First, it was Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson for a version of the UFC lightweight title. Then, it was Nurmagomedov vs. UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway for a version of the UFC lightweight title when Ferguson tore up his knee last week.
Now, following the New York State Athletic Commission pulling Holloway this morning due to medical reasons related to his weight cut, it will be Nurmagomedov vs. Al Iaquinta in the main event of UFC 223 for the “official” UFC lightweight title.
Got all that?
The fight was confirmed late-Friday afternoon after chaos ensued this morning when the commission announced Holloway wouldn’t be allowed to weigh in or compete. Three men on the card: Anthony Pettis, Al Iaquinta, and Paul Felder were all under consideration. Pettis found himself free when Michael Chiesa was removed due to cuts suffered when Conor McGregor threw a metal dolly through a window of a van he was sitting in Thursday.
Pettis was the front runner for the spot, but he weighed in .2 pounds over the 155 pound limit and then with two hours to make the weight, the commission pulled the scales for an unknown reason.
Paul Felder was also interested in the fight, but because he is unranked in the UFC’s flawed ranking system, the commission wouldn’t allow that to move forward. This was the same state commission that allowed McGregor to fight for the lightweight title at Madison Square Garden despite being unranked at lightweight.
That left New Yorker Iaquinta who weighed for his fight with Felder at 155.2 pounds, but the UFC decided to move forward with his as opposed to Pettis. However, because he “missed” championship weight, only Nurmagomedov can win the UFC lightweight title Saturday.
However, Dana White said at a Friday press conference that the commission weighed the trunks and they’re at .2 pounds so it’s a championship fight. White alluded to the fact that Iaquinta would be considered the champion if he wins, but did so in a way that opened up more questions about that process and how the commission plays into it.
The remaining question is exactly what version of the lightweight title is on the line for Nurmagomedov as McGregor has yet to officially be stripped of the title he has never defended. That might be clarified at a UFC media event scheduled for later tonight, but in the press release linked above, they call it “the official UFC lightweight title.”
On a Boston sports radio show Wednesday morning, Dana White said that interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov is a go for UFC 223 in Brooklyn, NY, on April 7th.
On the Toucher & Rich show, White was asked about lightweight champion Conor McGregor’s plans, but didn’t have any update other than that he couldn’t “hold the division hostage” if he wasn’t going to fight.
White didn’t clarify whether the fight would be for the interim title or if it would be for the title that would need to be stripped from McGregor first.
The two were scheduled to fight three times with injuries and bad weight cuts canceling the fight every time, most recently at UFC 209 in March.
White put over Nurmagomedov quite a bit, saying that a fight between he and McGregor would be big in the U.S. and in Russia, they couldn’t find a stadium big enough to hold it.
He also said he isn’t interested in a Floyd Mayweather-McGregor boxing rematch but would love to do it in the Octagon. However, he doesn’t believe the amount of money it would take to make the fight, especially given he’s not an MMA fighter, would be worth it to Mayweather.
White discussed his plans for the next few days in Boston, his relationship with the local sports team owners, and addressed some of Stipe Miocic’s comments about how he feels the UFC wants him to lose.
The Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson fight scheduled for tomorrow night in Las Vegas, one of the most anticipated fights of the early part of 2017, is off due to weight cutting issues with Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov was hospitalized in Las Vegas while cutting weight and had until 11 a.m. local time to get on the scales and weigh-in. Doctors wouldn’t allow him to fight and he failed to weigh-in. Given the procedure of putting someone on fluids when issues are with dehydration, it makes it almost impossible in those situations for the fighter to be able to make weight.
All other fights on the show are official. At this moment, it is not clear which undercard fight will be moved to the PPV.
Nurmagomedov vs. Ferguson was scheduled as a five-round fight for the interim lightweight title, with a shot at Conor McGregor at least in theory going to the winner. It was the number two bout for UFC 209, behind the Tyron Woodley vs. Stephen Thompson main event for the welterweight title.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 205: Alvarez vs. McGregor, eminating from Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.
This is the much anticipated debut of the UFC in New York, and they are bringing the most stacked card in company history for the Octagon’s first visit to famed Madison Square Garden, capping off a night of action with the biggest draw in company history looking to make history.
In the main event, UFC Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor looks to become the first fighter to hold championships in two divisions at the same time as he challenges Eddie Alvarez for the UFC Lightweight Championship. McGregor is coming off two high-profile fights with Nate Diaz while Alvarez makes his first title defense after knocking out Rafael Dos Anjos in July.
In addition, there are two other championship bouts. UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley makes his first title defense against top contender, Stephen Thompson, winner of seven straight fights. Woodley knocked out Robbie Lawler to win the title at UFC 201 in July, while Thompson is getting his title shot on the heels of a dominant win over Rory MacDonald.
UFC Strawweight Champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk makes her fourth title defense against fellow Polish strawweight, Karolina Kowalkiewicz, in the third title fight on the card. Jedrzejczyk last fought in July, successfully defending against Claudia Gadelha, while Kowalkiewicz is coming off a decision win over Rose Namajunas in July. Both women are undefeated in their professional careers, but Jedrzejczyk holds a win over Kowalkiewicz in an amateur bout.
The main card also has a middleweight bout as former champion Chris Weidman takes on Yoel Romero, and Miesha Tate battles Raquel Pennington in women’s bantamweight action. The most stacked prelims of all-time includes featherweights Frankie Edgar and Jeremy Stephens doing battle as well as top lightweight contender Khabib Nurmagomedov taking on Michael Johnson.
We’re looking for your thoughts on the show, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbe in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 7 PM eastern time with preliminary action all the way thru the main card.
We are looking for your thoughts on the event so leave your thumbs up, thumbs in the middle, or thumbs down along with a best and worst fight to [email protected].
The place is fairly empty at this point. More than a Las Vegas crowd but not like a lot of first-time markets. Carmouche is ripped, more than most of the guys.
First round: Carmouche with low kicks. Chookagian landed a right., Carmouche back with a right. Carmouche with a low kick and a right and a takedown. Carmouche is in side control Chookagian back up with minimal damage. Carmouche trying for another takedown. Carmouche has her against the fence. High slam by Carmouche with 1:05 left. Carmouche is just holding her down. Fans chanting Ole for no reason. Carmouche with some short elbows. Carmouche 10-9
Second round: Carmouche has her and trying to throw her. Both landed knees. Chookagian broke the clinch. Chookagian with a low kick. Carmouche took her down with a back suplex. She moved to side control. Carmouche with short elbows. Chookagian regained guard and wants a triangle. Carmouche with some short punches. The crowd is starting to boo them. Carmouche is staying busy but they could stand them up. Chookagaian up. Knee by Chookagian. Left by Chookagian. Chookagian whiffed on a combo. Right by Chookagian landed. Low kick by Chookagian. Carmouche’s round 20-18.
Third round: Chookagian dropped her with a great head kick. Carmouche back up. The crowd exploded. Knee by Chookagian. Carmouche going for a takedown. Chookagian momentarily got behind her but Carmouche turned her into the fence. Knee by Carmouche. Chookagian landed a combo. Big right by Chokagian. Chookagian landed solid punches now. Carmouche is bleeding from the nose. Carmouche took her down which drew a groan from the crowd. Carmouche is holding her down. Chookagian up and Carmouche threw a knee. Chookagian broke free. Head kick by Chookagian. Low kick by Carmouche. Chookagian in with punches. Low kick by Carmouche. Good right by Chookagian. Carmouche shot for a takedown but doesn’t have it. But she’s taking seconds off the clock. Chookagian’s round but Carmouche should win 29-28.
> Jim Miller (27-8 1 NC, 16-7 1 NC UFC) vs. Thiago Alves (21-10, 13-6 UFC)
Catch weight of 162.5
Alves missed weight by 6.5 pounds.
First round: Knee by Alves. Miller with a left. Miller in with an uppercut. Miller landed a punch and took Alves down off a kick. Miller is working to get his back. Alves scrambled up. Left kick to the body by Miller. Both landing now with Alves landing a good knee. Right by Alves and head kick by Alves. Alves came on strong at the end but 10-9 Miller.
Second round: Body kick by Alves. Body kick by Alves. He tried another and Miller tried to take him down off it. Alves defended the takedown. Miller with a blast double leg takedown. Miller cradled him on the ground. Miller is keeping him down. There was a USA chant. Miller landed a few punches as Alves got up. Miller with a left. Alves with a right. Body kick by Alves. Punch and knee by Alves. Alves missed a spinning backfist. Alves landed the backfist. Miller is bleeding. Close round. 20-18 Miller.
Third round: Body kick by Alves. Mller slipped. Alves landing punches and a body kick. Both swinging. Miller hit the blast double again. That could clinch him the fight. Alves back up. Alves with a body kcik. Miller got another takedown. Miller got his back. Alves almost got up but Miller wrestled him back down. Miller tried a guillotine and Alves slipped out and on top. Alves landed some elbows and punches from the top as the round ended. Another close round. Miller 30-27.
Scores: 30-27, 29-28 and 30-27 for Miller
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> Vicente Luque (10-5-1, 3-1 UFC) vs. Belal Muhammad (10-1, 1-1 UFC) Welterweights
First round: Luque dropped him with a left hook and landed a few brutal shots on the ground before it was stopped. 1:19′
Luque said he dropped 30 pounds for the fight.
> Rafael Natal (#14, 21-7-1, 9-5-1 UFC) vs. Tim Boetsch (19-10, 10-9 UFC) Middleweights
First round: Boetsch landed a right as Natal went for a takedown. Boetsch is the one moving forward. Natal missed a spinning backfist. Trading punches and Boetsch got the better of it. Body kick by Natal. Boetsch dropped him with a right hook that knocked Natal flying and finished him on the ground. It was weird. It was like Natal wasn’t himself at all. 3:22
Boetsch credited the win to the Irish Hand Grenade Marcus Davis for the win. Joe Rogan and Boetch said the first punch early shook up Natal and he was tentative from there.
> Khabib Nurmagomedov (#2, 23-0, 7-0 UFC) vs. Michael Johnson (#6, 17-10, 9-6 UFC) Lightweights
First round: Johnson throwing early. He landed a nice left. He’s landing good punches on Khabib. He’s got Khabib hurt now. Johnson landed a hard left. Johnson blocked the takedown attempt. But Khabib powered him down into side control USA chants Khabib with lefts. Now he’s dropping elbows and throwing hard punches on the ground. Khabib dropping more elbows. Big punches by Khabib. He’s got his back and throwing more punches. Khabib 10-9. The crowd went nuts giving both a standing ovation after the round.
Second round: Johnson landed a left. Left to the body by Johnson. Khabib landing punches now and tied him up. Johnson got away from the takedown attempt. Johnson blocked another takedown,. Knee and punch and Johnson sprawled. Johnson going for a guillotine but Khabib popped out and is on top. Khabib immediately passed to side control and throwing punches. He’s got a crucifox position on Johnson and punching. More punches by Khabib. Khabib with hard lefts from the top. Now Khabib has back position and is throwing a ton of punches. More punches from side position. Now he’s throwing hard rights. 10-8 Khabib’s round so 20-17 after two.
Third round: USA chant to start the round. Both throwing punches. Khabib took him down again. The crowd booed. Khabib is landing punches again from that position. Khabib is trying for a finish with punches but Johnson can take his shots. Johnson tried to kick off the cage to reverse. Now Khabib is working for a Kimura and got the tap. Very interesting because his win was more dominant than Ferguson but Ferguson is a more entertaining fighter 2:31
Khabib said I want to stay humble but I have to talk. I show the crazy power the UFC PR is. He cut a promo on Conor and the crowd stared to boo him. He wanted to face the Irish chicken, said
Irish only six million, Russia 150 million. He then talked Russian. He got great heat. The crowd hated him. He said Joe Rogan knows MMA for 20 years and asked Rogan if he desreved a title shot. Rogan said he deserved it which the crowd didh’t like.
> Frankie Edgar (#2, 20-5-1, 14-5-1 UFC) vs. Jeremy Stephens (#7, 25-12, 12-11 UFC) Featherweights
First round: Edgar got the biggest pop so far. The place is pretty packed now, I’d say 90-95%. Stephens looks 15 pounds heavier in the cage. Edgar tried a takedown and Stephens sprawled. Low kick by Stephens. Edgar moved in for a takedown but Stephens disengaged. Body kick by Edgar. Knee by Stephens. Low kick by Stephens. Edgar with a two punch combo. Let’s Go Frankie chant pretty loud. Edgar with a front headlock and throwing knees. He’s working for the takedown and not getting it. Edgar slammed him but Stephens right baacck up. Edgar slammed him again but Stephens up. Stephens poked Edgar in the eye and a time out was called. Stephens with punches. Edgar 10-9 but closer than you’d think.
Second round: Stephens complained of a low blow. Edgar with a right. Jumping kick by Stephens. Body kick by Edgar. Low kick by Edgar. Edgar got a momentary takedown . He got a back slam takedown. Stephens right back up again. Edgar in with punches. Good right by Edgar. Edgar with punches. Stephens with a great kick to the chin and Edgar went down. Edgar is hurt. Stephens with a right. Stephens going for the finish. Another right by Stephens. Stephens with a left. Hard left by Stephens. Let’s go Frankie chants. Stephens with a right. Edgar back with a combo, and got the takedown and got a guillotine. Stephens out of it. What a great round. Edgar on top. Loud Frankie chants. He’s going for the guillotine again. Edgar landed punches from the top late. 10-9 Stephens for 19-19 after two. Standing ovation for the round.
Third round: Let’s go Frankie chants. Stephens threw a kick and Edgar used it to take him down. Stephens working for a Kimura but Edgar out of trouble. Edgar elbowing the ribs. Edgar staying on top. Edgar trying to work for a choke. Edgar with a back suplex slam. Edgar is behind him working for a choke again. Stephens up with 2:13 left. Big right by Stephens. Edgar went for a takedown and couldn’t get it. Edgar with a left. Edgar with a right. Uppercut by Stephens. Both throwing and Stephens landed some good shots and Edgar back as the fight ended. Edgar 29-28. The crowd gave them a standing ovation again.
First round: Tate didn’t get nearly the reaction she usually gets. Tate with a right. Pennnington landing jabs. Pennington hurting her with punches. Rocky chant. Tate landing punches to the body and head and working for a takedown. Pennington lifted Tate up with a guollotone. It was crazy. Tate tried to kick off the cage. Tate finally go the takedown. Pennington back up. Pennington looks like she wants to do the old pump handle move. That’s a pro wrestling joke. Nothing much happening and crowd starting to get restless. Tate had her back. Tate did control the positioning but Pennington did more damage. Hard to score, 10-9 Pennington.
Second round: Pennington with a nice right. Left by Pennington. Anohter left by Pennington. Penningotn landed solid shots. Tate with lefts. Knee by Tate from the clinch. Tate trying for the takedown. Knee by Tate. Both throwing punches. Pennington got behind Tate. Tate throwing elbows. Crowd is bored by this fight. Pennington landing punches from the clinch. Tate with knees and Pennington with body shots as they’re in the clinch. Body shots by Pennington. Both landed punches as the round ended. Pennington 20-18.
Third round: Both the rounds were close so it’s anyone’s fight. Tate tried to pull guard to get it to the ground. She almost got an armbar. Pennington landing punches from the top. Tate again working for an armbar. Pennington landing punches from the top. Tate now trying for a triangle but doesn’t have it. Tate now going for a leglock. She tried a heel hook but didn’t get it. They’re in a clinch and Pennington is landing some short punches. Pennington took her down and is throwing more punches. Rare boring fight from Tate. Pennington landing a lot of punches late. Pennington 30-27.
Scores: 29-28, 30-27 and 30-27 Pennington. Bad time for a loss for Tate.
Tate announced her retirement after. She said it’s not her time anymore and she’s been around for a long time and she couldn’t pull it off.
> Chris Weidman (#2, 13-1, 9-1 UFC) vs. Yoel Romero (#4, 12-1, 7-0 UFC) Middleweights
First round: This is a really big fight because a strong Weidman win can make him a New York superstar. Not to mention he’ll probably get a title match with a win. Romero is a freak athlete, but he’s also 39 years old. They showed Bisping watching the fight. USA chant to start. Hard body kick by Romero. Weidman tried a takedown but not hard, more diversion. Body kick by Weidman. Ole chants. Weidman took him down once but Romero back up. Body kick by Weidman. Body kicks by Weidman. Another takedown by Weidman and Romero back up. Low kick by Weidman. Left by Romero. Romero with lefts. Body kick by Romnero. Weidman took him down and got his back. Weidman 10-9.
Second round: The referee wiped Vaseline off Romero’s back at the start of the round. Left by Romero. Left by Romero. Body kick by Weidman. Knee by Weidman. Romero claimed an eye poke after the knee. Weidman in on the single but gave it up to land a head kick. Romero took Weidman down and got his back after Weidman got up. Romero with another takedown. Weidman escaped and Romero took him down again. Romero has his back on the ground. Romero’s round so 19-19.
Third round: Boyd kick by Weidman. Romero killed him with a flying knee that nailed Weidman in the left eye and and pounded on him and finished him. That’s not a good thing for UFC. Romero is strutting around the ring like he’s a foreign military soldier saluting the crowd. The crowd didn’t even boo him. They were just stunned. The two hugged. :24 The crowd was eerily quiet when this ended.
Romero said he wanted the belt. Joe Rogan said that Romero will be challenging for the title next. Michael Bisping said he wouldn’t face Romero. Bisping gave Romero the thumbs down and then flipped him off with both hands. Romero kept saying “I love you Mike, see you soon, boy.” Romero said you see now the real champion.
First round: Joanna with low kicks. Ole chants. Joanna with a combo. Both landing. Nice combo by Joanna. Karolina landed some punches. The Irish are singing to entertain themselves. Joanna with another combo. Joanna 10-9
Second round: Karloline pushed her against the fence and went for a takedown but didn’t get it. Joanna with a flurry. Karolina working for a takedown. Joanna has her against the fence and threw a knee. Front kick by Joanna. Spijnning backfist by Joanna. Joanna 20-18.
Third round: Joanna with a knee and punches. Joanna outlandig her. Arolian landed a right. The crowd is so quiet for this fight except a few chants having nothing to do with the fight. It’s like this is Raw from last Monday. Body kick by Karolina. Karolina with a floury. Joannan back and landed a body kick and knee. Elbow and punches by Joanna. Trading punches. Joanna 30-27. Some boos at the end. I can’t tell you how little the people care about this fight.
Fourth round: Joanna with a few kicks and they are back against the fence. Karolina with elbows. Spinning backfist by Karolina. Karolina hurt her bad with a right to the nose. Both are trading. Both trading some more. Karolina landed a big right. Karolina is landing big rights. Joanna took her down but Karolina back up. Joanna looking at the clock. Karolina with more punches from close range. Joanna landed aan elbow. Karolina landed a good right. Trading punches. Joanna seems recovered now. Backfist by Karolina. Joanna tried the same. Joanna with a combo. Both traded punches. Hard knee by Joanna. Joanna got good shots In late in the round. The crowd completely turned and gave both a huge ovation. Karolina’s round 39-37 Joanna.
Fifth round: Good combo by Joanna. Karolina with punches and Joanna with an elbow. Joanna using her kicks to keep Karolina at a distance by Karolina got in and landed a punch. Front kick by Joanna. Joanna landing more punches. Joanna with a left. Karolina back with punches. Joanna with solid punches now. The crowd came alive. Karolina with a spinning punch and Joanna back with punches. Joanna landed punches and elbows. Knee by Joanna. Body kick by Joanna. Joanna 49-46. After all that, the whole place is standing. The fourth round turned the crowd around.
Scores: All three had it 49-46 for Joanna.
Joanna was charming, said she wasn’t hurt in the fourth round. The crowd cheered Karolina a lot after the fight. Karolina said Joanna was the best in the world. She said she’s proud she gave a good fight and the crowd cheered big.
> Tyron Woodley (C, 16-3, 6-2 UFC) vs. Stephen Thompson (#2, 13-1, 8-1 UFC) UFC Welterweight Championship
First round: Body kick by Thonpson. Thompson threw a kick, Woodley countered with a right and took him down. Woodley with body shots. Woodley with a lot of short punches on the ground to smother him . He land hard body shots late, bloodied him with elbows and landed a hard shot at the horn. 10-9 Woodley, almost a 10-8.
Second round: Thompson landed some punches and Woodley tied him up. Thompson turned him around and then Woodley turned him back around. Spin kick to the body by Thompson. Left by Thompson. Right by Thompson. Thompson with punches. Thompson landing more. Woodley with a nice right. Body shot by Thompson. Another body shot by Thompson. Woodley with a nice right. Thompson’s round so 19-19 after two.
Third round: Side kick by Thompson. Woodley moved forward with punches. Woodley moved forward and landed again. Ole chants. Head kick by Woodley. Low kick by Thompson. Thompson moved in with punches. Good right by Thompson. Left by Woodley. Left by Thompson and landed more punches. Woodley moved in but didn’t connect. Thompson landed a few. Woodley with two nice rights late in the round. Close round. Thompson’s so 29-28 Thompson after three.
Fourth round: Thompson in with a few punches. Woodley dropped him with hard right. Woodley throwing punches. Woodley dropped him again with a right and throwing punches on the ground. Thompson is in trouble. Woodley is landing shot after shot. Knees by Woodley and punches. Woodley going for a guillotine. Thompson out of it but he’s hurt. Woodley went for a guillotine again and it’s tight. Thompson is surviving so far. Thompson punching back. The crowd went nuts seeing Thompson punch back. He popped out for the biggest pop so far this show. Wonderboy chants. Thompson landing big punches late. This place is now really alive. 10-8 but that comeback could keep it 10-9, but I’ve got 38-37 Woodley after four. This is going to be very interesting how it’s judged.
Fifth round: Jumping kick by Thompson. Body kick by Thompson. Low kick by Thompson. Loud Wonderboy chants. Right and a head kick by Thompson. Body kick by Thompson. Spin kick to the head by Thompson. Left and right by Thompson. Right by Thompson. Left and right by Thompson. Body kick by Woodley. Left by Thompson. Low kick by Thompson. Woodley landed a right. Body shot by Thompson. Left and right by Thompson. Thompson with a left. Two lefts by Thompson. Thompson with a good right. Thompson’s round, I’ve got it 47-47 all. This could go either way depending on a 10-8 in the first or fourth rounds.
Scores: Derek Cleary scored it 47-47, Doug Crosby scored it 47-47, Glenn Trowbridge 48-47 Woodley. That’s a screw-up, as that’s a majority draw but Woodley would still retain on the draw. Bruce Buffer later corrected himself a majority draw. The problem is Trowbridge looks to have given 3 rounds to Woodley and Thompson won three rounds and it came down to 10-8s in round one or four. Either way, Woodley retains on the draw.
> Eddie Alvarez (C, 28-4, 3-1 UFC) vs. Conor McGregor (C FW, 20-3, 8-1 UFC) UFC Lightweight Championship
This crowd is now totally electric. They’re booing the hell out of Alvarez. Not the number of Irish flags as Vegas but a totally pro-McGregor crowd. Alvarez is called The Underground King. I wonder if he knows Sami Zayn.
First round: McGregor landed and stumbled. Low kick by Alvarez. Body kick by McGregor. McGregor dropped him with a left and Alvarez back up. Head kick by Alvarez. The crowd is really loud. Alvarez shot for a takedown. McGregor with a body kick. Alvarez landed punches and then slipped. Head kick by McGregor. McGregor dropped him with a left . McGregor with punches on the ground. Now he’s dropping elbows on him. Alvarez back up. Loud Conor chants. Alvarez shot in and McGregor evaded and landed an elbow. McGregor with a left. Body kick by McGregor. Right by McGregor. Alvarez with body shots. Alvarez with a body kick. Alvarez landed a good left. Body kick by Alvarez. McGregor 10-8.
Second round: Big left by McGregor hurt him. Alvarez shot for a takedown and it was easily stuffed. McGregor put his arms behind his back and dared Alvarez a free shot. Alvarez didn’t do anything. Body kick by McGregor. Right and left by McGregor. Alvarez with a right. He missed a left and McGregor put him down with a left. Alvarez working for a takedown. Alvarez pushing hard and couldn’t get the takedown. Push kick by Alvarez. McGregor with a series of punches put Alvarez down and ref John McCarthy waved it off. McGregor is the first two division champion in UFC history. It was a left hook, a right, a left and another right that put Alvarez down. A great combo, all four shots landed hard and McCarthy waved it after two punches on the ground. 3:04
McGregor wanted his second belt. McGregor said they’re not on my level, you need size and reach to beat him. He kept saying he wants that second belt. He I’ve ridiculed everyone on the roster, and I’d like to apologize to absolutely nobody. The place erupted on that one. Then he had both belts. He made no big announcement or anything.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC On FOX 19: Teixeira vs. Evans from the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. The event is headlined by a five-round bout in the light heavyweight division as #4-ranked Glover Teixeira takes on former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans. Also on the main card is the return of undefeated lightweight contender Khabib Numagomedov, who has been out of action for two years, plus a rematch between Rose Namajunas and Tecia Torres in strawweight action. Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 4:30 PM eastern time with preliminary action all the way thru the main card.
WELTERWEIGHTS- ELIZEU ZALESKI DOS SANTOS (14-5, 0-1 UFC) VS. OMARI AKHMEDOV (15-3, 3-2 UFC)
First round: Right by Akhmedov., Akhmedov shot in with a double leg takedown. Dos Santos used a heel hook attempt to sweep to the top. Akhmedov working for a Kimura. He reversed to the top and now both on their feet. Low kick by Dos Santos. Left by Akhmedov and right by Dos Santos. Right by Akhmedov. Dos Santos with a body kick. Very close round. 10-9 Akhmedov.
Second round: Low kick by Dos Santos. Good right by Dos Santos. Akhmedov then took him down. Akhmedov with a lot of punches as Dos Santos got up. Left by Akhmedov. Low kick by Dos Santos. Good right by Akhmedov. Now Dos Santos back with a knee. Knee by Dos Santos. Another takedown by Akhmedov. Dos Santos went for a heel hook and got to his feet. Dos Santos went for a kneebar and now he’s on top. Spinning backfist by Akhmedov. Body kick by Dos Santos. Left by Akhmedov. Dos Santos went for a takedown but couldn’t get it. Both swinging and not landing. Another close round. 20-18 Akhmedov.
Third round: Akhmedov went for a takedown by Dos Santos blocked it. Dos Santos with kicks and hard punches. He hurt Akhmedov. Knee by Dos Santos. Traded knees. Hard right by Dos Santos. Akehmedov couldn’t get the takedown. Hard right by Dos Santos. Both swinging wildly. Knees by Dos Santos. Body shots and head shots by Dos Santos. Knee by Dos Santos. Dos Santos pounding him. Knee by Dos Santos and one knee after another before Dan Miragliotta stopped it.
MIDDLEWEIGHTS- OLUWALE BAMGBOSE (6-1, 1-1 UFC) VS. CEZAR FERREIRA (8-5, 4-3 UFC)
First round: Left by Ferreira. Low kick by Ferriera. Bamgbose with a low kick and landed some punches. Bamgbose dropped him with a right and landing hard punches on the ground. Bamgbose landing more punches from the top. Ferriera got back up. Ferriera with a double leg takedown and on top. Bamgbose may have blown his wad on that attempt to finish. Ferriera slipped avoiding a punch and was on his back as the round ended. Bamgbose 10-9
Second round: This is the first time Bamgbose has ever gone into the second round Ferreira with a knee to the body. Ferriera with a takedown. Bamgbose bleeding. Bamgbose with punches from the bottom. Ferreira landing elbows from the top. Another elbow by Ferreira. Ferriera with more elbows. Now he’s landing punches. More elbows by Ferriera. Bamgbose back to his feet. 10-8 Ferreira so 19-18 after two. Not sure many judges would go 10-8 here though.
Third round: Bamgbose has a nasty hematoma on his forehead. Bamgbose with a right. Ferriera took him down but Bamgbose back up. Ferriera took him down. A few punches by Ferriera. Bamgbose got up. Ferreria’s round so should win 29-27.
Scores: 29-28, 29-28 and 29-27 for Ferreira
BANTAMWEIGHTS- (#3 FLW) JOHN DODSON (17-7, 6-2 UFC) VS. MANVEL GAMBURYAN (15-8 1 NC, 6-6 1 NC UFC)Manvel Gamburyan (18-9, 1 no contest) vs, John Dodson (18-7), bw
First round: James Warring referee, one of the few guys ever to do pro boxing, kickboxing, MMA and pro wrestling. He was ranked in boxing and kickboxing as well. Dodosn landing a ton of lefts and finished Gamburyan in seconds. He hurt him on the first left and followed it up with about a 16 or so more in seconds. :47
Dodson said you’re looking at the new bantamweight champion.
PRELIMINARY CARD (FOX- 6 PM ET/3 PM PT)
WELTERWEIGHTS- RANDY BROWN (7-0, 1-0 UFC) VS. MICHAEL GRAVES (5-0, 1-0 UFC)
First round: Graves moved in to attempt a takedown. Brown went for a trip but Graves back up. Both throwing knees that are borderline. Big elbow by Graves. Brown has some good balance. Another knee by Brown. Ref Dan Miragliotta speared them. Wild action with Brown punching and he threw a kick, Graves caught him and took him down. Graves with some punches from the top. Brown went for a triangle late. Graves 10-9.
Second round: Graves took him down again. Graves landing elbows. Graves got his back. Graves got the choke and it’s over.
WELTERWEIGHTS- COURT MCGEE (17-4, 6-3 UFC) VS. SANTIAGO PONZINIBBIO (21-3, 3-2 UFC)
First round: McGee moved in right away. Nice right by McGee. McGee landed another. He failed on a takedown attempt. Santiago with a low kick. Santiago landed a right. McGee back with a right. Right by Santiago. Another right by Santiago. Santiago landing shots. Low kick by Santiago. McGee landed a right. McGee landing. Right by McGee. Santiago dropped him with a right and Santiago landing punches and kicks. Santiago landing more punches and the fight was stopped. Very exciting while it lasted.
First round: Slow open. Pennington landed a right and pushed her against the fence. Left by Pennington. Pennington with a low kick. Nice left by Correia. Body kick by Correia. Right by Pennington. Right by Pennington. Correia landing punches. Pennington 10-9.
Second round: Both landing punches. Nice left by Correia. Pennington went for a takedown and it was easily blocked. Pennington with a knee. Correia starting to land. Both landing shots. Pennington landed a right. Correia moved in with punches. Both trading punches. Both continue to trade elbows. Low kick and left by Correia. Elbow and knee by Pennington. Pennington again trying for a takedown but not getting it. Knee by Pennington. Elbow by Pennington. Close round. Correia’s round, so tied 19-19.
Third round: Left and rihg by Correia. Body kick by Correia. Nice right by Pennington. Elbow by Pennington. Both landing punches. Correia with a big right. Low kick by Correia. Correia going for a takedown but Pennington blocking it. Left by Pennignton. Left by Pennignton. Correia landing shots. Pennington trying for a takedown. Pennington landed several shots. Really good fight. 29-28 Correia but this could go either way.
LIGHTWEIGHTS- (#7) BENEIL DARIUSH (12-1, 6-1 UFC) VS. (#14) MICHAEL CHIESA (13-2, 6-2 UFC)
First round: Nice low kick by Dariush. Body kick by Chissa. Great low kick by Dariush. Left by Dariush. Dariush landing more. Cheisa with a left. Low kick by Chiesa. Low kick by Dariush. Another low kick by Dariush. Right by Dariush. Another low kick by Dariush. Dariush went for a takedown but couldn’t get it. Chiesa landed some punches. Dariush again going for a takedown and Chiesa blocked it again. Chiesa with knees to the body. Dariush landing elbows. Dariush finally got a takedown late in the round and had his back. 10-9 Dariush.
Second round: Two hard low kicks by Dariush. Dariush shot for a takedown. Chiesa got the takedown and got Dariush’s back and he’s going for the choke. He’s not under the neck. Chiesa is squeezing and Dariush tapped out to a facelock. This was the first time Dariush had tapped in MMA.
Chiesa issued a challenge to Tony Ferguson after the match. Joe Rogan then asked him what he wanted next.
MAIN CARD (FOX- 8 PM ET/5 PM PT)
FEATHERWEIGHTS- (#6) CUB SWANSON (21-7, 6-3 UFC) VS. (#10) HACRAN DIAS (23-3-1, 3-2 UFC)
First round: Low kick by Dias. Low kick by Swanson. Low kick by Dias. Low kick by Swanson. Right by Dias. Body kick by Dias. Low kick by Swanson. Swanson with a body kick. Low kick by Dias. Both missing. Dias with a low kick. 10-9 Dias.
Second round: Swanson put him down with a left hook. Swanson throwing big punches on the ground. Swanson wth a left hook. Low kick by Swanson. Left by Dias. Nice right by Dias. Swanson put him down more like a trip. Nice scramble and Dias landed a hard right. Dias with a knee. Swanson with a body kick. Swanson’s round so 19-19 after two.
Third round: Dias with a left. Left to the body by Swanson. Left by Dias. Dias with a right. Spin kick by Swanson but didn’t land it clean. Nice right by Swanson. Nice uppercut by Swanson and dropped him with a left head kick right after getting up. Swanson all over him. Swanson landing punches on the ground. Knee to the butt. Swanson on top. Swanson standing and kicking the legs of Dias who is laying on his back. Swanson with hard shots on the ground. Swanson’s round 29-28, could be 30-27 but Swanson has to win.
Scores: All three had it 29-28 for Swanson.
160-POUND CATCHWEIGHT- (#2 LW) KHABIB NURMAGOMED
First round: Horcher landed a left. Another left by Horcher. Low kick by Horcher. Another left by Horcher. Khabib with a running Stampede. Nurmagomedov moved to side control and landing elbows. Now he’s throwing punches. Nurmagomedov spun to the back, now moved to full mount. Now he’s got Horcher’s back and throwing hard punches. 10-8 Nurmagomedov.
Second round: Horcher bleeding from the back of he head. Judo takedown by Khabib into side control. Khabib landing punches. More punches by Khabib. Now Khabib is pounding on him. Khabib landing punches. Now he’s got Horcher’s back. He’s throwing punches. James Warring stopped it a little late.
WOMEN’S STRAWWEIGHTS- (#3) ROSE NAMAJUNAS (4-2, 2-1 UFC) VS. (#4) TECIA TORRES (7-0, 3-0 UFC)
First round: Namajunas staying on the outside and landing. Torres landed several punches when she got inside. Both landing as Torres moved in. Torres landing a lot of punches on the inside. Torres trying to muscle a takedown but not getting it. Namajunas got the hip toss. Good round. 10-9 Torres.
Second round: Low kick by Torres. Front kick by Namajunas. She’s going Diaz with her mannerisms. Nice punch by Torres and Namajunas back with a counter. Namajunas landed a left. Namajunas landed a left again. Left by Namajunas. Front kick by Namajunas. Namajunas with a front kick Namajunas slipped and went down but got back up. Torres moving forward and landed. Nice left by Namajunas and another. Namajunas’ round so 19-19 after two. Good action.
Third round: Overhand right by Namajunas. Left by Namajunas. Another left land by Namajuans as Torres jumped in. Torres landed a combo. Namajunas with a body kick. Namjunas got the takedown. Close round 29-28 Namajunas.
First round: Teixiera landed some punches. Body kick by Teixeira. Teixiera landed a left and followed with a right and it’s over. The left hurt him and the right put his lights out. Good stoppage.
Teixeira challenged Rumble Johnson, saying since Cormier is fighting Jon Jones, let’s make some money, let’s do business. It’s the fight that makes sense.
Late Thursday night/Friday morning, news broke from MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani that top UFC lightweight contender Khabib Nurmagomedov suffered a rib injury training in Russia and is out of his fight with Tony Ferguson at December’s UFC Fight Night: Edgar vs. Mendes, making a great weekend just a little less great.
Nurmagomedov (22-0) has been out of action with various knee injuries since April 2014 when he beat now-lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos. On an Instagram post confirming the news, Nurmagomedov opined that “I’m not sure that I’ll ever be back” which could be a case of emotions running wild.
Helwani says sources tell him Edson Barboza could be lined up for past TUF winner Ferguson, a winner of six straight and a guy that is making a lot of noise at 155 pounds in the process.
With dos Anjos defending his title against Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in December, the next challenger for the belt is likely to be the winner of January’s Anthony Pettis vs. Eddie Alvarez tilt with Ferguson as a dark horse if a) the Barboza fight happens and b) if he can beat Barboza. It can also be assumed that Ferguson could be slotted into either RDA or Cerrone’s spot if either guy gets injured before their showdown.
