Dave Meltzer covers the death of Tom Cole, reviews NXT Takeover: Vengeance Day and more.
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FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE
For the first time maybe ever, Garrett Gonzalez and I will be doing two shows over the next two days, with a Friday night show as well as a late Saturday night show. Bryan and I will be back Sunday covering WWE Elimination Chamber.
A few added notes on Wednesday ratings. AEW was No. 4 for the night where almost everything was down from usual levels due to the blackout in Texas. The late-night NBA game was No. 2, but AEW head-to-head beat the NBA game on ESPN by 0.31 to 0.25 in 18-49 while viewers were almost identical at 747,000 for AEW and 749,000 for the NBA game. NXT finished No. 39 which is a lot better than the show has been doing. All the breakdowns are in the current issue and there will be more breakdowns in next week’s issue. Both shows beat the NHL game on NBC Sports Network.
Smackdown tonight has Kevin Owens & Daniel Bryan & Cesaro vs. King Corbin & Sami Zayn & Jey Uso. 205 Live has August Grey vs. Ariya Daivari.
The 2020 Awards issue will be out in one week.
UFC weigh-ins for tomorrow’s show on ESPN+ starting at 5 p.m. Eastern. Four fighters missed weight, including one all-time record miss as Rafael Alves weighed 157.5 pounds for a fight contracted at 145 against Patrick Sabatini. That fight has been canceled.
Serghei Spivak (245) vs. Jared Venderaa (265)
Aiemann Zahabi (136) vs. Drako Rodriguez (140.5). Rodriguez missed by 4.5 pounds and had to forfeit 30 percent of his purse to Zahabi
Chas Skelly (146) vs. Jamal Emmers (145.5)
Shana Dobson (126) vs. Casey O’Neill (125.5)
Nate Landwehr (146) vs. Julian Erosa (145.5)
Eddie Wineland (135.5) vs. John Castaneda (136)
Drakkar Klose (156) vs. Luis Pena (155.5)
Jared Gordon (150) vs. Danny Chavez (145). Grodon had to forfeit 30 percent of his purse to Chavez
Andrei Arlovski (249.5) vs Tom Aspinall (244.5)
Phil Hawes (185) vs. Nassourdine Imavov (185.5)
Aleksei Oleinik (240) vs Chris Daukaus (234)
Charles Rosa (146) vs. Darrick Minner (146)
Ketlen Vieira (138) vs. Yana Kunitskaya (135.5). Vieira forfeits 20 percent of her purse to Kunitskaya
Curtis Blaydes (259) vs. Derrick Lewis (263)
The current issue of the Observer has an in-depth story on Tom Cole and the tragedy of his death. Slam Wrestling has a story on his funeral held earlier today.
Elimination Chamber odds from BetOnline.ag
Raw
Drew McIntyre -200
Sheamus +250
A.J. Styles +600
Randy Orton +700
Kofi Kingston +4000
Jeff Hardy +5000
Smackdown
Kevin Owens -125
Cesaro +150
Daniel Bryan +450
Jey Uso +1000
King Corbin +5000
Sami Zayn +5000
UFC
TikTok has struck a multi-year deal with UFC to host exclusive livestreamed content and behind-the-scenes content.
Gregor Gillespie vs.Brad Riddell has been added to the 3/20 show.
Mario Bautista vs. Trevin Jones has been added to the 3/6 show. Bautista replaces injured Randy Costa
Gina Mazany, who has done some pro wrestling out of Las Vegas, will face Priscilla Cachoeira on 5/15.
SportsBetting.ag lists Kamaru Usman as a -310 favorite over Jorge Masvidal.
AEW
Tony Khan’s position at the Jacksonville Jaguars has been elevated to Chief Football Strategy Officer. This was part of hiring Karim Kassam as Senior Vice President of Football Operations Strategy, overseeing technology and analytics and working with Khan.
The 2011 Destination X PPV will air on AXS TV at 3 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, which included Abyss vs. Brian Kendrick for the X title, Christopher Daniels vs. A.J. Styles, RVD vs.Jerry Lynn, Samoa Joe vs Frankie Kazarian, Alex Shelley & Robbie E (Robert Stone in WWE) vs. Amazing Red vs. Shannon Moore, and Young Bucks vs. Eric Young & Shark Boy.
An interview with ROH’s Joe Hendry talking about him singing since he can’t travel to the U.S. and wrestle and shows aren’t being run much in the U.K. is at
SWE Fury TV show results from this week’s episode
Angel Cammacho defeated Gideo Vane
The Blood Hunter defeated The Bible Club in a Handicap Match
Rob More Received an Award from SWE Fury Lifetime Achievement Award presented by James Beard and Tim Storm
“The Real Deal” Nobbie bryant defeated AJ Barratt
Jazmine Allure defeated Livi Loka
Rodney Mac defeated Bam Bam Malone to become the #1 contender for the SWE Fury TV Title.
Christi Janes Defeated Miranda Gordy to become the new SWE Fury Women’s Champion
The full episode can be viewed on YouTube at this link.
Slam Wrestling talks to Gabi Tuft, the former Tyler Reks who has come out as transgender.
RF Video will be doing virtual autograph signings with Mike Rotunda on 2/21 and a rare appearance with Dan Severn and Ken Shamrock together on 3/4.
Pro Wrestling Phoenix on 3/26 at the Waiting Room Lounge in Omaha, NE.
Bare Knuckle Boxing returns to the Biloxi MS Civic Center on 3/19 with an iPPV show headlined by Leonard Garcia, the former UFC star, against Joe Elmore. former WBO Junior welterweight champion DeMarcus Corely will face Reggie Barnett Jr.
LFA tonight at 9 p.m. Eastern on UFC Fight Pass from the Hartman Arena in Park City, KS ios headliend by Victor Altamirano (8-1) vs. Carlos Mota (5-0) in a flyweight fight and another flyweight fight with Charles Johnson (7-2) vs. Karelee Pangilian (6-0).
Jerry Lawler, Arn Anderson and Brooke Hogan were all announced for the next WrestleCon in Tampa over WrestleMania weekend.
Deathmatch Downunder in Melbourne, Australia has rescheduled the show set for last weekend, canceled due to a lockdown, to 3/6.
MLW this coming Wednesday will air a 2003 show that includes Terry Funk C.M. Punk, Joey Styles, Steve Williams, Satoshi Kojima and Steve Corino.
Innovate Wrestling on 3/27 at the Kingsport, TN Civic Auditorium for Innovate Homecoming.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC On ESPN+ 4: Lewis vs. Dos Santos, emanating from the Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas.
The Octagon visits the state of Kansas for the very first time with a main event featuring a former heavyweight champion and a former title challenger along with an exciting undercard.
Derrick Lewis looks to get back into the win column after coming up short in his first UFC title shot when he takes on former UFC Heavyweight Champion Junior Dos Santos in the headline bout. Lewis lost by second-round submission when he challenged Daniel Cormier for the championship in November at UFC 230 and is eager to get back in title contention. Dos Santos comes into this fight having put himself back into the title picture off of two straight wins.
In the co-main event, it is an exciting welterweight bout between rising contenders Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos, winner of six straight, and Curtis Millender, who has won nine straight. Also on the card is a heavyweight bout between Blagoy Ivanov and Ben Rothwell, who returns to action after being out for almost three years.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 5 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.
ESPN+ PRELIMS | 5 PM ET/2 PM PT
> Alex White (12-5, 3-5 UFC) vs. Dan Moret (13-4, 0-1 UFC) Lightweights
Moret with some hard left hands to start off and goes for a takedown against the fence. Moret with some knees to the legs as he looks for a trip. White defending the takedown well. Moret still working for the takedown. They break for a second and Moret lands a combo and goes back for the takedown. White defending and has the neck and a standing guillotine but Moret pops out and they exchange before Moret goes back for the takedown and finally gets it. Moret looking to step over to mount as he remains on top. White with short punches from the bottom but Moret landing elbows and punches now. They scramble to their feet and now White going for a takedown but time runs out. 10-9 Moret.
White with an inside leg kick and Moret goes for underhooks and a takedown but White reverses against the fence. White with a knee. They battle for underhooks. They break. White with a right hook. They trade and Moret shoots but White grabs the neck again for a standing guillotine. Moret now grabs White’s neck as he goes for a takedown. Both men are tired. They break. White lands a combo. White with an uppercut. White is cut open. They clinch again as Moret goes for the takedown. They break and trade punches. White with a spin kick and lands some solid punches on Moret. White with a combo that rocks Moret. 10-9 White, 19-19.
White lands a punch as Moret shoots in for a takedown. Moret is warned for holding the fence as White reverses positions and gets a takedown. They pop up and Moret warned again for grabbing the fence. They break and trade. Moret works for a takedown again but eating body punches from White. White now working for a takedown and gets it. They get back up and battle for underhooks. Moret now dropping for a takedown but White defending it. White with some elbows. They break and start trading as the fight ends. Wild exchanges to end the fight. 10-9 White, 29-28 White.
Official Result- Alex White def. Dan Moret by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Alex Morono (15-5 1 NC, 4-2 1 NC UFC) vs. Zak Ottow (17-6, 4-3 UFC) Welterweights
Morono with a right hand. They trade. Morono with a front kick. Ottow with a hard body kick. Morono just misses a swinging right hand. Ottow with a short front kick. They trade punches. Morono with a spin kick. Ottow gets a takedown but Morono reverses and takes the back and is landing punches and elbows trying to finish. Morono flattens him out and is landing and it is stopped. Solid showing by Morono.
Official Result- Alex Morono def. Zak Ottow by TKO (strikes) at 3:34 of Round 1
> Louis Smolka (15-5, 6-5 UFC) vs. Matt Schnell (#15 FLW, 12-4, 2-2 UFC) Bantamweights
They trade kicks. Schnell lands a combo. Schnell landing more and rocks Smolka with a right hand. Smolka lands a left hook. Schnell with a combo but eats a hard left from Smolka. They clinch and Schnell gets a takedown. Schnell gets a guillotine locked in and Smolka is ok. Smolka pops out. Schnell now trying for a triangle choke and now an armbar but Smolka escaoes. Schnell now back to the triangle and he gets Smolka to tap! Solid win for Schnell as he hunted for the submission and found one that got the job done.
Official Result- Matt Schnell def. Louis Smolka by submission (triangle choke) at 3:18 of Round 1
> Maurice Greene (6-2, 1-0 UFC) vs. Jeff Hughes (10-1, 0-0 UFC) Heavyweights
Hughes lands a left hand. Hughes with a right hand to the body. Greene lands a left but eats a leg kick from Hughes. Greene with a body kick. They trade punches. Greene with a hard right hand. Hughes with a leg kick. Greene with a body kick. They trade in close. Greene with some elbows as they clinch and then some hard knees and more elbows. They break to the center. Hughes with a combo and then works for a single leg against the fence. Greene defends with elbows. Hughes with a right hand. They trade at the end and Hughes lands a right. 10-9 Greene.
Hughes with a combo. They trade as they get to the center of the Octagon. Hughes with a combo. Hughes with a punch to the body off a kick from Greene. Hughes goes for a takedown against the fence. They break and Greene hurts Hughes with a punch and Hughes stumbles back. He recovers and lands a left on Greene. They trade against the fence and Hughes lands a combo. Greene with a body kick. Hughes lands a left hook. Hughes lands at the end. 10-9 Hughes, 19-19.
Crowd loud for the start of the third. Greene with a body kick. Hughes with a right hand. Greene with a body kick and they trade punches. Hughes with a short right hand. Hughes with the jab. They trade jabs. Greene with a body kick and Hughes counters with a right hand. They trade right hands. Hughes misses a spin kick. Hughes with a right hand and misses a spinning back fist. Hughes with the jab. Hughes lands a head kick. They both miss spin kicks at the end. Close fight. 10-9 Hughes, 29-28 Hughes.
Official Result- Maurice Greene def. Jeff Hughes by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
> Grant Dawson (12-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Julian Erosa (22-6, 1-2 UFC) Featherweights
Erosa with a side kick. Dawson goes for a takedown and gets it. Erosa locks a triangle choke in and starts landing elbows. Dawson escapes and lands some punches from the top. They get to their feet. Dawson works for a takedown and gets it. They get back up. They trade and Erosa rocks Dawson but Dawson gets a takedown. Dawson in the guard. They get up. Dawson picks Erosa up and carries him around the cage and gets a slam. Dawson passes to side control. Dawson back to the guard and is winging punches. Dawson with some short body punches. 10-9 Dawson.
Dawson gets a takedown right away and lands some punches. Erosa lands an upkick. They get back up and Erosa lands an uppercut. They trade and Dawson goes for a takedown. They scramble and Dawson gets the back but they get up. Erosa lands a right hand. Erosa with a leg kick and trips up Dawson for a second. Erosa hurting Dawson with leg kicks. Dawson with a knee and lands a combo. They are trading and Dawson has Erosa hurt. Erosa with a spinning back fist and goes down from it He gets up and they trade against the fence. Dawson slips on his own spinning back fist. They trade and Erosa lands some punches. Dawson with a spinning back fist. 10-9 Dawson, 20-18 Dawson.
Both winging punches. Erosa lands a punch and Dawson takes him down. Dawson working in the guard and Erosa searching for a triangle. Dawson gets the back and is working for a choke. Dawson gets back in the guard and then gets the back again and trying to flatten Erosa out. He has the choke for a moment but Erosa escapes. Dawson with some ground and pound now. Dawson back in the guard and landing some more ground and pound at the end. 10-9 Dawson, 30-27 Dawson.
Official Result- Grant Dawson def. Julian Erosa by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 29-27)
> Marion Reneau (#6, 9-4-1, 5-3-1 UFC) vs. Yana Kunitskaya (#9, 11-4 1 NC, 1-1 UFC) Women’s Bantamweights
Kunitskaya with a leg kick. Reneau lands a right hand. Kunitskaya gets a brief takedown. She gets the fight back down. They get back to their feet. Kunitskaya with some knees as they clinch. Reneau with a short elbow but Kunitskaya continues to land knees. Kunitskaya with a calf kick after they break and then a body kick. Kunitskaya misses a spinning back fist. Kunitskaya with a leg kick. Kunitskaya lands the spinning back fist this time. Reneau lands a right hand and gets a takedown after catching the leg of Kunitskaya. Reneau gets on top at the end. 10-9 Kunitskaya.
Reneau lands a quick combo. They clinch and Kunitskaya with some knees. They break. Reneau lands some punches. Kunitskaya with a quick knee but eats a left hand from Reneau. Kunitskaya with some leg kicks. Reneau with a right hand to the body and Kunitskaya counters with a left. Reneau with some right hands. Kunitskaya missing her kicks. Reneau lands some quick punches. Reneau with a body combo. Reneau with a front kick. Reneau with a combo. They trade and Reneau getting the better of it 10-9 Reneau, 19-19.
They trade and Kunitskaya with a body kick. Kunitskaya lands a right hand. Reneau with a left hand. Kunitskaya with a leg kick. Reneau lands a combo. Kunitskaya with an inside leg kick. Reneau backs her up with some punches. They continue to trade quick punches and Reneau is controlling the Octagon more. Reneau with a left followed by a right. Kunitskaya with a body kick and Reneau lands a couple of right hands. Kunitskaya’s face is showing lots of damage. Reneau with a combo. Reneau with another. Kunitskaya has a broken nose. Close fight. 10-9 Reneau, 29-28 Reneau.
Official Result- Yana Kunitskaya def. Marion Reneau by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Anthony Rocco Martin (15-4, 7-4 UFC) vs. Sergio Moraes (14-3-1, 8-2-1 UFC) Welterweights
Martin with some leg kicks. Moraes gets a takedown and is in the half-guard. Martin reverses to the top position and in Moraes’ half-guard now. Not a lot going on. They are stood up due to lack of action on the ground and Martin right away with a leg kick. Martin with more leg kicks and Moraes lands up high with a kick. They trade leg kicks. Moraes misses a wild spin kick. 10-9 Moraes.
Martin with a leg kick. Martin lands a right hand. Martin with a short right hand. Moraes with a quick combo. They trade in close and Moraes gets a body lock but they break. Martin with a leg kick. Martin with a combo. Moraes with a jumping knee and lands in the cup of Martin. Martin with a body kick. Martin with a leg kick. Martin ducking under the Moraes punches but Moraes lands a leg kick. Moraes with a late brief takedown. 10-9 Martin, 19-19.
Moraes with a quick combo on Martin. They clinch against the fence with Martin having advantage. Martin with a right hand as they break. Moraes winging punches. Moraes missing a spin punch. Martin with a leg kick. Martin with the jab. Moraes just throwing into the air. Moraes with a right hand. Moraes goes for a takedown against the fence but Martin defends. Martin with a right hand. Martin with a combo. They trade shots and Moraes shoots for a takedown and gets it off a slam. Moraes in side control. He’s looking for a choke but time runs out. 10-9 Moraes, 29-28 Moraes.
Official Result- Anthony Rocco Martin def. Sergio Moraes by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
ESPN+ MAIN CARD | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT
> Tim Boetsch (21-12, 12-11 UFC) vs. Omari Akhmedov (17-4-1, 5-3-1 UFC) Middleweights
Akhmedov with a right hand. Akhmedov with a body kick. They clinch and Akhmedov working for a takedown. They remain clinched against the fence. Boetsch with a knee and they break. Boetsch with a leg kick. Akhmedov with a leg kick. They trade in close range. Akhmedov shoots and Boetsch defends. 10-9 Akhmedov.
They trade leg kicks. Boetsch with a right hand. Boetsch with another as Akhmedov is missing on his attacks. Akhmedov with a high kick and then one to the body. Akhmedov with a front kick. Akhemdov with a right hand. He lands another. They trade punches. Akhmedov with a leg kick. They clinch and Boetsch lands a knee to the groin and we have a timeout. They get back to action and both trying for underhooks. 10-9 Akhmedov, 20-18 Akhmedov.
Akhemdov with a combo. Boetsch with some kicks. Akhemdov with a leg kick. Boetsch controlling the Octagon. They both land in close. Boetsch with a front kick and they exchange right hands. Akhmedov lands a left hook. Boetsch with a body kick followed by a right hand. Akhmedov is circling around. Boetsch’s nose has been busted up by the way. They trade in close. Boetsch with a body kick. Akhemdov with a combo. Boetsch is stalking him down. They clinch at the end. 10-9 Akhmedov, 30-27 Akhmedov.
Official Result- Omari Akhmedov def. Tim Boetsch by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Beneil Dariush (15-4-1, 9-4-1 UFC) vs. Drew Dober (20-8 1 NC, 6-4 1 NC UFC) Lightweights
Dober with a left hand. Dober with a leg kick. Dariush with a leg kick. They trade in close before clinching. Dariush working for a body lock and takedown but they break. Dariush with a leg kick. Dober now with a leg kick. Dober rocks Dariush with a punch. Dariush clinches looking to recover. They break. Dariush with a head kick. Dober with a hard left hand. Dober landing but Dariush gets a clinch. Dober lands as they break the clinch. They trade leg kicks. Dariush with some knees in the clinch. Dober with some left hands after they break. 10-9 Dober.
Dober with a leg kick and Dariush goes down for a moment but gets up and clinches. Dariush gets a takedown. Dariush working to get to the mount as Dober is defending well on the bottom. Dariush gets to the mount. Dariush with some punches and looks to get the back but goes back into mount position. Dober gives up his back and escapes and now has the back of Dariush. Dariush scrambles and gets Dober back down and in the half-guard. Dariush then gets an armbar in and Dober taps! Wow. Dariush with the submission win.
Official Result- Beneil Dariush def. Drew Dober by submission (armbar) at 4:41 of Round 2
> Blagoy Ivanov (#15, 16-2 1 NC, 0-1 UFC) vs. Ben Rothwell (36-10, 6-4 UFC) Heavyweights
Rothwell stalking Ivanov around the Octagon. Rothwell with a quick punch. Ivanov misses a looping left hand. Ivanov lands a left. Ivanov with the jab. Rothwell rocks Ivanov with a left hand. They each land. Rothwell with a leg kick. Rothwell with a leg kick. They trade against the fence. Ivanov with a late left hand. 10-9 Rothwell.
Ivanov with a left hand. Rothwell with a leg kick. Both men landing short punches but not doing much else. Rothwell lands a left hand. Rothwell with an inside leg kick and Ivanov with a left hand to the body. Rothwell landed a short left hand. They trade hard punches and Rothwell has Ivanov in trouble. Both landing big punches now. Rothwell is bleeding from his nose. Rothwell with a couple of leg kicks. Rothwell with a combo now. They trade leg kicks. 10-9 Rothwell, 20-18 Rothwell.
They trade punches. Ivanov with a looping left hand. Rothwell with a high kick. Eye poke from Rothwell but Ivanov quickly back to action. Rothwell with an inside leg kick. Rothwell with a combo. They continue to trade but Rothwell just stalking Ivanov down. Ivanov misses the left but lands one. Rothwell lands a right. Rothwell with a combo. They trade punches. Ivanov now landing some good punches but eats a head kick from Rothwell. They keep trading at the end. 10-9 Rothwell, 30-27 Rothwell.
Official Result- Blagoy Ivanov def. Ben Rothwell by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Tim Means (28-10-1 1 NC, 10-7 1 NC UFC) vs. Niko Price (12-2 1 NC, 4-2 1 NC UFC) Welterweights
They come out trading. Price with a hard combo and lands a knee and punches and knees and Means is rocked. Means gets a takedown. Means moves to side control. Price trying to use the fence to get out. Means now landing hammerfists and elbows. They get to their feet and Means lands a knee on the way up. That knee was illegal and not called. Price with a leg kick. Price with a high kick. Means with a left hand. Price with a leg kick and eats a combo from Means. Means with a hard left hand. They trade and Means with a hard left. Price drops Means with a nasty right hand and then ends it up a couple of follow up punches. That was a vicious knockout.
Official Result- Niko Price def. Tim Means by knockout (punches) at 4:50 of Round 1
> Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (#14, 20-5, 6-1 UFC) vs. Curtis Millender (17-3, 3-0 UFC) Welterweights
Zaleski with a right hand and then some kicks and gets a strong takedown. Zaleski with some body punches as he tries to pass guard. Zaleski gets the back and is working for a choke. Millender defending it. Zaleski moves back to top and gets the mount. Millender gives up his back and Zaleski has the choke locked in and Millender taps! Dominant showing by Zaleski as he continues his climb up the rankings.
Official Result- Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos def. Curtis Millender by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:35 of Round 1
> Derrick Lewis (#3, 21-6 1 NC, 12-4 UFC) vs. Junior Dos Santos (#8, 20-5, 14-4 UFC) Heavyweights
Lewis with a leg kick. Dos Santos with one. Lewis with a body kick and lands a short right hand as Dos Santos rushed in. Lewis got poked in the eye. Lewis with a body kick. Dos Santos misses a spin kick and ands a leg kick but eats a hard right hand from Lewis. Lewis just misses a jumping switch kick. Dos Santos rocks Lewis with a right and rushes in and gets rocked by Lewis. They reset. Dos Santos with a right to the body. Dos Santos with a right hand. Dos Santos with a leg kick. Lewis with a head kick. Dos Santos with a spin kcik to the body and Lewis is staggered. Dos Santos then drops Lewis with body punches and has Lewis in trouble. Lewis is really hurt from the body kick. They trade kicks. Amazing round. 10-9 Dos Santos.
Lewis with a head kick. Lewis with a leg kick. Lewis drops Dos Santos for a moment and tries to pounce but Dos Santos escapes. Lewis with a switch kick. Dos Santos hurt Lewis with a right hand and pounces and Lewis falls to the mat and Dos Santos pounces on some more and finishes Lewis off. Big win for Dos Santos as he had Lewis was hurt from the body kick still.
Official Result- Junior Dos Santos def. Derrick Lewis by TKO (punches) at 1:58 of Round 2
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 230: Cormier vs. Lewis, emanating from Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.
The UFC heads back to the world’s most famous arena as the double champion makes his first defense of the title he won back in July.
UFC Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier defends the heavyweight championship for the first time when he takes on Derrick Lewis in the main event. Cormier is coming off a knockout win over Stipe Miocic in July, and looks to cement his status as one of the best of all-time against Lewis, who has won nine of his last ten and is coming off a come-from-behind knockout win over Alexander Volkov four weeks ago at UFC 229.
In the co-main event, former UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman returns from a near 16-month layoff looking to gain a title shot when he takes on Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, who stepped in on short notice for Luke Rockhold.
The rest of the main card is filled out with middleweight bouts as David Branch takes on Jared Cannonier, Karl Roberson battles Jack Marshman, and Derek Brunson takes on the undefeated Israel Adesanya in the main card opener.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way thru the main card.
We are looking for your thoughts on tonight’s event, so send a thumbs up, a thumbs down or a thumbs in the middle along with a best fight and a worst fight to Dave at [email protected].
UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS | 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT
> Adam Wieczorek (10-1, 2-0 UFC) vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima (15-5-1, 4-3 UFC) Heavyweights
de Lima going right after the legs with kicks. Wieczorek with a takedown into the half-guard of de Lima. Wieczorek looking to open the guard but de Lima pops up and takes Wieczorek down and is in the half-guard now. de Lima with some short punches from the half-guard as he is trying to pass to side control. de Lima trying to set up an arm-triangle choke but Wieczorek is defending from the bottom. de Lima landing punches as they push up against the fence. de Lima with more punches at the end. 10-9 de Lima.
They trade leg kicks and Wieczorek lands a left hook but eats a right hand from de Lima. de Lima grabs the body lock and is looking for a takedown but pushes the fight against the fence. They break. de Lima with a leg kick. He lands another heavy one. They clinch but neither doing much. They break and de Lima with a couple of leg kicks. de Lima lands a right and they clinch. They break and de Lima with more leg kicks. Wieczorek tries a takedown but de Lima grabs the neck. This fight is very boring. 10-9 de Lima, 20-18 de Lima.
de Lima with a leg kick. They clinch and de Lima gets a takedown towards the center of the Octagon. de Lima in side control. Neither is doing much and are being warned to work. de Lima easily moves into mount. Wieczorek able to slip out and they get to their feet. Wieczorek slips to the mat and de Lima gets into his guard. They don’t do much and are stood up. Wieczorek with a short leg kick and lands a knee to the body. de Lima with a late takedown and he rides the fight out on top. 10-9 de Lima, 30-27 de Lima.
Official Result- Marcos Rogerio de Lima def. Adam Wieczorek by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Shane Burgos (10-1, 3-1 UFC) vs. Kurt Holobaugh (17-5 1 NC, 0-2 UFC) Featherweights
Holobaugh with some leg kicks to start. They trade in close range inside the pocket. Burgos lands a right hand. Holobaugh with a leg kick. Burgos lands a combo. Holobaugh lands some punches. They trade punches. They trade again in close range. Burgos with a front kick to the body. Holobaugh drops Burgos with a punch. Burgos throws his legs up for an armbar and has one locked in deep and Holobaugh taps! He recovered quickly from getting dropped and locked that armbar in quick to get the finish.
Official Result- Shane Burgos def. Kurt Holobaugh by submission (armbar) at 2:11 of Round 1
> Matt Frevola (6-1, 0-1 UFC) vs. Lando Vannata (9-3-1, 1-3-1 UFC) Lightweights
Frevola with a head kick and Vannata counters with a high kick. They trade kicks. Vannata just misses a spin kick. Frevola with a head kick. Frevola with more kicks. They trade punches. Vannata drops Frevola with a head kick but Frevola gets to his feet. Vannata lands more punches and Frevola goes for a takedown but it is defended. Frevola lands a flush right hand and then lands another followed by a head kick. Vannata with a head kick followed by a right hand. Frevola lands the jab. Frevola hurts Vannata with a right hand. Frevola with a body kick. Frevola with a short elbow. Frevola hurts Vannata with a left hook followed by a knee. They scramble and Frevola reverses a takedown and has a guillotine locked in but Vannata escapes and Frevola mounts Vannata to end the round. Fun round. 10-9 Frevola.
Frevola coming out for the second with some spin kicks. Vannata with a spin kick to the body of Frevola. Frevola with a leg kick. Vannata lands a right hand followed by a front kick right to the face and then some body kicks. Vannata drops Frevola with a right hand. Frevola recovers to his feet and is swinging but is still hurt. Vannata with a combo and he is teeing off on Frevola. Vannata with some left hooks to the body. Frevola goes for a takedown but it is defended. They break. Frevola lands a straight knee. Vannata lands some punches and then a spin kick. Vannata with a body kick. They are trading in close range. Frevola with a body kick. Vannata with a combo. Frevola goes for a takedown but it is stuffed. Frevola goes for a takedown and Vannata grabs the neck as the round ends. 10-9 Vannata, 19-19.
They trade kicks to start the third. They trade big punches. Frevola lands a kick and Vannata gets a takedown off of it. They get to their feet and trade kicks. They trade punches inside the pocket. Vannata with a body punch followed by a right hand. Vannata with a body kick and then lands an uppercut. He just misses a spin kick. Frevola gets a takedown but Vannata was able to scramble to his feet. Vannata with an inside leg kick. Frevola with a hard right late but Vannata fires away as the fight ends. Close final round. 10-9 Vannata, 29-28 Vannata.
Official Result- Matt Frevola vs. Lando Vannata ends in a majority draw (29-28 Frevola, 28-28, 28-28)
FOX SPORTS 1 PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT
> Lyman Good (19-4 1 NC, 1-1 UFC) vs. Ben Saunders (22-10-2, 9-7 UFC) Welterweights
Good with a leg kick to start things off and then just misses a head kick. Saunders with a big body kick. Good with some more leg kicks. Saunders with another body kick. Saunders lands a straight left hand and then follows with a body kick. They clinch and Saunders with some knees. Good with some body punches and uppercuts while Saunders lands more knees. Good then drops Saunders with an uppercut and finishes him with punches on the ground. Brutal finish by Lyman Good.
Official Result- Lyman Good def. Ben Saunders by knockout (punches) at 1:32 of Round 1
> Julio Arce (15-2, 2-0 UFC) vs. Sheymon Moraes (10-2, 1-1 UFC) Featherweights
Arce lands a solid combination. Moraes drops Arce with a heavy right hand and is teeing off looking for the finish. Arce grabs the leg to hand on but Moraes still landing heavy right hands from standing position. Moraes goes to the ground and Arce is able to get to his feet and has Moraes pinned against the fence. Arce has the body lock and is looking for a takedown against the fence but Moraes keeping the fight upright. Arce trying a trip takedown and jumps up on the back of Moraes. Arce looking for a standing rear-naked choke. Moraes trying to fight it off. Arce landing punches from the back as Moraes is having to fight off the hands and arms. Arce goes for a choke late but runs out of time. 10-9 Arce.
Moraes lands some punches but Arce comes back with combos and punches and they clinch. They break and Arce is bleeding heavily. Moraes with a high kick. They are throwing bombs in this round. Moraes with a big body kick. Moraes with an elbow. They are trading punches and kicks and there is blood everywhere. Both men are covered in it. Moraes drops Arce with a right hand. Moraes is on top and is landing punches as he looks to finish. Arce gets back to his feet and lands a left hand. Moraes with a high kick. 10-9 Moraes, 19-19.
They trade kicks. They trade punches. They both throw kicks. Arce is ranking very high on the Muta scale right now. Arce with the double jab. The center of the Octagon is covered in blood. Arce lands a left hand. Arce lands some punches. Arce has been landing more this round. Arce with a nice left hand. Arce with another left hand. Moraes has been backing up this round. Moraes with a body kick. Arce with a front kick. They clinch late but break. Close fight. 10-9 Arce, 29-28 Arce.
Official Result- Sheymon Moraes def. Julio Arce by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-26)
Modafferi with a right hand. They trade punches. Eubanks with a leg kick. Modafferi with the jab. Eubanks with an overhand right. Eubanks with a combo. They trade right hands. Modafferi lands the jab. Eubanks gets the takedown and is in the guard of Modafferi. Modafferi with an elbow from the bottom. Modafferi with some upkicks as Eubanks goes back into the guard. They get up for a moment but Eubanks takes it back down. Eubanks with some right hands from the top. Eubanks with some hammerfists. Eubanks with some hammerfists as the round ends. 10-9 Eubanks.
Modafferi lands some to start the second round. Eubanks lands a right hand. Modafferi lands some right hands. Modafferi with a leg kick. They trade punches and Modafferi lands a series of punches. She’s landing with more volume but not a lot of power. Eubanks hurts Modafferi with a head kick and then drops her with a right hand. They get back to their feet and Eubanks is tired. Modafferi gets a takedown and is in side control and landing some punches. Modafferi looking to get to the mount. Modafferi ends the round on top as Eubanks has faded. 10-9 Modafferi, 19-19.
They trade punches to start the third round. Both throwing but neither really landing. Modafferi with some punches as she is getting the upper hand right now. Modafferi goes for a takedown but it is defended. Modafferi with an overhand right. They clinch and Eubanks lands a knee. Eubanks lands a right hand. Both landing right hands. They clinch and Eubanks gets a takedown. Eubanks in the half-guard. Eubanks working from the top but still tired and landing short punches. Modafferi gets to her feet and they fall to the mat. 10-9 Eubanks, 29-28 Eubanks.
Official Result- Sijara Eubanks def. Roxanne Modafferi by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Jason Knight (20-5, 4-4 UFC) vs. Jordan Rinaldi (13-6, 1-2 UFC) Featherweights
Knight firing right away with punches and lands a leg kick. Rinaldi clinches but eats a right hand as they break. Rinaldi lands a left hook that stuns Knight. Rinaldi with a head kick and then scores a takedown. Rinaldi landing from the top as Knight trying to throw his legs up. They scramble to the feet and Rinaldi scores another takedown. Knight has mission control. Rinaldi slips out as he is landing from the top. Rinaldi staying on top and is landing but Knight is landing from the bottom as well. Rinaldi with some big ground-and-pound from the top. 10-9 Rinaldi.
They trade punches as Rinaldi is looking to set up a takedown. He gets it and goes into side control. Rinaldi looking to set up a kimura. He gets the back of Knight and now is working for a choke. Rinaldi has the body triangle. Rinaldi working more to set up a rear-naked choke. Knight is doing a good job of fighting it off. Rinaldi with some great back control. Knight is landing punches from having his back controlled. Rinaldi in complete control of this fight. Rinaldi almost had the choke locked in and Knight gives the finger wag letting everyone know he is not in trouble. 10-9 Rinaldi, 20-18 Rinaldi.
They trade early. Rinaldi shoots for a takedown but Knight sprawls and defends it as they get to their feet. Rinaldi with a leg kick and Knight grabs the back and they roll to the mat. Rinaldi sets up a kimura and uses it to sweep to the top and is working for the kimura. Rinaldi gets the back and has the rear-naked choke but Knight slips out. Rinaldi landing punches from the back. Rinaldi still has the back but Knight is working his way out. They stand up and Knight tries to spike Rinaldi but Rinaldi maintains the body lock as they go back to the ground. Rinaldi landing from the back. Excellent performance from Rinaldi in his featherweight debut. 10-9 Rinaldi, 30-27 Rinaldi.
Official Result- Jordan Rinaldi def. Jason Knight by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-25, 30-26)
PPV MAIN CARD | 10 PM ET/7 PM PT
> Derek Brunson (#6, 18-6, 9-4 UFC) vs. Israel Adesanya (#9, 14-0, 3-0 UFC) Middleweights
Brunson goes right for a takedown and they clinch. Brunson is way bigger than Adesanya in the Octagon. Brunson has the clinch taken away from him after he grabbed the shorts of Adesanya twice. Adesanya lands a jab. Brunson goes for a takedown but Adesanya spins out. They clinch again against the fence. They break and Brunson clips him with a left hand and then goes back for a takedown but Adesanya breaks away. Adesanya lands a right hand. Brunson keeps telegraphing the takedown. Adesanya with a head kick. Brunson goes for another takedown but it is defended again. They clinch against the fence. Adesanya shrugs off the takedown. Adesanya hurts Brunson with a punch and then a knee and then knocks Brunson down with a head kick. Brunson to his feet but eating knees from Adesanya. Adesanya drops Brunson with two right hands and this fight is stopped. Wow. Adesanya made it look easy and he looks to be the real deal.
Official Result- Israel Adesanya def. Derek Brunson by TKO (strikes) at 4:51 of Round 1
> Karl Roberson (6-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Jack Marshman (22-7, 2-2 UFC) Middleweights
Roberson with a hard kick to the arms of Marshman. Roberson lands a left hand. They trade punches. Roberson lights Marshman up with a left hand. Roberson with a leg kick and just misses a left hand. Marshman lands a left as Roberson goes for a body kick. Roberson ducks under Marshman’s punches. They trade kicks. Roberson with a left hand. Roberson with the body kick. They trade punches. Marshman with a right hook to the body. Roberson with a body kick that hits Marshman’s elbow. Roberson with a late left hand. 10-9 Roberson.
Roberson with a straight left hand. Marshman with a body kick then a leg kick. Marshman with a big combination. Roberson is limping. Marshman with a leg kick. Roberson with a straight left hand that stumbles Marshman. Roberson with some left hands. Roberson with another straight left. Roberson with a high kick. Roberson lands the straight left. Marshman with an overhand right. Roberson with a big takedown into side control. Roberson looking to set up a choke but is landing body and head punches from side control. He isn’t working to advance but has dominant position as the round ends. 10-9 Roberson, 20-18 Roberson.
Roberson lands a big left hand. Roberson with an inside leg kick. Roberson with a high kick but it doesn’t land. Roberson with a left hand that Marshman eats. Roberson with another left hand. Marshman is spitting up blood. Roberson with a counter left hand. Marshman is keeping his hands low. Roberson with a big takedown near the fence and he is in side control. Roberson is keeping side control and moves to full mount. Roberson with short punches from the mount. Dominant win from Roberson as he hurt Marshman. Marshman showed a lot of toughness. 10-9 Roberson, 30-27 Roberson.
Official Result- Karl Roberson def. Jack Marshman by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)
> David Branch (#7, 22-4, 4-3 UFC) vs. Jared Cannonier (10-4, 3-4 UFC) Middleweights
Branch gets a quick takedown but Cannonier gets up only to get dumped again by Branch. They get back up. Branch goes right for another takedown against the fence but Cannonier is landing elbows. Branch gets the back for a moment but they reverse into clinch position. Cannonier with a knee to the body and they break. Branch gets another takedown and gets the back. Branch landing punches from the back. They get to their feet but Branch still has the body lock. They break. Branch landing the jab and then lands a leg kick. Branch gets a brief takedown. They break and Cannonier lands some big punches that Branch shakes off. Branch works for a late takedown but time runs out. 10-9 Branch.
Cannonier drops Branch with a huge right hand and has Branch in a lot of trouble. Cannonier has the back of Branch and is landing big punches and the referee stops the fight. Those were big shots by Cannonier as he gets the comeback win in his middleweight debut. He could be a force at 185 pounds.
Official Result- Jared Cannonier def. David Branch by TKO (punches) at :29 of Round 2
> Chris Weidman (#3, 14-3, 10-3 UFC) vs. Ronaldo Souza (#5, 25-6 1 NC, 8-3 UFC) Middleweights
Weidman with a leg kick. Weidman with a right hand. Souza misses an overhand right. They clinch and Weidman lands a knee before they break. Weidman with a right hand. Souza misses on two right hand attempts. Weidman lands a combo and stuns Souza with a right hand. They trade right hands. Souza with a liver punch. Souza with a leg kick. Weidman misses a right hand. Weidman with a right hand. Weidman lands a combo. Souza with a heavy leg kick. Souza bleeding from the nose. They trade late, Souza to the body. 10-9 Weidman.
Souza with a right hand over the top. Weidman with a leg kick and follows it with a right hand. Souza with a leg kick that gets checked. Weidman with a combo. They trade in close range and are starting to brawl. Souza lands a right hand and then one to the body. Weidman with a leg kick. Souza then lands a right hand and lands more to the body and a front kick. Souza turning it on. Souza with a left to the body followed by an overhand right. They clinch and exchange knees. Weidman with a right hand and he hurts Souza. Weidman ducks under some Souza’s punch. Souza lands a combo. Souza breathing heavy from a broken nose. Souza with an uppercut to the body. They brawl in a clinch. Weidman has slowed down a bit. Souza with a body kick. Weidman lands an uppercut. Souza tries a head kick but Weidman dumps him to the mat. Souza gets up and they clinch against the fence. Weidman with some knees against the fence. Weidman with a brief takedown but Souza rolls to his feet. 10-9 Souza, 19-19.
Souza’s nose is bothering him. Weidman with a leg kick and then a body kick. Weidman then lands a right hand. Souza with a heavy leg kick. They trade in close range. Souza with a right hand. They are brawling. Weidman lands a combo and then a knee up the middle. Weidman with an uppercut and then an overhand elbow. Weidman lands some punches. Souza with a body kick. They trade punches. Souza lands some right hands. Souza then drops Weidman with a huge right hand and Weidman is out. The referee doesn’t stop it and then Weidman tries to grab a leg but is done and Souza lands some punches and Dan Miragliotta finally stops it. Big knockout win for Souza over Weidman in a great fight.
Official Result- Ronaldo Souza def. Chris Weidman by TKO (punches) at 2:46 of Round 3
> Daniel Cormier (C, 21-1 1 NC, 10-1 1 NC UFC) vs. Derrick Lewis (#2, 21-5 1 NC, 12-3 UFC) UFC Heavyweight Championship
Lewis with a body kick. Lewis with a leg kick. Cormier with a leg kick. Lewis with a big body kick. Cormier goes for a takedown and gets it. Cormier in the half-guard and he made it look easy. Cormier looking to land from the top. Cormier with short punches and elbows. Lewis gives up his back as he tries to get up and he does. Cormier still has control of the body of Lewis. Cormier takes Lewis back down with an easy single-leg. Cormier with big punches and Lewis gives up the back. Cormier landing big punches and Cormier gets to the top. Cormier with more big punches. Lewis is doing nothing. 10-9 Cormier.
Cormier with a body kick. Lewis lands a right hand. Lewis just misses a big right hand. Lewis misses another. Cormier lands a left hand and then a front kick. Cormier with a single leg and just kicks Lewis’ leg out from under. Lewis gets up though. Cormier with an ankle pick and gets Lewis on his back. Cormier in side control and steps over and Lewis gives up his back. Cormier has the rear-naked choke locked in and Lewis taps! Cormier with the dominant win in making it look easy as he remains the UFC Heavyweight Champion.
Official Result- Daniel Cormier def. Derrick Lewis by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:14 of Round 2, Cormier retains the UFC Heavyweight Championship
The first of the final three UFC PPVs of 2018 comes to us tonight from Madison Square Garden: the snakebit UFC 230 show that has seen more changes than a Broadway show.
Helping me dissect this show a bit for our dear readers is our event recapper duo of Ryan Frederick and Paul Fontaine.
The card:
UFC Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier vs. Derrick Lewis
Chris Weidman vs. Jacare Souza
David Branch vs. Jared Cannonier
Karl Roberson vs. Jack Marshman
Derek Brunson vs. Israel Adesanya
Jason Knight vs. Jordan Rinaldi
Sijara Eubanks vs. Roxanne Modaferri (Eubanks missed weight by 1.2 pounds)
Julio Arce vs. Sheymon Moraes
Ben Saunders vs. Lyman Good
Matt Frevola vs. Lando Vannata
Shane Burgos vs. Kurt Holobaugh
Brian Kelleher vs. Montel Jackson (Kelleher missed weight by 2 pounds)
Adam Wieczorek vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima
What are you most looking forward to?
Paul: The main event fascinates me. If both guys were 100%, I feel like the result would be more of a foregone conclusion but Lewis just took one of the worst one-sided beatdowns of any heavyweight in history and then won, while Cormier admittedly couldn’t even make a fist three weeks ago. Conventional wisdom says Cormier wrestles him to death but at some point, Cormier could catch with that overhand right and if so, we have a new heavyweight champion. Even if it’s boring, it won’t be because Lewis could lmake a comeback at any time. And the fact it’s 25 minutes long means he has just that much more time to do.
Ryan: The main event is intriguing especially given the circumstances. Both men clearly aren’t at their peak when it comes to having a proper training camp and proper preparation for this fight. When that happens, you have to favor talent, and that is Cormier all the way. Lewis absolutely has a chance because he hits so hard, but I see Cormier being able to have his way in this one. I also like the fact we have sort of a middleweight tournament going on with the main card.
Josh: I’m going to diverge a bit from the top billing and go to the simmering feud between Israel Adesanya and Derek Brunson which will finally boil over in just a few hours. These two have been at each other for a few months and you can tell it’s not made up; there’s legit heat. I didn’t think Adesanya could get past Brad Tavares and he did. Brunson hits hard but always seems to make a mistake. I’m excited to see how this plays out tonight.
Anything being slept on?
Ryan: I can’t really say it’s being slept on, but Brunson vs. Adesanya should be fireworks and isn’t getting near the amount of attention that I expected. It’s a huge stepping point for Adesanya, but Brunson doesn’t always deliver when there is pressure on him. It definitely could be the fight of the night.
Paul: Julio Arce vs. Sheymon Moraes, both with sparkling records, should be a fun fight with two future contenders at bantamweight. Arce has only lost twice in his career, coincidentally both times to Brian Kelleher, who also fights on this card. Moraes is a former title contender in WSOF.
Josh: For a former champion that defeated one of the greatest of all-time, I don’t sense a lot of buzz about the return of Chris Weidman. There’s just this thing about him where people are either super high or meh on him. Then again, it could be the time off he took or it could be the fight itself which I’ll get to right now…
Anything not doing it for you?
Josh: I am not excited about Weidman-Souza at all. It’s been more than a year since the former champion was back in there with a big win over Kelvin Gastelum and while I understand Luke Rockhold had to pull out due to injury, Souza isn’t the guy I really want to see him fight. In his last outing, Gastelum dominated him and is getting a title shot this February. He’s 3-3 in his last six and I fear his title shot opportunities have passed. So yeah, I’m not excited about the co-main tonight.
Paul: The heavyweight fight opening up the Fight Pass prelims has the potential to put someone to sleep before the card even starts. I’m not expecting much at all from that one.
Ryan: I’m not really looking forward Eubanks vs. Modafferi, and that has a lot to do with Eubanks. She was originally going to be getting an undeserved title shot on this card, but it was then pulled for various reasons. Not only does she start complaining loudly about it, but then she goes and badly misses weight for a non-title fight on this card. Imagine if she had still been in a title fight. Then, she goes and acts like it’s no big deal that she missed weight and continues her act of being mad about having a title shot taken away. Her attitude towards everything has completely taken away any interest in seeing her fight.
What’s the intrigue with the show?
Paul:That Lewis can become the most unlikely UFC champion since Matt Serra would have to be it. If he does, he could be a potential breakthrough star and I think a fight between he and Brock Lesnar would have genuine crossover appeal and do great business.
Ryan: It is definitely the main event. Lewis even said it himself: if he becomes a UFC champion, everyone should be ashamed. It’s not that he doesn’t have heart and ability, he’s just being real with himself about his current standing in the sport. I’m also intrigued in the co-main between Weidman and Souza, mainly to see if Weidman still has what it takes to be a title contender.
Josh: It’s what happens with Brock Lesnar, or even Jon Jones, if Cormier loses. This is a big risk for Cormier and with a loss, his leverage is lessened into picking his spot for one last fight before retirement. I said on my podcast this week that I feel like Cormier is Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon, about to get out of the game but gets unlucky at the wrong time. I hope for our sake that isn’t the case for good ol’ DC, but I have this feeling it will be. If Lewis wins, I don’t think we’re getting Lewis-Lesnar.
What will be people talking about most after the show is done?
Paul: Probably who Lesnar will fight when he returns to the Octagon. After winning back the WWE Universal title at Crown Jewel, it would certainly be unique if he had a chance to pull off the rare double of holding the heavyweight titles in both pro wrestling and MMA. I’d say it’s a virtual lock that he challenges the winner of the main event.
Ryan: It will definitely be whoever wins the main event and what comes next. You assume it’s going to be Lesnar, but you can never be so sure with the amount of money the WWE continues to throw at him for doing minimal amount of work. After that, who knows what could happen. It’s also going to be fun to see how the contenders at middleweight shake out after this is all over.
Josh: That Cormier made a big mistake in taking this fight on short notice and that the Lesnar fight is gone. It sounds crazy, but given all the weird shit surrounding this card and how we got here, I have this feeling that our excitement about Cormier-Lesnar or Cormier-Jones III is going to have some cold water dumped on it. I hope I’m proven wrong.
After trying and failing with several different combinations of fighters and titles/interim titles and getting panned for a potential women’s flyweight title fight as the main event, the UFC is going with a short-notice heavyweight title fight to headline its return to Madison Square Garden.
The Saturday, November 3rd UFC 230 pay-per-view will feature heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier vs. Derrick Lewis in the main event, first reported by ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, confirmed to him via text from Dana White and Cormier himself.
Cormier had been recovering from a broken finger suffered in his title-winning performance over Stipe Miocic this July. It was expected that his next fight would be against Brock Lesnar in early-2019, but the UFC’s desperation in making a big fight for MSG took precedence.
Lewis (seen above) is coming off a Hail Mary knockout of Alexander Volkov at this past Saturday’s UFC 229 event and a star-making performance on the microphone in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan. Lewis has won nine of his last 10 and has a penchant for taking short-notice fights. He joked after the fight that he wasn’t ready for a title shot because he needed to work on his cardio.
The MSG show also features Nate Diaz vs. Dustin Poirier and Chris Weidman vs. Luke Rockhold II, but will not feature the much-discussed Valentina Shevchenko vs. Sijara Eubanks fight for the vacant women’s flyweight title. White told Okamoto via text that the plan will now be to move back to a December fight between Shevchenko vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk.
Eubanks had said she signed the contract to fight while Shevchenko never responded publicly. Meanwhile, Jedrzejczyk publicly aired her issues with how things went down which may not make that as smooth a process as White might hope.
Valentina Shevchenko vs. Sijara Eubanks may not headline the UFC’s return to Madison Square Garden after all.
Though the event is under a month away, ESPN’s Brett Okamoto reported on Monday that the UFC has opened discussions for a heavyweight title fight between Daniel Cormier and Derrick Lewis to main event UFC 230 at Madison Square Garden on November 3. Okamoto wrote that Cormier vs. Lewis isn’t a done deal and “certain hurdles still have to be cleared.”
Cormier, who defeated Stipe Miocic at UFC 226 in July to win the heavyweight title and become a two-division champion, has been dealing with a hand injury. His first heavyweight title defense has been expected to be against Brock Lesnar, who is eligible to return to the Octagon in January 2019.
Lewis was in action at UFC 229 on Saturday night, coming from behind in the final seconds of the fight to defeat Alexander Volkov by knockout. In his post-match interview, Lewis said that he wasn’t trying to challenge for the heavyweight title now due to his poor cardio.
Shevchenko and Eubanks’ fight for the vacant women’s flyweight championship has yet to be officially announced for the Madison Square Garden show. Nate Diaz vs. Dustin Poirier and Luke Rockhold vs. Chris Weidman are two of the top bouts set for the event.
Wrestling Observer Live with Mike Sempervive returns today with a big old sloppy Monday edition to begin your week, and get you stumbling into Raw. Plus, the Doctor of Lucha Steve Sims stops by too! Derrick Lewis and Nevaeh help us all as well.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC Fight Night 105: Lewis vs. Browne, emanating from the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
The event is headlined by a five-round bout in the heavyweight division as Derrick Lewis puts his five-fight win streak on the line against Travis Browne. Lewis is coming off of a TKO win over Shamil Abdurakhimov in a lackluster bout in his first main event, but he looks to notch the biggest win of his career against Browne.
Browne is looking to put an end to his two-fight losing skid, and after being on the cusp of a title shot, he is at a crossroads in his career after having gone 2-4 in his last six fights.
In the co-main event, former UFC Welterweight Champion Johny Hendricks looks to put an end to his three-fight losing streak as he takes on Hector Lombard in a middleweight bout. After many documented issues related to making the welterweight limit and having missed weight for his last two fights, Hendricks finally makes the move up to 185 pounds in a fight that holds his future in the balance. Lombard is looking to rebound from knockout losses in his last two fights to Dan Henderson and Neil Magny.
Other notable fighters on the card include former women’s bantamweight title challenger, Sara McMann, who looks to make it three-straight wins as she takes on debuting short-notice opponent Gina Mazany.
In strawweight action, former UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Carla Esparza returns to action for the first time since April as she takes on Randa Markos. Those two women had a rivalry brewing during season 20 of The Ultimate Fighter, and they finally square off in the Octagon in a bout years in the making.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday night with preliminary action all the way through the main card.
UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS | 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT
> Gerald Meerschaert (25-8, 1-0 UFC) vs. Ryan Janes (9-1, 1-0 UFC) Middleweights
A big reaction for Janes who came out to a Newfoundland folk song. A few strikes were traded then Janes took Meerschaert to the ground. Janes had trouble keeping position resulting in a fairly quick armbar victory for Meerschaert.
Official Result- Gerald Meerschaert def. Ryan Janes via Armbar at 1:34 in Round 1
FOX SPORTS 1 PRELIMS | 7 PM ET/4 PM PT
> Jack Marshman (21-5, 1-0 UFC) vs. Thiago Santos (13-5, 5-4 UFC) Middleweights
Santos with some leg kicks early and a takedown that he coudlnt really translate into too much. Jack got a significant strike to the head that got santos staggered resulting in a big back and forth that really woke up the crowd. Seemed like 10-9 Marshman from my viewpoint.
Both came into the second round with aggression. Santos continued with the legs kicks and then a spinning kick that got Marshman to the floor leading Santos to go to the ground and pound which the ref quickly called off. Marshman was spitting blood from the mouth after the decision. Fun fight with some good hard hitting strikes by each of them.
Official Result- Thiago Santos def. Jack Marshman by TKO at 2:22 in Round 2
Aiemann Zahabi the big favourite among the Canadian crowd as expected. Very reserved pace with being going for and missing a majority of their strikes. Zahabi got Vieira leaning to the cage with a few timed punches but Vieira was able to recover. Vieira with a takedown but a quick recovery by Zahabi with a second takedown that seemed much more effective. Still 10-9 Zahabi from my perspective.
Familiar pacing in the second round with Zahabi keeping good cage control. Vieira attempted multiple takedowns with Zahabi countering one to a headlock which was escaped. Zahabi seems to be very calm and collected. Zahabi got in a few significant strikes which put Vieira to the ground. Zahabi seemed to be going for the arm submission when the round ended. 20-18 Zahabi is what I have.
Zahabi started the third round with a punch that rattled Vieira to the cage but was able to recover just barely. Vieira is going for strikes but seems unfocused. Vieira had seemingly an over the shoulder takedown that Zahabi recovered from like a pro and continues with strikes with Vieira saved by the clock again. 30-27 for Zahabi is what I had scored.
Official Result – Aiemann Zahabi def. Reginaldo Vieira via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Crowd fully with Randa Markos and booing Carla Esparza but that didnt keep the crowd from booing what was a slow first round until they were woken up when they went to the ground. Randa got some punches to the head but Carla was able to survive to the buzzer. 10-9 Markos.
A more active second round with both trading punches. Randa seems to be trying to keep her distance when possible with quick albeit imperfect footwork. Randa starting to get very aggressive but Carla is keeping up. Esparza was able to get Markos to the ground and with some terrific side control to get her in a side choke that Markos was able to fend off untill the end of the round. I have it at 19-19 .
Here come the Randa chants as she continued to go for strikes aggressively which based on the scorecard I have is probably the right move. Carla was able to hit Randas eye which is now visibly injured. Both going back and forth with the round ending with Markos attempting a submission from the ground. It is a close one but I’m thinking 29-28 Esparza.
Official Result – Randa Markos def. Carla Esparza via Split Decision
> Nordine Taleb (12-3, 4-1 UFC) vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio (23-3, 5-2 UFC) Welterweights
Very slow first round with nothing of interest outside of a few decent leg kicks from both competitors. Taleb 10-9 is what I saw but this isn’t gonna be what wins the fight for either of them.
Second round starsts with Ponzinibbio landing a few strikes the face causing bleeding which he continued to work until one knocked Taleb to the ground. Ponzinibbio kept good ground control until the end of the round but didnt seem to land anything significant while down there. Should be an even 19-19 at this point.
Crowd seems to be really into most of the fights which makes sense because UFC doesnt often come to places like this.
Taleb still bleeding from the nose and mouth going into round 3 and Ponzinibbio must smell it because thats all he’s trying to go for. Taleb getting some revenge as a strike has Ponzinibbio’s cheek bleeding now as well. Important round with both trading some brutal punches until the buzzer. I have it at 29-28 Ponzinibbio but it was fairly close. Really fun final round.
Official Result – Santiago Ponzinibbio Def. Nordine Taleb via Unanimous Decision (29-28,29-28, 29-28)
FOX SPORTS 1 MAIN CARD | 9 PM ET/6 PM PT
> Paul Felder (12-3, 4-3 UFC) vs. Alessandro Ricci (10-4, 0-1 UFC) Lightweights
Felder was in control most of the fight and was able to seemingly wear Ricci down until he became unbalanced leading to a stoppage via vicious punches at the corner of the cage. Nothing to write home about but Felder came off technically sound.
Official Result – Paul Felder Def. Alessandro Ricci vis TKO at 4:44 in Round 1
> Sara McMann (#7, 10-3, 4-3 UFC) vs. Gina Mazany (4-0, 0-0 UFC) Women’s Bantamweights
Sara going for the takedown early staying on Ginas back for some punches. Mazant tried to get up but Sara got her back down easy for the Submission. Sara made it look easy and seemingly didnt even break a sweat.
Official Result – Sara McMann Def. Gina Mazany via Arm Triangle at 1:14 in Round 1
Scattered empty seats throughout the arena as well as the higher rafters so not a sellout. The Scotia Bank Centre has about a 13K capacity for events like this so I’m thinking about 12k or so for attendance.
> Elias Theodorou (12-1, 4-1 UFC) vs. Cezar Ferreira (11-5, 7-3 UFC) Middleweights
Elias Theodorou with a huge reaction coming out to a song by a local rapper which the crowd ate up. Elias tagged early. Huge Canada chant. Theodorou caught multiple kicks by Ferreira the second leading to a clench but never was able to turn it into anything. Elias very much the aggressor in this fight. 10-9 Theodorou in the first round.
Early in the second round Theodorou went for a flying knee that Ferreira was able to counter and get on Elais’ back and stay on despite him getting to his feet. Theodorou was able to get out after multiple attempts but Ferreira maintained standing side mount for about a minute. Theodorou tried to go for a takedown of his own but was countered into a front choke on the ground not once, but twice. Theodorou was able to change position and get in front mount to connect with punches but Ferreira was able to get back to a standing position. Very back and forth round and the crowd was really into it. Seems to be 19-19 from my perspective.
Coming into the third round Elias looks tired and is going for a lot of strikes that are nowhere close to connecting. Ferreira was able to evade a strike attempt and get Elias to the ground for another choke attempt which Elias once against escapes from and attempts get a submission of his own on the ground. It seems 29-28 Ferreira to me but I don’t think the judges are going to see it that way based on the strike count for that round.
Official Result – Elias Theodorou Def. Cezar Ferreira via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
> Sam Sicilia (15-7) vs. Gavin Tucker (9-0) Featherweights
Halifax local Gavin Tucker gets a deafening reaction from the crowd to the surprise of no one. Wrestling crowd feel with them booing anything Sicilia does and loud “Lets go Gavin chants” and “902” (which is the Halifax area code) among others. A lot of traded punches but no huge ground made by either. 10-9 Tucker but it could really go either way.
Second round and you can see Tucker is feeding off the crowd and is using that energy to get in some really good upper body strikes and some great footwork. Tuck in full control and easily win the round. 20-18 Tucker.
Sicilia comes into the third round swinging as he knows its his fight to lose right now. Tucker doing a very good job ducking punches and attempting to tag back. Twice Sicilia got Tucker to the cage and was able to work the body with punches on the cage before Tucker escaped. Tucker got a takedown of his own to the ground but wasn’t able to lock in a position. Tucker must be getting in twice the amount of strikes as Sicilia and he must know it because hes already celebrating his win before the clock is done. 30-27 Tucker is what I have scored. The crowd is going nuts.
Official Result – Gavin Tucker Def. Sam Sicilia via Unanimous Decision (30-27,30-27,30-27)
Lombard with some devastating punches to start off the fight. Hector is in phenomenal shape and it’s showing in the way he’s fighting here. Hendricks isn’t getting totally outpaced but he’s not making any headway either. 10-9 Lombard.
Second round starts off the same as the first with a few grapple attempts by Lombard that Hendricks wants no part of. Lombard is making some good strikes but is not defending Hendricks strikes at all. Hector with a fairly brutal low blow that stops the fight for a few seconds. Hendricks getting back into the fight with some good punches. Lombard is looking tired and Johny is taking advantage with some well timed knees and strikes to the head. its hard to tell here but i’d score it 19-19 even at this point.
A lot of back and forth striking to start the final round. Both come off fairly tired but you still see the power in both their punches. Hendricks goes for a knee with Lombard able to grab but Hendricks was able to do get in a few one legged knees until finally Lombard took it out though Hendricks was able to get quickly back on his feet. Very close round and final two rounds. Id would score it 29-28 Hendricks. Lombard seemed dazed going to the back and had to sit outside the cage for a minute before leaving.
Official Result – Johny Hendricks Def. Hector Lombard via Unanimous Decision (30-27,30-27,29-28)
> Derrick Lewis (#8, 17-4 1 NC, 8-2 UFC) vs. Travis Browne (#9, 18-5-1, 9-5-1 UFC) Heavyweights
Browne starting the round with some devastating kicks to the stomach that slows Lewis down. Lewis counters with some punches that get Browne grounded but he’s able to recover. Browne reciprocates with some punches of his own that leave Lewis running. Lewis seems to be trying to end it with a haymaker but Browne is able to dodge them fairly easily to end the first round. 10-9 Browne.
Travis continues with the kicks into round two. Lewis then seemingly goes from not punching at all to connecting with strike after strike as Browne is barely able to defend himself as they go around the cage. Lewis gets Browne on the ground but Lewis is able to escape to only go to the ground agin with Lewis delivering some of the most brutal ground and pound I’ve seen. Brownes eyes looked glazed over and the ref calls the TKO. Lewis also falls to ground exhausted as both are being looked at by medical. One of the craziest rounds I’ve seen in a while.
Official Result – Derrick Lewis Def. Travis Browne via KO 3:12 in Round 2
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC Fight Night 102: Lewis vs. Abdurakhimov, eminating from the Times Union Center in Albany, New York.
The event is headlined by a five-round bout in the UFC’s heavyweight division as hard-hitting Derrick Lewis puts his four-fight win streak on the line against Shamil Abdurakhimov, who is looking to score his third straight win inside the Octagon.
Also on the main card is another hard-hitting heavyweight bout as rising prospect Francis Ngannou looks to run his win streak to eight straight as he battles Anthony Hamilton. A pair of light heavyweight bouts round out the main card as Gian Villante gets a late replacement in the form of debuting Saparbek Safarov, and Corey Anderson takes on Sean O’Connell.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 5:45 PM eastern time with preliminary action all the way thru the main card.
> Juliana Lima (9-3) beat JJ Aldrich (4-2) by decision on scores of 30-27 x 3
Pretty boring fight. Lima dominated with her wrestling and striking, which was just a little bit better than Aldrich, who was making her UFC debut. I had it 30-27 as well, which was really the only score possible. In the third round, ref Keith Peterson stopped the fight for a low blow and Lima had this puzzled look on her face and pointed to her groin and Peterson said something to the effect of “Well, it’s there, you know” and then Lima kind of laughed.
She got a post-fight promo but didn’t really say anything other than putting over the crowd. JJ Aldrich took this fight on short notice after just fighting two weeks ago in Invicta. She’ll get another shot. Lima is now 3-2 in UFC but both her losses were to the current and former champion in the division. She should move up a couple spots in the top 15 after this.
> Ryan Janes (9-1) beat Keith Berish (5-1) by unanimous decision on scores of 29-28 x 3
Janes picked up the win in his UFC debut in a more entertaining scrap than the opener but nothing you need to go out of your way to see. Just two guys who probably belong on the regional circuit slugging it out for 3 rounds. First two rounds were fairly close and I thought Janes clearly won the third. I had the same score as the judges.
Mostly just a standup fight with Janes controlling the Octagon the whole time and both guys landing hard and often but no sustained damage.
Berish was fighting for the first time in over two years due to various injuries. He may not get another shot as he’s winless in two UFC fights. He was submitted in his UFC debut but the result was later overtuned when his opponent failed a drug test.
> Marc Diakiese (11-0) won a unanimous decision over Frankie Perez (10-3) on scores of 29-28 x 3
All three rounds were obvious. Diakiese took Perez down 3 times to take that one. Perez took Diakiese down early in the 2nd and held him down for most of the round, doing a lot of damage. In the third Diakiese took Perez down about 2:00 in and held him down, doing just enough to avoid a standup. When Perez finally did get up, Diakiese held him in the clinch. I had the same 29-28 score.
Perez was returning after “retiring” following a win over Sam Stout last year in Saskatoon. This was Diakiese’s 2nd straight UFC win after debuting at UFC 204. He’s miles away from title contention though.
> Shane Burgos (8-0) won a unanimous decision over Tiago Trator (20-6-1) on scores of 30-26, 29-28 and 29-27
Nothing wrong with any of the judges scores. First round was really close with Trator controlling the grappling aspect and Burgos doing more damage on the feet. I scored it for Trator but it could’ve gone either way. Round 2 was clearly Burgos and I was close to giving it to him 10-8 and it looks like 2 judges did. He just lit him up on the feet the whole round
In round 3, Burgos was dominating early but Trator came on strong at the end and hurt him at the end.
Really moving now as it’s all been decisions and next fighters are already in the Octagon.
> Andrew Sanchez (9-2) won a unanimous decision over Trevor Smith (14-7) on scores of 30-27 x 3
This was basically just a one-sided kick-boxing match in which Sanchez dominated all 3 rounds. Smith had his moments late, but it was clearly Sanchez’ fight. He was the TUF middleweight champion in the season before last and is very early in his career but showed a lot of promise here. Smith is tough vet but could get cut after this.
> Gerald Meerschaert (25-8) submitted Joe Gigliotti (7-2) in 4:12
First stoppage of the night and the training partner of CM Punk won with an Annaconda choke in his UFC debut. He looked great and in his 34th career fight, he couldn’t have made a better impression. He dominated the standup and then got a takedown and secured the Annaconda fairly easily for the quick tap.
He did a great promo after the fight, saying he’s GM3 and he’s here to F up the middleweight divison. He also campaigned for the 50K bonus and given it’s the only finish, he’ll probably get at.
> Randy Brown (9-1) won via TKO over Brian Camozzi (7-3) at 1:25 of the 2nd round
This was a fun fight. Brown got Camozzi to the gorund early in the first but Camozzi had an armbar and was trying to set up a triangle for most of the round and I thought he won the round but it could’ve gone to Brown, who did more damage on the feet.
In the 2nd, Camozzi went for a takedown but Brown caught him in a choke. He then crumpled Camozzi with a knee to the body and finished him with ground and pound.
Brown was really happy in his post-fight promo. He’s a local and asked for a fight on the Brooklyn show. Camozzi was making his UFC debut and will probably get another shot. He’s the brother of veteran Chris Camozzi
> Justine Kish (6-0) won a unanimous decision over Ashley Yoder (5-2)
This was a great fight. Kish had the advantage on the feet for each of the first two rounds but Yoder was landing her fair share of shots. Both rounds it went to the ground and in both rounds, Yoder would take over on the ground and they were tough to judge. I had both rounds for Yoder but could easily see them both going to Kish.
Kish took over in round 3, really hurting Yoder on the feet. She took her down halfway through the round though and Yoder ended up sweeping into top position and briefly had mount. But she did no damage and Kish escaped and got to her feet, finishing strong.
In her post-fight promo, Kish apologized for missing weight and said she can’t wait for UFC to bring in a flyweight division and that a lot of women feel the same way.
UFC FIGHT PASS MAIN CARD | 9 PM ET/6 PM PT
> Gian Villante (15-7) won via TKO over Saparbek Safarov (8-1) at 2:54 of the 2nd round
Phenomenal fight. Villante was clearly the more skilled fighter but Safarov showed so much heart. He was hurt back with leg kicks in the first and Villante opened up a huge cut under his left eye as well. But Safarov never stopped fighting and hurt Villante bad at the end of the first.
In the second, Villante was targeting the leg with kicks and lighting him up with the punches on the feet. But Safarov was throwing every punch with everything he had. He finally gave up after taking too much punishment and basically stopped fighting, forcing the ref to step in and stop it.
Villante’s post fight promo was something else. He dropped a ton of F-bombs, putting over Joe Silva as the best thing that every happened to UFC. He said he was so happy to fight in Albany and invited everyone out for drinks. He also called Safarov a tough little MFer (but not usual the iniitials). I may be a sadist but I’d love to see Safarov against Steve Bosse in 2017.
> Corey Anderson (9-2) won via TKO over Sean O’Connell (17-9) at 2:36 of the 2nd round
This was a complete mismatch and Corey Anderson never looked better, in my opinion. He dominated the first by taking O’Connell down and holding him there. He never really threatened a finish but did a lot of damage in what was a clear 10-8. In the 2nd, he took O’Connell down 15 seconds in and it was more of the same before he finally just let loose on O’Connell and finished him with punches and elbows.
Anderson’s interview after the fight was nothing special but he called out Nikita Krylov, who fights tomorrow. He’s also changed his nickname from “Beastin’ 25/8” to “Overtime”. Picked a weird time to finally finish someone with that nickname.
> Francis Ngannou (9-1) submitted Anthony Hamilton (15-6) at 1:57
Ngannou could be a contender. He was ranked #9 coming in here and after winning his first 3 fights by KO, he showed his submission skills here. After being taken down by Hamilton early, he worked his way back to feet and trapped his arm behind his back with a Kimura. He used that to take him down and once on the ground, he cranked it and got the quick tap.
Unfortunately, he doesn’t speak English very well and the post-fight interview was a mess. The translator had negative charisma which shouldn’t matter but it did here. But if he keeps winning like this, he’ll be in title contention in a year. He asked for Arlovski, Travis Browne or Mark Hunt, which are all good names.
> Derrick Lewis (17-4) scored a TKO over Shamil Abdurakhimov (16-5) at 3:42 of Round 4
Awful, awful fight for the first 3+ rounds. Just a slow plodding borefest with Shamil getting takedowns off of missed kicks by Lewis for the first three rounds. On the feet, Lewis basically stalked Shamil around the Octagon. He really seemed to be pacing himself, though, and never ran out of gas.
Shamil would even get dominant positiions but did almost no damage and Lewis would just stand up from side control like it was nothing and even escaped mount at one point. At one point in the third, Shamil was warned by referee Dan Miragliotta to fight, while on the feet, or he’d be deducted a point.
In the fourth, Shamil was clearly tired and Lewis was starting to land more punches. He was finally able to get a takedown of his own and at that point just pummelled Shamil until the ref stepped in and stopped it.
Lewis was asked after the fight who he’d like next. He said that he was planning to call out Travis Browne or Mark Hunt but after this terrible performance he didn’t feel he deserves it. He’s picked up five straight wins in the heavyweight division, though, and he’s going to get a big fight next.
As for Shamil….after this performance, if I never seen him fight again, it will be too soon.
As for this card as a whole, there was some nice finishes but this was exhibit A on UFC running too many shows. It seemed like every other fight had someone making their UFC debut and I’d say every fight had at least one fighter that only the most hardcore MMA fan would recognize the name. If you’re going back to watch, check out the Kish fight and the Villante and N’Gannou finishes and you can probably skip just about everything else.
Here’s some advice for your gambling and fantasy needs for Friday’s UFC Fight Night 102 event in Albany, New York, headlined by Derrick Lewis against Shamil Abdurakhimov in a five-round heavyweight bout on UFC Fight Pass.
MAIN CARD
Derrick Lewis (16-4 1 NC) vs. Shamil Abdurakhimov (17-3)
Betting Odds: Lewis (-200), Abdurakhimov (+185) DraftKings Salaries: Lewis- $9,100, Abdurakhimov- $7,100 Key Statistic: Lewis has 14 wins by knockout Analysis: Lewis is one of the heaviest hitters in the heavyweight division, scoring 14 of his 16 wins by knockout. The fight is also going five rounds, but I don’t expect it will go the full 25 minutes. Abdurakhimov is a durable heavyweight and he’s only been finished by punches once in his career, but he hasn’t fought anyone with the power of Lewis. Abdurakhimov will likely be looking to take Lewis down, but if he ends up on bottom, big fists will be coming from Lewis. Lewis went the distance in his last fight, but I don’t see this one going the distance at all. I like Lewis in this fight, both in straight betting and in fantasy contests. He is solid at his $9,100 fantasy salary.
Francis Ngannou (8-1) vs. Anthony Hamilton (15-5)
Betting Odds: Ngannou (-525), Hamilton (+415) DraftKings Salaries: Ngannou- $9,700, Hamilton- $6,500 Key Statistic: Ngannou will have a 7-inch reach advantage Analysis: Ngannou is a physically imposing heavyweight, big at six-foot-four and around 260 pounds. He has won eight of his nine career fights, and all eight have come by stoppage. Hamilton is a serviceable heavyweight with some power, but he has been stopped in four of his five losses. This fight looks like he is just being put in the Octagon to give Ngannou another impressive win. Ngannou is going to have a big seven-inch reach advantage over him. Ngannou is a heavy favorite in this fight, and if he loses it’s a huge upset. I wouldn’t put money down on either as the return on Ngannou would be small. I like Ngannou as my top play in fantasy, and he commands the highest salary on this card at $9,700, but I think he will get a first-round finish, and Hamilton is a fighter to avoid.
Corey Anderson (8-2) vs. Sean O’Connell (17-8)
Betting Odds: Anderson (-420), O’Connell (+335) DraftKings Salaries: Anderson- $9,000, O’Connell- $7,200 Key Statistic: Anderson has 24 takedowns in 7 UFC fights Analysis: Anderson will be looking to get back in the win column after losing to Mauricio Rua in May. He is good prospect at 205 pounds with some excellent wrestling, having scored multiple takedowns in six of his seven UFC fights. O’Connell is a lower-level light heavyweight who has a ton of heart and is very durable, and he likes to have exciting fights. This one might not be one, though. Anderson isn’t much of a finisher, having won his last four fights by decision, and he will likely keep taking O’Connell down and dominating on the top. It doesn’t make for an exciting fight, but Anderson is a great bet to win. His takedowns will score some fantasy points, but I don’t see a finish happening here. His salary is just a tad too high at $9,000 to take a big chance when there are proven finishers at similar salaries.
Gian Villante (14-7) vs. Saparbek Safarov (8-0)
Betting Odds: Villante (-175), Safarov (+155) DraftKings Salaries: Villante- $8,800, Safarov- $7,400 Key Statistic: Villante absorbs more than 5 strikes per minute Analysis: Villante looks to rebound from a loss in his last fight when he takes on late replacement Safarov, who is making his UFC debut on just one week’s notice. Safarov is undefeated in his career and has scored all eight of his wins by stoppage. He is a legitimate prospect at 205 pounds. Villante has made a name of being a durable fighter, but he can be stopped, as evidenced by his three losses by knockout. Villante won’t be afraid to trade on the feet, and he has good wrestling to rely on. He does get hit a lot, and Safarov is dangerous on his feet. Despite the late notice, Safarov is a good underdog bet both in straight bets and in fantasy games, especially at a $7,400 salary. This is a toss-up fight, but I really wouldn’t be surprised to see a convincing win by Villante.
PRELIMS
Justine Kish (5-0) vs. Ashley Yoder (5-1)
Betting Odds: Kish (-235), Yoder (+195) DraftKings Salaries: Kish- $8,300, Yoder- $7,900 Key Statistic: Kish has fought just once since January 2014 Analysis: Kish puts her undefeated MMA record on the line against TUF 23 competitor, Yoder, in the featured prelim bout. Kish has a wealth of kickboxing experience, but she has been dealing with big injury issues over the last few years. Yoder has shown to have good submission skills, winning four of her five career fights with armbars. Kish is the better fighter on the feet, but she does have a decent ground game as well. Both are close in experience in MMA, but Kish has more overall in fighting. Yoder is a good underdog bet, but she did fight less than a month ago. I like Kish in this fight, but I am staying away from both in fantasy line-ups.
Randy Brown (8-1) vs. Brian Camozzi (7-2)
Betting Odds: Brown (-170), Camozzi (+150) DraftKings Salaries: Brown- $8,200, Camozzi- $8,000 Key Statistic: Brown has seven wins by stoppage Analysis: Brown looks to get a win streak going when he takes on the debuting Brian Camozzi, younger brother of UFC middleweight Chris Camozzi. Both of these men are finishers. Brown has finished opponents in seven of his eight wins, and Camozzi has finished opponents in all seven of his wins, six coming in the first round. Both men are interesting prospects at 170 pounds, and both are solid strikers. Camozzi is the better submission artist, and Brown has had trouble getting up from his back. There is no clear favorite in this bout, but Brown has more potential. Camozzi is a good underdog bet though I like Brown at his $8,200 fantasy salary.
Joe Gigliotti (7-1) vs. Gerald Meerschaert (24-8)
Betting Odds: Gigliotti (+185), Meerschaert (-225) DraftKings Salaries: Gigliotti- $7,600, Meerschaert- $8,600 Key Statistic: Meerschaert has won 22 of his 24 fights by stoppage Analysis: Meerschaert looks for his 25th career win in his UFC debut as he comes in as an injury replacement to take on Gigliotti, who is looking for his first UFC win. Meerschaert has been impressive in the regional promotions, having racked up 22 wins by stoppage. He is a finisher, but so is Gigliotti, as all of his wins have been by a finish. Both men like to look for chokes, but Gigliotti has more power on his feet and has better chances to finish it on the feet. He also has had a full camp, something that will give him that extra edge. I like Gigliotti in this fight, and he has good underdog value.
Andrew Sanchez (8-2) vs. Trevor Smith (14-6)
Betting Odds: Sanchez (-200), Smith (+170) DraftKings Salaries: Sanchez- $8,700, Smith- $7,500 Key Statistic: Smith has been finished in five of his six losses Analysis: Sanchez won TUF 23 in July, and it was the first time he went the distance in a win in his career. It wasn’t an exciting performance either. Smith has gotten better the older he has gotten, but he hasn’t scored that true signature win. He has nine wins by submission, but none inside the Octagon. He gets finished a lot in his losses, and he isn’t all that consistent. This is a closer fight on paper than the records indicate. Sanchez has improved on his feet though he still likes to drag fights to the mat. A grappling battle may favor Smith, though, as he has become a grinder at this stage of his career. I’m not expecting a memorable fight, and Smith has some value as an underdog. I will be testing him in my fantasy line-ups, and he gives you a decent option at winning money.
Tiago Trator (20-5-1 1 NC) vs. Shane Burgos (7-0)
Betting Odds: Trator (+150), Burgos (-170) DraftKings Salaries: Trator- $7,800, Burgos- $8,400 Key Statistic: Burgos has scored all seven of his wins by stoppage Analysis: Trator returns to action after being out for 15 months, and he gets a late replacement in the undefeated Burgos, who makes his UFC debut. Trator has gotten a lot of finishes in his career, but none in his short UFC career. Burgos has scored four of his wins by submission and three by knockout, and he has five first-round wins. While he is coming in on short notice, he is a legitimate prospect with good submission skills. He is also the favorite in this fight, and I like his chances. The short notice is tough, though, and Trator could be a sneaky underdog bet. I like Burgos better in fantasy games as I don’t see Trator scoring a finish.
Frankie Perez (10-2) vs. Marc Diakiese (10-0)
Betting Odds: Perez (+245), Diakiese (-290) DraftKings Salaries: Perez- $7,000, Diakiese- $9,200 Key Statistic: Perez coming out of retirement and fights for first time since August 2015 Analysis: Diakiese has real star potential and I think he should be higher on this card. He is a big favorite in this fight, and for good reason as Perez is coming out of retirement and fighting for the first time in nearly 16 months. Diakiese has a lot of power in his hands and is a skilled takedown artist with an active ground game. Perez has power in his hands, but he hasn’t shown a huge array of skillset in his short UFC career. Worse off, it’s hard to judge how he will be coming out of retirement. Diakiese is a big favorite in this fight and a strong fantasy play, and he is one of the top targets on this card. I do expect him to have a high draft percentage in fantasy games, so heed caution.
Keith Berish (5-0 1 NC) vs. Ryan Janes (8-1)
Betting Odds: Berish (+225), Janes (-265) DraftKings Salaries: Berish- $7,300, Janes- $8,900 Key Statistic: Berish hasn’t fought since July 2014 Analysis: This fight is hard to get a read on. Berish hasn’t fought since July 2014, and it was a quick loss, and he blew out his knee in the process, to Robert Drysdale that was later overturned. Janes is making his UFC debut at 35-years-old, and he hasn’t fought in 16 months. Janes is a grappler by trade, but his striking leaves a lot to be desired. Berish is better on the feet, and it’s hard to know his grappling game as his only test was with Drysdale, one of the best grapplers in the world. This is a real tough fight to call as both are clear low-level UFC middleweights. Berish being such a low salary fighter makes him a solid underdog play in fantasy games, and I would stay away from straight betting on this fight.
Juliana Lima (8-3) vs. JJ Aldrich (4-1)
Betting Odds: Lima (-240), Aldrich (+200) DraftKings Salaries: Lima- $8,500, Aldrich- $7,700 Key Statistic: Aldrich takes fight on one week’s notice Analysis: Aldrich is making her UFC debut on short notice, and it’s a tough one in taking on Lima. Lima has two UFC losses, but they came to the only two strawweight champions in company history- Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Carla Esparza. She is pretty durable on her feet and has good wrestling. Aldrich may not have a lot of pro experience, but she has a ton of amateur experience. She comes from a southpaw stance and has some pop in her punches, but she doesn’t have the grappling to match Lima. Aldrich did just fight on November 18, so she won’t be fresh, while Lima has had a full training camp. This fight favors Lima, but I don’t see her getting a finish, making her a questionable fantasy play. I would avoid if you can find better options for your line-ups.
