Tag: leon edwards

UFC on ESPN+ 113 live results: Leon Edwards vs. Sean Brady

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

The Octagon travels across the pond Saturday as London, England’s O2 Arena hosts UFC action for the first time since July 2023 with UFC on ESPN+ 113.

Former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards returns for the first time since losing the title to Belal Muhammad in July as he takes on Sean Brady in the five-round main event. Edwards’ title loss ended a 13-fight unbeaten streak. Brady, on a three-fight win streak, steps in on short notice to replace Jack Della Maddalena, who was pulled for a title shot.

The co-main event marks the return to action for former UFC light heavyweight Champion Jan Blachowicz, out since July 2023, as he takes on rising contender Carlos Ulberg. Also on the main card is the returning Gunnar Nelson, who fights for the first time in two years, against Kevin Holland in welterweight action; a lightweight bout pitting Jordan Vucenic against Chris Duncan; with featherweights Nathaniel Wood and Morgan Charriere opening the main card.

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> Lightweights- Guram Kutateladze (13-4, 2-2 UFC) vs. Kaue Fernandes (9-2, 1-1 UFC)

Fernandes lands a jab. He lands a leg kick then follows with another jab. Fernandes with a double jab. He throws a head kick that Kutateladze blocks. He lands a body kick. Fernandes lands a leg kick as Kutateladze lands a left hand. They trade inside the pocket as Kutateladze shoots for a takedown. Fernandes defends as they break apart. Fernandes lands a leg kick. Fernandes lands a right hand and they clinch, then Fernandes lands a head kick on the break that hurts Kutateladze, but he recovers. Fernandes lands a right hand. He lands a jab then a right hand. Fernandes with a calf kick then a high kick. Kutateladze looks for a takedown but Fernandes defends again. Fernandes lands a calf kick. He lands another. Kutateladze lands a leg kick but falls to his butt as Fernandes lands a counter left, but he gets up. 10-9 Fernandes.

Fernandes with a jab then a pair of high kicks. Fernandes lands a calf kick and Kutateladze falls to the mat. Fernandes jumps on top and starts landing. They get up. Kutateladze changes stances. Fernandes with a high kick and a right hand. Fernandes with a combo. Fernandes with a pair of leg kicks, then lands another. He lands a high kick then a body kick. They clinch but break. Fernandes lands a combo and a leg kick as Kutateladze lands a left hand. They trade punches. They tie up and Fernandes scores a takedown. Fernandes stands and lands some kicks before Kutateladze scrambles up. 10-9 Fernandes, 20-18 Fernandes.

Kutateladze lands an inside leg kick. He lands a combo then a leg kick. Fernandes with a right hand. They trade in close range. Fernandes with a pair of leg kicks. Kutateladze lands a body kick then Fernandes lands a combination. Kutateladze lands a body kick. They’re a lot less active in this round. They trade in close range. Kutateladze lands a right hand and they briefly tie up before breaking. Fernandes lands a pair of calf kicks and Kutateladze falls to the mat. Kutateladze stands and they trade with Fernandes getting a brief late takedown. 10-9 Fernandes, 30-27 Fernandes.

Official Result- Kaue Fernandes def. Guram Kutateladze by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Bantamweights- Nathan Fletcher (9-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. Caolan Loughran (9-2, 1-2 UFC)

They trade jabs. They both work the jab as Fletcher lands a leg kick. Loughran lands a left hand. Loughran works the jab and lands a left hook. Fletcher with a jab. They trade in close range. Loughran grabs the leg and looks for a takedown and is able to get it. They scramble as Loughran still has a grasp of Fletcher. Loughran has Fletcher against the fence and lands some knees. Loughran gets it back down. They stand and separate and Loughran lands a right hand. Fletcher lands a jab. He lands another. Loughran grabs the leg and pushes it against the fence. They trade some knees. Loughran gets the back and rolls to the mat. Fletcher reverses into the guard of Loughran. Loughran tries to push off as Fletcher lands, and Fletcher lands on the feet. Loughran gets a late takedown. Close round. 10-9 Loughran.

They trade jabs and Fletcher scores a takedown. They quickly get up and Fletcher has the back, landing a few knees. Fletcher has the body locked and tries to get it down. Loughran did grab the fence for a split-second. Fletcher jumps on the back of Loughran on the feet. Fletcher with some left hands. Fletcher now landing some right hands. He starts landing to the body. Fletcher continues to land right hands. He lands some big right hands before looking for a choke. He’s cranking on the face. He jumps off of Loughran’s back. Fletcher with a knee. They separate. Both swing and miss. Fletcher lands a knee and Loughran looks for a takedown against the fence. Loughran with an elbow on the break. 10-9 Fletcher, 19-19.

They trade and Loughran lands a right hand. Loughran lands again and scores a takedown. Fletcher rolls through and they get back to their feet. Loughran gets it back to the mat. They stand and Loughran is on the back of Fletcher. Loughran lets go and they break apart. They both land a punch and Fletcher shoots for a takedown, but Loughran defends. Loughran has back control and moves it to the fence. Fletcher lands a knee as he’s defending Loughran trying to take it down. They separate. Loughran lands a series of short punches. Loughran scores a takedown. They stand and Loughran is working to take it back down. They go back to the mat as Loughran is attacking the neck. He lets go and takes the back. Fletcher has the neck and lands some knees. He lands a right hand and then lands to the body and a big flurry as Loughran is against the fence. Fletcher with a big knee as they’re trading. Fletcher lands a spinning elbow that cuts Loughran open and they trade late. Close fight. 10-9 Fletcher, 29-28 Fletcher.

Official Result- Caolan Loughran def. Nathan Fletcher by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

> Women’s Strawweights- Shauna Bannon (6-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Puja Tomar (9-4, 1-0 UFC)

Tomar lands a left hand as they trade kicks. Tomar lands a left hand and Bannon initiates a clinch and pushes it to the fence. They separate. Bannon with a leg kick then a body kick and they trade punches in close range. They trade kicks as Tomar lands a head kick. They trade body kicks. Bannon with some side kicks and a head kick before they tie up. Bannon with a pair of knees then lands an elbow as they break. They trade kicks. Bannon with some fake side kicks and lands a flush head kick. They trade kicks and Bannon with a side kick. Timeout is called for a low kick. They get back to action and Tomar lands a right hand. They trade against the fence. 10-9 Bannon.

They trade kicks. Bannon with more side kicks. They trade before clinching as Bannon has Tomar pushed against the fence. They both land as they break. They trade and Tomar drops Bannon with a head kick and starts landing from the top. She’s looking for a finish but Bannon gets Tomar into her guard and is recovering. Bannon looking for an armbar. Tomar is defending it but Bannon has it locked on and Tomar taps! What a recovery and finish from Bannon!

Official Result- Shauna Bannon def. Puja Tomar by submission (armbar) at 3:22 of Round 2

> Middleweights- Christian Leroy Duncan (10-2, 3-2 UFC) vs. Andrey Pulyaev (9-2, 0-0 UFC)

Duncan lands a leg kick. He lands another. Pulyaev with a high kick. Duncan lands a combo with a spinning elbow and a knee against the fence. Duncan looks for a takedown. Duncan briefly gets it down but they pop up in the clinch. Duncan landing some knees. They remained tied up and are trading knees. Duncan landing some more knees. They are separated. Duncan lands a combo. Pulyaev with a high kick and lands a leg kick. 10-9 Duncan.

Duncan with a high kick. Pulyaev throws a high kick that Duncan blocks. Duncan with a leg kick and lands a left hand. Duncan lands a few shots against the fence before looking for a takedown against the fence. Pulyaev is looking for a takedown as he reverses. They separate. Duncan lands a body kick then a right hand. Duncan with a spin kick to Pulyaev’s leg. Pulyaev with a spin kick. Duncan with some jabs and a leg kick. Pulyaev with a body kick. Duncan lands a combo and a body kick. Duncan with a spinning elbow and stuns Pulyaev with a left hand. Duncan with more leg kicks. 10-9 Duncan, 20-18 Duncan.

Duncan throwing kicks to start the third as he’s pressuring Pulyaev around the fence. Duncan with a spin kick and lands some knees as they clinch. They are tied up and trading some knees. They break apart. Pulyaev gets a body lock and Duncan defends. They switch position and Duncan is pressuring. Duncan with a spinning elbow and they remain tied up. Pulyaev gets the back. Duncan with some shoulder strikes. Duncan with a big knee to the body and lands two more then an elbow as they break. They tie back up and Duncan lands some elbows. Duncan with an elbow and a big flurry as the fight ends. 10-9 Duncan, 30-27 Duncan.

Official Result- Christian Leroy Duncan def. Andrey Pulyaev by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

> Heavyweights- #8 Marcin Tybura (26-9, 13-8 UFC) vs. #13 Mick Parkin (10-0, 4-0 UFC)

They trade kicks. Tybura lands a body kick. Tybura lands a left hand. They trade kicks. Parkin lands a right hand. They trade punches. Tybura with a quick combo. Parkin lands a body kick. Tybura grabs the body lock and pushes it against the fence. They separate and Parkin lands a right hand. They trade punches. Tybura with a left hand to the body. Tybura with a body kick and Parkin lands a leg kick. Parkin pushes it to the fence and Tybura lands a body kick as they break. Tybura gets a late takedown. Close round. 10-9 Tybura.

They trade. Tybura lands a left hand. Tybura slips on a kick and Parkin gets into side control. Parkin controlling from the top as he gets to the half-guard. Parkin with some right hands from the top and is starting to tee off with hammerfists. Tybura was blocking a lot of it and survives. Parkin stands as Tybura is looking for a leg, and then Parkin gets back on top and starts landing some right hands. They get to their feet. Parkin lands a left hand. Parkin with a straight right hand. Parkin gets the takedown. Parkin has body control. They scramble up. 10-9 Parkin, 19-19.

They trade inside the pocket immediately. Tybura lands a left hand to the body. Tybura with a left hook. Parkin with a leg kick as Tybura lands a combo. Tybura lands a combination. Parkin lands a right hand. Tybura throwing the jab. Parkin lands a right hand. Tybura with a left hand. Both are landing some solid, clean shots. Parkin lands a big right hand. Parkin pressing forward and landing slightly more but Tybura has landed more overall in the third. Tybura looks for a takedown but Parkin defends and lands as they go the distance. Very close fight. 10-9 Tybura, 29-28 Tybura.

Official Result- Marcin Tybura def. Mick Parkin by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Flyweights- Loneā€™er Kavanagh (8-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Felipe Dos Santos (8-2 1 NC, 1-2 UFC)

They trade leg kicks. Dos Santos lands a big right hand. They clinch but break. They trade leg kicks. Dos Santos with a body kick. Dos Santos with a pair of leg kicks. Kavanagh lands a leg kick. Kavanagh with a body kick. They tie up and Dos Santos lands a knee as Kavanagh pushes it to the fence. They separate and Dos Santos with a spin as they tie back up. They separate and Kavanagh is cut open. They trade leg kicks. Kavanagh looks for a takedown but they scramble up. 10-9 Dos Santos.

They trade punches. Dos Santos lands a jab and they tie up. They trade knees before separating. Kavanagh lands a big flurry that forces Dos Santos to shoot for a takedown. They go to the mat with Kavanagh on top and they trade elbows. Kavanagh landing from the top and Dos Santos is throwing upkicks, some illegal, as they scramble up. Kavanagh gets a takedown. Dos Santos lands some elbows from the bottom. Kavanagh is bleeding everywhere. Kavanagh with big punches from the top. They scramble up and Kavanagh gets it back down. Kavanagh with big left hands from the top. 10-9 Kavanagh, 19-19.

Kavanagh with some leg kicks. Kavanagh with a body kick. Dos Santos lands a combo. They trade kicks and Kavanagh scores a takedown. Kavanagh with a pair of elbows from the top. Kavanagh is landing from the top and Dos Santos lands some illegal upkicks, and gets a warning. They scramble up but Kavanagh is able to score another takedown. Dos Santos lands some elbows to the spine, and gets another warning. Kavanagh lands from the top before they get up. Dos Santos lands a knee and Kavanagh looks for a takedown, but it is defended. 10-9 Kavanagh, 29-28 Kavanagh.

Official Result- Lone’er Kavanagh def. Felipe Dos Santos by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Lightweights- Jai Herbert (13-5-1, 3-4-1 UFC) vs. Chris Padilla (15-6, 2-0 UFC)

Padilla lands a right hand. Padilla lands a leg kick. Padilla lands a jab as Herbert presses forward. Herbert lands a body kick. Herbert lands a jab. Herbert with a front kick to the body. They clinch as Padilla pushes it to the fence. Padilla with some knees as Herbert lands some short body shots. 10-9 Padilla.

Herbert lands a jab. Herbert with a head kick and lands a combo. They trade and Padilla gets the clinch against the fence. They separate and Herbert lands some jabs. Padilla complains of an eye poke but Herbert claims it was the jab. Herbert with a leg kick. Padilla grabs the leg and pushes it against the fence. They trade knees. They separate and Herbert lands. 10-9 Herbert, 19-19.

Herbert lands a leg kick. Herbert lands a combination. They clinch and Herbert breaks it with an elbow. Herbert lands a combo as Padilla lands a high kick. Herbert lands a jab. Herbert with a body kick as Padilla lands a leg kick. Padilla with a body kick. Padilla looks for a takedown but Herbert defends. Padilla has the back and lands some knees against the fence. Padilla lands a knee. Herbert with a knee. Padilla trying to get it down but they break apart. Herbert with a combination. Herbert lands a knee and is landing more late as he wobbles Padilla. Padilla is cut open. They trade. Herbert with a leg kick. 10-9 Herbert, 29-28 Herbert.

Official Result- Chris Padilla def. Jai Herbert by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

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> Featherweights- Nathaniel Wood (20-6, 8-3 UFC) vs. Morgan Charriere (20-10-1, 2-1 UFC)

They trade leg kicks early as Wood is landing more. Wood connects with a left hook and a leg kick. Wood with a calf kick and Charriere lands a high kick. Wood drops Charriere with a left hand and starts landing from the top as Charriere is trying to get control from the bottom. Wood grabs the neck and locks in a guillotine choke but Charriere is defending. Charriere gets out and is inside of Wood’s guard. Wood is looking for a triangle choke from the bottom. Wood with some elbows from the bottom. Charriere postures up and Wood lands an upkick. Charriere ends the round on top. 10-9 Wood.

They trade punches and Wood lands a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Wood lands a right hand that briefly stuns Charriere. They trade leg kicks. Charriere with a leg kick. Wood lands a combo and Charriere lands a left hand to the body. They trade jabs. Wood with a right hand and Charriere lands an uppercut. They trade jabs. Charriere with a body kick. They trade kicks and Charriere gets tripped up to the mat, but quickly jumps up and they clinch. They break after Charriere lands to the body. Wood lands a right hand and Charriere lands a knee to the body and a big elbow. Wood with a front kick and Charriere grabs the leg, pushing it to the fence. Wood looks for a guillotine choke. Wood sweeps to the top and lands as they stand. Charriere with an elbow as they separate. Charriere with a body kick as Wood lands a stinging jab. 10-9 Wood, 20-18 Wood.

Wood lands a right hand. Charriere with a pair of kicks. Wood lands a jab. Charriere with a high kick. Charriere lands the jab. They trade kicks. Charriere with a head kick that Wood blocks. Wood with a pair of inside leg kicks. Charriere lands a jab. Wood with an overhand right. They trade jabs. Wood with a double jab then a right hand. Wood lands a jab followed by a leg kick. They trade left hands and leg kicks. Charriere with a jab. Wood lands a jab. 10-9 Wood, 30-27 Wood.

Official Result- Nathaniel Wood def. Morgan Charriere by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Lightweights- Jordan Vucenic (13-3, 0-1 UFC) vs. Chris Duncan (12-2, 3-1 UFC)

Duncan with a pair of body kicks. Duncan lands a body kick and drops Vucenic with a right hand. Duncan jumps on top and looks for a guillotine choke. Duncan lets go and gets inside the guard of Vucenic and lands a big elbow. Duncan with another elbow. Duncan gets the back as Vucenic tried to scramble out. Duncan lands some knees. Duncan picks Vucenic up and slams him down to the mat. Duncan with several knees as he has control of Vucenic. 10-9 Duncan.

Duncan with a leg kick and he’s chasing the takedown. He is able to grab Vucenic and get him to the mat. Vucenic landing some elbows from the bottom. Duncan has the body as they scramble. Vucenic grabs the neck but Duncan is able to escape and they scramble up, but Duncan still has the body lock. They separate. Vucenic lands a left hook. Vucenic with a right hand. Duncan lands a right hand and Vucenic lands a left hook. Vucenic with a double jab. Duncan lands a high kick. Vucenic lands a jab. Vucenic shoots for a takedown and Duncan sprawls to defend. They stand and separate. Vucenic with an elbow. Duncan lands a kick and Vucenic grabs the leg. Duncan drops down for a guillotine choke. He has it locked in and Vucenic taps! Duncan picks up the win with a slick guillotine choke.

Official Result- Chris Duncan def. Jordan Vucenic by submission (guillotine choke) at 3:42 of Round 2

> Women’s Strawweights- Molly McCann (14-7, 7-6 UFC) vs. Alexia Thainara (11-1, 0-0 UFC)

Thainara with a leg kick. She lands another. She lands another leg kick. McCann with a jab. Thainara grabs McCann’s leg on a kick and scores a takedown. McCann with some elbows from the bottom. McCann trying to throw up her legs. Thainara is able to posture and move to side control. McCann tries to scramble out but Thainara stays on top and is now inside McCann’s guard. Thainara with a few punches from the top. McCann tries for an arm but Thainara gets out and is on the back of McCann and landing punches. Thainara locks in a rear-naked choke. McCann is able to force Thainara to let go. Thainara locks in the choke once again and McCann taps. Absolute dominance from Thainara to pick up the win.

Official Result- Alexia Thainara def. Molly McCann by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:32 of Round 1

> Welterweights- Gunnar Nelson (19-5-1, 10-5 UFC) vs. Kevin Holland (26-13 1 NC, 13-10 1 NC UFC)

Holland with a series of inside leg kicks. Holland lands a leg kick. Holland lands a few jabs and a right hand. Nelson lands a leg kick. Nelson gets a takedown. Holland looks for a triangle choke and looks for an arm. Nelson gets out but remains on top and Holland is working back for the triangle choke. Nelson landing from the top as Holland is being aggressive from his guard. Nelson stands and Holland lands some upkicks. Nelson tries to roll to the back but Holland scrambles up and they trade knees. Holland drops Nelson with a right hand and lands but Nelson is able to survive the round. 10-9 Holland.

Holland lands a right hand and they tie up. Holland with some body shots against the fence. Holland with a foot stomp and they separate. Holland lands a pair of leg kicks. They clinch and both land a knee. Nelson tries to get Holland down but Holland defends. Holland lands a pair of elbows. Holland with more elbows and some hammerfists as Nelson is still working to get the takedown. Nelson gets Holland down to the mat. Holland lands from the bottom as Nelson isn’t doing much on top. Nelson lands a right hand. Holland with some hammerfists from the bottom. Holland tries to trap an arm. Nelson stands but gets back inside of Holland’s guard. 10-9 Holland, 20-18 Holland.

They trade after clinching up. Holland lands some knees and a pair of elbows. Nelson gets Holland down to the mat and is working from the top. Holland with some upkicks from the bottom that are connecting. Nelson lands a big right hand. Nelson trying to get the back and is looking for an arm-triangle choke. Holland is trying to fight it off. Holland is able to escape and scrambles to his feet. Holland lands some knees against the fence. Holland with a jumping knee and they separate. They clinch and Holland lands a knee and Nelson looks for a takedown. Holland defends and falls to the mat at the end. 10-9 Holland, 29-28 Holland.

Official Result- Kevin Holland def. Gunnar Nelson by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Light Heavyweights- #3 Jan Blachowicz (29-10-1, 12-7-1 UFC) vs. #6 Carlos Ulberg (11-1, 7-1 UFC)

They trade punches and Ulberg lands a leg kick. Ulberg with a jab and Blachowicz lands a leg kick. Blachowicz with a leg kick. Ulberg lands a jab. Ulberg lands a leg kick and then a right hand. Blachowicz lands a leg kick followed by a jab. Blachowicz lands a leg kick. Blachowicz with a high kick. Ulberg lands a jab and a leg kick. Ulberg lands a leg kick. Blachowicz with a heavy calf kick. Ulberg lands a combo. They trade leg kicks. They both land leg kicks. They trade jabs. 10-9 Blachowicz.

They trade leg kicks. Blachowicz with a high kick and a left hand. Ulberg lands a jab. Blachowicz with a calf kick. Blachowicz with a body kick. Ulberg lands a left hand. Blachowicz lands a combination. They trade leg kicks. They trade in close range and Blachowicz connected with a right hand. Ulberg lands a knee in a brief clinch. They trade as both land kicks. Ulberg with a pair of leg kicks. Blachowicz lands a right hand. Ulberg with a leg kick. Blachowicz lands a body kick. Blachowicz with a leg kick and Ulberg lands a right hand. Blachowicz lands a jab. Ulberg with two leg kicks. 10-9 Ulberg, 19-19.

Ulberg with some leg kicks. They trade and Ulberg looks for a takedown against the fence but lets go. They trade leg kicks and Ulberg lands a right hand to the body. Ulberg with a right hand. Ulberg with a pair of leg kicks. Ulberg lands a left hand. Blachowicz with a calf kick. Ulberg with a pair of leg kicks. Blachowicz lands a left hand. Ulberg with a combination. They trade jabs. Ulberg with a right hand and two leg kicks. Ulberg with a short left hand. Blachowicz lands a body kick. Ulberg lands a leg kick. Blachowicz with a body kick. Ulberg with a jab. Ulberg lands a pair of leg kicks. Blachowicz with a series of kicks and lands a right hand. Close fight. 10-9 Ulberg, 29-28 Ulberg.

Official Result- Carlos Ulberg def. Jan Blachowicz by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Welterweights- #1 Leon Edwards (22-4 1 NC, 14-3 1 NC UFC) vs. #5 Sean Brady (17-1, 7-1 UFC)

They come out trading. Brady with a leg kick. Edwards lands a combo. Edwards with a high kick. They clinch. Edwards with a knee and they break. Brady lands a leg kick. They tie back up. Brady with some slaps and they break. Brady lands a combination. Brady lands a leg kick and a left hand. They clinch. Edwards with a knee and they separate. Brady lands a leg kick and Edwards with a right hand. Brady with a combo. Edwards lands a left hand. They clinch back up and trade knees. Brady gets it down late. 10-9 Brady.

Brady looks for a takedown right away and pushes it against the fence. Brady gets it down and takes the back of Edwards. Brady has the body triangle and is landing left hands from the back. Edwards tries to scramble out and Brady ends up on top and lands some elbows to the body. Brady attacking the arm looking for a potential kimura while controlling from the top. Edwards gets Brady back in his half-guard but Brady gets full mount and then the back and is landing punches. Brady lands an elbow. Brady with right hands from the top. 10-9 Brady, 20-18 Brady.

Brady lands a pair of body kicks. Edwards with a left hand. They clinch but break. Edwards looks for a takedown but Brady defends and ends up on top. Brady lands a lot of punches from side control and gets to the half-guard. Brady mixing a lot of punches to the head and body. Brady takes the back and is landing a lot of punches as he briefly flattens Edwards out. Brady with tons of punches. Brady keeps back control. 10-9 Brady, 30-27 Brady.

Brady with a leg kick. Brady with a combination. Brady scores a takedown. Brady looking for a guillotine choke from the top. He has it locked in and Edwards is trying to fight it. Brady squeezes and Edwards taps! A dominant win for Brady.

Official Result- Sean Brady def. Leon Edwards by submission (guillotine choke) at 1:39 of Round 4

UFC 304 live results: Two title fights

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

The Octagon returns to Manchester, England for the first time in nearly eight years for a major pay-per-view event, featuring two title fights, in the promotion’s debut at the new Co-Op Live with UFC 304.

In the main event, UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards defends the title for the third time against challenger Belal Muhammad. The two have unfinished business as they have fought before, but that bout ended in a no contest in the second round after Muhammad was unable to continue due to an eye poke. Both are on long unbeaten streaks, with Edwards’ streak at 13 and Muhammad’s at ten.

In the co-main event, Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall defends for the first time against Curtis Blaydes in another rematch featured unfinished business. The two did step inside the Octagon across from each other in July 2022, but that fight never really got going after Aspinall suffered a knee injury just 15 seconds into the fight.

Also on the main card is a lightweight bout between King Green and popular English fighter Paddy Pimblett; a middleweight bout pitting Christian Leroy Duncan against Gregory Rodrigues; and a featherweight bout between top-ten fighters Arnold Allen and Giga Chikadze.

ESPN+ PRELIMS | 6 PM ET/3 PM PT

> Women’s Strawweights- Shauna Bannon (5-1, 0-1 UFC) vs. Alice Ardelean (9-5, 0-0 UFC)

They come out trading and both land leg kicks. Bannon lands a jab. Ardelean with a combination. Ardelean with a stiff left hand. Bannon with a combo. Bannon lands a jab. They trade before tying up against the fence. Ardelean gets a takedown despite Bannon grabbing the fence. Ardelean landing from the top as Bannon looks for an opening with her legs. Ardelean lands from the top. Bannon looking for an armbar. Bannon tried to reverse but Ardelean ends up back on top. Bannon with some elbows from the bottom. Ardelean with some shots from the top. Close round. 10-9 Bannon.

Ardelean lands a jab. They trade inside the pocket as Bannon lands a solid combo. Bannon connects with a left hand. Bannon lands a head kick. Ardelean looks for a takedown but they scramble in a tie-up and separate. Bannon lands a solid combination. Ardelean grabs the body and they go to the fence. Bannon turns around. Bannon lands while tied up. Ardelean controlling against the fence trying for a takedown and is able to get it into side control. Ardelean has a headlock in as Bannon is trying to work to the back. Ardelean with some right hands. Bannon lands from the back at the end. 10-9 Ardelean, 19-19.

They trade and Bannon lands a nice right hand. Bannon with a pair of body kicks. Ardelean lands a right hand. Bannon lands a right hand and a body kick. Ardelean with a right hand. They both land in close range then Bannon lands a combo. Ardelean with a right hand. Bannon continues to land more as they stay on the feet. They trade inside the pocket. Bannon with a combo as Ardelean lands a jab. Bannon with a left hand. Bannon with a push kick then a combination. They trade late. Close fight. 10-9 Bannon, 29-28 Bannon.

Official Result- Shauna Bannon def. Alice Ardelean by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)

> Heavyweights- Mick Parkin (9-0, 3-0 UFC) vs. Lukasz Brzeski (9-4-1 1 NC, 1-3 UFC)

Brzeski lands a leg kick and they trade in close range. They tie up and Brzeski lands to the body. Parkin with a jab and leg kick. Parkin lands a right hand. They trade combinations. Brzeski lands a calf kick. Parkin with a right hand. They trade and Parkin lands a big flurry that drops Brzeski and finishes it off with some shots from the top. Huge finish from Parkin!

Official Result- Mick Parkin def. Lukasz Brzeski by knockout (punches) at 3:23 of Round 1

> Welterweights- Sam Patterson (11-2-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Kiefer Crosbie (10-4, 0-1 UFC)

Patterson with a combo as Crosbie lands some leg kicks. Patterson with a front kick. Patterson with a combo and Crosbie lands a right hand. Brief timeout for a groin strike before they trade as they get back going. Patterson lands an uppercut and they tie up against the fence. Patterson gets a takedown into mount and is working for an arm-triangle choke. He has it locked in and is adjusting. He has it in tight and Crosbie taps! What a showing from Patterson.

Official Result- Sam Patterson def. Kiefer Crosbie by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 2:50 of Round 1

> Light Heavyweights- Modestas Bukauskas (15-6, 3-4 UFC) vs. Marcin Prachnio (17-7, 4-5 UFC)

Prachnio with some leg and body kicks early. Bukauskas lands a big left hand and Prachnio lands a leg kick. He lands another. Bukauskas with a body kick. Bukauskas lands a left hand. Prachnio with a leg kick. Prachnio with a big left hand. Bukauskas with a combination. They tie up and trade knees. Bukauskas with a spinning elbow as they break. Bukauskas hurts Prachnio with a combo. Prachnio with a leg kick. Bukauskas lands a right hand. Bukauskas with a head kick and Prachnio backs up. 10-9 Bukauskas.

They start by trading some wild punches. Bukauskas with some leg kicks. Prachnio lands a right hand. Bukauskas with a stiff jab. Bukauskas hurts Prachnio with a right hand and lands then Prachnio lands a head kick that backs Bukauskas up. They are throwing wildly. They tie up and Bukauskas pushes it to the fence. Prachnio with some knees and they separate. Bukauskas gets a takedown and Prachnio holds the fence for several seconds. Bukauskas with an elbow. Bukauskas is in side control and lands a knee. They get up late. Close round. 10-9 Bukauskas, 20-18 Bukauskas.

Prachnio landing big punches to start the third and Bukauskas is backing up. They clinch up and Bukauskas gets a takedown. Bukauskas in half-guard and looking for a choke. Bukauskas landing from the top as Prachnio is stuck on the bottom. Bukauskas with a pair of elbows. Bukauskas trying for an arm-triangle choke. He has it locked in and Prachnio taps! Bukauskas with the late submission win.

Official Result- Modestas Bukauskas def. Marcin Prachnio by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 3:12 of Round 3

> Welterweights- Oban Elliott (10-2, 1-0 UFC) vs. Preston Parsons (11-4, 2-2 UFC)

Parsons with a right hand and they clinch. Elliott with a pair of elbows and they separate. Elliott with a spin kick to the body. Parsons with a pair of low kicks. Elliott connects with a high spin kick. Parsons with more leg kicks. Parsons trips Elliott up with a leg kick and grabs the neck. They clinch and both land before separating. Parsons with a leg kick. He lands them again as Elliott lands a right hand. Both land. Parsons tries for a takedown but Elliott defends against the fence. Elliott lands an elbow. 10-9 Parsons.

Parsons with a leg kick and Elliott lands a right hand. Parsons shoots for a takedown and Elliott defends though Parsons lands an elbow. They break apart. Elliott with a left hand. Parsons with a leg kick. Elliott with a snapping jab. They trade combos. Parsons looks for a takedown but Elliott defends and gets the back of Parsons. They separate but Elliott gets Parsons’ back moments later and drags it down despite Parsons grabbing the fence. Elliott lands from the back but they stand and break. Elliott with a right hand. Parsons tries a takedown but Elliott uses the arm to sweep and they get right up. 10-9 Elliott, 19-19.

Elliott lands a combination. Parsons looked for a takedown but Elliott lands a combination to defend. Parsons tries for another takedown but Elliott defends and they scramble to the mat. They get to their feet and Parsons looks tired. Elliott with a combination. They tie up and Elliott lands before they break. Elliott controlling the center. Elliott lands a combination and has clinch control before they break as he lands an elbow. Parsons shoots for a takedown but Elliott defends. Parsons is able to get a takedown but Elliott immediately attacks the armbar. They scramble back to their feet. They trade body shots at the end. 10-9 Elliott, 29-28 Elliott.

Official Result- Oban Elliott def. Preston Parsons by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

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> Flyweights- #6 Muhammad Mokaev (11-0 1 NC, 6-0 UFC) vs. #8 Manel Kape (19-6, 4-2 UFC)

Mokaev rushes forward. Mokaev with a couple of kicks. Mokaev lands a leg kick. Kape lands a left hook. There isn’t much action going on. Mokaev with a body kick. Mokaev with a wheel kick. Kape rushes forward. Kape lands a left hand. Kape lands a combo. Mokaev looks for a takedown but Kape defends. 10-9 Kape.

Again, they aren’t doing much to start this round. Mokaev lands a kick. Kape looks to have broken a toe and he tried to fix it and bait Mokaev in and Kape lands a right hand. They scramble and Mokaev gets Kape down. Mokaev grabbed the shorts and they are stood up by Mike Beltran and he gives Mokaev a warning and takes away the position. Mokaev with a body kick and Kape lands a left hand. Mokaev with a body kick. Mokaev lands a left hand. Mokaev with a pair of kicks. Kape lands a left hand. Mokaev with a body kick. 10-9 Mokaev, 19-19.

Mokaev lands a leg kick. He lands another. Kape’s broken big toe is affecting him. Mokaev shoots for a takedown but Kape defends. Kape lands a combination. Mokaev with a high kick. Mokaev with a body kick. Mokaev lands a right hand. Mokaev gets a takedown. Kape has neck control. Mokaev gets his head out. Kape with lots of elbows from the bottom. Mokaev lands to the body. They scramble up. Kape tries a takedown but Mokaev defends. Kape lands a left hand and Mokaev gets body control at the end. 10-9 Mokaev, 29-28 Mokaev.

Official Result- Muhammad Mokaev def. Manel Kape by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

> Bantamweights*- Jake Hadley (10-3, 2-3 UFC) vs. Caolan Loughran (9-1, 1-1 UFC)

*Hadley missed weight by one pound

Hadley with a pair of leg kicks. Hadley lands a left hand. Loughran with a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Hadley with an inside leg kick. Loughran with a right hand. Hadley with a body kick. Loughran lands a right hand to the body. Hadley with a leg kick. Loughran lands a right hand. Loughran with a right hand to the body as Hadley lands a left hand. Hadley with a leg kick. Loughran with a right hand. Hadley with another left hand. 10-9 Hadley.

Hadley with some left hands and leg kicks. Loughran shoots for a takedown but Hadley defends and lands some knees. They separate. Hadley with some leg kicks. Loughran lands a right hand after Hadley lands. Loughran lands a right hand. Timeout is called as Hadley is struck in the groin. They get back to action and trade punches. Loughran shoots for a takedown but Hadley defends. Loughran almost got it down as he has a leg but Hadley scrambles away. Loughran lands a right hand. Loughran gets a late takedown and ends the round on top. 10-9 Loughran, 19-19.

They trade leg kicks. Hadley lands a left hand. Loughran goes for a takedown and they scramble. Hadley has the back and lands some left hands before they break. Hadley with a leg kick and left hand. Hadley lands a combination. Loughran with a right hand. Hadley lands a jab. Loughran shoots for a takedown but Hadley defends. They trade knees and body shots and Hadley lands a big elbow on the break. Hadley with a leg kick as Loughran lands a jab. Loughran with a right hand. Hadley with a left hand and a leg kick. Loughran lands a right hand. Hadley with a leg kick. They trade late. 10-9 Hadley, 29-28 Hadley.

Official Result- Jake Hadley def. Caolan Loughran by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Women’s Strawweights- Molly McCann (14-6, 7-5 UFC) vs. Bruna Brasil (9-4-1, 1-2 UFC)

Brasil with a leg kick. Brasil with a body kick and right hand. Brasil lands a knee as McCann is pressuring. McCann with a body kick and a right hand. Timeout is called as McCann is kicked in the groin but they continue. Brasil with a body kick. McCann with a leg kick. Brasil with a high kick and hurts McCann with a knee to the stomach. McCann goes down for a moment but is let up. Brasil with a body kick and McCann is hurt badly. Brasil with a flurry and lands a head kick and knees. McCann gets the clinch. Brasil gets it down and lands from the top. They scramble up and McCann has the leg and scores a takedown. They scramble up. 10-9 Brasil.

McCann pressing forward and lands a right hand. McCann with a left hand. Brasil lands a combination. McCann shoots for a takedown against the fence. McCann gets a big takedown but they quickly get up and separate. McCann with a combination as they clinch. McCann trying to get it down and they go to the mat with Brasil inside the guard of McCann. They get up and McCann tries a spin attack as Brasil lands a right hand and they go to the mat at the end. 10-9 Brasil, 20-18 Brasil.

They trade and Brasil lands a knee to the body. They clinch and Brasil lands a knee. Brasil gets a takedown as they tie up. Brasil takes the back. Brasil is on top and McCann is holding on. They get to their feet. McCann lands a left hand and a push kick. McCann with a combination. Brasil scores a takedown. Brasil working from the top as McCann gives up her back. They get up and McCann jumps on the back of Brasil. McCann lands. Brasil spins into McCann’s guard. Brasil gets the back but McCann squirms out. 10-9 Brasil, 30-27 Brasil.

Official Result- Bruna Brasil def. Molly McCann by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Featherweights- Nathaniel Wood (19-6, 7-3 UFC) vs. Daniel Pineda (28-15 3 NC, 5-6 1 NC UFC)

Wood with early leg kicks. Pineda shoots for a takedown but Wood defends. They separate from the clinch. Pineda with some leg kicks. Wood lands a jab. Wood lands a right hand. Pineda with a leg kick. Wood hurts Pineda with a body kick and follows it with some punches from the top. Wood with an elbow from inside the guard. They scramble and Pineda sweeps to the top. Pineda with an elbow from the top. Pineda with some late shots from the top. 10-9 Wood.

They trade leg kicks. Wood lands a big combination that backs Pineda up but he recovers. Pineda lands a right hand. Wood with some front kicks to the body and Pineda lands a few right hands. There is a timeout for a groin strike. They get back to action. Pineda with a calf kick and Wood lands a right hand. Wood lands a pair of calf kicks that hurt Pineda. Wood lands a jab and Pineda stumbles down for a moment. Wood with a right hand. Wood with a calf kick. Pineda trying for a takedown. Wood cracks Pineda with a left hand. Wood drops Pineda with a left hook and starts landing elbows from the top. Pineda with an elbow from the bottom. 10-9 Wood, 20-18 Wood.

Pineda lands an uppercut and shoots for a takedown as they scramble to the mat. Wood has neck control and ends up on top but they stand. Wood with a pair of jabs and a leg kick. Wood with a jab and Pineda lands a right hand. Wood gets the body and they scramble to the mat. Pineda with a back elbow that lands. Pineda looking for an arm from the top. Pineda lets go but keeps working from the top. Pineda ends landing from the top. 10-9 Pineda, 29-28 Wood.

Official Result- Nathaniel Wood def. Daniel Pineda by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-28)

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> Featherweights- #6 Arnold Allen (19-3, 10-2 UFC) vs. #10 Giga Chikadze (15-3, 8-1 UFC)

Chikadze with a leg and body kick early. He lands some more kicks. Allen lands a left hand. Chikadze with a leg kick then a head kick that gets blocked. Chikadze with a high kick. Chikadze lands a right hand. Allen with a high body kick. Allen lands a combo. Chikadze lands a body kick. They trade body kicks. Allen lands a left hand. Chikadze with a pair of jabs. They trade and Chikadze lands a right hand. Chikadze lands a body kick. Allen with a solid left hand. Chikadze lands a flying knee that hurts Allen late. 10-9 Chikadze.

Allen throwing left hands but Chikadze able to circle away. Allen lands a short leg kick. Allen lands to the body as Chikadze lands a pair of jabs. Allen with a leg kick and Chikadze counters with a leg kick. Chikadze lands a jab. Allen with a left hand. Allen connects with a straight left hand. They trade inside the pocket as Allen lands a big left hook. Chikadze with a head kick. Allen lands a right hand. Chikadze with a pair of high kicks. Allen lands a left hand. Chikadze with a left hand. Allen lands a big left hand. Chikadze with a leg kick. They both connect in close range. Allen with a body kick. Close round. 10-9 Allen, 19-19.

Allen pressing forward. Allen lands a left hand. Allen works the jab as Chikadze lands a body kick. Chikadze with another body kick then a leg kick. They trade and Allen lands to the body. Chikadze is bleeding from his nose. Chikadze lands a body kick. Allen lands a left hand. Allen with another left hand. He lands another one. He lands again as Chikadze is against the fence. Allen with a body kick. Allen with another left hand. Allen landing more left hands. Allen with a jumping knee. 10-9 Allen, 29-28 Allen.

Official Result- Arnold Allen def. Giga Chikadze by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Middleweights- Christian Leroy Duncan (10-1, 3-1 UFC) vs. Gregory Rodrigues (15-5, 6-2 UFC)

Duncan lands a jab. Duncan with a leg kick. Rodrigues lands a left hand. They trade big shots. Rodrigues with a body kick. Duncan lands a leg kick. Rodrigues lands a right hand. Duncan with a push kick and lands a right hand. Rodrigues scores a takedown. Rodrigues landing punches and elbows from the top. Rodrigues with more elbows. Duncan scrambles out from the bottom and Rodrigues tries to take the back. They get to their feet. Rodrigues maintains control. 10-9 Rodrigues.

Duncan with a leg kick. Duncan with another leg kick and Rodrigues lands a left hand. They clinch and trade knees. Duncan pushes it against the fence. They separate and Duncan lands an elbow. Rodrigues pushes it to the fence and lands a knee as Duncan grabs the fence. They are separated by the referee. They trade in close range as they tie up. Both land right hands in a clinch before Duncan pushes it to the fence. Rodrigues lands an elbow as they break. Rodrigues with a big right hand. They trade and Rodrigues scores a takedown. Rodrigues lands from the top. 10-9 Rodrigues, 20-18 Rodrigues.

There were feed issues to start the third but it came on and they were trading. Rodrigues pushes it to the fence and gets a takedown and scores a big takedown. They pop right up and are clinched up by the fence. Duncan is landing as Rodrigues is holding onto the body. Rodrigues drags it to the knees and is trying to get the back. Rodrigues has the back and blood is everywhere. Rodrigues landing from the back as they stand. 10-9 Rodrigues, 30-27 Rodrigues.

Official Result- Gregory Rodrigues def. Christian Leroy Duncan by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Lightweights- #15 King Green (32-15-1 1 NC, 13-10-1 1 NC UFC) vs. Paddy Pimblett (21-3, 5-0 UFC)

Pimblett with a strong leg kick. He lands another. Green with a leg kick. Pimblett with a calf kick. Pimblett lands a right hand. Green with some short leg kicks. They trade leg kicks. Pimblett with a leg kick and Green gets a takedown. Pimblett looked for a guillotine choke but switches to a triangle choke. Pimblett switches to an armbar with the triangle choke still locked in and Green goes to sleep! WOW, what a finish from Pimblett!

Official Result- Paddy Pimblett def. King Green by technical submission (triangle choke) at 3:22 of Round 1

> Interim UFC Heavyweight Championship- IC Tom Aspinall (14-3, 7-1 UFC) vs. #4 Curtis Blaydes (18-4 1 NC, 13-4 1 NC UFC)

Blaydes lands a right hand. They trade before clinching up but they quickly break. Blaydes lands a combo. Aspinall drops Blaydes with a right hand and starts pounding away from the back and it is all over! Aspinall retains his title in quick and impressive fashion.

Official Result- Tom Aspinall def. Curtis Blaydes by knockout (punches) at 1:00 of Round 1 to retain the Interim UFC Heavyweight Championship

> UFC Welterweight Championship- C Leon Edwards (22-3 1 NC, 14-2 1 NC UFC) vs. #2 Belal Muhammad (23-3 1 NC, 14-3 1 NC UFC)

Muhammad gets a takedown. He lands some short punches from the top as Edwards is trying to get up. They get to their feet but are tied up against the fence. Muhammad lands a knee and Edwards reverses. Edwards with some knees. They separate. Edwards with a body kick. He lands a knee. Edwards with a leg kick. Edwards scores with a left hand. Muhammad lands a body kick. Edwards with a hard leg kick. Muhammad lands a left hook. Muhammad with a combo and gets a big takedown. Muhammad lands from the top. 10-9 Muhammad.

Muhammad lands a right hand. Muhammad lands the jab. Edwards lands. Muhammad with a jab then shoots for a takedown. Muhammad gets it down for a moment and gets on the back as they go to a knee. They get up and Muhammad dumps Edwards down and Edwards landed on his head. Muhammad has the back and looks for a choke. They get to their feet. Muhammad dumps Edwards back to the mat as he has the back. They stand. Edwards with a knee to the body and he scores a takedown. Edwards has the back as the round ends. 10-9 Muhammad, 20-18 Muhammad.

Edwards with a leg kick as Muhammad lands a right hand. Edwards with a high kick. Muhammad lands a head kick. Muhammad gets a takedown. They get to their feet and Edwards has the back. They scramble to the mat as Edwards has the back. Edwards has the hooks and is working for a choke. Edwards still working. He almost had a chin lock. Edwards with a few punches. Edwards continues to land from the back. 10-9 Edwards, 29-28 Muhammad.

They trade and Muhammad with a combo. Edwards lands a big combination. Muhammad with a jab. Muhammad with a combo. Muhammad goes for a takedown and takes the back. They go to the mat with Muhammad having Edwards’ back and landing. Muhammad trying to set up a choke. They roll and Edwards reverses to the top late. Edwards has the back and lands. 10-9 Muhammad, 39-37 Muhammad.

Muhammad comes forward and they trade. Edwards lands. Muhammad goes for a takedown but Edwards defends. Muhammad with a jab and Edwards lands to the body. Muhammad with a right hand. Muhammad gets a takedown and has the back. Muhammad controlling from the back and looks for a choke. There’s not much going on except Muhammad landing short punches. Edwards reverses to the top and lands a pair of big elbows that bust Muhammad wide open. He lands another big elbow. Edwards steals the round but too little too late. 10-9 Edwards, 48-47 Muhammad.

Official Result- Belal Muhammad def. Leon Edwards by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) to win the UFC Welterweight Championship

JNPO: The MMA year in review, pt. 4

Posted on by Josh Nason

With the UFC calendar ready to kick into gear this weekend, I wrap up my annual MMA year in review series with a look back at October through December 2023, joined by Paul Fontaine.

Some of the highlights in our 80-minute conversation:

  • The UFC and USADA splitting up and the messy situation that ensued
  • Francis Ngannou shocking the combat sports world with his decision loss to Tyson Fury
  • Conor McGregor officially announcing his UFC return date
  • PFL finally closing the deal on Bellator and their potential upside in a UFC-dominated world
  • The UFC’s return to Madison Square Garden that saw two new champions crowned without the planned Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic main event
  • UFC signing a record deal with Bud Light and the backlash that followed
  • Islam Makhachev continuing his dominance
  • Leon Edwards closing the door on Colby Covington’s UFC relevancy
  • Some of Paul’s favorite fights and a prediction for what planned fight might not happen

If you missed any of the series, check out the archives.

Click Here to Listen

Wrestling Observer Radio: UFC 296 recap, ROH Final Battle, The Iron Claw

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

Dave Meltzer and I are back with Wrestling Observer Radio.

We opened up the show talking about Kenny Omega’s illness. Then we talked about feedback surrounding The Iron Claw, which comes out everywhere next Friday.

Ryan Frederick joined us to recap UFC 296. We went over the entire main card and Ryan talked about some of the undercard highlights.

We then discussed the following:

  • Charlotte Flair’s injury
  • CJ Perry’s finger ailment
  • Bandido’s surgery
  • Liv Morgan’s arrest
  • WWE Speed
  • Options for Roman Reigns’ title match at the Royal Rumble
  • CM Punk’s two house show matches

Dave then recapped ROH Final Battle, I went over the main things that happened on SmackDown, and then we went over AEW Collision.

Click here to listen (website subscription needed) or watch on YouTube (with video subscription).

UFC 296 live results: Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

It’s the final UFC event of 2023 and also one of the biggest events of the year as the Octagon ends the year inside Las Vegas, Nevada’s T-Mobile Arena for UFC 296.

A pair of title fights headline the card with UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards defending against Colby Covington in the main event.

The rivalry between the two has gotten heated this week following some of Covington’s comments. Edwards comes in riding a 12-fight unbeaten streak, and a pair of wins over Kamaru Usman has established him as the best at 170 pounds. Covington will fight for the first time since March 2022 when he scored a win over Jorge Masvidal.

In the co-main event, UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja makes his first title defense against Brandon Royval. These two have fought before with Pantoja scoring a submission win in August 2021. Pantoja won the title from Brandon Moreno in July while Royval has won three straight since that loss to Pantoja.

The rest of the main card is filled with intriguing matchups. Undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov faces his toughest test when he takes on Stephen Thompson in welterweight action, Tony Ferguson looks to end his losing skid against Paddy Pimblett in a lightweight bout, and Josh Emmett takes on Bryce Mitchell in a featherweight bout.

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> Heavyweights- Martin Buday (13-1, 4-0 UFC) vs. Shamil Gaziev (11-0, 0-0 UFC)

Gaziev lands a right hand then another. He lads a left hook. Buday lands a jab. Gaziev with a right hand against the fence then lands a combination. They trade before clinching against the fence. Gaziev breaks away and lands a pair of right hands. They trade punches. Gaziev with some big right hands. Buday is bleeding from his nose as Gaziev continues to connect. Gaziev with a knee and some more punches. Timeout is called to check a cut on Buday under the eye. They get back to action and Buday tries a takedown but Gaziev defends and gets on top. Gaziev in control from the top and lands some right hands. Buday gives up his back and Gaziev lands as Buday gets to his knees. Buday covering up as Gaziev lands. Gaziev with a knee to the body then one to the head as they stand. 10-9 Gaziev.

Gaziev landing as they start the second. Buday lands a left hand. Gaziev lands a knee then an elbow. Gaziev landing punches and knees against the fence. Gaziev lands more and it is stopped on the feet. Impressive debut win for Gaziev.

Official Result- Shamil Gaziev def. Martin Buday by TKO (strikes) at :56 of Round 2

> Featherweights- Andre Fili (22-10 1 NC, 10-9 1 NC UFC) vs. Lucas Almeida (14-2, 1-1 UFC)

They trade kicks. Almeida lands a leg kick. Fili lands a left hand. Fili lands a body kick. Almeida lands a leg kick. They trade punches. They trade leg kicks. Fili drops Almeida with a right hand and starts pounding away from the top. Lots of punches and it is stopped! Big win for Fili!

Official Result- Andre Fili def. Lucas Almeida by TKO (punches) at 3:32 of Round 1

> Flyweights- #12 Tagir Ulanbekov (14-2, 3-1 UFC) vs. #15 Cody Durden (16-4-1, 5-2-1 UFC)

Ulanbekov lands a pair of kicks. Durden lands a right hand then a leg kick. Durden with another leg kick. Ulanbekov lands a jab and they exchange kicks. Ulanbekov lands a right hand that drops Durden. Ulanbekov locks in a guillotine choke but Durden is able to fight it off and escape and is on top. They get to their feet and Ulanbekov lands a knee to the body. Durden lands some body punches as they clinch. They trade knees. They’re trading inside the pocket. Durden lands some hard punches. Ulanbekov gets a takedown. Ulanbekov lands from the top and gets the back with the hooks in. Ulanbekov looks for a rear-naked choke and it was in but Durden gets out before the end. 10-9 Ulanbekov.

Ulanbekov lands a knee. Durden lands a jab then Ulanbekov lands one. Durden lands a right hand and they tie up, where Ulanbekov gets a takedown. Durden lands an elbow from the bottom. They are almost to the feet as Ulanbekov gets the back and looks to get the hooks in. Ulanbekov has a rear-naked choke locked in as they’re on the feet and Durden is fighting it. Ulanbekov landing from the back as he goes for another choke attempt. It’s around the chin and he’s squeezing. They fall to the mat and Durden taps. Impressive win for Ulanbekov.

Official Result- Tagir Ulanbekov def. Cody Durden by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:25 of Round 2

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> Women’s Flyweights- #12 Casey O’Neill (9-1, 4-1 UFC) vs. Ariane Lipski (16-8, 5-5 UFC)

They trade and Lipski lands a nice right hand. Lipski lands a flurry of shots in close range. They tie up and Lipski lands a pair of knees as O’Neill is looking for a takedown. Lipski defending with some knees and they break. Lipski lands a right hand. O’Neill lands a left hand. O’Neill lands a right hand. Lipski lands a combo ending with a high kick. Lipski lands a jab. Lipski with a combo and a high kick. O’Neill lands a right hand before they clinch and Lipski lands a right hand on the break. O’Neill lands a right hand. Lipski gets a takedown and they get right back up and Lipski lands a head kick as O’Neill was getting up. O’Neill lands a right hand. O’Neill lands another. O’Neill lands a leg kick. Lipski scores with a combo. 10-9 Lipski.

Lipski hurts O’Neill with a combo early and is rushing in looking to land. O’Neill goes for a takedown and they go to the mat and Lipski is landing big punches from the top. Lipski gets the back and continues to land. Lipski locks in a body triangle and is looking for a choke but loses it. She switches to an armbar and O’Neill taps! What a finish from Lipski!

Official Result- Ariane Lipski def. Casey O’Neill by submission (armbar) at 1:18 of Round 2

> Bantamweights- Cody Garbrandt (13-5, 8-5 UFC) vs. Brian Kelleher (24-14, 8-7 UFC)

Garbrandt lands a left hand. Kelleher lands a leg kick. Garbrandt lands a combo. Kelleher with another calf kick. He lands another. They trade leg kicks. They clinch against the fence. They separate and both land inside the pocket. Kelleher lands a leg kick and they tie up. Garbrandt pushes it against the fence. Garbrandt lands an elbow as they break. Garbrandt rushes in and lands a flurry. Garbrandt lands and hurts Kelleher. Garbrandt drops Kelleher with a right hand and Kelleher is face first on the mat and covering up and it is stopped. Big finish from Garbrandt!

Official Result- Cody Garbrandt def. Brian Kelleher by knockout (punch) at 3:42 of Round 1

> Women’s Bantamweights- #5 Irene Aldana (14-7, 7-5 UFC) vs. #9 Karol Rosa (17-5, 6-2 UFC)

Aldana lands a jab. Rosa lands a right hand and leg kick. Aldana lands a right hand. Rosa lands an inside leg kick. They trade punches and Rosa lands more leg kicks. Aldana lands a combo. Rosa lands a hard leg kick. She continues to land leg kicks. Rosa lands a combo as Aldana lands a jab. Rosa with more leg kicks. Rosa hurting Aldana with leg kicks but Aldana is still landing combinations. Rosa hurts Aldana with another leg kick. Aldana lands a jab. Aldana still not checking the leg kicks. Aldana lands a left hook. They trade right hands. Rosa with a high kick. 10-9 Rosa.

They trade to start the second. Rosa lands some more kicks. Rosa lands a right hand and two hard leg kicks. Rosa with another leg kick and Aldana lands a jab. Rosa lands a right hand. Aldana lands a right hand. Aldana with a quick combo. Aldana lands a combo and clips Rosa with a right hand. Aldana landing more and Rosa lands a leg kick. Aldana with two right hands and a jab. Aldana lands a right hand then a left hook. Aldana with two left hands and Rosa lands a leg kick. Aldana landing with more volume as the round goes on. Aldana with a left hand to the body then a jab. Rosa lands a combo. Rosa lands a leg kick. Aldana lands a jab then an uppercut and hurts Rosa with a right hand. 10-9 Aldana, 19-19.

They trade and Rosa lands a leg kick. Aldana lands a combo. They’re trading in close range and both land right hands. Rosa lands a leg kick then a right hand. Rosa landing more to start the round out. They trade punches and Rosa lands an inside leg kick. They trade and Aldana hurts Rosa to the body. Rosa is covering up as Aldana is landing. Aldana lands a right hand. Rosa’s face is a bloody mess under her eye. Aldana lands a right hand. They trade. Aldana landing more punches right now. Aldana lands a big left hook. Aldana lands a right hand as she’s pressuring. Rosa eating a lot of damage. Rosa lands a leg kick. Aldana lands a right hand. Aldana with a left hook. Crazy fight. Close fight. 10-9 Aldana, 29-28 Aldana.

Official Result- Irene Aldana def. Karol Rosa by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Light Heavyweights- #14 Alonzo Menifield (14-3-1, 7-3-1 UFC) vs. #15 Dustin Jacoby (19-7-1, 7-4-1 UFC)

Menifield lands a jab. Jacoby lands a jab. Jacoby lands an inside leg kick. Menifield lands a jab. Jacoby lands a right hand. Menifield lands a left hook. Jacoby lands a body kick. He lands a left hook. Menifield looks for a takedown but Jacoby shakes him off. Jacoby lands a right hand. They clinch against the fence. Jacoby lands to the body. He continues to land left hands to the body. Jacoby lands some knees late. 10-9 Jacoby.

Menifield rocks Jacoby with a left hand and rushes in but Jacoby is able to circle away. Jacoby lands a jab. They trade leg kicks and Jacoby slips to the mat for a moment. Menifield with another leg kick. Jacoby lands a jab. Menifield lands a right hand. Jacoby hurts Menifield with some punches. Menifield hurts Jacoby. Jacoby is backing up and Menifield is swinging hard. Jacoby escapes away. Jacoby lands a jab. He lands two more. Menifield lands a leg kick. They trade left hands. They trade late. Close round. 10-9 Menifield, 19-19.

They trade jabs. Jacoby lands a combo. Menifield lands a left hook. Jacoby lands a right hand. He lands another. They trade inside the pocket. Jacoby continues to land the jab. Jacoby lands a combo. He’s landing with more volume here and is busting Menifield up. Menifield drops Jacoby with a left hook and is trying to finish as Jacoby stands. Menifield with some big punches and gets a takedown. They get to their feet and Jacoby is landing to the body against the fence. They’re both battling for underhooks as Jacoby is hanging on. Jacoby lands a knee. Menifield lands a knee. They separate and both land. Close fight. 10-9 Menifield, 29-28 Menifield.

Official Result- Alonzo Menifield def. Dustin Jacoby by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

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> Featherweights- #6 Josh Emmett (18-4, 9-4 UFC) vs. #10 Bryce Mitchell (16-1, 7-1 UFC)

Emmett lands to the body. Emmett lands a left hand. Emmett lands a right hand that knocks Mitchell out cold. What a vicious right hand from Emmett to get the win.

Official Result- Josh Emmett def. Bryce Mitchell by knockout (punch) at 1:57 of Round 1

> Lightweights- Tony Ferguson (25-9, 15-7 UFC) vs. Paddy Pimblett (20-3, 4-0 UFC)

Pimblett lands early and lands a high kick. He lands a leg kick. Ferguson lands a right hand. Pimblett lands a leg kick. Pimblett lands a body kick. He lands a leg kick. Ferguson lands a counter right hand. Pimblett lands a body kick then a calf kick. They trade jabs. Pimblett lands a leg kick then a right hand as Ferguson clips him with a right hand. Pimblett lands some right hands then a body kick. Ferguson is retreating. Pimblett lands a leg kick then a combo. Pimblett hurts Ferguson with some punches then lands a knee and Ferguson goes to the mat. Pimblett landing from the top. Ferguson gives up his back and Pimblett is landing. Pimblett has the mount and is landing big punches. Ferguson survives. 10-8 Pimblett.

Pimblett lands to start the second. He lands a combo. Ferguson slips on a kick and Pimblett gets on top. Ferguson lands some elbows from the bottom. Pimblett with some big punches from the top. Pimblett still in control from the top. He lands a right hand as he tries to pass the guard of Ferguson. Ferguson was trying stuff from the bottom but Pimblett ends the round on top. 10-9 Pimblett, 20-17 Pimblett.

Pimblett lands a left hand as Ferguson lands an uppercut. Pimblett looked for a takedown and tried to pull guard but Ferguson lets him back up. Pimblett is tired. Pimblett lands a body kick and is able to get a takedown. Ferguson trying for the rubber guard from the bottom but Pimblett passes to the half-guard. Ferguson throwing elbows from the bottom as Pimblett is landing from the top. Pimblett for more shots from the top. Ferguson looks for a choke but Pimblett gets his head out. Pimblett lands from the top as the fight ends. 10-9 Pimblett, 30-26 Pimblett.

Official Result- Paddy Pimblett def. Tony Ferguson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Welterweights- #5 Shavkat Rakhmonov (17-0, 5-0 UFC) vs. #6 Stephen Thompson (17-6-1, 12-6-1 UFC)

Thompson lands a leg kick. He lands a left hand as Rakhmonov closes the distance and initiates a clinch. They trade knees to the body as Rakhmonov continues to pressure against the fence. Rakhmonov lands some uppercuts against the fence. There isn’t much action going on. They separate. Thompson lands a body kick. He lands another. They trade punches. 10-9 Rakhmonov.

Thompson lands a side kick. Rakhmonov looks for a takedown but Thompson escapes. Rakhmonov lands a knee to the body as they clinch. Rakhmonov gets a takedown. Rakhmonov with some punches from the top. Rakhmonov is looking for a choke and has it locked in but Thompson slips out. Rakhmonov lands an elbow from the top. Rakhmonov with punches from the top. Rakhmonov gets the back again and is looking for the choke again. Thompson taps! Rakhmonov with the late finish in the second round.

Official Result- Shavkat Rakhmonov def. Stephen Thompson by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:56 of Round 2

> UFC Flyweight Championship- C Alexandre Pantoja (26-5, 10-3 UFC) vs. #2 Brandon Royval (15-6, 5-2 UFC)

Pantoja swarms early and lands a body kick then a leg kick. Pantoja tries a takedown against the fence but Royval defends and they break. Royval lands a right hand. They trade leg kicks. Pantoja lands a right hand and looks for a takedown. They break. They trade and Pantoja lands a body kick. They trade body kicks. Pantoja gets a takedown. Royval playing defense on the bottom and throwing upkicks. Pantoja stands and lands a right hand. Pantoja gets back into the half-guard. Pantoja spins to side control then gets the mount. They get to their feet and Royval lands a left hand. Pantoja lands a body kick. Pantoja lands a right hand. 10-9 Pantoja.

Pantoja lands a right hand. He lands a body kick. They trade knees to the body as Pantoja pushes it against the fence but they separate. Pantoja lands a right hand. Pantoja gets a takedown. Pantoja gets the half-guard. Both being active on the mat as Pantoja is looing for the mount. He ends up in side control. Both landing on the mat. Pantoja with some hammerfists from the top. They get to their feet. Pantoja lands a right hand that stuns Royval. Royval lands a head kick but Pantoja is able to get a takedown. 10-9 Pantoja, 20-18 Pantoja.

Pantoja lands a right hand and Royval grabs the leg but lets go. Pantoja gets a takedown. They quickly scramble to their feet. Royval lands a combo. Pantoja with a body kick. Royval lands a pair of stiff jabs. Royval looks for a takedown but Pantoja defends. Pantoja lands a pair of kicks. They trade punches. Royval lands a body kick. Royval with a combo then some jabs. Royval lands a knee up the middle. Pantoja is able to get a takedown. 10-9 Royval, 29-28 Pantoja.

Pantoja gets a takedown. Pantoja looking to transition as he spins to the back and looks for a choke. Pantoja has the body triangle locked in and is working hard for the choke. Royval is unable to spin out. Pantoja has it around the chin and is squeezing. Royval fights out of it. Royval is able to escape and gets on top and starts landing punches. Pantoja looks for a leg lock. 10-9 Pantoja, 39-37 Pantoja.

They trade punches to start the fifth. Royval lands a nice right hand. Pantoja lands a pair of leg kicks. Royval lands an uppercut. They clinch and Royval lands some punches before they separate. Royval lands a stiff jab. Royval landing with lots of volume. Royval lands and Pantoja is able to get a takedown. They get to their feet but Pantoja is looking to take it back down and he does. Pantoja lands some left hands from the top. Pantoja rides it out from the top and lands some late hammerfists. 10-9 Pantoja, 49-46 Pantoja.

Official Result- Alexandre Pantoja def. Brandon Royval by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46) to retain the UFC Flyweight Championship

> UFC Welterweight Championship- C Leon Edwards (21-3 1 NC, 13-2 1 NC UFC) vs. #3 Colby Covington (17-3, 12-3 UFC)

They trade kicks but both got blocked. Edwards lands a leg kick. They trade punches. Edwards lands a left hand then a right hand. Edwards with an inside leg kick. Edwards lands a left hand. Edwards lands some kicks. Covington lands a body kick. Edwards lands a left hand. Not a ton happened. 10-9 Edwards.

They trade kicks. Edwards lands a body kick. Edwards lands a right hook then a leg kick. Edwards lands a leg kick. Edwards lands a head kick. Edwards lands a right hand. Edwards with a calf kick. Edwards lands a left hand. Covington is not doing much. Edwards lands a body kick. 10-9 Edwards, 20-18 Edwards.

Edwards lands a leg kick. He lands another. Edwards lands a hard leg kick. Covington shoots for a takedown and Edwards defends. Edwards steps over and it allows Covington to get it down. They get up and Edwards lands a big head kick. Edwards shoots for a takedown and gets it. They get to their feet. Edwards lands a jab then lands to the body. They trade leg kicks and Edwards lands a hard one. Edwards lands a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. 10-9 Edwards, 30-27 Edwards.

Edwards lands some kicks early. Covington looks for a takedown and Edwards has a choke locked in, but Covington spins to escape. Edwards lands a big left hand. Edwards lands a body kick. They briefly go to the mat but stand. Edwards lands a knee to the body and the foot caught the cup and we have a brief timeout. Covington lands a left hand. He lands another. Covington lands and goes for a takedown. They scramble to the mat and Covington has the back. Edwards slides out and lands a knee to the body then they stand and separate. Edwards lands a leg kick. Edwards lands a body kick. 10-9 Edwards, 40-36 Edwards.

Edwards lands a high kick. Edwards lands a right hand. Covington is able to get a takedown. Edwards gets to his feet and he takes Covington down. Edwards gets the back. Edwards looks for a choke then looks for an armbar but Covington is able to end up on top. Covington with some body shots from the half-guard. Covington ends the round on top but this should be a win for the champion. 10-9 Covington, 49-46 Edwards.

Official Result- Leon Edwards def. Colby Covington by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) to retain the UFC Welterweight Championship

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

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

The Octagon is back at the O2 Arena in London, England, for Saturday’s UFC 286 — the first UFC pay-per-view to be held in England since October 2016. 

UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards makes his first title defense in his home country as he looks to end the trilogy with the man he defeated for the title in Kamaru Usman. Edwards scored the massive upset at August’s UFC 278 while Usman won their first clash.

In the co-main event, arguably the most exciting fighter currently on the UFC roster, Justin Gaethje, battles another violent striker in Rafael Fiziev. The main card also features Gunnar Nelson vs. Bryan Barberena, Jennifer Maia vs. undefeated prospect Casey O’Neill, and Marvin Vettori vs. Roman Dolidze in the main card opener.

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> Women’s Flyweights- Juliana Miller (3-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. Veronica Hardy (6-4-1, 1-4 UFC)

Hardy with a leg kick to start. She lands a couple more then starts landing punches. Hardy knocks Miller to her butt for a brief second. Miller recovers and lands a few. They clinch and Hardy lands some punches while Miller lands a knee on the break. Hardy with a leg kick. Hardy lands some left hands. Hardy with a leg kick and Miller lands a counter left. Miller lands a nice right hand. They trade in close range and Hardy landed the better punches. They clinch with Miller pushing it against the fence. They go to the mat and Hardy lands from the top. Miller attacks the arm but Hardy escapes. They get to their feet before time runs out. 10-9 Hardy.

They both land and clinch against the fence. Miller tries for a takedown but Hardy ends up on top. Miller is attacking the arm again. She almost had it in but Hardy spins out and lands some left hands. Hardy working from the half-guard and landing some left hands and elbows. They get to their feet. Miller with a leg kick. They tie up and go to the mat and Miller is looking for the arm again. Hardy lands some elbows and looks to take the back as the round ends. 10-9 Hardy, 20-18 Hardy.

Hardy with a side kick. Miller lands a left hand as she charges in and Hardy grabs the back against the fence and scores a takedown. Miller is trying for a kimura. Hardy escapes and lands some punches. Miller now looks for a leg but Hardy is landing some hard body shots. Miller lets go of the leg. They get to their feet. They go back to the mat as Miller is looking for the arm again. Hardy escapes and stands. Hardy with some leg kicks as Miller gets to her feet. Hardy lands a left hand and scores a takedown. Hardy gets to her feet and Miller stands. Hardy lands a massive head kick that rocks Miller. Hardy grabs the body lock against the fence. Hardy gets another takedown and ends the fight landing from the top. 10-9 Hardy, 30-27 Hardy.

Official Result- Veronica Hardy def. Juliana Miller by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Lightweights- Jai Herbert (12-4, 2-3 UFC) vs. Ludovit Klein (19-4, 3-2 UFC)

Herbert with a head kick. Herbert with another high kick. Klein gets a takedown. Herbert looking for an armbar from the bottom. Klein gets to his feet and Herbert lands some upkicks. They get to their feet and trade kicks and Klein is cut open. They trade and clinch where Herbert lands a knee. They’re trading punches. Klein with a leg kick. 10-9 Herbert.

They’re trading to start the second and Klein is getting the better of it. They clinch for a moment but break and then start to trade leg kicks. Herbert lands a leg kick and Klein shoots for a takedown against the fence. Klein lands an elbow on a break. Klein with a combo. Klein with a left hand and Herbert lands a high kick. Close round. 10-9 Klein, 19-19.

Klein with a high kick. Herbert lands a knee then a high kick. Klein with a leg kick as Herbert is against the fence. Klein lands a combo and they tie up. We have a timeout for a low blow by Herbert. Klein lands a knee to the body as they return to action. Both trade inside the pocket. Herbert lands a knee to the head of Klein. Herbert lands a right hand. We have another low blow by Herbert and another timeout. Herbert has a point taken away. They get back to action. Herbert lands a right hand. They clinch and Herbert gets a takedown into side control. Herbert with some hammerfists from the top as Klein lands an elbow from the bottom. Herbert controlling from the top. They scramble up and Klein gets a takedown. They get to their feet. Herbert takes the back standing. Herbert with some left hands. Herbert with more punches as the fight ends. 9-9 round due to the point deduction on Herbert, 28-28 DRAW.

Official Result- Jai Herbert vs. Ludovit Klein ends in a majority draw (29-27, 28-28, 28-28)

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

They quickly clinch against the fence and trade knees. Wood lands a right hand as they break. Carolina with a body kick. Wood with some teet kicks. They clinch but nothing happens. Wood lands a jab as Carolina is throwing a lot of wild punches that aren’t coming close to landing. Wood with a front kick. They clinch and both land knees before they break. They trade in close range. 10-9 Wood.

They trade to start the second with Carolina throwing looping punches before they clinch. Both land knees before breaking. They trade punches inside the pocket. Carolina lands a combo. Carolina throws a kick but Wood grabs the leg and lands a right hand then lands a knee to the body before they clinch. They break and both are landing but Wood landing with more volume as she lands a nice body kick. Wood gets Carolina to the ground but stays on her feet and lands some leg kicks. Close round. 10-9 Wood, 20-18 Wood.

Wood with a body kick. They trade right hands. They clinch for a second and Wood lands an elbow. They break and both are landing shots. They clinch again and both land knees as Wood is landing slightly more. They continue to trade and Wood gets Carolina down to the ground but Carolina gets up. They both land some big shots at the end and Wood lands a punch that puts Carolina on her knees at the end. 10-9 Wood, 30-27 Wood.

Official Result- Joanne Wood def. Luana Carolina by split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)

> Flyweights*- Jake Hadley (9-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Malcolm Gordon (14-6, 2-3 UFC)

*Gordon missed weight by 3.5 pounds

They trade leg kicks to start before trading punches. Hadley lands a left to the body and then drops Gordon with a body shot and tees off from the top to get the stoppage. What a finish from Hadley!

Official Result- Jake Hadley def. Malcolm Gordon by TKO (punches) at 1:01 of Round 1

> Middleweights- Christian Duncan (7-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Dusko Todorovic (12-3, 3-3 UFC)

Todorovic with a leg kick. Duncan lands a jab. They trade kicks. Duncan with a body kick followed by a left hand. They clinch and then something happens to Todorovic and he falls to the mat holding his knee and the fight is stopped. His knee popped as he was reversing position in the clinch. An unfortunate end to the fight.

Official Result- Christian Duncan def. Dusko Todorovic by TKO (injury) at 1:52 of Round 1

> Featherweights- Lerone Murphy (11-0-1, 3-0-1 UFC) vs. Gabriel Santos (10-0, 0-0 UFC)

They scramble to the mat early and Murphy is on top landing punches. Santos is throwing up his legs and looking for a triangle choke. Murphy lands from the top and stands. Santos gets to his feet. Murphy with a leg kick. Santos with some calf kicks. Murphy lands some punches. Santos with a big body kick. They trade in close range and Santos gets a brief takedown. Santos lands some punches in close range. Murphy with a body kick followed by a combo. Santos with an inside leg kick. Murphy with a big body kick. Santos with a late flurry and Murphy lands a big right hand. 10-9 Santos.

Murphy lands a left hand. Santos with a knee and Murphy is landing body shots while they’re clinched up. Murphy gets a takedown and is landing from the top. He lets Santos gets up and lands some body shots. Murphy with a left hand. Santos lands a leg kick and Murphy counters with a left hand. We have a timeout for a groin strike. They trade big shots inside the pocket. Santos with a leg kick and Murphy trips to the mat. Santos lands a left hand. Santos gets a takedown and Murphy has the neck. Santos gets the back of Murphy. Santos is landing from the back and looks for an armbar but Murphy escapes before the round ends. 10-9 Santos, 20-18 Santos.

Santos is pressing forward but Murphy lands a big combo that Santos eats. Santos shoots for the takedown against the fence and is able to complete it. Santos gets the back of Murphy but they end up scrambling to their feet. Murphy lands a combo. Both land inside the pocket as Murphy is picking up the volume. Santos lands a left hand. Santos with a body kick. Murphy lands a left hand. Murphy with a question mark kick. Murphy lands a big right hand. Santos picks Murphy up and slams him to the mat. They get up and Santos with a high kick and Murphy lands a flurry late. 10-9 Murphy, 29-28 Santos.

Official Result- Lerone Murphy def. Gabriel Santos by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

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> Flyweights- #12 Muhammad Mokaev (8-0 1 NC, 3-0 UFC) vs. Jafel Filho (14-2, 0-0 UFC)

They trade kicks to start. Mokaev lands a leg kick and Filho falls to his butt for a second. Filho grabs the neck as Mokaev went for a takedown. They get to the mat and Mokaev pops his head out. Mokaev takes the back and lands some left hands. He lands more from the back and switches into the guard of Filho. Mokaev in control from the top landing punches. Mokaev ends the round on top. 10-9 Mokaev.

They trade to start the second. Filho lands a right hand. Mokaev lands a body kick then a right hand. Filho lands a body kick. There’s been a lot of pressing forward from both but not much landing. Filho tries for a takedown but Mokaev defends and pushes it against the fence. Mokaev gets it to the mat and is working in the guard of Filho. 10-9 Mokaev, 20-18 Mokaev.

Mokaev goes for the takedown right away and nearly gets it to start the third. Mokaev drags it down as he has the back. Mokaev has the body triangle in and is looking to set up a rear-naked choke. They scramble to their feet. Mokaev gets a takedown but grabs the back as they scramble up. Filho is looking for a kneebar and has it locked in. Mokaev is trying to push off with his other leg. Mokaev somehow gets out and gets the back. Mokaev is grimacing as he has the back. Mokaev with left hands from the back. Mokaev looking for a choke. He lets go and has top control. Mokaev looking for the choke again and has it in and Filho taps! Mokaev gets the late finish and he can barely stand from the kneebar. What a finish from Mokaev.

Official Result- Muhammad Mokaev def. Jafel Filho by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:32 of Round 3

> Lightweights- Sam Patterson (10-1-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Yanal Ashmouz (6-0, 0-0 UFC)

Not much happening inside the first minute. Ashmoz drops Patterson with some big punches and gets on top and is unloading with punches and it is stopped. What a big finish from Ashmoz.

Official Result- Yanal Ashmouz def. Sam Patterson by knockout (punches) at 1:15 of Round 1

> Lightweights- Chris Duncan (9-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Omar Morales (11-3, 3-3 UFC)

Duncan with some early leg kicks. Morales with a leg kick. Duncan is landing a lot of leg kicks as Morales is starting to find his range with punches. Morales rocks Duncan with some punches and Duncan was trying for a takedown. Duncan then hurts Morales with an uppercut but taunts instead of capitalizing. 10-9 Duncan.

Duncan goes for a takedown against the fence and briefly gets Morales down. Duncan landing some knees against the fence. They get to their feet. Morales lands a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Duncan with the jab. Duncan shoots for the takedown against the fence after an exchange. Morales defending as Duncan is landing some knees. They separate. They trade late. 10-9 Duncan, 20-18 Duncan.

Duncan with a body kick then lands a left hand. Duncan with a leg kick. Morales with a right hand. Duncan gets the fight to the mat for a moment. Morales stands but Duncan is dragging him to his knees against the fence. Duncan keeping Morales on the mat. Duncan with some knees. They get to their feet but Duncan is holding onto the back. They get to their feet and separate. Morales lands a big uppercut. Duncan tries a late takedown and gets it. 10-9 Duncan, 30-27 Duncan.

Official Result- Chris Duncan def. Omar Morales by split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)

> Featherweights- #15 BW Jack Shore (16-1, 5-1 UFC) vs. Makwan Amirkhani (17-8, 7-6 UFC)

Shore grabs Amirkhani and pushes him against the fence right away. Amirkhani reverses position. Amirkhani with some knees to the body. They separate. Amirkhani with a nice jab. Amirkhani gets a takedown and is in the guard of Shore. They scramble and Amirkhani is able to remain on top. Amirkhani staying on top and in control as the round ends. 10-9 Amirkhani.

They both try for a takedown to start the second and then trade on the feet. Shore with a combo and they clinch. Shore lands the jab after both miss on takedown attempts. Shore lands a right hand. Shore landing with more volume. Shore gets a takedown. Shore is in control from the top and is able to get the back. Shore locks in a rear-naked choke and Amirkhani taps. What a finish from Shore.

Official Result- Jack Shore def. Makwan Amirkhani by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:27 of Round 2

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> Middleweights- #4 Marvin Vettori (18-5-1, 8-4-1 UFC) vs. #9 Roman Dolidze (12-1, 6-1 UFC)

Vettori landing a lot of leg kicks early on and lands a body kick as well. Dolidze lands a big flurry against the fence. Vettori lands a combo. They continue to trade and Vettori is getting the better of the exchanges. Dolidze with a leg kick followed by a right hand. Vettori with a leg kick. They have a timeout for a clash of heads. They get back to action and Dolidze lands some hard body kicks. Vettori with some left hands. Dolidze with a right hand. He rocks Vettori with some right hands. Vettori lands a right hand. Dolidze with some more right hands and lands a knee. They trade at the end. 10-9 Dolidze.

Dolidze landing more to start the second but Vettori now starting to land the left hand. Vettori with a body kick then some leg kicks. Dolidze with a right hand to the body. They trade punches. Dolidze with a right hand. Vettori with a leg kick. Vettori with the jab and a couple of leg kicks. Vettori landing with more volume in the second as Dolidze has slowed down. Dolidze lands a right hand but Vettori lands more at the end including a nice left hand. 10-9 Vettori, 19-19.

Both throwing body kicks as Vettori lands a couple of jabs. Dolidze with a right hand. Vettori with a leg kick. Dolidze lands a right hand. Dolidze with a flurry against the fence. They both land inside the pocket. Dolidze with a combo. Dolidze lands some hard punches. They trade inside the pocket as Vettori lands some leg kicks. Vettori lands a nice combo. They trade and Dolidze lands against the fence. Vettori with a body kick. They trade big shots late. Very close fight. 10-9 Dolidze, 29-28 Dolidze.

Official Result- Marvin Vettori def. Roman Dolidze by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

*Breaking- Anderson Silva has just been announced for the 2023 UFC Hall of Fame class

> Women’s Flyweights- #8 Jennifer Maia (20-9-1, 5-5 UFC) vs. #12 Casey O’Neill (9-0, 4-0 UFC)

Maia landing a lot of punches to start the first and lands a big combination. O’Neill lands some punches. They trade punches. Maia lands the jab and O’Neill fires one back. They trade combinations. O’Neill goes for a takedown but Maia defends and lands on the break. Maia with a combination. They trade late. Lots of output by both in the first. 10-9 Maia.

Both are landing a lot to start the second. O’Neill is pressing forward and landing some good right hands. They trade combinations in close range. Both are landing with a lot of volume. O’Neill continues to press forward and is landing solid right hands. O’Neill with a hard right hand and Maia lands a counter combo. They continue to land with O’Neill landing some right hands and a nice body kick. O’Neill with a big jab at the end. Close round. 10-9 Maia, 20-18 Maia.

They trade to start the third and Maia pushes O’Neill against the fence. They break and Maia lands a jab. Maia with a combo. O’Neill is landing slightly more in this round. Maia lands a right hand. O’Neill with a leg kick as they trade punches. O’Neill with a combo. They trade inside the pocket. They trade late. Good fight. 10-9 O’Neill, 29-28 Maia.

Official Result- Jennifer Maia def. Casey O’Neill by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

> Welterweights- Gunnar Nelson (18-5-1, 9-5 UFC) vs. Bryan Barberena (18-9, 9-7 UFC)

Barberena lands some leg kicks. Nelson lands a right hand as he rushes in. Nelson gets a takedown and is working from the half-guard. Nelson landing elbows from the top. Nelson gets the full mount and lands some elbows then locks in an armbar and Barberena taps! What a showing from Nelson!

Official Result- Gunnar Nelson def. Bryan Barberena by submission (armbar) at 4:51 of Round 1

> Lightweights- #3 Justin Gaethje (23-4, 6-4 UFC) vs. #6 Rafael Fiziev (12-1, 6-1 UFC)

Gaethje with a leg kick. Gaethje with a body kick. Fiziev lands a body kick. Fiziev with a leg kick then a left hand. They trade kicks and both land punches in close. Gaethje rocks Fiziev with a right. Fiziev with a body kick. They clinch and Fiziev lands a knee on the break. Gaethje with a left hand. Fiziev with a combo to the body. They trade inside the pocket. Fiziev lands an uppercut. Fiziev with a body kick. Gaethje lands a right hand. Gaethje with a heavy leg kick. Fiziev with a big knee to the body. Gaethje lands a left. 10-9 Fiziev.

Fiziev with a hard body kick then a right hand. Fiziev with a knee to the body. Gaethje lands a right hand. Gaethje lands a head kick. Fiziev with a leg kick. Fiziev with a body kick. They trade inside the pocket. Gaethje lands a nice combination. Gaethje lands a right hand. He lands another. They trade in close range. Fiziev with a leg kick. Gaethje with a leg kick. Gaethje lands a left hand. Fiziev with a body kick and Gaethje with a left hand. 10-9 Gaethje, 19-19.

Fiziev lands a right hand. They trade and Fiziev lands a hard left hand. Fiziev lands a body kick. They clinch and Gaethje lands a right as they break. Gaethje lands a left hand. Fiziev with a body kick. They trade inside the pocket. Gaethje lands a combo. Gaethje grabs the single leg but lets go. Gaethje lands the jab. Gaethje lands a right hand. Gaethje lands the jab after a combo then lands a big right hand. Gaethje with the jab. Fiziev is bleeding from his face. They trade inside the pocket. Gaethje with the jab. Gaethje with a massive uppercut. Gaethje with another big uppercut. Gaethje gets a late takedown. 10-9 Gaethje, 29-28 Gaethje.

Official Result- Justin Gaethje def. Rafael Fiziev by majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)

> UFC Welterweight Championship- C Leon Edwards (20-3 1 NC, 12-2 1 NC UFC) vs. #1 Kamaru Usman (20-2, 15-1 UFC)

Usman lands to the body. Usman lands the jab. Edwards with some leg kicks. Usman lands a right hand then a jab. Edwards lands a body kick that hurts Usman and follows it with another one. Edwards with a leg kick. Usman shoots for a takedown against the fence but Edwards is defending it. They break. Edwards with more body and leg kicks. 10-9 Edwards.

Edwards with some leg kicks and we have a timeout for a groin strike. They get back to action and Edwards with another leg kick. Edwards with a body kick. Usman lands a jab. They trade and Edwards wobbles Usman with a knee. Usman lands a left hand and then connects to the body. Edwards with a leg kick. Usman lands a nice right hand and then gets a takedown. Usman has the back against the fence. They get to their feet but Usman is landing left hands. They separate. Edwards tries a takedown but Usman easily defends. They get to their feet and trade. Edwards lands a left hand. Edwards with a body kick. Usman lands a right hand. 10-9 Usman, 19-19.

Edwards with some leg kicks. Usman gets a takedown. They get to their feet and Usman pushes it against the fence and tries for a takedown but Edwards grabbed the fence. Herb Dean calls a timeout. Edwards has a point taken away. They get back to action and trade leg kicks. Usman lands the jab. They trade leg kicks. Edwards with a leg kick and it lands low. We have a brief timeout. Edwards with a body kick and Usman was complaining it was low but it wasn’t. Edwards lands a knee to the body. Usman lands a jab. Edwards with more kicks as Usman lands a jab. Edwards with a body kick. Usman lands to the body then to the head. Usman pushes it against the fence. 9-9 round due to the point deduction, 28-28.

Edwards lands the jab. Edwards with a leg kick. Edwards with another leg kick. They trade and Usman slips after Edwards lands a leg kick. Usman is able to recover and push it against the fence and they quickly separate. Edwards with a leg kick. Edwards with a left hand. Usman is pressing forward but not doing a ton. Usman goes for a takedown and got it for a second. They get to their feet and Usman goes for another takedown but Edwards is defending against the fence. They break. Usman lands a jab. Edwards with a left hand. Close round. 10-9 Edwards, 38-37 Edwards.

Usman lands a right hand. Edwards with a big body kick. Usman goes for a takedown against the fence but Edwards defends. They break and Edwards lands a flurry. Usman tries for another takedown but Edwards defends again. Usman lands a right hand and goes for the takedown again but Edwards defends and they break. Edwards with a body kick. Usman lands a right hand. Usman gets a takedown. They get to their feet and Edwards lands a knee. Usman lands a right hand and shoots for the takedown. Edwards lands a knee as they break. Edwards with a leg kick. Edwards with a bod kick. Usman lands a right hand. Close fight overall. 10-9 Edwards, 48-46 Edwards.

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

**********

Leon Edwards wins welterweight title at UFC 278

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Leon Edwards is the new UFC welterweight Champion.

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

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

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

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

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

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ABC PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Daily Update: Raw, Masvidal vs. Edwards set, Royal Rumble

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

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WON NEWSLETTER: October 11, 2021 Observer Newsletter: WWE Draft rundown, G1 updates

In this week’s issue:

  • Detailed look at the WWE draft, the rosters in different categories, strengths, weaknesses, depth and why so many picks were expected going in. Divisions strengthened, weakened, decimated, key personalities and more looking forward on the WWE roster
  • This past week in G1, who were the stars, standings, key matches and a rundown of every match, what to see, what to miss, storylines and what’s coming next
  • WWE Crown Jewel update
  • The death of Reggie Parks, the famous beltmaker who had a long career in the industry
  • WWE & AEW business in September, the numbers, what do they mean, comparisons, who watches what show and live attendance
  • Complete rundown of this past week’s UFC show and what’s coming this week
  • TV changes for the month of October
  • Detailed look at ratings, including what shows people watch together with the most frequency, how wrestling rates with sports and entertainment programming, men vs. women viewership
  • Promotion in serious talks about a new TV deal
  • The return of Women of Wrestling and distribution
  • How U.S. wrestlers fared in world championships
  • Behind the Alberto Rodriguez lawsuit over the Tito Ortiz fight
  • Lots of wrestlers getting TV media gigs
  • Promotion has new distribution method for next major PPV
  • Ticket sales for all the major shows between now and the end of the year
  • What regulatory incompetence led to the death of a fighter
  • International TV ratings
  • New WWE coaching staff members
  • Another top star contract expiring soon
  • Oldest skewing major wrestling show of the year and what’s being done to fix it

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MONDAY NEWS UPDATE

Bryan and I will be back tonight with Wrestling Observer Radio talking Raw, ratings, G-1 as well as taking you email questions to [email protected]

I wouldn’t worry much about Raw ratings tonight. Besides the usual Monday Night Football game (Indianapolis Colts vs. Baltimore Ravens), there are Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays and San Francisco Giants vs. Los Angeles Dodgers baseball playoff games. Baseball numbers are way up and are going against almost every wrestling show for the next few weeks.

Raw is from the Chase Center in San Francisco, head-to-head with the Giants-Dodgers. The advance was weak going in and I can see some people with tickets not coming. Main event is Charlotte Flair & Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair, plus in King of the Ring, Ricochet vs. Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston vs. Jinder Mahal, and Queen’s Crown has Doudrop vs. Natalya and Shayna Baszler vs. Dana Brooke. Big E & Riddle & Randy Orton vs. Bobby Lashley & A.J. Styles & Omos is the announced dark match main event.

UFC is looking at doing a Jorge Masvidal vs. Leon Edwards fight on its 12/11 PPV show. If that goes through, then the Brandon Moreno flyweight title defense against former champion Deiveson Figueiredo will be moved from that show to 1/22.  Edwards is listed as a -275 favorite.

G1 at 5:30 a.m. Eastern tomorrow morning from Sendai’s Xebio Arena

  • Hiromu Takahashi vs. Ryohei Oiwa non-tournament
  • Taichi vs. Tama Tonga
  • Sanada vs. Yoshi-Hashi
  • Kazuchika Okada vs. Chase Owens
  • Hirooki Goto vs. Evil
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Jeff Cobb

There will also be an A block show on Wednesday morning a 5:30 a.m.

  • Hiromu Takahashi vs. Kosei Fujita non-tournament
  • Kota Ibushi vs. Satoshi Kojima non-tournament
  • Tomohiro Ishii vs. Yujiro Takahashi
  • KENTA vs. Tanga Loa
  • Toru Yano vs Zack Sabre Jr.
  • Shingo Takagi vs. Great O’Khan

With Kazuchika Okada’s match with Sanada last week he broke the Kenta Kobashi mark for 142 four-star matches with his 143rd.  He also has the most four-star singles matches with 107 (thanks to Leonard Mendez Told)

OTT from Saturday night in Dublin before about 300 fans for a 20 month break in the city. OTT runs 10/30 most likely with full capacity allowed because the restrictions on attendance end 10/22.  B Cool & Jay b Captain Sexsea & Fabulous Nicky, Paddy M b Sean Maxer Guinness, Debbie Keitel & CT Flexor b Sammy D & Lana Austin, Charlie Sterling b Justin Daniels, Session Moth Martina won three-way over Mark Haskins (former champion) and Terry Thatcher t wi the Gender Neutral championship, LJ Clearly b Adam Maxed, Will Ospreay & Aussie Open b Scotty Davis & Shota Umino & Yota Tsuji.  Main event said to be off the charts.  the show was a tribute to Ryan Smile.  Ospreay, a close friend of his, gave a speech about him and told stories of how they met and their happiest times in wrestling. He broke down many times and cried.  He was embraced by Aussie Open as he struggled his way through the speech.  He then put a Ryan Smile T-shirt in the middle of the ring and put his IWGP world heavyweight title belt over it and then left in a surreal moment.

Tickets for the 2022 Royal Rumble at the Dome in St. Louis goes on sale tomorrow with Travel Packages. Thursday is the presale and Friday is the general public onsale. This would be the biggest event on sale until WrestleMania. (thanks to William Zdon)

A quick note that Hall of Fame ballots have not been sent out yet. I’ve said this on some shows. It’s very time consuming and my schedule is pretty brutal right now.

Although it has been known for some time, ROH officially announced this year’s Final Battle for 12/11 at the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena in Baltimore. It’s the company’s next show with paying spectators as they were still doing empty arena TV tapings to keep results secret.

WWE

  • Yahoo has a story on Raquel Gonzalez.
  • A huge match on the NXT UK show Thursday has Ilja Dragunov defending the U.K. title against A-Kid, which should be a classic.

AEW

  • AEW announced Heritage Night for the Rampage tapings in Miami which had very weak ticket sales as of the weekend.  If you bring your flag you get in for $10 and get a photo with Cody Rhodes.
  • Tony Khan turned 39 yesterday.

UFC

  • Sam Alvey vs. Ian Heinisch are set for a February 5 show.

OTHER NOTES

  • Best wishes to Ontario independent wrestler Curt Sturrock (who uses the name Scotty O’Shea) who suffered multiple seizures at his home and was diagnosed with a brain bleed from a massive tumor on the left side of his brain. Surgeons in Hamilton, ONT were able to remove the entire tumor. More tests are scheduled for later this week.
  • Tomohiro Ishii vs  Vinnie Massaro will be on the 11/12 West Coast Pro Wrestling show in San Francisco at The State Room.
  • Defy Wrestling from Saturday night in Portland, OR before 500 fans:  Coyote Azteca b Alan Extreme, Titus Alexander b Jordan Oasis, Derrick Shaw b Eric Right, Ricky Gibson & Eddie Pearl won three-way over Kevin & Brian Cook and Juicy Finau & Toa Liona, Viva Van b Vertvixen, Eddie Kingston & Brody King b Schaff & Ethan HD in a no DQ tornado match
  • IWA Mid South runs its 25th anniversary show on 10/14 in Jeffersonville, IN at The Arena with Jake Crist defending their world title against Kongo Kong, Larry D vs. Alex Zayne, Fred Yehi vs. Shane Mercer and more.
  • United Wrestling Coalition on Saturday night in Wrightstown, NJ at Kelly’s Banquet hall with shows at both 3 pm.. and 7 p.m.  The 3 p.m. show is a benefit for John Begley.
  • CCFC, the MMA promotion that C.M. Punk announces for, is running 10/29 for a grappling show at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia and 10/30 for an MMA show headlined by Nah-Shon Burrell (18-11) vs Kyle Stewart (14-4). li.  Merab Dvalishvili, a UFC star known for his grappling game, will be on the 10/29 show.  They also announced a show on 11/19 in Tunica, MS at the Horseshoe Tunica Hotel & Casino with DeAndre Anderson (5-0) vs. Da”mo Blackshear (10-4).  And they will be running 12/17 at the Hard Rock in Atlantic City for an MMA show with a featherweight title bout and 12/18 with a grappling show.
  • Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling from Saturday night in Swansea, IL:  Jason Breed b Waco, Big Texan b Rick Ruby, Ken Kasa & Attila Khan b Pete Madden & Sean Vincent, Gil Rogers b Kowalski-DQ, Billy McNeil & Bobby D b Shawn Santel & Mauler McDarby, War Machine b Gary Jackson, 2  Colt Scorpio b Superstar Steve Fender (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
  • When the New York Giants quarterback got crushed on a play against the Dallas Cowboys, the trainers came out and gave an “X” sign like in pro wrestling to show that Daniel Jones was legit injured. (thanks to Kevin Witt)
  • DDT tomorrow at Korakuen Hall has Daisuke Sasaki vs. Isami Kodaka for the Universal title and Konosuke Takeshita & Shunma Katsumata vs. Harashima & Naomi Yoshimura for the KOD tag titles.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Ultimo Dragon wins J-Crown from Great Sasuke

CONTACT INFORMATION

UFC 263 live results: Adesanya vs. Vettori, Diaz vs. Edwards

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 263: Adesanya vs. Vettori 2, emanating from the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona.

The Octagon returns to Arizona for the first time since in over two years, bringing an absolutely stacked card to Glendale, with two title fights and three five-round bouts, including two of the biggest stars currently in the sport on the card.

UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya defends the title against Marvin Vettori in the main event. This is a rematch of an April 2018 bout won by Adesanya, which coincidentally took place in the same arena as this show. Adesanya is looking to rebound from his first career loss, as he dropped a decision to Jan Blachowicz in his attempt to become a two-division champion in March. Vettori comes into this fight riding a five-fight win streak.

In the co-main event, it is another rematch as UFC Flyweight Champion Deiveson Figueiredo defends against Brandon Moreno for the second time. The two fought to a draw at UFC 256 in December in one of the best fights of 2020, and they look to settle the score here.

In another big fight on the card, Leon Edwards welcomes Nate Diaz back to the Octagon in the first-ever non-headline five-round bout in UFC history. Edwards is looking to secure a title shot, while Diaz fights for the first time since November 2019 and is looking to get back in the win column.

Also on the main card, Demian Maia takes on Belal Muhammad in a welterweight bout, and Paul Craig battles Jamahal Hill in a light heavyweight bout. The prelims have several great match-ups, capped off by a lightweight bout between Drew Dober and Brad Riddell, and a potential title eliminator bout in the women’s flyweight division as Lauren Murphy takes on Joanne Calderwood.

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

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

ESPN PRELIMS | 6 PM ET/3 PM PT

> Carlos Felipe (10-1, 2-1 UFC) vs. Jake Collier (12-5, 4-4 UFC)
Heavyweights

Collier with some early kicks. They trade right hands. Both are swinging hard. Collier with a combo ending with a right hand. Collier mixing his strikes. Felipe with a right hand. They trade in close. Collier with the jab. Collier with a leg kick. Collier throwing kicks high and low. Felipe with a left hook to the body and lands an overhand right. Felipe with a right hand to the body. Collier with a good combo. They trade in close range. They are throwing big punches in close as Felipe rips to the body. Felipe with a leg kick. They both land big punches in the pocket and the crowd is going wild. Entertaining round. 10-9 Collier.

Collier with a high kick then the jab to start the second. They trade in close range. Both landing some good shots. Felipe with the jab. Felipe with a combo. Collier with a leg kick. Collier landing the jab and Felipe with a hard right and then a leg kick. They are both landing and Felipe is telling Collier to hit him harder. Felipe with a right hand. Collier taking deep breaths. Felipe landing a little more towards the end of the round. Collier with a body kick. Felipe with a body kick. 10-9 Felipe, 19-19.

Collier with some leg kicks to start the third. They trade in close range. Collier with an inside leg kick. Felipe with a jab. They are starting to swing for the fences and Felipe lands some big punches. Collier shoots for a takedown but Felipe easily defends. Felipe landing more after a quick break in the action. Collier lands a nice jab. Collier tries a spinning back fist but Felipe blocks it. Felipe with the jab and Collier with a body kick. Collier with a leg kick and Felipe with a counter right hand. They are trading and Collier is landing more while Felipe is taunting. Felipe landing more as the round gets to the end. Collier with a late combo ending with a body kick. Close fight. 10-9 Collier, 29-28 Collier.

Official Result- Carlos Felipe def. Jake Collier by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

> Fares Ziam (11-3, 1-1 UFC) vs. Luigi Vendramini (8-1, 1-1 UFC)
Lightweights

Ziam landing the jab at the start. Vendramini tried a body lock but Ziam was ready for it and shook him off. Ziam landing the jab and Vendramini’s face is already showing damage. Ziam with a leg kick. Vendramini lands a right hand. Ziam lands a nice left hook. Ziam lands a right hand and then a leg kick. Vendramini with a leg kick. Both missing on most of the strikes they’re throwing. 10-9 Ziam.

Ziam is landing the jab early in the second. Vendramini lands a nice combo and then a leg kick and tries a takedown against the fence but Ziam defends and they break. They trade left hands and Ziam back working the jab. Ziam still working the jab and mixing the left hand to the body. They trade in close range. Ziam with a body kick. Vendramini fights hard for a takedown and Ziam with fantastic defense as he pushes him off. Ziam with the jab. Ziam with a leg kick. 10-9 Ziam, 20-18 Ziam.

Vendramini lands some big shots to start the third and Ziamis retreating. Vendramini chasing him down and landing big shots as he’s trying for the finish. Ziam gets taken down by Vendramini and Vendramini lands big punches from the top and is now in the half-guard. Vendramini moves to side control and was looking to set something up but gets to the full mount and is landing. Vendramini looking for an arm-in guillotine but the positioning is wrong and he gives up on it. Vendramini in the half-guard and lands a big hammerfist. Vendramini lands some elbows. They get to the fence and Ziam works his way up. Vendramini with a combo against the fence. They clinch against the fence at the end. 10-9 Vendramini, 29-28 Ziam.

Official Result- Fares Ziam def. Luigi Vendramini by majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)

> Chase Hooper (10-1-1, 2-1 UFC) vs. Steven Peterson (18-9, 2-3 UFC)
Featherweights* (Peterson missed weight by 2.5 pounds)

They trade in close range to start. They clinch and Hooper drags him down and Peterson lands from the top and then they get up. Hooper drags Peterson back to the mat and Peterson on top. They get up and are clinched against the fence. Hooper pulls guard and they scramble up and Hooper has the back standing. Peterson with a knee. Hooper pulls it to the ground and Peterson on top and lands some elbows. They stand. Peterson with a right hand. Peterson with a leg kick. Hooper with a left hand and gets a takedown. Hooper now trying for a heel hook. Peterson defending and lands a hammerfist. Hooper now looking for a calf slicer. Peterson with some hammerfists. Hooper stands and gets on top and now both are looking for the leg. Hooper lands some hammerfists. Hooper going for another leg lock. Hooper lands at the end. 10-9 Peterson.

Hooper with a high kick. Hooper lands some left hands. They trade in close range and Hooper with a head kick. Hooper shoots for a takedown but Peterson defends. They are clinched against the fence. Peterson with a right hand in the clinch. Peterson drops down looking for a guillotine but Hooper escapes. Hooper pulls guard. Hooper keeping Peterson in his guard and Peterson with some nice elbows from the top. Peterson landing big punches at the end of the second. 10-9 Peterson, 20-18 Peterson.

Peterson with a Superman punch and landing more as the third starts. Hooper lands some punches. Hooper lands a left hand and tries a takedown but Peterson defends. They’re clinched against the fence and Peterson with some shoulder strikes. They go to the mat and Peterson is on top and landing. Hooper with some soft punches from the bottom. Peterson looking for an arm-triangle but Hooper rolls out and they scramble to their feet and are clinched. Hooper gets it to the mat and takes the back. Hooper trying to find the neck but Peterson defending. They both land on the mat late. 10-9 Peterson, 30-27 Peterson.

Official Result- Steven Peterson def. Chase Hooper by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Matt Frevola (8-2-1, 2-2-1 UFC) vs. Terrance McKinney (10-3, 0-0 UFC)
Lightweights

McKinney lands a combo right at the start that drops Frevola and then starts landing hammerfists and it is quickly stopped. One of the quickest stoppages ever. McKinney then celebrated and looked to blow out his knee as he was celebrating. What a crazy sequence of events.

Official Result- Terrance McKinney def. Matt Frevola by knockout (punches) at :07 of Round 1

> Pannie Kianzad (#11, 14-5, 3-2 UFC) vs. Alexis Davis (20-10, 7-5 UFC)
Women’s Bantamweights

Kianzad lands a left hand right away. They trade in close range. Kianzad with a left hand. They clinch and Davis with some uppercuts. They continue to trade and Davis landing with slightly more volume. Kianzad with a left hook. Kianzad landing some good shots as Davis presses forward. Davis lands a leg kick and Kianzad counters with a right hand. Kianzad with the jab. They trade right hands. Kianzad lands a nice right hand. Davis with a leg kick. Davis with a nice right hand. Davis is landing more but Kianzad is doing more damage. Davis with a body kick. Kianzad with a left hook and then another. 10-9 Kianzad.

Kianzad with the left hook. Davis with a leg kick. Kianzad with a nice right hand. Kianzad with a combo. They clinch and Davis lands a right hand on the break. Kianzad with the right hand. They trade punches. Davis staying busy landing more but Kianzad doing more damage and lands a nice left hook and a nice right hand. Davis with a calf kick. Davis with a step-in knee but eats a right hand from Kianzad. Davis with another calf kick. Kianzad with a hard right hand. Davis with a combo then a leg kick. Davis with a combo and a body kick. They trade jabs. Kianzad with a right hand as Davis lands a calf kick. Davis with a calf kick and then trips Kianzad to the mat and lands some right hands at the end of the round. 10-9 Davis, 19-19.

They are trading to start the third and Davis continuing with the calf kick. Kianzad still landing punches as she’s working the jab more. They trade in close range. Davis with an uppercut and a knee to the body and she lands the jab as they break. Davis landing with more volume as the third wears on. Kianzad with a combo. Davis with the jab and Kianzad lands a nice counter right hand. Kianzad lands a right hand and Davis with a nice right hand in countering. They trade punches. They trade late. Close fight. 10-9 Davis, 29-28 Davis.

Official Result- Pannie Kianzad def. Alexis Davis by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

ESPN PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT

> Movsar Evloev (#14, 14-0, 4-0 UFC) vs. Hakeem Dawodu (#15, 12-1-1, 5-1 UFC)
Featherweights

Evloev lands a big right hand. They trade in close range. Evloev lands a right hand. They trade jabs and Evloev with a leg kick. Evloev grabs a single leg and gets a takedown but they quickly scrambled up. Evloev has the back and gets a big takedown and lands some left hands. They get to their feet and Evloev still has the back. They get back to the mat and Evloev looking for a choke. He’s got it in but not under the chin and lets go. Evloev still has back control and lands some punches. Evloev peppering the body and head with the left hand. They get to their feet and Evloev gets another brief takedown. 10-9 Evloev.

Dawodu with a body kick. Evloev gets a takedown and gets Dawodu’s back. They get to their feet and Evloev drags Dawodu back down. They scramble to their feet and Evloev still has a hold of Dawodu and takes him back down again. Evloev trying for the choke again but is always getting it across the face. Evloev landing left hands from the back. Dawodu unable to get out of the bad position. Evloev just peppering with punches. Evloev just dominant as he’s landing big shots from the back. 10-8 Evloev, 20-17 Evloev.

Dawodu trying to land the right hand but missing. Dawodu with a leg kick. They clinch for a second and both land before breaking. Dawodu lands a left hand. Dawodu with a leg kick. Evloev lands an uppercut. Dawodu with the double jab. Evloev goes for a takedown but Dawodu sprawls out of it. Dawodu lands a right hand. They trade the jab. They trade in close range and Dawodu lands to the body and then a left hook to the jaw of Evloev. They trade leg kicks. Dawodu lands a left hand and Evloev is rocked. Dawodu lands another that hurts Evloev more. Dawodu lands a right hand. Evloev gets a takedown and has the back. Evloev lands some left hands as they stand. Evloev gets another takedown and has the back as the fight ends. 10-9 Dawodu, 29-27 Evloev.

Official Result- Movsar Evloev def. Hakeem Dawodu by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)

> Lauren Murphy (#3, 14-4, 6-4 UFC) vs. Joanne Calderwood (#6, 15-5, 7-5 UFC)
Women’s Flyweights

Murphy lands an early combo. Calderwood with a side kick and lands a spinning back fist. Calderwood with a body kick. Murphy with a left hand. They clinch and Murphy with short uppercuts. They trade knees in the clinch. Calderwood lands a body kick as they break. Calderwood with some leg kicks. Murphy with a combo. They trade and Calderwood with some leg kicks. Calderwood with a right hand. Calderwood landing more as the round wears on. Murphy with a right hand and lands a knee and Calderwood lands some elbows. Murphy with an uppercut. They trade late. 10-9 Calderwood.

They are trading before they clinch and Murphy gets a takedown and is landing punches from the top. Murphy still landing as she moves to the top and is looking for an arm-triangle. Murphy in the half-guard and is still landing left hands from the top. Murphy looking for a kimura late in the second as she lands elbows to the body. A clear round for Murphy. 10-9 Murphy, 19-19.

They trade to start the third. Calderwood with the jab. They trade in close range and Murphy lands a right hand. Calderwood with a combo. Calderwood lands a right hand. Calderwood with some body kicks. Murphy landing the jab. Murphy still landing it as she rushes in. Murphy tries a takedown Calderwood defends and they both land knees and punches in the clinch. They clinch and trade knees and Murphy lands an uppercut. Murphy lands the jab and then follows with some right hands. They trade and both land. Calderwood with a right hand and then a left hook. They trade and Calderwood with a body kick. Close fight. 10-9 Calderwood, 29-28 Calderwood.

Official Result- Lauren Murphy def. Joanne Calderwood by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

> Eryk Anders (13-5 1 NC, 5-5 1 NC UFC) vs. Darren Stewart (12-6 2 NC, 5-5 2 NC UFC)
Light Heavyweights

Stewart with a leg kick and Anders lands a counter left hand. Stewart with a leg kick. They clinch against the fence. They trade knees. They are battling for positioning against the fence. Anders with a knee. Stewart gets a takedown and is landing in the half-guard. He ends the round on top. 10-9 Stewart.

Stewart with a leg kick and Anders with a left hand. They clinch against the fence and Stewart with a knee. Stewart lands a nice knee and a shoulder strike. They are broken up by Jason Herzog. Stewart with a leg kick. Anders shoots for a takedown but Stewart defends and they are clinched again. They break and Anders lands a left on the break. Anders lands a left hand and they were both throwing before clinching. They are battling for underhooks but break. They both land and Anders shoots for a takedown but Stewart defends. They break and trade late. 10-9 Anders, 19-19.

Anders with a body kick. Stewart gets a big takedown and was in side control but Anders is able to reverse to the top. Anders gets to side control. Anders landing left hands from the top. Anders is looking to get the mount as he’s looking for an arm-triangle. He lets go and lands some nice left hands. Anders now looking for a rear-naked choke. He lets go and is working from the top. Anders with some left hands from the top. Anders landing left hands as they get to their feet. Several punches from Anders and now the fans aren’t booing. Strong final round for Anders. 10-9 Anders, 29-28 Anders.

Official Result- Eryk Anders def. Darren Stewart by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)

> Drew Dober (#13, 23-9 1 NC, 9-5 1 NC UFC) vs. Brad Riddell (9-1, 3-0 UFC)
Lightweights

They both land left hands at the start. They’re swinging early. Dober with a leg kick. Riddell with a body kick. Dober with a leg kick followed by a left hand. Dober rocks Riddell with a left hand. Riddell tries for a takedown but Dober defends and is landing left hands to defend. Riddell gets Dober down but they get to their feet. Riddell with an elbow as they break. Dober with a high kick. They trade hard shots. They trade again. Riddell with a combo to the body. Dober with a combo and then a leg kick. Riddell has a cut open. They both land in close. Riddell with a right hand. Dober with a body kick and Riddell counters with a massive right hand. They both land hard shots. Dober with a head kick. Riddell with a hard right hand. Riddell lands some more hard punches at the end. Fun round. 10-9 Dober.

They trade to start the second. Dober lands a left hand. Riddell with a combo and they have a wild exchange in close range. Dober with a high body kick. Riddell lands a hard right hand. Dober gets a takedown. They get to their feet. Riddell trying to get Dober down. Dober lands an elbow and they are on their feet. They break to the center as Riddell lands an elbow. Dober lands a combo and Riddell gets a takedown. They scramble to their feet. They both land wild bombs in close range. Dober with a body kick. Riddell with a right hand to the body. Riddell lands a nice left hook. Dober with a spin kick. 10-9 Riddell, 19-19.

Riddell lands a right hand to start the third. Riddell with a leg kick. Riddell lands another right hand. Dober shoots for the takedown. Riddell with the body kick. They trade in close range and Riddell lands a right hand and is circling around. Dober goes for a takedown but Riddell defends and Dober lands an elbow. Riddell lands a leg kick and some punches. Riddell with a right hand to the body. Dober lands a nice left hand. Riddell lands a big right hand and Dober is hurt. Dober backing up and Riddell after him. Dober goes for a takedown and Riddell landing punches to defend. Riddell sweeps to the top and is landing big shots as the fight ends. Great, great fight. 10-9 Riddell, 29-28 Riddell.

Official Result- Brad Riddell def. Drew Dober by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

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

> Paul Craig (#14, 14-4-1, 6-4-1 UFC) vs. Jamahal Hill (#15, 8-0 1 NC, 2-0 1 NC UFC)
Light Heavyweights

Hill with a leg kick. Craig with a body kick. They trade body kicks. Craig gets the body lock and pulls guard. Craig trying to extend the arm and has Hill in a little trouble. Craig goes for the armbar and has it locked in and it looked like he tapped. Craig gets the triangle choke locked in and is landing big punches and Hill’s arm is flopping around as it’s clearly broken. It is finally stopped by the referee. Horrible job by the referee but Craig gets the first-round finish in a big way.

Official Result- Paul Craig def. Jamahal Hill by TKO (strikes) at 1:59 of Round 1

> Demian Maia (#9, 28-10, 22-10 UFC) vs. Belal Muhammad (#12, 18-3 1 NC, 9-3 1 NC UFC)
Welterweights

Muhammad lands a right hand. Maia shoots for a takedown but Muhammad too far away. Maia lands a left hand. Muhammad with a right hand. Maia grabs a single-leg and Muhammad lands some punches as he gets to the fence. Maia still working hard for the takedown. Maia gets Muhammad briefly down. They break. Muhammad lands a right hand. Maia lands a left hand. Muhammad lands a right hand and then another. Maia gets a leg and is looking for a takedown. Maia working hard for the takedown but Muhammad defending well. They break at the end. 10-9 Muhammad.

Neither landing inside the first minute of the second round. Maia finally lands a left hand. Maia tries a takedown but Muhammad defends. Muhammad with a leg kick and then a right hand. Maia lands a couple of punches. Maia attempts another takedown but Muhammad defends. Muhammad landing the right hand more and more. Muhammad with a leg kick. Muhammad continues to land as Maia tries for a takedown but Muhammad is defending against the fence. Muhammad lands some elbows and punches at the end of the round. 10-9 Muhammad, 20-18 Muhammad.

Maia ducks under a punch and tries a takedown but Muhammad slips away. Muhammad with a high kick and then lands a jab. Muhammad lands a right hand. Maia lands a left hand. Muhammad lands a left hand. Maia tries again for a takedown but Muhammad defends. Muhammad with a combo. Maia lands a nice left hand and Muhammad lands a solid counter right. Muhammad with a head kick. Maia trying again for the takedown but Muhammad defends again. They trade punches. Maia trying again for the takedown but Muhammad defending. They end the fight there. 10-9 Muhammad, 30-27 Muhammad.

Official Result- Belal Muhammad def. Demian Maia by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

> Leon Edwards (#3, 18-3 1 NC, 10-2 1 NC UFC) vs. Nate Diaz (20-12, 15-10 UFC)
Welterweights

Diaz playing possum and lands a flurry. Edwards with a leg kick. Edwards lands in close. Diaz with a leg kick and then another. Edwards lands a left hand. Edwards with a hard leg kick. Diaz with a body punch and then a jab. Diaz lands a combo. They clinch against the fence. Edwards gets a takedown and has the back of Diaz. Diaz landing left hands. Edwards just holding on but has one hook in. They scramble on the mat. Edwards lands some left hands. They get up. Edwards with a leg kick. 10-9 Edwards.

Edwards with a leg kick. They both land punches. Diaz doing more of the possum playing and then throwing as they both land. Edwards with a leg kick. They trade. Diaz with a leg kick and Edwards returns with a hard leg kick. They trade in close before clinching. Edwards gets a takedown. Diaz grabs a leg and Herb Dean warns Edwards about grabbing the fence. Edwards escapes and they get to their feet. Edwards with a hard leg kick. Edwards lands a hard left hand. They trade in close. Edwards with a leg kick. Diaz lands a left hand and they clinch. Edwards with a back elbow. 10-9 Edwards, 20-18 Edwards.

Edwards lands a big elbow after a clinch to start the third. Diaz with a body kick and Edwards lands a left hand. Edwards with a calf kick. They clinch against the fence. Diaz lands a left hand. They clinch against the fence and Diaz lands some short punches. Edwards gets Diaz down. Edwards lands from the top. Diaz is cut open. They get to their feet and Diaz lands. Edwards with a leg kick. They clinch and Edwards has body control. They go to the ground and Diaz goes for the leg and Edwards has the back. They get to their feet. Edwards with a spinning elbow. 10-9 Edwards, 30-27 Edwards.

Edwards with a body kick. Diaz lands a left hand. Diaz lands another. Edwards with a leg kick. Edwards lands a big left hand. Diaz with a kick up the middle. Edwards trips Diaz to the mat but Diaz gets up and tells him good job. Edwards with a left hand. They trade in close. Edwards with a leg kick. Diaz lands a combo and they clinch. They break. Edwards with a left hand. Edwards lands again. 10-9 Edwards, 40-36 Edwards.

Edwards trips Diaz down but Diaz gets up. They clinch. Diaz lands a right hand as they break. Edwards with a left hand. Both are throwing in close but neither landing. Edwards with a right hand. Diaz lands a left hand. Diaz pressing forward and lands another left hand as they clinch. They break. Edwards with a leg kick. They trade in close range. Edwards with a combo ending with a hard left hand. Diaz is bleeding badly. Diaz rocks Edwards with a left hand and Edwards is wobbly. Diaz with a flurry late and is trying to finish but he doesn’t have enough time as Edwards is able to make it to the end. 10-9 Diaz, 49-46 Edwards.

Official Result- Leon Edwards def. Nate Diaz by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)

> Deiveson Figueiredo (C, 20-1-1, 9-1-1 UFC) vs. Brandon Moreno (#1, 18-5-2, 6-2-2 UFC)
UFC Flyweight Championship

Moreno with a leg kick. Moreno lands the jab. Moreno with a leg kick. Moreno with a combo. Moreno with a left hook. Figueiredo not doing much early. Moreno with a big combo. Figueiredo with a left hook to the body. Moreno with a leg kick. He lands another. Figueiredo lands a right hand. They trade elbows. Moreno with a combo then lands a jab. Moreno drops Figueiredo with a punch and gets on top. Figueiredo sweeps and they scramble up and break. Moreno with a body kick. 10-9 Moreno.

They trade to start the second. Moreno landing the jab at will and Figueiredo gets a takedown. Figueiredo passes over half-guard and is looking to lock his arm around the neck of Moreno. Figueiredo landing body punches. There isn’t much going on here. Moreno escapes and they get to their feet. Moreno has the back against the fence and is landing knees. Moreno gets a takedown and Figueiredo was clearly grabbing the fence. Moreno tried for a choke but Figueiredo spun out and Moreno got into the guard of Figueiredo. Moreno with short left hands. Moreno still working from the top and lands some elbows to the body. 10-9 Moreno, 20-18 Moreno.

They trade to start the third. They trade left hands. Moreno with a leg kick. Figueiredo lands a left hook. Moreno gets a takedown and has the back and has the hooks in. Moreno trying for a choke. Figueiredo is defending but in trouble. Moreno lets go. Moreno landing left hands. He has the choke locked in. It is in deep and Figueiredo taps! Moreno has submitted Figueiredo to become the new UFC Flyweight Champion. What an unreal performance.

Official Result- Brandon Moreno def. Deiveson Figueiredo by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:26 of Round 3 to win the UFC Flyweight Championship

> Israel Adesanya (C, 20-1, 9-1 UFC) vs. Marvin Vettori (#3, 17-4-1, 7-2-1 UFC)
UFC Middleweight Championship

Adesanya with a leg kick. He lands a body kick and then another leg kick. He lands a couple more. Vettori gets a takedown in the guard of Adesanya. They get to their feet. Vettori trying to get it back down and Adesanya lands an elbow and they break. Adesanya with another leg kick. Vettori missing on his punches but is pressuring. Vettori lands one against the fence. Adesanya with a leg kick. Adesanya with a combo ending with a leg kick. Adesanya with a head kick. Adesanya with a leg kick. Adesanya lands an uppercut and just misses a head kick. Vettori lands a leg kick. 10-9 Adesanya.

Adesanya with a leg kick. He lands another. Adesanya with a head kick. Adesanya landing with a combo as Vettori was coming in. Adesanya with his back against the fence and dodging Vettori’s punches as he’s landing lots of leg kicks. Vettori shoots for the takedown but Adesanya defending against the fence and landing hard elbows. They break. Adesanya with a high kick. Adesanya still landing the leg kicks as he’s avoiding the punches of Vettori. Vettori drops down for the takedown but Adesanya is landing big elbows as he defends. They break. Adesanya with a high kick. Adesanya with a late head kick. 10-9 Adesanya, 20-18 Adesanya.

Adesanya with a leg kick. Vettori gets a takedown against the fence. Vettori landing and takes the back and had a choke almost locked in but Adesanya reverses out and is now in the guard of Vettori. They scramble up and Adesanya accidentally pokes Vettori in the eye and notices it and they take a break. Adesanya lands a right hand and then a leg kick. Adesanya just misses a high question mark kick. Vettori with the jab. Adesanya with another leg kick. Vettori lands a right hand. Adesanya still landing hard leg kicks. Adesanya lands a leg kick and Vettori goes to the mat and Adesanya lands a couple of punches then Vettori gets up. Adesanya then lands a kick to the groin and we have a timeout before the end of the round. 10-9 Adesanya, 30-27 Adesanya.

Adesanya with a leg kick. Vettori trying a takedown but Adesanya easily defends and lands a punch on the break. Adesanya with a high kick. Adesanya with a combo and then a leg kick. Vettori goes for a takedown and Adesanya landing elbows and punches. Vettori gets Adesanya down but Adesanya reverses to the top and stands and Vettori is ordered up. Adesanya with a leg kick. Vettori lands a right hand. Adesanya with some body kicks. Vettori lands a leg kick. They trade punches. Adesanya with a leg kick. Vettori trying to land but Adesanya slipping away. Adesanya with a head kick that just misses landing completely flush. Vettori tries for a late takedown but is just holding on. Vettori did nothing with it. 10-9 Adesanya, 40-36 Adesanya.

Adesanya with a leg kick. Vettori going for a takedown against the fence but Adesanya defending. They end up clinched and Adesanya landing ear shots. They break and Adesanya with an uppercut on the break. Adesanya with a head kick. Vettori with a leg kick. Adesanya lands a combo. Adesanya with a high kick but Vettori blocks it. Adesanya with a combo ending with a leg kick. Vettori shoots for the takedown but can’t complete it. They’re clinched against the fence. With not much happening, they are broken up by Marc Goddard. Adesanya with a high kick. Vettori tried for a takedown with seven seconds to go, don’t think that will get the finish. 10-9 Adesanya, 50-45 Adesanya.

Official Result- Israel Adesanya def. Marvin Vettori by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) to retain the UFC Middleweight Championship

Daily Update: SmackDown changes, Chimaev-Edwards, Abadon

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

WON NEWSLETTER: October 26, 2020 Observer Newsletter: Ibushi wins NJPW G1 Climax 30

We’ve got a G1 special on the Observer with the deepest look at the tournament anywhere. G1 MVP, G1 best match, G1 history notes, polls on the last three nights, the story behind Kota Ibushi’s win and much more in a new double issue of the Observer.

The business decline that was unavoidable, the difference in wrestling with fans who are not supposed to cheer and boo and who does the best with it, the ups and downs of the different wrestlers, who improved the most from last year, lots of G1 records, Power Struggle notes, a breakdown of every wrestler in the tournament and how they did in the ring this year as compared to last year, who were the best at carrying opponents, who had the best matches, how this year’s match quality compared to last year, just how great this year’s A block shows were, New Japan’s U.S. popularity and which wrestlers have had the best in-ring tournaments in recent years.

Also in this issue:

Harold Meij’s final day in charge of New Japan and key issues with his legacy, Tokyo Dome updates, and how the last days went down.

Things going on behind-the-scenes with President Trump that may be done that would help Vince McMahon and Dana White, Andrew Yang talks wrestlers as independent contractors and what he plans to do  about it, Orange County Department of Health looking at COVID spreading in buildings that house WWE and MLW, and WWE’s statement. 

What is and isn’t misleading and looking at WWE COVID numbers, we preview Hell in a Cell, note a mandatory conference all WWE talent has to attend this week, WWE getting an award looked at, WWE signing, why the plight of independent wrestlers is so different from before, WWE Network November theme, WWE star nominated for a movie award and new WWE Network deals. 

Wrestling ratings compared to other sports, Canadian & U.K. ratings, Mike Bennett talks the problems in communication in WWE, Sami Zayn talks the ladder match, WWE market value and the most watched shows last week on the WWE Network.

Brian Ortega vs. The Korean Zombie with full coverage of Saturday’s UFC event,.

The surprising thing that matters far more than most gave it credit for when it comes to viewing wrestling shows.

Ratings breakdowns in every segment for Wednesdays and every category for other shows, looking at stats not available elsewhere to get the deepest read into how shows are doing, what categories are doing well and how shows compare with previous weeks and one year ago.  

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

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

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

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

FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE

We will have shows the next four nights, with a show tonight with Garrett Gonzalez, Saturday covering UFC’s biggest show in a long time with Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje, Sunday covering Hell in a Cell and Monday covering Raw.

So many things have changed of late with WWE. Smackdown is on FS 1 tonight. Originally the plan was Smackdown, followed by a one hour Talking Smack and then replaying Smackdown for the West Coast viewers for prime time since FS1 doesn’t have a staggered feed and FOX does. Then FOX decided to do a special episode of WWE Backstage in that time slot. Now it’s back to Talking Smack with Kayla Braxton, Booker T and Montez Ford as hosts.

The reason nothing was advertised for Smackdown until today is because they were rewriting the show last night. They do have a show written and why today they didn’t announce matches earlier is a different question. The Otis trial which airs tonight is the reason everything went into chaos. That became the top concern and everything ended up delayed because of it. Nobody can understand why so much was devoted to a show that is expected to have a small audience tonight. Roman Reigns also will reveal the consequences of the I Quit Hell i a Cell match on Sunday. Paul Levesque was brought in to help with tonight’s show as he did for last week’s show. 

Khamzat Chimaev vs. Leon Edwards was announced as the main event for a 12/19 UFC show. Edwards had been removed from the rankings (he was No. 3), supposedly due to turning down opponents. Edwards then said he would face Chimaev, and Chimaev agreed. And UFC put the fight together. This is a huge fight because Chimaev has looked like a monster thus far but this is a huge step up in opponents.

UFC 254 is at a new time tomorrow from Abu Dhabi with prelims starting at 11 a.m. Eastern and 8 a.m. Pacific:

ESPN+ at 11 a.m. Eastern

  • Joel Alvarez (159.5) vs. Alexander Yakovlev (155.5)
  • Liana Jojua (126) vs. Miranda Maverick (126)

ESPN 2 at noon:

  • Da Un Jung (206) vs. Sam Alvey (206)
  • Alex Oliveira (173) vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov (171)
  • Nathaniel Wood (140) vs. Casey Kenney (140)
  • Stefan Struve (265) vs. Tai Tuivasa (265)

PPV at 2 p.m.

  • Magomed Ankalaev (205.5) vs. Ion Cutelaba (205.5)
  • Lauren Murphy (126) vs. Lilya Shakirova (126)
  • Jacob Malkoun (186) vs. Phil Hawes (186)
  • Alexander Volkov (265) vs. Walt Harris (254)
  • Robert Whittaker (186) vs. Jared Cannonier (185)
  • Khabib Nurmagomedov (155) vs. Justin Gaethje (155) for the lightweight title

Alvarez and Oliveira both missed weight, but both fights are on.

AAA will have a press conference on Monday which is believed to be to announce TripleMania plans.

Abadon was injured last night and hospitalized in her match with Tay Conti. We don’t have full details but it was serious and she is expected to make a complete recovery.

WWE

  • 205 Live matches that were taped on Wednesday for tonight were Tony Nese vs. Curt Stallion and Bran Kendrick vs. Mansoor. 
  • These are the www.BatOnline.ag odds for Hell in a Cell:
    Sasha Banks -225 vs. Bayley +160
    Drew McIntyre -200 vs. Randy Orton +150
    Roman Reigns -2600 vs. Jey Uso +900
    Elias -150 vs. Jeff Hardy +110
  • Thaddeus Bullard (Titus O’Neil) was announced as the grand marshal of this weekend’s Firestone Grand Prix in St. Petersburg, FL, the season finale for the NTT Indycar series. 
  • NXT UK wrestlers dressed up like James Bond characters. (thanks to Mike Kuzmuk)

UFC

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov as of mid-week was a -300 favorite to beat Justin Gaethje. He’s also a -260 favorite if a fight with GSP is to happen at lightweight, but GSP is a big favorite if it was to happen at welterweight.

AEW

  • Dynamite for 10/28 was taped last night. As noted elsewhere, Rey Fenix was pulled by Dr. Michael Sampson from the match with Kenny Omega due to the neck injury suffered on Wednesday. Fenix was ready to go and tell friends he was okay, but okay in his mind is a very different word than okay in most people’s mind. Penta instead faced Omega. Right now there is a plan for a Fenix vs. Penta match down the line, and more likely than not, an Omega vs. Fenix match as well, just not this week.
  • The Jericho/MJF song and dance routine peaked Wednesday night at just under 800,000 viewers.  However, the biggest thing on either show was Penta vs. Fenix.

MISCELLANEOUS

  • Today was Harold Meij’s last day in charge of New Japan Pro Wrestling. The new issue details what he’s been working on before leaving office.  
  • Dwayne Johnson’s new TV show “Young Rock” where different actors play Johnson at 10, 15 and 20, with scenes from growing up in different parts of the world, has started filming in Australia. The show will air on NBC in early 2021.
  • Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz vs. Cody Deaner & Cousin Jake will be on the one-hour preshow at 7 p.m. on AXS prior to Bound for Glory, which is a PPV that starts at 8 p.m. 
  • The Impact + streaming service will be free all weekend.
  • Kevin Eck’s weekly ROH news column.
  • Pro Wrestling Tees just passed selling its 2,000,000th item. In honor of it they are doing a 20 percent off sale for everything until midnight Central time tonight wit the code 2MIL
  • IWTV and FITE have reached a distribution agreement where FITE will distribute IWTV’s original series The Masked Wrestler.  The first episodes are up on the FITE service.  The seven episode season is an eight-man single elimination tournament with the winner getting an IWTV title match of their choosing.  There are also judges looking to guess the identity of the wrestlers.
  • FITETV has won exclusive iPPV rights for the Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. exhibition fight and will also be airing TysonOnTriller to build up the fight.
  • AAW on 10/29 at 115 Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park, IL on Fite TV with Mance Warner & Jake Something vs. Hakim Zane & Karam, Ace Austin & Mad Man Fulton vs. Air Wolf & Angel Dorado, Matt Justice vs. Jake Crist, Trey Miguel vs. Stephen Wolf, Sky Blue vs. Sierra plus ACH, Fred Yehi and more.
  • EPW on 11/7 in Perth, Western Australia has a members only show.
  • CWE tonight in Red Deer, Alberta at the Quality Inn with Johnny Devine vs. Jude Dawkins as the main event.
  • CWE results from last night in Calgary:  Tyler Adams b Rich King, Shaun Martens b Slammer, Travis Cole b Sydney Steele, AJ Sanchez & Kevin O’Doyle b Danny Duggan & Mentallo to keep the tag titles, Johnny Devine b Cody Mac.
  • Tony Capone and his NAWA announced Jingle Brawl on 12/19 in Daytona Beach, FL at the Ocean Center as a PPV show.
  • There is a new Go Fund Me for Tracy Smothers who has accumulated heavy medical bills fighting cancer.
  • A Vice piece on Washington Heights, a drag queen who says she is disowned by father New Jack.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: WCW Halloween Havoc 1994

CONTACT INFORMATION

Daily Update: Bob Armstrong, Masvidal/Edwards, weekend notes

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News

Latest Audio

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: WWE’s road to Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch

Though the road getting here was as convoluted as possible, WWE has finally confirmed Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch for WrestleMania 35.

Storyline suspensions, injuries, and even an “arrest” for Lynch, the McMahons getting involved and Vince replacing Lynch with Charlotte, Charlotte fully turning heel and Rousey turning against the crowd, and dozens of tweets all led to Lynch facing Charlotte at Fastlane. The stipulation was that if Lynch won, the Raw Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania would officially become a triple threat.

WON NEWSLETTER: March 18, 2019 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2018 Observer Newsletter Awards

One of the two biggest issues of the year, the awards issue, is out right now.

The awards issue contains not only the award winners, but also top placeholders in every category and an all-time history of award winners dating back to 1980.

Have a look at the career and life of Dick “The Destroyer” Beyer, from football to college wrestling to TV stardom in Japan to teaching school. It’s really an amazing story of one of the first Americans to become a TV celebrity in Japan and the greatest American masked wrestler of all-time.

Read full coverage of the road to WrestleMania with most of the card as well as full coverage of Fastlane with a match-by-match rundown with star ratings, poll results and business notes.

Look at SummerSlam tickets, WWE creative, Bruce Prichard, Jeff Jarrett, AEW vs. WWE, Takeover Brooklyn’s complete card, newcomers to WWE this week, Dwayne Johnson award, Harlem Heat Hall of Fame notes, WrestleMania 2020 week updates, new WWE hire, WWE ticket sales, WWE stock price, most watched shows of the past week no the WWE Network plus notes from all the weekend house shows with results, angles and business.

This issue has updated coverage of the New Japan Cup, with this week’s shows, a rundown of every match so far in the tournament and an updated look at the brackets.

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

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

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

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

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

SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE

Bob Armstrong, 79, had what was billed as his final match as a wrestler last night in Pensacola, FL. This was Armstrong’s 59th year as a pro wrestler.  All of his family was there including son Brian (Road Dogg),who introduced him.  He even had a great granddaughter at the show.

Matt Hardy starts back on the road with WWE tonight in Peoria. He will be teaming with brother Jeff on the Smackdown brand.  They are also teaming in Rockford tomorrow night.

Everything you ever wanted to know about Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame votingcan be found here. 

The backstage brawl with Jorge Masvidal and Leon Edwardsafter the UFC London show.

WWE

  • Jerry Lawler was mentioned in today’s Dick Tracy comic strip (thanks to Sandy Krebs)
  • Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins will be doing a WrestleMania week podcast at the Create a Pro Wrestler Academy in Hicksville,NY at 10 p.m.  There will be at least two WWE wrestlers as surprise guests.

UFC

MISCELLANEOUS

  • AAW from last night in Chicago before a sellout 550 fans:  Laynie Luck b Evil Sierra, Garvin Quinn & Juntai b Xavier Walker & Palmer Cruise, Project MONIX b Danhausen, Ace Austin won over Hakim Zane, Gringo Loco and Joey Lynch, Fatu (managed by Armando Estrada) b Clayton Gainz, Kimber Lee won six-way over Paco, Larry D, Sterling Regal, Logan Regal and Nate Webb, Fred Yehi b Eddie Edwards, Jimmy Jacobs b Mance Warner, Myron Reed & Juventud Guerrera b Chuck Taylor & Trent Baretta, Ace Romero b Moose, Sami Callihan b Jake Something to keep the AAW title, Jessicka Havok b Kyle Rae to win the AAW women’s title.  Next show is 4/12 at 115 Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park, IL with LAX vs. Penta 0M & Rey Fenix and Darby Allin vs Sammy Guevara
  • Warrior Wrestling from Friday night in Chicago Heights, IL:  Ace Austin won six-way over Rich Swann, Isaias Velazquez, Gringo Loco, Andrew Everett and Bryce Benjamin, Robert Anthony b Brian Pillman Jr.,Wardlow b Moose, Britt Baker b Kylie Rae-DQ, Eddie Edwards b Austin Aries-DQ, Shane Sabre & Space Monkey won over Matt Knicks & Chris Castro and Swoggle & Kongo Kong, Sammy Guevara b DJZ, L.A. Park b Sam Adonis, Jordynne Grace b Lisa Marie Varon to keep the Progress women’s title, Brian Cage won four-way over Dezmond Xavier, Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz to keep the Warrior title. (thanks to Shannon Walsh and Wrestling with Demons)
  • This was Everett’s last show as he’s about to undergo knee surgery. 
  • PCW Grand Slam from yesterday in Melbourne before 2,093 fans:  Edward Dusk b Danny Psycho, Jamie Durden & Royce Chambers b Tommy Hellfire & Rocco, Trikki b Cass Stone, Daniel Swagger b Nate Cross in a street fight, Charlie Matthews won Rumble, Mark Kage b Nate Cross, Wait & Syd Parker & Erika Reid b Ryan Rapid & Sammy Falcon & Ayesha to win the tag titles in a TLC match (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
  • Melbourne Championship Wrestling from last night in Melbourne before 700 fans:  JK Moody b Taylor King, Lochy Hendricks b Fun Time Phil, Robbie Eagles b Ritchie Taylor, Brat Pack won TLC match over The Loose and The Wreckless to win tag titles, DCT b Mike Burr, Avary won three-way over Kellyanne and Indi Hartwell, Slex b Gino Gambino to win MCW title.  Crowd went nuts for the title change.  The TLC match had crazy bumps.  Eagles vs. Taylor said to be ****1/4.   (thanks to Kevin Chiat and David Roughton)
  • Shine results from yesterday in Queens, NY:  Champion Allysin Kay missed the show due to flight issues.  Thunder Rosa & Holidead b Gabby Gilbert & Luscious Latasha-COR, Shotzi Blackheart b Stormie Lee, Brandi Lauren won three-way over Allie Recks and Riley Shepard, AJ Perera & Aerial Monroe b Kiera Hogan & Dementia D’Rose so Hogan and D’Rose must leave Shine for 90 days, Ivelisse won four-way to become top contender for the title over Mercedes Martinez, Su Yung and Priscilla Kelly (thanks to Shannon Walsh and Wrestling with Demons.com.
  • Southern Championship Wrestling last night in Longwood, FL (Morgan is Deputy Mayor of Longwood):  Chasyn Race b Jarrett Diaz, Cisco Sucio & Remi Danitao b Jake Shadows & Ali Mohammed, Gorilla Blanco b Chris Ramirez, Amber Nova & Sofia Castillo b Kaci Lennox & Layne Rosario, Mike Reed b Austin Gunn, Matt Morgan & Deon James b Chico Adams & Braydon Knight..
  • Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling from last night in East Carondelet, IL:  Jake Prater b Rockin Rivera, Gary Jackson b Big Texan, Curtis Wylde b Keith Smith Jr., Christopher Hargas b Khayman, Ricky Cruz & Gil Rogers DCOR Kowalski & Attila Khan, Ken Kasa b Flash Flanagan, Superstar Steve Fender b Billy McNeil (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
  • Penta 0M & Rey Fenix vs. Dragon Lee & Rush from Fort Worth on 2/22 
  • Friday night’s IPW TV show from Fight Network UK is now available to view for free worldwide. The main event is an all-British three way for the IPW World title between defending champion Mark Haskins, Kip Sabian and the returning Pac. Given the politics of wrestling at the moment, with Haskins signed to ROH and the other two now with AEW, this will probably be the last time we see these three men in the same ring at the same time.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Wrestlemania XX

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

  • Saturday, 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