The Octagon returns to a high altitude environment with tonight’s UFC 291, a stacked pay-per-view from the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Two of the most exciting fighters in the sport and pair of former interim UFC lightweight champions will battle to crown a new BMF champion in the main event as Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje meet for the second time. Poirier won their first outing in April 2018 in the Fight Of The Year winner.
This second bout will be for the moniker of the baddest fighter in the sport.
In the co-main event, former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz battles former UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira where the winner will likely fight for the vacant light heavyweight title next. Also on the stacked main card is a heavyweight bout between Derrick Lewis and Marcos Rogerio de Lima, a lightweight bout pitting Tony Ferguson against Bobby Green, and Michael Chiesa vs. Kevin Holland in a welterweight bout.
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> Women’s Flyweights- Miranda Maverick (11-5, 4-3 UFC) vs. Priscila Cachoeira (12-4, 4-4 UFC)
Maverick lands an early combo. Maverick lands and thought for a takedown but nixed the idea. Cachoeira lands a right hand. Maverick lands a leg kick. Cachoeira lands a leg kick. Maverick lands a high kick and Cachoeira tries to land a knee but Maverick grabs the leg and gets the takedown. Maverick is trying to get dominant position as Cachoeira is trying to escape. They get to their feet but Maverick has the body lock and lands some short punches. Maverick gets it down and lands a knee to the body as she’s on top. She lands some left hands. Maverick landing punches and elbows from the top as she’s pressuring from there. 10-9 Maverick.
Maverick lands a left hand. Maverick is landing and backing up as Cachoeira is trying to rush forward and land. Maverick looks for a takedown and pushes it against the fence. Cachoeira is defending and has the neck but grabbed the fence to block a takedown. Maverick gets the takedown and Cachoeira grabbed the fence on the bottom and also grabbed Maverick’s gloves. Maverick pressuring and landing from the top. She gets the mount and starts landing some punches. Cachoeira had her toes in the fence, yet another foul, and almost used it to get up but Maverick keeps it down. Maverick still landing from the top and ends the round there. 10-9 Maverick, 20-18 Maverick.
Maverick lands a left hand then a high kick. Maverick shoots for a takedown and Cachoeira defends, but Maverick lands an elbow. Maverick lands a left hand then scores a takedown and is in side control. Maverick is transitioning often on the mat and controlling from the top. Maverick finds the arm and locks in an armbar and gets Cachoeira to tap. Dominant performance from Maverick as she runs right thru Cachoeira.
Official Result- Miranda Maverick def. Priscila Cachoeira by submission (armbar) at 2:11 of Round 3
> Welterweights- Matthew Semelsberger (11-5, 5-3 UFC) vs. Uros Medic (8-1, 2-1 UFC)
Semelsberger lands a head kick. They trade leg kicks and Medic slips to the mat. Semelsberger gets on top and is landing and has the back as they stand. Semelsberger takes it back down but they roll to their feet. They break. They’re trading and Semelsberger drops Medic with a right hand. He goes into the guard and Medic lands some upkicks that hurt Semelsberger. Semelsberger lands and hurts Medic and they go to the mat. They get to their feet. Semelsberger lands a combo. Semelsberger lands to end the wild first. 10-9 Semelsberger.
Medic lands a body kick and they trade leg kicks. Semelsberger lands a combo. Medic lands a counter left hand. Semelsberger lands a couple of leg kicks. Semelsberger lands a left hand. Semelsberger rushes in and lands a combo and Medic fires back with some punches. Medic lands a nice high kick. They trade in close range. Medic lands a high kick. Medic with a late combo ending with a high kick. 10-9 Medic, 19-19.
Medic lands a body kick. Semelsberger tries for a takedown and pushes it against the fence. Medic lands some short punches and a left hand on the break. Medic lands a head kick. Medic lands a big combination that hurts Semelsberger and then drops Semelsberger with a spinning back fist where the forearm connected. He lands from the top and the fight is stopped! What a comeback and finish from Medic to get the win.
Official Result- Uros Medic def. Matthew Semelsberger by TKO (strikes) at 2:36 of Round 3
Matthews lands a jab and they trade punches inside the pocket. They’re both throwing big punches as Matthews is against the fence. They’re just swinging and connecting. Matthews lands a left hook to the body. Matthews lands a front kick to the body. Matthews lands some more to the body and lands a front kick there. Matthews lands a leg kick. Matthews lands to the body and Flowers is hurt, but Flowers lands as Matthews was trying to capitalize. Flowers gets a takedown. He is in side control as Matthews has the neck. Matthews lands from the bottom. 10-9 Matthews.
Matthews with a head kick then to the body and Flowers went down. It was called a groin strike but replays showed the toes hit the stomach and it was a clean kick. They get back to action and both are swinging hard. Matthews is landing more. Flowers shoots for a takedown but Matthews defends and ends up on top in half-guard and is landing. Matthews looking for a kimura. Matthews gets the mount and lands some punches. Matthews landing big punches and Flowers gives up his back. Matthews locks in a choke and Flowers taps! Big finish from Matthews as he picks up the win.
Official Result- Jake Matthews def. Darrius Flowers by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:37 of Round 2
> Middleweights- Roman Kopylov (10-2, 2-2 UFC) vs. Claudio Ribeiro (11-3, 1-1 UFC)
They trade punches before pawing at each other. Kopylov lands a leg kick. Ribeiro lands a leg kick. Kopylov lands twice to the body. Ribeiro lands a body kick. Ribeiro lands a leg kick. Kopylov lands a jumping knee against the fence. Kopylov lands a double jab. Ribeiro scores with a right hand and is chasing Kopylov around the Octagon. Kopylov lands a quick jab. Kopylov lands a body kick followed by a right hand. Kopylov lands a left hand. Kopylov lands a combo against the fence. Kopylov lands a nice combo. Ribeiro lands a couple of big right hands and both are landing. Ribeiro lands some hard punches. He shoots for a takedown late. 10-9 Kopylov.
Kopylov lands a massive head kick that drops Ribeiro and it is over after a follow-up punch. What a knockout from Kopylov!
Official Result- Roman Kopylov def. Claudio Ribeiro by knockout (head kick) at :33 of Round 2
> Flyweights*- CJ Vergara (11-4-1, 2-2 UFC) vs. Vinicius Salvador (14-5, 0-1 UFC)
*Salvador missed weight by 2.5 pounds
Salvador lands some leg kicks. Both are being patient and not much is happening. Salvador lands more leg kicks. They trade leg kicks. Vergara lands a left hand. We have a timeout for an eye poke. They get back to action. Vergara lands a leg kick. Vergara scores with a left hand. Salvador lands a leg kick. Salvador lands a left hand. 10-9 Salvador.
They’re trading in close range to start the second. Salvador lands a left hand. Vergara is landing to the body and is pressuring as Salvador is still landing some leg kicks. Vergara lands a leg kick. Vergara scores with a left hand then a right hand. Vergara lands a left hand. Vergara turning up the volume. He lands a body kick. Salvador doing a lot of showboating. Salvador lands a body kick. Vergara lands a leg kick. Vergara lands more at the end. 10-9 Vergara, 19-19.
Vergara lands some leg kicks and they trade punches. Vergara lands a combo. Salvador lands a quick jab. Vergara lands a body shot then a body kick and a right hand. They trade punches and Vergara is landing a lot of counters. He lands a left hand. Salvador lands a body kick. Salvador lands a combo ending with a leg kick. Vergara scores with a right hand. Vergara lands a short combo. Vergara with a left hand then a body kick. Salvador lands a jab after Vergara lands. Salvador lands to the body. He lands a left hand and Vergara counters with a right hand. Close fight. 10-9 Vergara, 29-28 Vergara.
Official Result- CJ Vergara def. Vinicius Salvador by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Welterweights- Gabriel Bonfim (14-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Trevin Giles (16-4, 7-4 UFC)
Bonfim pressuring and landing early on, clipping Giles with a left hand. Bonfim gets a takedown. Bonfim gets the neck and locks in a guillotine choke. It is in tight and Giles taps! What a dominant showing from Bonfim.
Official Result- Gabriel Bonfim def. Trevin Giles by submission (guillotine choke) at 1:13 of Round 1
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> Welterweights- #12 Michael Chiesa (18-6, 11-6 UFC) vs. Kevin Holland (24-9 1 NC, 11-6 1 NC UFC)
Holland lands a right hand and then an uppercut and has Chiesa hurt just a little. Chiesa circles away. Holland throws Chiesa down and Holland gets on top. They get up and Chiesa lands short uppercuts before they separate. Chiesa shoots for a single leg and Holland lands some punches as he’s able to defend. Chiesa trying hard for the takedown but Holland defends. Holland lands a knee then Chiesa lands with a combo. Holland lands a knee and Chiesa shoots for a takedown. Holland locks in a D’Arce choke and is able to get Chiesa to tap! That is a surprising finish as Holland gets the submission.
Official Result- Kevin Holland def. Michael Chiesa by submission (D’Arce choke) at 2:39 of Round 1
> Lightweights- Tony Ferguson (25-8, 15-6 UFC) vs. Bobby Green (29-14-1 1 NC, 10-9-1 1 NC UFC)
They both throw but neither land. Ferguson grabs the back standing but is unable to get the takedown before they separate. Green lands some punches and leg kicks. Ferguson lands a leg kick. They trade left hands and Green stumbles back a little. Green scores with a combo. Ferguson drops Green with a right hand but Green gets right up. They trade and we have a timeout for an eye poke on Ferguson. They get back to action. Green partially lands a head kick. Green scores with a combo. Green landing more as Ferguson is pressuring. Green lands a couple of body kicks. Green lands a combo. Green lands again. 10-9 Green.
Green landing more to start the second. Ferguson tries for a takedown but pulls it down and Green is in side control. Green gets into Ferguson’s guard and lands some hammerfists from the top. Green moves to side control but then gets to his feet. Green goes back down with some big right hands from the top. Green with big punches and elbows from the top. Green with more big hammerfists and Ferguson is cut open. They stand. Green lands a right hand. They trade against the fence late. 10-9 Green, 20-18 Green.
Green lands a right hand and a body kick. Ferguson lands a big leg kick. Green lands a combo. Ferguson lands a pair of right hands. Green lands to the body and then to the head. Green landing the jab. Green lands a combo even as Ferguson is continuing to press forward. Green lands a leg kick then a combination. Green lands a couple of left hands. Green lands and Ferguson goes down for a brief second but pops up. Green scores another combo. Ferguson lands a big right hand. They go to the mat and Green is on top with a tight arm-triangle choke locked in. Ferguson is moving around and throwing his legs around but he goes out cold! What a finish from Green with seconds remaining.
Official Result- Bobby Green def. Tony Ferguson by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 4:54 of Round 3
> Heavyweights- #11 Derrick Lewis (26-11 1 NC, 17-9 UFC) vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima (21-8-1, 10-6 UFC)
Lewis lands a flying knee to start and it drops de Lima. Lewis is landing big punches from the top and has the mount. He is landing massive punches and de Lima gives up his back. Lewis with more big punches and it is over! Wow, what a showing from Lewis!
Official Result- Derrick Lewis def. Marcos Rogerio de Lima by TKO (punches) at :33 of Round 1
> Light Heavyweights- #3 Jan Blachowicz (29-9-1, 12-6-1 UFC) vs. #2 MW Alex Pereira (7-2, 4-1 UFC)
Blachowicz goes for the takedown right away as he pushes it against the fence. Pereira has a standing guillotine locked in. Blachowicz still trying for the takedown and is able to get it. He jumps on the back of Pereira and has the body triangle locked in. Blachowicz is looking for the choke. He still has back control as he lets the choke go. Blachowicz is looking for it again but can’t get the arm under the chin. Blachowicz still has the back as the round ends. 10-9 Blachowicz.
Both land a leg kick. They trade leg kicks again. Pereira lands a jab. They trade leg kicks. Pereira lands a nice leg kick. Blachowicz lands a left hook then a right hand. Pereira lands a leg kick but Blachowicz is able to get a takedown. Not much is happening on the mat but Pereira is able to get it to the feet. Blachowicz lands a knee to the body. They separate and both land punches. Blachowicz looks exhausted. Pereira lands a right hand. Pereira lands a jab then to the body. Pereira lands some more. 10-9 Pereira, 19-19.
Pereira landing to start the third and lands a big leg kick. Blachowicz lands a combo ending with a body kick. Blachowicz lands a nice combo. Pereira lands a right hand. Blachowicz tries for a takedown and pushes it against the fence but they quickly separate. Blachowicz lands a left hand. Pereira lands a leg kick. Blachowicz lands a combo. Blachowicz lands a leg kick but eats a jab from Pereira then a right hand. Pereira lands a knee to the body. He lands a couple of jabs. Blachowicz gets a takedown and ends the fight on top. Close fight. 10-9 Pereira, 29-28 Pereira.
Official Result- Alex Pereira def. Jan Blachowicz by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
They trade leg kicks. Poirier lands a body kick. Gaethje lands a leg kick. Gaethje lands a big left hand. Poirier lands a body kick. They trade in close range. Poirier lands a body kick. Gaethje lands a right hand. Gaethje with a high kick. Gaethje lands a right hand. He then lands an uppercut. They trade and Gaethje ends with a big left hand. Poirier lands a left hand. He lands a big left hand that stuns Gaethje. Gaethje lands a jab. Poirier lands a right hand. Gaethje lands a right hand. Gaethje lands a high kick then a leg kick. Gaethje lands a right hand. 10-9 Gaethje.
Gaethje lands a left hand. Gaethje lands a head kick that drops Poirier and Poirier is out and it is all over! What a finish from Gaethje!
Official Result- Justin Gaethje def. Dustin Poirier by knockout (head kick) at 1:00 of Round 2 to win the BMF Championship
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 282: Blachowicz vs. Ankalaev, emanating from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
It is the final UFC pay-per-view event of 2022, and the Octagon is back inside the T-Mobile Arena where, following a major shuffling of the main event, a brand new champion will be crowned in one of the premier divisions in the sport.
The vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship is on the line in the main event as former champion Jan Blachowicz looks to become a two-time champion against Magomed Ankalaev. The title became vacant after Jiri Prochazka opted to vacate it following suffering a major shoulder surgery a couple of weeks ago, which forced him out of the original main event of this card, a defense against Glover Teixeira. Teixeira was offered to stay in the title fight against Ankalaev, but turned it down due to the short notice. Blachowicz and Ankalaev were already scheduled to fight in the co-main event, so they get the bump up.
In the new co-main event, Paddy Pimblett looks to become the big breakout star they hope as he fights on pay-per-view for the first time when he takes on Jared Gordon. Also on the main card is a catchweight bout between Santiago Ponzinibbio and Alex Morono, a middleweight bout pitting Darren Till against Dricus Du Plessis, and a battle of undefeated rising featherweight contenders as Bryce Mitchell battles Ilia Topuria.
The prelims are stacked for this show, capped off by a battle of top-eleven heavyweights as Jairzinho Rozenstruik takes on Chris Daukaus, plus the debut of Raul Rosas Jr., the youngest fighter on the UFC roster who earned a contract as a 17-year-old on this past season of Dana White’s Contender Series.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.
We are looking for your thoughts on tonight’s event, so send a thumbs up, a thumbs down or a thumbs in the middle along with a best fight and a worst fight to Dave at [email protected].
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> Bantamweights- Cameron Saaiman (6-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Steven Koslow (6-0, 0-0 UFC)
Saaiman throwing kicks to start things off. Saaiman lands a left hand. Saaiman with a leg kick. Koslow grabs the body lock and gets a takedown and looks to pass guard. Koslow gets to the half-guard and Saaiman lands from the bottom. Koslow tries to get mount but Saaiman reverses and is in the guard of Koslow. They’re scrambling and Saaiman grabs the neck looking for a guillotine choke. Saaiman moves to the back but might be too high on the back. Saaiman slides off and Koslow is on top and lands some punches. Koslow gets the mount near the end but Saaiman reverses to the top. 10-9 Koslow.
Koslow goes right for the takedown and pushes Saaiman against the fence. They go to the mat and Koslow locks in a guillotine choke but Saaiman is able to escape. Koslow continues to attack the neck but they stand. Saaiman lands a couple of knees as Koslow is working for the takedown and Koslow gets it down. Saaiman is able to get the back and is trying to get the hooks in. They get to their feet and clinch and Saaiman lands an illegal knee to Koslow’s head as both of his knees were on the mat. Saaiman gets a point taken away. They get back to action and trade punches. Koslow grabs the single leg but Saaiman defends. Saaiman has the neck and lands a knee. Koslow lands a high kick as they break. 9-9 due to Saaiman getting a point taken away, 19-18 Koslow.
Saaiman lands a spin kick. Koslow shoots for the takedown and pushes it against the fence. Koslow gets it down and has the back. Saaiman reverses and gets on top. Saaiman gets the back and has the hooks in but he is high. Saaiman trying to set up a choke. They get to their feet and Koslow gets it back down. Saaiman reverses and lands from the top. Saaiman landing punches on top as he has the back. Saaiman with some big shots on the top. Saaiman stands and is landing punches and lets Koslow get up. Saaiman lands some knees and punches. He’s teeing off on Koslow and Koslow is hurt. Saaiman continues to land and gets the finish! What a sequence to finish it for Saaiman as he wins his UFC debut.
Official Result- Cameron Saaiman def. Steven Koslow by TKO (strikes) at 4:13 of Round 3
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> Featherweights- TJ Brown (16-9, 2-3 UFC) vs. Erik Silva (9-1, 0-0 UFC)
Brown lands a big right hand right off the bat and Silva almost went down. Brown gets it down but they scramble and Silva has the neck as they stand. Brown gets it back down and is in the guard of Silva. They scramble and Silva looking to get on top. Brown lands some punches as they stand and Silva gets a takedown. Brown tries to attack the leg and uses it to create a scramble to the feet. Brown lands an elbow. They break and trade right hands. Silva gets a late takedown. They get up and trade right hands at the end. Close round. 10-9 Brown.
Silva lands a right hand early in the second. Brown lands a right hand. Silva lands a jab. Silva lands a leg kick and both are landing. Silva scores a takedown. They scramble up and Brown gets a takedown and looks to get the back near the fence. Brown landing some left hands. Brown trying to get his arm under Silva’s neck. Silva tries for a kimura but Brown ends up fully on top. Brown gets the back. Brown tries for the choke again. Brown has the back as the round ends. 10-9 Brown, 20-18 Brown.
Silva goes for a takedown as Brown lands a right hand and a knee. Silva lands a knee and they go down with Brown in the guard of Silva. Brown trying to transition but gets back to the guard of Silva. Brown still controlling from the top as he’s trying to find an arm-triangle choke. Brown lands some left hands and an elbow. He gets the arm-triangle choke locked in and Silva taps! Brown gets his first UFC finish with the submission here.
Official Result- TJ Brown def. Erik Silva by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 3:41 of Round 3
> Featherweights- Billy Quarantillo (16-4, 4-2 UFC) vs. Alexander Hernandez (13-5, 5-4 UFC)
Hernandez with a leg kick. Hernandez lands some punches and they trade kicks. Quarantillo grabs a leg but lets go. They trade jabs. Quarantillo with a body kick and Hernandez lands some counter right hands. Hernandez with a body shot and Quarantillo counters with one. Hernandez gets a takedown. They get to their feet and Hernandez pushes it against the fence. They break. Hernandez lands a combo. Quarantillo with a body kick. Hernandez gets a takedown right into an arm-triangle but he doesn’t have it fully locked in. Quarantillo with some body shots and Hernandez lets go but lands an elbow that opens a big cut on Quarantillo. They get up late and trade. 10-9 Hernandez.
They trade high kicks to start the second. Quarantillo tries a takedown but Hernandez grabs the back and lands some punches. They stand and clinch before breaking. They clinch against the fence and Quarantillo lands some knees. They break and Hernandez lands some punches. Hernandez slips and Quarantillo grabs the neck but they stand and Quarantillo tries for a takedown against the fence. They break and both land punches. They’re both landing. Quarantillo landing more right now as he lands some right hands. Quarantillo gets a takedown. Quarantillo with some punches from the back. They stand. Quarantillo drags it back down and lands some punches as they stand. They separate. They trade against the fence. Both men are bleeding. Quarantillo with some punches and knees and it is stopped. Big rally from Quarantillo to get the finish in the second.
Official Result- Billy Quarantillo def. Alexander Hernandez by TKO (strikes) at 4:30 of Round 2
> Middleweights- #15 Chris Curtis (29-9, 3-1 UFC) vs. Joaquin Buckley (15-5, 5-3 UFC)
Buckley with a combo. Curtis lands a jab then a leg kick. Buckley with a leg kick. Curtis lands a left hand. Buckley with a leg kick. Curtis lands a nice left hand. They trade and we have a timeout as Curtis lands a kick to the groin. They get back to action. Buckley with a high kick but Curtis blocks it. They trade punches. Curtis lands the jab. Buckley with some body shots. Buckley lands a left hand. Buckley with some body shots late. 10-9 Buckley.
Buckley landing more to start the second. Buckley with a high kick. Curtis lands a combo. Buckley lands a combo. Buckley with another combination. Curtis lands a high kick. Curtis drops Buckley with a big left hand and gets on top and lands some shots and Buckley goes out. What a finish by Curtis!
Official Result- Chris Curtis def. Joaquin Buckley by knockout (punches) at 2:49 of Round 2
Shahbazyan landing punches and kicks to the body early on. Shahbazyan with more body shots. They trade leg kicks. Lungiambula with a big body kick. Shahbazyan lands some body kicks. They clinch against the fence. They break after both land a couple of body shots. Shahbazyan lands a body kick. Shahbazyan with a right hand. 10-9 Shahbazyan.
They trade to start the second. Both land punches and Lungiambula lands a low blow and we have a timeout. They get back to action and Lungiambula with a leg kick. Shahbazyan with a left hand. Lungiambula with a body kick. Shahbazyan with a body kick. Lungiambula with a left hand. They trade body kicks. They trade punches. Shahbazyan just misses a head kick. Shahbazyan with a jumping knee and Lungiambula is hurt. Shahbazyan with a flurry and he’s teeing off as Lungiambula is hurt against the fence. They go to the mat and Shahbazyan is landing from the top. Lots of shots from Shahbazyan and it is stopped. Big bounce back win for Shahbazyan.
Official Result- Edmen Shahbazyan def. Dalcha Lungiambula by TKO (strikes) at 4:41 of Round 2
> Heavyweights- #9 Jairzinho Rozenstruik (12-4, 6-4 UFC) vs. #11 Chris Daukaus (12-5, 4-2 UFC)
Rozenstruik rocks Daukaus with a left hand immediately and is landing big punches against the fence. Daukaus trying to get away and Rozenstruik drops him with a big punch and it is all over. What a finish from Rozenstruik!
Official Result- Jairzinho Rozenstruik def. Chris Daukaus by knockout (punches) at :23 of Round 1
> Bantamweights- Raul Rosas Jr. (6-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Jay Perrin (10-6, 0-2 UFC)
They’re trading to start. Rosas gets a couple of takedowns and is on the back. Rosas flattens Perrin out and is looking for a choke. Rosas with some punches from the back. He almost had the choke locked in but Perrin fought it off. Rosas has the body triangle as they stand. They go back down and Rosas still working for the choke and has it locked in and Perrin taps!
Official Result- Raul Rosas Jr. def. Jay Perrin by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:44 of Round 1
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> Featherweights- #9 Bryce Mitchell (15-0, 6-0 UFC) vs. #14 Ilia Topuria (12-0, 4-0 UFC)
Mitchell throwing kicks to start. Topuria with a heavy calf kick. Topuria lands a heavy jab. Topuria lands a right hand. Topuria with a combo. Topuria lands another right hand. Mitchell with a high kick and then shoots for a takedown but Topuria stuffs it. Mitchell with a body kick. Mitchell grabs a single leg and pushes it against the fence. Mitchell gets it down for a moment. They break. Topuria with a right hand then another. Mitchell gets a takedown. Mitchell gets into the full guard of Topuria and lands some shots. Mitchell does end the first on top. 10-9 Topuria.
Mitchell moving forward to start round two and both land. Topuria lands a right hand. Mitchell attempts a takedown but Topuria stuffs. Topuria lands a right hand. Mitchell lands a head kick. Topuria drops Mitchell with a right hand after an uppercut. Topuria lands from the top but Mitchell works his way up. Topuria clips Mitchell with an uppercut and rag dolls him to the mat. Topuria lands from the top as he looks for a arm-triangle choke. He gets it locked in and Mitchell taps! Big win as Topuria remains undefeated.
Official Result- Ilia Topuria def. Bryce Mitchell by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 3:10 of Round 2
> Middleweights- #10 Darren Till (18-4-1, 6-4-1 UFC) vs. #14 Dricus Du Plessis (17-2, 3-0 UFC)
Till pressuring as Du Plessis lands a leg kick. Du Plessis gets a takedown and gets the back. Du Plessis with some left hands from the back. Du Plessis landing a lot of left hands. Du Plessis with some knees to the thighs. Du Plessis with more left hands. Du Plessis now landing right hands. Du Plessis looking to get it back down and does. Du Plessis has the back with the body triangle in. Du Plessis with big right hands from the back. Du Plessis looking for a rear-naked choke but lets go. Du Plessis still has the back ad is working. Till explodes to his feet and lands some punches and went for a choke but they scramble up. Du Plessis with the jab. Du Plessis slips on a kick and Till gets on top and lands some punches. Du Plessis scrambles and gets a late takedown. 10-8 Du Plessis.
Till lands some left hands and Du Plessis with a right hand. Till with a left hand. Till with a combination. Till with a leg kick. Till lands a hard elbow. Till lands a knee and Du Plessis is able to get a takedown. Till landing as he tries to scramble up. They get to their feet. Du Plessis is breathing heavy. Till lands another big elbow. Till with a left hand. Till with another combo. Till lands another elbow. Du Plessis tries a takedown and gets it and Du Plessis ends up on top. Du Plessis looking for a foot lock late but time runs out. 10-9 Till, 19-18 Du Plessis.
Till with the jab. Till with a combo. Du Plessis with a leg kick. Till with a left hand to the body. Du Plessis with a couple of kicks. Till with a left hand and Du Plessis lands a jab. We have a brief timeout for a groin strike. They trade jabs. Du Plessis gets a takedown right into mount and lands some shots from the top. He gets the back and locks in a quick rear-naked choke and Till taps! Finish out of nowhere from Du Plessis as he gets another win.
Official Result- Dricus Du Plessis def. Darren Till by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:43 of Round 3
> Welterweights- Santiago Ponzinibbio (28-6, 10-5 UFC) vs. Alex Morono (22-7 1 NC, 11-4 1 NC UFC)
Ponzinibbio lands the jab to the body. Morono lands a right hand. Ponzinibbio with a leg kick. Morono lands a right hand. They trade punches. Ponzinibbio lands a jab. Morono lands a right hand. Ponzinibbio lands a leg kick. They trade jabs. Ponzinibbio landing shots to the body. Ponzinibbio with a leg kick and he has a cut open. Morono lands a right hand. Ponzinibbio with a right hand and Morono lands a big right hand and they go to the mat and Morono lands from top and they get up at the end. 10-9 Morono.
They are trading jabs to start the second. Both are looking for openings and land leg kicks. Morono lands a leg kick and Ponzinibbio stumbles to the mat. Ponzinibbio just misses a left hand but lands a jab. Ponzinibbio lands a nice right hand. Ponzinibbio with a combo. Morono lands a spinning elbow. They trade right hands. Ponzinibbio lands a right hand. 10-9 Morono, 20-18 Morono.
Morono with a leg kick. Morono lands a few punches and has Ponzinibbio hurt. Ponzinibbio is retreating and Morono lands some more. Ponzinibbio is trying to recover. Ponzinibbio rocks Morono with a big right hand and then drops him with another right hand and it is over! Ponzinibbio gets the finish out of nowhere!
Official Result- Santiago Ponzinibbio def. Alex Morono by TKO (punches) at 2:29 of Round 3
> Lightweights- Paddy Pimblett (19-3, 3-0 UFC) vs. Jared Gordon (19-5, 7-4 UFC)
Pimblett with a combo and a high kick. Gordon lands a left hand. They trade leg kicks. They trade left hands. Pimblett with a high kick. Gordon with a couple of leg kicks. Gordon lands a combo. Pimblett with a leg kick. Gordon with a big right hand. Pimblett with a combination. They trade leg kicks. Pimblett with a head kick. Gordon lands a left hand. Pimblett with a combo. They trade big punches inside the pocket. Pimblett tries a takedown but Gordon ends up on top. Gordon ends the round on top. 10-9 Gordon.
Pimblett with a couple of leg kicks. Pimblett with a high kick. They trade punches. Pimblett with a body shot. Gordon lands a left hand and they are tied up against the fence. Gordon gets it down but Pimblett is working for a choke. They get to their feet. Gordon lands some body shots then a right hand as they separate. Pimblett lands a right hand. Gordon lands a left hook. They trade leg kicks and Gordon lands a right hand. Pimblett lands an uppercut. Pimblett with some knees and they break. Pimblett lands a nice right hand. We have a timeout for an eye poke. They get back to action and Pimblett lands a right hand and a body kick. 10-9 Gordon, 20-18 Gordon.
Gordon tries a takedown and puts Pimblett down face-first but Pimblett gets to a knee. Gordon trying hard for the takedown against the fence. Pimblett lands some elbows. They break. Gordon immediately grabs Pimblett against the fence. Gordon has the body lock but isn’t doing anything with it. Gordon gets the takedown and has the back but Pimblett scrambles up and has the back. Pimblett with some punches but we go to the finish here. 10-9 Gordon, 30-27 Gordon.
Official Result- Paddy Pimblett def. Jared Gordon by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> UFC Light Heavyweight Championship- #3 Jan Blachowicz (29-9, 12-6 UFC) vs. #4 Magomed Ankalaev (18-1, 9-1 UFC)
Blachowicz with a leg kick. Ankalaev with a left hand. Blachowicz is landing all leg kicks in the first two minutes. Ankalaev looking for an opening. Blachowicz with a left hand to the body. Ankalaev with a body kick then a high kick but Blachowicz blocks it. Ankalaev with some body kicks. Ankalaev with more front kicks to the body. They trade body kicks. 10-9 Ankalaev.
They trade body kicks. Blachowicz with a leg kick. He lands a combo. Blachowicz landing more leg kicks. Ankalaev lands a leg kick. Blachowicz lands a combo with a short uppercut. Blachowicz lands a jab. Blachowicz hurts Ankalaev with a leg kick. Blachowicz lands another leg kick and Ankalaev went to his knee in pain after but Ankalaev grabs the clinch against the fence. They separate. They clinch at the end. 10-9 Blachowicz, 19-19.
Blachowicz lands a leg kick. Blachowicz with a body kick then a leg kick. Ankalaev lands a right hand. Blachowicz with a body kick. Ankalaev lands a jab and Blachowicz with a leg kick. Ankalaev lands a left hand. Blachowicz with a head kick. Blachowicz with more hard leg kicks and Ankalaev is limping from them. Ankalaev lands a combo. Ankalaev tries a takedown but Blachowicz defends. They’re tied up against the fence. They break and Ankalaev pressing forward. We have a timeout for a groin strike. They get back to work and Ankalaev tries a takedown but Blachowicz is defending. Ankalaev gets it down late. 10-9 Blachowicz, 29-28 Blachowicz.
They clinch and Ankalaev lands a knee to the body. Ankalaev landing some body shots. They separate. Ankalaev gets a takedown and is in the guard of Blachowicz. Ankalaev gets the back and is keeping Blachowicz on the mat and is draining whatever Blachowicz has left in the gas tank. Ankalaev with a couple of left hands. Ankalaev with a big elbow from the top. Ankalaev with big shots from the top before he stands. 10-9 Ankalaev, 38-38.
Blachowicz falls to the mat early as he stumbles and Ankalaev is trying to get on top as he’s all over him. Ankalaev gets into the full guard of Blachowicz. Ankalaev lands from the top some but is keeping Blachowicz planted down. Ankalaev with some big punches from the top. He’s landing more and more with punches and a few elbows. Ankalaev is looking to get the finish. Ankalaev now in the half-guard and landing from the top. Ankalaev continues to land from the top as the fight ends. 10-9 Ankalaev, 48-47 Ankalaev.
Official Result- Jan Blachowicz vs. Magomed Ankalaev ends in a split draw (48-47, 46-48, 47-47, the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship remains vacant
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC On ESPN 36: Blachowicz vs. Rakic, emanating from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The UFC is back in their home base this weekend with a light heavyweight main event that could play a hand into who is the top contender in the division.
Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jan Blachowicz returns for the first time since losing the title as he takes on Aleksandar Rakic in the five-round headline bout. They were scheduled to meet in March, but the fight was pushed back after Blachowicz had to pull out due to neck issues. Blachowicz was last seen in October, when Glover Teixeira submitted him to win the light heavyweight title. Rakic hasn’t fought in 14 months as he’s coming off a win over Thiago Santos at UFC 259 in March 2021.
In the co-main event, it’s another light heavyweight battle as Ryan Spann takes on Ion Cutelaba. The rest of the main card sees a bantamweight bout between Davey Grant and Louis Smolka, a women’s flyweight fight between Katlyn Chookagian and Amanda Ribas, a lightweight fight pitting Frank Camacho against the debuting Manuel Torres, and undefeated flyweight prospect Jake Hadley debuts against Allan Nascimento.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.
ESPN PRELIMS | 7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PT
> Middleweights- Nick Maximov (8-0, 2-0 UFC) vs. Andre Petroski (7-1, 2-0 UFC)
They trade leg kicks to start. Maximov with a right hand. Maximov shoots for the takedown and they scramble around and Petroski has the front headlock. Petroski looking for a D’Arce choke and Maximov is out! What a finish by Petroski!
Official Result- Andre Petroski def. Nick Maximov by submission (anaconda choke) at 1:16 of Round 1
> Flyweights- Tatsuro Taira (10-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Carlos Candelario (8-1, 0-0 UFC)
Candelario with a body kick then they clinch right up. They break. They trade punches and Taira with a leg kick. Candelario with a leg kick. Taira with a leg kick. Taira goes for a takedown but Candelario is defending. They break. Taira lands a right hook and a body kick to follow. Candelario tries a takedown but Taira defends and they break. Taira with an inside leg kick. Taira lands a nice right hand. Taira with a nice right hand to the body as Candelario lands a counter. Taira shoots for a takedown and completes it near the fence. Candelario works his way to the feet. Taira lands an uppercut to the body as they break. Candelario gets a late takedown. 10-9 Taira.
They trade and Taira shoots for a takedown but Candelario defends. Taira then drops Candelario with a right hand and was landing then jumped on the back as they stand. They go to the ground and Taira looking for a choke. Taira landing punches from the back as he flattens Candelario out. Taira working for the rear-naked choke but Candelario defending. Taira still working from the back ad Candelario spins to the guard of Taira. Candelario gets to the half-guard of Taira and lands some body punches and some elbows to the body. 10-9 Taira, 20-18 Taira.
Taira lands a groin kick and we have a timeout. They get back to action and Taira gets a takedown and Candelario goes for a guillotine and had it locked in but Taira gets out of danger. Candelario lands from the top but Taira sweeps to the top for a moment and looks for a triangle choke. Candelario escapes and Taira grabs the back. Taira gets to the mount and is keeping the arm trapped as he lands short body shots. Taira with some big punches from the top looking for the late finish. Taira with more big punches and lands some elbows now. Taira with a strong finish to the fight. 10-9 Taira, 30-27 Taira.
Official Result- Tatsuro Taira def. Carlos Candelario by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
> Women’s Strawweights- #12 Virna Jandiroba (17-3, 3-3 UFC) vs. #13 Angela Hill (13-11, 8-11 UFC)
Both looking for early openings and Jandiroba is looking to shoot for a takedown. Jandiroba tries for a takedown but Hill keeps it up as they clinch against the fence. Jandiroba drops to the mat looking for a calf slicer and a leg as Hill is defending on the mat. Hill is showing pain on her face as Jandiroba is trying for a kneebar. Hill escapes and is in half-guard. They scramble to their feet and Hill pushes it against the fence. They escape and Jandiroba just misses a right hand. Hill lands a right hand. They clinch and Jandiroba lands a knee and Hill gets a takedown and lands some elbows on the mat at the end. 10-9 Jandiroba.
They trade punches to start the second. Jandiroba with a right hand. Jandiroba with a right hand. Hill lands a quick combo. They clinch and both land as they break. They clinch and Hill pushes it against the fence. They break. Hill with a three-punch combination. They clinch again and Hill pushes it against the fence. Hill with a knee as they break. Hill lands a right hand and Jandiroba counters with a right hand. Jandiroba gets a takedown. Jandiroba trying to find an arm and look for the armbar. Jandiroba lands some hammerfists. Hill rolls to the top but Jandiroba still has the arm. They make it to the end. 10-9 Jandiroba, 20-18 Jandiroba.
Hill lands a nice right hand and follows it up with another one. She lands another right hand. Hill with the combination. Jandiroba tries for a takedown as she has the single leg against the fence. Jandiroba gets the takedown. Jandiroba with some body punches from the top. They get to their feet and Jandiroba has the back standing. They break and Jandiroba quickly gets another takedown. Jandiroba in the full guard of Hill. Jandiroba with some body shots. She lands some more. Jandiroba gets the back of Hill late. Hill spins into the guard of Jandiroba. Hill with a right hand from the top. 10-9 Jandiroba, 30-27 Jandiroba.
Official Result- Virna Jandiroba def. Angela Hill by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Lightweights- Michael Johnson (19-17, 11-13 UFC) vs. Alan Patrick (15-3 1 NC, 5-3 1 NC UFC)
Patrick with a leg kick. Johnson lands the jab. They clinch and Johnson pushes Patrick off. Johnson lands a left hand that rocks Patrick. They trade leg kicks and Patrick with a knee to the body. Patrick lands a left hand that wobbles Johnson. They clinch against the fence. They trade knees. They break. Patrick lands a body kick. Patrick with a leg kick. Johnson lands a left hand. Patrick with a leg kick. Patrick lands a spinning back fist and Johnson was struggling to stay on his feet but is able to get a takedown and is in the guard of Patrick. Johnson lands a couple of elbows. Johnson ends the round on top. 10-9 Johnson.
Patrick with a leg kick and they frantically run around the cage. Patrick with a front kick to the body. Patrick with a leg kick and they clinch up. They break. Patrick with a spin kick then Johnson lands a nice combination. Johnson drops Patrick with a combination and lands a big shot from the top and it is over! What a finish by Johnson!
Official Result- Michael Johnson def. Alan Patrick by knockout (punches) at 3:22 of Round 2
> Women’s Flyweights- #8 Viviane Araujo (10-3, 4-2 UFC) vs. #9 Andrea Lee (13-5, 5-3 UFC)
Lee with a leg kick and Araujo lands a combo that puts Lee on a knee for a second. They trade punches. Lee drops Araujo with a right hand and Araujo stands and eats a head kick that almost puts her out. Lee gets on top and is landing big punches and puts Araujo on her back. Lee lands but they scramble up. Araujo gets a big slam takedown and is in the guard of Lee. Lee looking for a kimura and uses it to get to their feet. Araujo has the body lock. Lee lands a knee as they break. Lee with a leg kick then a high kick and a combo. Araujo looks for a takedown against the fence. They break. Lee landing the jab as Araujo lands a right hand. Lee with a left hook. They trade jabs and Araujo with a right hand. Araujo gets a takedown and passes to side control. Araujo with some right hands from the top at the end. 10-9 Lee.
Lee lands a lead elbow as both land to start the second. Araujo with some right hands. Both are landing solid punches. Lee tries a takedown but Araujo defends and takes the back and looks to flatten Lee out. Araujo with left hands from the back. Araujo looking from the arm-triangle choke as she’s on top. Lee escapes but Araujo maintains top control. Araujo takes the back again and has the hooks in and looking to flatten Lee out. Araujo with punches from the back. Araujo with big right hands from the back. Araujo still working from the back. Araujo gets to the top and has the arm-triangle choke locked in. Lee is defending. Araujo with some punches. Lee survives the round. 10-9 Araujo, 19-19.
They trade to start the third. Araujo looks for the takedown and gets it against the fence. They get to their feet and remain clinched against the fence. They break. Lee with a combination. Lee tries a kick but falls to the ground and Araujo gets on top and moves to side control. Araujo working from the top and gets the back of Lee. Lee is able to sneak out to the top but Araujo scrambles looking for a heel hook but Lee is on top and lands punches to end the fight. 10-9 Araujo, 29-28 Araujo.
Official Result- Viviane Araujo def. Andrea Lee by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)
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> Flyweights- Jake Hadley (8-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Allan Nascimento (18-6, 0-1 UFC)
Nascimento lands a big head kick that Hadley eats. Hadley with a combo as Nascimento lands a leg kick. Hadley with a body kick and Nascimento grabs the leg and gets a takedown. Nascimento in the full guard of Hadley. Hadley gets the omaplata and uses it to sweep to the top. Nascimento looking for the arm. They trade punches on the mat. Hadley looking for the back as Nascimento still has the leg. Nascimento looking for an ankle lock. Hadley lands some body punches to escape. Nascimento still has the leg and Nascimento sweeps to the top. Nascimento working in the guard of Hadley. Nascimento with a couple of shoulder strikes. Nascimento with some ground-and-pound from the top at the end. 10-9 Nascimento.
Hadley coming forward and Nascimento lands some kicks. Hadley pressing forward ad lands a combination. Nascimento gets the takedown. Nascimento working from the top as he’s in the half-guard and lands a couple of elbows. Nascimento gets inside the full guard of Hadley. Nascimento stands and lands a punch as he moves to side control. They scramble to their feet and clinch against the fence. Hadley with a knee. 10-9 Nascimento, 20-18 Nascimento.
Hadley lands to start the third as he’s pressuring. Hadley gets the takedown and he’s on top next to the fence. Hadley working from the top and he takes the back of Nascimento and looks for the hooks. Nascimento is able to scramble to the top. They get to their feet and Nascimento goes for a takedown but Hadley is able to get on top and is in side control. Nascimento gets on top and lands some left hands. Nascimento ends the fight on top. 10-9 Nascimento, 30-27 Nascimento.
Official Result- Allan Nascimento def. Jake Hadley by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Lightweights- Frank Camacho (22-9, 2-5 UFC) vs. Manuel Torres (12-2, 0-0 UFC)
They’re trading big shots to start. Camacho lands the jab. Torres lands a big combo. They trade big punches. They clinch against the fence but break. Camacho with a leg kick. Camacho with the jab and Torres lands a right hand. Camacho tries a takedown but Torres defends. Camacho with the jab and a right hand. Torres with a flurry of shots against the fence. Torres with a combination. Camacho with a leg kick and Torres lands a left hook. They trade right hands. Torres with a flurry after landing an uppercut. Torres with an elbow and a left hand. Torres with the stiff jab. Torres drops Camacho with a left hook and right hand combination and Herb Dean stops it. What a finish by Torres!
Official Result- Manuel Torres def. Frank Camacho by TKO (punches) at 3:27 of Round 1
Ribas with a quick combination. Chookagian with the jab. Ribas grabs the neck and gets a judo takedown. Ribas in control from the top as Chookagian is trying to scramble up but Ribas is holding her down and lands some short punches. Ribas trying to get into the guard but Chookagian is able to sweep and they get to their feet. They trade and Ribas lands some short uppercuts. Chookagian with a nice combo. Chookagian with a right hand. Chookagian with the jab. Ribas lands a combo to the body. Ribas with a right hand. Chookagian with a knee. Ribas with a spin kick and they both land punches. They trade in close range. Close round. 10-9 Chookagian.
They trade to start the second and Chookagian with a right hand and a knee. Chookagian with some front kicks. Chookagian with an uppercut. They trade right hands. Ribas with a spin kick to the body. Chookagian lands a knee and a right hand. They clinch and Ribas with some body shots and gets another head-and-arm takedown. Ribas rolls into the guard of Chookagian. Ribas looking to pass the guard as she lands some punches from the top. Ribas takes the back but they get to their feet. Ribas tried a takedown but Chookagian grabbed the fence to defend. They break. Ribas with a leg kick and Chookagian with a left hook. Ribas with a right hand. Chookagian with a big right hand. Chookagian with a combo. Chookagian grabs the back and pushes it against the fence at the end. Another close round. 10-9 Chookagian, 20-18 Chookagian.
Chookagian with a right hand and Ribas lands a leg kick and Chookagian slips for a moment. They trade jabs. Ribas with a spin kick to the body. Chookagian with a quick combo and back fist. Ribas with a high kick. They trade in close range. Ribas with a nice combination ending with a leg kick. Ribas with the jab. Chookagian with a combination. Ribas with a high kick. Chookagian with the jab and Ribas with a body kick. Ribas gets a takedown but Chookagian gets to her feet against the fence. They break. Ribas with a right hand and follows it with a jab. They trade in close range. Ribas landing big punches ear the end. They clinch and trade knees. They trade wild shots at the end. Really fun fight. 10-9 Ribas, 29-28 Chookagian.
Official Result- Katlyn Chookagian def. Amanda Ribas by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
> Bantamweights- Davey Grant (13-6, 4-5 UFC) vs. Louis Smolka (17-8, 8-8 UFC)
Grant with some side kicks to the legs. Grant with a leg kick. Grant lands a right hand. Grant with a leg kick and they trade punches in close range. Grant with a big combination to the body and head. Smolka rushes in and Grant lands a knee to the body. They trade in close range. Grant landing some big punches in close range but Smolka is still coming forward. Grant with more combos to the body. Grant drops Smolka with a jab and jumps on top. Smolka looks for a leg. They get up and Grant with a combo. 10-9 Grant.
Smolka immediately tries a takedown but Grant defends. Smolka with a body kick and Grant counters with a body combination. Smolka with a right hand. Grant still landing punches. Grant with a knee. Smolka with a body kick. Grant with a right hand to the body. Smolka with a quick combo. Smolka with a nice combination. Grant with a leg kick. Smolka with a combo but Grant was covering up. Grant with a combo and Smolka is landing the jab. They trade in close range. Smolka with the jab. They both land big shots. Grant with a spin kick. Grant with more big shots. Smolka gets a takedown and jumps on the back and was landing as they stood. Smolka jumped on the back and they went back down and now Smolka looking for the armbar. Grant gives up his back and they get to their feet. They trade late. 10-9 Smolka, 19-19.
They trade to start the third. Grant lands a leg kick and Smolka is hurt and they go to the mat. Grant starts landing big punches on the mat and knocks Smolka out! What a finish by Grant.
Official Result- Davey Grant def. Louis Smolka by knockout (punches) at :49 of Round 3
> Light Heavyweights- #13 Ryan Spann (19-7, 5-2 UFC) vs. Ion Cutelaba (16-6-1 1 NC, 5-5-1 UFC)
They’re trading to start and Cutelaba gets the takedown. They get to their feet and Cutelaba gets another takedown. Cutelaba lands from the top. Spann kicks Cutelaba off and they get to their feet and Spann grabs the neck and they go to the mat and Cutelaba taps! Great finish by Spann.
Official Result- Ryan Spann def. Ion Cutelaba by submission (guillotine choke) at 2:22 of Round 1
> Light Heavyweights- #1 Jan Blachowicz (28-9, 11-6 UFC) vs. #3 Aleksandar Rakic (14-2, 6-1 UFC)
Both land leg kicks early and Rakic slips and almost gets his head kicked off on the way up. Rakic with some calf kicks. Blachowicz lands a left hook. Blachowicz with a leg kick. Blachowicz with a left hook to the body and an overhand right. Rakic with a leg kick. Blachowicz fires one back. Blachowicz with a right hand. They trade leg kicks. Rakic with a right hand. They trade leg kicks. Blachowicz with a leg kick. Blachowicz clips Rakic with a left hand and Rakic tries a takedown but Blachowicz defends it. They trade big shots in close range. Rakic with a body kick. Rakic with some leg kicks. 10-9 Blachowicz.
Blachowicz landing early and throws a kick but Rakic grabs the leg and gets a takedown. Rakic is working from the top and in the guard of Blachowicz and landing punches. Rakic still working from the top as the round ends. 10-9 Rakic, 19-19.
Blachowicz with a quick combination. Blachowicz landing and Rakic is backing up. Blachowicz lands a leg kick and Rakic backs up and falls to the mat holding his knee and the fight is stopped. It looked like Rakic blew out his knee as he was stepping back and putting weight on his back leg. You could see the knee blow out on the replays. It’s a win for Blachowicz but not in the way he wanted it.
Official Result- Jan Blachowicz def. Aleksandar Rakic by TKO (injury) at 1:11 of Round 3
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 267: Blachowicz vs. Teixeira, emanating from the Etihad Arena in Yas Island, Abu Dhabu.
It’s a special non-pay-per-view numbered event for ESPN+ subscribers, with a stacked card as the Octagon heads back to Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, bringing along two title fights and a card full of great match-ups.
In the main event, UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jan Blachowicz defends the title for a second time against challenger Glover Teixeira. Blachowicz’ last trip to Fight Island brought along the biggest moment of his career, as he finished Dominick Reyes to win the championship. He made a successful defense against Israel Adesanya in March. Teixeira gets a second chance to win the title as his career resurgence has seen him win five straight bouts coming into this one.
In the co-main event, an Interim UFC Bantamweight Championship is up for grabs as former UFC Bantamweight Champion Petr Yan takes on Cory Sandhagen. Yan was supposed to have a rematch with current champion Aljamain Sterling, but Sterling wasn’t cleared to compete due to neck issues. In steps Sandhagen on short notice, and the two will fight for the interim title and the next shot at Sterling.
The rest of the main card is full of intriguing fights as Islam Makhachev battles Dan Hooker in a lightweight bout, heavyweights Alexander Volkov and Marcin Tybura square off, Li Jingliang welcomes much-hyped Khamzat Chimaev back to action in a middleweight bout, and light heavyweight sluggers Magomed Ankalaev and Volkan Oezdemir kick off the main card.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 10:30 AM eastern time with preliminary action all the way thru the main card.
We are looking for your thoughts on tonight’s event, so send a thumbs up, a thumbs down or a thumbs in the middle along with a best fight and a worst fight to Dave at [email protected].
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> Tagir Ulanbekov (#15, 12-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. Allan Nascimento (18-5, 0-0 UFC) Flyweights
Nascimento lands some leg kicks early as Ulanbekov lands some punches. Nascimento with another leg kick. Nascimento with another leg kick and they trade punches. Ulanbekov with the jab and Nascimento with a leg kick. They clinch and Ulanbekov gets the takedown. Nascimento looking for the triangle choke but Ulanbekov quickly escapes. Nascimento trying to clear the hips and get an armbar. He uses it to sweep to the top but they scramble and Ulanbekov is looking for the takedown. They scramble to the mat and Ulanbekov has a mounted guillotine choke locked in but Nascimento somehow escapes. Ulanbekov remains on top. Nascimento has the neck and then looks for an arm for a kimura. Fun round. 10-9 Ulanbekov.
Nascimento with a leg kick to start the second. He lands another. He lands another as Ulanbekov is looking to grapple. Ulanbekov drops for the takedown against the fence. He gets it down and Nascimento is looking for the arm from the bottom. Ulanbekov escapes and gets back into Nascimento’s full guard. Both land on the mat. Nascimento throwing elbows from the bottom. Nascimento with another elbow from the bottom. Ulanbekov landing small shots but not doing much. Nascimento looks for an armbar late. 10-9 Nascimento, 19-19.
Nascimento with a leg kick. Ulanbekov gets the takedown and Nascimento tries to sweep as he grabs the arm. Nascimento now looking for a reverse triangle. Ulanbekov gets out and into the full guard. Ulanbekov with short punches from the top. They both battle for ground position as both land short punches. Ulanbekov lands a nice left hand from the top. Ulanbekov remains on top and in control on the ground. Nascimento looks for a kimura again. Ulanbekov lands some nice punches from the top at the end. 10-9 Ulanbekov, 29-28 Ulanbekov.
Official Result- Tagir Ulanbekov def. Allan Nascimento by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
> Hu Yaozong (3-2, 0-2 UFC) vs. Andre Petroski (6-1, 1-0 UFC) Middleweights
Petroski lands a left hand and then again. Yaozong tries a head kick and falls down and Petroski gets him in a guillotine choke. Petroski lets go but is in the mount and takes the back and lands some big punches. He now looks for a rear-naked choke. It was in a bad angle and they scramble and Petroski has the neck again. They get to their feet and break. Petroski with two left hands. Petroski with a hard left hand and Yaozong lands a front kick to the body. Petroski with another left hand. They trade punches and Petroski landing more. Petroski already looking tired. He gets a takedown but Yaozong scrambles up. Yaozong with a body kick. Petroski is landing punches. Yaozong with a leg kick. Petroski lands late. 10-9 Petroski.
Petroski gets an early takedown and they scramble up. Petroski with a left hand. They trade punches and Petroski gets another takedown. Petroski in the half-guard. Petroski lands some punches and he has the back and looks for the neck again. They scramble and Petroski in side control. Petroski gets the back and lands a big right hand. He now gets on top and looks for an arm-triangle. He lets go and remains on top. He goes back for it. Yaozong gets out and Petroski has the back and lands a right hand. He remains there and they scramble at the end. 10-9 Petroski, 20-18 Petroski.
Petroski with a body kick. Petroski with a left hand. Petroski gets a takedown against the fence. Petroski with some left hands. Yaozong grabs the fence. Petroski lands some elbows. Petroski takes the back. Yaozong tries to scramble out but Petroski still has control. Petroski has the neck. They break as they get to the feet. Yaozong with a leg kick. Petroski lands some big punches. Petroski gets a takedown and is in side control and moves to the mount. Petroski looks for a choke but lets go and lands a big elbow. Petroski now landing some punches. Petroski now looking for a choke from the top as he has the arm-triangle locked in and Yaozong taps. Dominant win for Petroski.
Official Result- Andre Petroski def. Hu Yaozong by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 4:46 of Round 3
Amirkhani goes for the takedown and completes it. He gets to side control and lands and then moves to the half-guard. He moves to the full guard. They scramble up for a moment and Amirkhani gets another takedown. Murphy looking to throw his legs up but Amirkhani flips over to side control. Amirkhani ends up back on top after a scramble at the end of the round. 10-9 Amirkhani.
Amirkhani goes for the takedown and Murphy connects with a knee as he was coming in and Amirkhani is out cold. What a finish by Murphy.
Official Result- Lerone Murphy def. Makwan Amirkhani by knockout (knee) at :14 of Round 2
> Shamil Gamzatov (14-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk (15-4 1 NC, 3-2 1 NC UFC) Light Heavyweights
Oleksiejczuk with a body shot. Gamzatov lands a combo. Oleksiejczuk with a left hand that stuns Gamzatov. He lands a left to the body. They trade in close range. They both land again in close. Gamzatov with a leg kick. Oleksiejczuk with a flurry. Oleksiejczuk with a combo. They trade in close against the fence. Oleksiejczuk with all of the pressure. Gamzatov lands an uppercut. Gamzatov with a right hand. Oleksiejczuk with an uppercut and Gamzatov drops to his knees and some more punches from Oleksiejczuk ends it. Nice finish by Oleksiejczuk.
Official Result- Michal Oleksiejczuk def. Shamil Gamzatov by TKO (punches) at 3:31 of Round 1
> Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (22-7, 8-3 UFC) vs. Benoit Saint-Denis (8-0 1 NC, 0-0 UFC) Welterweights
Saint-Denis is making his UFC debut. Zaleski lands some leg kicks. They clinch up against the fence. They break quickly and both throw leg kicks. Saint-Denis throwing big punches and drops for a takedown. Zaleski has the neck. Saint-Denis completes the takedown. They get to their feet. Saint-Denis with a front kick as Zaleski lands a right hand. Saint-Denis with a combo and a body kick. Zaleski with an inside leg kick. They trade and Zaleski lands a big right hand. Saint-Denis shoots for the takedown but Zaleski sprawls. Zaleski with a high kick. Zaleski with a leg kick followed by a left hand. Zaleski with a high kick. Zaleski with a combo. Saint-Denis with a body kick. 10-9 Zaleski.
Zaleski landing early in the second. Saint-Denis tries for a takedown but Zaleski defends. Zaleski looks for a takedown but Saint-Denis defends. Saint-Denis lands a right hand. Zaleski with a flying knee and then lands another knee and Saint-Denis is hurt. Zaleski with a flurry of punches and he’s teeing off and landing big punches. Zaleski with more knees and a right hand. Saint-Denis throwing as well. What an exchange. Zaleski still pouring it on and Saint-Denis shoots for a takedown. They stand and Zaleski with a knee and a right hand. Zaleski with a body shot and then wobbles Saint-Denis with a massive right hand. Zaleski pouring it on against the fence and landing a lot of shots and it should be stopped. Saint-Denis goes for a takedown but Zaleski defends and lands more punches and knees to the body. They stand and Saint-Denis can barely stand. Zaleski landing big punches and is busted open and can barely walk. Zaleski landing big punches and this fight should be stopped but the referee doing nothing. Zaleski landing more big punches as Saint-Denis is just standing there eating them. Zaleski with big knees. Saint-Denis then rocks Zaleski. Saint-Denis gets a takedown but they get up. They break. Zaleski with a big right hand. He rocks Saint-Denis with a right hand again. 10-8 Zaleski, 20-17 Zaleski.
This fight goes on though it shouldn’t. Both look exhausted. They trade and both land good shots. We have an eye poke and a timeout. Saint-Denis was saying he can’t see and the referee didn’t even bring the doctor in and pretty much made Saint-Denis continue as they get back to action. Zaleski rocks Saint-Denis and they go to the ground and Zaleski is in the guard. They get up and Zaleski lands a combo. Saint-Denis trying for a takedown but Zaleski defends as he continues to land. We have a groin strike and a timeout. He took a point from Zaleski even though he never gave him a warning. That is bad. They get back to action and Zaleski lands a right hand and a body kick. Zaleski with a flying knee. 9-9 Zaleski, 29-26 Zaleski.
This was without a doubt the worst referee job in UFC history. And I’ve seen every UFC fight in history, and I mean every single one, and many of them live since 2001.
Official Result- Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos def. Benoit Saint-Denis by unanimous decision (29-26, 29-26, 29-26)
> Albert Duraev (14-3, 0-0 UFC) vs. Roman Kopylov (8-1, 0-1 UFC) Middleweights
Duraev is making his UFC debut. Duraev with a leg kick. Kopylov with a leg kick that trips Duraev up. Duraev lands more leg kicks as both are being patient on the feet. Duraev misses a right hand. Kopylov with a leg kick. Duraev throws a head kick and Kopylov catches it but lets go. Duraev with a hard leg kick. Duraev with some left hooks. Kopylov with a knee that just misses the body. Kopylov with a late combo. 10-9 Duraev.
Kopylov drops Duraev right away to start the second but Duraev is able to get up. Duraev is looking for the takedown and Kopylov grabs the cage a couple of times and Jason Herzog gives him a big warning. They get back to action and Duraev gets a takedown. Duraev gets the full mount. Duraev with some big ground and pound. Big elbows from the top by Duraev. More big punches from the top by Duraev. He’s landing big shots. Duraev with more big punches and Kopylov is getting eaten alive from the top. Duraev takes the back and is landing big punches and has a choke locked in late but the horn saves Kopylov. 10-8 Duraev, 20-17 Duraev.
Kopylov is a bloody mess. Duraev goes for a takedown against the fence. Duraev backs away and lands some punches and then goes back for the takedown against the fence. They get to the center. Kopylov puts his hands on his knees and then lands a left hand. Kopylov with a combo and spits out his mouth piece. Kopylov with the double jab. He lands a combo. They trade in close. Kopylov lands a left hand as Duraev went for a takedown and then Kopylov gets a takedown and has the back as they stand. 10-9 Kopylov, 29-27 Duraev.
Official Result- Albert Duraev def. Roman Kopylov by unanimous decision (29-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Ramos with a leg kick. They trade left hands. Ramos with a leg kick. Ramos with a leg kick and Tukhugov lands a counter right hand. Tukhugov with a right hand. Tukhugov with a right hand. He lands another. Tukhugov with a right hand and they both land hard shots in an exchange. Tukhugov with a big right hand and then hurts Ramos with another. Ramos with a leg kick as Tukhugov lands a combo. They trade jabs. Tukhugov applying pressure. Tukhugov with a right hand. Ramos rocks Tukhugov with a spinning elbow. They trade jabs. 10-9 Tukhugov.
Tukhugov with a right hand over the top that lands. They trade in close range. Tukhugov with a right hand. They trade in close range. Ramos with a leg kick. They both land jabs. Ramos with a leg kick. Ramos with a right hand. Tukhugov lands a right hand. They both continue to land. Tukhugov with a leg kick. They trade jabs. Tukhugov with a combo. Tukhugov looks for a takedown and has the back and gets a back trip. 10-9 Tukhugov, 20-18 Tukhugov.
They trade jabs to start the third. They trade jabs again. Ramos with a spin kick to the body. Tukhugov with the jab. Ramos with a body kick. Ramos with a knee to the body. They trade some hard shots. They trade jabs. Tukhugov with a stiff jab. Tukhugov with the jab. Tukhugov with an overhand right. Tukhugov with the jab. Both are still landing and Ramos lands a right hand. Ramos with a right hand. Tukhugov goes for the takedown and has a brief back trip but continues with back control as the fight ends. 10-9 Tukhugov, 30-27 Tukhugov.
Official Result- Zubaira Tukhugov def. Ricardo Ramos by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
They trade early on with both landing. Ribas with a body kick and both went for the takedown but they break away. Ribas with a leg kick. They trade and Jandiroba shoots for the takedown and gets it. Jandiroba in the full guard of Ribas. Ribas looked for some type of triangle but Jandiroba gets out. Jandiroba stays on top but both are being active on the ground. Jandiroba with a right hand from the top. She lands some shots from the top. They are stood up. Jandiroba drops Ribas with a right hand late. 10-9 Jandiroba.
They trade and Ribas lands a hard right hand. They trade punches. Jandiroba with a combo. Ribas with a spinning back kick to the body. Jandiroba with a combo ending with a body kick. They trade in close range but Ribas putting the pressure on. Ribas lands the jab. She lands again and lands the right hand. Jandiroba tries a takedown but Ribas defends and ends up on top before they scramble up and separate. Ribas with a couple of right hands. Ribas with another right hand. Ribas pushes it up against the fence. Ribas gets a brief takedown. 10-9 Ribas, 19-19.
Ribas landing some leg kicks and a right hand. Ribas with a combo and a leg kick. Ribas with a leg kick. Ribas with the jab and a front kick to the body. Ribas continuing to land combinations as Jandiroba is trying for a takedown. Ribas defends well and lands a right hand as they break. Ribas with a head kick and that wobbles Jandiroba. Jandiroba running back and Ribas lands an uppercut. Ribas lands a right hand. Ribas with a combo. Ribas with a leg kick. They trade in close range. Jandiroba tries a late takedown but Ribas sprawls. 10-9 Ribas, 29-28 Ribas.
Official Result- Amanda Ribas def. Virna Jandiroba by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Ankalaev with the jab. Oezdemir lands a right hand. Oezdemir lands a combo and just misses a flying knee. Oezdemir with some elbows. They’re clinched against the fence. Oezdemir with some knees. They break and Ankalaev lands a left hand. Oezdemir with a leg kick. Ankalaev with a leg kick. Ankalaev drops him with a left hand but Oezdemir gets to his feet. They trade late. Ankalaev with a good left hand. 10-9 Ankalaev.
Oezdemir with the leg kick. Ankalaev lands a knee. They trade leg kicks. Both land some good punches. Ankalaev lands a punch and Oezdemir has a cut open over the left eye from the left hook by Ankalaev. Ankalaev pressing forward but neither throwing a whole lot. They clinch and Ankalaev has the back and looks for the takedown. Ankalaev lands an elbow as they break and Oezdemir with a leg kick. 10-9 Ankalaev, 20-18 Ankalaev.
Oezdemir throws a high kick. Oezdemir with a leg kick and Ankalaev lands a body kick. Ankalaev lands a right hook. Ankalaev with a combo. They trade punches as both still looking for openings. Oezdemir with an inside leg kick. Ankalaev with the right hand. Ankalaev with a body kick after he lands some punches. Ankalaev lands a right hook and a body kick. Ankalaev ties up late. 10-9 Ankalaev, 30-27 Ankalaev.
Official Result- Magomed Ankalaev def. Volkan Oezdemir by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Li Jingliang (#11, 18-6, 10-4 UFC) vs. Khamzat Chimaev (9-0, 3-0 UFC) Welterweights
Chimaev goes right for the takedown and then gets the back and completes it. Chimaev with back control but trying to get the hooks in. Chimaev lands some punches as Jingliang trying to fight the hands. Chimaev flattens Jingliang out and Chimaev landing lots of punches and Jingliang isn’t moving much. Chimaev with big shots. He gets a rear-naked choke locked in deep. Jingliang fighting it. He switches and Chimaev has it deeper and Jingliang goes to sleep! What complete domination by Chimaev.
Official Result- Khamzat Chimaev def. Li Jingliang by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:16 of Round 1
> Alexander Volkov (#5, 33-9, 7-3 UFC) vs. Marcin Tybura (#8, 22-6, 9-5 UFC) Heavyweights
Volkov throwing kicks right away and lands some punches. Tybura lands a left hand. Tybura with a leg kick and Volkov counters with some punches. Volkov lands a right hand. Volkov lands some more. Tybura goes for the takedown but they go to the mat with Volkov on top. Volkov in the half-guard. Volkov lands from the top as the round ends. 10-9 Volkov.
Volkov with a right hand and then a body kick. They trade punches. Tybura goes for the takedown but Volkov defends. Tybura lands a left hand and Volkov lands a big knee. Volkov continues to land after they break and they clinch and Volkov with knees. Tybura lets go and then clinches back up. Volkov with a knee and Tybura grabs the single leg. Volkov with a right hand as they break. Tybura with a high kick. They trade right hands. Both have slowed down. Tybura lands more at the end. 10-9 Tybura, 19-19.
Volkov with a knee to the body as both look for openings. Volkov lands some uppercuts and then lands another. Volkov with a right hand. Tybura with a left hand. He clinches again looking for the takedown but it isn’t even close. Volkov with a combo after they break. Volkov with a right hand. Tybura with a left hand. They clinch again. Volkov with a combo as they break. Volkov with a high kick. Volkov with a right hand. Tybura with a right hand late. 10-9 Volkov, 29-28 Volkov.
Official Result- Alexander Volkov def. Marcin Tybura by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
> Islam Makhachev (#5, 20-1, 9-1 UFC) vs. Dan Hooker (#6, 21-10, 11-6 UFC) Lightweights
They trade jabs and Makhachev gets the takedown. Makhachev in the half-guard against the fence and trying to work. Hooker lands short punches from the bottom. Makhachev works for a kimura and has it locked in and Hooker taps! What a finish by Makhachev.
Official Result- Islam Makhachev def. Dan Hooker by submission (kimura) at 2:25 of Round 1
> Petr Yan (#1, 15-2, 7-1 UFC) vs. Cory Sandhagen (#3, 14-3, 7-2 UFC) Interim UFC Bantamweight Championship
Sandhagen with a short leg kick. Sandhagen with another leg kick. Yan with a leg kick. Sandhagen with a short right hand and a body kick. Sandhagen with a leg kick. Sandhagen with a combo to the body. Yan with a body kick. Sandhagen lands to the body. Sandhagen with a leg kick. Yan with a leg kick. Sandhagen shoots for the takedown but gets the back as they work to the fence. Sandhagen with a right hand as they break. They trade and Yan with a high kick. Sandhagen with a combo ending with a leg kick. They trade in close range. Yan with some leg kicks. Sandhagen with some late body shots as they trade. 10-9 Sandhagen.
Sandhagen with a leg kick as he’s coming forward. Yan with a body kick. They trade in close range. Yan with a hard body kick. Yan with a body kick and then a leg kick and then a big left hand. Sandhagen with a left to the body and Yan lands a left to the head. They trade in close range as both show incredible movement. Yan with a spinning back fist and a follow-up left hand. Sandhagen with an uppercut and Yan comes back with a combo. They trade short punches and Yan with a body kick. Sandhagen with a leg kick. Sandhagen shoots for the takedown but Yan defends. Sandhagen with a quick combo and a jumping knee. They trade punches. Sandhagen with a leg kick. 10-9 Yan, 19-19.
They trade kicks to start the third. Sandhagen with a combo then a leg kick. Sandhagen with an inside leg kick. They trade punches in close range. Sandhagen with a leg kick and Yan checks it. Yan with a left hand. Yan with an uppercut and then lands a combo. Yan lands as he rushes forward. They both land in short range and Yan is finding a home for the left hand. Sandhagen lands the jab. Yan with a spinning back fist and drops Sandhagen. Yan gets on top and lands but Sandhagen scrambles out. Yan grabs the neck and lands some more and then tries to take the back. Sandhagen in side control as they scramble. Yan landing punches. They get to their feet. Yan lands a left hand and another late. 10-9 Yan, 29-28 Yan.
Yan lands a left hand after Sandhagen misses the jumping knee. Yan with a left hand. Sandhagen with a right hand and Yan lands a clean left hand. Yan with a body kick. Yan lands the left hand. Sandhagen gets a takedown and they both look for the ankle and Yan slips out to the feet. They break. Sandhagen shoots again but Yan defends. Yan with a big combo and then lands to the body and then a left hand to the head. Yan with a combo. Sandhagen lands an elbow. Yan with a hard right hand. Sandhagen shoots for the takedown and Yan sprawls and lands some punches. They get up and Yan lands a combo. Yan with a left hand. 10-9 Yan, 39-37 Yan.
Yan lands a left hand and Sandhagen lands a couple of jabs and an inside leg kick. Sandhagen lands the jumping knee but Yan covered up. Yan with a body kick. Sandhagen with a leg kick and Yan lands a left hand. Yan misses a left but lands a short right hook. Sandhagen with a right hand after he defends a takedown attempt from Yan. Sandhagen landing more here in the round. Yan lands a massive head kick that Sandhagen eats without issue. They trade punches in close range. They keep trading and Sandhagen with a jumping knee. Yan with a spinning attack late. Great fight. 10-9 Yan, 49-46 Yan.
Official Result- Petr Yan def. Cory Sandhagen by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) to win the Interim UFC Bantamweight Championship
> Jan Blachowicz (C, 28-8, 11-5 UFC) vs. Glover Teixeira (#1, 32-7, 15-5 UFC) UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
Teixeira looking for the takedown right away and he gets it. Teixeira landing body shot from the top. Teixeira with some more punches. Blachowicz has been unable to explode from the bottom. Teixeira lands some short elbows. Teixeira with body shots then an elbow. Teixeira with more shots from the top to the body and head. He ends the round on top. 10-9 Teixeira.
Both look to trade right away. Teixeira drops down for the takedown but Blachowicz defends. Blachowicz lands some punches. Teixeira with the jab. Blachowicz with an uppercut. They clinch against the fence. They break. Blachowicz with the jab. Teixeira lands the jab. Teixeira rocks Blachowicz with a left hook. Blachowicz lands a combo. They trade and Teixeira tries for a takedown and Blachowicz slips to the mat. Teixeira gets the mount and has the back and flattens him out and Teixeira gets the rear-naked choke and Blachowicz taps! WOW. Teixeira is a champion at 42 years old.
Official Result- Glover Teixeira def. Jan Blachowicz by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:02 of Round 2 to win the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
The story of Jim Crockett Jr., and the rise and fall of Jim Crockett Promotions is the lead story in the current double-sized issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
We look at the death of Crockett, the Crockett’s family original involvement in wrestling, how Jim took over the moves he made in building a small market territory into one of the big three companies in the U.S., original plans and why they changed, the rise of Ric Flair, where Jm was a Hall of Fame promoter, the fight with Vince McMahon from 1984-88, getting the TBS deal, what led to JCP selling to Turner, the framework of the NWA in the 70s and 80s, the rise of the super show concept, mistakes made at the end, what happened when TBS took over, attempts to get back in wrestling and life after wrestling.
Also in this issue:
NXT to Tuesday, why, what should be expected for the unopposed shows, WrestleMania plans, Takeover plans and how this affects the industry as a whole.
We also look at the next four PPV shows in pro wrestling with current plans and what happened this week to change plans.
A court case that has major ramifications on major wrestling companies.
A new documentary from a WWE star away from WWE.
Raw conflicting with college basketball, how other sports do on TV against AEW or WWE, Canadian rating updated, where wrestling stands with mother major sports programming, WWE losing a time slot to AEW, WWE injury dates, Ric Flair talks his angle being dropped, WWE market value and the most-watched shows of the past week on the WWE Network.
New Japan Cup and company plans going forward, Castle Attack shows, injury update, business notes and stadium shows.
Stardom’s biggest show in its history at Budokan Hall.
Life and times of Dean Higuchi, or Dean Ho, one of the major babyface stars of the 70s and his debut in Hawaii, his notoriety prior to wrestling, and his biggest career runs in WWWF and for Roy Shire.
Saturday’s UFC show.
The life of Art Michalik, who was responsible for a major change in pro football, his NFL career, getting into pro wrestling, headlining in Japan and life outside of wrestling.
The life of Johnny DeFazio, one of the most famous local stars in Pittsburgh, the heyday of Studio Wrestling and his life outside of wrestling including being a union head and for decades later a councilman.
The career of Don Serrano, who spent decades in wrestling and certain firsts he was involved in.
The life of Ann Casey, a noteworthy woman wrestling star of the 60s and 70s.
More into detail on the ratings than any other source, we have how every segment on NXT and AEW did as well as how it did with different age groups, genders and more, plus a look at all other wrestling shows of the past week.
Results of the major pro wrestling events of the past week.
ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
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SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE
Bryan and I will be back tonight covering AEW Revolution, the Adam Birch lawsuit against ROH, open scoring and other subjects. You can send questions to the show to [email protected]
AEW Revolution takes place today starting at 7 p.m. Eastern time with the pre-show with the main card scheduled from 8 pm.. until 11:30 p.m. to midnight Eastern. The only thing we’ve been told officially is that it will end after 11 p.m. The pre-show match is Riho & Thunder Rosa vs. Britt Baker & Rebel (there is an angle where Rebel doesn’t want to be in the match due to an injury), the PPV opener is Young Bucks vs. Chris Jericho & MJF. The main event is Kenny Omega vs. Jon Moxley in an explosive barbed wire match. Sting & Darby Allin vs. Brian Cage & Ricky Starks is a pre-taped cinematic match. A sellout crowd of 1,300, the second largest crowd for an American pro wrestling show since the pandemic, will be there.
Riho & Rosa vs. Baker & Rebel
Young Bucks vs. Jericho & MJF for the tag titles. This should be more of a brawling style of match than usual given the storyline of Jericho & MJF beating up Papa Buck.
Miro & Kip Sabian vs. Orange Cassidy & Chuck Taylor – They seem to be grooming Miro to be in the world title picture, so him beating Charles could be the result
Casino tag team Battle Royal for a shot at the tag team titles
Hikaru Shida vs. Ryo Mizunami for the women’s title. This match could be a surprise. Mizunami, who doesn’t have a lot of exposure, was put over in the tournament for the specific reason of having a great PPV match with Shida.
Matt Hardy vs. Adam Page in the big money match
Sting & Darby Allin vs. Brian Cage & Ricky Starks in the cinematic street fight match
Ladder match for a TNT title shot on Wednesday with Cody Rhodes, Scorpio Sky, Penta El Zero M, Max Caster, Lance Archer and a mystery sixth man
Kenny Omega vs. Jon Moxley for the AEW title in an explosive barbed wire match Omega would be the favorite to retain although I’ve seen no actual odds listed for this show.
On last night’s show that Bryan and I did, we discussed the two surprises.
We are doing polls on four shows this week. Today is the last day for our polls on the Stardom show Wednesday and the New Japan anniversary show on Thursday from Budokan Hall. We also have a poll up for UFC 259 last night and AEW tonight. For each show, you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]
Regarding last night’s UFC main event, Judge Derek Cleary gave rounds one, two, four and five to Jan Blachowicz as well as a 10-8 fifth. Judge Sal D’Amato gave one, two, four and five to Blachowicz. Judge Junichiro Kamiyo gave one, three, four and five to Blachowicz and a 10-8 fifth round. Dana White after the show said it was nuts, saying in no way did Blachowicz win four rounds and that the final round shouldn’t have been a 10-8. Based on tons of different fan scores, the general feeling was Blachowicz 48-47, winning rounds two, four and five. To me, rounds one and two could have gone either way. Most had Israel Adesanya in round one and Blachowicz in two, but either way was fine. Round three was Adesanya, but not a blow out. Four and five were Blachowicz. Ten point must sucks because you could have easily scored it 48-47 for Adesanya while thinking Blachowicz really won the fight. For me using current scoring I had 48-47 Adesanya, but if it was half point scoring I’d have had I’d have had it 48.5 to 47.5 for Blachowicz.
Even though all three judges gave Blachowicz four rounds, of 28 media scores, only one gave him four and not one of 28 gave the last round 10-8. Of the scores we’ve seen it was 76-24% in favor of Blachowicz.
Adesanya last night said that there should be open scoring. It will never happen because we will never learn from foreign countries. I’ve been to shows with open scoring in Japan. It’s better for the fans and much better for the fighters. It makes it more exciting. But it doesn’t matter, commissions take forever to change and those in power don’t watch Japan or other places to learn, so they don’t learn and just go into the idea of what would happen (fighters ahead will stall knowing they are ahead) even though their idea really doesn’t happen often, and no more then when fighters already assume they are ahead.
We’ve been told today’s Dragon Gate main event with Shun Skywalker vs. Kaito Ishida was super.
In the New Japan Cup, there is no show tonight/early tomorrow. There is a Tuesday show from Okayama that starts at 4:30 a.m. with Yuji Nagata vs. Yota Tsuji and Tomohiro Ishii vs. Sanada. Matches set up for the second round are Evil vs. Jeff Cobb and Great O’Khan vs. Toru Yano on 3/11, Hirooki Goto vs. Shingo Takagi and KENTA sv. Minoru Suzuki on 3/13 and Will Ospreay vs. Zack Sabre Jr. on 3/14.
The next ROH PPV show on 3 /26 will be headlined by Rush vs. Jay Lethal for the ROH title.
WWE
WWE’s first non-pro wrestling documentary, “Heaven” about a girl wrestler in North Carolina who beat all the boys to win the state title at 106 pounds, is up on the network right now.
The Denver Post has a story today about Bobby Lashley winning the WWE title. Lashley is from Denver. (thanks to Mike Kuzmuk and Barry Werner)
UFC
SportsBetting.ag has these odds for matches coming out of last night.
Petr Yan -250 vs. Aljamain Sterling +210
Jan Blachowicz -155 vs Glover Teixeira +135
Dana White said he wants to rematch Yan vs. Sterling as soon as possible. The issue is Sterling was knocked out and you can’t rush that rematch.
It’s a big day for Tony Khan since Fulham won 1-0 at Liverpool, which is only the second time that has happened since 1875.
OTHER NEWS
Kazushi Sakuraba’s first pro wrestling title reign ended earlier today, as Katsuhiko Nakajima & Masa Kitamiya won the GHC tag titles from Sakuraba & Takashi Sugiura at the Yokohama Budokan.
With the death of Jim Crockett Jr., the Raleigh News-Observer ran a story on the era when the tapings of Mid Atlantic Championship Wrestling and World Wide Wrestling were done at the WRAL-TV studios. (thanks to Jeff Hamlin)
Stardom ran Korakuen Hall today with the fallout from Wednesday. Giulia, after losing the main event and getting her head shaved, said she wanted to be in the opener. She was not bald but had short hair: Giulia b Gokigen Death, Konami b Lady C, Momo Watanabe & AZM & Saya Kamitani won a three-way for a trios title shot over Himeka & Maika & Natsupoi and Natsuko Tora & Saki Kashima & Ruaka, Bea Priestley won a three-way over Utami Hayashishita and Syuri by pinning Hayashishita to set up their 4/4 title match, Tam Nakano & Mina Shirakawa & Unagi Sayaka b Mayu Iwatani & Starlight Kid & Saya Iida to keep the trios titles.
Nakano & Shirakawa & Sayaka defend against Watanabe & AZM & Kamitani on 3/26 at Korakuen Hall. (thanks to Shannon Walsh and Tomi Yamada)
Women’s Pro Wrestling Assemble from Ueno Park in Tokyo yesterday: Mikoto Shinda b Ai Houzan, Chihiro Hashimoto & Maami b Dash Chisako & Kanon, Chikayo Nagashima & Makoto & Asuka (Veny inAEW) b Yumiko Hotta & Tsubasa Kuragaki & Riho Kawahata, Hanako Nakamori & Akari b Leon & Rydeen Hagne, Arisa Nakajima & Riko Kaiju b Nanae Takahashi & Honori Hana, Mei Hoshizuki & Maria b Mio Momono & Rin Kadokura, Mayu Iwatani & Starlight Kid b Momo Watanabe & AZM, Nargisa Nozaki won a four-way over Sakura Hirota, Yumi Ohka and Yuki Miyazaki (thanks to Shannon Walsh and WrestlingwithDemons.com)
Daneille Moinet, formerly known as Summer Rae, is the new co-host of “Always Be Racing” on ABR Live.
Tokyo Joshi Pro from yesterday in Tokyo: Sasikama & Mei Saint-Mchel (Mei Suruga) b Hikaru Noa & Sena Shiri, Maki Itoh & Miyu Yamashita b Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao, Marka Kobashi & Mahiro Kiryu & Raku & Nao Kakuta b Mirai Maiumi & Suzume & Moka Miyamoto & Arisu Endo, Yiku Kamifuku won three-way over Mizuki and Haruna Neko to keep the International Princess title, Yuka Sakazaki & Yuki Aino & Nodoka Tenma b Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe & Pom Harajuku,Sakisama & Mei Saint-Michel won the tag team tournament over Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh. (thanks to Shannon Walsh and Wrestlingwithdemoncom)
MLW on Wednesday night has Alex Hammerstone vs. L.A. Park for the National title, ACH vs. Kevin Ku plus the top five middleweight rankings.
SHWA from last night in Western Australia: Cal Collins & Zenith won three-way over Ryan Allen, Dizzy Videl & Michael Morleone b Casey Johns & James Hartness, James Draker & Julian Ward won three-way over Jordan Bishop, Dave Marshall b Great George, Jules Canan & Ryan Rivera b Chris Target & Blake Walker, Taylor King b Seth Kincaid-DQ, Del Cano b Chadwick Johnson-DQ, Chadwick Johnson b Del Cano to win Pride title
Deathmatch Downunder from last night in Melbourne, Australia: Mad Dog b Fox, Anti-Death match, Party b Raw Beef, Kid Valiant & Zane Zodiac b Toast of the Upper Crust, Caveman Ugg b Gore, Robbie Eagles b Mark Davis, Callen Butcher & Viksin b Gweedo & York, JXT b Ritchie Taylor, Royce Chambers b Murdoch, Charli Evans b Joel Bateman in a death match. They announced a doubleheader on 5/21 and 5/2 in Melbourne.
EPW on 3/20 in Perth with a school show and 4/17 with a bigger show. (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 259: Blachowicz vs. Adesanya, emanating from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.
A stacked card with three title fights headlines the first of two pay-per-view events for the UFC in the month of March, with this show capped off by an undefeated fighter looking to become a two-division champion.
UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jan Blachowicz defends the title against UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya in the main event. Blachowicz became the champion at UFC 253 when he defeated Dominick Reyes for the vacant title, and, later in that night, Adesanya defeated Paulo Costa to retain his middleweight title and remain with a perfect record for his career at 20-0.
In the co-main event, UFC Women’s Featherweight and Bantamweight Champion Amanda Nunes makes her second defense of the featherweight title as she welcomes the challenge of Megan Anderson. Nunes was last in action in June, making a successful featherweight title defense against Felicia Spencer. Anderson hasn’t fought since last February, when she beat Norma Dumont.
In the third title fight on the card, UFC Bantamweight Champion Petr Yan defends the title for the first time against top contender Aljamain Sterling. Yan won the vacant title at UFC 251 in July, finishing Jose Aldo in the fifth round in a dominant showing. Sterling gets the title shot riding a five-fight win streak, capped off by a quick submission win over Cory Sandhagen at UFC 250 in June.
Also on the main card, lightweights on impressive win streaks battle as Islam Makhachev puts his six-fight win streak on the line against Drew Dober and his three-fight win streak, and light heavyweight sluggers Thiago Santos and Aleksandar Rakic kick off the main card.
In a stacked preliminary card, former UFC & WEC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz returns to action against Casey Kenney, Song Yadong looks to remain unbeaten in the UFC against Kyler Phillips, former flyweight title challenger Joseph Benavidez battles Askar Askarov, and notable fighters such as Livinha Souza, Tim Elliott, Jake Matthews and Kai Kara-France are also in action.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 5:15 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].
ESPN2 & ESPN+ PRELIMS | 5:15 PM ET/2:15 PM PT
> Mario Bautista (8-1, 2-1 UFC) vs. Trevin Jones (12-6 1 NC, 0-0 1 NC UFC) Bantamweights
Jones with a quick leg kick. Bautista landed a body kick and Jones landed a couple more leg kicks. Bautista came forward with a combo and they clinch against the fence and trade knees. Jones has the body lock looking for a takedown but Bautista defending with some punches. Jones landing some knees to the thigh. They continue to battle for position against the fence. They break as Jones lands a knee. Jones with a couple of leg kicks. Bautista lands a right hand and Jones lands an inside leg kick. Jones has been active with the leg kicks in the first. They trade nice punches. Jones with a couple more leg kicks. Jones lands a left hand and shoots for a takedown but time runs out. 10-9 Jones.
Bautista misses a high kick to start the second. They trade kicks. Bautista with a nice flurry. Jones drops Bautista with a right hand and then starts landing hammerfists until it is stopped. Great finish by Jones.
Official Result- Trevin Jones def. Mario Bautista by TKO (punches) at :40 of Round 2
Medic landing a lot of punches and kicks early. Medic has Cruz in trouble early with big punches. Cruz stumbling around after being rocked and Medic drops him with a flying knee and is pounding away on Cruz. Cruz taking a lot of punishment and moving around enough to keep the referee from stopping it but it’s going on too long. Medic landing more and Mark Smith finally stops it. What an impressive showing by Medic and a terrible job of officiating by Smith.
Official Result- Uros Medic def. Aalon Cruz by TKO (punches) at 1:40 of Round 1
They circle around in the first thirty seconds and Lemos misses a head kick. Lemos lands a couple of jabs. Souza with a leg kick and Lemos backs her up with a combo then lands a leg kick. Lemos with a head kick. Lemos then drops Souza with a right hand and is pounding away with punches from the top. She looks for a guillotine but lets go and lands more punches and then looks for a guillotine again. Lemos lands an elbow and stands and Souza looks for a leg lock. Lemos being warned to not grab the fence. Lemos lands an elbow and some punches and they stand and break. Lemos with a leg kick. Lemos then drops Souza again with a punch and a couple more punches ends it. Fantastic showing by Lemos.
Official Result- Amanda Lemos def. Livinha Souza by TKO (punches) at 3:39 of Round 1
> Sean Brady (13-0, 3-0 UFC) vs. Jake Matthews (16-4, 10-4 UFC) Welterweights
Matthews lands a quick combo. Brady with a left hook. Brady with a leg kick. Matthews with a jab and then a right hand to the body. They trade punches. Brady with a combo but eats a left hook from Matthews. Matthews with a left hand to the body. They trade and Matthews lands a right hand and Brady goes down and Matthews jumps down for a guillotine and Brady reverses to the top in side control. Brady trying to work from the top but is just looking for the neck. Brady with some elbows and short punches from the top. Brady grabs the chin again and looks for a guillotine. Brady ends the fight landing from the top. 10-9 Brady.
Matthews with a front kick to the body. They trade punches. Matthews with a right hand. Both looking to land and Brady gets a takedown and is in the guard. Brady moves it next to the fence as he switches to the half-guard. Brady lands some punches as he looks to take the back but then moves back to the top and lands punches as he looks for the neck. Brady with continuing smothering from the top as he has the neck of Matthews and is landing punches. Brady with continued pressure from the top as the round ends. 10-9 Brady, 20-18 Brady.
Brady with an inside leg kick. Matthews throwing punches and kicks but not landing much. Brady with a leg kick. Brady rocks Matthews with a left hook. Brady gets a takedown and is working from the top. Matthews grabs a leg and gives up his back and Brady landing with heavy punches from the back. Brady with more punches from the back as he has control. Brady gets on top and is looking for an arm-triangle, and he has it locked in and Matthews taps! What an impressive showing by Brady, who looked absolutely outstanding.
Official Result- Sean Brady def. Jake Matthews by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 3:28 of Round 3
> Kennedy Nzechukwu (7-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Carlos Ulberg (3-0, 0-0 UFC) Light Heavyweights
Ulberg lands some early kicks. Ulberg with a front kick up the middle. Ulberg with a combo and then a lands a head kick that rocks Nzechukwu. Ulberg clinches up against the fence and lands a knee followed by some punches as Nzechukwu is in trouble. Ulberg with a knee then an elbow as they move back to the center. Ulberg with a high kick. Ulberg with a body kick then lands a right hand. Nzechukwu with a left hand. Nzechukwu lands a combo. Ulberg with a leg kick. Ulberg with a body kick then lands a right hand. Nzechukwu with a left hand. Nzechukwu with a hard right hand. Nzechukwu with another big left hand. Ulberg is slowing down. Ulberg with a front kick to the body. Ulberg with some big punches to the body and goes to the head and then lands a knee and back to the body shots. Ulberg with more punches. Nzechukwu lands a couple of left hands. Nzechukwu with a combo. Ulberg with a short uppercut and a leg kick. Nzechukwu with a high kick and then a body kick. What a round. 10-9 Ulberg.
Ulberg lands a left hook. Ulberg with a front kick to the body. Ulberg with a combo. Ulberg with a spinning back fist. Nzechukwu lands a combo. Nzechukwu with another combo as Ulberg is showing no head movement. Ulberg lands some hard body kicks and Nzechukwu is claiming that he was poked in the eye but Herb Dean didn’t see it but then Ulberg does actually poke him in the eye and we have a brief timeout. They get back to action and Ulberg with an inisde leg kick. Nzechukwu lands a left hand. Ulberg with a combo and head kick. Nzechukwu lands a left hand. Ulberg lands a right hand. Nzechukwu then drops Ulberg with a right hand and lands more from the top and finishes it. What a crazy fight as Nzechukwu gets the comeback win.
Official Result- Kennedy Nzechukwu def. Carlos Ulberg by TKO (punches) at 3:19 of Round 2
> Tim Elliott (#12, 16-11-1, 5-9 UFC) vs. Jordan Espinosa (15-8 1 NC, 2-3 UFC) Flyweights
Elliott coming forward and lands a couple of left hands and they clinch against the fence. They break and Espinosa lands a hook and Elliott tries again to find the takedown against the fence. Elliott lands a knee. They break. Espinosa lands a grazing head kick and Elliott grabs him and takes him down and has the back and looking for a choke as he lands punches. Elliott lands some more and Espinosa defending well. Espinosa looking for a kimura from the bottom as Elliott lands punches to the body. Elliott finishes the first on top. 10-9 Elliott.
Elliott gets a quick takedown but they get back to their feet. Elliott gets another takedown and is working in the half-guard and lands a couple of left hands. They work their way to the fence and Elliott looks to take the back of Espinosa. Elliott lands and has his arm around the neck of Espinosa. Espinosa escapes. Elliott then gets on top and is talking trash to Espinosa as he has his arm on his neck and lands some punches. 10-8 Elliott, 20-17 Elliott.
Espinosa with a jumping knee. Elliott gets a takedown against the fence. Elliott working from the top and lands a left hand. Elliott with more left hands to the body. Elliott gets in the guard of Espinosa and looking to set up a choke. Elliott gets cut open from an elbow from the bottom by Espinosa and Elliott is doing all he can to rub blood onto Espinosa’s face. Elliott landing more punches from the top. Espinosa looks for an armbar and almost had it but Elliott escapes and goes to side control. Elliott goes to the half-guard and Espinosa is just pinned to the mat. Elliott with some elbows and big left hands from the top at the end of the fight. Great showing by Elliott. 10-8 Elliott, 30-25 Elliott.
Official Result- Tim Elliott def. Jordan Espinosa by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-25)
ESPN PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT
> Rogerio Bontorin (#8, 16-2 1 NC, 2-1 UFC) vs. Kai Kara-France (#8, 21-9 1 NC, 4-2 UFC) Flyweights
Bontorin landing punches early on. Bontorin lands a right hand and gets a takedown against the fence and takes the back of Kara-France. Bontorin with some punches and is looking for a rear-naked choke. Kara-France gets out but Bontorin still has the back. Both landing punches on the mat. Bontorin with some body punches and Kara-France landing back punches. Kara-France gets to his feet but Bontorin still has his back and is jumped up and looking for a rear-naked choke from there. They go to the mat and Bontorin still has the choke locked in but Kara-France is able to escape. They stand and Bontorin is still jumped on the back of Kara-France. Kara-France gets him off the back and they separate and Kara-France lands some right hands. Kara-France rocks Bontroin with a right hand and then lands an uppercut and drops Bontorin with a right hand and Kara-France starts walking off and it looked like Herb Dean stopped it but there was some confusion but it was stopped. What a comeback by Kara-France.
Official Result- Kai Kara-France def. Rogerio Bontorin by TKO (punches) at 4:55 of Round 1
> Joseph Benavidez (#2, 28-7, 15-5 UFC) vs. Askar Askarov (#3, 12-0-1, 2-0-1 UFC) Flyweights* (Askarov missed weight by 1 pound)
Askarov with a front kick to the lead leg of Benavidez. Benavidez with a leg kick. Askarov with a right hand and Benavidez with a combo. Askarov with a front kick to the leg. Benavidez with a right hand and then lands a left hand. Askarov keeps throwing the front kick to the body and it is landing. Askarov with a combo and hurts Benavidez with a punch. They trade leg kicks. Askarov gets Benavidez down to the mat late and has the back of Benavidez as the round ends. 10-9 Askarov.
Askarov hurts Benavidez with some punches early in the second round. Benavidez is circling around and Askarov gets a takedown. Askarov landing from the top and takes the back of Benavidez and is landing punches. Benavidez with some back elbows. They scramble and Askarov ends up on top and then they scramble up and Askarov still has control. Askarov has the back of Benavidez and is landing right hands. Askarov has the body and lands some knees. Askarov with more right hands and he gets the back of Benavidez. They get to their feet at the end and Askarov lands some hard right hands at the end. 10-8 Askarov, 20-17 Askarov.
They both land to start. Benavidez lands a grazing head kick and Askarov tried to grab the body but they broke. Askarov with the jab. Askarov lands some punches and tries for a takedown but they break. Askarov with a high kick. They continue to trade but Askarov landing more as he is circling away and trying to stay out of trouble. Benavidez’ left eye is a mess. Askarov with a check right hook. Askarov stuns Benavidez with a right hand. Benavidez lands a right hand. Askarov lands late. 10-9 Askarov, 30-26 Askarov.
Official Result- Askar Askarov def. Joseph Benavidez by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
> Song Yadong (#14, 16-4-1 1 NC, 5-0-1 UFC) vs. Kyler Phillips (8-1, 2-0 UFC) Bantamweights
Phillips lands a head kick. Phillips with a right hand. Phillips lands a jab and then a massive head kick that somehow Yadong didn’t fall from. Phillips with a spin kick to the body. Yadong still coming forward and he lands a spin kick that glances to the head of Phillips. Yadong with a body kick. Phillips lands a combo. Yadong with a flying knee attempt. Phillips lands a hard right hand. Phillips gets a takedown and lands an elbow from the top but they get to their feet. Phillips lands a left hook and Yadong counters with an uppercut and a right hand behind it. Phillips with a leg kick and Yadong lands a combo off of it. They tie up and battle for underhooks. They break and Yadong with an elbow and a spin kick to the body. Phillips with a late combo. Fun round. 10-9 Phillips.
Phillips lands a jab and leg kick. Yadong with a right hand. Phillips with a high kick. They trade wild punches. They trade and Phillips gets a brief takedown but they work to their feet and Phillips lands a spin kick to the body as they break. They trade jabs. They trade right hands at the same time. Phillips with a leg kick. They trade punches. Phillips lands a right hand. Yadong with a right hand to the body. Yadong with an uppercut. Phillips gets a takedown. He lands an elbow as he gets in the half-guard of Yadong. Yadong escapes and they get to their feet. Yadong lands a right hand. 10-9 Phillips, 20-18 Phillips.
Yadong with a leg kick. They trade. Phillips lands a left hand and gets a brief takedown as they explode up. Yadong with a combo to the body and ends it with a left hook to the chin of Phillips. Phillips with a leg kick. He lands another. Yadong with some leg kicks and lands a right hand. Yadong with another right hand. They trade right hands. Yadong with a combo. Yadong with another combo. Phillips just misses a spin kick to the chin. Yadong with another combo. Yadong lands a right hand. Phillips gets a takedown and they work to the fence. Phillips gets the back but Yadong spins into his guard. Yadong with a right hand to the body. Yadong ends the fight on top. Good fight, close fight. 10-9 Yadong, 29-28 Phillips.
Official Result- Kyler Phillips def. Song Yadong by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Cruz shoots for a takedown right away but can’t get it and they stand and break. Cruz with a leg kick. He lands another. They trade and Cruz with a head kick. They trade punches and Kenney lands a nice right hand. Cruz with a leg kick and then lands a right hand. Cruz with a quick hook and then a right hand. They trade kicks. Cruz with a right hand. Kenney lands a left hand. They trade kicks. Kenney lands a right hook to the body. They trade strikes. Kenney with a body kick and Cruz with a leg kick. Kenney with a leg kick. 10-9 Cruz.
Cruz with an inside leg kick. Kenney lands a leg kick. Cruz with a high kick. Cruz lands a right hand. Kenney lands a left hand. Cruz shoots for a takedown but Kenney defends. Cruz lands a right hand. Kenney with a leg kick and they trade punches. Cruz with a high kick and Kenney lands a leg kick. Cruz lands a left hand. Kenney with a left hand. They both land left hands. Kenney with a left hand. They trade body kicks. Cruz with a right hand to the body and Kenney counters with a left hand. Cruz with a nice combo. Cruz goes for a takedown and lands a left hand. Cruz lands a right hand. Kenney with an inside leg kick and Cruz counters with a right hand. They trade punches. Cruz with a left hook. Kenney lands a left hand. They trade late. Kenney tries for a neck but the round ends. 10-9 Cruz, 20-18 Cruz.
They trade to start the third and Cruz goes for a takedown and Kenney has the neck while Cruz is in side control. Cruz landing from the top as Kenney lets go of the neck and they scramble to their feet. Kenney with a leg kick. They trade punches. Kenney lands a right hand and Cruz lands a right hand. Kenney tries for a takedown attempt but Cruz easily defends. They trade wild punches. Cruz lands a combo. They trade wild punches. They trade right hands. Cruz ducks under some Kenney punch attempts. Kenney tries a takedown but Cruz stops it with a knee to the body. Cruz gets a late takedown. Cruz with lots of punches from the top to end the fight. 10-9 Cruz, 30-27 Cruz.
Official Result- Dominick Cruz def. Casey Kenney by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)
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> Thiago Santos (#2, 21-8, 13-7 UFC) vs. Aleksandar Rakic (#4, 13-2, 5-1 UFC) Light Heavyweights
Santos with a leg kick. They trade punches. Rakic with a leg kick. Santos just misses a left hand and they trade body kicks. Santos with a body kick and Rakic counters with a leg kick. Rakic goes high with a kick but Santos blocks it. Santos with a body kick. Santos with a body kick, Rakic fires a leg kick back and then Santos counters with a left hand. Rakic with an inside leg kick and then they trade leg kicks. Rakic with a body kick. Rakic just misses a head kick. Santos with a body kick. Santos with a leg kick as Rakic lands a punch. Santos with a leg kick and Rakic lands a couple of body kicks. 10-9 Rakic.
They trade leg kicks. Rakic with a left hand. Rakic with a leg kick. Both are being patient in this round. Rakic with a leg kick. Santos just misses a couple of left hands. Rakic with a leg kick. They clinch against the fence and Rakic has control. They trade low knees as not much is going on. Santos with a couple of knees before they break. Rakic with a leg kick and it gets checked. They trade leg kicks. The pace has slowed late in the second. Rakic lands a nice counter combo after Santos. Santos tries a late flying knee but misses. 10-9 Rakic, 20-18 Rakic.
Rakic with a high body kick. They trade leg kicks. Santos with an inside leg kick. Santos shoots for a takedown but Rakic defends. They break and Rakic lands a hard leg kick. Santos lands some leg kicks. Santos just misses a left hand. Santos with a body kick. Santos with a high kick. Rakic with a leg kick then a right hand. Rakic tries a takedown but Santos landing a flurry of big elbows to defend. Rakic trying a single-leg and goes for the high-crotch but Santos defending. Santos with some shoulder strikes. They break and Rakic with a combo. Santos with a leg kick. Rakic with a leg kick. Santos with another leg kick. 10-9 Santos, 29-28 Rakic.
Official Result- Aleksandar Rakic def. Thiago Santos by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
> Islam Makhachev (#14, 18-1, 7-1 UFC) vs. Drew Dober (23-8 1 NC, 9-4 1 NC UFC) Lightweights
Dober lands a couple of leg kicks. Makhachev gets a takedown and is working in the half-guard of Dober. Makhachev with some short punches from the top. Makhachev moves to the mount. Makhachev then moves to side control and has complete pressure on Dober. Makhachev with short punches and then moves to the mount and briefly takes the back before getting back on top and sliding to side control. Makhachev then gets an armbar and has it in deep but Dober gets out of it before the round ends. Just an absolute clinic on the mat from Makhachev. 10-8 Makhachev.
They trade punches. Makhachev with a knee and then goes for a takedown but Dober defends. Makhachev gets a trip takedown against the fence. Makhachev working in the half-guard. Makhachev working from the top and in control as he lands punches. Makhachev with more control from the top as Dober can’t do a thing to get out from the bottom. Makhachev lands from the top at the end of the round. 10-9 Makhachev, 20-17 Makhachev.
Makhachev gets an early takedown into the full guard of Dober. Dober is throwing elbows from the bottom but Makhachev blocking them and landing punches. Dober looks for a kimura from the bottom. Makhachev with more pressure from the top and has a head-and-arm choke locked in and Dober taps. What a performance by Makhachev, complete domination throughout the fight.
Official Result- Islam Makhachev def. Drew Dober by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 1:37 of Round 3
> Petr Yan (C, 15-1, 7-0 UFC) vs. Aljamain Sterling (#1, 19-3, 11-3 UFC) UFC Bantamweight Championship
Sterling comes forward right away and lands a body kick. Sterling with another body kick. Sterling with a right hand. Sterling with a body kick. Yan playing defense right now and then comes forward but Sterling avoids. Sterling with more body kicks and lands a flying knee. Yan backing up. Sterling with a leg kick. Yan with a body kick. Sterling with a combo ending with a leg kick. Yan gets a takedown off a kick and Sterling with a stomp to the knee before he stands. Sterling lands a right hand and then a flying knee. Sterling tries a takedown but Yan defends. Sterling gets a takedown and lands some right hands before Yan stands. Yan has the body lock standing. Yan lands a right hand before they break. Yan lands a right hand that sends Sterling to the mat but Sterling gets right back up. Yan lands a right hand and then a leg kick trips Sterling to the mat but Sterling gets up. Sterling with a combo to the body but Yan gets a takedown. Sterling looking for a leg and lands some hammerfists to the body. Yan escapes and they stand. Yan with a body kick. Yan gets the back standing and scores a takedown. Sterling reverses to the top and they stand and Sterling with a combo and knee at the end. Close round. 10-9 Sterling.
Sterling with a leg kick. They trade kicks and Sterling to the mat and Yan lands some leg kicks but the referee orders Sterling up. Sterling with a body punch and goes for a takedown but can’t get it completed. Sterling still working for it against the fence. Yan working hard to defend. Yan with some short punches. They break. Sterling with some punches and he looks for the takedown again against the fence. Sterling with heavy pressure against the fence and Yan landing short right hands. Yan lands a nice knee as Sterling tries for the takedown. They break and Yan lands a combo. Sterling with some short punches and lands a knee and some elbows. Sterling tries a takedown but Yan defends and Yan gets a takedown and has the back but they get to their feet quickly. Yan with a knee. Close round again. 10-9 Yan, 19-19.
Sterling with a body kick to start the third. Yan with a leg kick. Sterling with some right hands. Yan with a knee. Sterling with some punches. Yan with a right hand. Sterling tries a takedown but Yan defends and lands a knee. They trade body kicks. Yan with some punches as Sterling covers up. Sterling with some body punches. Yan gets a takedown. Sterling wants him on the mat but Mark Smith orders Sterling up. Yan with a right hand. Sterling with a combo and goes for a takedown against the fence. They break and Yan with a kick. They battle for position and Sterling goes to the mat and Yan with some leg kicks before Sterling stands. Sterling with a high kick and goes for a takedown. Yan with some right hands. Sterling with short punches. Sterling with a leg kick. Yan gets a late takedown. 10-9 Yan, 29-28 Yan.
Sterling with a couple of body kicks. Yan with a trip takedown and lands a leg kick as he doesn’t want to go to the mat with Sterling. Sterling stands and Yan with a knee to the body. Sterling with an uppercut. Yan lands a right hand. Sterling with a combo to the body and head. They trade leg kicks. They trade in close range. Sterling trying for a takedown and they both land leg kicks. Yan with a left hand. Sterling tries a takedown but Yan defends. Yan landing as they break. Yan with some right hands. Sterling with a combo and Yan lands a body kick. Yan with a left hand. Yan with a knee. Sterling with a body kick. Yan lands a hard punch. Sterling trying hard for a takedown but doesn’t have the energy. Yan with a nice combo. Sterling with a head kick. He lands another. Yan lands a vicious illegal knee and we have a timeout. Sterling is down and hurt and the referee and doctor are checking on him. This is taking some time. Sterling doesn’t want the fight to stop but says he can’t see straight. Sterling was clearly down and it was clearly illegal. The fight is stopped by the official and now we have an interesting situation.
It is being ruled that Yan intentionally threw the knee and he’s being disqualified, and Sterling is going to be the new champion. Sterling is emotional and upset about winning that way and threw the belt down, but it was the correct call. The knee was clearly illegal and Yan was told by the referee that Sterling was grounded about five seconds before he threw the knee, so it was clear as day.
Official Result- Aljamain Sterling def. Petr Yan by disqualification (illegal knee) at 4:29 of Round 4 to win the UFC Bantamweight Championship
> Amanda Nunes (C, 20-4, 13-1 UFC) vs. Megan Anderson (11-4, 3-2 UFC) UFC Women’s Featherweight Championship
Nunes with a leg kick. Nunes lands a right hand. Nunes lands another right hand and Anderson is wobbly. Nunes with another right hand and then a leg kick. Nunes gets Anderson to the mat and is landing big punches on the mat. Nunes has the back and is working for a choke. She’s now looking for an armbar. She has it locked in and Anderson taps! Nunes complete domination to retain the title.
Official Result- Amanda Nunes def. Megan Anderson by submission (armbar) at 2:01 of Round 1 to retain the UFC Women’s Featherweight Championship
> Jan Blachowicz (C, 27-8, 10-5 UFC) vs. Israel Adesanya (C MW, 20-0, 9-0 UFC) UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
Adesanya with an inside leg kick. Blachowicz with a leg kick. Adesanya with a leg kick and then a body kick and a left hand. Adesanya with a left hand. They both just miss punches. Adesanya with a body kick. They both miss left hands. Blachowicz with a leg kick and one to the body. Adesanya with a leg kick. Blachowicz with two leg kicks. Adesanya with a body kick. Adesanya with more leg kicks and lands a left hand. Very technical first round. 10-9 Adesanya.
Adesanya with a leg kick. He lands a body kick. Adesanya with the jab. Blachowicz lands a right hand. Adesanya with a body kick. Adesanya lands and then Blachowicz lands a right hand and body kick. Blachowicz with a jab to the body. Adesanya with a leg kick. Adesanya throws a head kick and slips but gets right back up. Adesanya with a couple of leg kicks. They clinch but break quickly. Adesanya with a leg kick. Blachowicz with a body kick and follows with a jab. Adesanya with a body kick followed by a left hand. Adesanya with a low blow and we have a timeout. They get back to action quickly. Blachowicz with a flurry. Adesanya with a left hand. Adesanya with some leg kicks. Adesanya with the jab. 10-9 Blachowicz, 19-19.
Blachowicz with a body kick. He lands a right hand. Adesanya with a leg kick. Blachowicz lands a combo and then gets Adesanya down and has the back but they stand and break. Blachowicz lands a knee and Adesanya stuns Blachowicz with a punch. Adesanya with a head kick. Adesanya with a body kick then a combo and they clinch. Adesanya with some clinch strikes and they break and Adesanya with a leg kick. Adesanya with the jab. Adesanya with a leg kick. He lands another. They trade heavy jabs. Blachowicz with a nice left hand. They clinch and Blachowicz with a foot stomp. They break. Adesanya with a right hand. 10-9 Adesanya, 29-28 Adesanya.
Adesanya lands a combo and they clinch as Blachowicz is trying for a takedown. Blachowicz lands a right hand as they break. Blachowicz with a big right hand. Adesanya with a snapping jab. They trade and Blachowicz with a takedown. They trade in close range. Adesanya with a right hand. Adesanya with a combo and Blachowicz gets a takedown. Blachowicz keeping Adesanya on the bottom as he’s in the half-guard and landing some punches. Blachowicz with more right hands as he moves into side control. Blachowicz with a right hand and he goes back to the half-guard. Blachowicz ends the round on top. 10-9 Blachowicz, 38-38.
Adesanya with a leg kick. Adesanya lands a left hand. Blachowicz with the jab. Adesanya with a leg kick and Blachowicz with a right hand. They trade lefts. Blachowicz breathing heavy and carrying his hands low. Adesanya with a right hand. Blachowicz with the jab. Adesanya with a high kick. Adesanya with a spin kick to the body. Blachowicz lands a right hand. They trade. Blachowicz gets a takedown. Blachowicz lands from the top and gets into the half-guard. He lands more right hands from the top. Blachowicz ends the fight on top. This is going to come down to a couple of rounds, close fight overall. 10-9 Blachowicz, 48-47 Blachowicz.
Official Result- Jan Blachowicz def. Israel Adesanya by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-45, 49-45) to retain the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
At the UFC’s post-event press conference Saturday, Dana White said that middleweight champion Israel Adesanya will challenge light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz for Blachowicz’s title.
White said that he wanted former champion Robert Whittaker to challenge Adesanya again, but Whittaker had an interview saying he didn’t want the fight (“the craziest sh*t I have ever seen”) so Blachowicz seemed like the next logical choice. There was no date or timeframe given for the fight.
When asked about whether former champion Jon Jones could face Adesanya with a win, White said he liked that idea.
The undefeated Adesanya (20-0) recently ran through Paulo Costa in September to retain his title for the second time. Blachowicz won the vacant title with a second round TKO win over Dominick Reyes after Jones relinquished the belt earlier this year after a dispute with the UFC over money for a potential fight with heavyweight Francis Ngannou.
When the once reigning and once defending light heavyweight champion relinquished the title in hopes of bigger weights and bigger paydays, it made fight sense to pair his top two challengers together for a shot to be the new champion.
After Saturday’s UFC 253 at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, the title is vacant no longer Jan Blachowicz dispatched Dominick Reyes via second round TKO to become the new UFC light heavyweight champion.
Following a fairly even first round and a half, Blachowicz started finding a home for his powerful hands, appearing to break Reyes’ nose. The 37-year-old landed a flush left hook that dropped Reyes to the mat and after some brief ground strikes, it was over without dispute.
The Poland-born champion is on a four fight win streak and has wins in eight of his last nine. He’s been in the UFC since 2014, carrying a 10-5 Octagon record, and this was his first shot at UFC gold.
The 205-pound title was vacated by Jon Jones in August after he lost interest in his competition at light heavyweight paired with an increasing desire to fight at heavyweight against bigger names. The main sticking point to that happening is the right amount of money for the right fight.
Blachowicz, a former KSW light heavyweight champion, called out Jones post-fight to which Jones tweeted “Boo” and proceeded to mock Reyes who had been critical of the now-former champion in the past.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 253: Adesanya vs. Costa, emanating from the Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
The Octagon returns to UFC Fight Island, kicking off five straight Saturday’s of UFC events from Abu Dhabi, and kicking it off is one of the biggest fights of the year and one of the biggest fights in middleweight division history.
UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya makes his second title defense when he defends against long-time rival Paulo Costa in the main event. The fight has been years in the making, and both men are undefeated, so when they finally clash, someone will be tasting defeat for the first time. Adesanya is looking to make a statement after winning a disappointing decision over Yoel Romero in March, while Costa returns to action for the first time in 13 months.
In the co-main event, the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship is on the line as Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz square off to determine a new man to beat at the top of the 205-pound division. Reyes is looking to get the gold around his waist after a narrow decision loss to Jon Jones in February. Jones later vacated the title during the year after expressing his desire to move to the heavyweight division. Blachowicz gets his opportunity on the heels of three straight wins, the last of which was a knockout win over Corey Anderson in February.
Also on the main card is a flyweight banger between Kai Kara-France and Brandon Royval, a women’s bantamweight fight that sees Ketlen Vieira look to rebound from her first career loss against short-notice replacement Sijara Eubanks, and a featherweight fight that has fireworks written all over it between Hakeem Dawodu and Zubaira Tukhugov kicks off the main card.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.
We are looking for your thoughts on tonight’s event, so send a thumbs up, a thumbs down or a thumbs in the middle along with a best fight and a worst fight to Dave at [email protected].
Marques is making his UFC debut. Marques is going for the takedown right away. Ibragimov was grabbing the fence to block the takedown, and that is twice now. They scramble to the mat and Marques is looking to take the back standing but they separate. Marques with a heavy leg kick. Ibragimov lands a combo finishing with an uppercut and then follows it with a right hand. Marques grabs the single leg. Marques finishes the takedown and Ibragimov tried to grab the fence a third time. Marques gets the back and almost had a choke locked in but time ran out. 10-9 Marques.
Ibragimov throws a big right hand but misses and he is shaking his arm like he hurt himself. Marques with a heavy leg kick. Marques grabs the single leg and gets a takedown and grabs the back as Ibragimov tries to stand. Marques working for the choke as he has it on the chin. Marques still has the back and is doing nothing, and Ibragimov is doing nothing to work his way up. This fight isn’t pretty. 10-9 Marques, 20-18 Marques.
Marques looks for a takedown and Ibragimov again grabs the fence to block it and they stay standing. Ibragimov lands a combo and then a hard right hand and Marques tries for a takedown against the fence. Ibragimov has the neck and looks for a guillotine but Marques spins out and Ibragimov grabs the fence standing again. Marques then gets a takedown and moves into the mount. Ibragimov spins out and gets to the top and is in the guard of Marques. Marques takes the back at the end as the fight ends. Boring fight. 10-9 Marques, 30-27 Marques.
Official Result- Danilo Marques def. Khadis Ibragimov by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
> Juan Espino (9-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. Jeff Hughes (10-3 1 NC, 0-2 1 NC UFC) Heavyweights
Espino is fighting for the first time since winning TUF in November 2018. Espino lands a left hand after looking for a takedown. Espino gets a brief takedown and then finishes it and gets to side control. They get to their feet but Espino pulls him from the fence and gets another takedown but they get back up and to the fence. Espino trying to get Hughes completely down as he has the back. Espino landing as he keeps pressure on Hughes to get down on the ground. Espino gets a big takedown and works for an arm triangle but Hughes escapes. Espino then moves to side control and locks in a scarf hold and squeezes tight and Hughes taps. Great submission by Espino.
Official Result- Juan Espino def. Jeff Hughes by submission (scarf hold) at 3:48 of Round 1
> William Knight (8-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Aleksa Camur (6-0, 1-0 UFC) Light Heavyweights
Knight is making his UFC debut. Camur lands the jab. Knight with a leg kick that trips Camur up and they scramble against the fence standing. They battle for underhooks against the fence as they trade position. They continue to battle in the clinch against the fence. They are finally separated by the referee. Knight misses a leg kick and then blocks a high kick from Camur. Knight with a calf kick. Knight with a switch kick and then a quick combo at the end of the round. 10-9 Knight.
They trade kicks to start the second. Camur lands the jab as he presses forward and they clinch against the fence. Knight with a trip but Camur has the back and is working for a choke but Knight reverses out and is in Camur’s guard. They get to their feet and are clinched against the fence. Camur with some shoulder strikes. Knight gets a takedown and Camur is trying to use the fence to scramble up. Knight landing some big punches from the top and looks for the back as they stand. Knight gets a takedown into side control. Knight lands some big punches from the top. Knight takes the back and flattens Camur out. Camur spins back out and regains the half-guard. Knight moves to the mount late and ends the round with a nasty kimura locked in as time runs out. 10-9 Knight, 20-18 Knight.
Knight with a body kick and then a leg kick. They clinch and Knight lands an uppercut as Camur pushes him against the fence. Camur gets a takedown and moves to the top and then they scramble up. Knight now working for a takedown and gets it and moves to the half-guard. Knight lands from the top and is in complete control as the fight ends. 10-9 Knight, 30-27 Knight.
Official Result- William Knight def. Aleksa Camur by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
> Shane Young (12-4, 2-1 UFC) vs. Ludovit Klein (16-2, 0-0 UFC) Featherweights* (Klein missed weight by 4 pounds)
Klein is making his UFC debut but did miss weight by four pounds. They were looking for openings early and traded kicks. Klein then landed a head kick and started throwing punches that dropped Young and he quickly finished it. That was an impressive knockout by Klein.
Official Result- Ludovit Klein def. Shane Young by knockout (head kick & punches) at 1:16 of Round 1
> Diego Sanchez (30-12, 19-12 UFC) vs. Jake Matthews (15-4, 9-4 UFC) Welterweights
Sanchez rushes forward and Matthews lands a right hand to stop him. Matthews with more right hands and lands an uppercut. Matthews with a straight right hand and is moving away from return shots from Sanchez. Matthews lands another right hand. Matthews with another. Sanchez lands a combo as Matthews rushed in. Sanchez rushes in and Matthews lands a left hand as he circles away. Matthews with a combo. Matthews gets a takedown and lands some big punches. Matthews ends the round on top as he lands a couple of big punches before the horn. 10-9 Matthews.
Sanchez coming straight forward throwing punches but nothing landing. Sanchez with a leg kick. Matthews lands a hard right hand as Sanchez was rushing forward. Sanchez with a kick then eats a combo from Matthews. Matthews lands a short uppercut and then both land in close range. Sanchez firing more but Matthews landing more. Matthews rocks Sanchez for a second with a left hook. Matthews with a combo. Matthews with a combo. 10-9 Matthews, 20-18 Matthews.
They were trading and Matthews knocked Sanchez down with a right hand and then gets on top looking to finish. Sanchez is bleeding a ton from his right eye. Matthews in the full guard of Sanchez. Matthews stands and then gets back into the guard of Sanchez. Matthews with a right hand from the top. Matthews with some big hammerfists from the top as Sanchez was trying to get out from the bottom. Sanchez looking for an armbar but Matthews defending. Matthews landing body punches from the top and more big punches from the top as the fight ends. 10-8 Matthews, 30-26 Matthews.
Official Result- Jake Matthews def. Diego Sanchez by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
> Brad Riddell (8-1, 2-0 UFC) vs. Alex da Silva (21-2, 1-1 UFC) Lightweights
Da Silva with a combo and clips Riddell with a left hook. Riddell lands his own left hook. Riddell with a calf kick. Da Silva with a takedown. Da Silva controlling from the top but not doing much. They get to their feet and Da Silva has back control. Da Silva gets another brief takedown but they get up. Da Silva with some knees to the legs. They break to the center of the Octagon. They trade and Riddell goes for a takedown and Da Silva grabs the neck and locks in a guillotine choke and is looking to improve his position but Riddell defends. 10-9 Da Silva.
Da Silva going for the takedown to start the second and has Riddell pinned against the fence. They break and both are landing. Da Silva with a high kick but Riddell is firing back with punches, landing jabs and an uppercut. Da Silva with a couple of leg kicks. Riddell looks for a takedown but Da Silva defends. Riddell lands a right hand. Riddell with a combo. They trade and Da Silva tries a flying knee but Riddell grabs him and gets a brief takedown. They break and both land body kicks. Da Silva with an uppercut and goes for a takedown but Riddell sprawls out. Riddell with a leg kick and they trade late. 10-9 Riddell, 19-19.
They trade kicks to start the third and Riddell is coming forward more and landing combos. They continue to trade and Riddell landing some left hands. Riddell landing with more volume. They trade and Riddell lands a left hand and Da Silva complains about an eye poke, but a replay shows it was a punch and a knuckle that landed in the eye. Da Silva tries a takedown but Riddell reverses and is on top. They get up and Riddell lands a combo and a body kick. Riddell with a flurry against the fence as he lands punches and a knee to the body. Riddell with a right hand. Riddell looking for a takedown and gets it but Da Silva reverses and ends up having Riddell’s back as the fight ends. 10-9 Riddell, 29-28 Riddell.
Official Result- Brad Riddell def. Alex da Silva by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
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> Hakeem Dawodu (11-1-1, 4-1 UFC) vs. Zubaira Tukhugov (19-4-1, 4-1-1 UFC) Featherweights* (Tukhugov missed weight by 4 pounds)
Tukhugov missed weight by four pounds. They’re feeling each other out in the first minute. Dawodu lands a punch. Tukhugov lands a left hook. Dawodu with a leg kick. Dawodu with a leg kick as Tukhugov lands a left hand. They’re both throwing but barely missing. Tukhugov starting to throw more but Dawodu lands to the body. Tukhugov is landing and getting out of the way from the counters. Dawodu with a body kick and lands a right hand. Very tactical first round. 10-9 Dawodu.
Dawodu with a switch kick. Dawodu with a spin kick and then a leg kick. They trade right hands. Tukhugov with a left hand and then lands a right hand and Dawodu returns a right hand. They are trading in close range and Dawodu lands some body punches. Tukhugov gets a takedown. Tukhugov is on top and landing some punches to the body. Tukhugov gets the back as they stand. 10-9 Tukhugov, 19-19.
Dawodu with an inside leg kick. Both looking to land and Dawodu lands a leg kick. Dawodu lands a left hand and Tukhugov shoots for a takedown. They scramble as Tukhugov looks for a takedown but Dawodu escapes and they break to the center. Dawodu applying pressure as he lands a couple of leg kicks. Dawodu lands a body punch. They are trading and Dawodu lands a big right hand. Tukhugov circling away. Dawdou applying pressure and lands a switch kick. Close fight. 10-9 Dawodu, 29-28 Dawodu.
Official Result- Hakeem Dawodu def. Zubaira Tukhugov by split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
Vieira immediately closes the distance and they clinch against the fence. They break. Vieira lands a jab and Eubanks counters with a leg kick. Eubanks with another leg kick. Vieira lands a right hand. They trade right hands. They clinch again. Vieira tries a takedown but Eubanks defends and lands an uppercut as they break. Vieira lands some hard punches. They trade right hands. Vieira with a right hand. Eubanks lands the jab. Vieira goes for a takedown but Eubanks defends. They trade some hard punches. Eubanks lands some punches and Vieira gets a late takedown. Close round. 10-9 Vieira.
Vieira with a body kick and they trade and Vieira gets a takedown. Vieira pushes Eubanks up against the fence and lands some body punches. They aren’t doing much and then are stood up back in the center. They trade punches. They trade and Vieira lands a nice counter right hand. Eubanks with a side kick. Vieira lands a right hand. They trade in close range. Eubanks with a body kick. Vieira with a right hand. 10-9 Vieira, 20-18 Vieira.
Eubanks landing the jab early in the third. Vieira with a right hand and Eubanks counters with a right hand. They clinch and Eubanks tries a trip but Vieira squirms away. Vieira with a right hand. Eubanks lands a hard left hook and then lands a right hand. Eubanks with a leg kick. Vieira lands a combo but Eubanks with some head movement. Eubanks with a body kick. They trade in close range. Eubanks with a right hand. Eubanks with a left hand to the body. Vieira with a right hand. They trade and scramble and Eubanks has Vieira’s back standing. They go to the mat late. Close fight. 10-9 Eubanks, 29-28 Vieira.
Official Result- Ketlen Vieira def. Sijara Eubanks by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Kai Kara-France (#7, 21-8 1 NC, 4-1 UFC) vs. Brandon Royval (#9, 11-4, 1-0 UFC) Flyweights
There were trading. Kara-France dropped Royval with a right hand and then Royval dropped Kara-France with a spinning elbow and then looked to land an illegal knee. They stayed on the mat and both were working for submissions and scrambling. They scramble to their feet. Royval lands a spinning back fist. Royval with pressure and clips Kara-France with a knee. Kara-France landing some right hands. Royval rocks Kara-France with a knee and Kara-France goesdown and Royval grabs the neck and looks for a guillotine. They get to their feet. They trade in close range and Royval with a left hand. Royval with some combos as he pressures against the fence. Crazy, great round. 10-9 Royval.
Royval with some pressure early on as he lands some leg kicks. Royval then grabs the neck and jumps up for a guillotine choke. They go to the mat and Royval has it in deep and Kara-France taps! What a huge upset win by Royval.
Official Result- Brandon Royval def. Kai Kara-France by submission (guillotine choke) at :48 of Round 2
> Dominick Reyes (#1, 12-1, 6-1 UFC) vs. Jan Blachowicz (#3, 26-8, 9-5 UFC) UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
They were feeling out each other to start the fight and landing leg kicks. Reyes lands a left hand. Blachowicz with a hard body kick. Reyes with a leg kick. Reyes with a body kick. Reyes with a body kick. Blachowicz with a combo and lands a hard body kick at the end. They are both being patient at the end of the first. 10-9 Blachowicz.
Reyes comes out more aggressive in the second. Blachowicz rushes forward with a combo but Reyes blocking all of them. Blachowicz with a right hand. Reyes with a high kick that just barely connects. Blachowicz lands a right hand. Reyes with an inside leg kick. Blachowicz with a hard leg kick. Blachowicz lands a combo. Reyes with a body kick and then a leg kick. Blachowicz with another body kick. Reyes lands a left hand. Blachowicz with a combo. Reyes with a left hand. Blachowicz rushes in with some punches and lands some good shots. Reyes with a body kick but eats some punches from Blachowicz. Blachowicz with a flurry and he knocks Reyes down and then finishes him off with some punches while standing. Blachowicz is the new UFC Light Heavyweight Champion.
Official Result- Jan Blachowicz def. Dominick Reyes by TKO (punches) at 4:36 of Round 2 to win the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
> Israel Adesanya (C, 19-0, 8-0 UFC) vs. Paulo Costa (#2, 13-0, 5-0 UFC) UFC Middleweight Championship
Adesanya with a leg kick to start. He lands another. He lands another. Costa with a leg kick. Costa with a body kick. Costa with a body kick again. Adesanya with a leg kick. He lands another. Costa with a body kick and Adesanya lands a counter body punch. Adesanya with another leg kick. Adesanya keeps attacking with leg kicks. Costa put his hands behind his back at one point. Adesanya continues to attack the lead leg of Costa. Adesanya with some body kicks. Adesanya with a hard body kick. Costa rushes forward but Adesanya lands a couple of punches. 10-9 Adesanya.
Adesanya with a hard leg kick. He lands another. Adesanya with an inside leg kick. Costa misses a head kick. Costa with a leg kick and then another. Adesanya with another hard leg kick. Adesanya with a left hand and just barely lands a head kick. Adesanya with a snapping jab. Adesanya with a body kick and then a left hand. Adesanya lands a head kick and Costa starts to back up and Adesanya lands a hard leg kick. Adesanya with another inside leg kick. Costa misses some punches. Costa with a body kick and Adesanya grabs the leg and lands a combo. Adesanya then lands some more punches and drops Costa and gets on top and finishes it off. Complete domination by Adesanya as he retains the title.
Official Result- Israel Adesanya def. Paulo Costa by TKO (punches) at 3:59 of Round 2 to retain the UFC Middleweight Championship
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC On ESPN+ 22: Blachowicz vs. Jacare, emanating from Ginasio do Ibirapuera in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The Octagon returns to Brazil for the third time this year with a light heavyweight main event pitting a man looking for a title shot against a man looking for a fresh start in a new division.
Jan Blachowicz looks to put his name in the race as the next in line to face Jon Jones when he welcomes Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza to the 205-pound division in the headline bout. Blachowicz is looking for another big win after knocking out Luke Rockhold at UFC 239 in July, pushing his record to 5-1 in his last six fights. Souza moves up in his attempt to fight for a UFC title after dropping a decision to Jack Hermansson in April.
In the co-main event, Brazilian legend and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua looks to score his second straight win when he takes on Paul Craig. Also on the main card is a lightweight battle between the holder of the most submission wins in UFC history, Charles Oliveira, and Jared Gordon.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 5 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.
Cortez scores with a combo early. Cortez landing kicks followed with punches early but Melo is countering them. They each land a right hand. They trade in close range. Cortez with a combo to the body and goes to the head. Cortez fakes a takedown and lands up top with some punches. Cortez lands some punches and Melo lands some counter punches. Cortez with a left hand. Cortez lands some punches late. 10-9 Cortez.
Cortez tries a takedown to start the second but Melo defends and they clinch against the fence. Cortez lands some knees to the body. Cortez still has the back and is looking to drag the fight to the mat but can’t get Melo down and she lands knees to the legs. All pressure from Cortez but not a lot of offense but she is staying busy. Cortez with short punches from the back. Cortez scores the takedown but Melo gets up and Cortez retains back control. She has the back as the round ends. 10-9 Cortez, 20-18 Cortez.
They come out throwing punches and Melo rocks Cortez. Cortez fires back some punches but Melo lands a right hand and then follows with a combo. Melo with a kick and Cortez grabs the leg and takes Melo down. Cortez working in the half-guard and landing lots of punches from the top as she keeps Melo pinned down. Cortez with heavy left hands from the top. Melo trying to grab the arm for a kimura but Cortez with elbows and knees to the body. Cortez stands up and goes back to the guard with a left hand and hammerfists as the fight ends. 10-9 Cortez, 30-27 Cortez.
Official Result- Tracy Cortez def. Vanessa Melo by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
> Ariane Lipski (11-5, 0-2 UFC) vs. Isabella de Padua (5-1, 0-0 UFC) Women’s Flyweights* (de Padua missed weight by 4 pounds)
de Padua took this fight less than 48 hours ago. Lipski coming out with hard shots as he is kicking the body and punching de Padua and she drops de Padua with a right hand. Lipski gets on top in the guard. They get up and Lipski was landing hard punches until de Padua took her down. de Padua landing from the top and Lipski is trying to throw her legs up for an armbar. de Padua landing big punches from the top to the body as Lipski was looking for a leg lock. 10-9 Lipski.
Lipski lands a combo to start the second. Lipski lands some big punches and de Padua tries a takedown but Lipski defends and ends up on top. Lipski lands some from the top as she is trying to pass the guard to side control. de Padua landed an upkick to the face while both were on the ground and the referee calls a timeout. It was a clear illegal upkick. de Padua had a point taken away by the referee and they were put back into the ground position as we get back to action. Lipski with punches to the head and body from the top. de Padua trying for a reverse triangle choke and looks for an armbar but Lipski gets out of danger at the end. 10-8 Lipski, 20-17 Lipski.
de Padua got a takedown to start the third and Lipski works for a kneebar from the bottom. de Padua gets out and lands a couple of hammerfists. de Padua gets to full top control as Lipski is trying to escape. Lipski sneaks out from the bottom and tries to gain top position. de Padua grabbing the neck looking for a choke but doesn’t have it and Lipski gets into the full guard. Lipski landing ground strikes to the body. Lipski with some right hands to the head as de Padua looking for an armbar or a triangle. Lipski ends the fight on top. 10-9 de Padua, 29-27 Lipski.
Official Result- Ariane Lipski def. Isabella de Padua by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 29-27)
> Douglas Silva de Andrade (25-3 1 NC, 3-3 UFC) vs. Renan Barao (34-8 1 NC, 9-7 UFC) Featherweights
Andrade tries a right hand but misses it and it had a lot of power behind it. Andrade lands a combo. Barao with a left hook. Andrade with a right hand. Andrade with a punch to the body of Barao. Barao with a heavy leg kick. Andrade tries a right hand and Barao dips under and takes Andrade down. They are stood up and that was a quick standup. Andrade with a quick flurry and they clinch. Andrade with some punches in the clinch and they break. Andrade lands some late. 10-9 Andrade.
They trade to start the second and Barao with some leg kicks though he lands a low blow and we have a quick timeout. Barao lands a leg kick as they get back to action. Andrade with the jab and a combo but Barao takes him down again and is in the guard of Andrade. Barao staying busy with punches to the body from the top. They are stood up again by the referee. Both of the standups in this fight have been bad. They trade punches. Barao tries a takedown but Andrade defends as they clinch against the fence. Barao is cut over his left eye and we have a timeout for the doctor to check the cut. Andrade with a couple of kicks and then a left hand. They trade late. 10-9 Barao, 19-19.
Both landing punches to start the third and Andrade is landing harder punches. Barao scores a brief takedown and Andrade is able to scramble to his feet. They trade punches and Andrade wobbles Barao with a right hand. They both land punches. Andrade with an uppercut. Barao tries a takedown but Andrade slips away. Andrade with a big elbow that hurts Barao and follows it with a spinning kick to the body that hurts Barao even more. Deep breaths from Barao. Andrade with a left hook to the body. Andrade with some deep breaths as well. Barao tries another takedown but Andrade slips away. Andrade with a big body kick late. 10-9 Andrade, 29-28 Andrade.
Official Result- Douglas Silva de Andrade def. Renan Barao by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
> Warlley Alves (13-3, 7-3 UFC) vs. Randy Brown (11-3, 5-3 UFC) Welterweights
Alves takes Brown down right away. Alves keeping Brown down on the ground but he stands and tries to go back to the guard but stays standing. Brown rolls to his knees and Alves gets to his back but they scramble up. They go back to the ground and Alves goes to the guard of Brown with some heavy right hands. Brown gives up his back and Alves goes for a rear-naked choke. Alves has his arm under the chin. Alves still working for it. Brown reverses to the guard near the end of the round. 10-9 Alves.
Alves gets a takedown in the first minute of the second and is in the guard of Brown. Brown with some elbows from the bottom. Brown working for a triangle and has it locked it and Alves taps! That is a big win for Brown.
Official Result- Randy Brown def. Warlley Alves by submission (triangle choke) at 1:22 of Round 2
> Francisco Trinaldo (23-7, 13-6 UFC) vs. Bobby Green (24-9-1, 5-4-1 UFC) Lightweights
Green with some front kicks to start. Green lands a right hand. Trinaldo misses a head kick. Trinaldo drops Green with a left hand and Green gets up and Trinaldo with a big takedown. Green able to reverse positon as they scramble and Trinaldo grabs a guillotine choke and has it under the chin. Green pops his head out and is on top landing punches. Green looking for a kimura from the top but Trinaldo is defending. Trinaldo escapes and gets up and lands a big slam takedown on Green but Green again ends up on top and moves to side control. Green with body punches late. 10-9 Green.
Green with the jab and Trinaldo with a calf kick. Trinaldo misses a big left hand. Trinaldo with a body kick. Green with a leg kick and Trinaldo counters with a left hand. Trinaldo with another left hand and then Green comes forward with some punches. Green with a body kick. Green ducking away from Trinaldo’s punches. They are trading short punches and Green lands some solid punches late. 10-9 Green, 20-18 Green.
Trinaldo lands some good punches in the first minute of the third. Green now lands some short punches and body kicks. They trade in close range. Trinaldo with a combo. Green fires back with some right hands and Trinaldo now lands a left hand. Trinaldo with a kick and Green catches it and pushes him to the mat. Trinaldo gets up and has the body while Green has his neck. Green is able to switch and takes Trinaldo down to the ground. They get to their feet. Trinaldo with some knees and they break and Green stumbles backwards but gets to his feet. They trade punches. Trinaldo lands a right hand late. 10-9 Green, 30-27 Green.
Official Result- Francisco Trinaldo def. Bobby Green by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Ramos moved up in weight for this fight. Both throwing spinning kicks in the first minute. Ramos with a leg kick. Garagorri with a body kick. Ramos with a nice combo. Ramos with a right hand. Ramos gets a trip takedown near the fence. Ramos with a knee to the body. They scramble to their feet. They break. Ramos with a body kick. Ramos gets the back of Garagorri and scores a takedown and works right away for a choke. Garagorri stands and Ramos stays on his back. Ramos has a standing rear-naked choke and they fall to the ground and Garagorri taps out! Ramos with an excellent first-round win.
Official Result- Ricardo Ramos def. Eduardo Garagorri by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:57 of Round 1
> Sergio Moraes (14-5-1, 8-4-1 UFC) vs. James Krause (26-7, 7-3 UFC) Welterweights
Moraes with an immediate takedown into side control on Krause. Moraes not doing anything with the position and just holding Krause in side control. They scramble and Moraes has the back for a split second and Krause ends up in his guard. Krause was covering up the nose and mouth of Moraes and they scramble. They get to their feet. Krause with a leg kick. Krause with some calf kicks. Moraes with a combo. Moraes tries a late takedown but Krause defends. 10-9 Krause.
Krause landing some kicks and punches as he comes forward. Krause lands some right hands. Moraes is looking tired. Krause lands some short punches including an uppercut in close range. Krause drops Moraes with a punch but lets him back up. Krause with a right hand. Moraes is really tired. Krause tries to land an uppercut but Moraes falls to the ground before it lands trying to bait Krause to the mat. The ref orders Moraes up. Krause coming forward and landing punches. Moraes with a spinning back elbow. Krause with some big elbows and right hands and Moraes falls to the mat. Krause gets on top and looks to finish but Moraes stalls him out on the ground. 10-8 Krause, 20-17 Krause.
They trade inside the pocket to start the third but not much power being thrown by either fighter. Krause with a leg kick. They trade punches. Krause with a combo against the fence and Moraes is covering up. Krause landing combos and Moraes is landing one punch at a time. Moraes tries a takedown and misses and stays on his back and wants Krause down but Krause stays standing. Moraes stands and Krause with a combo. Krause with a right hand and Moraes runs away. Krause then lands a big right hand and Moraes goes down and this fight is stopped. Big knockout win for Krause late in the fight. That is six straight wins for Krause.
Official Result- James Krause def. Sergio Moraes by knockout (punch) at 4:19 of Round 3
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> Markus Perez (11-2, 2-2 UFC) vs. Wellington Turman (15-3, 0-1 UFC) Middleweights
Turman coming out firing right hands. Turman gets a brief takedown but they get to their feet. Perez with a spinning back fist to break the clinch that Turman had. They trade punches and Perez lands some good shots. Perez with a body kick. Turman with a right hand as Perez landed a body kick. They trade right hands late. 10-9 Perez.
They trade left crosses at the beginning of the second. Perez with a couple of kicks. Turman with an uppercut to the body. Turman with an elbow on the inside. Perez tries a spinning back fist but eats some punches from Turman. Turman grabs the back of Perez and Perez lands a back elbow. Turman with a heavy knee to the thigh of Perez. Turman has full back control. Perez spins and Turman with a high kick but Perez catches it. They break the clinch. Turman with a short elbow and Perez is cut open. Perez with a right hand. They break and Turman with an elbow. Perez with a body kick. 10-9 Turman, 19-19.
They trade to start the third before going to the clinch. Turman moves to the back of Perez and takes him down for a second and retains back control as they stand. Turman with a knee. Turman gets another takedown and has the back of Perez. Turman gets to the full mount and Perez grabs the leg and goes for an ankle lock but Turman gets out and moves back to the guard of Perez. Turman lands from the top until they get to their feet. Perez with some elbows in the clinch. They break and Perez lands a spinning back fist. They clinch and Perez throwing big punches and kicks and lands a knee. They trade at the end. 10-9 Turman, 29-28 Turman.
Official Result- Wellington Turman def. Markus Perez by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Antonio Arroyo (9-2, 0-0 UFC) vs. Andre Muniz (18-4, 0-0 UFC) Middleweights
Arroyo with some punches to start and he takes Muniz down. Muniz goes for an armbar from the bottom and Arroyo is trying to defend. Muniz trying to crank on the arm as Arroyo is being patient. Arroyo gets his arm free. Muniz scrambles up and takes Arroyo down. Arroyo gets Muniz in his full guard. Muniz landing from the top. They get to their feet and we have a timeout. They thought an illegal knee was landing but replays show there was no illegal knee landed. Muniz was warned but there was nothing illegal landed there. This is bizarre. Arroyo with a combo. Muniz with a body kick and then connects with two left hands. Arroyo with a body kick. Arroyo with a leg kick. Muniz lands a right hand. Arroyo rocks Muniz late. 10-9 Muniz.
Muniz landing some punches early and Arroyo lands a head kick. They trade and Muniz lands a series of punches and works for a takedown against the fence and gets it. Muniz gets the back right away. Muniz looking for a rear-naked choke and has a neck crank in right now. Muniz with lots of punches from the back. Muniz looking for another choke and he turns over to the mount position. Arroyo able to escape and then gets to his feet. Arroyo lands some punches standing as Muniz is down on the mat. Arroyo goes into the guard of Muniz. Not much happens at the end. 10-9 Muniz, 20-18 Muniz.
Muniz gets a takedown at the start of the third and works in the guard of Arroyo. Arroyo switches to the top and gets to his feet and lands some punches. There hasn’t been a lot of action in this round. Arroyo with a right hand and Muniz tries to get another takedown. Muniz with some upkicks. There is nothing happening in this round. The referee orders Muniz up. This round was horrendous. 10-9 Muniz, 30-27 Muniz.
Official Result- Andre Muniz def. Antonio Arroyo by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Charles Oliveira (#13, 27-8 1 NC, 15-8 1 NC UFC) vs. Jared Gordon (15-3, 3-2 UFC) Lightweights
Oliveira with a leg kick as Gordon came forward. They tie up and Gordon tried a takedown and Oliveira went for a submission but they got up. Oliveira with a right hand and then a leg kick. Oliveira with a left hook to the body. Oliveira then lands an uppercut that finishes Gordon! Oliveira dropped him with a right hand first, Gordon got up and then Oliveira knocked him down again with an uppercut and it was all over. That was a great win for Oliveira.
Official Result- Charles Oliveira def. Jared Gordon by knockout (punches) at 1:26 of Round 1
> Mauricio Rua (#14, 26-11, 10-9 UFC) vs. Paul Craig (12-4, 4-4 UFC) Light Heavyweights
Craig connects with a spinning wheel kick right to Rua’s head. Rua lands a right hand and Craig clinches with him. They battle for position against the fence. Rua has the body lock against the fence but they break. Craig with a spin kick. Craig with a kick and Rua grabs the leg and looks for a takedown. Craig with the neck and lands some knees and then lands some punches as they break. Rua covering up to block punches and he lands a right hand on Craig. Craig goes for a takedown. They break. Rua misses a right hand. Rua tries a takedown against the fence but the fence blocks it and they break. They trade left hooks. Craig with a spin kick. Rua lands a right hand. Rua lands a late combo. 10-9 Craig.
They trade to start the second. Rua just misses an uppercut. They both land left hands at the same time. They do it again. Craig with a body kick and Rua takes him down and lands some heavy punches from the top. Rua with some hammerfists but Craig dodging a lot of it. Rua tries to pass guard and moves to side control for a moment but goes back to the guard. Rua stands and lands a right hand as Craig remains on his back. Rua goes back into the guard with a right hand and works in Craig’s half-guard. Rua ends the round on top. 10-9 Rua, 19-19.
Craig with a body kick but misses a wheel kick. They trade punches. Craig with some kicks. Craig shoots in and Rua gets him on his back and is in the guard of Craig. Rua works from the top and stands and then swings a right hand as he enters back into the guard of Craig. Rua gets back to his feet and Craig remains on his back. He goes back to the guard of Craig with a right hand. Rua seems content to ride out the fight on top. Craig with short punches from the bottom. Rua stands and Craig gets up. Rua lands some punches and Craig gets a late takedown against the fence but unable to do anything with it. 10-9 Rua, 29-28 Rua.
Official Result- Mauricio Rua vs. Paul Craig ends in a split draw (29-28, 28-29, 28-28)
> Jan Blachowicz (#6, 24-8, 7-5 UFC) vs. Ronaldo Souza (#8 MW, 26-7 1 NC, 9-4 UFC) Light Heavyweights
Souza just misses a right hand and shoots in for a takedown but Blachowicz defends against the fence. They remain clinched against the fence until Blachowicz slips out. Souza with a leg kick. Blachowicz with a leg kick. Blachowicz with a body kick. Souza just misses a right hand and they clinch against the fence. There isn’t a lot happening against the fence as they battle for underhooks. 10-9 Souza.
They trade right hands. Blachowicz with an inside leg kick. They both land hard right hands. Blachowicz with a body kick. Souza with a leg kick. Blachowicz is landing the jab well in the first 90 seconds of this round. Souza shoots in for a takedown against the fence. Souza working hard to get Blachowicz down. Blachowicz with some knees. Souza with a foot stomp. They break. Blachowicz tries a body kick but Souza blocks it. Blachowicz landing the jab and then lands a combo. Souza with a leg kick and Blachowicz lands a counter combo. Souza lands a nice right hand. 10-9 Souza, 20-18 Souza.
Blachowicz with the double jab. Souza with a right hand and Blachowicz rushes forward with a combo. They trade and clinch and Souza pushes Blachowicz against the fence. They separate and trade. Blachowicz with a short uppercut as Souza rushes in looking for a takedown. Blachowicz reverses and they break. Souza controlling more of the action. Souza with a leg kick. Souza with a right hand. 10-9 Souza, 30-27 Souza.
Blachowicz lands a few jabs but not doing much else. Souza isn’t doing much either. Blachowicz lands a couple right hands and Souza pushes him against the fence. Not much happened and they broke back to the center. This fight is not entertaining. Blachowicz with a body kick and then a leg kick. Souza backing up. Blachowicz with another leg kick. Blachowicz with a body kick. 10-9 Blachowicz, 39-37 Souza.
Souza trying another takedown to start the final round but still can’t get Blachowicz to the mat. The crowd has been booing this fight for a while. They break and Blachowicz lands a combo. Souza shoots in again and fails to score the takedown again. They are broken up by the referee after not much action against the fence. Blachowicz with a high kick that is checked. Blachowicz with a leg kick. Blachowicz with an uppercut and Souza tries a takedown but fails. Blachowicz lands some punches and Souza slips down. Blachowicz with a leg kick. Souza is not doing much. This was such a boring fight. 10-9 Blachowicz, 48-47 Souza.
Official Result- Jan Blachowicz def. Ronaldo Souza by split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47)
sWelcome to our live coverage of UFC Fight Night 93: Arlovski vs. Barnett, emanating from the Barclaycard Arena in Hamburg, Germany.
The event is headlined by a heavyweight clash between two former UFC Heavyweight Champions as Andrei Arlovski takes on Josh Barnett. A pair of light heavyweight bout round out the top three as former top contender Alexander Gustafsson returns to action against Jan Blachowicz, while Ryan Bader squares off against Ilir Latifi.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 11:45 AM EST with preliminary action all the way thru the main card.
ROUND 1- They had an early feeling out process with both men landing strikes but neither dominating on the feet. Khabilov was getting the upper hand on the feet and then started working for takedowns, but Silva had good defense. Silva rocked Khabilov with a left hand and got a takedown into mount with less than a minute to go but Khabilov was able to reverse and ended the round on top landing strikes. A close round but Silva rocking Khabilov and getting the takedown won him the round. 10-9 Silva.
ROUND 2- They traded strikes on the feet with both equally landing but Khabilov landing with more power. The pace really slowed and Khabilov started working for the takedown and got it with an inside trip. Silva showed good defense and went for sweeps but Khabilov landed some punches from inside the guard. Not much to the round as both were tentative on the feet but Khabilov got it with the takedown. 10-9 Khabilov, 19-19.
ROUND 3- Silva landed early and Khabilov went for a takedown but it was defended well. They were warned to work and Khabilov went back to the takedown game but Silva showed good defense. Khabilov got the takedown with over a minute left after working hard for it and started landing punches. They got back to their feet and both started landing and Silva had a takedown stuffed and Khabilov landed to end the fight. Close fight. 10-9 Khabilov, 29-28 Khabilov.
Official Result- Rustam Khabilov def. Leandro Silva by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
INSTANT ANALYSIS- The 30-27 score was perplexing as it was a close fight but Silva definitely got the first round. Neither man was overly impressive but Rustam Khabilov did enough to get the win. He isn’t on the same level as he was years ago before fighting Benson Henderson, but that is now three straight wins. He is coming back along nicely. Leandro Silva showed solid takedown defense against a heavy wrestler, and he landed good on the feet, but he couldn’t block the takedowns when needed. He’s lost two straight, but this was a solid effort and he should be back for another UFC fight.
MIDDLEWEIGHTS SCOTT ASKHAM (14-2, 2-2 UFC) VS. JACK HERMANSSON (13-2, 0-0 UFC)
ROUND 1- They traded early and both men got in good punches. They both landed uppercuts in a clinch. Askham landed a solid uppercut at range. They traded big kicks and Askham landed some knees in a clinch. It was a close round but Askham did more with his striking and worked better in the clinches. 10-9 Askham.
ROUND 2- Hermansson came out aggressive but Askham started to get more aggressive in response. Askham was landing cleaner but Hermansson started to come back strong. Hermansson landed some uppercuts in close range. Hermansson with a strong second half of the round closed out with a takedown got this round for him. 10-9 Hermansson, 19-19.
ROUND 3- Hermansson turned on the striking but got a takedown. Askham worked for submissions but they got to their feet. Hermansson started to land a lot of punches. Askham found himself against the fence too much and he ate punches due to it. Askham survived and started to land late and had Hermansson defending a choke late. Askham came on and won the last minute but may have been too little too late. 10-9 Hermansson, 29-28 Hermansson.
Official Result- Jack Hermansson def. Scott Askham by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
INSTANT ANALYSIS- A solid back-and-forth fight by both men and it was a lot closer than the two 30-27 scores indicate. Jack Hermansson has now win nine straight fights and will be a solid addition to European UFC cards, but I’m not sure he’ll ever be a true contender in a stacked middleweight division. Scott Askham is now 2-3 in the UFC but has had entertaining fights, and he hasn’t been stopped in his career yet. He showed good skills but fell down early in each round, which has hindered him before. He will be back in the future as he has some solid talent.
HEAVYWEIGHTS JARJIS DANHO (6-1 1 NC, 0-1 UFC) VS. CHRISTIAN COLOMBO (8-1, 0-0 UFC)
ROUND 1- Danho was looking at the clock very early but landed right hands. Danho was only looking to land that right hand and work in the clinch. Colombo was getting the upper hand in the clinch. Danho didn’t do much but landed some solid punches and ate an illegal knee. Colombo got docked a point for the illegal strike. They got back to action and not much happened. 9-9.
ROUND 2- They both traded and Colombo fell to the mat and Danho pounced. Colombo started to land some heavy knees. Danho used the same punch then clinch strategy. Both men very tired. Colombo had Danho in trouble. Colombo landed some knees to the body. Colombo had Danho in trouble at the end. This fight is ugly. 10-9 Colombo, 19-18 Colombo.
ROUND 3- They landed punches and both men are tired. Colombo was landing knees to the body. Danho looked like he could pass out at any second. This is honestly one of the worst fights I’ve seen in a while. Colombo went for a kimura and slipped and Dahno ended on top. They got up and Danho landed a few punches that cut open Colombo. Colombo landed some knees towards the end. I don’t know who won this fight. 10-9 Danho, 28-28.
Official Result- Jarjis Danho vs. Christian Colombo ruled a majority draw (27-29, 28-28, 28-28)
INSTANT ANALYSIS- This fight was awful. I don’t know what to really say. Jarjis Danho got tired quickly and looked like he was going to pass out at any time. Christian Colombo was slow and sluggish and couldn’t finish Danho when he should have. Colombo would have gotten the decision if he didn’t get deducted a point, which was questionable. A bad heavyweight fight I don’t wanna speak of again.
BANTAMWEIGHTS TAYLOR LAPILUS (10-2, 2-1 UFC) VS. LEANDRO ISSA (13-5, 2-2 UFC)
ROUND 1- Issa was just working for takedown after takedown and got a couple. It was clear he didn’t wanna stand with Lapilus. Lapilus was getting the better in the clinch. Lapilus landed a lot of punches on the feet and had Issa rocked. Lapilus with some big punches towards the end of the round. 10-9 Lapilus.
ROUND 2- Lapilus just getting the better of the striking battle. Issa spent time running away from danger. Issa landed some power kicks but Lapilus kept landing power punches and blocking takedown attempts from Issa. Issa was able to grab the neck and pull guard but Lapilus escaped and landed from the top as the round ended. 10-9 Lapilus, 20-18 Lapilus.
ROUND 3- Issa down two rounds and went to work for the takedown but it was defended by Lapilus. Lapilus stunned Issa with a left hand and had Issa running away. Issa went back for the takedowns but couldn’t get them and ate elbows and punches from Lapilus. Lapilus with several left hands but Issa got a scramble takedown but they got right back up. Lapilus landed at the end. This should be a shutout for Lapilus. 10-9 Lapilus, 30-27 Lapilus.
Official Result- Taylor Lapilus def. Leandro Issa by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
INSTANT ANALYSIS- The 29-28 score is another indication of bad judging, though it hasn’t robbed a fighter of a decision yet. Taylor Lapilus had a disciplined performance and showed some excellent striking skills and was able to defend takedowns and showed he can be a future contender with more seasoning. Leandro Issa was unable to execute his gameplan and it was obvious he couldn’t stand with Lapilus as he kept running from trouble instead of trying to engage. Falling to 2-3 in the Octagon, it could be the end of him in the UFC for now.
ROUND 1- Macedo landed some kicks early. Evans-Smith was working to establish the clinch and work for takedowns as Macedo was getting the better of the striking. Evans-Smith got the takedown. She flattened Macedo out and was dominant from the top. Evans-Smith almost had a kimura but Macedo scrambled to her feet. They traded to end a good round of action. 10-9 Evans-Smith.
ROUND 2- Macedo landed a head kick and they went right to the clinch. Macedo went for a kneebar but it was defended. They worked in the clinch with both landing before they broke. Evans-Smith out-muscling Macedo in the clinch. Macedo rolled for a kneebar but gave up top position and Evans-Smith capitalized. Evans-Smith with a hip throw at the end after landing some punches. 10-9 Evans-Smith, 20-18 Evans-Smith.
ROUND 3- Evans-Smith defended the takedown and ended on top and started to land lots of punches and tons of big elbows and the fight was stopped by the referee. It should have been stopped much sooner. Impressive finish by Evans-Smith.
Official Result- Ashlee Evans-Smith def. Veronica Macedo by TKO (elbows) at 2:46 of Round 3
INSTANT ANALYSIS- Ashlee Evans-Smith scored the first finish of the card and was impressive in doing so. She has only fought five times in her career and this was her best showing so far in her young career. She looks like an evolving future contender. Veronica Macedo is just 20-years-old and only made her debut in March, but she has already fought a lot. The inexperience showed here but she did start off strong. She’ll be back with hopefully some time away to improve her skills as she is a raw talent.
WELTERWEIGHTS PETER SOBOTTA (15-5-1, 2-4 UFC) VS. NICOLAS DALBY (14-1-1, 1-1-1 UFC)
ROUND 1- Sobotta dropped Dalby with a big left hand and swarmed on with a lot of punches looking to finish. Dalby survived. Sobotta with lots of control on the top in side control and he did great at keeping Dalby down on the mat. Sobotta was able to take the back and looked for the choke and had it in for a moment. Dalby survived the round but it was a big one for Sobotta. 10-8 Sobotta.
ROUND 2- Dalby poked Sobotta right in the eye and we had a long break in action. Sobotta dragged Dalby to the mat. Sobotta landing lots of punches from the half-guard. Dalby was just unable to get himself off the mat though he created space and landed some from the bottom. It was just suffocating top pressure from Sobotta who landed punches and worked for some submissions. Dalby survived for the third. 10-9 Sobotta, 20-17 Sobotta.
ROUND 3- Dalby has to finish Sobotta here. They were trading on the feet and Dalby actually getting the better of it. They traded kicks and Sobotta landed a nice left hand. Sobotta landed a body kick and got a takedown. Dalby doing nothing to get up. Sobotta controlling on the mat and grabs the neck. Dalby got to his feet and Sobotta dragged the fight to the end. 10-9 Sobotta, 30-26 Sobotta.
Official Result- Peter Sobotta def. Nicolas Dalby by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
INSTANT ANALYSIS- This was the best performance of Peter Sobotta’s UFC career. He dominated a tough Nicolas Dalby and showed great takedowns and great top control. Dalby had no answer for him and struggled to get to his feet. With just one win in four UFC fights, he may be headed back to the regional promotions. He has good talent but is missing something when fighting inside the Octagon.
WELTERWEIGHTS JESSIN AYARI (15-3, 0-0 UFC) VS. JIM WALLHEAD (29-9, 0-0 UFC)
ROUND 1- They had a feeling out process to start off with both men landing. Wallhead landed a leg kick and a glancing punch that sent Ayari to the mat for a second. Wallhead landed the right hand. They are still feeling each other out and neither man has been able to capitalize much. It was a close round. 10-9 Wallhead.
ROUND 2- Wallhead landed two big punches and had Ayari backtracking. Ayari throwing big punches from outside range but just isn’t engaging and Wallhead lands more big punches. Wallhead spent the round stalking down Ayari and he was getting the better of the action on the feet. Lots of boos coming from the crowd as there is not a whole lot of action. Wallhead lands a combo at the end. 10-9 Wallhead, 20-18 Wallhead.
ROUND 3- This fight is very close after two uneventful rounds. Ayari mixing strikes more and lands to the body. Both men trying to land punches and missing badly and the fans are not happy about it. It is a boring fight. Ayari landed a solid combo. Wallhead dropped Ayari with a big left hook. Wallhead went for the finish but couldn’t get it as Ayari got to his feet. Ayari survived and came back strong late in the fight. Wallhead stunned Ayari at the end. Stong finish for both after a boring fight. 10-9 Wallhead, 30-27 Wallhead.
Official Result- Jessin Ayari def. Jim Wallhead by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
INSTANT ANALYSIS- I don’t agree with this decision as I thought Wallhead won the fight. He definitely didn’t lose all three rounds. The rounds were close though except the third. As for the fight, it was rather uneventful and quite boring until a strong third round. Both men were debuting and will be back. It should be a disappointing loss for Wallhead who fought so long to get to the UFC and he will have his back against the wall in his next bout. Ayari has some clear improvement he needs to make.
MAIN CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 3 PM ET/12 PM PT)
LIGHTWEIGHTS NICK HEIN (13-2 1 NC, 3-1 UFC) VS. TAE HYUN BANG (18-9, 2-2 UFC)
ROUND 1- They didn’t do much early then both men landed punches. Bang landed a solid combo. Hein got a takedown off a right hand and was able to hold Bang down for a good minute. They traded punches and Hein was getting the better of the striking. Neither man did much outside of a takedown from Hein. 10-9 Hein.
ROUND 2- Bang came out with punches and knocked Hein down for a second but Hein got up and went to work in the clinch. They broke and both men continued to feel each other out. Neither man is doing much to win this fight. Hein got a solid takedown after not doing anything on the feet but Bang got up. Bang with a judo throw. Another boring round. 10-9 Hein, 20-18 Hein.
ROUND 3- Let’s see if something, anything, happens here. They are still feeling each other out. They butted heads and Bang is cut open. They keep going but both men just winging punches. Hein misses a takedown. There haven’t been as many boring fights this year than this one. Bang tried to land a combo but Hein was running away. Bang did land. Both landed punches. Thankfully this one is over. 10-9 Hein, 30-27 Hein.
Official Result- Nick Hein def. Tae Hyun Bang by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-28, 30-27)
INSTANT ANALYSIS- There have been some bad fights tonight and this one was definitely the worst. One of the most boring fights this year, and personally, I hated this one. Nick Hein is 4-1 in the UFC and they have all been boring decision wins. He takes no chances and does nothing in going for a finish, and is one of the most boring fighters in the UFC, and I don’t think he really belongs in there as he doesn’t even face tough competition, having been known for turning down hard fights. I know that sounds like a huge shot at the guy, but he has shown nothing of value. Tae Hyun Bang couldn’t get off any offense and he is just as much at fault for a boring fight. With a 2-3 UFC record and this performance, I don’t think he’ll be back.
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS (#4) RYAN BADER (20-5, 13-5 UFC) VS. (#12) ILIR LATIFI (12-4 1 NC, 5-2 UFC)
ROUND 1- They had a feeling out process early with both men missing punches. Bader hurt him with a body kick. Latifi was looking to land that big punch but Bader was expecting it and keeping his distance. Latifi tried a takedown off a brief clinch but Bader defended it strongly. Latifi landed an overhand right twice that hit the arm of Bader. Latifi drops Bader with a right hand and rocked him at the end of the round. 10-9 Latifi.
ROUND 2- Bader landed a right hand. Latifi surges forward with punches looking to land a big one. Latifi stuffed a takedown attempt and landed a right hand. Out of nowhere Bader lands a big knee to the face and Latifi is out cold! Big knockout win from Bader.
Official Result- Ryan Bader def. Ilir Latifi by knockout (knee) at 2:06 of Round 2
INSTANT ANALYSIS- This was close until the end. Ilir Latifi was getting the better of the battle and left himself open, and Ryan Bader capitalized by landing that huge knee to knock Latifi out cold. Bader was in trouble but fought back and got the finish, his first one in over three-and-a-half years. He is still a contender but has to beat a top contender if he is ever going to get a title shot. Latifi is a solid gatekeeper in the division but after this, I don’t see him ever getting into title contention. He was doing well until the end.
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS (#2) ALEXANDER GUSTAFSSON (16-4, 8-4 UFC) VS. JAN BLACHOWICZ (19-5, 2-2 UFC)
ROUND 1- Blachowicz landing a lot of punches early. Gustafsson is bleeding early. Gustafsson lands a right hand and goes into the clinch. Gustafsson unable to land his punches and now Blachowicz lands some uppercuts in the clinch. Blachowicz lands to the body and Gustafsson gets a trip takedown into guard. Gustafsson lands some elbows inside the guard and closes the round out on top. I don’t think it was enough to warrant him winning the round. 10-9 Blachowicz.
ROUND 2- Both men come out swinging and land punches and Gustafsson gets a big takedown twenty seconds into the round. Gustafsson with an elbow and he has cut Blachowicz open. Gustafsson tried a step over but Blachowicz able to keep him in the guard. Blachowicz is just struggling to get out of the bottom. Gustafsson with more of a barrage of punches and elbows from the top. Gustafsson went to his feet and went back into guard with some punches. 10-9 Gustafsson, 19-19.
ROUND 3- Gustafsson with a big right hand. Gustafsson takes this fight right back to the ground with a quick takedown and is in the guard. Gustafsson with some elbows from the top. Gustafsson with smothering top control and Blachowicz doing nothing to get up but they get stood up. Gustafsson gets another takedown back into the guard and this should close out the fight. Gustafsson with punches from the top and a big elbow. He finishes out strong with ground-and-pound. 10-9 Gustafsson, 29-28 Gustafsson.
Official Result- Alexander Gustafsson def. Jan Blachowicz by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
INSTANT ANALYSIS- A nice comeback for Alexander Gustafsson after being controlled by Jan Blachowicz in the opening minutes. I don’t agree with the straight 30-27 scores as I saw Blachowicz doing enough on the feet to win the first, and that shows how much the judges value takedowns. But, it was a close round. Gustafsson did what he needed to do to win the fight in getting the takedowns, and signs of ring rust were apparent. He will be looking to get into title contention quickly, and perhaps a fight with Ryan Bader should be next as they have never fought each other. Blachowicz is now 2-3 in the UFC and is in gatekeeper mode, but I am sure we will see him again early next year.
HEAVYWEIGHTS (#6) ANDREI ARLOVSKI (25-12 1 NC, 14-6 UFC) VS. (#9) JOSH BARNETT (34-8, 6-3 UFC)
ROUND 1- They both rocked each other and dropped each other in the first 30 seconds. Both survived and right into the clinch. Arlovski with an elbow on the break. They clinch and Arlovski with a trip takedown into the half-guard. Arlovski is bleeding from his forehead. Arlovski with a big combo that had Barnett in trouble. Back to the clinch seeing Barnett looking for the takedown. Unable to get the takedown as the round ends. 10-9 Arlovski.
ROUND 2- Barnett with a right hand and they go into the clinch. Not much happened as Barnett controlled the clinch but they eventually got broken up. They trade punches and Arlovski lands big and they clinch back up. Arlovski gets the takedown but Barnett reverses into full mount. Barnett with some short elbows from the top as he was looking for a submission. Barnett with some heavy ground-and-pound and looking for the finish. Arlovski survives but a big round for Barnett. 10-9 Barnett, 19-19.
ROUND 3- They trade big punches and Barnett lands. Arlovski with some uppercuts and a big knee and Barnett is in trouble. He has an issue with his eye but Arlovski was unable to capitalize. Barnett grabs the arm and sweeps for the armbar but gets on top. Barnett gets to the back and has the rear-naked choke in. Arlovski taps! Big submission win for Barnett.
Official Result- Josh Barnett def. Andrei Arlovski by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:53 of Round 3
INSTANT ANALYSIS- This was a fun fight and both men had each other in trouble. Andrei Arlovski was unable to capitalize on the striking advantage and got tired early, which hurt him as the fight went along. It is now three straight losses for him, and you have to wonder where he goes from here. I don’t see him being cut, but there’s little chance of him ever fighting for a title now. Josh Barnett bounced back nicely, and if it weren’t for a small mistake against Ben Rothwell, he might be right on the cusp of a title fight. He’s still the best heavyweight on the ground, and now he is primed for a big fight.
FINAL THOUGHTS- This was one of the more uneventful UFC events of the year. There were a lot of boring fights, and a very bad fight in the Nick Hein against Tae Hyun Bang fight. The main event delivered a solid fight, and the highlight of the event was Ryan Bader’s knockout of Ilir Latifi. Alexander Gustafsson and Ashlee Evans-Smith also had solid performances. This isn’t an event worth going out of your way to see as nothing was memorable, but a good main event between Josh Barnett and Andrei Arlovski.
