The full card for the much-discussed UFC Freedom 250 card at the White House this June has finally been revealed and will continue to be discussed after the announcement.
Announced during Saturday’s UFC 326 broadcast, the Sunday, June 14, 2026, event will feature two title fights with one of them featuring Alex Pereira gunning for his unprecedented third UFC title in three divisions.
The main event will feature UFC lightweight champion and one of their top stars in Ilia Topuria defending against interim champion Justin Gaethje.
In the co-main event, former middleweight and light heavyweight champion Pereira facing Cyril Gane for the interim heavyweight title and not Jon Jones as many had speculated. On Saturday night, news broke that a fight fell off the show with speculation now shifting to that which is unconfirmed as of this writing.
Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley will take on Aiemann Zahabi while former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler will fight Mauricio Ruffy.
The six-fight show is rounded out by Bo Nickal vs. Kyle Daukaus, and Diego Lopes vs. Steve Garcia.
The show will feature no female fights, no Jones, and no Gable Steveson as some has speculated as the impetus to sign him to a UFC deal. The initial response on social media was less than enthusiastic.
A new era begins for the UFC this weekend as Paramount+ takes over as the UFC’s media partner for at least the next seven years, and it all kicks off with UFC 324 taking place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The main event sees an interim title in the lightweight division on the line as Justin Gaethje takes on Paddy Pimblett. This fight was put together after current UFC Lightweight Champion Ilia Topuria announced he was taking a break from fighting due to personal issues, though he is expected to return within the next few months, likely to face the winner of this bout.
Gaethje is coming off a win in his last fight, while Pimblett is undefeated during his UFC tenure, and on a nine-fight win streak overall.
In the co-main event, former UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley looks to get back into the win column against Song Yadong. Also on the main card is a heavyweight slugfest between Waldo Cortes-Acosta and fan favorite Derrick Lewis; a women’s flyweight fight with title shot implications as Natalia Silva battles Rose Namajunas; and a featherweight bout pitting Arnold Allen against Jean Silva.
PRELIMS | 6 PM ET/3 PM PT
> Welterweights- Adam Fugitt (10-5, 2-3 UFC) vs. Ty Miller (6-0 1 NC, 0-0 UFC)
Miller lands a right hand. Fugitt throws a high kick that Miller blocks. Miller is connecting with right hands as one gets through. Fugitt lands a body kick, and then lands another one. They trade inside the pocket as Fugitt lands a pair of body kicks. Miller lands a solid straight right hand. They trade in close range as Miller connects with a flush right hand. Fugitt with a high kick as Miller connects. Miller lands a big combination. Miller lands a solid right hand. They trade inside the pocket and both are bloody. Miller drops Fugitt with a clean right hand and lands from the top, landing an elbow as Fugitt stands. Miller lands two more big right hands. Miller teeing off and drops Fugitt to a knee with a right hand and continues to land and gets the finish at the buzzer! What a finish from Miller!
Fight Result- Ty Miller def. Adam Fugitt by TKO (punches) at 4:59 of Round 1
Hokit shoots for a takedown right away and is able to get it. Hokit gets the back and has body control as Freeman is attempting to escape to his feet. Hokit with a knee to the thigh of Freeman. They get to their feet as Hokit maintains body control. They break apart. Hokit lands a series of punches with a knee to the body mixed in. Hokit lands a series of uppercuts and Freeman goes to his knees. Hokit with more punches as he looks for neck control. Hokit lands punches from the back. Hokit lands more punches as he spanks Freeman, but they stand. Hokit lands against the fence and Freeman goes for a takedown, but Hokit rolls through to the feet. Hokit lands some punches and Freeman falls down. Hokit with a knee to the body and some more punches as they stand. Freeman runs away and falls to a knee and Mark Smith steps in and stops the fight. A weird finish, but Hokit picks up the win.
Fight Result- Josh Hokit def. Denzel Freeman by TKO (punches) at 4:59 of Round 1
> Flyweights*- #11 Alex Perez (25-10, 7-6 UFC) vs. #13 Charles Johnson (18-7, 7-5 UFC)
*Perez missed weight by 2.5 pounds
They trade to start off as Perez lands a combination. They trade leg kicks. Perez rushes in with a combination, and Johnson lands a body kick. Perez drops Johnson with a left hand and starts landing from the top. Johnson gets to his feet and Perez continues to connect as Johnson is wobbly on his feet. Perez lands a knee and continues to land. Johnson is circling away to survive. Perez lands some more big punches. Johnson looks for a takedown but Perez sprawls and lands more punches as they stand. Perez lands a combo against the fence. Johnson with a pair of body kicks. Perez lands a left hook and Johnson falls face first to the mat and it is stopped! Big finish from Perez, though he did miss weight.
Fight Result- Alex Perez def. Charles Johnson by TKO (punches) at 3:16 of Round 1
Krylov lands a pair of kicks. Bukauskas connects with a right hand. Bukauskas with a combination and lands a right hand afterwards. Krylov shoots for a takedown and pushes Bukauskas against the fence. Krylov still working for a takedown against the fence but not much is happening. Krylov lands a right hand and a high kick as they separate. Krylov with a pair of low kicks. Bukauskas lands a right hand as Krylov lands a leg kick. They trade as Krylov comes forward. Both land and Krylov briefly hurts Bukauskas with a punch. 10-9 Krylov.
Krylov with a leg kick as Bukauskas lands a combination. They trade in close range, and then Bukauskas lands a right hand. They both land as both throw big shots in close range. They tie up and Krylov pushes it to the fence and lands a knee. They end up separating after not a lot of action. Krylov lands a right hand. Bukauskas with a heavy leg kick. Bukauskas lands a combo but Krylov lands a counter right hand. Krylov lands a body kick. Bukauskas with a right hand. They trade late. 10-9 Krylov, 20-18 Krylov.
Bukauskas with a left hand as Krylov throws some front kicks. Krylov connects with a big left hand. Bukauskas lands a left hand. They trade but both are staying out of the range of one another. They trade punches and Bukauskas lands a leg kick. They trade as they nearly clinch up. Krylov with a leg kick as they exchange left hooks. Krylov lands a jab and Bukauskas lands an overhand right. Bukauskas lands a right hand. Krylov drops Bukauskas late with a right hand and lands from the top to get the finish seconds before the fight ends.
Fight Result- Nikita Krylov def. Modestas Bukauskas by knockout (punch) at 4:57 of Round 3
Gautier drops Pulyaev with the first right hand he lands. He lets Pulyaev up and then lands some big punches. Pulyaev lands a body kick and slips, but then Gautier lands as Pulyaev stands. Pulyaev lands a body kick. Pulyaev lands a left hand but Gautier lands a right hand moments later. Gautier lands a right hand. Pulyaev with a left hand. Pulyaev lands some kicks. Pulyaev with a left hand. Pulyaev with a body kick. Pulyaev with a pair of body kicks. 10-9 Gautier.
Gautier is slowing down as the second starts. Pulyaev lands a left hand and a body kick. Pulyaev with another body kick. Pulyaev lands some more kicks as Gautier is looking like he’s just trying to load up on a right hand. Gautier lands a right hand and Pulyaev backs up and falls briefly, but he gets right up. Pulyaev lands a body kick. Gautier with a big right hand. Gautier drops Pulyaev with a right hand and starts landing punches and knees against the fence. Pulyaev looks to have recovered. The pace has slowed. Pulyaev with a short leg kick. Pulyaev lands a high kick. 10-9 Gautier, 20-18 Gautier.
Pulyaev lands a high kick. Gautier lands a right hand. Pulyaev with a body kick. The pace is very slow as Pulyaev lands a left hand and a leg kick. Pulyaev with a high kick. Gautier with a high kick. Pulyaev with a body kick. Gautier with a left hand. Pulyaev lands a body kick followed by a jab. Pulyaev with another stiff body kick. 10-9 Pulyaev, 29-28 Gautier.
> Bantamweights*- #2 Umar Nurmagomedov (19-1, 7-1 UFC) vs. #6 Deiveson Figueiredo (25-5-1, 14-5-1 UFC)
*Figueiredo missed weight by 2.5 pounds
Nurmagomedov lands a leg kick. He lands another. Nurmagomedov with a front kick to the body that backs Figueiredo up. Figueiredo lands a leg kick. Nurmagomedov lands to the body as they clinch up. They separate as Nurmagomedov lands an uppercut. Nurmagomedov with a high kick. Nurmagomedov shoots for a takedown and briefly had it, but Figueredo had neck control and they break apart. Nurmagomedov grabs the body and gets a trip takedown. Nurmagomedov working from the half-guard. Nurmagomedov lands to the body and then to the head. Nurmagomedov with more punches from the top. 10-9 Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov landing kicks and punches to keep Figueiredo at a distance early in the second. Nurmagomedov looks for a takedown, but Figueiredo defends. Nurmagomedov lands a body kick. Figueiredo looks for a takedown, but Nurmagomedov defends. Nurmagomedov with a high kick. They both land right hands in close range, and then Nurmagomedov lands a body kick. Nurmagomedov lands a combo before they clinch up. Figueiredo defends and they both start landing as the round winds down. Figueiredo lands a right hand. Nurmagomedov with a left hand. 10-9 Nurmagomedov, 20-18 Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov lands a body kick. Nurmagomedov is pressing forward and controlling as Figueiredo has thrown no offense in the first 90 seconds of the round. Nurmagomedov gets a takedown and is working from inside the guard of Figueiredo. Nurmagomedov lands some punches and moves to side control, but Figueiredo gets him back inside his full guard. Nurmagomedov transitions and lands from the top. 10-9 Nurmagomedov, 30-27 Nurmagomedov.
Fight Result- Umar Nurmagomedov def. Deiveson Figueiredo by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
MAIN CARD | 9 PM ET/6 PM PT
> Featherweights- #6 Arnold Allen (20-3, 11-2 UFC) vs. #10 Jean Silva (16-3, 5-1 UFC)
Allen lands a pair of kicks. Silva lands to the body. Allen lands a left hand. He lands another left hand. Silva with a right hand to the body as Allen lands a high kick, and they then exchange kicks. Allen with a straight left hand to the body. Silva lands a combination. Allen with a body kick. Silva lands a right hand as Allen is working the jab and lands a left hand. Silva lands a right hook to the body followed by a left hand. Allen lands a left hand but Silva ends the round with a big flurry. 10-9 Silva.
Silva lands a high kick. Silva with an inside leg kick. Silva with another high kick. Silva lands a flurry and gets a brief takedown, but they get up and Allen lands several punches. Silva lands an elbow before they break to the center. Allen lands a left hand, and Silva lands an uppercut. Silva with two right hands, one to the body and one to the head. Allen with a high kick followed by a flying knee. Silva lands a solid combination. They tie up and Allen lands a big knee. Silva lands a right hand as Allen lands a spinning attack. Silva with a series of leg kicks. Allen lands a right hand after blocking a head kick. Silva with a spinning elbow. Allen lands a head kick. 10-9 Allen, 19-19.
They trade short leg kicks. Silva with a high kick. Silva with a body kick, then mixes a combo to the body and head. Silva with a series of right hands. Allen grabs the back as they move to the fence. Allen controls, but Silva is able to keep it on the feet and force a separation. Silva looked for a single leg as he initiates a clinch and lands a pair of elbows. Silva moves to the back and gets a brief takedown. Allen lands a body kick on the feet. Silva with a combo and Allen lands a knee to the body. Allen with a high kick. Silva lands a high kick. Silva lands a head kick then a right hand and then another head kick. 10-9 Silva, 29-28 Silva.
Fight Result- Jean Silva def. Arnold Allen by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
> Women’s Flyweights- #2 Natalia Silva (19-5-1, 7-0 UFC) vs. #6 Rose Namajunas (14-7, 12-6 UFC)
Namajunas lands a leg kick. She lands another. Silva hasn’t landed anything in the first 90 seconds. They trade jabs. Namajunas lands a leg kick as Silva lands a combo. Silva with a right hand. Namajunas lands a leg kick. Namajunas lands a right hand as Silva throws a high kick. Namajunas with a leg kick. Namajunas lands a combination as Silva lands a leg kick. Namajunas with a high kick and lands a spinning back fist. They trade leg kicks. 10-9 Namajunas.
Namajunas lands a leg kick. Namajunas with a jab as Silva throws but misses. Silva lands a leg kick as Namajunas lands a right hand. Silva lands a high body kick. They trade inside the pocket. Namajunas lands a right hand. Silva lands a right hand. They clinch and Silva looks for a trip, but Namajunas stays on her feet as they go to the fence. They briefly scramble to the mat, and Namajunas has control as they stand and are at the fence. Namajunas is able to score a takedown and gets inside the guard of Silva. Namajunas controlling from the top as Silva tries to find an opening. 10-9 Namajunas, 20-18 Namajunas.
Namajunas lands a leg kick as Silva lands a combination. Silva starting to land more punches. Silva with an inside leg kick. Namajunas lands a left hook after faking a takedown attempt. Silva lands a combination. Silva with some leg kicks and a spin kick to the body. Namajunas lands a front kick. Silva lands a high kick. They trade kicks. Silva with a high side kick. They trade inside the pocket. Silva with a side kick to the leg. Silva scores a takedown and is in the half-guard of Namajunas. They get up and both land late in the round. 10-9 Silva, 29-28 Namajunas.
Fight Result- Natalia Silva def. Rose Namajunas by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Heavyweights- #5 Waldo Cortes-Acosta (16-2, 9-2 UFC) vs. #8 Derrick Lewis (29-12 1 NC, 20-10 UFC)
Lewis lands a body kick. Cortes-Acosta lands a leg kick. Lewis lands a high kick. Lewis lands another high kick as Cortes-Acosta is just moving forward but doing nothing on offense. Cortes-Acosta works the jab. Cortes-Acosta lands a leg kick. Cortes-Acosta lands a right hand. Cortes-Acosta catches a Lewis leg kick and scores a takedown, but lets Lewis back to his feet. 10-9 Cortes-Acosta.
Cortes-Acosta lands a right hand as Lewis was coming forward. Cortes-Acosta works the jab. Lewis with a right hand. Cortes-Acosta lands a left hook. Lewis with a left hook. Lewis lands a right hand. Cortes-Acosta lands a shot and Lewis goes down. Cortes-Acosta starts landing big punches and elbows from the top and it is stopped! Big finish from Cortes-Acosta.
Fight Result- Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Derrick Lewis by TKO (punches) at 3:14 of Round 2
> Bantamweights- #3 Sean O’Malley (18-3 1 NC, 10-3 1 NC UFC) vs. #5 Song Yadong (22-8-1 1 NC, 11-3-1 UFC)
Yadong lands a leg kick right away. O’Malley with a body kick and they trade leg kicks. They trade kicks as O’Malley lands a left hand. O’Malley with another left hand. Yadong lands a quick combo and O’Malley counters with a spin kick to the body. O’Malley works the jab. Yadong with a lunging left hand that partially lands. O’Malley with a front kick and Yadong lands a leg kick. They continue to trade kicks often. Yadong with a heavy leg kick before he scores a takedown. O’Malley attacks for a guillotine choke but Yadong is able to get his head free. Yadong lands to the body from the top to end the round. 10-9 O’Malley.
Yadong lands a leg kick. O’Malley with a body kick as Yadong lands a right hand. O’Malley lands a body kick. Yadong with a leg kick. Yadong looks for a takedown as he grabs a leg and they scramble down for a moment before standing. Yadong has back control as O’Malley lands back elbows. Yadong gets it down as O’Malley attacks for a guillotine choke, but Yadong escapes and is inside the guard of O’Malley. They scramble to their feet. 10-9 Yadong, 19-19.
O’Malley lands to the body as Yadong lands a calf kick. Yadong lands another leg kick as O’Malley lands a pair of left hands. Yadong lands a combo. O’Malley with a front kick. They trade jabs. Yadong shoots for a takedown but O’Malley easily defends it. O’Malley works the jab. O’Malley lands a body kick, and both land right hands, with O’Malley landing with more power. O’Malley lands a kick as Yadong is throwing punches. Yadong shoots for a takedown, but O’Malley defends and lands a right hand followed by a nice knee. Yadong is bleeding. O’Malley with a left hand and follows with a right hand. O’Malley lands a right hand and a high kick. Close fight. 10-9 O’Malley, 29-28 O’Malley.
Fight Result- Sean O’Malley def. Song Yadong by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Pimblett lands a right hand. He lands a body kick. Pimblett with a leg kick. He lands another. He lands a left hand but Gaethje lands a counter right hand. Pimblett with a solid right hand followed by a leg kick. Pimblett lands a combo with a knee and lands some more, but Gaethje counters back with some right hands. Gaethje lands a right hand and Pimblett goes down. Gaethje starts landing as he grabs the neck. He backs off and lets Pimblett stand. Pimblett lands an uppercut. Pimblett lands a leg kick. He lands a body kick followed by a left hand. Pimblett lands a small flurry. Gaethje grabs the body against the fence. They break apart. Pimblett lands a calf kick. He lands an uppercut. Pimblett lands another uppercut and Gaethje lands a right hand. Time out is called for an eye poke by Gaethje. They get back going and Pimblett lands some leg kicks. They start teeing off against the fence. Pimblett lands an elbow as they clinch, and also some knees as they break apart. 10-9 Gaethje.
Pimblett lands a left hook and a leg kick. Gaethje lands against the fence and grabs the neck as they go to the mat. Pimblett escapes and they stand. Gaethje lands a stiff jab. Pimblett lands a body kick and stumbles. Gaethje lands a knee as they clinch and both are swinging. Pimblett with an uppercut, but Gaethje fires back with a big combination. They tie up and Pimblett with a knee to the body. They trade knees but separate. Pimblett with some more knees to the body. Gaethje lands a right hand and grabs the front headlock, dragging Pimblett to the mat. They start to scramble and Gaethje hurts Pimblett with a knee, but they both stand. Gaethje lands a right hand and Pimblett goes to his butt. Gaethje lands from the top, mixing elbows and punches. Gaethje jumps back on top and lands big shots to end the round. 10-9 Gaethje, 20-18 Gaethje.
Pimblett works the jab. He lands another followed by a leg kick and a right hand. Gaethje starts to land but Pimblett continues to work the jab and is doing better on offense here. Pimblett lands a body kick then a high kick. Gaethje lands a leg kick. Gaethje with an overhand right. Pimblett lands a body kick. They trade leg kicks. They both land a left hand at the same time. Pimblett comes forward but eats a right hand from Gaethje. Pimblett lands an uppercut and Gaethje lands a leg kick. Time out is called after a groin strike by Pimblett. They get back going and Pimblett is landing more as Gaethje lands a solid jab. Pimblett with some leg kicks. Gaethje lands a flush right hand. They trade jabs. 10-9 Pimblett, 29-28 Gaethje.
They trade big shots and Gaethje hurts Pimblett with a right hand. Gaethje lands a left hook as Pimblett shoots for a takedown. Gaethje has the neck but Pimblett escapes and they stand. Gaethje pushes Pimblett against the fence but they separate. Gaethje lands a big right hand. Gaethje hurts Pimblett with some big punches but Pimblett recovers. Gaethje lands a leg kick. They tie up and Gaethje with some knees and an elbow. Gaethje with an uppercut. They break apart and trade jabs. Pimblett lands a nice sequence but eats a jab from Gaethje. Pimblett lands a right hand. Pimblett with a pair of high kicks. Pimblett lands a combo as they scramble down late and Gaethje lands. 10-9 Gaethje, 39-37 Gaethje.
They trade and Pimblett hurts Gaethje with some shots. Gaethje recovers and lands a huge right hand. They tie up against the fence and Gaethje lands to the body and a right hand as they break. Gaethje with a leg kick. Gaethje lands a jab. Pimblett with an uppercut. Pimblett lands a combo. Pimblett with an uppercut in the clinch. Pimblett shoots for a takedown, but Gaethje defends it. Pimblett pushes it to the fence and lands some knees. They separate and Gaethje lands a big right hand. Pimblett lands a combination. They trade right hands. Pimblett lands a big flurry and Gaethje forces a clinch. Pimblett lands to the body and lands a small flurry on a brief break. Gaethje with a right hand in the clinch. They break apart. They both swing late. 10-9 Pimblett, 48-47 Gaethje.
Fight Result- Justin Gaethje def. Paddy Pimblett by unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46) to win the Interim UFC Lightweight Championship
The main event of UFC 324 will see the interim lightweight championship on the line when Justin Gaethje meets Paddy Pimblett in what will likely be a classic style clash: high volume violence versus opportunistic grappling. The matchup is less about “who is better” and more about who can force the fight into their preferred range for the longest stretches.
Tale of the tape and UFC Stats snapshot
Category
Justin Gaethje
Paddy Pimblett
Record
26-5-0
23-3-0
Height
5’11”
5’10”
Reach
70″
73″
Stance
Orthodox
Orthodox
SLpM (sig strikes landed per min)
6.59
5.19
Striking accuracy
58%
53%
SApM (sig strikes absorbed per min)
7.18
3.14
Striking defense
51%
42%
TD avg (per 15 min)
0.10
0.96
TD accuracy
14%
28%
TD defense
68%
50%
Sub avg (per 15 min)
0.0
1.7
Gaethje pressure striking vs Pimblett distance management
Gaethje’s game is built around forward pressure, leg kicks, and forcing exchanges at a pace most lightweights cannot match for too long. His output at 155 is elite (6.59 SLpM), but the tradeoff here is risk, as he absorbs a massive 7.18 SApM, which tells you his fights are often decided by who handles chaos better.
Pimblett is not a low volume fighter by any means (5.19 SLpM), yet his stats read very differently to his opponent at 234: far fewer strikes absorbed (3.14 SApM) and a lower striking defense rate (42%). That combination often shows a fighter who relies on range, timing, and moments rather than extended pocket trades, which could REALLY help him against a pressure engine like Gaethje.
Pimblett grappling and submission threats vs Gaethje’s get ups
The most important stylistic difference is what happens after the clinch. Pimblett attempts far more takedowns (0.96 per 15) and hunts submissions at a high rate (1.7 per 15).
Gaethje’s wrestling credentials are real, but his style in the octagon has been striker-first throughout his UFC career. His takedown average is tiny (0.10 per 15) and his submission average sits at 0.0, meaning his path is typically damage, not control. The key number for Gaethje is his 68% takedown defense, because if he keeps his hips safe and scrambles quickly, he can drag Pimblett back into the kind of fight that favors his cardio: under fire and combination kicking.
Key stylistic differences that decide the interim lightweight title
Fight phase
Gaethje’s best route
Pimblett’s best route
Open space
Leg kicks, pressure, long combos to force brawls
Circling, jabbing, countering, level changes off exits
Clinch
Dirty boxing to break, then re-enter with volume
Body lock entries, trips, and riding time to slow pace
Ground
Immediate stand ups, deny back takes
Back control, front chokes, and scramble submissions
Pace
Make it a high tempo fight early
Create “breathers” with grappling and control
If Gaethje consistently wins the first layer, keeps solid foot position and constant pressure, then he can turn Pimblett’s longer reach into a non factor and make every exchange costly for the Liverpool native.
If Pimblett can turn even a few of those exchanges into clinches and mat time, he can sap Gaethje’s rhythm and force defensive grappling sequences…where one mistake can end the fight.
UFC 324 is headlined by Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title, and the main card odds paint a clear picture of where the betting market is leaning heading into fight night. Below, you will find the latest UFC 324 main card moneylines (via DraftKings, and always subject to change), plus a quick read on what those numbers imply for each matchup.
UFC 324 main card odds (DraftKings)
Here are the UFC 324 main fight card odds listed by CBS Sports:
Justin Gaethje (+200) vs. Paddy Pimblett (-245)
Sean O’Malley (-210) vs. Song Yadong (+180)
Waldo Cortes-Acosta (-345) vs. Derrick Lewis (+275)
Natalia Silva (-310) vs. Rose Namajunas (+250)
Arnold Allen (+200) vs. Jean Silva (-245)
Justin Gaethje vs Paddy Pimblett odds
Pimblett opens the main event as a solid favorite at -245, with Gaethje coming back at +200. In implied probability terms, -245 suggests roughly a 71% win chance for Pimblett, while +200 implies about 33% for Gaethje (before sportsbook margin).
What that tells you: bettors are pricing Pimblett as the more likely winner, but Gaethje’s underdog tag is not a throwaway. Gaethje has the ability to end fights out of nowhere with his striking, and he is more than capable of doing that here with the Englishman.
Sean O’Malley vs Song Yadong odds
O’Malley is favored at -210, with Song at +180. That roughly translates to about a 68% implied chance for O’Malley versus about 36% for Song.
Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs Derrick Lewis odds
Cortes-Acosta is a strong favorite at -345, while Lewis sits at +275. That is roughly 78% implied for Cortes-Acosta and 27% for Lewis.
In plain English: the market is backing Cortes-Acosta’s consistency, while still respecting Lewis’ reputation as a live underdog who can flip a fight with one big moment.
Natalia Silva vs Rose Namajunas odds
Silva is listed at -310, with Namajunas at +250, implying roughly 76% for Silva and 29% for Namajunas.
Arnold Allen vs Jean Silva odds
Jean Silva is favored at -245, while Allen is +200. Implied probability is similar to the main event: about 71% Silva, about 33% Allen.
Odds are from DraftKings via CBS Sports and can move right up until the opening bell.
One of the UFC’s biggest superstars is back in action as the Octagon returns to the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 313.
The main event sees UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, one of the most exciting and popular fighters in the sport, making his fourth title defense against top contender Magomed Ankalaev. Pereira’s fourth title defense in less than a year sees him looking to extend a five-fight win streak while Ankalaev is unbeaten in his last 13 fights, dating back nearly seven years.
In the co-main event, it’s a rematch of one of the best fights of 2023 as Justin Gaethje battles Rafael Fiziev. Gaethje scored a decision win over Fiziev at UFC 286 in March 2023 while Fiziev steps into this bout on short notice as he replaces Dan Hooker, Gaethje’s originally scheduled opponent.
Also on the main card is a lightweight bout between Jalin Turner and Ignacio Bahamondes; a women’s strawweight bout between ranked fighters Amanda Lemos and Iasmin Lucindo; and a lightweight bout pitting long-time veteran King Green against rising prospect Mauricio Ruffy.
Santos lands a jab then a stiff leg kick. He lands another hard calf kick. Diaz with a leg kick. Santos lands another calf kick. Santos working the jab. Diaz lands a right hand. They trade jabs. Santos with another leg kick. Diaz lands a counter right hand then a leg kick. They trade jabs. They trade right hands. Diaz lands a jab. Diaz with a leg kick and a stiff jab. Diaz lands a combination. Santos lands a flurry against the fence. Santos is chasing Diaz down and landing. Santos lands to the body then the head. 10-9 Santos.
Santos lands a pair of right hands as he pressures Diaz. Diaz lands a jab and Santos lands a combo ending with a leg kick. They trade jabs. Santos with a solid left hand. Santos with a pair of jabs followed by an uppercut. Santos with a leg kick. Diaz lands a combination. Santos lands a right hand. Diaz with a jab then a right hand. Santos looks for a takedown but Diaz shakes him off. They are trading and Diaz is connecting better. Diaz lands a jab. Santos with a right hand. They’re trading in close range and Santos lands a right hand. They trade and Santos with a big right hand. Close round. 10-9 Santos, 20-18 Santos.
They both land right hands. Santos lands a combination. Santos with a leg kick then a combo. Santos with a jab followed by a right hand. Santos lands a right hand. Diaz with a jab. Diaz lands a jab and a right hand. Santos looks more tired. They trade inside the pocket. Santos with a right hand and Diaz lands an inside elbow then an uppercut. Diaz lands to the body. They trade punches. Diaz lands a pair of knees to the body. Santos with an elbow and Diaz lands a big right hand and Santos is hurt. Santos is retreating and Diaz lands as he rushes forward. Diaz with some big punches. Santos lands a right hand and Diaz lands an elbow. Santos lands a left hook. Diaz with an elbow in the clinch. Diaz lands a hard combination. Diaz lands to the body. Santos is still pressing forward despite being gassed. Diaz with a jab. Santos with a combo. Diaz with a head kick but Santos catches it and gets a takedown. Santos ends the fight on top. 10-9 Diaz, 29-28 Santos.
Official Result- Ozzy Diaz def. Djorden Santos by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
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> Featherweights- Mairon Santos (14-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. Francis Marshall (8-2, 2-2 UFC)
They trade in close range. Santos with a right hand. Marshall lands a left hook. Santos lands a combo and Marshall returns fire with a calf kick that trips Santos up. Marshall looks for a takedown as he pushes it against the fence, and Santos defends as they break apart. Marshall lands a leg kick. Santos lands a jab. Marshall with a right hand and they trade leg kicks. Santos lands a pair of leg kicks. Santos with a right hand. Santos with another right hand. Santos with a stiff right hand. Santos with a hard calf kick. Marshall with a leg kick. Santos partially lands a right hand and lands a leg kick. Santos with an uppercut and a leg kick. Marshall lands a left hook and Santos goes to his knees. Santos is chasing the takedown as Marshall is defending and landing. Marshall with lots of punches from the back to end the round. 10-9 Marshall.
They’re trading left hands to start the second. Santos lands a right hand. Santos with a leg kick and Marshall lands a hard counter right hand. Marshall lands another right hand. Santos with a pair of body kicks and Marshall lands a combo. They trade left hooks. Santos lands a jab. Santos with a right hand. Marshall scores a takedown. Santos tries to roll through but Marshall explodes to the back and has back control as they’re on the feet. Marshall is kicking the leg out from under Santos and trips him down, but Santos is getting up. They separate. Santos partially lands a head kick. 10-9 Marshall, 20-18 Marshall.
Marshall lands a right hand and they trade combos in close range. Marshall lands a right hand. They trade right hands. Marshall lands a right hand. Santos is pressing forward and landing more early. Marshall lands a right hand. They trade jabs. Santos with a right hand to the body as Marshall lands a short left hand. They trade in close range and both land left hands. Marshall with a right hand and Santos lands a leg kick. Santos with a jab followed by a right hand. Marshall lands a leg kick. Santos with a right hand. Santos lands another combo. Marshall gets a takedown and ends up on top after they roll. Marshall lands from the top to end it. 10-9 Marshall, 30-27 Marshall.
Official Result- Mairon Santos def. Francis Marshall by split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
> Welterweights- Alex Morono (24-11 1 NC, 13-8 1 NC UFC) vs. Carlos Leal (21-6, 0-1 UFC)
Morono with a hard leg kick. Leal lands a right hand. Morono with a leg kick then a body kick. Leal with a leg kick and they trade punches. They get clinched and Leal lands some elbows as Morono lands some knees before they separate. They trade in close range. Leal lands a left hand then a combo. Leal connects with an overhand right. They are trading big punches against the fence. Leal with a knee then an elbow and Morono is backing up. Leal with a combo and they trade against the fence. Leal lands hard to the body and Morono goes to the mat for a moment. Morono gets up and Leal with knees to the body. Leal landing and they are trading against the fence. Leal with some knees and elbows. Leal with some massive right hands and Morono looks almost out on his feet. Leal is teeing off and it is stopped. What a finish from Leal!
Official Result- Carlos Leal def. Alex Morono by TKO (strikes) at 4:16 of Round 1
Petrosyan lands an inside leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Ferreira lands a big left hook that hurts Petrosyan and follows it up with a right hand. Time out is called for a groin strike by Petrosyan. They get back to action and time out is called again for another groin strike by Petrosyan. Petrosyan has a point taken away and they get back to action. They trade as Ferreira rushes forward. Petrosyan with a leg kick. Ferreira looks for a takedown but Petrosyan defends. Petrosyan lands a leg kick and Ferreira lands a right hand. Petrosyan with two leg kicks. Petrosyan with a high kick then a leg kick. Ferreira comes forward and looks for a takedown against the fence. Ferreira gets it down for a moment but they scramble up. Petrosyan lands a body kick. Petrosyan with a combo. Petrosyan with a jumping knee. Petrosyan lands a left hook. Petrosyan with two high kicks. 9-9 round due to the point deduction.
Petrosyan with a high kick. Ferreira with a right hook. Petrosyan with a leg kick. They trade kicks. Petrosyan lands a combo. Petrosyan lands a body kick. Ferreira with a big right hand. Ferreira with a right hand to the body then a left hook. Petrosyan lands to the body then to the head. Petrosyan with a head kick. Ferreira tries a takedown but Petrosyan defends as they stand. Ferreira with a left hand. Petrosyan lands a body kick. Petrosyan with a right hook then a leg kick. Ferreira mixes some right hooks. Ferreira with a left hook to the body. They trade body kicks. Ferreira gets the takedown. Ferreira landing and Petrosyan grabs the fence. Ferreira has the back and looks for a choke. Ferreira locks in an armbar out of nowhere and gets Petrosyan to tap! Excellent finish from Ferreira.
Official Result- Brunno Ferreira def. Armen Petrosyan by submission (armbar) at 4:27 of Round 2
> Flyweights- Joshua Van (12-2, 5-1 UFC) vs. Rei Tsuruya (10-0, 1-0 UFC)
Van with a jab to the body. Tsuruya shoots for a takedown but Van defends and lands a knee to the body. Tsuruya shoots again and Van defends as they tie up. They trade knees as Van lands to the body. They break apart. Van lands a combo and a body kick. Tsuruya looks for a takedown but Van is defending and landing as he does. They separate. Tsuruya tries for another takedown but Van defends again. Van with a high kick. Van connects with a right hand. Tsuruya tries for a takedown and they scramble to the mat. Tsuruya is inside the guard of Van but Van is able to scramble to his feet. Van lands a left hand. Van with a head kick and Tsuruya grabs it to score a takedown. They get right up. Van with an elbow as they break. 10-9 Van.
They tie up and Tsuruya is chasing takedowns but Van is defending. They scramble and Van is able to remain on his feet. Van lands a right hand. Tsuruya trying to take it down again but Van defends. Tsuruya does get a throw takedown and is in side control. They scramble to the feet. Tsuruya lands a left hand. Van swings and Tsuruya continues to look for a takedown. Van defends and they break. They trade punches. Van lands to the body. Van with a front kick to the body and lands a right hand. Van lands an elbow. Van lands a right hand. Van lands a knee and Tsuruya lands a spinning elbow. 10-9 Van, 20-18 Van.
Van lands an elbow and Tsuruya slips. Van pressing forward and lands a kick as Tsuruya connects with some punches. Tsuruya shoots for a takedown but Van is defending them all. Van with some punches as he sprawls the takedown attempts. Tsuruya pushes it against the fence but Van breaks it apart. Tsuruya shoots and Van sprawls. Tsuruya with a combo. Van lands to the body. Tsuruya lands a knee. Van with a groin strike and a time out is called. They get back going. Tsuruya goes for a takedown and Van is defending by landing punches. Van lands a lot of left hands to the body as Tsuruya is chasing the takedown. They break apart. Tsuruya with a body kick. Van with a combo and Tsuruya just misses a spinning back fist. Van with two body kicks. Tsuruya lands a left hand. Van with a body kick and Tsuruya goes down saying it was a groin strike. It was called a legal strike and action immediately restarts. Van lands a left hand and then a combo and another left hand. Van with a left hand that stumbles Tsuruya. 10-9 Van, 30-27 Van.
Official Result- Joshua Van def. Rei Tsuruya by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
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> Lightweights- King Green (32-16-1 1 NC, 13-11-1 1 NC UFC) vs. Mauricio Ruffy (11-1, 2-0 UFC)
Green with a leg kick and a body kick. Ruffy lands a jab. Ruffy lands a big right hand that stuns Green. Green lands a right hand and a leg kick. Ruffy then lands a spinning wheel kick that connects to the side of Green’s head and Green goes out cold! What a head kick from Ruffy!
Official Result- Mauricio Ruffy def. Bobby Green by knockout (wheel kick) at 2:07 of Round 1
Lemos with a hard leg kick. Lemos lands a right hand and they tie up against the fence. Lemos drags it down to the mat. Lemos controlling from the top but there is not much action going on. Lemos remains on top as Lucindo didn’t land a single significant strike in the round and Lemos landed few. 10-9 Lemos.
They’re feeling each other out. Lemos lands a leg kick. Lemos grabs the body and pushes it against the fence. Lemos controlling and foot sweeps Lucindo to the mat. Lemos controlling from the top. Lucindo trying to set something up from the bottom and looking for an arm, but Lemos escapes and remains on top. Lemos with an elbow from the top. Lucindo still has yet to land a significant strike. Lemos lands and stands. 10-9 Lemos, 20-18 Lemos.
They actually start trading to start the third and both connect. They tie up and Lucindo scores a takedown. Lucindo goes to side control but is just controlling and not landing. They get up and Lemos immediately takes it down. There is nothing happening. This was terrible. 10-9 Lucindo, 29-28 Lemos.
Official Result- Amanda Lemos def. Iasmin Lucindo by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
They trade right away as Bahamondes lands an inside leg kick. They trade punches. Bahamondes with a high kick. Bahamondes with a leg kick and Turner lands a combo ending with a body kick. They scramble to the mat and Turner ends up on top and lands an elbow as Bahamondes establishes full guard. Turner lands a couple of punches from the top. Bahamondes looks for a triangle choke from the bottom. It looks on tight and Turner taps! Big win for Bahamondes!
Official Result- Ignacio Bahamondes def. Jalin Turner by submission (triangle choke) at 2:29 of Round 1
> Lightweights- #3 Justin Gaethje (25-5, 8-5 UFC) vs. #11 Rafael Fiziev (12-3, 6-3 UFC)
Fiziev lands a leg kick. Gaethje lands a kick and Fiziev is able to score a takedown. They scramble up and Fiziev lands a pair of knees on the break. Fiziev gets another takedown and lands an elbow from the top. Fiziev with hammerfists from the top. Gaethje is able to scramble to his feet. Fiziev with a left hand. Gaethje lands a right hand. Fiziev with a leg kick. They tie up. Fiziev lands a few knees and Gaethje lands to the body before they break. Fiziev with a body kick and a left hand then another body kick. They tie up and Gaethje lands as they break. Gaethje lands a right hand. Gaethje looks for a takedown and lands a right hand as they break. 10-9 Fiziev.
They trade and Fiziev lands a groin strike and time out is called. They get back to action. Fiziev connects with a right hand. Gaethje lands a right hand. Gaethje lands another right hand and then a quick combo inside the pocket. Fiziev with a high kick. Gaethje lands a right hand. Fiziev lands a body kick then a glancing head kick and a right hand. Gaethje lands a right hand. Fiziev with a leg kick and a knee up the middle. Gaethje lands a right hand. Gaethje with a right hand as they break a brief clinch. Fiziev lands a knee. Gaethje drops Fiziev with an uppercut and starts landing from the top. Fiziev trying to sprawl to recover. Gaethje landing but Fiziev is recovering. They stand and separate as Gaethje lands a right hand. 10-9 Gaethje, 19-19.
Gaethje lands an uppercut. He lands another. Gaethje lands a right hand and Fiziev lands a counter left hand. Fiziev with a hard body kick. Fiziev with a series of body kicks. Gaethje with a left hand then an uppercut. Gaethje with a head kick and he rolls away out of trouble. Fiziev lands to the body. They clinch and Gaethje lands a right hand on the break. Gaethje lands a right hand. Gaethje lands a head kick after they trade in a tie up. Gaethje with some right hands. He lands a right hand. Gaethje with another big right hand. They clinch and Fiziev with some short knees. Gaethje lands a right hand as they break. Gaethje with an uppercut. Gaethje with a big head kick. Gaethje with a combo inside the pocket. Fiziev lands a knee. Great fight. 10-9 Gaethje, 29-28 Gaethje.
Official Result- Justin Gaethje def. Rafael Fiziev by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> UFC Light Heavyweight Championship- C Alex Pereira (12-2, 9-1 UFC) vs. #1 Magomed Ankalaev (20-1-1 1 NC, 11-1-1 1 NC UFC)
Pereira with a switch leg kick. Pereira with another round of leg kicks. Pereira with another leg kick. Ankalaev lands a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. They have a quick exchange as Ankalaev lands a high kick. Ankalaev with a leg kick. Pereira with a high kick then a leg kick. Ankalaev lands a leg kick and Pereira fires one back. Pereira with a body kick then a leg kick. Ankalaev with a front kick. Pereira lands a leg kick. Ankalaev looks for a takedown against the fence but Pereira defends it as the round ends. 10-9 Pereira.
Ankalaev pushing forward and lands a left hand. Ankalaev with a body kick. Pereira lands a high question mark kick. Ankalaev with a body kick then a leg kick and then another leg kick. Pereira lands a right hand. Ankalaev lands a right hand. Pereira with a leg kick. Pereira with a head kick. Ankalaev lands a left hand and Pereira backs up. Ankalaev with a right hook. Ankalaev lands a combo and Pereira with a left hook. Ankalaev lands a left hand. Pereira with a calf kick as Ankalaev lands a left hand. Ankalaev lands in close range. Ankalaev hurts Pereira with a left hand. 10-9 Ankalaev, 19-19.
Ankalaev lands a leg kick. Ankalaev with a body kick. Pereira lands a body kick. They trade leg kicks. Ankalaev with a front kick to the body. Pereira lands a leg kick. Ankalaev shoots for a takedown but Pereira defends. Pereira with a pair of leg kicks. Ankalaev lands a knee to the body. Pereira lands a combination. Pereira with more leg kicks. Ankalaev lands a jab. Pereira lands a leg kick. Close round. 10-9 Ankalaev, 29-28 Ankalaev.
Ankalaev looks for a takedown as he ties up. Pereira with short punches as Ankalaev lands some knees. Ankalaev lands to the body as he’s trying to get it down, but Pereira is keeping it on the feet. Pereira tries to escape but Ankalaev keeps the pressure on. Pereira lands a knee. They are separated by Marc Goddard. Pereira lands a jab and a leg kick. Ankalaev pushes it against the fence again. Ankalaev with some knees and a short uppercut. They trade knees. 10-9 Ankalaev, 39-37 Ankalaev.
Ankalaev with a body kick. Ankalaev lands a right hand. Ankalaev with a left hand. Pereira with a left hook. They trade leg kicks. Pereira with a leg kick then a head kick and Ankalaev is backing up. Pereira with another leg kick. Pereira lands a jab and a leg kick. Pereira with a stiff jab and another head kick. Ankalaev looks for a takedown but Pereira defends. Ankalaev has the back and lands a knee. Ankalaev holding onto the back of Pereira as the fight ends. Close fight. 10-9 Pereira, 48-47 Ankalaev.
Official Result- Magomed Ankalaev def. Alex Pereira by unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47) to win the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
It’s a historic night for the UFC as the Octagon returns to the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 300, an action-packed card featuring a record 12 former or current UFC champions on the card, capped by three title fights.
The main event sees UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira making his first title defense against Jamahal Hill, a former champion who vacated due to injury before being able to defend it. There is added heat and a revenge factor to the fight as Hill beat Pereira’s head coach and mentor, Glover Teixeira, for the title.
In the co-main event, it will be the first-ever UFC title fight with two Chinese women as UFC women’s strawweight champion Zhang Weili defends against Yan Xiaonan. Weili is coming off a title defense over Amanda Lemos in August while Xiaonan has won eight of her ten UFC bouts.
The third title fight sees the ceremonial BMF Championship on the line in what could be an all-time classic as current title holder Justin Gaethje faces Max Holloway. UFC Hall of Famer Mark Coleman, who recently saved his parents from a house fire, will present the championship to the winner.
Among other stories on the loaded card:
Bo Nickal looks to remain undefeated when he gets a prime main card spot against Cody Brundage.
Former two-time U.S. Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison makes her much-anticipated UFC debut, taking on former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm.
Jim Miller completes the trifecta, becoming the only fighter to compete at UFC 100, UFC 200 and UFC 300. He also is looking to make it 3-0 in those bouts.
Garbrandt with a pair of leg kicks. He lands another hard calf kick. Garbrandt lands a left hook as Figueiredo lands a calf kick. Garbrandt lands a right hand then a leg kick. Figueiredo lands a body kick as Garbrandt throws a wheel kick. Garbrandt with a calf kick. They trade kicks. Garbrandt lands a left hand and Figueiredo tries to pull guard but they scramble up. Garbrandt lands a combo. Figueiredo lands a left hand. Garbrandt lands a right hand. Figueiredo gets a late takedown but they scramble up and Figueiredo lands a right hand on the way up. 10-9 Garbrandt.
Garbrandt lands a right hand. Figueiredo looks for a takedown and takes the back, but Figueiredo is able to trip it to the mat. Figueiredo has the back and flattens Garbrandt out. Figueiredo with some right hands from the back and now looks for an arm-triangle choke. He has it locked in and Garbrandt is fighting it. He lets go and lands a right hand. Garbrandt tries to explode out from the bottom but Figueiredo gets the mount. Figueiredo gets the back and has the body triangle in and locks in a rear-naked choke. Garbrandt taps! Awesome work from Figueiredo on the mat to get the submission.
Official Result- Deiveson Figueiredo def. Cody Garbrandt by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:02 of Round 2
> Lightweights- #14 Bobby Green (31-15-1 1 NC, 12-10-1 1 NC UFC) vs. Jim Miller (37-17 1 NC, 26-16 1 NC UFC)
Green with a front kick to the body and lands a right hand. Green with a combo and Miller lands a left hand. Miller lands a right hand. Green with a body kick. Green with a combination. Green with a jab. Green lands a body kick then a leg kick and right hand. Miller lands a leg kick as Green lands a left hand. Green lands a pair of left hands. Green with a right hand as Miller lands a leg kick. They trade left hands. Miller with a leg kick. Miller stuns Green with a left hand and Green retreats. Miller landing left hands and Green lands a knee. Green with a flying knee. 10-9 Miller.
They trade to start the second. Both land in close range. Green lands a combination. Miller with a head kick. Green landing with more volume as he is landing in close range. Green picking up the volume as Miller is busted up. Miller with some leg kicks as Green lands a right hand. Miller is bleeding badly from under his right eye. Green lands a right hand as Miller lands a body kick. Green with a combination. 10-9 Green, 19-19.
Green landing lots of early punches. Miller lands a right hand. Green lands a combination and Miller lands a left hand. Green with another combo. They trade kicks. They trade punches. Green with a combo and Miller lands a right hand. Miller is still bleeding badly from his eye. Green with a flurry of punches. Green lands a big right hand. Miller lands a pair of left hands and they clinch. They separate. Miller with a leg kick. They trade punches. Miller lands a big left hand then Green hurts Miller and Miller goes to the mat. Green is landing from the top as Miller is trying to sprawl. Green with right hands as they stand. Green gets a takedown and lands from the top as the fight ends. 10-8 Green, 29-27 Green.
Official Result- Bobby Green def. Jim Miller by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-25, 29-26)
Rodriguez lands a right hand as Andrade lands a leg kick. Rodriguez with a body kick. Andrade lands a leg kick. Andrade with a pair of leg kicks. Rodriguez lands a combo then a front kick. They trade leg kicks. Rodriguez lands a right hand. Rodriguez with a hard leg kick. Rodriguez with a combination. Andrade with a leg kick. Rodriguez lands a high kick but slips to the mat. Andrade gets on top and lands some punches before getting the half-guard. Andrade with some left hands. Andrade stands up. Andrade spins to get back inside the guard of Rodriguez. Andrade lands from the top before getting to side control. Rodriguez looks for a D’Arce choke from the bottom but Andrade escapes and continues to land from the top. 10-9 Andrade.
Rodriguez lands a right hand and Andrade with a leg kick. They trade punches. Andrade lands a combination. Rodriguez lands a right hand. Rodriguez lands another right hand. Andrade with more leg kicks. Andrade lands to the body as Rodriguez lands a combination. Rodriguez landing more punches inside the pocket. They clinch and Rodriguez lands on the break. Rodriguez with another combination. Andrade lands a quick flurry. Andrade lands a right hand. Rodriguez is retreating away. Rodriguez lands a knee as they clinch. Andrade with some big right hands. Andrade lands a combo and Rodriguez is circling away and hurt. Rodriguez lands some knees. 10-9 Andrade, 20-18 Andrade.
Andrade with some leg kicks. Rodriguez lands a spinning back fist. Andrade with more leg kicks and Rodriguez lands a right hand. Rodriguez with some big combinations. They trade and Andrade grabs a leg and scores a takedown. They get to their feet and Andrade lands a right hand against the fence. Rodriguez lands a right hand. Rodriguez lands another right hand then a combination. Andrade with a few leg kicks. Rodriguez tries a flying knee but Andrade grabs the leg. Rodriguez looks for a standing guillotine choke. She lets go and they trade combinations. Rodriguez with a combo. Andrade with a hard leg kick and Rodriguez goes down for a moment then lands. They clinch and trade at the end. 10-9 Rodriguez, 29-28 Andrade.
Official Result- Jessica Andrade def. Marina Rodriguez by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Moicano with a body kick. Turner lands a body kick that hurts Moicano. They clinch but separate. Moicano is looking for the takedown. He is able to get it to the mat. Moicano working from the top looking to set up a choke. Moicano landing from the top. Turner is able to get to his feet and they break. Turner with a high kick that Moicano blocks. Moicano lands to the body. Turner drops Moicano with a left hand and walks away, which lets Moicano up. 10-9 Turner.
Turner lands a right hand. They trade in close range. Moicano lands a right hand. Moicano is able to get a takedown. Moicano is working from the top and landing as Turner is unable to do much on the bottom. Moicano turns Turner away from the fence. Moicano gets the mount and is landing a big flurry. Turner is covering up as Moicano is reigning down a lot of left hands and it is stopped! What a comeback from Moicano to get the finish!
Official Result- Renato Moicano def. Jalin Turner by TKO (punches) at 4:11 of Round 2
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> Featherweights- #13 Sodiq Yusuff (13-3, 6-2 UFC) vs. Diego Lopes (23-6, 2-1 UFC)
Lopes with a pair of calf kicks. They clinch and Lopes drops Yusuff with an uppercut and starts landing from the top trying to finish. They get to their feet and Lopes drops Yusuff again. Lopes gets on top and starts landing and Yusuff gives up his back and Lopes continues to land until it is finished. Lopes with an absolute thrashing.
Official Result- Diego Lopes def. Sodiq Yusuff by TKO (punches) at 1:29 of Round 1
> Women’s Bantamweights- #5 Holly Holm (15-6 1 NC, 8-6 1 NC UFC) vs. Kayla Harrison (16-1, 0-0 UFC)
Harrison lands a jab. Harrison with an inside leg kick. They trade and clinch and Harrison gets a big judo throw takedown, but Holm is able to reverse to the top. Harrison works her way to the feet and they remain clinched with Harrison landing a knee. Holm tries for a takedown but Harrison is on top. Harrison stands and lands some big punches. Harrison in the half-guard and landing big punches. Harrison with big left hands from the mount and lands a few elbows now. Harrison with punches from the top. Harrison with lots of big shots from the top. Harrison ends the round on top. 10-9 Harrison.
Holm with a side kick. Harrison lands a head kick and looks for a takedown as she grabs the neck. Harrison lands a knee as she lets go of the neck. Harrison gets a takedown and quickly gets the mount. Holm gives up her back. Harrison locks in a rear-naked choke and Holm taps! Complete domination from Harrison in her debut.
Official Result- Kayla Harrison def. Holly Holm by submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:47 of Round 2
Sterling lands some leg kicks. Kattar lands a jab. Sterling continues to land leg kicks and lands a few punches. Sterling gets a takedown against the fence. Sterling lands as he is looking to take the back. They get to their feet as Sterling still has the back and Sterling gets it back down and still has the back. They get to their feet. Sterling gets a takedown and ends in side control. 10-9 Sterling.
They clinch right up after Sterling lands some leg kicks. Sterling is looking for a takedown against the fence. Sterling holding Kattar down but they get up and Sterling still has the body lock. Sterling with some knees against the fence as they’re tied up. They separate. Sterling lands a leg kick then scores a big takedown. Sterling ends the round in side control. 10-9 Sterling, 20-18 Sterling.
Sterling with a leg kick and tries for a takedown as he gets the back. Sterling gets a takedown against the fence and is keeping Kattar pinned against the fence. They scramble up and Sterling lands a power bomb on Kattar and starts landing punches from the top. Sterling with some elbows to the body. Sterling in side control and lands to the body and head as the fight ends. 10-9 Sterling, 30-27 Sterling.
Official Result- Aljamain Sterling def. Calvin Kattar by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Light Heavyweights- #2 Jiri Prochazka (29-4-1, 3-1 UFC) vs. #5 Aleksandar Rakic (14-3, 6-2 UFC)
They trade leg kicks. Rakic with more leg kicks. Rakic with more leg kicks and lands a right hand. Prochazka lands a left hand and Rakic lands a right hand. Rakic with a leg kick. Rakic with a hard leg kick and lands another. Prochazka lands a left hand. Rakic with more leg kicks. Rakic lands a right hand. Rakic lands a right hand. Prochazka with a body kick. Prochazka lands a high kick. Prochazka lands a big right hand and Rakic is hurt. Rakic lands an uppercut then a right hand. Rakic with a right hand. 10-9 Rakic.
Rakic lands a right hand. Prochazka with a high kick. Rakic lands a right hand. Rakic lands a right hand. Rakic with a jab. Prochazka lands a jab and Rakic lands a right hand. Prochazka with a head kick and they trade big shots inside the pocket. Rakic with a knee to the body and a left hand. Prochazka with a big right hand and Rakic is hurt and retreating. Prochazka with a big knee then a flurry. Prochazka throws Rakic to the mat and starts landing from the top. Prochazka with big elbows and punches from the top and it is stopped! What a massive finish from Prochazka!
Official Result- Jiri Prochazka def. Aleksandar Rakic by TKO (strikes) at 3:17 of Round 2
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> Middleweights- Bo Nickal (5-0, 2-0 UFC) vs. Cody Brundage (10-5, 4-4 UFC)
Brundage with a body kick. Both are throwing big punches. Nickal gets a brief takedown but they scramble up. Nickal has the back of Brundage against the fence. Nickal puts Brundage on his knees as he has back control. Nickal is looking for a choke. He lets go. Nickal gets the mount and lands some big elbows. Nickal has the back and Brundage is taunting him. They make it to the end of the first. 10-9 Nickal.
Nickal with a body kick. Brundage tries a kick and Nickal catches it but Brundage shakes him off. Nickal gets a takedown and has the back. Nickal looks for a choke but Brundage spins out. Nickal gets the mount. Both are landing on the mat. Nickal lands and Brundage gives up is back. Nickal with right hands from the back. Nickal locks in a rear-naked choke and Brundage quickly taps. Nickal gets the win in dominant fashion.
Official Result- Bo Nickal def. Cody Brundage by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:38 of Round 2
> Lightweights- #1 Charles Oliveira (34-9 1 NC, 22-9 1 NC UFC) vs. #4 Arman Tsarukyan (21-3, 8-2 UFC)
They trade leg kicks and Tsarukyan lands a right hand. Oliveira lands a leg kick that trips Tsarukyan up. Oliveira grabs the neck in the sprawl position. Oliveira locks in a guillotine choke and it is in tight. Tsarukyan pops his head out but Oliveira ends up in the mount and lands an elbow. Oliveira working from the top but Tsarukyan is able to reverse to the top. Tsarukyan with a big elbow from the top. Oliveira landed an illegal upkick as they were on the ground and we have a timeout. They get back to action and Tsarukyan lands an elbow from the top. Oliveira reverses and they get to their feet and Oliveira lands a knee. Close round. 10-9 Oliveira.
Tsarukyan with a body kick. Tsarukyan lands a jab and Oliveira lands a nice right hand. Tsarukyan lands a combo. Tsarukyan with an axe kick. Tsarukyan tries for a takedown but they scramble to the feet. Tsarukyan pushes Oliveira against the fence. Tsarukyan gets the takedown. Tsarukyan with an elbow from the top and Oliveira throws a pair of elbows on the bottom. Oliveira is cut open as Tsarukyan lands more elbows from the top. Tsarukyan with some ground-and-pound late. 10-9 Tsarukyan, 19-19.
Oliveira lands a right hand. They tie up and Tsarukyan pushes it to the fence. Oliveira with a knee to the body and Tsarukyan lands an elbow as they break. Tsarukyan with a leg kick. Tsarukyan shoots for a takedown but Oliveira defends. Tsarukyan with a jab. Oliveira with a body kick. Tsarukyan lands a high kick. Tsarukyan scores a takedown. Tsarukyan working from the top and takes the back of Oliveira. Oliveira slips out and is looking for a choke. Oliveira has a D’Arce choke locked in. Tsarukyan gives a thumbs up and survives. Close fight. 10-9 Oliveira, 29-28 Oliveira.
Official Result- Arman Tsarukyan def. Charles Oliveira by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
> BMF Championship- C Justin Gaethje (25-4, 8-4 UFC) vs. #2 FW Max Holloway (25-7, 21-7 UFC)
Gaethje with a leg kick. Holloway lands a leg kick. Gaethje with some hard calf kicks. Gaethje connects with a right hand. Holloway with an uppercut and a left hook hurts Gaethje. They trade leg kicks. Holloway with a right hand to the body. Gaethje with a hard leg kick. Holloway with an uppercut. Gaethje with a leg kick and Holloway counters with a right hand. Gaethje lands a right hand. Holloway lands a spin kick to the body. 10-9 Holloway.
Holloway peppering some short leg kicks. Gaethje lands a left hook. Holloway with a leg kick then a high kick. He lands a body kick. Gaethje lands a leg kick. They both swing and we have a timeout for an eye poke. They get back to action and trade body kicks. Holloway with a right hand to the body. Gaethje with a jab to the body. Holloway fires a combination. Gaethje lands a right hand followed by a leg kick. Gaethje lands a right hand and there’s another eye poke. They get back to action. Gaethje with a leg kick. Holloway lands a right hand. Holloway with a spin kick. They connect late. 10-9 Holloway, 20-18 Holloway.
They trade leg kicks. Holloway with a body kick. Gaethje lands a leg kick. Gaethje lands a right hand and Holloway lands a left hook. Holloway lands a leg kick. Gaethje lands a left hook. Holloway lands a stiff right hand then a spin kick to the body. Holloway hurts Gaethje with a combination. Gaethje lands and lands a hard leg kick. Holloway with a body kick. Holloway with another spin kick. Holloway lands an uppercut. Gaethje with a leg kick and Holloway lands a right hand to the body. Holloway lands a right hand. Holloway with a body kick. 10-9 Holloway, 30-27 Holloway.
Holloway with a leg kick then a pair of front kicks. Holloway lands a right hand to the body then a body kick. Gaethje with a solid combination. Gaethje lands a solid right hand. Gaethje lands a stiff jab. Holloway hurts Gaethje with a right hand. Gaethje lands a combination. Holloway partially lands an uppercut. Holloway lands a right hand. They trade leg kicks. Holloway with a knee to the body. Gaethje knocks Holloway down to his knees for a second with a right hand. They trade right hands. Gaethje lands a right hand and body kick. 10-9 Gaethje, 39-37 Holloway.
Holloway with a body kick. Holloway lands a combo. Holloway lands a hard spin kick to the body. Gaethje with a leg kick. Holloway lands a big right hand and Gaethje is hurt. Holloway is pouring it on and Gaethje is covering up. Holloway lands to the body against the fence and Gaethje lands a right hand. Holloway with a spin kick to the body. Holloway lands a right hand. Gaethje with a left hand. Holloway with a left to the body followed by a right hand. Gaethje lands a right hand. Holloway with a spin kick. Gaethje lands a jab. Holloway with a body kick. They start swinging for the fences and both connect and Holloway lands a massive right hand that puts Gaethje out cold right before the buzzer. What a finish from Holloway! One of the craziest knockouts in UFC history.
Official Result- Max Holloway def. Justin Gaethje by knockout (punch) at 4:59 of Round 5 to win the BMF Championship
> UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship- C Zhang Weili (24-3, 8-2 UFC) vs. #1 Yan Xiaonan (17-3 1 NC, 8-2 UFC)
Xiaonan lands a right hand. Weili with a calf kick. Weili looks for a body kick but Xiaonan grabs the leg and lands a pair of right hands before they clinch. They separate. Weili lands a leg kick and they both swing wildly. Weili lands a left hand and Xiaonan gets a takedown. They get to their feet. Xiaonan lands a left hook and Weili stumbles but collects herself. Weili with a high kick. Weili lands a body kick followed by a spinning back fist. Weili lands a right hand and gets a big throw takedown. Weili gets the back and lands some punches. Weili has a choke locked in but Xiaonan looked to survive the round. She looked out as the horn sounded and Weili let the choke go. 10-8 Weili.
They trade and Weili gets the back and scores a takedown and has the back. Weili with some right hands but Xiaonan spins and Weili stands. Weili gets back on top and they transition around and Weili is in side control. Weili lands a few elbows. Xiaonan gives up her back and Weili flattens her out. Weili with big punches and is looking for the choke. Weili with lots of punches. Weili gets on top and locks in an arm-triangle choke. Xiaonan escapes and is able to get on top. They get to their feet. They trade right hands. 10-9 Weili, 20-17 Weili.
Xiaonan lands a side kick to the body. Xiaonan lands a right hand. Xiaonan lands and Weili drops to the mat. Xiaonan landing leg kicks as Weili is throwing upkicks. Xiaonan with more leg kicks until Weili is ordered to her feet. Weili lands a body kick and Xiaonan lands a leg kick. Xiaonan lands a right hand and Weili goes to a knee looking for a takedown. Xiaonan gets the takedown and is in the half-guard. Weili kicks Xiaonan off and they get to their feet. Xiaonan gets a takedown after sweeping the leg. They stand and separate. Xiaonan lands a side kick. Weili lands a right hand and Xiaonan with a knee to the body. 10-9 Xiaonan, 29-27 Weili.
Xiaonan lands a right hand. Xiaonan drops Weili to her butt with a right hand though Weili gets right up. Weili looks for a takedown and Xiaonan about reversed it but Weili ends up with back control. Weili lands a knee. Weili with left hands. Weili has the back and lands some left hands. Xiaonan grabbed the fence. Weili with punches from the back and flattens Xiaonan out. Weili continues to land from the back. 10-9 Weili, 39-36 Weili.
Weili with a head kick. Xiaonan lands an inside leg kick. Weili gets a takedown. They scramble to their feet. Weili lands a right hand and scores another takedown. Weili is working from the half-guard. Weili lands and gets the back of Xiaonan. Xiaonan spins and Weili is now on top and landing. Weili landing to the body then mixes to the head as the fight ends. 10-9 Weili, 49-45 Weili.
Official Result- Zhang Weili def. Yan Xiaonan by unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 49-45) to retain the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship
> UFC Light Heavyweight Championship- C Alex Pereira (9-2, 6-1 UFC) vs. #1 Jamahal Hill (12-1 1 NC, 6-1 1 NC UFC)
Pereira with a leg kick. Hill with a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Pereira with a body kick and Hill lands a right hand. Hill with a pair of leg kicks. Pereira lands a jab. Hill with a high kick that Pereira blocks. Hill with a body kick. Hill with a pair of kicks. Pereira drops Hill with a left hand and starts landing hammerfists and it is all over! What a finish from Pereira!
Official Result- Alex Pereira def. Jamahal Hill by knockout (punches) at 3:14 of Round 1 to retain the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
The third installment in my Josh Nason’s Punch-Out four-part MMA year in review series rolls on with a look at July, August & September 2023.
Joining me as always is Paul Fontaine of the In The Clinch podcast, The Dynamite Show, and wrestling TV ratings writer for this very website.
It was a month of big business for the UFC as they held four pay-per-views from Las Vegas, Utah, Boston, and Australia that generated over $30 million in gate revenue.
The quarter saw Sean Strickland upset Israel Adesanya for the UFC middleweight title, Alexandre Pantoja win his first UFC flyweight title, and Sean O’Malley finally climb to the top of the UFC bantamweight mountain.
Robbie Lawler retired in spectacular fashion, there was a major development in the Cung Le vs. UFC class action lawsuit, the UFC held their first-ever Noche UFC event to big acclaim, and tons more.
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
The ceremonial BMF title has been revived by the UFC.
Announced Tuesday night, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje will fight for what they are calling the “vacant” title at UFC 291 on Saturday, July 29th in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The belt (short for “Baddest Motherf*cker”) was first competed for at UFC 244 in November 2019 in a fight between Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz. The Rock presented the belt to Masvidal after he picked up the victory.
Masvidal never defended the title even though he said as recently as last month that he would be interested in doing so. He said he was retiring after a loss to Gilbert Burns in April.
Poirier last fought in November 2022, picking up a win over Michael Chandler in a fight of the year candidate. He first fought Gaethje in April 2018, picking up a fourth round TKO win.
Gaethje was last seen defeating Rafael Fiziev by majority decision in March.
The co-main event for the pay-per-view will feature former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz take on former UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira as the latter competes at 205 pounds for the first time.
The event will also feature Tony Ferguson who has been in the news after being arrested for a DUI, Derrick Lewis, Michael Chiesa, Paulo Costa and Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson.
The Octagon is back at the O2 Arena in London, England, for Saturday’s UFC 286 — the first UFC pay-per-view to be held in England since October 2016.
UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards makes his first title defense in his home country as he looks to end the trilogy with the man he defeated for the title in Kamaru Usman. Edwards scored the massive upset at August’s UFC 278 while Usman won their first clash.
In the co-main event, arguably the most exciting fighter currently on the UFC roster, Justin Gaethje, battles another violent striker in Rafael Fiziev. The main card also features Gunnar Nelson vs. Bryan Barberena, Jennifer Maia vs. undefeated prospect Casey O’Neill, and Marvin Vettori vs. Roman Dolidze in the main card opener.
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> Women’s Flyweights- Juliana Miller (3-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. Veronica Hardy (6-4-1, 1-4 UFC)
Hardy with a leg kick to start. She lands a couple more then starts landing punches. Hardy knocks Miller to her butt for a brief second. Miller recovers and lands a few. They clinch and Hardy lands some punches while Miller lands a knee on the break. Hardy with a leg kick. Hardy lands some left hands. Hardy with a leg kick and Miller lands a counter left. Miller lands a nice right hand. They trade in close range and Hardy landed the better punches. They clinch with Miller pushing it against the fence. They go to the mat and Hardy lands from the top. Miller attacks the arm but Hardy escapes. They get to their feet before time runs out. 10-9 Hardy.
They both land and clinch against the fence. Miller tries for a takedown but Hardy ends up on top. Miller is attacking the arm again. She almost had it in but Hardy spins out and lands some left hands. Hardy working from the half-guard and landing some left hands and elbows. They get to their feet. Miller with a leg kick. They tie up and go to the mat and Miller is looking for the arm again. Hardy lands some elbows and looks to take the back as the round ends. 10-9 Hardy, 20-18 Hardy.
Hardy with a side kick. Miller lands a left hand as she charges in and Hardy grabs the back against the fence and scores a takedown. Miller is trying for a kimura. Hardy escapes and lands some punches. Miller now looks for a leg but Hardy is landing some hard body shots. Miller lets go of the leg. They get to their feet. They go back to the mat as Miller is looking for the arm again. Hardy escapes and stands. Hardy with some leg kicks as Miller gets to her feet. Hardy lands a left hand and scores a takedown. Hardy gets to her feet and Miller stands. Hardy lands a massive head kick that rocks Miller. Hardy grabs the body lock against the fence. Hardy gets another takedown and ends the fight landing from the top. 10-9 Hardy, 30-27 Hardy.
Official Result- Veronica Hardy def. Juliana Miller by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Lightweights- Jai Herbert (12-4, 2-3 UFC) vs. Ludovit Klein (19-4, 3-2 UFC)
Herbert with a head kick. Herbert with another high kick. Klein gets a takedown. Herbert looking for an armbar from the bottom. Klein gets to his feet and Herbert lands some upkicks. They get to their feet and trade kicks and Klein is cut open. They trade and clinch where Herbert lands a knee. They’re trading punches. Klein with a leg kick. 10-9 Herbert.
They’re trading to start the second and Klein is getting the better of it. They clinch for a moment but break and then start to trade leg kicks. Herbert lands a leg kick and Klein shoots for a takedown against the fence. Klein lands an elbow on a break. Klein with a combo. Klein with a left hand and Herbert lands a high kick. Close round. 10-9 Klein, 19-19.
Klein with a high kick. Herbert lands a knee then a high kick. Klein with a leg kick as Herbert is against the fence. Klein lands a combo and they tie up. We have a timeout for a low blow by Herbert. Klein lands a knee to the body as they return to action. Both trade inside the pocket. Herbert lands a knee to the head of Klein. Herbert lands a right hand. We have another low blow by Herbert and another timeout. Herbert has a point taken away. They get back to action. Herbert lands a right hand. They clinch and Herbert gets a takedown into side control. Herbert with some hammerfists from the top as Klein lands an elbow from the bottom. Herbert controlling from the top. They scramble up and Klein gets a takedown. They get to their feet. Herbert takes the back standing. Herbert with some left hands. Herbert with more punches as the fight ends. 9-9 round due to the point deduction on Herbert, 28-28 DRAW.
Official Result- Jai Herbert vs. Ludovit Klein ends in a majority draw (29-27, 28-28, 28-28)
They quickly clinch against the fence and trade knees. Wood lands a right hand as they break. Carolina with a body kick. Wood with some teet kicks. They clinch but nothing happens. Wood lands a jab as Carolina is throwing a lot of wild punches that aren’t coming close to landing. Wood with a front kick. They clinch and both land knees before they break. They trade in close range. 10-9 Wood.
They trade to start the second with Carolina throwing looping punches before they clinch. Both land knees before breaking. They trade punches inside the pocket. Carolina lands a combo. Carolina throws a kick but Wood grabs the leg and lands a right hand then lands a knee to the body before they clinch. They break and both are landing but Wood landing with more volume as she lands a nice body kick. Wood gets Carolina to the ground but stays on her feet and lands some leg kicks. Close round. 10-9 Wood, 20-18 Wood.
Wood with a body kick. They trade right hands. They clinch for a second and Wood lands an elbow. They break and both are landing shots. They clinch again and both land knees as Wood is landing slightly more. They continue to trade and Wood gets Carolina down to the ground but Carolina gets up. They both land some big shots at the end and Wood lands a punch that puts Carolina on her knees at the end. 10-9 Wood, 30-27 Wood.
Official Result- Joanne Wood def. Luana Carolina by split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
> Flyweights*- Jake Hadley (9-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Malcolm Gordon (14-6, 2-3 UFC)
*Gordon missed weight by 3.5 pounds
They trade leg kicks to start before trading punches. Hadley lands a left to the body and then drops Gordon with a body shot and tees off from the top to get the stoppage. What a finish from Hadley!
Official Result- Jake Hadley def. Malcolm Gordon by TKO (punches) at 1:01 of Round 1
> Middleweights- Christian Duncan (7-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Dusko Todorovic (12-3, 3-3 UFC)
Todorovic with a leg kick. Duncan lands a jab. They trade kicks. Duncan with a body kick followed by a left hand. They clinch and then something happens to Todorovic and he falls to the mat holding his knee and the fight is stopped. His knee popped as he was reversing position in the clinch. An unfortunate end to the fight.
Official Result- Christian Duncan def. Dusko Todorovic by TKO (injury) at 1:52 of Round 1
> Featherweights- Lerone Murphy (11-0-1, 3-0-1 UFC) vs. Gabriel Santos (10-0, 0-0 UFC)
They scramble to the mat early and Murphy is on top landing punches. Santos is throwing up his legs and looking for a triangle choke. Murphy lands from the top and stands. Santos gets to his feet. Murphy with a leg kick. Santos with some calf kicks. Murphy lands some punches. Santos with a big body kick. They trade in close range and Santos gets a brief takedown. Santos lands some punches in close range. Murphy with a body kick followed by a combo. Santos with an inside leg kick. Murphy with a big body kick. Santos with a late flurry and Murphy lands a big right hand. 10-9 Santos.
Murphy lands a left hand. Santos with a knee and Murphy is landing body shots while they’re clinched up. Murphy gets a takedown and is landing from the top. He lets Santos gets up and lands some body shots. Murphy with a left hand. Santos lands a leg kick and Murphy counters with a left hand. We have a timeout for a groin strike. They trade big shots inside the pocket. Santos with a leg kick and Murphy trips to the mat. Santos lands a left hand. Santos gets a takedown and Murphy has the neck. Santos gets the back of Murphy. Santos is landing from the back and looks for an armbar but Murphy escapes before the round ends. 10-9 Santos, 20-18 Santos.
Santos is pressing forward but Murphy lands a big combo that Santos eats. Santos shoots for the takedown against the fence and is able to complete it. Santos gets the back of Murphy but they end up scrambling to their feet. Murphy lands a combo. Both land inside the pocket as Murphy is picking up the volume. Santos lands a left hand. Santos with a body kick. Murphy lands a left hand. Murphy with a question mark kick. Murphy lands a big right hand. Santos picks Murphy up and slams him to the mat. They get up and Santos with a high kick and Murphy lands a flurry late. 10-9 Murphy, 29-28 Santos.
Official Result- Lerone Murphy def. Gabriel Santos by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
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> Flyweights- #12 Muhammad Mokaev (8-0 1 NC, 3-0 UFC) vs. Jafel Filho (14-2, 0-0 UFC)
They trade kicks to start. Mokaev lands a leg kick and Filho falls to his butt for a second. Filho grabs the neck as Mokaev went for a takedown. They get to the mat and Mokaev pops his head out. Mokaev takes the back and lands some left hands. He lands more from the back and switches into the guard of Filho. Mokaev in control from the top landing punches. Mokaev ends the round on top. 10-9 Mokaev.
They trade to start the second. Filho lands a right hand. Mokaev lands a body kick then a right hand. Filho lands a body kick. There’s been a lot of pressing forward from both but not much landing. Filho tries for a takedown but Mokaev defends and pushes it against the fence. Mokaev gets it to the mat and is working in the guard of Filho. 10-9 Mokaev, 20-18 Mokaev.
Mokaev goes for the takedown right away and nearly gets it to start the third. Mokaev drags it down as he has the back. Mokaev has the body triangle in and is looking to set up a rear-naked choke. They scramble to their feet. Mokaev gets a takedown but grabs the back as they scramble up. Filho is looking for a kneebar and has it locked in. Mokaev is trying to push off with his other leg. Mokaev somehow gets out and gets the back. Mokaev is grimacing as he has the back. Mokaev with left hands from the back. Mokaev looking for a choke. He lets go and has top control. Mokaev looking for the choke again and has it in and Filho taps! Mokaev gets the late finish and he can barely stand from the kneebar. What a finish from Mokaev.
Official Result- Muhammad Mokaev def. Jafel Filho by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:32 of Round 3
> Lightweights- Sam Patterson (10-1-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Yanal Ashmouz (6-0, 0-0 UFC)
Not much happening inside the first minute. Ashmoz drops Patterson with some big punches and gets on top and is unloading with punches and it is stopped. What a big finish from Ashmoz.
Official Result- Yanal Ashmouz def. Sam Patterson by knockout (punches) at 1:15 of Round 1
> Lightweights- Chris Duncan (9-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Omar Morales (11-3, 3-3 UFC)
Duncan with some early leg kicks. Morales with a leg kick. Duncan is landing a lot of leg kicks as Morales is starting to find his range with punches. Morales rocks Duncan with some punches and Duncan was trying for a takedown. Duncan then hurts Morales with an uppercut but taunts instead of capitalizing. 10-9 Duncan.
Duncan goes for a takedown against the fence and briefly gets Morales down. Duncan landing some knees against the fence. They get to their feet. Morales lands a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Duncan with the jab. Duncan shoots for the takedown against the fence after an exchange. Morales defending as Duncan is landing some knees. They separate. They trade late. 10-9 Duncan, 20-18 Duncan.
Duncan with a body kick then lands a left hand. Duncan with a leg kick. Morales with a right hand. Duncan gets the fight to the mat for a moment. Morales stands but Duncan is dragging him to his knees against the fence. Duncan keeping Morales on the mat. Duncan with some knees. They get to their feet but Duncan is holding onto the back. They get to their feet and separate. Morales lands a big uppercut. Duncan tries a late takedown and gets it. 10-9 Duncan, 30-27 Duncan.
Official Result- Chris Duncan def. Omar Morales by split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
> Featherweights- #15 BW Jack Shore (16-1, 5-1 UFC) vs. Makwan Amirkhani (17-8, 7-6 UFC)
Shore grabs Amirkhani and pushes him against the fence right away. Amirkhani reverses position. Amirkhani with some knees to the body. They separate. Amirkhani with a nice jab. Amirkhani gets a takedown and is in the guard of Shore. They scramble and Amirkhani is able to remain on top. Amirkhani staying on top and in control as the round ends. 10-9 Amirkhani.
They both try for a takedown to start the second and then trade on the feet. Shore with a combo and they clinch. Shore lands the jab after both miss on takedown attempts. Shore lands a right hand. Shore landing with more volume. Shore gets a takedown. Shore is in control from the top and is able to get the back. Shore locks in a rear-naked choke and Amirkhani taps. What a finish from Shore.
Official Result- Jack Shore def. Makwan Amirkhani by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:27 of Round 2
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> Middleweights- #4 Marvin Vettori (18-5-1, 8-4-1 UFC) vs. #9 Roman Dolidze (12-1, 6-1 UFC)
Vettori landing a lot of leg kicks early on and lands a body kick as well. Dolidze lands a big flurry against the fence. Vettori lands a combo. They continue to trade and Vettori is getting the better of the exchanges. Dolidze with a leg kick followed by a right hand. Vettori with a leg kick. They have a timeout for a clash of heads. They get back to action and Dolidze lands some hard body kicks. Vettori with some left hands. Dolidze with a right hand. He rocks Vettori with some right hands. Vettori lands a right hand. Dolidze with some more right hands and lands a knee. They trade at the end. 10-9 Dolidze.
Dolidze landing more to start the second but Vettori now starting to land the left hand. Vettori with a body kick then some leg kicks. Dolidze with a right hand to the body. They trade punches. Dolidze with a right hand. Vettori with a leg kick. Vettori with the jab and a couple of leg kicks. Vettori landing with more volume in the second as Dolidze has slowed down. Dolidze lands a right hand but Vettori lands more at the end including a nice left hand. 10-9 Vettori, 19-19.
Both throwing body kicks as Vettori lands a couple of jabs. Dolidze with a right hand. Vettori with a leg kick. Dolidze lands a right hand. Dolidze with a flurry against the fence. They both land inside the pocket. Dolidze with a combo. Dolidze lands some hard punches. They trade inside the pocket as Vettori lands some leg kicks. Vettori lands a nice combo. They trade and Dolidze lands against the fence. Vettori with a body kick. They trade big shots late. Very close fight. 10-9 Dolidze, 29-28 Dolidze.
Official Result- Marvin Vettori def. Roman Dolidze by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
*Breaking- Anderson Silva has just been announced for the 2023 UFC Hall of Fame class
> Women’s Flyweights- #8 Jennifer Maia (20-9-1, 5-5 UFC) vs. #12 Casey O’Neill (9-0, 4-0 UFC)
Maia landing a lot of punches to start the first and lands a big combination. O’Neill lands some punches. They trade punches. Maia lands the jab and O’Neill fires one back. They trade combinations. O’Neill goes for a takedown but Maia defends and lands on the break. Maia with a combination. They trade late. Lots of output by both in the first. 10-9 Maia.
Both are landing a lot to start the second. O’Neill is pressing forward and landing some good right hands. They trade combinations in close range. Both are landing with a lot of volume. O’Neill continues to press forward and is landing solid right hands. O’Neill with a hard right hand and Maia lands a counter combo. They continue to land with O’Neill landing some right hands and a nice body kick. O’Neill with a big jab at the end. Close round. 10-9 Maia, 20-18 Maia.
They trade to start the third and Maia pushes O’Neill against the fence. They break and Maia lands a jab. Maia with a combo. O’Neill is landing slightly more in this round. Maia lands a right hand. O’Neill with a leg kick as they trade punches. O’Neill with a combo. They trade inside the pocket. They trade late. Good fight. 10-9 O’Neill, 29-28 Maia.
Official Result- Jennifer Maia def. Casey O’Neill by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
> Welterweights- Gunnar Nelson (18-5-1, 9-5 UFC) vs. Bryan Barberena (18-9, 9-7 UFC)
Barberena lands some leg kicks. Nelson lands a right hand as he rushes in. Nelson gets a takedown and is working from the half-guard. Nelson landing elbows from the top. Nelson gets the full mount and lands some elbows then locks in an armbar and Barberena taps! What a showing from Nelson!
Official Result- Gunnar Nelson def. Bryan Barberena by submission (armbar) at 4:51 of Round 1
> Lightweights- #3 Justin Gaethje (23-4, 6-4 UFC) vs. #6 Rafael Fiziev (12-1, 6-1 UFC)
Gaethje with a leg kick. Gaethje with a body kick. Fiziev lands a body kick. Fiziev with a leg kick then a left hand. They trade kicks and both land punches in close. Gaethje rocks Fiziev with a right. Fiziev with a body kick. They clinch and Fiziev lands a knee on the break. Gaethje with a left hand. Fiziev with a combo to the body. They trade inside the pocket. Fiziev lands an uppercut. Fiziev with a body kick. Gaethje lands a right hand. Gaethje with a heavy leg kick. Fiziev with a big knee to the body. Gaethje lands a left. 10-9 Fiziev.
Fiziev with a hard body kick then a right hand. Fiziev with a knee to the body. Gaethje lands a right hand. Gaethje lands a head kick. Fiziev with a leg kick. Fiziev with a body kick. They trade inside the pocket. Gaethje lands a nice combination. Gaethje lands a right hand. He lands another. They trade in close range. Fiziev with a leg kick. Gaethje with a leg kick. Gaethje lands a left hand. Fiziev with a body kick and Gaethje with a left hand. 10-9 Gaethje, 19-19.
Fiziev lands a right hand. They trade and Fiziev lands a hard left hand. Fiziev lands a body kick. They clinch and Gaethje lands a right as they break. Gaethje lands a left hand. Fiziev with a body kick. They trade inside the pocket. Gaethje lands a combo. Gaethje grabs the single leg but lets go. Gaethje lands the jab. Gaethje lands a right hand. Gaethje lands the jab after a combo then lands a big right hand. Gaethje with the jab. Fiziev is bleeding from his face. They trade inside the pocket. Gaethje with the jab. Gaethje with a massive uppercut. Gaethje with another big uppercut. Gaethje gets a late takedown. 10-9 Gaethje, 29-28 Gaethje.
Official Result- Justin Gaethje def. Rafael Fiziev by majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
> UFC Welterweight Championship- C Leon Edwards (20-3 1 NC, 12-2 1 NC UFC) vs. #1 Kamaru Usman (20-2, 15-1 UFC)
Usman lands to the body. Usman lands the jab. Edwards with some leg kicks. Usman lands a right hand then a jab. Edwards lands a body kick that hurts Usman and follows it with another one. Edwards with a leg kick. Usman shoots for a takedown against the fence but Edwards is defending it. They break. Edwards with more body and leg kicks. 10-9 Edwards.
Edwards with some leg kicks and we have a timeout for a groin strike. They get back to action and Edwards with another leg kick. Edwards with a body kick. Usman lands a jab. They trade and Edwards wobbles Usman with a knee. Usman lands a left hand and then connects to the body. Edwards with a leg kick. Usman lands a nice right hand and then gets a takedown. Usman has the back against the fence. They get to their feet but Usman is landing left hands. They separate. Edwards tries a takedown but Usman easily defends. They get to their feet and trade. Edwards lands a left hand. Edwards with a body kick. Usman lands a right hand. 10-9 Usman, 19-19.
Edwards with some leg kicks. Usman gets a takedown. They get to their feet and Usman pushes it against the fence and tries for a takedown but Edwards grabbed the fence. Herb Dean calls a timeout. Edwards has a point taken away. They get back to action and trade leg kicks. Usman lands the jab. They trade leg kicks. Edwards with a leg kick and it lands low. We have a brief timeout. Edwards with a body kick and Usman was complaining it was low but it wasn’t. Edwards lands a knee to the body. Usman lands a jab. Edwards with more kicks as Usman lands a jab. Edwards with a body kick. Usman lands to the body then to the head. Usman pushes it against the fence. 9-9 round due to the point deduction, 28-28.
Edwards lands the jab. Edwards with a leg kick. Edwards with another leg kick. They trade and Usman slips after Edwards lands a leg kick. Usman is able to recover and push it against the fence and they quickly separate. Edwards with a leg kick. Edwards with a left hand. Usman is pressing forward but not doing a ton. Usman goes for a takedown and got it for a second. They get to their feet and Usman goes for another takedown but Edwards is defending against the fence. They break. Usman lands a jab. Edwards with a left hand. Close round. 10-9 Edwards, 38-37 Edwards.
Usman lands a right hand. Edwards with a big body kick. Usman goes for a takedown against the fence but Edwards defends. They break and Edwards lands a flurry. Usman tries for another takedown but Edwards defends again. Usman lands a right hand and goes for the takedown again but Edwards defends and they break. Edwards with a body kick. Usman lands a right hand. Usman gets a takedown. They get to their feet and Edwards lands a knee. Usman lands a right hand and shoots for the takedown. Edwards lands a knee as they break. Edwards with a leg kick. Edwards with a bod kick. Usman lands a right hand. Close fight overall. 10-9 Edwards, 48-46 Edwards.
Official Result- Leon Edwards def. Kamaru Usman by unanimous decision (48-46, 48-46, 47-47) to retain the UFC Welterweight Championship
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 274: Oliveira vs. Gaethje, emanating from the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
The Octagon returns to Arizona with a stacked fight card featuring two title fights, one of them one of the most anticipated fights of 2022, and a main card full of long-time veteran and household names.
UFC Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira was supposed to make his second title defense against Justin Gaethje in the main event. It is a fight fans have been anticipating for a while as it promises to be one of the most exciting fights that 2022 has to offer. However, Oliveira missed weight by a half-pound and was stripped of the championship. The fight remains on, but Oliveira is ineligible to win the title, meaning if he wins, the title is officially vacant. A win by Gaethje would make him the new UFC Lightweight Champion.
In the co-main event, UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion makes the second title defense of her second reign as champion as she defends against Carla Esparza. These two have history as they fought in the first-ever strawweight title fight in December 2014, which was won by Esparza. Namajunas comes in having won three straight fights, while Esparza is riding a five-fight win streak.
Also on the main card is an exciting lightweight battle between Tony Ferguson and Michael Chandler, a light heavyweight rematch between former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua and Ovince Saint Preux, and long-time veteran lightweights Donald Cerrone and Joe Lauzon square off in the main card opener.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 5:30 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way thru the main card.
We are looking for your thoughts on tonight’s event, so send a thumbs up, a thumbs down or a thumbs in the middle along with a best fight and a worst fight to Dave at [email protected].
Garcia is making his debut. Newson with a body kick. Newson lands a side kick. Both are landing and Newson scores a takedown. They get right back to their feet and Newson had the back but Garcia escapes. Garcia lands a nice right hand. He’s landing slightly more in the round. Newson with a side kick. They clinch up at the end. 10-9 Garcia.
Garcia lands a right hand and Newson lands a nice calf kick. Garcia lands a calf kick. Newson with another leg kick. Newson lands a big combination and rocks Garcia with a left hook. Newson with a couple of kicks. Newson with a side kick. They trade punches. Newson with a right hand. Newson with a leg kick. Garcia lands a right hand. Newson with a late flurry. Garcia with a high kick. 10-9 Newson, 19-19.
Garcia with a leg kick. Newson lands a leg kick. Newson gets a takedown. He gets the back and has one hook in. They scramble to their feet. Newson with a side kick. Garcia with a leg kick. They trade in close range. Garcia with a leg kick. Newson lands a nice right hand and follows it with a left hook. He lands a jab and is being busier during this round. Newson lands a spinning back fist that backs Garcia up late. 10-9 Newson, 29-28 Newson.
Official Result- Journey Newson def. Fernie Garcia by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
*It was just announced that the fight between Donald Cerrone and Joe Lauzon, scheduled for the main card, has been scratched due to an illness for Cerrone.
They trade to start and Godinez gets a takedown. They scramble up but Godinez gets another takedown. Godinez has the neck and is looking for something from the side as they scramble around. They get to their feet and Godinez has the back and they roll to the mat and Godinez is on top. Godinez landing from the top as Carnelossi is pinned against the fence. She ends the first landing punches. 10-9 Godinez.
Godinez with a body kick. Godinez rocks Carnelossi with a right hand and lands a flurry before getting a big takedown. Godinez with some big elbows from the top. Godinez transitions to the back and has the hooks in. Godinez tries to find a choke but lets the hooks go and lands punches. She moves to the top and tries for an arm-triangle choke but Carnelossi survives until the end. 10-9 Godinez, 20-18 Godinez.
Godinez gets a big takedown to start the third and takes the back. She’s landing punches from the back as she pushes Carnelossi against the fence. They trade punches against the fence. They get to their feet and Godinez with an uppercut in the clinch and she gets a big takedown. Godinez staying active from the top landing punches and nasty elbows. Godinez still dominating. She lands big punches as they get to their feet. She lands a big combo against the fence and gets a big takedown and closes out the fight with big punches. Great showing from Godinez. 10-8 Godinez, 30-26 Godinez.
Official Result- Lupita Godinez def. Ariane Carnelossi by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
> Flyweights- Kleydson Rodrigues (7-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. CJ Vergara (9-3-1, 0-1 UFC)
Vergara is making his debut. Rodrigues lands some body kicks. Vergara with a body kick. Rodrigues just misses a flying knee. They trade in close range. Rodrigues with a quick uppercut. Rodrigues gets a takedown. They scramble up and Rodrigues has the back. Rodrigues with some short knees and Vergara with some short punches. Rodrigues with a left hand and elbow as they break. Rodrigues with a big body kick. Vergara with a left hook. Rodrigues with some teet kicks to the body. Rodrigues lands a right hand. Rodrigues lands a combo. Rodrigues with a leg kick. Vergara lands a solid left hook. Rodrigues with a leg kick. They trade big punches inside the pocket. 10-9 Rodrigues.
Vergara with a body kick. Rodrigues goes for a takedown but Vergara reverses and had the full mount but moves to the back. They scramble and Vergara is back in the guard of Rodrigues. Vergara working from the top and landing punches and elbows. Vergara with some body punches from the top. Vergara with an elbow from the top. Vergara with more punches from the top. Vergara gets the mount and is landing big punches from the top. Rodrigues gives up his back and is able to sweep to the top and lands an elbow. They get to their feet. Rodrigues with a body kick. He lands a spinning back fist. Vergara with some leg kicks. They trade at the end. 10-9 Vergara, 19-19.
They trade to start and Rodrigues misses a spinning back fist. Vergara lands a couple of jabs. Rodrigues with a nice combination. Vergara with a leg kick. Vergara with a nice combination. Vergara lands a knee to the body and they go to the mat with Rodrigues on bottom. Rodrigues is looking to set up a calf slicer. He now switches to looking for a choke. Vergara tries to scramble out and does and moves to side control. Rodrigues transitions to the guard of Vergara. Vergara did grab the fence a couple of times. They get to their feet and Rodrigues has the back and gets it down but they stand. Rodrigues gets it down briefly again but they stand and separate. They trade in close range. Rodrigues gets a takedown but they get to their feet. Rodrigues with a left hook and body kick. Close fight and real fun fight. 10-9 Rodrigues, 29-28 Rodrigues.
Official Result- CJ Vergara def. Kleydson Rodrigues by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Cortez with some calf kicks and she scores a takedown. She lands some shots from the top as Gatto is looking for the arm. Cortez slams Gatto to get her arm free and remains in the guard of Gatto. They get to their feet. Cortez with a leg kick. They trade in close range before clinching. Gatto gets the back standing and drags it down as she has the back. Cortez trying to roll to the top and does. Cortez with an elbow. Cortez landing from the top and keeping Gatto from being able to do anything from the bottom. Cortez stands and lands a leg kick. 10-9 Cortez.
Cortez with some kicks as Gatto is throwing combos but barely missing. Gatto rushes forward with a flurry that mostly misses. Gatto pressuring and shoots for a takedown against the fence. They break and Gatto lands a left hook. Gatto gets a takedown but Cortez gets it up. Gatto has the back and drags the fight down. Gatto has the hooks in. Gatto with some punches from the back. Gatto looking for the arm and an armbar. Cortez stands ad gets out and is on top now. Cortez with a hammerfist. Cortez landing from the top late and they stand late. 10-9 Gatto, 19-19.
Cortez shoots for a takedown and lands a right hand. They trade leg kicks. Gatto lands a right hand. Cortez gets a takedown. Cortez working from the top as Gatto is stuck on the bottom. Cortez lands and moves to the back and lands some right hands. Cortez lands more and Gatto looking for a kneebar but they scramble up. Gatto has the back and drags it down against the fence. Cortez gets to the top and is looking for an arm-triangle choke. Cortez lets go and ends the fight on top. 10-9 Cortez, 29-28 Cortez.
Official Result- Tracy Cortez def. Melissa Gatto by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Welterweights- Andre Fialho (15-4 1 NC, 1-1 UFC) vs. Cameron VanCamp (15-5-1 1 NC, 0-0 UFC)
VanCamp with a leg kick. He lands another. Fialho with a right hand. Fialho with a leg kick. VanCamp lands a right hand that hurts Fialho. Fialho lands a big counter. Fialho then lands a big left hook that drops VanCamp and a big punch on the mat ends it. What a finish by Fialho!
Official Result- Andre Fialho def. Cameron VanCamp by knockout (punch) at 2:35 of Round 1
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> Heavyweights- #15 Blagoy Ivanov (18-4 1 NC, 2-3 UFC) vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima (19-7-1, 8-5 UFC)
de Lima with a body kick. He lands another. de Lima with a groin kick and we have a timeout. They get back to action and de Lima with a leg kick. They throw in close range but neither really lands. de Lima with a high body kick. de Lima lands a left hook. Ivanov tries a takedown but de Lima defends. de Lima with a body punch. They trade in close range. They trade again. They clinch against the fence. They break and de Lima with a leg kick. They trade left hands late. 10-9 de Lima.
Ivanov pressing forward and they both land as they clinch against the fence. They break to the center. They trade in close range and de Lima lands slightly more. Ivanov tags de Lima with a left hand and they clinch against the fence. They break and Ivanov is tagging de Lima with punches. Ivanov with more left hands. He lands a massive left hand against the fence. They break as Ivanov lands to the body. de Lima with a right hand. Ivanov with a left hand. He lands another. They clinch against the fence and both land solid punches. 10-9 Ivanov, 19-19.
de Lima with the jab. They trade in close range. Ivanov with a left hand. de Lima tries for a takedown and pushes it against the fence. They’re just holding each other against the fence. Marc Goddard breaks it up. Ivanov lands a left hand. He lands another. They tie back up against the fence. They trade in the clinch but not a whole lot is happening. Ivanov lands to the body as they break. de Lima with a right hand. Ivanov with a left hand and they clinch against the fence. They break to the center. de Lima with a body kick. Ivanov lands a combo. de Lima shoots for the takedown and he picks Ivanov up and Ivanov wraps his arm around the top of the cage to block but de Lima still gets it at the end. 10-9 de Lima, 29-28 de Lima.
Official Result- Blagoy Ivanov def. Marcos Rogerio de Lima by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Flyweights- #6 Brandon Royval (13-6, 3-2 UFC) vs. #9 Matt Schnell (15-5 1 NC, 5-3 1 NC UFC)
They’re trading right away. Royval with a high kick. Royval landing the right hand but Schnell is landing nice combos. Schnell drops Royval with a shot and Royval grabs the leg ad Schnell goes to the mat and tries to get the back but ends up in the guard of Royval. Royval looking for the leg but Schnell grabs the neck and looks for a guillotine but Royval ends on top. Royval grabs the neck and locks in a guillotine choke and Schnell taps! What a sequence on the ground to lead to the finish!
Official Result- Brandon Royval def. Matt Schnell by submission (guillotine choke) at 2:14 of Round 1
Chiasson with a body kick. Dumont lands a left hand. Both land some punches. Dumont with a left hand. Chiasson with a high kick that Dumont blocks. Chiasson lands a left hand. Chiasson with a leg kick. Dumont lands a combo. Chiasson lands a right hand. They trade late and Chiasson ends the round with a takedown. Close round. 10-9 Chiasson.
Chiasson with a high kick. They trade in close range. Dumont with a leg kick. Chiasson with a left hand followed by a right hand. They clinch against the fence. They trade knees against the fence. Chiasson gets the takedown and has the back and almost had the choke but they stood and Dumont shook her off. They scramble back up and Chiasson has the advantage against the fence. They’re still tied up as Chiasson is pinning Dumont against the fence. They trade knees and Chiasson dragged it down for a moment but still has body control as they stand. 10-9 Chiasson, 20-18 Chiasson.
They trade to start and Dumont lands a right hand and Chiasson gets a takedown. They scramble up and Chiasson has control against the fence. They remain tied up against the fence and trade knees. They break and both land and Dumont lands a good combo. Chiasson gets a takedown and has the body lock as they stand. Chiasson is holding Dumont against the fence. Chiasson tries a trip takedown but Dumont ends up on top, then Chiasson sweeps to the top and they stand. They break and Dumont lands a right hand and rocks Chiasson. They tie up and Chiasson is tired. Chiasson pushing it against the fence. They end the fight against the fence. 10-9 Dumont, 29-28 Chiasson.
Official Result- Macy Chiasson def. Norma Dumont by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)
> Welterweights- Francisco Trinaldo (27-8, 17-7 UFC) vs. Danny Roberts (18-5, 7-4 UFC)
Roberts with a leg kick. Trinaldo lands a left hand after Roberts slips on a punch attempt. They clinch and Trinaldo lands an uppercut. They break. Roberts with a body kick. Roberts with a leg kick. Roberts with a left hand. Roberts with a body kick. They trade in close range. They trade left hands. Trinaldo lands a combo. Roberts with a leg kick. They’re trading punches as the crowd is distracted by something. They continue to both land and each lands a left hand and Trinaldo with a right hand. Close round. 10-9 Roberts.
Trinaldo rocks Roberts with some big shots and they push against the fence and Trinaldo with some knees. Trinaldo looks for a takedown but they remain tied up. They break. Trinaldo lands a big left hand. Trinaldo with a left hand to the body and lands an uppercut and elbow. Trinaldo grabs the neck and locks in a guillotine but loses it as they go to the mat. Trinaldo gets to the half-guard of Roberts. Trinaldo controlling from the top. Trinaldo passes to side control. They scramble and Trinaldo takes the back. They get to their feet. They trade in close range and both land big shots. Roberts with an elbow. 10-9 Trinaldo, 19-19.
Roberts with a leg kick. They trade big punches in close range before clinching up. They break to the center. Roberts with a left hand. Trinaldo with a left hand. Trinaldo rocks Roberts with some punches and clinches again with him but they break. Trinaldo with another left hand and lands a couple of snap jabs. Roberts rocks Trinaldo with a punch but eats an uppercut from Trinaldo rushing in. They’re tied up and Trinaldo tries a late takedown. 10-9 Trinaldo, 29-28 Trinaldo.
Official Result- Francisco Trinaldo def. Danny Roberts by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-26, 30-27)
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> Welterweights- Randy Brown (14-4, 8-4 UFC) vs. Khaos Williams (13-2, 4-1 UFC)
They trade kicks and punches early. They clinch against the fence but break. Williams rocks Brown with a right hand and Brown retreats. Brown looks for a takedown but Williams is sprawling. They get to their feet and separate. Williams with a combination ending with a leg kick. Brown just misses a flying knee. Brown lands some uppercuts. Brown shoots for a takedown but Williams defends. Brown grabs the neck at the end. 10-9 Williams.
Brown with the double jab and lands a right hand. They trade leg kicks. Brown with a body kick. Williams with a body punch. Brown with the double jab. Brown continuing to land the jab and Williams is having trouble with it. They clinch but end up breaking. Brown with a combo. Brown pressing forward and landing more. They tie up against the fence. They break and Williams with a leg kick. Williams with a leg kick. Williams landing leg kicks while Brown is landing jabs. Brown with a right hand. Brown lands a right hand as Williams was coming in for a takedown attempt. 10-9 Brown, 19-19.
Brown with a front kick that lands to the face. Williams with a quick combo. Brown lands a combination. Brown is pressuring and backing Williams up as he’s landing short shots. Williams lands a right hand and Brown falls to the mat and Williams gets on top. They get to their feet. Brown lands a right hand. They both land solid punches. Brown shoots for a takedown and lands a knee to the jaw of Williams. Brown swings and misses and Williams takes advantage and lands some punches. Brown with some elbows to the head of Williams as they’re tied up. They break. Brown lands a nice elbow. Williams shoots for a takedown but Brown defends and lands some big knees as they break. Close fight. 10-9 Brown, 29-28 Brown.
Official Result- Randy Brown def. Khaos Williams by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
> Light Heavyweights- Mauricio Rua (27-12-1, 11-10-1 UFC) vs. Ovince Saint Preux (25-16, 13-11 UFC)
Rua with a leg kick. Rua with a body kick. Saint Preux with a body kick and Rua with a leg kick. Saint Preux with a leg kick. Rua with a leg kick. Rua with a left hook. Saint Preux with a body kick. Saint Preux lands a left as Rua was trying to rush in. Rua with a right hand. They trade kicks. Rua with a leg kick. Rua with another leg kick. Uneventful round. 10-9 Rua.
Saint Preux with a couple of high kicks. Rua with a leg kick. Saint Preux with more high kicks and Rua blocks one. Rua with a leg kick. Saint Preux with a left hand. Rua with a leg kick. Saint Preux with a body kick. Rua with a leg kick. Rua with a leg kick followed by a right hand. Rua with a leg kick. Saint Preux with a left hand and a leg kick. They trade kicks. Rua with a leg kick. Saint Preux with a high kick but Rua blocks it. Rua with a leg kick. Another uneventful round. 10-9 Saint Preux , 19-19.
They clinch and nothing happens and they break. Saint Preux with a body kick. Rua with two leg kicks. Rua lands a left hand. Rua with a body kick. Saint Preux with a body kick. He lands another. Rua lands a left hand. Saint Preux with a left hand. Saint Preux with a body kick. Saint Preux with a combination. Rua with a leg kick. Boring fight. 10-9 Saint Preux, 29-28 Saint Preux.
Official Result- Ovince Saint Preux def. Mauricio Rua by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)
> Lightweights- #5 Michael Chandler (22-7, 1-2 UFC) vs. #7 Tony Ferguson (25-6, 15-4 UFC)
They trade leg kicks and Ferguson checks the kick. Ferguson drops Chandler with a left hand but Chandler gets right up and Ferguson lands a jab. They’re trading in close range. Ferguson with a leg kick. Ferguson with a body kick. Ferguson with a right hand and Chandler lands a left hook. They trade punches. Ferguson with a leg kick. Chandler with a leg kick. Chandler gets a big takedown. Ferguson throwing elbows from the bottom and Chandler is cut open. Chandler trying to land big punches from the top. Chandler in the guard of Ferguson and lands some punches. Chandler with some more big punches from the top. Ferguson trying hard to get to his feet. Chandler with a right hand and Ferguson is cut open as well. Close round. 10-9 Chandler.
Chandler lands a front kick to the face of Ferguson and Ferguson drops face first to the mat out cold. What a finish! Absolutely insane.
Official Result- Michael Chandler def. Tony Ferguson by knockout (front kick) at :17 of Round 2
> UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship- C Rose Namajunas (11-4, 9-3 UFC) vs. #2 Carla Esparza (18-6, 9-4 UFC)
Neither has landed in the first minute as they’re feeling each other out. Esparza lands the first punch half-way through the first round. Namajunas with the double jab. Esparza with a leg kick. They aren’t doing anything. They landed a grand total of six strikes in the round. Horrible. A real 10-10 round but 10-9 Namajunas I guess.
Namajunas lands the first punch one minute into the fight. Esparza tries a takedown and gets Namajunas to her butt but they get up. They still aren’t doing anything. Namajunas lands a jab. Esparza with a leg kick. Esparza lands some more. They landed a combined six strikes again in the round. 10-9 Esparza, 19-19.
Esparza lands a jab. Namajunas with a leg kick. Esparza gets a takedown but they get right back up. Esparza starting to land more as the round goes on. Namajunas lands a left hand. They’re more active here but still not a lot happening. Namajunas lands a few punches at the end of the round. 10-9 Esparza, 29-28 Esparza.
Esparza with a leg kick. Namajunas lands a right hand. Esparza gets a takedown and tries to get the back but Namajunas escapes to her feet. They still aren’t doing much. Neither woman deserves to win this fight. Namajunas lands a right hand. Esparza shoots for a takedown and completes it and has the back but Namajunas spins out to her feet and lands a right hand. 10-9 Namajunas, 38-38.
Esparza shoots for a takedown but Namajunas defends. Namajunas with a right hand. Esparza with a left hand. Namajunas with a left hand to the body. Namajunas with a body kick. Namajunas with a right hand. Namajunas landing slightly more as the round goes on. Namajunas gets a late takedown. This is one of the worst fights in UFC history, absolutely horrible. 10-9 Namajunas, 48-47 Namajunas.
Official Result- Carla Esparza def. Rose Namajunas by split decision (47-48, 49-46, 48-47) to win the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship
> UFC Lightweight Championship*- Charles Oliveira (32-8 1 NC, 20-8 1 NC UFC) vs. #1 Justin Gaethje (23-3, 6-3 UFC)
*Oliveira missed weight by .5 pounds. He’s been stripped of the title and is ineligible to win it.
Gaethje with a leg kick and Oliveira with a right hand. Gaethje lands some right hands. Oliveira with a leg kick. Gaethje with a leg kick. Oliveira hurts Gaethje with a punch then Gaethje drops Oliveira with an uppercut. Gaethje with a big right hand and then a left hook and Oliveira falls down but has to get up. Gaethje with a leg kick. Oliveira with a jumping knee. Oliveira with a leg kick. Gaethje with a left hand. Oliveira grabs Gaethje and pulls guard but Gaethje stands right up. Oliveira with a right hand. Oliveira with an uppercut. They trade in close range and Oliveira drops Gaethje with a right hand and grabs the back. Oliveira working for the arm. Oliveira has the back and a rear-naked choke locked in and Gaethje taps! Oliveira wins but now we have no champion. He is the best lightweight in the world and will now be the number one contender, though.
Official Result- Charles Oliveira def. Justin Gaethje by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:22 of Round 1, UFC Lightweight Championship is now vacant
For the first time, a UFC title has been lost on the scales.
Following his half-pound weight miss Friday afternoon, reigning lightweight champion Charles Oliveira has been stripped of the title. However, his anticipated main event clash with former interim champion Justin Gaethje Saturday at UFC 274 will still happen.
However, Oliveira will not be eligible to win the title because he didn’t make championship weight. If Gaethje wins, he will be the new champion. If Oliveira wins, the title will remain vacant.
Oliviera will also forfeit 30% of his fight purse to Gaethje. He weighed in at 155.5 pounds as title fights do not get the one pound overage allowance that undercard fights do.
VIDEO: Charles Oliveira weighs in at 155.5 lbs on his second attempt one hour after missing on his first attempt at 155.5 lbs.
Lightweight title will be vacated. Fight is still on and only Gaethje will be eligible to win it. If Oliveira wins, belt remains vacant. pic.twitter.com/zbuVhQbOFl
— Charles 'DoBronxs' Oliveira (@CharlesDoBronxs) May 6, 2022
Oliveira, who had won the vacant title in a win over Michael Chandler a year ago, will look to extend a ten-fight winning streak Saturday. Gaethje has won five of his last six.
Oliveira has missed weight four times before, but the last time was back in November 2016.
Here’s the main card for Saturday’s pay-per-view in Phoenix, Arizona:
Vacant UFC lightweight title: Justin Gaethje vs. Charles Oliveira (only Gaethje can win the title)
Women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas vs. Carla Esparza
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 254: Khabib vs. Gaethje, emanating from the Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
The UFC wraps up five straight weeks on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi with arguably the biggest fight of the year as one of the biggest stars in the sport fights for the first time in over a year.
UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov will square off with Interim UFC Lightweight Champion Justin Gaethje in a title unification bout in the main event. Nurmagomedov will step foot into the Octagon for the first time since a September 2019 win over Dustin Poirier. Gaethje looks to become the undisputed champion after defeating Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 in May.
In the co-main event, a potential title shot in the middleweight division is up for grabs as former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker takes on Jared Cannonier. Also on the main card is a heavyweight bout between Alexander Volkov and Walt Harris, and a light heavyweight fight with lots of bad blood as Magomed Ankalaev finally squares off with Ion Cutelaba in a rematch of their first fight, which ended in controversial fashion.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 10:30 a.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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> Joel Alvarez (17-2, 2-1 UFC) vs. Alexander Yakovlev (24-9-1, 3-5 UFC) Lightweights* (Alvarez missed weight by 3.5 pounds)
Alvarez missed weight for the fight. They are trading kicks to start the fight. Yakovlev got a takedown and Alvarez grabbed the neck and was working for a guillotine. Yakovlev is able to escape and is landing body punches from the top as Alvarez is looking for elbows from the bottom. Alvarez now looks for an armbar. He has it locked in and Yakovlev taps. Nasty armbar from the guard by Alvarez to kick things off.
Official Result- Joel Alvarez def. Alexander Yakovlev by submission (armbar) at 3:00 of Round 1
> Liana Jojua (8-3, 1-1 UFC) vs. Miranda Maverick (7-2, 0-0 UFC) Women’s Flyweights
Maverick is making her UFC debut. They were trading early as Jojua was landing the right hand as Maverick was landing leg kicks. Maverick lands a combo ending with a leg kick. Jojua is bleeding from the mouth. Maverick with an inside leg kick. Maverick still landing combos. Maverick with a body kick. Maverick mixing up her strikes well. Maverick lands a standing lead elbow and then follows with a head kick. Maverick with a back elbow that busts Jojua’s nose open. Jojua still throwing but Maverick landing more as the round ends. 10-9 Maverick.
They stopped the fight in between rounds as Jojua’s nose was bleeding badly and they couldn’t stop it from bleeding, so the doctors called it off. Impressive debut win by Maverick.
Official Result- Miranda Maverick def. Liana Jojua by TKO (doctor stoppage- cut) at 5:00 of Round 1
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> Da Un Jung (13-2, 2-0 UFC) vs. Sam Alvey (33-14 1 NC, 10-9 UFC) Light Heavyweights
Not much happening early as Jung is stalking Alvey around the Octagon. Jung with a body kick. Alvey lands some leg kicks and a left hand. They both start throwing punches and Alvey stuns Jung with a counter left hand. They clinch and both battling for position. Jung pokes Alvey in the eye but the referee missed it and Jung lands some follow-up punches. Alvey landing more as the round goes on. Alvey lands a right hand. Alvey with a late combo than lands a lot. 10-9 Alvey.
Alvey starts with a nice combo and now Jung lands a combo. Alvey keeps fighting with his back near the fence. Alvey with a leg kick. Jung still coming forward and Alvey is landing the counter punches. Jung with a body kick. Alvey with a nice combo. Alvey with more outside leg kicks. Jung lands a right hand, then a left hook and follows with a right hand. Alvey lands a nice uppercut. Alvey with a late combo. 10-9 Alvey, 20-18 Alvey.
Alvey starts the third with an outside leg kick. Alvey landing a leg kick and following with a combo. Jung drops Alvey with a right hand and they go to the mat but Alvey is able to scramble up. Jung has the back against the fence. It was an elbow that dropped Alvey. They break the tie-up. Alvey lands a short left hand. Alvey lands an uppercut. They trade punches. Alvey with another uppercut. Alvey with another one. Jung with another elbow that stuns Alvey. They clinch against the fence. They break and Jung lands another big elbow. Close fight. 10-9 Jung, 29-28 Alvey.
Official Result- Da Un Jung vs. Sam Alvey ends in a split draw (29-28, 28-29, 28-28)
> Alex Oliveira (22-7-1 2 NC, 11-6 1 NC UFC) vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov (12-0, 0-0 UFC) Welterweights* (Oliveira missed weight by 2 pounds)
Rakhmonov is making his UFC debut while Oliveira missed weight for the fight. Oliveira lands a right hand. Rakhmonov with a leg kick. They were trading and Rakhmonov lands a big knee to the body. Rakhmonov with some flurries against the fence before they clinch up. Rakhmonov with a knee to the body as they battle for position against the fence. They remain clinched as Oliveira is looking for the takedown. Rakhmonov has the neck and drops down and has a guillotine choke locked in and Oliveira taps! Big win in his debut for Rakhmonov.
Official Result- Shavkat Rakhmonov def. Alex Oliveira by submission (guillotine choke) at 4:40 of Round 1
Wood lands a left hand as they come out with a quick pace. Wood landing some leg kicks early. Wood landing kicks as both are throwing punches. Kenney lands a big right hand. They are trading kicks. Wood with some inside leg kicks. Kenney with a nice left hand. Wood with a leg kick and follows with a combo. Kenney with a left hand. Wood with some leg kicks and Kenney lands a left hand. Kenney with another hard left hand. Wood with a leg kick and Kenney counters with a left hand. Kenney with a spin kick to the body. Kenney with a leg kick and then another spin kick to the body. Great round. 10-9 Kenney.
They both come out throwing and Kenney with another spin kick. They are both throwing and Kenney with an elbow. They trade leg kicks. Kenney with a body kick. Wood with a combo. Wood with a leg kick and Kenney counters with a combo. They trade kicks. They trade punches. Kenney with a combo. They trade and Kenney throwing more. Kenney lands a hard left hand and follows it with some more punches and a leg kick. They both land in close range with Wood landing a little better. Kenney loading up on his punches but he still lands a couple of left hands. Kenney with an inside kick. Fun second round. 10-9 Wood, 19-19.
Wood with some inside leg kicks to start the third. Wood landing more at the start of the third. Kenney throwing some punches and lands a left hand to the body. Wood with a leg kick and Kenney lands a left hand. Kenney goes for a takedown and takes the back of Wood against the fence as he looks to complete it. Kenney still working hard for the takedown as they scramble. They break and Kenney lands a combo. Wood goes for a takedown but Kenney defends and Wood lands as they break. They both land in close range. Kenney shoots for a takedown but Wood stuffs it. Kenney with a hard left hand. They trade punches. They clinch and trade late. Outstanding fight. 10-9 Kenney, 29-28 Kenney.
Official Result- Casey Kenney def. Nathaniel Wood by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
> Stefan Struve (29-12, 13-10 UFC) vs. Tai Tuivasa (9-3, 3-3 UFC) Heavyweights
Tuivasa with a leg kick. Tuivasa comes in and they clinch and Tuivasa with some body punches. Tuivasa controlling against the fence and lands a couple more body punches and they break. Tuivasa with a right hand. Struve with a leg kick. Struve lands a head kick and Tuivasa eats it. They clinch and Tuivasa with a knee and then lands a left hand as they break. Tuivasa with a leg kick. Tuivasa with another leg kick. Struve with some front body kicks. Tuivasa with another leg kick. Tuivasa with some punches. He throws Struve to the ground and starts landing punches. Struve gets up and Tuivasa drops him with an uppercut and finishes it off. Big win for Tuivasa.
Official Result- Tai Tuivasa def. Stefan Struve by knockout (punches) at 4:59 of Round 1
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> Magomed Ankalaev (#11, 14-1, 4-1 UFC) vs. Ion Cutelaba (15-5 1 NC, 4-4 UFC) Light Heavyweights
Cutelaba with a front body kick and Ankalaev with a leg kick. Ankalaev with a body kick and follows it with a right hook. Ankalaev with an inside leg kick and Cutelaba counters with a right hand. Cutelaba with another right hand. Ankalaev with a body kick. They trade punches. They are both landing short punches. Ankalaev drops Cutelaba with a straight left hand but Cutelaba gets right up. Ankalaev lands a left hand that drops Cutelaba again as Cutelaba rushes in and Ankalaev gets on top and was landing punches and then knocked Cutelaba out cold on the mat. What a knockout by Ankalaev.
Official Result- Magomed Ankalaev def. Ion Cutelaba by knockout (punches) at 4:19 of Round 1
Shakirova is making her UFC debut on short notice. Shakirova with an inside leg kick. Shakirova with a right hand. Murphy comes forward and lands a body kick. Shakirova with a leg kick as Murphy lands a right hand. Shakirova with a spinning back fist. Shakirova tires for a takedown but Murphy slips away and they break. Shakirova with some body punches and lands a right hand. Shakirova with a spin kick. They trade kicks. Shakirova tries a single-leg takedown but Murphy defends and lands some elbows against the fence. They break and Shakirova with a teet kick to the body. 10-9 Murphy.
Murphy lands a kick. Murphy coming forward but not landing. Murphy coming forward with punches and Shakirova circles away. They trade in close range and Murphy lands a couple of knees. They trade again in close range and Murphy with a knee in the clinch. Murphy gets a takedown and is in the guard of Shakirova. Murphy lands a couple of punches from the top. Murphy gets the back of Shakirova and locks in a rear-naked choke. Shakirova taps! Big submission win for Murphy.
Official Result- Lauren Murphy def. Liliya Shakirova by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:31 of Round 2
> Jacob Malkoun (4-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Phillip Hawes (8-2, 0-0 UFC) Middleweights
Both men are making their UFC debuts. This didn’t last long as Hawes rocked Malkoun with a right hand and then unloaded a flurry of punches against the fence that sent Malkoun down and out cold. What a finish by Hawes.
Official Result- Phil Hawes def. Jacob Malkoun by knockout (punches) at :18 of Round 1
> Alexander Volkov (#7, 31-8, 5-2 UFC) vs. Walt Harris (#10, 13-8 1 NC, 6-7 1 NC UFC) Heavyweights
They were trading early and traded kicks. Harris with a leg kick. Volkov lands a right hand. Harris with an inside leg kick. Volkov with a body kick. Volkov with a jab and follows it with a combo. Harris with a right hand. Volkov lands a combo as Harris rushes in. Harris with a right hand off a kick from Volkov. Volkov lands some right hands. Volkov with a leg kick. Harris with an inside leg kick. Volkov with a combo. Volkov rocks Harris with a left hand and Harris is covering up as Volkov rushes in with a flurry. Harris lands a left hand and Volkov backs off and they reset. Volkov with a knee. 10-9 Volkov.
Harris lands a left hand. Harris shoots for a takedown but Volkov easily defends. Volkov with a combo. Volkov lands a big front kick to the body that hurts Harris and then lands a flurry and the fight is stopped. Excellent finish by Volkov.
Official Result- Alexander Volkov def. Walt Harris by TKO (strikes) at 1:15 of Round 2
> Robert Whittaker (#1, 21-5, 12-3 UFC) vs. Jared Cannonier (#2, 13-4, 6-4 UFC) Middleweights
Cannonier with a hard leg kick right away. Whittaker with a leg kick. They trade leg kicks and both men slipped. Whittaker with a body kick. Whittaker with the jab. They trade leg kicks. Cannonier lands a couple more. Whittaker lands a counter right hand. Whittaker with a head kick but Cannonier checks it. Whittaker with the jab and Cannonier lands a leg kick. Whittaker landing more as the round goes on. Whittaker with a high kick that partially landed. Cannonier did some damage to the lead leg in the first. 10-9 Whittaker.
Whittaker lands a jab as Cannonier lands a leg kick. Cannonier with a body kick. Cannonier with a leg kick and then another. They trade and Cannonier lands a good counter right hand. Cannonier lands a hard right hand and Whittaker lands a counter left. Whittaker with the jab. They trade and Cannonier with a leg kick. Whittaker gets a brief takedown but they get up and break. Whittaker with a jab as Cannonier lands leg kicks. Whittaker with a right hand. Whittaker with another right hand. 10-9 Whittaker, 20-18 Whittaker.
Whittaker with the jab. Whittaker with another jab. Whittaker with a head kick and Cannonier is in trouble. Cannonier falls to the mat and Whittaker gets on top and is landing but stops the flurry and gets into the half-guard. Whittaker gets the back of Cannonier, who is busted up and bleeding. Whittaker looking for a choke but they scramble to their feet. They’re clinched and Cannonier with some knees. They break. Whittaker with the jab. Whittaker lands another left hand. Cannonier with a body kick. Whittaker with the jab. Cannonier hurts Whittaker with a right hand. Cannonier trying to land a big shot but Whittaker ducks under. They are clinched and Cannonier just misses a big knee as the fight ends. Great showing by Whittaker, good fight overall. 10-9 Whittaker, 30-27 Whittaker.
Official Result- Robert Whittaker def. Jared Cannonier by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Gaethje first to land with an inside leg kick. Gaethje with another inside leg kick. They trade right hands. Nurmagomedov lands a jab and Gaethje with a leg kick. They are both scrambling around. Nurmagomedov tries a takedown but Gaethje defends. Gaethje lands a right hand and then a leg kick. Nurmagomedov with a body kick followed by a jab. Nurmagomedov with a running knee. Nurmagomedov keeps coming forward and lands a combo. Nurmagomedov with another jab. They trade leg kicks. Gaethje lands a left hook and lands another leg kick. Gaethje with a right hand. Nurmagomedov with a front kick and Gaethje lands a counter left hand. Nurmagomedov gets a takedown. Nurmagomedov gets the mount. He looks for the arm but time runs out on the round. 10-9 Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov with a right hand. Gaethje with a left hook. Nurmagomedov with a leg kick and then follows with a combo. Gaethje lands a left hand. Gaethje with a leg kick. Gaethje with another leg kick. Nurmagomedov gets a takedown and has the back and then transitions to the full mount. Nurmagomedov looking for a triangle choke and has it locked in and Gaethje taps! Gaethje was tapping several times before it was stopped and he looked out after it was released. Unbelievable performance by Nurmagomedov as he moves to 29-0 and retains the title.
Official Result- Khabib Nurmagomedov def. Justin Gaethje by submission (triangle choke) at 1:34 of Round 2 to retain the UFC Lightweight Championship
In an interview with CNN Tuesday, UFC president Dana White unveiled plans for one of their biggest fights of the fall plus a tease about another fight that would be much bigger.
White said that the lightweight championship unification bout between current champion Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. interim champion Justin Gaethje is a go for Saturday, October 24th with a location TBD.
The undefeated Nurmagomedov has been out of action since last September when he dominated Dustin Poirier in a title defense. Less than two months after Ramadan ended, his father passed away on July 3rd after heart surgery and complications due to COVID-19, adding to his absence. Gaethje defeated Tony Ferguson by fifth round TKO in May to win the interim belt and earn the shot at the Dagestan native.
Then in an ESPN interview, White said that he would be interested in pairing Nurmagomedov against Georges St-Pierre if it was Nurmagomedov’s final fight, a pairing both men talked about wanting to have before GSP’s retirement last year.
“Sure. Yeah, it’s the last fight of his career,” White said. “The guy has been great. He’s been great to the company, he’s been great for the sport, and, I like Khabib Nurmagomedov a lot. I would do anything Khabib wanted to do.”
This came up as the 31-year-old Nurmagomedov’s manager recently said he will retire after two more fights.
UFC president Dana White said during a radio interview Tuesday that UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje is likely heading to “Fight Island”.
In talking to Chicago’s ESPN 1000, White said that after Nurmagomedov is finished observing Ramadan (May 23rd), he will be ready to fight and they can begin to plan when the unification fight will be.
When it does happen, it appears set for the mysterious international island the UFC is fitting out to hold events featuring international fighters unable to fly to the U.S. due to pandemic related travel bans. That, of course, is assuming the current situation with travel remains in the upcoming months.
Gaethje earned the opportunity to face the undefeated Nurmagomedov by defeating Tony Ferguson by fifth round TKO Saturday at UFC 249 to earn the interim title. Nurmagomedov, originally slated to fight Ferguson but unable to travel, was last in action in September 2019 with a dominant victory over Dustin Poirier, the second defense of his title.
The UFC is back in action Wednesday night with the second of their three shows in Jacksonville, Florida this week. During the interview, White said the company will do 1100 COVID-19 tests for fighters, employees, commission members, and anyone involved with this week’s events.
