Tag: cody garbrandt

UFC on ESPN+ 46 live results: Rob Font vs. Cody Garbrandt

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC on ESPN+ 46: Font vs. Garbrandt, emanating from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Octagon is back in Las Vegas this weekend for the UFC’s final show in the month of May, with a bantamweight bout guaranteed to bring some fireworks headlining the card.

Third-ranked Rob Font looks to score the biggest win of his career and extend his three-fight win streak when he takes on former UFC Bantamweight Champion and fourth-ranked Cody Garbrandt in the main event. Font is coming off a first-round finish of Marlon Moraes in December, while Garbrandt fights for the first time since June, when he scored one of the best knockouts of 2020 in finishing Raphael Assuncaco.

In the co-main event, it is a strawweight bout that could determine who is next to challenge new UFC Strawweight Champion Rose Namajunas, as Yan Xiaonan battles former UFC Strawweight Champion Carla Esparza. Also on the main card is a women’s featherweight bout between former title challenger Felicia Spencer and Norma Dumont, and a middleweight bout between ranked fighters as Jack Hermansson takes on Edmen Shahabazyan.

Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 4 PM eastern time with preliminary action all the way thru the main card.

ESPN+ PRELIMS | 4 PM ET/1 PM PT

> Rafael Alves (19-9, 0-0 UFC) vs. Damir Ismagulov (19-1, 3-0 UFC)
Lightweights

Alves with a body kick and some left hands and Ismagulov goes to the mat for a second and Alves grabs the neck and looks for the guillotine choke. Ismagulov escapes and sweeps to the top and is landing hard body shots from side control. Ismagulov with lots of shots from the top and Alves being warned about grabbing the cage. Ismagulov now landing elbows and moves back to body punches. Alves not even threatening from the bottom and is literally doing nothing. Strong close to the round for Ismagulov. 10-9 Ismagulov.

Alves lands a combo at the start to back up Ismagulov. Alves with the teet kick. Ismagulov looking to land the jab and getting warned about his fingers. Ismagulov with a leg kick. Alves with a body kick. Ismagulov stuns Alves with a left hand. Ismagulov with a leg kick and landing the jab. Ismagulov drops Alves for a second with a left hand and Alves pops right up. Ismagulov with a right hand and follows it with an uppercut. Ismagulov with a jab and a leg kick and Alves fires back with a leg kick. Alves lands a left hand. Ismagulov gets a takedown and into the guard of Alves. Ismagulov landing body shots from the top to end the round. 10-9 Ismagulov, 20-18 Ismagulov.

Ismagulov with the jab as Alves lands a leg kick. They were trading and Ismagulov gets a takedown and is working from the top. Alves tries an upkick but Ismagulov avoids and gets the back of Alves and lands some knees to the thigh. Alves is able to scramble out to his feet. Ismagulov with a right hand. Ismagulov with a nice body kick. Alves was landing to the body against the fence and Ismagulov is having an issue with his eye but is still landing. Ismagulov goes for a takedown against the fence and Alves has the neck. They break. Alves with a wheel kick right to the head and Ismagulov eats it. They clinch against the fence and Alves lands a knee to the head. They stay tied up for the rest of the fight. 10-9 Alves, 29-28 Ismagulov.

Official Result- Damir Ismagulov def. Rafael Alves by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> David Dvorak (#11, 19-3, 2-0 UFC) vs. Juancamilo Ronderos (4-0, 0-0 UFC)
Flyweights* (Ronderos missed weight by 2.5 pounds)

Ronderos is making his UFC debut, taking this fight on about 12 hours’ notice. They are trading to start. Dvorak lands a right hand. Dvorak with a body kick. Dvorak with a right hand. Ronderos misses a punch and Dvorak lands a body kick. Dvorak wobbles Ronderos with a right hand. Dvorak rushes in and tried for a takedown but Dvorak gets the back and locks in a rear-naked choke. Ronderos is fighting it but ends up tapping. Dvorak with the quick win in dominant fashion.

Official Result- David Dvorak def. Juancamilo Ronderos by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:18 of Round 1

> Josh Culibao (8-1-1, 0-1-1 UFC) vs. Shayilan Nuerdanbieke (17-6, 0-0 UFC)
Featherweights

Culibao with a leg kick. They clinch against the fence. Nuerdanbieke trying hard for the takedown against the fence. Nuerdanbieke gets Culiabo down by the fence and has the back. Culibao spins out and they get to their feet but Nuerdanbieke still has the clinch. They trade in the clinch and Nuerdanbieke spins to the back and is working for a takedown and gets it but they get to their feet and Culibao lands a back elbow. They break and Nuerdanbieke lands on the break while Culibao lands a right hand. They trade and Culibao lands an elbow. Nuerdanbieke with a right hand. Nuerdanbieke with a right hand. Culibao with a leg kick. 10-9 Nuerdanbieke.

Culibao landing early in the second as he lands a leg kick and then a right hand. Nuerdanbieke just misses a right hand. Culibao landing some more right hands. Nuerdanbieke with a right hand. Culibao with a leg kick and Nuerdanbieke backs him up throwing punches and then drops down for a takedown attempt against the fence, but Culibao defending. Culibao landing short punches. Nuerdanbieke with an elbow before they break. They trade and Culibao landing some right hands as he’s landing the cleaner shots. Culibao with a combo. Culibao with a right hand. Culibao with a leg kick as his volume is picking up. 10-9 Culibao, 19-19.

Culibao landing the calf kicks and following them with punches. Nuerdanbieke with a right hand. Culibao with a calf kick. Culibao with a right hand. Nuerdanbieke throwing punches and missing. Culibao with a right hand. Culibao landing and Nuerdanbieke trying for a takedown but Culibao defending. Culibao lands a punch and has the neck but Nuerdanbieke pops out and they scramble up and separate. Nuerdanbieke tries a late takedown but they trade at the end. 10-9 Culibao, 29-28 Culibao.

Official Result- Josh Culibao def. Shayilan Nuerdanbieke by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Bruno Silva (11-5-2 1 NC, 1-2 1 NC UFC) vs. Victor Rodriguez (7-3, 0-1 UFC)
Flyweights

They both miss their first punches thrown. Silva with a leg kick. Silva lands a couple of right hands. Silva then lands a massive right hand that drops Rodriguez and he finishes it off with some follow-up punches. Impressive finish by Silva.

Official Result- Bruno Silva def. Victor Rodriguez by knockout (punches) at 1:00 of Round 1

> Court McGee (19-10, 8-9 UFC) vs. Claudio Silva (14-2, 5-1 UFC)
Welterweights

McGee with a high kick and Silva lands a head kick. They trade and Silva tried to set up a punch but McGee took him down and is on top. They get to their feet and Silva grabs the single leg and trying for a takedown but McGee keeps his balance and breaks away. McGee lands a right hand. McGee with a body shot. McGee with another body punch. Silva trying for a takedown against the fence but McGee is defending and they break away. Silva lands a nice left hand at the end of the first. 10-9 McGee.

Silva with a body kick. McGee circling away. Silva pressing forward and gets a takedown against the fence and has the back as they stand and they break. McGee gets a takedown and is working in the guard of Silva and lands an elbow. McGee with some elbows and punches from the top as he’s keeping Silva down on the mat. Silva trying to get out but McGee is staying on top as Silva is using a lot of energy. McGee with some elbows as Silva is trying to attack the leg. McGee defending the heel hook by landing big right hands. McGee has the back and then gets the full mount and lands and looks for the arm-triangle choke. He has it locked in a little. McGee has it in deep but Silva survives. 10-9 McGee, 20-18 McGee.

Silva with a body kick and is throwing trying to finish. Silva with another body kick and then a left hand. McGee with a right hand. Silva with a leg kick that trips up McGee. They clinch against the fence and Silva tries a takedown but McGee easily escapes. McGee then scores an easy takedown against the fence. Silva trying to escape but McGee is landing punches as he’s maintaining control and position. They get up and Silva lands an elbow as they break. Silva then swings but McGee ducks under and gets a takedown and works in the guard of Silva. McGee still on the top and landing as the fight ends. Should be a solid win for McGee. 10-9 McGee, 30-27 McGee.

Official Result- Court McGee def. Claudio Silva by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 29-27)

> Ben Rothwell (38-13, 8-7 UFC) vs. Chris Barnett (21-6, 0-0 UFC)
Heavyweights

Barnett with some leg kicks. Barnett landing leg kicks as Rothwell lands a right hand. Barnett then lands a combo and then a punch off the fence. Rothwell with a combo. Rothwell lands a right hand after Barnett lands. Barnett with a combo and just misses a spin kick. Rothwell with a right hand. Rothwell with a leg kick. Rothwell with a takedown. Rothwell landing from the top as he moves to the full mount. Rothwell gets the back and locks in a rear-naked choke but Barnett escapes and they scramble to their feet. Barnett with a right hand. Rothwell with a right hand and lands a knee. Rothwell with some uppercuts in the clinch. 10-9 Rothwell.

Barnett with a leg kick. Rothwell lands a right hand. They trade leg kicks. Barnett with a combo. Rothwell lands a right hand. Rothwell with an uppercut. Barnett swinging and Rothwell landing as well. Barnett tries a takedown but Rothwell gets a front choke locked in and Barnett taps! Rothwell with the submission win.

Official Result- Ben Rothwell def. Chris Barnett by submission (guillotine choke) at 2:07 of Round 2

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> Jack Hermansson (#7, 21-6, 8-4 UFC) vs. Edmen Shahbazyan (#10, 11-1, 4-1 UFC)
Middleweights

Shahbazyan lands a combo early. Hermansson with a leg kick as Shahbazyan lands a left hook. They trade jabs. Hermansson with the jab and Shahbazyan lands a counter left then a jab. Shahbazyan with a right hand. Hermansson with a body kick and then a leg kick. Shahbazyan lands the jab. Hermansson shoots for a takedown and Shahbazyan lands a right hand. Shahbazyan with the jab. Hermansson with a leg kick and Shahbazyan with a combo and then another right hand. Shahbazyan with the jab and then a right hand. Hermansson with the leg kick. They trade jabs and Shahbazyan with a combo. Hermansson looks for a takedown but Shahbazyan circles away and then lands a combo. Shahbazyan with a right hand to the body. Shahbazyan with the jab and Hermansson with a heavy calf kick and then another. Shahbazyan with a right hand and then a stiff jab. They trade in close range. 10-9 Shahbazyan.

Hermansson goes for a takedown against the fence right away and Shahbazyan lands some elbows. Hermansson able to complete the takedown and is working from the top landing punches. Hermansson with some body punches. Shahbazyan able to scramble out from the bottom and Hermansson has neck control as they stand. Shahbazyan has a cut open over his left eye. Shahbazyan now has the neck as Hermansson takes him down and is in the half-guard working. Hermansson with some body shots from the top and now lands left hands to the head of Shahbazyan. Hermansson with some work from the top. Shahbazyan able to reverse from the top. Shahbazyan has the neck and lets go. Hermansson with an elbow from the bottom. Shahbazyan with an elbow as he grabs the neck, but lets go and keeps his top position. Shahbazyan stands and lands some big shots at the end. 10-9 Hermansson, 19-19.

They trade the jab to start the third. Shahbazyan lands a nice uppercut. Hermansson trying for a takedown against the fence and gets it. Hermansson landing from the top in the half-guard. Hermansson landing from the top. Hermansson in control and dominating from the top. Hermansson landing more and more and Shahbazyan can’t get out from the bottom. Hermansson with some more big punches and elbows. Hermansson with more and more punches as he’s dominating the third round. Hermansson in side control and has the crucifix position and finishes the fight there. 10-8 Hermansson, 29-27 Hermansson.

Official Result- Jack Hermansson def. Edmen Shahbazyan by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)

> Ricardo Ramos (14-3, 5-2 UFC) vs. Bill Algeo (14-5, 1-1 UFC)
Featherweights

Algeo lands a body kick and Ramos gets him to the mat for a second and then jumps on the back as they stand. Ramos has the body lock and gets a big slam takedown and jumps on the back again standing. Algeo escapes and they’re tied up against the fence. They break. Algeo backs Ramos up with some lefts. Ramos with a right hand and Algeo counters with a jab. Algeo with a right hand to the body. Ramos lands a jab. Algeo with a right hand and then a spin kick to the body. Ramos lands a big left hand. Ramos with another left hand. Ramos lands a left and gets a takedown and has the back as they stand. Ramos gets a trip takedown but they scramble up against the fence. Ramos is on the back with one hook in. They get up and Algeo lands some and they clinch at the end and almost go to the mat. 10-9 Ramos.

Algeo coming forward to start the second and Ramos lands a body kick. They trade in close range. Ramos with a high kick that Algeo partially blocks. Algeo lands a knee but Ramos grabs him and scores a takedown. Ramos in the guard of Algeo. They get to their feet and Ramos with a leg kick. Algeo now landing lots of punches and lands a nice right hand. Ramos with the jab. They trade and Ramos takes the back standing. Algeo with a spinning back elbow after they break. Algeo with more volume standing but Ramos gets a late takedown. 10-9 Algeo, 19-19.

Algeo lands a combo to start the third. They clinch and Ramos tries a takedown but it gets mostly stuffed. Ramos with a right hand. Algeo with a leg kick and then lands a jab. Algeo with a nice body shot. Ramos with a leg kick and Algeo barely lands a spinning back fist. Algeo with a left hand and lands a spin kick. Ramos lands a right hand. Ramos throws a right hand but Algeo lands a counter left. Ramos comes forward with punches and they clinch but break. Algeo with a combo to the body. Algeo lands a left hand. Ramos tries for a takedown but Algeo defends. Algeo with a body shot and Ramos scores a takedown but they get up. Ramos tries to jump to the back. They break. Algeo with a body kick and then an elbow. Close fight. 10-9 Ramos, 29-28 Ramos.

Official Result- Ricardo Ramos def. Bill Algeo by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Felicia Spencer (8-2, 2-2 UFC) vs. Norma Dumont (5-1, 1-1 UFC)
Women’s Featherweights

They’re feeling each other out early. Spencer lands a side kick. Spencer lands a left hook. They trade in close range. Dumont with a leg kick. Dumont with another leg kick. Dumont with another and Spencer fires back with a left hand. They trade in close range. Spencer with a right hand. They trade in close range and Dumont with a combo. Dumont backs Spencer up with some punches and then Spencer clinches with her against the fence. Dumont with a knee and Spencer lands an elbow on the break. Spencer with a body kick and then Dumont with a front kick. Dumont with a leg kick. Close round. 10-9 Dumont.

Dumont with a leg kick. Spencer lands a right hand and then a hook kick and another high kick. They trade and Dumont lands a right hand that hurts Spencer. Spencer with a left hand coming forward and then Dumont lands another overhand right. Spencer with a high kick and then a combo. Dumont with a leg kick. They trade in close range and then Dumont lands a right hand. Dumont with a left hand to the body and then a left hook to the face. Spencer is coming forward but Dumont using her footwork to slip away. They clinch against the fence. Dumont lands a knee before they break. Spencer with a side kick to the face after they break. Spencer with a high kick. 10-9 Dumont, 20-18 Dumont.

They trade to start the third. Dumont lands a right hand and Spencer lands a body kick. Dumont gets a takedown. Dumont in the half-guard. Spencer has Dumont in her full guard now and lands some elbows from the bottom. Dumont with some left hands. Dumont decides to stand and they get up. Spencer with a right hand. Dumont lands a left hand after Spencer misses a takedown. Spencer gets a takedown and is in the guard of Dumont. She ends the fight on top. 10-9 Spencer, 29-28 Dumont.

Official Result- Norma Dumont def. Felicia Spencer by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)

> Justin Tafa (4-2, 1-2 UFC) vs. Jared Vanderaa (11-5, 0-1 UFC)
Heavyweights

Vanderaa with a leg kick. Vanderaa with another leg kick and then they trade leg kicks. They trade punches. Tafa lands some left hands. Tafa with a left hand to the body. Vanderaa lands a nice right hand. Vaderaa with a leg kick. Tafa lands some left hands and Vanderaa catches Tafa with a punch as they break. They trade near the fence. Tafa with a left hand. They trade in close range. Vanderaa lands a right hand. Vanderaa lands some kicks. Vanderaa with a body kick. Tafa with a left hand and Vanderaa counters with a body kick and right hand. They trade punches. 10-9 Vanderaa.

Vanderaa with a right hand as Tafa lands a body kick. Vanderaa with a hard body kick. Vanderaa with a head kick that Tafa eats. Vanderaa with a right hand and then a leg kick. They trade and Vanderaa with a body kick. Vanderaa hurts Tafa with a combo. Tafa then hurts Vanderaa with some punches and they clinch against the fence and both men are cut open from the looks of it. Both are landing and Vanderaa with a high kick. They trade leg kicks. Tafa with a leg kick and a right hand. Vanderaa with a head kick. Vanderaa with a body kick. Tafa with the jab. Tafa lands a combo and Vanderaa stumbles backwards. Vanderaa with a leg kick. Tafa with an elbow and two big left hands at the end. 10-9 Vanderaa, 20-18 Vanderaa.

They trade to start the third and both men landing some good punches. Vanderaa with a body kick after Tafa lands some body punches. Tafa with a left hand. They continue to trade and Vanderaa landing with more volume but Tafa landing harder. Vanderaa with a combo. Tafa with a left hand. They clinch up and we have a low blow. Tafa with a combo. Vanderaa with a body kick. Vanderaa with a combo and lands a couple of knees and Tafa lands a big left hand and they swing at the end. 10-9 Vanderaa, 30-27 Vanderaa.

Official Result- Jared Vanderaa def. Justin Tafa by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Yan Xiaonan (#3, 13-1 1 NC, 6-0 UFC) vs. Carla Esparza (#4, 17-6, 8-4 UFC)
Women’s Strawweights

Esparza gets an early takedown but they get up, and Esparza gets her down again. Esparza working in the guard of Xiaonan. Esparza moves to side control. Esparza landing punches from the top. Esparza continuing with the top pressure as she works towards north-south position. Esparza looking for a kimura late but keeps landing punches. She’s absolutely in control of this round. Esparza with some short elbows at the end of the first. 10-8 Esparza.

They trade to start the second and Esparza gets a takedown and landing from the top in the guard. Esparza moves to side control and looks for openings. Xiaonan is trying hard to get out from the bottom but Esparza is getting into better positions. Esparza back in the guard. Esparza with some big elbows and Xiaonan is bleeding badly. Esparza in the crucifix position and landing lots of elbows and punches and it is stopped. Absolute dominant performance by Esparza, and that should set her up for a title shot.

Official Result- Carla Esparza def. Yan Xiaonan by TKO (strikes) at 2:58 of Round 2

> Rob Font (#3, 18-4, 8-3 UFC) vs. Cody Garbrandt (#4, 12-3, 7-3 UFC)
Bantamweights

Garbrandt with a leg kick. Garbrandt with a high kick. Garbrandt with a leg kick. Font with a leg kick. They trade jabs. Font lands a right hand that wobbles Garbrandt. Garbrandt with a calf kick. They both swing and scramble down and Garbrandt lands a head kick as they get up. Garbrandt lands a combo. Font with a leg kick. Garbrandt gets a takedown as Font tried to land a knee. They get up. Font lands a right hand. Font lands another combo and Garbrandt gets a takedown. Garbrandt lands some nice right hands as they get up. They trade and Font with a nice jab. 10-9 Font.

Garbrandt gets a big takedown to start round two. Garbrandt with a right hand from the top. Font trying to scramble but Garbrandt transitions to stay on top. Font trying to attack an arm for a kimura. They continue to trade and Font is finding his rhythm. Font pumping the jab and Garbrandt landing counter shots. Font landing the right hand. Garbrandt with a spin kick and tries a takedown but Font defends. 10-9 Font, 20-18 Font.

Garbrandt with a leg kick as Font is applying pressure and lands a right hand. Font with a leg kick and Garbrandt with a right hand. Font with some right hands. They trade punches and Font lands a big right hand. Font gets the back standing. Font is landing with more volume. Font with left hands from the body lock. Garbrandt tried to roll out and was on the ground and Font landed some punches before Garbrandt got up. Font with the double jab and a right hand. Garbrandt shoots for a takedown but Font defends. They get up and trade jabs. Garbrandt lands a combo. Font with the jab. 10-9 Font, 30-27 Font.

Garbrandt with a leg kick. Font landing punches and connects with a right hand. Font with some punches and Garbrandt lands some. Garbrandt with a leg kick and Font lands a right hand. They trade in close range. Font with a jab. Garbrandt lands a jab. Font landing with more volume and really controlling every aspect of the fight. Font with a right hand. They trade jabs. Font with a head kick and Garbrandt tries a takedown but lets go. Font lands the jab. Font with a right hand. Garbrandt with the jab. 10-9 Font, 40-36 Font.

Font with the jab and he keeps landing it. Garbrandt lands a right hand and a combo. Garbrandt throwing with the intent to finish. Font throwing the jab. Garbrandt lands a left hand and then a right hand. Garbrandt with some body shots and Font with a knee. Garbrandt lands an overhand right. Font with the jab. Garbrandt lands a jab. Font with a big right hand that backs Garbrandt up. Font with the jab. Garbrandt lands a right hand. Garbrandt with a leg kick and gets off balance and goes to the mat but gets up. Font with a right hand. Font with the jab and a right hand. Garbrandt with a head kick that gets blocked. Font with a right hand. Garbrandt tries a spin attack and Font grabs the body and pulls guard and Garbrandt lands from the top at the end. 10-9 Font, 50-45 Font.

Official Result- Rob Font def. Cody Garbrandt by unanimous decision (48-47, 50-45, 50-45)

UFC 227: Our questions about Dillashaw-Garbrandt II and Johnson-Cejudo II

Posted on by Josh Nason

The UFC returns tonight for the first of two August shows, headlined by two rematches in lighter weight divisions struggling to get attention. 

Yes, welcome back to the “Demetrious Johnson isn’t a star/is an underpromoted star” show, even though he’s not headlining tonight’s event….even though he is continuing to attempt to set records with flyweight title defenses. (See? Now I’m doing it!)

The card:

  • Bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw vs. Cody Garbrandt II
  • Flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson vs. Henry Cejudo II
  • Thiago Santos vs. Kevin Holland
  • Polyana Viena vs. JJ Aldrich
  • Cub Swanson vs. Renato Moicano
  • Pedro Munhoz vs. Brett Johns
  • Ricky Simon vs. Montel Jackson
  • Ricardo Ramos vs. Kyung Ho Kang
  • Matt Sayles vs. Sheymon Moraes
  • Jose Torres vs. Alex Perez
  • Danielle Taylor vs. Zhang Weili
  • Marlon Vera vs. Wuliji Burne

As usual, yours truly, Paul Fontaine, and Ryan Frederick are your navigators.

What are you most looking forward to?

Ryan: The main event. Yeah, it is quick to give Garbrandt an immediate rematch seeing as he never even defended the bantamweight title before losing it to Dillashaw, but the only other viable contender in the division, Dominick Cruz, has been on the injured list until just recently. The rivalry is there, and I don’t expect it to endthere. I’m also looking forward to the Johnson-Cejudo rematch, but just because I appreciate how great Johnson is, and I wanna see if Cejudo has anything for him this time.

Paul: Garbrandt has been one of my favorite fighters for a couple of years now. Longtime readers may recall me picking him as a future fighter to watch before he even won the title from Cruz. He’s still very young and winning the title back could cement him as one of the greatest 135’ers in history.

Josh: Not much. This card isn’t doing it for me at all and while the two top fights are high on skill, I’m not into anything happening tonight. Dillashaw and Garbrandt basically disappeared for a year, outside Dillashaw and Johnson flirting with a fight that seemingly will never happen. Johnson is what he is and while Cejudo has shown marked improvement since they last fought, we’ve seen this movie before.

Anything being slept on?

Paul: Brett Johns vs. Pedro Munhoz, two of the most underrated fighters in their division, anchors the FX prelims. A high profile win here could put either guy one or two fights awa from a title shot. Johns, in particular, has been a champion in other organizations and has a bit of a star aura about him.

Ryan: I’m not sure if it’s being slept on as it’s getting some attention, but the Fight Pass headliner between Shorty Torres and Alex Perez is one of the best fights on the card. Torres had full preparation for this fight, and it’s a good fight for him as Perez is tough and solid. Johnson did mention Torres as a future challenger, so he knows where his competition is going to be coming from. IAnother intriguing prelim is the bantamweight battle between Ricardo Ramos and Kyung Ho Kang.

Josh: Nah.

Anything not doing it for you?

Josh: As mentioned before, it’s the whole show for me. Maybe it’s because of the Red Sox-Yankees slugfest, but I can’t muster up the interest. I think part of that is the lack of a fun contender queue for the champion. If Garbrandt wins, I don’t want to wait a year to see this a third time. If Cejudo pulls off the upset, we’re getting that fight a third time. So…yeah.

Ryan: It’s not a deep show by any means. It’s not the weakest pay-per-view line-up this year, but injuries did take their toll on the card with cancelled bouts. There isn’t anything not doing it for me, but there isn’t a lot of overall interest outside of the top two fights.

Paul: Honestly, anyone but the most hardcore of hardcore fans would have to struggle to find anything on this show worth caring about outside of the two main events. The whole undercard is kinda “meh”, but the Danielle Taylor fight on the Fight Pass prelims is the one that will probably suck the most. If I didn’t have to watch it, I wouldn’t because the next good Danielle Taylor fight I see will be the first.

What’s the intrigue with the show?

Ryan: The intrigue is in the main event and if Cejudo can score a different outcome in his second shot at dethroning Johnson. Outside of that, the show is really only for the hardcores. There was more intrigue for the press conference on Friday.

Paul: If Johnson can cement his legacy as the greatest pound for pound fighter in history by successfully defending his title yet again. People are talking right now that this is a foregone conclusion, and it probably is, but I have a funny feeling things may not go according to plan.

Josh: If Johnson can retain yet again. If he does, I agree with the sentiment Chuck Mindenhall had on this week’s ‘MMA Beat’ that eventually, Johnson will need to go outside his comfort zone and go up a weight class or fight Dillashaw or else risk complete fan apathy.

What will be people talking about most after the show is done?

Ryan: It will be that Johnson remains the top pound-for-pound top fighter in the sport, and if it is finally time for the superfight between him and the winner of the main event. I personally think that Garbrandt is going to win this time over Dillashaw, and that it’ll probably lead to an immediate third fight which would be a mistake for now. Give it some breathing room if that happens as these two have tied up the 135-pound title for close to two years now. It’s time to get these divisions moving.

Paul: I’m going out on a limb and predicting that people will be talking about the fact that for the first time in history, someone other than Demetrious Johnson is the UFC flyweight champion. Outside of that, and what Ryan mentioned, it will be just whether or not this show can set the modern era record for the least purchased PPV.

Josh: That Johnson and Dillashaw were both victorious and that they really need to make that fight happen.

Who wins?

TJ vs. CG II

Dillashaw: Josh
Garbrandt: Ryan, Paul

DJ vs. HC II

Johnson: Josh, Ryan
Cejudo: Paul

Swanson vs. Moicano

Swanson: Ryan, Paul
Moicano: Josh

Follow along with our coverage tonight.

UFC 217 live results: Michael Bisping vs. GSP, two more title fights

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 217: Bisping vs. St. Pierre, emanating from Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.

The UFC returns to the Big Apple for their biggest event of the year, with three title fights, and featuring the return of arguably the greatest fighter in UFC history looking to capture gold in a second weight division.

Former UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre makes his long-awaited return to the Octagon after four years as he challenges Michael Bisping for the UFC Middleweight Championship.

The fight has been a roller coaster since first being announced in March, and at many times it looked like it wasn’t going to happen, but they will finally step across from each other tonight. St. Pierre looks to regain gold and win his 13th straight fight while Bisping looks to make his second title defense successful. Both men have vowed to retire the other.

In the co-main event, it is another long-awaited title fight as rivals and former teammates go to war. UFC Bantamweight Champion Cody Garbrandt makes his first title defense when he takes on former champion T.J. Dillashaw. They have gone back-and-forth all over the last year, and after being scheduled to fight in July only to be postponed, they finally square off.

In our third title fight, it will be UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk looking to continue her dominance at 115 pounds when she defends against Rose Namajunas. Namajunas has won four of her last five and will pose an interesting test for Jedrzejczyk, who is looking to remain undefeated and win her 15th straight fight.

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.

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].

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

> Aiemann Zahabi (7-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Ricardo Ramos (10-1, 1-0 UFC)
Bantamweights

Zahabi was on the attack early and got the clinch and landed a knee before they scrambled to the mat with Ramos on top. They scrambled a bit on the mat before getting to their feet. Ramos lands a couple of heavy leg kicks. They traded and Zahabi was looking to set up the takedown. Ramos got a brief takedown but Zahabi got up. Zahabi landed a right hand. Zahabi landed some good punches and took the back of Ramos. Zahabi tried a judo throw but Ramos reversed out and got a slam as they got to their feet before the round ended. 10-9 Ramos.

Zahabi is pressing the action but not doing much on the attack as Ramos lands a leg kick to start the second round. Zahabi landed a couple of right hands. Ramos went for a kick but it was caught by Zahabi who missed taking him down. Zahabi landed an uppercut. The pace slowed at the end as both were looking to set something big up. Zahabi landed the jab a couple of times towards the end. 10-9 Zahabi, 19-19.

They came out trading to start the third round. Zahabi applying the pressure. Zahabi landed an uppercut. Zahabi looking for a big punch. Zahabi landed another uppercut. All of a sudden Ramos landed a spinning back elbow that knocked Zahabi out cold. Wow. It came out of nowhere. One of the best knockouts of the year.

Official Result- Ricardo Ramos def. Aiemann Zahabi by knockout (spinning back elbow) at 1:58 of Round 3

> Aleksei Oleinik (#9, 52-10-1, 4-1 UFC) vs. Curtis Blaydes (#12, 7-1 1 NC, 2-1 1 NC UFC)
Heavyweights

Blaydes gets a quick takedown but Oleinik is dangerous on the mat. They got back up. Oleinik landed an uppercut. They traded punches. They clinched and Oleinik landed a heavy uppercut. Oleinik landing more punches. Blaydes got a takedown. They got to their feet and traded strikes before Blaydes got another takedown and is in side control. Blaydes landed a big right hand and Oleinik landed some punches in return. They clinched and both landed uppercuts. Blaydes then droped Oleinik with a hard punch. Oleinik got back up and had Blaydes clinched against the fence. Oleinik then fell as he tried to drag Blaydes down. Blaydes landed some big right hands at the end, it was a surprise that Oleinik survived. 10-9 Blaydes.

Blaydes came out landing punches and kicks. Oleinik was landing in return but not with the volume of Blaydes. Blaydes got a big takedown and is working in the guard. Blaydes got to his feet and then landed an illegal kick as Oleinik was getting to his feet. It barely touched his ear. We have some controversy now. The fight was stopped by the doctor and the referee as Oleinik was deemed unable to continue. Blaydes is furious. We are going to instant replay to determine a decision. Blaydes was then announced as the winner. This is weird. Even Blaydes is confused. 

Official Result- Curtis Blaydes def. Aleksei Oleinik by TKO (doctor stoppage) at 1:56 of Round 2

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

> Randy Brown (9-2, 3-2 UFC) vs. Mickey Gall (4-0, 3-0 UFC)
Welterweights

Brown landed a solid combo inside the first thirty seconds. Gall is on the retreat. Gall fired back with a big right hand. They clinched and Brown landed a hard knee to the body. Brown with another knee and then got a takedown. Brown landed some big hammerfists. Gall went for a kimura but it allowed Brown to posture back up. Brown in total control from the top but Gall is working from the bottom. Brown landing some big elbows from the top. Gall can’t get up. Brown with more hard elbows and Gall is cut open. 10-9 Brown.

Gall still bleeding pretty good to start the second. Brown landed a kick and Gall tried a takedown but ended up on the bottom but was able to reverse and is in the guard of Brown. They were scrambling on the mat and Brown may have landed an illegal upkick but they continued. Gall is in side control. Gall landing some punches as he’s trying for the mounted crucifix position. They scrambled and Gall went back into the full guard. Gall looking for a choke in side control but didn’t have it. Brown escaped but Gall got into the full mount but Brown was able to slide out from the bottom. Strong round for Gall. 10-9 Gall, 19-19.

Gall went right for a takedown but ate an uppercut from Brown on the way in and Brown started to tee off on Gall on the mat looking to finish. Gall was able to survive and recover by grabbing the neck. Gall is pouring blood. Brown landing enough punches to keep the fight down and Gall isn’t doing anything on the bottom. Brown landing more from the top inside the guard. Gall grabbing the neck and grabbed the fence and has a guillotine locked in but Brown was able to escape. Gall can’t get up from the bottom. Brown stands up and Gall follows but the fight ends with no action. 10-9 Brown, 29-28 Brown.

Official Result- Randy Brown def. Mickey Gall by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)

NEWS: The UFC announced their schedule for the first three months of 2018. There will be nine events. It kicks off January 14 in St. Louis, Missouri. Following that will be UFC 220 in Boston, Massachusetts. Rounding out January will be a January 27 event in Charlotte, North Carolina. February has three events- February 3 in Belem, Brazil, UFC 221 on February 10 in Perth, Austraila, February 18 in Austin, Texas, and February 24 in Orlando, Florida. Two events take place in March, with UFC 222 on March 3 in Las Vegas, and an event on March 17 in London, England.

> Ovince Saint Preux (#6, 21-10, 9-5 UFC) vs. Corey Anderson (#7, 9-3, 6-3 UFC)
Light Heavyweights

Saint Preux landed a hard left hand to start off. Anderson got a couple of big takedowns back-to-back inside the first minute and has the back. They got back to their feet and Anderson is working hard to get another takedown. Anderson was landing punches as Saint Preux was back up and Anderson went for another takedown against the fence. Anderson with a spinning elbow and back to work for the takedown. They broke the clinch and back to the center. Saint Preux with a knee to the body as he stuffs a takedown attempt. Saint Preux with a late flurry that drops Anderson. 10-9 Anderson.

Saint Preux with a big head kick to start the second and Anderson is in trouble. Anderson got a quick timeout as he lost his mountpiece and it allowed Anderson to recover. Anderson working for a takedown. They broke and Anderson went right back working for another takedown. They broke away again. Anderson attempts another takedown and finishes it this time. Anderson gets to the back. They get to their feet. Anderson drags the fight back to the mat and Anderson is landing punches but they get back up. Slower pace at the end. 10-9 Anderson, 20-18 Anderson.

Anderson went for a takedown but it was defended though he landed a right hand on the break. Anderson lands a right hand followed by a left. Saint Preux then knocked Anderson out cold with a head kick out of nowhere. That is a comeback win there and we have another contender for a bonus. That was nasty. OSP called for a fight with Ilir Latifi next on December 30.

Official Result- Ovince Saint Preux def. Corey Anderson by knockout (head kick) at 1:25 of Round 3

> Walt Harris (10-6, 3-5 UFC) vs. Mark Godbeer (12-3, 1-1 UFC)
Heavyweights

Harris coming out firing with some kicks. They trade punches. Harris with a grazing head kick. They are both throwing with lots of power. Harris gets a takedown into side control and goes right to mount and landed some big punches. Harris working inside the full guard. They trade punches on the mat, Harris with more power being he’s on top. Harris with heavy left hands inside the guard. Godbeer able to get to his feet but eats some knees to the body before they break. Harris with a left hand and Godbeer with a body kick. Harris landed a low blow and the referee called timeout and Harris landed a head kick after timeout was called. That seemed blatant and is definitely a foul. The fight is stopped as Godbeer is unable to continue. This should be a disqualification win for Godbeer.

Official Result- Mark Godbeer def. Walt Harris by disqualification (illegal kick) at 4:25 of Round 1

> James Vick (11-1, 7-1 UFC) vs. Joseph Duffy (16-2, 4-1 UFC)
Lightweights

They were throwing feints early. Vick landed a body kick but got tripped up as Duffy grabbed his leg. Duffy with the pressure. Duffy lands some punches but Vick counters with a straight right hand followed by an uppercut. Duffy lands a right hand. Duffy landing the jab. Duffy grabs the leg on a kick and gets a takedown. Duffy trips Vick on an inside leg kick. Duffy with a right hand to the body. Vick just misses a head kick. Duffy lands a right hand and scores a takedown. Vick grabs the neck. They each land in the final seconds of the round. 10-9 Duffy.

Duffy with a body kick to start the second round. Duffy with a head kick. He’s able to keep away from Vick’s attacks, which is good with Vick’s reach advantage. Vick lands a left hand after ducking under a right hand. Vick lands the jab and a leg kick. Neither man unable to get a big advantage over the other but both landing. Vick just misses a head kick. More methodical pace to this round. Vick lands a head kick after hurting Duffy with a low kick. Vick then drops Duffy with a right uppercut and starts landing punches and finishes him right before the horn to end the round. Wow. Big win for James Vick. Vick calls for a main event spot on the February UFC event in Austin.

Official Result- James Vick def. Joseph Duffy by TKO (punches) at 4:59 of Round 2

PPV MAIN CARD | 10 PM ET/7 PM PT

> Johny Hendricks (18-7, 13-7 UFC) vs. Paulo Costa (10-0, 2-0 UFC)
Middleweights

Costa with a leg kick and then a big body kick. Costa with another body kick. Hendricks with a leg kick. Hendricks went for a takedown but Costa broke the clinch with a knee. Costa misses a spinning head kick. Costa with a body kick and Hendricks lands a left hand. Costa controlling the Octagon and lands a right hand. Hendricks with a leg kick following a combo. Coata with a knee to the body. Hendricks lands two left hands followed by a leg kick. Costa misses again on a spinning head kick. Costa with a big knee and a body kick at the end. 10-9 Costa.

We have an eye poke to start the round and a quick timeout but back to action quickly. Costa hurts Hendricks with a head kick and is teeing off with punches. Costa with a head kick and then another. Costa with a right hand and Hendricks is in trouble. Costa with an uppercut and more punches on the ground as Hendricks was going for a takedown and the fight is stopped. Costa with the big win.

Official Result- Paulo Costa def. Johny Hendricks by TKO (punches) at 1:23 of Round 2

> Stephen Thompson (#2, 13-2-1, 8-2-1 UFC) vs. Jorge Masvidal (#4, 32-12, 9-5 UFC)
Welterweights

Thompson looking for leg kicks early. Both being patient. Masvidal with a body kick. Thompson with a side head kick. Masvidal with a leg kick and Thompson fires back with a combo. They are both looking for openings but not much is there. Masvidal with a body kick. Thompson lands a right hand. Thompson with a front leg side kick to the body that drops Masvidal. Masvidal with a leg kick and Thompson fires back with a left hand. Thompson with another straight left hand. 10-9 Thompson.

Thompson with a front leg side kick to the head. Masvidal then landed a good combo of punches against the fence. Thompson knocks Masvidal down with a right hand. Masvidal gets up. Both men being patient. Thompson lands a left hand. Masvidal has been unable to get inside the range of Thompson. Masvidal clipped Thompson with a left hook. 10-9 Thompson, 20-18 Thompson.

Masvidal went for a takedown against the fence but it was defended. He needs to win this round. Thompson lands a good combination. Thompson with another good combo and just misses a wheel kick to the head. Masvidal with a body kick and Thompson counters with a side kick to the body. They traded right hands. Thompson lands a good series of punches. Thompson is cut underneath his eye. Thompson with a good combo of punches. Thompson with a right hand. They trade punches at the end of the fight. 10-9 Thompson, 30-27 Thompson.

Official Result- Stephen Thompson def. Jorge Masvidal by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)

> Joanna Jedrzejczyk (C, 14-0, 8-0 UFC) vs. Rose Namajunas (#4, 6-3, 4-2 UFC)
UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship

Intense stare down. Both ladies land early. Jedrzejczyk with a combo and a leg kick. Namajunas knocks Jedrzejczyk down with a big right hand. Namajunas gets the mount then has the back but lets Joanna up. Namajunas with a right hand. Namajunas then drops Jedrzejczyk with a left hand and then finishes her off. WOW. This is a huge upset. Namajunas is the new champion. Jedrzejczyk also tapped out due to the strikes.

Official Result- Rose Namajunas def. Joanna Jedrzejczyk by knockout (punches) at 3:03 of Round 1, Namajunas becomes the new UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion

> Cody Garbrandt (C, 11-0, 6-0 UFC) vs. TJ Dillashaw (#2, 14-3, 10-3 UFC)
UFC Bantamweight Championship

No glove touch here either. Garbrandt looking for a heavy right hand early as Dillashaw works his movement. Garbandt just misses a body kick. Dillashaw missing on his leg kick attempts. Garbrandt lands a combo on Dillashaw. Wild flurry from both. Garbrandt lands a right hand and then a combo. Garbrandt with some body punches. Dillashaw just misses a head kick. Dillashaw landed a big right hand. Garbrandt dropped Dillashaw with a right hand with just five seconds left. Dillashaw stumbled to his corner and is in trouble. Garbrandt shot him the finger and told him he’s number one. 10-9 Garbrandt.

Dillashaw misses a head kick and Garbrandt taunts him over it. Dillashaw then knocked Garbrandt down with a head kick but Garbrandt got back up. Garbrandt seems okay after the knockdown. Dillashaw then rocks and drops Garbrandt down with a right hand and finishes him! Dillashaw is once again the champion at 135 pounds. Another upset on this card.

Official Result- TJ Dillashaw def. Cody Garbrandt by knockout (punches) at 2:41 of Round 2, Dillashaw becomes the new UFC Bantamweight Champion

> Michael Bisping (C, 30-7, 20-7 UFC) vs. Georges St. Pierre (25-2, 19-2 UFC)
UFC Middleweight Championship

They touched gloves! Both men patient in the opening thirty seconds. St. Pierre lands a right hand. He lands the jab. Bisping missing his punches. St. Pierre with a roundhouse kick. Bisping lands a right hand. St. Pierre with a leg kick followed by a right hand then rocks Bisping with a jab but Bisping fires back with a right hand. St. Pierre gets a takedown. Bisping tried to grab the fence to block it. They got back up. St. Pierre with a Superman punch that rocks Bisping and just misses a spin kick. 10-9 St. Pierre.

Bisping unable to establish his range and is fighting conservative. St. Pierre lands a left hand. Bisping misses a right hand. Bisping with an inside leg kick. St. Pierre with a side kick. St. Pierre with a body kick. Bisping lands a right hand. St. Pierre with the double jab and gets the takedown. St. Pierre in half-guard. Bisping tried to grab the shorts of GSP to get up. They got to their feet. Bisping with a right hand. Bisping with a jumping head kick. St. Pierre with a body kick. 10-9 Bisping, 19-19.

St. Pierre gets a takedown to start the third. Bisping has St. Pierre in his full guard. St. Pierre is cut open. Both men landing strikes on the mat. They get back to their feet and GSP is a bloody mess. Bisping lands a right hand. GSP lands a couple of overhand rights. St. Pierre with a side kick to the body. St. Pierre drops Bisping with a left hand and is dropping elbows and has Bisping in a lot of trouble. GSP looking for the fnish and grabs the back and locks in a rear-naked choke. It is in deep and Bisping is out! GSP has choked Bisping unconscious. GSP wins in his return. We have a new champion.

Official Result- Georges St. Pierre def. Michael Bisping by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:23 of Round 3, St. Pierre becomes the new UFC Middleweight Champion

UFC 213 card takes shape with Cody Garbrandt unable to fight

Posted on by Joseph Currier

With Cody Garbrandt unable to compete at UFC 213, Amanda Nunes will headline the UFC’s marquee International Fight Week event for the second straight year.

Dana White revealed to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto last night that Garbrandt was officially off of the card. Garbrandt was scheduled to defend his bantamweight title for the first time against TJ Dillashaw, but he has been battling back problems and was sent to Germany to see a stem cell specialist earlier this month.

Nunes vs. Valentina Shevchenko for the women’s bantamweight championship is now the main event of UFC 213 on July 8th in Las Vegas. That matchup had been announced previously but wasn’t scheduled to headline the pay-per-view until Garbrandt vs. Dillashaw fell through.

Nunes was elevated to the top spot on the UFC 200 card last July when Daniel Cormier vs. Jon Jones was canceled at the last minute due to Jones failing a USADA test. She won the title by defeating Miesha Tate on that show.

An interim middleweight title bout is also set for UFC 213, with Yoel Romero taking on Robert Whittaker.

Controversy over Georges St-Pierre receiving the next shot at Michael Bisping’s title instead of Romero began as soon as that fight was scheduled, but White later announced that plans for Bisping vs. GSP had been scrapped when St-Pierre posted that he wouldn’t be available to compete until after October. Bisping is unavailable to fight right now due to a knee injury as well, so Romero will face Whittaker for the interim belt.

White told Okamoto that Demetrious Johnson vs. Dillashaw for the flyweight title is being planned for August, but Johnson tweeted that he hasn’t agreed to anything and is waiting on a contract to defend against Ray Borg. Johnson wrote that Dillashaw can come down to flyweight and get a win first if he wants a title fight.

As was previously revealed, Robbie Lawler vs. Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, Fabricio Werdum vs. Alistair Overeem, and Anthony Pettis vs. Jim Miller will also take place at UFC 213.

Cody Garbrandt looks to be off UFC 213

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt looks to be off UFC 213 officially.

Garbrandt had been suffering from a bad back and it has been acknowledged for the past week that the fight, scheduled for July 8th in Las Vegas, was in jeopardy when neither Garbrandt nor T.J. Dillashaw was at the May 12th press conference promoting the major summer shows.

Garbrandt posted today on Facebook that he’s off the show.

“No, I’m not fighting on the 8th. This has been my dream to get to the top and I want to have longevity.”

Garbrandt also gave a timetable regarding returning to train.

“4 more weeks of recovery! Then I can slowly start to train and test it out.”

Over the past week, Dana White had said that they sent Garbrandt to Germany to see the doctor’s who cured White’s Meniere’s Disease through a technique called blood spinning. White had said that everyone sent to Germany to those doctors have come back recovered so he was hopeful this would be the case and the fight would be able to take place on the show.

Right now it appears that Amanda Nunes vs. Valentina Shevchenko for the women’s bantamweight title will be the main event. UFC had done recent advertising, since tickets went on sale this week, built around Nunes vs. Shevchenko and Robbie Lawler vs. Donald Cerrone.

VIDEO: UFC Summer Kickoff media event at 5:30 PM EST

Posted on by F4W Staff

After a low key first five months of 2017, UFC will attempt to get some interest going for the summer with a big media event scheduled for Friday at 5:30 PM EST in Dallas, TX, streamed live here.

Jon Anik will host the event where it’s expected that some new fights will be announced like Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier II and perhaps Michael Bisping vs. Yoel Romero. Officially scheduled to be there today:

– UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt and T.J. Dillashaw who fight at UFC 213 on July 8th in Las Vegas

– Claudia Gadelha and Karolina Kowalkiewicz who fight at UFC 212 on June 3rd in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

– Holly Holm and Bethe Correia who fight at UFC Fight Night 111 on June 17th in Singapore

– Michael Chiesa and Kevin Lee who fight at UFC Fight Night 112 on June 25 in Oklahoma City, OK

The event will be held before the ceremonial UFC 211 weigh-ins.

Cody Garbrandt & TJ Dillashaw to coach TUF: Redemption

Posted on by Paul Fontaine

On last night’s UFC Fight Night 103 broadcast, the promotion announced that The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption will debut on April 19th with a two-hour season premiere on FS1.

The coaches for the season will be bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt and former champ TJ Dillashaw. The show will lead to them squaring off for the title at a yet-to-be-determined date, but it would make sense to have that fight take place some time during International Fight Week.

TUF: Redemption will feature winners from past seasons as well as at least one active member of the UFC roster. 

Garbrandt won the title from Dominick Cruz at UFC 207 last month and was called out by Dillashaw shortly after. Dillashaw had previously lost the title to Cruz, and is a former Team Alpha Male teammate of the champion. He has claimed that he knocked out Garbrandt during training sessions.

Also announced last night was that UFC 210 will mark the company’s return to Buffalo, New York. No fights were announced for that show, which will air on PPV.

The Top Five UFC Fighters of 2016: Conor, The Count & Cody

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

You know it’s an incredible year in MMA when you have several fighters over several promotions making a real case to cement their status as Fighter Of The Year.

While many had the resume to make the cut, narrowing it down to just five will leave some overlooked. From Joanna Jedrzejczyk to Michael Chandler to Tyron Woodley to Donald Cerron and so many more, there were plenty of contenders to make this year’s list.

Regardless, here are my top five MMA fighters for the year that was 2016 — all of which happen to reside in the UFC.

5) Michael Bisping

The Count had an incredible 2016 as the UFC veteran finally captured gold when he won the middleweight title in June at UFC 199 when he knocked out Luke Rockhold in less than one round.

It was the middle of three wins this year, putting Bisping at the top of a tough division. He started the year off by taking on arguably the greatest fighter in the history of the sport, Anderson Silva, in a fight many fans had been anticipating for years. It was a great back-and-forth battle, but one that was not without controversy. In the end, Bisping took home the unanimous decision.

The win over Rockhold was the most impressive as not only did he avenge an earlier loss in his career, but he did it on just two weeks notice. Bisping ended the year with a unanimous decision win in his first title defense, avenging another loss on his record when he defeated Dan Henderson in October.

Bisping had a great year, but the two decision wins over opponents who have seen their best days go by keep him from making him #1.

4) Amanda Nunes

Nunes capped off an incredible 2016 last Friday with the biggest win of her career.

Nunes began her fight year in March as she defeated Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 196 to earn a bantamweight title shot, a shot in what turned out to be the main event of July’s UFC 200 in July against then-champion Miesha Tate. Nunes made it look easy as she ran right through Tate, submitting her in the first round to become the new champ.

She then defended the title for the first time in one of the biggest fights of the year as she welcomed Ronda Rousey back to the Octagon at UFC 207. In wasn’t really as much of an upset as some people thought, Nunes made quick work of Rousey, dispatching the former champion in just 48 seconds with a barrage of strikes.

Nunes went 3-0 in 2016, capped with two first-round finishes, and enters 2017 with the entire division gunning for her.

3) Conor McGregor

Conor McGregor is the only man to make my top five who suffered a loss, but he also was the first fighter to consecutively hold two UFC titles at the same time.

Then-featherweight champion, McGregor expected to challenge Rafael Dos Anjos for the lightweight belt in March, but an injury forced Dos Anjos out. In stepped Nate Diaz on 12 days notice, and they agreed to fight at welterweight. McGregor was moving up two weight classes at the time, and it didn’t work out all that well as Diaz submitted him in the second round at UFC 196.

Obsessed with wanting a rematch, the two squared off again at UFC 202 in August, and again at 170 pounds. In one of the best fights of 2016, McGregor and Diaz went to war again, and McGregor escaped with a close majority decision.

McGregor then set his sights back on the lightweight title and challenged Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 in November. He made it look easy, scoring a TKO in the second round to become the new champion, becoming the first fighter to hold championships in two weight classes at the same time.

All three of the events headlined by McGregor ended up in the top four of most-purchased UFC pay-per-view events for the year.

While McGregor ended the year only holding one title after “relinquishing” the featherweight title, there is no doubt that 2016 was truly a transcendent year for the biggest star in mixed martial arts.

2) Stipe Miocic

Stipe Miocic started his 2016 fighting on the first event of the year in search of an elusive title shot, and ended the year as the most dominant heavyweight in the world.

Miocic earned his title shot at UFC 195 in January as he knocked out former champion Andrei Arlovski in just 54 seconds.

Miocic would head into enemy territory in Brazil to challenge UFC Heavyweight Champion Fabricio Werdum at UFC 198 in May. It was a successful night in Curitiba as Miocic scored another first-round knockout to win the gold and establish himself as the man to beat in the heavyweight division.

Miocic followed that up with his first title defense as the Octagon debuted in his hometown of Cleveland. He defended against Alistair Overeem, and after weathering an early storm from Overeem, he came back to win again by first-round knockout.

Miocic ends the year with three first-round knockouts over top-five opponents, and he goes into 2017 as the man at heavyweight.

1) Cody Garbrandt

Garbrandt locked himself as the 2016’s best fighter with an incredible performance at Friday’s UFC 207 and heads into 2017 as an undefeated UFC bantamweight champion — incredible to see considering Garbrandt came into the year unranked.

He started his climb up the ladder in February with a first-round knockout of Augusto Mendes. That led Garbrandt to his first main event in May as he took on another undefeated prospect in Thomas Almeida. That fight ended with Garbrandt scoring another first-round knockout, cementing his prospect status.

With another first-round knockout win, this time over veteran Takeya Mizugaki, Garbrandt went from prospect to title challenger and got the nod to face Dominick Cruz for the belt at UFC 207.

Garbrandt beat Cruz at his own game, and had a star-making peformance in winning the title by unanimous decision, handing Cruz his first loss since 2007.

With three first-round knockouts and going from unranked to champion in just over ten months, Garbrandt has established himself as a force at 135 pounds, capping off an incredible 2016.

UFC 207 live results: Amanda Nunes vs. Ronda Rousey

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 207: Nunes vs. Rousey, eminating from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The event is headlined by UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Amanda Nunes making her first title defense as she defends against former champion, Ronda Rousey, in Rousey’s return to the Octagon.

Nunes submitted Miesha Tate at UFC 200 in July to win the championship, and she has won four straight fights overall. Rousey returns to competition for the first time since losing the championship to Holly Holm at UFC 193 in November 2015, and the entire world is interested in seeing how Rousey rebounds from her first career loss. The anticipation has been heightened by Rousey not doing any media obligations in the lead-up to the fight.

In the co-main event, Dominick Cruz defends the UFC Bantamweight Championship against Cody Garbrandt. Cruz has won 13 straight fights and is looking to defeat another member of the Team Alpha Male camp. Garbrandt is undefeated in his career, winning all ten of his career fights, and has been very vocal in his intentions of knocking out Cruz to win the championship.

Also on the main card is a fight to determine the next contender at 135 pounds as former bantamweight champ TJ Dillashaw takes on John Lineker.

Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET tonight with preliminary action all the way thru the main card.

Some additional coverage:
– UFC 207 Weigh-Ins
– UFC 207 Observer Panel Predictions
– UFC 207 Betting & Fantasy Playbook

UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS | 7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PT

> Alex Oliveira (16-3-1 1 NC, 5-2 UFC) vs. Tim Means (26-7-1, 8-4 UFC)
Welterweights

Oliveira dropped Means with a spin kick in the first round but Means was able to recover and they traded takedowns. Means landed an illegal knee that hurt Oliveira badly. Oliveira looked awful and he got stretchered out from the Octagon as he was completely out of it. Means was complaining that it was a legal knee but it clearly wasn’t as Oliveira had a knee down. They actually called the fight a no contest as the ruling was it was accidental but he clearly landed two knees to the head while Oliveira had a knee on the mat. This was a giant cluster and there was a lot of confusion. Means called out the media after the fight and he seemed to have trouble knowing the rules.

Official Result: Alex Oliveira vs. Tim Means declared a no contest (accidental knee) at 3:33 of Round 1

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

> Brandon Thatch (11-4, 2-3 UFC) vs. Niko Price (8-0, 0-0 UFC)
Welterweights

Thatch was winning on the feet before being taken down by Price. Thatch almost had a kimura but Price got out of it. Price was working for chokes from all positions and finally locked in an arm-triangle choke that forced Thatch to tap out in the first round. Price was a big underdog and Thatch, who was once a hot prospect at 170 pounds, has now lost four straight fights, all by submission.

Official Result: Niko Price def. Brandon Thatch by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 4:30 of Round 1

> Mike Pyle (27-12-1, 10-7 UFC) vs. Alex Garcia (13-3, 3-2 UFC)
Welterweights

Garcia rocked Pyle early and got a takedown and was controlling on the mat before Pyle got to his feet. Garcia then timed a right hand perfectly as Pyle was going for a knee and landed the punch right to Pyle’s chin and Pyle was knocked out cold. Pyle took a hard flat back bump onto the mat and it was a violent knockout win for Garcia. Garcia asked to fight on the Brooklyn card but that card looks full.

Official Result: Alex Garcia def. Mike Pyle by knockout (punch) at 3:34 of Round 1

> Antonio Carlos Junior (6-2 1 NC, 3-2 1 NC UFC) vs. Marvin Vettori (11-2, 1-0 UFC)
Middleweights

The story of the first round was eye pokes as each man poked the other in the eye, Vettori on the receiving end twice. When they weren’t fouling each other it was Carlos Junior in control with the grappling and pressure against the fence. It was Carlos Junior 10-9 in the first. It was more of the same early in the second until Vettori took Carlos Junior down and was pounding away. He came close to finishing with a guillotine choke. Both men landed on the mat but Vettori had more power and volume from the top. Big round two for Vettori, 10-9, and 19-19 after two.

Carlos Junior went back to applying pressure with back control in the third, but Vettori was doing better on the feet. In the end, it was Carlos Junior pressuring Vettori against the fence and holding onto the body lock for a lot of the round, mixed with a takedown, that got him the third, 10-9. I had it 29-28 for Carlos Junior, but a close fight. The judges all agreed as they all had the same scores.

Official Result: Antonio Carlos Junior def. Marvin Vettori by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Johny Hendricks (#6, 17-5, 12-5 UFC) vs. Neil Magny (#8, 18-5, 11-4 UFC)
Welterweights, Hendricks missed weight at 173.5 pounds

They were even on the feet and Hendricks got a takedown and was working on the top. Magny was active on the bottom and both were landing on the mat. Magny tried a triangle but couldn’t get it but landed elbows. Magny got the round due to be super active from the bottom, 10-9. Hendricks got four takedowns in the second round. He was playing a lot of defense on the top and wasn’t landing much as Magny was very active on the bottom. Neither man did much on the feet. The second had to go to Hendricks due to all the takedowns and I had it 10-9 for him and 19-19 after two.

Magny was more active on the feet but Hendricks was trying to wrestle. Magny was defending the takedowns as Hendricks was just hanging on. Hendricks did get a big slam with just over a minute left. Magny had a triangle in late and was landing elbows at the end of the round. It might have stolen him the round. I think it did as I had it 10-9 for Magny and him winning 29-28. Magny got the decision with the same scorecards. The crowd booed the decision very loudly.

Official Result: Neil Magny def. Johny Hendricks by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

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> Louis Smolka (#12, 11-2, 5-2 UFC) vs. Ray Borg (#13, 9-2, 3-2 UFC)
Flyweights, Borg missed weight coming in at 129.5 pounds

Borg got a couple of takedowns and was winning the grappling by using very good transitions and sweeps on the mat. Borg landed some punches from the back as well and had Smolka bleeding. A 10-9 opening round for Borg. Borg got some more takedowns in the second and was being patient on the mat and countering all of the sweeps that Smolka was attempting. Smolka couldn’t do much to get out from the bottom and the round was all Borg. A 10-9 second round for Borg and him up 20-18.

Borg told his corner between rounds that he broke his ankle. It didn’t stop him in the third as he got more takedowns and was transitioning well on the mat. Borg had an arm-triangle in deep but Smolka was able to survive but Borg didn’t let up on his pressure.They got to their feet and Smolka landed some clean shots but it was too late to do anything. A 10-9 round for Borg and a clear 30-27 for him, and he looked fantastic here. The missing weight is going to cost him, though.

Official Result: Ray Borg def. Louis Smolka by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)

> Dong Hyun Kim (#9, 21-3-1 1 NC, 12-3 1 NC UFC) vs. Tarec Saffiedine (#12, 16-5, 2-2 UFC)
Welterweights

They traded takedowns and were trading on their feet and Saffiedine was finding a home for his right hand. Kim was pushing Saffiedine against the fence but wasn’t doing anything. Saffiedine got a late trip takedown and it likely got him the round as neither were able to take advantage. 10-9 Saffiedine. Not a lot happened in the second round. Both men got brief takedowns and Kim was pressuring Saffiedine around the Octagon. They traded knees in the clinch but neither man landed with a lot of volume. A real boring and nothing round. I gave it 10-9 to Kim with it tied 19-19.

They traded back-and-forth at the start of the third round in the most exciting moment of this fight. This round was boring. Kim was all pressure going for takedowns he couldn’t complete and Saffiedine wasn’t taking advantage of the striking battle. Both fighters were exhausted. Kim had the pressure but Saffiedine landed harder strikes when there were strikes landed. A close round and close fight. I had round three 10-9 for Kim and Kim winning 29-28. Two judges had it the same and one judge actually gave Saffiedine every round.

Official Result: Dong Hyun Kim def. Tarec Saffiedine by split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)

> TJ Dillashaw (#1, 13-3, 9-3 UFC) vs. John Lineker (#2, 29-7, 10-2 UFC)
Bantamweights

They were both landing shots on the feet with Dillashaw getting the better of it before Dillashaw took Lineker down. Lineker was staying active on his back but Dillashaw got the better of it before they got to their feet. Dillashaw was doing an excellent job of staying on the outside and landing from a distance and was keeping Lineker from getting inside the pocket. Good round for Dillashaw as he got it 10-9.

Dillashaw got a brief takedown in the second. Lineker was throwing big punches but Dillashaw was able to stay far enough away to where they missed. Dillashaw got another takedown and was landing big elbows from the top and then came on with punches. Dillashaw just kept Lineker planted on the mat and was landing bunches of punches. He completely controlled Lineker on the ground. A big second round won by Dillashaw. I don’t think it was a 10-8 round because it wasn’t close to being finished, but Dillashaw’s round 10-9. He is up 20-18 after two.

Dillashaw was throwing Lineker off base with movement and scored a takedown. Dillashaw looks fantastic in this fight. Dillashaw cracked Lineker with some punches and had another beautifully timed takedown. He continued to land punches and went for a leg lock to no avail. Lineker was able to land some big body punches in the last minute of the fight but in the end, Dillashaw was too much for Lineker in this round and on this night. 10-9 Dillashaw in the third and I had him winning 30-27. Outstanding performance from Dillashaw. He got all the scorecards 30-26, so the judges gave him a 10-8 round in there. Dillashaw said he wants his belt back, called Dominick Cruz a bitch, and said if he doesn’t get the next title shot then it shows the UFC has rigged matchmaking. Wow.

Official Result: TJ Dillashaw def. John Lineker by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)

> Dominick Cruz (C, 22-1, 5-0 UFC) vs. Cody Garbrandt (#5, 10-0, 5-0 UFC)
UFC Bantamweight Championship

Garbrandt was swinging for the fences and he did tag Cruz a couple of times, and he tagged Cruz with some leg kicks. They were trash talking each other. Big chants for Garbrandt. Garbrandt had good head movement and was mocking Cruz at times. Cruz got a takedown and Garbrandt sprawled but they got right back up. Cruz was working his usual movement but Garbrandt was light on his feet. They both landed good punches with a minute to go in the round. Garbrandt got a well-timed takedown at the end but the scrambled to their feet. It was a good round for Garbrandt and I had him 10-9.

Cruz tagged Garbrandt and had him stunned. Loud chants for Cruz started to come in. Garbrandt was landing some punches but Cruz was able to circle away and was using really good movement like usual. They were talking a lot of trash to each other inside the Octagon. Cruz landed a counter right hand after a body kick from Garbrandt and they had a flurry at the end. A very close round but Garbrandt looks to be slowing down. I had it 10-9 for Cruz, and 19-19 after two.

Garbrandt tagged and rocked Cruz early and Cruz was cut open over the left eye. Garbrandt tagged Cruz multiple times during this round. The cut appeared to be from a headbutt. Garbrandt dropped Cruz with a left hand and hurt him with a knee but Cruz was able to survive. Garbrandt had great head movement as he was able to duck under a lot of Cruz punches in this round. Garbrandt is throwing big punches when he has openings. A solid round for Garbrandt, who takes it 10-9, and I have it 29-28 for Garbrandt.

They are still talking trash before the fourth round. Garbrandt dropped Cruz with a big punch and thought the fight might be over so he didn’t go on the attack and Cruz was able to get back to his feet. Garbrandt ducked under a lot of Cruz’ punches and then started mocking Cruz and clowning with him. Big chants for Cody from the crowd. Garbrandt dropped Cruz again and started dancing instead of going for the finish. Garbrandt dropped Cruz a third time. A big round for Garbrandt, 10-8, and I have him up 39-36 Garbrandt. This is a star-making performance.

Garbrandt slowed down in the fifth and Cruz was looking for an opening to finish the fight. Garbrandt spent more time mocking Cruz this round than he did really going after Cruz, almost like he was on cruise control. Cruz started putting the pressure on Garbrandt and was swinging. Garbrandt decided to push Cruz against the fence. Cruz landed a leg kick late. Tough final round to score. I have the last round 10-9 for Cruz, but I have the fight 48-46 for Garbrandt.

Official Result: Cody Garbrandt def. Dominick Cruz by unanimous decision (48-46, 48-47, 48-46) to become the new UFC Bantamweight Champion

> Amanda Nunes (C, 13-4, 6-1 UFC) vs. Ronda Rousey (#1, 12-1, 6-1 UFC)
UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship

This didn’t last long. Nunes rocked Rousey early and often and Rousey was out on her feet early. Nunes was landing a lot of punches and before Rousey could fall to the mat Herb Dean stepped in and stopped the fight. It went less than a minute and Nunes remains the champion. This may be the last time we see Ronda Rousey in the UFC.

Official Result: Amanda Nunes def. Ronda Rousey by TKO (punches) at :48 of Round 1 to remain the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion

UFC 207 betting & DFS playbook: Who to pick & why

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Looking for some advice to gamble some of your Christmas cash Friday night? Here’s suggestions, odds and tips for both betting and DFS for UFC 207.

UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Amanda Nunes (13-4) vs. Ronda Rousey (12-1)

  • Betting Odds: Nunes (+120), Rousey (-130)
  • DraftKings Salaries: Nunes- $8,000, Rousey- $8,400
  • Key Statistic: Rousey hasn’t fought since November 2015

This is an interesting fight to say the least, mainly because there are a lot of question marks surrounding Rousey. Is she better than ever? Has she lost the passion to fight? Is it her last fight? Why is she being so quiet? We haven’t seen much of her since she was knocked out by Holly Holm and while she looks in the best shape of her career heading into fight week, she has refused to do any kind of media, so fans don’t know what to expect. Meanwhile, the dangerous Nunes is on a tear, winning four straight fights and becoming champion at UFC 200 by throttling Miesha Tate.

At her best, Rousey is a better fighter despite her not being as great on her feet. She has brought in new boxing training partners, but she hasn’t switched camps, and she comes from one that many think stunts her growth as a fighter. Nunes is dangerous on her feet, but she fades in fights.

I don’t expect this to go long and maybe not even get out of the first round. The longer it goes, it favors Rousey more. It favors Nunes on the feet, and Rousey on the mat. I think this is a toss-up fight, and a bet on either fighter is a good one. Both are good fantasy plays as well, so it’s best to go with your gut. Mine favors Rousey winning by submission in the first.

UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz (22-1) vs. Cody Garbrandt (10-0)

  • Betting Odds: Cruz (-210), Garbrandt (+190)
  • DraftKings Salaries: Cruz- $8,700, Garbrandt- $7,700
  • Key Statistic: Garbrandt has nine wins by knockout

Both men are looking to cement their names in contention for the best fighter of 2016, and Garbrandt is looking to unseat Cruz as the best bantamweight in the world. Cruz has long been one of the best fighters in the sport, and despite his injury-plagued past, he hasn’t lost a step inside the Octagon. He is also the smartest fighter in the sport, and he has made a career of beating guys from the Team Alpha Male camp. Garbrandt is the next in that line.

Cruz is a big favorite for good reason. Garbrandt is a knockout artist, but Cruz rarely gets hit. When he has, he isn’t chinny at all, and can take a punch. Cruz has excellent movement and Garbrandt is going to have to chase him a lot. The guys from his camp haven’t been able to emulate that, and the one who could, TJ Dillashaw, left the camp over a year ago.

I don’t expect Garbrandt to knock him out, and I doubt he can outpoint Cruz over five rounds. Cruz will land a lot and score some takedowns and rack up fantasy points. He is the better bet and the better fantasy play, especially in a five-round fight.

TJ Dillashaw (13-3) vs. John Lineker (29-7)

  • Betting Odds: Dillashaw (-240), Lineker (+220)
  • DraftKings Salaries: Dillashaw- $8,800, Lineker- $7,400
  • Key Statistic: Both men land over five significant strikes per minute

This is an incredibly interesting fight. Lineker is one of the toughest fighters in the sport and among the hardest-hitting fighters. He is also difficult to prepare for. Dillashaw has become a great fighter under the wing of Duane Ludwig, but he doesn’t have the finishing instinct that Lineker has. He fights too safe at times, and it will hurt him against Lineker.

Lineker is an action fighter and he will bring the fight to Dillashaw. The former champion is in a vulnerable position, and I don’t think this is a great match-up but one he had to take to get a title shot. Both men land a lot of strikes, and Dillashaw could look to take the fight to the mat, but Lineker is dangerous there too. Lineker has the power to end the fight with one punch.

This could be the best fight on the card. Dillashaw is a big favorite, so there is a lot of money to be made on Lineker in this fight. I actually think he will win the fight, which makes him the better fantasy play. I wouldn’t play Dillashaw in fantasy lineups as his salary is at the price where you need a finish, and I don’t see him finishing Lineker.

Dong Hyun Kim (21-3-1 1 NC) vs. Tarec Saffiedine (16-5)

  • Betting Odds: Kim (-140), Saffiedine (+130)
  • DraftKings Salaries: Kim- $8,500, Saffiedine- $7,700
  • Key Statistic: Kim averages three takedowns per 15 minutes

Kim and Saffiedine get the bump to the main card and both are looking to keep themselves in the top ten with an outside chance at contending for the title one day. Kim has won two straight and six of his last seven while Saffiedine has lost two of his last three. Kim is a judo artist with excellent judo throws, and while he is solid on his feet, he isn’t a knockout artist.

Saffiedine is a harder hitter, but he leans more on the safe side as a points fighter. He hasn’t shown that finishing instinct, which is further cemented by the fact he hasn’t finished an opponent in over six years. In fact, Saffiedine has gone the distance in nine of his last ten fights. When it comes to a finish, Kim is the better bet, but I don’t see Kim getting one here as Saffiedine is tough and durable.

I like Kim in this fight, but I wouldn’t bet on either. I also wouldn’t play either in fantasy. However, with only twenty fighters on the card and needing to have six in your lineups, if you are to play one, Kim is the better play due to takedowns and volume.

Louis Smolka (11-2) vs. Ray Borg (9-2)

  • Betting Odds: Smolka (+125), Borg (-135)
  • DraftKings Salaries: Smolka- $8,300, Borg- $7,900
  • Key Statistic: Smolka has a five-inch reach advantage

Smolka and Borg open the main card in a flyweight bout as both look to move up the rankings. Borg missed weight badly though, so his progress may be stunted even with a win.

Smolka is coming off being submitted by Brandon Moreno in a big upset while Borg dropped a decision to Justin Scoggins in his last fight. Smolka has a big advantage in height and reach in this fight, coming in with five inches over Borg in each. Smolka is a good submission artist but he’s had the tendency to get caught when he puts himself in a bad position.

Borg is a solid takedown artist and makes good use of his time in top position. Borg isn’t much of a finisher on his feet and Smolka is the better finisher. Both men have similar wins by submission, and only Smolka has been stopped in his career.

I give the edge in this fight to Smolka, but both men are solid fantasy plays. I feel like this fight will go the distance and it could play a big role in fantasy lineups.

Johny Hendricks (17-5) vs. Neil Magny (18-5)

  • Betting Odds: Hendricks (+110), Magny (-120)
  • DraftKings Salaries: Hendricks- $8,000, Magny- $8,200
  • Key Statistic: Hendricks has 55 takedowns in UFC competition, Magny has 34

Hendricks may have his last chance here at getting back into the title picture as he has lost his last two fights and missed weight again. Magny was on a tear at 170 pounds but has seen his momentum stall recently.

Whenever Hendricks has missed weight, it has hindered his performance as there is a noticeable decline. At his best, Hendricks has the hardest punch at 170 pounds, and a huge wrestling game to back that up. Magny also has a strong takedown game, and he uses his length well. He was hurt pretty badly by Lorenz Larkin in his last fight, and Hendricks can finish him if he is at his best.

This is a tossup fight, and both men are close in the odds and in fantasy. I like Hendricks in this one because of the better chance of a finish.

Antonio Carlos Junior (6-2 1 NC) vs. Marvin Vettori (11-2)

  • Betting Odds: Carlos Junior (-135), Vettori (+125)
  • DraftKings Salaries: Carlos Junior- $8,100, Vettori- $8,100
  • Key Statistic: Carlos Junior has five submission wins, Vettori has eight

This is a solid battle of middleweight prospects. Vettori has won six straight fights and is coming in with a lot of momentum. Carlos Junior has struggled with consistency inside the Octagon as the former TUF Brazil winner has just three wins in six UFC appearances. Carlos Junior is big and athletic, has a fully developed game, and his grappling is very good. Vettori has some good takedowns and good submissions has he has submitted eight of his foes.

Vettori has won all eleven of his fights by stoppage and has never been stopped in his career. Carlos Junior, while an excellent grappler, has some deficiencies on his feet, and Vettori could take advantage there. It is almost a tossup in straight betting, and they have even fantasy salaries. Vettori is the better play in this fight as he has the better chance of scoring a finish, but both are solid plays. I feel Vettori has more opportunities for maximum scoring.

Mike Pyle (27-12-1) vs. Alex Garcia (13-3)

  • Betting Odds: Pyle (+155), Garcia (-175)
  • DraftKings Salaries: Pyle- $7,600, Garcia- $8,600
  • Key Statistic: Pyle has been knocked out in five of his seven UFC losses

Pyle is a 41-year-old veteran of the sport, and his career is starting to come to an end. He is looking for one last big win when he takes on Garcia, who has struggled recently inside the Octagon. This is a good bounce back fight for Garcia, but he shouldn’t take Pyle too lightly. Pyle is a very good fighter and he has 23 wins by stoppage on his record, but his chin is starting to let him down as he’s been knocked out in three of his last four losses.

Garcia is an explosive puncher and he has good takedowns, but he shouldn’t take Pyle lightly on the mat. Pyle can win this fight if he can get the fight in the clinch and wear Garcia down. His chin makes him hard to trust, though. I think this is Garcia’s fight to lose, and I’m sensing a knockout happening here. He is the fantasy play in this one.

Brandon Thatch (11-4) vs. Niko Price (8-0)

  • Betting Odds: Thatch (-175), Price (+155)
  • DraftKings Salaries: Thatch- $9,000, Price- $7,200
  • Key Statistic: Thatch has won all of his fights by stoppage

Thatch was a hot prospect at one time at 170 pounds, but he now finds himself in a must-win situation after losing his last three fights. Price is making his UFC debut on short notice with an undefeated record, and he has a good chance to score an upset. Thatch is a big welterweight and he has explosive striking skills.

All of Thatch’s wins have seen him finish his opponent, with seven wins by knockout and four by submission. If he can find what he’s been missing over the last few years, he is dangerous and this is his fight to lose. Price will try to grapple and find a submission, but he’s far from the level of competition that Thatch has lost to. Thatch has the highest fantasy salary on the card, though I see him winning by a knockout as his striking is too explosive for Price.

Alex Oliveira (16-3-1 1 NC) vs. Tim Means (26-7-1)

  • Betting Odds: Oliveira (-105), Means (-115)
  • DraftKings Salaries: Oliveira- $7,800, Means- $8,400
  • Key Statistic: Means has 22 wins by stoppage

This is one of the better fights on the card and opens the show on Fight Pass. Oliveira is going back up to 170 pounds after missing weight badly for a lightweight bout in his last fight, and he has good size to adjust to welterweight. Means is looking to win his third straight after back-to-back knockout wins, running his record to 22 stoppage wins in his 26 overall wins.

Means is aggressive on his feet and he strings together his punches well, and he is dangerous inside the pocket, in the clinch, and on top in the mat. Oliveira has good reach and he has more power on his feet. Oliveira is the better takedown artist, and he is good as well on the ground. This is a really close fight on paper.

Means has more finishing ability, and Oliveira has been submitted twice inside the Octagon. This fight could see a finish in either way, or it could go the distance. It’ll probably go back-and-forth and will be good. I like Means as the better play in this fight as his finishing chances are higher.

JNPO: UFC 207 preview with MMAjunkie.com’s Dann Stupp

Posted on by Josh Nason

With UFC ready to close out a most eventful year this Friday, we needed a great guest to help unpack the giant suitcase of topics that is UFC 207. Helping Josh Nason with those duties on the 58th edition of Josh Nason’s Punch-Out is MMAjunkie.com editor and past guest Dann Stupp.

Josh and Dann talked for 45 minutes with highlights including:

– Dann’s thoughts on the year that was

– Ronda Rousey’s media blackout this week and how it’s affecting her, the sport, and the way in which sites like MMAJunkie cover the show

– Rousey’s prospects against the champion Amanda Nunes

– The expectations for Dominick Cruz vs. Cody Garbrandt and how Garbrandt could pull off the upset

– The situation behind Cain Velasquez getting pulled off the show

– The overlooked greatness that should be John Lineker vs. TJ Dillashaw

– What happened to Johny Hendricks?

Click below to stream or right click to download:

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UFC Fight Night 88 Las Vegas live results: Thomas Almeida vs. Cody Garbrandt

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC Fight Night 88: Almeida vs. Garbrandt from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The UFC’s annual Memorial Day Weekend event in Las Vegas is headlined by a bout between undefeated bantamweight prospects as 21-0 Thomas Almeida takes on 8-0 Cody Garbrandt. The co-main event features former UFC Bantamweight Champion Renan Barao moving up to the featherweight division as he takes on Jeremy Stephens. Also on the card, in a pivotal bout on UFC Fight Pass, it will be undefeated Aljamain Sterling taking on Bryan Caraway in bantamweight action. Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6 PM eastern time with preliminary action all the way thru the main card.

UFC Fight Night 88 Observer Picks & Preview
UFC Fight Night 88 DFS Playbook

Coverage provided by Ryan Frederick

PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 6 PM ET/3 PM PT)

HEAVYWEIGHTS- CHRIS DE LA ROCHA (4-1, 0-1 UFC) VS. ADAM MILSTEAD (7-1, 0-0 UFC)

ROUND 1- Milstead is making his UFC debut. They start swinging wildly to start. Milstead with a big right hand and de la Rocha pulls guard. They scramble up and Milstead lands a knee. They trade right hands. Milsread with another big right hand. de la Rocha lands one and then gets a takedown but they scramble up against the cage. Milstead with an elbow against the fence. Not much happening in the clinch. They break. de la Rocha is cut. They trade big punches and both are starting to tire early. Milstead with a big right hand and then two more. Milstead with a combo and a big right hand. Milstead landing punches and de la Rocha initiates a clinch against the fence. They break and Milstead with a solid left hand. de la Rocha scores a sloppy takedown but they get to their feet. Milstead with a big elbow in the clinch. They break. Milstead with a big left hook and a right hand and misses a head kick. 10-9 Milstead.

ROUND 2- They trade punches to start to second. Milstead with a big uppercut followed by a right hand. They trade punches in a scramble. de la Rocha with a right hand. They trade big punches. de la Rocha has a large cheering section in the arena. de la Rocha shoots for a takedown against the fence. He’s working for it but eats a big elbow from Milstead. They are broken up with not much going on in the clinch. de la Rocha goes for a kick but Milstead catches the leg and lands a big right hand. Milstead starting to tee off and has de la Rocha in trouble. de la Rocha is bleeding very badly. Milstead with two big right hands. Two more big right hands and another couple shots and the referee steps in and stops this fight. Milstead with a big TKO win in his UFC debut.

Official Result: Adam Milstead def. Chris de la Rocha by TKO (punches) at 4:01 of Round 2

BANTAMWEIGHTS- (#4) ALJAMAIN STERLING (13-0, 4-0 UFC) VS. (#8) BRYAN CARAWAY (20-7, 5-2 UFC)

ROUND 1- This is a big fight in the bantamweight division. Sterling with a quick front kick and another. They trade punches. Sterling with a jumping kick that misses but lands a spin kick. Sterling grabs a single leg but Caraway defends. They trade punches in the clinch. Sterling grabs the back and drags Caraway to the ground and has the hooks in and is looking for the choke. Sterling with punches from the back. Sterling has an arm over the neck. Caraway escapes but Sterling with big punches from the back and he tries to set up the choke again. Sterling still has the back and landing big punches from the back. Sterling has a modified choke in looking for the finish. Caraway survives. Big round for Sterling. 10-8 Sterling.

ROUND 2- Caraway looks to land a right hand quickly. Sterling shoots for a takedown but Caraway sprawls and has the neck of Sterling looking for a choke. Sterling escapes to his feet. Sterling with a body kick and then another. Sterling lands a big right hand and a big leg kick. Caraway lands a right hand. Sterling with a leg kick. They trade strikes and clinch against the fence. Not much happening but they break the clinch. Sterling just misses a spinning back fist. Caraway shoots for the takedown but Sterling defends against the cage. Caraway gets him down though. Caraway with punches from the top. Caraway looking for the back. Caraway transitions to the back and is landing punches. Caraway gets into half-guard. Caraway looking for a choke but the round ends. 10-9 Caraway, 19-18 Sterling.

ROUND 3- This round will decide it and its interesting how the judges scored the first. Sterling with a leg kick. Caraway looks the fresher of the two. They trade and Caraway misses a takedown. Sterling with a front kick followed by a right hand. Caraway gets a takedown but Sterling has the neck. Not much happening on the ground. They scramble to the feet but Caraway looking for another takedown. He gets it after Sterling lands a big knee. Caraway in the half-guard. Sterling has an inverted triangle locked in but Caraway escapes. Caraway not doing much and Sterling looking for the ref to stand them up. Caraway gets to the back of Sterling and looking for a choke. Sterling stands up and Caraway is on his back. Caraway with punches from the back. They go back to the mat and the fight ends. Real interesting decision coming up. 10-9 Caraway, 28-28.

Official Result: Bryan Caraway def. Aljamain Sterling by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

PRELIMINARY CARD (FOX SPORTS 1- 7 PM ET/4 PM PT)

LIGHTWEIGHTS- ERIK KOCH (14-4, 3-3 UFC) VS. SHANE CAMPBELL (12-4, 1-2 UFC)

ROUND 1- Campbell with two leg kicks to start and he slips on a third. Koch with a left hand. They trade leg kicks. Koch lands a left hand and then another. Koch with a head kick followed by a left hand. They trade punches. Koch with a head kick that stuns Campbell and they trade against the fence before a clinch. Koch with some knees in the tie-up. They trade knees. Both still battling in the clunch and landing knees and they finally break. Koch with a high kick. They trade and Campbell goes for a takedown but it is defended against the fence. Koch gets a takedown after eating an elbow. Koch takes the back and transitions to another takedown. Koch gets the back again. 10-9 Koch.

ROUND 2- Campbell lands a big punch and Koch immediately scores a takedown and is in the half-guard. Koch working to get into the mount but Campbell defending well on the bottom. Koch still working from the top and is setting up position but transitions to the back. Koch has the back and is looking to get the arm under the neck. Koch landing punches from the back and he locks a choke in and Campbell taps out! Big win for Koch in his first fight in over two years.

Official Result: Erik Koch def. Shane Campbell by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:02 of Round 2

MIDDLEWEIGHTS- JAKE COLLIER (9-3, 1-2 UFC) VS. ALBERTO UDA (9-0, 0-0 UFC)

ROUND 1- Uda makes his UFC debut. They clinch right away and Uda looks to land the knees. They break and Collier lands a left hook. They clinch again and trade knees and push the fight against the fence. Uda with a big knee as they break. Collier with a body kick. Uda with a big knee and a head kick and he has Collier in trouble. Uda grabs the back and lands punches and they go to the mat for a moment but scramble right back up. Uda has the body locked but misses a takedown and gives his back up to Collier.They clinch and land knees. They break and Collier with a spinning back fist. They clinch again. Each with a knee. They trade knees again. Collier scores a takedown. Collier in the full guard of Uda and lands a big left hand. Collier gets to his feet and it allows Uda to take his back and Uda looks for a choke. Uda ends on top landing punches as the round ends. 10-9 Uda.

ROUND 2- They come out punching and clinch right up. Collier grabs the body looking for a takedown but Uda is defending. Collier with some solid punches as they break. They trade body kicks and Collier seemed to hurt Uda with his. Collier with some big punches and a spin kick and Uda goes down and Collier finishes him off with a couple more punches from the top. Big win for Collier as he hands Uda his first career loss.

Official Result: Jake Collier def. Alberto Uda by TKO (strikes) at 1:06 of Round 2

LIGHTWEIGHTS- ABEL TRUJILLO (14-6 1 NC, 5-2 1 NC UFC) VS. JORDAN RINALDI (12-4, 0-0 UFC)

ROUND 1- Rinaldi is making his UFC debut on short notice against a tough opponent in Trujillo. Rinaldi with a leg kick. Trujillo lands a big right hand. Trujillo gets a takedown and is in the full guard of Rinaldi. Trujillo with a body punch from the top. Trujillo gets to his feet and Rinaldi stays on the mat until ordered up by Herb Dean. Trujillo with a big right hand and then stuffs a takedown attempt from Rinaldi. Rinaldi ducks under a left hand from Trujillo and they clinch against the fence. They trade punches and Trujillo lands big with a right hand. Left hook by Trujillo. Front kick by Trujillo. Trujillo lands a big right hand as they exchange punches. They trade left hands as the round ends. 10-9 Trujillo.

ROUND 2- Trujillo gets a takedown to start the second round. Rinaldi grabs the arm looking for the armbar but Trujillo defends it well. Trujillo now in the full guard of Rinaldi. Trujillo stands up and Rinaldi gets to his feet. They trade punches and Rinaldi grabs the back of Trujillo and scores a takedown along the fence. Rinaldi has the back and the hooks in and is looking for the choke. Rinaldi with punches from the back. Rinaldi has an arm under the neck. Trujillo escapes the attack and they start to each land punches on the mat. Rinaldi still working for the choke. He has Trujillo flattened out but no choke in. Trujillo staying out of the choke but eating punches from Rinaldi. Trujillo scrambes out to the top but the round ends before he is able to do anything. 10-9 Rinaldi, 19-19.

ROUND 3- Trujillo quickly goes for a takedown and lands a big right hand. They trade punches and each man connects. They scramble on the mat and to the feet and Rinaldi lands a knee. They trade and Trujillo defends a takedown and they clinch against the fence. They break. Rinaldi goes for a takedown but eats a knee from Trujillo. Trujillo with a big right hand. Rinaldi with a head kick. Trujillo with a right hand and he looks the fresher of the two with two minutes left. Trujillo throwing bombs at Rinaldi and some are landing. Trujillo with a left hook and another and he has Rinaldi rocked. Trujillo gets a takedown in what will probably guarantee him the win. Trujillo with punches from inside the guard. Neither man doing much on the mat. Rinaldi tries to scramble but eats a hammerfist from Trujillo, who gets to his feet. Herb Dean orders Rinaldi up. Trujillo with a left hook. 10-9 Trujillo, 29-28 Trujillo.

Official Result: Abel Trujillo def. Jordan Rinaldi by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

WOMEN’S BANTAMWEIGHTS- (#6) SARA MCMANN (8-3, 2-3 UFC) VS. (#7) JESSICA EYE (11-4 1 NC, 1-3 1 NC UFC)

ROUND 1- Both women are in desperate need of a win here. Eye with a right hand. They trade and McMann goes for a takedown and they clinch against the fence. McMann with a couple of knees. McMann just holding on and not doing much. McMann with a knee. Another knee by McMann. They trade right hands. McMann misses a right hand. Eye lands a right hand. Both miss punche attempts. Eye with a missed body kick. Not much happened. 10-9 McMann.

ROUND 2- They trade punches. Eye with a right hand. McMann slips after getting hit by Eye. They trade punches and Eye lands as she circles away. McMann goes for a takedown but it is defended by Eye who lands a punch. They trade punches and McMann goes for a takedown and gets it. McMann with some hammerfists from the top. Eye throws up the leg to defend. McMann moves to side control and scrambles to the back. McMann with punches from the back and a knee to the body. 10-9 McMann, 20-18 McMann.

ROUND 3- McMann with a leg kick and Eye fires back with a combo and a leg kick. Eye with a leg kick and a right hand. McMann gets a takedown and is in side control. Eye looking to scramble out. McMann lands punches from the back. McMann has the back. Back elbow from Eye. McMann still has the back. McMann with punches from the back. Eye tries to scramble out but McMann still has the back and is landing punches. McMann looking for a north-south choke. She gets into the half-guard of Eye. McMann with some punches from the top and Eye starts to land from bottom but the fight ends. 10-9 McMann, 30-27 McMann.

Official Result: Sara McMann def. Jessica Eye by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

MAIN CARD (FOX SPORTS 1- 9 PM ET/6 PM PT)

LIGHTWEIGHTS- JOSH BURKMAN (28-12 1 NC, 6-7 1 NC UFC) VS. PAUL FELDER (11-2, 3-2 UFC)

ROUND 1- Burkman going for side kicks. Each land leg kicks. Burkman with a head kick. Burkman with a leg kick. Felder with a head kick. Felder with a body kick. Burkman misses a right hand. They trade punches. Felder with a head kick. They trade punches and Burkman lands a right hand. Burkman with a leg kick. Each mand lands big and they are throwing bombs at each other. Burkman gets the takedown and is in side control. They get to the fence and Felder wall walks up. Burkman with a leg trip and they go down for a moment but get right back up. Burkman with a knee to the body. 10-9 Burkman.

ROUND 2- Burkman with a body kick and Felder fires back a leg kick. Burkman with a right hand. Felder with a leg kick. They trade punches. Felder with a leg kick.They trade and Felder lands a right hand. Felder with a combo. Burkman with a body kick. Felder with a hard both kick. They trade and then clinch. Burkman with a knee to the body and switches position. They break the clinch with just over a minute left in the round. Felder with a right hand. Felder rocks Burkman with a left and they trade against the fence. Felder clinches and lands a knee. Felder with an elbow. Felder gets the back of Burkman and lands a knee. 10-9 Felder, 19-19.

ROUND 3- They trade nice combinations to start the final round as this one likely decides it.Felder with a spin kick and slips for a moment. Felder with a big right hand. Felder lands a right hand. Burkman just misses a right hand. Felder with a leg kick and then another. Burkman with a knee kick and Felder counters with a leg kick. Felder just misses a head kick. Burkman with a left hand. They clinch and Felder lands a big knee as Burkman pushes the fight against the fence. Burkman has the body lock looking for a takedown and he gets it, Felder gets right back to his feet. They battle for position. They battle for underhooks. Burkman is bleeding pretty good right now. They are broken up from the clinch. Burkman with a late takedown as the fight ends. 10-9 Felder, 29-28 Felder.

Official Result: Paul Felder def. Josh Burkman by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

WELTERWEIGHTS- JORGE MASVIDAL (29-10, 6-3 UFC) VS. LORENZ LARKIN (16-5 1 NC, 3-5 UFC)

ROUND 1- Larkin with a left hand. They trade punches and Larkin lands a leg kick. Larkin with a big body kick. They trade punches and Larkin lands a leg kick and then a right hand. Masvidal lands a right hand following a leg kick. Larkin with the jab and then a leg kick. Masvidal with a leg kick. They each fire off punches at the other. They clinch against the fence. Each with some knees in the clinch. Larkin lands on the break and lands a leg kick. They trade punches and Larkin just misses an uppercut. Masvidal gets poked in the eye and is in a lot of pain. This could end the fight. Replay shows it was a bad eye poke and the doctor is checking on Masvidal. Masvidal is able to continue and lands a leg kick. 10-9 Larkin.

ROUND 2- Larkin with a huge leg kick in the opening minute of the round. Masvidal with a leg kick of his own. They trade leg kicks. Larkin just misses an uppercut. They trade punches and Larkin clinches with Masvidal against the fence. They battle for underhooks but break. Masvidal with a soft head kick. Larkin with a body punch. Larkin with a leg kick. Masvidal lands a right hand. They clinch against the fence. Larkin lands a big punch. They are firing away at each other. Masvidal with a leg kick but Larkin counters with a solid combo. They trade punches and Larkin with a knee. Larkin gets a late takedown at the end of the round. 10-9 Larkin, 20-18 Larkin.

ROUND 3- Larkin with a huge leg kick. Larkin with a big uppercut and they clinch. Both men throwing bombs at each other against the fence. Masvidal just misses a flying knee. Masvidal grabs the neck and pulls Larkin to the ground and they scramble back to their feet. Masvidal is deep on a takedown attempt against the fence. Masvidal gets a brief takedown as Larkin bounces right back to his feet. They thrown wild punches at each other and then clinch again. Larkin with some short punches as Masvidal is in on a takedown and then lets go. Masvidal going for another takedown but it is again defended. Larkin going for the takedown and lands a spinning elbow as the fight ends. 10-9 Larkin, 30-27 Larkin.

Official Result: Lorenz Larkin def. Jorge Masvidal by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

MIDDLEWEIGHTS- CHRIS CAMOZZI (23-10, 8-7 UFC) VS. VITOR MIRANDA (12-4, 3-1 UFC)

ROUND 1- Camozzi with a leg kick. Miranda with a body kick and Camozzi lands a leg kick. They trade kicks again. Miranda with a leg kick. Camozzi with a left hand. Miranda with a leg kick and then a body punch. Camozzi with a nice combo that backs Miranda against the fence. Camozzi with a leg kick. Miranda with a body kick. Camozzi goes for a head kick but Miranda grabs the leg and they scramble to the mat. They each land punches on the mat as they have their legs all tied up. Camozzi with some punches and Moranda isn’t doing much. 10-9 Camozzi.

ROUND 2- Camozzi with a nice combo to start off the second round. Miranda with a body punch. Miranda with a high kick. Miranda with a body kick. Camozzi catches the leg and gets a takedown and is in the guard of Miranda. Camozzi with some body punches from the top. Miranda tries to scramble out and it allows Camozzi to take his back. Camozzi looking to flatten Miranda out but Miranda is working to get to his feet. Camozzi in the half-guard and landing punches from the position. Other than that, not much action. Camozzi with some big elbows as the round ends. 10-9 Camozzi, 20-18 Camozzi.

ROUND 3- Miranda has a cut and it was checked on before the round. They trade punches and Camozzi scores the takedown and is looking to take the back. Camozzi is on top looking to improve position but not much action going on. Miranda scrambles to his feet. Miranda is bleeding pretty badly. Miranda lands a head kick but Camozzi comes back with a combo. They trade punches. They clinch and Camozzi lands a knee. Miranda with a high kick. Miranda lands a right hand. Miranda with a big high kick. Camozzi lands a left hand. Camozzi with a solid combo. Miranda misses a big left hand. Miranda with a leg kick. Camozzi with the short jab. Miranda lands a left uppercut. Camozzi should take this fight pretty easily. 10-9 Camozzi, 30-27 Camozzi.

Official Result: Chris Camozzi def. Vitor Miranda by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

WELTERWEIGHTS- (#10) TAREC SAFFIEDINE (16-4, 2-1 UFC) VS. (#11) RICK STORY (18-8, 11-6 UFC)

ROUND 1- Story with a leg kick to start. Story misses on some left hands. Saffiedine with a leg kick. They trade punches and clinch and Story pushes against the fence. They scramble on the mat for a moment but end up clinched back against the fence. Story with some body punches as Saffiedine has ahold of him. Neither man can separate from the other. Story with a right hand and they clinch against the fence again. Story with some big body punches at the close and Saffiedine lands a knee and a kick that was clearly after the bell. 10-9 Story.

ROUND 2- Saffiedine with a high kick and then a leg kick. Saffiedine with a front kick. Story slips after a leg kick and Saffiedine gets on top but they get right back to their feet. They clinch but notjing happens. Story with a leg kick and Saffiedine fires back with his own leg kick. Saffiedine shoots for a takedown but it is defended. Story pushes Saffiedine against the fence. They try to break but Story again pushes Saffiedine against the fence in a clinch. Story lands some punches against the fence and back to the clinch. They break for a moment and Saffiedine lands a punch and Story goes back in the clinch and lands some short knees. 10-9 Story, 20-18 Story.

ROUND 3- Saffiedine with a leg kick. Story with his own leg kick. Story with some big body punches as he gets in close range and they clinch. They break. Story with a leg kick but Saffiedine counters with a left hand. Story lands a left hand. They clinch again against the fence. Story with some body punches against the fence. They trade punches and Story again with the clinch against the fence. They each land punches as they break. This fight is on repeat with all the clinch, break and clinch again action. Story with a leg kick and Saffiedine fires back his own leg kick. They trade punches. They exchange again. Story with body punches. Story goes for a takedown but it is defended. 10-9 Story, 30-27 Story.

Official Result: Rick Story def. Tarec Saffiedine by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

FEATHERWEIGHTS- (#2 BW) RENAN BARAO (33-3 1 NC, 8-2 UFC) VS. (#9) JEREMY STEPHENS (24-12, 11-11 UFC)

ROUND 1- Barao making his debut at 145 pounds. Barao with a quick leg kick. Barao with a body kick. Stephens with a leg kick. Barao lands a right hand. Stephens with a leg kick but Barao catches it and fires off a combo. Barao with a leg kick. Barao lands a right hand. Stephens with a body kick. Barao with a leg kick. Barao with a leg kick. Barao shoots for a takedown but it is defended against the fence. Barao with a couple of knees. They break the clinch. They trade punches. Barao with a body kick. They clinch and knee lands from Barao. Barao tries a trip and it breaks the clinch. They trade punches and Barao with a spinning back kick. Barao shoots for a takedown but it is defended. Barao has the back but the round ends. 10-9 Barao.

ROUND 2- Stephens lands a big right hand to start. Barao shoots for a takedown but it is stuffed. Stephens with a leg kick. They trade punches and Barao with a quick knee. Stephens with a left hand and then rocks Barao with an uppercut. Barao circling away and Stephens lands two more big uppercuts. Big right hand from Stephens and Barao lands a knee. Big punches from Stephens. Barao is slowing down and he goes for a takedown but it is stuffed. Stephens with a knee to the body and then some foot stomps. They each land short punches in the clinch. They break. Barao with a spinning kick. Stephens with a body kick. Stephens lands a left hand. They trade punches. Barao with a late takedown but Stephens lands a big elbow and is able to get to his feet and reverse position. 10-9 Stephens, 19-19.

ROUND 3- Barao with a leg kick. Barao lands a left hand. Stephens lands a nice combo. Stephens with a left hand. Barao with a leg kick. Barao with a solid combo to the body. Stephens just misses a big left hook. Barao lands a left hand and goes for a takedown against the fence. Stephens with some knees to the legs of Barao. They trade punches. Both men landing big shots. Stephens lands a solid left hand after missing an uppercut. Barao goes for a takedown and gets it. Barao moves to the back of Stephens. They break. Barao just misses the spin kick to the face. Stephens lands a left hand. Stephens lands a big right hand. They trade body kicks. Stephens grabs the body but they break. Stephens lands a big left hand as the fight ends. Close deciding round. 10-9 Stephens, 29-28 Stephens.

Official Result: Jeremy Stephens def. Renan Barao by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

BANTAMWEIGHTS- (#7) THOMAS ALMEIDA (21-0, 4-0 UFC) VS. CODY GARBRANDT (8-0, 3-0 UFC)

ROUND 1- Someone is going to suffer their first career loss. Garbrandt tries a cartwheel kick to start. They trade leg kicks. Garbrandt with a combo and just misses a flying knee. They trade punches. Garbrandt with a right hand. Garbrandt lands some punches and a big right hand. Almeida just misses a right hand. Garbrandt with a leg kick and a combo. Garbrandt with a huge punch and Almeida is in trouble. Almeida fires back though. They trade punches as Almeida looks to have recovered. Both men land big punches. Garbrandt with a big right hand and Almeida is down and out! Garbrandt scores the big knockout win!

Official Result: Cody Garbrandt def. Thomas Almeida by knockout (punches) at 2:53 of Round 1