UFC 326 gives MMA fans two very different matchmaking puzzles, with a five-round BMF title rematch between Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira, and a classic veteran-versus-prospect bantamweight test between Rob Font and Raul Rosas Jr. The odds favor Holloway at around -235 over Oliveira at +190, while Rosas Jr. sits near -218 against Font at +180, but the stylistic details matter more than just the raw price tags.
Holloway vs Oliveira 2 read
Holloway enters with a 27-8 record and elite volume numbers, averaging 7.20 significant strikes landed per minute with 59% striking defense and 83% takedown defense (via UFCStats).
Oliveira brings a 36-11 record with a very different profile, averaging 2.22 takedowns and 2.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes (via UFCStats), which explains why he remains dangerous even as the underdog.
The market has Holloway favored because his pace, durability, and layered boxing are built to punish opponents over time, while Oliveira’s path to victory here is far more dependent on creating chaos early or forcing grappling exchanges.
Rosas: 4.01 TD Avg, 1.1 Sub Avg ; Font: 5.36 SLpM, 43% TD defense in recent stretch
Why Holloway leads
Holloway is the more trustworthy pick here, because he can win minutes in several phases without needing to force a finish. He absorbs 4.74 significant strikes per minute, which is not low, but his own pace and shot selection have historically overwhelmed even elite names when fights move past the early danger zone and into the Championship rounds.
Oliveira’s 54% takedown accuracy and submission threat mean he is a genuine threat at all times, yet his 49% striking defense and the pressure Holloway sustains make extended striking exchanges a real problem for Do Bronx. My lean is Holloway by late stoppage or clear decision, because his style is better suited to a long, high-output title fight.
Rosas Jr. vs Font
Rosas Jr. may actually be the cleaner lock of these two featured fights, even though Holloway is the slightly bigger favorite on the board. The reason is stylistic, as Rosas averages 4.01 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.1 submissions per 15 (via UFCStats), while Font has been taken down 11 times across his previous three fights and owns a 43% takedown defense rate in that recent sample (via UFCStats).
Font is still the sharper boxer with 5.36 significant strikes landed per minute and a 71-inch reach, so if he keeps the fight standing he can absolutely win rounds behind the jab. But over three rounds, Rosas’ wrestling pressure, top control and pace look like the most repeatable edge he has to get the win over the three rounds.
Best lock
If the question is which favorite looks safest on paper, the answer is Raul Rosas Jr. Holloway has the stronger résumé and deserves to be favored, but Oliveira’s finishing/submission danger makes that matchup inherently volatile. Rosas, by contrast, is facing an opponent whose biggest weakness lines up directly with his best weapon, which is usually what creates the closest thing to a lock in MMA.
The Octagon is back in The Music City this weekend for the first time since March 2019 as UFC On ESPN 50: Sandhagen vs. Font takes place at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.
The card is headlined by a pair of bantamweights fighting at a 140-pound catchweight due to late changes as Cory Sandhagen takes on Rob Font in the five-round headliner. Sandhagen was originally slated to fight Umar Nurmagomedov, but an injury forced him out, and Font moved up a couple of weeks for the headline spot in a pivotal bout.
In the co-main event, former UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Jessica Andrade takes on undefeated former TUF winner Tatiana Suarez. Also on the main card is a pair of light heavyweight bouts as Dustin Jacoby battles Kennedy Nzechukwu and Tanner Boser battles Aleksa Camur, plus a featherweight bout pitting Diego Lopes against Gavin Tucker.
Almabayev lands a leg kick to start. He lands another. Almabayev lands a right hand after Osbourne landed a few leg kicks. Almabayev gets a takedown and is landing from inside the guard. Osbourne lands some elbows from the bottom. Almabayev staying on top and continuing to work and land. Almabayev moves to side control and lands some elbows. Almabayev grabs the neck and looks for a Peruvian necktie but Osbourne survives. Osbourne is cut open. 10-9 Almabayev.
Osbourne lands a knee but Almabayev grabs the leg and pushes it against the fence. They separate. They trade kicks. Almabayev gets it back to the mat and takes the back and is working for a choke. He has a rear-naked choke locked in and Osbourne taps! Impressive debut from Almabayev.
Official Result- Assu Almabayev def. Ode Osbourne by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:11 of Round 2
> Featherweights*- Sean Woodson (9-1-1, 3-1-1 UFC) vs. Dennis Buzukja (11-2, 0-0 UFC)
*Buzukja missed weight by a half-pound
Woodson throwing some kicks early. They trade leg kicks. Buzukja lands a big right hand against the fence. They clinch but separate. Woodson landing some leg kicks. Buzukja pushes Woodson against the fence looking for a takedown but they end up separating and trading. Buzukja lands a right hand but Woodson has been landing with a lot more volume. Woodson lands to the body and then lands a jab followed by a combo. Buzukja lands a combo before the end of the round. 10-9 Woodson.
Woodson landing calf kicks early as Buzukja is trying to land the right hand. They trade combinations. Buzukja looks for a takedown against the fence but Woodson is defending with some short punches. Woodson reverses and lands some knees and body shots and has Buzukja in trouble. Woodson takes it to the mat and lands some body punches. Woodson looking for a choke. Woodson looking for an anaconda choke. He lets go. They get to their feet but Woodson drags it back down. Woodson is attacking an arm. Buzukja gets his arm free. They go back to the mat and Buzukja is on top and lands a lot of punches and lands some more as Woodson got up and they exchange wildly late. 10-9 Woodson, 20-18 Woodson.
Buzukja lands a leg kick. Woodson lands a left hand then attacks to the body. Woodson looks for a takedown as Buzukja lands some elbows. They switch and Buzukja now looking for a takedown. Woodson gets the back and has them on their knees. They get to their feet. Buzukja lands a right hand as Woodson lands a left hook. They tie up. They’re down on the mat with Woodson pressuring. They stand and Woodson has the neck and drags it back down. They get up and Woodson lands a knee and left hand. Woodson lands a front kick. Woodson lands a combo. 10-9 Woodson, 30-27 Woodson.
Official Result- Sean Woodson def. Dennis Buzukja by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
They’re trading punches early on. Durden lands a nice right hand. Hadley lands a couple of calf kicks. Durden lands to the body. They trade combos. Durden gets a takedown and is in side control before he stands. Durden with some leg kicks before he gets back on top. He gets back to side control and is landing. Hadley has a cut opened up. They scramble to the feet but Durden gets it right back down. They get back up and Durden lands to the body. Durden gets a takedown but Hadley has a guillotine choke locked in. Durden survives to the end. 10-9 Durden.
Durden gets a takedown right away and has side control. They scramble and end up back on their feet. They trade punches. Durden lands a couple of elbows. Durden looks for a takedown as Hadley had the neck and Durden let go. Hadley pushes it against the fence and lands a knee before they separate. Durden lands a right hand. They go to the mat and Durden has an anaconda choke locked in. Hadley gives a thumbs up and escapes and takes the back of Durden. He lands some elbows. Hadley now with some punches. Hadley gets an armbar locked in and it is tight. Durden is grimacing. Hadley also has a triangle choke locked in. Durden is able to escape and is on top. Durden lands some hammerfists late and lands right hands. Wild round. 10-9 Hadley, 19-19.
They’re trading in close range to start the third. Durden lands a right hand and Hadley counters with a nice leg kick. Hadley lands a left hand. They continue to land in close range with Hadley landing leg kicks and the left hand but Durden lands the right hand. Hadley shoots for the takedown but Durden sprawls and has neck control. Durden maintains top position and lands punches to end the fight. Fun fight. 10-9 Durden, 29-28 Durden.
Official Result- Cody Durden def. Jake Hadley by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Featherweights- Billy Quarantillo (17-5, 5-3 UFC) vs. Damon Jackson (22-5-1 1 NC, 5-3-1 1 NC UFC)
Quarantillo lands a jab and leg kick but Jackson is landing combos in return. Jackson lands an overhand right. They clinch and Quarantillo lands a knee. They trade knees against the fence. They separate and Jackson lands a front kick followed by a combo. Jackson lands another combo. Jackson keeps finding a home for the right hand. They tie up against the fence. Jackson is trying for the takedown as Quarantillo lands some defending punches. Jackson gets the takedown. Jackson working from the half-guard after Quarantillo missed a gogoplata attempt. Jackson gets the back and is landing while working for the choke. Jackson stands and lands a big body kick. 10-9 Jackson.
They trade to start the second before Jackson pushes it against the fence. They’re battling in the clinch with both landing knees. Quarantillo lands a knee as they break. They trade right hands. Jackson lands a combo. They trade big combos. They scramble to the mat and Jackson has the back and then Quarantillo has the back but they scramble back up. They scramble back to the mat and Quarantillo has the neck but they work back to their feet. They clinch and Quarantillo lands to the body. Quarantillo doing a ton of body work this round and he lands a huge right hand. 10-9 Quarantillo, 19-19.
Jackson lands a left hook. Quarantillo landing the jab and follows with a big right hand. Quarantillo with a knee and some body shots. Jackson trying to get the takedown against the fence. They separate but Jackson goes right back to the tie up. Quarantillo landing to the body to defend. They separate and both land. Quarantillo lands a nice combo. Jackson lands a jab. Quarantillo connects big and has Jackson hurt for a moment. They tie up and Jackson lands a knee. Quarantillo lands a knee and right hand before going back to the body. Quarantillo with another big knee before breaking. Jackson lands a head kick. Quarantillo keeps pressing forward. They tie up against the fence. Jackson gets the takedown. Quarantillo landing to the body from the bottom. Quarantillo looking for an omaplata. They get to their feet. They trade late as Quarantillo lands a big right hand. 10-9 Quarantillo, 29-28 Quarantillo.
Official Result- Billy Quarantillo def. Damon Jackson by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Wells lands to the body right away. Harris shoots for a takedown but Wells defends and ends up on top. He’s in control from the top and looking to improve position. Harris lands from the bottom but Wells locks in a D’Arce choke. Harris is defending. Wells is squeezing hard. Harris is still defending well. They get to their feet as Harris escapes. Wells lands to the body. Wells gets it back to the mat and lands from the top. Wells gets the mount and lands some left hands. 10-9 Wells.
Harris swings wildly and it allows Wells to get him down. Wells lands to the body and is on top. Wells is landing punches from the top. Wells still in total control as he is landing from the top. Wells back inside of Harris’ guard and landing elbows. Wells with a dominant round. 10-9 Wells, 20-18 Wells.
They’re both swinging and landing before Wells pushes it against the fence. They separate. Harris lands and Wells shoots for the takedown against the fence. He gets it down but Harris has the neck. Harris is looking for a D’Arce choke and has it in tight and Wells goes out cold! Wow, what a finish out of nowhere as Harris gets the late upset.
Official Result- Carlson Harris def. Jeremiah Wells by submission (anaconda choke) at 1:50 of Round 3
Phillips lands a leg kick then a combo. Phillips working the jab. He lands a right hand then a body kick then another jab. Barcelos lands a right hand. Phillips lands a leg kick but Barcelos grabs the leg and has the body lock against the fence. Phillips drops down looking for the arm but Barcelos escapes and they get to their feet. Barcelos lands a right hand but eats a head kick from Phillips. Phillips lands a leg kick. Phillips drops Barcelos with a right hand and rushes to get on top but Barcelos gets back to his feet. Barcelos lands as they break. Barcelos lands a combo. Barcelos lands a flurry with a big left hand. Both land inside the pocket. They trade and Phillips lands a big right hand. 10-9 Phillips.
Phillips gets a takedown and lands from the top. They scramble to their feet. Phillips mixing his punches and kicks. They’re both landing and Barcelos shoots for a takedown but Phillips didn’t. Barcelos lands a combo but Phillips still circling around and landing solid punches. Barcelos looks for a takedown as he pushes it against the fence. They scramble around. Phillips landing the jab. Barcelos lands a combo. Phillips lands a right hand at the end. 10-9 Phillips, 20-18 Phillips.
Barcelos lands a leg kick. Phillips lands a right hand and a leg kick. Barcelos gets a brief takedown but Phillips pops right back up. Barcelos lands to the body. Phillips still circling around. Barcelos lands a body kick. Phillips has slowed his offense this round but lands a right hand. He lands another. Barcelos shoots for a takedown and gets it down despite Phillips grabbing the fence. They stand and Phillips lands an elbow. 10-9 Barcelos, 29-28 Phillips.
Official Result- Kyler Phillips def. Raoni Barcelos by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
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> Lightweights- Ignacio Bahamondes (14-4, 3-1 UFC) vs. Ludovit Klein (19-4-1, 3-2-1 UFC)
They trade some leg kicks early. Bahamondes lands to the body. Klein lands a left hand. Klein rocks Bahamondes with a big left hand and gets Bahamondes down to the mat. Klein landing to the body and landing to the head. Bahamondes looks for an armbar from the bottom but Klein escapes. They get to their feet and Bahamondes lands a right hand. 10-9 Klein.
Klein lands a left hand. They both land as Klein was rushing forward. Klein lands a hard leg kick. Bahamondes lands a left hand. Klein with a high kick. Klein gets a takedown. They get to their feet as Klein has the back. They separate. Bahamondes with some short uppercuts. Bahamondes lands a jab. Bahamondes landing a little more right now. Bahamondes lands the jab as Klein circles away. Klein lands a leg kick. Bahamondes lands a jab. Klein lands a combo then a nice left hand. They trade in close range. Klein gets a big takedown. He ends the round on top. 10-9 Klein, 20-18 Klein.
Klein lands the jab early on and Bahamondes lands a body kick. Klein lands a left hand as Bahamondes lands a high kick. They’re continuing to trade and Bahamondes is landing slightly more here. Bahamondes lands a jumping knee but Klein is able to score another takedown. Klein landing from the top. Bahamondes tries to throw his legs up but Klein gets out and is continuing to land from the top. Klein ends the fight on top. 10-9 Klein, 30-27 Klein.
Official Result- Ludovit Klein def. Ignacio Bahamondes by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Boser lands a jab. They trade in close range before tying up against the fence. They separate and neither are able to land before another brief clinch, but they break again. Boser lands a jab then a leg kick. They trade jabs. Boser lands a combo and a knee to the body. Camur lands a jab. They trade before tying back up. Boser lands an elbow. They break. Boser lands a leg kick. He lands a jab. Boser with a short uppercut. Boser with a double jab as Camur lands a body kick. Boser scores with a combo. Camur lands a nice left hook. Boser lands a high kick. 10-9 Boser.
Boser lands to the body before attempting a takedown against the fence. Boser lands some short punches before they break then he lands a left hand. Boser with some big punches on Camur. Boser lands a right hand. Camur lands a leg kick that makes Boser lose his balance. Boser lands a short elbow before they clinch. Boser lands an elbow and they trade inside the pocket. Camur lands a knee. Camur lands to the body as they break and Boser lands some punches and elbows before they tie back up against the fence. They separate and Boser lands some big shots. Boser lands a leg kick and jab as Camur fires back with a right hand. They’re trading in the clinch and Camur lands a nice punch. They break. Boser lands a jab. 10-9 Boser, 20-18 Boser.
They trade leg kicks to start the round. They tie up and Camur lands a knee to the body. Boser lands a body kick. They both land big shots in the clinch before going to the fence. They separate. Camur lands a leg kick that trips Boser up. Camur lands a nice right hand. Boser pushes it to the fence. They separate and Boser lands a combo. Boser lands a head kick. Camur rushes in and lands as they go to the fence. Boser landing big shots inside the pocket and Camur is somehow able to stay on his feet. Boser with some elbows. Boser pushes it against the fence. 10-9 Boser, 30-27 Boser.
Official Result- Tanner Boser def. Aleksa Camur by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Featherweights- Diego Lopes (21-6, 0-1 UFC) vs. Gavin Tucker (13-2, 4-2 UFC)
Tucker lands a groin strike early on and we have a timeout. Tucker gets a takedown and Lopes is immediately looking for a triangle choke. He is close on it and has the arm trapped as well. He transitions to the mounted triangle and Tucker taps as the transition happens and it is over! Big win for Lopes.
Official Result- Diego Lopes def. Gavin Tucker by submission (armbar) at 1:38 of Round 1
Jacoby with a quick combo. Nzechukwu lands a body kick. Nzechukwu lands a left hand. They trade punches. Jacoby drops Nzechukwu with a right hand and gets on top and tees off with punches and it gets stopped. Big finish from Jacoby to get back into the win column.
Official Result- Dustin Jacoby def. Kennedy Nzechukwu by TKO (punches) at 1:22 of Round 1
Suarez lands a body kick. She lands another. She lands another. Andrade lands a leg kick. They tie up and Suarez lands a knee before they break, then she lands a body kick. Andrade lands a leg kick. Suarez lands a left hand. Suarez drops for a takedown and is able to complete it and is now in side control. They get to their feet and Suarez has the neck. Suarez with a knee to the body. She lands a couple more before shooting for the takedown. She lands some more heavy knees before they separate. Andrade lands a flurry to the head and body. They trade kicks. 10-9 Suarez.
Suarez lands a body kick. She’s landing more. Andrade rushes in throwing but nothing lands. Suarez gets the takedown. Andrade has the neck but Suarez lands to the body. They scramble and Suarez is able to get the neck and is looking for a guillotine choke. She is able to get Andrade to tap! Big win for Suarez.
Official Result- Tatiana Suarez def. Jessica Andrade by submission (guillotine choke) at 1:31 of Round 2
> 140-pound Catchweights- #4 Cory Sandhagen (16-4, 9-3 UFC) vs. #7 Rob Font (20-6, 10-5 UFC)
Font lands a right hand but Sandhagen is able to get a takedown. They scramble around and Font has the neck. Sandhagen lands some back elbows. Sandhagen gets his neck free and Font is attacking the arm. Sandhagen defending with some body punches. They scramble to their feet. Sandhagen lands a leg kick. Font lands a jab then a solid uppercut. Sandhagen gets a takedown. They get to their feet and Sandhagen lands a right hand as Font drops for a takedown. Sandhagen sprawls as he defends and gets on top. Font tried to sweep but Sandhagen remains on top. Sandhagen gets to his feet. Font lands an upkick and stands. Sandhagen lands a high kick and Font catches the kick and is able to get a takedown. Font with a knee to the body. 10-9 Sandhagen.
Sandhagen lands a jab and leg kick before getting a takedown. Sandhagen working from the top and landing short punches and elbows as Font is having trouble getting from the top. Sandhagen maintaining top position and landing and this was a big round for Sandhagen from the top. 10-9 Sandhagen, 20-18 Sandhagen.
Sandhagen landing to start the third and lands a switch knee. Sandhagen gets the takedown and is back working in the half-guard. Sandhagen with a short right hand from the top as he’s in total control. Sandhagen lands an elbow. Font is trying to sweep but Sandhagen is adjusting to remain on top. They get to their feet and Sandhagen lands a knee. Font lands a right hand. 10-9 Sandhagen, 30-27 Sandhagen.
Sandhagen gets an early takedown. Sandhagen lands some punches and elbows from the top. Sandhagen still working from the top as they push to the fence. Sandhagen with some left hands from the top. They get to their feet but Sandhagen is able to score another takedown. Sandhagen with some right hands from the top. 10-9 Sandhagen, 40-36 Sandhagen.
Sandhagen lands a left hand and Font lands a right hand. Sandhagen with a body kick. They trade punches. Font shoots for a takedown and pushes it against the fence. Sandhagen reverses position and is able to get Font to the mat. Sandhagen is working for a choke and looks to have a D’Arce choke in tight. Font is able to squirrel his way out and Sandhagen remains on top. Sandhagen working from the top but not a ton of action happening. Sandhagen stands but ends up back in the guard. Font grabs the arm but is in the wrong position. Sandhagen ends the fight on top. 10-9 Sandhagen, 50-45 Sandhagen.
Official Result- Cory Sandhagen def. Rob Font by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC On ESPN 35: Font vs. Vera, emanating from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The UFC closes out the month of May back at the UFC Apex for the third straight week, this time with a bantamweight battle between two contenders trying to break into the title picture.
Fifth-ranked bantamweight Rob Font takes on eighth-ranked bantamweight Marlon Vera in the five-round headline bout. Both men are coming off of fights against future UFC Hall Of Famers, as Font is looking to rebound from a decision loss to Jose Aldo in December, while Vera is coming off a third-round knockout of Frankie Edgar in November.
Also on the main card is a heavyweight bout between former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski and Jake Collier, Andre Fili meets Joanderson Brito in featherweight action, Jared Gooden takes on Grant Dawson in a lightweight bout, Darren Elkins battles Tristan Connelly in a featherweight fight, and the main card starts off with a middleweight bout between Krzysztof Jotko and Gerald Meerschaert.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.
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*A flyweight bout between Tatsuro Taira and Carlos Candelario, which was scheduled to kick off the prelims, has been scratched from the card due to an illness for Candelario.
> Women’s Flyweights- Gina Mazany (7-5, 2-5 UFC) vs. Shanna Young (7-4, 0-2 UFC)
Mazany with a leg kick. Mazany lands and they clinch against the fence but separate. Mazany with a left hand. Mazany has the body lock as they clinch against the fence and she’s landing knees to the legs as she’s also trying to trip. They break as Mazany lands a right hand. Mazany with a leg kick. Mazany lands a big knee and Young drops to her knees but gets right up. Mazany with a left hand. Young with a leg kick. Mazany continues to land a little more. Young with a push kick. Mazany with a body kick and Young with a side kick. Young lands a punch and they trade late. 10-9 Mazany.
Young connects with some punches early. Mazany with a left hand. They trade in close range and Mazany connects with the left hand. Mazany with a left hand. Young landed a right hand there as well. Mazany with a left hand and body kick. Young with a right hand. Mazany gets a body lock and scores a takedown and Young scrambles to the top and is in side control. They get up briefly but Young takes it back down. Young gets the back and is landing lots of punches as she has the hooks in. Young with big elbows and more punches and it is stopped. A great finish by Young as she rallies to get the win.
Official Result- Shanna Young def. Gina Mazany by TKO (strikes) at 3:11 of Round 2
> Lightweights- Natan Levy (6-1, 0-1 UFC) vs. Mike Breeden (10-4, 0-1 UFC)
They trade kicks and clinch up against the fence. Breeden gets the fight to the mat. They get to their feet. Levy lands a knee then they break. Levy lands a right hook. Levy throws a high kick and they fall to the mat and Levy went for a kneebar but Breeden escapes. There is a groin strike and a timeout and they trade big shots when they get back to action. Breeden gets a brief takedown but they get up. Levy lands a left hand and Breeden lands a nice counter shot. Levy with a big right hook and a body kick. Levy scores a takedown. Levy has side control and lands some knees to the body from the back and they stand at the end. Levy with a knee from the back. 10-9 Levy.
They trade big shots to start the second. Levy with a push kick and grabs the leg and scores a takedown. Levy has the back and drags it back down to the mat. They get up and Levy trips it back down and they stand right back up. Levy still has body control and Breeden gets the underhooks and switches positions. Levy switches and they break. Levy with a body kick. Levy lands a left hook after a brief clinch. Breeden with a combo against the fence but Levy hurts him with a left hook and a body kick. Levy gets it down and starts pounding away but Breeden gets to his feet. Levy has the back and drags it back down and is landing punches. Both are looking tired. They get to their feet. They separate. Breeden with a late knee. 10-9 Levy, 20-18 Levy.
Breeden with some big shots to start the third and they hurt Levy a little. Breeden lands to the body against the fence. Levy with a knee to the body. Breeden lands some more punches. Levy tries for a takedown but Breeden defends. Breeden lands some body shots against the fence. Levy shoots for the takedown and Breeden lands some body punches to defend. Levy with a left hand. Breeden with a big knee that hurts Levy and he tries a desperation takedown. Breeden continuing to land with more volume. Breeden with some big combos and Levy lands a left hand. Breeden lands a big elbow and Levy lands an uppercut. Levy rocks Breeden badly with a left hand and just misses a spin kick. Levy shoots for the takedown but Breeden is defending. They break and both land some big punches. Breeden gets the back standing late. They trade flurries at the end. Fun fight. 10-9 Breeden, 29-28 Levy.
Official Result- Natan Levy def. Mike Breeden by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
> Welterweights- Gabe Green (10-3, 1-1 UFC) vs. Yohan Lainesse (8-0, 0-0 UFC)
Lainesse is making his UFC debut. Lainesse with a leg kick. Lainesse just misses a right hand. Lainesse with some leg kicks. Green with some leg kicks. Lainesse lands some hard punches that rock Green. They trade leg kicks. Lainesse lands some punches and a push kick. Green lands a right hand as he was rushing in. Green with a leg kick. Lainesse gets a takedown. Lainesse is in the half-guard against the fence and moves to side control. Green uses the fence to get to the feet. Lainesse has the neck and looked for a standing choke but they break. They trade big shots against the fence. Green landed a good combo and Lainesse landed as they broke. 10-9 Lainesse.
They trade to start the second and Green lands a nice right hand. Lainesse lands a couple of leg kicks. Green with some leg kicks as well. Lainesse shoots for a takedown but Green defends. Lainesse then drops Green with a right hand and gets on top and is landing. They get to their feet. Lainesse gets the fight to the mat and is in side control and lands. Lainesse almost got the back but Green was scrambling and they get to their feet. They separate. Green lands a left hand. They trade punches. Green lands some big punches and Lainesse is now hurt. Lainesse falls to the mat and Green is landing big punches from the top and it is stopped! What a finish by Green.
Official Result- Gabe Green def. Yohan Lainesse by TKO (punches) at 4:02 of Round 2
> Flyweights- Daniel Da Silva (11-2, 0-1 UFC) vs. Francisco Figueiredo (12-4-1 1 NC, 1-1 UFC)
Figueiredo with a leg kick. Da Silva lands a spin kick. Figueiredo with a body kick. Da Silva with a leg kick. Da Silva gets a takedown and is in the guard of Figueiredo. Figueiredo grabs the leg real quick and gets the kneebar locked in and Da Silva taps! That came out of nowhere.
Official Result- Francisco Figueiredo def. Daniel Da Silva by submission (kneebar) at 1:18 of Round 1
> Heavyweights- Alexandr Romanov (15-0, 4-0 UFC) vs. Chase Sherman (15-9, 3-8 UFC)
Romanov gets an immediate takedown. They get up and Romanov with a big suplex and has the half-guard. Romanov lands from the top. They get to their feet but Romanov takes it immediately back down and is in side control. Romanov moves to the mount. Romanov is landing big punches from the top. Sherman trying to turn to his side but Romanov grabs the arm and is looking for the kimura and Sherman taps. Just complete dominance from Romanov.
Official Result- Alexandr Romanov def. Chase Sherman by submission (americana) at 2:11 of Round 1
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> Middleweights- Krzysztof Jotko (23-5, 10-5 UFC) vs. Gerald Meerschaert (34-14, 9-6 UFC)
Jotko with a leg kick and a left hand as Meerschaert was rushing in. Jotko with a body kick and Meerschaert lands a left hand. Meerschaert lands a left hand. Jotko lands a right hand as Meerschaert was coming forward. Jotko with a left hand and then hurts Meerschaert with a front kick to the face. Jotko grabs the body lock and looks for the takedown against the fence. They break. Jotko lands a combination. Meerschaert with a leg kick. Jotko lands a right hook. Meerschaert with a right hand. Jotko with a leg kick. They’re clinched against the fence at the end of the round. 10-9 Jotko.
They trade in close range to start the second. Meerschaert with a leg kick. Jotko lands a left hand. Jotko with a leg kick and a right hand. Meerschaert lands a jab. Meerschaert lands a right hand. Meerschaert grabs the body against the fence and tries for a takedown but Jotko stays on his feet. Jotko lands a knee and left hand as they break. They trade inside the pocket before they clinch back up. Meerschaert gets the takedown but they get up and remained clinched against the fence. Jotko gets a takedown and is in the half-guard of Meerschaert. Jotko lands some short elbows at the end. 10-9 Jotko, 20-18 Jotko.
Jotko lands a left hand as Meerschaert throws a body kick. Jotko with a right hand as Meerschaert lands a left. Meerschaert with a leg kick after Jotko lands a combo. Jotko with another combination. Jotko tries for a takedown but Meerschaert defends. Jotko gets the takedown. He works from the top then they get up. Meerschaert pushes it against the fence as both land but they break. Jotko with a combo and lands a high kick. Jotko ducks under a punch and gets a takedown. Meerschaert tries to transition but Jotko steps over to stay on top. Jotko is on the side and lands some elbows to the body. Jotko is back in the guard of Meerschaert. They get to their feet at the end. 10-9 Jotko, 30-27 Jotko.
Official Result- Krzysztof Jotko def. Gerald Meerschaert by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Featherweights- Darren Elkins (26-10, 16-9 UFC) vs. Tristan Connelly (14-7, 1-1 UFC)
Elkins lands some right hands as he scores a takedown against the fence. Elkins has the back as he drags it down. Elkins trying to pass to mount and has an arm-triangle choke almost locked in but Connelly escapes. Elkins is in the guard of Connelly and Connelly lands an elbow. Elkins now works to the back as they almost got to their feet but Elkins dragged it right back down. They scramble to their feet. Connelly lands an elbow as they break. Elkins gets a takedown and is in the guard of Connelly. Elkins with some short hammerfists. He lands an overhand right as Connelly lands an elbow. They trade punches on the mat. They scramble up as Connelly looked for the leg. Elkins with some knees from the back and they separate. They both land big shots late. 10-9 Elkins.
Elkins lands a right hand. Connelly with a combo then a leg kick. Elkins with a right hand and they may have clashed heads. Connelly with a short elbow as they clinch and Elkins pushes it against the fence. Elkins shoots for a takedown and Connelly defends against the fence. They break and both land short shots as Elkins was pressuring. Elkins gets the takedown and Connelly has the neck. Elkins takes the back as Connelly is trying to get to his feet. They scramble to their feet. Connelly lands a right hand. Elkins with a right hand. Connelly with a combo ending with a leg kick. Connelly with a right hand. Elkins lands a right hand and then Connelly lands a right hand. Elkins tries for a takedown and had it down and Connelly grabbed the fence. They got up and Connelly lands an elbow and Elkins with a right hand. 10-9 Elkins, 20-18 Elkins.
Elkins lands a right hand. Elkins lands a combo. Connelly lands a jumping knee to the body. Connelly lands in the clinch and Elkins is now cut open after Connelly lands some slicing shots. Elkins shoots for a takedown but Connelly defends and lands an elbow. Elkins with a hard elbow. Elkins lands an elbow then three uppercuts and a big right hand. They tie up and Elkins lands on the break. Connelly lands a big right hand. Elkins shoots for the takedown and scores it. Elkins has the back and lands some right hands. Elkins has the body triangle fully locked in. Elkins with right hands from the back. Elkins with more punches from the back and then locks in a rear-naked choke. Connelly is fighting it off. Elkins lands from the back as the fight ends. 10-9 Elkins, 30-27 Elkins.
Official Result- Darren Elkins def. Tristan Connelly by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Lightweights- Jared Gordon (18-4, 6-3 UFC) vs. Grant Dawson (17-1-1, 5-0-1 UFC)
Gordon with a leg kick. They trade and Gordon gets a takedown. They scramble to their feet. Gordon jumps up and grabs the neck for a guillotine and they roll to the mat and Dawson is able to escape. Gordon with a leg kick. Dawson with some leg kicks and gets a takedown and takes the back. Dawson with some left hands from the back. Dawson with left hands from the back. Dawson still landing from the back as he has the body triangle locked on. Dawson with big left hands to the head and body as the round ends. 10-9 Dawson.
Gordon with a leg kick and lands some punches as he backs Dawson up. Dawson gets the takedown and moves to the back. He gets the hooks in as Gordon is on his feet. They’re back on the mat and Dawson has the back and is looking for a rear-naked choke. They scramble to their feet. Dawson trying hard to get the fight back down as he has the single leg. They clinch and Dawson with some knees as Gordon lands a right hand and they break. Gordon lands a left hook. They clinch and Gordon with an elbow. Dawson gets a takedown. Dawson has the back and lands a right hand. 10-9 Dawson, 20-18 Dawson.
Gordon lands a right hand. Dawson with a left hook and then he runs away from trouble. Dawson lands a right hand. Dawson with a high kick. Gordon with a leg kick. Dawson tries a takedown but Gordon blocks and lands some big shots as Dawson was standing. Gordon with a right hand. Gordon landing with more volume and Dawson goes for the takedown but Gordon defends. Dawson trying for the takedown but Gordon lands to the body to defend. Dawson lands an elbow. Gordon with a right hand. Dawson grabs the single leg and gets the takedown. They scramble up and Dawson with some knees and an elbow as Gordon landed some punches. They trade punches. Dawson slips on a spinning back fist and Gordon tries to get on top. They get to their feet and Dawson trying very hard for the takedown. Dawson gets the back and looks to lock in a rear-naked choke and does and Gordon taps. What a finish by Dawson.
Official Result- Grant Dawson def. Jared Gordon by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:11 of Round 3
> Featherweights- Andre Fili (21-8 1 NC, 9-7 1 NC UFC) vs. Joanderson Brito (12-3-1, 0-1 UFC)
Brito with a leg kick. Brito with the jab then they trade jabs. Brito drops Fili with a right hand and starts pounding away and it is stopped! What a finish by Brito!
Official Result- Joanderson Brito def. Andre Fili by TKO (punches) at :41 of Round 1
> Heavyweights- Andrei Arlovski (33-20 2 NC, 22-14 1 NC UFC) vs. Jake Collier (13-6, 5-5 UFC)
They both throw but neither land before they clinch. Arlovski with a knee to the body. Collier with a knee. They separate. Collier with a jab to the body. They clinch back up and Collier with a short knee. He lands another and they break. Collier with an overhand right. Arlovski with a leg kick. Arlovski lands a right hand. Collier lands a left hook. Arlovski with a right hand as Collier rushes in. Clash of heads causes a timeout. Arlovski with a right hand as they continue. They clinch and Collier with a shoulder strike. Arlovski with a knee as they break. Arlovski with a leg kick. Arlovski with a short knee. They trade in close range. They trade kicks and Collier catches Arlovski with a left hand. Arlovski lands a left hand. Close round. 10-9 Collier.
They trade quick punches. Arlovski with a body kick. Collier with a leg kick. Arlovski with a right hand. Arlovski with a combination. Collier with a combo. They clinch and Collier with some short knees. Arlovski with a right hand. Arlovski with a combination. Collier with a stiff jab and Arlovski counters with a right hand. Collier with a left hook. Arlovski with a right hand. Arlovski with a right hand. Arlovski lands a big right hand. Collier lands a right hand. Collier gets a brief takedown and has the back as they’re against the fence. They break. They trade and Arlovski lands with a flurry. Arlovski with a combo. Collier with a leg kick and left hook. Arlovski with a body kick and they trade late. Another close round. 10-9 Arlovski, 19-19.
Collier with a body kick and then a leg kick. They have another clash of heads and we have a timeout. They get back to action and Arlovski with a right hand. They clinch and Arlovski with a couple of knees before they break. Collier lands a left hook. Arlovski with an inside leg kick. They trade big punches and Collier lands a nice combination. Arlovski with a quick flurry. Collier with a few big shots. Arlovski with a jab. Collier with a knee as they’re tied up against the fence. Arlovski with a leg kick. Arlovski lands a counter left hand. Collier with a big combo. Collier with a jab. He lands a right hand. Collier with a combo. Collier gets a late takedown and ends the fight on top. 10-9 Collier, 29-28 Collier.
Official Result- Andrei Arlovski def. Jake Collier by split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
> Bantamweights*- #5 Rob Font (19-5, 9-4 UFC) vs. #8 Marlon Vera (20-7-1, 12-6 UFC)
*Font missed weight by 2.5 pounds
Vera with a side kick. Vera with a leg kick. Font with a body kick and a right hand. Font with a big right hand. Vera with a huge body kick and Font returns a flurry. Font with the jab and a right hand to the body. Font with a combination. Font lands an uppercut. Font with a right hand and an elbow. Font with some quick uppercuts. Font with some body shots. Vera with a leg kick. Font with more combos as he’s throwing with lots of volume. Font continuing to land more punches as he’s starting to land the uppercut. Font with some body shots. Vera with a body kick. They trade leg kicks. 10-9 Font.
Font with a big left hook to start the second. Font with another combo. Vera tries a front kick and Font pushes it off. Vera with a spin kick. Vera lands a head kick and Font counters with a right hand. Font with a combo. He lands another combo. Vera with a jab. Font with more right hands to the body. Vera with a combination. Font with a right hand. They trade leg kicks. Vera with a solid jab. Font with a leg kick. Font with more right hands. Vera with a heavy body kick. Font with a right hand and then another and a third. Font with a big left hook. Font with another big flurry of shots. Font with a body kick and a combo behind it. Font with a series of jabs. Vera lands a left hand and Font was hurt and dropped for a takedown and Vera is landing big shots trying to finish it. Vera is on top and lands a few big elbows and they survive to the end. 10-9 Vera, 19-19.
Font with a combo to start the third. Font goes for the takedown as he has the back and looks to get a hook in. They break and Font lands an elbow. Vera with a body kick. Font with a combo. Font with the jab. Vera with a leg kick and then another. Font with a right hand. He lands a right hand, jab then a body kick. Font with body punches and a leg kick. Font continuing to land with volume and Vera with some leg kicks. Font with some right hands. Font with an inside leg kick. Font with a combo. Font with a left hook to the body. Font with an elbow. Vera with a knee to the body. Font with a combination. Vera with a body kick and then Font returns fire with a flurry. Font with another flurry. Font with a left and Vera lands a knee that hurts Font and Font falls down. Vera gets on top and landing big shots and elbows but Font survives again. 10-9 Vera, 29-28 Vera.
They trade big shots to start the fourth. They’re trading in close range and Font landing some quick combos. Font lands a right hand. They clinch up and Vera lands a big elbow on the break. Font landing the jab. Font with an inside leg kick. Vera lands a left hook. Vera with a leg kick and a jab. Font with a right hand. Vera with a side kick to the face and Font falls down and Vera gets on top and lands but stands. Vera with some kicks as he’s standing and Font is still on the mat. Jason Herzog stands Font up. Font’s face is a mess. Font with a body kick. Vera with a body kick. 10-9 Vera, 39-37 Vera.
Font with a body shot. Font with a short elbow. They continue to trade in close range. Font with a right hand. They continue to trade. Vera is landing more in this round but Font is still landing some nice punches. Font is bleeding more and more. Vera with a snap jab. Vera with a leg kick. Vera with a left hand. Font with a right hand and an uppercut as he’s starting to pour on the volume. Font with a right hand. Font with the jab. Font with a combo. Vera with a side kick and Font is on wobbly legs. They survive to the end. 10-9 Vera, 49-46 Vera.
Official Result- Marlon Vera def. Rob Font by unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46)
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC On ESPN 31: Font vs. Aldo, emanating from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.
UFC action returns after a week off as the first of three December events in Las Vegas takes place, highlighted by a pivotal bantamweight bout featuring one of the UFC’s all-time greats.
Bantamweight contender Rob Font looks for his fifth straight win as he takes on former UFC Featherweight Champion and future hall of famer Jose Aldo in the main event. Font is coming off a decision win over Cody Garbrandt in May, while Aldo has won two straight after scoring a decision over Pedro Munhoz in August.
In the co-main event, it will be a battle of ranked lightweights looking to move up the ladder as Brad Riddell takes on Rafael Fiziev. Also on the main card is a lightweight battle between long-time veteran Clay Guida and Leonardo Santos, a light heavyweight fight pitting Jimmy Crute against Jamahal Hill, a middleweight fight between Brendan Allen and Chris Curtis, and a welterweight fight that sees Alex Morono squaring off against Mickey Gall.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.
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> Louis Smolka (17-7, 8-7 UFC) vs. Vince Morales (10-5, 2-3 UFC) Bantamweights
They trade to start as Morales lands some jabs while Smolka lands to the body. Morales with a combo to the body and Smolka lands a left hook. Smolka pressing forward and lands a combo. They clinch and Smolka lands some knees to the body as Morales is landing to the body, then Morales drops Smolka with a right hand as they break and finishes it up with some follow-up punches. Big finish by Morales.
Official Result- Vince Morales def. Louis Smolka by knockout (punches) at 2:02 of Round 1
> Claudio Puelles (10-2, 3-1 UFC) vs. Chris Gruetzemacher (15-4, 3-3 UFC) Lightweights
Gruetzemacher pressing forward and lands a leg kick early. They trade body kicks and then leg kicks. Puelles gets a takedown and is in the full guard of Gruetzemacher. Puelles working from the top but not a whole lot happening. Gruetzemacher tries to scramble out but Puelles takes his back but Gruetzemacher slides his body to the side of the fence. Puelles trying to take the back as Gruetzemacher is trying to escape. Puelles looking for a mounted guillotine but lets go. Puelles gets the full mount and lands some elbows then some punches. Puelles landing some big hammerfists from the top and then moves to the half-guard. Puelles moves to side control and stands and lands to the body at the end. 10-9 Puelles.
Puelles lands a head kick to start the second and tried for a couple of takedowns but Gruetzemacher defended. Gruetzemacher defending as he has the neck of Puelles and is now looking to get on top. Gruetzemacher is on top and in control but not much is going on. They scramble up and Gruetzemacher with a knee. They break and Puelles throws a head kick but Gruetzemacher blocks. Puelles lands a left hand and shoots for a takedown but Gruetzemacher defends against the fence. They break and both are landing. Puelles shoots for a takedown from a mile away but Gruetzemacher easily defends. Gruetzemacher with a knee in the clinch as they go to the fence. Puelles with some elbows and knees in the clinch against the fence. 10-9 Puelles, 20-18 Puelles.
We have a timeout early in the third as they’re in the clinch and Gruetzemacher lands a low blow on Puelles. They get back to action and both throw before they clinch, but break before anything happens. They trade leg kicks and Gruetzemacher with a right hand. Puelles shoots for a takedown but Gruetzemacher defends and switches to the back. They tie up against the fence and Puelles with some foot stomps and Gruetzemacher gets a takedown. Puelles goes for a leg lock. Gruetzemacher escapes and has the back but Puelles goes back for the leg and has a kneebar locked in and Gruetzemacher taps. Nice late finish by Puelles.
Official Result- Claudio Puelles def. Chris Gruetzemacher by submission (kneebar) at 3:25 of Round 3
> Alonzo Menifield (11-2, 4-2 UFC) vs. William Knight (10-2, 2-1 UFC) Light Heavyweights
Knight goes for an early takedown but Menifield reverses it and is in side control. Knight escapes out and gets to the mount and lands a punch and then takes the back of Menifield. Knight looking for a rear-naked choke. Menifield escapes and takes the back of Knight as they stand. Knight with a knee in the clinch. Knight has a front headlock in as they’re leaning on each other. Menifield is trying for a takedown. They break. Menifield lands a right hand. Knight lands a right hand and then drops Menifield with a left hand and tosses him to the mat and is landing big shots as the first ends. 10-9 Knight.
Menifield landing some good punches to start the second and Knight circles away. Menifield lands a big right hand. Knight just misses a front kick to the face and Menifield lands a right hand. Menifield lands a couple of hard punches. Menifield with a combo and then lands a left hand as Knight has really slowed down. They trade jabs and Menifield lands another nice jab. Knight with a leg kick. Menifield with another jab and just misses an overhand right. They trade late and Knight with a body kick and left hand. 10-9 Menifield, 19-19.
They trade to start the third with both landing hard shots. They clinch against the fence as Menifield has Knight pushed against the fence. Menifield working for a takedown against the fence. Menifield landing some short punches against the fence. Menifield still working for the takedown against the fence. Both landing short shots but neither are doing much. They break. Knight with a body kick then a leg kick. Knight swinging late but doesn’t really connect. 10-9 Menifield, 29-28 Menifield.
Official Result- William Knight def. Alonzo Menifield by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Cheyanne Vlismas (6-2, 1-1 UFC) vs. Mallory Martin (7-4, 1-2 UFC) Women’s Strawweights
Vlismas throwing punches and kicks early. Vlismas lands a right hand. They trade punches. Martin lands a right hand. Vlismas with a body kick. Vlismas with an overhand right. Vlismas with a combo. They trade punches. They trade inside the pocket. Vlismas with a right hand. Vlismas with a combo. Vlismas with a right hand. Martin lands a left hand. They clinch and Vlismas with some uppercuts and they break. Vlismas with a right hand. Vlismas with some late uppercuts. 10-9 Vlismas.
Vlismas with a right hand. They trade punches and Vlismas with a leg kick. Martin with a combo and Vlismas lands a right hand as she circles away. Martin with a combination. Vlismas with a combo and a head kick. Martin lands to the body and then a left hook. Vlismas with a right hand. They clinch and Martin with a knee to the body. They trade knees to the body against the fence. They break. Vlismas lands a couple of right hands and Martin lands one. Vlismas with a body kick. Vlismas with a combo. They trade late. Close round. 10-9 Vlismas, 20-18 Vlismas.
They trade to start the third. Martin shoots for the takedown as they tie up against the fence. Martin with a knee and they break. Vlismas with a combo. Vlismas with the jab. Vlismas lands a nice overhand right. They tie up and Martin tries hard for the takedown but Vlismas defends. They break. Both are landing and Vlismas with a right hand. Martin coming forward but Vlismas landing more. Vlismas lands a nice right hand. Vlismas with a left hand and continues to land more as the fight is nearing the end. Martin lands a right hand. Vlismas with a combo as she comes forward and she lands more late. 10-9 Vlismas, 30-27 Vlismas.
Official Result- Cheyanne Vlismas def. Mallory Martin by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Weeks is making his UFC debut, taking this fight on Tuesday. Weeks landing early as he lands a body kick. They trade leg kicks. Weeks scores a takedown but Barberena does a good job of getting back to his feet. Weeks just misses an elbow as they break. Both throwing short kicks and Barberena lands a solid calf kick. He lands another. Weeks goes for a takedown but Barberena defends as Weeks pushes it against the fence. Barberena fights for the underhooks and reverses. Weeks with some knees as they’re tied up. Barberena lands as they break. Weeks with a front kick. Weeks goes for a takedown but Barberena defends. Barberena with a left hand and an inside leg kick late. 10-9 Barberena.
Weeks scores a takedown to start the second. They get to their feet. Barberena still landing the leg kick while Weeks is landing punches. Barberena with a left hand. They trade in close range. Both throw wild shots but neither land. They both then land in close range. Weeks gets a takedown. Barberena works himself to the fence and back to his feet. They break and both land in close range. Barberena with a leg kick. Weeks with a front kick. Barberena with a close combo. Weeks with a right hand. Barberena with a right hand. Close round. 10-9 Weeks, 19-19.
Barberena with some leg kicks as Weeks lands some punches. Barberena with a combo. They tie up and Barberena with a couple of knees. Barberena with some more knees. Weeks tries a takedown but Barberena escapes. Weeks still trying to get the takedown but lets go as they break towards the center. They exchange in close range as Barberena is coming forward and lands to the body. Barberena mixing his punches and lands to the body and head. Barberena with some left hands and an inside leg kick. Weeks with a right hand. Weeks lands some punches and now both landing in close range. Weeks with a solid combination. Barberena with a leg kick. They both land in close but Barberena landing with lots of volume as he lands a big combo to the body. Weeks gets a late takedown. Barberena gets to his feet at the end and rocks Weeks with a left hand at the end. Good fight and close. 10-9 Barberena, 29-28 Barberena.
Official Result- Bryan Barberena def. Darian Weeks by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Kape lands some right hands early on. Kape with a leg kick. Zhumagulov with a leg kick. Zhumagulov lands a right hand. Zhumagulov with a right hand and Kape with a leg kick. Zhumagulov lands a big right hand. Zhumagulov with an inside leg kick. They trade right hands. Kape with a knee to the body. Kape with a right hand and Zhumagulov counters with a leg kick and left hand. Kape with a leg kick. Kape with a right hand. Kape with a leg kick and Zhumagulov lands a counter right. Kape drops Zhumagulov with a straight right hand and Zhumagulov is able to get up. Kape lands a flurry against the fence. Kape with big punches against the fence and Zhumagulov is covering up and goes down again and it is over. What a finish by Kape.
Official Result- Manel Kape def. Zhalgas Zhumagulov by TKO (punches) at 4:02 of Round 1
Both throwing early but neither really landing. Pitolo lands a solid right hand. Pitolo landing more and then goes for a guillotine choke as they go to the ground. Todorovic escapes and is on top in the full guard of Pitolo. Todorovic moves to the half-guard and then traps an arm and is landing left hands. He almost has the crucifix position in but Todorovic moves to the full mount and is landing big right hands. He flattens Pitolo out and is landing punches. More big punches from Todorovic and it is stopped.
Official Result- Dusko Todorovic def. Maki Pitolo by TKO (punches) at 4:34 of Round 1
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> Alex Morono (20-7 1 NC, 9-4 1 NC UFC) vs. Mickey Gall (7-3, 6-3 UFC) Welterweights
Morono lands a right hand. Morono with an inside leg kick. Gall with a body kick. Gall with a leg kick. They trade in close range. Gall with a body kick. Morono with a couple of right hands. Morono with a right hand. Morono with a right hand to the body. Morono drops Gall with the jab and gets on top in the full guard of Gall. Morono lands some hammerfists. Gall tries for a kneebar. Morono lands some more punches as he’s getting warned about grabbing the fence. Morono back into Gall’s full guard. They get to their feet and both swing wildly late. 10-9 Morono.
They trade to start the second. Morono keeping Gall on the outside with the jab. Gall lands a combo with a nice left hand and backs Morono up. Gall lands a right hand. Morono lands a right hand. They trade punches and Morono throws so hard he falls to the mat for a moment, but pops right back up. Gall lands a right hand. Gall lands a jab. Both land in close range. They swing wildly but neither seem to land. Morono lands a right hand. Morono lands the jab and follows with a right hand. Gall lands a right hand and tries a takedown but Morono defends. Morono lands a looping left hand. 10-9 Morono, 20-18 Morono.
Gall with a right hand to the body as Morono lands a jab. They trade jabs. Morono with a right hand. Morono with a right hand. Gall lands a right hand. The pace has been slowing down here in the third. Morono lands a nice jab. Gall lands a right hand. Morono with an inside leg kick. Morono lands a combo. Gall lands a right hand as he’s coming forward. Gall with a right hand as he pushes Morono against the fence. They break. Morono still landing the jab. Morono with a spinning back fist. They trade in close range as both are throwing wildly. 10-9 Morono, 30-27 Morono.
Official Result- Alex Morono def. Mickey Gall by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Brendan Allen (17-4, 5-1 UFC) vs. Chris Curtis (27-8, 1-0 UFC) Middleweights
They trade in close range to start off. Allen picks Curtis up and slams him down and takes the back as Curtis scrambles up. They break as Curtis escapes. Allen with a body kick. They trade punches in close range. Allen with a leg kick. Curtis with a combo against the fence. Allen lands a nice right hand and then a knee to the body. Curtis with a left hand to the body. Curtis with some leg kicks and Allen lands a body kick. Curtis with a left hand to the body. They clinch and Allen goes for a leg lock and Curtis ends up on top and finishes the round on top. Close round. 10-9 Curtis.
Allen with a leg kick. He lands another and follows it with a right hand. They trade in close range as Curtis lands to the body. Curtis lands a body shot and then a right hand and Allen is rocked and in trouble. Curtis lands some knees and an elbow and then a couple of knees put Allen down and it is over. What an upset by Curtis, his second late-notice underdog win in less than a month.
Official Result- Chris Curtis def. Brendan Allen by TKO (strikes) at 1:58 of Round 2
Santos with a leg kick. He lands another leg kick. Santos lands a body kick that seems to hurt Guida and starts landing a flurry. Santos with some big punches as Guida shoots for a takedown and Santos is landing lots of hammerfists. Guida gets up and Santos is still landing big shots to the body as Guida is trying to defend. Santos lands a big knee to the body and Guida goes down and is scrambling for a takedown. They get up and Santos with another big knee and Guida is still trying for a takedown. They stand and Santos with more knees. They break and I don’t know how Guida survived all of that. Guida coming forward and lands a high kick. Guida tries a takedown against the fence. Guida gets a big takedown and is in the guard of Santos and landing punches. Guida with an elbow from the top. Guida with some shots from the top at the end of the round. 10-9 Santos.
Guida comes out swinging and pressuring and Santos lands a knee to the body. Guida gets the back and tries a takedown but Santos grabs the fence to defend. Guida gets Santos down and lands some knees to the body. Guida looking for full back control. Guida looking for a rear-naked choke. He has it locked in and Santos taps! What a comeback by Guida.
Official Result- Clay Guida def. Leonardo Santos by submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:21 of Round 2
> Jimmy Crute (#13, 12-2, 4-2 UFC) vs. Jamahal Hill (#14, 8-1 1 NC, 2-1 1 NC UFC) Light Heavyweights
Crute landing leg kicks early on. Hill with a body kick and then catches Crute with a right hook that sends Crute down for a brief second. Crute gets up and they clinch and Hill lands a knee to the body as they break. Hill then drops Crute again with a right hook and a follow-up right hand on the ground ends it. What a finish by Hill.
Official Result- Jamahal Hill def. Jimmy Crute by knockout (punch) at :48 of Round 1
> Brad Riddell (#12, 10-1, 4-0 UFC) vs. Rafael Fiziev (#14, 10-1, 4-1 UFC) Lightweights
Riddell with a leg kick. Riddell with a body kick. They trade punches. Riddell with a leg kick. They’re both still feeling each other out. Fiziev with a body kick and Riddell catches it and lets go. They trade in close as Fiziev lands a body kick. They trade close punches. Riddell lands a right hand. Fiziev with a body kick. Riddell lands a right hand and Fiziev lands a counter left hook. Riddell landing the jab as Fiziev lands a hard body kick. Riddell with a leg kick and a follow-up combination at the end of the first. 10-9 Riddell.
Riddell with a body kick. Fiziev lands a combination. Riddell lands the jab. Riddell with a leg kick. They trade in close range. Fiziev lands an elbow. Riddell with a quick combination ending with a hard right hand. They trade hard leg kicks. They trade hard left hooks. Riddell has a big cut opened up on him. Fiziev lands a right hand. Fiziev misses a flying knee but leads to a clinch. They break and Riddell lands a leg kick. Fiziev with a right hand. Riddell lands a left hand. 10-9 Fiziev, 19-19.
Fiziev landing leg kicks early on in the third. Riddell with a leg kick. Fiziev with a leg kick and Riddell is able to get a takedown. They start to scramble up and Riddell has the back but they separate. Riddell with a leg kick. They exchange and both land hard punches. They trade hard shots in close. Fiziev with a leg kick and Riddell lands a counter leg kick. Fiziev now has a cut open. Fiziev with a spinning wheel kick and Riddell looked out on his feet and then dropped and this was over. What a finish by Fiziev!
Official Result- Rafael Fiziev def. Brad Riddell by TKO (wheel kick) at 2:20 of Round 3
> Rob Font (#4, 19-4, 9-3 UFC) vs. Jose Aldo (#5, 30-7, 12-6 UFC) Bantamweights
Font landing the jab and to the body early. Aldo with a leg kick. Font with a leg kick and goes for a takedown and has the back of Aldo as they go to the mat. They get up and Font still has the back against the fence. Font tries a slam but Aldo grabs the fence to block and then they break. Font with the jab. Font lands a combo. They both land left hands in close. Font with a jab and Aldo with a right hand. Font continuing to land. Font with a leg kick. Aldo circling away. Font lands and Aldo lands to the body. Font with a right hand. Aldo lands a right hand and Font ends up falling down and Aldo swarms on top and lands at the end. Close round with that finish. 10-9 Aldo.
They trade to start the second. Font landing more early in the second. Aldo with a leg kick. Font lands a leg kick. Aldo with the jab. Font with a combo. Aldo lands a right hand. Aldo rocks Font again with a right hand and just misses a flying knee. They trade jabs. Font with the jab. Font throws a right hand but Aldo blocks it, then Font lands a jab. Font with a right hand and then Aldo lands a right hand. Aldo with a jab to the body. Font with a leg kick. They trade jabs. Font with a combo. Aldo with a body combo. 10-9 Aldo, 20-18 Aldo.
Aldo starting the third with some leg kicks. Font lands a combo but Aldo with another leg kick. Font tries a takedown and Aldo ends up on top. Aldo gets the mount and then moves to the half-guard looking for a choke. He then moves to side control. Both landing short body punches on the ground. They get to their feet and Font lands a couple of punches and Aldo lands a right hand. Font lands a jab. Font with a right hand to the body. Aldo with a leg kick and Font briefly falls down. They trade jabs. Aldo with a right hand and a leg kick. 10-9 Aldo, 30-27 Aldo.
Font landing early on. Aldo with a big right hand and Font is stunned. Aldo with two knees and Font goes down and Aldo gets on top and is landing. Aldo gets to side control. Both look to have orbital bone injuries. Aldo still working from side control and not much is happening. Aldo gets to the half-guard and almost had the mount, but Font got him in his guard. Font trying to land elbows from the bottom. Font lands some. Aldo still trying to set up a choke. Aldo ends the round on top. 10-9 Aldo, 40-36 Aldo.
Font trying to land early to start the fifth. Font with a right hand. They clinch against the fence and Font with a couple of left hands in the clinch. Font lands an elbow as they break. Aldo with a combo. Font pushes Aldo away and lands an uppercut that hits the body. They clinch and Font with some knees and left hands. Font with an elbow and big uppercut as they break. Aldo hurts Font with a combo and gets on top of Font. Aldo in the mount and Font trying to escape as he gives up the back. Aldo trying to find a choke but both look tired. Aldo has the body triangle but looks like he’s just going to hold on. Aldo gets the rear-naked choke locked in but Font is able to escape. Aldo gets back on top and has the back and ends the round on top. 10-9 Aldo, 50-45 Aldo.
Official Result- Jose Aldo def. Rob Font by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46)
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC on ESPN+ 46: Font vs. Garbrandt, emanating from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Octagon is back in Las Vegas this weekend for the UFC’s final show in the month of May, with a bantamweight bout guaranteed to bring some fireworks headlining the card.
Third-ranked Rob Font looks to score the biggest win of his career and extend his three-fight win streak when he takes on former UFC Bantamweight Champion and fourth-ranked Cody Garbrandt in the main event. Font is coming off a first-round finish of Marlon Moraes in December, while Garbrandt fights for the first time since June, when he scored one of the best knockouts of 2020 in finishing Raphael Assuncaco.
In the co-main event, it is a strawweight bout that could determine who is next to challenge new UFC Strawweight Champion Rose Namajunas, as Yan Xiaonan battles former UFC Strawweight Champion Carla Esparza. Also on the main card is a women’s featherweight bout between former title challenger Felicia Spencer and Norma Dumont, and a middleweight bout between ranked fighters as Jack Hermansson takes on Edmen Shahabazyan.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 4 PM eastern time with preliminary action all the way thru the main card.
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> Rafael Alves (19-9, 0-0 UFC) vs. Damir Ismagulov (19-1, 3-0 UFC) Lightweights
Alves with a body kick and some left hands and Ismagulov goes to the mat for a second and Alves grabs the neck and looks for the guillotine choke. Ismagulov escapes and sweeps to the top and is landing hard body shots from side control. Ismagulov with lots of shots from the top and Alves being warned about grabbing the cage. Ismagulov now landing elbows and moves back to body punches. Alves not even threatening from the bottom and is literally doing nothing. Strong close to the round for Ismagulov. 10-9 Ismagulov.
Alves lands a combo at the start to back up Ismagulov. Alves with the teet kick. Ismagulov looking to land the jab and getting warned about his fingers. Ismagulov with a leg kick. Alves with a body kick. Ismagulov stuns Alves with a left hand. Ismagulov with a leg kick and landing the jab. Ismagulov drops Alves for a second with a left hand and Alves pops right up. Ismagulov with a right hand and follows it with an uppercut. Ismagulov with a jab and a leg kick and Alves fires back with a leg kick. Alves lands a left hand. Ismagulov gets a takedown and into the guard of Alves. Ismagulov landing body shots from the top to end the round. 10-9 Ismagulov, 20-18 Ismagulov.
Ismagulov with the jab as Alves lands a leg kick. They were trading and Ismagulov gets a takedown and is working from the top. Alves tries an upkick but Ismagulov avoids and gets the back of Alves and lands some knees to the thigh. Alves is able to scramble out to his feet. Ismagulov with a right hand. Ismagulov with a nice body kick. Alves was landing to the body against the fence and Ismagulov is having an issue with his eye but is still landing. Ismagulov goes for a takedown against the fence and Alves has the neck. They break. Alves with a wheel kick right to the head and Ismagulov eats it. They clinch against the fence and Alves lands a knee to the head. They stay tied up for the rest of the fight. 10-9 Alves, 29-28 Ismagulov.
Official Result- Damir Ismagulov def. Rafael Alves by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> David Dvorak (#11, 19-3, 2-0 UFC) vs. Juancamilo Ronderos (4-0, 0-0 UFC) Flyweights* (Ronderos missed weight by 2.5 pounds)
Ronderos is making his UFC debut, taking this fight on about 12 hours’ notice. They are trading to start. Dvorak lands a right hand. Dvorak with a body kick. Dvorak with a right hand. Ronderos misses a punch and Dvorak lands a body kick. Dvorak wobbles Ronderos with a right hand. Dvorak rushes in and tried for a takedown but Dvorak gets the back and locks in a rear-naked choke. Ronderos is fighting it but ends up tapping. Dvorak with the quick win in dominant fashion.
Official Result- David Dvorak def. Juancamilo Ronderos by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:18 of Round 1
Culibao with a leg kick. They clinch against the fence. Nuerdanbieke trying hard for the takedown against the fence. Nuerdanbieke gets Culiabo down by the fence and has the back. Culibao spins out and they get to their feet but Nuerdanbieke still has the clinch. They trade in the clinch and Nuerdanbieke spins to the back and is working for a takedown and gets it but they get to their feet and Culibao lands a back elbow. They break and Nuerdanbieke lands on the break while Culibao lands a right hand. They trade and Culibao lands an elbow. Nuerdanbieke with a right hand. Nuerdanbieke with a right hand. Culibao with a leg kick. 10-9 Nuerdanbieke.
Culibao landing early in the second as he lands a leg kick and then a right hand. Nuerdanbieke just misses a right hand. Culibao landing some more right hands. Nuerdanbieke with a right hand. Culibao with a leg kick and Nuerdanbieke backs him up throwing punches and then drops down for a takedown attempt against the fence, but Culibao defending. Culibao landing short punches. Nuerdanbieke with an elbow before they break. They trade and Culibao landing some right hands as he’s landing the cleaner shots. Culibao with a combo. Culibao with a right hand. Culibao with a leg kick as his volume is picking up. 10-9 Culibao, 19-19.
Culibao landing the calf kicks and following them with punches. Nuerdanbieke with a right hand. Culibao with a calf kick. Culibao with a right hand. Nuerdanbieke throwing punches and missing. Culibao with a right hand. Culibao landing and Nuerdanbieke trying for a takedown but Culibao defending. Culibao lands a punch and has the neck but Nuerdanbieke pops out and they scramble up and separate. Nuerdanbieke tries a late takedown but they trade at the end. 10-9 Culibao, 29-28 Culibao.
Official Result- Josh Culibao def. Shayilan Nuerdanbieke by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Bruno Silva (11-5-2 1 NC, 1-2 1 NC UFC) vs. Victor Rodriguez (7-3, 0-1 UFC) Flyweights
They both miss their first punches thrown. Silva with a leg kick. Silva lands a couple of right hands. Silva then lands a massive right hand that drops Rodriguez and he finishes it off with some follow-up punches. Impressive finish by Silva.
Official Result- Bruno Silva def. Victor Rodriguez by knockout (punches) at 1:00 of Round 1
McGee with a high kick and Silva lands a head kick. They trade and Silva tried to set up a punch but McGee took him down and is on top. They get to their feet and Silva grabs the single leg and trying for a takedown but McGee keeps his balance and breaks away. McGee lands a right hand. McGee with a body shot. McGee with another body punch. Silva trying for a takedown against the fence but McGee is defending and they break away. Silva lands a nice left hand at the end of the first. 10-9 McGee.
Silva with a body kick. McGee circling away. Silva pressing forward and gets a takedown against the fence and has the back as they stand and they break. McGee gets a takedown and is working in the guard of Silva and lands an elbow. McGee with some elbows and punches from the top as he’s keeping Silva down on the mat. Silva trying to get out but McGee is staying on top as Silva is using a lot of energy. McGee with some elbows as Silva is trying to attack the leg. McGee defending the heel hook by landing big right hands. McGee has the back and then gets the full mount and lands and looks for the arm-triangle choke. He has it locked in a little. McGee has it in deep but Silva survives. 10-9 McGee, 20-18 McGee.
Silva with a body kick and is throwing trying to finish. Silva with another body kick and then a left hand. McGee with a right hand. Silva with a leg kick that trips up McGee. They clinch against the fence and Silva tries a takedown but McGee easily escapes. McGee then scores an easy takedown against the fence. Silva trying to escape but McGee is landing punches as he’s maintaining control and position. They get up and Silva lands an elbow as they break. Silva then swings but McGee ducks under and gets a takedown and works in the guard of Silva. McGee still on the top and landing as the fight ends. Should be a solid win for McGee. 10-9 McGee, 30-27 McGee.
Official Result- Court McGee def. Claudio Silva by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 29-27)
> Ben Rothwell (38-13, 8-7 UFC) vs. Chris Barnett (21-6, 0-0 UFC) Heavyweights
Barnett with some leg kicks. Barnett landing leg kicks as Rothwell lands a right hand. Barnett then lands a combo and then a punch off the fence. Rothwell with a combo. Rothwell lands a right hand after Barnett lands. Barnett with a combo and just misses a spin kick. Rothwell with a right hand. Rothwell with a leg kick. Rothwell with a takedown. Rothwell landing from the top as he moves to the full mount. Rothwell gets the back and locks in a rear-naked choke but Barnett escapes and they scramble to their feet. Barnett with a right hand. Rothwell with a right hand and lands a knee. Rothwell with some uppercuts in the clinch. 10-9 Rothwell.
Barnett with a leg kick. Rothwell lands a right hand. They trade leg kicks. Barnett with a combo. Rothwell lands a right hand. Rothwell with an uppercut. Barnett swinging and Rothwell landing as well. Barnett tries a takedown but Rothwell gets a front choke locked in and Barnett taps! Rothwell with the submission win.
Official Result- Ben Rothwell def. Chris Barnett by submission (guillotine choke) at 2:07 of Round 2
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> Jack Hermansson (#7, 21-6, 8-4 UFC) vs. Edmen Shahbazyan (#10, 11-1, 4-1 UFC) Middleweights
Shahbazyan lands a combo early. Hermansson with a leg kick as Shahbazyan lands a left hook. They trade jabs. Hermansson with the jab and Shahbazyan lands a counter left then a jab. Shahbazyan with a right hand. Hermansson with a body kick and then a leg kick. Shahbazyan lands the jab. Hermansson shoots for a takedown and Shahbazyan lands a right hand. Shahbazyan with the jab. Hermansson with a leg kick and Shahbazyan with a combo and then another right hand. Shahbazyan with the jab and then a right hand. Hermansson with the leg kick. They trade jabs and Shahbazyan with a combo. Hermansson looks for a takedown but Shahbazyan circles away and then lands a combo. Shahbazyan with a right hand to the body. Shahbazyan with the jab and Hermansson with a heavy calf kick and then another. Shahbazyan with a right hand and then a stiff jab. They trade in close range. 10-9 Shahbazyan.
Hermansson goes for a takedown against the fence right away and Shahbazyan lands some elbows. Hermansson able to complete the takedown and is working from the top landing punches. Hermansson with some body punches. Shahbazyan able to scramble out from the bottom and Hermansson has neck control as they stand. Shahbazyan has a cut open over his left eye. Shahbazyan now has the neck as Hermansson takes him down and is in the half-guard working. Hermansson with some body shots from the top and now lands left hands to the head of Shahbazyan. Hermansson with some work from the top. Shahbazyan able to reverse from the top. Shahbazyan has the neck and lets go. Hermansson with an elbow from the bottom. Shahbazyan with an elbow as he grabs the neck, but lets go and keeps his top position. Shahbazyan stands and lands some big shots at the end. 10-9 Hermansson, 19-19.
They trade the jab to start the third. Shahbazyan lands a nice uppercut. Hermansson trying for a takedown against the fence and gets it. Hermansson landing from the top in the half-guard. Hermansson landing from the top. Hermansson in control and dominating from the top. Hermansson landing more and more and Shahbazyan can’t get out from the bottom. Hermansson with some more big punches and elbows. Hermansson with more and more punches as he’s dominating the third round. Hermansson in side control and has the crucifix position and finishes the fight there. 10-8 Hermansson, 29-27 Hermansson.
Official Result- Jack Hermansson def. Edmen Shahbazyan by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
> Ricardo Ramos (14-3, 5-2 UFC) vs. Bill Algeo (14-5, 1-1 UFC) Featherweights
Algeo lands a body kick and Ramos gets him to the mat for a second and then jumps on the back as they stand. Ramos has the body lock and gets a big slam takedown and jumps on the back again standing. Algeo escapes and they’re tied up against the fence. They break. Algeo backs Ramos up with some lefts. Ramos with a right hand and Algeo counters with a jab. Algeo with a right hand to the body. Ramos lands a jab. Algeo with a right hand and then a spin kick to the body. Ramos lands a big left hand. Ramos with another left hand. Ramos lands a left and gets a takedown and has the back as they stand. Ramos gets a trip takedown but they scramble up against the fence. Ramos is on the back with one hook in. They get up and Algeo lands some and they clinch at the end and almost go to the mat. 10-9 Ramos.
Algeo coming forward to start the second and Ramos lands a body kick. They trade in close range. Ramos with a high kick that Algeo partially blocks. Algeo lands a knee but Ramos grabs him and scores a takedown. Ramos in the guard of Algeo. They get to their feet and Ramos with a leg kick. Algeo now landing lots of punches and lands a nice right hand. Ramos with the jab. They trade and Ramos takes the back standing. Algeo with a spinning back elbow after they break. Algeo with more volume standing but Ramos gets a late takedown. 10-9 Algeo, 19-19.
Algeo lands a combo to start the third. They clinch and Ramos tries a takedown but it gets mostly stuffed. Ramos with a right hand. Algeo with a leg kick and then lands a jab. Algeo with a nice body shot. Ramos with a leg kick and Algeo barely lands a spinning back fist. Algeo with a left hand and lands a spin kick. Ramos lands a right hand. Ramos throws a right hand but Algeo lands a counter left. Ramos comes forward with punches and they clinch but break. Algeo with a combo to the body. Algeo lands a left hand. Ramos tries for a takedown but Algeo defends. Algeo with a body shot and Ramos scores a takedown but they get up. Ramos tries to jump to the back. They break. Algeo with a body kick and then an elbow. Close fight. 10-9 Ramos, 29-28 Ramos.
Official Result- Ricardo Ramos def. Bill Algeo by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
They’re feeling each other out early. Spencer lands a side kick. Spencer lands a left hook. They trade in close range. Dumont with a leg kick. Dumont with another leg kick. Dumont with another and Spencer fires back with a left hand. They trade in close range. Spencer with a right hand. They trade in close range and Dumont with a combo. Dumont backs Spencer up with some punches and then Spencer clinches with her against the fence. Dumont with a knee and Spencer lands an elbow on the break. Spencer with a body kick and then Dumont with a front kick. Dumont with a leg kick. Close round. 10-9 Dumont.
Dumont with a leg kick. Spencer lands a right hand and then a hook kick and another high kick. They trade and Dumont lands a right hand that hurts Spencer. Spencer with a left hand coming forward and then Dumont lands another overhand right. Spencer with a high kick and then a combo. Dumont with a leg kick. They trade in close range and then Dumont lands a right hand. Dumont with a left hand to the body and then a left hook to the face. Spencer is coming forward but Dumont using her footwork to slip away. They clinch against the fence. Dumont lands a knee before they break. Spencer with a side kick to the face after they break. Spencer with a high kick. 10-9 Dumont, 20-18 Dumont.
They trade to start the third. Dumont lands a right hand and Spencer lands a body kick. Dumont gets a takedown. Dumont in the half-guard. Spencer has Dumont in her full guard now and lands some elbows from the bottom. Dumont with some left hands. Dumont decides to stand and they get up. Spencer with a right hand. Dumont lands a left hand after Spencer misses a takedown. Spencer gets a takedown and is in the guard of Dumont. She ends the fight on top. 10-9 Spencer, 29-28 Dumont.
Official Result- Norma Dumont def. Felicia Spencer by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
> Justin Tafa (4-2, 1-2 UFC) vs. Jared Vanderaa (11-5, 0-1 UFC) Heavyweights
Vanderaa with a leg kick. Vanderaa with another leg kick and then they trade leg kicks. They trade punches. Tafa lands some left hands. Tafa with a left hand to the body. Vanderaa lands a nice right hand. Vaderaa with a leg kick. Tafa lands some left hands and Vanderaa catches Tafa with a punch as they break. They trade near the fence. Tafa with a left hand. They trade in close range. Vanderaa lands a right hand. Vanderaa lands some kicks. Vanderaa with a body kick. Tafa with a left hand and Vanderaa counters with a body kick and right hand. They trade punches. 10-9 Vanderaa.
Vanderaa with a right hand as Tafa lands a body kick. Vanderaa with a hard body kick. Vanderaa with a head kick that Tafa eats. Vanderaa with a right hand and then a leg kick. They trade and Vanderaa with a body kick. Vanderaa hurts Tafa with a combo. Tafa then hurts Vanderaa with some punches and they clinch against the fence and both men are cut open from the looks of it. Both are landing and Vanderaa with a high kick. They trade leg kicks. Tafa with a leg kick and a right hand. Vanderaa with a head kick. Vanderaa with a body kick. Tafa with the jab. Tafa lands a combo and Vanderaa stumbles backwards. Vanderaa with a leg kick. Tafa with an elbow and two big left hands at the end. 10-9 Vanderaa, 20-18 Vanderaa.
They trade to start the third and both men landing some good punches. Vanderaa with a body kick after Tafa lands some body punches. Tafa with a left hand. They continue to trade and Vanderaa landing with more volume but Tafa landing harder. Vanderaa with a combo. Tafa with a left hand. They clinch up and we have a low blow. Tafa with a combo. Vanderaa with a body kick. Vanderaa with a combo and lands a couple of knees and Tafa lands a big left hand and they swing at the end. 10-9 Vanderaa, 30-27 Vanderaa.
Official Result- Jared Vanderaa def. Justin Tafa by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
> Yan Xiaonan (#3, 13-1 1 NC, 6-0 UFC) vs. Carla Esparza (#4, 17-6, 8-4 UFC) Women’s Strawweights
Esparza gets an early takedown but they get up, and Esparza gets her down again. Esparza working in the guard of Xiaonan. Esparza moves to side control. Esparza landing punches from the top. Esparza continuing with the top pressure as she works towards north-south position. Esparza looking for a kimura late but keeps landing punches. She’s absolutely in control of this round. Esparza with some short elbows at the end of the first. 10-8 Esparza.
They trade to start the second and Esparza gets a takedown and landing from the top in the guard. Esparza moves to side control and looks for openings. Xiaonan is trying hard to get out from the bottom but Esparza is getting into better positions. Esparza back in the guard. Esparza with some big elbows and Xiaonan is bleeding badly. Esparza in the crucifix position and landing lots of elbows and punches and it is stopped. Absolute dominant performance by Esparza, and that should set her up for a title shot.
Official Result- Carla Esparza def. Yan Xiaonan by TKO (strikes) at 2:58 of Round 2
> Rob Font (#3, 18-4, 8-3 UFC) vs. Cody Garbrandt (#4, 12-3, 7-3 UFC) Bantamweights
Garbrandt with a leg kick. Garbrandt with a high kick. Garbrandt with a leg kick. Font with a leg kick. They trade jabs. Font lands a right hand that wobbles Garbrandt. Garbrandt with a calf kick. They both swing and scramble down and Garbrandt lands a head kick as they get up. Garbrandt lands a combo. Font with a leg kick. Garbrandt gets a takedown as Font tried to land a knee. They get up. Font lands a right hand. Font lands another combo and Garbrandt gets a takedown. Garbrandt lands some nice right hands as they get up. They trade and Font with a nice jab. 10-9 Font.
Garbrandt gets a big takedown to start round two. Garbrandt with a right hand from the top. Font trying to scramble but Garbrandt transitions to stay on top. Font trying to attack an arm for a kimura. They continue to trade and Font is finding his rhythm. Font pumping the jab and Garbrandt landing counter shots. Font landing the right hand. Garbrandt with a spin kick and tries a takedown but Font defends. 10-9 Font, 20-18 Font.
Garbrandt with a leg kick as Font is applying pressure and lands a right hand. Font with a leg kick and Garbrandt with a right hand. Font with some right hands. They trade punches and Font lands a big right hand. Font gets the back standing. Font is landing with more volume. Font with left hands from the body lock. Garbrandt tried to roll out and was on the ground and Font landed some punches before Garbrandt got up. Font with the double jab and a right hand. Garbrandt shoots for a takedown but Font defends. They get up and trade jabs. Garbrandt lands a combo. Font with the jab. 10-9 Font, 30-27 Font.
Garbrandt with a leg kick. Font landing punches and connects with a right hand. Font with some punches and Garbrandt lands some. Garbrandt with a leg kick and Font lands a right hand. They trade in close range. Font with a jab. Garbrandt lands a jab. Font landing with more volume and really controlling every aspect of the fight. Font with a right hand. They trade jabs. Font with a head kick and Garbrandt tries a takedown but lets go. Font lands the jab. Font with a right hand. Garbrandt with the jab. 10-9 Font, 40-36 Font.
Font with the jab and he keeps landing it. Garbrandt lands a right hand and a combo. Garbrandt throwing with the intent to finish. Font throwing the jab. Garbrandt lands a left hand and then a right hand. Garbrandt with some body shots and Font with a knee. Garbrandt lands an overhand right. Font with the jab. Garbrandt lands a jab. Font with a big right hand that backs Garbrandt up. Font with the jab. Garbrandt lands a right hand. Garbrandt with a leg kick and gets off balance and goes to the mat but gets up. Font with a right hand. Font with the jab and a right hand. Garbrandt with a head kick that gets blocked. Font with a right hand. Garbrandt tries a spin attack and Font grabs the body and pulls guard and Garbrandt lands from the top at the end. 10-9 Font, 50-45 Font.
Official Result- Rob Font def. Cody Garbrandt by unanimous decision (48-47, 50-45, 50-45)
