, 3-1 UFC)

Lewis with a leg kick. Pavlovich lands the jab. They’re throwing bombs in close range and Pavlovich has Lewis rocked. Pavlovich drops Lewis to his knees and lands a few punches and Dan Miragliotta stops it and Lewis immediately gets up and protests. It was a flurry and Lewis was hurt but this looks like a questionable stoppage. Pavlovich gets the win regardless.

Official Result- Sergei Pavlovich def. Derrick Lewis by TKO (punches) at :55 of Round 1

> Interim UFC Flyweight Championship- #1 Brandon Moreno (19-6-2, 7-3-2 UFC) vs. #2 Kai Kara-France (24-9 1 NC, 7-2 UFC)

They’re feeling each other out a bit in the first minute then we have a groin strike. They get back to action and Moreno with a body kick. Kara-France with a leg kick. They’re both being patient half-way thru the first. Kara-France misses a big right hand and Moreno drops down for a single leg against the fence. He lets go and they go back to the center and Kara-France with a leg kick. Moreno with a body kick. Moreno presses forward at the end. 10-9 Moreno.

Kara-France throws a right but Moreno ducks under and looks for a takedown but they break. Moreno with a leg kick. Moreno with a body kick. They both look to land in close. Kara-France throws a high kick but Moreno ducks under and grabs the back against the fence. They break. Moreno with a right hand. Moreno almost got a takedown and almost head kicked Kara-France into oblivion. Moreno lands a right hand. They trade leg kicks. Kara-France lands a right hand and a leg kick. Moreno tries a head kick and Kara-France kicks his legs out from under him and almost lands a right hand as Moreno gets to his feet. Kara-France with a leg kick and Moreno lands a right hand. Moreno with a body kick. They trade lefts late. 10-9 Moreno, 20-18 Moreno.

The crowd is doing the wave. Moreno lands a leg kick and Kara-France sweeps him to the mat and is in the guard of Moreno. Moreno with an elbow from the bottom. Kara-France gets up and starts landing on Moreno as he was trying to get up and had him hurt for a moment. Moreno lands the jab as Kara-France lands a leg kick. Kara-France with a nice combo. Kara-France lands a right hand. Moreno lands a left hand and his face is showing some battle scars. Kara-France with a leg kick. They trade leg kicks and Kara-France stumbles a little. Moreno lands a left hook. Kara-France tries to grab a single leg but Moreno escapes and lands a spinning backfist. Moreno then drops Kara-France with a body kick and starts unloading with a huge flurry of punches and keeps them coming until Herb Dean steps in and stops it! What a finish by Moreno!

Official Result- Brandon Moreno def. Kai Kara-France by TKO (strikes) at 4:34 of Round 3 to win the Interim UFC Flyweight Championship

> UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship- C Julianna Pena (11-4, 7-2 UFC) vs. #1 Amanda Nunes (21-5, 14-2 UFC)

Nunes with a body kick. There’s not much happening in the first minute. Pena just misses a right hand. They each land a punch. Nunes lands a nice jab. They trade punches. Nunes lands a right hand right as Pena slipped to her knees on the mat, but she gets up. Nunes lands a right hand and Pena falls for a moment. Pena lands a right hand. They trade and Nunes with the jab. Pena lands a right hand. Nunes shoots for a takedown but Pena defends and Nunes lands some punches late. Nunes rocks Pena at the end. 10-9 Nunes.

Nunes drops Pena with a right hook and lands a shot as Pena is down but lets Pena up. Pena tries to rush in and land punches and Nunes drops her again with a right hand and lets her up. Nunes with a leg kick. Pena lands as she rushes in. They both land as Pena rushes in. Pena with a body kick. They both land right hands. Nunes with a right hand. She lands another. Nunes drops Pena again and lets her back up. They both land and Pena looked hurt from the Nunes right hand. They clinch at the end. 10-8 Nunes, 20-17 Nunes.

Nunes with a leg kick and just misses a spinning elbow. They clinch but quickly break. Pena rushes in and lands some. She tries again and lands but Nunes with a right hand. Pena lands a right hand and Nunes grabs the body lock and scores a takedown. Nunes with an elbow from the top. Pena trying to throw her legs up and Nunes lands from the top. Both are landing on the mat and Nunes gets a slicing elbow in. Pena looking for the arm but Nunes slips out and is in the half-guard. Nunes with big shots from the top at the end. Pena has a big cut open over her right eye. 10-9 Nunes, 30-26 Nunes.

Nunes gets an immediate takedown and is working in the guard. Pena tries to grab the arm again but Nunes gets back into her full guard. Pena tries for the arm again but Nunes slips out and lands a left hand. Pena has the arm and an armbar in but Nunes gets out. They get to their feet and Nunes pressing forward. Pena’s face is a mess. Nunes gets another takedown. Nunes stands and eventually Pena is ordered up. Pena lands a right hand and Nunes scores another takedown off a trip. She ends the round on top. Pena’s face is an absolute mess. 10-9 Nunes, 40-35 Nunes.

Nunes with a leg kick. Pena lands a combo and Nunes goes for the takedown and gets it. Pena tries to find the arm again but Nunes slips out and has the neck before they get up. Nunes gets another takedown and is in side control. Nunes trying to trap an arm. They try a scramble but Nunes keeps it down and is in the half-guard as Pena is gassed out. Nunes with some elbows from the top. Nunes stands and lands a big right hand as she goes back to side control. Nunes gets the back and is looking for the rear-naked choke. Pena kicks her legs off and Nunes gets back to the half-guard. They get up near the end. Dominant performance from Nunes. 10-9 Nunes, 50-44 Nunes.

Official Result- Amanda Nunes def. Julianna Pena by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-44, 50-43) to win the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship

Daily Update: UFC, Kenny Omega, ROH

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

DAILY UPDATE

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WON NEWSLETTER: December 14, 2020 Observer Newsletter: Omega on Impact, NXT TakeOver: WarGames

The fallout of Impact’s Winter is Coming show is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. We look at how AEW is doing compared to Raw in different demos, the Sting interview this past week, how AEW’s numbers for segments have risen as well as the biggest AEW quarters of this year.

Also in this issue:

Kenny Omega/Don Callis dynamic, the odes to the past they have copied in their angle, debut of Tony Khan as a television performer in the interview on Impact, how close Winter is Coming actually came to being No. 1 for the night on cable, Tony Schiavone’s appearances years ago in TNA and what angle Vince Russo wanted to do with him, executives who vowed to not be TV performers and how that changed.

Major match teased on Impact, as well as the background of the Omega-Callis alliance and when the idea was first broached.

Television ratings for Impact and the surprises, as well as streaming numbers, and what major message that sends about the appeal of Omega in some places and not in others, as well as the number of people who ended up seeing the interview segment.

NXT Takeover War Games, the good, the not-so-good, the next destination show, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

TLC, have a lot of notes about where things do and don’t stand with the 2021 WrestleMania, the actual story of how Bill Goldberg’s streak came to be and what it came from, and how it was ruined and lost popularity. We also look back at the end of WCW.

HHH brings up some notes on Undertaker, WWE women popularity on social media, new WWE TV characters, new gimmicks, WWE stars on new television show, how WWE & AEW programming is doing internationally, how it is doing compared to other sports, more on the lawsuit against Matt Riddle & WWE and Riddle’s sides key arguments for dismissal, Johnny Gargano talks NXT goal, injury updates, Tyler Bate’s return, WWE market value and most-watched shows this past week on the WWE Network.

New Japan’s first show back in Fukuoka, to decide the Best of the Super Junior and World tag league finals. We look at both tournaments, as well as the business notes, the big announcement on the show, as well as match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

UFC weekend coverage  with the stories behind the card, what’s next, effects of COVID and much more. We look at the business notes on the show and fight-by-fight coverage.

NOAH Chronicle and in particular, the Go Shiozaki vs Takashi Sugiura match-of-the-year candidate.

The short but very memorable pro wrestling career of Tom “Tiny” Lister and his run as Zeus, what he was known for out of wrestling and more.

WWE 2020 award nominations as well as one voter talks about favorites for Japan’s Tokyo Sports awards.

Detailed look at the television business, looking at stats not available elsewhere to get the deepest read into how shows are doing, what categories are doing well and how shows compare with previous weeks and one year ago.  

Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.

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

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SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE

Our weekend show covering all the major shows from Friday and Saturday is up on the site now. We’re looking for your thoughts on TripleMania, New Japan’s Budokan Hall show, New Japan’s Super J Cup and UFC 256, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]

Thanks to everyone for the nice thoughts this past week.  Jim Valley is doing better.  My mother is not in pain and watching her favorite movies and that’s as good as can be expected at this point.

As far as the scoring of the Figueiredo vs. Moreno fight, Judge Derek Cleary gave 48-46 on rounds one, three and give for Figueiredo, a 9-9 third round and only round four for Moreno.  Judge Sal D’Amato’s 47-47 score was rounds one and five for Figuieredo, two and four for Moreno and a 9-9 third.  Judge Junichiro Kamijo had one and two for Fuguieredo, four and five for Moreno and a 9-9 third. I had one, two and five for Figuieredo and a 10-8 third and 10-9 fourth for Moreno.  In fan voting, the majority of fans had the same rounds the same way as I did.  In total, MMA decisions reported 41.3 percent had it a draw, 31.0 percent had it for Figuieredo and 24.4 percent had it for Moreno. Media scores were 52 percent a draw and 48 percent for Figuieredo and none for Moreno. Dana White said that due to the draw, he is looking to rematch the fight as soon as possible.

As of earlier today, last night’s TripleMania had 591,000 views on YouTube. The last two matches, Kenny Omega vs. Laredo Kid and Pagano vs. Chessman hair vs. hair are pretty much  must-see matches, particularly given the handicap of virtually no fans (there were about 20 people allowed in).  The injury situation wasn’t too bad.  Mr.  Iguana’s stuff was legit.  He was knocked silly on a dropkick in the corner.  Pagano and Chessman were beat up but that’s a given, but no serious injuries.  Kenny Omega seemed fine after his dive and Michael Nakazawa was fine as well. Murder Clown could have had a bad situation but L.A. Park saved him.

Omega in a backstage interview gave the indication his next title defense in Mexico will be against El Hijo del Vikingo, which has the chance to be an incredible match. Omega will be on Impact on Tuesday as well as wrestling Joey Janela in  a no DQ match on  Dynamite on Wednesday.

WWE

  • Currently announced for Wednesday’s NXT TV show is Pete Dunne vs. Kyle O’Reilly, the winner gets Finn Balor in an NXT title match on 1/6 plus Rhea Ripley vs. Toni Storm and Karrion Kross wrestles.  In theory this should be more competitive than the prior two weeks were.

OTHER NEWS

  • ROH will be announcing its new PPV card on Friday during the one-hour pre-show. The plan is to create new storyline reasons for all the changes. The card needed changes due to the losses of Kenny King, Flamita, Bandido and EC3 due to the company’s COVID restrictions.
  • Nothing from pro wrestling this week trended on Google. UFC 256 last night was No. 3 with 550,000 searches, which indicates a very low PPV number, but we knew that going in. That said, the Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno was one of the two best fights in UFC of 2020, and many people are calling the show from start-to-finish the show of the year.
  • Other Google trending numbers for combat sports over the past week were Anthony Joshua No. 8 yesterday with 200,000. Kevin Holland showed he had star power as he was No. 20 yesterday with 50,000. On Thursday, the death of Tom “Tiny” Lister, who played Zeus in WWE, was No. 2 with 2 million. Last Sunday, Logan Paul was no. 2 with 1 million searches.
  • There is a major sports story from the past few days regarding University of Florida forward Keyontae Johnson, who at last word was in critical but stable condition at a hospital, the team reported Sunday, one day after he collapsed on the court during a game at Florida State. The Southeastern Conference’s preseason player of the year was moved to a stretcher and carried off the court as teammates, coaches, staff, fans and others watched in disbelief. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, he was standing and suddenly fell forward and landed on his face. His eyes were open and he had blood on his face and neck, according to photos obtained by The Gainesville Sun. Johnson had tested positive for COVID-19 over the summer and his collapse was thought to be due to Myocarditis, a heart inflammation, and it brings up the possibility that the two are linked and possible longer-range complications of COVID and the ramifications of that in sports.
  • A documentary on Kurt Angle’s departure from WWE which includes me in it.
  • The 12/22 and 12/29 editions of Impact will be year-in-review shows.
  • Pro Wrestling Illustrated will be working with MLW as on Wednesday’s show they will announce the PWI official MLW top ten list.  
  • U.K. historian Tony Earnshaw has a new book covering British wrestling in the 80s, “The Saturday Afternoon War:  British Wrestling in the 80s”.
  • In a new interview with seminal rock photographer Mark Weiss, there are photos from  a Jesse Ventura/Ozzy Osbourne photo session in the 80s.
  • SWE, which is former WCCW referee James Beard’s group. had Christi Jaynes winning the title last night (thanks to Shannon Walsh)
  • Combate Americas debuted a reality show on YouTube with the first episode up yesterday.  The ten-episode series aired from 2014 starring Daddy Yankee,Royce Gracie will air with English subtitles. The show was Best Variety or Reality Series at the 2014 Imagen Awards show. The series featured Chinio, Nacho, former Miss Puerto Rico Cynthia Olavarria, Blue Demon Jr., and Eddie Alvarez.
  • Due to government mandated COVID restrictions, the CWE December tour is being moved to February. The new dates are 2/5 in Winnipeg, 2/6 in Morden, Manitoba, 2/7 in Gladstone, Manitoba, 2/10 in Medicine Hat, Alberta, 2/11 in Calgary, 2/12 in Red Deer, 2/13 in St. Albert, Alberta and 2/14 in Grande Prairie, Alberta.
  • Fred Rosser is in a new reality series “The Making of an Off Broadway Musical”. It airs for free this month on Theality TV.
  • Mission Pro Wrestling from Friday night in Buda, TX:  Miranda Gordy (Terry’s daughter) b Killa Kata, JennaCide b Amber Rodriguez, Red Velvet b Rache Chanel, Jenna Lynn b Aleyah Mia Sweets, Baby D b Thunder Rosa (Baby D’s retirement match), Raychell Rose b Blair Onyx,  Madi Wrenkowski b Jezmin Allure, Kimber Lee b Allysin Kay, Rosa Negra b Lacey Ryan to become the first MPW champion in a 2/3 fall match.  Madusa, Thunder Rosa, Red Velvet, Jazz and Robyn Reid came out to congratulate her after.  This is Thunder Rosa’s promotion (thanks to Shannon Walsh)

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Starrcade 1989

CONTACT INFORMATION

UFC Fight Night 114 live results: Sergio Pettis vs. Brandon Moreno

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC Fight Night 114: Pettis vs. Moreno, eminating from Arena Ciudad de Mexico in Mexico City, Mexico.

The event is headlined by a pair of young, talented, and rising prospects looking to earn a title shot in the flyweight division as Sergio Pettis takes on Brandon Moreno, which marks the first flyweight bout to headline a UFC event that didn’t feature Demetrious Johnson.

Both men are on good win streaks as Pettis has won three straight, including wins over former title challengers John Moraga and Chris Cariaso. Moreno has won eleven straight fights, and is undefeated in the Octagon having won three straight UFC bouts since signing less than a year ago.

In the co-main event, it’s a battle in the women’s strawweight division as Randa Markos looks for her second straight win as she takes on Alexa Grasso, who is looking to rebound from her first career loss. Grasso did miss weight for the bout.

Also on the card is former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans, looking to get his first win since November 2013, when he takes on Sam Alvey.

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.

RULES: We are under the new rules system for this event.

UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS | 7 PM ET/4 PM PT

> Alvaro Herrera (9-4, 1-1 UFC) vs. Jordan Rinaldi (12-5, 0-1 UFC):
Lightweights

They were trading early with Herrera landing better. Rinaldi started landing but Herrera landed a good right hand and went for a guillotine but Rinaldi popped out into side control. Rinaldi had a Von Flue Choke locked in and Herrera tapped out. He tapped several times before the referee finally caught it, but a big submission win for Rinaldi.

Official Result- Jordan Rinaldi def. Alvaro Herrera by submission (Von Flue Choke) at 2:01 of Round 1

> Joseph Morales (8-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Roberto Sanchez (7-0, 0-0 UFC)
Flyweights

Sanchez went straight for a takedown and got it. Sanchez was able to get it dragged towards the center of the Octagon for a bit but they went back towards the fence. Sanchez was landing some punches from the top. Morales grabbed the neck and used it to sprawl out from the bottom and then he dropped Sanchez immediately with a right hand. Sanchez was in a lot of trouble and eating punches from Morales. Morales grabbed the back and was working for a choke and almost had it locked it. Sanchez recovered but was still in trouble. Morales looked for the choke again and had it locked in deep and Sanchez tapped! Morales with a big submission win in his UFC debut. He is one of Urijah Faber’s prized pupils from Team Alpha Male.

Official Result- Joseph Morales def. Roberto Sanchez by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:56 of Round 1

FOX SPORTS 1 PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT

> Jose Alberto Quinonez (5-2, 2-1 UFC) vs. Diego Rivas (7-0, 2-0 UFC)
Bantamweights

This is Rivas’ first fight since overcoming a battle with cancer. They were trading kicks early. Quinonez came inside with a combo but both men were keeping their distance. Quinonez landed some knees in a tie-up. Quinonez landed a head kick. Rivas is more looking for counters. Rivas landed a body kick. Quinonez landed a couple of kicks. Quinonez with a short uppercut late. 10-9 Quinonez.

Quinonez landed a couple of kicks early on in the second. They were trading and Quinonez was throwing with more volume. Rivas landed a right hand. Rivas landed another nice right hand. Quinonez scoring with some leg kicks. Quinonez scored a takedown and was inside the guard of Rivas. Quinonez was landing big right hands from the top. Rivas was working for a kimura but Quinonez spun out and landed some more punches as the round ended. 10-9 Quinonez, 20-18 Quinonez.

Rivas landed a right hand to start the third. Quinonez landed a solid combination. Quinonez landed a left hand. Quinonez just landing with a lot more volume as Rivas is fighing slow right now. They battled for underhooks and Rivas got a brief takedown. They went back to the ground and Quinonez got into the guard of Rivas. Rivas grabbed the neck looking for a choke but Quinonez scrambled out to his feet. They traded kicks. Should be a clear win for Quinonez. 10-9 Quinonez, 30-27 Quinonez.

Official Result- Jose Quinonez def. Diego Rivas by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Henry Briones (16-6-1, 1-2 UFC) vs. Rani Yahya (23-9 1 NC, 8-3 1 NC UFC)
Bantamweights

Yahya quickly went for a takedown from a long distance. He grabbed the back and got it and ended in side control. He was working for a choke and had a North-South choke in but Briones showed good defense to get out. Yahya was on top and grabbed an arm and locked in a kimura and forced Briones to tap out to get the win. He put on a ground clinic.

Official Result- Rani Yahya def. Henry Briones by submission (kimura) at 2:01 of Round 1

> Dustin Ortiz (#12, 16-7, 5-5 UFC) vs. Hector Sandoval (14-3, 2-1 UFC)
Flyweights

This didn’t go long. Sandoval was throwing punches and Ortiz was countering and rocked Sandoval with a right hand and then knocked him out cold with another right hand. It went about 14 seconds. It is the fastest finish in flyweight division history.

Official Result- Dustin Ortiz def. Hector Sandoval by knockout (punches) at :15 of Round 1

> Brad Scott (11-4, 3-3 UFC) vs. Jack Hermansson (15-3, 2-1 UFC)
Middleweights

They were feeling each other out early. Hermansson got a takedown and was landing punches from the top. Scott was looking for the triangle from the bottom. Hermansson escaped and started looking for a kimura but went to the mount. Hermansson got the back and was landing punches. Hermansson landed some big elbows. Scott is in a lot of trouble. Hermansson landing lots and lots of punches and the fight was stopped. Hermansson just completely dominant in this fight.

Official Result- Jack Hermansson def. Brad Scott by TKO (strikes) at 3:50 of Round 1

FOX SPORTS 1 MAIN CARD | 10 PM ET/7 PM PT

> Alejandro Perez (17-6-1, 3-1-1 UFC) vs. Andre Soukhamthath (11-4, 0-1 UFC)
Bantamweights

They were feeling each other out early on. Perez was landing leg kicks and starting to land with more volume. Soukhamthath started to land left hands and dropped Perez twice with them. Perez was landing more leg kicks as the round went on and Soukhamthath wasn’t doing much to defend them. His dropping Perez twice likely won him a close round. 10-9 Soukhamthath.

They were trading back-and-forth and Soukhamthath dropped Perez again with a jab. Perez was able to get up and started landing the leg kicks again as Soukhamthath wasn’t defending them still. Perez then dropped Soukhamthath with a right hand and got into the guard and was landing body punches. They scrambled back to the feet and Perez hit a spinning elbow. Fun round as Perez came on strong late. 10-9 Perez, 19-19.

They were firing back-and-forth and Perez was landing the harder punches as Soukhamthath was beginning to slow down. Soukhamthath was backing up a lot and looking to find the left hand. Perez hurt him with a hard leg kick and Soukhamthath lost his balance. Perez got a takedown but they got back to their feet. Soukhamthath stuffed a takedown and landed a knee followed by a punch. Soukhamthath fell to his back after throwing a kick. Perez ended strong with some big leg kicks. Good fight. 10-9 Perez, 29-28 Perez.

Official Result- Alejandro Perez def. Andre Soukhamthath by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

> Sam Alvey (30-9 1 NC, 7-4 UFC) vs. Rashad Evans (19-6-1, 14-6-1 UFC)
Middleweights

Evans with a leg kick. Evans went for a takedown but it was defended by Alvey. Alvey with a knee to the body. They are battling for underhooks and both land some elbows. Evans then gets Alvey down to the mat. They got to their feet and separated. Evans lands a right hand. Alvey just missed a left hand. Evans with a high kick. Evans lands a late right hand. 10-9 Evans.

Evans starts with a leg kick. Alvey chased Evans around the Octagon unable to land a punch. Evans with a big body kick. Alvey landed a right hand. Neither man is doing much. Evans got a big takedown and had the back. Alvey able to hit the fence and get to his feet. Alvey landed a knee in the clinch. They broke and neither man landed much of anything the rest of the round. Evans has slowed down so much in his career. Close round. 10-9 Alvey. 19-19.

Evans with a leg kick. Alvey landed a left hand and then a right hand. Evans lands a left hook. They clinch and Evans working for a takedown. Alvey lands some short punches. Evans lands a right hand and has a takedown stuffed. Evans landed a big right hand. Alvey is missing his punches and Evans drops down for a takedown against the fence. Alvey landed a knee in the clinch. Evans working hard for the takedown. Evans with a right hand late. Close round, tough fight to score. Crowd booing. Bad fight. 10-9 Evans, 29-28 Evans.

Official Result- Sam Alvey def. Rashad Evans by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

> Martin Bravo (11-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Humberto Bandenay (13-4 1 NC, 0-0 UFC)
Featherweights

Bravo with a spin kick. Bandenay with a body kick. Bandenay then landed a knee right to the face of Bravo and Bravo went out cold. It was a brutal and scary knockout less than a minute into the fight. We’ve had a lot of great knockouts tonight.

Official Result- Humberto Bandenay def. Martin Bravo by knockout (knee) at :26 of Round 1

> Alan Jouban (15-5, 6-3 UFC) vs. Niko Price (9-0 1 NC, 1-0 1 NC UFC)
Welterweights

Price came out looking to land the right hand. Jouban with a body kick and Price fires back a leg kick. They trade punches. Price dropped Jouban with a right hand and then finished Jouban off with some punches on the ground. Another first-round knockout on a show filled with them.

Official Result- Niko Price def. Alan Jouban by TKO (punches) at 1:44 of Round 1

> Randa Markos (#9, 7-4, 3-3 UFC) vs. Alexa Grasso (9-1, 1-1 UFC)
Women’s Strawweights* (Grasso missed weight by 3 pounds)

They are trading and Markos landed a strong right hand. Both ladies are landing good punches. Grasso with a leg kick. Both ladies landing good punches and they clinch against the fence but break. Grasso lands a right hand and then a leg kick. Grasso with a body kick followed by a right hand and a left hook and Grasso hurt Markos. They clinched against the fence and Grasso with some knees. Markos tried a head-and-arm throw but Grasso reversed and took the back and was landing punches. Grasso into the half-guard and landed some elbows. Markos scrambled to her feet and they broke clinch before the end of the round. Good round. 10-9 Grasso.

Grasso with a high kick and then they started trading punches back-and-forth. Markos tried a takedown but Grasso defended it and ended up on top against the fence. They got back up. Markos got a brief takedown but Grasso back up and has the body lock against the fence. They separated. Grasso with a leg kick and then a high kick but Markos grabbed the leg and got a trip takedown. Markos into side control. Markos in the half-guard and lands some body punches. Grasso able to sweep to her feet. Grasso with a body kick but Markos again grabs the leg and gets a takedown but Grasso sweeps to the top. Markos sweeps back into the mount and lands some elbows. Markos is landing big punches from the top. 10-9 Markos, 19-19.

Both looking a little tired and the pace slowed down to start the third. Grasso landing leg kicks and Markos looking for the takedown. Markos gets the takedown. Grasso pushes Markos off and they get to their feet. Grasso lands a right hand and then a left hand and then another right hand. Markos tries a takedown but it is stuffed and Grasso lands an elbow on the break. Grasso with a left hand. Markos tries a takedown but Grasso grabs the neck for a standing guillotine and then Grasso lands some punches as they break. Grasso then lands some right hands. Grasso coming on strong late. Grasso defends a late takedown attempt. Grasso finished strong. Close round, good fight. 10-9 Grasso, 29-28 Grasso.

Official Result- Alexa Grasso def. Randa Markos by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

> Sergio Pettis (#6, 15-2, 6-2 UFC) vs. Brandon Moreno (#7, 14-3, 3-0 UFC)
Flyweights

Moreno with an early leg kick. Moreno caught a kick from Pettis and turned it into a takedown. Pettis tried a push kick off but Moreno was able to get the back. Moreno looking for a choke. Pettis defending well and Moreno landing punches from the back. Moreno able to maintain back control. Pettis having trouble breaking the body triangle lock. Moreno almost had the choke locked in but Pettis is going to survive the round. Could be a 10-8 round but I didn’t think Moreno came close to finishing it as Pettis played defense on the mat perfectly. 10-9 Moreno

Pettis with a side kick to Moreno. Both men miss their strikes for the rest for the first minute. Pettis with a leg kick. Pettis with a body kick. Pettis connects with a head kick. Pettis lands another head kick but Moreno is able to counter it into a takedown. Pettis has a triangle and an arm and Moreno squirms out and they get to their feet. Pettis with some leg kicks. Pettis with another low kick. Moreno has a unique style standing as he doesn’t telegraph what strikes he’s about to throw. They trade punches but Pettis is getting the better of the striking. 10-9 Pettis, 19-19.

Pettis landing some kicks and punches. Moreno is landing as well but not with the same power or volume. Moreno flops to the mat after getting kicked by Pettis. Pettis lands a good combination. Moreno tried a long takedown and missed and fell to the mat. Pettis landed a head kick and then rocked Moreno with some right hands. Moreno not even close on a takedown attempt. Crowd chanting for Moreno. Pettis with a leg kick. Moreno telegraphing everything he is doing and Pettis has his timing down. Pettis with a hard right hand. Moreno with a high kick but Pettis fires back with a right hand. Moreno is cut over his right eye. 10-9 Pettis, 29-28 Pettis.

Pettis landing and chasing Moreno around the Octagon. We have a time out for an eye poke as Pettis caught Moreno with it. Back to action and Pettis lands an overhand right. Pettis lands another right hand and is ducking all of Moreno’s punch attempts. Pettis with a leg kick and then another and then a jab. Pettis with a right hand followed by a knee right to the jaw. Moreno lands a right hand. He is landing punches but not with the power or volume of Pettis. And then Pettis lands a harder right hand. Pettis just misses a spin kick. They trade punches. Pettis with a cartwheel kick and Moreno counters it into a takedown right at the end of the round. 10-9 Pettis, 39-37 Pettis.

Pettis with the straight jab. Moreno gets a takedown and has Pettis on his back. Moreno with some soft punches. Pettis landed a couple of upkicks as Moreno was posturing up. Moreno trying to improve position and Pettis is landing more from the bottom. They almost got to their feet until Moreno got him back down. Moreno tried to take the back but Pettis shook him off and they got to their feet. Pettis landing some punches and body kicks. Pettis with a right hand as Moreno defended a takedown attempt. They threw punches at the end. Good fight. 10-9 Moreno, 48-47 Pettis.

Official Result- Sergio Pettis def. Brandon Moreno by unanimous decision (49-46, 48-46, 48-46)

The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale Betting & Fantasy Playbook

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Here’s some advice for your gambling and fantasy needs for Saturday’s The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale event in Las Vegas, Nevada, headlined by UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson defending against Tim Elliott on FOX Sports 1.

MAIN CARD

UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson (24-2-1) vs. Tim Elliott (13-6-1)

Betting Odds: Johnson (-1100), Elliott (+700)
DraftKings Salaries: Johnson- $10,200, Elliott- $5,400
Key Statistic: Johnson has scored finishes in five of his last seven fights
Analysis: The pound-for-pound best fighter in the world makes his ninth title defense when Johnson defends against Elliott, the TUF 24 winner. Johnson is the biggest betting favorite and has the highest fantasy salary on the card, which shows just how dominant he has been. He hasn’t been touched by anyone at 125 pounds, and it would be a monumental upset if Elliott were able to pull the win off. Elliott is solid on his feet, but Johnson represents a different kind of pace to the fight. Johnson is a fighter that excels in every aspect of the fight game, and he can knock opponents out, and submit them if he finds an opening. Elliott has been in the UFC before, and he’s only been finished once, but Johnson is by far the best opponent he has ever faced. A dirty and quick-paced fight gives Elliott a shot, but I see Johnson scoring a finish. Johnson is the clear bet in this fight. I expect him to have the highest draft rate in DraftKings line-ups, but with his high salary, he is an excellent choice, and would be my top target.

Joseph Benavidez (24-4) vs. Henry Cejudo (10-1)

Betting Odds: Benavidez (-200), Cejudo (+170)
DraftKings Salaries: Benavidez- $9,000, Cejudo- $7,200
Key Statistic: Cejudo has never been taken down in his career
Analysis: The co-main event of this card is the battle of the TUF 24 coaches, as the top flyweights behind Johnson, Benaviez and Cejudo, meet in the Octagon. Both men have only seen defeats at the hands of Johnson in their flyweight careers. Benavidez has won five straight fights entering this bout, and Cejudo is coming off his first career loss. Benavidez was taken down four times in his last fight by Zach Makovsky, and if that happens at the hands of Cejudo, it may be a long night for Benavidez. Benavidez is good at getting to his fight, but Cejudo is an Olympic gold medalist, and he will be able to keep Benavidez planted. Benavidez is the better striker of the two, but Cejudo has power in his hands. No matter how bad Johnson made him look, Cejudo is better than that April performance. If you are looking for an underdog to bet on, Cejudo could squeak out a gritty decision. At his fantasy salary, he is definitely worth a hard look as he’s one of the cheapest options on the card. It’ll be a close fight, and there is money to be made on Cejudo in this fight.

Jake Ellenberger (31-11) vs. Jorge Masvidal (30-11)

Betting Odds: Ellenberger (+220), Masvidal (-260)
DraftKings Salaries: Ellenberger- $7,400, Masvidal- $8,800
Key Statistic: Ellenberger is 2-5 in his last seven fights
Analysis: This should be a barnburner in the welterweight division. You have a heavy-handed striker with good wrestling in Ellenberger, and a crisp and technical boxer in Masvidal. This fight depends on which version of both men show up, and both have a tendency of not fully showing up in fights. Ellenberger was on rocky ground in his career, but his power was back on full display when he knocked out Matt Brown in his last fight. Masvidal hasn’t been a big finisher lately in fights, but he pushes a quick pace, and his size is good for a welterweight. Ellenberger may look to wrestle if he is smart, but he tends to stand and trade with his foes. Masvidal has a quick jab and that may be tough for Ellenberger to get inside of. Both men have a lot of fight mileage on them, but Masvidal is more durable. Masvidal is a sizeable favorite on the betting odds, and he is the better bet of the two. They have a big discrepency in fantasy salaries, and Ellenberger’s power is hard to look past. Masvidal is tough to finish. Ellenberger may be the better fantasy play. He is worth looking at with his $7,400 salary.

Ion Cutelaba (12-2 1 NC) vs. Jared Cannonier (8-1)

Betting Odds: Cutelaba (-230), Cannonier (+190)
DraftKings Salaries: Cutelaba- $8,900, Cannonier- $7,300
Key Statistic: Cannonier’s first fight at light heavyweight after fighting at heavyweight
Analysis: Cutelaba and Cannonier don’t have big names in the UFC as they both have fought just twice for the organization. Both men are 1-1 in their UFC careers. However, many are expecting this to be a slugfest as we have two strong punchers with penchants for finishing fights. Cannonier has been fighting as a heavyweight his entire career and makes the move down to 205 pounds for the first time. He was a big heavyweight and that power should carry over. Cutelaba is an aggressive and heavy puncher, though, and he will go toe-to-toe with the bigger Cannonier. I really like Cannonier’s chances in this fight, and I think he is a good fighter to look at when making bets and setting fantasy line-ups. His $7,300 salary on DraftKings is very valuable, and you will need some underdogs in your line-up.

Sara McMann (9-3) vs. Alexis Davis (17-6)

Betting Odds: McMann (-170), Davis (+150)
DraftKings Salaries: McMann- $8,400, Davis- $7,800
Key Statistic: This is Davis’ first fight since UFC 186 on April 25, 2015
Analysis: McMann is gunning for her second straight win, while Davis returns to action for the first time in almost 18 months following a pregnancy and time away. That may be a disadvantage for Davis, but she is a high-level grappler who has had solid success inside the Octagon. McMann has been disappointing in her UFC run as she hasn’t lit the world on fire, and many of her wins in her career have been lackluster. She has to use her wrestling here, but also has to remember that Davis is a black belt in jiu-jitsu. McMann is very tentative on her feet and likes to keep distance while Davis is aggressive and looks to work in the clinch. Davis has a real good shot at scoring an upset on the oddsmakers’ cards, but I wouldn’t even call it an upset. She is a good betting option. I would keep away from McMann in your fantasy games as I don’t see her racking up very many points, and I don’t see a finish for her. Davis is a good value play, and I expect her to have a very solid draft rate in contests.

Brandon Moreno (12-3) vs. Ryan Benoit (9-4)

Betting Odds: Moreno (-135), Benoit (+115)
DraftKings Salaries: Moreno- $8,500, Benoit- $7,700
Key Statistic: Moreno has nine wins by submission
Analysis: Moreno shocked the world by coming in on short notice and submitting Louis Smolka in his UFC debut in October. He has a lot of momentum coming into this fight. Benoit has rotated wins-and-losses in his last seven fights, and hasn’t been able to find any consistency. History says Benoit is due for a loss, and Moreno is a tough match-up for him. Moreno has the size edge, and he is just more crafty in his overall attack. Moreno can be hit, but Benoit just doesn’t possess the knockout shot he will need. Moreno strings together his punches better, and his submission game is top-notch, having scored 75% of his career wins by submission. Moreno is the sure-fire bet in this fight, and he is a good option both when making straight bets and when picking fighters for fantasy line-ups. I think he will submit Benoit and maximize his potential for fantasy scoring.

PRELIMS

Gray Maynard (12-5-1 1 NC) vs. Ryan Hall (5-1)

Betting Odds: Maynard (-110), Hall (-110)
DraftKings Salaries: Maynard- $8,100, Hall- $8,100
Key Statistic: Hall’s first fight in 357 days
Analysis: If I’m making a bet on this fight, I would strongly consider Hall. If I’m setting a fantasy line-up, I’d strong advise against taking Hall. That is a weird position. He can’t strike real good at all, but he is a strong grappler. Maynard is a power wrestler with a powerful right hand, but his best days are strongly behind him. He may keep it standing, but Hall may be able to get it down. I don’t see Hall submitting Maynard, but keeping him pinned on the mat and doing enough to win rounds. Maynard’s chin is gone, but I can’t see Hall knocking him out. I could see Maynard knocking him out if he can connect. I don’t like playing either man in fantasy contests, but I think Hall wins this fight.

Rob Font (12-2) vs. Matt Schnell (10-2)

Betting Odds: Font (-270), Schnell (+230)
DraftKings Salaries: Font- $8,700, Schnell- $7,500
Key Statistic: Schnell taking fight on short notice & moving up a weight class
Analysis: Schnell is stepping in on short notice to face the tough Font, and he is moving up to 135 pounds to make his UFC debut. Font has eight wins by finish in his career, and he has never been finished. Schnell has won seven straight fights and has eight wins by finish in his career. Despite fighting at 125 pounds, Schnell is the same size as Font and has a longer reach. Both men are technical on their feet and are talented. Font is primarily a striker while Schnell has a dangerous submission game. The short notice puts Schnell down in both the betting odds and fantasy salaries. He is a steal on both, and I strongly suggest utilizing his value.

Dong Hyun “Maestro” Kim (13-8-3) vs. Brendan O’Reilly (6-2 1 NC)

Betting Odds: Kim (-135), O’Reilly (+115)
DraftKings Salaries: Kim- $8,300, O’Reilly- $7,900
Key Statistic: Kim landing 4.57 significant strikes per minute
Analysis: This is an important fight for both as the loser could be cut from the roster. Kim has been in two exciting fights, but has lost both. He lands a lot of punches, though, and he is a brawler. O’Reilly likes to brawl, but that style got him knocked out by Alan Jouban. He is moving down a weight class, and lightweight suits him better. O’Reilly will be looking to shoot for the takedown as a brawl will favor Kim, but Kim has sneaky takedown defense. Kim will crack O’Reilly’s jaw and I see a stoppage with punches. Kim is really a value steal at his fantasy salary, and I’m surprised he isn’t a bigger betting favorite. He should get the win here.

Kailin Curran (4-3) vs. Jamie Moyle (3-1)

Betting Odds: Curran (-135), Moyle (+115)
DraftKings Salaries: Curran- $8,600, Moyle- $7,600
Key Statistic: Moyle last fought 447 days ago
Analysis: Curran finds herself in a must-win situation as she is just 1-3 in the UFC, while Moyle makes her UFC debut following a long layoff. Moyle is small at 5’1″ and Curran will look to exploit the small length advantage she will have. Curran likes to battle on the feet and she unloads with a lot of volume. I don’t see either woman finishing the other, which makes it hard to pick one for your fantasy line-ups. Curran is the better straight bet and I think she wins a close decision.

Elvis Mutapcic (15-4-1) vs. Anthony Smith (25-12)

Betting Odds: Mutapcic (-105), Smith (-115)
DraftKings Salaries: Mutapcic- $8,100, Smith- $8,100
Key Statistic: They were scheduled to fight earlier this year before late cancellation
Analysis: They were supposed to fight earlier this year outside of the UFC, and now they fight for their roster survival. Mutapcic is searching for his first UFC win and he desperately needs it. Smith is a big finisher, having won 22 fights by finish. However, eleven of his twelve losses have seen him finished, and Mutapcic is a finisher who has never been stopped. Smith has a size advantage, but Mutapcic has a power advantage. I like Mutapcic’s power to stop Smith, and while it is close in both odds and fantasy salaries, Mutapcic is the better play in this fight.

Josh Stansbury (8-2) vs. Devin Clark (6-1)

Betting Odds: Stansbury (-110), Clark (-110)
DraftKings Salaries: Stansbury- $8,000, Clark- $8,200
Key Statistic: Both men have been finished in all of their losses
Analysis: Both men are fighting a weight class above their natural weight class, and this is a must-win for Clark. Clark is the better athlete of the two, and he is more explosive on the feet and has a better wrestling game. Stansbury is a more patient fighter but that will likely get him in trouble here. Clark can make mistakes and pay for it, and he did in his last fight. I do like him better in this fight. It’s a pick ’em on the betting odds, and Clark is the better play. I do like him at his $8,200 salary in fantasy line-ups as I think he gets a knockout win.