Tag: Kamaru Usman

UFC on ESPN 69 live results: Kamaru Usman vs. Joaquin Buckley

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

The Octagon returns to Atlanta, Georgia for the first time since April 2019 as the State Farm Arena hosts UFC On ESPN 69.

Headlining the card is the return of former UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman, who battles streaking contender Joaquin Buckley in a pivotal five-round clash. Usman is fighting for the first time since a loss to Khamzat Chimaev in October 2023, and is looking to end a three-fight losing skid. Buckley comes into the fight on the heels of six consecutive wins.

In the co-main event, former UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Rose Namajunas looks to get back into the title picture in the flyweight division as she takes on rising contender Miranda Maverick, winner of four straight fights.

Also on the main card is a middleweight bout between Edmen Shahbazyan and Andre Petroski; former UFC Bantamweight Champion Cody Garbrandt returns against Raoni Barcelos; and Alonzo Menifield takes on Oumar Sy in light heavyweight action.

ESPN+ PRELIMS | 7 PM ET/4 PM PT

> Women’s Flyweights- Jamey-Lyn Horth (7-2, 2-2 UFC) vs. Vanessa Demopoulos (11-7, 5-4 UFC)

Horth lands some early leg kicks. Demopoulos lands a right hand. Horth lands some more kicks, mixing to the body and legs. Demopoulos with a right hand to the body, but Horth counters with a body kick. They trade before Demopoulos pushes it to the fence. Horth lands a big right hand as they separate. Demopoulos is backing up and Horth lands some right hands. Horth with a body kick as she is pressuring. Horth continues to land with more volume as Demopoulos is having trouble closing distance. Horth lands a knee followed by a few right hands. Horth lands some big shots against the fence but Demopoulos grabs the clinch. Horth scores a takedown and works from the side. Demopoulos is able to survive the round. 10-9 Horth.

Horth lands a combination. Horth lands a liver kick then a leg kick. She lands another body kick. Demopoulos looks for the takedown and pushes it to the fence. Horth with a pair of knees and lands a left hand as they break. Horth lands a leg kick. Demopoulos rushes in and Horth lands a right hand. Horth lands a knee in a brief clinch. Horth with a pair of jabs and Demopoulos is able to connect with a head kick. Demopoulos lands a big right hand. They trade in close range as Horth lands some teet kicks. Horth lands two right hands. 10-9 Horth, 20-18 Horth.

They trade and Horth lands some body kicks. Horth gets a brief takedown but they scramble up. Demopoulos grabs the back and they roll to the mat. Horth is able to spin into inside the guard of Demopoulos. Horth lands a big right hand from the top. Horth with some hammerfists from the top. Demopoulos pushes Horth off and they get to their feet. Demopoulos lands a right hand. They trade punches and Horth lands some leg kicks. Demopoulos lands a right hand. Horth lands a combo then works the jab. Horth lands a big combination. They trade late and Demopoulos misses a takedown attempt. 10-9 Horth, 30-27 Horth.

Fight Result- Jamey-Lyn Horth def. Vanessa Demopoulos by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Welterweights- Phil Rowe (10-5, 3-3 UFC) vs. Ange Loosa (10-4 1 NC, 2-2 1 NC UFC)

Loosa lands a pair of leg kicks and a right hand. They trade leg kicks and right hands. Loosa lands another right hand. Loosa lands a jab. Rowe lands a right hand. Loosa immediately shoots for a takedown and finishes it against the fence. Loosa landing to the body from inside the guard of Rowe. Rowe trying to escape but Loosa keeps him down and lands some elbows. Loosa remains on top and landing to end the first. 10-9 Loosa.

They’re trading to start the second as Loosa lands some leg kicks. Loosa lands a right hand. Loosa is trying for a takedown as he lands some knees. They separate. Rowe with a knee and a right hand. Rowe working the jab and lands a body kick, then lands an uppercut. Rowe lands a right hand. Loosa with a calf kick. Rowe lands a combo and Loosa gets a brief takedown, but Rowe is able to sprawl to his feet. They separate. Rowe pressuring and landing more punches and lands a knee. Rowe with a combination and lands some right hands. Rowe lands a knee up the middle. Loosa counters with some big right hands and then drops Rowe with a big punch. Loosa gets on top and lands some punches. 10-9 Loosa, 20-18 Loosa.

Both looking for openings in the first minute as Loosa lands a leg kick and a pair of right hands. Rowe with a leg kick and Loosa grabs the leg and pushes it to the fence. Loosa scores a takedown. They get to their feet. Rowe lands a jab. Rowe with a combo and a high kick. Rowe landing against the fence. Rowe with a knee to the body. Rowe lands a right hand and an uppercut. Rowe with a knee and wobbles Loosa with a combo. Rowe is teeing off looking for a late finish and he lands a big combination. Rowe landing big right hands and Loosa falls to the mat and it is all over! What a comeback from Rowe!

Fight Result- Phil Rowe def. Ange Loosa by TKO (punches) at 4:03 of Round 3

> Bantamweights- Ricky Simon (21-6, 9-5 UFC) vs. Cameron Smotherman (12-5, 1-1 UFC)

Smotherman with a leg kick as Simon lands a jab. Simon lands a pair of leg kicks then a high kick. Simon gets a big takedown. Simon working from the top and grabs the back and looks for a choke before going back to landing. Simon controlling from the top. They get to their feet and Simon continues to land. 10-9 Simon.

They’re trading jabs. Simon scores a takedown. Simon working from the top and looking for an arm-triangle. He lets go for the time being and lands an elbow. Simon rolls to the back as they get to their feet. Simon controls and lands a knee and they break apart. Simon lands a combo. Simon with a body shot. Smotherman with a combo. Simon with a jab. 10-9 Simon, 20-18 Simon.

Smotherman pressing forward and Simon lands. Simon with a right hand. Simon grabs the back and tries for the takedown, but Smotherman is keeping it up. Simon pressuring against the fence and trying for the takedown. Simon lands a combo and is able to get the takedown. They work to the feet and Simon keeps Smotherman against the fence before Smotherman is able to land an elbow to force a break. Smotherman lands to the body. Smotherman with a knee. Simon lands a jab. Simon with a right hand and then a big combination. Simon pushes it to the fence looking for the takedown. They separate. Simon with a stiff jab. Smotherman lands a right hand. Smotherman connects late. 10-9 Smotherman, 29-28 Simon.

Fight Result- Ricky Simon def. Cameron Smotherman by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Flyweights- Cody Durden (17-7-1, 6-5-1 UFC) vs. Jose Ochoa (7-1 1 NC, 0-1 UFC)

They trade leg kicks early and Ochoa starts mixing shots to the head and body. They trade leg kicks. Ochoa with a body kick. They clinch against the fence as Durden looks for a takedown. They separate and Ochoa mixes punches to the head and body. Durden looks for another takedown attempt but Ochoa defends. Ochoa lands a series of kicks, mixing to the legs, head and body. Ochoa lands a big left hand and Durden is backing up. Ochoa with a combo and Durden lands two big right hands. Durden scores a takedown. Durden ends the round on top. 10-9 Ochoa.

Ochoa rocks Durden with a huge uppercut to start the second and then drops Durden with a big combination and Durden is out as Ochoa lands some shots before it is stopped. What a finish from Ochoa!

Fight Result- Jose Ochoa def. Cody Durden by knockout (punches) at :11 of Round 2

> Bantamweights- Malcolm Wellmaker (9-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Kris Moutinho (14-6, 0-2 UFC)

Wellmaker with some heavy calf kicks to start. He lands a right hook to the body then back to the leg kicks. They trade leg kicks. Wellmaker lands a big left hook then a right hand. Wellmaker landing big shots and Moutinho tries to clinch. Wellmaker lands to the body. They separate. Moutinho lands a combo. Wellmaker lands a big left hand. Moutinho with a leg kick. They trade. Wellmaker lands a front kick then lands a massive right hand and Moutinho face plants to the mat out cold! What a vicious knockout by Wellmaker!

Fight Result- Malcolm Wellmaker def. Kris Moutinho by knockout (punch) at 2:37 of Round 1

> Welterweights- Michael Chiesa (18-7, 13-7 UFC) vs. Court McGee (22-13, 11-12 UFC)

McGee rushes in but neither land their punch attempts. McGee with a quick combo. McGee lands a leg kick. Chiesa with a left hand. Chiesa throws and McGee dips under and they clinch but quickly break apart. Chiesa lands a right hook. Chiesa lands a jab and McGee lands a combination. McGee with a leg kick. They trade kicks. McGee lands a right hand to the body. Chiesa lands a body kick. 10-9 McGee.

McGee with a right hand and a kick that lands right to the cup of Chiesa and timeout is called. They get back to action and start trading. Chiesa lands a left hand. McGee presses forward and lands a combo. Chiesa lands a combination. Chiesa presses forward with a combo and lands a jab. McGee with a leg kick. Both still searching for openings. Chiesa lands a left hand. Chiesa landing slightly more this round. Chiesa with a combo. 10-9 Chiesa, 19-19.

They trade. Chiesa lands a high kick and a left hand and they clinch up against the fence. Chiesa has control and lands a knee as they reverse position several times. McGee with a pair of body shots. Chiesa tries for a takedown but McGee keeps it on the feet. They trade knees. McGee gets a brief takedown but Chiesa gets up and lands a knee and a combo on the break. Chiesa lands a combo. Chiesa lands a left hand as McGee lands a body kick. McGee lands a right hand. Chiesa lands a combo and McGee lands a counter combination. Chiesa with a body kick. 10-9 Chiesa, 29-28 Chiesa.

Fight Result- Michael Chiesa def. Court McGee by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Light Heavyweights- Paul Craig (17-9-1, 9-9-1 UFC) vs. Rodolfo Bellato (12-2-1, 1-0-1 UFC)

Craig with a body kick. Bellato lands a pair of leg kicks. Bellato lands a right hand. Craig with a leg kick. Craig shoots for a takedown but Bellato defends, though Craig lands a knee on the break. Craig with a left hand and he lands a knee. Craig with a body kick. Craig with a big body kick. Craig looks for a single leg takedown and Bellato is defending. Craig gets a brief trip takedown and Bellato works up to his feet. Craig tries a takedown but Bellato ends up on top. Craig lands from the bottom. Bellato with short body punches and stands. Bellato with punches from the top and Craig lands an upkick and Bellato was knocked out cold. It may have been an illegal kick but Bellato was out cold and woke up and is still out and thinking the fight is going on and trying to fight the referee. Doctors are coming in and checking on Bellato. Replay shows Bellato was on one knee when Craig landed the upkick that knocked him out cold. They are reviewing everything to make the right decision. It was called that the kick was an accidental foul.

Fight Result- Paul Craig vs. Rodolfo Bellato ruled a no contest (accidental foul) at 4:59 of Round 1

ESPN MAIN CARD | 10 PM ET/7 PM PT

> Light Heavyweights- #15 Alonzo Menifield (16-5-1, 9-5-1 UFC) vs. Oumar Sy (11-0, 2-0 UFC)

Sy with a big body kick. Sy lands a leg kick as Menifield connects with a right hand. Sy lands a leg kick. Sy with a high kick. Sy with a leg kick. Menifield missing his punch attempts. Sy with a body kick and Menifield is able to land a quick flurry. Sy lands a jab. Menifield lands a right hand. Timeout is called for an eye poke. They get back to action and Menifield lands a right hand. Sy lands a head kick. Sy with a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Sy lands a left hand. 10-9 Sy.

Sy with a body kick. He lands another. Sy lands another body kick. Sy looks for a takedown against the fence. Sy working hard for the takedown but Menifield is defending. Sy pressing against Menifield and nothing is happening. Menifield is landing elbows to defend as Sy is still working for the takedown. Sy gets Menifield to the mat. They get to their feet and Sy remains pressuring. 10-9 Sy, 20-18 Sy.

Sy lands a leg kick. Menifield with a leg kick. Menifield lands a jab. Sy with an inside leg kick. Menifield with a left hand. There is nothing happening. Menifield lands a jab. Menifield lands another jab. Sy with a leg kick. Sy lands a jab. Nothing happens. 10-9 Menifield, 29-28 Sy.

Fight Result- Alonzo Menifield def. Oumar Sy by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Middleweights- Mansur Abdul-Malik (8-0, 2-0 UFC) vs. Cody Brundage (11-6 1 NC, 5-5 1 NC UFC)

Abdul-Malik with a low kick and Brundage fires two kicks back. Abdul-Malik with a leg kick. Brundage lands a leg kick. Abdul-Malik lands and Brundage lands a counter right hand. Abdul-Malik with a high kick and Brundage fires one back. Brundage with a leg kick. Abdul-Malik with a leg kick. Abdul-Malik just misses a quick combo. Abdul-Malik lands a body kick. Abdul-Malik with a flying knee attempt and Brundage lands in response. 10-9 Brundage.

They trade kicks and Brundage lands a right hand. Abdul-Malik lands a body kick. They trade leg kicks. Abdul-Malik lands a quick flurry. They both connect with right hands as both were swinging. Abdul-Malik lands a body kick. Brundage lands a right hand. Abdul-Malik lands a knee. Abdul-Malik with a body kick. They trade as Brundage lands a right hand. Brundage with some kicks. 10-9 Brundage, 20-18 Brundage.

They both come out swinging and both connect with some big punches before they break apart for a moment. There was a clash of heads as Abdul-Malik landed a knee and Brundage was hurt and Brundage goes down and Abdul-Malik starts teeing off and it is stopped. They are debating how to call this due to the clash of heads. They’re going to the scorecards.

Fight Result- Mansur Abdul-Malik def. Cody Brundage by technical unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

> Bantamweights- Cody Garbrandt (14-6, 9-6 UFC) vs. Raoni Barcelos (19-5, 8-4 UFC)

Garbrandt throwing quick combinations. He connects with a flurry. Garbrandt with a body kick. Garbrandt lands a right hand and Barcelos slips to the mat. Garbrandt looked for a leg but Barcelos defends. Barcelos lands a right hand. Barcelos lands a big knee. They break apart. Garbrandt lands a left hand. Barcelos with a heavy leg kick. Garbrandt lands a knee and a big left hook. Barcelos lands a right hand. Garbrandt with some quick counter punches. Barcelos looks for a takedown and they scramble to the mat. 10-9 Garbrandt.

Barcelos comes out looking for a takedown as he pushes Garbrandt against the fence. They separate. Garbrandt lands a combo. Barcelos lands a leg kick. Barcelos still looking for takedown openings and Garbrandt defends and lands an elbow. Barcelos with a leg kick. Garbrandt lands a right hand to the body. Barcelos with a right hand and a left hand. Barcelos lands an uppercut. Barcelos looks for a takedown but Garbrandt defends. Barcelos with a right hand. Garbrandt lands a quick combo. Barcelos lands a right hand and Garbrandt was on the retreat as the round ended. 10-9 Barcelos, 19-19.

Garbrandt lands a combination. Barcelos with a heavy leg kick. Garbrandt lands a leg kick. Barcelos with a heavy leg kick. Barcelos lands a right hand. Barcelos with a leg kick and Garbrandt is looking for a takedown as he pushes Barcelos to the fence. Barcelos is defending and takes the back of Garbrandt. Garbrandt with some backward punches. Garbrandt is able to use the fence to spin to the top and he lands before they stand. They trade against the fence. Garbrandt hurts Barcelos with a knee but he quickly recovered. 10-9 Barcelos, 29-28 Barcelos.

Fight Result- Raoni Barcelos def. Cody Garbrandt by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Middleweights- Edmen Shahbazyan (14-5, 7-5 UFC) vs. Andre Petroski (13-3, 8-2 UFC)

They trade several body kicks. Shahbazyan lands a left hand. Shahbazyan with a left hand. Shahbazyan works the jab after Petroski lands a leg kick. Petroski lands a right hand and goes for a takedown. They separate and Shahbazyan lands a left hook that wobbles Petroski for a moment. Petroski looks for a takedown but Shahbazyan defends. Shahbazyan lands a big left hand. Shahbazyan with a big body kick. 10-9 Shahbazyan.

Shahbazyan lands a leg kick. Shahbazyan with a stiff left hand. Petroski connects with a right hand. He lands another as they have a quick exchange. They have a timeout for an eye poke. They get back to action and both look for openings. Petroski gets the back as he looks for a takedown, but Shahbazyan defends and they separate. Petroski with a high kick. He lands a nice right hand. Shahbazyan lands a body kick. Shahbazyan with a head kick and a right hand to the body. Shahbazyan with a combo to the body then to the head. 10-9 Shahbazyan, 20-18 Shahbazyan.

They trade and a clash of heads occurs and timeout is called. They get back going. Petroski lands a leg kick. Shahbazyan lands several right hands. Petroski gets a brief takedown and Shahbazyan is able to quickly work his way up. They trade in close range. Shahbazyan lands a pair of body kicks. They trade punches. Shahbazyan with a body kick and then drops Petroski with another one. Shahbazyan gets on top and looks to land, but backs off and lets Petroski up. Shahbazyan with a high kick. Petroski looks for a takedown but Shahbazyan spins away. They trade kicks. 10-9 Shahbazyan, 30-27 Shahbazyan.

Fight Result- Edmen Shahbazyan def. Andre Petroski by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Women’s Flyweights- #7 Rose Namajunas (13-7, 11-6 UFC) vs. #11 Miranda Maverick (15-5, 8-3 UFC)

They trade kicks. Namajunas with a pair of left hands. Namajunas lands some kicks. Maverick throws the jab and Namajunas connects with a right hand. Namajunas lands a combo after Maverick lands. Maverick with a leg kick. Namajunas lands a right hand. Maverick lands and makes Namajunas stumble for a moment. Namajunas looks for a takedown as she takes Maverick’s back. Maverick defends and they break apart. Maverick lands a body kick and Namajunas lands a right hand. 10-9 Namajunas.

Namajunas lands a big combination. She lands another quick combo. Maverick lands a body kick. Namajunas scores a takedown. Namajunas working from the top as Maverick is looking to throw her legs up. Namajunas gets the back of Maverick as they get to their feet. Namajunas jumps on the back and they go back to the mat. Namajunas is looking for a rear-naked choke. Maverick is able to escape and scrambles to the top and looks for an arm-triangle choke. She almost had it in but Namajunas is able to escape. Maverick has the back and lands some punches. Close round. 10-9 Namajunas, 20-18 Namajunas.

Maverick looking for a takedown against the fence. Namajunas defends and Maverick lets go and they separate to the middle. Namajunas connects with a left hook and Maverick goes down. Namajunas gets on top and lands before getting side control. Namajunas landing as she gets into the half-guard. Namajunas looking to set up an arm-triangle choke. Namajunas lets go and retains top control. Maverick is able to sweep to the top, but then Namajunas sweeps back into side control. Namajunas controlling from the top. 10-9 Namajunas, 30-27 Namajunas.

Fight Result- Rose Namajunas def. Miranda Maverick by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Welterweights- #5 Kamaru Usman (20-4, 15-3 UFC) vs. #7 Joaquin Buckley (21-6, 11-4 UFC)

Buckley comes out looking to land. Usman ducks under Buckley throwing and scores a takedown. Usman working from the half-guard landing shots and putting pressure onto Buckley. Buckley tries to get up, but Usman keeps him down and lands some elbows from the top. Usman with more shots and pressure from the top. Usman continues to land from the top. Usman has cut Buckley open with the elbows. Usman with more elbows and punches. 10-9 Usman.

Buckley rushes in and lands. Usman lands a body kick. Buckley lands a body kick. Usman lands to the body. Usman shoots from long range and scores the takedown. Usman landing from the top. Usman with smothering pressure from the top as he lands punches and elbows. Usman ends the round on top. 10-9 Usman, 20-18 Usman.

Buckley lands some leg kicks. Usman lands a body kick. Buckley looking to land but Usman is keeping a closed guard with good defense. Buckley lands a combo. Usman lands a body kick. Buckley lands a big combination. Usman scores a takedown. Usman landing punches from the top. Usman with some knees as Buckley is trying to get up but Usman is in total control. 10-9 Usman, 30-27 Usman.

Usman with a high kick. Buckley lands a left hand. Buckley with some short leg kicks as both are looking for openings. Buckley lands a combination. Usman lands a right hand. Usman shoots for a takedown as he pushes Buckley against the fence. Usman gets Buckley down to the mat. Usman with some right hands from top position as he has Buckley pinned down. 10-9 Usman, 40-36 Usman.

Buckley with a combination ending with a head kick. They trade as Usman lands a big jab. Usman looks for a takedown but Buckley is able to defend. Usman looks again but Buckley defends again and lands as they separate. Usman lands a jab as Buckley lands a small flurry. Usman pushes Buckley against the fence. They separate and Buckley lands some punches. Buckley lands another combination as he connects with an uppercut. Usman is having to circle away as he was hurt. They trade. 10-9 Buckley, 49-46 Usman.

Fight Result- Kamaru Usman def. Joaquin Buckley by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)

Daily Update: Kamaru Usman, Britt Baker, House of Black

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • January 20, 2025 Observer Newsletter: ’24 business year in review, Vince McMahon, WWE & AEW notes
  • The biggest attended shows in combat sports of 2024
  • Who drew the most big crowds of the year
  • What companies drew the biggest crowds
  • Amazing UFC PPV gates
  • The biggest pro wrestling drawing card by the year from 1916 to 2024
  • The biggest enduring drawing cards of all-time and where the modern stars rank with the historical stars
  • Updating all the Vince McMahon legal issues, from the SEC findings, the criminal investigation an the lawsuits, plus several things that have happened regarding the Grant chase this past week and who are with Vince for his start of a new company
  • WWE and NBC book Saturday Night’s Main Event head-to-head with All In Texas
  • The history of this tactic, and an estimate of how much revenue it would cost AEW
  • WWE on Netflix, what episode one did for business, trying to figure out what the numbers mean, time of show and more
  • WWE & TNA make deal
  • New Japan Battle in the Valley coverage
  • The arenas in the U.S. that have held pro wrestling for the longest amount of time
  • Bret Hart talks his favorite wrestler and the life of Sweet Daddy Siki
  • What is up with Corey Graves
  • Death of Ray Richard
  • The most detailed look at the TV ratings over the past week and key takes
  • Blue Panther vs. Hechicero
  • Athena tours Stardom
  • New Japan big shows coming up
  • Thoughts on the death of Bob Uecker
  • VOW best wrestlers of 2024
  • More on the AEW show in Brisbane, Australia
  • Lots more on AEW ratings declines and where
  • Darby Allin update
  • Ticket sales for upcoming WWE & AEw shows
  • International TV ratings and streaming numbers
  • Conor McGregro sued again in a sex case
  • PFL drops the Bellator name, releases Bellator’s biggest star and cuts tournament prize money in half
  • Lots of new stuff from GFL
  • WWE sets more business records
  • Notes on the next Saturday Night’s Main Event
  • Paul Heyman talks booking

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter Back Issue

Thursday Update

WWE

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • After Konnan claimed that Britt Baker and Adam Cole broke up because Baker cheated on Cole, Baker posted a tweet denying the allegation. Baker said she has never cheated on anyone in her life:
    • I understand we as performers are expected to have thick skin through opinions and lies we read about ourselves, but spreading lies about my personal life is just low, weird, and something I won’t tolerate. 
    • I’ve never cheated on anyone in my life. #TellYourSource
  • With Malakai Black not expected back in AEW, a video aired on Dynamite spotlighting Brody King, Buddy Matthews & Julia Hart as a trio. The “Hounds of Hell” has been trademarked as a potential new name for the group. They said in their promo last night:
    • For years, we’ve had a voice to guide us. That voice was all but deafening. Now, that voice has gone silent. And we are done living in the shadows. It’s time to honor ourselves. No rules. No leaders. No gods. No masters. Just violence. When we bark, we bark together.
  • Frakie Kazarian tweeted out the following after his former tag team partner Christopher Daniels announced his retirement from in-ring competition:
    • There’s no way to articulate what [Christopher Daniels] means to me. As an opponent, a tag team partner, or most importantly as a best friend and brother. His contributions to our sport will never be realized. I love you CD. Bad Influence, The Addiction or SCU. I loved every single minute.
  • In an interview with Undisputed, Mark Briscoe said he’s made it a point to incorporate a lot of his late brother Jay Briscoe’s ideas into his style as a singles wrestler:
    • For so many years, Jay and me, we’d argue. Jay would sell me on his ideas and his style being the way to go. I would be selling him on how my ideas and my style were the way to go. All along, it was iron sharpening iron. Well, now I have no desire to argue his points. In the past, it was automatically incorporated because we were two partners in a tag team. Now it’s just me, and I’m incorporating what Jay was saying all along.
    • When we tagged together, the contrast was obvious. You knew who Jay was and who Mark was, and the whole was greater than the sum of both parts. That’s what made The Briscoes so special. We went together like peanut and jelly, or peanut butter and chocolate if you’re a fan of Reese’s like myself.
    • Mark Briscoe, at his core, is a tag team specialist with Jay Briscoe. That’s what we did for 22 years. So I made the decision to incorporate more of Jay Briscoe into what I do in the ring. Jay is one of the finest wrestlers, in my opinion, there ever has been, so I’m damn sure going to take everything my brother taught me and learn from it.
  • Anthony Bowens filed a trademark for “The Pride of Pro Wrestling” on January 21.
  • Rocky Romero appeared on the latest episode of AEW Unrestricted.
  • AEW wished happy birthday to Powerhouse Hobbs (34) and Nigel McGuinness (49).
  • Joe Hendry will be a guest at WrestleCon’s convention in Indianapolis during Royal Rumble weekend.
  • Hendry and The Hardys appeared on SA Live, promoting tonight’s live episode of TNA Impact in San Antonio.
  • Axiom tweeted about making his TNA debut on Impact tonight: “In 2008 @ThisIsTNA started airing on TV in Spain. Someone tell 10 years old Axiom that one day he will be making his TNA debut while defending a WWE Title.”
  • CMLL announced that its Women’s Tag Team title tournament will have qualifying rounds on March 7 and March 14 with the finals then taking place on March 21. The titles were vacated last month when Tessa Blanchard departed CMLL.
  • Former WWE wrestler Indi Hartwell is sharpening her in-ring skills by training with Ace Steel at his Foundation of Professional Wrestling school in Florida.

UFC 294 live results: Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski 2

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

The Octagon returns to pay-per-view this weekend with their annual visit to Abu Dhabi for UFC 294: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski 2 from the Etihad Arena in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

The card underwent a recent shake-up to the two big fights, but arguably is now stronger than before. In the main event, UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev defends against UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski in a rematch. The two fought in February in the current front-runner for 2023 Fight Of The Year, which was won by Makhachev. Volkanovski is taking this rematch on twelve days’ notice, replacing Charles Oliveira.

In another fight coming together on short notice, former UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman steps in on eleven days’ notice to take on undefeated Khamzat Chimaev at 185 pounds. Usman is coming off a pair of welterweight title fight losses to Leon Edwards, while Chimaev steps inside the Octagon for the first time in 13 months.

Also on the main card is a light heavyweight bout between Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker, a middleweight bout pitting Ikram Aliskerov against Warlley Alves, and a bantamweight bout between Said Nurmagomedov and Muin Gafurov.

ESPN+ PRELIMS | 10 AM ET/7 AM PT

> Middleweights- Shara Magomedov (11-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Bruno Silva (23-9, 4-3 UFC)

Magomedov lands an inside leg kick. He lands some more leg kicks. He lands a high kick and one to the body. Silva lands a body kick. Silva lands another body kick then a combination. Magomedov lands a hard leg kick and then rocks Silva with a right hand then a knee. Magomedov with another hard leg kick and then he defends a takedown attempt from Silva. Silva lands a couple of left hands. Magomedov lands a pair of hard leg kicks. They trade punches. We have a timeout for a groin kick from Magomedov. They get back to action. Magomedov lands another loud leg kick. They both land nice left hooks simultaneously. They trade and Silva lands some nice punches and Magomedov lands some leg kicks. 10-9 Magomedov.

Magomedov lands a body kick then an axe kick followed by a leg kick. Silva lands a left hand followed by a leg kick. Magomedov lands a head kick then a pair of body kicks. Magomedov lands a combo ending with a knee. Magomedov eating Silva up with some kicks but Silva is able to get a takedown. Magomedov lands some elbows from the bottom. Silva stands and Magomedov lands some upkicks as Magomedov is staying active from the bottom. Magomedov doing better on the mat though Silva now lands from the top. Silva stands and Magomedov lands more upkicks. Silva lands from the top but eats a massive upkick from Magomedov. Close round. 10-9 Magomedov, 20-18 Magomedov.

Magomedov lands a leg kick and Silva is able to get a takedown. They both land on the mat. Silva lands some punches and elbows from the top. Magomedov landing left hands from the bottom but Silva lands right hands from the top. Both are working on the mat as Silva remains on top. They get to their feet and Magomedov lands a knee. Silva tries a takedown as he pushes it against the fence but Magomedov rocks him with an elbow. Silva is able to get another takedown. Both landing on the mat. Magomedov lands a flurry of elbows from the bottom. Both landing hammerfists on the mat. Silva gets to side control. They get to their feet late. Fun fight. 10-9 Magomedov, 29-28 Magomedov.

Official Result- Shara Magomedov def. Bruno Silva by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Women’s Strawweights*- Viktoriia Dudakova (7-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Jinh Yu Frey (11-9, 2-5 UFC)

*Dudakova missed weight by .6 pounds

Dudakova lands a right hand. Frey lands to the body. They clinch and Dudakova lands a knee as she looked to get it down but Frey broke it up. Frey lands to the body. Dudakova looks for a takedown as she pushes it against the fence. They separate. Dudakova lands a left hand. They have a clash of heads and timeout is called. They get back to action and have a quick exchange. They clinch and Dudakova lands a series of knees. They tie up and Dudakova trying for a takedown but Frey shakes it off. Frey lands a body kick. Dudakova lands a big left hand that drops Frey late. 10-9 Dudakova.

Dudakova lands to start before Frey is able to get a takedown. Frey in side control but eats a few punches from Dudakova on the bottom. Frey lands some elbows and knees from side control. They get to their feet for a moment but Frey lands a punch and Dudakova goes back to the mat. Frey gets back on top. Dudakova looks for an armbar but Frey defends. Dudakova gets a warning for having her fingers inside of Frey’s glove, but an illegal upkick was missed. They stand and Dudakova lands a combo. They trade late. 10-9 Frey, 19-19.

Dudakova lands a combo as Frey landed a body kick. Frey went for a takedown but Dudakova defended. Frey lands a right hand. They trade in close range and Frey lands a nice left hand, though Dudakova is ahead on volume in this round. Dudakova lands a right hand. Dudakova lands a right hand then a stiff jab. They tie up and Frey pushes it against the fence. Frey trying hard for the takedown and lands a knee but Dudakova keeping it on the feet. Dudakova lands some knees. They trade late. 10-9 Dudakova, 29-28 Dudakova.

Official Result- Viktoriia Dudakova def. Jinh Yu Frey by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Featherweights- Nathaniel Wood (19-5, 7-2 UFC) vs. Muhammad Naimov (9-2, 1-0 UFC)

They both land leg kicks to start. Wood lands a nice leg kick and Naimov counters with a combo that hurts Wood. Naimov is able to get a takedown and is working from the top. Naimov landing from the top. He continues to land left hands from the top. They get to their feet. They clinch and Naimov lands a pair of groin strikes and Wood is in a lot of pain as they call timeout. They get back to action. Wood lands a pair of leg kicks. Wood lands a big left hand that hurts Naimov and Naimov might’ve fallen down if not for the fence. Wood follows up with a pair of punches before getting a takedown into side control. He looks for the arm as he moves to the back but lets Naimov get on top. Naimov in side control and grabs the neck. They get to their feet. Wood lands an elbow. 10-9 Naimov.

Naimov lands a kick to the groin of Wood to start the second and we have another timeout. They get back to action without a point taken away. They immediately clinch against the fence. Wood gets a takedown. They get to their feet as Wood has the back. Naimov tries to grab the fence. Naimov is able to get a takedown. Wood almost got to his feet but Naimov is able to keep it down. Wood is able to work it to the feet after not a ton of action on the mat. Wood looking for the arm and a kimura attempt as he lets Naimov take him down. Naimov with some knees to the thighs of Wood. They get to their feet and clinch at the end. 10-9 Naimov, 20-18 Naimov.

Naimov lands a kick. Wood grabs the back and pushes it against the fence but they separate. Naimov lands a high kick. Wood partially lands a left hand. Naimov lands a left hand and a leg kick. They trade kicks. Naimov drops down for a takedown and is able to secure it. They get to their feet and Wood lands a big right hand and then lands another. Wood lands another combo. Naimov tries a spin kick and falls to the mat and Wood lands a lot of big punches at the end from the top. 10-9 Wood, 29-28 Naimov.

Official Result- Muhammad Naimov def. Nathaniel Wood by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Lightweights*- Mike Breeden (10-6, 0-3 UFC) vs. Anshul Jubli (7-0, 1-0 UFC)

*Breeden missed weight by 3.5 pounds

Jubli lands a leg kick. Breeden lands a leg kick. Jubli lands to the body. Jubli lands a body kick. Breeden lands a combo. Jubli lands a right hand and a knee to the body. They trade as Jubli lands to the body and Breeden lands a right hand. Jubli lands a right hand to the body. Jubli lands a combo. Jubli lands a knee. Breeden lands a leg kick. Jubli ahead on volume here. They trade punches. 10-9 Jubli.

Jubli hurts Breeden with a right hand and starts swarming. Jubli lands a knee and a body kick. Jubli with more right hands and Breeden is cut open. Jubli with a body kick and they clinch. Breeden is throwing punches but not really landing as Jubli lands some right hands. Breeden lands a right hand. Jubli lands a right hand and Breeden counters with a combo. Breeden lands a body kick. They trade punches. Jubli lands a right hand. Jubli with a pair of leg kicks and Breeden counters with some punches. Jubli lands a right hand. They trade late. 10-9 Jubli, 20-18 Jubli.

They’re trading to start the third as Jubli is landing punches. Breeden is barking at Jubli. Jubli lands a big right hand. Breeden is landing and taunting Jubli. Jubli lands a leg kick and Breeden lands a right hand. Breeden lands a flurry against the fence. Breeden lands a stiff jab. Breeden’s taunting is affecting Jubli. Jubli tries a takedown but Breeden defends. They trade right hands. Jubli lands a pair of body kicks. He lands a right hand and Breeden lands a big left hand. Breeden lands a combo and drops Jubli and lands another right hand and gets the finish. What a comeback from Breeden!

Official Result- Mike Breeden def. Anshul Jubli by knockout (punch) at 3:00 of Round 3

> Middleweights- Abu Azaitar (14-3-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Sedriques Dumas (8-1, 1-1 UFC)

Azaitar lands some big punches and gets Dumas down but scrambles up and gets a takedown. Azaitar landing from the bottom as Dumas is trying to improve his position. Dumas lands a knee to the body from the top. Azaitar getting warned for hitting the back of the head. Dumas is controlling from the half-guard. He ends the round on top. 10-9 Dumas.

Dumas lands a leg kick. He lands another. He lands another. Azaitar rushes forward with punches and lands a right hand. Azaitar lands another right hand that makes Dumas circle away. Dumas lands a leg kick. Azaitar lands a leg kick. Dumas lands a stiff jab. They trade some big punches. Azaitar catches a leg and lands some right hands as he gets Dumas down. Azaitar lands from the top but they scramble up. Azaitar lands a leg kick. 10-9 Azaitar, 19-19.

Dumas lands a leg kick. Dumas lands a spin kick. Dumas rushes in and Azaitar lands some punches. They have a timeout for a hair pull. Dumas lands a left hand that hurts Azaitar but he’s able to recover. Azaitar lands a big flurry to the body. Azaitar is landing more here but there’s not a ton of activity. They trade kicks. Azaitar tries a late takedown and Dumas lands a head kick. Close fight. 10-9 Azaitar, 29-28 Azaitar.

Official Result- Sedriques Dumas def. Abu Azaitar by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Bantamweights- Javid Basharat (14-0, 3-0 UFC) vs. Victor Henry (23-6, 2-1 UFC)

Henry lands a leg kick. Basharat lands a leg kick. Henry lands a leg kick as Basharat lands a right hand. Basharat lands a combo. Basharat gets a takedown. They scramble up and Basharat has the back. They separate and both land leg kicks. Henry lands some leg kicks. They tie up late and Basharat lands some knees. Close round. 10-9 Basharat.

We have an immediate groin strike on a kick from Basharat and Henry goes down in pain. The doctor is in and is telling Henry that he got kicked in the leg and not the groin, which is completely wrong. The fight is waved off as the five minute clock on the timeout runs out and Henry is still in tons of pain. This will either be a no contest or a disqualification, but likely a no contest.

Official Result- Javid Basharat vs. Victor Henry ends in a no contest (accidental groin strike) at :15 of Round 2

> Lightweights- Mohammad Yahya (12-3, 0-0 UFC) vs. Trevor Peek (8-1, 1-1 UFC)

Peek lands a leg kick. Peek lands a combo and Yahya goes down for a brief moment. Peek is able to get a takedown and is in the half-guard. They get to their and Peek has it pushed against the fence. Peek lands a knee to the inside leg of Yahya. They separate and Yahya lands a body kick. Peek lands a leg kick. Yahya lands a left hand. Peek lands a left hand and Yahya lands a jumping knee. Yahya has the neck and drags it down for a choke attempt but Peek escapes near the end. 10-9 Peek.

They trade kicks. Yahya lands a body kick as Peek lands a right hand to the body. Yahya landing to the body with kicks as both are looking for openings. Yahya with a partial head kick. Peek lands a combo and then a body shot. Yahya slipped to the mat and Peek looks for a takedown against the fence. Peek lands a flurry. Yahya lands a left hand. They trade some big punches. Peek lands a combo to the body and head. Yahya lands a body kick. 10-9 Peek, 20-18 Peek.

Peek lands some punches to start the third. Peek landing some big shots against the fence. Peek gets it down and kind of has the mount. They get to their feet and Peek has the body lock and gets it back down. They get to their feet. Yahya lands a pair of body kicks. Peek lands a right hand. Yahya lands a left hand. They trade and Yahya pushes it against the fence but Peek reverses position. They separate. Peek lands some heavy right hands. Peek gets a takedown and is in the half-guard. He has full mount but Yahya escapes late. 10-9 Peek, 30-27 Peek.

Official Result- Trevor Peek def. Mohammad Yahya by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

> Flyweights- #10 Tim Elliott (19-12-1, 8-10 UFC) vs. #11 Muhammad Mokaev (9-0 1 NC, 4-0 UFC)

Elliott lands a leg kick. Mokaev lands a right hand but Elliott is able to get a takedown. They scramble to their feet. Mokaev comes forward and lands. They trade punches and Mokaev shoots for a takedown but Elliott defends. Elliott lands some knees but a couple of them were illegal and a timeout is called. They get back to action and Mokaev lands a high kick. Mokaev lands a right hand and combo before getting a takedown. Elliott has the neck and is looking for a guillotine choke. Elliott loses it but goes back for it. Mokaev landing body punches as he escapes the choke. Mokaev lands from the top. 10-9 Mokaev.

Mokaev gets a takedown. Elliott is looking for a guillotine choke. Mokaev landing heavy body punches and is able to get his neck free. Mokaev working from the top and keeping Elliott pinned on the bottom. Mokaev lands a right hand and it allows Elliott to look for a triangle choke. Mokaev then slams Elliott to the mat to get out of it and is working back in the full guard. Mokaev still landing from the top. 10-9 Mokaev, 20-18 Mokaev.

Mokaev looks for a takedown but Elliott is defending. Elliott now landing some knees and some of them were clean but he also landed a couple of illegal ones so we have another timeout. They get back to action in the same position. Mokaev is able to reverse and gets a big takedown on Elliott. Mokaev working from the top and locks in an arm-triangle choke and gets Elliott to tap. What a finish from Mokaev!

Official Result- Muhammad Mokaev def. Tim Elliott by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 3:03 of Round 3

ESPN+ PPV MAIN CARD | 2 PM ET/11 AM PT

> Bantamweights- Said Nurmagomedov (17-3, 6-2 UFC) vs. Muin Gafurov (18-5, 0-1 UFC)

Nurmagomedov throws a front high kick. Gafurov lands a leg kick. Nurmagomedov lands a head kick. Gafurov shoots for a takedown but Nurmagomedov quickly locks in a guillotine choke. It is in tight and Gafurov taps on the opposite side of the referee and falls asleep. What a finish from Nurmagomedov!

Official Result- Said Nurmagomedov def. Muin Gafurov by submission (guillotine choke) at 1:13 of Round 1

> Middleweights- Ikram Aliskerov (14-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. Warlley Alves (14-6, 8-6 UFC)

Aliskerov landing some early punches as Alves lands some leg kicks. Aliskerov lands a body kick. Aliskerov lands a right hand and then a jab that buckles Alves. Aliskerov is landing a flurry with a jumping knee that hurts Alves and a flurry ends up finishing it. What a showing from Aliskerov!

Official Result- Ikram Aliskerov def. Warlley Alves by TKO (strikes) at 2:07 of Round 1

> Light Heavyweights- #2 Magomed Ankalaev (18-1-1, 9-1-1 UFC) vs. #7 Johnny Walker (21-7, 7-4 UFC)

Walker lands a right hand. He lands a leg kick and then another. They trade leg kicks. Ankalaev lands a right hand. Ankalaev lands a body shot and Walker faked being hurt to try a flying knee that missed. Ankalaev gets it down for a moment and is trying to get the back. Ankalaev lands a clear illegal knee and we have a timeout. The doctor then stops the fight claiming Walker couldn’t continue and all hell broke loose as Walker pushed the referee, Ankalaev and Walker still kept trying to go after each other, security and even Dana White came in to calm things down.

Official Result- Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker ends in a no contest (accidental foul) at 3:13 of Round 1

> Middleweights- #1-WW Kamaru Usman (20-3, 15-2 UFC) vs. #4-WW Khamzat Chimaev (12-0, 6-0 UFC)

Chimaev lands a body kick. Chimaev shoots for a takedown but Usman is defending. Chimaev takes the back standing and Usman goes to a knee but gets up. Chimaev flattens Usman out for a moment and lands punches. Usman gets to his knees but Chimaev has full back control. Chimaev still landing from the back. They stand and Chimaev is on the back still and is looking for a choke. Usman slams Chimaev down but Chimaev still has the back on the ground. Chimaev looking for the choke again but lets go. Chimaev lands some more. 10-8 Chimaev.

Usman lands a leg kick. Usman lands a left hand. Chimaev lands a body kick. Chimaev lands a low kick. Usman lands a right hand. Chimaev lands a leg kick. Chimaev with a head kick attempt that Usman blocks. Usman lands a right hand after a jab then a calf kick. Usman lands a left hand. Chimaev gets a takedown. Not much happens on the ground as Usman played good defense. Close round. 10-9 Usman, 19-18 Chimaev.

Chimaev shoots for a takedown but Usman easily defends and spins away. Usman lands a right hand. Chimaev lands a right hand and Usman fires back with one. Chimaev tries a takedown but Usman defends. Usman lands a jab and a right hand in close range. Usman lands a jab and is landing away at Chimaev. Usman with a combo. Chimaev is able to get the takedown. Chimaev is on top but not doing much though he is keeping Usman pinned to the bottom. They scramble up. Usman lands a right hand. They swing late. 10-9 Chimaev, 29-27 Chimaev.

Official Result- Khamzat Chimaev def. Kamaru Usman by majority decision (29-27, 29-27, 28-28)

> UFC Lightweight Championship- C Islam Makhachev (24-1, 13-1 UFC) vs. C-FW Alexander Volkanovski (26-2, 13-1 UFC)

Makhachev lands a leg kick. He lands another. He shoots for a takedown and pushes it against the fence. Both are landing as they’re tied up with Makhachev landing some knees. They separate. Makhachev lands a body kick. Makhachev lands a left hand. Makhachev lands a head kick and Volkanovski goes down. Makhachev gets on top and starts landing and finishes it off! What a finish from Makhachev!

Official Result- Islam Makhachev def. Alexander Volkanovski by knockout (head kick & punches) at 3:06 of Round 1 to retain the UFC Lightweight Championship 

UFC 286 live results: Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman 3

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

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.

ESPN+ PRELIMS | 12:30 PM ET/9:30 AM PT

> 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)

> Women’s Flyweights- Joanne Wood (15-8, 7-8 UFC) vs. Luana Carolina (8-3, 3-2 UFC)

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)

ESPN NEWS PRELIMS | 3 PM ET/12 PM PT

> 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

ESPN+ PPV MAIN CARD | 5 PM ET/2 PM PT

> 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

**********

Leon Edwards wins welterweight title at UFC 278

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Leon Edwards is the new UFC welterweight Champion.

At Saturday’s UFC 278 event, Edwards defeated Kamaru Usman by knockout after he connected a head kick at 4:04 of round 5. This ends Usman’s run with the welterweight title after 1,267 days, originally defeating Tyron Woodley at UFC 235 on March 2, 2019.

“We were writing his obituary,” said Daniel Corimer on commentary. During the fifth round, announcers had speculated that Edwards had been defeated, as Usman had been in control of most of the match heading into the final round.

“I told it was possible we could win a belt from the UK,” Edwards, who is from Birmingham, said in his post-fight interview. “I told you. Now look at me now! Look at me now! I told you I could do it!”

The two previously fought in 2015, with Usman winning the fight by unanimous decision. This was only the second loss of Usman’s career, losing his second-ever fight to Jose Caceres back in 2013. 

UFC 278 live results: Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards 2

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 278: Usman vs. Edwards 2, emanating from the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Octagon is back in Salt Lake City for the first time since August 2016 with the first pay-per-view event to take place in the city, which is headlined by a long-awaited rematch for the UFC Welterweight Championship.

UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman looks to continue his reign of dominance over the 170-pound division, as well as keep his top spot in the pound-for-pound rankings, when he defends the title against Leon Edwards in the main event. This is a rematch of a December 2015 bout, which Usman won by decision. Usman has gone on to become the dominant force at welterweight, but Edwards is also unbeaten since that fight, with nine wins and a no contest. This rematch has been brewing for well over a year.

In the co-main event, former middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa looks to end a two-fight losing skid when he welcomes former UFC Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold back to action. Rockhold returns to action for the first time since July 2019, back down at 185 pounds and looking to make another run at the title. Also on the main card is a pivotal bantamweight bout between former UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo and Merab Dvalishvili, and a light heavyweight bout between Tyson Pedro and Harry Hunsucker.

Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.

We are looking for your thoughts on tonight’s event, so send a thumbs up, a thumbs down or a thumbs in the middle along with a best fight and a worst fight to Dave at [email protected].

ESPN PRELIMS | 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT

> Flyweights- Daniel Da Silva (11-3, 0-2 UFC) vs. Victor Altamirano (10-2, 0-1 UFC)

Altamirano with a quick combo and lands to the body. They trade leg kicks. Da Silva tries a body kick and Altamirano grabs the leg but lets go. Altamirano with a right hand. Da Silva drops Altamirano with a right hand and lands another on the ground but they get up. Da Silva with a combo. Da Silva with a spinning back fist. They trade in close range. Da Silva lands a knee followed by a combo. Altamirano lands a knee and they go to the ground and Altamirano is landing big shots from the top then Da Silva went for a triangle but Altamirano lands some big elbows to escape. Da Silva is cut open. Altamirano with big elbows from the top and Da Silva is covering up but they are landing. Big shots from the top by Altamirano. Altamirano with big shots from the top and it is stopped. What a fun fight.

Official Result- Victor Altamirano def. Daniel Da Silva by TKO (strikes) at 3:39 of Round 1

> Bantamweights- Aoriqileng (23-9, 1-2 UFC) vs. Jay Perrin (10-5, 0-1 UFC)

Aoriqileng with a leg kick and Perrin lands a right hand. Perrin lands a left hook to the body as Aoriqileng lands a right hand. Aoriqileng with a right hand. They trade and Aoriqileng rocks Perrin with a counter left hook and follows it with an uppercut. He then lands a flying knee before they clinch against the fence. They break. Aoriqileng lands a combo then they clinch. They break and Perrin with a leg kick. Perrin lands a flying knee to the body but eats a left hook from Aoriqileng. Perrin gets a takedown. He lands a couple of punches from the top. 10-9 Aoriqileng.

They both land early and Aoriqileng lands a flying knee. Perrin gets a takedown. He’s working from the top but not landing as they work to the fence and get to their feet and break. Aoriqileng lands a hard left hand. Aoriqileng with a right hand. He lands a leg kick. Perrin fires back with a leg kick. Aoriqileng lands a hard leg kick. Perrin goes for a takedown but Aoriqileng defends as they go to the fence. They break and Aoriqileng lands a right hand. He lands another. They trade in close range late. 10-9 Aoriqileng, 20-18 Aoriqileng.

Perrin with a body kick and Aoriqileng lands a right hand. They trade inside the pocket. They trade kicks. Aoriqileng with a leg kick then lands a right hand. Perrin gets the takedown. They get right up against the fence. Perrin has Aoriqileng pushed against the fence and both land with some dirty boxing as Perrin is trying for the takedown. Perrin lands an elbow. He lands a couple more elbows. They trade as they break. Perrin with a leg kick and Aoriqileng lands a right hand. Perrin with a body kick. Perrin tries for a takedown but Aoriqileng defends. Perrin steps away and lands a combo and is teeing off on Aoriqileng and rocks Aoriqileng near the end in a wild exchange. Good fight. 10-9 Perrin, 29-28 Aoriqileng.

Official Result- Aoriqileng def. Jay Perrin by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Flyweights- #11 Amir Albazi (14-1, 2-0 UFC) vs. Francisco Figueiredo (13-4-1 1 NC, 2-1 UFC)

Figueiredo with a body kick. He lands a leg kick. Figueiredo with some more body kicks. Figueiredo tries a leg kick and Albazi grabs the foot and trips him to the mat and Albazi gets on top. Albazi working to improve his position on the top as he’s bringing some pressure and lands some punches. Albazi lands a flurry from the top and lets Figueiredo get to his feet. Albazi gets the body lock and Figueiredo grabs the fence to block a takedown but Albazi is able to complete it. Figueiredo attempts a leg lock as Albazi lands a right hand and gets his leg free. Albazi takes the back and is looking for a choke and has it locked in and Figueiredo taps! Great showing from Albazi.

Official Result- Amir Albazi def. Francisco Figueiredo by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:34 of Round 1

ABC PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT

> Welterweights- AJ Fletcher (9-1, 0-1 UFC) vs. Ange Loosa (8-3, 0-1 UFC)

Fletcher lands a combo. Loosa with an inside leg kick. Fletcher lands a right hand. He lands an elbow. They trade jabs. They trade in close and Fletcher lands a solid left hook. Loosa with a left to the body. They trade high body kicks. They keep trading and Loosa lands a solid right hand. Loosa lands another right hand. Fletcher with an elbow. Fletcher with a body kick and Loosa lands some punches in close and a knee to the body. They clinch and trade and break and Loosa lands a couple of right hands and scores a takedown. 10-9 Loosa.

They trade to start the second as Fletcher lands a leg kick and Loosa lands a flurry of punches. Fletcher with a front kick. Loosa with a quick jab as Fletcher lands a left hand. Loosa with a right hand. They trade inside the pocket. Loosa lands a right hand. Loosa with some body kicks. Fletcher with a body kick and Loosa gets a takedown. They scramble up. They trade right hands. Loosa with a right hand. Loosa with a combo. They continue to trade and Fletcher is bleeding badly from his nose. Fletcher with a big flurry against the fence and has Loosa hurt badly. Loosa tries a takedown but Fletcher defends and is landing big shots. Loosa stands and Fletcher is teeing off on him and Loosa is hurt badly. Fletcher tries a takedown in a bad idea move and Loosa defends and has the neck as both take a breather. They both battle in the position late. Crazy round. 10-9 Fletcher, 19-19.

Loosa with a right hand and Fletcher lands inside the pocket. They trade punches and Fletcher shoots for a takedown but Loosa defends. Loosa gets the back and is landing right hands. Loosa with some elbows from the top. Loosa continues to land from the top and is staying on top as Fletcher can’t get out from the bottom. Loosa still landing from the top. Loosa ends the fight landing from the top. 10-9 Loosa, 29-28 Loosa.

Official Result- Ange Loosa def. AJ Fletcher by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 29-28)

> Featherweights- Sean Woodson (9-1, 3-1 UFC) vs. Luis Saldana (16-7, 2-1 UFC)

Saldana with a leg kick. Woodson lands a right hand. Woodson with a spin kick and lands a right hand. Saldana with a body kick. They trade punches. Saldana with a body kick as Woodson lands a left hand. They trade in close range and Saldana with a leg kick. Saldana lands a left hook and Woodson falls to the mat but gets up. Saldana drops Woodson again but lands Saldana lands a knee to Woodson’s head and Woodson looked out and the fight was stopped. We have a timeout and they’re reviewing it. It did land to the head and Saldana has a point taken away and Woodson is saying he’s good to fight. They continue. Woodson with some body kicks. They clinch but break. Saldana with a body kick and then a leg kick that trips Woodson up. Saldana with a late combo. 9-8 Saldana with the point deduction.

Woodson lands a right hand. Saldana with a leg kick. He lands another. Saldana with a body kick and they trade punches. Both landing punches and Saldana landing with slightly more volume. Saldana gets the takedown and is in the guard of Woodson. Woodson looked for an omaplata on the bottom and is now looking for a buggy choke. It is in tight. Saldana is giving the thumbs up and survives the round. 10-9 Saldana, 19-17 Saldana.

They trade punches to start the third and Saldana with a leg kick. Saldana with the jab and Woodson lands a jab as well. Saldana goes for a takedown and Woodson defends landing some elbows. Saldana looks to take the back. They break and both are exhausted and landing sporadic punches. Saldana with a leg kick. He lands some more leg kicks. Saldana looks for a takedown but Woodson defends. They trade jabs. Saldana tries a takedown but drops down to take guard. 10-9 Saldana, 29-26 Saldana.

Official Result- Sean Woodson vs. Luis Saldana ends in a split draw (29-27, 27-29, 28-28)

> Lightweights- Leonardo Santos (18-5-1, 7-2-1 UFC) vs. Jared Gordon (18-5, 6-4 UFC)

Santos lands a body kick. Santos with a leg kick. There isn’t much happening in the first two minutes. They trade body shots. Gordon with a leg kick. Gordon lands a couple of right hands. Santos with a body kick after Gordon lands some calf kicks. Gordon with a combo against the fence and he lands an uppercut. They clinch and Gordon with some body shots. Santos with a knee. 10-9 Gordon.

Gordon lands some body shots and they clinch against the fence and Gordon with more body shots before they break. Santos lands a jab. Gordon lands an uppercut. Santos with a high kick. Gordon with a right hand. Santos tries a takedown and has the back of Gordon against the fence as they’re on the feet. Santos tried a takedown and Gordon grabbed the fence and it was missed by Herb Dean. Gordon with some body shots and he takes the back of Santos for a moment. They break. Gordon with a right hand. Gordon with more body shots as they break. Santos lands a right hand. 10-9 Gordon, 20-18 Gordon.

Gordon with a combo and then starts to land leg kicks. Gordon continues to land punches, Gordon with a combo as Santos isn’t doing a whole lot on offense. They clinch against the fence. They break. Both look tired. Santos tries a takedown and has a hold of the leg in the sprawl position and Gordon is landing punches as he’s defending. They stand and clinch against the fence until the end. 10-9 Gordon, 30-27 Gordon.

Official Result- Jared Gordon def. Leonardo Santos by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Heavyweights- #11 Marcin Tybura (22-7, 9-6 UFC) vs. #13 Alexandr Romanov (16-0, 5-0 UFC)

Romanov gets a big takedown after taking the back of Tybura against the fence. They get to their feet and Romanov still has back control and is landing knees to the legs. Romanov gets another slam takedown. Romanov with left hands from the back and Tybura is covering up as he’s in trouble. Romanov with some knees and more left hands. Dominant round for Romanov. 10-8 Romanov.

Romanov with a spinning elbow. Romanov pushes Tybura against the fence. They break. Romanov lands a left hand. Tybura lands a right hand. Romanov with a combo. Romanov tries a takedown but Tybura backs away and lands a left hand. We have a timeout for a groin strike but they get back going as it was called a kick to the gut. Tybura gets a takedown and is in side control. Tybura landing body punches as they’re in north-south position. Tybura gets the back and lands some punches. Romanov slips out and has the back of Tybura and lands some punches at the end. 10-9 Tybura, 19-18 Romanov.

Tybura lands a left hand. Tybura with a body kick and Romanov returns fire with a body kick. Tybura with a left hand. Tybura with a body kick. Tybura lands a left hand. Romanov misses a spinning back fist attempt. Tybura with a short uppercut. They trade punches. Tybura with a right hand to the body. Tybura with a couple of jabs. Romanov with a knee to the body. Neither really landing in the last minute. Romanov lands a right hand. 10-9 Tybura, 28-28 DRAW.

Official Result- Marcin Tybura def. Alexandr Romanov by majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)

ESPN+ PPV MAIN CARD | 10 PM ET/7 PM PT

> Light Heavyweights- Tyson Pedro (8-3, 4-3 UFC) vs. Harry Hunsucker (7-5, 0-2 UFC)

Pedro lands a jab and then rocks Hunsucker with a combo. He lands a front kick to the body and Hunsucker goes down and Pedro finishes it off with shots from the top. What a showing from Pedro.

Official Result- Tyson Pedro def. Harry Hunsucker by TKO (strikes) at 1:05 of Round 1

> Women’s Bantamweights- Wu Yanan (13-5, 1-4 UFC) vs. Lucie Pudilova (13-7, 2-5 UFC)

Yanan lands some leg kicks and they clinch and Yanan lands an elbow on the break. Yanan lands some more leg kicks. Pudilova with a right hand. Pudilova gets a takedown. Pudilova with a right hand from the top. Pudilova in the half-guard of Yanan. Pudilova moves to side control and is landing from the top but looking to set something up. Pudilova gets the mount but was too high and Yanan slipped out but Pudilova grabs the back as they stand. 10-9 Pudilova.

Pudilova lands a left hand. Yanan with a leg kick. They both land in close range. Yanan with a leg kick. They both land and then clinch and Pudilova gets a head-and-arm takedown. Pudilova is in side control then takes the back and locks in a rear-naked choke. It was on the chin and she switches which allows Yanan to escape. Pudilova still on top as she’s in side control. Pudilova gets the back and has the mount and is landing big elbows and it is stopped. What a finish by Pudilova.

Official Result- Lucie Pudilova def. Wu Yanan by TKO (elbows) at 4:04 of Round 2

> Bantamweights- #3 Jose Aldo (31-7, 13-6 UFC) vs. #6 Merab Dvalishvili (14-4, 7-2 UFC)

Dvalishvili with a spin kick. Dvalishvili misses a right hand. Dvalishvili goes for a takedown against the fence but Aldo defends. Dvalishvili with a leg kick. Aldo with a leg kick. They trade kicks. Aldo with a leg kick. Dvalishvili tries for a takedown against the fence. Dvalishvili with a combo as they break. Aldo with a body punch and a knee to the body. Dvalishvili with a spin kick and Aldo lands a right hand and a body shot and a body kick in a wild flurry at the end. Close round. 10-9 Aldo.

Dvalishvili with a leg kick. Dvalishvili shoots for a takedown but Aldo defends against the fence. Dvalishvili is trying to land knees but there isn’t much going on. They break. Aldo with a body combo and a body kick. Dvalishvili tries for another takedown but Aldo is defending. They break. Dvalishvili tries again for a takedown but Aldo defends. They break and Dvalishvili tries again but Aldo sprawls away. Aldo with a leg kick. Dvalishvili tries for the takedown again and lands a right hand as they break. Dvalishvili tries again late for a takedown. 10-9 Dvalishvili, 19-19.

Dvalishvili immediately goes for a takedown but Aldo defends and they break. Dvalishvili with a right hand. Aldo lands a knee to the body as Dvalishvili rushed in throwing punches. Dvalishvili with a leg kick. Aldo with a knee to the body. Aldo with a left hand. Dvalishvili lands a right hand. Aldo lands a jab. Dvalishvili lands a right hand. Aldo with the jab. Aldo lands a left hand. Dvalishvili goes for a takedown but Aldo defends and they break. Dvalishvili tries again but Aldo defends again. Dvalishvili gets a brief takedown. Dvalishvili with some knees. 10-9 Dvalishvili, 29-28 Dvalishvili.

Official Result- Merab Dvalishvili def. Jose Aldo by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

> Middleweights- #6 Paulo Costa (13-2, 5-2 UFC) vs. Luke Rockhold (16-5, 6-4 UFC)

Rockhold lands a left hand and two leg kicks. Costa tags Rockhold with some punches as Rockhold goes for a takedown and they are clinched against the fence but break. Costa with a right hand. Costa with a left hand. Costa gets a takedown against the fence. Costa lands some shots from the top. Rockhold looks for the neck but Costa is posturing and tries to get the mount. Costa with some body shots as he gets the mount. Rockhold gets out from the bottom and they get to their feet. Rockhold with a body kick and then three more. Rockhold with a spin kick. Costa with a right hand. They clinch. They break. Rockhold with a body kick. Rockhold with a right hand. 10-9 Costa.

Rockhold lands a left hand. He lands another then a body kick. Rockhold tries for a takedown and almost had the back as they got up. They break. Costa with a right hand to the body. Costa lands a left hook. Rockhold lands a left hand. Costa with a body kick. Rockhold is exhausted. Rockhold with a spin kick. Rockhold with a round house kick to the body. Rockhold lands a nice left hand. Costa is slowing down too. Rockhold with a high kick. Rockhold lands a right hand. Rockhold with a body kick. He then lands a leg kick. Rockhold lands a body kick. Costa lands a right hand. Costa lands a right hand right to the cup and Rockhold went down and Costa thought it was a stoppage but Mike Beltran was calling timeout. They get back to action and Rockhold lands some kicks. Rockhold with a leg kick then a spinning back kick. Costa with a leg kick. Costa with a body kick and Rockhold lands a right hand. 10-9 Costa, 20-18 Costa.

Rockhold lands a body kick and Costa stumbles to the mat and Rockhold jumps on top but Costa pushes him off and they get to their feet. Costa lands a right hand. Rockhold with a left hand. Costa lands a right hand. Rockhold rocks Costa with a left hand. Rockhold with a body kick then a left hand. Rockhold shoots for a takedown but Costa sprawls and Costa is on top in side control. Costa tries for the mount and gets the back. Rockhold sweeps into the guard of Costa. Rockhold is rubbing blood all over Costa’s face. Compelling fight. 10-9 Costa, 30-27 Costa.

Official Result- Paulo Costa def. Luke Rockhold by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> UFC Welterweight Championship- C Kamaru Usman (20-1, 15-0 UFC) vs. #2 Leon Edwards (19-3 1 NC, 11-2 1 NC UFC)

Edwards with a leg kick. Edwards with a body kick. Usman looks for a takedown but Edwards defends and they remain tied up. Edwards makes a mistake and slips to the mat and Usman gets on top and is in the guard of Edwards. They get to their feet and Usman has the back of Edwards. Usman attacking with knees. Edwards gets a takedown into full mount. Edwards lands an elbow and now has the back of Usman and has the body triangle locked in. Edwards is trying to lock in a rear-naked choke but Usman is hand fighting it. Edwards with an elbow. 10-9 Edwards.

Edwards with a body kick. Usman lands a right hand. Usman lands a right hand and they clinch against the fence. Edwards with a knee to the body as they break. Usman lands a flurry to the body against the fence. Usman landing lots of punches and lands an uppercut. Edwards able to circle away. Usman lands a jab then Edwards pokes Usman in the eye and we have a timeout. They get back to action and Usman lands a right hand. Edwards lands a straight left hand. Edwards lands a left hook. They clinch against the fence and Usman with some foot stomps. They break. Edwards shoots for a takedown but Usman sprawls. They get to their feet and separate. Edwards backs to the fence and Usman lands an elbow. Usman with some body shots. Usman gets a takedown. Usman ends the round on top. 10-9 Usman, 19-19.

Edwards with a leg kick. Edwards with a short left hand. Usman lands a jab. Usman gets a takedown against the fence. They get to their feet and Usman has the back and is landing some knees. They break. Usman with a combo to the body and lands an elbow before scoring a takedown. Not much is happening. Usman is on top and landing right hands. They get to their feet at the end. 10-9 Usman, 29-28 Usman.

They trade leg kicks and Edwards grabs the back of Usman and pushes it against the fence. Usman grabs the fence a few times. They break and then Usman scores a takedown. Usman with some right hands from the top. Usman lands an elbow as he’s working from inside the guard of Edwards. They get to their feet and Usman has the back of Edwards. Usman lands a few punches and gets another takedown but Edwards is able to scramble to his feet. Edwards grabbed the fence to get up and Herb Dean put them back on the mat but they still get to their feet. Usman lands a big combo and tees off to the body late. 10-9 Usman, 39-37 Usman.

They trade punches early to start the round. They trade jabs. Usman with a combo to the body and he looked for the takedown but Edwards defended. They’re clinched and basically stalling against the fence. They are separated by Herb Dean. Edwards with a combination. He lands a groin strike and we have a timeout. Replay shows it was borderline but they get back to action. Edwards with a leg kick. Out of nowhere, Edwards lands a head kick that knocks Usman out cold! WOW! What a finish by Edwards to win the title.

Official Result- Leon Edwards def. Kamaru Usman by knockout (head kick) at 4:04 of Round 5 to win the UFC Welterweight Championship

Wrestling Observer Radio: The latest on Cody Rhodes to WWE, Tony Khan-ROH, Scott Hall

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

Dave Meltzer and I are back on Wrestling Observer Radio talking all the latest news in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

We discuss the report that Cody Rhodes has officially signed with WWE, Tony Khan’s comments about restarting ROH and the big match signed for the PPV, and the latest on Kenny Omega.

We look at the quarterfinals of the New Japan Cup, Jon Moxley vs. Will Ospreay at NJPW Windy City Riot, Conor McGregor’s comments on wanting to fight Kamaru Usman, and then we look at Dave’s biography on Scott Hall.

Click to listen below.

Right Click Save As

Usman, Namajunas retain titles at knockout-filled UFC 268

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: ESPN Images

On a night that featured seven fights ending via knockout or TKO, welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas both retained their titles in decision wins at UFC 268 at New York City’s Madison Square Garden.

Usman defeated Colby Covington (49-46, 48-47, 48-47) by unanimous decision while Namajunas bested Weili Zhang by split decision (49-46, 48-47 for Namajunas, 48-47 for Zhang). Both were rematches.

For Usman, it was his nineteenth straight win with fifteen of those coming in the Octagon where he remains undefeated. This was the fifth defense of the title he won in March 2019, his third this calendar year, and the second over Covington, who has now lost two of his last three.

Usman hit a pair of left hooks in the second round that had Covington hurt, but it was too close to the end of the round for Usman to keep up the attack and go for the finish. Covington started to come on at the end of the third round and it continued in the fourth, gaining confidence as he landed some punches. Usman’s face looked unmarked at the end of the fight while Covington was bloodied up early. 

Namajunas defeated Zhang for the title in just 78 seconds this past April, but the two had a much more competitive encounter Saturday with media scores all over the map. Namajunas’ takedowns near the end of the fight helped in her favor as she came on late. She now will likely face former champion Carla Esparza next.

The show had six straight finishes by KO/TKO at one point, all on the prelims. Surprisingly, one of those was not Justin Gaethje vs. Michael Chandler which opened the pay-per-view. Gaethje won a unanimous decision in a fight of the year candidate.

The only main card finish was Marlon “Chito” Vera finishing Frankie Edgar by third round knockout with a front kick reminiscent of Anderson Silva’s famous knockout of Vitor Belfort. 

UFC 268 live results: Usman vs. Covington 2

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 268: Usman vs. Covington 2, emanating from Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.

The Octagon returns to The World’s Most Famous Arena for the first time in two years, bringing a stacked card with two title fights, both of which are rematches between heated rivals in their respective divisions.

UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman defends against long-time rival Colby Covington in the main event. It is a rematch of their fight that took place at UFC 245 in December 2019, which saw Usman finish Covington in the fifth round of a fantastic fight. Usman has since defended the title three times, with a pair of wins over Jorge Masvidal and one over Gilbert Burns, while Covington has fought just once, a win over former UFC champion Tyron Woodley, which came over a year ago in September 2020.

In the co-main event, UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Rose Namajunas defends against former champion Zhang Weili in another rematch. Namajunas scored a first-round knockout of Weili to win the title at UFC 261 in April, becoming a two-time champion. Weili has her chance to regain the title in this one, while also avenging her first loss in nearly eight years.

Also on the main card is an exciting and pivotal lightweight bout as Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler do battle in a fight that could determine the next title challenger at lightweight. The other two main card bouts see featherweights Shane Burgos and Billy Quarantillo do battle, and it opens with former UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar taking on Marlon Vera.

Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.

We are looking for your thoughts on tonight’s event, so send a thumbs up, a thumbs down or a thumbs in the middle along with a best fight and a worst fight to Dave at [email protected].

ESPN+ PRELIMS | 6 PM ET/3 PM PT

> CJ Vergara (9-2-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Ode Osbourne (9-4, 1-2 UFC)
Flyweights* (Vergara missed weight by 1.4 pounds)

Vergara is making his UFC debut and missed weight. Osbourne lands the jab. Osbourne with a left hand. They trade in close range. Osbourne with a flying knee that just barely misses. They trade leg kicks. They trade punches after Vergara lands a left hook. Osbourne lands a left hand. Osbourne with some body kicks. Osbourne lands a left hand as Vergara lands a check right hook. Vergara lands a left hand. Osbourne lands a quick combo then a body kick. Osbourne shoots for a takedown and grabs a single leg. He lets go. They trade late. Vergara with a high kick that gets blocked. 10-9 Osbourne.

Osbourne lands a combo to start the second. Both are looking for openings. Osbourne with a left hook followed by a straight right hand. Osbourne with a left hand. Vergara throwing but not landing much. Vergara with a leg kick. Osbourne with a body kick. They trade in close range and Vergara gets the better of it with a left hook at the end. They trade in close and Osbourne gets a brief takedown but Vergara explodes up. Vergara bleeding a little as he lands a leg kick. They trade and Vergara lands a left hand. They trade and Osbourne gets Vergara down late and has the back at the end. 10-9 Osbourne, 20-18 Osbourne.

They’re trading to start the third and both land kicks. Vergara lands a right hand and Osbourne lands a right hand. Vergara coming forward and lands some knees to the body. Vergara lands a body kick and falls after getting hit from an Osbourne left hand but gets right up. Vergara pressing forward. They trade and clinch and Vergara lands a knee to the body. Osbourne with a left hook and a right hand. Vergara with a knee to the body. They scramble to the mat and Vergara is in the guard of Osbourne. Vergara with some body shots and then lands an elbow from the top. Vergara with some big elbows. Vergara with more ground strikes as he finishes the fight strong. 10-9 Vergara, 29-28 Osbourne.

Official Result- Ode Osbourne def. CJ Vergara by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Melsik Baghdasaryan (6-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. Bruno Souza (10-1, 0-0 UFC)
Featherweights* (Souza missed weight by 2.4 pounds)

Souza is making his UFC debut and missed weight. Baghdasaryan with a leg kick. Souza with a body kick. Baghdasaryan with a leg kick. Baghdasaryan lands a right hand. Souza with a high kick. Baghdasaryan lands a left hand. Souza with a body kick. Souza with a leg kick. Baghdasaryan with a leg kick. Souza shoots for a takedown but Baghdasaryan defending. Baghdasaryan with a knee to the body before they break. Baghdasaryan with a spin kick. They trade punches and Baghdasaryan with a body kick. 10-9 Baghdasaryan.

Souza with a right hand to the body. Baghdasaryan throws a high kick. They scramble for a moment. Baghdasaryan trying to land kicks and Souza is circling away from them. Baghdasaryan with a leg kick. Souza with a body kick as Baghdasaryan lands a right hand. They trade in close range. Baghdasaryan with a leg kick. Baghdasaryan lands a left hand. Souza with a body kick and Baghdasaryan lands a nice left hand. Baghdasaryan lands a big uppercut and Souza is retreating away. Baghdasaryan with a leg kick. 10-9 Baghdasaryan, 20-18 Baghdasaryan.

Baghdasaryan lands a left hand. Souza with a combo and lands a body kick. Souza with a leg kick. Souza with a right hand. Baghdasaryan lands a knee to the body. Baghdasaryan with the jab. Baghdasaryan with a leg kick. They trade in close range. Baghdasaryan with a leg kick. Souza with a knee to the body. Souza with a body kick. They have a wild exchange and Baghdasaryan with a knee to the body. Baghdasaryan lands a couple of kicks. Baghdasaryan with a body kick. They trade punches. They trade late. 10-9 Souza, 29-28 Baghdasaryan.

Official Result- Melsik Baghdasaryan def. Bruno Souza by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Dustin Jacoby (15-5-1, 3-2-1 UFC) vs. John Allan (13-6 1 NC, 0-1 1 NC UFC)
Light Heavyweights

Jacoby took this fight on Monday. Jacoby with a leg kick. Jacoby with a leg kick and Allan with another leg kick. Jacoby with a right hand. Allan with a leg kick. Jacoby with a leg kick. Jacoby with another leg kick. Allan with the jab. Allan with a leg kick. Jacoby with an eye poke. They get back to action and Jacoby lands a combo. Jacoby with a combo as Allan misses. Jacoby with another flurry. Jacoby with a body kick as Allan lands a leg kick. Jacoby with a head kick. He lands a leg kick. Allan with a combo. They trade late. 10-9 Jacoby.

Allan with a high kick. Jacoby landing the jab. Allan with a leg kick and lands a left hand. They continue to stand and trade and Jacoby landing the better punches. Allan throws and Jacoby backs up but Allan still landed a left hand. Allan with a combo. Jacoby landing the jab. Jacoby keeps pressing forward and they trade leg kicks. Jacoby with a combo and Allan lands a counter left hand. They both land and Jacoby with an uppercut. Allan with a left hook to the body and we have another eye poke. Jacoby with a leg kick after they get back to action. 10-9 Jacoby, 20-18 Jacoby.

Allan with a leg kick. Allan lands a right hand. Jacoby with a body kick. Allan with a leg kick. Jacoby with a low kick then a body kick. They trade punches. Allan lands a right hand. They both land punches. Jacoby with a high kick. Jacoby with the jab. Allan with a combo. Allan with a combo and a knee. Jacoby with a head kick. Jacoby with the jab and then a right hand. Allan with a left hand. Jacoby with a right hand and a high kick. Jacoby lands late. 10-9 Jacoby, 30-27 Jacoby.

Official Result- Dustin Jacoby def. John Allan by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

> Gian Villante (17-13, 7-10 UFC) vs. Chris Barnett (21-7, 0-1 UFC)
Heavyweights

Villante announced this would be his retirement fight. They trade kicks to start off. Villante with a body kick. Barnett with a leg kick. Villante with a head kick but Barnett blocks it. Barnett with a leg kick. Barnett with a body kick. Villante with another body kick. Barnett with two leg kicks. Villante with a left hook. Barnett with a left hand. Villante with a leg kick. Barnett with a leg kick. Villante with a kick and Barnett counters with an uppercut. Barnett with a flurry. Barnett with a couple of leg kicks. They clinch and Villante with some knees. 10-9 Barnett.

Villante with a body kick. Barnett with a heavy leg kick. Barnett with a left hand. Villante with a leg kick. Barnett with a leg kick. Villante with a high kick. Barnett with a leg kick. Barnett lands a spinning wheel kick to the head and Villante goes down. Barnett with some big punches and he finishes it. What a finish by Barnett.

Official Result- Chris Barnett def. Gian Villante by TKO (wheel kick & punches) at 2:23 of Round 2

> Ian Garry (7-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Jordan Williams (9-5 1 NC, 0-2 UFC)
Welterweights

Williams with a leg kick. Garry with a leg kick and Williams lands a combo. They trade punches. Garry with a high kick. They trade punches and Williams got the better of it. They trade punches. Williams slips on a punch but grabs a single leg and they tie up against the fence. Garry with some knees. Garry with some more knees and lands a few to the head. Garry with a right hand as they break. Garry with a high kick. Williams lands a right hand. Garry lands a right hand that hurts Williams bad and then a couple of other punches knock Williams out cold. What a finish and debut for Garry.

Official Result- Ian Garry def. Jordan Williams by knockout (punches) at 4:59 of Round 1

ESPN NEWS PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT

> Edmen Shahbazyan (#11, 11-2, 4-2 UFC) vs. Nassourdine Imavov (10-3, 2-1 UFC)
Middleweights

Shahbazyan with a leg kick. Shahbazyan with another hard leg kick. Imavov with a combo and Shahbazyan lands some left hands. Imavov with a right hand as Shahbazyan lands a leg kick. Shahbazyan with a combo and a leg kick. Shahbazyan lands a left hand and then another leg kick. Imavov with a right hand. They clinch and Shahbazyan pushes it against the fence. Shahbazyan working for the takedown and Imavov lands an elbow. Shahbazyan gets the takedown but Imavov has the guillotine locked in but Shahbazyan escapes and is in the guard of Imavov. Shahbazyan with some shots from the top. They scramble up. The clinch against the fence and Imavov with a knee. Imavov lands a right hand after they break. Imavov with a high kick. Imavov with an elbow as they’re clinched. Close round. 10-9 Shahbazyan.

Shahbazyan with a leg kick as they both miss punches. Shahbazyan with a combo and just misses an uppercut. Imavov with a right hand. They clinch against the fence. Shahbazyan looking for a takedown and Imavov looking for a standing guillotine. Shahbazyan is able to escape and looking for the takedown. Imavov has the guillotine locked in as they go to the mat. Shahbazyan is able to fight it off and Imavov has it locked in again as they stand but Shahbazyan escapes again. Shahbazyan now goes for a guillotine but Imavov gets off to side control. Imavov now in the guard of Shahbazyan. Imavov with a big elbow and Shahbazyan is cut open. Imavov lands another big elbow. They scramble but Imavov remains in side control and has the crucifix position and is landing punches. Imavov with some big elbows. More big elbows and it is stopped. What a finish by Imavov.

Official Result- Nassourdine Imavov def. Edmen Shahbazyan by TKO (elbows) at 4:42 of Round 2

> Phil Hawes (11-2, 3-0 UFC) vs. Chris Curtis (26-8, 0-0 UFC)
Middleweights

Hawes with a right hand. Hawes with a body kick then a right hand. Hawes with a body kick and then another. He lands a right hand and then another front kick to the body. Hawes with a combo and Curtis is covering up. Hawes with some big body kicks. Hawes with a hard right hand. Hawes with an elbow then a body kick. Hawes with another right hand. Hawes with the jab. Hawes with another right hand then a knee to the body and another right hand. Hawes with more front kicks to the body. Hawes with a leg kick. They trade body kicks. Curtis lands a left hand and Hawes is rocked. Hawes then stumbles to the mat and the fight is stopped. What a finish and comeback from Curtis.

Official Result- Chris Curtis def. Phil Hawes by knockout (punches) at 4:27 of Round 1

> Al Iaquinta (14-6-1, 9-5 UFC) vs. Bobby Green (27-12-1, 8-7-1 UFC)
Lightweights

Green with a leg kick. Iaquinta lands a punch and leg kick. Green with a right hand. Green with a right hook as Iaquinta was throwing. Green lands another right hand. Iaquinta with a right hand. Green drops Iaquinta with a jab followed by a right hand and is on top landing. Green with big punches and it is stopped. What a finish by Green.

Official Result- Bobby Green def. Al Iaquinta by TKO (punches) at 2:25 of Round 1

> Alex Pereira (3-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Andreas Michailidis (13-4, 1-1 UFC)
Middleweights

Pereira with a leg kick. Pereira with another leg kick. Michailidis lands a leg kick. Michailidis shoots for a takedown and Pereira defends against the fence. Michailidis is able to get it down. They get to their feet and Michailidis still has the body lock. Michailidis trying to take the back and lands some right hands. Michailidis wearing himself on Pereira. Pereira with a knee to the body. They are broken up by Dan Miragliotta. Michailidis clinches right back up and grabs the fence. Pereira with some knees to the body. Michailidis is grabbing the fence again and eating knees from Pereira. 10-9 Michailidis.

Pereira with a flying knee drops Michailidis and some punches end it. What a finish. That is why he got signed.

Official Result- Alex Pereira def. Andreas Michailidis by TKO (flying knee) at :14 of Round 2

ESPN+ PPV MAIN CARD | 10 PM ET/7 PM PT

> Justin Gaethje (#2, 22-3, 5-3 UFC) vs. Michael Chandler (#5, 22-6, 1-1 UFC)
Lightweights

They are swinging right away. They trade right hands. Chandler with a leg kick. Gaethje lands the jab. Gaethje with a leg kick. Chandler with a leg kick. They trade right hands. They are swinging away and both tag each other. Chandler with a leg kick. Chandler with a leg kick and Gaethje with a right hand. Gaethje with a leg kick. Chandler with a right hand. Gaethje with a leg kick. Gaethje with a left hook. Chandler with some big right hands. Gaethje with a leg kick. Chandler with a right hand. Gaethje with a left hand. Chandler with a big knee. Chandler teeing off and they are trading against the fence and both hurt each other. Gaethje with a right hand. Gaethje lands an uppercut. Gaethje with a left hand. Chandler with a right hand. Gaethje with a leg kick. Gaethje with an uppercut. They trade uppercuts to the body in the clinch. Chandler tries a takedown but to no avail. Gaethje with a leg kick. They trade punches. Gaethje with a leg kick. What an insane round. 10-9 Chandler.

Gaethje with a right hand and then a leg kick. Chandler with a right hand. They trade in close range. Chandler lands a right hand. Gaethje with a leg kick. Gaethje with a right hand. Gaethje with a leg kick and then an uppercut. Gaethje with a left hand and then drops him with an uppercut and is teeing off on the mat. Chandler tries a takedown to recover. Gaethje landing some punches from the sprawl position. Chandler is bleeding. They get up. Gaethje with a leg kick. Gaethje with the jab. Chandler lands an uppercut. Gaethje with a left hook. Gaethje with an uppercut. Chandler lands a right hand. Gaethje with a leg kick. Gaethje with an uppercut. Gaethje with another hard right hand. Chandler lands to the body. Chandler lands a right hand and there was an eye poke and we have a timeout. They get back and the round ends. 10-8 Gaethje, 19-18 Gaethje.

Gaethje with an inside leg kick. Gaethje with a hard leg kick. Gaethje with a right hand. Chandler lands a right hand. Gaethje with a leg kick. Chandler with some body shots. Chandler with more hard body shots. Gaethje with a leg kick then a combo. Chandler gets a big takedown but Gaethje gets out of it and grabs the back and they stand. They break. Gaethje with the jab. Gaethje with a leg kick. They start getting wild. Chandler with a right hand and then Gaethje stuns Chandler with a right hand. Gaethje with a combo and then lands a right hand. Gaethje with a leg kick. Nothing much happens in the last thirty seconds. Insane fight. 10-9 Gaethje, 29-27 Gaethje.

Official Result- Justin Gaethje def. Michael Chandler by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

> Shane Burgos (#14, 13-3, 6-3 UFC) vs. Billy Quarantillo (16-3, 4-1 UFC)
Featherweights

They trade leg kicks. Quarantillo lands some uppercuts in a brief clinch. Quarantillo with another uppercut. Burgos with a right hand. Burgos gets the body lock and Quarantillo is landing to the body. They’re tied up against the fence. Burgos with some foot stomps. They break. Quarantillo with a left hook as Burgos lands a right hand. Quarantillo with the jab. Burgos with a leg kick. They trade right hands. Quarantillo landing the jab. Burgos is pushing forward and lands a leg kick. They trade hard right hands. Quarantillo goes for a takedown as Burgos lands some hammerfists to defend. They break away. Burgos lands a right hand that drops Quarantillo to his knees. Burgos then lands some to the body and works the jab. Burgos with a leg kick. Quarantillo with the jab. Quarantillo goes for a late takedown. Great round. 10-9 Burgos.

They trade hard punches to start the second. Quarantillo misses a spinning back fist but lands a left hand. Burgos lands a right hand. They trade jabs. Burgos lands an inside elbow. They trade hard right hands. Quarantillo with the jab as Burgos lands the inside leg kick. More leg kicks from Burgos as Quarantillo goes for the takedown. Quarantillo has the single leg and is working for it but Burgos defends. They trade to the body before breaking the clinch. They tie back up but break. Quarantillo with a right hand. Burgos with the jab. Burgos lands a right hand. Quarantillo with a right hand. Burgos lands the jab and an elbow and they trade. Quarantillo with the jab as Burgos lands the leg kick. Burgos lands some punches that hurt Quarantillo and he’s starting to tee off. Quarantillo can barely stand and Burgos with a late flurry as Quarantillo survives. 10-9 Burgos, 20-18 Burgos.

They trade to start the third and Quarantillo gets poked in the eye and we have a timeout. Burgos lands a leg kick and Quarantillo throwing punches but not landing. Burgos with a right hand and then a leg kick. Burgos with a hard leg kick and Quarantillo’s legs have given out. Quarantillo going for the takedown but Burgos is defending and landing. Burgos scrambles away. Quarantillo throwing punches as Burgos still lands the leg kick. They clinch against the fence. Burgos lands to the body. They break and Burgos with an elbow. They both swing and land elbows. They trade punches. Quarantillo with a left hand. Quarantillo shoots for a takedown but Burgos defends against the fence. They break and Burgos with a combo. They trade in the clinch. Both land knees and they push it up against the fence. 10-9 Burgos, 30-27 Burgos.

Official Result- Shane Burgos def. Billy Quarantillo by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Frankie Edgar (#8, 24-9-1, 18-9-1 UFC) vs. Marlon Vera (#13, 17-7-1, 11-6 UFC)
Bantamweights

Edgar lands a right hand. Edgar with a leg kick. Edgar goes for a takedown but Vera defends. Vera with a leg kick. Edgar lands a right hand. They trade in close range. Edgar gets the takedown and Vera is looking for the guillotine. Edgar gets out and is on top and in the half-guard. Edgar continuing to land from the top. Edgar with punches and elbows as he stays in the full guard of Vera. Edgar lands to the body. Vera with some upkicks. Both landing on the ground at the end of the first. 10-9 Edgar.

Both are throwing to start the second and landing. Edgar gets a takedown. Vera with some elbows from the bottom. Edgar in the guard as both look for position. Edgar with some punches from the top. Vera throwing elbows from the bottom. Vera scrambles to his feet. Vera with some left hands. Edgar with a combo. Vera with a body kick. Edgar with a combo and Vera lands a knee. Vera with a knee and Edgar stumbles. Edgar with a leg kick. Edgar with a right hand. Vera with a front kick to the body. Vera with an elbow and Edgar is stumbling. Edgar with a combo. 10-9 Vera, 19-19.

Edgar with a combo. Neither really landing. Vera with a body kick. Vera landing body kicks as Edgar is circling away. Edgar with a combo. They trade in close range. Edgar with a combo. Vera with a left hand and a body kick. Edgar with a takedown and has the back of Vera as they stand. They break and Edgar with a right hand. Vera with a front kick to the jaw and Edgar goes down and it is stopped. Edgar wasn’t happy with it but he was out and the stoppage was justified. What a finish by Vera.

Official Result- Marlon Vera def. Frankie Edgar by knockout (front kick) at 3:50 of Round 3

> Rose Namajunas (C, 10-4, 8-3 UFC) vs. Zhang Weili (#1, 21-2, 5-1 UFC)
UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship

Weili with a leg kick. Weili with another leg kick. She lands another. Namajunas with some leg kicks as she lands a combo. Namajunas with a leg kick. Namajunas with a right hand and Weili lands a leg kick. Weili gets a takedown. She gets in the half-guard and lands to the body. Weili lands some right hands as she postures up. They scramble up. Weili with a body kick on the break. Weili lands a head kick as Namajunas lands a leg kick. Weili with a leg kick. Namajunas with a right hand and Weili goes down briefly from a slip. 10-9 Weili.

Namajunas with the jab. Weili with the leg kick as Namajunas is looking for an opening. Namajunas with a leg kick and a combo. Weili with a right hand. Both looking for openings still. Weili lands a left hand that stumbles Namajunas. They trade kicks and Weili catches the leg and gets a takedown. Namajunas with an upkick. Weili gets into her guard. They get to their feet and Namajunas gets a takedown. Namajunas with a big right hand from the top as the round ends. 10-9 Weili, 20-18 Weili.

Both looking for openings early in the third. Both throwing but neither able to land. Weili with a body kick. They trade and Namajunas lands a leg kick and Weili slips to the mat, and Namajunas lands a massive right hand as Weili gets up. They clinch against the fence. Namajunas with some shoulder strikes. They break and Weili with a leg kick. Namajunas with a combo. Weili with a leg kick and lands a hard left hook. Weili gets a takedown. She gets the back of Namajunas. They scramble and Weili gets the mount late. 10-9 Weili, 30-27 Weili.

Weili with a combo as both land leg kicks. Namajunas with a right hand. They go to the mat for a moment but Namajunas kicked her way up and they trade punches. They go back down and Weili has the back and is looking for the choke. Namajunas scrambles out and onto the top and is in the half-guard. Namajunas gets back into the guard. Namajunas stands and tries to pass but gets back into Weili’s guard. Namajunas trying for the ground-and-pound but Weili defending well off her back. Namajunas ends the round on top. 10-9 Namajunas, 39-37 Weili.

Weili with some leg kicks. They trade right hands. Namajunas throws a right hand and turns it into a takedown. Namajunas looking to improve but Weili keeps her in the guard. Namajunas with some punches from the top. Namajunas postures up trying to improve as she’s staying busy and lands some shots. Namajunas with some right hands from the top. Namajunas with a nice right hand as she stands. Namajunas lands a nice left hand as she gets back into the guard. Close fight overall, scores will be interesting. 10-9 Namajunas, 48-47 Weili.

Official Result- Rose Namajunas def. Zhang Weili by split decision (47-48, 48-47, 49-46) to retain the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship

> Kamaru Usman (C, 19-1, 14-0 UFC) vs. Colby Covington (#1, 16-2, 11-2 UFC)
UFC Welterweight Championship

Usman with the jab. Usman with another jab. Covington with a leg kick. Covington goes for a takedown but Usman rolls over and grabs the neck and they get up and break. Covington with a body kick. They trade punches. Usman lands a right hand and Covington with a left hand. Usman gets a takedown and has the back for a moment and lands a right hand as they scramble up. Usman with a right hand and Covington is cut under his right eye. They trade in close range. Close round. 10-9 Usman.

Usman lands a left hook. Covington with a leg kick after he misses all of his punches. They clinch for a moment and Covington with a knee and Usman lands a right hand after they break. Usman lands an uppercut. Covington with a leg kick. Usman with a body kick. Usman with a left hook. Covington tries a takedown but Usman has the shoulders. Covington working for the takedown against the fence. Usman with shoulder strikes. They break. Usman with a front kick and then a leg kick. Usman with a right hand. Usman drops Covington with a left hand. Covington gets up and Usman drops him again and Covington goes for a takedown. Usman lands some punches from the top and huge shots to the body late. 10-9 Usman, 20-18 Usman.

Usman hunting Covington down in the third. Covington lands a combo. Usman with a right hand and then lands the jab. Covington throws a kick that Usman blocks. Covington tries a takedown but Usman easily defends and lands some body shots. They get up and Usman lands a left hand. Usman with a combo. Usman with a body kick. They trade in close range. Usman with a straight right hand. Usman with a left hook to the body. Covington lands some good punches. Covington gets a takedown and has the back late. 10-9 Usman, 30-27 Usman.

Usman lands a right hand. Covington lands but then follows up sloppily. Covington lands a nice jab. Usman with a body kick. They trade jabs. Covington lands a hard punch and Usman counters with a right hand. Usman lands a hard right hand right after Covington lands. Usman with a body shot. Usman with a left hand and follows it with a right. Covington with a body kick and lands some good follow-up shots. Covington lands a left hand. Covington tries a takedown. They trade on the break. Usman with a hard right hand late. 10-9 Covington, 39-37 Usman.

Covington with a body kick. Usman with a right to the body. Usman lands a left jab. Usman with a right hand. They both land in close range. Covington lands and shoots for a takedown but Usman defends. They get up. Usman with the jab. Usman with a high kick. Usman with a right to the body and just misses a left hand. Covington just misses a head kick as Usman was slipping. They’re clinched against the fence. Usman with a body shot as they break. Usman with the jab. Usman with a right hand. We have a timeout for an eye poke by Usman. They get back to action and Covington with a body kick. Usman with a heavy kick. Close fight. 10-9 Covington, 48-47 Usman.

Official Result- Kamaru Usman def. Colby Covington by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) to retain the UFC Welterweight Championship

Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington II targeted for UFC’s return to MSG

Posted on by Josh Nason

A rematch between two heated rivals is being targeted for the UFC’s planned return to Madison Square Garden this fall.

Dana White told ESPN Monday night that welterweight champion Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington II is a go for November’s UFC 268 — an event they are trying to hold in New York City.

Usman (19-1) defeated Covington by fifth round TKO in a competitive December 2019 clash at UFC 245, a fight that saw Usman break Covington’s jaw. Usman has four successful title defense since taking the title from Tyron Woodley in March 2019 and last defeated Jorge Masvidal in an April rematch.

Covington (16-2) has only fought once since the Usman loss, picking up a dominant fifth round TKO win over Woodley in September 2020 after Woodley inured his rib.

This would be the UFC’s fifth trip to MSG dating back to 2017 with all shows taking place in November. They were unable to run there last year due to the pandemic.

UFC 261 live results: Usman vs. Masvidal 2, two more title fights

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 261: Usman vs. Masvidal 2, emanating from the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.

The Octagon is back in front of a full arena of UFC fans for the first time since March 2020, and they are treated to a stacked card featuring three title fights.

In the main event, UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman defends against his rival, Jorge Masvidal. It is a rematch from UFC 251 in July, which was won by Usman by unanimous decision. However, Masvidal took that fight on just a week’s notice, something he has consistently reminded everyone of, and Usman asked for a rematch with Masvidal on a full training camp to show that the result would be no different.

In the second title fight, UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Zhang Weili returns for the first time since her Fight Of The Year with Joanna Jedrzejczyk in March 2020, and she will defend against former UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Rose Namajunas. Namajunas is coming off a win over Jessica Andrade in July to earn a shot at re-gaining the title she once held.

In the third title fight, UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion Valentina Shevchenko looks to continue her dominance of the division as she defends against former UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Jessica Andrade. Shevchenko is coming off a successful title defense over Jennifer Maia in November, while Andrade looks to win a title in a second division after a knockout win over Katlyn Chookagian in October earned her a title shot.

Also on the main card, it is a middleweight battle as Uriah Hall takes on former UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman, and former title challenger Anthony Smith goes against Jimmy Crute in the main card opener.

Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6 PM eastern time with preliminary action all the way thru the main card.

We are looking for your thoughts on tonight’s event, so send a thumbs up, a thumbs down or a thumbs in the middle along with a best fight and a worst fight to Dave at [email protected].

ESPN2 PRELIMS | 6 PM ET/3 PM PT

> Na Liang (15-4, 0-0 UFC) vs. Ariane Carnelossi (12-2, 0-1 UFC)
Women’s Strawweights

They are teeing away off on each other and Liang lands some punches and Carnelossi landing some hard punches and Liang gets a takedown. They get to their feet and Carnelossi lands a left hook. They trade and Liang lands a right hand. They clinch and both are landing and Liang looks for a takedown against the fence and gets it. Liang picks Carnelossi up and slams her down for better position and goes for an armbar but Carnelossi escapes to the top. Liang tries for the armbar again but Carnelossi escapes and lands a right hand. Liang looking for a leg and Carnelossi landing some punches. Carnelossi gets in side control and is landing short punches and takes the back as she’s landing. Liang has slowed down. Liang gets to her feet and lands some big punches. Carnelossi looking for a triangle and then gets a mounted triangle in and lands but Liang escapes. Carnelossi with some big punches at the end of the round. 10-9 Carnelossi.

Liang had to be carried to her corner and she’s exhausted. They are teeing off to start the second. Liang gets a takedown and has the side against the fence and lands but Carnelossi gets the back and is looking for the choke. Carnelossi ends up in the guard of Liang and is landing punches. She’s landing and the referee stops the fight. Nice win by Carnelossi in a wild fight.

Official Result- Ariane Carnelossi def. Na Liang by TKO (punches) at 1:28 of Round 2

> Qileng Aori (18-6, 0-0 UFC) vs. Jeffrey Molina (8-2, 0-0 UFC)
Flyweights

Molina with a leg kick. Aori with a body kick. They trade punches and kicks. They clinch against the fence. Molina with some knees and body punches. They break and both land right hands. Molina lands a combo and Aori lands a combo. Aori gets a big takedown. They get to their feel and Aori has the back standing. They get to the clinch and Aori with a knee to the body. They battle for underhooks before breaking. They trade right hands. Molina with a high kick. They trade late. 10-9 Aori.

They trade and Aori gets a brief takedown and has the back but they scramble up. Molina with a combo. Molina landing punches and kicks as Aori is looking for openings. Aori with a body kick and Molina grabs the leg and lands a right hand. Aori with a right hand. Molina with a right hand. Aori with a short right hand. Molina lands a right hand and Aori goes down for a second and then Aori lands and Molina slips down to the mat for a second. Aori then starts landing punches after Molina stands and they are trading. Aori lands a flying knee. They are trading. Aori with a spinning elbow. Aori with a right hand. Molina with a series of punches. They trade at the end and Molina drops Aori right down near the end with a right hand and might’ve finished it if time didn’t run out. 10-9 Molina, 19-19.

They are teeing off to start the third and both are landing some good punches. Aori lands a right hand. Molina lands a combo. Molina lands a combo. Aori throwing punches. Molina with a right hand. Aori coming forward and throwing. Molina with a series of combos. Molina landing in close range. Aori showing no head movement. Molina landing lots of punches and is hurting Aori but Aori just standing there and taking them and is throwing. Molina with a standing elbow. Molina with combos after combos and he’s landing big punches. They are trading and Molina is still landing with lots of volume but Aori is firing back. Molina with more punches. They are just standing and throwing late and the fight ends. This fight was wild. 10-9 Molina, 29-28 Molina.

Official Result- Jeffrey Molina def. Aoriqileng by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)

> Kazula Vargas (11-4, 0-2 UFC) vs. Zhu Rong (17-3, 0-0 UFC)
Lightweights

Rong is the first fighter born in the 2000’s to fight in the UFC. They are trading and both throwing big punches. Rong lands a right hand. Vargas landing with more volume in the first half of the fight. Vargas landing punches and kicks as Rong isn’t doing a whole lot. Rong now lands a right hand. Vargas throwing the jab. Vargas with a combo. They trade at the end. 10-9 Vargas.

Rong lands and gets a takedown and Vargas has a guillotine locked in tight. Rong is trying to fight it off but Vargas is squeezing. Vargas still looking for it but Rong finally escapes and takes the back and is landing punches. Vargas then sweeps to the top and is working in the half-guard. They get to their feet and are clinched before breaking. Rong with a high kick that Vargas blocks. Rong goes for a late takedown. 10-9 Vargas, 20-18 Vargas.

Rong landing early. Rong with a right hand. Vargas lands some punches. They trade in close range. Vargas’ punches are coming slower. Rong lands a right hand. Rong tags Vargas with a right hand. Rong lands a combo. Rong landing some good punches. They are both landing. They both continue to land and Rong is going for takedowns and gets it and they scramble and Rong ends up on top and lands at the end. 10-9 Rong, 29-28 Vargas.

Official Result- Kazula Vargas def. Rongzhu by unanimous decision (30-26, 29-28, 29-28)

> Danaa Batgerel (7-2, 1-1 UFC) vs. Kevin Natividad (9-2, 0-1 UFC)
Bantamweights

They are trading early and Batgerel lands a high kick then a right hand and drops Natividad with a left hook and is landing and Herb Dean stops it. It might have been a little bit early as Natividad was defending but Batgerel was going to finish this anyways. Great win by Batgerel.

Official Result- Danaa Batgerel def. Kevin Natividad by TKO (punches) at :50 of Round 1

ESPN PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT

> Patrick Sabatini (13-3, 0-0 UFC) vs. Tristan Connelly (14-6, 1-0 UFC)
Featherweights

They were looking for openings and both were throwing, then Sabatini landed a left hook that rocked Connelly and was sending him down but Sabatini grabbed him and took him down. Sabatini working from the half-guard and landing punches. They continue to battle on the ground. Sabatini takes the back. Sabatini working for the choke as he lands punches from the back. Sabatini now going for the rear-naked choke and almost had it in. 10-9 Sabatini.

They trade to start the second. Connelly throws a right hand and Sabatini ducks under and gets a takedown. Sabatini stands and Connelly looks for upkicks but Sabatini passes to side control. Sabatini in control and then switches to the back. Connelly tries to stand and Sabatini is on his back and they scramble back to the ground and Sabatini is back in side control. Sabatini in the crucifix position and landing punches. Sabatini then gets the back and is squeezing tight with the body triangle. Sabatini threatens with an arm-triangle but Connelly turns and gives up his back. Connelly throwing back punches but Sabatini still has full back control as the round ends. 10-8 Sabatini, 20-17 Sabatini.

Sabatini coming forward and is looking for the takedown but Connelly keeps it upright. They tie up and both looking for underhooks. Connelly grabs the neck but lets go. They both battle in the tie-ups. They break and both are circling. Sabatini seems to be trying to stall out the fight. Connelly lands a right hand. Sabatini tries a takedown but Connelly sprawls and defends and they tie-up and go against the fence. They break and Connelly lands a right hand. Sabatini lands a right hand. They clinch and Connelly gets a takedown. Connelly ends the fight on top landing. 10-9 Connelly, 29-27 Sabatini. 

Official Result- Pat Sabatini def. Tristan Connelly (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

> Karl Roberson (9-3, 4-3 UFC) vs. Brendan Allen (15-4, 3-1 UFC)
Middleweights

Allen with a high kick to start. Allen with a leg kick. They trade jabs. Allen with a right hand and Roberson with a body kick. Roberson with a left hand. Allen with a right hand. Allen lands a right hand and a leg kick. They trade and clinch against the fence. Allen gets a takedown against the fence. Allen moves to the mount against the fence. They get to their feet and Allen gets a takedown and is working in the half-guard. Allen then rolls and attacks the leg and locks in a heel hook and gets Roberson to tap with less than ten seconds to go in the round. Outstanding showing by Allen.

Official Result- Brendan Allen def. Karl Roberson by submission (heel hook) at 4:55 of Round 1

> Dwight Grant (10-3, 2-2 UFC) vs. Stefan Sekulic (12-3, 0-1 UFC)
Welterweights

Grant lands a right hand. Sekulic with a leg kick and Grant counters with a right hand. Not a whole lot of action going on two minutes in. Grant lands a left hand. Grant with a right hand to the body. Grant with a big inside leg kick after Sekulic lands a left hand. Sekulic just barely lands a flying knee. Grant with a left hand. Grant with a high kick. Sekulic looking for a takedown and kind of gets it late and they trade on the mat before getting to their feet at the end. 10-9 Grant.

They trade punches early but again not much happening in the first minute. Grant lands a right hand that rocks Sekulic. Grant now throwing with bad intentions and is landing. Sekulic tries a takedown but Grant defends and then Sekulic throws all sorts of strikes that miss. Grant just misses a left hook. They trade leg kicks. Sekulic gets a body-lock takedown. Grant easily works his way up to his feet. They trade punches. Sekulic shoots for a takedown but Grant defends against the fence as the round ends. 10-9 Grant, 20-18 Grant.

Grant with a leg kick. Sekulic lands a left hand and Grant gets a takedown and is in the guard of Sekulic and lands some punches. Grant gets to his feet and Sekulic stands. Sekulic with a leg kick. Sekulic shoots for a takedown against the fence and gets it. They get to their feet and Grant lands a right hand. Grant lands a right hand. Sekulic lands a short left hand and Grant counters with a big right hand. Sekulic lands a left hand that rocks Grant and then just misses a flying knee but gets Grant to the ground. Sekulic with a guillotine choke locked in. Grant is trying to fight it offf and he somehow survives the fight! Wow, what an ending. 10-9 Sekulic, 29-28 Grant.

Official Result- Dwight Grant def. Stefan Sekulic by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

> Alex Oliveira (22-8-1 2 NC, 11-7 1 NC UFC) vs. Randy Brown (12-4, 6-4 UFC)
Welterweights

Brown with a quick leg kick. Oliveira with a couple of leg kicks. We have a timeout for a groin strike but they get back to action. They trade leg kicks and Oliveira lands a leg kick that trips up Brown. Brown lands a hard right hand. Brown then drops Oliveira with a right hand and gets on top and was landing lots of punches but Oliveira survived. Brown then gets the mount and has the back as they stand. Brown then gets a standing rear-naked choke and is trying to get the hooks in as they go to the mount and Oliveira taps! Beautiful finish by Brown as he submits Oliveira with a one-armed rear-naked choke.

Official Result- Randy Brown def. Alex Oliveira by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:50 of Round 1

ESPN+ PPV MAIN CARD | 10 PM ET/7 PM PT

> Anthony Smith (#6, 33-16, 9-6 UFC) vs. Jimmy Crute (#13, 12-1, 4-1 UFC)
Light Heavyweights

They trade body kicks to start. Smith lands the jab. Crute with a leg kick. Crute with more leg kicks. Smith lands a left hand and Crute lands a right hand. Crute with a leg kick and Smith pushes Crute back with a jab. Smith landing the jab at will. Crute lands a leg kick. They trade punches. Smith lands the jab but eats a leg kick from Crute. Smith lands a big right hand. Crute lands a left hook. Crute with a leg kick. Smith with some leg kicks. Crute falls to the ground afterwards and Smith tries to rush in and Crute gets a takedown and has the back and is landing punches. They get up and Crute drags it back to the ground but they stand and break. Crute gets another late takedown and ends the round on top landing. 10-9 Smith.

The fight was stopped in between rounds due to Crute’s leg being badly injured and he couldn’t even stand on it at all. Great call by the doctors and great win for Smith.

Official Result- Anthony Smith def. Jimmy Crute by TKO (doctor stoppage) at 5:00 of Round 1

> Uriah Hall (#9, 16-9, 9-7 UFC) vs. Chris Weidman (#11, 15-5, 11-5 UFC)
Middleweights

Weidman threw a kick and landed on the leg of Hall and Weidman’s leg snapped in half. This was bad. It was exactly like when Weidman fought Anderson Silva at UFC 168 and Silva’s leg snapped on a leg kick. Weidman is down and in tremendous amount of pain. I can’t believe what I just saw.

Official Result- Uriah Hall def. Chris Weidman by TKO (injury) at :17 of Round 1

> Valentina Shevchenko (C, 20-3, 9-2 UFC) vs. Jessica Andrade (#1, 21-8, 12-6 UFC)
UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship

Shevchenko with a leg kick. Shevchenko with a left hand. Shevchenko with a combo. Andrade with a body kick. Shevchenko gets a takedown right into side control but they quickly get up. Shevchenko takes her right back down but they get up. Shevchenko has the back and Andrade with a back elbow. Shevchenko lands a kick as they break. Shevchenko lands and Andrade shoots for a takedown but Shevchenko defends. Shevchenko gets another takedown against the fence and is looking for a rear-naked choke but lets go. Shevchenko still has the back. Shevchenko landing some knees in the tie-up. Shevchenko gets another takedown and passes into side control. That’s five takedowns so far. She ends the round there. 10-9 Shevchenko.

They trade and then Shevchenko gets a big takedown. Shevchenko in the half-guard and looking to set something up. Shevchenko landing from the top but Andrade gets it to the feet and has the body lock. Shevchenko landing short punches. Andrade trying to lift Shevchenko up but can’t. Shevchenko gets Andrade back down to the mat. Shevchenko getting the crucifix position and starts to land punches. Andrade is stuck. Shevchenko landing elbows now. It is stopped. Dominant performance from Shevchenko as she retains the title.

Official Result- Valentina Shevchenko def. Jessica Andrade by TKO (elbows) at 3:19 of Round 2 to retain the UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship

> Zhang Weili (C, 21-1, 5-0 UFC) vs. Rose Namajunas (#1, 9-4, 7-3 UFC)
UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship

Weili with a leg kick. She lands another. They both throw and Weili with an inside leg kick. Weili with a leg kick. Namajunas then lands a head kick that sents Weili right down to the ground and lands some follow-up shots and it is stopped. What a finish by Namajunas! Weili was upset about the stoppage after but then saw a replay and wasn’t as upset. Namajunas regains the title in an incredible finish.

Official Result- Rose Namajunas def. Zhang Weili by knockout (head kick) at 1:18 of Round 1 to win the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship

> Kamaru Usman (C, 18-1, 13-0 UFC) vs. Jorge Masvidal (#4, 35-14, 12-7 UFC)
UFC Welterweight Championship

Usman with the jab. Masvidal with a leg kick. Masvidal with a leg kick. Usman lands a right hand. Masvidal with a right to the body. Usman with a leg kick. Masvidal with a leg kick and they trade punches. Masvidal lands and then Usman gets a big takedown. Usman landing left hands and a couple went to the back of the head and Usman was warned. Masivdal landing from the bottom. Usman lands a big elbow. Masvidal landing a series of elbows from the bottom. They work their way to the fence and get to their feet. Usman lands some punches and they break. Masvidal with a leg kick. Usman lands a right hand and then the jab. Masvidal with a body kick. Masvidal with a leg kick. Masvidal with a combo then a flying knee. 10-9 Usman.

Masvidal with an inside leg kick. Masvidal with an inside leg kick. They trade punches. Usman then drops Masivdal with a right hand and hammerfists knock Masivdal out cold. Usman with the massive finish as he retains the title and settles the score with Masvidal.

Official Result- Kamaru Usman def. Jorge Masvidal by knockout (punches) at 1:02 of Round 2 to retain the UFC Welterweight Championship

Daily Update: Jorge Masvidal, Tito Ortiz, Revolution

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

JOB LISTING: Web/UI Developer(s)

  • Experience with OnLamp (Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP)
  • GITHUB and Linux command line experience while be helpful as well.
  • CMS – Drupal and WordPress. vBulletin
  • Possible experience with AWS (s3 specifically), Dreamhost, UI development
  • Cloud based hosting experience a plus
  • Javascript also a huge plus

While this is a diverse request this doesn’t have to be just one person! If you fit any part of this please feel free to inquire.

This is not just for projects related to F4WOnline.

  • Send all inquiries to [email protected] with title WEB DEVELOPER.
  • If you have inquired before, please send your information again. 

Latest Free YouTube Video:

Subscribe to our YouTube channel here!

WON NEWSLETTER: March 1, 2021 Observer Newsletter: 2020 Awards Issue, Elimination Chamber

The biggest and most-talked about issue of the year, the 2020 awards issue, is out today.  The issue covers the awards winners as voted on by the readership in these categories.  It also has all the top place winners for every category, comments on the awards for this year as well as a listing dating back to 1980 of all the awards winners in all the different categories.

We also have the performer and match of the week.

WWE Elimination Chamber show, with notes on direction, business, interest level, poll results and star ratings.

Also in this issue:

The new television war in Canada on Wednesday, how the first week went and what to look for, details on the WWE’s A&E Documentaries, who is being covered and more, reaction to Undertaker’s comments about current wrestlers being soft, migration of WWE Network to Peacock, Sasha Banks talks wanting to quit a few years ago, WWE business approaches, how WWE & AEW are doing as compared to televised sports this past week, Bill Goldberg on TV, notes on lots of new signees and are starting in camp including some not revealed yet, new WWE Network event, update on the Vince McMahon/Oliver Luck legal case, Ric Flair on why he doesn’t talk to the other Horsemen, Arn Anderson talks why a major international star flopped in WWE, WWE wins awards, the current WWE market value and the most-watched shows of the past week on the WWE Network.

This past week’s UFC show, the background, how it affects fighters going forward, and details behind the late changes in the show.

Television ratings of the past week, including segment-by-segment numbers for the past two weeks on Wednesday, who was watching in different age groups, how different segments did on Raw & Smackdown and more.

ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE

Bryan and I did our weekend show last night talking about New Japan Castle Attack, Smackdown and the reaction to the awards, which was and continues to be hilarious.

Jorge Masvidal was announcing on last night’s Canelo Alvarez show on DAZN and later said he would be getting a welterweight title shot at Kamaru Usman in September. He said he just got word of it.  Ali Abdelaziz, the manager of Usman, denied what Masvidal said.  “Masvidal doesn’t decide anything,” he told MMA Fighting.  “He needs to sit down and keep working his wrestling.  When the champ makes a decision maybe he will give them an opportunity but for now, nothing happening.”

This has been one of the worst weeks for wrestling deaths in the U.S./Canada region.  Besides Don Serrano, Art Michalik and Johnny DeFazio, who all had interesting life stories, Dean Higuchi (Dean Ho) passed away on 2/20 but the word just around yesterday.  He was a bodybuilder and weightlifting powerhouse who wrestled from 1962 to 1983.  We talked about him on last night’s show and have a feature coming this week.  He was listed as 80 years old but that math makes no sense.  He was in the 1956 Mr. America contested and placed, opened up Dean Higuchi’s Gym in Honolulu in 1957, and also played college football prior to opening the gym. He was known as “The Happy Hawaiian” and worked most of his career in British Columbia, but was the top babyface for Roy Shire in the late 70s with a number of memorable feuds with Alexis Smirnoff, Buddy Rose, Don Muraco & Earl “Mr. Universe” Maynard and Roddy Piper.  He was WWWF tag team champion with Tony Garea.  He headlined other territories as well.  He helped mentor Ricky Steamboat when both were in Georgia.  He was a star everywhere he went.

For Google searches this past week, there were only two things that cracked the list.  Canelo Alvarez had 1 million searches for first place yesterday. UFC didn’t even crack the list, which is very rare, so the interest in last night’s show was at a low point.  Nothing else made the list all week except Big Show was No. 10 on Wednesday with 50,000 searches.

AEW’s women’s tournament special is now up on the Bleacher Report site:

  • Thunder Rosa vs. Riho in a U.S. semifinal
  • Ryo Mizunami vs. Yuka Sakazaki in the Japan final
  • Rin Kadokura & Mei Suruga & Hikaru Shida vs. Maki Itoh & Emi Sakura & Veny
  • The Rosa vs. Riho winner faces Nyla Rose in the U.S. final tomorrow on YouTube.  There will also be a Road To show tomorrow building the Wednesday Impact which would be expected to do a big number with Shaquille O’Neal wrestling and Paul Wight doing a interview on the show, plus Tully Blanchard’s first match on national television in decades with FTR & Blanchard vs. Jurassic Express.

WWE

UFC

  • We didn’t get to talk about it last night, but the Jmmie Rivera vs. Pedro Munhoz fight was great and worth going out of your way to see.  The Cyril Gane vs. Jarirzinho Rozenstruik main event definitely doesn’t fit into that category.
  • SportsBetting.ag put up these odd for UFC 261
    Valentine Shevchenko -335 vs. Jessica Andrade +275

AEW

  • AEW has opened up another 168 tickets for Wednesday’s show. The Sunday PPV sold out instantly. (thanks to William Zdon)  

OTHER NOTES

  • The Los Angeles Times talks Tito Ortiz as a City Councilman.
  • This week’s New Japan show on Roku which was released Thursday was Shingo Takagi vs. Hirooki Goto and Tomohiro Ishii vs. Evil from last February in Sapporo.  The channel had been accessed by almost any device and not just TV’s connected to  Roku.
  • Deathmatch Down Under announced Robbie Eagles vs. Mark Davis for 3/6 in Melbourne.  They’ve also changed their tag team tournament to teams only from Victoria to avoid any changes if there is a lockdown on the borders of the state of Victoria.  Australia has almost no cases and if they do they plan leaving or coming into the state.  (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
  • Stardom from yesterday in Nagoya: Tam Nakano b Gokigen Death, Momo Watanabe & AZM & Saya Kamtani won a three-way elimination trios match over Maika & Himeka & Natsupoi and Natsuko Tora & Saki Kashima & Konami, Utami Hayashishita b Ruaka, Mayu Iwatani b Lady C, Bea Priestley b Starlight Kid, Syuri b Unagi Sayaka, Giulia b Saya Iida
  • Stardom from today in Nagoya, the final show before late Tuesday night (U.S.) time on PPV from Budokan Hall:  Ruaka b Lady C, Starlight Kid won three-way over Saya Iida and Maika, Bea Priestley & Konami b Natsupoi & Himeka, Natsuko Tora & Saki Kashima b Mayu Iwatani & Gokigen Death, Giulia & Syuri b Tam Nakano & Unagi Sayaka, Utami Hayashishita & Momo Watanabe b Saya Kamitani & AZM
  • Progress results from yesterday on the WWE Network from London’s Theatre Peckham (taped ahead of time):  Warren Banks b Dann Black, Luke Jacobs b Ethan Allen, Kid Lykos & Kid Lykos II b Gene Mummy & Big Guns Joe, Elijah b Chuck Mambo, Luke Jacobs b Warren Banks to earn a Progress world title shot, Cara Noir b Chris Ridgeway to keep the world titel, Kanji won the Womens’ Thunderbastard match to get a title match with Jinny (thanks to Shannon Walsh and wrestlingwithdemons.com)
  • Results from the SWE East Texas Wrestlefeset from yesterday in Carthage, TX:  Christi Jaynes b Malia Hosaka to retain the SWE title, Action Jackson b Andrew Anderson, Rodney Mack won a gauntlet match, Niles Plonk b Adam Asher-DQ, Davey Boy Smith Jr. b Matthew Justice, Miranda Gordy b Amber Nova, SWE champion Charlie Haas b Frank Stone, Bam Bam Malone & Heart Throb Jaden b Rivero & Tommy Gunn, Blood Hunter b Michael Shafer, Mil Muertes b Tino Valentino, Boogeyman b DJ Michaels, Trevor Murdoch b Jeremy Wyatt to keep NWA National title, Christi Jaynes b Miranda Gordy-DQ to keep the SWE women’s title, Blood Hunter b Davey Boy Smith Jr., Mike Anthony & Jon Omari b Heart Throb Jaden & Bam Bam Malone.  Among those appearing as part of the show but not wrestling were Kevin Sullivan, Teddy Long and Melina.  James Beard was there to induct Terry Gordy into their Hall of Fame.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Ole Anderson & Stan Hansen win NWA Tag Team titles

CONTACT INFORMATION

Kamaru Usman calls out Jorge Masvidal after UFC 258 title defense

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: Zuffa/UFC

UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman continues to be a problem for the rest of the division, successfully defending his title for a third time at Saturday’s UFC 258 and calling out an old rival after it was over.

Usman’s third round TKO over Gilbert Burns at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas was his 17th straight win overall, dating back to December 2013 on the regional scene. Afterward, he cut a passionate promo on past title challenger Jorge Masvidal, demanding a rematch. Usman defeated Masvidal in a dominant unanimous decision on a week’s notice last July with Masvidal dismissing it afterward that he didn’t have enough time to prepare. A rematch would be a high-profile and financially lucrative affair given Masvidal’s drawing power.

Usman (18-1) was in trouble in the first round but Burns (19-4) couldn’t take advantage, slipping and getting into Usman’s guard instead. After that, Usman was dominant, finishing Burns with strikes in the middle of the cage in the third round, yelling “Put some respect on my name!” afterward.

The loss snaps a six-fight win streak for Burns.

Daily Update: Champion Carnival, Sarah Stock, Usman-Burns

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

WON NEWSLETTER: October 5, 2020 Observer Newsletter: NJPW shakeup, WWE talent and 3rd party deals, more

We’ve got a double issue this week of the Observer with the full rundown of Harold Meij being out in New Japan, WWE’s social media policy as it relates to talent, and extensive G-1 coverage.

Our lead story looks at the Harold Meij era of New Japan, how he got there, the turmoil behind-the-scenes, why he’s leaving, his last words to his fan club, why the guy who handled running a wrestling company during a pandemic is out while in the pandemic and a lot of behind-the-scenes stories regarding New Japan and AEW never making a deal, and whether this can change things, and what the key issues are. The changes he made to the company, the business record and issues in dealing with talent and others and the inherent issues of a non-Japanese person in charge of a major Japanese company. This is the most inside version of what happened there since 2018 and from people who know the situation the best.

Also in this issue:

WWE’s latest when it comes to talent and social media, WWE policy, Andrew Yang and why this could be the worst time to make these decisions.

WWE Clash of Champions, NXT Takeover, Hell in a Cell, the COVID issues in AEW & WWE and how they spread, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

G1 Climax tournament, with standings, best matches, behind-the-scenes,why crowds aren’t quick to sell out, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results of every show.

XFL start, changes in WWE tapings and why 205 Live will be taped with NXT ad not Smackdown, we look at declines in WWE interest and reasons why WWE draft dates, Reigns vs. Rock, Reigns talks C.M. Punk, new Dwayne Johnson TV show looked at, new WWE signings, update on WWE injuries, one of the top college wrestlers already publicly talking about going to WWE, more on TV ratings in U.S. and Canada, former TNA champion talks how close he came to joining WWE, Cena starring in new movie, Zayn talks politics, Rusev talks problems with WWE creative, update on Raw Underground, where tribal chief comes from, WWE market value and the most watched shows on WWE Network over the past week.

UFC 253, with business notes, the main themes of the show plus match-by-match coverage and poll results.

The treatment of women in pro wrestling with notes from a recent BBC article with thoughts from several women involved.

87th anniversary show of CMLL, and the plight of Lucha Libre with no fans.

Jerry Lawler 50th anniversary show.

2020 Hall of Fame ballot in each category, with the top candidate, last year’s highest that haven’t gotten in, as well as a list of those who have been elected in the past five years.

Smackdown and AEW ratings based on the same opposition, as well as network vs. cable when it comes to other sports.

Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week. 

ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

MONDAY NEWS UPDATE

Bryan and I will be back tonight for Wrestling Observer Radio talking Takeover, UFC, Impact and all kinds of other stuff. You can send questions to the show to [email protected]

A GoFundMe has been set up for the family of Jim Valley, who has been battling hard against a series of devastating illnesses.Thanks to people here we’ve raised more than $31,000 in less than two days. Special mention to both Chris Jericho and Tony Khan for their generous donations here, and not limited to here, and this is something both have done many times for various cases of people in and around wrestling that they don’t often get credit for.

The scheduled Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns fight on 12/12 is being moved back to early 2021. Usman needs more time to get ready.

No official update on the conditions of Finn Balor or Kyle O’Reilly coming out of last night’s match. Balor was feared to have suffered a broken jaw. WWE reported O’Reilly had some broken teeth.

Zeus beat Kento Miyahara earlier today to win the Champion Carnival tournament.

Sarah Stock, the former Dark Angel, was arrested on Sunday in Evansville according to PWInsider on charges of aggravated battery, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and public intoxication with alcohol and booked at 4:25 a.m. Sunday morning. She has been released. Stock has been traveling around the country since she was released by WWE where she was working as a coach at the Performance Center.

Scott Norton underwent surgery for a second knee replacement in Houston.

WWE

  • With the Kansas City Chiefs vs. New England Patriots game airing on CBS along with ESPN’s Atlanta Falcon vs. Green Bay Packers game head-to-head, Raw has the toughest competition in a long time for any one night.  Thus far the show has The Street Profits & Drew McIntyre vs  Randy Orton & Dolph Ziggler & Bobby Roode, Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax will have the tag title match scheduled for the last PPV against Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan and Bray Wyatt returns to Raw for a confrontation with Kevin Owens. There is also a New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays baseball playoff game. There is no post-PPV bump. to rely on this week nor are they bringing back stars from the past.
  • Bayley has now hit 500 days as Smackdown women’s champion.
  • NXT Takeover didn’t trend last night on Google.  The Takeovers almost never do, and on a football Sunday, it was almost a lock that it wouldn’t.

AEW

  • Trent is attempting to trademark the name Trent Baretta. 

MISCELLANEOUS

  • G-1 continues tomorrow at 5:30 a.m. from  Hiroshima:
    Yota Tsuji vs. Yuya Uemura
    Hirooki Goto vs.  Toru Yano
    Sanada vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
    Evil vs. Juice Robinson
    Tetsuya Naito vs Yoshi-Hashi
    Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. KENTA
  • G-1 on Wednesday at 3 a.m. Eastern from Hiroshima:
    Tsuji vs.Gabriek Kidd
    Tomohiro Ishii vs. Yujiro Takahashi
    Kazuchika Okada vs. Jeff Cobb
    Will Ospreay vs. Minoru Suzuki
    Jay White vs. Taichi
    Shingo Takagi vs. Kota Ibushi
  • Major League Wrestling has made a deal with the Sports Channel Network (Ch. 266 on Freeview) for broadcast in the U.K. and Ireland.
  • Alex Marvez has compiled a book that lists every match of Chris Jericho’s 30-year-career.
  • An attempt to bring Shoot Pro Wrestling as a new style is at 1:01:30. SPW is a hybrid-wrestling show that showcases a variety of pro wrestling styles, most ESPECIALLY shoot-style. It was done with new, mostly unknown talent and co-promoted with local promotion Primos Premier Pro-Wrestling.
  • Brandon Thurston has a 29-page business report on the U.S. pro wrestling business. It is also on the Wrestlenomics Patreon page.
  • Luc C. Vu, who drove the vehicle that ran into Matt Palacios (Matt Travis) pleaded guilty to reckless driving, failure to exercise due car, causing serious injury and failure to yield to a bicycle, in a report by PWInsider.  His driver’s license was suspended for six months and he was fined $250.  That seems way too light for a manslaughter case.
  • Masked Republic’s Expo Lucha convention and expo takes place streaming on 10/10 at 1 p.m. Eastern. There will be six hours of free content on The Expo Lucha Facebook page, the Lucha Central YouTube channel and Masked Republic Twitch channel.  They will air Penta & Fenix & Mr. Aguila vs. Brian Cage & TJP & Jack Evans, with Lita managing Aguila as she did in her first WWE gig.  There will also be an interview with Konnan.
  • Impact for tomorrow night:
    Tommy Dreamer vs Brian Myers
    Kiera Hogan & Tasha Steelz vs. Taya & Rosemary
    Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley vs.  Ace Austin & Mad Man Fulton
  • Dragon Gate’s Korakuen Hall show airs live on Wednesday. The main event is Yamato & Kzy & Ben K & Kota M<inoura of Dragon Gate vs. R.E.D. of Eita & BxB Hulk & Kota Minoura & Kai.
  • XICW ran its 20th anniversary show and 300th show overall on Pontiac, MI last night:  Soutalker b LJ Lawrence, El Ridiculoso b Willie Watts, Jumai Kyng b Mongo, Jumai Kyng b Billy Ray Daniels, TJ Meyer b Jumai Kyng, Justin Dream b TJ Meyer, Justin Dream b Mad Man Fulton, Mysterious Movado b Sam Beale, Rhino & Heath b DBA & Jaimy Coxxx to win tag titles, The Hallow b The Purge, Dread King Logan b Jake Crist, DBA NC Mr. Insanity in a cage match, Aaron Orion & Tommy Vendetta & Jack Price & Isiah Broner b Malcolm Monroe II & Dre Jacobs & Adam Wick & Alex Weir in a War Games match (thanks to Leonard Brand)
  • CWE on 12/4 in Winnipeg at Rookies Sports Bar with attendance limited to 100 people and masks recommended. 
  • Effy debuts on the UWN PPV show tomorrow night.
  • A story on Gerald Brisco and retirement.
  • David Arquette on the Two Man Power Trip podcast.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: First Hell in a Cell match

CONTACT INFORMATION

UFC 251 live results: Usman vs. Masvidal, two other title fights

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 251: Usman vs. Masvidal, emanating from UFC Fight Island in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

The UFC heads to Fight Island for the first of four events over the span of two weeks, with the annual big July pay-per-view kicking off the action in Abu Dhabi, headlined by three title fights including arguably the most anticipated fight of the year.

UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman looks to made another successful title defense when he defends against the BMF of the UFC, Jorge Masvidal, in the main event. Usman is coming off a late finish of Colby Covington in December in his first title defense. Masvidal looks to add to his BMF Title by winning UFC gold, and he takes the fight on just six days’ notice after Gilbert Burns tested positive for COVID-19.

In the co-main event, Alexander Volkanovski defends the UFC Featherweight Championship for the first time against the man he defeated for it in December, Max Holloway. Holloway, arguably the greatest 145-pounder of all-time, is looking to regain the title while Volkanovski is out to stamp his claim as the best featherweight in the world.

In the third title fight on the card, the vacant UFC Bantamweight Championship is on the line as Petr Yan takes on former UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo. The title became vacant after Henry Cejudo’s sudden retirement in May, and Yan looks to score his tenth straight win and gain a UFC title. Aldo looks to join the ranks of being a fighter to win titles in two different UFC weight divisions.

Filling out the main card is a rematch in the women’s strawweight division as former champions Jessica Andrade and Rose Namajunas run it back from their title fight in May 2019, and the main card opener sees Amanda Ribas taking on Paige VanZant in what is likely to be VanZant’s final UFC appearance. A deep prelim card is headlined by a light heavyweight bout as Volkan Oezdemir welcomes former RIZIN champion Jiri Prochazka, winner of ten straight fights, to the UFC.

Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.

We are looking for your thoughts on tonight’s event, so send a thumbs up, a thumbs down or a thumbs in the middle along with a best fight and a worst fight to Dave at [email protected].

ESPN PRELIMS | 6 PM ET/3 PM PT

> Martin Day (9-3, 0-1 UFC) vs. Davey Grant (11-4, 2-3 UFC)
Bantamweights

Grant right away with a couple of leg kicks. Grant with a right hand to the body. Grant landing more inside the first two minutes. Day misses a spin kick. Day then knocks Grant down with a right hand as he was coming in and Day gets into his guard. They get to their feet. Grant with a head kick that is mostly blocked. Grant gets a takedown and is landing from the top. They stand before the round ends. 10-9 Day.

They trade kicks to start the second. Grant starting to land his punches and now Day fires back. Grant with some body punches and then lands a right hand. Grant with a combo and then lands a flying knee. Grant lands a nice combo and Day is retreating. Day circling around and Grant lands an elbow and then some knees and a right hand. Grant with some body punches and then lands a flush left hook. Grant landing against the fence and then gets a takedown into side control. Grant grabs the neck looking for a choke but lets go. Grant gets back into side control. Grant goes for an armbar but Day is able to spin out and goes into Grant’s guard. They scramble up and Day lands a side kick and Grant stumbles down as the round ends. 10-9 Grant, 19-19.

They trade to start the third. Day lands a nice right hand and then a body kick. Day pressing forward and throwing as Grant is circling away. Grant shoots for a takedown but Day defends. Grant lands a combo. Day now lands a combo. Grant with a tomahawk elbow and then lands a combo to the body. They are trading punches as both are trying to secure the last round. Grant then lands a huge left hand and Day goes out cold. What a finish by Grant.

Official Result- Davey Grant def. Martin Day by knockout (punch) at 2:38 of Round 3

> Karol Rosa (12-3, 1-0 UFC) vs. Vanessa Melo (10-7, 0-2 UFC)
Women’s Bantamweights* (Melo missed weight by 5 pounds)

Rosa landing punches and kicks early on. Rosa with some kicks and then a combo. Melo with a left hand. Rosa lands a flush right hand. Melo lands a right hand. Rosa lands a combo. Rosa with an inside leg kick as Melo lands a right hand. Rosa landing the jab and slips to the mat for the second time but gets right up. Rosa gets a takedown and works from the top. She finishes the round on top. 10-9 Rosa.

Rosa landing to start the second and Melo lands a right hand. Rosa clinches and pushes Melo against the fence. Rosa gets Melo to the ground and is in side control and landing elbows. Melo landing lots of punches as she has Melo pinned down. Melo not doing much to defend but she survives the round. Big round for Rosa. 10-8 Rosa, 20-17 Rosa.

Rosa landing to start the third and lands a running knee to the body. They trade leg kicks. Rosa lands a jab. Rosa lands an inside elbow. Melo with a leg kick. Rosa shoots for a takedown but Melo defends and lands a knee followed by a left hook as they stand. Rosa still landing more as we get inside of two minutes left. They clinch against the fence and Rosa lands some short knees. They trade knees against the fence. They stay clinched as the fight ends. 10-9 Rosa, 30-26 Rosa.

Official Result- Karol Rosa def. Vanessa Melo by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)

> Raulian Paiva (#14, 19-3, 1-2 UFC) vs. Zhalgas Zhumagulov (13-3, 0-0 UFC)
Flyweights* (Paiva missed weight by 3 pounds)

Paiva with a high kick to start. Paiva with another high kick. Zhumagulov switching up his stances as he lands. Paiva lands a short uppercut and then with a body kick. Zhumagulov with a body punch and Paiva ripping away with some kicks. Paiva with some more body kicks. Paiva with another body kick. Zhumagulov with another kick. Zhumagulov gets a late takedown but Paiva gets to his feet. Close round. 10-9 Paiva.

They trade to start the second but a slow pace in the first minute of the second. Zhumagulov with a leg kick. Zhumagulov with a left hand to the body and then another. Paiva with a body kick and Zhumagulov fires back with a leg kick. Paiva misses a head kick. They clinch against the fence. Paiva looking like he’s getting tired as he has slowed down. Paiva with a body kick. Zhumagulov with more left hands to the body. Zhumagulov gets a late takedown and lands some elbows as the round ends. 10-9 Zhumagulov, 19-19.

Paiva with some leg kicks to start the third. Zhumagulov with some more left hands to the body and Paiva with some more leg kicks. Zhumagulov with a right hook. Zhumagulov scores a takedown but Paiva able to get to his feet. They trade as Paiva pushes Zhumagulov against the fence. Paiva with a right hand. Paiva with a low kick to the groin of Zhumagulov and we have a timeout. Zhumagulov is in a lot of pain and this could be called off. Zhumagulov able to continue and going right after Paiva and gets a quick takedown but they get right up. Paiva with another groin strike right as the fight ends. Close fight. 10-9 Zhumagulov, 29-28 Zhumagulov.

Official Result- Raulian Paiva def. Zhalgas Zhumagulov by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Marcin Tybura (18-6, 5-5 UFC) vs. Maxim Grishin (30-7-2, 0-0 UFC)
Heavyweights

Grishin landing to the body to start and Tybura landing some leg kicks. Grishin with a heavy leg kick. Tybura lands a left hand and they clinch. They break. They clinch and Tybura looking for a takedown against the fence. Grishin has double underhooks and lands an elbow and they break. Tybura with a leg kick. They clinch again. Tybura trying for the single leg takedown and they fall to the mat. Uneventful round. 10-9 Tybura.

Tybura with a body kick. He lands another but it actually went low and we have a timeout. They get back to action and Tybura misses a left hand as they clinch. Tybura with some knees and then lands another shot to the groin. Actually it was Grishin that landed a groin shot but we get back to action in the clinch. Tybura with an elbow. Tybura with more work in the clinch and gets a late takedown. 10-9 Tybura, 20-18 Tybura.

They clinch up to start the third and Tybura is trying hard for the takedown. Tybura lands some knees. Tybura finally gets the takedown and is in the guard of Grishin. Tybura gets the back of Grishin and is looking to flatten him. Tybura lands some punches. Tybura has the body triangle and is landing punches. Tybura with more punches as the fight ends. Boring fight. 10-9 Tybura, 30-27 Tybura.

Official Result- Marcin Tybura def. Maxim Grishin by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

> Leonardo Santos (17-3-1, 6-0-1 UFC) vs. Roman Bogatov (10-0, 0-0 UFC)
Lightweights

Bogatov slips and Santos tries to land some punches but Bogatov gets up. Santos with some leg kicks. Bogatov then pokes Santos in the eye and we have a timeout. Santos with a body kick. Bogatov tries a spin kick and Santos grabs the back and tries to take it down. Santos with a hammerfist. He lets Bogatov go. They trade and Santos lands a knee. Santos with a hard leg kick. Bogatov with a body kick. Bogatov tries a takedown but Santos spins out and Bogatov lands a body kick. They go to the mat and Santos has the back as the round ends. 10-9 Santos.

Both looking to land to start the second and Santos with a body kick. Bogatov going for a takedown against the fence. They break and Bogatov with the jab. Santos then starts landing some right hands and Bogatov is in trouble. Santos with more right hands and some big knees and then lands another massive right hand. Bogatov looks about out on his feet. Bogatov tries a takedown but Santos defends and is landing some punches. Santos landed a head kick in the flurry as well. Santos with more punches from the back. Some of the punches were to the back of the head. Santos might have punched himself out here. Bogatov able to get into the guard of Santos and is now landing punches. Bogatov with a late flurry from the top. 10-9 Santos, 20-18 Santos.

Bogatov with a jab and is looking for a takedown and gets it but they get right back up. Bogatov lands a groin strike and Santos falls to the mat and is in lots of pain. He was down for a long time but continued on. Bogatov tries for a takedown. Bogatov has the single leg but Santos defending well. Santos still defending the takedown attempts. Bogatov landed another groin strike and Santos is hurting again. We get back to action with no points being taken away. Bogatov gets a takedown but Santos gets to his knees. Santos is landing short punches as Bogatov tries to flatten him out. Bogatov then knees Santos in the head as Santos is on the ground and we have another timeout. Marc Goddard took two points away from Bogatov and Santos continues. Bogatov going for a finish but time runs out. 9-8 Santos with the point deductions, 29-26 Santos.

Official Result- Leonardo Santos def. Roman Bogatov by unanimous decision (29-26, 29-26, 29-26)

> Makwan Amirkhani (15-4, 5-2 UFC) vs. Danny Henry (12-3, 2-1 UFC)
Featherweights

Henry with a body kick as Amirkhani is looking to find his range. Henry with a jumping switch kick. Amirkhani with a flying knee to the body and he gets the body lock and scores the takedown. Amirkhani looking for a guillotine and switches to the anaconda choke. He has it in deep and Henry goes out cold! Big submission win for Amirkhani.

Official Result- Makwan Amirkhani def. Danny Henry by submission (anaconda choke) at 3:15 of Round 1

> Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (22-6, 8-2 UFC) vs. Muslim Salikhov (15-2, 3-1 UFC)
Welterweights

Zaleski with a body kick. They trade kicks. Salikhov with a leg kick. Salikhov just misses a spin kick. Zaleski with a body kick and just misses a big right hand. Salikhov lands a nice left hook. They clinch for a moment but break with nothing happening. Zaleski with a right hand and Salikhov was hurt and turns into a takedown but Zaleski ends up on top and lands some big punches as the round ends. 10-9 Zaleski.

Zaleski with a huge kick that hurts Salikhov. They stand and trade. Zaleski tries a spin kick but Salikhov sees it coming and just throws Zaleski to the mat. Salikhov lands some punches from the top and they stand. Salikov with a kick and then lands an uppercut and Zaleski just eats it. Zaleski with a front kick. Close round. 10-9 Salikhov, 19-19.

Zaleski with a body kick. Salikhov lands a right hand. Zaleski with a body kick and just misses a wheel kick. Salikhov lands a right hand as Zaleski was ducking under. They trade and Salikhov lands a nice right hand. Not a lot of output in the third. Salikhov just lands a spin kick and then lands a right hand. Zaleski landing slightly more in the round. Close fight. 10-9 Zaleski, 29-28 Zaleski.

Official Result- Muslim Salikhov def. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos by unanimous decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)

> Volkan Oezdemir (#7, 17-4, 5-3 UFC) vs. Jiri Prochazka (26-3-1, 0-0 UFC)
Light Heavyweights

Oezdemir with an early left hand. Oezdemir with another left hand. Prochzaka with a jab and follows it with a combo. Oezdemir with a left hand. Oezdemir with a leg kick and then lands a combo and Prochazka is retreating. Prochazka with a jab and then lands a combo. Oezdemir with a leg kick. Prochazka with a right hand. Prochazka with a body kick and Oezdemir counters with a left hand. Oezdemir with a leg kick. Oezdemir with a combo. Both men are landing. Oezdemir tries a takedown but Prochazka defends against the fence. 10-9 Oezdemir.

Prochazaka with a high kick and then lands a right hand. Oezdemir was stunned and Prochazka starts throwing. Prochazka with a big right hand that lands and Oezdemir goes down out cold. What an incredible finish by Prochazka.

Official Result- Jiri Prochazka def. Volkan Oezdemir by knockout (punch) at :49 of Round 2

ESPN+ PPV MAIN CARD | 10 PM ET/7 PM PT

> Amanda Ribas (#14 WSW, 9-1, 3-0 UFC) vs. Paige VanZant (8-4, 5-3 UFC)
Women’s Flyweights

Ribas with a quick inside leg kick. Ribas with a body kick. Ribas with a left hand and then lands a couple of knees to the body. They stay clinched and Ribas gets VanZant to the ground. VanZant is cut open. Ribas has a tight squeeze of the neck from side control. Ribas tries to take the back and then now looks for an armbar from the bottom. She has it locked in and VanZant taps! Ribas gets the big win in what is likely VanZant’s final UFC bout.

Official Result- Amanda Ribas def. Paige VanZant by submission (armbar) at 2:21 of Round 1

> Jessica Andrade (#1, 20-7, 11-5 UFC) vs. Rose Namajunas (#2, 8-4, 6-3 UFC)
Women’s Strawweights

Andrade with lots of head movement early on. Andrade landing some leg kicks as Namajunas is trying to land some punches. Namajunas lands a right hand as Andrade lands a leg kick. Namajunas lands some punches as she circles away. They trade leg kicks. Andrade with a left hook to the body. Namajunas lands a big right hand. Andrade lands a right hand. Namajunas lands a right hand and they clinch. Namajunas with a knee and Andrade lands a right hand as they break. They trade late. 10-9 Namajunas.

Namajunas with a high kick as Andrade is still moving her head around something fierce. Andrade with a couple of leg kicks. They trade punches. Namajunas just misses a flying knee. Andrade with a leg kick but eats a snapping jab from Namajunas. Namajunas lands a combo. Andrade with a body punch. Andrade lands a right hand. They trade punches. Namajunas tries a flying knee and misses and falls to the ground but is able to get up quickly. Namajunas with the jab. Namajunas with a right hand. They trade kicks. Andrade tries a takedown but Namajunas defends. Andrade lands some good late. 10-9 Namajunas, 20-18 Namajunas.

They are trading to start the third and Namajunas is landing more. Namajunas is bleeding out of her nose. Andrade landing some good punches. They trade and Andrade throws Namajunas to the mat and Andrade gets in the guard. Namajunas able to kick Andrade off and they stand. Namajunas lands a good combo. Andrade with a right hand. They continue to trade as the blood is pouring more out of Namajunas’ nose. Namajunas gets a takedown but Andrade is able to scramble up. Namajunas lands a big jab. They trade at the end. Great fight. 10-9 Andrade, 29-28 Namajunas.

Official Result- Rose Namajunas def. Jessica Andrade by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

> Petr Yan (#3, 14-1, 6-0 UFC) vs. Jose Aldo (#6, 28-6, 10-5 UFC)
UFC Bantamweight Championship

Aldo is looking for leg kicks early. Yan landing some early punches. Yan lands a big right hand. Aldo with a big leg kick and Yan trips to the mat but gets up. Aldo with a body punch and then a jab. Yan with a combo to the body that partially lands. Yan with a right hand. Aldo with a heavy leg kick. Aldo with another leg kick and Aldo goes to the mat and Yan is on top. Yan lands a big body punch that hurt Aldo and Aldo was turtling up. Yan lands a barrage of punches looking for the finish but Aldo survives. Yan gets the round on that late ground flurry. 10-9 Yan.

Both looking for openings to start the second. Yan with a high kick that Aldo blocks. Aldo with an inside leg kick. Aldo lands a combo. Aldo with another leg kick. Aldo with another hard leg kick. Yan lands a left hand. Yan with another left hand. Aldo with a right hand. Yan with a leg kick. Aldo with a leg kick followed by a jab and then a body kick. Yan lands a left hand. Yan switches stances. They trade late. Close round. 10-9 Aldo, 19-19.

Aldo with a body kick and then a knee to the body. Aldo with a right hand to the body. Yan lands a left hand. Yan with a left hand. Yan with the jab and he’s being warned about his fingers again. Aldo with a left hand to the body and then a short uppercut. Yan with an inside leg kick. Aldo with a flurry and then lands a knee against the fence.Yan just misses a big right hand. Yan with the jab. Aldo continues to work the body. Yan misses a flurry as Aldo was ducking under. Aldo with a body punch and Yan lands a combo in return. Aldo with an uppercut. They clinch and Yan lands an elbow as they break. Yan with a body kick. Yan lands a right hand late. Another close round. 10-9 Yan, 29-28 Yan.

Aldo with a body kick. Yan with a body kick and some leg kicks. Aldo with a couple of right hands. Aldo with some body shots and Yan fires back and lands a clean left hand. Aldo with a knee to the body. Yan lands a flurry. Aldo with a short uppercut. Yan goes for a takedown but Aldo defends. Yan with a left hand followed by a body kick. Aldo slowing down a little. Yan with a combo against the fence. Yan with a flurry and lands a hard right hand. Yan gets Aldo down and Yan landing punches from the top. Yan gets into Aldo’s guard and lands a couple of big punches. Yan with more big punches and he puts a stamp on this round. 10-9 Yan, 39-37 Yan.

Yan with a big combo that rocks Aldo. Yan knocks Aldo down with a left hand and is landing punches from the top looking to finish. Yan goes into Aldo’s half-guard. Yan landing big punches from the half-guard. Aldo looking to survive. Yan isolating the arm and landing big punches. Yan with more big punches as he gets the back of Aldo. Aldo is bleeding all over the place. Yan with big hammerfists. Lots of shots taken by Aldo there and it could have been stopped. Yan with a knee to the body and then more punches. Aldo taking too much punishment but it isn’t being stopped. He continues to land punches and it is finally stopped. Yan is the new 135-pound title holder. Impressive win.

Official Result- Petr Yan def. Jose Aldo by TKO (punches) at 3:24 of Round 5 to win the UFC Bantamweight Championship

> Alexander Volkanovski (C, 21-1, 8-0 UFC) vs. Max Holloway (#1, 21-5, 17-5 UFC)
UFC Featherweight Championship

Volkanovski with an overhand right. Holloway looking to find his range. Holloway with a body kick. Volkanovski with a leg kick. Holloway with a combo to the body. Holloway with another body kick after Volkanovski lands a leg kick. Holloway landing with more volume in the first half. Holloway with an uppercut. They trade leg kicks. Volkanovski with a combo. Holloway lands a straight right hand. Holloway with a leg kick. Holloway with a leg kick and then lands a spinning back kick and a head kick sends Volkanovski to the mat. 10-9 Holloway.

Holloway landing some punches and kicks and Volkanovski is trying to figure things out in the second. Holloway with more leg kicks. Holloway with some more leg kicks. Volkanovski lands some good punches. Volkanovski switches stances for a moment and they trade leg kicks. Holloway with a knee to the body. Volkanovski with a left hook. Holloway tries a head kick but blocked by Volkanovski. Volkanovski with a body kick. Holloway with another high kick that just missed. Holloway drops Volkanovski with an uppercut late. 10-9 Holloway, 20-18 Holloway.

Volkanovski with a hard leg kick. Holloway attacking the leg as Volkanovski circles around. Volkanovski is pressing forward now and Holloway lands a flying knee. They trade leg kicks. Volkanovski shoots for a takedown against the fence but Holloway defends and they are clinched against the fence. Holloway pressing forward and lands a jumping switch kick. Holloway just misses an uppercut. Volkanovski with an inside leg kick. They trade late. Close round. 10-9 Volkanovski, 29-28 Holloway.

They trade to start the fourth. Both men landing some good shots but they are both searching for openings. Volkanovski with a couple of leg kicks and Holloway fires back with leg kicks. Holloway lands a good combo after eating a leg kick from Volkanovski. Holloway with a spin kick to the body. Volkanovski lands a jab. Volkanovski gets a takedown near the fence but Holloway is able to work to his feet quickly. They break to the center of the Octagon. Volkanovski tries another takedown but Holloway defends with some uppercuts and Volkanovski lets go. Volkanovski with a good combo. Holloway with a flurry and lands a nice right hand late. 10-9 Holloway, 39-37 Holloway.

Holloway with a body kick. Holloway with a good combo and a nice left hand. They trade kicks and Holloway landed a good high kick. They trade in a clinch and Volkanovski lands a good left hand. Volkanovski with a left hand. Volkanovski with a high kick that is blocked by Holloway and then Holloway throws a head kick. Volkanovski with a left hand. Holloway with an uppercut. Volkanovski with a leg kick. Holloway landing slightly more. Holloway with a combo and the right hand lands right on the chin. Volkanovski shoots for a takedown but Holloway defends though Volkanovski finishes a takedown. Holloway quickly works to his feet. They break and Volkanovski lands a left on the break. Volkanovski with a combo. Volkanovski tries for another takedown but Holloway defends. Volkanovski with a leg kick. Both men are swinging for the fences. Volkanovski with a late takedown. 10-9 Volkanovski, 48-47 Holloway.

Official Result- Alexander Volkanovski def. Max Holloway by split decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47) to retain the UFC Featherweight Championship

> Kamaru Usman (C, 16-1, 11-0 UFC) vs. Jorge Masvidal (#3, 35-13, 12-6 UFC)
UFC Welterweight Championship

Masvidal with a leg kick. Masvidal lands more kicks. Usman gets a takedown off a kick and he’s in Masvidal’s guard. Usman with an elbow. Masvidal lands some punches from the bottom. Usman stands and Masvidal tries to scramble up. Usman still has his arms locked around Masvidal but they break. Usman with a body punch. Masvidal with a leg kick. Masvidal with a knee to the body and lands some punches as they break. Usman goes for a takedown against the fence but Masvidal defends. Masvidal lands an elbow. They break. Masvidal with a body kick and a straight left hand. Masvidal lands a quick combo after Usman lands a jab. Masvidal with a right hand. 10-9 Masvidal.

Masvidal with a body kick. Usman tries to grab a single leg but Masvidal slips away. They are clinched against the fence and not much is going on other than Usman just holding on. Masvidal with some knees as Usman lands a couple of body punches. Masvidal lands an elbow. Usman lands a left hand. Masvidal just misses a right hand and they clinch again. Usman with a foot stomp. Usman with more foot stomps and shoulder strikes. Masvidal with some body punches. Usman with some body punches. They break. Masvidal with a body kick. Masvidal lands a combo. Usman with a body punch. Masvidal lands a right hand. 10-9 Usman, 19-19.

Masvidal with a leg kick. Masvidal with a body kick. They fight in close range against the fence and then clinch and Usman with more foot stomps. Usman with some body punches and they break. Usman lands a right hand. Masvidal with a body kick. Usman in deep for a takedown but Masvidal defends. Usman landed a punch right to the groin. Back to action and Masvidal with a body kick. Masvidal with a leg kick. Usman gets a takedown. Masvidal gets to his feet but Usman takes him right back down. Usman working in side control. Masvidal trying to spin out but Usman ends up in his guard. Usman with a couple of elbows from the top. 10-9 Usman, 29-28 Usman.

Usman with a big body kick. Usman goes for a takedown but Masvidal defends against the fence and they are clinched. Usman with some foot stomps and body punches. Masvidal lands a knee as they break. Usman gets a takedown. They get to their feet and are clinched. Usman with body punches and more foot stomps. Usman lands a left hand. Masvidal lands a flurry before they break. Masvidal with a body kick. Usman lands a left hook after missing a takedown attempt. Usman lands another left hand and they clinch again. They end the round clinched against the fence. 10-9 Usman, 39-37 Usman.

Usman lands a left hand. They trade punches and Usman gets a takedown against the fence. Usman working from the top and landing some elbows. Usman working in side control. Masvidal able to scramble but Usman keeping him down. Usman gets the neck and is keeping Masvidal down. Usman lands a knee to the body. They get to their feet. They trade knees and break. Masvidal with a left hand. Masvidal with a body kick. They trade late. 10-9 Usman, 49-46 Usman.

Official Result- Kamaru Usman def. Jorge Masvidal by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46) to retain the UFC Welterweight Championship