Tag: kelvin gastelum

UFC on ESPN 64 live results: Brandon Moreno vs. Steve Erceg

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

The Octagon is back in the high altitude of Mexico City, Mexico, with a 13-fight card as Arena CDMX hosts UFC in ESPN 64.

The main event is a big bout in the flyweight division as former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno looks to make another run at the title when he takes on former title challenger Steve Erceg. Moreno is looking to score his second straight win after defeating Amir Albazi in November. Erceg started his UFC career off strong to quickly earn a title shot, but has lost two straight fights and is looking to get back into the win column.

In the co-main event, it is a lightweight bout sure to provide fireworks between knockout artists Manuel Torres and Drew Dober. Also on the main card is former TUF winner Kelvin Gastelum battling Joe Pyfer in a middleweight bout; a bantamweight bout pitting 20-year-old prospect Raul Rosas Jr. against Vince Morales; and a bantamweight bout between David Martinez and Saimon Oliveira.

*UPDATE- a middleweight bout between Kelvin Gastelum and Joe Pyfer has been scratched from the card after Pyfer was pulled from the bout due to an illness

ESPN2 PRELIMS | 4 PM ET/1 PM PT

> Lightweights- Marquel Mederos (9-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. Austin Hubbard (16-8, 4-6 UFC)

Mederos lands a leg kick. He lands a body kick. Mederos with another leg kick. He lands one again. Hubbard with a front kick but Mederos attacks the leg kick. Mederos with a right hand and a calf kick. Mederos lands a calf kick as Hubbard lands a jab. Hubbard lands a spin kick. Mederos lands a calf kick then a right hand. Hubbard with a body kick. Mederos with some more kicks. Mederos lands a right hand. Hubbard lands a body kick as they trade punches. Mederos lands a spin kick. Hubbard looks for a takedown against the fence and he grabs the back. Hubbard trying to get it down but Mederos is defending well. They separate. Mederos lands a left hook and lands at the horn. 10-9 Mederos.

They trade punches and Mederos lands a leg kick. Mederos lands a right hand, then Hubbard lands a combo. Hubbard lands a knee as Mederos looks for a takedown, but they break apart. Hubbard then grabs the single leg and pushes it against the fence, taking the back of Mederos. Hubbard jumps on the back as he has the hooks in. Mederos is walking around with Hubbard on his back as they go to Mederos’ corner. Hubbard is working for the choke from the back. Hubbard is trying to squeeze around the chin and they fall to the mat and Hubbard lets go. Hubbard with punches from the back. 10-9 Hubbard, 19-19.

Hubbard lands a right hand. They trade right hands as Hubbard lands a leg kick. Hubbard gets a takedown and is inside the guard of Mederos. Hubbard landing to the body from the top and keeping Mederos from getting up. Mederos lands a few elbows from the bottom. Hubbard with an elbow from the top. They try to scramble but Hubbard keeps it down and is in the half-guard. Hubbard tries to transition but slips off and Mederos ends up on top and lands an elbow. Mederos grabs the neck in a sprawl and Hubbard is cut open. Mederos with some short punches. Mederos lands a knee and an elbow as they get up. Hubbard is pressing forward. Hubbard looks for a takedown. Mederos defends and lands a hammerfist. 10-9 Mederos, 29-28 Mederos.

Official Result- Marquel Mederos def. Austin Hubbard by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

> Featherweights- Jamall Emmers (20-8, 3-4 UFC) vs. Gabriel Miranda (17-7, 1-2 UFC)

They trade big punches to start and Miranda scores a takedown. They get right up but Miranda gets it back down. Miranda is able to get the back as Emmers is scrambling. Miranda is looking for a choke. Emmers gets his head out and lands. Emmers stands and lands a leg kick as Miranda gets up. Miranda lands a short uppercut and they trade right hands. Emmers lands a combination. Emmers drops Miranda with a big right hand but backs off and lets him up. Miranda tries a takedown but Emmers defends. Emmers lands some more punches. Emmers with a right hand and hurts Miranda with an elbow. Emmers with two more right hands. They clinch against the fence. Emmers drops Miranda again with a right hand and finishes it off with a couple of hammerfists. What a finish by Emmers!

Official Result- Jamall Emmers def. Gabriel Miranda by TKO (punches) at 4:06 of Round 1

> Lightweights- Rafa Garcia (16-4, 4-4 UFC) vs. Vinc Pichel (14-4, 7-4 UFC)

Garcia lands a right hand. He lands another. Garcia mixes to the body and Pichel lands a right hand. Garcia lands a combination. Pichel with a pair of jabs. Garcia lands a left hand. Pichel with a leg kick and Garcia lands an overhand right. Pichel lands a right hand. Garcia lands a leg kick. Garcia with a stiff calf kick. Pichel lands a body kick. Garcia grabs the back against the fence. They both land foot stomps. Garcia kind of gets a takedown but they separate, though Garcia gets a takedown and ends the round on top. 10-9 Garcia.

They trade to start the second. Pichel with a leg kick as Garcia lands a pair of right hands. Garcia with another right hand. Pichel with an inside leg kick. Garcia lands a right hand. Timeout is called for an eye poke by Pichel. They get back to action and Garcia pushes the pace. Pichel lands and looks for a takedown, but Garcia defends. Pichel with a high kick. Pichel with a solid leg kick. Garcia looks for a takedown but Pichel defends. Garcia lands a knee. They separate and Pichel lands a jab. Pichel lands a right hand. Pichel landing far more in this round. Pichel with a front kick. Garcia lands a right hand. 10-9 Pichel, 19-19.

They come out trading and Pichel is getting the better of it. He lands a body kick and a knee after working the jab. Garcia lands a solid right hand and mixes to the body. Garcia with a combination and Pichel lands a counter right hand. Garcia lands a right hand to the body. Garcia lands a combo. Garcia with an uppercut and a big right hand. Pichel with a body kick. Garcia with a hard right hand and Pichel lands a counter left hand. Garcia lands another big right hand. Pichel mixes to the body and shoots for a takedown, but Garcia defends. Pichel with some kicks. Garcia with a series of left hands. Garcia gets a big slam takedown. Garcia with some right hands as Pichel gets to his feet. Pichel lands late. 10-9 Garcia, 29-28 Garcia.

Official Result- Rafa Garcia def. Vinc Pichel by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Women’s Strawweights- #11 Loopy Godinez (12-5, 7-5 UFC) vs. Julia Polastri (13-4, 1-1 UFC)

Polastri with a leg kick and Godinez lands a combination and a right hand. Godinez with a right hand and a body kick. Godinez with a leg kick followed by a right hand. Polastri lands an inside leg kick. Polastri throws a high kick and Godinez grabs the leg and lands a massive slam. Godinez lands and they stand, but Godinez gets it back to the mat. Godinez landing from the half-guard. Polastri trying to land from the bottom but Godinez has her pinned down. They trade elbows on the mat before they stand. Polastri with a leg kick. 10-9 Godinez.

Godinez lands a right hand. They trade kicks. Polastri with a high kick. Godinez lands a right hand. Godinez with a combination. Polastri is pressing forward but eating punches from Godinez. Godinez gets a takedown. They get to their feet, but Godinez gets another big takedown and is working from side control. Godinez with some elbows to the body. Godinez with more elbows and she takes the back and almost has a choke locked in. Polastri is able to escape and gets Godinez back in her guard. Godinez lands. 10-9 Godinez, 20-18 Godinez.

Polastri lands a leg kick. Godinez with a right hand and a leg kick. Polastri lands a leg kick. They tie up and both land knees with Godinez landing a knee as she breaks. Godinez lands a jab and a right hand. Godinez with some standing lead elbows. They tie up and Polastri lands a knee. Godinez with an elbow as they break. Polastri lands a solid right hand. Godinez with a big right hand. Polastri is coming forward and both are landing. Polastri with some big shots and Godinez tries for a takedown, but Polastri defends. They separate and Polastri with some big shots. Godinez lands a big combination and a big elbow. Polastri with a big right hand. Godinez lands. Godinez pushes it to the fence. Polastri with a knee. Godinez lands an elbow and they separate. Godinez with a jab. Godinez lands a right hand. Polastri lands two big right hands. Godinez lands two right hands. They are both landing hard shots. Polastri with more big punches against the fence. Godinez gets it down late. Crazy fun fight. 10-9 Polastri, 29-28 Godinez.

Official Result- Loopy Godinez def. Julia Polastri by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Featherweights- Christian Rodriguez (12-2, 5-2 UFC) vs. Melquizael Costa (22-7, 3-2 UFC)

Costa lands a body kick and Rodriguez with a quick combo. They tie up as Rodriguez has Costa against the fence. They trade knees against the fence. Rodriguez trying to get it down as Costa lands short punches. Rodriguez goes for a foot sweep but Costa defends and they remain tied up against the fence. Costa lands a knee. Both are looking to get it down but there isn’t a lot happening. They trade knees along the fence. Rodriguez gets the takedown and tries for the back but they scramble up. Rodriguez lands a knee as he has the neck and drops down for an anaconda choke. Costa scrambles out into side control and lands some elbows to the body. Costa with more elbows and knees. Costa lands as they scramble up. 10-9 Costa.

Rodriguez with a quick combo and a body kick as Costa lands a leg kick. Costa with a body kick. Rodriguez lands a right hand and clinches up against the fence. They separate. Rodriguez lands a left hand. Costa cracks Rodriguez with a left hand and Rodriguez drops down for a takedown, but Costa defends. Rodriguez tries to get it down and lands an elbow. Rodriguez gets a takedown but Costa is able to quickly scramble up. They clinch back up and Costa lands an elbow. Costa lands a knee that hurts Rodriguez and starts landing lots of punches. Rodriguez is scrambling around to recover but Costa is staying after him and landing. They get up and Costa gets it down and is on the back of Rodriguez. Costa looks for a guillotine choke. Rodriguez gives a thumbs up and rolls over. Costa reverses to the top. Costa with an elbow. Costa with some elbows from the top. 10-9 Costa, 20-18 Costa.

Rodriguez immediately gets a takedown. Rodriguez lands from the top but they scramble up and Costa lands a knee. They separate and Rodriguez lands some big punches and an elbow in a tie up. Rodriguez with another foot sweep and has the back as they stand. Rodriguez lands a knee. They separate and Rodriguez lands to tie it back up. Rodriguez gets Costa back down and is on the back landing left hands. They scramble up and Rodriguez lands a big elbow. Costa with a left hand. Rodriguez with some big punches. Rodriguez lands a leg kick. Rodriguez gets another takedown. Rodriguez with some big elbows from the top. Rodriguez stands and lands a hammerfist before getting back in the guard and landing shots. 10-9 Rodriguez, 29-28 Costa.

Official Result- Melquizael Costa def. Christian Rodriguez by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Middleweights- Jose Medina (11-4, 0-1 UFC) vs. Ateba Gautier (6-1, 0-0 UFC)

Gautier with a stiff jab. He lands an inside leg kick. Gautier with a right hand. Medina lands a leg kick. Gautier with a right hand. Gautier lands an uppercut. Gautier lands a heavy combination. Gautier with a head kick. Medina lands a leg kick. Gautier with a couple of big shots. Medina lands a jab. Gautier with a knee and a combo. Gautier lands an uppercut. Gautier lands a combo. Gautier with a hard left hand. Medina is eating them. Gautier lands a big combo against the fence and drops Medina with a big knee and it is stopped. Big finish from Gautier to pick up the win.

Official Result- Ateba Gautier def. Jose Medina by knockout (strikes) at 3:32 of Round 1

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> Flyweights*- Ronaldo Rodriguez (17-2, 2-0 UFC) vs. Kevin Borjas (9-3, 0-2 UFC)

*Rodriguez missed weight by one pound

Borjas lands a leg kick as Rodriguez misses a spin kick. Rodriguez with a jumping switch kick. Borjas drops Rodriguez with a right hand but Rodriguez is able to roll to his feet. They trade inside the pocket. Borjas lands a right hand. Rodriguez just misses a spin kick. Borjas lands a right hand. Borjas with another right hand. Rodriguez lands a body kick and Borjas lands a big right hand that almost dropped Rodriguez. Borjas with a jumping knee. Borjas lands a knee as Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown. Rodriguez scores a late takedown. 10-9 Borjas.

Rodriguez lands some leg kicks. Rodriguez with a body kick and lands a left hand. Rodriguez with a leg kick. Rodriguez with a jumping knee. Borjas lands a big right hand. Borjas lands another right hand. Rodriguez lands a body kick and a spin kick. Borjas lands another stiff right hand. He lands it again. Rodriguez with a front kick. Rodriguez with a body kick. Borjas lands another right hand. Rodriguez lands some kicks. They trade right hands. Borjas lands an uppercut. Rodriguez looks for a takedown and pushes it to the fence. 10-9 Borjas, 20-18 Borjas.

They exchange leg kicks. Borjas with a double jab and a right hand. Borjas lands to the body. Rodriguez lands a right hand. They trade jabs and Rodriguez connects with a solid right hand. They trade and Borjas lands a hard counter right hand. Borjas with another right hand. They trade hard leg kicks. Rodriguez with a high kick and Borjas lands a right hand. Rodriguez with a hard leg kick that is checked. Borjas lands a solid right hand. They have a wild exchange where both land. Borjas with a combo and Rodriguez lands a leg kick. 10-9 Borjas, 30-27 Borjas.

Official Result- Kevin Borjas def. Ronaldo Rodriguez by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Bantamweights- David Martinez (11-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Saimon Oliveira (18-5, 0-2 UFC)

Martinez lands a leg kick and a right hand. Martinez with a body kick then a leg kick. Oliveira lands a combination. Martinez lands a high kick. They trade and Martinez initiates a clinch and pushes it to the fence. Martinez lands as they break. Martinez lands a right hand and a leg kick. Martinez lands a right hand. Martinez with a high kick. Martinez lands a combination. Martinez hurts Oliveira with a right hand and drops him with a knee. Martinez starts landing lots of punches from the top and it is all over! What a finish from Martinez!

Official Result- David Martinez def. Saimon Oliveira by TKO (punches) at 4:38 of Round 1

> Bantamweights- Raul Rosas Jr. (10-1, 4-1 UFC) vs. Vince Morales (16-9, 3-7 UFC)

Rosas Jr. with a body kick then a high kick. Rosas Jr. lands a leg kick. Rosas Jr. shoots for a takedown but Morales defends. Rosas Jr. lands a flurry. Rosas Jr. picks Morales up and slams him down in the center of the Octagon. Rosas Jr. is in side control. Rosas Jr. looked for an arm but goes back to side control. Rosas Jr. lands a right hand from the top. Rosas Jr. scrambles to the back and looks to get the hooks in. Morales gets to the sprawl position and Rosas Jr. lands to the body. They roll and Morales ends up on top. Morales attacks the neck late and time runs out. 10-9 Rosas Jr.

Rosas Jr. lands a pair of jabs. Morales connects with a right hand. Rosas Jr. lands a leg kick. Morales lands a right hand. Morales lands a high kick and Rosas Jr. grabs the leg and gets it to the mat. They briefly get up and Rosas Jr. is able to get it back down. Rosas Jr. is trying to get the back as Morales is defending. Rosas Jr. trying to get the hooks in. Rosas Jr. keeping control of the back. Morales stands with Rosas Jr. on his back. They go back to the mat and Rosas Jr. lands. 10-9 Rosas Jr., 20-18 Rosas Jr.

Rosas Jr. works the jab and lands a body kick. Morales with a head kick. He follows with a jab. Rosas Jr. shoots for a takedown but Morales sprawls and looks for a choke. Morales looking for an anaconda choke. Rosas Jr. is trying to fight it off. Rosas Jr. is able to escape and is now in side control. Rosas Jr. with an elbow. Morales lands an elbow from the bottom. Rosas Jr. grabs the back of Morales as they scramble. Rosas Jr. has body control on the mat. Morales looks for the choke again late. He has it locked in but Rosas Jr. is able to survive to the end. 10-9 Morales, 29-28 Rosas Jr.

Official Result- Raul Rosas Jr. def. Vince Morales by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Flyweights- Edgar Chairez (11-6 1 NC, 1-2 1 NC UFC) vs. CJ Vergara (12-6-1, 3-4 UFC)

Vergara lands a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Chairez with a jab after landing a right hand. Vergara with a leg kick. Chairez working the jab. Chairez lands a big left hook and Vergara almost got dropped but was able to remain on his feet. Chairez lands a big combination and Vergara goes down. Chairez gets on the back and locks in a rear-naked choke and Vergara taps! Chairez with the big finish to score the win.

Official Result- Edgar Chairez def. CJ Vergara by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:30 of Round 1

> Lightweights- Manuel Torres (15-3, 3-1 UFC) vs. Drew Dober (27-14 1 NC, 13-10 1 NC UFC)

Torres lands a leg kick. Torres lands a stiff right hand. Torres lands a right hand. Torres with a head kick that Dober partially blocks. Torres drops Dober with a right hand and starts landing punches as Dober is attacking the leg. Torres continues to land and it is stopped! Torres gets the big finish as Dober has no clue that the fight was stopped.

Official Result- Manuel Torres def. Drew Dober by TKO (punches) at 1:45 of Round 1

> Flyweights- #2 Brandon Moreno (22-8-2, 10-5-2 UFC) vs. #8 Steve Erceg (12-3, 3-2 UFC)

Moreno connects with a left hand. Erceg with a leg kick. Moreno with a jab then a left hand. Moreno lands to the body and then follows with a body kick. Moreno connects with a punch. Erceg lands a short uppercut. Moreno lands a jab. Moreno rocks Erceg with a combination. Erceg seems to have recovered. Erceg lands a combo. Moreno lands a right hand. Erceg working the jab. Erceg lands a left hook to the body. Moreno lands a hard right hand. Erceg with an uppercut. They trade jabs. Moreno lands a body kick. Moreno lands another big right hand. Erceg works the jab and Moreno lands a right hand. Moreno with a calf kick. They trade jabs. 10-9 Moreno.

Erceg with a head kick that Moreno partially blocks. Moreno lands a hard right hand. Erceg lands a right hand and a step-in knee. They trade in close range. Moreno lands a right hand. Erceg lands a right hand and follows with a combo. Moreno lands a leg kick after they have an exchange in close range. Moreno lands a right hand. Moreno lands a jab. They trade body kicks. Erceg lands a right hand as Moreno landed a right hand. Erceg lands a combo ending with a kick. Erceg lands a jab and then a right hand. 10-9 Moreno, 20-18 Moreno.

Moreno lands a jab. Erceg lands a leg kick and follows with a jab. Erceg lands an uppercut. Moreno lands a right hand. Moreno lands an inside leg kick. Erceg with a leg kick then a jab. Erceg with a combination. Erceg with an inside leg kick. The pace has slowed a little this round. Erceg lands a step-in knee. Moreno lands a leg kick. Erceg lands a combo. Erceg lands two punches and a knee. 10-9 Erceg, 29-28 Moreno.

Moreno lands a left hook. Moreno with a left hand. Moreno lands a combination. Erceg lands a right hand. Moreno lands a right hand and just misses some left hands. Moreno connects with a right hand. Erceg lands a high kick. Moreno with a left hand. Erceg works the jab. Moreno landing slightly more in this round. Moreno lands a left hand. Moreno shoots for a takedown against the fence. Moreno with some knees and they scramble. 10-9 Moreno, 39-37 Moreno.

They trade and Moreno lands a right hand. Erceg with a right hand. Moreno with a left hand and follows with a combo. Moreno lands a leg kick but Erceg checks it. Erceg lands a right hand. Moreno lands a combination. Erceg works the jab. They trade jabs. Erceg with a body kick. Erceg with a front kick to the body. Moreno lands a right hand. Moreno lands a head kick and gets Erceg down to the ground. Moreno is trying to pass guard. Moreno gets to side control and finishes it out there. 10-9 Moreno, 49-46 Moreno.

Official Result- Brandon Moreno def. Steve Erceg by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)

UFC on ESPN 29 live results: Jared Cannonier vs. Kelvin Gastelum

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC on ESPN 29: Cannonier vs. Gastelum, emanating from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Octagon is back at its home base in Las Vegas after a week in Houston and a following week off, as UFC action returns with a middleweight main event between two men trying to get into title contention.

Jared Cannonier will battle former TUF winner and former title challenger Kelvin Gastelum in the five-round headline bout. Cannonier is fighting for the first time since October as he looks to get back into the win column after dropping a decision to Robert Whittaker. He was out due to surgery following the fight and returns after a near ten-month layoff. Gastelum is also coming in off a decision loss to Whittaker, which came in April, and he looks to work his way back into the top five and up the middleweight ladder.

Also on the main card is a lightweight bout between long-time veteran and fan favorite Clay Guida and the undefeated Mark O. Madsen, a heavyweight bout between Parker Porter and Chase Sherman, a lightweight bout pitting Vinc Pichel against Austin Hubbard, and flyweight contenders Alexandre Pantoja and Brandon Royval open the main card.

Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.

ESPN2 PRELIMS | 7 PM ET/4 PM PT

> Sasha Palatnikov (6-3, 1-1 UFC) vs. Ramiz Brahimaj (8-3, 0-1 UFC)
Welterweights

They trade jabs to start and Brahimaj gets a takedown but they work their way up to their feet. They scramble back down and Brahimaj in the guard of Palatnikov. Brahimaj passes to the half-guard. Brahimaj moves to the mount and is looking to set something up. Brahimaj looking for a rear-naked choke as he takes the back. It is in tight. Palatnikov trying to fight it off but it is still in tight. Palatnikov goes out cold! Nice win for Brahimaj.

Official Result- Ramiz Brahimaj def. Sasha Palatnikov by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:33 of Round 1

> Roosevelt Roberts (10-2 1 NC, 4-2 1 NC UFC) vs. Ignacio Bahamondes (11-4, 0-1 UFC)
Lightweights

They trade jabs and leg kicks to start. Bahamondes with a nice leg kick. Roberts landing the jab and grabs the body for a takedown against the fence. They break. Bahamondes with a right hand. Roberts lands a right hand then a jab and Bahamondes lands a leg kick. Bahamondes with a leg kick and Roberts throws one. Bahamondes with a right hand. Roberts lands a couple of right hands. Bahamondes with a leg kick. Bahamondes with a spinning back fist. Bahamondes throws and pokes Roberts in the eye. There actually wasn’t an eye poke and we get back to action. Bahamondes lands a couple of left hands. Bahamondes landing and Roberts decides to go for a takedown against the fence. They break and both land in an exchange. They trade leg kicks. Bahamondes with a combo. They trade in close range. Bahamondes with a leg kick. Roberts tries for the takedown again against the fence. Roberts has the body lock as Bahamondes gives up his back. Bahamondes lands a big knee and then another and some punches late. 10-9 Bahamondes.

Roberts coming forward and they trade in close range. Bahamondes with a combo and a leg kick. Bahamondes with a left to the body and Roberts tries a takedown but Bahamondes escapes. Bahamondes with a leg kick and then a right hand. Roberts landing some short punches but fighting with his back near the fence. Bahamondes with a combo and a leg kick but is cut open. Bahamondes with a right hand and lands a spin kick to the body. Bahamondes with a right hand. Bahamondes with the jab and a leg kick. They’re trading in close range and Bahamondes tries to land a knee but Roberts grabs him looking for the takedown. Bahamondes is bleeding badly. Roberts landing the jab as Bahamondes lands a body kick. 10-9 Bahamondes, 20-18 Bahamondes.

Roberts with a leg kick and Bahamondes lands a left hand. They’re trading and Roberts goes for a takedown but Bahamondes defends. Roberts shoots again and Bahamondes sprawls and lands and Roberts remains on his back as Bahamondes stands and lands some kicks. Roberts ordered to his feet. Roberts tries for the takedown again and he can’t score them. Bahamondes lands as they clinch up before breaking. Bahamondes with a body kick and then a leg kick. Bahamondes with a spin kick to the legs. Bahamondes with a leg kick. Roberts trying for the takedown again but Bahamondes still defending. Bahamondes with a hard leg kick. Bahamondes with some body kicks and a left hand to the body. Roberts lands a right hand. Bahamondes looks for a standing guillotine. He lets go and lands a big elbow. Bahamondes then knocks Roberts out cold with a spinning wheel kick right to the jaw with less then ten seconds to go. What a finish in a fight he was going to win.

Official Result- Ignacio Bahamondes def. Roosevelt Roberts by knockout (spinning wheel kick) at 4:55 of Round 3

> William Knight (9-2, 1-1 UFC) vs. Fabio Cherant (7-2, 0-1 UFC)
Light Heavyweights

Knight with a leg kick. He lands another. He throws a head kick but misses. Cherant lands a left to the body. Knight with another hard leg kick. He lands another. Knight with a body kick. Cherant with a left hand to the body. Cherant lands a combo. Knight with a leg kick and lands a left hand. Knight with a leg kick. Cherant with a left hand. Knight lands a body kick. Cherant lands a left hand and Knight lands a left hand right as Cherant was landing and Cherant goes out cold. What a knockout by Knight.

Official Result- William Knight def. Fabio Cherant by knockout (punches) at 3:58 of Round 1

> Bea Malecki (4-0, 2-0 UFC) vs. Josiane Nunes (7-1, 0-0 UFC)
Women’s Bantamweights

They trade leg kicks. Malecki with more kicks. Nunes lands a couple of solid leg kicks. Nunes chopping away at the legs and lands a left hand. Nunes lands a left hand. Malecki lands a right hand. Nunes connects with a big combo in close range. Nunes with a lot of punches but Malecki eating them. Malecki lands a head kick and then a body kick. Malecki landing a lot at range. Nunes with a combo. Nunes lands a flurry and Malecki landed a spinning elbow. Nunes with some knees to the body. Nunes with a leg kick. Malecki with a couple of leg kicks. Nunes lands a combo. Nunes with some left hands against the fence. Nunes then lands a left hand that drops Malecki and this fight is over. What a finish by Nunes.

Official Result- Josiane Nunes def. Bea Malecki by knockout (punch) at 4:54 of Round 1

> Brian Kelleher (22-12, 6-5 UFC) vs. Domingo Pilarte (8-2 1 NC, 0-1 1 NC UFC)
Bantamweights

Pilarte with a head kick but Kelleher blocks it. Kelleher lands to the body and gets a takedown and is in side control. Pilarte gets Kelleher into his guard. Kelleher with some left hands from the top. Kelleher with some nice elbows from the top. Kelleher mixing to the body as Pilarte tries to throw his legs up. Kelleher with some punches. Kelleher still working from the top and lands some big punches as he stands. Kelleher gets back on top but Pilarte lands a big hammerfist from his back. Kelleher with a big elbow at the end. 10-9 Kelleher.

Pilarte with a high kick to start the second. They trade and Kelleher gets the takedown near the center of the cage. Kelleher working from the top and landing as Pilarte not doing much from the bottom. Kelleher still working from the top and then passes to side control. Pilarte able to roll to his feet but gives up his neck and Kelleher drops down for a guillotine. Pilarte able to escape but Kelleher gets the guillotine locked back in. Pilarte escapes due to help from the blood coming out from him. Pilarte lands a big elbow and is in the half-guard. Kelleher switches to the top and lands some big punches at the end. 10-9 Kelleher, 20-18 Kelleher.

Kelleher picks Pilarte up and carries him around the cage and tosses him to the ground and gets into the guard. Kelleher gets the back and looks to control the wrist. Pilarte spins back and Kelleher is back in Pilarte’s full guard. Kelleher working to the body and head from the top. Kelleher landing from the top as Pilarte is just landing slaps from the bottom. Kelleher landing to the body and head. Kelleher landing left hands from the top. Pilarte doing nothing from the bottom. Both landing on the ground but Kelleher with big shots. 10-9 Kelleher, 30-27 Kelleher.

Official Result- Brian Kelleher def. Domingo Pilarte by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Austin Lingo (8-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Luis Saldana (15-6, 1-0 UFC)
Featherweights

Saldana with a hard leg kick and lands some punches. Lingo lands some. Saldana with a right hand that hurts Lingo bad. Saldana lands a spinning elbow, then a body kick and then a leg kick. Lingo chasing Saldana down with some left hands but not landing. Saldana with a leg kick and then a spin kick to the body. Lingo lands a left hand. Saldana with a leg kick. They exchange in close range. Lingo lands a left hand. Saldana with a spinning elbow. 10-9 Saldana.

Saldana with a flurry to start the second and Lingo returns fire. Lingo with a leg kick. Saldana has slowed down and Lingo is taking advantage. They trade punches. Saldana with a spinning body kick. Saldana with a hard leg kick and Lingo lands a left hand. Lingo coming forward and landing as they clinch but break. Saldana with a jab. Saldana with a leg kick. Lingo lands a right hand. Lingo with a combo but Saldana lands an elbow. They trade jabs. Saldana with a jumping knee but eats a right hand from Lingo at the same time. Lingo landing more near the end of the round. Lingo with a jab. 10-9 Lingo, 19-19.

Lingo lands a combo early in the third. Saldana shoots for a takedown as he has the single leg but Lingo defends. They break and Lingo with a right hand. Lingo lands another. Saldana with a spin kick to the body. Lingo lands a left hand. Lingo with a right hand and Saldana lands some body kicks. Lingo lands a right hand that stuns Saldana. Saldana with a leg kick. They trade punches. Lingo lands to the body and Saldana goes down and Lingo rushes to the top. Saldana looking for a triangle choke or an armbar from the bottom. Lingo gets the back and looks for the hooks but is in high. Saldana with short punches. Lingo has the back as the fight ends. 10-9 Lingo, 29-28 Lingo.

Official Result- Austin Lingo def. Luis Saldana by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

ESPN MAIN CARD | 10 PM ET/7 PM PT

> Alexandre Pantoja (#3, 23-5, 7-3 UFC) vs. Brandon Royval (#6, 12-5, 2-1 UFC)
Flyweights

Pantoja gets a takedown right away and has the back of Royval. They’re scrambling and Pantoja still has the back and Royval lands a back elbow. Royval looking for a heel hook then switches to looking for a kneebar and lands a hammerfist while doing so. Royval still attacking the leg. Pantoja escapes and takes the back as they stand. Pantoja drags it back down and has the back but Royval scrambles out and they separate on the feet. Royval gets the back and has Pantoja down and lands but they break. They trade punches. Pantoja with a combo. Royval lands some left hands. Pantoja lands a right hand. Royval with a leg kick. Pantoja with a right hand. He lands another. They trade in close range. Royval lands a left hand. They trade late. 10-9 Pantoja.

Pantoja with a right hand. Royval throwing kicks. Both men landing. Pantoja with a combo. Pantoja tries a takedown but Royval defends and lands from the top. Royval with a body kick. Pantoja gets the back standing and drags it down. Pantoja working for a rear-naked choke. He has it under the neck and Royval taps! What a win for Pantoja, that could get him a title shot.

Official Result- Alexandre Pantoja def. Brandon Royval by submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:46 of Round 2

> Vinc Pichel (13-2, 6-2 UFC) vs. Austin Hubbard (13-5, 3-3 UFC)
Lightweights

Hubbard throwing punches and Pichel lands a leg kick that puts Hubbard down for a moment. They’re clinched and both land knees before breaking. They trade leg kicks. Hubbard lands a right hand. Pichel with a leg kick. Hubbard lands a right hand. They trade in close range. Pichel with a leg kick and then another. He lands another. We have a timeout for an eye poke. They get back to action. Hubbard with a body kick. Both land a hard punch. Pichel with a leg kick and Hubbard slips and tries a takedown but eats punches from Pichel. 10-9 Pichel.

Pichel with a leg kick. They trade punches and Pichel lands a leg kick. They trade in a close exchange. Hubbard shoots for a takedown but Pichel defends. They break the clinch. Pichel with a leg kick. Pichel lands a right hand. Pichel with an inside leg kick. Hubbard drags Pichel to the ground and has the back but they separate on the feet. Pichel lands a jumping knee and follows it with a flurry and they trade punches at the fence. Pichel with a straight right hand. Hubbard with a leg kick. Pichel lands a leg kick and Hubbard counters with a right hand. They both land and Hubbard gets a takedown. They scramble up and Hubbard lands a knee. Pichel with a leg kick. 10-9 Pichel, 20-18 Pichel.

Pichel lands a leg kick then an uppercut and then lands a combo as they clinch against the fence. Pichel trying for a takedown but Hubbard defends and lets go. Pichel with a flying elbow. Hubbard tries a takedown and ends up having the back and gets Pichel down. Pichel is able to reverse and gets on top against the fence. They get to their feet but Pichel has Hubbard down now. Pichel lands an elbow as Hubbard tries to attack for a triangle choke. They get to their feet and break. Pichel with a leg kick and Hubbard falls to his knees but somehow gets a takedown. Pichel pushes him off and they get up and Pichel lands. Pichel rocks Hubbard with a combo and they both swing late. 10-9 Pichel, 30-27 Pichel.

Official Result- Vinc Pichel def. Austin Hubbard by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Trevin Jones (13-6 1 NC, 1-0 1 NC UFC) vs. Saidyokub Kakhramonov (8-2, 0-0 UFC)
Bantamweights* (Yokub missed weight by 2.5 pounds)

Kakhramonov took this fight on Tuesday while he was still in Uzbekistan. They clinch right up and Kakhramonov getsa takedown and then has the neck and is looking for a guillotine standing. They go down and Kakhramonov still has it locked in. Jones escapes it but Kakhramonov still has the neck. They get to their feet. They tie up against the fence. Kakhramonov with some hammerfists to the thighs of Jones. Jones has the double underhooks and lands some knees. They trade knees. Kakhramonov with a knee to the body of Jones. Jones lands a couple of left hands. They end the round in that position. 10-9 Kakhramonov.

Kakhramonov with a body kick. Kakhramonov with an inside leg kick as Jones lands a punch and they tie up against the fence. Jones with a knee to the body. Kakhramonov lands a combo and then Jones drops for a takedown but Kakhramonov defends and Jones pushes it against the fence. Kakhramonov with a couple of elbows. They break and Kakhramonov lands a right hand as they break. Jones is in trouble and Kakhramonov landing right hands. Kakhramonov continuing to land and lands an uppercut. Kakhramonov lands to the body. They trade body shots in the clinch. Jones lands a combo and then drops down for a takedown against the fence and gets it. Jones mixing to the head and body from the top. He’s working in the full guard and lands more punches. Jones gets the mount and lands big punches to end the round. 10-9 Jones, 19-19.

Kakhramonov lands a high kick. Kakhramonov with a body kick. He lands another. Kakhramonov with some leg kicks. They clinch against the fence as Jones looks for the takedown. Jones lands a couple of knees. Jones has the back and drags Kakhramonov to a knee but they stand and Jones switches position. Jones still has the body lock. Jones lands a couple of knees. Kakhramonov with some short left hands. Jones drops down but can’t complete the takedown. Kakhramonov landing short right hands. Jones lands a knee as they break for a second and Jones shoots for a takedown. Kakhramonov has the neck and is looking for a guillotine choke. He switches and Jones is out cold! Wow, what a finish by Kakhramonov.

Official Result- Saidyokub Kakhramonov def. Trevin Jones by submission (guillotine choke) at 4:39 of Round 3

> Parker Porter (11-6, 1-1 UFC) vs. Chase Sherman (15-7, 3-6 UFC)
Heavyweights

Porter with a leg kick. Sherman with a leg kick. They trade punches. Porter with a leg kick. Sherman with a leg kick and Porter lands a combo. Porter with the jab. Sherman with the jab and a leg kick. Sherman with a right hand. Sherman landing the jab and then a combo. Porter with a leg kick. Porter lands an overhand right. Sherman with a leg kick and they trade punches. They trade jabs and Porter lands a right hand and Sherman with a combo. Sherman with a leg kick that Porter checks. Sherman throws a front kick and Porter grabs the leg and Sherman falls to the mat and Porter gets on top in the half-guard. Porter landing from the top. Porter ends the round landing from the top. 10-9 Porter.

Porter with a combo to start the second. Porter with a leg kick. Porter with a right hand. They trade leg kicks and then Porter lands a combo and rocks Sherman with a right hand. They both land and then Porter lands a huge right hand. Porter again rocks Sherman with a punch. Porter with another combo. Sherman with a leg kick then Porter lands a flurry of punches. Porter tries a takedown and pushes it against the fence but Sherman defends and they break. Both landing in close range. Sherman with a leg kick and Porter lands some punches. Porter landing more punches. Sherman with a leg kick. Porter with a right hand. Porter with another big right hand. 10-9 Porter, 20-18 Porter.

Porter with a leg kick and follows with a right hand. Porter landing a flurry. Porter landing against the fence and goes for a takedown but Sherman defends. Sherman with a body kick. Porter with a combo. Porter with a right hand. Both landing as both are gassed out but still swinging. Sherman with some punches and then Porter lands a right hand. Sherman with a leg kick but eats two right hands from Porter. Porter with the jab. Porter with a left hook to the body. Porter with a right hand. We have a groin shot and a timeout. They get back to action. Both land punches. Porter with a combo. They trade in close. Porter with a flurry at the end. 10-9 Porter, 30-27 Porter.

Official Result- Parker Porter def. Chase Sherman by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Clay Guida (36-20, 16-14 UFC) vs. Mark O. Madsen (10-0, 2-0 UFC)
Lightweights

Guida with a leg kick and then another. Madsen lands a couple of knees when they clinch but they break. Guida with an uppercut. Guida with a leg kick then a left hand. Guida rocks Madsen as they tie up. They break. Madsen just misses a left hook. Guida with a combo. They tie up against the fence and Madsen with a knee and some punches before they break. Madsen with a knee as they clinch and break. Madsen with a leg kick. They trade in close range but both mostly miss. Guida with a combo but Madsen covering up. Guida with a short uppercut. 10-9 Madsen.

They’re trading to start the second and both land. Guida with a leg kick. Guida lands a combo. Guida lands a combo. Guida with a leg kick. Guida with a leg kick. Madsen lands a right hand. Madsen working the jab and Guida is bleeding, but that is typical for a Guida fight. Guida with a leg kick. 10-9 Guida, 19-19.

They trade to start the third and Guida lands a right hand. Guida with a leg kick. Madsen with a right hand and Guida with a leg kick. Madsen with a right hand but Guida still chopping away at the lead leg. Madsen with an uppercut. Guida with a leg kick. Guida with some right hands. Guida with another leg kick. Madsen lands the jab. Madsen lands the jab and Guida with a leg kick. Guida with a right hand. Madsen with the jab. They tie up against the fence but break. Madsen with the jab. Close fight. 10-9 Madsen, 29-28 Madsen.

Official Result- Mark O. Madsen def. Clay Guida by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)

> Jared Cannonier (#3, 13-5, 6-5 UFC) vs. Kelvin Gastelum (#9, 16-7 1 NC, 11-7 1 NC UFC)
Middleweights

They’re trading leg kicks and punches early on. Gastelum with a leg kick and a left hand. Cannonier landing more as the round goes on. Cannonier switching footwork. Cannonier with a body kick. Gastelum lands a left hand. Cannonier with a right hand and then a leg kick. Cannonier lands late. 10-9 Cannonier.

They trade punches to start the second. Gastelum shoots for a takedown but Cannonier defends. Gastelum trying to land the left hand but Cannonier circling away. Cannonier lands a right hand. Gastelum lands to the body and then a left to the jaw. Gastelum with a combo. Gastelum with a leg kick. Gastelum with a left hand and almost had a takedown but let go and then lands a big left hand. Cannonier with a left hand. Cannonier with a leg kick. Gastelum with an inside leg kick. Cannonier with a jumping switch kick. Gastelum lands and then Cannonier with the jab. Gastelum with a flurry. Close round. 10-9 Gastelum, 19-19.

Cannonier lands the jab. Gastelum with a body kick. Cannonier lands a right hook that drops Gastelum but Gastelum gets up. Cannonier coming forward. Gastelum now gets the body and pushes Cannonier against the fence. Cannonier with a knee to the body to break. Cannonier with a snap jab. Cannonier lands two right hands. Gastelum with a right hand that hurts Cannonier. Cannonier with a jumping body kick. Gastelum with a left hand. Both land in close range and Cannonier with an upwards elbow. Gastelum with a left hand. Gastelum with a leg kick. Gastelum with a left hand. 10-9 Cannonier, 29-28 Cannonier.

Gastelum with a body kick. Cannonier with a combo with some big right hands against the fence. Gastelum grabs him and is looking for a takedown against the fence. They break. Cannonier with a right hand. Gastelum with a leg kick. Cannonier with a right hook. Cannonier with a quick combo. Cannonier with a head kick that Gastelum blocks but Cannonier lands a right hand after. Gastelum with a leg kick. Cannonier lands an uppercut in close range and Gastelum looked to be falling but grabbed Cannonier looking for a takedown but Cannonier slipped away. Cannonier with an uppercut. They trade kicks. 10-9 Cannonier, 39-37 Cannonier.

Cannonier with a right hand. They trade in close range. Cannonier with a hard right hand. They clinch and Cannonier with some knees. Gastelum lands a left hand. Gastelum pressuring more in the round. Gastelum with a combo and a leg kick. Cannonier throwing the jab but not landing. Gastelum lands a right hand and then a leg kick. Gastelum shoots for a takedown but Cannonier lands a big elbow that forces a break. Cannonier with a combo. Gastelum gets the body lock and tries for a takedown. They break and Gastelum with a high kick and left hand late. Solid fight. 10-9 Gastelum, 48-47 Cannonier.

Official Result- Jared Cannonier def. Kelvin Gastelum by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)

UFC on ESPN 22 live results: Robert Whittaker vs. Kelvin Gastelum

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC on ESPN 22: Whittaker vs. Gastelum, emanating from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Octagon remains home in Las Vegas for another week of exciting fights, and a card headlined by a fight we were supposed to see in the past that never actually happened in what should be an intriguing fight.

Former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker looks to secure himself a chance at regaining that title when he takes on Kelvin Gastelum itn the main event. These two were supposed to fight at UFC 234 in February 2019, when Whittaker was the champion, but the fight was cancelled on the day of the show after Whittaker had to have emergency hernia surgery. After both went down separate paths, the opportunity to fight has now come full circle after Gastelum replaced Paulo Costa in this bout.

In the co-main event, Jeremy Stephens returns to the lightweight division looking to end a five-fight losing skid when he takes on Drakkar Klose. Also on the main card is a heavyweight battle between former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski and Chase Sherman, a middleweight slugfest between Abdul Razak Alhassan and Jacob Malkoun, and a lightweight fight pitting Luis Pena against Alex Munoz.

Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 7 PM eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.

UPDATE: The lightweight bout between Jeremy Stephens and Drakkar Klose, which was scheduled to be the co-main event, has been cancelled just now due to a Klose suffering from a medical issue.

ESPN PRELIMS | 7 PM ET/4 PM PT

> Tony Gravely (20-6, 1-1 UFC) vs. Anthony Birchak (15-7, 2-3 UFC)
Bantamweights

They trade to start the first. Gravely with a body kick. Birchak with a body kick then follows with a right hand. Birchak with a leg kick. Gravely lands a right hand. Birchak tries a takedown but Gravely defends and they clinch. Gravely with a takedown and then gets the back of Birchak. They get to their feet and Gravely has Birchak pushed against the fence and lands some body punches. They break and Gravely drops Birchak with a right hand and then gets on top and lands a punch. Gravely tries to get Birchak on his back but Birchak sweeps to the top and is in the half-guard and landing heavy elbows from the top. Gravely scrambles and Birchak gets a guillotine locked in and looking to finish but lets go. Gravely now reverses and is landing heavy punches looking to finish. Gravely now looking for an arm-triangle but lets go and starts landing more punches. Birchak survives and they get to their feet. Gravely gets a brief takedown but they stand. Gravely trips Birchak to the mat and has the back and lands some punches. Birchak escapes. Gravely tries a late takedown but Birchak sprawls and lands a knee as they stand. Wild round. 10-9 Gravely.

Gravely tries for a takedown against the fence and Birchak lands an elbow. He ends up getting a takedown but they work their way back up and separate. Gravely then lands a flush left hook that drops Birchak and after a couple of hammerfists it is stopped by referee Mark Smith. What a finish by Gravely in a fun fight.

Official Result- Tony Gravely def. Anthony Birchak by TKO (punches) at 1:31 of Round 2

> Austin Hubbard (12-5, 2-3 UFC) vs. Dakota Bush (8-2, 0-0 UFC)
Lightweights

Bush took this fight less than a week ago. Bush with the jab right away. They trade leg kicks. Bush lands a right hand and then a left hook. Bush with a leg kick. Bush with more calf kicks. Bush just misses a spinning back fist. Hubbard coming forward as he lands. They trade leg kicks. Bush landing with more output in the first half of the round. Bush with a body kick. Hubbard lands a kick and follows it with a left hook. Bush with a leg kick and then lands a right hand right as Hubbard pokes him in the eye and we have a timeout. They get back to action and both are landing in an exchange. Bush with a body kick. Hubbard with a body kick and then one to the thigh. Bush lands a right hand. Hubbard with a leg kick. They trade kicks. Hubbard with some kicks. Hubbard gets a takedown right before the end of the round. 10-9 Hubbard.

Bush lands a right hand. He lands another as Hubbard is coming forward. Bush tries a takedown but Hubbard defends against the fence. Bush working hard for the single leg and just misses an uppercut as they break. Bush with a side kick. Bush tries again for the takedown but Hubbard defends and pushes Bush down to the mat and is on top. Hubbard working in the half-guard and landing short punches then Bush gets him in his full guard. Hubbard landing from the top as he finishes the second on top and he’s taken over the fight. 10-9 Hubbard, 20-18 Hubbard.

Hubbard definitely looks fresher to start the third as he lands punches and kicks to start the round. Bush lands a kick and Hubbard lands a counter left hand. Hubbard with a combo and just misses a knee as Bush looks for a takedown against the fence. Hubbard gets Bush to the ground and ends up in the mount against the fence. Hubbard applying pressure from the top as he lands some punches and short elbows. Bush scrambles and reverses and Hubbard looking for a triangle. Bush able to escape and stands and looks to get the back of Hubbard. Hubbard reverses and ends up in the guard of Bush. Hubbard with an elbow from the top. Bush tries to scramble out but time runs out as Hubbard gets in the mount at the end. 10-9 Hubbard, 30-27 Hubbard.

Official Result- Austin Hubbard def. Dakota Bush by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Bartosz Fabinski (15-4, 3-2 UFC) vs. Gerald Meerschaert (30-14, 6-6 UFC)
Middleweights

They quickly clinch up against the fence after Meerschaert lands a nice left hand. Meerschaert has Fabinski pressed against the fence and Fabinski lands a knee. They break and Fabinski gets a takedown but Meerschaert reverses and has a deep guillotine locked in. Fabinski goes out cold! What a finish by Meerschaert as he bounces back to end his losing skid.

Official Result- Gerald Meerschaert def. Bartosz Fabinski by submission (guillotine choke) at 2:00 of Round 1

> Jessica Penne (12-5, 1-3 UFC) vs. Lupita Godinez (5-0, 0-0 UFC)
Women’s Strawweights

Godinez is debuting on short notice here. Penne is fighting for the first time since 2017. Penne was trying to land the jab early. Godinez lands a left hook. They tie up and Penne looking to jump on top of Godinez. Godinez gets a takedown but they quickly stand. Godinez with a combo in close range. Penne lands a right hand. Penne with a combo and the clinch and she lands some knees. Penne lands a body kick and follows with a jab and a right hand. Godinez lands a right hand. Godinez picks Penne up and throws her to the mat but Godinez stays on her feet and lets Penne up. Godinez lands a right hand. She gets a takedown but Penne takes her back and is landing punches and looking to set up a choke. Godinez stands but Penne is up on her back against the fence. Godinez lands a couple of back elbows. Penne still chasing the choke late and they go to the mat as the round ends. Interesting round. 10-9 Godinez.

They trade before clinching up. Penne trying to get the back to jump up on her. Penne has wrist control but they break. They remain tied up as Penne is trying hard to get her back. Penne jumps up on Godinez’ back. Penne lets go and is on her feet as they remain clinched against the fence, then they break. They trade jabs. Penne lands a right hand. Penne pushing forward as both are landing. Godinez lands a left hand and they clinch. Penne gets a takedown but Godinez scrambles up and they clinch against the fence to end the round. 10-9 Penne, 19-19.

They trade to start the third. They clinch and battle for underhooks. Godinez pressuring Penne against the fence but they separate. Penne coming forward but Godinez lands a couple of left hands. Penne rushes in looking for a takedown as they clinch and she has the underhooks. Godinez reverses position. Penne jumps up trying to pull guard but Godinez just throws her off and Penne gets to her feet. Penne tries a takedown but Godinez lands a knee and then Godinez throws her away. Penne gets up and comes forward with a couple of right hands. Penne still trying for a takedown but Godinez defending. They are clinched against the fence. Penne jumps up and Godinez is holding onto her. Penne gets back on her feet as the fight ends. 10-9 Godinez, 29-28 Godinez.

Official Result- Jessica Penne def. Lupita Godinez by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

> Alexandr Romanov (13-0, 2-0 UFC) vs. Juan Espino (10-1, 2-0 UFC)
Heavyweights

They trade leg kicks. Romanov gets a takedown and is in the side half-guard. Romanov has the body lock and is in side control and lands a couple of knees. They are clinched against the fence. They break but they clinch right back up. Romanov with a big knee. Espino gets a big takedown and is in side control. Romanov looking for a kimura from the bottom as Espino lands some body punches. Espino moves to the mount. They power their way to their feet. Espino has the back and drags Romanov down but they stand. They clinch at the end and Espino lands a right hand after they break before the horn. 10-9 Espino.

Romanov swinging and lands a body kick. They trade low kicks. They clinch and Espino lands a left hand on the break. They trade and Romanov lands a nice right hand before they clinch. Espino lands a jumping knee as they’re clnched. They go to the mat and Romanov is in the guard of Espino. Romanov with some punches from the top. Romanov with big punches from the top as Espino tries to defend. Espino pulls him back into the closed guard. Romanov in side control and lands some heavy right hands. Romanov with a big knee to the butt of Espino. They scramble up and both looking for a takedown. They break and Romanov lands some punches and is looking for the takedown. 10-9 Romanov, 19-19.

Espino just misses a looping right hand and they clinch. Espino gets a takedown but they quickly stand. Espino drags him back down. They get back up and are clinched and we have a low blow and a timeout. Romanov is down for a long time and unable to continue and the fight is waved off. The judges are going to score the third based on what has happened, but I’m not going to score it here.

Official Result- Alexandr Romanov def. Juan Espino by technical split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

ESPN MAIN CARD | 10 PM ET/7 PM PT

> Luis Pena (8-3, 4-3 UFC) vs. Alex Munoz (6-1, 0-1 UFC)
Lightweights

Both were landing early in the first as Pena was pressuring. Munoz gets a takedown and is holding onto the body lock as they stand. Pena defending the body lock against the fence. They break and Pena pushing forward and lands a body kick. Munoz lands a combo. Munoz with a calf kick and then another and then a left hand. Munoz with another calf kick and Pena lands a left hand. Pena with a big knee as Munoz grabs the body lock. They break. Munoz with a right hook. They exchange punches. Munoz lands some and then Pena lands a combo ending with a head kick. Munoz with a big right hand. Pena just misses a head kick. 10-9 Munoz.

Munoz with a heavy calf kick. Munoz with another leg kick. Pena lands a flush left hand. Pena with a right hook. Pena with a right hook to the body. Pena landing more punches early in the second. Pena just misses a head kick but then lands a grazing knee to the head. Pena with a left hand. Munoz lands a combo that wobbles Pena. Munoz gets a brief takedown but they scramble. Munoz gets a big takedown. They get back up and Munoz has the back. They break to the center. They trade kicks and Pena lands a right hand. They trade jabs. Pena with a combo ending with a head kick. They trade in close range. They trade kicks. Munoz with a heavy calf kick. Munoz lands a nice right hook. They trade late. 10-9 Munoz, 20-18 Munoz.

They trade leg kicks to start the third. Munoz lands a combo. Munoz with a calf kick. Pena with a jab. They trade punches. Munoz with a leg kick and Pena lands a flying knee. They continue to trade and Munoz gets a brief takedown but they get right back up. Pena with more volume in the third as he continues to land. Pena with a knee and leg kick and Munoz grabs him but they break. Pena with heavy punches and Munoz trying to stall everything with the clinch. Pena with a knee and they break. Munoz with a combo. Pena with a triple jab and then lands a left hand. This goes the distance. 10-9 Pena, 29-28 Munoz.

Official Result- Luis Pena def. Alex Munoz by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

> Tracy Cortez (8-1, 2-0 UFC) vs. Justine Kish (7-3, 3-3 UFC)
Women’s Flyweights* (Cortez missed weight by .25 pounds)

Kish coming forward and landing punches and they clinch. Kish has the body lock and is looking for a takedown. Cortez gets a takedown and is working in the guard of Kish. Cortez with some big punches from the top. Cortez still working from the top and then gets the back of Kish and trying to get the hooks in as Kish controls her arm. Cortez has full back control as the round ends. 10-9 Cortez.

Kish lands a nice right hand to start the second. They trade in close range. Cortez with a leg kick and Kish lands a combo. Cortez tries a takedown but eats an elbow from Kish as they break. Cortez gets a takedown and had the back for a moment but they got up. They trade and Kish lands a right hand. They trade leg kicks and Cortez had more pop on hers’. They trade kicks again. Kish lands a right hand. Cortez with a body kick. Kish lands a right hand and then one to the body. Kish with more leg kicks late. 10-9 Kish, 19-19.

Cortez lands a right hand. They trade punches. Cortez gets a takedown and lands some from the top. She gets the back and lands some heavy punches. Kish trying to grab the arm and Cortez grabs the neck and looks for the guillotine and has the neck as they stand but they break. Kish lands a big right hook that drops Cortez for a brief second and she retreats. Kish grabs her but lets go. Cortez lands an uppercut. Cortez with a body kick as Kish lands a right hand. They clinch and Kish lands a right hand as they break. Kish with a right hand. Close fight. 10-9 Cortez, 29-28 Cortez.

Official Result- Tracy Cortez def. Justine Kish by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)

> Abdul Razak Alhassan (10-3, 4-3 UFC) vs. Jacob Malkoun (4-1, 0-1 UFC)
Middleweights

Alhassan throwing kicks early. Malkoun gets a takedown. Malkoun looking for a front choke and they stand. Alhassan with some big elbows. They break the clinch. Malkoun trying a takedown but Alhassan defends. Alhassan lands a left hook. Malkoun looking for another takedown but Alhassan defending. Malkoun gets him down for a second. Malkoun gets him back down but they stand. Malkoun gets him back down. Malkoun lands a couple of left hands. They get back to their feet. Malkoun drags it back down and lands a couple of left hands. They stand and break. Alhassan with a body kick then another. Alhassan with a left hand and a body kick. Alhassan with another body kick and then another. 10-9 Malkoun.

Alhassan with a leg kick after Malkoun lands the jab. Malkoun gets a takedown. They get up and Malkoun gets a big slam takedown. Alhassan looking for a guillotine but lets go. Malkoun landing from the top. Malkoun looks for a guillotine but Alhassan escapes. Malkoun in side control. Malkoun looking for the guillotine again but Alhassan gets out. Malkoun looks for a D’Arce choke but Alhassan gets out. They get to their feet and Alhassan tries to break but Malkoun pushes him against the fence. They break. Alhassan with a high kick. Alhassan with a couple of body kicks. Malkoun with a right hand and looks for a takedown. 10-9 Malkoun, 20-18 Malkoun.

Malkoun with a leg kick. Malkoun lands a combo. Malkoun tries for a takedown but Alhassan defending and they break. Malkoun still going for the takedown and gets it. Malkoun in the half-guard. Malkoun with short elbows. They get to their feet and break. Malkoun with a combo and looks for a takedown against the fence but Alhassan defends. They break. Malkoun gets a trip takedown and is in the guard of Alhassan. Malkoun keeping Alhassan on the mat. They get up and break and Alhassan tries a late flurry but time runs out. 10-9 Malkoun, 30-27 Malkoun.

Official Result- Jacob Malkoun def. Abdul Razak Alhassan by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Andrei Arlovski (30-20 2 NC, 19-14 1 NC UFC) vs. Chase Sherman (15-6, 3-5 UFC)
Heavyweights

Sherman lands a left hand right on the chin and Arlovski eats it. Sherman with a leg kick. They trade in close range. Arlovski lands a combo. Arlovski lands a left hand. Arlovski lands another left hand. Sherman with a counter left hook. Arlovski with a leg kick. Sherman with a leg kick. Sherman with a combo. Arlovski with a leg kick. They trade in close range. Sherman lands a big right hand and is throwing a flurry that has Arlovski hurt. Arlovski grabs Sherman and they break. Arlovski with a leg kick. They trade late. 10-9 Sherman.

Arlovski lands a right hand and then works the jab in. Sherman lands a left hand. Sherman with another combo. Arlovski with the jab. Sherman with a body kick. They trade jabs. Arlovski with a combo. They trade in close range. Both just miss big right hands. Arlovski lands a jab. Arlovski with a combo. They trade in close range. Both are landing and Arlovski is doing damage to the legs of Sherman with kicks. 10-9 Arlovski, 19-19.

They’re swinging for the fences early on. Arlovski with some leg kicks and they exchange in close range. Sherman lands a low blow and we have a timeout. Back to action and both are throwing. They trade leg kicks. Arlovski with a body kick and then a leg kick and then a combo, and Sherman lands some counters. Arlovski with a right hand that wobbles Sherman. Arlovski with a combo. Arlovski with the double jab. They trade punches in the pocket. Arlovski with a combo. Sherman with a combo and a body punch. 10-9 Arlovksi, 29-28 Arlovski.

Official Result- Andrei Arlovski def. Chase Sherman by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Robert Whittaker (#1, 22-5, 13-3 UFC) vs. Kelvin Gastelum (#8, 16-6 1 NC, 11-6 1 NC UFC)
Middleweights

They trade leg kicks and Whittaker lands a right hand. Gastelum with a nice leg kick. Whittaker landing better with the punches early on. They trade in close range. Whittaker lands a left hand and rocks Gastelum with a head kick. Gastelum lands a left hand. Gastelum lands a punch and Whittaker gets a takedown. Whittaker working from the top and landing short punches and Gastelum is stuck on the bottom. Whittaker gets the back and they stand and Whittaker with a high kick. 10-9 Whittaker.

They trade left hands right away to start the second. Gastelum shoots for a takedown but Whittaker defends. Gastelum with a left hand. They trade punches in close range. They tie up and Whittaker with a takedown and has the back for a moment and lands left hands as they stand. Gastelum with a left hand. Whittaker with a head kick. They trade punches. Whittaker with a right hand. Gastelum with a combo. They trade leg kicks. Whittaker with a left hand and then another. Whittaker landing combos. Whittaker with the double jab. Whittaker teeing off with the left hand.  10-9 Whittaker, 20-18 Whittaker.

They trade punches and then trade leg kicks. Gastelum with a quick combo then we have a kick to the groin and now a timeout. Back to action and Whittaker with a high kick. Gastelum lands a flurry and Whittaker has to retreat. Whittaker with a right hand. Whittaker with a combo. Whittaker with a leg kick. Gastelum tries to land as he comes forward but Whittaker circles away. Whittaker with a combo. Whittaker with a leg kick. Whittaker with a right hand. Whittaker with a heavy leg kick. Whittaker with a high kick. Whittaker lands a right hand. Whittaker with a combo. 10-9 Whittaker, 30-27 Whittaker.

Whittaker with a body kick then a combo. Whittaker with a leg kick. They trade and Whittaker controlling the Octagon. Whittaker with a high kick. Gastelum lands the jab and Whittaker is bleeding a little. Whittaker with a body kick and then lands a jab. Whittaker with a right hand. Gastelum gets a brief takedown but Whittaker quickly gets up and lands some punches. 10-9 Whittaker, 40-36 Whittaker.

Whittaker with some quick leg kicks and Gastelum firing away with punches. They clinch and Gastelum pushes Whittaker against the fence. They are both throwing and circling. Whittaker with a left hook. Whittaker with a combo and Gastelum lands a counter right hand. Whittaker gets a takedown and is working in the half-guard of Gastelum. Whittaker looking to set up an arm-triangle choke. He lets go and lands some punches and then grabs the back and they scramble to their feet. Whittaker still has back control on the feet. Whittaker ends the fight in the position. An outstanding performance from Whittaker. 10-9 Whittaker, 50-45 Whittaker.

Official Result- Robert Whittaker def. Kelvin Gastelum by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)

UFC 236 live results: Holloway vs. Poirier 2, Gastelum vs. Adesanya

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 236: Holloway vs. Poirier 2, emanating from the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Octagon returns to Atlanta for the first time since 2016 with two title fights headlining the card, albeit they are for two interim championships.

UFC Featherweight Champion Max Holloway moves up to 155 pounds in an attempt to become a two-division champion when he takes on Dustin Poirier for the Interim UFC Lightweight Championship. Holloway and Poirier fought once before, at UFC 143 in February 2012, a bout won by Poirier. Since then, both have grown as competitors to become two of the best in the world.

In the co-main event, the Interim UFC Middleweight Championship will be on the line as Kelvin Gastelum and Israel Adesanya do battle. Gastelum lost his chance to become the UFC Middleweight Champion at UFC 234 in February when champion Robert Whittaker had to pull out on fight day due to emergency surgery. Adesanya ended up headlining that event, scoring a win over Anderson Silva to remain undefeated at 16-0.

Also on the main card is a pair of light heavyweight bouts as Eryk Anders takes on Khalil Rountree, and a rematch between Ovince Saint Preux and Nikita Krylov takes place with Krylov looking to even the score between them.

Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6:15 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.

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

ESPN+/UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS | 6:15 PM ET/3:15 PM PT

> Brandon Davis (9-6, 1-3 UFC) vs. Randy Costa (4-0, 0-0 UFC)
Bantamweights

Davis right away with a leg kick but Costa counters with a big right hand that rocks Davis for a moment. They start throwing bombs at each other. Davis with a body kick followed by a knee as they clinch. Costa with a head kick after they break. Davis with a right hand. They both land punches. Costa with the jab and an uppercut to the body but Davis tags him with a right hand. Each man landing punches. Both landing the jab. Costa with a right hand as Davis is against the fence. Costa with a high kick and a knee to the body. They trade leg kicks. Davis with an elbow. They trade at the end. Fun round. 10-9 Costa.

Costa rocks Davis with a right hand and starts throwing punches but Davis gets a clinch. They break and both throwing punches and kicks. Davis lands a combo and a knee and hurts Costa. Costa shoots for a takedown and Davis defends and gets the back and has a rear-naked choke locked in and Costa taps! Nice submission for Davis in a real fun fight.

Official Result- Brandon Davis def. Randy Costa by submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:12 of Round 2

> Lauren Mueller (5-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Poliana Botelho (7-2, 2-1 UFC)
Women’s Flyweights

Botelho with a leg kick. They trade punches and kicks. Botelho with a spin kick that partially lands. Botelho with a big body kick that hurts Mueller. Botelho gets a takedown and is in the half guard. Botelho gets to the full mount. They get back to their feet and Botelho has the clinch and is landing knees against the fence. 10-9 Botelho.

They trade punches. Botelho with a leg kick. Botelho just misses a spin kick to the body but lands a high kick. They trade punches and then clinch. They battle for underhooks. Mueller with a hard elbow but it allows Botelho to get a takedown into the guard. Mueller able to get to the fence and uses it to get to her feet. They battle for underhooks against the fence. Botelho lands some short knees against the fence. Botelho with a spin kick to the body after they are broken up by the referee. Mueller lands a body kick followed by a right hand. 10-9 Botelho, 20-18 Botelho.

Mueller stalking Botelho and landing some punches as Botelho backs up. Botelho misses a spin kick. They clinch and Mueller has the edge against the fence but Botelho reverses. Not much happens and the referee splits them up. They each land a jab. Botelho shoots for a takedown but Mueller shakes it off. They trade punches and Mueller lands some big punches. Mueller landing big shots and lands a leg kick that trips Botelho up. Mueller goes into the guard and that might have cost her the fight. She could have possibly finished Botelho standing. Mueller gets to the half-guard but Botelho hanging on as the fight ends. 10-9 Mueller, 29-28 Botelho.

Official Result- Poliana Botelho def. Lauren Mueller by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Montel Jackson (7-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Andre Soukhamthath (13-6, 2-3 UFC)
Bantamweights

Soukhamthath with a leg kick. Jackson with a left hand. Jackson with a combo. Jackson with some leg kicks. Soukhamthath with a leg kick. Slow pace to this first round. Jackson with a high kick and Soukhamthath throws a leg kick. They trade body kicks with Jackson landing harder. Soukhamthath with a knee to the body. Jackson with a combo and looks for a takedown. Jackson completes the takedown. Soukhamthath uses the cage to get to his feet. Jackson gets another takedown. 10-9 Jackson.

They trade to start the second round. Soukhamthath with a leg kick. Both men being patient. They trade leg kicks. They are trading and Jackson is landing big punches. Soukhamthath is firing back but Jackson really opening up and landing lots of big punches. Big right hand from Jackson and Soukhamthath has one hell of a chin. Jackson gets the clinch. Jackson gets a takedown and is in the full guard of Soukhamthath. Jackson finishes the round on top. 10-9 Jackson, 20-18 Jackson.

Jackson starts landing the jab. Soukhamthath goes for a high kick but gets hit in the groin with a kick and goes down and we have a timeout. Jackson gets Soukhamthath to the ground and is in the full mount. Jackson landing big punches and elbows. Soukhamthath giving up his back and Jackson still landing punches. Soukhamthath recovers half-guard. Jackson looking for the kimura and landing body punches. Jackson gives it up but still landing in the full guard. Soukhamthath goes for an armbar but Jackson easily defends. Jackson with hammerfists at the end. 10-9 Jackson, 30-27 Jackson.

Official Result- Montel Jackson def. Andre Soukhamthath by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 29-27)

> Curtis Millender (17-4, 3-1 UFC) vs. Belal Muhammad (14-3, 5-3 UFC)
Welterweights

Millender just missed a head kick to start the action. Millender with a leg kick and then one high. Muhammad with a right hand and then a left hook. Millender with a leg kick. Millender cuts Muhammad open with a jab. Millender with another jab. Muhammad goes for a single leg but Millender defends. Millender stuns Muhammad with a right hand and then a late body kick. 10-9 Millender.

Muhammad initiates a clinch against the fence right at the start of the second. Muhammad with short knees and some foot stomps. Muhammad working for a takedown but lets go and they break to the center. Millender just misses a flying knee. Millender lands a right hand. Muhammad with a leaping left hook. Muhammad just misses an uppercut. Muhammad shoots in and finishes the takedown. Muhammad with some punches from the top. Muhammad keeping Millender on the bottom. Muhammad in the full guard and landing to the body. Muhammad with two big elbows. 10-9 Muhammad, 19-19.

They trade kicks. Muhammad shoots for a takedown but Millender defends with a knee to the body. Muhammad with a right hand and then a left hook. Muhammad with another right hand. Millender is slowing down. Muhammad shoots deep for a takedown and completes it. Muhammad in the half-guard of Millender. Muhammad with punches from the top. Muhammad gets to the mount. Muhammad with more punches from the top. Muhammad goes to side control and back to mount and reigning down elbows. Millender gives up his back and Muhammad looking for a choke. Muhammad with punches. Big finish by Muhammad. 10-9 Muhammad, 29-28 Muhammad.

Official Result- Belal Muhammad def. Curtis Millender by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 30-26)

ESPN PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT

> Boston Salmon (6-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Khalid Taha (12-2, 0-1 UFC)
Bantamweights

Taha lands a right hand and then drops Salmon with a huge left hand and then finishes him off with punches on the ground. This went less than a minute. Salmon got up and was upset at the stoppage but he was done and was stumbling to his feet. Huge knockout win for Taha.

Official Result- Khalid Taha def. Boston Salmon by TKO (punches) at :25 of Round 1

> Max Griffin (14-6, 2-4 UFC) vs. Zelim Imadaev (8-0, 0-0 UFC)
Welterweights

Imadaev with a leg kick but Griffin takes him down and has the back. Imadaev has grabbed the fence three times during the takedown and using to get his feet up. The referee calls a timeout and docks Imadaev a point for the fence grabs. Imadaev lands a knee and Griffin looking for a takedown and gets it. Griffin has the back and working for a choke. Griffin has a neck crank in and is squeezing. He lets go though. Imadaev grabs the cage again. Imadaev keeps grabbing the fence as Griffin is trying to improve his position. They get to their feet. Imadaev lands a spinning elbow and a high kick. Imadaev has the body lock. Griffin lands a knee to the body. 10-8 Griffin.

Imadaev tries a spin kick but Griffin grabs the back mid-spin and gets a takedown. They get to their feet but Griffin still has the back and switches to front control. Imadaev reverses positions. They break and Griffin with a leg kick. Griffin gets a takedown but Imadaev gets back to his feet. Imadaev misses the spinning elbow. Griffin gets another takedown against the fence. They get up and Imadaev with a knee to the body. Imadaev with a right hand. Both men are tired. Imadaev with a body kick. Imadaev lands a spinning fist. 10-9 Imadaev, 19-18 Griffin.

Imadaev with a left hand. Imadaev looks to be the fresher fighter. Griffin with a body kick and Imadaev counters with a leg kick. Imadaev with a left hand followed by an uppercut. Imadaev with a combo. Griffin with a leg kick. Imadaev with a right hand. Imadaev with a combo. They trade punches. Griffin with a right hand and he is tired. Griffin gets a takedown but Imadaev gets up. Griffin lands some knees to the body and Imadaev is hurt. Griffin has the body lock. Griffin with a knee to the body in the clinch. They break and Griffin lands a right hand. They trade late and Imadaev rocks Griffin. This may be a draw. 10-9 Imadaev, 28-28.

Official Result- Max Griffin def. Zelim Imadaev by majority decision (29-27, 29-27, 28-28)

> Wilson Reis (#4, 23-9, 7-5 UFC) vs.Alexandre Pantoja (#5, 20-3, 4-1 UFC)
Flyweights

Reis with a leg kick and Pantoja counters with a right hand. Reis lands a right hand and goes for a takedown against the fence. Reis tries for a trip but Pantoja defends. They break. Pantoja then drops Reis with a right hand and starts landing punches on the ground. Pantoja with big punches and the referee stops the fight. Big knockout win by Pantoja.

Official Result- Alexandre Pantoja def. Wilson Reis by TKO (punches) at 2:58 of Round 1

> Jalin Turner (8-4, 1-1 UFC) vs. Matt Frevola (6-1-1, 0-1-1 UFC)
Lightweights

Frevola gets a takedown and takes the back. Frevola with punches and still has back control. Turner defending. Turner rolls out and they get to their feet. Turner lands a right hand that hurts Frevola. They trade punches and Turner grabs a guillotine as Frevola goes for a takedown. They go to the mat and Frevola has side control. Frevola then locks in a guillotine and rolls to the top. It is in tight but only an arm-in guillotine. Turner gets out and Frevola on top. Turner rolls from under and is on top and lands punches. They scramble to their feet. They trade at the end. 10-9 Turner.

Frevola goes for a takedown but Turner defending it against the fence and he gets free. Frevola shoots again but Turner escapes. Turner with a combo. Frevola with a body kick. He’s landing the lead left hook. Frevola goes for a takedown but Turner has the neck and looks to lock in a guillotine choke. Frevola rolls out and ends on top in Turner’s half-guard. Frevola grabs the neck and locks in a guillotine but Turner pops out. Frevola lands an inadvertent upkick that was illegal. They continue but the round ends. 10-9 Frevola, 19-19.

Frevola with a leg kick and a right hand. Turner lands a combo. They trade punches and Turner lands a big right hand. Turner with a left hand. Frevola shoots and completes the takedown. Turner went for a triangle choke but Frevola escaped. Frevola with body punches from side control. Frevola remains in side control but they scramble up. Turner lands a big knee and Frevola backs up. Turner with a spin kick. Turner couldn’t connect with a flying knee. Frevola with a right hand. Turner with a left to the body. They trade at the end. 10-9 Frevola, 29-28 Frevola.

Official Result- Matt Frevola def. Jalin Turner by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

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

> Ovince Saint Preux (#12, 23-12, 11-7 UFC) vs. Nikita Krylov (24-6, 6-4 UFC)
Light Heavyweights

Krylov with a body kick to start things off. Saint Preux gets a takedown against the fence. Saint Preux trying to pull Krylov to the center but Krylov gets to his feet. Saint Preux gets another brief takedown but they get back to their feet. Saint Preux gets another takedown and is in the guard. Saint Preux gets full mount and lands elbows but Krylov escapes and they get to their feet. Krylov lands some knees. Saint Preux misses a left hand. Krylov gets the clinch against the fence and misses a high kick on the break. 10-9 Saint Preux.

Krylov with a body kick. Krylov with a right hand. Saint Preux goes for a takedown. Krylov gets a takedown and has the back of Saint Preux and is working to set up a choke. He lands punches from the back. Krylov has the rear-naked choke locked in and it’s in deep and Saint Preux taps! Big submission win as Krylov evens the score with Saint Preux.

Official Result- Nikita Krylov def. Ovince Saint Preux by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:30 of Round 2

> Alan Jouban (16-6, 7-4 UFC) vs. Dwight Grant (9-2, 1-1 UFC)
Welterweights

Jouban gets a takedown right away but Grant gets right up. Jouban just barely misses a head kick as they break. Grant with a big punch. They are separated and both looking for an opening. Grant with a leg kick and then hurts Jouban with a combo and a big left hook. Jouban ate them good. Grant with a looping left hand. Jouban with a high kick. Grant with an inside leg kick. Grant with a body kick. Jouban looking for a head kick but eats a right hand from Grant. 10-9 Grant.

Grant with a combo on Jouban. Jouban missing on his punches and Grant is missing now as well. Jouban with a leg kick. Grant with a combo and backs away. Grant with a leg kick and they both miss punches. They clinch for a moment but break. The crowd is booing as there hasn’t been a lot of action. Jouban with an inside leg kick. Not a lot to this round. 10-9 Grant, 20-18 Grant.

Jouban with a combo. Grant with a leg kick. Jouban with a leg kick and Grant fires back with a combo. Grant with a high kick. Jouban blocks a high kick from Grant but eats a right hand. Jouban with a leg kick. Pause in the action as a kick hit Grant in the groin. Back to action and both land kicks. Leg kicks from both men. Not an exciting fight at all. Jouban gets a late takedown and has the back as the fight ends. 10-9 Jouban, 29-28 Grant.

Official Result- Dwight Grant def. Alan Jouban by split decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)

> Eryk Anders (11-3, 3-3 UFC) vs. Khalil Rountree (7-3 1 NC, 3-3 1 NC UFC)
Light Heavyweights

Rountree with a leg kick. Rountree with more leg kicks. Rountree with more fast kicks. Rountree with a left hand. Anders unable to land anything halfway through the round. Rountree with more hard leg kicks to Anders’ lead leg. Anders lands a combo but eats a knee to the body from Rountree. Anders with a left hand. 10-9 Rountree.

Rountree drops Anders with a left hand and Rountree landing kicks to Anders on the ground. Rountree with a hammerfist and lets Anders up. Rountree drops Anders again with a left hook. Rountree with more kicks to a downed Anders. Anders gets up and shoots for a takedown but Rountree defends. Anders with a high kick. Rountree with a left hand. Rountree with a combo and he drops Anders again with a right hand. That is the third knockdown for Rountree this round and he lets Anders up again. Rountree with a body kick. Rountree knocks Anders down again. Rountree lets him up. Rountree with a leg kick. Big round for Rountree. 10-7, 20-16 Rountree.

Anders continues to fight. Rountree lands a combo. Rountree misses an uppercut but lands a left hand. Rountree with an inside leg kick. Rountree with a combo. Anders looks like he’s going for a takedown but Rountree stops it with a right hand. Anders misses a combo. Rountree with a right hook. Rountree with an inside leg kick. Anders lands an uppercut. 10-9 Rountree, 30-25 Rountree.

Official Result- Khalil Rountree def. Eryk Anders by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)

> Kelvin Gastelum (#4, 15-3 1 NC, 10-3 1 NC UFC) vs. Israel Adesanya (#5, 16-0, 5-0 UFC)
Interim UFC Middleweight Championship

Adesanya with a leg kick followed by a left hand. Adesanya with a hard body kick. Gastelum with a leg kick. Adesanya with a body kick. Gastelum trips Adesanya up with a left hook. They trade left hands. Adesanya with a high kick. Gastelum lands a left hand. Gastelum lands a lead right hook. 10-9 Gastelum.

Adesanya with a body kick. They trade punches. Gastelum lands a left hand over the top. Gastelum with a left hand and Adesanya counters with a body kick. They trade strikes. Adesanya with a high kick and Gastelum counters with a combo. They trade punches and Adesanya drops Gastelum with a right hand. Gastelum gets back to his feet. Adesanya with an inside leg kick. Adesanya with a right hand. Adesanya landing moe punches now and a hard right hand. Adesanya with another right hand. Adesnaya with a spinning elbow that connects and Gastelum is hurt. Adesanya with an inside leg kick. Gastelum attempts a takedown but easily defended by Adesanya. 10-9 Adesanya, 19-19.

Adesanya with a leg kick. Gastelum with a left hand to the body. Adesanya with a right hand followed by a head kick. Adesanya with an inside leg kick. Gastelum with a leg kick and Adesanya counters with a high kick. Adesanya with a right hand and a knee to the body. Gastelum lands a right hand. Adesanya with a right hand followed by a body kick. Gastelum gets a takedown but Adesanya pushes off and gets to his feet. Adesanya with a high kick. 10-9 Adesanya, 29-28 Adesanya.

Gastelum gets a clinch but lets go. Adesanya with a leg kick. Gastelum with a leg kick. Adesanya with a knee to the body. Adesanya with a hard right hand. Gastelum lands a short left hand. Adesanya with a right hand and then lands a straight right hand followed by a high kick. Gastelum lands a jab. Adesanya with an inside leg kick. Gastelum lands a head kick and Adesanya wobbles. Gastelum with a punch and Adesanay is still in trouble. Adesanya with a right hand. Gastelum with a left hand. 10-9 Gastelum, 38-38.

Gastelum with a left hand. Adesanya with a quick combination. Adesanya with a front kick to the face. Adesanya lands a left hand. Adesanya lands a huge right hand. Adesanya gets a standing guillotine but Gastelum spins out and they get to the mat and Adesanya looking for a triangle but Gastelum gets ut and they scramble to their feet. Adesanya with a big combo. Adesanya with a huge right hand. Adesanya with another right hand followed by a leg kick. Adesanya with another huge right hand. Adesanya drops Gastelum with a big combo ending with a right hand. Gastelum gets up and shoots for a takedown. Adesanya with some big elbows. Adesanya landing more big punches and Gastelum in trouble and gets dropped again. Adesany grabs the neck on the ground and then lands punches. They get to their feet and both landing punches and Adesdanya drops him again and they finish on the mat. Absolutely tremendous fight. 10-8 Adesanya, 48-46 Adesanya.

Official Result- Israel Adesanya def. Kelvin Gastelum by unanimous decision (48-46, 48-46, 48-46) to win Interim UFC Middleweight Championship

> Max Holloway (C FW, 20-3, 16-3 UFC) vs. Dustin Poirier (#3, 24-5 1 NC, 16-4 1 NC UFC)
Interim UFC Lightweight Championship

Poirier with a front kick to the body. Poirier with a leg kick. Holloway with a combo. Poirier with a body kick. Poirier with a left hand and then a combo. Holloway clips Poirier with a right hand. Holloway with a combo against the fence. Poirier resets. Poirier with a right hand that hurts Holloway. Poirier landing big punches. Holloway eating them and firing back. Poirier with another big right hand. Poirier with some knees and another huge right hand. They trade punches inside the pocket. Holloway now landing punches as Poirier takes a deep breath. Poirier hurts Holloway again. Poirier with another big combo. Holloway lands a right hand. Holloway with a head kick. 10-9 Poirier.

Holloway with a looping left hand. Holloway lands to the body and then to the head. Poirier with a leg kick. Poirier with a combo. Poirier with an inside elbow. Poirier with a snapping straight left hand. Holloway with a high kick. Poirier attempts for a takedown but Holloway pushes him off. Poirier with the jab. Holloway with a combo ending with a body kick. Holloway with another body kick. Holloway with a right hand. Poirier hurts Holloway with a punch and starts throwing against the fence but Holloway circles away. Poirier rocks Holloway with a right hook. Poirier rocks him again late. 10-9 Poirier, 20-18 Poirier.

Holloway with an inside leg kick. Holloway with a right hand to the body but Poirier lands a counter right hook. They each land left hands. Poirier with a body kick but Holloway counters with a combination. Poirier with a huge combo. Holloway lands a right hand. Holloway with a combo. Poirier with a right hand. Poirier with a straight left hand. Holloway with a right hand. They trade punches inside the pocket. Holloway landing a lot of punches against the fence on Poirier. Holloway with a flying knee to the body. Poirier grabs the body looking to score a takedown. Holloway defending with hard elbows against the fence. 10-9 Holloway, 29-28 Poirier.

Holloway lands a right hand. Poirier tries deep for a takedown and gets it against the fence. Holloway gets up and has Poirier’s neck. Poirier with a knee to the body as they break. Holloway pouring it on with combinations against the fence. Poirier looking tired. Poirier now fires back with punches. Holloway with combos against the fence and landing to the body. Holloway to the body and lands a right hand to the body. Poirier with a right cross. Poirier lands a knee and Holloway has a massive cut on his forehead. Holloway lands a combo and is coming on strong. Poirier tries a takedown but Holloway has the neck. We are going to a final round. 10-9 Holloway, 38-38.

Poirier with a leg kick. Poirier with a left hand. Huge chants for Holloway. They each land right hands. Holloway with a combo. Holloway with a body kick. Poirier with the stiff jab. Holloway with a combo. Poirier with a left hand. Holloway with a combo. Holloway is draining blood. They trade punches. Poirier trying for a late takedown but Holloway defending against the fence. Both men are a mess right now. They break the clinch. They both swing wildly at the end. Close fight. 10-9 Poirier, 48-47 Poirier.

Official Result- Dustin Poirier def. Max Holloway by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) to win Interim UFC Lightweight Championship

Daily Update: Robert Whittaker, UFC 234 fallout, Salvatore Bellomo

Posted on by F4W Staff

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News

Latest Audio

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: WWE’s WrestleMania main event decision

While the first women’s WrestleMania main event is all but official at this point, WWE still has a huge decision to make about who will be in it.

In a sense, WWE is playing with house money. Both options that they have are good ones. Whether the main event is Ronda Rousey vs. Becky Lynch for the Raw Women’s Championship or a triple threat between Rousey, Lynch, and Charlotte Flair for the title, it will be the most heated match on the card and fully deserving of its place in the spotlight on WWE’s most important day of the year. 

WON NEWSLETTER: February 11, 2019: NJPW New Beginning in Sapporo review, more

I have no idea how this issue got done. I had surgery on my left little finger which was broken in three places on 1/30, and it seemingly went well.

NJPW – New Beginnings: The two nights together did 10,957 paid with one sellout up from 10,002 last year. Tanahashi & Okada as The Dream Team vs. Jay White & Bad Luck Fale did the same as Tanahashi vs. Suzuki did last year for the IC title but paid was much higher this year for Naito vs. Taichi in Taichi’s hometown than for Kenny Omega vs. Jay White for the U.S, title last year, although both were sellouts.

At Smackdown on Tuesday, several talents with contracts coming due were asked to sign new long-term deals after Dean Ambrose told the promotion he wasn’t going to sign a new contract. 

Ian Riccaboni signed a new contract with ROH to continue as their play-by-play announcer.

UFC held a press conference today. The big heat seemed to be between Tyron Woodley and Kamaru Usman, building up their Welterweight Title fight at UFC 235 on March 2nd. Jon Jones is facing Anthony Smith on that show.

Conor McGregor will not be fighting Donald Cerrone in April. Khabib still claims he is not fighting for a year.

Jose Aldo defeated Renato Moicano, 44 seconds into the 2nd round. First round was very close. But it was the “old Aldo”, just destroyed him. Aldo is still talking about retiring at the end of this year. 

Filthy Tom Lawlor is the new MLW champion defeating Low Ki at their super fight one hour Bein Sports TV special from the 2300 (ECW) Arena in Philadelphia.

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

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SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE

by Bryan Rose and Joseph Currier

WWE

  • According to a family member on social media (which WWE later confirmed), Salvatore Bellomo has passed away at the age of 67 due to cancer. He is best remembered for being an enhancement talent in the mid-to-late 1980s on WWE television. He later adopted a wildman gimmick and appeared on early Eastern Championship Wrestling television.
  • Tegan Nox posted an update yesterday on the six-month anniversary of her injury in the Mae Young Classic: “Today marks the 6 month anniversary (to the day & date) of the best/worst day of my career! It’s been a tough 6 months full of blood, sweat and tears but I wouldn’t change it for the world…even the knee scope in November! I’ve taken the time off to change both physically and mentally, plus I’ve been picking up some extra skills along the way! I’m still a little ways away from returning but every day is better than the last! #ShatteredGlass …just saying”
  • WWE has filed a trademark for the phrase “Then, Now, Forever” on 2/4, not too long after CBS used a similar phrase during the Super Bowl.
  • Curt Hennig passed away on this date in 2003, and David Von Erich passed away on this day in 1984.
  • Matt Hardy has put out a new episode of Woken Word.
  • Mick Foley appeared at a Memphis Grizzlies game last night.
  • WWE ranked 10 “shocking Elimination Chamber match moments.”

Pro Wrestling

  • ROH Bound by Honor is set for tonight in Miami, Florida and will stream live on Honor Club starting at 7 p.m Eastern. It will feature a Television title match between Jeff Cobb and Rocky Romero, The Kingdom vs. Jay Lethal, Jonathan Gresham and Rush, Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Colt Cabana, Kelly Klein vs. Mayu Iwatani for the Women of Honor title and more.
  • Brody King missed last night’s ROH television tapings due to the birth of his son.

UFC/MMA

  • Robert Whittaker’s management team issued a statement on Whittaker not being able to fight at last night’s PPV: “On behalf of Rob, we would like to update fans on his condition. Last night at roughly 9 p.m., Rob began experiencing intense abdominal pains that were brought to the attention of the UFC doctors. After several hours of observation, he was admitted to the hospital at 3 a.m. Rob is just out of dual surgery for a twisted and collapsed bowel in addition to an internal hernia of the intestine and will be recovering in hospital for several days. Rob will want to speak to his fans directly when he can. Rob is devastated that today’s fight will not go ahead. Up until 5 minutes before going into surgery, Rob was insisting he would fight, but advice was that a blow to the stomach could be fatal. Rob will come back stronger and ready for what is to come. Thanks to the UFC, Kelvin and his team for your professionalism.”
  • Ariel Helwani posted an update on Whittaker: ‘UFC middleweight champ Robert Whittaker is currently recovering from yesterday’s emergency hernia surgery at a local Melbourne hospital, according to sources. As of now, doctors are hoping he’ll be discharged on Thursday. The surgery lasted three and a half hours, sources said. At the moment, there’s no immediate timetable in place for when he could possibly return to action. It was a serious and complicated surgery, sources said.’
  • Kelvin Gastelum, who is declaring himself middleweight champion after Robert Whittaker’s injury cancelled their title fight last night confirmed to Brett Okamoto that he is currently suffering from a staph infection.
  • After losing to Israel Adesanya via unanimous decision, Anderson Silva spoke about wanting to face Nick Diaz at UFC 237 in May: “Maybe I think it makes sense to fight [Nick] Diaz in Curitiba. I’m just waiting for Dana, because it’s not time to make the decisions. Hopefully, I’ll fight in Curitiba.”
  • Dana White isn’t interested in a fight between Silva and Conor McGregor.
  • Final ratings won’t be in until Tuesday, but between ESPN and ESPN Deportes the UFC prelims from last night averaged a 1.0 overnight rating. The lead-in was a Duke vs. Virginia college basketball game.
  • Chris Weidman tweeted after last night’s main event: “Adesanya just a tad bit overrated”
  • Ovince Saint Preux is out of his UFC 235 fight against Misha Cirkunov due to an injury.
  • UFC 238 will take place at the United Center in Chicago on June 8.
  • David Branch will square off against Jack Hermansson at UFC on ESPN 2 on 3/30.
  • Brett Primus will face Tim Wilde in the main event of Bellator Birmingham on 5/4.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: TNA Against All Odds 2008

Ed in San Antonio presents the WRESTLEMANIAWeekend Events (more to be added):

  • Sunday, April 6th, at 12:00 pm: Lunch (all you can eat) at Churrascaria Plataforma ($90 per person), located at 316 W. 49th street in Manhattan. Purchase tickets here~!
  • Luxury Bus to MetLife Stadium for Wrestlemania: We will depart from the Hilton Midtown (site of Wrestlecon) located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas. Departure time is 4:00 pm and will return from MetLife approximately 30 mins after the event. Times are subject to change, and cost $67.00 per person for the round trip. Purchase tickets here~!

CONTACT INFORMATION

Daily Update: Jim Ross, UFC 232, more UFC notes

Posted on by Bryan Rose

DAILY UPDATE

The Latest News

The Latest Audio

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Recapping WWE Crown Jewel

WWE’s return to Saudi Arabia ended up being almost as much of a mess as most expected it to be. A tag team main event with the combined age of 206, two of the promotion’s biggest stars pulling out of the show, Hulk Hogan returning to WWE television without the company really promoting it in advance, Brock Lesnar once again becoming Universal Champion, and Shane McMahon winning the World Cup tournament were the most notable moments from a show that is on the list of the most controversial events in WWE history.

WON NEWSLETTER: November 12, 2018 Observer Newsletter: WWE Crown Jewel review, more

The fallout of Crown Jewel is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Look at the returns of Hulk Hogan and Shawn Michaels, Brock Lesnar’s new contract, Shane McMahon’s World Cup win, the stock price, network cancellations, and Renee Young on tour.

Look at Survivor Series and TLC plans, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.

Read the run down of the UFC’s schedule for the first three months of 2019, including the ESPN strategy to get people to subscribe to ESPN+, and plans for matches on the early shows of the year.

Also look at WrestleKingdom 2019, with the lineup announced, other matches expected, the tag team tournament, plus full coverage of Power Struggle with match-by-match coverage, star ratings and poll results.

Read coverage of the end of the overrun and what it means, WWE buying tape library, WWE stars get married this past week, Hulk & Linda Hogan TV special, new NXT Takeover match, details on the WWE tryouts in Germany and notes on those who were there.

Look at the career of Jose Lothario, one of the biggest stars in the history of Texas wrestling.

Run down UFC 230, including PPV numbers, TV numbers, lessons of the show, plus match-by-match coverage with poll results.

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 Dave Meltzer, or by using PayPal directing funds to [email protected]. 

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If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can choose one free classic issue or two free classic issues with a 40-issue subscription.

TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • Becky Lynch responded to the blood (and subsequent injuries) on last night’s Raw on Twitter by simply stating “Irish war paint.” WWE did post the video of the closing moments of Raw on YouTube, but edited the video to make it black and white after Lynch was busted up.
  • She also, in storyline, felt disrespected by a interviewer during the European tour last week.
  • John Cena is appearing in a number of commercials for Skyy Vodka.
  • Today is the 13th anniversary of Eddie Guerrero’s passing.
  • Edge & Christian’s podcast now has a home on Westwood One. Their next show will feature both Nita Strauss and Shawn Michaels.
  • The poster for this year’s NXT TakeOver: WarGames has been released.

Pro Wrestling

  • Jim Ross wrote on Twitter: “I’m reluctantly heading to #LAX this week for my final voiceover session with @AXSTV as these 3 shows will take us to the end of the year when my contract ends. Thanks @Adamswift34 @dannyzack & the entire crew.” Dave Meltzer reported in last week’s Observer that due to a contractual issue, he’ll miss shows that will air from 12/31 through 3/31, when his WWE contract expires.
  • The first Pro-Wrestling All Star Battle match has been announced. NOSAWA and Kaz Hayashi will team up to take on the team of Mil Mascaras (76) and Dos Caras (67).
  • ROH has officially announced Matt Taven vs. Dalton Castle for Final Battle, which is taking place at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on December 14.
  • MLW announced today that Rush vs. MJF is set for Never Say Never on December 13.
  • Darby Allin has challenged Kassius Ohno to a match at EVOLVE 117 on December 15.
  • Happy birthday to Hiroshi Tanahashi, who turns 42 today.
  • Nick Jackson posted an interesting picture on Instagram earlier today.
  • Eric Bischoff took part in a TED talk on Monday talking about the wrestling business.

UFC/MMA

Daily Pro Wrestling History: TNA Turning Point 2011

CONTACT INFORMATION

Robert Whittaker, Kelvin Gastelum to serve as TUF 28 coaches

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

In what will likely wind up being the final season of The Ultimate Fighter, the 28th edition of the show has found their coaches.

UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker and middleweight contender Kelvin Gastelum will serve as the coaches for the fall season, leading to a championship fight following the conclusion of the show, likely in December. The official announcement was made during tonight’s broadcast of The Ultimate Fighter 27 Finale in Las Vegas.

The Ultimate Fighter 28 will feature the heavyweight and women’s featherweight divisions. Filming is scheduled to begin shortly with the season set to debut in September on FS1.

While not formally announced, Whittaker and Gastelum are expected to meet at UFC 231 on December 8, which will take place at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, which was also announced on Friday night during an appearance by Dana White on TSN’s Sportcentre.

Whittaker and Gastelum are both former TUF winners, marking the first time two former winners of the show will coach against each other. Whittaker won an international edition of the show, winning TUF: The Smashes in 2012, while Gastelum was the winner of the 17th season of the show in April 2013. Both have had great success at 185 after mixed results at 170 pounds. Whittaker has gone on to become the middleweight champion and is undefeated at the weight class. Gastelum has won two straight and earned this opportunity after scoring a win over Jacare Souza at UFC 224 in May.

Whittaker is coming off a Fight Of The Year candidate in a narrow split decision win over Yoel Romero at UFC 225 in June, which ended up being a non-title fight after Romero missed weight. Should both men make weight when they fight, Whittaker’s first official title defense will come against Gastelum.

UFC Fight Night 122 live results: Michael Bisping vs. Kelvin Gastelum

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC Fight Night 122: Bisping vs. Gastelum, emanating from the Mercedes Benz Arena in Shanghai, China.

The Octagon heads to mainland China for the first time with a middleweight main event as former UFC Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping, three weeks removed from losing the championship to Georges St. Pierre at UFC 217, heads right back into action against former TUF winner Kelvin Gastelum.

Bisping, eager to get back to action, takes the fight on short notice as a replacement for Anderson Silva, who was pulled from the event due to a potential USADA violation, and he looks to bounce back in a big way against a tough opponent. Gastelum is looking to get back into the win column after being submitted by another former champion, Chris Weidman, in July.

The entire UFC Fight Night 122 event streams on UFC Fight Pass with a very early kick off time in the United States.

Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 3:45 AM eastern time with preliminary action all the way thru the main card.

UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS | 3:45 AM ET/12:45 AM PT

> Cyril Asker (8-3, 1-2 UFC) vs. Hu Yaozong (3-0, 0-0 UFC)
Heavyweights

Asker went right for a takedown and got it easily after landing a right hand. Asker landed some left hands against the fence and Yaozong had the standing guillotine locked in against the fence. Asker was able to pop his neck out. Asker got another takedown. Asker grabbed the back and landed some punches. Asker landing some big punches and then some knees to the body. Yaozong got to his feet but was taken right back down. Asker landed some big hammerfists. More big punches landed as Asker takes the back. Yaozong not doing much to defend until he lands some backwards elbows. 10-9 Asker.

Yaozong came firing out with some leg kicks to start the second. Asker landed an uppercut and then scored the takedown. Asker has the back and is landing punches. Asker has the hooks in on the back and is landing big punches. He flattens Yaozong out. Asker now working for a choke and has it and Yaozong quickly taps out. Submission win for Asker in a dominant showing.

Official Result- Cyril Asker def. Hu Yaozong by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:33 of Round 2

> Wuliji Buren (10-4, 0-0 UFC) vs. Rolando Dy (8-6 1 NC, 0-2 UFC)
Featherweights* (Dy missed weight by 2 pounds)

They traded early and Dy knocked Buren down with a left hand but Buren recovered quickly. Buren shot for a single leg and finished the takedown. They scrambled to the feet and Buren had the back. Buren got a takedown as he had the back of Dy. Dy able to get to his feet and lands a left hand. Dy lands some kicks. Both men being tentative on the feet. Dy landing leg kicks that aren’t being defended. Dy trying to land the left hand but Buren ducking out of the way. Close round. 10-9 Buren.

Dy lands a left hand and Buren counters with a takedown. Dy reversed to the top and was in side control but Buren had the neck. Dy landing some knees to the body from side control as he pops his head out. They got to their feet and Buren was the aggressor on the feet as he was landing punches. Not much happened at the end of the round. Another close round. 10-9 Dy, 19-19.

Buren went right for a takedown and got it after grabbing the single leg. Buren in the half-guard against the fence. Buren was landing punches from the top but they scrambled to their feet. Buren landed a right hand and went right back to work for another takedown but it was defended. Brief timeout called by Herb Dean after a low kick by Dy. Dy looking to land but Buren is getting out of the way. Buren goes for a long takedown but it is stopped though he grabs the back of Dy against the fence. Dy lands a big elbow as they break they clinch. Dy with another elbow. Close fight. 10-9 Buren, 29-28 Buren.

Official Result- Rolando Dy def. Wuliji Buren by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)

> Wu Yanan (8-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Gina Mazany (4-1, 0-1 UFC)
Women’s Bantamweights

Mazany fires away with some punches very quickly looking to end it quickly. They clinch and Mazany lands some more lefts. They trade knees in the clinch. They remain in the clinch with both landing punches. Mazany stumbles to the ground looking to escape and Wu lands some punches before they get to their feet. Wu lands a knee before they break. They trade punches. They clinch again and Mazany scores the takedown. Mazany with big punches and elbows. Wu almost had an armbar in from the bottom but Mazany escaped. They got to their feet and Mazany scored another takedown. They get up. 10-9 Mazany.

Mazany landed a big kick to the face as Wu was coming inside but she still grabbed the clinch against the fence. They were battling for position and underhooks and Mazany scored a couple of takedowns. Mazany with some punches from the top as she has Wu’s arm trapped. Mazany is cut over her eye. Mazany landing more punches but Wu was able to get to her feet. Mazany has the body lock against the fence and is landing punches. Wu has been warned several times about grabbing the fence. They trade late. 10-9 Mazany, 20-18 Mazany.

Wu messed up her shoulder bad at the end of the second round and was complaining about it but continued on into the third. They traded punches. Wu definitely having trouble throwing right hands. Mazany got a takedown against the fence. Mazany working from the top as Wu can’t get out from the bottom. Mazany with some elbows from the top as she cruises to what should be a win. 10-9 Mazany, 30-27 Mazany.

Official Result- Gina Mazany def. Wu Yanan by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Chase Sherman (11-3, 2-2 UFC) vs. Shamil Abdurakhimov (17-4, 2-2 UFC)
Heavyweights

They were trading early. Both men looking to land big punches. Abdurakhimov landed a big left hook and then another. He landed a right hand and another left hook and knocks Sherman down and the referee quickly stops it. Big quick win for Abdurakhimov.

Official Result- Shamil Abdurakhimov def. Chase Sherman by knockout (punches) at 1:24 of Round 1

> Song Yadong (10-4 1 NC, 0-0 UFC) vs. Bharat Khandare (5-2, 0-0 UFC)
Featherweights

Yadong with an early body kick. He just misses a spinning hook kick. Yadong rocked Khandare with a right hand. Yadong lands another right hand and then a combo that backs up Khandare. Khandare lands the jab. Yadong with a leg kick. Yadong with another leg kick. Yadong goes with a head kick now. Khandare looking to land a right hand. Yadong drops Khandare with a right hand and then grabs the neck for a choke and Khandare taps out! Impressive showing by Yadong. Yadong is only 19 and has a bright future.

Official Result- Song Yadong def. Bharat Khandare by submission (front choke) at 4:16 of Round 1

> Kailin Curran (4-5, 1-5 UFC) vs. Yan Xioanan (7-1 1 NC, 0-0 UFC)
Women’s Strawweights

Curran with a leg kick and Xioanan counters with a right hand. Xioanan with her trademark hook kick. Xioanan drops Curran briefly with a big right hand and Curran is in a lot of trouble. Curran has seemed to recover as she has Xioanan clinched against the fence. They break. Curran with a right hand and works for a takedown but Xioanan is defending it. They break. Xioanan with another hook kick. Both women land some punches. They clinch again. They break and trade punches and clinch again at the end of the round. 10-9 Xioanan.

They trade punches to start the second. Curran with a head kick and Xioanan counters with a right hand. Curran with a body lock and gets a takedown and is in side control against the fence. They get back to their feet. Xioanan lands a solid combo. Curran looks to land a right hand and ducks under and grabs the clinch. Curran with some knees to the legs of Xioanan as they break the clinch. Xioanan lands a right hand that stuns Curran. Curran quickly grabs the clinch. They break. Xioanan with a hard right hand. They clinch again. 10-9 Xioanan, 20-18 Xioanan.

Xioanan briefly drops Curran with a low kick. She gets up and lands a right hand and a knee to the body of Xioanan. They were trading and Curran went for a takedown against the fence and got it. Curran in the half-guard and lands some shots to the body. Curran posturing up and moves into the full guard as she lands more from the top. Curran really needs to work harder for a finish. She lands some hammerfists but Xioanan grabs her and pulls her back to closed guard. Xioanan pushes Curran off and they get to their feet. They clinch. They have a brawl in the closing seconds with each lady landing punches in close range. Big punches from both. Good fight. 10-9 Curran, 29-28 Xioanan.

Official Result- Yan Xioanan def. Kailin Curran by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

> Song Kenan (12-4, 0-0 UFC) vs. Bobby Nash (8-3, 0-2 UFC)
Welterweights

The first move of the fight is a groin strike by Kenan. We get back to action and Kenan drops Nash with a big right hand and lands a lot of punches until Herb Dean steps in and stops it. Quick win by Kenan. Nash was out of it so much that he spent several seconds trying to take down Herb Dean while being told the fight was over. Official time of the fight was just 15 seconds.

Official Result- Song Kenan def. Bobby Nash by TKO (punches) at :15 of Round 1

> Zabit Magomedshapirov (13-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. Sheymon Moraes (9-1, 0-0 UFC)
Featherweights

Magomedshapirov with some side kicks to start. Moraes with a leg kick. Magomedshapriov just misses a spin kick. Moraes with a switch kick and then a heavy leg kick. Moraes with a switch kick to the body. Magomedshapirov with a hard right hand. They trade punches. Moraes with a kick but Magomedshapirov grabs the leg and gets a takedown into full guard. Moraes able to scramble out to his feet but gives up his back. Magomedshapirov with a back suplex and he has the back and is working for a choke. They get up but go right back down and Magomedshapirov is in side control. Moraes scrambles back to half-guard but Magomedshapirov back in side control. He moves to mount. Magomedshapirov with some big elbows and Moraes survives the round. 10-9 Magomedshapirov.

Magomedshapirov just misses a 360 kick but then gets a takedown. They scramble and go back to the mat with Moraes in mount but Magomedshapirov reverses to the top. Moraes goes for an armbar but they scramble to the feet and Magomedshapirov has the back. Moraes goes for an ankle lock but eats punches. Zabit working for the choke as he has the back and is landing punches. Big punches from the back by Magomedshapirov. Big elbows and Magomedshapirov is in the mount again. Zabit passes to side control and is still landing big punches with over a minute to go in the second. More work from the top. 10-8 Magomedshapirov, 20-17 Magomedshapirov.

Magomedshapirov leg kicks Moraes out from under him and they are on the mat briefly before getting up. Moraes with a left hook and Magomedshapirov counters with a spinning back fist. Magomedshapriov grabs the back and is looking for a suplex. Zabit gets the takedown and has the back. They get to their feet. Magomedshapirov with another takedown. They get up but Magomedshapirov kicks Moraes leg to get another takedown and is in the mount. Big punches from Magomedshapirov. He grabs the neck for a choke and has an anaconda choke locked in and Moraes taps! Dominant performance by Magomedshapirov. He is already a contender at 145 pounds. Magomedshapirov suggested a fight with Yair Rodriguez in his post-fight interview.

Official Result- Zabit Magomedshapirov def. Sheymon Moraes by submission (anaconda choke) at 4:30 of Round 3

UFC FIGHT PASS MAIN CARD | 7 AM ET/4 AM PT

> Muslim Salikhov (12-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Alex Garcia (14-4, 4-3 UFC)
Welterweights

Salikhov with a leg kick. Garcia goes for a takedown but it is stuffed. Garcia got the takedown despite Salikhov grabbing the fence. Garcia in the half-guard. Garcia briefly passes to side control and is looking to pass to mount. Salikhov finds an opening to scramble to his feet. Salikhov with a leg kick. Salikhov with a spin kick to the body. Salikhov with another leg kick. Garcia unable to land anything on the feet. Salikhov with a spinning back fist and he defends a takedown by Garcia. Garcia just misses a left hand but scores a takedown late in the round. He lands a couple of punches from the top. 10-9 Garcia.

Salikhov searching for head kicks early in the second. He just misses a spin kick to the body of Garcia. Garcia fakes a takedown. Salikhov with a spin kick to the head that is partially blocked. Garcia lands a big right hand. Salikhov with a right hand. Garcia misses a takedown and eats a body kick from Salikhov. Garcia shoots for another takedown and gets it. Garcia gets the back and has a choke locked in. Salikhov is in trouble and he taps! Big upset win for Garcia as he gets the submission.

Official Result- Alex Garcia def. Muslim Salikhov by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:22 of Round 2

> Wang Guan (19-1-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Alex Caceres (13-10 1 NC, 8-8 1 NC UFC)
Featherweights

Guan with a quick right hand. Caceres with a body kick. They trade leg kicks. They clinch and Caceres lands a groin strike and we have a timeout. We get back to action and Guan with a body kick. Guan then clips Caceres with a hard elbow and Caceres is rocked. He seems to recover. They clinch and Guan with a body lock. Caceres with a left hand followed by a kick. They both land punches. Caceres with a body kick. Guan dropped Caceres late with a punch and was landing lots of punches but couldn’t get the finish as the horn sounded to end the round. Caceres got up and could barely walk back to his corner. 10-9 Guan.

Caceres still moving weird to start the second. He is still coming forward though. Caceres with a leg kick. Guan with a high kick. Guan with a hard right hand that rocks Caceres and he follows it with a body kick. Caceres kicks Guan right in the groin but he continues on quickly. Guan with a leg kick. Caceres just misses a head kick. Caceres misses a left hand and Guan grabs the back but lets go. Guan lands a big right hand. Caceres with a body kick. 10-9 Guan, 20-18 Guan.

They trade leg kicks. Guan cracks Caceres with a right hand and follows it with a leg kick. Guan drops Caceres with a right hand but Caceres quickly gets up. Caceres lands a left. Caceres misses a high kick and slips but Guan unable to capitalize. Guan with a right hand. Caceres lands a lead uppercut followed by a spin kick to the ribs. They clip each other with punches. Guan is loading up his right hand and Caceres is capitalizing on openings. Guan lands a left and gets kicked in the groin at the same time. We get back going and they trade punches at the end. 10-9 Guan, 30-27 Guan.

Official Result- Wang Guan def. Alex Caceres by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

> Li Jingliang (13-4, 5-2 UFC) vs. Zak Ottow (15-4, 2-1 UFC)
Welterweights

Jingliang with a leg kick to start. Ottow just misses a head kick. They trade kicks. Ottow with a high kick that is blocked by Jingliang. Ottow with a right hook and then lands a combo. Jingliang with a right hand. Jingliang lands a combo that rocks Ottow and then drops him with a right hand. Jingliang landing big punches looking to finish. Ottow in a lot of trouble and Jingliang finishes him off! Big win for Jingliang and goes into the crowd to celebrate with his daughter.

Official Result- Li Jingliang def. Zak Ottow by TKO (punches) at 2:57 of Round 1

> Michael Bisping (#2, 30-8, 20-8 UFC) vs. Kelvin Gastelum (#9, 13-3 1 NC, 8-3 1 NC UFC)
Middleweights

Gastelum with a big body kick. Bisping lands a jab followed by an overhand right. They are trading with both looking for openings. Bisping landed a good punch as he’s finding his range. Gastelum with a body kick but Bisping counters with a right hand. Gastelum then lands a big combo that drops Bisping and he is out! Gastelum with the quick finish of Bisping in the first round. Big win for Gastelum. It was a vicious left hand that knocked Bisping out.

Official Result- Kelvin Gastelum def. Michael Bisping by knockout (punch) at 2:30 of Round 1

Michael Bisping to replace Anderson Silva at UFC Shanghai

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

The UFC has found a replacement for Anderson Silva ahead of their show in Shanghai, and it’s a rather unexpected one.

After Silva was pulled from his scheduled main event against Kelvin Gastelum at UFC Fight Night 122 in Shanghai, China due to being flagged for a potential USADA violation, finding a suitable opponent to step in on short notice looked to be a daunting task, but Michael Bisping appears to have stepped up to the challenge.

Bisping, who just lost the middleweight championship to Georges St-Pierre at UFC 217 last Saturday, is getting right back to action after agreeing to face Gastelum. The bout was first reported by Ariel Helwani of MMA Fighting.

Bisping claimed to not have suffered much damage despite being choked out by St-Pierre in their fight, and he’ll now begin his path towards getting a rematch by taking on Gastelum, who is looking to rebound from a submission loss himself after facing Chris Weidman in July. The UFC is expected to officially announce Bisping vs. Gastelum shortly, perhaps on tonight’s UFC Fight Night 120 broadcast.

UFC Fight Night 122 will air exclusively on Fight Pass on November 25th and will mark the company’s first trip to mainland China.

UFC on FOX 25 live results: Weidman vs. Gastelum

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC On FOX 25: Weidman vs. Gastelum, emanating from the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York.

The event is headlined by a five-round bout in the middleweight division as former UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman looks to get back into the win column as he takes on former TUF winner Kelvin Gastelum.

Weidman has lost his past three fights and is in a must-win situation. He lost the UFC Middleweight Championship to Luke Rockhold in December 2015, and has followed that with losses to Yoel Romero and Gegard Mousasi, seeing him be finished in all three bouts. Gastelum is unbeaten as a middleweight, scoring his past two triumphs over Tim Kennedy and Vitor Belfort at 185 pounds.

In the co-main event, Dennis Bermudez looks to rebound from a loss as he takes on Darren Elkins, winner of four straight fights. Also on the main card is a light heavyweight bout with Patrick Cummins taking on Gian Villante, and the main card opener is a potential barnburner at 135 pounds as Jimmie Rivera puts his 19-fight win streak on the line against Thomas Almeida.

Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 4 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.

Rules: We are under the new rules for this event.

UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS | 4 PM ET/1 PM PT

> Frankie Perez (10-3, 1-2 UFC) vs. Chris Wade (11-3, 4-2 UFC)
Lightweights

They’ve fought before, outside of the UFC, and Wade won. Wade picked up where he left off starting out by getting an early takedown on Perez. Wade was smothering on the mat and took the back but Perez was able to get up. Perez got a takedown. Wade landed some elbows on the mat. Wade grabbed the arm and used it to get to his feet. Perez landed some knees and got another takedown. They got to their feet and Wade got a takedown and had the head pinned as the round ended. 10-9 Wade.

They spent the first part of the round striking and neither were landing with a lot of volume. Wade landed an upkick that got Perez and then scored a takedown off of it. Wade was able to get into side control and landed some punches from there before going into the guard. Perez was able to scramble to his feet. Wade couldn’t get the late takedown he was after. 10-9 Wade, 20-18 Wade.

Perez was attacking with kicks very quickly into the round. They traded and Perez ducked under a kick and got a takedown on Wade, but Wade was able to grab the neck and sweep to the top position. Wade went into the guard. Perez kept trying to push off but Wade was able to maintain his top control. Wade able to take the back but Perez got to his feet. Perez landed a big knee late as Wade was going for a takedown. 10-9 Wade, 30-27 Wade.

Official Result- Chris Wade def. Frankie Perez by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

> Shane Burgos (9-0, 2-0 UFC) vs. Godofredo Pepey (13-4, 5-4 UFC)
Featherweights

Pepey was getting flashy with kicks but Burgos saw it all coming and was staying on the inside. Pepey tried to land some spinning back fists but missed. Burgos knocked Pepey down with a big knee. Pepey got to his feet and Burgos was teeing off on him and knocked Pepey down with a right hand. Pepey got to his feet and grabbed the body of Burgos and got a brief takedown. They broke and Burgos landed some big combos that rocked Pepey. Pepey just landed a wheel kick but then ate a right hand from Burgos. Burgos landed some more near the end. 10-8 Burgos.

Pepey was landing the jab but Burgos was slipping under and firing back combos. Pepey tried pulling guard and wanted Burgos to go to the mat with him but Burgos stayed standing and waiting for Pepey to get up. They were trading and Pepey did the same thing trying to pull guard again and the crowd was booing loudly. Pepey tried a takedown and it was defended so Pepey flopped to his back. He wants Burgos on the ground but Burgos is having none of it. Pepey was landing some good punches and inviting Burgos to hit him. Burgos was landing. Pepey was able to get Burgos into his guard late. 10-9 Burgos, 20-17 Burgos.

Pepey came out firing with some right hands. Burgos fired back with punches and Pepey was retreating around the Octagon. Burgos started landing more and more as the round went on. Pepey went for a takedown late but it was stuffed by Burgos. They broke and were trading late. Burgos was landing with more volume and dropped Pepey with a body shot. Pepey still wanted Burgos on the mat but Burgos wasn’t having it. Burgos landed a lot of punches late. 10-9 Burgos, 30-26 Burgos.

Official Result- Shane Burgos def. Godofredo Pepey by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 29-28)

> Tim Johnson (#12, 11-3, 3-2 UFC) vs. Junior Albini (13-2, 0-0 UFC)
Heavyweights

They clinched against the fence early on. Johnson had control of the underhooks. They were trading. Albini landed a knee to the body and then lands a combo that dropped Johnson and he finished it off! Albini wins his UFC debut as a big underdog.

Official Result- Junior Albini def. Tim Johnson by knockout (strikes) at 2:51 of Round 1

> Brian Kelleher (17-7, 1-0 UFC) vs. Marlon Vera (9-3-1, 3-2 UFC)
Bantamweights

They traded early and Kelleher landed a big right hand. Kelleher clinched and landed and landed a right hand to the body on the break. Kelleher got a takedown and Vera had a hold of the arm and quickly locked in an armbar and Kelleher tapped out! Impressive counter by Vera there to get the submission win in an upset.

Official Result- Marlon Vera def. Brian Kelleher by submission (armbar) at 2:18 of Round 1

> Kyle Bochniak (7-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Jeremy Kennedy (10-0, 2-0 UFC)
Featherweights

Kennedy got an immediate takedown. Kennedy was working from the guard as Bochniak was looking to escape from the bottom. Bochniak got up to the fence but was unable to get out from the bottom. They got to their feet amd Kennedy clipped Bochniak and was landing knees in the clinch and then scored a takedown. Nice work from Kennedy there. Kennedy kept him planted on the mat at the end. 10-9 Kennedy.

Kennedy got another quick takedown to start the second round. Bochniak was able to get back to his feet. Not a whole lot happening and Kennedy then got another takedown. They got to their feet and Kennedy got another takedown and was working in the guard of Bochniak. They got back up and Kennedy again took Bochniak down. 10-9 Kennedy, 20-18 Kennedy.

They were trading during the early stages of the round and Bochniak was landing more, but not with a lot of power behind them. Bochniak landed a low blow and we had a timeout. They got back to action and Bochniak landed a nice combination. Kennedy went for a takedown but it was defended by Bochniak. Kennedy got a takedown and was landing punches from the back of Bochniak. Bochniak tried to get to his feet late and did but Kennedy took him down one more time. 10-9 Kennedy, 30-27 Kennedy.

Official Result- Jeremy Kennedy def. Kyle Bochniak by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

FOX PRELIMS | 6 PM ET/3 PM PT

> Damian Grabowski (20-4, 0-2 UFC) vs. Chase Sherman (10-3, 1-2 UFC)
Heavyweights

Sherman landed an early combo of punches. Sherman with a head kick. Sherman with a leg kick as he ducks from all of Grabowski’s punches. Sherman landed a straight right hand. Grabowski landed a right hand. Sherman with a big knee that rocks Grabowski. Sherman landed a combo and a body kick. Sherman with a liver punch. Grabowski landed an overhand right. Sherman with a leg kick. Grabowski landed another right hand and Sherman countered with a leg kick. Sherman landed a big combination of punches and leg kicks. 10-9 Sherman.

They were trading and both men were landing. Sherman was mixing his strikes well, landing leg kicks and kicks to the body. Sherman with more leg kicks. Grabowski landed an uppercut in close range. Sherman landed a right hand followed by a knee to the body. Grabowski landed the overhand right. Sherman landing a lot of strikes on Grabowksi against the fence. Grabowski surviving. 10-9 Sherman, 20-18 Sherman.

Sherman throwing a lot of kicks and punches to start the third round. Grabowski got a brief takedown but Sherman got right back up. Sherman with a combo. Grabowski with a right hand. This is a slow fight. Sherman landing more punches and kicks. Neither man has good defense and the pace is real slow. Not an exciting fight. 10-9 Sherman, 30-27 Sherman.

Official Result- Chase Sherman def. Damian Grabowski by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-27)

> Ryan LaFlare (#14, 13-1, 6-1 UFC) vs. Alex Oliveira (17-3-1 2 NC, 6-2 1 NC UFC)
Welterweights

LaFlare went for an early takedown and pressed Oliveira against the fence. LaFlare got him down and Oliveira tried to scramble out and was looking for an armbar. LaFlare was able to pass to side control. LaFlare was working for a choke but used it for control and landed knees to the body from side control. LaFlare working hard to transition but Oliveira is blocking. LaFlare got the back and was working for an armbar but ran out of time. 10-9 LaFlare.

Oliveira landed a leg kick and LaFlare slipped to the mat. Both were looking for an opening. Oliveira then lands an uppercut right to the jaw of LaFlare and LaFlare face plants to the mat and is out cold. Wow! Brutal knockout win by Alex Oliveira.

Official Result- Alex Oliveira def. Ryan LaFlare by knockout (punch) at 1:50 of Round 2

> Rafael Natal (21-8-1, 9-6-1 UFC) vs. Eryk Anders (7-0, 0-0 UFC)
Middleweights

They were trading early and Anders clipped Natal with a left hand but Natal recovered. Natal was rocked by a head kick from Anders. Natal survived and ran across the Octagon head first into the fence and went down and Anders got on the top. Anders with some punches from the top but Natal gets up. Anders landed an illegal knee in there. Anders landed two left hands and the second one knocked Natal out cold. Brutal finish by Anders as he wins his UFC debut.

Official Result- Eryk Anders def. Rafael Natal by knockout (punch) at 2:54 of Round 1

> Lyman Good (19-3 1 NC, 1-0 UFC) vs. Elizeu Zaleski (16-5, 2-1 UFC)
Welterweights

Good hasn’t fought in two years due to USADA. Also, no relation to Dean Ambrose. Zaleski was working early for a takedown. Good defended it and landed a knee on the break. Zaleski landed a couple of leg kicks that buckled Good. Good took Zaleski down off a kick but Zaleski eventually got back up. Good was landing with more volume and attacking the leg with kicks. Good landed a good series of punches on Zaleski. Fun round. 10-9 Good.

They were trading and Zaleski almost got a leg grabbed off a kick from Good. They clinched and traded knees before breaking. Zaleski with some knees in the clinch. Zaleski with a combo but Good is finding a home with his left hand. Zaleski tried a takedown but it was defended by Good. Good with an excellent combination inside the pocket. Zaleski landed a perfect flying knee and Good ate it and fired back a combo of punches that landed. Another fun round. 10-9 Good, 20-18 Good.

Zaleski is landing a lot more punches on Good. Zaleski was opening up more and Good seemed a bit more tentative in this round, and this round will decide the fight. Zaleski with a combo of punches and Good is bleeding. Good landed a counter right hand. Both men are throwing hard punches. Zaleski with a side kick. Zaleski is bleeding as well. Good lands the jab. They threw back-and-forth in the last ten seconds and Zaleski landed really hard punches. Very fun fight, and it will be close. 10-9 Zaleski, 29-28 Good.

Official Result- Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos def. Lyman Good by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)

FOX MAIN CARD | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT

> Jimmie Rivera (#4, 20-1, 4-0 UFC) vs. Thomas Almeida (#9, 22-1, 5-1 UFC)
Bantamweights

Almeida with some leg kicks early. Almeida landed a right hand and Rivera countered with a left hook to the body. Rivera then dropped Almeida with a right hand but Almeida was able to get back up and clinched. Rivera then spit his mouthpiece out to get a timeout and a break of the clinch. They traded leg kicks. They were trading and Rivera dropped Almeida again with a right hand. They scrambled on the mat and got back to their feet. Almeida with a combo late. Fun round. 10-9 Rivera.

Both were ducking punches early on before they started landing. Rivera rocked Almeida with a left hand. Rivera landed a straight right hand as he timed a kick from Almeida. Almeida landed a left hand. Almeida with an inside leg kick. Almeida then dropped Rivera for a moment with a left hand. Rivera landed a right hand. Almeida back to attacking the lead leg with kicks. Almeida lands a good combo of punches late. Close round. 10-9 Almeida, 19-19.

Rivera got a quick takedown to start the third round. Rivera didn’t do much from the top and Almeida was able to scramble to his feet. Rivera landed a right hand. Almeida with a leg kick and misses a spin kick. Rivera with a left hand to the body. They clinched for a brief moment. Almeida went for a knee and Rivera tried a takedown but Almeida jumped away from it. They each landed punches. Almeida with a flying knee but Rivera was able to reverse it into a takedown. Almeida hit the switch and got back up. Almeida landed a combo of punches and a high kick. We go the distance. Great, great fight. 10-9 Rivera, 29-28 Rivera.

Official Result- Jimmie Rivera def. Thomas Almeida by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-26, 30-27)

> Patrick Cummins (#12, 9-4, 5-4 UFC) vs. Gian Villante (#13, 15-8, 5-5 UFC)
Light Heavyweights

Cummins goes right for a takedown but Villante gets right back up. Cummins grabs a single leg and gets a takedown but right back up. Villante then rocks Cummins with three straight right hands. Cummins is bleeding from the top of his head, looks to be from a headbutt. They trade kicks. Cummins goes back for a takedown but it is defended. Cummins lands a left hand on the break. They trade jabs. Cummins lands a right hand and the gets a takedown. Villante lands a right hand. 10-9 Villante.

Cummins is landing the short left hook. Cummins shoots for a takedown but it is defended. They traded punches. Cummins is coming on stronger as the fight goes on. Cummins with a nice combination of punches. Cummins landing with more volume. Villante landed a right hand. Cummins still landing with more volume but he eats a big right hand from Villante. 10-9 Cummins, 19-19.

Villante rocks Cummins with a right hand early in the third and that could be big. Villante is pouring it on as he has Cummins in trouble. Cummins is starting to come back with punches and he is bleeding all over the place. Cummins landed a couple of right hands and then a knee to the body. Cummins goes for a takedown but they are battled in the clinch against the fence. Cummins with knees to the legs of Villante. Villante lands a late right hand. 10-9 Cummins, 29-28 Cummins.

Official Result- Patrick Cummins def. Gian Villante by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

> Dennis Bermudez (#10, 16-6, 9-4 UFC) vs. Darren Elkins (#12, 22-5, 12-4 UFC)
Featherweights

Bermudez landed leg kicks early on and followed one with a right hand. Bermudez slipped on a kick and Elkins attacked and took the back. Bermudez got to his feet but Elkins took him down twice. Elkins has the back and is looking for the choke. Elkins with some short punches from the back. Bermudez got to his feet and shook Elkins off. Elkins picked Bermudez up and slammed him down but Bermudez popped back up. Bermudez with a right hand as they break the clinch. 10-9 Elkins.

They are trading and Bermudez just misses a flying knee. Elkins landed a right hand. Elkins is going for takedowns from a distance and Bermudez sees them coming. Bermudez got a takedown against the fence. He didn’t do much with it and they got to their feet. Bermudez went for a takedown against the fence but it was defended. Bermudez landing better punches in the clinch. Elkins landed some knees on the ground that were close to illegal. Elkins picked Bermudez up and slammed him down and took the back but Bermudez got to his feet. Close round. 10-9 Bermudez, 19-19.

They were trading and Bermudez was getting the better of it. Bermudez struck with his head down and it allowed Elkins to grab him in looking for the takedown. They were clinched against the fence as Bermudez reversed position. They broke and Bermudez landed a right hand. Bermudez owning the Octagon right now and he lands a big right hand. Elkins slipped on a kick but Bermudez unable to capitalize. Bermudez with some body punches and a knee against the fence. Bermudez landing some punches late as he is closing the fight strong. Bermudez with some right hands near the end. 10-9 Bermudez, 29-28 Bermudez.

Official Result- Darren Elkins def. Dennis Bermudez by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

> Chris Weidman (#5, 13-3, 9-3 UFC) vs. Kelvin Gastelum (#8, 13-2 1 NC, 8-2 1 NC UFC)
Middleweights

Weidman starts with a head kick that gets checked. Weidman lands a right hand. Weidman lands another right hand. Weidman with a takedown. He moves to the back. Weidman with punches from the back. Gastelum gets to his feet. They scramble to the mat and Weidman into side control. Weidman looking for a kimura. Gastelum scrambled to his feet and escaped the kimura. Gastelum with a head kick. Gastelum drops Weidman with a left hand but runs out of time looking for the finish. Think Gastelum stole that round with that. 10-9 Gastelum.

Weidman with a leg kick and then a right hand. They clinch and Weidman gets a takedown with an ankle pick. Weidman gets the back and is working for the choke, landing punches from the back. They get back to their feet and Weidman gets another takedown. Weidman with more punches and they get up. Weidman gets another takedown. Weidman into the guard and landing elbows. More elbows from the top by Weidman. Weidman got the back but time ran out before he could do much. 10-9 Weidman, 19-19.

They were trading aggressively and Weidman dropped Gastelum for a moment. Weidman landed a nice series of punches and he had Gastelum in trouble. Gastelum survived the onslaught. Weidman lands a big right hand. Weidman lands a kick and scores a takedown. Weidman going for the back and has it standing. Weidman with another takedown. Weidman trying to drag for a choke as Gastelum tries to scramble away. Weidman has the arm-triangle locked in and it is deep. Gastelum is in a lot of trouble and in danger of going out. He taps! Gastelum taps out to the arm-triangle and Weidman gets the huge submission win to end his losing skid. The crowd is going crazy for the hometown hero.

Official Result- Chris Weidman def. Kelvin Gastelum by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 3:45 of Round 3

UFC on Fox 25 Observer Panel Picks: Chris Weidman vs. Kelvin Gastelum

Posted on by Paul Fontaine

UFC is back on Fox on Saturday with four+ hours of fights featuring the promotion’s debut at Long Island’s Nassau Coliseum, headlined by middleweight title contender Kelvin Gastelum taking on former champ and hometown boy Chris Weidman in a bout that could determine a future challenger for the 185-pound title.

Featherweights take the co-main event spot as Darren Elkins will try to keep an impressive streak going as he does battle with former TUF finalist and local fighter Dennis Bermudez.

Yet another local fighter, Gian Villante, meets former barista Patrick Cummins in a light heavyweight fight while Jimmie Rivera meets Thomas Almeida in a must-see bantamweight tilt.

For the fifth fight of our panel picks, we’re starting early with the show-opening fight featuring a pair of local lightweights with Chris Wade vs. Frankie Perez.

Panel picks are listed below with the panelist’s 2017 records is in parentheses. Listed alongside the fighter’s names are their worldwide FightMatrix rankings, as well as BestFightOdds.com betting odds. We also have panel consensus picks as well as a line where we show how the betting favorites did:

  • John Pollock (35-16; .686) — new dad, Fight Network analyst, Live Audio Wrestling co-host, MMA Report co-host
  • Favorites (35-16; .686)
  • Dave Meltzer (33-18; .647) — Wrestling Observer publisher
  • Consensus Picks (32-18; .640)
  • David Bixenspan (32-19; .627) – Deadspin pro wrestling columnist; Between the Sheets podcast host
  • Mike Sempervive (31-20; .608) — Wrestling Observer Live and Big Audio Nightmare co-host
  • Mike Sawyer (30-21; .588) — Tough Talk MMA publisher
  • Steve Juon (30-21; .588) — MMA Mania writer, Angry Marks publisher
  • Josh Nason (30-21; .588) — Host of Josh Nason’s Punch Out, WrestlingObserver.com assistant editor
  • Tom Lawlor (8-6; .571) – Co-host Filthy Four Daily; pro wrestling undercard fighter; UFC enhancement talent currently suspended due to wellness violation
  • Ryan Frederick (28-23; .549) — WrestlingObserver.com UFC writer
  • Paul Fontaine (26-25; .510) — MMADraws.com publisher, WrestlingObserver.com writer
  • Front Row Brian (25-26; .490) — MMA newsbreaker, beloved internet personality, podcast host

> Chris Weidman (13-3) vs Kelvin Gastelum
MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Weidman has lost three straight after starting his career with an impressive 13-fight win streak that took him all the way to the UFC title and three successful defences. Now, he’s on the verge of being knocked out of contention thought and badly needs a win here. After having highly publicized weight issues after previous competing at welterweight, former TUF winner Kelvin Gastelum — who won that tournament at 185 — will add his name to a growing list of potential title challengers if he gets a win here.

It’s an intriguing fight with a lot on the line and somewhat surprisingly, the oddsmakers have Weidman as a slight underdog.

  • Weidman #7; +148 betting underdog: Frederick, Lawlor, Pollock, Fontaine, Nason, Meltzer
  • Gastelum #10; -155 betting favorite: FRB, Juon, Sawyer, Sempervive, Bixenspan

> Darren Elkins (22-5) vs Dennis Bermudez (16-6)
FEATHERWEIGHTS

Elkins has been on the most impressive run of his career, completely dominating each of his last four fights including a late 3rd round stoppage win over heavily favoured Mirsak Bektic in his last fight. Despite that fact, he finds himself in the underdog position against Bermudez here. Bermudez is coming off a stunning first round KO loss at the hands of The Korean Zombie, which was his third stoppage loss in the last five fights. He needs a win here to remain relevant in the division and to do so, he’ll have to find a way to stop the mauling that Elkins will attempt to put on him.

  • Elkins #7; +188 betting underdog: Juon, Fontaine, Bixenspan
  • Bermudez #25; -199 betting favorite: Frederick, FRB, Lawlor, Sawyer, Pollock, Sempervive, Nason, Meltzer

> Gian Villante (16-6) vs Patrick Cummins (9-4)
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS

After picking up an impressive KO win in his first fight in his home state in his pro career, Villante suffered a setback in being KO’d by former champion Shogun Rua in Brazil earlier this year. Villante had his moments in that fight, however, and will need all the power at his disposal to smother the wrestling game of Cummins. The guy famous for fighting Daniel Cormier on short notice has lost 3 of his last 5 and shown vulnerability to the KO, being finished in all of his losses. Another loss here could send him packing.

  • Villante #27; -152 betting favorite: Frederick, FRB, Lawlor, Sawyer, Sempervive, Fontaine, Bixenspan
  • Cummins #28; +145 betting underdog: Juon, Pollock, Nason, Meltzer

> Jimmie Rivera (20-1) vs Thomas Almeida (22-1)
BANTAMWEIGHTS

Rivera dominated former WEC champ Urijah Faber in his last fight to pick up his fourth straight UFC win and 19th in a row overall. The former WEC and Bellator veteran made the most of his second chance in the UFC after dropping an exhibition fight to Dennis Bermudez on the TUF 14 show and now finds himself on the fringe of title contention.

Almeida started his career with 21 straight wins before running into current divisional champ Cody Garbrandt in the main event of an FS1 show last May. He rebounded to KO Albert Morales in his last fight and hopes to keep that run going and eventually get a rematch with the champion.

  • Rivera #4; -187 betting favorite: Frederick, FRB, Lawlor, Sawyer, Pollock, Sempervive, Fontaine, Bixenspan, Meltzer
  • Almeida #28; +175 betting underdog: Juon, Nason

> Chris Wade (11-3) vs Frankie Perez (10-3)
Lightweights

Perez briefly retired after picking up his first UFC win against Sam Stout two years ago in Saskatoon. He returned last December and dropped a decision to Marc Diakese but hopes to rebound here close to his home of New Jersey.

New York State’s own Wade will attempt to kick off the show with a win for the locals in a show stacked with New York fighters. He’s lost two in a row after opening his UFC career with four straight wins and this could be his last chance to keep collecting checks from UFC.

  • Wade #107; -278 betting favorite: Frederick, FRB, Juon, Sawyer, Pollock, Sempervive, Fontaine, Bixenspan, Nason, Meltzer
  • Perez #295; +290 betting underdog: Lawlor

**********

The rest of the card:

> Lyman Good (19-3) vs Elizeu Zaleski (16-5)
WELTERWEIGHTS

  • Good NR; -155 betting favorite
  • Zaleski; #49; +160 betting underdog

> Rafael Natal (21-8-1) vs Eryk Anders (8-0)
MIDDLEWEIGHTS

  • Natal #32; +105 betting underdog
  • Anders #159; -115 betting favorite

> Ryan LaFlare (13-1) vs Alex Oliveira (17-4-1)
WELTERWEIGHTS

  • LaFlare #23; -175 betting favorite
  • Oliveira #13; +165 betting underdog

> Damian Grabowski (20-4) vs Chase Sherman (10-3)

HEAVYWEIGHTS

  • Grabowski #83; +220 betting underdog
  • Sherman #161; -235 betting favorite

> Kyle Bochniak (7-1) vs Jeremy Kennedy (10-0)
FEATHERWEIGHTS

  • Bochniak #202; +225 betting underdog
  • Kennedy #52; -240 betting favorite

> Brian Kelleher (17-7) vs Marlon Vera (11-3-1)
BANTAMWEIGHTS

  • Kelleher #11; -205 betting favorite
  • Vera #50; +195 betting underdog

> Timothy Johnson (11-3) vs Junior Albini (13-2)
HEAVYWEIGHTS

  • Johnson #24; -225 betting favorite
  • Albini #146; +215 betting underdog

Shane Burgos (9-0) vs Godofredo Pepey (13-4)
FEATHERWEIGHTS

  • Burgos #58; -333 betting favorite
  • Pepey #44; +355 betting underdog

Action begins with the Fight Pass prelims at 4:00 PM EST and moves over to Fox at 6 PM EST. The main card also airs on Fox at 8 PM EST, and will be covered by our own Ryan Frederick.

UFC Fight Night 106 live results: Vitor Belfort vs. Kelvin Gastelum

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC Fight Night 106: Belfort vs. Gastelum, emanating from the Olympic Training Center in Fortaleza, Brazil.

The event is headlined by a five-round bout in the middleweight division as former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Vitor Belfort looks to halt retirement talk and get back into the win column when he takes on TUF 17 winner Kelvin Gastelum. Belfort has lost two straight fights and is looking for his first win since November 2015, while Gastelum is looking to win his third straight and improve to 4-0 at 185 pounds inside the Octagon.

Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua returns to action in the co-main event looking to win his third straight fight when he faces Gian Villante. Also on the main card is a lightweight bout featuring top-ten fighters as Edson Barboza squares off against Beneil Dariush.

Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 7 p.m. ET with preliminary action all the way through the main card.

UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS | 7 PM ET/4 PM PT

> Garreth McLellan (13-5, 1-3 UFC) vs. Paulo Henrique Costa (8-0, 0-0 UFC)
Middleweights

This one didn’t last long. Costa came out firing and McLellan was defending early and landing some knees in the clinch until Costa started swarming with some punches and kicks. Costa then dropped McLellan with some punches and then finished him off with some more punches on the ground. It went just over a minute. Costa looked very impressive in this fight.

Official Result- Paulo Borrachinha def. Garreth McLellan by TKO (strikes) at 1:17 of Round 1

> Rony Jason (14-6 1 NC, 4-3 1 NC UFC) vs. Jeremy Kennedy (9-0, 1-0 UFC)
Featherweights

They were trading back-and-forth early on with Jason getting the better of it, even dropping Kennedy for a brief moment. Kennedy came back and scored some takedowns on Jason and was pressuring him against the fence while standing. Kennedy was landing some good elbows and punches from inside the guard of Jason as the round came to a close. 10-9 first round for Kennedy.

Jason was landing some good punches early in the second but Kennedy was firing back. Jason landed a flying knee that dropped Kennedy and Jason went hunting for the finish with some punches from the top. Kennedy hung on but was stuck on the bottom and unable to scramble out. Jason wasn’t able to pass the guard, either, but was landing from the top. They got stood up and Kennedy landed a low blow kick that caused a break, but nothing happened after they got back to action. 10-9 Jason in the second, 19-19 after two.

Jason was doing some showboating early in the third, including putting his hands behind his back, and it let Kennedy take him down with ease. Jason was able to get to his feet but Kennedy was relentless with a tie-up, but Jason was able to escape. Kennedy then scored another takedown in the center of the Octagon. Jason was landing elbows from the bottom but Kennedy was mixing it up from the top. Jason was going for submissions from the bottom but Kennedy was escaping and able to take Jason down again. Kennedy got another two more takedowns late and was landing at the end. 10-9 round three for Kennedy and I have it 29-28 Kennedy.

All of the judges had it for Kennedy, including a judge giving him a 10-8 round, which could have been the third.

Official Result- Jeremy Kennedy def. Rony Jason by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)

FOX SPORTS 1 PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT

> Michel Prazeres (21-2, 5-2 UFC) vs. Josh Burkman (28-14 1 NC, 6-9 1 NC UFC)
Lightweights

Prazeres rocked Burkman early and often and had Burkman in a lot of trouble. Prazeres took him down and was pounding away from the back but Burkman was surviving. Prazeres took the fight down and had a north-south choked locked in which got Burkman to tap out. Impressive performance from Prazeres as he just dominated Burkman.

Official Result- Michel Prazeres def. Josh Burkman by submission (north-south choke) at 1:42 of Round 1

> Rani Yahya (#14, 23-8 1 NC, 8-2 1 NC UFC) vs. Joe Soto (17-5, 2-3 UFC)
Bantamweights

Yahya was aggressive early but then got dropped by a right hand from Soto. Soto celebrated but Yahya got up and shook it off. Each man landed a hard punch and each shook it off. They were each landing some good punches and the grappling was being avoided for most of the round. Yahya got a takedown but Soto grabbed the neck looking for a guillotine but abandoned it. Yahya got into the guard and finished on top. Close, good round but I go 10-9 for Yahya there.

They clashed heads and Soto had a cut open and he was gushing blood. They had a break to get it checked but Soto continued on. Yahya was going for takedowns but they were getting defended. Soto was landing on the feet and defending takedowns. Yahya was landing some combinations and was getting desperate for the takedown. Soto still bleeding heavily. They were trading and both are looking tired. Soto reversed a takedown attempt and Soto ended on top and was landing. Soto got Yahya mounted and was landing late but both men survived. 10-9 second round for Soto and 19-19 after two.

Yahya had to be carried to the stool after the second round and he looks gassed. Yahya went for a takedown but Soto sprawled and ended up on top. Soto was landing from the top and Yahya wasn’t doing much to get up from the bottom. There is so much blood everywhere. Soto in complete control from the top and Yahya can’t do a thing from the bottom. Yahya got up and they were trading late. Yahya landed a nice combo but Soto got a late takedown. 10-9 Soto in the third, 29-28 Soto overall.

Soto took the decision on all scorecards, winning two rounds. Two judges had a 10-8, likely the third.

Official Result- Joe Soto def. Rani Yahya by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)

> Sergio Moraes (11-2-1, 5-1-1 UFC) vs. Davi Ramos (6-1, 0-0 UFC)
Welterweights

Moraes landed a big right hand early on. They were trading with neither man getting any sort of an advantage. They aren’t doing much and the crowd started to boo. Ramos was looking to land the jab and did a couple of times. Not much happened in this round, Moraes was more aggressive. 10-9 for Moraes.

It was a lot of the same in the second but Ramos was on the more aggressive side early on. Moraes went for the front kicks but was eating a jab every time he got in close. Moraes was starting to land with more volume late. Ramos went for a takedown but Moraes sprawled away. 10-9 second for Ramos and I had it 19-19 after two.

Both men need this round and neither were doing much to win it. Moraes was throwing more but a lot of it was a staring contest. Ramos was starting to throw with volume but he wasn’t landing. Moraes was actually landing the punches he was throwing. This was real boring. 10-9 Moraes in the third. I had it 29-28 Moraes.

Moraes took all three rounds on all scorecards. Who cares though as this fight was bad. Neither man deserved to win.

Official Result- Sergio Moraes def. Davi Ramos by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Francisco Trinaldo (#11, 21-4, 11-3 UFC) vs. Kevin Lee (14-2, 7-2 UFC)
Lightweights

Trinaldo got Lee pressed against the fence early but Lee reversed to a takedown. Lee was on top but Trinaldo scrambled to his feet. Trinaldo rocked Lee with a left hand that had Lee hurt so Lee went in for a takedown but it was defended. Lee landed a right but Trinaldo fired back with a hard left hand. Trinaldo landed in the clinch. Trinaldo hurt Lee and stuffed a takedown and was landing big left hands. Lee landed a knee to the body. Lee went for another takedown with no success. Trinaldo landed a big left hand at the end. 10-9 Trinaldo.

They were going back-and-forth with their strikes early on in the second. Trinaldo cracked Lee with a left hand. Lee went for a long, telegraphed takedown that was easily stuffed. Lee landed a head kick that rocked Trinaldo. Trinaldo went for a takedown but Lee ended up in the mount. Lee took the back and was looking for a choke. Lee had it locked in and Trinaldo tapped! Big win for Kevin Lee as Trinaldo had won eight straight fights coming into this.

Lee called out Khabib Nurmagomedov after this fight. I don’t think he’s going to get that fight right now, though.

Official Result- Kevin Lee def. Francisco Trinaldo by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:12 of Round 2

FOX SPORTS 1 MAIN CARD | 10 PM ET/7 PM PT

> Alex Oliveira (16-3-1 2 NC, 5-2 1 NC UFC) vs. Tim Means (26-7-1 1 NC, 8-4 1 NC UFC)
Welterweights

Oliveira landed a body kick early and then scored a takedown. Means was able to get back to his feet but Oliveira had him pressed against the fence. Oliveira had a big slam but Means got up. Oliveira got another two takedowns. Means kept popping back up. Means then reversed another takedown and was in side control. Means landed a couple of short elbows. Good end of the round for Means but I still had it the other way, 10-9 Oliveira.

Oliveira did some dancing at the start of the round and was scolded by John McCarthy. Oliveira scored another takedown but Means popped up only to get taken back down. Oliveira had the back with the hooks in looking for the choke. He had it locked in and Oliveira got Means to tap out! Impressive showing by Oliveira.

Official Result- Alex Oliveira def. Tim Means by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:38 of Round 2

> Bethe Correia (#9, 10-2, 4-2 UFC) vs. Marion Reneau (#13, 7-3, 3-2 UFC)
Women’s Bantamweights

They were trading early and Reneau was getting the better of it. They clinched for a moment with nothing happening. Reneau landed with some knees in the clinch and a couple of body kicks. Correia was just standing in range but did land some punches. Reneau was landing better before Correia scored a takedown late and ended with some top punches. 10-9 Correia in the first,

Reneau was slowing in the second round and Correia was starting to find her punches even rocking Reneau with a right hand. Correia rocked her again with an uppercut. Reneau landed an uppercut herself. Correia scored a takedown into the guard. Reneau was looking for a triangle but Correia slid out. Correia ended the round on top. 10-9 Correia, 20-18 Correia after two.

Reneau stunned Correia with a head kick and was going after the finish with punches. Correia tried a takedown to recover but Reneau was able to slightly get the back and was landing some big punches and elbows. Reneau got into the mount and was unloading with punches looking to finish. It could be stopped as those punches are huge. Correia tried to reverse but Reneau reversed back to half-guard. Reneau landing lots of elbows. Reneau took the back and had the hooks locked in. Reneau was landing from the back but Correia somehow survived the round. 10-8 round for Reneau and I have it a 28-28 draw. Correia got to her feet and danced like she won the fight, but that is in question.

This one ended in a majority draw. One judge had it 29-27 for Reneau, giving her two rounds with a likely 10-8 in the third. The other two had it 28-28, likely with Correia winning one and two and Reneau with a 10-8 third. The fact that all of the judges seemed to score the third 10-8 for Renau is definitely the correct call, and surprising at the same time as judges can be stingy with that score. It was the correct call.

Official Result- Bethe Correia vs. Marion Reneau scored a majority draw (29-27 Reneau, 28-28, 28-28)

> Jussier Formiga (#3, 19-4, 5-3 UFC) vs. Ray Borg (#8, 10-2, 4-2 UFC)
Flyweights

They were even on the feet early before the battle in the clinch took over. Both were landing knees but Formiga had the pressure. Borg landed on the break. Formiga was getting the better of the exchanges on the feet but Borg was landing as well. Formiga landed an excellent combination at the end and a spinning back fist at the end as well. 10-9 Formiga.

Formiga was landing some good strikes and Borg went in for a takedown but it was defended. Borg still had Formiga pressured up against the fence. Not much was happening so Mario Yamasaki broke them away from the fence. Both were landing some good strikes and Formiga in particular landed a nice leg kick. Borg went for a late takedown to no avail. Close round. 10-9 Formiga, 20-18 Formiga.

Formiga got a takedown and transitioned right to mount but Borg was able to scramble out and had the back for Formiga before they got upright against the fence. Formiga ended up getting Borg to the mat and had the back despite a big fence grab by Borg. Borg was able to switch and got to the top in the guard. Borg waslanding from the top and Formiga was cut open. Borg landing good with big elbows from inside the guard. Formiga scrambles and Borg takes the back. Formiga got Borg into his half-guard as the fight ended. Close fight overall. 10-9 Borg in the third but I have it 29-28 Formiga.

Borg got 29-28 scores on all three scorecards to take the decision. A very big win for him. After the fight, he said he has some things to work on with his coaches (he is coached by Greg Jackson, Mike Winklejohn, Brandon Gibson and that crew), but that he is coming after Demetrious Johnson.

Official Result- Ray Borg def. Jussier Formiga by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Edson Barboza (#5, 18-4, 12-4 UFC) vs. Beneil Dariush (#9, 14-2, 8-2 UFC)
Lightweights

They were firing away at each other early on. Dariush was landing some left hands but Barboza was landing the jab and a head kick. Barboza landed a big body kick but Dariush was landing the left hand in return. Dariush has been very busy this round. Barboza landed another body kick and then another. Barboza started to get busy late but it may have not been enough to get the round. Close round though. 10-9 Dariush.

Barboza with a body kick but Dariush landed a head kick that was partially blocked. Barboza landed a counter right hand but Dariush with a spinning back fist. Dariush went for a takedown but it is defended. Barboza landed a heavy leg kick. They were trading and then a groin shot on Dariush. Out of nowhere a big flying knee from Barboza knocked Dariush out cold. One of the best knockouts of this young year so far, an incredible finish from Barboza.

Official Result- Edson Barboza def. Beneil Dariush by knockout (flying knee) at 3:35 of Round 2

> Mauricio Rua (#6, 24-10, 8-8 UFC) vs. Gian Villante (#12, 15-7, 5-4 UFC)
Light Heavyweights

Rua dropped Villante early but Villante got right back up. They were trading and Villante landed a left hook that had Rua rocked. Rua was in trouble but Villante clinched and Rua recovered. Rua landed a right hand after they broke that stunned Villante. Rua was landing his punches in close range. They were trading punches. Rua dropped Villante again but Villante up. Rua rocked him again. Rua started landing the jab. Villante landed the jab. Rua landed a late combo. 10-9 Rua.

They were trading again early. Zero head movement from Villante. Villante landed a nice left hook and had Rua retreating for a moment. Rua landed a big right hand countering a leg kick. They were trading and both men landed big punches. It feels like a knockout is coming at any moment. Rua landed a big right hand and Villante slipped to the mat. Rua landed a big right hand late. 10-9 Rua, 20-18 Rua after two.

Both men have been eating huge punches. Rua rocked Villante and started attacking the body. Villante was in a lot of trouble and Rua started teeing off against the fence with a barrage of punches and finally it was stopped by Mario Yamasaki. Great fight. Rua has now won three straight fights for the first time in ten years.

Official Result- Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua def. Gian Villante by TKO (punches) at :59 of Round 3

> Vitor Belfort (#9, 25-13, 14-9 UFC) vs. Kelvin Gastelum (#10, 13-2, 8-2 UFC)
Middleweights

Belfort tried a spin kick early but Gastelum was too close for it to properly land. They traded left hands. Belfort just missed a flying knee but it did hit the chest. Spinning kick from Belfort lands. Gastelum drops Belfort with a left hand and is going for the finish but Belfort survives. Gastelum in the guard and looking for a choke. Belfort back to his feet. Belfort rocked Gastelum with a combo. Gastelum knocks Belfort down with another left hand and after another punch it is stopped by John McCarthy. Gastelum looked great here. He called for a fight against Anderson Silva at UFC 212 on June 3 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Belfort mentioned he has one fight left on his contract and hopes to fight in Rio as well.

Official Result- Kelvin Gastelum def. Vitor Belfort by TKO (punches) at 3:52 of Round 1

UFC Fight Night 106 panel picks: Vitor Belfort and Shogun Rua keep on keepin’ on

Posted on by Paul Fontaine

UFC returns to Fox Sports One Saturday with a fairly stacked show from Fortaleza, Brazil, headlined by former UFC titleholder Vitor Belfort taking on one-time welterweight Kelvin Gastelum.

The latter is unbeaten at 185 in the UFC, including a TUF tourney win at that weight several years ago.

Near the top of the card, former UFC light heavyweight champion Shogun Rua returns to battle journeyman Gian Villante while we get a must-see fight between two top 10 lightweight contenders in Edson Barboza and Beneil Dariush.

The show also features two flyweights looking to get a title shot (Jussier Formiga vs. Ray Borg) while former title challenger Bethe Correia fights on her home soil against Marion Reneau to round out the main card.

If you’re new here, our panel picks are listed below and listed alongside the fighter’s names are their worldwide FightMatrix rankings, as well as BestFightOdds.com betting odds. The panelist’s 2017 records is in parentheses, and we also have panel consensus picks as well as a line where we show how the betting favorites did:

  • Dave Meltzer (15-4; .789) — Wrestling Observer publisher
  • David Bixenspan (14-5; .737) — MMANews.com editor, Sherdog.com contributor, podcast host
  • Consensus Picks (14-5; .737)
  • Favorites (13-6; .684)
  • Mike Sempervive (13-6; .684) — Wrestling Observer Live and Big Audio Nightmare co-host
  • John Pollock (13-6; .684) — Fight Network analyst, Live Audio Wrestling co-host, MMA Report co-host
  • Mike Sawyer (12-7; .632) — Tough Talk MMA publisher
  • Steve Juon (12-7; .632) — MMA Mania writer, Angry Marks publisher
  • Ryan Frederick (10-9; .526) — WrestlingObserver.com UFC writer
  • Paul Fontaine (9-10; .474) — MMADraws.com publisher, WrestlingObserver.com writer
  • Josh Nason (9-10; .474) — Host of Josh Nason’s Punch Out, WrestlingObserver.com assistant editor
  • Front Row Brian (9-10; .474) — MMA newsbreaker, beloved internet personality, podcast host

> Vitor Belfort (25-13) vs Kelvin Gastelum (14-2)
MIDDLEWEIGHTS

The 39-year-old Belfort is a first ballot HOF’er and former two-time UFC champion, but is looking for his first win since 2015 after back-to-back losses to Jacare Souza and Gegard Mousasi. 

Standing across the cage will be a man 14 years his junior in Gastelum. He has struggled with weight-cutting issues at 170 lbs but since moving to middleweight, he’s looked great. He finished the very tough Tim Kennedy last time out, sending him into retirement. After hitting 10-0, he’s 3-2 in his last five with a two-fight win streak.

Belfort’s UFC title opportunites are far behind him, but with a win here, Gastelum could enter the conversation in what is becoming a very crowded group at the top of the middleweight division. At the very least, he would remain the “interesting fight” category.

  • Belfort (#9; +336 betting underdog): Fontaine
  • Gastelum (#10; -359 betting favorite) FRB, Juon, Frederick, Sempervive, Sawyer, Pollock, Nason, Bix, Meltzer

> Shogun Rua (24-10) vs Gian Villante (15-7)
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS

Another former UFC champion, Rua has a mediocre 8-8 UFC record but has faced only the top level of competition during his run in the Octagon. Even for people calling for his retirement the past few years, he is on a two-fight win streak for the first time since 2009 as he makes one final run in his legendary career.

His opponent is also on a good run, having won four of his last six. This will be the biggest fight of his career. His last three wins have all come by KO, something Rua will have to watch for given that his last two defeats came via T/KO.

  • Rua (#8; -137 betting favorite): FRB, Juon, Frederick, Sempervive, Sawyer, Fontaine, Pollock, Nason, Bix, Meltzer

> Edson Barboza (18-4) vs Beneil Dariush (14-2)
LIGHTWEIGHTS

Many experts are pointing to this as the fight to watch on this show. The 31-year-old Barboza beat former champions in each of his last two fights, scoring wins over both Anthony Pettis and Gilbert Melendez in 2016, and is 3-2 in his last five.

Dariush has lost just one of his last eight fights and scored an impressive win over top prospect Rashid Magomedov in November after a June KO over rising division foe James Vick.

Both of these two are dynamic fighters and this has “fight of the night” written all over it.

  • Barboza (#5; -142 betting favorite): Juon, Frederick, Sempervive, Sawyer, Fontaine, Pollock, Nason, Meltzer
  • Dariush (#9; +150 betting underdog): FRB, Bix

> Jussier Formiga (19-4) vs Ray Borg (10-2)
FLYWEIGHTS

If Barboza vs. Dariush doesn’t do it for you, this is the most relevant in terms of title contention of any fight on the show with two top flyweights vying to be the next in line to dethrone King Demetrious.

Formiga’s career goes all the way back to the WEC days. He’s won 4 of his last 5 fights, including a win over the next challenger to DJ in Wilson Reis. The 31-year-old is coming off a September decison win over Dustin Ortiz, rebounding from a split decision loss to title contender Henry Cejudo.

Borg has also won four of five and is just 23 years old. He beat Louis Smolka last time out, which was the biggest win of his career.  

  • Formiga (#5; +105 betting underdog): FRB, Juon, Frederick, Sempervive, Fontaine, Pollock, Nason, Bix, Meltzer
  • Borg (#11; -110 betting favorite): Sawyer

> Bethe Correia (10-2) vs Marion Reneau (7-3)
WOMEN’S BANTAMWEIGHTS

The 33-year-old Correia is most famous for her feud with Ronda Rousey’s “Four Horsewomen”, which culminated with a title challenge defeat to Rousey at UFC 190 in Brazil. The “Pitbull” returns to her native country to compete for the first time since that defeat and is 1-1 in her last two.

Reneau is 39 years, but started lates so is not that old in “fighting years”. Her 3rd round KO win over Milana Dudieva in November snapped a two-fight losing streak and may have saved her job. A win here could put her in the top 10.

  • Correia (#11; +105 betting underdog): FRB; Juon, Sempervive, Fontaine
  • Reneau (#21; -112 betting favorite): Frederick, Sawyer, Pollock, Nason, Bix, Meltzer

**********

The rest of the card:

> Tim Means (26-7-1) vs Alex Oliveira (16-4-1)
WELTERWEIGHTS

  • Means #23; -181 betting favorite
  • Oliveira #25; +205 betting underdog

> Francisco Trinaldo (21-4) vs Kevin Lee (14-2)
LIGHTWEIGHTS

  • Trinaldo #13; +153 betting underdog
  • Lee #20; -149 betting favorite

> Sergio Moraes (11-2-1) vs Davi Ramos (6-1)
WELTERWEIGHTS

  • Moraes #42; -211 betting favorite
  • Ramos #195 at lightweight; +215 betting underdog

> Joe Soto (17-5) vs Rani Yahya (23-8)
BANTAMWEIGHTS

  • Soto #38; +191 betting underdog
  • Yahya #14; -175 betting favorite

> Josh Burkman (28-14) vs Michel Prazeres (21-2)
LIGHTWEIGHTS

  • Burkman #94 at welterweight; -226 betting favorite
  • Prazeres #32; +241 betting underdog

> Rony Jason (14-6) vs Jeremy Kennedy (9-0)
FEATHERWEIGHTS

  • Jason #81; -102 betting underdog
  • Kennedy #123 at lightweight; -105 betting favorite

> Garreth McLellan (13-5) vs Paulo Henrique Costa (8-0)
MIDDLEWEIGHTS

  • McLellan #142; +252 betting underdog
  • Costa #96; -250 betting favorite

Action begins with the Fight Pass prelims at 7 PM EST and moves over to FS 1 at 8 PM EST. The main card continues on FS 1 at 10 PM EST, covered by our Ryan Frederick.

UFC 206 live results: Max Holloway vs. Anthony Pettis

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 206: Holloway vs. Pettis, eminating from the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The event is headlined by a battle for the Interim UFC Featherweight Championship as Max Holloway takes on former UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis. This bout is a replacement for the original main event, which was scheduled to be UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier defending against Anthony Johnson.

This fight will only be a title fight for Holloway after Pettis missed weight on Friday. If Pettis were to win, there would be no interim champion, so there is a lot on the line for Holloway. Holloway has put together one of the most impressive win streaks in the UFC, having won nine straight fights.

The co-main event is a potential barnburner in the welterweight division as Donald Cerrone looks to extend his three-fight win streak when he takes on Matt Brown. A featherweight bout between sluggers Cub Swanson and Doo Ho Choi, and a middleweight bout between Tim Kennedy and Kelvin Gastelum also highlight the main card.

Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6:30 PM eastern time with preliminary action all the way thru the main card.

Some additional coverage:
– UFC 206 Observer Panel Picks & Preview
– UFC 206 Betting & Fantasy Playbook

UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS | 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT

> Zach Makovsky (#7, 19-7, 3-3 UFC) vs. Dustin Ortiz (#10, 15-6, 4-4 UFC)
Flyweights

Ortiz got a couple of takedowns early but Makovsky was defending. Ortiz got back mount and was looking for a choke when Makovsky got out and reversed with a takedown of his own. They were grappling in a clinch with both landing some knees and elbows. Makovsky got a takedown late but Ortiz reversed into full guard on top as the round ended. 10-9 Ortiz in the first. Ortiz went back into grappling mode in the second and got a takedown and took the back of Makovsky. Ortiz was attacking with punches and elbows from the back and was looking to find a choke. Makovsky was able to scramble out to the feet. Makovsky got a late takedown but Ortiz scrambled out and landed some knees to the body. 10-9 Ortiz in the second and I had him up 20-18. Makovsky got a takedown in the third but Ortiz had the neck but Makovsky got free into the guard. Ortiz was able to get to his feet and was able to push the fight against the fence for a moment. Makovsky was able to defend some takedown attempts from Ortiz before Ortiz finally got him down and moved to mount and was landing some strikes. They got up and Ortiz drug it down for a moment late. Makovsky got a late takedown but Ortiz was able to scramble out onto top. I had the third 10-9 for Ortiz and Ortiz winning 30-27 overall. Ortiz got the decision, but one judge gave the fight to Makovsky. I wouldn’t agree with that at all, but the right guy won.

Official Result- Dustin Ortiz def. Zach Makovsky by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

> Jason Saggo (12-2, 3-1 UFC) vs. Rustam Khabilov (20-3, 6-2 UFC)
Lightweights- Khabilov missed weight, coming in at 158.5 pounds

Khabilov was on the attack early with punches and kicks but Saggo came back and landed some kicks before Khabilov landed two big right hands and scored a takedown. Khabilov spent the rest of the round in the guard but was mostly neutralized by Saggo in the guard. It was still a 10-9 round for Khabilov. Both were tentative on their feet landing kicks before Saggo landed a jumping kick. Khabilov was being patient on the feet and found the takedown with less than two minutes to go in the round. Saggo was able to get to his feet but started eating a lot of huge strikes from Khabilov. He had Saggo in trouble late but Saggo escaped. Khabilov was able to reverse a Saggo takedown attempt at the end of the round. A 10-9 round for Khabilov, and I had him up 20-18. They were trading strikes early in the third. Khabilov got a takedown into the guard of Saggo. Khabilov landed a lot from the top. They got up and Khabilov got another takedown. Saggo almost reversed to an armbar but Khabilov escaped to the guard. Khabilov got a third takedown in the round late. That was definitely a 10-9 round for Khabilov and I had him winning a clear 30-27 decision. He took the decision on all the scorecards, and Khabilov called out Kevin Lee in his post-fight interview.

Official Result- Rustam Khabilov def. Jason Saggo by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> John Makdessi (14-5, 7-5 UFC) vs. Lando Vannata (8-1, 0-1 UFC)
Lightweights

They were trading back-and-forth early. No real openings were there but Vannata was the aggressor. Makdessi was landing jabs. Out of nowhere Vannata knocked Makdessi out cold with a spinning wheel kick! A highlight reel finish and a big knockout win for Vannata. One of the best knockouts of the year. Vannata may be a lot richer at the end of the night.

Official Result- Lando Vannata def. John Makdessi by knockout (head kick) at 1:40 of Round 1

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> Mitch Gagnon (12-3, 4-2 UFC) vs. Matthew Lopez (8-1, 0-1 UFC)
Bantamweights

Lopez got a takedown stuffed early. Gagnon then rocked Lopez with a big punch and swarmed on looking for the finish. Gagnon had Lopez in a lot of trouble landing punch after punch. Gagnon had the back and looked to lock in a choke but Lopez was able to defend and scrambled to guard. Lopez amazingly recovered but the fight should have been stopped. They got up and both men dropped looking for leg locks. Lopez survived the round but clearly 10-9 for Gagnon. Gagnon went for a takedown in the second but Lopez reversed into full guard. Gagnon was able to scramble out but Lopez drug him to the ground and was looking for a choke from the back. Lopez got into mount but Gagnon got back up. Lopez got another takedown late. 10-9 round for Lopez and I have it even 19-19, but Gagnon could’ve gotten a 10-8 first. Gagnon landed a low blow at the start of the third. Lopez recovered and then got a takedown and was grinding from the top. Gagnon was able to get to his feet. Lopez scored another big takedown. Lopez landed quite a few punches from the back. Lopez went for a choke but the fight ended without him finding it. 10-9 third round for Lopez and I have him winning 29-28. It’ll come down to how the first round is scored. Lopez won on all scorecards. Interestingly, no judge gave a 10-8 round in the first for Gagnon, but one judge had a 10-8 round for Lopez, likely the third.

Official Result- Matthew Lopez def. Mitch Gagnon by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)

> Valerie Letourneau (#9, 8-5, 3-2 UFC) vs. Viviane Pereira (11-0, 0-0 UFC)
Women’s Strawweights- *Letourneau missed weight, coming in at 117.5 pounds

Letourneau caught a leg and scored a takedown and was in the mount against the fence. Letourneau landing punches from the top. Pereira was able to get back to her feet. Pereira had Letourneau against the fence and was trying a takedown but Letourneau is just too big for her. Pereira just holding the clinch and Letourneau lands some knees. 10-9 opening round for Letourneau. They were trading in the second round. Pereira standing a lot on the outside and Letourneau being the more aggressive fighter. Pereira got a takedown off the clinch against the fence. Pereira landed some hammerfists and then let Letourneau back up. 10-9 second round for Pereira, 19-19 after two. They were trading in the third with neither getting the edge. A very slow third round. They got in a clinch and neither got the edge. They traded at the end. No clear round winner in the third. I’m giving it 10-9 to Letourneau for volume, and have it 29-28 Letourneau. Pereira took the fight on two scorecards. Not a bad call as neither did anything in that third round, or in most of the fight.

Official Result- Viviane Pereira def. Valerie Letourneau by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

> Olivier Aubin-Mercier (8-2, 4-2 UFC) vs. Drew Dober (17-7 1 NC, 3-3 1 NC UFC)
Lightweights

They were trading earlier and Aubin-Mercier dropped Dober with a left hand briefly. Dober was bleeding heavily from the nose. Aubin-Mercier was landing the jab at will and tagged Dober with a left hand and then dropped him for a moment with a body punch. Dober slipped on a kick. Dober cracked him late with a left hand and another. 10-9 round for Aubin-Mercier. Dober dropped Aubin-Mercier with a left hand and went right into the full guard. Aubin-Mercier grabbed a leg lock and used it to sweep Dober and he ended up into the full guard of Dober. Aubin-Mercier transitioned to the back and was able to get the arm under Dober’s neck and locked in a rear-naked choke. Dober tapped out and Aubin-Mercier gets the win by submission! First win for a Canadian fighter tonight. 

Official Result- Olivier Aubin-Mercier def. Drew Dober by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:57 of Round 2

> Nikita Krylov (#8, 20-4, 5-2 UFC) vs. Misha Cirkunov (#13, 12-2, 3-0 UFC)
Light Heavyweights

They were trading with Krylov landing primarily kicks and Cirkunov punches. Cirkunov got a takedown. Krylov got to his feet. Krylov landed a body kick followed by a right hand. Cirkunov got another takedown but Krylov scrambled up and got a takedown of his own. Cirkunov swept to the top but they scrambled up. Cirkunov landed a big left hand and got another brief takedown. Cirkunov dropped Krylov with a left hand and locked in a deep guillotine and Krylov tapped! Cirkunov with the submission win in the first! That’s eight straight wins overall for Cirkunov, four straight in the UFC. Cirkunov expressed a desire to fight Shogun Rua in his post-fight interview.

Official Result- Misha Cirkunov def. Nikita Krylov by submission (guillotine choke) at 4:38 of Round 2

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> Jordan Mein (29-10, 3-2 UFC) vs. Emil Meek (8-2-1 1 NC, 0-0 UFC)
Welterweights

Mein is back from retirement. They traded leg kicks and Mein got a takedown but Meek got right back up. Meek landed a big leg kick and Mein countered with a takedown. They scrambled to their feet. Meek started landing punches that stunned Mein. They traded punches and Mein landed a big right hand. Mein landed two kicks then a left hand and got a takedown. Meek made a grimace and pointed to his ribs. They got up and started trading. Meek hurt Mein with a right hand. Fun first round. 10-9 Mein. Mein landing leg kicks in the second but Meek is coming back with a flurry of punches. Meek scored a takedown. Meek working from half-guard as Mein is doing nothing on the bottom. Meek looking for an arm-triangle in the mount. He had it in but Mein hip escaped. Meek landing punches from the top as the round ended. 10-9 Meek in the second, 19-19 so far. They traded early in the third and Meek pushed Mein against the fence. Meek got a takedown. The pace really slowed. Meek remaining on top and neither doing much. The crowd booing the slow pace of the round. Meek with more punches from the top. Mein tried a kimura but couldn’t get it as the fight ends. 10-9 Meek and I have it 29-28 Meek. All three judges had it the same.

Official Result- Emi Meek def. Jordan Mein by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Tim Kennedy (#10, 18-5, 3-1 UFC) vs. Kelvin Gastelum (#8 WW, 12-2, 7-2 UFC)
Middleweights

The first round was mostly all Kennedy as he took Gastelum down multiple times and was wearing him down with a body lock. Gastelum was able to escaped and tagged Kennedy a couple of times and Kennedy had a swollen right eye, and Gastelum rocked him late. I think he stole it at the end so I had it 10-9 Gastelum.

Kennedy tried to put this fight back to a grind in the second with a body lock but Gastelum escaped and was getting the better of the striking battle. Gastelum definitely had a speed edge on the feet and Kennedy started to show signs of gassing as the round wore on. 10-9 round for Gastelum and I had him up 20-18.

Gastelum was picking Kennedy apart on the feet early in the third round and had him close to being finished. He continued to tee off and dropped Kennedy and finally finished it in the third as John McCarthy stepped in. A big win for Gastelum and he looked very good in this fight. He expressed his desire to go back to 170 pounds after the fight. He looked great here so that might not be the right move.

Official Result- Kelvin Gastelum def. Tim Kennedy by TKO (punches) at 2:45 of Round 3

> Cub Swanson (#4, 23-7, 8-3 UFC) vs. Doo Ho Choi (#11, 15-1, 3-0 UFC)
Featherweights

They were going back-and-forth on their feet with both men landing hard punches. The output was more Swanson but Choi was connecting more and landing with more power and he had some real snap on his punches. All action on the feet in the first round. I had it 10-9 Choi.

The second round was so awesome. They were throwing punches back and forth and both men had the other close to being finished. They were just cracking each other in an amazing sequence. Swanson changed the pace for a moment but they got back up and were cracking each other with punches again. At one point, Swanson landed a cartwheel kick and a spinning back fist in back-to-back sequences. They both somehow survived. One of the best rounds of the year. I had it 10-9 Swanson, 19-19 after two.

The third round was nuts as well. They were just hitting each other with everything they had. Swanson cracked Choi with so many punches it was unreal how his chin held up. Both men were just hitting each other so hard. Swanson had Choi in trouble a lot but Choi was unreal in survivng. It was another amazing round. Swanson dropped him at the end. We have a late front runner for fight of the year. I had round three 10-9 for Swanson and the fight 29-28 for Swanson.

The crowd went crazy after the fight. All three judges had the fight for Swanson. He credited Choi for calling him out and making him question himself and said he trained hard for the fight. Choi- “If this is what losing feels like, I’m going to train even more, and I’m not going to lose again.” He said he is a huge fan of Swanson and really wanted to fight him.

Official Result- Cub Swanson def. Doo Ho Choi by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Donald Cerrone (#5, #10 LW, 31-7 1 NC, 18-4 UFC) vs. Matt Brown (#14, 20-15, 13-9 UFC)
Welterweights

The first round mostly stayed standing and they were cracking each other, but Cerrone had more volume and had Brown in trouble. Brown did land some big punches and had Cerrone in a triangle choke at one point, but Cerrone escaped. Brown came on better at the end of the round. I had it 10-9 for Cerrone.

They were trading and Brown dropped Cerrone at one point and had him in trouble. Cerrone then ended up dropping Brown a few moments later. Both were landing, but as the round wore on, it looked like Cerrone’s punches were doing more damage and had Brown in more trouble.. Brown’s face was a bloody mess in this round. It was close, but I had it 10-9 for Cerrone based on damage. I had it 20-18 Cerrone.

They hugged at the start of the third round, but it didn’t last much longer after that. Cerrone landed a perfectly placed head kick and Brown went out cold! A highlight-reel knockout win for Cerrone! Cerrone said he wanted on the Denver card on January 28 in his post-fight interview.

Official Result- Donald Cerrone def. Matt Brown by knockout (head kick) at :34 of Round 3

> Max Holloway (#2, 16-3, 12-3 UFC) vs. Anthony Pettis (#5, 19-5, 6-4 UFC)
Interim UFC Featherweight Championship for Holloway, Pettis missed weight, coming in at 148 pounds

The first round was a lot of a feeling out process. Holloway was leaving himself wide open and Pettis was able to strike accordingly with side kicks and high kicks. Holloway started to find his strikes late and was landing clean and hard strikes as the round progressed. It started going his way at the end. I had it 10-9 for Holloway.

Holloway knocked Pettis down early in the second and Pettis got up and was starting to be more aggressive, likely sensing he was down in the fight. He kept closing in on Holloway, but that allowed Holloway to attack the body. Holloway was getting the better of the exchanges so Pettis tried to turn this into a clinch grind but the round ended before he could get anything going. I had round two 10-9 for Holloway, and him up 20-18.

As we start round three, it appears Pettis has a broken hand. It clearly has affected his gameplan as he stopped throwing his right hand and was mostly going for kicks. Holloway was executing his offense very well, mixing his striking with some well-timed trip takedowns. Pettis did hurt him with some jabs but that seems to be his main course of offense. Holloway then landed a beautiful sequence to the body that stunned and dropped Pettis and Holloway poured on the punches until Yves Lavigne stepped in and stopped it. A big finish by Holloway and he is now the Interim UFC Featherweight Champion.

Holloway called out Jose Aldo to unify the championships at UFC 208 in Brooklyn in February. Pettis said he broke his right hand with the first punch, and said he was going back to 155 pounds as the weight cut to 145 pounds is too much for him.

Official Result- Max Holloway def. Anthony Pettis by TKO (strikes) at 4:50 of Round 3

UFC 206 Betting & Fantasy Playbook

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Here’s some advice for your gambling and fantasy needs for Saturday’s UFC 206 event in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, headlined by Max Holloway taking on Anthony Pettis for the Interim UFC Featherweight Championship on pay-per-view.

MAIN CARD

Interim UFC Featherweight Championship- Max Holloway (16-3) vs. Anthony Pettis (19-5)

Betting Odds: Holloway (-210), Pettis (+175)
DraftKings Salaries: Holloway- $8,800, Pettis- $7,400
Key Statistic: Pettis has never been finished in his career
Analysis: This is a very interesting and high-level fight for the interim championship at 145 pounds. Holloway is on fire, having won nine straight fights, but he fights the toughest opponent he has had since that streak began in Pettis. Pettis is a man who has never been finished in his career, extremely durable and ultra flashy. He presents a different style that Holloway hasn’t seen in those nine fights. Holloway has to be prepared for an opponent who will look to finish him in any possible way. Holloway is a pressure fighter whereas Pettis is someone who is patient in looking for openings. Holloway is much improved over his young career, and he throws a lot of volume on his feet. Pettis may try and take this fight to the mat and Holloway has been submitted in his career. This is really a close fight. With it being so close, a bet on Pettis isn’t a bad move at all. Holloway is significantly higher in fantasy salaries, and I don’t see him finishing Pettis, which limits his value. However, this fight will go 25 minutes if Holloway is ahead, and volume adds up. Both men are good fantasy plays as Pettis can score the finish.

Donald Cerrone (31-7 1 NC) vs. Matt Brown (20-15)

Betting Odds: Cerrone (-290), Brown (+245)
DraftKings Salaries: Cerrone- $9,300, Brown- $6,900
Key Statistic: Cerrone with 16 career wins by submission
Analysis: Cerrone and Brown are ready to throw down in a welterweight slugfest serving as the co-main event on Saturday. Cerrone has been on a tear since moving up to 170 pounds, winning three straight to become a bonafide contender. Brown needs a win badly in this one, but it is a tall order. As exciting as Cerrone is in fights, he is also very smart and calculated, and his best shot at winning is actually getting the mat to the ground. Cerrone has won 16 fights by submission, while Brown has been submitted ten times in his career. Cerrone is better on the feet, but Brown is good at applying pressure, and Brown will have a size edge over him. Cerrone is just too technically good for Brown, and I see a submission win for him. Cerrone has the highest salary value on this card, and is the biggest betting favorite. He is a good play for both.

Cub Swanson (23-7) vs. Doo Ho Choi (15-1)

Betting Odds: Swanson (+190), Choi (-230)
DraftKings Salaries: Swanson- $7,300, Choi- $8,900
Key Statistic: Choi has 12 wins by knockout
Analysis: Swanson is a big-time veteran of the sport, with 12 years of experience at just 33-years-old. Choi is a super prospect at 25-years-old and winner of 13 straight fights. Choi has three wins in the UFC, all by knockout in the first round. This is his toughest test. Swanson is quick on his feet but tends to keep his hands low, and Choi is an excellent counterpuncher with tremendous power. He is also good enough of a defensive wrestler that he will be able to negate any level changes that Swanson comes at him with. Swanson has only been knocked out once in his career, but he does have a lot of mileage on him. If there is a fighter who is going to be the next to finish him on the feet, Choi is the perfect candidate. I like Choi a lot in this fight. However, with all of that being said, Swanson holds some real value at $7,300 in fantasy as he is Choi’s toughest fight yet, and there is always that potential for upsets by veterans.

Tim Kennedy (18-5) vs. Kelvin Gastelum (13-2)

Betting Odds: Kennedy (-135), Gastelum (+115)
DraftKings Salaries: Kennedy- $8,300, Gastelum- $7,900
Key Statistic: Kennedy hasn’t fought since September 2014
Analysis: Kennedy welcomes Gastelum back to 185 pounds in his first fight in over 26 months. Kennedy is a strong middleweight, and Gastelum is going to be giving up some size. Kennedy has power and is a great wrestler, though Gastelum is a solid wrestler himself. Gastelum is a southpaw, and he might have a slight edge on the feet, but Kennedy is a pressure fighter who isn’t afraid to turn a fight into a grind. He is an excellent grappler who knows how to keep opponents on the mat, and he is adept at winning scrambles. This might not be a crowd-pleasing fight, but I’m picking Kennedy to win it by decision. They’re close on the betting odds, so you can make some money on this fight. I’m not sure if I would favor either in fantasy line-ups as I don’t expect a finish here. Kennedy would be the play there, though, with his ability to score takedowns, which rack up points.

Jordan Mein (29-10) vs. Emil Meek (8-2 1 NC)

Betting Odds: Mein (-155), Meek (+135)
DraftKings Salaries: Mein- $9,000, Meek- $7,200
Key Statistic: Mein coming out of retirement to fight for first time since January 2015
Analysis: Mein makes his return to competition as he welcomes the debuting Meek. It’s a tough first fight coming out of retirement for Mein, who is still young at 27, but will be fighting for the 40th time. Mein is a skilled striker with good power, with 16 knockout wins. He has also been finished seven times in his career. Meek has killer instinct as all of his wins have come by a finish, and he has ultra power in his hands, and he is a better grappler. Mein has stayed training during his retirement, but ring rust is hard to shake off. He is the more talented fighter, and that might be enough to get him the win. Meek is an excellent play in fantasy at a $7,200 salary. You’d be foolish to not consider him.

PRELIMS

Nikita Krylov (21-4) vs. Misha Cirkunov (12-2)

Betting Odds: Krylov (+100), Cirkunov (-120)
DraftKings Salaries: Krylov- $8,100, Cirkunov- $8,100
Key Statistic: Krylov has never been the distance in his career
Analysis: This is a rare fight between two prospects at 205 pounds, and it’ll determine which one is closer to title contention. Both men are big light heavyweights. Krylov is a proven finisher, having won all 21 of his fights by finish. He also has been finished in all four of his losses. Cirkunov has ten wins by finish, and has been submitted in both of his losses. Krylov is a better striker while Cirkunov is a better wrestler. This is a dead-even fight, both in betting odds and fantasy value. Krylov is the better bet to score a finish, and he would be the fantasy play in this one.

Olivier Aubin-Mercier (8-2) vs. Drew Dober (17-7 1 NC)

Betting Odds: Aubin-Mercier (-170), Dober (+150)
DraftKings Salaries: Aubin-Mercier- $8,200, Dober- $8,000
Key Statistic: Aubin-Mercier averages just under three takedowns per fight
Analysis: Two southpaws match up in an interesting bout at 155 pounds. Aubin-Mercier is big and athletic for the weight class and is a strong takedown artist. Dober is more technical on his feet, but he has an underrated submission game. Aubin-Mercier has to work his takedown game as Dober will make him pay on the feet, especially with counters. Aubin-Mercier is just a slightly better fighter, and he has seven wins by submission. I feel like he is getting his eighth, and is a good fantasy play. I would avoid Dober at his salary.

Valerie Letourneau (8-5) vs. Viviane Pereira (12-0)

Betting Odds: Letourneau (-175), Pereira (+155)
DraftKings Salaries: Letourneau- $8,400, Pereira- $7,800
Key Statistic: Letourneau has a 7-inch height advantage
Analysis: Pereira makes her UFC debut boasting an undefeated record, but gets a former title challenger in Letourneau. Letourneau is going to have a huge size advantage, with seven inches in height, five inches in reach, and she cuts a lot of weight to make 115 pounds. She is the better striker of the two. Pereira is going to have to hope for a takedown and some time from the top. I think Letourneau will be able to keep it standing and take a decision. Neither fighter is a recommended fantasy play in your line-ups.

Mitch Gagnon (12-3) vs. Matthew Lopez (8-1)

Betting Odds: Gagnon (-155), Lopez (+135)
DraftKings Salaries: Gagnon- $8,600, Lopez- $7,600
Key Statistic: Gagnon has eleven wins by submission
Analysis: Gagnon returns after being out of action for almost two years. Lopez looks to rebound from his first career loss suffered in his UFC debut. Gagnon is quick on his feet but lacks the true power that Lopez holds. Gagnon is the better takedown artist, and he is more adept at finding submissions. Lopez has seven wins by finish, all in the first round, so he is dangerous. Gagnon has eleven submission wins, ten of which came in the first round. This will be explosive. Lopez is a good value play in fantasy contests at a modest $7,600 salary.

John Makdessi (14-5) vs. Lando Vannata (8-1)

Betting Odds: Makdessi (+160), Vannata (-185)
DraftKings Salaries: Makdessi- $7,500, Vannata- $8,500
Key Statistic: Both men land over five significant strikes per minute
Analysis: This will be a high-volume action fight. Makdessi has probably peaked as a fighter as he fights the same fight offensively and defensively in his recent fights. Vannata has taken notice of that, and he himself is an excellent lightweight prospect. As good as Makdessi has looked, this feels like a fight to get Vannata a win. Makdessi can be tricky on his feet, but Vannata has more tricks of his own, and has a good grappling game to back him up. He is more powerful, more athletic, and better overall, and this feels like a lock for him to win. He is a good bet and a great fantasy play as I see him getting a finish.

Jason Saggo (12-2) vs. Rustam Khabilov (20-3)

Betting Odds: Saggo (+170), Khabilov (-200)
DraftKings Salaries: Saggo- $7,100, Khabilov- $9,100
Key Statistic: Khabilov has 28 takedowns in UFC competition
Analysis: Saggo is a potent striker but he has a huge test in front of him in the form of Khabilov, one of the most-gifted takedown artists at 155 pounds. Khabilov averages over four takedowns per 15 minutes, and we know that will be coming. He is also solid on his feet. The biggest knock on Khabilov is his ability to be completely inactive in fights. It could cost him and Saggo is a decent underdog pick. If he doesn’t give away rounds, Khabilov is a safe bet to win the fight. I’m not sure how valuable he will be in fantasy contests, as while takedowns score a lot of points, he isn’t a guaranteed finish, something his $9,100 salary will need.

Zach Makovsky (19-7) vs. Dustin Ortiz (15-6)

Betting Odds: Makovsky (-160), Ortiz (+140)
DraftKings Salaries: Makovsky- $8,500, Ortiz- $7,700
Key Statistic: Ortiz has never been finished in his career
Analysis: These guys are mirror images, and this should be a technical flyweight fight to open the action on Saturday. It could also become a very boring fight. Ortiz has never been finished in his career, and I don’t expect that to change on Saturday. Makovsky is a more skilled wrestler, and Ortiz may just be a tad better on the feet. Neither man will likely take a lot of chances, but both could be fighting for their roster spot. I would pick Makovsky to win this fight by a decision. I wouldn’t play either in fantasy contests, but if I had to, Ortiz has better value at a $7,700 salary.