Tag: Rose Namajunas

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

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

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

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

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

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

ESPN+ PRELIMS | 7 PM ET/4 PM PT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

UFC on ESPN+ 104 live results: Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

For the first time since July 2019, the Octagon heads back to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, as UFC on ESPN+ 104 returns to Rogers Place.

This will be the first UFC event to take place under the newest set of the Unifed Rules of MMA which now sees 12-to-6 elbows as legal, as well as the elimination of the rule where one hand on the mat signifies a grounded fighter.

The main event is a five-round flyweight bout that could serve as a title eliminator as former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno takes on Amir Albazi. Moreno is looking to end a two-fight losing skid and get back into a title fight while Albazi comes in riding a six-fight win streak. He has a perfect 5-0 mark during his UFC tenure and is looking to secure his first shot at UFC gold.

Derrick Lewis was poised to take on the undefeated Jhonata Diniz, but chose to withdraw on extremely short notice after missing Friday’s ceremonial weigh-ins due to an unspecified health issue.

In the co-main event, it’s another potential title eliminator bout as Erin Blanchfield battles former UFC women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas in a women’s flyweight bout. Also on the main card is a light heavyweight bout pitting Caio Machado vs. Brendson Ribeiro; a middleweight fight between Marc-Andre Barriault and Dustin Stoltzfus; and Mike Malott vs. Trevin Giles in welterweight action.

ESPN+ PRELIMS | 5 PM ET/2 PM PT

> Women’s Flyweights- Jamey-Lyn Horth (6-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Ivana Petrovic (7-1, 1-1 UFC)

They trade to start. Petrovic with a high kick as she is pressing forward. Horth lands a right hand and they clinch against the fence. Horth lands a knee. Petrovic still has advantage against the fence. Horth gets the underhook but Petrovic is able to score a takedown. Petrovic gets inside the full guard of Horth. Petrovic lands and stands and Horth gets to her feet. They clinch against the fence. Horth has the back as they go to the mat. Horth looking for a choke. Petrovic slides out. Petrovic with some elbows from the top. Petrovic gets the crucifix position and lands some punches. 10-9 Petrovic.

They trade kicks and Petrovic grabs the leg and scores a takedown. Petrovic in the guard of Horth and Horth is looking for a triangle choke. She now goes for an arm. Petrovic with a pair of elbows. Petrovic escapes and they get to their feet in the clinch. Horth lands a right hand as they break. Horth with a body kick. They trade and Petrovic lands a leg kick then some jabs. Petrovic with some kicks after Horth lands. Petrovic with a late takedown but Horth sprawls. 10-9 Horth, 19-19.

Horth lands a right hand. They trade kicks. They clinch and Petrovic pushes it to the fence. They separate. Horth lands a right hand and then another. They trade punches. Horth with a pair of right hands. They tie back up and Petrovic has the neck. Petrovic looked for some form of choke but let go. Horth scores a takedown and has the back. Petrovic escapes to the top and lands a pair of hammerfists. Horth sweeps to her feet. They clinch and Petrovic lands on the break. They trade kicks. Horth with a combination and lands a right hand. Petrovic tries a takedown but Horth defends with a knee. Horth with a right hand and gets a takedown but Petrovic ends up on top and lands. Close fight. 10-9 Horth, 29-28 Horth.

Official Result- Jamey-Lyn Horth def. Ivana Petrovic by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)

They were back-and-forth rounds, so the fight could’ve gone either way. I don’t know about giving Horth all three rounds. Neither looked like they were going to be a contender soon, but a solid win for Horth.

> Bantamweights- Chad Anheliger (13-7, 2-2 UFC) vs. Cody Gibson (20-10, 2-5 UFC)

Anheliger lands two right hands. Anheliger with a leg kick. Gibson lands a stiff jab. Anheliger with a heavy leg kick. They trade and Gibson pushes it against the fence. Gibson has the back and gets a takedown and gets a hook in. Gibson spins into the half-guard. Gibson lands after letting go of a choke attempt. Gibson gets the mount and Anheliger gives up his back on a scramble. They scramble to the feet but Gibson gets it back down. They scramble and Gibson grabs the neck. Gibson with a one-arm guillotine choke but Anheliger gets out. Gibson looks for a choke but Anheliger survives. 10-9 Gibson.

They trade and Gibson gets a takedown. Gibson has the mount and lands some elbows then some punches from the back. Gibson looks for a choke. Anheliger hangs on and eats an elbow from Gibson as he lets go. Gibson with big shots from the top. Gibson with an arm-triangle choke locked in. Anheliger gets out but Gibson has the back. They scramble and Gibson ends up in side control. Gibson looking for another arm-triangle choke. They stand. They go back to the mat. Gibson with big punches from the back. 10-8 Gibson, 20-17 Gibson.

Anheliger lands a jab. Anheliger with a combination. Gibson lands and Anheliger lands a counter right hand. Gibson gets a takedown. Gibson is inside the guard of Anheliger and lands some elbows. Anheliger with some punches from the bottom. They scramble to their feet. Gibson has the back standing. Gibson drags it down. Gibson still on the back. Gibson landing punches to end it. 10-9 Gibson, 30-26 Gibson.

Official Result- Cody Gibson def. Chad Anheliger by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

Gibson was dominant in this one and looked really good. Anheliger had no answer for the wrestling and ground work by Gibson. I’m surprised there was only one 10-8 round scored. A good win for Gibson.

> Bantamweights- Serhiy Sidey (10-2, 0-1 UFC) vs. Garrett Armfield (10-4, 2-2 UFC)

Sidey with a calf kick. Sidey with a leg kick as Armfield lands. Armfield with a right hand. Sidey with some kicks. Armfield lands a left hook. They trade and Sidey with a knee to the body. Sidey with a series of jabs. They trade kicks. Sidey lands a solid combination. Armfield lands a right hand. Armfield with a combo to the body. Armfield goes for a takedown but Sidey looks for an anaconda choke. Armfield gets out. Armfield gets a takedown. They scramble to their feet. Sidey looks for a late takedown and lands some knees. 10-9 Sidey.

They trade kicks to start the second. They trade jabs. Armfield lands a right hand. Armfield lands a combination. Sidey with a body kick as Armfield lands a combo. Sidey with a body kick. They trade jabs. They trade them again. Armfield with a combination. They trade jabs. Sidey with a jumping knee and they trade jabs. Armfield with a heavy leg kick. Armfield with a combination. Sidey lands a pair of right hands. Armfield with a right hand then a jab. Sidey with a double jab. Armfield with a combination. Armfield lands late. 10-9 Armfield, 19-19.

Sidey with a jab and body kick. Armfield scores a takedown. Sidey is looking for a guillotine choke. Armfield escapes and gets on the back of Sidey as Sidey stands. Armfield looking for a choke. They go to the mat. Sidey spins into the guard of Armfield. They almost scramble up but Armfield keeps it down and is on top. He gets the back of Sidey with the hooks in. They work to their feet. Sidey lands a knee and a body kick but Armfield gets a takedown. Sidey looked for the neck but Armfield escapes and controls from the top. Armfield gets the back as he lands. 10-9 Armfield, 29-28 Armfield.

Official Result- Serhiy Sidey def. Garrett Armfield by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

I’m not sure about that decision. I thought it was clear Sidey won the first and Armfield won the final two, though Sidey landed some good shots in the second. It was a good fight though.

> Heavyweights- #13 Alexandr Romanov (16-3, 5-3 UFC) vs. #15 Rodrigo Nascimento (11-2 1 NC, 4-2 1 NC UFC)

Romanov immediately goes for the takedown and pushes it to the fence. He gets the back of Nascimento. Romanov controlling from the back and slams Nascimento to the mat. Romanov with some knees. They get to their feet and Romanov gets it back down. Romanov landing from the top. He lands some punches and elbows. 10-9 Romanov.

They trade and Romanov pushes it to the fence. Romanov with a pair of knees. They’re just holding on. They separate. Romanov shoots for a takedown but Nascimento sprawls, though Romanov switches to the back. They crawl to the fence. Romanov lands a pair of knees. They stand and Romanov still has the body. They go to the mat. They separate and Romanov lands a pair of jabs. Nascimento with a left hand. Romanov lands a combination. Romanov lands then Nascimento lands a left hand. Timeout is called for a groin strike by Nascimento. They get back to action and trade punches. 10-9 Romanov, 20-18 Romanov.

They have an awkward exchange to start. Nascimento with some leg kicks. Romanov with a leg kick. Nascimento lands a combination. They trade inside the pocket. Romanov with a flurry as they tie up. Romanov with a left hand. Nascimento with a jab. They trade in close range. Nascimento lands a jab. Romanov with a right hand. Romanov lands a combo. Romanov with a Superman punch. 10-9 Romanov, 30-27 Romanov.

Official Result- Alexandr Romanov def. Rodrigo Nascimento by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

This was an ugly fight and the less said about it, the better. Romanov has a good record but isn’t impressive, and Nascimento looked to regress this fight.

> Featherweights- Jack Shore (17-2, 6-2 UFC) vs. Youssef Zalal (15-5-1, 5-3-1 UFC)

They trade leg kicks. Zalal with a calf kick then works the jab. Shore lands a solid right hand. Shore grabs the single leg and almost gets the takedown as he pushes it to the fence. Shore is able to lift Zalal and put it on the mat but they get up. They separate and both land combinations. Zalal with a jab. Shore lands a combo. Shore looks for a takedown and pushes it against the fence. Shore gets it to the mat late and they both land. 10-9 Shore.

Zalal lands a big knee and that drops Shore to the mat. He jumps on top and locks in an arm-triangle choke. It’s in tight and Shore taps! What a finish from Zalal to pick up the win.

Official Result- Youssef Zalal def. Jack Shore by submission (arm-triangle choke) at :59 of Round 2

Zalal has been impressive since returning to the UFC, and this is his sixth straight win overall. He’s ready to mix it up with the level of competition just outside of the rankings, and maybe in the 12-15 range of the rankings.

> Bantamweights- Charles Jourdain (15-8-1, 6-7-1 UFC) vs. Victor Henry (24-6 1 NC, 3-1 1 NC UFC)

Henry with a leg kick. They trade kicks. Henry with a high kick. Jourdain with a hard calf kick. Jourdain with a left hook. He lands a high kick and then a combination. Jourdain with a jab then a leg kick. Henry lands a leg kick. Jourdain trips Henry up and went for a guillotine choke but Henry pops out. Jourdain trips Henry again, but then Henry trips Jourdain to the mat and jumps on top. They get up and Jourdain lands an elbow. Jourdain with a body kick then a left hand. Henry trips it to the mat and is on top. 10-9 Jourdain.

Jourdain with a leg kick. Jourdain lands a combo ending with a stiff right hand. They trade wildly inside the pocket. Jourdain with a calf kick then a pair of left hands. Jourdain with a head kick. Henry gets a takedown and immediately takes the back of Jourdain. Jourdain tries to roll out but Henry stays on the back. Jourdain looks for a guillotine choke as he scrambles to his back. They stand and Jourdain still has the choke locked in and they go to the mat and the choke is still in tight and Henry taps. What a finish from Jourdain!

Official Result- Charles Jourdain def. Victor Henry by submission (guillotine choke) at 3:43 of Round 2

This was fun while it lasted with lots of good ground work. Jourdain getting that guillotine choke locked in and keeping it on was impressive and this was a great win for him.

> Bantamweights- Aiemann Zahabi (11-2, 5-2 UFC) vs. Pedro Munhoz (20-9 2 NC, 10-9 2 NC)

They trade jabs. Munhoz with a jab then a leg kick. Zahabi lands a right hand and a leg kick. They trade and Munhoz works the jab. Zahabi with a right hand. They trade jabs. Munhoz lands a series of jabs. Munhoz with a left hook. Zahabi lands a kick and Munhoz with a right hand. Zahabi lands to the body. Munhoz lands a combination. Zahabi with a left hook. Munhoz lands a leg kick. Munhoz lands a right hand and is pressuring while landing the jab. Zahabi with a head kick. 10-9 Zahabi.

They trade and Zahabi lands a right hand. They trade and Munhoz lands a right hand. Zahabi lands an elbow. They continue to throw inside the pocket but Munhoz is missing most of what he throws. Zahabi with a stiff jab. Zahabi with more jabs. They trade jabs and Zahabi lands a big right hand. Zahabi lands a combination. Munhoz still throwing and landing the jab. Zahabi with a right hand. Munhoz looks for a takedown but Zahabi sprawls. They trade left hands. Munhoz looks for a takedown but Zahabi defends and lands a knee to the body. 10-9 Zahabi, 20-18 Zahabi.

Munhoz lands a combination. Munhoz with a jab. Zahabi lands a left hand. They trade in close range. Munhoz lands a left hand. Zahabi with a jab and they have a heavy exchange in the center. Zahabi lands a hard right hand. Munhoz fires back and Zahabi lands another big right hand. Munhoz with a combination. Zahabi with two hard jabs. Munhoz with a quick flurry. Munhoz with more volume but Zahabi landing with more impact. Zahabi lands a stiff jab. Munhoz with a combination. They trade jabs. Zahabi with another big right hand. Munhoz’ face is a mess. Munhoz with a jab. 10-9 Zahabi, 30-27 Zahabi.

Official Result- Aiemann Zahabi def. Pedro Munhoz by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

The story of the fight was Zahabi landing with all sorts of damage, and Munhoz’ face showed it by the end. This was the biggest win of Zahabi’s career and his fifth straight win, and he may get a ranked opponent next.

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> Welterweights- Mike Malott (10-2-1, 3-1 UFC) vs. Trevin Giles (16-6, 7-6 UFC)

Malott with a body kick. Giles lands a leg kick. They trade in close range. Malott with a body kick after Giles lands a combo. Giles with a leg kick. Giles with a leg kick as Malott lands a jab. Malott lands a pair of leg kicks then two body kicks. Malott with a high kick. Malott with a leg kick. He lands another before landing a combination. Malott with a spin kick then back to landing the leg kick. 10-9 Malott.

Malott with a switch kick to the body. Malott with a leg kick. Malott with a left hand then a body kick. Malott lands a right hand. Giles with a jab then a combination. Malott scores with two body kicks. Giles with a combo and Malott lands a pair of body kicks. Both land jabs as Malott continues to land leg kicks. Malott lands a solid right hand. They both land in close range. Malott with a high kick. 10-9 Malott, 20-18 Malott.

They trade leg kicks. Malott with a high kick. Giles lands a right hand. Malott with a jab. Giles with a head kick. Malott with a pair of leg kicks. He lands a head kick. Giles with a snap jab. Malott with a series of kicks. Malott lands a solid left hand. Giles with a right hand. Malott with a pair of body kicks. Malott with a high kick as Giles lands a right hand. Malott pressing forward. Giles lands a right hand. Giles with a jab. Malott lands a calf kick then a high kick. 10-9 Malott, 30-27 Malott.

Official Result- Mike Malott def. Trevin Giles by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Malott didn’t look as good as he did before the loss to Neil Magny, but he did enough to score the win. Giles should’ve been more active as he could’ve won this, but allowing Malott to land the leg kicks gave it away.

> Middleweights- Marc-Andre Barriault (16-8 1 NC, 5-7 1 NC UFC) vs. Dustin Stoltzfus (15-6, 2-5 UFC)

Stoltzfus lands a jab and trips Barriault up with a leg kick. Stoltzfus grabs the neck and leg on the mat. Nothing is happening. Stoltzfus gets into the half-guard. Stoltzfus with a right hand from the top. Stoltzfus looking for a D’Arce choke. Barriault escapes but Stoltzfus remains in the half-guard. They get to their feet and start blasting away at each other with punches inside the pocket. They’re both landing and Stoltzfus lands a right hand that knocks Barriault out cold! Wow, what a finish by Stoltzfus!

Official Result- Dustin Stoltzfus def. Marc-Andre Barriault by knockout (punch) at 4:28 of Round 1

This was a must-win fight for both and Stoltzfus got the job done in a wild finish after an ugly first few minutes. He saves his UFC career for now, and this was a fun ending.

> Women’s Flyweights- #13 Ariane da Silva (17-9, 6-6 UFC) vs. #14 Jasmine Jasudavicius (11-3, 5-2 UFC)

Nothing happening in the first minute. They trade punches. da Silva lands a right hand. They trade right hands. da Silva lands a combination. da Silva with a high kick. Both really feeling each other out. Jasudavicius lands a right hand. da Silva lands a right hand after a quick exchange. da Silva with a combination. da Silva with another combo. da Silva lands a head kick and Jasudavicius is able to turn it into a takedown. Jasudavicius lands late. 10-9 da Silva.

They trade to start the second. da Silva with a combo. They trade jabs. da Silva with a combo inside close range. da Silva lands a solid right hand. Jasudavicius scores a takedown. Jasudavicius gets the crucifix position and lands some. Jasudavicius gets to the half-guard and lands. Jasudavicius with some elbows. Jasudavicius with more elbows and is teeing off with punches. Jasudavicius pouring it on late with lots of punches but da Silva makes it to the end. 10-9 Jasudavicius, 19-19.

They trade to start the third. Jasudavicius lands a right hand. Jasudavicius gets a takedown. Jasudavicius working from top half-guard and landing left hands. Jasudavicius looks for a D’Arce choke. It is in tight and da Silva taps! Jasudavicius picks up the submission win.

Official Result- Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Ariane da Silva by submission (D’Arce choke) at 2:28 of Round 3

Jasudavicius continues to impress and move up the rankings with another strong win. She keeps improving and should face a top-ten opponent next.

> Light Heavyweights- Caio Machado (8-3-1, 0-2 UFC) vs. Brendson Ribeiro (15-7, 0-2 UFC)

They’re trading leg kicks in the first minute. Ribeiro with a body kick. Machado lands a left hand. Machado with a high kick. Ribeiro lands a body kick. Machado with a body kick. Machado with a head kick. Ribeiro lands a high kick. Ribeiro with another high kick. Machado lands a leg kick. Machado with a body kick. Ribeiro lands a flurry of punches but Machado shakes it off. Machado with an inside leg kick. Timeout for a groin strike. They get back to action and Ribeiro with a body kick. Ribeiro lands a right hand. 10-9 Ribeiro.

Machado lands a body kick. Ribeiro with a leg kick. Machado with a body kick as Ribeiro lands a right hand. Machado with a combination. Machado with some kicks and circles away. Machado lands a left hand. Machado with a combo. They trade kicks. Machado with a pair of body kicks. Ribeiro lands a right hand. Ribeiro with a high kick. Machado with a left hand. Both miss as they swing big. Ribeiro landed a right hand late. 10-9 Machado, 19-19.

Machado with a body kick. Machado with a high kick. Machado lands a left hand. Ribeiro with a combination. Machado lands a left hand and Ribeiro stumbles back. Machado with a quick flurry. Ribeiro with a body kick. Ribeiro lands a head kick and Machado grabs the leg before a brief clinch. Machado with a body kick. They trade and both hurt each other for a moment. Machado with a combination. Machado lands a right hook. Machado with a body kick. Machado with a spinning back fist. Ribeiro lands a standing hammerfist and a spinning elbow. 10-9 Machado, 29-28 Machado.

Official Result- Brendson Ribeiro def. Caio Machado by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

That was a boring fight. Nothing much else to say.

> Women’s Flyweights- #3 Erin Blanchfield (12-2, 6-1 UFC) vs. #5 Rose Namajunas (13-6, 11-5 UFC)

Namajunas landing the jab early. She lands a leg kick. Blanchfield with a body kick. Blanchfield with another body kick. Namajunas with a combo. Namajunas with a leg kick. Namajunas back with the jab. Blanchfield lands a right hand. Namajunas with a combo. She lands another one. Blanchfield with a left hand. Namajunas with a jab. Blanchfield lands inside the pocket. Blanchfield with a right hand. Namajunas with a left hand. Namajunas lands a leg kick. She lands a combo. 10-9 Namajunas.

Namajunas with a left hand. She lands a combo. Namajunas with a left hand. Blanchfield with a leg kick and lands a combo. Namajunas with two stiff right hands. Blanchfield looks for a takedown against the fence. Namajunas reverses and gets a takedown. They work up and separate. Namajunas lands a right hand. Blanchfield with a body kick. They trade inside the pocket. Namajunas with a right hand and then another. Blanchfield rushes in with some punches and pushes it to the fence but they break. 10-9 Namajunas, 20-18 Namajunas.

Namajunas with a jab. She lands a right hand. They trade punches. Blanchfield with a leg kick. Namajunas with a body kick. She lands a jab. Blanchfield with a combo inside the pocket. They trade. Namajunas looks for a takedown but Blanchfield defends and Blanchfield pushes it against the fence. Blanchfield gets a takedown. Blanchfield working from the half-guard. Blanchfield landing and keeping Namajunas pinned on the bottom. Blanchfield with some elbows but Namajunas is defending. Blanchfield with some punches. 10-9 Blanchfield, 29-28 Namajunas.

Blanchfield pressing forward and they trade kicks. Blanchfield with a leg kick. Blanchfield lands a combination. Namajunas with a right hand. Blanchfield with a jab. Blanchfield lands a right hand. Namajunas with a quick combo. She lands a right hand. They trade and Blanchfield clinches and pushes it to the fence. They break apart and trade. They trade right hands. Blanchfield with a right hand. Namajunas lands a left hook. Blanchfield looks for a takedown but Namajunas defends. They break and Blanchfield lands. 10-9 Blanchfield, 38-38.

They have a frantic exchange to start the fifth as both land. Namajunas looks for a takedown but Blanchfield defends and lands an elbow on the break. Blanchfield scores the takedown. Blanchfield working from the half-guard and had neck control. She lets go and lands some left hands. Blanchfield gets the crucifix position. She lands some elbows to the body. Blanchfield landing punches and hammerfists. Blanchfield gets the back of Namajunas. They get to their feet. Blanchfield lands a knee as she has body control. Blanchfield goes for a late takedown but Namajunas defends. 10-9 Blanchfield, 48-47 Blanchfield.

Official Result- Erin Blanchfield def. Rose Namajunas by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)

The fourth round was the key round, as it could’ve gone either way, and the other four rounds were split. I was surprised they all gave it to Blanchfield. She should be in a title fight next, but it’ll be a wait, so I suspect she’ll fight one more time in the meantime, and it wouldn’t surprise me if it’s Alexa Grasso, who Blanchfield brought up.

> Flyweights- #2 Brandon Moreno (21-8-2, 9-5-2 UFC) vs. #3 Amir Albazi (17-1, 5-0 UFC)

Moreno with a jab. He lands a left hand. Albazi with an inside leg kick. Albazi lands a right hand. Moreno with a left hand and body kick. Moreno lands a right hand. Moreno with a jab. Albazi lands a leg kick. Albazi with another leg kick. Moreno lands a left hand. They trade. Moreno lands a right hand and Albazi slips. Albazi with a leg kick. They trade uppercuts. Moreno with a combo ending with a pair of leg kicks. 10-9 Moreno.

Moreno with a pair of leg kicks. Moreno lands a jab then a head kick. Albazi might be hurt. Moreno lands a jab. Moreno with a straight right hand. Moreno with a jab. Moreno lands to the body. Albazi gets a takedown but Moreno scrambles right back up. Moreno lands a body kick. Albazi lands a jab. Moreno lands a stiff jab. Moreno lands a combo. They trade and Moreno lands a combo. Moreno with a left hand. Moreno lands a body kick. 10-9 Moreno, 20-18 Moreno.

They trade as Moreno keeps landing the jab. Moreno with a combination. Moreno lands to the body. Albazi with a jab. Albazi lands a combination. Moreno with a right hand. Moreno stuns Albazi with a right hand. Albazi connects with a right hand. Moreno with a leg kick. Moreno lands a series of shots. They trade leg kicks. Moreno backing Albazi up as Albazi claimed an eye poke. Moreno with a left hook. Albazi lands a right hand. Albazi looks for a single leg but Moreno punches his way out. They trade. 10-9 Moreno, 30-27 Moreno.

They’re trading and Moreno lands a combo. Moreno with a jab. Albazi lands a quick combo. Moreno with a left hook. They trade jabs. Albazi with a left hook. They trade inside the pocket. Albazi with a front kick up the middle. Moreno with a combo and Albazi lands the jab. Moreno with a right hand. Moreno with slightly more volume this round. Both continue to land as the round ends. 10-9 Moreno, 40-36 Moreno.

Moreno landing the jab and some combos early. Moreno lands a right hand. Albazi looks for a takedown but Moreno defends. Timeout is called for an eye poke. They trade as they get back to action. Moreno wobbles Albazi with a left hand and he rushes in as Albazi circles away. Moreno with a left hook. They tie up and Albazi pushes it to the fence. They separate. Albazi is busted open. Moreno with a left hook. Moreno continuing to pick Albazi apart. Moreno with a jab. Moreno lands an elbow and rocks Albazi with a right hand. Moreno lands two left hands. Moreno with a jab and a high kick. Moreno with a head kick in a wild ending. 10-9 Moreno, 50-45 Moreno.

Official Result- Brandon Moreno def. Amir Albazi by unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 50-45)

An absolutely flawless performance from Moreno. He looked like a world champion in there. I think he’s next up for a title shot.

UFC on ESPN 59 live results: Rose Namajunas vs. Tracy Cortez

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

After a week off following UFC 303, action inside the Octagon is back as the UFC returns to the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, for the first time since 2018 for tonight’s UFC on ESPN 59.

Headlining the card is a five-round bout in the women’s flyweight division as former UFC women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas takes on Tracy Cortez. Cortez, who will be in her first UFC main event, is taking this fight on short notice as a replacement for Maycee Barber.

Namajunas is looking for her second consecutive win and hoping to earn a title shot with a victory. Meanwhile, Cortez has yet to lose during her UFC career with five straight UFC wins and 11 straight wins overall.

Also on the main card is a welterweight bout between Santiago Ponzinibbio and Muslim Salikhov; a lightweight bout pitting Drew Dober against Jean Silva; a featherweight bout between Julian Erosa and Christian Rodriguez; and middleweights Abdul Razak Alhassan and Cody Brundage in the main card opener.

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> Welterweights- Evan Elder (8-2, 1-2 UFC) vs. Darrius Flowers (12-7-1, 0-2 UFC)

Elder with a body kick and they trade punches. Flowers with some kicks and lands a knee to the body in a brief clinch. Elder with a combination. Flowers lands a right hand. Elder with a body kick and lands an overhand right. Elder with another right hand. Flowers lands a right hand. Elder lands a high kick then a right hand and another high kick. Flowers tries a takedown but Elder reverses and they get to their feet. Elder lands a leg kick and Flowers falls down as he stumbles back. Elder jumps on top as he lands. Flowers sweeps and has the back but slips off and Elder ends up back on top. Elder with some punches and lands a knee as they work to the feet. Flowers tries a takedown but it is easily stuffed by Elder, who ends up on top. Both already looking tired at altitude. Flowers lands an upkick. 10-9 Elder.

We have an immediate timeout for a groin strike on Flowers. They get back to action. Elder lands a right hand but Flowers is able to score a takedown. Elder is able to cause a scramble and gets on top and lands to the body. Elder is able to get the mount. Elder looking for an arm-triangle choke and he has it locked in and Flowers taps! Big submission win for Elder.

Official Result- Evan Elder def. Darrius Flowers by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 1:46 of Round 2

> Middleweights- Josh Fremd (11-5, 2-3 UFC) vs. Andre Petroski (10-3, 5-2 UFC)

Fremd lands a jab. Petroski with a left hand and Fremd goes to his butt for a moment. Petroski gets a single leg and scores a takedown and is in side control. Petroski landing as he is holding onto position and looking to set something up with an arm. Fremd trying to find a way up as they are warned by the referee to stay busy. Petroski gets to the mount. Petroski lands an elbow. Petroski goes back to the mount and lands an elbow before getting the back late. 10-9 Petroski.

Fremd lands a kick and Petroski scores a takedown and looks for the mount. Petroski looking for a guillotine choke. Fremd has an arm in and Petroski lets go and takes the back. Petroski with a right hand from the back. Petroski looking for an arm-triangle choke. He almost has it in but Fremd is trying to fight it off. Fremd is out of it as Petroski pushes it to the fence. Petroski gets back to the mount. 10-9 Petroski, 20-18 Petroski.

Fremd coming out and landing on Petroski as he pushes it to the fence and lands a knee. They separate. Petroski gets a takedown. Petroski gets to the mount. Fremd gives up his back but rolls to his side and Petroski remains in the mount. Petroski moves to side control and is landing, doing enough to keep it from being stood up. Petroski gets the back of Fremd. Petroski keeps the back of Fremd as it ends. 10-9 Petroski, 30-27 Petroski.

Official Result- Andre Petroski def. Josh Fremd by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Women’s Flyweights- Luana Santos (7-1, 2-0 UFC) vs. Mariya Agapova (10-4, 2-3 UFC)

Both looking for openings early as Agapova lands some leg kicks. Santos drops Agapova with a right hand and they scramble up. Santos gets a big takedown and is in side control. Santos goes to the mount and looks for an arm-triangle choke. Santos lets go and lands some body punches. Santos gets the back and locks in a rear-naked choke. Agapova is trying to fight it off but she ends up tapping! Santos with a dominant first-round finish.

Official Result- Luana Santos def. Mariya Agapova by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:27 of Round 1

> Bantamweights- Montel Jackson (13-2, 7-2 UFC) vs. Da’Mon Blackshear (14-6-1, 2-2 UFC)

Jackson lands a jab to the chest and a left hand drops Blackshear and it is immediately all over in seconds. What a knockout by Jackson!

Official Result- Montel Jackson def. Da’Mon Blackshear by knockout (punch) at :18 of Round 1

> Women’s Flyweights- #15 Jasmine Jasudavicius (10-3, 4-2 UFC) vs. Fatima Kline (6-0, 0-0 UFC)

They trade leg kicks. Kline with a left hand as Jasudavicius lands a right hand. They trade and Kline gets a takedown. They scramble up and both land as Jasudavicius gets a takedown and has the back and lands. Jasudavicius continues to land from the back and now gets into side control. She gets the mount and lands a pair of elbows. Jasudavicius with more left hands to end the round. 10-9 Jasudavicius.

They trade and Jasudavicius lands slightly more. Kline with a leg kick. Jasudavicius lands a right hand. Kline lands a combination. Jasudavicius with a left hook. They clinch against the fence and Kline tries to take the back but Jasudavicius lands some knees to the body as she has the edge. Jasudavicius drags Kline down to the ground. Jasudavicius has the side mount and lands some punches and elbows. She ends the round landing from the top. 10-9 Jasudavicius, 20-18 Jasudavicius.

Kline lands a big right hand and follows it with a flurry that has Jasudavicius in trouble. Kline continues to land and Jasudavicius starts landing as well. Kline lands a right hand. Kline with the jab and they tie up and Kline lands while they’re tied up. They both land inside the pocket. They clinch and Jasudavicius with some dirty boxing. Jasudavicius gets the back and they get to the fence. Jasudavicius gets a takedown and starts landing from the top. They scramble to their feet but Jasudavicius gets it right back down. Jasudavicius landing from the top and attempts a choke late but time runs out. 10-9 Jasudavicius, 30-27 Jasudavicius.

Official Result- Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Fatima Kline by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Flyweights- Joshua Van (10-1, 3-0 UFC) vs. Charles Johnson (15-6, 4-4 UFC)

Johnson with a high kick then some leg kicks. Johnson lands a combination then lands some leg and body kicks. Johnson with more kicks as Van is looking for an opening. Johnson continuing to land kicks and shoots for a takedown, but Van defends. Van now landing the jab and lands a big right hand. Johnson lands a counter punch. Van with a jab and lands a right hand. Van trips Johnson up with a leg kick and gets on top. Johnson is able to get it up and shoots for a takedown, but Van defends and lands a knee. Johnson with a right hand. Van with a combination to the body. Close round. 10-9 Johnson.

They’re trading kicks. Van lands a combination. Van with a leg kick. Johnson with a jab and Van lands a pair of right hands. They trade in close range and Van is landing more punches. Johnson with some short leg kicks. Johnson with a left hand. Van with a jab and a right hand. They continue to trade inside the pocket and Van lands a combination. Johnson with a body kick and Van lands a right hand. Another close round. 10-9 Van, 19-19.

They’re trading big punches in close range. Johnson lands a right hand and then an uppercut that drops Van and it is all over! Wow, what a finish from Johnson!

Official Result- Charles Johnson def. Joshua Van by knockout (punch) at :20 of Round 3

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> Middleweights- Abdul Razak Alhassan (12-6, 6-6 UFC) vs. Cody Brundage (10-6, 4-5 UFC)

Brundage tries for the takedown right away but Alhassan is pounding away and has Brundage in trouble. Alhassan landing a ton and this could be stopped but Brundage is still trying to get it down. Alhassan is now landing elbows and lands some to the back of the head and timeout is called. Brundage is being checked by the doctors and they say he can’t continue, and, since the elbows were accidental, it’s going to be a no contest.

Official Result- Abdul Razak Alhassan vs. Cody Brundage ends in a no contest (accidental foul) at :37 of Round 1

> Featherweights- Julian Erosa (29-11, 7-7 UFC) vs. Christian Rodriguez (11-1, 4-1 UFC)

Rodriguez with some early jabs as they trade leg kicks. Erosa lands some punches and Rodriguez lands some right hands then a head kick. Rodriguez’ mouth piece was knocked out. Rodriguez with some big punches and Erosa lands inside the pocket. Erosa lands a right hand. Rodriguez with a combo. Rodriguez with a right hand then a head kick. Rodriguez with another right hand. Erosa lands a teet kick. They trade in close range. Erosa gets a takedown and they are both landing on the mat. Rodriguez is inside the guard of Erosa and landing. Erosa suddenly locks in a guillotine choke and it’s in tight and Rodriguez taps! What a finish out of nowhere for Erosa to pick up the win.

Official Result- Julian Erosa def. Christian Rodriguez by submission (guillotine choke) at 4:49 of Round 1

> Welterweights- Gabriel Bonfim (15-1, 2-1 UFC) vs. Ange Loosa (10-3 1 NC, 2-1 1 NC UFC)

They clinch up almost immediately as both are looking to get it down. They switch positions and Bonfim lands several knees to the body. Loosa backs up and Bonfim lands a right hand then several more knees before Loosa scores a takedown. They get to their feet and Loosa gets it back down and lands several punches. They get to their feet and separate. They trade jabs. Bonfim with a pair of knees. Loosa looks for a takedown but Bonfim defends and lands a knee on the break. They trade jabs and Loosa gets a brief takedown, but they get right back up. Bonfim with a big combination. 10-9 Bonfim.

Bonfim with some teet kicks. Loosa scores a takedown but they get right back up. Bonfim lands a knee and Loosa lands a jab. Bonfim with a combination. They trade leg kicks. They trade inside the pocket before Bonfim lands a knee. They trade punches. Bonfim with a left hand. Bonfim lands a body kick. Bonfim with an uppercut. Loosa lands a right hand. Bonfim lands a big uppercut. Bonfim well ahead on volume as he lands an uppercut to the body followed by a knee. Loosa with a leg kick. Bonfim with a big right hand. Bonfim gets a late takedown. 10-9 Bonfim, 20-18 Bonfim.

Bonfim pressing forward and landing several combinations to start the third. They trade jabs. Bonfim with a series of jabs. Bonfim with a right hand and then tees up a few more. Bonfim landing with more volume as the pace is slowing down. Bonfim with a jab. Bonfim with a head kick. Bonfim with a right hand then a big knee to the body. Bonfim lands a right hand then a front kick. Bonfim with a hard right hand and Loosa clinches up and pushes it to the fence. They separate. Bonfim with a straight right hand. Loosa tries a late takedown. 10-9 Bonfim, 30-27 Bonfim.

Official Result- Gabriel Bonfim def. Ange Loosa by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Lightweights- Drew Dober (27-13 1 NC, 13-9 1 NC UFC) vs. Jean Silva (13-2, 2-0 UFC)

Dober with a leg kick. Dober with a body kick. Dober lands an inside leg kick. Silva lands a right hand and circles away. Silva with a high kick and a right hand. Silva lands a flying knee. Silva with a jab. Silva with a high kick and Dober with a leg kick. Dober lands a combination. Dober is cut around his eye. Dober lands a left hand to the body. Silva lands a right hand. Dober with a body kick as Silva lands a left hook. Silva with a left hook and body kick. 10-9 Silva.

Dober with an inside leg kick. Dober looks for a takedown and lands a knee on the break. Silva looks away and Dober lands a big left hand. Silva with a knee. Dober with a series of left hands as he lands in the clinch. Silva returns fire and Dober lands a body kick. Dober with a leg kick then a series of body shots. Silva with a right hand. Dober lands a Superman punch that hurts Silva. Dober with a left hand. Silva scores with an uppercut. Dober’s right eye is still badly bleeding. Dober lands a left hand. Silva with an elbow and a combination. Silva rocks Dober late with some hard punches and the bell might have saved Dober. 10-9 Silva, 20-18 Silva.

They trade kicks. They trade punches. Dober shoots for a takedown and Silva looks for a guillotine choke but Dober pops out and they’re back on the feet. Silva lands a spinning elbow. Dober’s face is an absolute mess and timeout is called to check the cut. That cut is massive and this fight has been stopped. What an incredible fight with an unfortunate end as Silva is going to pick up the win.

Official Result- Jean Silva def. Drew Dober by TKO (cut) at 1:28 of Round 3

> Welterweights- Santiago Ponzinibbio (29-7, 11-6 UFC) vs. Muslim Salikhov (19-5, 6-4 UFC)

Salikhov with a body kick. He lands a left hook. He lands a spin kick. Salikhov with a right hand followed by a body kick. Ponzinibbio pressing forward and lands a right hand. Ponzinibbio with a leg kick. Salikhov lands a spinning back fist and Ponzinibbio was knocked off balance. Salikhov with two left hooks. Ponzinibbio lands a right hand. Ponzinibbio with a combo to the body. Ponzinibbio with a right hand and lands a combo then Salikhov lands an uppercut. Ponzinibbio lands a combination. Salikhov with a right hand. Close round. 10-9 Salikhov.

Salikhov lands a right hand. Salikhov with a left hook and a spin kick. They trade and Salikhov lands a left hook. Salikhov with a spin kick that connects and knocks Ponzinibbio off balance for a moment. Salikhov with a leg kick. Salikhov with some solid punches and a body kick. Ponzinibbio throws but nothing lands then he connects with a right hand. Salikhov gets a brief takedown but they are right back up. Salikhov lands a solid combination. Ponzinibbio gets a late takedown and does nothing with it. 10-9 Salikhov, 20-18 Salikhov.

Ponzinibbio lands a right hand then a leg kick. They’re trading in close range. Salikhov just misses a spin kick. They clinch against the fence and Ponzinibbio has the edge but they separate. Ponzinibbio lands a right hand. Ponzinibbio looks for a takedown as he pushes it against the fence. Ponzinibbio drags it down and has the back as they almost stand. Salikhov is breathing heavily. They get to their feet as Ponzinibbio is still pressuring and Salikhov lands short punches. 10-9 Ponzinibbio, 29-28 Salikhov.

Official Result- Muslim Salikhov def. Santiago Ponzinibbio by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

> Women’s Flyweights- #6 Rose Namajunas (12-6, 10-5 UFC) vs. #11 Tracy Cortez (11-1, 5-0 UFC)

Namajunas with a leg kick. Namajunas lands a right hand. She lands a combo that backs Cortez up. Namajunas with a jab as Cortez lands a leg kick. Namajunas drops Cortez with a jab and Namajunas gets inside of the guard of Cortez. They get to their feet after Namajunas lands from the top. Namajunas lands a right hand. Cortez with a combo. Namajunas lands a right hand. They trade in close range. Cortez lands a right hand. They trade leg kicks. 10-9 Namajunas.

Namajunas with a jab and Cortez lands a right hand. Cortez lands a combo. They’re trading evenly but not a ton is landing. Namajunas with a leg kick. Namajunas lands a stiff right hand. Cortez briefly gets it down and is on the back as they stand. Cortez has the neck against the fence but Namajunas slips out. Namajunas lands a right hand. Cortez with a leg kick. Namajunas lands as she comes forward. Namajunas gets a takedown and ends the round on top. 10-9 Namajunas, 20-18 Namajunas.

Cortez rushes forward and lands. Namajunas with a front kick and then scores a takedown and goes right into the full mount. Namajunas landing from the top as they get to the fence. Cortez kicks off the fence to escape and they get to their feet. Namajunas gets it back to the ground. She gets back into the mount. Cortez tries to kick off the fence but Namajunas gets the back and lands as she looks for a choke. They get to their feet. Namajunas with a leg kick. 10-9 Namajunas, 30-27 Namajunas.

Cortez lands a kick and they clinch against the fence but quickly separate. They trade and Namajunas gets another takedown. They get up and Namajunas is controlling against the fence. They break apart. Both miss punch attempts. Cortez lands a right hand. Namajunas with a left hand. Namajunas lands a jab. Cortez gets a takedown but they quickly get up. Cortez with a knee and one more before the end. 10-9 Namajunas, 40-36 Namajunas.

Namajunas with a leg kick. Cortez with a pair of kicks. Both are throwing before Cortez initiates a tie-up against the fence. Namajunas reverses. They separate. Namajunas with a right hand. They clinch and Cortez lands a knee. They separate. Namajunas gets a takedown and has the leg as they stand and go to the fence. Cortez lands a knee. They separate. They trade combinations. Namajunas with a front kick. Cortez with a right hand and lands two more. Cortez with another right hand. Cortez with an uppercut and Namajunas lands a left hook. They tie up late. 10-9 Cortez, 49-46 Namajunas.

Official Result- Rose Namajunas def. Tracy Cortez by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)

UFC on ESPN 53 live results: Amanda Ribas vs. Rose Namajunas

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

The Octagon returns to the UFC Apex in Las Vegas for the UFC’s first ESPN main card of the year: UFC on ESPN 53.

The main event is a five-round battle in the women’s flyweight division as Amanda Ribas competes in her first main event against former two-time UFC women’s strawweight Champion Rose Namajunas. Ribas is looking to score her second straight win while Namajunas looks to end a two-fight losing skid.

In the co-main event, it will be a battle of heavyweights as Karl Williams battles Justin Tafa. 

Also on the main card is a middleweight bout between Edmen Shahbazyan and AJ Dobson; a battle of bantamweight prospects as Payton Talbott squares off against Cameron Saaiman; and a featherweight fight pitting Billy Quarantillo against Youssef Zalal.

ESPN+ PRELIMS | 7 PM ET/4 PM PT

> Heavyweights- Mohammad Usman (10-2, 3-0 UFC) vs. Mick Parkin (8-0, 2-0 UFC)

Parkin with some leg kicks as he lands the jab while Usman lands some right hands to the body. Parkin lands a right hand. Parkin with a nice calf kick. Usman lands a right hand and is teeing off on Parkin against the fence. Parkin is able to circle away. Parkin lands a calf kick. He lands another. Parkin with an inside leg kick. Usman lands a right hand. Parkin with a pair of leg kicks. Usman lands a big right hand. Parkin comes forward but eats some right hands from Usman. Parkin lands a right hand. 10-9 Usman.

Usman working the jab to start the second. Parkin lands a jab then a leg kick. Usman lands a calf kick. Parkin lands a solid left hand. Usman lands a right hand. Parkin landing leg kicks to keep Usman from landing. Usman lands a right hand to the body. Both land right hands and Parkin lands a leg kick. They both land right hands again. Usman with a stiff jab. Parkin with a body kick. Usman lands a right hook. Parkin with a calf kick. Usman with a right hand that Parkin partially blocks. 10-9 Parkin, 19-19.

They trade right hands. Parkin lands a right hand. Usman with a jab to the body. Parkin lands a combo. Parkin with a leg kick. Usman misses a right hand. He misses again as Parkin circles away, but then lands a jab. Parkin with an inside leg kick. Parkin with a hard leg kick. Parkin lands a jab. They trade right hands. Parkin with a leg kick. Usman with a right hand. Parkin with an inside leg kick. Parkin hurts Usman with a leg kick, but Usman fires back with some hard right hands. Parkin lands a right hand. Usman lands a combo. Usman lands another combo. Parkin with a leg kick as they trade late. Close fight. 10-9 Parkin, 29-28 Parkin.

Official Result- Mick Parkin def. Mohammed Usman by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Flyweights- Igor Severino (8-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Andre Lima (7-0, 0-0 UFC)

Lima with a leg kick. Lima with a combo ending with a leg kick. Severino lands a knee to the body. He grabs the leg of Lima and scores a takedown. They get to their feet right away as Severino tries to get the back. Severino gets it down and looks for the neck. Lima gets out and to his feet. Lima lands a knee against the fence. Lima grabs the neck and locks in a guillotine choke as they go to the mat, but Severino slips his head out. Lima looking to sweep with an omaplata. Lima grabbed the fence. Severino gets out and they get to the feet. Severino lands a knee as they break. They trade jabs. Severino with a hard leg kick. Lima lands a big step-in elbow. Lima throwing hard. Severino lands a right hand. Lima lands a pair of left hands then a right hand to the body. Severino with a pair of hard leg kicks. Both land an elbow. Lima slips and they scramble to their feet. Severino gets a late takedown. 10-9 Severino.

Lima lands a right hand. Severino with a hard leg kick and Lima lands a right hand. Severino with a leg kick. Severino lands a right hand. Lima with a right hand. Severino with a big knee. Lima lands a jab and an elbow. Severino gets a takedown and worked from the top. They scramble up and Lima grabs the fence and a timeout is called. Lima claims he got bit by Severino and they’re reviewing it. The fight is stopped after the review and we are going to have a disqualification.

Official Result- Andre Lima def. Igor Severino by disqualification (biting) at 2:52 of Round 2

> Women’s Bantamweights- Montserrat Rendon (6-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Dariya Zheleznyakova (8-1, 0-0 UFC)

Zheleznyakova lands a right hand. They trade and Rendon grabs the body and scores a takedown. They get to their feet and remain clinched before breaking. They trade jabs. Rendon grabs the clinch and pushes it against the fence. Rendon trips it to the mat. 10-9 Rendon.

They’re trading to start the second. They clinch against the fence before breaking. Rendon lands a combo as Zheleznyakova is working the jab and left hand. Zheleznyakova lands a right hand. Rendon lands a right hand and then another. Rendon pushes it against the fence trying for the takedown but Zheleznyakova grabs the fence to block it. Rendon gets it down for a moment but they get up. 10-9 Rendon, 20-18 Rendon.

Zheleznyakova lands a jab. They trade punches before Rendon initiates the clinch against the fence. Rendon is trying to get it down as she’s pressuring. Rendon still landing in the clinch and lands as they break. Zheleznyakova with a left hand and then lands another. Rendon lands a spinning back fist. 10-9 Rendon, 30-27 Rendon.

Official Result- Dariya Zheleznyakova def. Montserrat Rendon by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Featherweights- Jarno Errens (13-5-1, 0-2 UFC) vs. Steven Nguyen (9-1, 0-0 UFC)

Nguyen lands some calf kicks then a teet kick. They trade hard kicks. They trade jabs. Errens tries a high kick but Nguyen grabs the leg and gets it down and lands from the top. They get to their feet. Errens lands a right hand to the body then the chin of Nguyen. Errens with a right hand to the body then lands an uppercut. Errens lands a right hand as Nguyen landed a left hand. Errens with a leg kick. Errens lands an uppercut then a right hand. Errens with a leg kick. Errens with a right hand to the body then an uppercut. Errens lands a combo and a right hand to the body followed by a leg kick. Nguyen lands a leg kick. 10-9 Errens.

They trade combinations to start the second. Nguyen lands some hard punches and Errens is bleeding. Errens lands a leg kick as Nguyen lands a left hand. Errens lands a side kick to the upper body of Nguyen. Errens with a leg kick. Errens with a big combination. They continue to trade evenly. Errens knocks Nguyen down with a right hand and starts teeing off as Nguyen stands and they make it to the end of the round. 10-9 Errens, 20-18 Errens.

Nguyen lands a right hand then a jab. Errens lands a right hand. He lands another. Nguyen lands a right hand and Errens goes to the mat. Nguyen gets on top and lands but Errens is able to grab him and force them up. Nguyen lands a left hand. Errens with a leg kick. Nguyen lands a leg kick. Errens lands a left hand and Nguyen goes to his knees for a moment but gets up. They tie up and go to the mat for a second but get up and separate. They trade hard punches. Errens lands an uppercut then a jab. Both men are bleeding everywhere. Fun fight. 10-9 Errens, 30-27 Errens.

Official Result- Jarno Errens def. Steven Nguyen by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Bantamweights- Miles Johns (13-2 1 NC, 4-2 UFC 1 NC) vs. Cody Gibson (19-9, 1-4 UFC)

Johns lands a leg kick. Gibson lands a jab. Gibson lands a right hand. Gibson with an inside leg kick. Gibson grabs a leg but lets go. Johns lands a combination. Gibson grabs the clinch and lands a knee but they separate. They go to the ground and Johns is inside the guard of Gibson. Johns is landing to the body from the top and lands an elbow as Gibson is trying to throw his legs up. Gibson gives up his back as they stand. Johns gets it down and lands a left hand. Johns with some right hands against the fence. Gibson tries to throw a knee but Johns lands a left hand and Gibson falls down for a moment. 10-9 Johns.

Gibson lands a body kick. Gibson grabs a leg and Johns is landing right hands to defend. Gibson gets it down for a moment and has the back as they stand. Gibson with some knees to the body. They separate. Johns lands a right hand. Gibson looks for a takedown as he has a leg and Johns is landing right hands to defend. Gibson gets it down and has the back and gets the hooks in. Gibson is looking to lock in a choke. Johns is able to spin to the top. They get to their feet and Johns pushes it against the fence. Johns lands as they break. Johns lands two big right hands. Johns gets Gibson down to the mat. Johns lands some punches as he gets to the feet. 10-9 Johns, 20-18 Johns.

Johns lands a jab. Johns with a right hand then a jab. Johns looking for a takedown as they’re against the fence. They separate. Johns lands a combo. Gibson misses a right hand as Johns ducks under and looks for a takedown against the fence. Gibson is landing elbows to defend. Johns lands a combo as they separate. They trade jabs. Gibson lands a knee then a body kick. Gibson with a leg kick. Johns grabs the leg and is able to score a takedown. They trade late. 10-9 Johns, 30-27 Johns.

Official Result- Miles Johns def. Cody Gibson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Featherweights- Ricardo Ramos (16-5, 7-4 UFC) vs. Julian Erosa (28-11, 6-7 UFC)

Ramos lands a body kick then a leg kick. Erosa with a push kick. Ramos lands a jab then a right hand. Ramos hurts Erosa with a right hand then lands a flying knee followed by some punches. They clinch and Ramos gets a big takedown. He lands from the top inside the guard of Erosa. Ramos lands and Erosa pushes him off as they get to their feet. Erosa lands a spinning elbow and Ramos gets a takedown. Erosa grabs the neck and locks in a guillotine choke and Ramos taps! What a finish by Erosa after getting hurt.

Official Result- Julian Erosa def. Ricardo Ramos by submission (guillotine choke) at 2:15 of Round 1

> Lightweights- Kurt Holobaugh (20-7 1 NC, 1-4 UFC) vs. Trey Ogden (16-6 1 NC, 1-2 1 NC UFC)

Ogden lands a left hook as Holobaugh lands a leg kick. Ogden with a jab. Holobaugh lands a right hand to the body. Holobaugh with a combo but Ogden is able to score a takedown. Ogden working from inside the full guard of Holobaugh as he lands some right hands. Ogden continuing to land from the top as he has Holobaugh pinned to the mat. Ogden still landing from the top as Holobaugh lands some from the bottom. 10-9 Ogden.

They trade leg kicks. Ogden lands a question mark kick to the body. Holobaugh with a body kick then a combination. Ogden with some leg kicks as he lands some jabs. Holobaugh with a leg kick. Holobaugh lands a combo. Ogden with a body kick. They trade jabs. Ogden with a left hook. Holobaugh lands a right hand. Holobaugh with a leg kick. Ogden lands a leg kick. Holobaugh with a combo. Ogden sweeps the leg to get the takedown. Ogden working from the half-guard. Ogden with some shoulder strikes. Ogden with right hands from the top. Holobaugh is covering up. Ogden with more pressure and landing from the top. 10-9 Ogden, 20-18 Ogden.

They trade leg kicks. Ogden gets a takedown and starts landing from the half-guard. Ogden mixing punches to the body and head on the mat. Ogden pressuring from the top. He lands more short punches to the body. Ogden in the full mount as he continues to land. Holobaugh landing to the body from the bottom. Ogden trying to find a choke from the top. 10-9 Ogden, 30-27 Ogden.

Official Result- Trey Ogden def. Kurt Holobaugh by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

ESPN MAIN CARD | 10 PM ET/7 PM PT

> Featherweights- Fernando Padilla (15-5, 1-1 UFC) vs. Luis Pajuelo (8-1, 0-0 UFC)

Pajuelo with a quick leg kick. Padilla lands a leg kick. He lands another. Padilla with a combo ending with a front kick. Pajuelo lands a right hand to the body. Padilla with a leg kick. Padilla lands a body kick. Padilla lands a body kick. Pajuelo with a hard leg kick then a right hand. Padilla drops Pajuelo with a left hand and starts landing from the top. He lands and they scramble up. Padilla has the neck with a standing D’Arce choke locked in tight and Pajuelo taps! What a finish from Padilla.

Official Result- Fernando Padilla def. Luis Pajuelo by submission (D’Arce choke) at 2:45 of Round 1

> Featherweights- Billy Quarantillo (18-5, 6-3 UFC) vs. Youssef Zalal (13-5-1, 3-3-1 UFC)

Quarantillo lands a leg kick. Zalal with a leg kick. Zalal lands a leg kick. Zalal lands a series of kicks. Quarantillo with a leg kick and they trade punches. Zalal with the jab. They trade leg kicks and jabs. Zalal with a step in knee to the body. Zalal lands a leg kick. Zalal with a combination and lands a right hand. Zalal snapping the jab twice. They clinch against the fence. They separate and Quarantillo with a leg kick. Zalal with a body kick that hurts Quarantillo. Zalal lands a right hand and then a knee. Zalal gets a takedown and is working in the guard of Quarantillo. Zalal with a right hand from the top. He gets the back of Quarantillo and has the body triangle locked in. He locks in a rear-naked choke and it is around the chin. Quarantillo gets free and survives the round. 10-9 Zalal.

Zalal with a leg kick as Quarantillo lands a left hand. Quarantillo lands a right hand. Zalal with a sweep takedown. He lands from the top. Zalal has the back as they stand but they go right back down and Zalal keeps back control. Zalal looking for a choke and has it in and Quarantillo taps! What a showing from Zalal!

Official Result- Youssef Zalal def. Billy Quarantillo by submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:50 of Round 2

> Bantamweights- Payton Talbott (7-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Cameron Saaiman (9-1, 3-1 UFC)

Saaiman with a leg kick. Saaiman with a high kick that Talbott blocks but he lands a leg kick. They trade body kicks and Saaiman lands a leg kick. Saaiman with a combo and Talbott lands a big combination. Talbott lands a punch that wobbles Saaiman. Talbott lands a step-in knee that puts Saaiman down and he lands punches. Saaiman stands and Talbott is landing lots of hard punches. Talbott still has Saaiman hurt. Saaiman tries a takedown but Talbott defends. Talbott lands a head kick. Talbott with a body kick. They trade stiff jabs. Talbott with a body kick. Talbott with a high kick and Saaiman lands a spin kick to the body. We have a timeout for a groin strike. They get back to action and both land. Talbott with a combo. Saaiman with a body kick as Talbott lands a knee and right hand. 10-9 Talbott.

Talbott drops Saaiman right away with a right hand and starts teeing off from the top. Talbott landing lots of punches and he gets the stoppage. What a showing from Talbott!

Official Result- Payton Talbott def. Cameron Saaiman by TKO (punches) at :21 of Round 2

> Middleweights- Edmen Shahbazyan (12-4, 5-4 UFC) vs. AJ Dobson (7-2 1 NC, 1-2 UFC)

Shahbazyan with a leg kick and Dobson snaps off a pair of fast combinations. Shahbazyan attacks the legs as Dobson continues to throw fast hands. They trade leg kicks. Shahbazyan with some left hands as Dobson counters with a right. They exchange short leg kicks. Shahbazyan with a jab and Dobson hurts him with a right hand and some follow-up shots. Shahbazyan looks for a takedown but Dobson defends and lands a knee. They trade hard shots and Shahbazyan gets a takedown. Dobson explodes up and Shahbazyan has the back and they scramble with Dobson ending up on top on the mat. Shahbazyan with an elbow from the bottom. Dobson with left hands from the top. Shahbazyan with more elbows from his back. They stand and are clinched against the fence. Shahbazyan reverses position. They separate. They trade and Shahbazyan hurts Dobson with a left hand. Dobson slips to the mat and Shahbazyan starts landing punches and elbows from the top. Lots of shots from Shahbazyan and it is stopped! What a finish from Shahbazyan!

Official Result- Edmen Shahbazyan def. AJ Dobson by knockout (strikes) at 4:33 of Round 1

> Heavyweights- Karl Williams (9-1, 2-0 UFC) vs. Justin Tafa (7-3 1 NC, 4-3 1 NC UFC)

Williams lands a right hand. Tafa lands a hard body kick. Williams with a right hand. They land hard punches in the pocket and Tafa has Williams hurt. Tafa rushes in and lands a knee but it allows Williams to score a takedown. Williams with a big elbow from the top and lands a couple more. Tafa gets to his feet and Williams still has him pushed against the fence. Williams gets it back down and lands a big hammerfist. Williams has the back. They get to their feet. Williams with some knees. Williams gets it back down for a moment and still has the back as they stand back up. Williams drags it back down with a single leg. Williams with shots from the top and Tafa lands an illegal upkick that Herb Dean only gives a warning about. Williams with left hands from the top. 10-9 Williams.

Tafa misses a body kick as Williams lands a right hand. Williams lands a jab. Williams with a body kick. Tafa with a hard body kick. Williams lands a combo. He lands another. Williams with a combination. Tafa lands a left hand. Williams looks for a takedown but Tafa defends and lands a left hand. Tafa with another left hand. Tafa gets off balance with a head kick attempt and Williams scores a takedown. Williams with some big left hands from the top. Williams with more punches from the top. 10-9 Williams, 20-18 Williams.

Williams lands a right hand and Tafa cracks him with a left hand. Williams tries a takedown but Tafa defends and lands. Williams is able to get a takedown. They’re just laying there as Williams is trying to improve and Tafa is just doing nothing. They get to their feet as Williams still has the back. Williams lands a knee as they break. Williams gets it back to the mat and lands from the top as the fight ends. 10-9 Williams, 30-27 Williams.

Official Result- Karl Williams def. Justin Tafa by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

> Women’s Flyweights- #8 Amanda Ribas (12-4, 7-3 UFC) vs. Rose Namajunas (11-6, 9-5 UFC)

Namajunas lands a right hand. Ribas with an inside leg kick. Namajunas with a left hand. Ribas with a spin kick to the body. Ribas lands a right hand after they break a brief clinch attempt. Namajunas with a pair of left hands. She lands another. Ribas with a body kick. Ribas lands an overhand right. Namajunas with a right hand then a jab. Ribas with another spin kick. Ribas gets a takedown but they get right back up. Namajunas with some knees as they’re tied up. They separate. Both land big punches as Ribas lands a right and Namajunas lands a left. Ribas gets a takedown but Namajunas rolls through and is in side control. Both landing on the mat. Namajunas ends the round on top. 10-9 Namajunas.

Ribas with a body kick. Namajunas lands a left hand. Namajunas lands a right hand. Ribas lands a left hand followed by a leg kick. Namajunas with a left hand. She lands another. Namajunas lands a right hand. Namajunas gets a brief takedown. Ribas looks for a kneebar as they scramble to the mat but Namajunas escapes. They scramble and Namajunas ends up on top. Namajunas working inside the guard of Ribas. Namajunas ends the round on top. 10-9 Namajunas, 20-18 Namajunas.

They trade leg kicks. Ribas with a high kick. Namajunas lands a leg kick then a right hand. Namajunas with a body kick and they trade punches. Namajunas lands a right hand. Ribas with a leg kick. They clinch and Namajunas with a pair of knees before they break. They trade right hands. Namajunas with a left hand. Namajunas with a pair of right hands. Ribas misses some spin attacks but lands a right hand. Ribas scores a takedown. Namajunas gets right up and they scramble back down but right back up. Namajunas pushes it against the fence. Ribas gets a takedown as she sweeps the leg and lands some right hands. Ribas ends up in the half-guard of Namajunas. Ribas with some elbows from the top. Ribas takes the back at the end. 10-9 Ribas, 29-28 Namajunas.

Ribas with a leg kick as Namajunas lands a left hand. Namajunas with a combo. Ribas with a leg kick. Namajunas lands a right hand and Ribas lands a combo. They trade inside the pocket. Ribas with a leg kick. Namajunas lands a left hand. Namajunas with a right hand. Namajunas tries a takedown and Ribas rolls for a leg but it allows Namajunas to get on top. Namajunas with some body punches from inside the guard of Ribas. Namajunas still on top and staying active. Ribas is looking for a potential triangle choke and lands a pair of elbows. Namajunas continues to land from the top. 10-9 Namajunas, 39-37 Namajunas.

Ribas with some leg kicks and Namajunas lands a left hand. Ribas lands a right hand and Namajunas lands a left hand. Namajunas with a counter right hand. They’re trading punches in close range. Namajunas with a spin kick then a leg kick. Namajunas with a left hand. Ribas landing more here in the fifth. Ribas with a spin kick. Ribas with another spin kick to the body. They trade body kicks. They trade jabs. Ribas with a leg kick as Namajunas lands a right hand. Namajunas lands a right hand. Ribas lands a right hand. 10-9 Ribas, 48-47 Namajunas.

Official Result- Rose Namajunas def. Amanda Ribas by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)

UFC on ESPN+ 84 live results: Ciryl Gane vs. Serghei Spivac

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

The Octagon remains overseas this week as UFC action returns to France for UFC On ESPN+ 84: Gane vs. Spivac, taking place from the Accor Arena in Paris, France.

In the main event, it’s a heavyweight battle as former Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Ciryl Gane looks to bounce back into the win column in his home country when he takes on Serghei Spivac. Gane is coming off a title fight loss to Jon Jones in March, while Spivac comes in riding a three-fight win streak.

In the co-main event, it’s another pivotal bout in the women’s flyweight division as Manon Fiorot takes on former UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Rose Namajunas, who makes the move to 125 pounds for the first time. Also on the main card is a lightweight bout between Benoit Saint-Denis and Thiago Moises, as well as a light heavyweight battle as Volkan Oezdemir takes on the debuting Bogdan Guskov.

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

> 140-pound Catchweights- Zarah Fairn (6-5, 0-3 UFC) vs. Jacqueline Cavalcanti (5-1, 0-0 UFC)

Cavalcanti landing a lot of leg kicks early on as Fairn has missed every strike she’s thrown two minutes in. Fairn lands a pair of right hands. Cavalcanti lands more kicks as she mixes to the body. Fairn lands a body kick. Cavalcanti landing slightly more as both are mostly missing. Cavalcanti lands a hard leg kick and then one to the body. Cavalcanti lands a right hand and then Fairn pokes her in the eye, so we have a timeout. They get back to action and trade as Fairn is warned twice about her fingers. 10-9 Cavalcanti.

They trade and Fairn lands the jab. Cavalcanti still landing lots of leg kicks. Fairn pressuring Cavalcanti around the fence. Fairn lands a leg kick and Cavalcanti grabs the leg and lands a right hand. Cavalcanti lands a combination to the body. Cavalcanti lands a right hand to the body. Cavalcanti back landing leg kicks. Fairn lands a solid flurry. Cavalcanti lands a leg kick and they’re both faking jabs. Cavalcanti lands a pair of right hands. Cavalcanti lands a right hand followed by a body kick. Cavalcanti with a leg kick. 10-9 Cavalcanti, 20-18 Cavalcanti.

Cavalcanti landing leg kicks early as Fairn is trying to land punches. Cavalcanti lands a right hand. Fairn lands a right hand and Cavalcanti lands a leg kick. Cavalcanti lands a front kick to the body and follows with a right hand. Fairn initiates a clinch but eats a lot of punches by Cavalcanti as she’s landing the uppercut. Fairn lands a combo. Fairn tries a takedown but Cavalcanti defends and they scramble right back up. Cavalcanti lands a flurry at the end. 10-9 Cavalcanti, 30-27 Cavalcanti.

Official Result- Jacqueline Cavalcanti def. Zarah Fairn by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Bantamweights- Farid Basharat (10-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Kleydson Rodrigues (8-2, 1-1 UFC)

Rodrigues lands a leg kick and right hand and Basharat shoots for a takedown. Rodrigues defends but Basharat finishes it and is in the half-guard of Rodrigues. Basharat gets to the mount. Basharat landing punches from the top. Rodrigues is able to sweep to the feet. They’re tied up and Rodrigues lands a knee. Basharat gets another takedown. Basharat with an elbow from the top. He lands several more elbows. He lands more and is looking for an arm-triangle choke. He gets it in and Rodrigues taps! Great finish from Basharat as he remains undefeated.

Official Result- Farid Basharat def. Kleydson Rodrigues by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 4:15 of Round 1

> Women’s Bantamweights- Nora Cornolle (6-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Joselyne Edwards (13-4, 4-2 UFC)

Cornolle landing some leg kicks while mixing in a pair of right hands early. Edwards lands a left hook after Cornolle lands. They clinch against the fence and both land knees. They trade knees again as Edwards is pressuring. Cornolle lands an elbow. Edwards is able to score a takedown. Edwards lands to the body. Cornolle tries to reverse on the ground but Edwards blocks it and remains in half-guard. Cornolle reverses to the top and is inside the guard of Edwards. They stand at the end. Close round. 10-9 Cornolle.

Cornolle lands to start the second. They trade leg kicks. Edwards lands a kick and scores a takedown. Edwards landing to the body from inside the guard. Edwards is trying to get the back as Cornolle is trying to scramble up. Edwards landing left hands from the back. They stand but Edwards is able to get it right back down. They get up. Edwards is looking tired. Edwards gets another takedown. Cornolle is able to get the back of Edwards. She’s looking for a choke as she has the body triangle in. Edwards is able to survive. 10-9 Edwards, 19-19.

Cornolle landing to start the third and she has Edwards backing up. They clinch against the fence and Cornolle lands some knees. Edwards is warned about grabbing the fence. Cornolle reverses and is landing knees to the body. She lands some to the head and they end up scrambling to the mat with Edwards ending up on top. Cornolle lands some elbows from the bottom. Cornolle looking for a triangle choke. Edwards ends up getting the back. She’s looking for a choke. She has it under the chin. Edwards lets go as Cornolle fights it off. Cornolle escapes and gets to her feet. Cornolle with some kicks as Edwards is on the ground. Edwards stands. They trade. Cornolle lands some knees. She lands some more. Cornolle lands a kick. Close fight. 10-9 Cornolle, 29-28 Cornolle.

Official Result- Nora Cornolle def. Joselyne Edwards by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Welterweights- Ange Loosa (9-3, 1-1 UFC) vs. Rhys McKee (13-4-1, 0-2 UFC)

Loosa lands a leg kick. Loosa lands a few big punches against the fence. McKee throwing the jab. Loosa lands another big flurry and scores a takedown. McKee had the neck but Loosa popped out. Loosa working from the half-guard. They stand and Loosa is landing big uppercuts and McKee is able to get away. Loosa lands a combo. McKee lands a leg kick. McKee lands a combo. McKee with a body kick then a leg kick. McKee lands a right hand. Loosa lands a right hand. They trade late. Close round. 10-9 Loosa.

McKee lands some kicks as Loosa is trying to land punches. McKee with more kicks. McKee lands a combo. Loosa lands a big right hand. They trade punches. Loosa lands a right hand after McKee lands a body kick. McKee lands a jab and follows with a right hand. Loosa lands a left hook. Loosa gets a takedown and moves to the half-guard. They scramble up but Loosa gets it right back down. He gets to the full mount and lands some big punches. Loosa with a lot of big punches as they stand and McKee is in a lot of trouble. Loosa with a ton of big shots and McKee is able to eat them as Loosa gets another takedown. Loosa lands some punches as he has the back on their knees. 10-9 Loosa, 20-18 Loosa.

Loosa gets an early takedown to start the third. McKee is throwing elbows from the bottom as Loosa is pressuring from the top. They stand and Loosa gets a big takedown, but they pop right back up. They trade jabs. Loosa looks for a takedown but McKee defends. McKee lands some punches and Loosa stumbles around and McKee lands. McKee landing and has Loosa hurt. They clinch and McKee lands some elbows. Loosa has a big cut opened up. McKee with some more punches and an uppercut. They make it to the end. 10-9 McKee, 29-28 Loosa.

Official Result- Ange Loosa def. Rhys McKee by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

> Bantamweights- Taylor Lapilus (18-3, 3-1 UFC) vs. Caolan Loughran (8-0, 0-0 UFC)

Lapilus throwing the jab early. Lapilus lands a body kick. Loughran lands to the body. They trade as Loughran is pressing forward. Loughran looks for a takedown as he pushes it against the fence. Lapilus is defending against the fence and lands a knee. Loughran trying hard to get it down. They separate. Lapilus lands the jab. Loughran lands a right hand. Loughran backs Lapilus up throwing some right hands. Loughran lands and scores a takedown. They get to their feet and Lapilus lands an elbow and knee. They trade. 10-9 Lapilus.

They trade early to start the second and Loughran gets a takedown. Loughran is pressuring from the top and maintaining control as he’s landing. They get to the feet and Loughran has the back and the body triangle, but Lapilus slides him off and they’re on the feet. Lapilus lands a knee to the body as Loughran is trying for the takedown against the fence. They separate. Lapilus lands the jab. He lands a body kick. Lapilus lands a combo. Loughran lands an uppercut to the body. Close round. 10-9 Loughran, 19-19.

They trade in close range before Loughran lands a groin strike for a timeout. Lapilus lands the jab and then a nice left hand. Loughran pushes it against the fence as he’s looking for a takedown. They separate. Both are landing and Loughran looks for another takedown against the fence. They separate and Lapilus lands. Loughran shoots for a desperate takedown but Lapilus defends. Loughran lands a right hand. Lapilus with a body kick. Loughran tries a takedown but Lapilus defends, though he did grab the fence. They trade kicks. Lapilus lands a nice left hand. Lapilus lands a jab and Loughran tries another takedown attempt. They separate and Lapilus is landing more punches and makes Loughran slip to his knees. Lapilus with more solid punches. Fun fight. 10-9 Lapilus, 29-28 Lapilus.

Official Result- Taylor Lapilus def. Caolan Loughran by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

ESPN+ MAIN CARD | 3 PM ET/12 PM PT

> Featherweights- Morgan Charriere (18-9-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Manolo Zecchini (11-3, 0-0 UFC)

Charriere landing more to start things out and Zecchini lands a couple of right hands. Zecchini lands inside the pocket. Charriere lands a right hand and another as Zecchini lands a body kick. Charriere lands a combo. They’re trading in close range. Charriere lands a jab. Charriere with a body kick. Charriere with some body kicks and Zecchini is circling away. Charriere lands a body kick that drops Zecchini and he ends it with some follow-up shots. What a finish from Charriere to get the win!

Official Result- Morgan Charriere def. Manolo Zecchini by knockout (strikes) at 3:51 of Round 1

> Featherweights- William Gomis (12-2, 2-0 UFC) vs. Yanis Ghemmouri (12-1, 0-0 UFC)

They trade kicks as Gomis lands to the body and Ghemmouri lands to the leg. Ghemmouri lands a leg kick and Gomis lands a left hand. They trade leg kicks. They trade kicks again. Gomis lands a left hand. They trade kicks some more as Gomis lands with more volume. They trade and Gomis lands a high kick and leg kick late. 10-9 Gomis.

Ghemmouri throwing kicks and Gomis lands some hard punches that hurt Ghemmouri. Gomis rushes in and Ghemmouri tries for a takedown as he pushes it against the fence. Gomis has the neck and is looking for a choke. Ghemmouri is defending. Gomis lets go. They separate and trade at a distance. They trade kicks and Gomis lands a spin kick. 10-9 Gomis, 20-18 Gomis.

They clinch early on and Gomis lands a knee as Ghemmouri is trying to get it down. They separate. Gomis lands a kick and it looks like it hit the groin but the referee called it a legal blow and stops the fight. The toes hit the stomach but the majority of the kick hit the cup, and the referee still stopped the fight. This was an absolutely horrible stoppage.

Official Result- William Gomis def. Yanis Ghemmouri by TKO (body kick) at 2:20 of Round 3

> Light Heavyweights- #9 Volkan Oezdemir (18-7, 6-6 UFC) vs. Bogdan Guskov (14-2, 0-0 UFC)

Oezdemir lands a pair of leg kicks. Guskov lands a combination. Oezdemir gets a takedown. They get to their feet and Guskov lands a right hand. Oezdemir lands a leg kick. Oezdemir rocks Guskov with a combo. Oezdemir drops him with a left hand and is landing from the top. Guskov gives up his back and Oezdemir lands. Oezdemir gets the full mount and is landing. Oezdemir looking for a rear-naked choke and has it locked in and Guskov taps! Big finish from Oezdemir to pick up the win.

Official Result- Volkan Oezdemir def. Bogdan Guskov by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:46 of Round 1

> Lightweights- Benoit Saint-Denis (11-1 1 NC, 3-1 UFC) vs. Thiago Moises (17-6, 6-4 UFC)

We have a timeout for an early groin strike. They get back to action. Saint-Denis wit a body kick. We have another groin strike. They get back to action and Saint-Denis lands a big flurry against the fence. They trade leg kicks. Saint-Denis lands a combo and looks for a takedown against the fence. They separate and Saint-Denis lands and scores a takedown. He’s landing from the back. Saint-Denis gets inside the guard of Moises and is landing. Moises is cut open and looks for a kneebar but Saint-Denis escapes. They stand and Saint-Denis lands a knee and some punches and elbows but Moises is firing back. Insane round. 10-9 Saint-Denis.

They trade to start the second. Saint-Denis has the back and is landing knees. Saint-Denis was trying to get it down but Moises was grabbing the fence. Saint-Denis still landing knees and they separate. Saint-Denis gets Moises to the ground and is landing from the back. Saint-Denis with big punches from the back and Moises is still bleeding all over. Saint-Denis with punches to the body and head. Saint-Denis with big punches from the back and he keeps landing until it is stopped. Big finish from Saint-Denis and the crowd goes wild.

Official Result- Benoit Saint-Denis def. Thiago Moises by TKO (punches) at 4:44 of Round 2

> Women’s Flyweights- #3 Manon Fiorot (10-1, 5-0 UFC) vs. #2 WSW Rose Namajunas (11-5, 9-4 UFC)

Fiorot landing punches as Namajunas lands some leg kicks early. Fiorot lands a combo. Namajunas lands a left hand. They trade punches. Namajunas lands a left hand. They trade leg kicks and Namajunas lands a right hand. They continue to trade throughout the round with Fiorot landing with more volume. Close round. 10-9 Fiorot.

Fiorot lands a combo. Fiorot lands a left hand as Namajunas lands a right hand. Fiorot lands a punch and pushes Namajunas against the fence in a clinch. Fiorot with some left hands. They separate and both are landing. Namajunas lands and Fiorot stumbles back and they have a brief clinch before breaking. They clash heads and Fiorot has a big cut opened up. They continue to trade punches and both are landing. Fiorot is bleeding all over the place. 10-9 Fiorot, 20-18 Fiorot.

Fiorot landing punches to start the third. Namajunas rushes in throwing but Fiorot slips to the side. Namajunas lands a left hand and tries a takedown but Fiorot defends. Namajunas lands a leg kick. Fiorot lands a right hand. Fiorot lands a head kick and a combination. Namajunas lands a combo and Fiorot slips but gets right back up. They trade late. 10-9 Fiorot, 30-27 Fiorot.

Official Result- Manon Fiorot def. Rose Namajunas by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

> Heavyweights- #2 Ciryl Gane (11-2, 8-2 UFC) vs. #7 Serghei Spivac (16-3, 7-3 UFC)

Gane lands a jab. Spivac lands a body kick. Gane with a push kick. Gane with more push kicks and is working the jab. Spivac tries a takedown but Gane defends and lands a knee to the body. Gane snaps the jab. They trade jabs. Gane lands a right hand. Gane landing more as Spivac isn’t finding openings. 10-9 Gane.

Gane lands a body kick and a leg kick. Gane lands a leg kick. Spivac lands a left hook. Gane with a pair of left hands. Gane lands a leg kick. Gane lands a flurry against the fence. Spivac lands a left hand and Gane counters with an elbow. Gane with a leg kick. Gane with a big right hand and then another. Gane with a flurry against the fence and he’s mixing to the head and body. Gane lands to the body. More big punches from Gane and Spivac is covering up. Gane with lots of punches and it is over! Big finish from Gane to get the win.

Official Result- Ciryl Gane def. Serghei Spivac by TKO (punches) at 3:44 of Round 2

UFC 274 live results: Oliveira vs. Gaethje, Namajunas vs. Esparza 2

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 274: Oliveira vs. Gaethje, emanating from the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Octagon returns to Arizona with a stacked fight card featuring two title fights, one of them one of the most anticipated fights of 2022, and a main card full of long-time veteran and household names.

UFC Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira was supposed to make his second title defense against Justin Gaethje in the main event. It is a fight fans have been anticipating for a while as it promises to be one of the most exciting fights that 2022 has to offer. However, Oliveira missed weight by a half-pound and was stripped of the championship. The fight remains on, but Oliveira is ineligible to win the title, meaning if he wins, the title is officially vacant. A win by Gaethje would make him the new UFC Lightweight Champion.

In the co-main event, UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion makes the second title defense of her second reign as champion as she defends against Carla Esparza. These two have history as they fought in the first-ever strawweight title fight in December 2014, which was won by Esparza. Namajunas comes in having won three straight fights, while Esparza is riding a five-fight win streak.

Also on the main card is an exciting lightweight battle between Tony Ferguson and Michael Chandler, a light heavyweight rematch between former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua and Ovince Saint Preux, and long-time veteran lightweights Donald Cerrone and Joe Lauzon square off in the main card opener.

Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 5:30 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way thru the main card.

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

ESPN+ PRELIMS | 5:30 PM ET/2:30 PM PT

> Bantamweights- Journey Newson (9-3 1 NC, 0-2 1 NC UFC) vs. Fernie Garcia (10-1, 0-0 UFC)

Garcia is making his debut. Newson with a body kick. Newson lands a side kick. Both are landing and Newson scores a takedown. They get right back to their feet and Newson had the back but Garcia escapes. Garcia lands a nice right hand. He’s landing slightly more in the round. Newson with a side kick. They clinch up at the end. 10-9 Garcia.

Garcia lands a right hand and Newson lands a nice calf kick. Garcia lands a calf kick. Newson with another leg kick. Newson lands a big combination and rocks Garcia with a left hook. Newson with a couple of kicks. Newson with a side kick. They trade punches. Newson with a right hand. Newson with a leg kick. Garcia lands a right hand. Newson with a late flurry. Garcia with a high kick. 10-9 Newson, 19-19.

Garcia with a leg kick. Newson lands a leg kick. Newson gets a takedown. He gets the back and has one hook in. They scramble to their feet. Newson with a side kick. Garcia with a leg kick. They trade in close range. Garcia with a leg kick. Newson lands a nice right hand and follows it with a left hook. He lands a jab and is being busier during this round. Newson lands a spinning back fist that backs Garcia up late. 10-9 Newson, 29-28 Newson.

Official Result- Journey Newson def. Fernie Garcia by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

*It was just announced that the fight between Donald Cerrone and Joe Lauzon, scheduled for the main card, has been scratched due to an illness for Cerrone.

> Women’s Strawweights- Ariane Carnelossi (14-2, 2-1 UFC) vs. Lupita Godinez (7-2, 2-2 UFC)

They trade to start and Godinez gets a takedown. They scramble up but Godinez gets another takedown. Godinez has the neck and is looking for something from the side as they scramble around. They get to their feet and Godinez has the back and they roll to the mat and Godinez is on top. Godinez landing from the top as Carnelossi is pinned against the fence. She ends the first landing punches. 10-9 Godinez.

Godinez with a body kick. Godinez rocks Carnelossi with a right hand and lands a flurry before getting a big takedown. Godinez with some big elbows from the top. Godinez transitions to the back and has the hooks in. Godinez tries to find a choke but lets the hooks go and lands punches. She moves to the top and tries for an arm-triangle choke but Carnelossi survives until the end. 10-9 Godinez, 20-18 Godinez.

Godinez gets a big takedown to start the third and takes the back. She’s landing punches from the back as she pushes Carnelossi against the fence. They trade punches against the fence. They get to their feet and Godinez with an uppercut in the clinch and she gets a big takedown. Godinez staying active from the top landing punches and nasty elbows. Godinez still dominating. She lands big punches as they get to their feet. She lands a big combo against the fence and gets a big takedown and closes out the fight with big punches. Great showing from Godinez. 10-8 Godinez, 30-26 Godinez.

Official Result- Lupita Godinez def. Ariane Carnelossi by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)

> Flyweights- Kleydson Rodrigues (7-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. CJ Vergara (9-3-1, 0-1 UFC)

Vergara is making his debut. Rodrigues lands some body kicks. Vergara with a body kick. Rodrigues just misses a flying knee. They trade in close range. Rodrigues with a quick uppercut. Rodrigues gets a takedown. They scramble up and Rodrigues has the back. Rodrigues with some short knees and Vergara with some short punches. Rodrigues with a left hand and elbow as they break. Rodrigues with a big body kick. Vergara with a left hook. Rodrigues with some teet kicks to the body. Rodrigues lands a right hand. Rodrigues lands a combo. Rodrigues with a leg kick. Vergara lands a solid left hook. Rodrigues with a leg kick. They trade big punches inside the pocket. 10-9 Rodrigues.

Vergara with a body kick. Rodrigues goes for a takedown but Vergara reverses and had the full mount but moves to the back. They scramble and Vergara is back in the guard of Rodrigues. Vergara working from the top and landing punches and elbows. Vergara with some body punches from the top. Vergara with an elbow from the top. Vergara with more punches from the top. Vergara gets the mount and is landing big punches from the top. Rodrigues gives up his back and is able to sweep to the top and lands an elbow. They get to their feet. Rodrigues with a body kick. He lands a spinning back fist. Vergara with some leg kicks. They trade at the end. 10-9 Vergara, 19-19.

They trade to start and Rodrigues misses a spinning back fist. Vergara lands a couple of jabs. Rodrigues with a nice combination. Vergara with a leg kick. Vergara with a nice combination. Vergara lands a knee to the body and they go to the mat with Rodrigues on bottom. Rodrigues is looking to set up a calf slicer. He now switches to looking for a choke. Vergara tries to scramble out and does and moves to side control. Rodrigues transitions to the guard of Vergara. Vergara did grab the fence a couple of times. They get to their feet and Rodrigues has the back and gets it down but they stand. Rodrigues gets it down briefly again but they stand and separate. They trade in close range. Rodrigues gets a takedown but they get to their feet. Rodrigues with a left hook and body kick. Close fight and real fun fight. 10-9 Rodrigues, 29-28 Rodrigues.

Official Result- CJ Vergara def. Kleydson Rodrigues by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

> Women’s Flyweights- Tracy Cortez (9-1, 3-0 UFC) vs. Melissa Gatto (8-0-2, 2-0 UFC)

Cortez with some calf kicks and she scores a takedown. She lands some shots from the top as Gatto is looking for the arm. Cortez slams Gatto to get her arm free and remains in the guard of Gatto. They get to their feet. Cortez with a leg kick. They trade in close range before clinching. Gatto gets the back standing and drags it down as she has the back. Cortez trying to roll to the top and does. Cortez with an elbow. Cortez landing from the top and keeping Gatto from being able to do anything from the bottom. Cortez stands and lands a leg kick. 10-9 Cortez.

Cortez with some kicks as Gatto is throwing combos but barely missing. Gatto rushes forward with a flurry that mostly misses. Gatto pressuring and shoots for a takedown against the fence. They break and Gatto lands a left hook. Gatto gets a takedown but Cortez gets it up. Gatto has the back and drags the fight down. Gatto has the hooks in. Gatto with some punches from the back. Gatto looking for the arm and an armbar. Cortez stands ad gets out and is on top now. Cortez with a hammerfist. Cortez landing from the top late and they stand late. 10-9 Gatto, 19-19.

Cortez shoots for a takedown and lands a right hand. They trade leg kicks. Gatto lands a right hand. Cortez gets a takedown. Cortez working from the top as Gatto is stuck on the bottom. Cortez lands and moves to the back and lands some right hands. Cortez lands more and Gatto looking for a kneebar but they scramble up. Gatto has the back and drags it down against the fence. Cortez gets to the top and is looking for an arm-triangle choke. Cortez lets go and ends the fight on top. 10-9 Cortez, 29-28 Cortez.

Official Result- Tracy Cortez def. Melissa Gatto by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Welterweights- Andre Fialho (15-4 1 NC, 1-1 UFC) vs. Cameron VanCamp (15-5-1 1 NC, 0-0 UFC)

VanCamp with a leg kick. He lands another. Fialho with a right hand. Fialho with a leg kick. VanCamp lands a right hand that hurts Fialho. Fialho lands a big counter. Fialho then lands a big left hook that drops VanCamp and a big punch on the mat ends it. What a finish by Fialho!

Official Result- Andre Fialho def. Cameron VanCamp by knockout (punch) at 2:35 of Round 1

ESPN PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT

> Heavyweights- #15 Blagoy Ivanov (18-4 1 NC, 2-3 UFC) vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima (19-7-1, 8-5 UFC)

de Lima with a body kick. He lands another. de Lima with a groin kick and we have a timeout. They get back to action and de Lima with a leg kick. They throw in close range but neither really lands. de Lima with a high body kick. de Lima lands a left hook. Ivanov tries a takedown but de Lima defends. de Lima with a body punch. They trade in close range. They trade again. They clinch against the fence. They break and de Lima with a leg kick. They trade left hands late. 10-9 de Lima.

Ivanov pressing forward and they both land as they clinch against the fence. They break to the center. They trade in close range and de Lima lands slightly more. Ivanov tags de Lima with a left hand and they clinch against the fence. They break and Ivanov is tagging de Lima with punches. Ivanov with more left hands. He lands a massive left hand against the fence. They break as Ivanov lands to the body. de Lima with a right hand. Ivanov with a left hand. He lands another. They clinch against the fence and both land solid punches. 10-9 Ivanov, 19-19.

de Lima with the jab. They trade in close range. Ivanov with a left hand. de Lima tries for a takedown and pushes it against the fence. They’re just holding each other against the fence. Marc Goddard breaks it up. Ivanov lands a left hand. He lands another. They tie back up against the fence. They trade in the clinch but not a whole lot is happening. Ivanov lands to the body as they break. de Lima with a right hand. Ivanov with a left hand and they clinch against the fence. They break to the center. de Lima with a body kick. Ivanov lands a combo. de Lima shoots for the takedown and he picks Ivanov up and Ivanov wraps his arm around the top of the cage to block but de Lima still gets it at the end. 10-9 de Lima, 29-28 de Lima.

Official Result- Blagoy Ivanov def. Marcos Rogerio de Lima by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Flyweights- #6 Brandon Royval (13-6, 3-2 UFC) vs. #9 Matt Schnell (15-5 1 NC, 5-3 1 NC UFC)

They’re trading right away. Royval with a high kick. Royval landing the right hand but Schnell is landing nice combos. Schnell drops Royval with a shot and Royval grabs the leg ad Schnell goes to the mat and tries to get the back but ends up in the guard of Royval. Royval looking for the leg but Schnell grabs the neck and looks for a guillotine but Royval ends on top. Royval grabs the neck and locks in a guillotine choke and Schnell taps! What a sequence on the ground to lead to the finish!

Official Result- Brandon Royval def. Matt Schnell by submission (guillotine choke) at 2:14 of Round 1

> Women’s Featherweights*- #11 (WBW) Macy Chiasson (7-2, 5-2 UFC) vs. #15 (WBW) Norma Dumont (7-1, 3-1 UFC)

*Dumont missed weight by .5 pounds

Chiasson with a body kick. Dumont lands a left hand. Both land some punches. Dumont with a left hand. Chiasson with a high kick that Dumont blocks. Chiasson lands a left hand. Chiasson with a leg kick. Dumont lands a combo. Chiasson lands a right hand. They trade late and Chiasson ends the round with a takedown. Close round. 10-9 Chiasson.

Chiasson with a high kick. They trade in close range. Dumont with a leg kick. Chiasson with a left hand followed by a right hand. They clinch against the fence. They trade knees against the fence. Chiasson gets the takedown and has the back and almost had the choke but they stood and Dumont shook her off. They scramble back up and Chiasson has the advantage against the fence. They’re still tied up as Chiasson is pinning Dumont against the fence. They trade knees and Chiasson dragged it down for a moment but still has body control as they stand. 10-9 Chiasson, 20-18 Chiasson.

They trade to start and Dumont lands a right hand and Chiasson gets a takedown. They scramble up and Chiasson has control against the fence. They remain tied up against the fence and trade knees. They break and both land and Dumont lands a good combo. Chiasson gets a takedown and has the body lock as they stand. Chiasson is holding Dumont against the fence. Chiasson tries a trip takedown but Dumont ends up on top, then Chiasson sweeps to the top and they stand. They break and Dumont lands a right hand and rocks Chiasson. They tie up and Chiasson is tired. Chiasson pushing it against the fence. They end the fight against the fence. 10-9 Dumont, 29-28 Chiasson.

Official Result- Macy Chiasson def. Norma Dumont by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)

> Welterweights- Francisco Trinaldo (27-8, 17-7 UFC) vs. Danny Roberts (18-5, 7-4 UFC)

Roberts with a leg kick. Trinaldo lands a left hand after Roberts slips on a punch attempt. They clinch and Trinaldo lands an uppercut. They break. Roberts with a body kick. Roberts with a leg kick. Roberts with a left hand. Roberts with a body kick. They trade in close range. They trade left hands. Trinaldo lands a combo. Roberts with a leg kick. They’re trading punches as the crowd is distracted by something. They continue to both land and each lands a left hand and Trinaldo with a right hand. Close round. 10-9 Roberts.

Trinaldo rocks Roberts with some big shots and they push against the fence and Trinaldo with some knees. Trinaldo looks for a takedown but they remain tied up. They break. Trinaldo lands a big left hand. Trinaldo with a left hand to the body and lands an uppercut and elbow. Trinaldo grabs the neck and locks in a guillotine but loses it as they go to the mat. Trinaldo gets to the half-guard of Roberts. Trinaldo controlling from the top. Trinaldo passes to side control. They scramble and Trinaldo takes the back. They get to their feet. They trade in close range and both land big shots. Roberts with an elbow. 10-9 Trinaldo, 19-19.

Roberts with a leg kick. They trade big punches in close range before clinching up. They break to the center. Roberts with a left hand. Trinaldo with a left hand. Trinaldo rocks Roberts with some punches and clinches again with him but they break. Trinaldo with another left hand and lands a couple of snap jabs. Roberts rocks Trinaldo with a punch but eats an uppercut from Trinaldo rushing in. They’re tied up and Trinaldo tries a late takedown. 10-9 Trinaldo, 29-28 Trinaldo.

Official Result- Francisco Trinaldo def. Danny Roberts by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-26, 30-27)

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> Welterweights- Randy Brown (14-4, 8-4 UFC) vs. Khaos Williams (13-2, 4-1 UFC)

They trade kicks and punches early. They clinch against the fence but break. Williams rocks Brown with a right hand and Brown retreats. Brown looks for a takedown but Williams is sprawling. They get to their feet and separate. Williams with a combination ending with a leg kick. Brown just misses a flying knee. Brown lands some uppercuts. Brown shoots for a takedown but Williams defends. Brown grabs the neck at the end. 10-9 Williams.

Brown with the double jab and lands a right hand. They trade leg kicks. Brown with a body kick. Williams with a body punch. Brown with the double jab. Brown continuing to land the jab and Williams is having trouble with it. They clinch but end up breaking. Brown with a combo. Brown pressing forward and landing more. They tie up against the fence. They break and Williams with a leg kick. Williams with a leg kick. Williams landing leg kicks while Brown is landing jabs. Brown with a right hand. Brown lands a right hand as Williams was coming in for a takedown attempt. 10-9 Brown, 19-19.

Brown with a front kick that lands to the face. Williams with a quick combo. Brown lands a combination. Brown is pressuring and backing Williams up as he’s landing short shots. Williams lands a right hand and Brown falls to the mat and Williams gets on top. They get to their feet. Brown lands a right hand. They both land solid punches. Brown shoots for a takedown and lands a knee to the jaw of Williams. Brown swings and misses and Williams takes advantage and lands some punches. Brown with some elbows to the head of Williams as they’re tied up. They break. Brown lands a nice elbow. Williams shoots for a takedown but Brown defends and lands some big knees as they break. Close fight. 10-9 Brown, 29-28 Brown.

Official Result- Randy Brown def. Khaos Williams by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

> Light Heavyweights- Mauricio Rua (27-12-1, 11-10-1 UFC) vs. Ovince Saint Preux (25-16, 13-11 UFC)

Rua with a leg kick. Rua with a body kick. Saint Preux with a body kick and Rua with a leg kick. Saint Preux with a leg kick. Rua with a leg kick. Rua with a left hook. Saint Preux with a body kick. Saint Preux lands a left as Rua was trying to rush in. Rua with a right hand. They trade kicks. Rua with a leg kick. Rua with another leg kick. Uneventful round. 10-9 Rua.

Saint Preux with a couple of high kicks. Rua with a leg kick. Saint Preux with more high kicks and Rua blocks one. Rua with a leg kick. Saint Preux with a left hand. Rua with a leg kick. Saint Preux with a body kick. Rua with a leg kick. Rua with a leg kick followed by a right hand. Rua with a leg kick. Saint Preux with a left hand and a leg kick. They trade kicks. Rua with a leg kick. Saint Preux with a high kick but Rua blocks it. Rua with a leg kick. Another uneventful round. 10-9 Saint Preux , 19-19.

They clinch and nothing happens and they break. Saint Preux with a body kick. Rua with two leg kicks. Rua lands a left hand. Rua with a body kick. Saint Preux with a body kick. He lands another. Rua lands a left hand. Saint Preux with a left hand. Saint Preux with a body kick. Saint Preux with a combination. Rua with a leg kick. Boring fight. 10-9 Saint Preux, 29-28 Saint Preux.

Official Result- Ovince Saint Preux def. Mauricio Rua by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)

> Lightweights- #5 Michael Chandler (22-7, 1-2 UFC) vs. #7 Tony Ferguson (25-6, 15-4 UFC)

They trade leg kicks and Ferguson checks the kick. Ferguson drops Chandler with a left hand but Chandler gets right up and Ferguson lands a jab. They’re trading in close range. Ferguson with a leg kick. Ferguson with a body kick. Ferguson with a right hand and Chandler lands a left hook. They trade punches. Ferguson with a leg kick. Chandler with a leg kick. Chandler gets a big takedown. Ferguson throwing elbows from the bottom and Chandler is cut open. Chandler trying to land big punches from the top. Chandler in the guard of Ferguson and lands some punches. Chandler with some more big punches from the top. Ferguson trying hard to get to his feet. Chandler with a right hand and Ferguson is cut open as well. Close round. 10-9 Chandler.

Chandler lands a front kick to the face of Ferguson and Ferguson drops face first to the mat out cold. What a finish! Absolutely insane.

Official Result- Michael Chandler def. Tony Ferguson by knockout (front kick) at :17 of Round 2

> UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship- C Rose Namajunas (11-4, 9-3 UFC) vs. #2 Carla Esparza (18-6, 9-4 UFC)

Neither has landed in the first minute as they’re feeling each other out. Esparza lands the first punch half-way through the first round. Namajunas with the double jab. Esparza with a leg kick. They aren’t doing anything. They landed a grand total of six strikes in the round. Horrible. A real 10-10 round but 10-9 Namajunas I guess.

Namajunas lands the first punch one minute into the fight. Esparza tries a takedown and gets Namajunas to her butt but they get up. They still aren’t doing anything. Namajunas lands a jab. Esparza with a leg kick. Esparza lands some more. They landed a combined six strikes again in the round. 10-9 Esparza, 19-19.

Esparza lands a jab. Namajunas with a leg kick. Esparza gets a takedown but they get right back up. Esparza starting to land more as the round goes on. Namajunas lands a left hand. They’re more active here but still not a lot happening. Namajunas lands a few punches at the end of the round. 10-9 Esparza, 29-28 Esparza.

Esparza with a leg kick. Namajunas lands a right hand. Esparza gets a takedown and tries to get the back but Namajunas escapes to her feet. They still aren’t doing much. Neither woman deserves to win this fight. Namajunas lands a right hand. Esparza shoots for a takedown and completes it and has the back but Namajunas spins out to her feet and lands a right hand. 10-9 Namajunas, 38-38.

Esparza shoots for a takedown but Namajunas defends. Namajunas with a right hand. Esparza with a left hand. Namajunas with a left hand to the body. Namajunas with a body kick. Namajunas with a right hand. Namajunas landing slightly more as the round goes on. Namajunas gets a late takedown. This is one of the worst fights in UFC history, absolutely horrible. 10-9 Namajunas, 48-47 Namajunas.

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

> UFC Lightweight Championship*- Charles Oliveira (32-8 1 NC, 20-8 1 NC UFC) vs. #1 Justin Gaethje (23-3, 6-3 UFC)

*Oliveira missed weight by .5 pounds. He’s been stripped of the title and is ineligible to win it.

Gaethje with a leg kick and Oliveira with a right hand. Gaethje lands some right hands. Oliveira with a leg kick. Gaethje with a leg kick. Oliveira hurts Gaethje with a punch then Gaethje drops Oliveira with an uppercut. Gaethje with a big right hand and then a left hook and Oliveira falls down but has to get up. Gaethje with a leg kick. Oliveira with a jumping knee. Oliveira with a leg kick. Gaethje with a left hand. Oliveira grabs Gaethje and pulls guard but Gaethje stands right up. Oliveira with a right hand. Oliveira with an uppercut. They trade in close range and Oliveira drops Gaethje with a right hand and grabs the back. Oliveira working for the arm. Oliveira has the back and a rear-naked choke locked in and Gaethje taps! Oliveira wins but now we have no champion. He is the best lightweight in the world and will now be the number one contender, though.

Official Result- Charles Oliveira def. Justin Gaethje by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:22 of Round 1, UFC Lightweight Championship is now vacant

Daily Update: Revolution trends, Raw, UFC 261

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

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WON NEWSLETTER: March 8, 2021 Observer Newsletter: Death of Jim Crockett Jr., NXT moving to Tuesday

The story of Jim Crockett Jr., and the rise and fall of Jim Crockett Promotions is the lead story in the current double-sized issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.  

We look at the death of Crockett, the Crockett’s family original involvement in wrestling, how Jim took over the moves he made in building a small market territory into one of the big three companies in the U.S., original plans and why they changed, the rise of Ric Flair, where Jm was a Hall of Fame promoter, the fight with Vince McMahon from 1984-88, getting the TBS deal, what led to JCP selling to Turner, the framework of the NWA in the 70s and 80s, the rise of the super show concept, mistakes made at the end, what happened when TBS took over, attempts to get back in wrestling and life after wrestling.

Also in this issue:

NXT to Tuesday, why, what should be expected for the unopposed shows, WrestleMania plans, Takeover plans and how this affects the industry as  a whole.

We also look at the next four PPV shows in pro wrestling with current plans and what happened this week to change plans.

A court case that has major ramifications on major wrestling companies. 

A new documentary from a WWE star away from WWE.

Raw conflicting with college basketball, how other sports do on TV against AEW or WWE, Canadian rating updated, where wrestling stands with mother major sports programming, WWE losing a time slot to AEW, WWE injury dates, Ric Flair talks his angle being dropped, WWE market value and the most-watched shows of the past week on the WWE Network.

New Japan Cup and company plans going forward, Castle Attack shows, injury update, business notes and stadium shows.

Stardom’s biggest show in its history at Budokan Hall.

Life and times of Dean Higuchi, or Dean Ho, one of the major babyface stars of the 70s and his debut in Hawaii, his notoriety prior to wrestling, and his biggest career runs in WWWF and for Roy Shire.

Saturday’s UFC show.

The life of Art Michalik, who was responsible for a major change in pro football, his NFL career, getting into pro wrestling, headlining in Japan and life outside of wrestling.

The life of Johnny DeFazio, one of the most famous local stars in Pittsburgh, the heyday of Studio Wrestling and his life outside of wrestling including being a union head and for decades later a councilman.

The career of Don Serrano, who spent decades in wrestling and certain firsts he was involved in.

The life of Ann Casey, a noteworthy woman wrestling star of the 60s and 70s.

More into detail on the ratings than any other source, we have how every segment on NXT and AEW did as well as how it did with different age groups, genders and more, plus a look at all other wrestling shows of the past week.

Results of the major pro wrestling events of the past week.

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

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

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

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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.

MONDAY NEWS UPDATE

Bryan and I will be back tonight covering Raw, New Japan Cup and other news with Wrestling Observer Radio. You can send questions to the show to [email protected]

AEW Revolution was the fifth most searched term on Google yesterday with 200,000 searches, which coincides with the early buy numbers being up. It would be the most searches for an AEW show since the first Double or Nothing. Also yesterday, Muhammad Ali was No. 9 at 100,000, with the airing of the 50th anniversary of his first fight with Joe Frazier on ABC and ESPN yesterday. 

The Tampa Bay Times has a story on the death of Buddy Colt. (thanks to Lee Wall)

Raw tonight has a Bobby Lashley vs. Miz rematch. The original plan advertised was a Champion celebration. The change is likely due to the good ratings of last week’s show. But last week’s match and finish were clearly designed for anything but a rematch.

Straight Up Steve Austin tonight is the episode with Charlotte Flair as the guest.

Zhang Weili vs. Rose Namajunas for the UFC strawweight title is now official for 4/24.

Triller Promotions, coming off its success with Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr., announced a 4/17 show at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for a boxing match headlined by Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren. It will be a PPV priced at $49.99.

New Japan has a show in Okayama at 4:30 a.m. Eastern tomorrow morning with Cup matches of Yuji Nagata vs Yota Tsuji and Tomohiro Ishii vs. Sanada. I would tell you to go out of your way to see the Saturday show from Ota Ward Gym in Tokyo. It was great, particularly Kazuchika Okada vs. Shingo Takagi.

Daily Variety has a story on WWE declining ratings and increasing rights. There’s nothing in here that hasn’t been discussed all the time. (thanks to Mike Kuzmuk)

I’m not sure of the air date, but I just taped a show this morning for Talk is Jericho with Tony Schiavone talking about the late Jim Crockett Jr. Schavone grew up a fan of Mid Atlantic  Championship Wrestling and started his broadcasting career with the Crockett-owned Charlotte Orioles in 1982, which led to his job in 1983 with JCP.

Joseph Meehan (Joey Ryan) has dropped most of his lawsuits, but not all. He is still suing Impact over breach of contract. He has not yet dismissed his case against Pelle Primeau and said he is on the fence about it.

Impact tomorrow has:

  • Chris Bey vs. Ace Austin
  • Rohit Raju &  Mahabali Shera vs. Chris Sabin & James Storm

WWE

AEW

  • As of this morning there were 314 tickets left to Wednesday’s Dynamite taping. (thanks to William Zdon)

OTHER NEWS

  • Former UFC fighter Antonio Carlos Jr. (Shoeface) will face Tom Lawlor at the 4/29 PFL show in Atlantic City.  Carlos will replace Jordan Johnson, who pulled out of the fight for reasons not listed.
  • ECW Press has announced the release of the book “Mat Memories” by John Alexander Arezzi and Greg Oliver, with forewords by Mick Foley, John Gibbons and Suzanne Alexander, available on 4/6.  Arezzi talks about his life growing up as a fan of the New York Mets and WWWF wrestling, and talks about reporting on wrestling, promoting wrestling and working in country music in Nashville.
  • “A Pro Rasslin Movie: The Legend of Dirty Ron” trailer with RVD, Effy, Katie Forbes, Victoria, Matt Sydal and others.
  • Memphis TV wrestling from Saturday:  Norman Meklakov b DJ Brown, Big Ace & Big Jack b Adam Swayze & Rex, Nikki Lane b Diana Taylor, Zay Washington & Aaron Roberts b Da Russell Twins in the best match on the show, Brett Michaels b Justin Cole.  They had teased a king debuting, which turned out to be Derrick King and not Jerry Lawler. Dustin Starr said he got a cease and desist order for this. Actually the cease and desist from Lawler was for using the term Memphis Wrestling.  (thanks to Brian Tramel)
  • Gino Medina vs. Gringo Loco has been added to Wednesday’s MLW television show.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: The Wild Samoans win WWF Tag Team titles

CONTACT INFORMATION

Daily Update: UFC 251 fallout, Deiveson Figueiredo, WWE notes

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

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  • GITHUB and Linux command line experience while be helpful as well.
  • CMS – Drupal and WordPress. vBulletin
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  • Cloud based hosting experience a plus
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WON NEWSLETTER: July 13, 2020 Observer Newsletter: COVID-19 effects on wrestling/MMA, more

How COVID-19 has affected UFC and WWE this past week when it comes to show changes and decisions is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

We talk about WWE recovering from its outbreak and UFC losing major fights, as well as the details of the Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal fight coming together, the Gilbert Burns positive test and nature of who else tested positive, Burns explanation of his test failure, PPV numbers, more on UFC’s testing and its business deal in Saudi Arabia, WWE & AEW reactions this past week, who still hasn’t returned to television and Ric Flair’s situation being a regular television performer. We also talk about Renee Young and Jon Moxley and WWE rules on masks.

The new issue also covers:

We go through all the details of Fyter Fest and the Great American Bash, positives and the negatives of the ratings, every demo looked at, every quarter hour and match looked at and what it says, Paul Levesque talks the competition, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings.

WWE schedule over the next two months, certain changes and key reason why and more.

The Rey Mysterio/WWE situation as far as contract, why he was still used while no longer on contract, the deal in place, lots more on the “eye for an eye” stip, plus updating Extreme Rules.

Update the start of wrestling with fans with New Japan, who isn’t there and why, the rules in place for fans plus coverage of the New Japan Cup.

A new documentary about a wrestling icon being worked on, wrestling TV shows listed to Emmy voters and what they say, more on the Saudi Arabia situation, Smackdown’s role on FOX and why it’s valuable, WWE announcement coming, Canadian, U.K. and Sports ratings for the past week, ex-WWE stars sign for major representation, current WWE market value and most-watched shows of the past week on the WWE Network.

Update on Matt Riddle’s situation with a time line.

New Japan’s Lion’s Break show, the concept and the talent.

Why COVID has slowed down a process that all sports leagues were hoping would change regarding ratings and the problem with the new system that goes into place sometime next year.

Ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.

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

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

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

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

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

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

SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE

We did two weekend shows that are up on the site. Garrett and I did a show covering some Wednesday fallout and spoke to Dr. Alex Patel. Today’s show with Bryan covered the Japan shows and UFC 251 as well as other news. We’re taking polls the next few days on the New Japan Cup final yesterday, UFC 251 yesterday and New Japan Dominion today. Please leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected].

Deiveson Figueiredo has been cleared to travel to Abu Dhabi. If he passes the rest of his tests, his flyweight title fight for the vacant title with Joseph Benavidez will take place on 7/18.  Figueiredo had suffered from COVID-19 in May. He tested positive in an antibodies test this past week but he and his management claimed it was due to already having the disease in the past.  He passed another test where he got the results today and has been cleared to travel.

UFC star Santiago Ponzinibbio noted that he tested positive for COVID-19 in late June.

Regarding last night’s UFC judging in the Max Holloway vs. Alexander Volkanovski title fight, it’s another example of the ten point must weakness.  Holloway won the fight overall.  Few argue that.  However, media scores were 68% for Holloway, meaning there were enough people the other way to where you have to say it’s reasonable under ten point must to go either way.  I had Holloway and could go 49-46 but I think any score from 49-46 Holloway to 48-47 Volkanovski is a reasonable score.  However, it is not reasonable to say Holloway didn’t win the overall fight.  It’s the issue we’ve talked about for 20 years and ten point must on occasion creates these situations.  Using either half points or a different usage of ten point must (10-9, only close round, 10-8 normal round, 10-7 decisive, 10-6 dominant) will wield better scoring but there are a lot of ways to improve scoring that won’t be done due to the nature of the commission overseeing process that doesn’t want change.  Last night Dana White blamed the judges.

In scoring, Mark Collett gave Volkanovski rounds three, four and five. Judge David Lethaby gave him three and four, but not five, which is weird since five was the only decisive round Volkanovski won. Clemens Werner also gave Volkanovski three through five.  Holloway clearly won one and two. Volkanovski clearly won five. Three and four were close.

Dana White said the show was trending ahead of any show except McGregor vs. Khabib.  Google trends indicate differently. The show did 2.7 million searches, the biggest thing on the Internet yesterday by a wide margin.  But that’s nowhere near record levels.  UFC 251, which would include searches for Jorge Masvidal and Kamaru Usman, did 2 million plus.  Other major searches were Paige VanZant, Max Holloway, Jose Aldo and Rose Namajunas, all top ten. The only other top 20 for the past week among boxing, wrestling and UFC was Mike Perry at No. 8 on Wednesday.

Even though Namajunas vs. Jessica Andrade was a  split decision, MMA Decisions website listed 100 percent scores for Namajunas.

WWE

  • WWE will be promoting a Women’s Evolution week on all of its shows this week with the idea that they pioneered women’s wrestling starting on July 13, 2015 and tomorrow is the five-year anniversary..
  • The San Diego Comic Con will exist in a streaming virtual setup. There will be a 7/23 panel discussion with Mattel & WWE with Sam Roberts, Bill Miekina and Steve Ozer of Mattel and WWE’s Edge, Johnny Gargano, Candice LeRae, Ricochet and Rhea Ripley. There will also be a Lucha Libre panel on 7/25 at 5 p.m. with Salvador Lutteroth (head of CMLL) and the original Rey Misterio (uncle of the WWE version).
  • Dwayne Johnson is on the cover of today’s Parade Magazine dealing with famous people’s first jobs (thanks to Brian Henke

UFC

  • There was a $200,000 bet taken out for Jorge Masvidal last night. 

MISCELLANEOUS

  • Dr. Alex Patel sent us this regarding herd immunity which just come out today.
  • Scheduled for Tuesday’s Impact:
    Jordynne Grace/Deonna Purrazzo contract signing
    Moose & ? vs. Tommy Dreamer & Crazzy Steve
    Taya & Rosemary & Kiera Hogan & Tasha Steelz & Kimber Lee vs. Havok & Neveah & Susie & Kylie Rae & Alisha Edwards
  • SHWA from last night in Western Australia:  Toro Blanco b Chris Target, Gavin McGavin b Great George, Pegasus b Stella Nyx, Jarrad Slate b Jules Cannon & Ryan in a handicap match, Chadwick Jackson b Ryan Allen, Bruno Nitro b James Hartness, Del Cano b Axxum to keep the SHWA Pride title.  This was their first show since 2/12.  EPW in Western Australia is running 7/25 although they may need to enforce social distancing (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
  • Episodes of Dark Side of the Ring will air on TSN 2 the next two Saturdays right after Impact.
  • MCPW from last night in Kalkaska, MI:  Jack Price b TJ Meyer, Christopher Saint b Mitch Hewitt, Max Morrison b Sean Tyler, Tommy Vendetta b Matthew Justice, Jason Page & Eli Shelton b Conrad Loucks & Neil Gerard, Jumal King b Trey Miguel (thanks to Leonard Brand)
  • XICW from last night in Pontiac, MI:  Adam Wick b Mysterious Movado, Jay Maynard & Billy Ray Daniels b Grey Wolves, El Ridiculoso b Willie Watts, Dre Jacobs b Papa Dave Dingo, Kongo Kong b Mongo, DBA & Jaimy Coxxx b Soul Shooters to keep tag titles, Malcolm Monroe III b Dread King Logan to keep the Midwest title (thanks to Leonard Brand)
  • Bill Apter runs The Greatest Wrestler Ever Tournament. Also TJ Wilson & Saxon Huxley run The Greatest WWE match tournament. Here are the links.
  • SlamWrestling.net has a longer story talking to Pat Rose about his journey in wrestling, and then into competitive fishing, where he is now a radio host talking about fishing:
  • A story on Les Thatcher celebrating 60 years in wrestling. (thanks to Mike Kuzmuk).
  • A story on the release of Ashley Massaro’s PSA on suicide done before she herself committed suicide. (thanks to Barry Werrner)

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Big Van Vader wins WCW World title

CONTACT INFORMATION

Daily Update: Rose Namajunas, Rhea Ripley, Triple H

Posted on by F4W Staff

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

Are you interested in attending our annual F4W/WON convention? We will hold it during AEW Double or Nothing weekend. For more information, check this post for activities and prices.

WON NEWSLETTER: April 6, 2020 Observer Newsletter: Florida lockdown, WrestleMania preview

A look at plans for AEW and WWE tapings, the guidelines set forth by Donald Trump, how both companies violated them, and why UFC simply can’t adhere to them is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

It’s a news-packed issue giving the full background of WrestleMania including the dollars lost by WWE in doing the show the way they did, why the reasons for doing it now make no sense, who was taken off the show and why, what key thing that relates to both fighting and pro wrestling that makes certain people higher risk that everyone is ignoring, where the WWE medical staff failed at their jobs with Roman Reigns and others, the WWE’s false advertising, Reigns speaks on why he didn’t do the show, Brie Bella talks on why she had mixed feelings on Daniel Bryan doing the show, plus a match-by-match rundown with thoughts on everything.

The new issue also covers:

The changes in WrestleMania business, why what seems to make no sense has a long-term thought process but where it may be flawed, why WWE flooded television with product this week and why it’s dangerous not to keep this up.

The falling apart of the Tony Ferguson vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov fight, what Nurmagomedov and Dana White said this week as well  Tony Ferguson’s demands ad who else was in contention for top spots on the show.  Joe Rogan also talks why he’s not doing the show no matter what, as well as the reaction of the other leading groups while UFC insists on going forward.

The hidden story that nobody has talked about regarding a pro wrestling event where the coronavirus has already spread.

New WWE television deals, a major WWE deal ends and why. What WWE stars head the most popular YouTube shows, Canadian TV ratings, U.K. TV ratings, Drew McIntyre talks WrestleMania, Seth Rollins talks operating a small business during these times, Edge talks about how he’s improved his promos, WWE market value plus the most-watched shows of the past week on the WWE network.

The Japanese scene, who is still running, who isn’t, what shows were canceled last minute as well as the state of sports in Japan and South Korea.

Six months from now or longer, when people are allowed to go to live entertainment events who things may change greatly and who is hurts the most. 

Live attendance, television numbers the future of television and streaming and how it also affects the smaller groups.

DAZN’s decision to withhold payments to sorts leagues and what that says about its future.

Update the arrest of Jon Jones, with details on his plea bargain, what happened when he was stopped, the government’s reaction to Jones, both officers and their report as well as Jones’ reaction to what happened.

A look back at the 2019 Wrestling Observer awards with comments on a number of categories, who was and wasn’t deserving, the closest categories, and more on winners and close placings.

A feature on the life and career of Dean Silverstone, a former promoter and historian who was one of the key people in keeping wrestlers from the past in touch with each other through the Cauliflower Alley Club.  We look at his role in wrestling, how he first got into wrestling, his promotion, his book, life after wrestling and how he got back into wrestling through his wife and ripper Collins.

Full coverage of all the WWE and AEW television shows from the past week.

In-depth looks at the ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.

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

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

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

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

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

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

WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE

WWE

  • TMZ has a story on WWE continuing to tape going forward. It includes notes in a memo WWE sent to talent and staff about the precautions they’re taking amid the coronavirus pandemic. Everyone will have their temperature taken before entering the door, and everyone is encouraged to wear face masks except for when cameras are rolling.
  • NXT UK posted a message from Sid Scala today and tweeted: “Starting this Thursday, get ready to take a look back at the greatest #NXTUK moments and matches. PLUS, you’ll get to hear from the talented Superstars involved.”
  • Triple H responded to a question from Sports Illustrated about the AEW vs. NXT ratings war: “I’m a believer in the long-term game. You create the right product, and over time, people will find it. I think back to Monday nights years ago, and it looks different now, but there were periods of time when WWE was putting on much better shows and the content was much better, but we were still getting beat. We were not winning ‘the war,’ but we stayed true to who we were. If it’s a flash and it’s exciting at first but you can’t maintain it, then it loses that pizzazz. It’s long-term duration, for me, that’s how you win. I’ve been saying it since the beginning—I’m not concerned about those numbers week-to-week. It’s about trying to put out the best show you can every week.”
  • Drew McIntyre, Titus O’Neil, and Bubba Ray Dudley were on today’s episode of The Bump.
  • This week’s guest on After the Bell with Corey Graves will be Edge.
  • WWE added a ladder match between Johnny Nitro and Jeff Hardy that took place on the November 20, 2006 edition of Raw on their YouTube page.
  • The Big Show Show on Netflix is featured in their Top 10 list of programming.
  • WWE Shop released a “This is such good sh*t” T-shirt with the McBossman Firefly Fun House character.
  • “My Spy,” a movie starring Batista, will be released on Amazon Prime. It was originally supposed to be a theatrical release and had been released in theaters in Australia prior to the coronavirus pandemic.
  • Rhea Ripley says she is still in the United States. A report from PWInsider indicated that she was back in Australia due to visa issues.

Other Wrestling

  • AEW uploaded a promo featuring Cody talking about his involvement in the TNT title tournament.
  • Matt Hardy tweeted that he’ll be appearing on tonight’s Dynamite: “Exclusively from The Hardy Compound.. I respond to the DASTARDLY @IAmJericho after his comments towards me, The Elite & Vanguard 1.”
  • Jake Roberts told Wrestling Inc that he has been isolating in an Atlanta hotel since taking part in recent AEW tapings. He is expecting to stay there for another 3-4 weeks. 
  • Due to the coronavirus, Dragon Gate has canceled events through 5/6, including their Dead or Alive event that was to take place on 5/6.
  • Here is the trailer for next week’s Dark Side of the Ring, which focuses on Jimmy Snuka and the death of Nancy Argentino.

MMA

  • Rose Namajunas has pulled out of UFC 249, according to ESPN. She was originally scheduled to face Jessica Andrade in the co-main event.
  • USADA issued a statement on testing for UFC 249: “With all consideration to athlete safety and logistical challenges, we’re going to do everything in our power to conduct UFC event testing. Just like the referees in the octagon, our doping control officers are an essential part of a fair fight.”
  • Israel Adesanya expressed interest in fighting on a private island.
  • Dustin Poirer and Dan Hooker have agreed to a match at 170 for a May 16 UFC event.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: WWE WrestleMania 34

CONTACT INFORMATION

UFC 237 live results: Namajunas vs. Andrade, Anderson Silva in action

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 237: Namajunas vs. Andrade, emanating from the Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The Octagon heads back to Brazil for the second time in 2019, this time for a pay-per-view event with a title fight on top and a card filled with past champions and both future and current members of the UFC Hall Of Fame.

In the main event, UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Rose Namajunas heads into enemy territory to defend her title for the first time in 13 months when she takes on top contender Jessica Andrade. Namajunas is coming off back-to-back wins over former champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk, but has been out of action since April 2018. Meanwhile, Andrade gets her second crack at winning UFC gold, riding a three-fight win streak over Claudia Gadelha, Tecia Torres and Karolina Kowalkiewicz.

In other main card action, former UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva returns to Brazil looking to get back in the win column when he takes on rising contender Jared Cannonier. Also, former two-time UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo goes for three straight wins as he looks to derail the rise of Alexander Volkanovski, winner of 16 straight fights.

In preliminary card action, light heavyweight Antonio Rogerio Nogueira looks to get his second straight win when he battles Ryan Spann, and former UFC Lightweight and Welterweight Champion and UFC Hall Of Famer BJ Penn looks to get his first win since 2010 when he takes on long-time UFC veteran and fan favorite Clay Guida.

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

> Talita Bernardo (#15, 6-3, 1-2 UFC) vs. Viviane Araujo (6-1, 0-0 UFC)
Women’s Bantamweights

Araujo took this fight earlier this week and normally fights at 115 pounds. They trade kicks. Araujo with a right hand that backs Bernardo up. Araujo with a body kick. Araujo with a leg kick. Bernardo misses her punches and Araujo counters with a right. Bernardo with a left hook to the body. Araujo definitely quicker. They trade right hands. Araujo with a right hand. Bernardo tries a body kick but Araujo catches the leg and throws her to the mat but lets her up. Bernardo with a high kick followed by a right hand. Bernardo tries a takedown but it gets stuffed and Araujo ends up on top in the half-guard. Araujo switches to the back and lands some punches but time runs out. 10-9 Araujo.

Araujo starts with a leg kick. They trade punches and Bernardo lands the right hand. Bernardo with a leg kick but eats a counter right from Araujo. Araujo lands a hard right hand and just misses a second one. Araujo with a right hand but Bernardo lands a counter right hand as well. Araujo with a right hand. Bernardo with a leg kick and shoots for a takedown but Araujo defends. Bernardo working hard against the fence but gave up her back and Araujo escapes. Araujo now gets a takedown on Bernardo after Bernardo lands some punches. Araujo with some punches from the top before Bernardo pushes her off. They stand up. Bernardo lands some heavy punches at the end. 10-9 Araujo, 20-18 Araujo.

Bernardo lands a flurry of punches to start the third. Araujo then lands a hard right hand. They trade in the picket and Araujo then lands a massive right hand that knocks Bernardo out. One punch and Bernardo was done. Impressive finish and performance by Araujo.

Official Result- Viviane Araujo def. Talita Bernardo by knockout (punch) at :48 of Round 3

> Raoni Barcelos (13-1, 2-0 UFC) vs. Carlos Huachin (10-3-1, 0-0 UFC)
Bantamweights

Both firing away right at the start. Barcelos with a leg kick. Huachin lands a left hand. They trade in very close range. Huachin with a left hand. Huachin looking for the knockout punch. Huachin with a left hand. They trade punches. Barcelos with a leg kick. They continue to trade punches. Huachin with a leg kick. Huachin lands another left hand. They trade again at the end. 10-9 Huachin.

They continue to trade punches and kicks to start the second. Huachin is landing the better punches. Barcelos drops Hauchin with a right hand and Barcelos scrambles to his guard and is landing from the top. Barcelos teeing off with big punches from the top. Huachin is moving around trying to escape but Barcelos has him pinned down. Barcelos gets the back and is landing punches but slides back to the top and has a no-arm guillotine in. Barcelos lets go and is back on top. Barcelos gets to the mount and is looking to set up a choke as he has hooks in. Barcelos still landing from the top now landing elbows and the fight is stopped. Big finish by Barcelos there.

Official Result- Raoni Barcelos def. Carlos Huachin by TKO (strikes) at 4:49 of Round 2

> Luana Carolina (5-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Priscila Cachoeira (8-2, 0-2 UFC)
Women’s Flyweights

Carolina with a huge knee to the body. Cachoeira lands a right hand. They clinch. Carolina with a couple of knees to the body then they break. They trade punches. Carolina with a leg kick. Carolina with a left hand and then a knee. Carolina lands a couple of elbows. They trade kicks. Cachoeira with a right hand and she chases Carolina around the Octagon. Carolina with some knees. Carolina with a head kick and Cachoeira with some right hands. Carolina cut under her eye. Cachoeira chasing her around and eating punches and kicks as she does so. They clinch and trade knees. 10-9 Carolina.

They trade kicks. Carolina lands another head kick but Cachoeira fires back with some right hands. Carolina with a combo and she resets. They trade and Carolina with a body kick and Cachoeira with a right hand. They clinch against the fence. Carolina drops Cachoeira with a head kick and goes for a finish but Cachoeira grabs her and takes her down. Carolina now looking for a submission as she has an arm and a reverse triangle. Carolina had the armbar but Cachoeira escapes. They scramble up and Carolina lands a knee to the face as they were getting up and it looked illegal. They get back to action and clinch and Carolina lands elbows and knees. Carolina with more head kicks and punches. Carolina grabs the neck and jumps to guard but Cachoeira defends. Carolina locks in a reverse triangle but Cachoeira escapes to her feet. They trade at the end. 10-8 Carolina, 20-17 Carolina.

Carolina landing kicks and punches as she circles around. Carolina with a spinning back fist. Cachoeira trying to catch her but she has slowed down. Cachoeira with a big right hand. Carolina with a knee to the body as she circles away to reset. Carolina still landing punches and Cachoeira has eaten some big shots. Cachoeira has zero striking defense as she is just eating punches. Carolina with another head kick followed by a knee. They trade and Cachoeira with a big left hand. 10-9 Carolina, 30-26 Carolina.

Official Result- Luana Carolina def. Priscila Cachoeira by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 29-27)

ESPN PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT

> BJ Penn (16-13-2, 12-12-2 UFC) vs. Clay Guida (34-18, 14-12 UFC)
Lightweights

Penn landing left hands but Guida coming out aggressive. Penn with a combo. Penn with a left hook. Penn with the jab. Guida lands a left hand. Guida with a leg kick and then a head kick. Guida with a leg kick. They trade punches. They trade again. Penn hasn’t found himself in trouble yet. Guida with the left hook. Penn lands a right hand. They trade punches and Penn lands an uppercut. Penn with the jab at the end. 10-9 Penn.

Guida with a leg kick. Guida lands a left hand. Penn slowing down a little. Penn with a left hook. They trade low kicks. Penn with a right hand to the body. They trade and Guida with a leg kick. Penn with the jab and another jab. Guida with a head kick. Guida now shoots for a takedown against the fence. Penn defends but eats a combo from Guida against the cage. Guida with an elbow. Guida with body punches. They break and Penn lands the jab. Guida with a leg kick. Guida hurts Penn with a high kick and then lands punches in the clinch. Guida with a takedown late in the round and finishes on top. 10-9 Guida, 19-19.

Guida hurting Penn with punches and lands a big uppercut. Guida landing punches and they clinch against the fence. Guida with body punches and lands an elbow over the top. Guida dropping down and looking for a takedown. They break and Guida knocks Penn down with a right hand. Penn gets right back up and Guida back looking for the takedown. They break and Guida landing punches. Penn does land an uppercut. Penn is tired. Guida with big punches in dirty boxing range. They trade hard punches and Guida drops back down looking for the takedown. They break. Guida with a head kick. 10-9 Guida, 29-28 Guida.

Official Result- Clay Guida def. BJ Penn by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)

> Warlley Alves (12-3, 6-3 UFC) vs. Sergio Moraes (14-4-1, 8-3-1 UFC)
Welterweights

Alves with a couple of leg kicks. Alves with a high kick. Alves with another leg kick. Moraes tries a kick but Alves grabs it but lets go. Alves circling around and lands another leg kick. Moraes lands an uppercut and a right hand. Alves back with another leg kick. Moraes with a right hand. Alves with more leg kicks. Alves with an eye poke and a brief timeout. Moraes with a low kick. Alves tries a flying knee but misses. 10-9 Alves.

They are trading kicks and Moraes’ leg is swollen. Alves with more leg kicks and then goes high with a head kick. Alves with more leg kicks. Alves with a combo and then back to a leg kick and Moraes finally partially checks the kick. Alves with a left hand but Moraes lands a harder counter left hook. Alves just misses a right hand but lands a body kick. Alves with a right hand. Alves with another leg kick. Alves with a body kick and a right hand to the body. 10-9 Alves, 20-18 Alves.

Moraes bringing pressure to start the third. Moraes lands a left hand but eats a counter combo from Alves. Alves with a left hand to the body and hurts Moraes. Alves with a combo. Alves with an uppercut. Alves with the jab and then a right hand against the fence. Alves with another right. Alves with another combo. Alves with a spin kick. Alves with a body kick. Moraes is tired. Alves then lands a flying knee and knocks him out with a vicious uppercut. What a finish by Alves as he looked really good tonight.

Official Result- Warlley Alves def. Sergio Moraes by knockout (punch) at 4:13 of Round 3

> Thiago Moises (11-3, 0-1 UFC) vs. Kurt Holobaugh (17-6 1 NC, 0-3 UFC)
Lightweights

Moises landing kicks and Holobaugh is firing back with punches against the fence and looks for a single leg. Holobaugh lets go and they get back to the center. They trade punches and Holobaugh back looking for a takedown against the fence. Moises then scores on a takedown and is in the half-guard. Holobaugh looking for a kimura from the bottom but can’t find it. Moises with an elbow from the top and then another. Moises gets into the full guard of Holobaugh and lands some punches. Moises controls to end the round. 10-9 Moises.

They trade kicks and Moises with a right hand. Moises lands a head kick and Holobaugh walks right through it and pushes Moises against the fence. Holobaugh with a knee to the body as they switch positions. Moises gets a takedown and into the guard of Holobaugh. Moises grabs the neck as Holobaugh works to his feet. They break to the center. Holobaugh pushes Moises up against the fence. Moises with an elbow after they break. Holobaugh with some punches and he gets Moises against the fence. Moises with a couple of elbows but Holobaugh fires back an uppercut. Holobaugh with body punches. Holobaugh with a flurry late. 10-9 Holobaugh, 19-19.

Holobaugh with a right hand. Moises just misses a front kick. Moises with a spin kick and both land punches. Moises with a leg kick that drops Holobaugh and Moises quickly gets into the half-guard. Moises trying to get the hook in but Holobaugh able to scramble to his feet and lands a punch. Moises then gets another takedown and is in the guard. Moises with an elbow. Moises then gets the back and has a choke locked in tight but Holobaugh somehow escapes as he chases the leg. Holobaugh finishes the takedown as he eats elbows from Moises. Moises gets to his feet and gets a big takedown. Moises finishes on top. 10-9 Moises, 29-28 Moises.

Official Result- Thiago Moises def. Kurt Holobaugh by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)

BREAKING: UFC President Dana White has announced that Nate Diaz will face Anthony Pettis in the co-main event of UFC 241 on August 17 in Anaheim, California. The fight will be at 170 pounds.

> Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (23-8, 6-5 UFC) vs. Ryan Spann (15-5, 1-0 UFC)
Light Heavyweights

They are trading early. Spann gets a takedown and passes to side control but Spann gets into the mount and has an arm-triangle locked in tight. Nogueira defending well off his back. Spann lets go and lands an elbow and they scramble up. Nogueira lands a left hand. Spann then lands a straight right hand and drops Nogueira with a huge left hand and finishes it with one more punch on the ground. Great knockout win by Spann.

Official Result- Ryan Spann def. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira by knockout (punch) at 2:07 of Round 1

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

> Irene Aldana (#11, 9-4, 2-2 UFC) vs. Bethe Correia (#13, 10-3-1, 4-3-1 UFC)
Women’s Bantamweights* (Correia missed weight by 5 pounds)

Correia missed weight by a lot. They feel each other out early on. Correia misses a right hand but lands one. Both women being patient. Aldana lands a right hand. Correia lands a counter punch. Aldana lands the jab. Correia with a leg kick but misses a spinning back fist. Aldana with a combo. Correia with a left hand. Correia lands a right hand. Aldana with a combo. Aldana lands the jab. Correia with a left hook. Aldana with a right hand and then another as she tags Correia at the end. 10-9 Aldana.

Aldana lands a left hand. Aldana with a right hand to the body. Correia lands a right hand. Aldana with a combo. Correia with a right hand and a kick and then an overhand right. Correia with another right hand. They trade in close range. Aldana has been throwing the same combos and Correia has adjusted. They are throwing more now. Correia lands a combo after Aldana lands a left to the body. Correia lands a hard right hand. Correia with a right hand. Correia lands more and then Aldana lands at the end. 10-9 Correia, 19-19.

Aldana lands to start the third. Aldana lands a right hand. Aldana with another right hand that lands clean. They are both landing and Correia backs Aldana up with a right hand and then lands some more. Correia with a combo but Aldana blocks the right hand. Aldana with a right hand. Aldana lands a punch. Correia goes for a takedown but misses it and they go to the mat and Aldana gets the back and locks in an armbar and Correia taps! Great finish by Aldana in a very close fight to take the judges out of it.

Official Result- Irene Aldana def. Bethe Correia by submission (armbar) at 3:24 of Round 3

> Thiago Alves (23-13, 15-9 UFC) vs. Laureano Staropoli (8-1, 1-0 UFC)
Welterweights

Staropoli with a jump kick. Staropoli with another kick. Staropoli with a high kick then a leg kick. Alves with a leg kick but Staropoli with a counter high kick. Staropoli with a spin kick. Alves is cut open on the hairline. Staropoli lands a combo but Alves with a leg kick. Staropoli with a leg kick but misses a spin kick. Alves being really patient and not doing a whole lot. Staropoli misses a flying knee against the fence. Alves with a body kick and then a leg kick and lands a hard right hand at the end. 10-9 Staropoli.

They trade kicks. Staropoli now throwing different shots. Alves with a right hand and a leg kick. Alves with a body kick. Staropoli with a right hand and Alves stumbles down but gets up. Staropoli gets his back and takes the fight back to the mat. They get up and break away. Staropoli with a combo. Staropoli with a couple of body shots. He lands a right hand. Alves with a right. Alves with a body kick. 10-9 Staropoli, 20-18 Staropoli.

They both come out swinging and Alves takes Staropoli down. They get up and break. Staropoli with a body punch. He lands a combo but Alves counters with a leg kick. Staropoli now landing to the body and then throws a kick to the head. Staropoli with a combo. Alves with an inside leg kick and then lands an uppercut. Alves with a leg kick. Staropoli with a right hand. Alves with a body kick. Alves hurts Staropoli with a knee to the face and Staropoli is on the retreat. Alves with a leg kick. Alves with the left hook and then a leg kick. Alves turning it up at the end. Alves lands a knee. Alves with a huge punch at the end. Close fight. 10-9 Alves, 29-28 Staropoli.

Official Result- Laureano Staropoli def. Thiago Alves by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Jose Aldo (#1, 28-4, 10-3 UFC) vs. Alexander Volkanovski (#4, 19-1, 6-0 UFC)
Featherweights

Volkanovski with some low kicks to start. Volkanovski with more low kicks as neither man is doing much in the first two minutes. Volkanovski with more leg kicks. Aldo with some body punches. They trade leg kicks. Volkanovski with some more kicks. Aldo with the double jab. Aldo with a hard right hand. Aldo with a low kick. Volkanovski lands a right hand. They trade and clinch. Aldo with a jumping knee. Volkanovski with a body kick and with a left hand at the end. 10-9 Volkanovski.

They trade to start the second. Volkanovski with a leg kick. Aldo with a combo. Aldo with the jab and Volkanovski stumbles a little. Aldo with a knee to the body. Aldo with a looping left hand. Volkanovski with a left hand. Time out as Aldo got poked in the eye. Back to action and Aldo is landing more. They clinch as Volkanovski was eating some punches. Volkanovski with some knees against the fence. They remain clinched but break. Aldo with a left hand. They trade in close range. Aldo with a knee to the body. 10-9 Volkanovski, 20-18 Volkanovski.

They trade to start the final round. Volkanovski lands a right hand. Volkanovski clinches and pushes Aldo against the fence and gets away with grabbing the fence. They break. Volkanovski with a body kick. Volkanovski working and landing punches as Aldo is looking for a knockout shot. Volkanovski with a combo. They clinch against the fence again. Volkanovski staying busy landing knees to the legs of Aldo. They ride it out there. 10-9 Volkanovski, 30-27 Volkanovski.

Official Result- Alexander Volkanovski def. Jose Aldo by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Jared Cannonier (#10, 11-4, 4-4 UFC) vs. Anderson Silva (#14, 34-9 1 NC, 17-5 1 NC UFC)
Middleweights

Cannonier stalking Silva around the Octagon. Cannonier with some leg kicks. Silva with a hard body kick. Cannonier just misses a right hand. Cannonier with a leg kick. Silva with a leg kick and then a jumping switch kick. Cannonier lands a few right hands and they clinch. Silva with a slicing elbow. Cannonier lands a combo as they break. They trade kicks. Silva with a body kick. They trade leg kicks. Cannonier lands a right hand and then ducks under a right hand from Silva. Silva with a left hand and then a high kick. Cannonier then lands a leg kick and Silva goes down in pain and Herb Dean quickly stops the fight. Silva is hurt bad and screaming out in pain and Cannonier gets the win. Biggest win of the career for Cannonier. Silva might have blown out his knee.

Official Result- Jared Cannonier def. Anderson Silva by TKO (kick) at 4:47 of Round 1

> Rose Namajunas (C, 8-3, 6-2 UFC) vs. Jessica Andrade (#1, 19-6, 10-4 UFC)
UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship

Namajunas with quick punches to start as she moves in and out. Namajunas with a right hand. She is light on her feet. Namajunas landing punches and Andrade is cut open. Andrade lands a punch that stuns her. Namajunas with a fast jab. She lands a combo. Namajunas is tagging Andrade. Andrade gets a slam but Namajunas has the arm looking for an armbar. Andrade slammed her right into the armbar but Andrade escapes and they break. Namajunas with a brief takedown. Namajunas back to the jab. Andrade with a couple of leg kicks. Namajunas with a combo. Namajunas drops Andrade with a knee and Namajunas gets into her guard. They get up and Namajunas had the neck but they break. Andrade lands a right hand. Namajunas lands a combo. They are both firing. 10-9 Namajunas.

Andrade with some leg kicks to start the second. They are both swinging. Andrade now landing punches but Namajunas lands a counter left. Namajunas is landing the jab and Andrade is trying to land a power right hand. Andrade with a leg kick and she’s opening up more. Namajunas lands a left hand. Andrade with a flurry out of range but lands a knee as they clinch. Andrade with a big slam that knocks Namajunas out cold! What a crazy finish. Andrade picked Namajunas up and dropped her right on her head and Namajunas went out. We have a new strawweight champion.

Official Result- Jessica Andrade def. Rose Namajunas by knockout (slam) at 2:58 of Round 2, Andrade wins the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship

UFC 217 live results: Michael Bisping vs. GSP, two more title fights

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 217: Bisping vs. St. Pierre, emanating from Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.

The UFC returns to the Big Apple for their biggest event of the year, with three title fights, and featuring the return of arguably the greatest fighter in UFC history looking to capture gold in a second weight division.

Former UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre makes his long-awaited return to the Octagon after four years as he challenges Michael Bisping for the UFC Middleweight Championship.

The fight has been a roller coaster since first being announced in March, and at many times it looked like it wasn’t going to happen, but they will finally step across from each other tonight. St. Pierre looks to regain gold and win his 13th straight fight while Bisping looks to make his second title defense successful. Both men have vowed to retire the other.

In the co-main event, it is another long-awaited title fight as rivals and former teammates go to war. UFC Bantamweight Champion Cody Garbrandt makes his first title defense when he takes on former champion T.J. Dillashaw. They have gone back-and-forth all over the last year, and after being scheduled to fight in July only to be postponed, they finally square off.

In our third title fight, it will be UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk looking to continue her dominance at 115 pounds when she defends against Rose Namajunas. Namajunas has won four of her last five and will pose an interesting test for Jedrzejczyk, who is looking to remain undefeated and win her 15th straight fight.

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.

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].

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

> Aiemann Zahabi (7-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Ricardo Ramos (10-1, 1-0 UFC)
Bantamweights

Zahabi was on the attack early and got the clinch and landed a knee before they scrambled to the mat with Ramos on top. They scrambled a bit on the mat before getting to their feet. Ramos lands a couple of heavy leg kicks. They traded and Zahabi was looking to set up the takedown. Ramos got a brief takedown but Zahabi got up. Zahabi landed a right hand. Zahabi landed some good punches and took the back of Ramos. Zahabi tried a judo throw but Ramos reversed out and got a slam as they got to their feet before the round ended. 10-9 Ramos.

Zahabi is pressing the action but not doing much on the attack as Ramos lands a leg kick to start the second round. Zahabi landed a couple of right hands. Ramos went for a kick but it was caught by Zahabi who missed taking him down. Zahabi landed an uppercut. The pace slowed at the end as both were looking to set something big up. Zahabi landed the jab a couple of times towards the end. 10-9 Zahabi, 19-19.

They came out trading to start the third round. Zahabi applying the pressure. Zahabi landed an uppercut. Zahabi looking for a big punch. Zahabi landed another uppercut. All of a sudden Ramos landed a spinning back elbow that knocked Zahabi out cold. Wow. It came out of nowhere. One of the best knockouts of the year.

Official Result- Ricardo Ramos def. Aiemann Zahabi by knockout (spinning back elbow) at 1:58 of Round 3

> Aleksei Oleinik (#9, 52-10-1, 4-1 UFC) vs. Curtis Blaydes (#12, 7-1 1 NC, 2-1 1 NC UFC)
Heavyweights

Blaydes gets a quick takedown but Oleinik is dangerous on the mat. They got back up. Oleinik landed an uppercut. They traded punches. They clinched and Oleinik landed a heavy uppercut. Oleinik landing more punches. Blaydes got a takedown. They got to their feet and traded strikes before Blaydes got another takedown and is in side control. Blaydes landed a big right hand and Oleinik landed some punches in return. They clinched and both landed uppercuts. Blaydes then droped Oleinik with a hard punch. Oleinik got back up and had Blaydes clinched against the fence. Oleinik then fell as he tried to drag Blaydes down. Blaydes landed some big right hands at the end, it was a surprise that Oleinik survived. 10-9 Blaydes.

Blaydes came out landing punches and kicks. Oleinik was landing in return but not with the volume of Blaydes. Blaydes got a big takedown and is working in the guard. Blaydes got to his feet and then landed an illegal kick as Oleinik was getting to his feet. It barely touched his ear. We have some controversy now. The fight was stopped by the doctor and the referee as Oleinik was deemed unable to continue. Blaydes is furious. We are going to instant replay to determine a decision. Blaydes was then announced as the winner. This is weird. Even Blaydes is confused. 

Official Result- Curtis Blaydes def. Aleksei Oleinik by TKO (doctor stoppage) at 1:56 of Round 2

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

> Randy Brown (9-2, 3-2 UFC) vs. Mickey Gall (4-0, 3-0 UFC)
Welterweights

Brown landed a solid combo inside the first thirty seconds. Gall is on the retreat. Gall fired back with a big right hand. They clinched and Brown landed a hard knee to the body. Brown with another knee and then got a takedown. Brown landed some big hammerfists. Gall went for a kimura but it allowed Brown to posture back up. Brown in total control from the top but Gall is working from the bottom. Brown landing some big elbows from the top. Gall can’t get up. Brown with more hard elbows and Gall is cut open. 10-9 Brown.

Gall still bleeding pretty good to start the second. Brown landed a kick and Gall tried a takedown but ended up on the bottom but was able to reverse and is in the guard of Brown. They were scrambling on the mat and Brown may have landed an illegal upkick but they continued. Gall is in side control. Gall landing some punches as he’s trying for the mounted crucifix position. They scrambled and Gall went back into the full guard. Gall looking for a choke in side control but didn’t have it. Brown escaped but Gall got into the full mount but Brown was able to slide out from the bottom. Strong round for Gall. 10-9 Gall, 19-19.

Gall went right for a takedown but ate an uppercut from Brown on the way in and Brown started to tee off on Gall on the mat looking to finish. Gall was able to survive and recover by grabbing the neck. Gall is pouring blood. Brown landing enough punches to keep the fight down and Gall isn’t doing anything on the bottom. Brown landing more from the top inside the guard. Gall grabbing the neck and grabbed the fence and has a guillotine locked in but Brown was able to escape. Gall can’t get up from the bottom. Brown stands up and Gall follows but the fight ends with no action. 10-9 Brown, 29-28 Brown.

Official Result- Randy Brown def. Mickey Gall by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)

NEWS: The UFC announced their schedule for the first three months of 2018. There will be nine events. It kicks off January 14 in St. Louis, Missouri. Following that will be UFC 220 in Boston, Massachusetts. Rounding out January will be a January 27 event in Charlotte, North Carolina. February has three events- February 3 in Belem, Brazil, UFC 221 on February 10 in Perth, Austraila, February 18 in Austin, Texas, and February 24 in Orlando, Florida. Two events take place in March, with UFC 222 on March 3 in Las Vegas, and an event on March 17 in London, England.

> Ovince Saint Preux (#6, 21-10, 9-5 UFC) vs. Corey Anderson (#7, 9-3, 6-3 UFC)
Light Heavyweights

Saint Preux landed a hard left hand to start off. Anderson got a couple of big takedowns back-to-back inside the first minute and has the back. They got back to their feet and Anderson is working hard to get another takedown. Anderson was landing punches as Saint Preux was back up and Anderson went for another takedown against the fence. Anderson with a spinning elbow and back to work for the takedown. They broke the clinch and back to the center. Saint Preux with a knee to the body as he stuffs a takedown attempt. Saint Preux with a late flurry that drops Anderson. 10-9 Anderson.

Saint Preux with a big head kick to start the second and Anderson is in trouble. Anderson got a quick timeout as he lost his mountpiece and it allowed Anderson to recover. Anderson working for a takedown. They broke and Anderson went right back working for another takedown. They broke away again. Anderson attempts another takedown and finishes it this time. Anderson gets to the back. They get to their feet. Anderson drags the fight back to the mat and Anderson is landing punches but they get back up. Slower pace at the end. 10-9 Anderson, 20-18 Anderson.

Anderson went for a takedown but it was defended though he landed a right hand on the break. Anderson lands a right hand followed by a left. Saint Preux then knocked Anderson out cold with a head kick out of nowhere. That is a comeback win there and we have another contender for a bonus. That was nasty. OSP called for a fight with Ilir Latifi next on December 30.

Official Result- Ovince Saint Preux def. Corey Anderson by knockout (head kick) at 1:25 of Round 3

> Walt Harris (10-6, 3-5 UFC) vs. Mark Godbeer (12-3, 1-1 UFC)
Heavyweights

Harris coming out firing with some kicks. They trade punches. Harris with a grazing head kick. They are both throwing with lots of power. Harris gets a takedown into side control and goes right to mount and landed some big punches. Harris working inside the full guard. They trade punches on the mat, Harris with more power being he’s on top. Harris with heavy left hands inside the guard. Godbeer able to get to his feet but eats some knees to the body before they break. Harris with a left hand and Godbeer with a body kick. Harris landed a low blow and the referee called timeout and Harris landed a head kick after timeout was called. That seemed blatant and is definitely a foul. The fight is stopped as Godbeer is unable to continue. This should be a disqualification win for Godbeer.

Official Result- Mark Godbeer def. Walt Harris by disqualification (illegal kick) at 4:25 of Round 1

> James Vick (11-1, 7-1 UFC) vs. Joseph Duffy (16-2, 4-1 UFC)
Lightweights

They were throwing feints early. Vick landed a body kick but got tripped up as Duffy grabbed his leg. Duffy with the pressure. Duffy lands some punches but Vick counters with a straight right hand followed by an uppercut. Duffy lands a right hand. Duffy landing the jab. Duffy grabs the leg on a kick and gets a takedown. Duffy trips Vick on an inside leg kick. Duffy with a right hand to the body. Vick just misses a head kick. Duffy lands a right hand and scores a takedown. Vick grabs the neck. They each land in the final seconds of the round. 10-9 Duffy.

Duffy with a body kick to start the second round. Duffy with a head kick. He’s able to keep away from Vick’s attacks, which is good with Vick’s reach advantage. Vick lands a left hand after ducking under a right hand. Vick lands the jab and a leg kick. Neither man unable to get a big advantage over the other but both landing. Vick just misses a head kick. More methodical pace to this round. Vick lands a head kick after hurting Duffy with a low kick. Vick then drops Duffy with a right uppercut and starts landing punches and finishes him right before the horn to end the round. Wow. Big win for James Vick. Vick calls for a main event spot on the February UFC event in Austin.

Official Result- James Vick def. Joseph Duffy by TKO (punches) at 4:59 of Round 2

PPV MAIN CARD | 10 PM ET/7 PM PT

> Johny Hendricks (18-7, 13-7 UFC) vs. Paulo Costa (10-0, 2-0 UFC)
Middleweights

Costa with a leg kick and then a big body kick. Costa with another body kick. Hendricks with a leg kick. Hendricks went for a takedown but Costa broke the clinch with a knee. Costa misses a spinning head kick. Costa with a body kick and Hendricks lands a left hand. Costa controlling the Octagon and lands a right hand. Hendricks with a leg kick following a combo. Coata with a knee to the body. Hendricks lands two left hands followed by a leg kick. Costa misses again on a spinning head kick. Costa with a big knee and a body kick at the end. 10-9 Costa.

We have an eye poke to start the round and a quick timeout but back to action quickly. Costa hurts Hendricks with a head kick and is teeing off with punches. Costa with a head kick and then another. Costa with a right hand and Hendricks is in trouble. Costa with an uppercut and more punches on the ground as Hendricks was going for a takedown and the fight is stopped. Costa with the big win.

Official Result- Paulo Costa def. Johny Hendricks by TKO (punches) at 1:23 of Round 2

> Stephen Thompson (#2, 13-2-1, 8-2-1 UFC) vs. Jorge Masvidal (#4, 32-12, 9-5 UFC)
Welterweights

Thompson looking for leg kicks early. Both being patient. Masvidal with a body kick. Thompson with a side head kick. Masvidal with a leg kick and Thompson fires back with a combo. They are both looking for openings but not much is there. Masvidal with a body kick. Thompson lands a right hand. Thompson with a front leg side kick to the body that drops Masvidal. Masvidal with a leg kick and Thompson fires back with a left hand. Thompson with another straight left hand. 10-9 Thompson.

Thompson with a front leg side kick to the head. Masvidal then landed a good combo of punches against the fence. Thompson knocks Masvidal down with a right hand. Masvidal gets up. Both men being patient. Thompson lands a left hand. Masvidal has been unable to get inside the range of Thompson. Masvidal clipped Thompson with a left hook. 10-9 Thompson, 20-18 Thompson.

Masvidal went for a takedown against the fence but it was defended. He needs to win this round. Thompson lands a good combination. Thompson with another good combo and just misses a wheel kick to the head. Masvidal with a body kick and Thompson counters with a side kick to the body. They traded right hands. Thompson lands a good series of punches. Thompson is cut underneath his eye. Thompson with a good combo of punches. Thompson with a right hand. They trade punches at the end of the fight. 10-9 Thompson, 30-27 Thompson.

Official Result- Stephen Thompson def. Jorge Masvidal by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)

> Joanna Jedrzejczyk (C, 14-0, 8-0 UFC) vs. Rose Namajunas (#4, 6-3, 4-2 UFC)
UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship

Intense stare down. Both ladies land early. Jedrzejczyk with a combo and a leg kick. Namajunas knocks Jedrzejczyk down with a big right hand. Namajunas gets the mount then has the back but lets Joanna up. Namajunas with a right hand. Namajunas then drops Jedrzejczyk with a left hand and then finishes her off. WOW. This is a huge upset. Namajunas is the new champion. Jedrzejczyk also tapped out due to the strikes.

Official Result- Rose Namajunas def. Joanna Jedrzejczyk by knockout (punches) at 3:03 of Round 1, Namajunas becomes the new UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion

> Cody Garbrandt (C, 11-0, 6-0 UFC) vs. TJ Dillashaw (#2, 14-3, 10-3 UFC)
UFC Bantamweight Championship

No glove touch here either. Garbrandt looking for a heavy right hand early as Dillashaw works his movement. Garbandt just misses a body kick. Dillashaw missing on his leg kick attempts. Garbrandt lands a combo on Dillashaw. Wild flurry from both. Garbrandt lands a right hand and then a combo. Garbrandt with some body punches. Dillashaw just misses a head kick. Dillashaw landed a big right hand. Garbrandt dropped Dillashaw with a right hand with just five seconds left. Dillashaw stumbled to his corner and is in trouble. Garbrandt shot him the finger and told him he’s number one. 10-9 Garbrandt.

Dillashaw misses a head kick and Garbrandt taunts him over it. Dillashaw then knocked Garbrandt down with a head kick but Garbrandt got back up. Garbrandt seems okay after the knockdown. Dillashaw then rocks and drops Garbrandt down with a right hand and finishes him! Dillashaw is once again the champion at 135 pounds. Another upset on this card.

Official Result- TJ Dillashaw def. Cody Garbrandt by knockout (punches) at 2:41 of Round 2, Dillashaw becomes the new UFC Bantamweight Champion

> Michael Bisping (C, 30-7, 20-7 UFC) vs. Georges St. Pierre (25-2, 19-2 UFC)
UFC Middleweight Championship

They touched gloves! Both men patient in the opening thirty seconds. St. Pierre lands a right hand. He lands the jab. Bisping missing his punches. St. Pierre with a roundhouse kick. Bisping lands a right hand. St. Pierre with a leg kick followed by a right hand then rocks Bisping with a jab but Bisping fires back with a right hand. St. Pierre gets a takedown. Bisping tried to grab the fence to block it. They got back up. St. Pierre with a Superman punch that rocks Bisping and just misses a spin kick. 10-9 St. Pierre.

Bisping unable to establish his range and is fighting conservative. St. Pierre lands a left hand. Bisping misses a right hand. Bisping with an inside leg kick. St. Pierre with a side kick. St. Pierre with a body kick. Bisping lands a right hand. St. Pierre with the double jab and gets the takedown. St. Pierre in half-guard. Bisping tried to grab the shorts of GSP to get up. They got to their feet. Bisping with a right hand. Bisping with a jumping head kick. St. Pierre with a body kick. 10-9 Bisping, 19-19.

St. Pierre gets a takedown to start the third. Bisping has St. Pierre in his full guard. St. Pierre is cut open. Both men landing strikes on the mat. They get back to their feet and GSP is a bloody mess. Bisping lands a right hand. GSP lands a couple of overhand rights. St. Pierre with a side kick to the body. St. Pierre drops Bisping with a left hand and is dropping elbows and has Bisping in a lot of trouble. GSP looking for the fnish and grabs the back and locks in a rear-naked choke. It is in deep and Bisping is out! GSP has choked Bisping unconscious. GSP wins in his return. We have a new champion.

Official Result- Georges St. Pierre def. Michael Bisping by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:23 of Round 3, St. Pierre becomes the new UFC Middleweight Champion

UFC on FOX 24 live results: Demetrious Johnson vs. Wilson Reis

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC On FOX 24: Johnson vs. Reis, emanating from the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

The event is headlined by UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson looking to make history as he defends the championship for the tenth time, this time against Wilson Reis. Johnson is looking to tie Anderson Silva for most consecutive successful title defenses and hold onto his spot as the top pound-for-pound fighter in the sport. Reis gets a title shot on the heels of three straight wins, and wins in five of his last six fights.

In the co-main event, it will be a battle between high-ranked womens’ strawweights as Rose Namajunas takes on Michelle Waterson, with a potential title shot waiting in the wings for the winner. Also on the main card is a pivotal bout in the middleweight division as Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza, on the last fight of his current UFC contract, takes on Robert Whittaker, winner of six straight fights.

A fighter to keep an eye on during the preliminary card is Tom Duquesnoy, who is making his UFC debut. He comes in with a 14-1 record, unbeaten in his last eleven, and is perhaps the most exciting prospect in the sport, and has the potential to be a future title challenger at 135 pounds.

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

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

> Ashlee Evans-Smith (#13, 5-1, 2-1 UFC) vs. Ketlen Vieira (7-0, 1-0 UFC)
Women’s Bantamweights

They were trading early and Vieira was lighting Evans-Smith up and getting the better of the exchanges. They clinched and each were landing knees to the body and Vieira landed an elbow on the break. Vieira was landing her combinations but was slowing down as the round progressed. She still hurt Evans-Smith quite a few times, but Evans-Smith would fire back with leg kicks and some knees to the body. Vieira pushing the pace and landing with more volume got here the round. 10-9 Vieira.

They clinched early as Evans-Smith didn’t wanna give Vieira the distance to land her punches. Vieira got a takedown and took the back and was landing but Evans-Smith was able to get back to her feet and landed a knee to break the clinch. However, as they got back to striking range, Vieira was landing more of her combinations. The volume of her striking has been the big factor in this fight and she is landing harder shots. Vieira landed a big right hand in the closing minute of the round and had Evans-Smith in a whole lot of trouble. 10-9 Vieira, 20-18 Vieira.

Evans-Smith was after Vieira early as she likely needs a finish. Evans-Smith pushed Vieira to the mat at one point and then cracked her with a big right hand but Vieira was able to grab the back against the fence. Vieira was landing foot stomps but not much else and they were broken up. Vieira was getting the better of the stand-up again, landing with much more volume being thrown, but Evans-Smith would knock her back with leg kicks, and landed a spinning back fist. Close final round, 10-9 Evans-Smith. 29-28 Vieira.

All three judges had it for Vieira, with two giving her two rounds, and the third giving her all three rounds.

Official Result- Ketlen Vieira def. Ashlee Evans-Smith by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

> Zak Cummings (20-5, 5-2 UFC) vs. Nathan Coy (15-6, 1-1 UFC)
Welterweights

They were trading early and Cummings was landing the harder punches, taking advantage of his reach advantage. Cummings stunned Coy with a left hand that connected right on the jaw. Cummings was landing more and Coy went for a takedown but Cummings sprawled and was landing punches and then locked in a guillotine and choked Coy out cold. It was on a little too long before the referee stepped in. Big submission win for Cummings.

Official Result- Zak Cummings def. Nathan Coy by submission (guillotine choke) at 4:21 of Round 1

> Anthony Smith (26-12, 2-2 UFC) vs. Andrew Sanchez (9-2, 2-0 UFC)
Middleweights

They were trading and Sanchez got a takedown and was in side control looking to grab an arm. Smith was able to reverse position and was in the half-guard of Sanchez. He wasn’t doing much so the referee stood them up. Smith was getting the better of the striking but Sanchez was able to land a well-timed spinning back fist. Smith landed a combo late. Close round. 10-9 Sanchez.

They were trading and Sanchez got a takedown and was landing punches from the back on the mat. Sanchez got to the top and was landing more and rode out the round on the top. Not much to this round. 10-9 Sanchez, 20-18 Sanchez.

Sanchez was eager to find a takedown but was landing some punches and had Smith hurt. Sanchez was still working for the takedown to keep from getting hit by Smith. Smith dropped Sanchez with a head kick followed by a big right hand and after a few punches it was stopped! Smith with a big comeback victory as he finishes Sanchez late in the third round.

Official Result- Anthony Smith def. Andrew Sanchez by knockout (head kick & punches) at 3:52 of Round 3

> Devin Clark (7-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Jake Collier (10-3, 2-2 UFC)
Light Heavyweights

Collier was going for an early takedown but Clark was defending. Collier landed a head kick. Clark got a takedown and was in the half-guard. Clark was landing knees and landed an illegal one that got missed. He had Collier in a lot of trouble but Collier got to his feet. Collier landed some good punches towards the end. 10-9 Clark.

They were both landing sloppy punches and Clark initiated a clinch. A low blow by Clark caused a brief timeout. Collier landed a spinning back fist.  Collier missed a sloppy punch and Clark got a takedown. They broke and Clark got another takedown. Not much to this round. 10-9 Clark, 20-18 Clark.

Clark got another takedown to start the third. Clark was on top in the mount and landing punches. Collier gave up his back and Clark was landing more and more as he looked to finish. Clark almost had a choke in a few times but couldn’t get it in but made Collier pay with punches and knees. Clark got another takedown late. Dominant closing round by Clark. 10-8 Clark, 30-26 Clark.

Official Result- Devin Clark def. Jake Collier by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

> Aljamain Sterling (#8, 12-2, 4-2 UFC) vs. Augusto Mendes (6-1, 1-1 UFC)
Bantamweights

They were trading and Sterling got a takedown. Mendes was working from the bottom and looked for a leg lock but Sterling escaped. Mendes rocked Sterling with a right hand and looked for an armbar but Sterling was able to escape. They scrambled on the mat and Sterling ended up on top. Sterling landed from the top at the end of the round. Close round. 10-9 Sterling.

They were trading again and they clinched. Sterling pushed Mendes against the fence and was landing knees and foot stomps. Mendes was able to reverse position and was looking for a takedown but not doing much to actually get it. They broke and Sterling was on the attack with punches. Sterling landed a head kick and got a takedown against the fence. Sterling was landing hammerfists from the top. 10-9 Sterling, 20-18 Sterling.

Sterling was coming out with his strikes early on, landing punches and kicks. Sterling tried for a takedown but Mendes had the neck but they were eventually separated by the referee. Mendes went right back into the clinch and had Sterling pressed against the fence but was doing nothing. Sterling reversed and scored a brief takedown but they scrambled up and separated. Sterling landed some big punches at the end that rocked Mendes. 10-9 Sterling, 30-27 Sterling.

Official Result- Aljamain Sterling def. Augusto Mendes by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

FOX PRELIMS | 6 PM ET/3 PM PT

> Louis Smolka (#12, 11-3, 5-3 UFC) vs. Tim Elliott (#9, 13-7-1, 2-5 UFC)
Flyweights

Elliott got a quick takedown and was working in the half-guard of Smolka. They got to their feet and Elliott rocked Smolka with some hard strikes. Elliott got another takedown but Smolka had him by the neck. Elliott got to the top and was landing from the top. Big round for Elliott. 10-9 Elliott.

Smolka got a brief takedown but Elliott got a takedown of his own. They got up and broke. Elliott took the fight to the mat and had the back and was looking for a choke. Smolka escaped but Elliott ended on top. Smolka grabbed a leg and was looking for a heel hook. Elliott was on top and had a mounted quillotine locked in. Smolka was hanging on. He managed to survive. 10-9 Elliott, 20-18 Elliott.

Elliott scored a takedown early in the third and was working to take the back. They got to their feet and broke. Smolka was landing some short punches as Elliott baited him in and scored a takedown. Elliott got into the mount and was landing from the top. Crowd was chanting loudly for Elliott. Smolka was looking to lock in a D’Arce choke but Elliott escaped. Smolka got a takedown. Smolka had the back and was landing but Elliott reversed the position. They scrambled to their feet. Elliott got a takedown. Elliott got another takedown at the end. Fantastic fight. 10-9 Elliott, 30-27 Elliott.

Official Result- Tim Elliott def. Louis Smolka by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Bobby Green  (23-7, 4-2 UFC) vs. Rashid Magomedov (19-2, 4-1 UFC)
Lightweights

They traded kicks to start. Green landed a left hand and some knees to the body in a clinch. Magomedov landed a low blow and we have a break. Magomedov landed a kick but Green grabbed the leg and kicked him back. They traded kicks. Green landed a left hand and some knees in the clinch. Green had the back and was working hard for a takedown. Close round. 10-9 Green.

They were trading early. Magomedov poked Green in the eye and we have another break. Green is cut over the eye but fights on. Green working hard to score a takedown as he has Magomedov clinched against the fence. Magomedov got a trip takedown but Green got back to his feet. Magomedov landed a left hand. 10-9 Magomedov in the second, 19-19 after two.

Magomedov landed a big body kick. Green landed a flying knee and is talking trash inside the Octagon. They were trading and Green kicked Magomedov in the family jewels and we had a timeout. This fight is a slow-paced affair to say the least. Magomedov landed a combo and then a right hand. Green got a clinch and was kneeing the thighs of Magomedov. Close round. 10-9 Magomedov, 29-28 Magomedov.

Official Result- Rashid Magomedov def. Bobby Green by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

> Patrick Williams (8-4, 1-1 UFC) vs. Tom Duquesnoy (14-1 1 NC, 0-0 UFC)
Bantamweights

Williams was in control with his wrestling in the first, but Duquesnoy had him in trouble as the round progressed. Duquesnoy clearly had some Octagon jitters for his debut, but he took over in the last thirty seconds and dropped Williams right at the end of the first round. 10-9 Duquesnoy.

It didn’t last long in the second as Duquesnoy dropped Williams with an elbow and finished him off with punches on the ground. Impressive debut.

Official Result- Tom Duquesnoy def. Patrick Williams by TKO (strikes) at :26 of Round 2

> Alexander Volkov (#11, 27-6, 1-0 UFC) vs. Roy Nelson (22-13, 9-9 UFC)
Heavyweights

Nelson was searching for that big right hand early. Volkov tried to clinch to avoid it. Volkov was using leg kicks to keep Nelson out of range. They clinched as Nelson was looking for a takedown. Nelson got a takedown. Nelson was keeping Volkov pinned to the mat and landing short punches but not doing a lot of damage. They got to their feet and Volkov started teeing off on Nelson landing punches and knees to the body. Volkov had Nelson in a lot of trouble and close to being finished but Nelson landed a big right hand at the bell and survived. Close round as Volkov came on late. 10-9 Nelson.

Volkov landed some at the start of the second. Nelson clinched up against the fence. Volkov broke free and landed a soft combo. Nelson rocked Volkov with a right hand as Volkov was running away. They traded big punches. It feels like a knockout may be coming. Volkov started to pick Nelson apart at range as the round ended. A much better round for Volkov. 10-9 Volkov, 19-19 after two.

This round could decide it. Nelson went for a takedown but it was stuffed by Volkov, who landed a big knee in return. Volkov landed a big kick but Nelson countered with an uppercut. Nelson is still hunting for that right hand. Nelson went for a takedown but ate a big knee from Volkov. Volkov was keeping Nelson away with the jab and front kicks and was running away and had the fans booing. This one goes the distance. 10-9 Volkov, 29-28 Volkov.

Official Result- Alexander Volkov def. Roy Nelson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

FOX MAIN CARD | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT

> Jeremy Stephens (#5, 25-13, 12-12 UFC) vs. Renato Moicano (10-0-1, 2-0 UFC)
Featherweights

They traded kicks early and Moicano landed a nice combination. Moicano with a stiff leg kick. Stephens looks to be trying to set up the right hand, and he is a knockout guy. Stephens landed a hard right hand. He landed another against the fence after Moicano missed a leg kick. Moicano got a takedown and went into the full guard of Stephens. Moicano went to half-guard and rode the round out there. 10-9 Moicano.

Stephens is being more aggressive to start the second round, but he is also headhunting. He had a takedown stuffed but landed a right hand to the body of Moicano. Stephens then went on the attack with combos and Moicano spent more time circling away than he did defending and attacking. Stephens landed a kick and missed a right hand as Moicano was running away. Moicano was landing some soft punches but Stephens was lighting him up with hard, stiff punches. Moicano missed a spin kick. Moicano did more running away at the end of the second and the crowd hates him for that. 10-9 Stephens, 19-19 after two.

This could decide it. Both came out swinging and Moicano got a body lock and scored a takedown. Not much happened on the mat and Stephens got back to his feet. Stephens landed a body kick and then a leg kick and then a stiff jab. They traded leg kicks. Moicano was running away again as he was trying to avoid the Stephens attack. Moicano landed a leg kick. Stephens countered with a right hand to the body and a leg kick. Moicano was running again as the crowd booed and the fight ended. Close final round. 10-9 Stephens, 29-28 Stephens.

Official Result- Renato Moicano def. Jeremy Stephens by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

> Ronaldo Souza (#3, 24-4 1 NC, 7-1 UFC) vs. Robert Whittaker (#6, 17-4, 8-2 UFC)
Middleweights

Whittaker landed an early left hand. Whittaker side-stepped a takedown attempt from Souza. Whittaker landed a stiff jab. They tied up and Souza landed some to the body and tried a takedown but Whittaker scrambled up. Souza got a takedown and took the back. Whittaker stood up and Souza slipped off. Whittaker tagged Souza and Souza tripped to the mat for a moment. Souza landed a right hand and then another. Whittaker landed a left hook at the end. Close round. 10-9 Souza.

Whittaker dropped Souza with a right hand and went into the guard and landed a couple more before rushing to his feet. Souza wanted him to come back down but Whittaker isn’t playing that game. Whittaker tagged Souza again a couple times after he got up. Both men landed some good punches. Whittaker rocked Souza with a head kick and then dropped him with a right hand. Whittaker went to the mat and was landing a ton of punches. Punch after punch and this fight was stopped. Huge win by Whittaker! Seven straight wins for him.

Official Result- Robert Whittaker def. Ronaldo Souza by TKO (punches) at 3:28 of Round 2

> Rose Namajunas (#4, 5-3, 3-2 UFC) vs. Michelle Waterson (#6, 14-4, 2-0 UFC)
Women’s Strawweights

They trade some kicks early. Waterson landed a side kick right to the face and scored a headlock takedown. Namajunas was able to scramble out and took the back of Waterson. She then scrambled to the guard of Waterson. Namajunas landed a stiff elbow from the top. Waterson is working for a triangle but Namjunas is landing some ground-and-pound. Waterson now moves to looking for an arm. They get to their feet and break. Waterson with some side oblique kicks. Waterson grabbed Namajunas and dropped down to guard. 10-9 Namajunas.

They traded kicks early in the second. Namajunas dropped Waterson with a head kick and went right to the top looking to finish but Waterson grabbed on for dear life to her. Namajunas with a ton of punches from the top as she looks for a stoppage. It could have been stopped there. Waterson gets to her feet and Namajunas grabs the back and locks in a choke. Waterson fighting on but she taps! Namajunas with the big submission win! She looked excellent in this fight.

Official Result- Rose Namajunas def. Michelle Waterson by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:47 of Round 2

> Demetrious Johnson (C, 25-2-1, 13-1-1 UFC) vs. Wilson Reis (#3, 22-6, 6-2 UFC)
UFC Flyweight Championship

Johnson started out with a heavy leg kick. Both men slipped on some punches and Johnson landed a head kick. They traded body kicks. Johnson was landing combos and a kick and Reis got a quick takedown but Johnson was right back up. Johnson hurt Reis with a front kick to the body. Johnson landed a right hand and a head kick. Reis missing most of his punches. Johnson with a heavy leg kick then a solid combination. Johnson is so fast in there it is unreal. Reis went for a takedown but it was stuffed and Johnson landed a knee to the body. 10-9 Johnson.

Johnson’s speed and footwork was on pure display in the second round. He was landing kicks and punches in close range and then getting right out of range. Reis’ big chance was scoring a takedown but even that wasn’t working as Johnson was stuffing them. Johnson landed a big body kick. Johnson landed a big left hand with under a minute to go in the round. Reis was having trouble landing anything. Johnson with a leg kick. Johnson dropped Reis to the mat with a knee to the liver and was landing punches looking to finish and landed a big one right at the bell. 10-8 Johnson, 20-17 Johnson.

Johnson is just cruising inside of the Octagon. He is landing punches and kicks at will and scored a takedown and was landing on the mat before letting the fight get back to the feet. Reis was throwing, but not landing, and Johnson just took him to the mat with ease. Johnson landed a hammerfist on the mat. Johnson on top landing punches and elbows to the body and head. Johnson got to mount and switched to armbar and Reis taps! Clinical, systematic and dominant performance from the best in the sport as Johnson ties Anderson Silva’s record for most consecutive title defenses.

Official Result- Demetrious Johnson def. Wilson Reis by submission (armbar) at 4:49 of Round 3 – Johnson retains UFC Flyweight Championship

UFC Fight Night 80: Namajunas vs. VanZant weigh-in results and live video

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Welcome to WrestlingObserver.com’s live coverage of the UFC Fight Night 80: Namajunas vs. VanZant weigh-ins from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada kicking off at 7 PM eastern time. The event airs on Thursday on UFC Fight Pass at 10 PM eastern time. Preliminary card action kicks off on UFC Fight Pass at 6:45 PM eastern time. This kicks off the biggest fight week in UFC history with the first of three straight nights of fights in Las Vegas.

The event will be headlined by a five-round bout in the women’s strawweight division as Rose Namajunas takes on rising star Paige VanZant in VanZant’s first headline spot. It will also mark the first non-title womens’ bout to headline a UFC event. In the co-main event, it will be a lightweight bout as UFC veteran Jim Miller takes on former “TUF” winner Michael Chiesa. Also on the card is 19-year-old Sage Northcutt taking on Cody Pfister.

MAIN CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 10 PM ET/7 PM PT):
Rose Namajunas (115.5) vs. Paige VanZant (115.5)
Jim Miller (155.5) vs. Michael Chiesa (156)
Sage Northcutt (155.5) vs. Cody Pfister (156)
Elias Theodorou (185) vs. Thiago Santos (185)

PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 6:45 PM ET/3:45 PM PT):
Tim Means (170) vs. John Howard (170)
Omari Akhmedov (170) vs. Sergio Moraes (171)
Antonio Carlos Junior (185) vs. Kevin Casey (185)
Aljamain Sterling (135.5) vs. Johnny Eduardo (135)
Santiago Ponzinibbio (170) vs. Andreas Stahl (171)
Danny Roberts (169.5) vs. Nathan Coy (170)
Zubaira Tukhugov (145) vs. Phillipe Nover (145)
Kailin Curran (115) vs. Emily Kagan (115)

*Everyone made weight with no issues, and everything was cordial when it came to the staredowns.

UFC Fight Night 80 Preview: 5 storylines to watch, betting odds & predictions

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

The biggest UFC Fight Week in company history is finally here, with three straight nights of fights coming from the fight capital of the world- Las Vegas, Nevada. It all kicks off with UFC Fight Night 80 on Thursday night at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip, an exclusive event airing on UFC Fight Pass. The action kicks off at 6:45 PM eastern time with the preliminary card heading into a 10 PM eastern time start for the main card.

The main event will be the first time a female non-title bout has headlined a UFC event as former strawweight title challenger Rose Namajunas takes on budding star Paige VanZant in VanZant’s first showcase in a main event slot. The card as been billed as “Paige & Sage” as 19-year-old Sage Northcutt also competes on the card, taking on Cody Pfister in a lightweight bout. The UFC is banking on VanZant and Northcutt to carry the company into the future, and they get their chance to shine in the beginning of the biggest week in UFC history. There is more action on the card, so let us take a deeper look and give you five storylines to keep an eye on for UFC Fight Night 80 on Thursday.

1. Who wins the main event between Rose Namajunas and Paige VanZant?

Two rising contenders in the UFC’s women’s strawweight division square off in the main event of the first of three straight nights of UFC action. Paige VanZant, a 115-pound fighter being groomed for big things in the future at just 21 years of age, makes her first headline appearance against Rose Namajunas, an injury replacement for Joanne Calderwood, who was originally scheduled to fight VanZant. There is an argument to be made whether this is a stiffer test for VanZant as Namjunas and Calderwood have a different approach to a fight, but either way, it will be the toughest test for VanZant, winner of her first three UFC bouts, as she looks to knock on the door to a title shot. Namajunas has already fought once for the title, in the inaugural fight for the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship, but came up short in her quest as she was submitted by Carla Esparza. Esparza has since lost the title to the dominant champion, Joanna Jedrzejczyk, while Namjunas has fought just once since then, a submission win over Angela Hill in October.

This is an interesting bit of match making as both women could be built up for a fight for the championship. Granted that Namajunas is an injury replacement, but this is a tough match-up for VanZant, who the UFC is banking on as a potential challenger. Even though Claudia Gadelha is waiting in the wings, it would be easy to envision a scenario where VanZant gets a title shot with a win. She isn’t ready, but a win puts her at 4-0 in the UFC, a record only matched by Jedrzejczyk at 115 pounds. VanZant is a grinding wrestler with excellent conditioning and a solid top game and submission game. Namajunas has submissions for days, but she can break mentally when pushed into a tough fight. We haven’t seen VanZant tested too much as she has won her three UFC bouts with relative ease. This one won’t be as easy. It really is a tough fight to predict, but I do see VanZant getting the win in the later rounds.

2. Will Sage Northcutt continue to live up to the hype?

This event is being billed as the “Paige and Sage” show as, along with Paige VanZant, the UFC is banking on 19-year-old Sage Northcutt to be a future star in the sport. He has been impressive in his young career with six wins by stoppage, and five coming in the first round. He may be young, but he is clearly ready for the UFC with his skills, and he brings in a lot of hype. It may not be as warranted, but he has the marketability that the UFC looks for when grooming a future star, and he has shown the skills to back it up, albeit against lesser competition. He had an impressive UFC debut, destroying Francisco Trevino in just 57 seconds at UFC 192 in October. Trevino made it easy for him, though, as he came in four pounds overweight, didn’t look like he cared too much, didn’t put up much of a fight, complained when the fight was stopped, and, to top it all off, failed a drug test and was later released from the UFC.

Northcutt is going to be built up the right way by taking on lesser competition until you can no longer avoid giving him top-flight opponents. He is taking on Cody Pfister on Thursday night, a solid fighter, but one that doesn’t have the look of being a future contender. Pfister is 12-4-1 in his career and has just one loss in his last ten fights after starting his career 4-3, and he does train with a solid camp in the Team Takedown camp. He is just 1-1 in his UFC tenure and is coming off a decision win over Yosdenis Cedeno at UFC 189 in July. He is the perfect opponent for Northcutt at this point. The question is whether Northcutt is too overhyped. He has gotten a lot of attention in the last two months since his UFC debut, and he has gone and trained at other camps in the meantime. Whether how all of this fame, hype and change in fight status will affect him remains to be seen, but he gets the bigger stage to show if he will continue to live up to the hype, or if he just isn’t ready for the limelight yet. Pfister, despite being groomed as someone who is being fed, isn’t taking this lightly, but I see Northcutt getting the job done and continuing his path.

3. Who wins in a solid co-main event scrap when Jim Miller and Michael Chiesa do battle?

Lost in the shuffle of the hype behind Paige VanZant and Sage Northcutt is an excellent co-main event scrap in the lightweight division as UFC veteran Jim Miller makes his 21st appearance inside the Octagon to take on former “Ultimate Fighter” winner Michael Chiesa, winner of five of seven in the UFC. It will be the biggest fight to date for Chiesa, who is coming off a dominant decision win over Mitch Clarke in April. Chiesa’s only losses in the UFC have come to Jorge Masvidal and Joe Lauzon, a fight that was controversially stopped due to a cut. In Miller, he has an opponent who has scored 14 wins during his UFC career, but he has also scored just five wins in his last ten bouts after being very close to scoring a chance at earning a title shot at 155 pounds. Miller got back on track with a close split decision win over Danny Castillo in July.

These two men have similar fighting styles with wrestling and takedowns as their primary strengths to go along with solid submission skills. Both men grind their opponents, and it is an interesting clash of styles. Both men fight as southpaws, but land roughly the same amount of strikes with the same type of accuracy. Chiesa’s takedown game may be a little stronger as he averages more over the course of a fight, and he has shown better defense. Chiesa will also have a five-inch height advantage and a four-inch reach advantage, and he will want to exploit his length over Miller. Miller hits a little harder and mixes his kicks and knees in well. This is a tough fight to predict as the betting odds have it as pretty much a pick ’em. It will be Miller’s Octagon experience against the gritty nature of Chiesa in what should be an excellent fight. I like Miller just a little bit more to score the win due to his experience, but Chiesa is going to make it a battle.

4. Why is Aljamain Sterling in the prelims?

No offense to any other fighter competing on this card, but the best fighter fighting on the UFC Fight Night 80 card is buried way down in the preliminary card, and that is rising bantamweight prospect Aljamain Sterling. A product of the Serra-Longo fight team in New York, Sterling is a perfect 11-0 in his career, with his last three wins coming after signing with the UFC as an injury replacement in early 2014. He has scored wins over Cody Gibson, Hugo Viana and Takeya Mizugaki in his UFC career, and he has been dominant in all of his fights. He has scored seven of his eleven wins by stoppage, and alongside Thomas Almeida, he is looked at to be the future of the UFC bantamweight division. He has been inactive for a while, whether it be due to injury or the UFC matchmakers having trouble finding him an opponent and spot on a card.

Sterling deserves to be showcased on the main card. He is extremely talented and will likely fight for the title within the next two years. He had to campaign hard to get on a fight card, and his fight was the last fight put together for this card. The UFC realized they were making a mistake in not featuring him prominently, and made him a late addition to the open workouts for this event. He has an extremely tough opponent in Johnny Eduardo, who has 36 professional bouts in his career. Eduardo has scored wins in 13 of his last 14 fights, but injuries have limited him to just three fights in the last four years. Eduardo hasn’t fought since a May 2014 knockout win over Eddie Wineland, but it was his most impressive performance to date inside the Octagon. This is one fight that has been flying under the radar for this crazy fight week. Sterling deserved to be on the main card, and really, this fight did as well. He will show why when he steps into the Octagon on Thursday night.

5. What else on the card is there to keep an eye on?

Rounding out the main card for this UFC Fight Pass exclusive event is a former “TUF” winner, as “TUF: Nations” middleweight winner Elias Theodorou puts his perfect 11-0 record on the line against Thiago Santos. Theodorou is coming off a big TKO win over Roger Narvaez at UFC 185 in March, and he is a solid prospect at 185 pounds. He gets a big test in Santos, who has won three of his last four fights, and is coming off one of the best knockouts of the year, a head kick knockout of Steve Bosse at UFC Fight Night 70 in June. Headlining the preliminary portion of the card is a solid welterweight bout as Tim Means looks to get back into the win column following a loss to Matt Brown when he takes on John Howard, who got back into the win column after ending his three-fight losing skid when he scored a split decision win over Cathal Pendred at UFC 189 in July.

Three other fighters to keep an eye on during the preliminary card are Antonio Carlos Junior, Danny Roberts and Kailin Curran. Carlos Junior is a former “TUF: Brazil” winner as a heavyweight, and has since moved down to 185 pounds, where he has a huge size advantage. However, he utilized IV’s, and this will be his first fight without them, so it will be interesting to see how that effects him. Roberts is making his UFC debut with an 11-1 record and on the heels of five straight wins. He has an excellent mix of skills and has scored nine of his wins by stoppage. Curran is still in search of her first UFC win, having dropped both of her prior UFC bouts. She was in a heated battle with Paige VanZant in her UFC debut, and was dominating her fight with Alex Chambers before being submitted late in the fight. She has a lot of potential and just five career bouts, but gets a favorable match-up taking on Emily Kagan in the opening bout.

Full UFC Fight Night 80 Fight Card, Betting Odds and Predictions

MAIN CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 10 PM ET/7 PM PT)

Women’s Strawweights: (#3) Rose Namajunas vs. (#7) Paige VanZant
Betting Odds: Namajunas (+160), VanZant (-185)
Prediction: VanZant by submission in round 4

Lightweights: (#14) Jim Miller vs. Michael Chiesa
Betting Odds: Miller (+105), Chiesa (-125)
Prediction: Miller by decision

Lightweights: Sage Northcutt vs. Cody Pfister
Betting Odds: Northcutt (-1250), Pfister (+800)
Prediction: Northcutt by knockout in round 1

Middleweights: Elias Theodorou vs. Thiago Santos
Betting Odds: Theodorou (-250), Santos (+210)
Prediction: Theodorou by knockout in round 2

PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS- 6:45 PM ET/3:45 PM PT)

Welterweights: Tim Means vs. John Howard
Betting Odds: Means (-335), Howard (+275)
Prediction: Howard by decision

Welterweights: Omari Akhmedov vs. Sergio Moraes
Betting Odds: Akhmedov (-140), Moraes (+120)
Prediction: Akhmedov by knockout in round 2

Middleweights: Antonio Carlos Junior vs. Kevin Casey
Betting Odds: Carlos Junior (-290), Casey (+245)
Prediction: Carlos Junior by submission in round 3

Bantamweights: (#5) Aljamain Sterling vs. (#10) Johnny Eduardo
Betting Odds: Sterling (-700), Eduardo (+500)
Prediction: Sterling by submission in round 2

Welterweights: Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Andreas Stahl
Betting Odds: Ponzinibbio (-190), Stahl (+165)
Prediction: Ponzinibbio by decision

Welterweights: Danny Roberts vs. Nathan Coy
Betting Odds: Roberts (-155), Coy (+135)
Prediction: Roberts by knockout in round 1

Featherweights: Zubaira Tukhugov vs. Phillipe Nover
Betting Odds: Tukhugov (-330), Nover (+270)
Prediction: Tukhugov by decision

Women’s Strawweights: Kailin Curran vs. Emily Kagan
Betting Odds: Curran (-350), Kagan (+290)
Prediction: Curran by submission in round 2

Joanne Calderwood out, Rose Namajunas in against Paige VanZant at UFC Fight Night 80

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

UFC Fight Night 80 has undergone a big change in the headline bout. Paige VanZant (6-1, 3-0 UFC) will make her first main event appearance, but her opponent, Joanne Calderwood (10-1, 2-1 UFC), has been forced out and will be replaced by Rose Namajunas (3-2, 1-1 UFC). The change was first reported on the Team Alpha Male radio show, Stud Show Radio, and was confirmed today by UFC President Dana White.

An official reason wasn’t given for the change in the main event, though it is said that Calderwood was forced out due to injury.

VanZant will be looking to remain undefeated inside the Octagon in her first headline bout as she is coming off a win over Alex Chambers at UFC 191 in September. She also holds wins over Felice Herrig and Kailin Curran during her UFC career. She is currently ranked sixth in the UFC’s official rankings in the women’s strawweight division.

Namajunas, currently ranked third in the UFC’s official rankings, will be looking to score her second straight win after submitting Angela Hill at UFC 192 earlier this month. It was her first appearance since being submitted by Carla Esparza in the inaugural UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship bout in December. Despite already having fought for the championship, she actually has less overall experience than her opponent, VanZant.

VanZant and Namajunas are two of the youngest fighters in the division with VanZant having just turned 21-years-old and Namajunas being 23-years-old.

UFC Fight Night 80 takes place on December 10 from The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the entire event will be streamed on UFC Fight Pass. The event kicks off three straight nights of UFC events in the fight capital of the world, capped off with UFC 194 headlined by Jose Aldo against Conor McGregor.