During the main event of UFC Fight Night: Seattle, Israel Adesanya paid a surprising tribute to former WWE NXT Champion Oba Femi.
Ahead of his match against Joe Pyfer, fans saw Adesanya enter the octagon while performing Femi’s WWE entrance strut. However, despite channeling his inner Femi, Adesanya left the octagon a defeated man.
Pyfer defeated Adesanya in the second round, after getting him on his back and dropping him with rapid punches. Shortly after, the referee was forced to stop the fight and declare Pyfer as the winner.
Tonight’s match was Adesanya’s first fight since February 2025, when he lost to Nassourdine Imavov by TKO. The Kiwi has now lost four straight fights.
Adesanya’s tribute to Femi became a talking point tonight after his previous positive comments on the 27-year-old.
The UFC closes out the month of March on Paramount+ with the Octagon returning to Seattle with UFC Fight Night 271 taking place at the Climate Pledge Arena.
The main event sees the return of former UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya, fighting for the first time in over a year, taking on Joe Pyfer in the five-round headliner. Adesanya is looking to get back into title form and end a three-fight losing skid, while Pyfer is looking to score the biggest win of his career and extend his three-fight win streak.
In the co-main event, former UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion Alexa Grasso takes on Maycee Barber in a rematch of a February 2021 bout won by Grasso. Also on the main card is a battle of veterans as Michael Chiesa takes on Niko Price in a double retirement bout; a middleweight fight between rising propsects Mansur Abdul-Malik and Yousri Belgaroui; and a lightweight fight pitting Terrance McKinney against Kyle Nelson.
PRELIMS | 5 PM ET/2 PM PT
> Women’s Strawweights- #13 Alexia Thainara (13-1, 2-0 UFC) vs. Bruna Brasil (11-6-1, 3-4 UFC)
They trade and Thainara lands a right hand. They trade leg kicks. Thainara lands a combo then a pair of leg kicks. Thainara gets a takedown and lands a combo as Brasil stands. Brasil lands a leg kick. They trade and Thainara scores another takedown. Thainara lands and they get to their feet. Thainara lands a right hand as Brasil looks for a takedown opening. Brasil lands a left hook. Brasil lands a leg kick as Thainara lands a series of punches. Brasil with a body kick and a leg kick though Thainara counters into a takedown. Thainara is pressuring the neck and lands an elbow from the top. Thainara lands from the top. 10-9 Thainara.
Thainara lands a leg kick and a combination. Thainara lands a solid right hand after a series of shots. Thainara pushes Brasil against the fence and lands a knee. Brasil lands a knee and they break, and Brasil lands a knee as Thainara lands a series of punches. Thainara grabs the body lock and pushes it against the fence as they trade knees. Thainara keeps it pushed against the fence as both are landing knees. Thainara lands a combination as they separate, and then lands a pair of combinations. Brasil lands a spin kick to the body but eats a right hand from Thainara. Brasil lands a knee and Thainara scores a takedown off of it. Thainara pressuring from the top. Thainara with an elbow. Thainara lands from the top as Brasil kicks her off, but Thainara ends up back on top and lands to end the round. 10-9 Thainara, 20-18 Thainara.
They trade kicks. Brasil lands a head kick, but Thainara grabs it and dumps Brasil to the mat. Thainara gets inside the guard of Brasil and lands. Thainara lands a few elbows from the top. Thainara lands some right hands from the top. Thainara has the back as they stand and lands before they get into clinch position. They break apart and Thainara lands a right hand and a calf kick. Thainara with a combination and a calf kick and lands another solid right hand. Thainara lands another right hand. Thainara with a quick flurry and Brasil looks gassed. Thainara gets a takedown. Thainara lands from the top before standing, and Brasil stands. Brasil lands a spin kick right to the face that stunned Thainara and Thainara grabs the back of Brasil. Thainara lands some knees against the fence. Thainara lands as they break at the end. 10-9 Thainara, 30-27 Thainara.
Fight Result- Alexia Thainara def. Bruna Brasil by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Bantamweights- Ricky Simon (22-7, 10-6 UFC) vs. Adrian Yanez (17-6, 6-3 UFC)
Yanez works the jab as Simon is looking for a takedown opening. Simon lands a leg kick. Yanez working the jab. They trade left hooks. They both work the jab. Simon lands a leg kick and looks for a takedown but Yanez escapes. Yanez lands some punches. Simon just misses a spinning back fist. Simon with a stiff jab. They trade in close range as Yanez lands a quick combo. They trade jabs as Yanez lands a right hand. Yanez with a jab followed by a right hand. Simon lands a body kick. Both land in close range. Simon with an uppercut. Yanez lands a right hand. Close round. 10-9 Yanez.
Simon lands a right hand. Simon with a front kick. Simon lands a right hand. They both land inside the pocket. Yanez with a double jab as Simon lands a leg kick. They both land a right hand. Simon lands a jab and scores a takedown. Simon lands from the top. Yanez is able to scramble up and Simon has the back against the fence. Yanez grabs the fence. Simon lands a knee. Simon gets another takedown and lands a knee before Yanez gets up. Simon trying hard to get Yanez back down against the fence. Simon lands an elbow as they break apart. Yanez lands a solid right hand. Yanez lands a double jab followed by a combo. Simon with a head kick that Yanez blocks, and Yanez lands a right hand. Yanez with a combo. They trade jabs. 10-9 Simon, 19-19.
Yanez lands a combination. Yanez with a leg kick followed by a stiff right hand. Yanez with another right hand. Yanez with another combination. They trade inside the pocket. They trade jabs and Simon lands a solid left hook that stuns Yanez for a moment. Yanez lands and Simon is cut open. Yanez working the jab. Yanez lands a right hand. Simon lands a jab. Yanez lands a right hand and Simon is hurt. Yanez with a jab as Simon is circling away. Yanez lands as Simon was coming forward. Yanez lands another combo. Yanez lands a jab as they trade in close range. Yanez lands a right hand. Yanez with another combo. Yanez drops Simon with a right hand late and is landing lots of shots late but Simon is able to make it to the end. 10-9 Yanez, 29-28 Yanez.
Fight Result- Ricky Simon vs. Adrian Yanez ruled a majority draw (29-28, 28-28, 28-28)
> Light Heavyweights- Navajo Stirling (8-0, 3-0 UFC) vs. Bruno Lopes (14-2, 1-1 UFC)
They both land a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Stirling with a high kick. Stirling lands a body kick. They both land big shots during an exchange. Stirling lands a left hand. Stirling with a head kick and Lopes catches the leg and tries for a takedown as Stirling gets the leg free, but Lopes gets the back. They separate after Lopes lands an elbow. Lopes looks for a takedown but Stirling defends and lands a knee. Stirling with a left hook to the body and then lands a big combination. Lopes grabs a Stirling body kick but Stirling squirms away. Stirling lands a right hand. They trade and Lopes looks for a takedown as he gets the back, but Stirling gets away. Stirling lands a combo and a head kick. 10-9 Stirling.
Stirling pressuring and landing as he lands to the body. Lopes lands a counter right hand. Stirling with a jab and a right hand. Lopes lands a right hand. They trade and Stirling hurts Lopes with two right hands. Stirling then drops Lopes with a left hand and starts landing from the top. Stirling lands and grabs the neck as they stand. Stirling lands a big right hand and Lopes is stumbling around as he is hurt and Stirling is landing lots of punches and elbows. Stirling with lots of left hands from the back. Lopes is badly busted open as Stirling is landing from the mount. Stirling with more big shots and it is finally stopped. Big finish from Stirling!
Fight Result- Navajo Stirling def. Bruno Lopes by TKO (punches) at 4:05 of Round 2
O’Neill lands a leg kick. She lands another. Fernandes with a left hand and a high kick. O’Neill lands a combo. O’Neill with another leg kick. O’Neill lands another leg kick and follows with a right hand. O’Neill with a right hand. O’Neill works the jab and lands to the body and a body kick. Fernandes with a quick combo and a leg kick. O’Neill rushes in and lands. O’Neill hurts Fernandes with a right hand and starts teeing off with big shots against the fence and Fernandes goes down and it is all over! What a finish from O’Neill!
Fight Result- Casey O’Neill def. Gabriella Fernandes by knockout (punches) at 3:11 of Round 1
> Heavyweights- #8 Marcin Tybura (27-10, 14-9 UFC) vs. Tyrell Fortune (17-3, 0-0 UFC)
Not much has happened in the first minute. Fortune lands before scoring a big takedown and starts unloading with punches from the top. Fortune has Tybura pinned against the fence. Tybura is trying to work to his feet and does but Fortune lands a big right hand. Fortune looks for the takedown against the fence. Tybura lands a big knee. They break apart. Tybura with a high kick. They trade right hands. Fortune with a right hand as Tybura lands a teet kick. 10-9 Fortune.
Fortune lands a right hand. Fortune lands another hard right hand. Tybura lands a leg kick and a pair of teet kicks, though one goes low and timeout is called. They get back going and Fortune lands a right hand. Fortune lands a pair of right hands. Fortune lands a right hand. Tybura is pressuring and lands a big left hand. Fortune lands a right hand. Tybura with a right hand. Fortune with a left hand and Tybura lands a body kick. Fortune lands a right hand. Fortune with another right hand. 10-9 Fortune, 20-18 Fortune.
Fortune pushes it against the fence and is controlling Tybura. They separate after no action. They clinch back up and Tybura pushes it to the fence. They break apart and Tybura lands some teet kicks and they clinch against the fence. Fortune lands an elbow. They separate. Tybura lands a right hand. Fortune with a combination. Fortune scores a takedown and has back control as they stand. Fortune drags it back down. Fortune with some big right hands as they get to their feet and Fortune keeps control along the fence. Tybura reverses and lands. Fortune reverses back and Tybura lands a knee. Fortune with a knee and Tybura lands a left hand. Tybura lands a combo as he pushes Fortune against the fence. Tybura with a front kick and lands a combo. They trade at the end. 10-9 Tybura, 29-28 Fortune.
Fight Result- Tyrell Fortune def. Marcin Tybura by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
> Lightweights- Chase Hooper (16-4-1, 8-4 UFC) vs. Lance Gibson Jr. (9-2, 0-1 UFC)
They trade leg kicks. Hooper with a quick combo. Both land a leg kick. Hooper with a high kick. Hooper shoots for a takedown as he has a single leg and Gibson is defending by landing punches and elbows. Hooper lets go. Gibson with a leg kick. Hooper lands a body kick as Gibson lands to the body. Hooper lands a head kick. Gibson with a left hook. They clinch and Gibson badly hurts Hooper with an elbow and then lands a head kick. Gibson is landing some knees and Hooper is down and the fight is stopped! Weird finish but Hooper isn’t protesting and he was hurt badly.
Fight Result- Lance Gibson Jr. def. Chase Hooper by TKO (strikes) at 2:56 of Round 1
> Lightweights- Ignacio Bahamondes (17-6, 6-3 UFC) vs. Tofiq Musayev (22-6, 0-1 UFC)
Bahamondes lands some kicks early. Musayev lands a right hand and Bahamondes lands a solid counter combination. Musayev with a leg kick. Musayev catches a kick and both swing and land. Bahamondes lands a leg kick. Bahamondes with a high kick and then lands another. Bahamondes with a pair of inside leg kicks. They trade kicks. Musayev lands a right hand as they tie up and Musayev pushes it to the fence. They trade elbows as they break. Musayev lands a leg kick. Bahamondes with a body kick. They trade leg kicks. Musayev with a leg kick. Musayev lands a heavy combination. Bahamondes with a combination. They trade body kicks and Musayev gets a late takedown and lands some punches from the top. 10-9 Bahamondes.
Bahamondes drops Musayev with a right hand and starts teeing off from the top. He gets up and Bahamondes tried twice to take him down but Musayev grabbed the fence both times. They separate and both land body kicks. Musayev gets Bahamondes down and Bahamondes looks for a guillotine choke. Musayev escapes and is on top. Musayev lands a big elbow and Bahamondes is cut open badly. Bahamondes looks for an armbar but Musayev escapes. Bahamondes is badly bleeding as Musayev lands from the top. Musayev with an illegal headbutt that the referee misses. Musayev with a big elbow and right hand from the top. Musayev with some big shots from the top and he has Bahamondes hurt. Musayev with more big shots from the top and Bahamondes is a ten on The Muta Scale. Musayev with more big shots. Bahamondes survives. 10-9 Musayev, 19-19.
Musayev lands a right hand. Bahamondes with a spinning elbow. Musayev lands a combination. They tie up and Musayev scores a takedown. Musayev lands from the top as he controls. Bahamondes with an elbow from the bottom. Musayev lands from the top. Bahamondes is trying to scramble up but he is bleeding everywhere and slippery and Musayev is keeping it down. Bahamondes is able to sweep and takes the back of Musayev. Bahamondes is working for a choke. Bahamondes is looking for it but Musayev escapes and lands from the top. 10-9 Musayev, 29-28 Musayev.
Fight Result- Tofiq Musayev def. Ignacio Bahamondes by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 30-27)
MAIN CARD | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT
> Lightweights- Terrance McKinney (17-8, 7-5 UFC) vs. Kyle Nelson (17-6-1, 5-5-1 UFC)
McKinney working the jab early and he drops Nelson with a head kick. McKinney with tons of hammerfists from the top and Nelson is covering up. McKinney just pouring on the hammerfists and it is stopped! What a finish from McKinney!
Fight Result- Terrance McKinney def. Kyle Nelson by TKO (punches) at :24 of Round 1
> Middleweights- Mansur Abdul-Malik (9-0-1, 3-0-1 UFC) vs. Yousri Belgaroui (9-3, 1-0 UFC)
They both land a leg kick. Belgaroui lands a leg kick. He lands another one. Abdul-Malik with a front kick. Belgaroui lands a front kick to the body. They trade leg kicks. Both land a body kick. Belgaroui lands a nasty calf kick. He lands a pair of leg kicks. Abdul-Malik lands a right hand. Belgaroui with a pair of calf kicks. He lands another. Belgaroui landing all sorts of kicks. They trade late and Belgaroui lands a high kick. 10-9 Belgaroui.
They trade kicks. Belgaroui lands a pair of calf kicks as Abdul-Malik was pressing forward. Belgaroui lands a pair of right hands. Abdul-Malik grabs ahold and tries to get a slam but Belgaroui stays on his feet. They break apart. Abdul-Malik pressing forward and throws but Belgaroui is circling away. Abdul-Malik rushes in looking to land but misses. Belgaroui with a knee and a right hand. Abdul-Malik gets a brief takedown and takes the back and drags it back down. Abdul-Malik trying to get the hooks in. Belgaroui is able to escape and has the back as they stand and he lands. Belgaroui lands some knees and some right hands as they break apart. Belgaroui lands a right hand. Belgaroui lands a pair of knees. They trade knees. Belgaroui lands an uppercut and a knee. Abdul-Malik looks hurt and gassed. They trade knees as Belgaroui lands an elbow. Belgaroui drops Abdul-Malik at the end but the horn sounds. 10-9 Belgaroui, 20-18 Belgaroui.
Belgaroui lands a calf kick. They trade kicks. Belgaroui with a pair of jabs and a right hand. Belgaroui lands a knee. Belgaroui lands a head kick then a series of punches. Abdul-Malik with a spinning elbow. Abdul-Malik gets a takedown and has the back as they go to the fence. Abdul-Malik with back control on the feet. They break apart. Belgaroui hurts Abdul-Malik badly with a knee and a right hand. Abdul-Malik lands a right hand. Abdul-Malik tries a lunging takedown but Belgaroui defends. Belgaroui lands a right hand and a jab and then lands to the body. Belgarouri drops Abdul-Malik with a knee to the body and it is stopped! Brutal finish from Belgaroui!
Fight Result- Yousri Belgaroui def. Mansur Abdul-Malik by TKO (knee) at 3:39 of Round 3
> Featherweights- Julian Erosa (31-12, 9-8 UFC) vs. Lerryan Douglas (13-5, 0-0 UFC)
Douglas lands a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Erosa with a high kick. Douglas lands a leg kick. Douglas lands a solid left hook by a hard calf kick and Erosa’s leg is already compromised. Erosa lands a combo. Douglas stumbles Erosa with a right hand. Douglas with another heavy leg kick. Douglas lands a combo. Erosa lands a right hand. Erosa lands a combo. Erosa lands against the fence and Douglas lands big punches in return. Douglas stumbles Erosa with a jab and then drops him with another one. Erosa gets up but is hurt. Douglas lands another stiff jab. He lands another that rocks Erosa and then a right hand. Douglas drops Erosa and Erosa gets up, but Douglas lands a big punch and Erosa goes down again and it’s over! What a finish from Douglas!
Fight Result- Lerryan Douglas def. Julian Erosa by knockout (punches) at 3:33 of Round 1
> Welterweights- Michael Chiesa (19-7, 14-7 UFC) vs. Niko Price (16-10 2 NC, 8-10 2 NC UFC)
Price lands a right hand. They tie up and Chiesa has the body lock. Price is able to score the takedown but Chiesa scrambles up and slams Price to the mat and takes the back. Price tries to get out but Chiesa gets the rear-naked choke locked in and Price taps!
Fight Result- Michael Chiesa def. Niko Price by submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:03 of Round 1
Grasso lands a leg kick. They trade in close range. Barber lands a quick flurry and Grasso counters with a right hand. Barber with a leg kick. Grasso lands a high kick. Grasso lands a counter combination as Barber was pressing forward. Grasso then drops Barber with a massive left hand and immediately jumps on the back with a rear-naked choke locked on and Barber is out cold! What a brutal finish by Grasso.
Fight Result- Alexa Grasso def. Maycee Barber by knockout (punch) at 2:42 of Round 1
> Middleweights- #4 Israel Adesanya (24-5, 13-5 UFC) vs. #14 Joe Pyfer (15-3, 6-1 UFC)
Adesanya lands a leg kick. Pyfer shoots for a takedown and has the body lock against the fence. Adesanya landing defensive punches as Pyfer is just trying to get it down. Adesanya escapes the position. Adesanya lands a body kick. Pyfer just misses a right hand. Adesanya with an inside leg kick and lands a knee to the body. Adesanya lands another leg kick. Pyfer lands a left hook. Adesanya works the jab as he lands a leg kick. Pyfer shoots for a takedown and pushes it to the fence. They break apart and Adesanya lands a body kick. Adesanya with a stiff leg kick. Pyfer lands a leg kick. Adesanya lands a left hand followed by a body kick and a calf kick. Pyfer gets a takedown. He lands an elbow from the top. 10-9 Adesanya.
Adesanya lands a body kick. He lands another. Adesanya lands a hard calf kick and timeout is called for an eye poke. They get back to action and Adesanya is pressing forward. Pyfer shoots for a takedown and pushes it against the fence but they quickly break apart. Pyfer lands a left hand and a couple of uppercuts and Adesanya lands a right hand. Adesanya hurts Pyfer with a combination. Adesanya lands a left hook to the body. Pyfer looks for a takedown but Adesanya defends. Adesanya lands a combo. Pyfer with a right hand. Pyfer connects. Adesanya lands a combo and a high kick. Pyfer lands some shots against the fence and Adesanya is covering up. Pyfer gets a takedown and gets the mount. Adesanya gives up his back and Pyfer gets the hooks on. Pyfer switches back to the mount. Adesanya rolls and gives up his back again. Pyfer landing lots of shots from the back as Adesanya is covering up and it is stopped! Massive win for Pyfer.
Fight Result- Joe Pyfer def. Israel Adesanya by TKO (punches) at 4:18 of Round 2
Former UFC champion and wrestling fan Israel Adesanya is enamored by WWE star Oba Femi.
Ahead of his fight against Joe Pyfer in the main event of this weekend’s UFC event in Seattle, Shawn McDonald of Full Send MMA spoke with Adesanya, reminding him of his Undertaker tribute for his UFC 276 fight against Jared Cannonier.
Before that fight, Adesanya brough out an urn with the WWE legend’s music playing during his walkout as a tribute to Undertaker’s WWE Hall of Fame induction that year.Â
McDonald asked Adesanya about his top five WWE entrances to which he listed Rey Mysterio, The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin before getting nostalgic about Stacy Keibler and The Godfather.Â
That is when Femi came up with Adesanya saying he is a fan of his current work and feels he is the future of WWE.Â
“I really like the way he just moves. I like the way he’s carrying WWE right now. He’s the guy. He’s got that swagger. So, shoutout to Oba Femi. It’s not Oba, it’s Oba Femi. That’s the guy right now,” he said.
Femi made his main roster debut at the 2026 Royal Rumble and has dominated on Raw and SmackDown since then. He is gearing up for his first WrestleMania match where he will clash with Brock Lesnar after making a statement earlier this month.
UFC Fight Night 271 takes place at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington on March 28, 2026, and the full card is stacked from top to bottom with compelling matchups. Here is a complete breakdown of the win probability odds for every fight on the card on fight week.
The market has Adesanya as a -140 favorite, implying roughly a 58% win probability. His 12cm reach advantage (2.03m vs. 1.91m), elite footwork, and experience across five-round championship bouts give him a structural edge. Pyfer at +115 is considered a live underdog thanks to his 87% career finish rate and the fact he has won three consecutive UFC fights, while Adesanya arrives on a three-fight losing streak and a 13-month layoff.
Co-Main – Grasso vs. Barber
Maycee Barber is listed as a -160 favorite over former champion Alexa Grasso at +125, a dramatic role reversal from their first meeting where Grasso dominated. Barber is riding a seven-fight win streak while Grasso comes in on a three-fight winless skid, so the odds reflect current form over historical pedigree entirely. Grasso’s crisp boxing averages 4.11 significant strikes per minute (via UFCStats), but Barber’s output of 4.61 strikes per minute combined with her 1.58 takedowns per 15 minutes (also via UFCStats) represents a genuine stylistic threat.
Biggest Favorites on the Card
The most lopsided odds belong to Michael Chiesa (-500) and Navajo Stirling (-425). Chiesa, fighting in his retirement bout on home soil in Washington state, holds a 3.05 takedowns per 15 minutes rate and faces a Niko Price who has lost five of his last six bouts. Stirling at 8-0 is undefeated and faces Bruno Lopes as the heavy favorite in their light heavyweight contest.
Most Competitive Fights
The tightest lines outside the main event belong to the Fortune vs. Tybura heavyweight bout (-120 vs. -105), which is almost a pick’em, and the O’Neill vs. Fernandes women’s flyweight contest (-130 vs. +110). Fortune vs. Tybura is noteworthy for being the only fight where both fighters are priced within a single touchdown of each other, reflecting genuine uncertainty about how their contrasting styles, Fortune’s wrestling vs. Tybura’s veteran striking, will mesh.
Notable Underlogs to Watch
Three fighters stand out as potentially undervalued based on raw stats and recent form:
Alexa Grasso (+125):Â Former flyweight champion with elite boxing fundamentals, being discounted purely due to a rough recent run
Julian Erosa (+240):Â Veteran finisher with 31 career wins; Douglas is a heavy favorite but Erosa’s experience and finishing ability make him dangerous
Tofiq Musayev (+220):Â Accomplished 22-6 lightweight stepping in against Bahamondes, an intriguing line for a fighter with legitimate credentials
Israel “The Last Stylebender” Adesanya puts his entire legacy on the line against the most dangerous finisher in the middleweight division right now, Joe Pyfer. This is not just a routine UFC Fight Night main event because it will define where both men go next. Here is the full technical breakdown.
Adesanya vs Pyfer Physical and Statistical Profile
The physical matchup is fascinating. Adesanya carries a significant 6-inch reach advantage (80″ vs. 74″) and stands 2 inches taller at 6’4″. The reach advantage here is really important, because it has allowed Izzy to dominate the likes of Robert Whittaker, Paulo Costa, and Anderson Silva at range. Pyfer, however, fights out of a boxing-heavy stance and is built to close distance fast and unload in combination.
Fighter Stats Head-to-Head
Stat
Israel Adesanya
Joe Pyfer
Record
24-5-0
15-3-0
UFC Record
19-5
6-1
Reach
80″
74″
Height
6’4″
6’2″
Sig. Strikes Landed/Min
4.02
3.47
Striking Accuracy
48%
43%
Strikes Absorbed/Min
3.20
3.05
Strike Defense
55%
53%
Takedown Defense
76%
50%
Sub. Avg./15 min
0.1
1.0
Finish Rate (career)
52%
87%
1st Round Finishes
3
7
Adesanya’s Game Plan
Adesanya’s entire blueprint is built around distance management and counter-striking. He uses his reach and footwork to stay just outside opponent striking range, punishes forward pressure with precise counters, and neutralizes grapplers with elite takedown defense (76%). His best performances, so think of the Whittaker KO, the Costa destruction, the Alex Pereira rematch…these all came when he dictated pace and prevented opponents from establishing rhythm.
The critical concern here is cage rust. Adesanya has not fought since his TKO loss to Nassourdine Imavov in February 2025, which is a 13-month layoff. In that fight, he absorbed 3 knockdowns and showed alarming defensive vulnerability against pressure fighters. Against a finisher as explosive as Pyfer, any hesitation in the pocket could be absolutely fatal.​
Pyfer’s Path to Victory
Pyfer’s profile is deceptively simple, he hits extraordinarily hard and closes ground fast. His 7 first-round finishes in 15 wins reveal a fighter who converts early pressure into stoppages at a very elite rate. His UFC run has been built on performances of the night: he TKO’d Gerald Meerschaert in R1 at UFC 287, submitted Abdul Razak Alhassan at UFC Fight Night in 2023, and most recently outpointed the durable Kelvin Gastelum across three rounds, so he has shown he can win when a fight goes long, but 5 over rounds? That’s a new test.
His key vulnerability is takedown defense (50%) and late-round stamina. His only UFC loss, a decision to Jack Hermansson, exposed both of these, as Hermansson consistently disrupted his rhythm with wrestling and tempo changes over five rounds.​
UFC Career Finishes Breakdown
Fighter
KO/TKO
Submission
Decision
Finish Rate
Israel Adesanya
11
1
12
50%
Joe Pyfer
9
3
3
80%
The X-Factor: Round 1
This fight almost certainly is decided in Round 1. If Pyfer lands a clean combination inside the first five minutes and hurts Adesanya, the follow-up will be relentless. 7 of Pyfer’s 15 wins have ended in the opening frame of the fight. But if Adesanya survives the early storm and can establish his jab and rear teep, he will have the tools to neutralize Pyfer across four more rounds with his superior reach, timing, and octagon IQ.
The analytical edge goes to Adesanya, but only just. His reach and five-round experience are the deciding factors in what projects to be the most compelling Fight Night main event of 2026 to this point. But what you have to also factor in is how badly Izzy NEEDS to win this. If he loses? His career at the highest level is arguably done.
UFC Fight Night 271 is one of the most emotionally charged Fight Night cards in years. With Israel Adesanya fighting for his legacy and Joe Pyfer hunting his biggest scalp in the octagon yet, every pick on this card carries some real weight. Here are my predictions for the full card at Climate Pledge Arena on March 28, 2026.
Israel Adesanya vs Joe Pyfer Prediction (Middleweight)
This is the fight that defines the entire card, and the oddsmarket reflects just how evenly matched analysts believe it is. Most major US sportsbooks opened with Pyfer as a -120 to -130 favorite, while some Bet365 are pricing both fighters at 1.90/1.90, which is essentially a coin flip.​
The case for Adesanya is built on five rounds, not five minutes. His last five UFC fights have averaged 3.6 rounds, and every piece of historical evidence suggests he is designed for championship distance. His 80-inch reach gives him a 5-inch advantage over Pyfer, and his counter-striking remains elite when he controls distance. Critically, the only time Pyfer has gone five rounds, a decision loss to Jack Hermansson, he showed late-round fatigue that exposed a gas tank that has never been stress-tested at this level.
The case for Pyfer is brutal and simple: 5 of his 6 UFC wins have come by stoppage, and Adesanya has been finished twice in his last three fights. A 13-month layoff since his last bout (February 2025) raises genuine rust concerns.
Prediction: Israel Adesanya by Unanimous Decision – Reach, experience, and championship rounds win this fight if Izzy survives the early pressure.
Main Event Odds Breakdown
Fighter
DraftKings
Bet365
Implied Win%
Israel Adesanya
+105
1.90
~49%
Joe Pyfer
-130
1.90
~51%
Co-Main Event: Alexa Grasso vs. Maycee Barber (Women’s Flyweight)
Barber enters as a -175 favorite, riding a 7-fight win streak since losing to Grasso. She lands 4.61 significant strikes per minute and has improved every aspect of her game. Grasso (+145) is the elite grappler, but Barber’s evolution makes her the sharper pick here.
Prediction: Maycee Barber by Unanimous Decision
Key Card Predictions at a Glance
Fight
Our Pick
Method
Confidence
Adesanya vs. Pyfer
Adesanya
Decision
Medium
Grasso vs. Barber
Barber
Decision
Medium-High
Terrance McKinney vs. Kyle Nelson
McKinney
TKO R1
High
Ricky Simón vs. Adrian Yañez
Yañez
Decision
Medium
Marcin Tybura vs. Tyrell Fortune
Fortune
KO/TKO
Medium
Casey O’Neill vs. Gabriella Fernandes
O’Neill
TKO
High
Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Tofiq Musayev
Bahamondes
Decision
Medium
Julian Erosa vs. Lerryan Douglas
Erosa
Sub
Medium
Fight to Watch: McKinney vs. Nelson
If you tune in for one prelim fight, make it Terrance McKinney vs. Kyle Nelson. McKinney has 9 first-round finishes in his UFC career and has never once been in a boring fight. Nelson is durable but swings wildly, a combination that is a recipe for a highlight-reel finish inside 90 seconds.​
Israel Adesanya‘s net worth in 2026 is estimated at between $10–15 million, built across UFC fight purses, PPV cuts, sponsorship deals, and smart investments, despite a difficult recent run inside the octagon. Here is everything that goes into that evaluation​:
The Numbers: How He Built His Wealth
Adesanya’s financial rise mirrors his fighting career almost exactly, slow burn, then explosive. His UFC debut in 2018 earned him a six-figure sum plus a $50,000 performance bonus, a significant step up from the standard $10,000/$10,000 deal most newcomers accept. From there, each title fight brought exponentially larger paydays.​
His biggest single-night earnings came at UFC 287 (in a rematch with Alex Pereira), where he reportedly took home approximately $3.18 million when combining base pay, win bonus, PPV revenue share, and sponsorships. Even in defeat, like his title loss to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305, he earned an estimated $2.43 million.
Career Fight Purse History (Selected)
Fight
Event
Result
Estimated Earnings
Rob Whittaker (title win)
UFC 243
W
~$490,000
Yoel Romero
UFC 248
W
$500,000
Robert Whittaker (rematch)
UFC 271
W
~$1,542,000
Jared Cannonier
UFC 276
W
~$1,772,000
Alex Pereira (rematch)
UFC 287
W
~$3,180,000
Dricus du Plessis (title challenge)
UFC 305
L
~$2,432,000
Nassourdine Imavov
UFC Fight Night 250
L
~$137,500 (base)
Total career fight earnings are estimated at well over $15 million.​
Israel Adesanya’s Sponsorships and Business Ventures
Beyond the cage, Adesanya’s income is supplemented by a strong personal brand. He holds a long-running endorsement partnership with Venum, the UFC’s official fight kit sponsor, and has worked with gaming and lifestyle brands.
His father, Femi Adesanya, a chartered accountant, manages his financial affairs and has reportedly helped grow his net worth significantly, with Adesanya once joking his father “4x’d his net worth”. He also generates revenue from YouTube content, social media reach, and merchandise royalties through the UFC’s Promotional Guidelines Compliance program, which pays athletes up to $21,000 per fight based on tenure, plus a 20-30% royalty on merchandise bearing their likeness.
Personal Life
Born in Lagos, Nigeria on July 22, 1989, Adesanya moved to New Zealand as a teenager and now trains out of City Kickboxing in Auckland. He is the eldest of five children, and his mother is a trained nurse while his father is a chartered accountant. Romantically, Adesanya dated New Zealand real estate agent Charlotte Powdrell from 2019 to 2021, a relationship that later sparked controversy and unverified claims about a legal financial dispute. He has since been linked to Shana Evers, an Australian model and entrepreneur, though neither has publicly confirmed the relationship.
UFC Fight Night 271 Adesanya vs. Pyfer goes down on Saturday, March 28, 2026, live from Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. Whether you’re watching from New York, London, or Sydney, here is every start time, broadcast detail, and key fight you need to know.​
Global Start Times at a Glance
The prelims get underway at 5:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM PT, with the main card following at 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT on Paramount+. For international fans, the event runs deep into Sunday morning across most of Europe and into Sunday afternoon in Australia.​
Region
City
Prelims
Main Card
Eastern Time
New York
5:00 PM ET Sat
8:00 PM ET Sat
Central Time
Chicago
4:00 PM CT Sat
7:00 PM CT Sat
Pacific Time
Los Angeles
2:00 PM PT Sat
5:00 PM PT Sat
British Summer Time
London
10:00 PM BST Sat
1:00 AM BST Sun
AEST
Sydney
7:00 AM AEST Sun
10:00 AM AEST Sun
AWST
Perth
5:00 AM AWST Sun
8:00 AM AWST Sun
Central European
Berlin
11:00 PM CEST Sat
2:00 AM CEST Sun
Gulf Standard
Dubai
1:00 AM GST Sun
4:00 AM GST Sun
How to Watch
The entire card streams live on Paramount+ in the United States. UK fans can watch the prelims on UFC Fight Pass, while the main card airs live on TNT Sports and is also accessible via Discovery+, Amazon Prime Video, EE TV, Virgin Media, and Sky Sports. Australian fans can tune in via Kayo Sports or the UFC Fight Pass platform.
Why This Card Is Worth Staying Up For
This is arguably the most emotionally loaded UFC card of 2026 so far. Israel Adesanya (24-5) enters on a three-fight losing streak that includes back-to-back title fight losses and a TKO at the hands of Nassourdine Imavov. At 36 years old, this is widely seen as a career-defining must-win. His opponent, Joe “Bodybagz” Pyfer (15-3), is 6-1 in the UFC with 13 of his 15 wins coming by stoppage, a 87% finish rate that makes him a genuine threat in every second of every round.​
Main Event Stakes
Fighter
Record
UFC Run
Last Result
Finish Rate
Israel Adesanya
24-5
19-5
TKO loss (Imavov)
52%
Joe Pyfer
15-3
6-1
Win (Decision, Gastelum)
87%
The co-main event is a highly anticipated women’s flyweight rematch between Alexa Grasso (16-5-1) and Maycee Barber (15-2), a fight that could set up the next title shot at 125 lbs. Add in finisher-friendly lightweight and heavyweight bouts across the prelims, including Terrance McKinney vs. Kyle Nelson, an almost guaranteed first-round chaos matchup, and this is a card that rewards fans who tune in early.​
UFC Fight Night 271 lands at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington on Saturday, March 28, 2026, and the main card kicks off at 8:00 PM ET on Paramount+. This is one of the most compelling Fight Night cards in recent memory, with a veteran legend desperate to prove he belongs at the top, versus a freight train finisher who has been demolishing middleweights on his way up the rankings. Here is the complete breakdown of the card:​
The Main Event: Adesanya vs. Pyfer
Israel “The Last Stylebender” Adesanya (24-5) is in unfamiliar territory. The former two-time UFC Middleweight Champion is riding a three-fight losing skid, with defeats to Sean Strickland, Dricus Du Plessis, and Nassourdine Imavov, making this the longest winless stretch of his professional career. His last win was a stunning KO of Alex Pereira at UFC 281 back in 2023. Now 36, Izzy needs a definitive statement performance to remain in any sort of title contention.​
Joe “Bodybagz” Pyfer (15-3) is the exact wrong type of opponent for a fighter who needs to rebuild confidence. The Pennsylvania-based knockout machine is on a three-fight win streak, and his finishing rate is terrifying: 9 TKOs and 4 submissions in his 15 wins for a combined 87% finish rate. He is ranked #14 at middleweight, but a win over a #4-ranked Adesanya would catapult him into title conversation overnight.
Adesanya’s elite striking defense (55%) and pinpoint accuracy give him the technical edge on the feet, but Pyfer’s sheer power and 87% finish rate make every exchange dangerous. The key variable: can Izzy stay disciplined at range and avoid the big shots that have hurt him in recent outings?
Co-Main and Key Bouts
The co-main event is a Women’s Flyweight clash between former champion Alexa Grasso (16-5-1) and rising contender Maycee Barber (15-2), a must-watch matchup for the 125 lb. division. The main card also features Michael Chiesa vs. Niko Price at welterweight, a bout expected to serve as Chiesa’s retirement fight.
The Octagon heads to Saudi Arabia for the second time with one of the UFC’s biggest stars headlining as UFC on ESPN+ 108 takes place at the anb Arena in Riyadh.
Former UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya competes in his first non-title bout in nearly six years as he looks to end a two-fight losing skid and get back into the title picture when he battles Nassourdine Imavov. Imavov enters the fight on the heels of a four-fight unbeaten streak.
In the co-main event, undefeated rising contender Shara Magomedov looks for his 16th straight win against Michael “Venom” Page, who is moving up from welterweight for this fight.
Also on the main card is a battle of top-ten heavyweights as Sergei Pavlovich takes on Jairzinho Rozenstruik; a bantamweight bout pitting Said Nurmagomedov against Vinicius Oliveira; and an action-packed lightweight opener between Fares Ziam and Mike Davis.
Pogues lands some leg kicks as Abdelwahab connects with a left hook. Abdelwahab lands a right hand and they tie up against the fence. Abdelwahab gets Pogues down and starts landing as Pogues sprawls. Abdelwahab has back control and is landing left hands. They stand and separate. Abdelwahab lands a right hand. Pogues with a pair of jabs. Abdelwahab with a stiff leg kick. Pogues lands a leg kick followed by a right hand. Pogues with a jab then a right hand then back to the jab. Abdelwahab lands a leg kick. Pogues with a double jab followed with a leg kick. Abdelwahab lands a combo. 10-9 Abdelwahab.
Pogues lands and Abdelwahab lands a counter right hand. Pogues with a left hook that barely lands. Abdelwahab lands a leg kick. There’s not a lot of action going on. Abdelwahab lands a left hand. Pogues with a jab and Abdelwahab lands a right hand. Pogues lands a leg kick. Abdelwahab with a hard calf kick, but Pogues returns with one of his own. Pogues with another leg kick. Pogues with a combination. Pogues lands a stiff jab and Abdelwahab lands a leg kick. Abdelwahab with a jab. Pogues lands a right hand. 10-9 Pogues, 19-19.
They trade in close range. Abdelwahab is pressuring and lands a body kick. Pogues with a head kick. Pogues lands a jab. They trade kicks. Pogues lands a leg kick and Abdelwahab connects with a combo. They trade soft leg kicks. Pogues with a right hand. Pogues lands a stiff left hook. Abdelwahab lands a leg kick. Abdelwahab lands a kick. Abdelwahab with a left hook as Pogues lands a right hand. They trade in close range. 10-9 Pogues, 29-28 Pogues.
Official Result- Hamdy Abdelwahab def. Jamal Pogues by split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
> Featherweights*- Bogdan Grad (14-2, 0-0 UFC) vs. Lucas Alexander (8-4, 1-2 UFC)
*Alexander missed weight by 2.5 pounds
Grad pushing forward and Alexander lands a left hook. Grad with a leg kick then a right hand and looks for a takedown. They separate and Alexander just misses a jumping knee. Grad grabs the back of Alexander and lands some short knees to the leg. Grad looking for the takedown as Alexander lands some elbows. They scramble to the mat and Alexander ends up on top. Alexander with some right hands from the top. Grad trying to scramble up and he is able to get Alexander down. Alexander reverses and sweeps to the top before standing. Alexander with some leg kicks as Grad is down on his back. Grad gets to his feet. Alexander with a combination and lands a front kick. Grad tries for a takedown as Alexander lands and defends. Alexander gets on the back of Grad and lands. 10-9 Alexander.
They trade and Alexander trips Grad up with a leg kick and then lands some kicks as Grad gets to his feet. Grad is then able to get Alexander down and works from the half-guard. Grad lands and is working for the mount and Alexander almost gives up his back. Grad gets the mount and starts landing to the body then mixes to the head. Grad starts landing sharp elbows then mixes in some punches. Grad continuing to land and Alexander is not defending well. Grad continuing to pour it on and it gets stopped. Big finish from Grad to pick up the win in his debut.
Official Result- Bogdan Grad def. Lucas Alexander by TKO (strikes) at 4:22 of Round 2
They trade low leg kicks early. Jasudavicius lands a left hand. Jasudavicius lands a combination. Silva throws and connects before they clinch. They quickly break apart. Jasudavicius lands a left hook. Silva with a leg kick then lands a combination. Jasudavicius lands some and Silva grabs the neck as they go the mat. Silva has a guillotine locked in and Jasudavicius is defending. Jasudavicius breaks the grip and gets her neck out and is now inside of Silva’s guard. Jasudavicius gets to side control and has the crucifix position and lands some punches. Silva tries to scramble out and Jasudavicius gets the back and lands before getting back into side control. Jasudavicius ends up back in the half-guard. Silva is trying to roll for an arm. Silva looks for a leg now but time runs out. 10-9 Jasudavicius.
Jasudavicius lands a kick and Silva grabs the leg but lets go. They trade punches. Silva grabs the neck standing and lands a knee as she lets go. Silva lands a right hand. Silva with a knee in a brief clinch. Jasudavicius lands a right hand. Silva lands a left hook to the body, and then lands another. Silva with a leg kick. Jasudavicius lands a right hand and then another. Silva lands an elbow as she pressured Jasudavicius near the fence. They clinch and Jasudavicius lands some short uppercuts before they break. They trade and both land in a brief tie-up. Jasudavicius scores a takedown. Silva complains about something on the mat as Jasudavicius was landing. Silva trying to roll for a leg as Jasudavicius lands from the top. Jasudavicius scrambling and lands from the top. 10-9 Jasudavicius, 20-18 Jasudavicius.
They trade in close range before clinching up. They trade knees and separate. Jasudavicius with a standing elbow and lands a knee. Silva lands a right hand. They clinch and Jasudavicius lands a knee before they separate. Jasudavicius lands and then scores a takedown as Silva is tired. Jasudavicius in the half-guard and Silva is looking for a shoulder lock and an arm. Jasudavicius gets the mount and lands to the body as she has an arm-triangle available. She transitions and starts landing. Jasudavicius with lots of left hands as Silva is trying to scramble out but is stuck. Jasudavicius with more left hands. 10-9 Jasudavicius, 30-27 Jasudavicius.
Official Result- Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Mayra Bueno Silva by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
McKinney landing some high kicks early and Hadzovic lands a body kick. Hadzovic with a quick combo. McKinney lands a body kick and connects with some punches. Hadzovic looks for a takedown and gets it as McKinney has the neck. McKinney gets the mount and lands as Hadzovic looks to get out and almost gives up his back. McKinney with some elbows and punches. McKinney with lots of punches from the back and Hadzovic isn’t doing much. McKinney continues to pour it on and it is stopped. Big showing from McKinney to pick up the win.
Official Result- Terrance McKinney def. Damir Hadzovic by TKO (punches) at 2:01 of Round 1
> Heavyweights- #14 Shamil Gaziev (13-1, 2-1 UFC) vs. Thomas Petersen (9-2, 1-1 UFC)
Gaziev lands some punches early as Petersen is trying to clinch. Gaziev lands a body kick. Gaziev lands a right hook. Gaziev with a knee to the body. Petersen is able to get a takedown and has the back as they stand. Petersen lands some punches but they quickly separate. Petersen lands a combo. Petersen with a left hand. Gaziev lands a right hand. Gaziev drops Petersen with a massive right hand and it is all over! Gaziev with a walk-off knockout.
Official Result- Shamil Gaziev def. Thomas Petersen by TKO (punch) at 3:12 of Round 1
> Featherweights- Muhammad Naimov (11-3, 3-1 UFC) vs. Kaan Ofli (11-3-1, 0-1 UFC)
Naimov lands a right hand. Ofli with some leg kicks. Ofli lands a kick to the groin and timeout is called. They get back to action quickly. They trade leg kicks and Ofli was hurt after Naimov landed his. Naimov with some knees as they clinch up and they go to the fence. Ofli looking for the takedown as he has Naimov pressured against the fence. Ofli with some more knees. Ofli landing more knees, mixing to the body and legs. They separate. Naimov lands a left hand. Naimov with a right hand. Naimov lands a body kick and then briefly drops Ofli with a punch. Naimov then scores a takedown. They get to their feet and Naimov has the back of Ofli. They switch positions. 10-9 Naimov.
Naimov lands a jab and Ofli with a right hand as they clinch against the fence. They separate and Ofli lands a knee and a punch. They clinch back up as Ofli pushes it to the fence. They trade knees and Ofli maintains control and lands some knees. They trade punches and Naimov escapes and lands a flurry of punches. Ofli lands and Naimov is then able to grab the body and score a takedown. They get to their feet against the fence and Naimov maintains control and lands. Ofli reverses and lands a pair of shoulder strikes. They’re just leaning on each other and are separated by referee Marc Goddard. Naimov lands a combination. Ofli with a left hook. Naimov with two jabs. Close round. 10-9 Naimov, 20-18 Naimov.
Naimov lands a spin kick that barely lands. Ofli is pressuring as Naimov is circling around and Naimov scores a takedown. Naimov with some elbows from the mount and is landing lots of them trying to find a finish. Naimov gets the back. Naimov with some left hands from the back as he has the body triangle locked on. Naimov continues to land from the back and tries to set up a choke. Ofli lands a few back punches. Ofli gets to his feet and Naimov jumps off the back but still has control. They separate and Ofli lands a combo to the body. They both land. Naimov with a combo. 10-9 Naimov, 30-27 Naimov.
Official Result- Muhammad Naimov def. Kaan Ofli by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
ESPN+ MAIN CARD | 12 PM ET/9 AM PT
> Lightweights- Fares Ziam (16-4, 6-2 UFC) vs. Mike Davis (11-2, 4-1 UFC)
Davis with a leg kick and immediately goes for a takedown but pulls guard instead. They get to their feet and Davis is still working for the takedown. Davis pulls guard again. They get up and separate. Ziam lands a combo and Davis tries to get it down as they go to the mat. Ziam lands from the top. They stand and Ziam lands a combo. They clinch against the fence and Ziam with some knees. Ziam with a spinning elbow as they break. Ziam with a leg kick and a flurry of punches. Ziam lands to the body. Davis lands a right hand as Ziam lands an uppercut. Ziam with a jab as Davis looks for a takedown. Ziam lands a right hand as they separate. Davis lands a combo and gets a takedown after grabbing the back. Davis spins to the top and is in full mount. Ziam tries to reverse out but Davis stays in the half-guard and lands an elbow. Davis with a hammerfist from the top. 10-9 Ziam.
Davis with a big flurry to start as he connects with a solid left hand and then looks for a takedown. Ziam has the body lock and he is looking to get it down. Ziam with a knee to the body. Davis still working to get Ziam down to the ground. Ziam lands some knees and Davis is cut open. Ziam picks Davis up and carries him around before planting him on the mat. Ziam lands from the top. Davis looks for a heel hook but Ziam escapes. Davis may have a calf slicer in. Davis is bleeding all over. Davis moves to the mount position as he lets go of the calf. Ziam gets to his feet and Davis is still on his back as Ziam lands. They scramble and Ziam is in the half-guard. Ziam with some shots from the top to end the round. 10-9 Ziam, 20-18 Ziam.
Ziam pushes it to the fence. Ziam scores the takedown. Ziam working inside the guard of Davis next to the fence. Ziam stands but gets back on top and is landing. Ziam has the neck and looks to set up a choke but Davis scrambles out. Ziam is on top but Davis uses the butterfly guard to get it to the feet. Ziam with a combo and lands an elbow. Ziam gets it down and Davis looks for a heel hook. Ziam escapes but Davis ends up on top. Davis lands an elbow that cuts Ziam open. Davis lands a right hand. Ziam is bleeding badly. Close round. 10-9 Davis, 29-28 Ziam.
Official Result- Fares Ziam def. Mike Davis by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Bantamweights- Said Nurmagomedov (18-3, 7-2 UFC) vs. Vinicius Oliveira (21-3, 2-0 UFC)
Nurmagomedov with a leg kick. Oliveira lands a leg kick. Nurmagomedov lands a spinning back kick and Oliveira spins to the mat but quickly stands. Nurmagomedov lands a calf kick. Nurmagomedov with a spinning back fist. They scramble but separate on the feet. Nurmagomedov with a leg kick. Nurmagomedov tries a takedown and they scramble. They are clinched against the fence and Oliveira lands some knees. They separate and timeout is called for an eye poke. They get back to action and Nurmagomedov lands a head kick. Nurmagomedov lands a left hand and Oliveira stumbles. Nurmagomedov lands a flying knee but Oliveira is able to get him down. They scramble to their feet. 10-9 Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov lands a head kick. Oliveira with a spin kick then a leg kick. They tie up against the fence. They separate and Oliveira lands a body kick before scoring a takedown. They scramble to their feet and separate. Nurmagomedov with a spin kick. They trade punches. Nurmagomedov is slowing down. Nurmagomedov complains of an eye poke but Oliveira lands a combo. Nurmagomedov gets a brief takedown. Nurmagomedov has the back and scores another takedown. They stand and Oliveira lands an elbow. They separate. Oliveira lands a big left hook then a high kick as both are winging shots. Oliveira with a body shot. 10-9 Oliveira, 19-19.
Oliveira lands a combination. Nurmagomedov throws a kick and slips to the mat and Oliveira jumps on top. Oliveira lands and Nurmagomedov looks for the leg. Oliveira landing as Nurmagomedov holds onto the leg. Oliveira scrambles and maintains body position. Oliveira looks for the neck as he lands a couple of punches. Oliveira looking for an anaconda choke. Oliveira with some left hands as he lets go. Oliveira with a knee to the body and some body punches. They scramble to their feet. Oliveira connects with a right hand and Nurmagomedov lands a pair of punches. Oliveira with a spin kick and a leg kick, but then Nurmagomedov lands a spinning back fist. Oliveira lands a combination. Nurmagomedov with a head kick. Nurmagomedov shoots for a takedown but Oliveira sprawls to defend. They scramble up. 10-9 Oliveira, 29-28 Oliveira.
Official Result- Vinicius Oliveira def. Said Nurmagomedov by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Heavyweights- #4 Sergei Pavlovich (18-3, 6-3 UFC) vs. #9 Jairzinho Rozenstruik (15-5, 9-5 UFC)
They trade leg kicks. Pavlovich lands a jab. Pavlovich with a right hand. Rozenstruik lands a switch body kick. Rozenstruik with an inside leg kick. Pavlovich connects with a right hand. They trade leg kicks and Pavlovich lands a left hand. He then lands a right hand followed by a jab. Pavlovich throws a right hand and Rozenstruik gets tripped to the mat. Pavlovich gets on top and starts landing. 10-9 Pavlovich.
Rozenstruik connects and Pavlovich lands a counter right hand. Rozenstruik with an inside leg kick as Pavlovich lands a jab. Rozenstruik lands a jab. Pavlovich with a right hand. They trade jabs. Pavlovich lands a right hand and Rozenstruik briefly goes down, but Pavlovich is able to get on top. Pavlovich landing to the head and body from top. Pavlovich remaining on top and landing punches. 10-9 Pavlovich, 20-18 Pavlovich.
Both throwing but neither landing for the first minute. They both connect with left hands and it appeared that Pavlovich landed harder. Pavlovich scores a takedown and is landing from the top. Pavlovich mixing shots to the head and body. Pavlovich doing enough to keep it from being stood up, but there isn’t much action going on. Pavlovich landing punches. They stand. Pavlovich stumbles Rozenstruik with a left hand. Rozenstruik with a left hand. 10-9 Pavlovich, 30-27 Pavlovich.
Official Result- Sergei Pavlovich def. Jairzinho Rozenstruik by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Middleweights- #14 Shara Magomedov (15-0, 4-0 UFC) vs. #15 WW Michael Page (22-3, 1-1 UFC)
They trade leg kicks. Magomedov with a leg kick. Magomedov with a high kick and Page lands a left hand. Page lands a right hand. Magomedov grabs the neck as Page slips while throwing. Page gets his head out. They separate. They trade leg kicks. Page lands to the body. Page connects with a straight right hand. Magomedov lands a leg kick. Page connects. Magomedov lands a body kick. Page with a leg kick. Magomedov with another leg kick and a body kick. Page lands a spin kick. 10-9 Page.
Page lands a right hand. Page lands another right hand and Magomedov was almost tripped up. Page just misses a spinning wheel kick. Page lands a spin kick. Page with a right hand and they tie up but quickly separate. Magomedov with a body kick. Page lands a jab. Page connects with a right hand and Magomedov lands a leg kick. Page with a left hand to the body. They trade. Page lands a right hand but just misses a spinning back fist. They clinch and Page pushes it to the fence. Page with an elbow on the break. 10-9 Page, 20-18 Page.
Magomedov with a leg kick but Page lands a stiff jab that pops Magomedov’s head back. Page lands a right hand. They tie up and Page has the underhooks and lands as they break. Page lands a right hand and Magomedov lands a knee. Page with a left hook. Page with a flying knee and they clinch up. Magomedov pushes it to the fence and lands some knees. Page lands as they break. Page lands an elbow. They trade punches. Page with a body kick and Magomedov lands a combo. Magomedov with a leg kick. Magomedov lands a right hand. Page slips on a spin kick but lands a couple of uppercuts and Magomedov ends the fight on top. 10-9 Magomedov, 29-28 Page.
Official Result- Michael Page def. Shara Magomedov by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
> Middleweights- #2 Israel Adesanya (24-4, 13-4 UFC) vs. #5 Nassourdine Imavov (15-4 1 NC, 7-2 1 NC UFC)
Adesanya with a leg kick followed by a body kick. Imavov lands a leg kick. Adesanya with a calf kick. They trade in close range and Adesanya with a high kick. Imavov looks for a takedown but Adesanya defends and they separate after a scramble. Adesanya with a jab and two leg kicks. Adesanya lands a jab. Adesanya lands a body kick. Imavov lands a combo. They clinch and Adesanya lands a knee and they break. Adesanya with a jab and a leg kick. Imavov lands an uppercut. Imavov shoots for a takedown and Adesanya defends against the cage. They break apart. Adesanya with a jab and a question mark kick. Adesanya lands a body kick. 10-9 Adesanya.
They trade leg kicks. Imavov lands and drops Adesanya with a right hand followed by an uppercut and starts landing from the top and Adesanya is hurt and it is all over! Wow, Imavov with a quick finish out of nowhere.
Official Result- Nassourdine Imavov def. Israel Adesanya by knockout (punches) at :30 of Round 2
The UFC returns to Perth, Australia, for tonight’s UFC 305 pay-per-view from the RAC Arena.
The main event is a much-anticipated battle for the UFC middleweight championship as current titleholder Dricus Du Plessis battles former champion Israel Adesanya. Du Plessis is coming off a title win over Sean Strickland at UFC 297 in January while Adesanya returns for the first time in nearly a year. He lost the title to Strickland last September, and is now looking to become a three-time middleweight champion.
In the co-main event, former flyweight title challengers Kai Kara-France and Steve Erceg square off. Also on the main card is a lightweight bout between Mateusz Gamrot and Dan Hooker, as well as a heavyweight slugfest between Tai Tuivasa and Jairzinho Rozenstruik. A welterweight bout pitting Li Jingliang against Carlos Prates kicks off the main card.
ESPN+ PRELIMS | 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT
> Flyweights*- Stewart Nicoll (8-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Jesus Aguilar (10-2, 2-1 UFC)
*Aguilar missed weight by 1.5 pounds
Nicoll with an early calf kick. Aguilar lands a right hand and chases Nicoll, grabbing his back. Nicoll attacks for the kimura as they roll to the mat. Nicoll now has the back with the body triangle and starts landing punches. Aguilar is able to escape as they roll and Aguilar grabs the neck and locks in a guillotine choke. It is in tight and Nicoll goes to sleep! Wow, what a finish from Aguilar!
Official Result- Jesus Aguilar def. Stewart Nicoll by submission (guillotine choke) at 2:39 of Round 1
> Welterweights- Song Kenan (21-8, 5-4 UFC) vs. Ricky Glenn (22-8-2, 4-5-1 UFC)
They trade and Glenn cracks Kenan with a left hand as they go to the mat. They scramble up and battle in the tie up. Glenn with a knee and Kenan lands a left hand. Glenn grabs the body against the fence. Kenan landing to defend the takedown and Glenn lands to the body before they break apart and trade. Kenan with a side kick. Kenan lands a right hand. Kenan rocks Glenn with a flurry and Glenn is backing up. Glenn grabs the body but Kenan breaks away. Glenn tries a takedown but Kenan defends. Glenn gets the takedown. They stand and Glenn with some knees to the legs of Kenan. They separate. Kenan lands an uppercut and a flurry late. 10-9 Kenan.
Glenn lands a leg kick. Glenn with a body kick and Kenan responds with two body kicks. Kenan lands a combination and hurts Glenn again with some punches. Glenn tries a takedown but Kenan lands a big elbow to cause separation. Kenan lands a right hand. Glenn with two left hands and he shoots for a takedown. Kenan lands a hard right hand and Glenn is cut open. Glenn lands a left hand. Kenan lands two big elbows and a right hand. Kenan lands a big flurry and Glenn has a massive hematoma. Kenan with some more big punches. Glenn with a leg kick. 10-9 Kenan, 20-18 Kenan.
They trade and Kenan lands a big knee to the gut that hurts Glenn. Kenan is able to get a takedown and has the back. They get to their feet and Kenan has control and lands a big elbow as they break. Kenan with a knee to the body. Glenn lands a left hand. Kenan with a combination. Kenan lands a body kick and Glenn pushes it to the fence. They break apart. Kenan with a side kick. Glenn lands a combination. Kenan hurts Glenn with a right hand. The pace has slowed late. Timeout for an eye poke, but they resume action. They trade before clinching up. Kenan with a knee and an elbow and lands a quick flurry ending with a right hand. 10-9 Kenan, 30-27 Kenan.
Official Result- Song Kenan def. Ricky Glenn by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 29-28)
> Lightweights- Tom Nolan (7-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Alex Reyes (13-4, 0-2 UFC)
Both throwing and land some kicks. Nolan lands a spin kick then a body kick. Reyes with a body kick. Nolan lands a body kick and tries to attack but it allows Reyes to get a takedown. They stand and Reyes has the back. Reyes drags it down as he has the back. Nolan is able to scramble to the feet. Nolan with two body kicks and lands a right hand. They clinch and Nolan with an elbow. Nolan lands a combination after Reyes lands before they break. Nolan lands a left hand. They both land inside the pocket as Reyes lands a big left hand. Nolan with a pair of body kicks. Reyes tries a takedown but Nolan defends and lands. Nolan slips to the mat and Reyes jumps on top but lands an illegal knee and timeout is called. They get back to action. Close round. 10-9 Nolan.
Nolan with some leg kicks. Reyes lands a right hand and they tie up. Nolan with some knees and short elbows. They separate and Nolan rocks Reyes with a left hand and Reyes went to a knee but got up. Nolan lands a combo and Reyes with a right hand. Nolan with a combination. They trade and clinch. Reyes has the back against the fence. Nolan spins and they trade knees before separating. Nolan with a pair of kicks. Nolan lands some big punches that Reyes eats. Reyes with a right hand. 10-9 Nolan, 20-18 Nolan.
Nolan with some kicks to start the third. Both throw as Reyes rushes in and Reyes lands a leg kick. Nolan lands a body kick. They trade leg kicks. Nolan with a leg kick. They trade and Reyes lands a short body kick. Nolan with a body kick and he’s having to chase Reyes down. They trade and Nolan lands an elbow. Nolan lands a right hand and Reyes grabs his back. Nolan looking for a D’Arce choke as he drags it down. He lets go and lands punches. They clinch against the fence. Reyes lands some knees and Nolan with an elbow. Nolan lands a big elbow as Reyes is pressuring on him. Nolan lands a combo and body kick as Reyes adjusts position. Reyes backs off and throws a late flurry. 10-9 Nolan, 30-27 Nolan.
Official Result- Tom Nolan def. Alex Reyes by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
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> Featherweights- Jack Jenkins (12-3, 2-1 UFC) vs. Herbert Burns (11-5, 2-3 UFC)
They trade leg kicks. Burns lands a jab and a leg kick. They trade punches. Jenkins with a combination. Jenkins lands a big left hand. Jenkins with a combination that included a body shot that hurt Burns. Jenkins lands a jab. Jenkins with a jab followed by a left hook. Jenkins lands a left hook to the body then a head combination on Burns. Jenkins with another left hook to the body. Jenkins with a flurry. Burns tries a takedown but Jenkins defends and stays on his feet. Burns is ordered up. Jenkins with a big combination with a knee and left hand. Burns is able to score a takedown. Burns ends the round riding it out from the top. 10-9 Jenkins.
Burns is immediately trying for the takedown but Jenkins defends. Jenkins with a double jab. Burns with a leg kick. Burns gets a takedown. Burns is looking to set up an arm-triangle choke. Jenkins is defending and Burns went for a heel hook, which allowed Jenkins to get to his feet. Jenkins with some leg kicks. Jenkins lands from the top before they stand. Jenkins lands a big combination and lands to the body and Burns goes down. Jenkins tried to finish from the top but stood. Burns is ordered up. Jenkins lands a heavy calf kick. Burns is gassed out and trying weak takedowns that aren’t coming close. Jenkins with a heavy calf kick. Burns shoots and just lays on his back. 10-9 Jenkins, 20-18 Jenkins.
They come out trading and Burns lands a groin strike. They get back to action and Jenkins lands a flurry and Burns goes down. Jenkins lands from the top and stands. Burns is ordered up but he doesn’t get up and the fight is stopped. Fantastic showing from Jenkins.
Official Result- Jack Jenkins def. Herbert Burns by TKO (strikes) at :48 of Round 3
Both looking for openings early as O’Neill lands some leg kicks. They trade. Santos goes for a takedown but O’Neill defends and they clinch against the fence. They separate. O’Neill with a right hand and a leg kick. Santos lands a right hand. O’Neill with a leg kick. They continue to trade at a distance with both connecting. Santos with a spin attack. O’Neill presses forward and lands late. Close round. 10-9 O’Neill.
They trade and Santos gets a takedown. They stand and O’Neill with some back elbows. Santos retains the body lock and control. O’Neill gives up her back as she is hand fighting. They separate. Santos lands a right hand. O’Neill with a leg kick. She lands another. O’Neill lands a combination. O’Neill lands a right hand and looks for a takedown. She lands an elbow before they separate. O’Neill lands a left hand. O’Neill with a quick combination. O’Neill with a combo. 10-9 O’Neill, 20-18 O’Neill.
O’Neill landing with combinations and leg kicks to start the third. Santos lands a right hand. O’Neill with a leg kick. O’Neill lands a combination and Santos lands a combo. O’Neill with a right hand. Santos lands a right hand to the body. O’Neill with a right hand. Santos gets a takedown and was in a twister position but O’Neill escaped and takes Santos’ back. O’Neill with lots of punches from the back as she has the body triangle locked on. O’Neill lands from the back to end it. 10-9 O’Neill, 30-27 O’Neill.
Official Result- Casey O’Neill def. Luana Santos by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Ramos lands a spin kick. Culibao with a leg kick and Ramos lands a leg kick. Culibao with a leg kick. Culibao with a left hook. Culibao lands a combo and then a calf kick. Culibao with another quick combo. Culibao with a heavy leg kick and Ramos is hurt. Culibao tries to land but slips and Ramos jumps on the back with the hooks in. Ramos gets a rear-naked choke locked in. Culibao is trying to fight it off as it is in deep. Ramos is squeezing. Culibao is somehow able to survive. They make it to the end. 10-9 Ramos.
Culibao with a leg kick. Culibao with a left hand. Culibao with a leg kick. Culibao with a pair of leg kicks. He lands two more. Ramos lands a right hand. Culibao with a jab followed by a right hand. He lands another combination. Culibao lands a calf kick and Ramos goes down. Culibao lands some punches from the top. Ramos is ordered up. Culibao with a big combo. Ramos with an eye poke. They get back to action and Culibao lands. 10-9 Culibao, 19-19.
They trade as there is a lot of hand fighting going on. Culibao lands a jab and rushes in with some punches. They are trading inside the pocket and Ramos lands a pair of knees. Ramos gets a takedown and has the back and lands an elbow that cuts Culibao open. Ramos reverses to the top but isn’t doing much as the fight ends. Close fight. 10-9 Culibao, 29-28 Culibao.
Official Result- Ricardo Ramos def. Josh Culibao by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
> Heavyweights- Junior Tafa (5-2, 1-2 UFC) vs. Valter Walker (11-1, 0-1 UFC)
Walker with a heavy leg kick. Tafa lands a right hand and then rocks Walker with a flurry. Tafa lands a big right hand as Walker is looking for a takedown. He gets it but Tafa crawls to the fence. They get to their feet as Walker still has the back. Walker gets it back down. There isn’t much happening on the mat though Tafa has gotten warned about grabbing the fence. Walker lands some from the top. Walker locks in a kneebar as they roll and there is some sort of verbal tap that took place and it is stopped. This is a weird ending. Replay shows that Tafa screamed but didn’t yell tap and he didn’t visually tap. Tafa seems to have gotten a raw deal for a loss.
Official Result- Valter Walker def. Junior Tafa by submission (leg lock) at 4:56 of Round 1
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> Welterweights- Li Jingliang (19-8, 11-6 UFC) vs. Carlos Prates (19-6, 2-0 UFC)
They trade kicks. Prates with more leg kicks. They trade leg kicks with Jingliang landing a hard leg kick. Jingliang with a body kick and Prates lands a left hand. Jingliang with some leg kicks. They trade leg kicks again. Jingliang with a left hand and Prates lands a left hand that makes Jingliang go to the mat for a brief moment. Prates with a head kick. They trade leg kicks. Jingliang lands a combination. Prates with a left hand. Jingliang with a flurry and lands a right hand. Jingliang with a pair of leg kicks. Prates lands a left hand that stuns Jingliang and lands a head kick. Prates with a left hand that almost knocks Jingliang down. Prates lands again and now Jingliang lands at the end. 10-9 Prates.
Jingliang with a leg kick and Prates lands a push kick to the face. They continue to trade with Prates landing with more volume. Jingliang initiates a clinch but they separate. Prates with a left hand and Jingliang lands a combo. Prates with more left hands and lands a head kick, but Jingliang continues to press forward. Prates with a left hand. Prates drops Jingliang with a left hand but Jingliang gets right up. Prates with two left hands. Prates lands a right hook then connects with a left hand that drops Jingliang and he is out cold! What a knockout from Prates!
Official Result- Carlos Prates def. Li Jingliang by knockout (punch) at 4:02 of Round 2
> Heavyweights- #10 Tai Tuivasa (14-7, 8-7 UFC) vs. #12 Jairzinho Rozenstruik (14-5, 8-5 UFC)
Rozenstruik with a quick outside leg kick. He lands an inside leg kick. Tuivasa with a leg kick as Rozenstruik lands a right hand. Tuivasa with a calf kick. Rozenstruik lands a left hook. Rozenstruik lands a high kick. They trade leg kicks. Tuivasa with a leg kick. Rozenstruik lands to the body. Tuivasa with a right hand. 10-9 Rozenstruik.
Rozenstruik with an inside leg kick. Tuivasa lands a left hand. Tuivasa barely connects with a right hand. They trade leg kicks and Tuivasa lands a right hand. Rozenstruik with a knee. Rozenstruik with a big flurry against the fence as Tuivasa covers up and circles away. Rozenstruik with some more big punches and he lands a knee. Tuivasa still coming forward. Tuivasa lands a right hand. Tuivasa with a leg kick and hurts himself. Rozenstruik lands a flurry. They trade. Tuivasa lands a left hand. Rozenstruik with a short uppercut. Rozenstruik lands a right hand. 10-9 Rozenstruik, 20-18 Rozenstruik.
Rozenstruik with a jab. Tuivasa lands a right hand and Rozenstruik lands a counter right hand. Rozenstruik lands a jab. They trade as Tuivasa lands a right hand then a left to the body. Rozenstruik back landing the jab. Tuivasa lands a jab then a right hand. Rozenstruik lands a body kick. Rozenstruik with a pair of left hands. Rozenstruik lands a right hand. Tuivasa lands. Rozenstruik with a high kick. Rozenstruik lands a right hand. They are both swinging late. 10-9 Rozenstruik, 30-27 Rozenstruik.
Official Result- Jairzinho Rozenstruik def. Tai Tuivasa by split decision (29-28, 27-30, 30-27)
> Lightweights- #5 Mateusz Gamrot (24-2 1 NC, 7-2 UFC) vs. #11 Dan Hooker (23-12, 13-8 UFC)
Hooker lands some kicks. Gamrot lands to the body then a right hand to the head. Hooker lands a body kick. Gamrot lands a leg kick. Gamrot gets a takedown. Hooker butt scoots to the fence. They scramble up and Gamrot lands a knee. Gamrot drops Hooker to his knee with a punch and attacks the neck as he gets Hooker down. Gamrot with lots of punches from the top. They scramble to their feet. Hooker lands a left hook and Gamrot goes down. Gamrot gets up and they trade big punches. Gamrot shoots for a leg and Hooker lands some elbows to the body. They get up. Great round. 10-9 Gamrot.
Hooker lands a body kick. Gamrot gets a takedown. Gamrot is in side control and lands. Gamrot in control but Hooker is able to get to his feet. Gamrot lands a right hand as Hooker is pressuring. Gamrot gets a takedown but Hooker has the neck and uses it to get to the sprawl. They get up and separate. Hooker with a flurry late and lands some elbows as Gamrot was looking for a takedown. 10-9 Gamrot, 20-18 Gamrot.
Hooker lands a kick but Gamrot grabs the leg and gets it down. Hooker has the neck and they get to their feet. Hooker lands a combo. Hooker with a right hand to the body. Gamrot lands a pair of right hands. Hooker lands a left hand. Gamrot lands a jab. Gamrot shoots for a takedown but Hooker lands with an elbow and they stand. Hooker lands a right hand. He lands another. They trade. Gamrot shoots for the takedown. Hooker lands to the body as they separate. Hooker lands a right hand. They trade big punches and Gamrot gets the clinch. Gamrot attacking the leg and Hooker lands an elbow and body punches. Hooker with a big left hook late. 10-9 Hooker, 29-28 Gamrot.
Official Result- Dan Hooker def. Mateusz Gamrot by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
> Flyweights- #4 Kai Kara-France (24-11 1 NC, 7-4 UFC) vs. #7 Steve Erceg (12-2, 3-1 UFC)
Kara-France just misses a left hand. Erceg lands a jab. Kara-France lands to the body and Erceg counters with a leg kick. Kara-France rushes in and Erceg lands a right hand. Kara-France lands to the body. Kara-France with a leg kick but eats some shots from Erceg. Kara-France drops Erceg with a left hand and lands from the top but Erceg stands up. Kara-France lands and drops Erceg again with a right hand and finishes it off with some follow-up shots. What a finish from Kara-France!
Official Result- Kai Kara-France def. Steve Erceg by TKO (punches) at 4:04 of Round 1
> UFC Middleweight Championship- C Dricus Du Plessis (21-2, 7-0 UFC) vs. #2 Israel Adesanya (24-3, 13-3 UFC)
They trade leg kicks. Du Plessis lands a left hand. Du Plessis lands and Adesanya lands a body kick. Du Plessis with a leg kick. Adesanya with a leg kick and landed a right hand. They trade in a flurry. Adesanya lands a body kick. Du Plessis with a left hand. Adesanya lands a jab. Adesanya with a combo. Du Plessis lands a right hand. Adesanya with a left hand. Du Plessis with a body kick. Adesanya with a right hand to the body. Close round. 10-9 Adesanya.
Adesanya with a leg kick. Du Plessis lands a left hand. Adesanya with a body kick. He lands a leg kick. Du Plessis gets a takedown but Adesanya gets up. Du Plessis still trying to get it down and jumps on the back and looks for a choke. Adesanya gets out. Du Plessis lands from the back. Adesanya gets out and to the feet. Adesanya lands a combo. Adesanya lands to the body as Du Plessis lands a left hand. Du Plessis gets a takedown and has the back. They get to their feet. Du Plessis still has the back. Du Plessis drags it down but they get up. Du Plessis with some left hands. Adesanya tries to escape. Adesanya with some elbows. 10-9 Du Plessis, 19-19.
Adesanya lands a left hand. Adesanya lands a jab. Adesanya with a right hand to the body. He lands a head kick. Adesanya with a leg kick. Du Plessis with a high kick. Adesanya with a combination to the body. Du Plessis lands a right hand. Adesanya lands a big elbow. Du Plessis with a left hand. Du Plessis lands again. Du Plessis lands and tries a takedown but Adesanya defends. Adesanya lands a right hand. Adesanya lands a jab. Du Plessis with a left hook. Adesanya lands a right hand. They trade kicks. Adesanya rips to the body. Du Plessis lands a right hand. They trade late. 10-9 Adesanya, 29-28 Adesanya.
Adesanya lands an uppercut and to the body. Du Plessis tries a takedown but Adesanya defends and Du Plessis gets up slowly. Adesanya lands a right hand and a body kick then a combination. Adesanya with a teet kick and lands to the body. Du Plessis lands a counter right. Du Plessis with a short body kick. Adesanya lands a combo. Adesanya with a front kick then a left hook. Du Plessis lands a left hand. They trade. Du Plessis lands and Adesanya slips. Du Plessis lands a flurry and gets a takedown. Du Plessis grabs the back and locks in a rear-naked choke and Adesanya taps! Wow, Du Plessis with a finish out of nowhere as he quickly submits Adesanya once the choke was locked in.
Official Result- Dricus Du Plessis def. Israel Adesanya by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:38 of Round 4 to retain the UFC Middleweight Championship
On a new Josh Nason’s Punch-Out, my yearly MMA year in review series with guest co-host Paul Fontaine rolls on with a look at April, May & June.
This 90+ day stretch saw Israel Adesanya regain the UFC middleweight title from rival Alex Pereira at UFC 287 in front of 19,000 Floridians and a massive $12 million gate — an event that also saw Donald Trump in attendance and perhaps the final MMA bout for Jorge Masvidal.
Francis Ngannou made news as he officially found a new MMA home in the PFL. The move came with plenty of criticism from fans and Dana White alike which Paul and I discuss in full.
This stretch also saw the return of Olympic gold medalist and former UFC champion Henry Cejudo after years of threatening to come out of retirement. Paul and I talk about his return effort against bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling at UFC 288.
After another win and another successful women’s bantamweight title defense at UFC 289, Amanda Nunes called it a career. Paul and I talk about the double-champion’s legacy and why it was overlooked by so many.
All that and plenty more awaits you in part two of my MMA year in review series.
The Octagon returns to Australia with one of the UFC’s biggest stars on top as UFC 293: Adesanya vs. Strickland takes place from the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia.
UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya makes the first title defense of his second reign as he defends against Sean Strickland in the main event. Adesanya regained the title with a knockout of Alex Pereira in April and will be defending the title for the seventh time in his career. Strickland gets his opportunity on the heels of two straight wins this year over Nassourdine Imavov and Abus Magomedov.
In the co-main event, fan favorite heavyweight Tai Tuivasa looks to end a two-fight losing skid when he battles Alexander Volkov, winner of two straight. Also on the main card is a flyweight fight between Manel Kape and the debuting Felipe Dos Santos, a heated heavyweight title between Justin Tafa and Austen Lane, and a light heavyweight matchup pitting Tyson Pedro and Anton Turkalj opening up the main card.
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> Welterweights- Kevin Jousset (8-2, 0-0 UFC) vs. Kiefer Crosbie (10-3, 0-0 UFC)
Jousset lands a leg kick then Crosbie lands to the body and follows with a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Crosbie lands to the body and Jousset lands a right hand. Crosbie lands a double jab and they trade punches. Jousset lands a jab then a leg kick then back to the jab. Jousset lands a hard jab. Crosbie lands an overhand right. They trade inside a brief clinch. Jousset lands a combo as they tie up against the fence. Jousset lands an elbow on the break. Jousset lands a right hand. Crosbie lands a combo. Jousset lands a knee to the body. Jousset landing the jab. They trade inside the pocket and tie up. Crosbie tries a takedown but Jousset reverses and gets it down and has the back. He quickly locks in a rear-naked choke and Crosbie taps! Great finish from Jousset in his debut.
Official Result- Kevin Jousset def. Kiefer Crosbie by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:49 of Round 1
> Featherweights*- Shane Young (13-7, 2-4 UFC) vs. Gabriel Miranda (16-6, 0-1 UFC)
*Young missed weight by 3.75 pounds
Miranda gets an early takedown and already has the back with the body triangle locked in after a quick exchange. He’s working for a choke and has it locked in and Young goes out cold! Wow, what a finish from Miranda.
Official Result- Gabriel Miranda def. Shane Young by submission (neck crank) at :59 of Round 1
> Welterweights- Mike Diamond (3-2, 0-2 UFC) vs. Charlie Radtke (7-3, 0-0 UFC)
Diamond lands a kick and Radtke catches the leg but lets go. Diamond lands a couple of high kicks and they tie up against the fence. Radtke has the back against the fence. Diamond doing a good job of defending. Diamond lands a knee and they separate. They trade jabs and Diamond lands a head kick. Radtke gets a brief takedown and has the back as they scramble up. They scramble to the mat but get up late. 10-9 Radtke.
They trade to start the second and Diamond lands a groin strike and we have a timeout. They get back to action and they trade left hands. Radtke lands a flurry and lands a right hand that hurts Diamond badly. Radtke has it tied up against the fence and is pressuring and landing but they are separated by Herb Dean. Radtke quickly pushes it back against the fence and is controlling. They separate and Radtke lands a right hand. 10-9 Radtke, 20-18 Radtke.
They’re on the feet to start the third and both looking for openings. Diamond lands a kick and Radtke lands a combo before they clinch against the fence. Diamond lands some hard punches but Radtke reverses and is pressuring against the fence. Diamond lands a knee to the groin and we have another timeout. They get back to action and both are landing. Diamond lands an elbow and then another groin strike. Herb Dean takes a point away. They get back to action and Diamond lands some punches before they tie back up. Radtke trying hard for a takedown but Diamond is defending as the fight ends. 10-8 Radtke due to point deduction, 30-26 Radtke.
Official Result- Charlie Radtke def. Blood Diamond by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
They’re trading to start and Quinones is landing more leg kicks early on. Haqparast lands a combo and Quinones lands a pair of short uppercuts. Haqparast starting to land with more volume but Quinones still eating up his legs with kicks. Haqparast lands a left hand. They clinch against the fence. They separate. Haqparast has a cut open under his eye and lands a left hand. Close round. 10-9 Haqparast.
Quinones lands a leg kick and they clinch. They break and both are landing in close range before tying back up. They separate and Quinones lands a combo and a leg kick. Haqparast is trying for the takedown and pushes Quinones against the fence. They separate to the center. Quinones with another leg kick and Haqparast is landing some combos. Haqparast’s lead leg is compromised. Haqparast lands a combo. Quinones lands a couple of jabs. Haqparast lands a big left hand that makes Quinones back up. Haqparast landing some more punches and Quinones has to circle away. Quinones lands a combo. Haqparast lands an uppercut to the body. Quinones lands a series of strikes. They continue to trade and both are landing. Haqparast lands a combo against the fence. Haqparast lands a big left hand late. Close round. 10-9 Haqparast, 20-18 Haqparast.
They’re trading in close range. Haqparast lands a left hand that backs Quinones up. They continue to trade in close range and both are connecting. Quinones lands a leg kick. Haqparast lands a combo as he’s the one pressing forward. Haqparast lands a left hand. They continue to trade at a high volume. Quinones lands to the body. Haqparast lands a combo and lands a nice right hand. They both land late and Haqparast lands last. Fun fight, close fight overall. 10-9 Haqparast, 30-27 Haqparast.
Official Result- Nasrat Haqparast def. Landon Quinones by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Lightweights- Jamie Mullarkey (16-6, 4-4 UFC) vs. John Makdessi (18-8, 11-8 UFC)
They trade leg kicks and Mullarkey lands a pair of jabs. Mullarkey lands a body kick. They trade leg kicks at the same time. Makdessi lands a high kick and Mullarkey counters with a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Makdessi tries to land but Mullarkey circles away. Mullarkey lands a leg kick. They’re trading jabs but Mullarkey landing more and utilizing the leg kicks. 10-9 Mullarkey.
Mullarkey lands a jab. He lands another. Makdessi lands a high kick as Mullarkey lands a leg kick. Makdessi lands a right hand. Makdessi lands a left hand. Mullarkey lands a body kick. We have a brief timeout for a groin strike. Mullarkey lands a leg kick. Mullarkey lands a right hand then a jab. Mullarkey lands a leg kick. Makdessi with a high kick. Mullarkey lands a body kick. Makdessi lands a spin kick to the body. They trade kicks. Makdessi lands a big right hand and Mullarkey briefly goes down but pops right back up. Makdessi lands another right hand. 10-9 Makdessi, 19-19.
They’re trading hard punches to start the third and Mullarkey lands a big punch after Makdessi lands a spinning back fist. Mullarkey lands a leg kick. They’re trading in close range and Makdessi lands a right hand. Makdessi lands a leg kick. Makdessi lands a left hook. Mullarkey lands a right hand. Makdessi lands a jab and Mullarkey’s face is showing damage. Makdessi lands a jab. Mullarkey lands an inside leg kick. Makdessi lands a close combo then a jab. They’re trading late and Makdessi lands a right hand. Close fight. 10-9 Makdessi, 29-28 Makdessi.
Official Result- Jamie Mullarkey def. John Makdessi by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Featherweights- Jack Jenkins (12-2, 2-0 UFC) vs. Chepe Mariscal (14-6 1 NC, 1-0 UFC)
Mariscal looking for leg kicks early on. Jenkins lands a leg kick after landing a body kick. A brief timeout after a groin strike is called and they get back to work. Mariscal lands a leg kick. They trade while clinched. Jenkins lands a right hand after they break. Jenkins lands a leg kick then a combo. They trade against the fence. Jenkins lands a left hook. Jenkins lands some lefts to the body after Mariscal lands a leg kick. Jenkins lands a body kick. Jenkins lands a leg kick. They clinch against the fence. Mariscal with some lefts against the fence before they break. 10-9 Jenkins.
Mariscal lands an early flurry as he pushes Jenkins against the fence while landing. They clinch against the fence. They trade knees and Jenkins reverses positions, but Mariscal reverses it back. Mariscal lands some knees. They separate. Jenkins lands a left hand and a knee to the body as they clinch back up. Mariscal then gets a takedown and Jenkins lands wrongly and his arm appears to break during so and the fight is stopped. What an unfortunate end to the fight as Mariscal picks up the win. A replay shows that Jenkins looked to have dislocated his elbow planting on the takedown.
Official Result- Chepe Mariscal def. Jack Jenkins by TKO (injury) at 3:19 of Round 2
> Light Heavyweights- Carlos Ulberg (8-1, 4-1 UFC) vs. Da Un Jung (15-4-1, 4-2-1 UFC)
They trade leg kicks to start. Ulberg lands a body kick. Both still mainly landing leg kicks. Jung lands another leg kick but Ulberg lands a right hand that drops Jung. Jung is able to get up after Ulberg lands more. Ulberg continues to land more as the round ends. 10-9 Ulberg.
Jung lands a right hand and Ulberg counters back with a left hand. Jung lands a leg kick. Both circling around looking for openings. Jung lands a leg kick. He lands another. Ulberg lands a combo. Ulberg lands a jab. Jung still landing the leg kicks as Ulberg is landing the left hand. Jung lands more leg kicks and Ulberg lands a combo. Jung’s face is a mess. 10-9 Ulberg, 20-18 Ulberg.
They trade left hands to start the third. Ulberg landing the jab. Jung lands a right hand. Ulberg continues to land the left hand. They tie up against the fence and Ulberg lands some knees. They’re trading big shots in close range. Ulberg is looking for a takedown against the fence. Ulberg is able to get the takedown even though Jung grabbed the fence. Ulberg has the mount and is landing punches. Ulberg with more big punches and he locks a choke in but Jung is able to survive the fight. 10-9 Ulberg, 30-27 Ulberg.
There was a replay looked at and Jung tapped out with about eleven seconds to go and they have now ruled it a submission win.
Official Result- Carlos Ulberg def. Da Un Jung by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:49 of Round 3
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> Light Heavyweights- Tyson Pedro (9-4, 5-4 UFC) vs. Anton Turkalj (8-2, 0-2 UFC)
They trade leg kicks. Pedro lands a combo. Turkalj lands a leg kick. Pedro lands a hard calf kick. Pedro starts rocking Turkalj with some punches and has Turkalj stumbling. Pedro lands some jabs and a body kick and then drops Turkalj with a right hand and some follow-up shots end it. What a finish from Pedro!
Official Result- Tyson Pedro def. Anton Turkalj by knockout (punches) at 2:12 of Round 1
They trade to start before a groin strike. They get back to action and both are landing punches. Tafa then drops Lane with a big left hand and starts teeing off from the top and it is stopped! What a finish from Tafa.
Official Result- Justin Tafa def. Austen Lane by TKO (punches) at 1:22 of Round 1
> Flyweights- #10 Manel Kape (18-6, 3-2 UFC) vs. Felipe Dos Santos (7-0 1 NC, 0-0 UFC)
Kape landing leg kicks early. They trade body kicks. Dos Santos barely lands a flying knee. Kape lands a leg kick as Dos Santos lands a right hand. Kape then drops Dos Santos with a right hand. Kape gets inside the guard of Dos Santos and lands before they stand. Kape lands a leg kick. Kape lands a left hand. Dos Santos tries a takedown as Kape slips but Kape gets on top, but they quickly stand. Dos Santos lands a right hand. Dos Santos lands a jab. Dos Santos lands a combo ending with a knee and Kape counters with a right hand. They trade leg kicks. They clinch and trade knees before breaking. Kape lands a spinning elbow. Dos Santos with a pair of leg kicks. Dos Santos tries a takedown as Kape grabs the fence and they separate. Kape lands a body kick. Dos Santos lands a pair of right hands. 10-9 Kape.
They trade leg kicks. They trade leg kicks and Dos Santos lands a right hand. Dos Santos lands a body kick. He lands a leg kick. Kape lands a leg kick that almost drops Dos Santos. Dos Santos with a series of kicks. Dos Santos lands a leg kick. They trade left hands. Dos Santos lands some kicks. Kape with a right hand. Kape lands a flurry that hurts Dos Santos. Dos Santos lands a body kick. Kape lands a close range elbow. Kape lands some big shots late. 10-9 Kape, 20-18 Kape.
Kape lands some leg kicks and a left and right hand. Dos Santos lands a nice combo. Kape lands to the body then an overhand right. Dos Santos lands a right hand and they trade big punches but Dos Santos slips on a kick attempt. Kape lands some big shots then Dos Santos rocks Kape with a punch. Kape lands a combo. They trade and Kape is starting to showboat. Kape lands a left hand. Dos Santos lands a right hand. Kape connects with a right hand. They trade big punches. Kape lands a right hand. Dos Santos lands a body kick. Kape gets a late takedown and is landing from inside the guard. Kape lands to end the fight. 10-9 Kape, 30-27 Kape.
Official Result- Manel Kape def. Felipe Dos Santos by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
> Heavyweights- #6 Tai Tuivasa (15-5, 8-5 UFC) vs. #7 Alexander Volkov (36-10, 10-4 UFC)
They trade leg kicks. They trade them again. Volkov lands a body kick. Tuivasa lands a right hand to the body. They trade leg kicks. Volkov lands two leg kicks. Tuivasa lands a leg kick as Volkov lands a left hand. Volkov lands a combo ending with a body kick. Volkov with another hard leg kick. Volkov lands a body kick then a high kick. Tuivasa lands a hard leg kick. Tuivasa lands a left hand. Volkov lands a right hand that puts Tuivasa on his knees. They get to their feet and trade. Tuivasa lands a hard leg kick. Volkov with a left hook then a combo. Volkov with big punches at the end. 10-9 Volkov.
Tuivasa lands some hard leg kicks but eats punches from Volkov. Volkov lands a body kick. Volkov lands a combo ending with a knee. They trade inside the pocket. Volkov lands a combo. Tuivasa lands a leg kick and Volkov lands a right hand. Tuivasa was off balance and fell down and Volkov gets on top. They get to their feet. Tuivasa lands a leg kick and Volkov catches it for a takedown. Volkov gets the mount. Volkov with short punches from the top. Volkov with some shots from the top as Tuivasa is stuck on the ground. Volkov lands more from the top. Volkov has an Ezekiel choke locked in and Tuivasa taps! Big finish from Volkov.
Official Result- Alexander Volkov def. Tai Tuivasa by submission (Ezekiel choke) at 4:37 of Round 2
> UFC Middleweight Championship- C Israel Adesanya (24-2, 13-2 UFC) vs. #5 Sean Strickland (27-5, 14-5 UFC)
They trade leg kicks but not much else happening early. Adesanya lands a pair of kicks. Strickland lands a right hand. Adesanya with more leg and body kicks. Adesanya lands a left hand to the body and then a pair of leg kicks. Strickland lands a right hand. Adesanya counters with a jab. Adesanya with a leg kick then a jab to the body. Strickland drops Adesanya late in the round with a right hand and is landing a flurry as Adesanya gets to his feet. Adesanya escapes trouble late. 10-9 Strickland.
Adesanya throwing kicks to start the second. They trade kicks. Adesanya lands a leg kick. Adesanya continues to attack the legs. Adesanya with a high kick. Not a lot of Strickland offense so far in this round. Adesanya lands a right hand. Adesanya landing with more volume as the round is going on as he mixes to the body and legs. They trade and Adesanya back attacking the body. Adesanya lands a right hand. 10-9 Adesanya, 19-19.
Strickland pressing forward as Adesanya is circling around. Adesanya landing to the legs and body and is now finding a home for his punches. Adesanya lands a right hand and Strickland lands a partial counter punch. Adesanya being more active and landing with slightly more volume. Strickland lands a left hand. Strickland lands a jab. Strickland lands a left hook. Adesanya lands a jab then a right hand. Close round. 10-9 Strickland, 29-28 Strickland.
Adesanya lands a body kick. Adesanya mixing his kicks early in the fourth. Strickland lads a left hand and follows it with a right hand. He lands another right hand. Adesanya with a hard body kick. Adesanya lands a right hand. Strickland lands a big combination. Adesanya lands a hard leg kick. They trade jabs and Adesanya lands a body kick. Adesanya lands a combo to the body. Both guys land in close range. Strickland lands a jab. 10-9 Strickland, 39-37 Strickland.
Adesanya landing some kicks to start the fifth. Adesanya lands more leg kicks. Strickland lands a jab. Adesanya being a little more active here. Strickland lands a right hand. Adesanya lands a right hand and Strickland follows with a jab. Adesanya lands a jab. Strickland lands a jab then a right hand. Strickland lands a jab. Adesanya lands a leg kick. Strickland landing more and he has Adesanya back pedaling. Strickland with a late flurry. 10-9 Strickland, 49-46 Strickland.
Official Result- Sean Strickland def. Israel Adesanya by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) to win the UFC Middleweight Championship
Israel Adesanya is middleweight champion once again.
Adesanya knocked out Alex Pereira at 4:21 of the second round at Saturday’s UFC 287 event with a punch that knocked out Pereira cold, forcing the referee to stop the fight. This is his second reign with the championship, as he lost the title to Pereira back at UFC 281. Pereira held the championship for 147 days, losing in his first defense.
After the fight, Adesanya said he hopes everyone feels this level of happiness just one time in their lives. He said you’ll never see this level of happiness if you don’t go for something. If you stay down, you’ll never get that resolve. He additionally said that revenge is sweet, and he has a sweet tooth. Alex was a great champion and he is the antagonist in Pereira’s story, but tonight it is about his story.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 287: Pereira vs. Adesanya 2, emanating from the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.
The Octagon returns to Miami for the first time since UFC 42 in April 2003 with a massive title fight rematch and the self-proclaimed “King of Miami” fighting in front of his hometown fans for the first time in 13 years.
UFC Middleweight Champion Alex Pereira makes his first title defense against the man he defeated for the title, former UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya, in the main event. Pereira scored a fifth-round knockout of Adesanya in their title fight at UFC 281 in November in a fight that Adesanya was on his way to winning on the scorecards. Including their kickboxing bouts, Pereira now holds three wins over Adesanya, who is looking for revenge and to reclaim his spot at the top of the 185-pound division.
In the co-main event, Gilbert Burns looks to keep himself in the welterweight title picture when he comes into enemy territory and fights the hometown star, Jorge Masvidal. Masvidal is looking to end a three-fight losing skid, though he’s also teased retirement should he suffer another loss.
Also on the main card is an exciting bantamweight bout between Rob Font and Adrian Yanez, a welterweight tilt pitting Kevin Holland against Santiago Ponzinibbio, and a bantamweight bout between rising 18-year-old prospect Raul Rosas Jr. and Christian Rodriguez. A stacked preliminary card is capped off by a bantamweight battle pitting Kelvin Gastelum against Chris Curtis.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.
We are looking for your thoughts on tonight’s event, so send a thumbs up, a thumbs down or a thumbs in the middle along with a best fight and a worst fight to Dave at [email protected].
*A heavyweight bout between Karl Williams and Chase Sherman has been scratched from the card due to medical issues for Sherman, announced by Jon Anik as the broadcast began.
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> Women’s Strawweights- Jaqueline Amorim (6-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Sam Hughes (7-5, 2-4 UFC)
Amorim throwing kicks early and lands two right hands. Amorim landing more as she mixes punches and kicks. Amorim gets a takedown and is in the guard. Hughes looks for a triangle but Amorim passes guard and takes the back. They end up getting to their feet and Hughes lands an elbow. Amorim gets the back and they go to the mat and she has a choke locked in. Hughes is fighting it and is able to break free. Amorim still has the back and lands some punches. Amorim gets the choke locked back in as they’re standing. It is locked in tight but Hughes fights it off again. They get to their feet. 10-8 Amorim.
They trade and Amorim pulls guard as they go to the mat. Hughes lands a couple of shots from the top. They end up back on their feet and Amorim is looking slow. Amorim tries for a takedown but Hughes defends. Amorim goes for another one but ends up pulling guard. Hughes is warned again about grabbing in the gloves. They get to their feet and Amorim is gassed. Amorim tries for a takedown as she pushes Hughes against the fence. They go to the mat and Hughes is attacking a leg but they get to their feet. Hughes gets a takedown. 10-9 Hughes, 19-18 Amorim.
Hughes lands a punch and a kick as Amorim pulls guard. They scramble up. Hughes lands a nice jab. Hughes lands a kick and Amorim tries to pull guard again. Hughes is inside the full guard. Both are throwing punches on the mat. Hughes with some elbows and big hammerfists. Hughes in control from the top as Amorim is trying to find an arm. Both landing punches on the mat. Hughes landing from the top. They get to their feet. Hughes lands a front kick. Amorim tries a takedown but Hughes defends and ends up on top and lands some punches. They get to their feet and Hughes with a combo late. 10-9 Hughes, 28-28 DRAW.
Official Result- Sam Hughes def. Jaqueline Amorim by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Featherweights- Shayilan Nuerdanbieke (38-10, 3-1 UFC) vs. Steve Garcia (13-5, 2-2 UFC)
They trade to start before Garcia lands a groin strike and we have a timeout. They get back to action and Nuerdanbieke lands a right hand. He drops Garcia with a right hand and starts landing from the top. Nuerdanbieke with an elbow. They end up getting to their feet and Nuerdanbieke has the back. Nuerdanbieke gets it down and is working in the guard and lands another big elbow. He lands another as he’s in control from the top. They get to their feet. Garcia lands a big left hand and rocks Nuerdanbieke with some follow-up punches. Nuerdanbieke grabs the body and lands a head kick late that might have been illegal. 10-9 Nuerdanbieke.
Garcia landing to start the second and rocks Nuerdanbieke with a combo. They clinch against the fence. Garcia with an uppercut and drops Nuerdanbieke with a body kick and finishes it off. What a finish from Garcia!
Official Result- Steve Garcia def. Shayilan Nuerdanbieke by knockout (strikes) at :36 of Round 2
They trade leg kicks early on. Bahamondes with a leg kick then a left hand. Bahamondes with another leg kick. Ogden lands a jab and leg kick. Bahamondes with some more leg kicks. Bahamondes with another leg kick then lands a left hand over the top. Bahamondes continues to land with more volume. Bahamondes with a body kick. 10-9 Bahamondes.
Ogden throwing the jab early as they trade leg kicks. They trade combinations. Bahamondes with a body kick. Ogden looked for a takedown but Bahamondes defended. Bahamondes with a leg kick. Ogden landed a left hook as Bahamondes landed a jab. They continue to trade. Ogden lands to the body. Ogden with a left hand. They trade late and Bahamondes with a high kick. 10-9 Bahamondes, 20-18 Bahamondes.
Bahamondes with a left hand then a leg kick. They continue to trade with Bahamondes landing with more volume as he’s mixing in his combinations. Ogden lands a jab but Bahamondes fires back with some kicks. Bahamondes continues to land hard leg kicks. Bahamondes with a left hand as Ogden is backing up. Ogden with a high kick. Bahamondes with a spin kick to the body. They trade late. 10-9 Bahamondes, 30-27 Bahamondes.
Official Result- Ignacio Bahamondes def. Trey Ogden by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Calvillo with a high kick. Godinez with a combo ending with a right hand. Calvillo throwing a lot but barely landing anything. They trade low kicks. Godinez lands a right hand. Calvillo lands a left hand. Godinez with a nice right hand. Godinez lands another right hand. Calvillo with a high kick. She lands a side kick. Calvillo scores a takedown. She works from the top before standing late. 10-9 Godinez.
Godinez lands a combo early as both are looking for openings at a distance. Both land right hands. Godinez lands a right hand. Calvillo with a few leg kicks. Godinez lands a combo. Godinez lands a left hand then a front kick. Calvillo is being more active and landing with more volume in this round. They both land in close range as they trade kicks. Calvillo lands a nice left hand. Godinez with a left hook. They trade late. Close round. 10-9 Godinez, 20-18 Godinez.
Calvillo with an inside leg kick. Godinez with a left hand and body kick. Godinez with the double jab and a body kick. They trade and Godinez lands a high kick. Godinez with a couple of left hands and lands a right hand. Calvillo is landing the jab. Godinez with an overhand right. They trade leg kicks. Godinez with a combo. Calvillo is trying to find an opening for a takedown. Godinez with a front kick to the body. Both are trading in close range and Godinez with a high kick. They trade inside the pocket. Godinez with a body kick. They both land inside the pocket. They trade and Godinez grabs the back and kind of gets a takedown. They break and Calvillo with a high kick. Close fight. 10-9 Calvillo, 29-28 Godinez.
Official Result- Lupita Godinez def. Cynthia Calvillo by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)
> Middleweights- Gerald Meerschaert (35-15, 10-7 UFC) vs. Joe Pyfer (10-2, 1-0 UFC)
Meerschaert with a body kick. Pyfer with a body kick. Pyfer just misses a right hand. Pyfer lands a big right hand and Meerschaert’s head snapped back. Meerschaert with a body kick and Pyfer drops him with a big combo and is landing big shots from the top. Meerschaert is trying to cover up but Pyfer continues to land and it is stopped. Big finish from Pyfer.
Official Result- Joe Pyfer def. Gerald Meerschaert by TKO (punches) at 3:15 of Round 1
Both missing leg kick attempts early. Waterson lands a leg kick. Pinheiro lands a right hand. Pinheiro with a combo. Waterson lands a big spinning elbow. Pinheiro with a leg kick. They trade punches. Pinheiro lands a solid combo. Waterson with a leg kick. Waterson lands a combo but Pinheiro lands a counter right hand. Waterson lands a body kick that drops Pinheiro to her butt but she gets right up. Pinheiro lands a big right hand late and then a late flurry. 10-9 Waterson-Gomez.
Waterson with some front kicks and rocks Pinheiro. Waterson continuing to land kicks and Pinheiro lands a right hand. Pinheiro with a big combination. Pinheiro pushes it against the fence. Waterson with a leg kick. Pinheiro tries for a takedown but Waterson defends by landing some punches. Waterson back landing leg kicks. They trade late as Pinheiro lands a big right hand. 10-9 Waterson-Gomez, 20-18 Waterson-Gomez.
Waterson gets a brief takedown and has the back against the fence. They’re battling for underhooks against the fence. They separate and Waterson lands some front kicks. Pinheiro with a right hand. Pinheiro with a nice body kick. They continue to trade as Waterson is landing side kicks. Waterson looks for a takedown late as they go the distance. 10-9 Pinheiro, 29-28 Waterson-Gomez.
Official Result- Luana Pinheiro def. Michelle Waterson-Gomez by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
> Middleweights- #15 Kelvin Gastelum (17-8 1 NC, 11-8 1 NC UFC) vs. #14 Chris Curtis (30-9, 4-1 UFC)
They trade leg kicks. Gastelum with the jab. Gastelum with a combo. Gastelum with a leg kick. He lands another. Curtis lands a left hand as Gastelum lands a leg kick. Gastelum lands a hard jab. Gastelum with a left hand. Gastelum lands a jab then lands a combo attacking the body. Gastelum with the jab and Curtis lands a leg kick. Curtis lands a right hand to the body. Gastelum with a leg kick and follows with a solid combination. Gastelum with a left hand, then a leg kick, then a combination. Gastelum with a leg kick. He lands a combo. Gastelum with a combo. 10-9 Gastelum.
Gastelum with a leg kick but Curtis fires back with a flurry of punches, landing to the head and body. Gastelum with a left hand. Curtis lands a body shot and they go to the mat and Gastelum is on the back and landing punches. They get to their feet and Curtis tries to capitalize but they clinch against the fence. They trade combinations. Curtis lands some hard body shots. They trade inside the pocket and Curtis lands some hard body shots. Gastelum with a combo. Curtis lands a big uppercut and they trade wild late.
Curtis lands a knee to the body. Curtis with a double jab and lands another. Gastelum with a leg kick then lands the jab. Curtis lands a leg kick. They trade inside the pocket. Gastelum with a straight left hand. Curtis lands a left hand and an elbow. Gastelum with a left hand and then another. Curtis lands to the body. Gastelum with a left hand, then Curtis lands a right hand. They trade and Gastelum pushes it against the fence. Curtis with a right hand to the body then a knee to the body. Curtis with some body shots. Curtis with a big right hand and a short elbow. Curtis is finding a home to the body. Gastelum lands a combo. Curtis with more body shots. Gastelum with a left hand. Gastelum tries a takedown but they stay on the feet. They trade big shots late. Fantastic fight. 10-9 Curtis, 29-28 Gastelum.
Official Result- Kelvin Gastelum def. Chris Curtis by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
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> Bantamweights*- Raul Rosas Jr. (7-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Christian Rodriguez (8-1, 1-1 UFC)
*Rodriguez missed weight by one pound
Rosas goes right for a takedown and they push it against the fence. Rosas trying hard for the takedown as he has the leg and he completes it. Rosas grabs the neck but Rodriguez spins over into side control. They get to their feet and Rosas is trying hard to get it back down. Rosas has the back. Rosas gets it down for a second. Rosas jumps onto the back of Rodriguez and is working for a choke. He has the body triangle and is working for a choke. Rosas is squeezing but Rodriguez is playing good defense. They go to the mat and Rosas still is looking for the choke. Rosas ends the round on the back. 10-9 Rosas Jr.
Rosas tries a takedown but Rodriguez ends up on top. They scramble up and Rosas is trying to get it down as he has the back against the fence. He’s trying to get it down as they go the mat and Rodriguez is on top. They’re scrambling around and Rodriguez remains on top in side control. Rodriguez has the back and he is looking for a choke. Rodriguez with some body shots. Rodriguez with a right hand. 10-9 Rodriguez, 19-19.
Rodriguez lands a right hand. Rodriguez lands another as Rosas was coming forward. Rosas shoots for a takedown but Rodriguez stuffs it. Rosas shoots again but Rodriguez sprawls away. Rosas tries again but Rodriguez sprawls and switches to the back. They stand and Rodriguez drags it down as he has the back mount. Rodriguez with some punches from the back. He lands more as Rosas is in a lot of trouble. Rodriguez landing a lot of punches from the back. Rodriguez continues to land from the back. Rodriguez lets it get back to the feet. Rosas lands a left hand and Rodriguez lands a counter. 10-9 Rodriguez, 29-28 Rodriguez.
Official Result- Christian Rodriguez def. Raul Rosas Jr by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Welterweights- Kevin Holland (23-9 1 NC, 10-6 1 NC UFC) vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio (29-6, 11-5 UFC)
Holland with a side kick. Holland with a left hand. Holland lands another left hand but Ponzinibbio counters with a leg kick. Ponzinibbio lands a leg kick but slips on it. Holland with a couple of leg kicks. Holland lands a left hand. They trade leg kicks. Holland landing more leg kicks here. Holland with some more leg kicks. Holland with a knee and they trade punches. Ponzinibbio with a combo ending with a left hand. Holland with a body kick and lands a right hand that drops Ponzinibbio late. 10-9 Holland.
Ponzinibbio with some kicks early in the second. Ponzinibbio lands a right hand. Ponzinibbio with a leg kick. Holland with a leg kick. He lands another. They both land in close range and Ponzinibbio lands a big leg kick. Ponzinibbio lands a right hand. Ponzinibbio with a left hand followed by a leg kick. Holland with a leg kick but Ponzinibbio checks it. Ponzinibbio lands a good combo but then Holland hurts Ponzinibbio with a right hand and they clinch. Holland lands a right hand. 10-9 Holland, 20-18 Holland.
Ponzinibbio lands a couple of leg kicks. Ponzinibbio with a left hook. Ponzinibbio with a leg kick. Holland with some jabs. Ponzinibbio with a leg kick. They trade wild punches. Ponzinibbio with some leg kicks. They trade kicks. Holland then drops Ponzinibbio with a big right hand followed by a left hand that put Ponzinibbio to the mat face first and it is stopped. What a finish by Holland!
Official Result- Kevin Holland def. Santiago Ponzinibbio by knockout (punch) at 3:16 of Round 3
> Bantamweights- #6 Rob Font (19-6, 9-5 UFC) vs. #12 Adrian Yanez (16-3, 5-0 UFC)
Font lands a right hand. Yanez lands a right hand. Font lands the jab. They trade right hands. Yanez lands a nice right hand. He lands another. Font lands the jab. Yanez lands a big right hand inside the pocket. Yanez with the jab. Yanez lands a leg kick. Font with a leg kick. They trade inside the pocket. Font with a big combination. Font landing lots of hard shots as Yanez is retreating. Font with another combo and he drops Yanez with a right hand. Font landing from the top and it is stopped. What a finish from Font!
Official Result- Rob Font def. Adrian Yanez by TKO (punches) at 2:57 of Round 1
Masvidal with a leg kick. Burns with a body kick then a leg kick. Masvidal with more leg kicks. Burns lands a right hand. Burns lands a body kick. Masvidal with a quick combo ending with a leg kick. Burns lands some kicks. Burns lands a right hand then a body kick. Burns with an overhand right. Masvidal lands a right hand then a leg kick. Burns lands a right hand. Burns with the calf kick. Masvidal lands a jab and Burns gets a late takedown and lands some hammerfists from the top to end the round. 10-9 Burns.
Burns lands a right hand and Masvidal was hurt against the fence. Burns goes for a takedown and gets it and is in the guard of Masvidal. Burns controlling from the top and landing while he’s staying active. Burns lands a few left hands but not much is happening. They get to their feet. Burns still has the back. Burns gets another big takedown. They get to their feet and Masvidal lands a couple of knees. They break. Masvidal with a body kick. Burns lands a right hand. Masvidal landed a right hand as well. 10-9 Burns, 20-18 Burns.
Burns just misses a high kick. Masvidal with a leg kick. Burns lands a right hand. They trade leg kicks. Burns lands a couple of jabs. Masvidal with some leg kicks. He lands another. Masvidal with a spin kick and he lands a few more kicks. Burns lands a left hand. Burns lands a right hand. Burns with a jab then lands a big right hand. Masvidal lands a right hand. Burns with some big punches. Burns with more big shots. Burns with a couple of left hands then a cracking right hand. Masvidal lands a combo. Burns shoots for the takedown as he pushes it against the fence. Burns gets the takedown and is in side control and lands some elbows. Burns has the back at the end. 10-9 Burns, 30-27 Burns.
Official Result- Gilbert Burns def. Jorge Masvidal by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
> UFC Middleweight Championship- C Alex Pereira (7-1, 4-0 UFC) vs. #1 Israel Adesanya (23-2, 12-2 UFC)
Both landing kicks early on. Adesanya with a leg kick. They trade calf kicks. It’s been all trading leg kicks for the first two minutes here. Adesanya lands a right hand. Adesanya lands a body kick. Pereira with a leg kick and Adesanya lands a body kick. Adesanya with a leg kick. He lands a body kick. Adesanya lands a left hand. Pereira with some more leg kicks late. 10-9 Adesanya.
Adesanya with a high kick. He lands a leg kick then goes high. Pereira lands a high kick. They trade punches and Pereira landed hard. Pereira with a left hook. Adesanya lands a jab then a right hand. Pereira landed some punches as well. Adesanya with a left hand. Pereira lands the jab. Adesanya with a right hand. Adesanya with an inside leg kick. Adesanya lands a left hand. Adesanya with a combo to the body. They trade inside the pocket. Pereira with a leg kick. Adesanya lands a big right hand that hurts Pereira and then another right hand followed by a hammerfist knocks Pereira out cold! Wow, what a finish by Adesanya to win the title back!
Official Result- Israel Adesanya def. Alex Pereira by knockout (punches) at 4:21 of Round 2 to win the UFC Middleweight Championship
