Tag: tj dillashaw

UFC 280 live results: Oliveira vs. Makhachev, Sterling vs. Dillashaw

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 280: Oliveira vs. Makhachev, emanating from the Etihad Arena in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

The Octagon is back in Abu Dhabi for the first time in a year with another big pay-per-view event, with two title fights and one of the best overall cards of the year.

The UFC Lightweight Championship is up for grabs in the main event, with former champion Charles Oliveira battling Islam Makhachev for the vacant title. Oliveira was the title holder until the day before UFC 274 in May, where he missed weight and was stripped of the title. He went on to defeat Justin Gaethje the next night, his 11th straight win. Makhachev extended his win streak to ten with a win over Bobby Green in February, setting up a battle for the championship here.

I the co-main event, UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling looks to hold onto the gold when he defends against former UFC Bantamweight Champion TJ Dillashaw. Sterling became the undisputed champion with a decision win over Petr Yan at UFC 273 in April. Dillashaw fights for the first time in a year after being sidelined with a knee injury, and is coming off a win over Cory Sandhagen in his last fight.

Also on the main card is an exciting bantamweight match-up as former UFC Bantamweight Champion Petr Yan takes on the super popular Sean O’Malley in a big test for both men. Lightweight contenders Beneil Dariush and Mateusz Gamrot also square off in a fight that could play a role in the future title picture, plus a women’s flyweight battle of contenders Katlyn Chookagian in the main card opener. A strong preliminary card is capped off with a big welterweight fight as Belal Muhammad puts his eight-fight unbeaten streak up against the undefeated Sean Brady.

Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 10:30 a.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 NEWS PRELIMS | 10:30 AM ET/7:30 AM PT

> Women’s Bantamweights- #9 Karol Rosa (15-4, 4-1 UFC) vs. #12 Lina Lansberg (10-6, 4-5 UFC)

Lansberg lands a right hand that puts Rosa on her butt but Rosa gets up. Lansberg with a jab to the body and then lands another overhand right. They clinch against the fence. Rosa gets the takedown and is in the half-guard. Rosa with some punches from the top. Rosa is working from the top trying to set up a choke. Rosa trying to get the mount late but ends the round landing from the top. 10-9 Rosa.

Rosa gets an immediate takedown. She’s in the half-guard and is landing from the top. Rosa with elbows and punches from the top to the head and body. Rosa stands and lands a leg kick as she looks to get back on top. Rosa with more leg kicks from the standing position. Lansberg tries to get up and Rosa lands a knee that might have been illegal as there is a timeout. Yes, the knee was still down and it was an illegal blow. Rosa gets a point taken away. They get back to action and Lansberg lands a right hand. Rosa gets the takedown. Rosa in the half-guard landing and looking to improve. Rosa stands at the end. 9-9 with the point deduction to Rosa, 19-18 Rosa.

Rosa lands a right hand. Rosa grabs the Thai clinch and lands a couple of knees. They tie up against the fence and Rosa has control. Lansberg lands some knees and Rosa is landing knees to Lansberg’s legs. Rosa with a knee to the body. Rosa continues to land and they break. They trade shots before tying back up. They trade elbows and Rosa lands a ight hand as they break. Rosa with an elbow and then lands a combo before they tie up but they quickly break. Rosa misses a right but they tie up. They break and Lansberg with a back elbow. 10-9 Rosa, 29-27 Rosa.

Official Result- Karol Rosa def. Lina Lansberg by majority decision (29-27, 29-27, 28-28)

> Flyweights- Muhammad Mokaev (7-0 1 NC, 2-0 UFC) vs. Malcolm Gordon (14-5, 2-2 UFC)

Mokaev with a body kick as Gordon was pressing forward. Gordon lands a right hand. Mokaev with a right hand then a flying knee and a head kick. They clinch and Mokaev gets the takedown. Mokaev looks for the neck but they get up and Mokaev gets it back down but they stand. Mokaev gets it back to the mat. Mokaev working from the top and lands some body shots and has neck control. Mokaev gets in the full guard of Gordon. Mokaev ends the round dominant from the top. 10-9 Mokaev.

They both come forward throwing kicks. Mokaev kind of show boating here. Mokaev with a side kick. Gordon lands a right hand and Mokaev is able to get the takedown. Mokaev is in the guard of Gordon and lands. Mokaev rolls and they scramble but Mokaev is able to remain on the top. Mokaev looking for a D’Arce choke as Gordon rolls and Mokaev ends up in side control. Mokaev back into the half-guard. Gordon reverses to the top and is in the guard of Mokaev. Mokaev trying for the triangle but Gordon now landing punches. Gordon gets the back and looked for the rear-naked choke late. 10-9 Mokaev, 20-18 Mokaev.

Mokaev gets the immediate takedown and is in the guard of Gordon at the fence. Mokaev working from the top but they get to their feet. Gordon has the back and gets the takedown and looks to get the hooks in. Gordon working for a choke from the back. Mokaev scrambles out but Gordon ends up on top. Mokaev lands some punches from the bottom. They get to their feet and Mokaev is working for the takedown and gets it. Mokaev is on top but Gordon lands some elbows from the bottom. Mokaev with some body punches. Mokaev gets the back and locks in an armbar and gets Gordon to tap! Slick transition to get the finish for the talented prospect.

Official Result- Muhammad Mokaev def. Malcolm Gordon by submission (armbar) at 4:26 of Round 3

> Middleweights- Armen Petrosyan (6-2, 1-1 UFC) vs. AJ Dobson (6-1 1 NC, 0-1 UFC)

Petrosyan with a leg kick. Petrosyan lands a kick and Dobson grabs it and gets it down but they get up as Dobson lets go. They trade in close range. Dobson lands a right hand. Dobson with a leg kick. Petrosyan with a leg kick. They continue to trade on the feet and Petrosyan is mainly landing leg and body kicks. Petrosyan with some more leg kicks. Dobson gets a takedown but they quickly get to their feet and Dobson lands a knee. Petrosyan with an elbow. 10-9 Petrosyan.

Petrosyan landing combos to start as he continues to land the leg kicks. Petrosyan lands the jab and then lands a right hand. He lands another. Petrosyan with a leg kick. Petrosyan lands some counter lefts and is still working the leg kicks. They trade in close and in the clinch and Dobson gets a takedown but they scramble up to their feet. Dobson lands a right hand. Petrosyan with a body kick. They trade right hands. 10-9 Petrosyan, 20-18 Petrosyan.

Petrosyan with a leg kick as they trade jabs. Petrosyan with a left hook. Petrosyan with a body kick. They trade in close range and Dobson lands a nice left hand. Petrosyan with a body kick. Petrosyan lands a combo. They’re just trading with Petrosyan landing more volume but not a ton is happening. Dobson lands a counter right hand. Petrosyan with a body kick. 10-9 Petrosyan, 30-27 Petrosyan.

Official Result- Armen Petrosyan def. AJ Dobson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Welterweights- Abubakar Nurmagomedov (16-3-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Gadzhi Omargadzhiev (13-1, 0-1 UFC)

They trade kicks. Nurmagomedov looks for the takedown but Omargadzhiev grabs the neck to stop it and is threatening with the guillotine. Omargadzhiev with some knees and they break. They trade and Omargadzhiev gets a takedown. Omargadzhiev grabs the neck and looks for a guillotine but Nurmagomedov ends up in the half-guard. Nurmagomedov in the full guard of Omargadzhiev as Omargadzhiev lets go of the neck. Nurmagomedov landing from the top and they get to their feet. They stay tied up at the end. 10-9 Nurmagomedov.

Nurmagomedov with a body kick. He gets the takedown and has the back of Omargadzhiev against the fence. Nurmagomedov lands some knees and then lands an illegal knee. We have a timeout. They get back to action with no point taken away. Omargadzhiev throws a right hand and Nurmagomedov is able to get a takedown. He gets the back of Omargadzhiev. They scramble up but get back down then Nurmagomedov stands, but lands a right hand as he goes into the guard of Omargadzhiev. He ends the round on top landing. 10-9 Nurmagomedov, 20-18 Nurmagomedov.

Nurmagomedov lands the jab. He lands again. Both looking for openings as they’re being patient and not doing a lot. Nurmagomedov looks for the takedown but Omargadzhiev sprawls. They break and Omargadzhiev lands a knee and Nurmagomedov lands a counter right hand. Nurmagomedov with a right hand to the body and Omargadzhiev shoots for the takedown. He’s still trying for it. Nurmagomedov escapes and they stand. Omargadzhiev with a body kick. Nurmagomedov clips Omargadzhiev with a right hand. 10-9 Nurmagomedov, 30-27 Nurmagomedov.

Official Result- Abubakar Nurmagomedov def. Gadzhi Omargadzhiev by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

> Light Heavyweights- #8 Volkan Oezdemir (18-6, 6-5 UFC) vs. #10 Nikita Krylov (28-9, 9-7 UFC)

Oezdemir landing early as he’s coming forward. Krylov with a body kick. Oezdemir with a right hand. Oezdemir rocking Krylov with punches and Krylov is trying for a takedown. They break. Oezdemir with a leg kick. Oezdemir with some short uppercuts. Krylov tries a takedown and is able to complete it. They quickly get up, though. They break. Krylov with a right hand. Oezdemir with a leg kick. Oezdemir with a left hook. Krylov lands a knee and rocks Oezdemir with a right hand. Krylov now swarms looking to land. Krylov drags it down and has the back. Krylov looking for the rear-naked choke. Oezdemir is out but Krylov is on top. They get up and Oezdemir gets a throw takedown and is standing. Oezdemir gets on top and is landing left hands. They get to their feet. Wild round. 10-9 Oezdemir.

They’re trading big shots to start the second. Krylov lands a head kick and lands a flurry. Krylov gets the takedown. Krylov gets the back and they get to their feet. Krylov still has back control and lands punches and a high kick as they break. Krylov lands some knees. Krylov with an uppercut then lands a combination and scores a takedown. Krylov in the guard of Oezdemir. Krylov landing to the head and body from the top. He finishes the round on top. 10-9 Krylov, 19-19.

Krylov with a leg kick then lands a combo ending with a high kick. Krylov with a combo and some knees. Krylov gets a takedown. Krylov working from the top. He’s landing. They get stood up by the referee. Krylov with a flurry against the fence and scores a takedown. He’s working in the guard of Oezdemir. Krylov lands from the top. 10-9 Krylov, 29-28 Krylov.

Official Result- Nikita Krylov def. Volkan Oezdemir by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

> Middleweights- Makhmud Muradov (25-7, 3-1 UFC) vs. Caio Borralho (12-1 1 NC, 2-0 UFC)

Borralho lands a jab. Borralho misses a high kick. Muradov with a right hand. Borralho with a leg kick. Borralho with a jab as Muradov lands a body kick. Muradov with a right hand. Borralho gets the takedown and jumps on top. Borralho in the half-guard against the fence. Borralho landing from the top. Borralho in the mount against the fence. Borralho with right hands from the top. Borralho went for the armbar but Muradov escaped and they scramble. Muradov now on top but Borralho lands an upkick and Muradov is standing. Muradov gets into the guard of Borralho. Muradov is warned for fingers in the face. Muradov with a right hand at the end. 10-9 Borralho.

They trade and Muradov goes for a takedown and Borralho locks in a guillotine choke that is in tight but Muradov escapes. Muradov is now in the guard of Borralho and both are doing some shady things on the ground. Muradov landing punches from the top. Muradov with some more shots from the top. Borralho reverses late. 10-9 Muradov, 19-19.

Borralho lands a left hand. Borralho with a side kick. Borralho shoots for a takedown from long range and Muradov easily defends. Muradov gets the takedown and Borralho looks for the guillotine. Borralho is able to reverse to the mount position. Muradov tries to explode from the bottom but Borralho retains guard position. Muradov tries to push Borralho off but Borralho remains on top. Muradov with a right hand from the bottom. Borralho with shots from the top. 10-9 Borralho, 29-28 Borralho.

Official Result- Caio Borralho def. Makhmud Muradov by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Welterweights- #5 Belal Muhammad (21-3 1 NC, 12-3 1 NC UFC) vs. #8 Sean Brady (15-0, 5-0 UFC)

Brady with some inside leg kicks. Muhammad with a right hand. Brady lands a right hand and is working the jab. Brady with a leg kick. Brady with a combo. Muhammad with a high kick. Brady with a leg kick. Brady with a body kick. Muhammad lands a body kick. Muhammad with a leg kick. Brady looks for a takedown but lets go. Muhammad with a combo. Brady lands a left hook. Muhammad with a right hand. Brady lands a counter shot. Brady with a right hand that hurts Muhammad, then Muhammad lands a right hand. Muhammad with another right hand. Brady with a right hand and they trade body kicks. Brady with a left hook. Muhammad with a right hand. Muhammad with a big flurry against the fence. Close round. 10-9 Brady.

Muhammad pressing forward and lands a left hook. Muhammad with a leg kick then a combo. Brady with a leg kick. Brady lands the jab. Muhammad with a right hand and Brady lands a body kick. Brady lands a hard right hand and Muhammad counters with a crisp combo. Muhammad with a right hand. Brady with a leg kick. Muhammad with a body kick. Brady with a left hook. Brady shoots for a takedown but Muhammad defends. Brady with a body kick. Brady with a flurry. Muhammad lands a combo. Muhammad is the one pressuring but both are landing. Brady tries a takedown but Muhammad defends and lands on the break. Brady with the jab. Muhammad with a big right hand and he’s landing a big flurry against the fence. Muhammad with lots of punches and he’s swarming on Brady. Muhammad with a massive right hand and then an uppercut. Muhammad lands a right hand and the referee steps in and stops it. Brady protested immediately but what a flurry from Muhammad to close it out.

Official Result- Belal Muhammad def. Sean Brady by TKO (punches) at 4:47 of Round 2

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> Women’s Flyweights*- #1 Katlyn Chookagian (18-4, 11-4 UFC) vs. #6 Manon Fiorot (9-1, 4-0 UFC)

*Chookagian missed weight by 1.5 pounds

Chookagian tries a front kick to avoid the attack of Fiorot. Fiorot lands a right hand then a combo. Chookagian with a leg kick. They trade in close range. Chookagian with a leg kick. Fiorot with a right hook and they trade punches. Fiorot with a side kick and Chookagian lands a counter combo. Chookagian with a right hand. She lands another. Fiorot with a push kick. Chookagian lands a front kick. Fiorot with a right hand. Chookagian with a right hand. Chookagian with a body kick. Chookagian with a leg kick. 10-9 Chookagian.

Fiorot with a side kick then a combo. Fiorot with a right hand after they trade kicks. Fiorot with a combo. Chookagian with a right hand. Chookagian with a body kick. Fiorot with a right hook. Fiorot lands the jab. Chookagian is missing most of what she is throwing. Fiorot with a leg kick. Chookagian lands a right hand. They trade in close range. Fiorot lands a right hand. Fiorot with a left hand. Chookagian with a body kick. Fiorot with a combo. Chookagian with the jab. Fiorot with a combo. Fiorot lands some more left hands. 10-9 Fiorot, 19-19.

Fiorot with a combo. Chookagian lands a right hand. They trade inside the pocket. They both are landing and it’s very close on the volume in the third. Fiorot mainly landing the right hand. They’re both landing and Chookagian with a leg kick. Fiorot gets a takedown. They quickly get up and trade body kicks. They clinch late and Fiorot with a knee to the body. Close fight. 10-9 Fiorot, 29-28 Fiorot.

Official Result- Manon Fiorot def. Katlyn Chookagian by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Lightweights- #6 Beneil Dariush (21-4-1, 14-4-1 UFC) vs. #9 Mateusz Gamrot (21-1 1 NC, 4-1 UFC)

Dariush lands some body kicks. Dariush with a leg kick as Gamrot drops for a takedown and they scramble all over the mat. Dariush rolls to a leg lock. They get to their feet and Gamrot has the back but they break. Gamrot lands a left hand. Gamrot with a left hand and Dariush lands a leg kick. Dariush with a leg kick and Gamrot gets a takedown. Dariush looks for a leg and it allows them to scramble up. Gamrot has the back and lands an elbow as they break. Gamrot tries a takedown and they go to the mat. Gamrot trying to clear the arm of Dariush to secure the takedown. They get to their feet and break. Dariush with a body kick. Dariush with some body kicks. 10-9 Gamrot.

Dariush looks for a takedown but Gamrot defends and lands a knee to the body as they get up. Dariush with a body kick and Gamrot lands a combo. Dariush lands a knee. Gamrot tries a takedown but Dariush escapes. Dariush with a body kick. Gamrot lands a right hand and a knee to the body. Dariush with a body kick. Dariush with a leg kick and follows it with a left hand. Gamrot with a takedown attempt but Dariush defends. Dariush lands a left hand. They continue to trade and Gamrot lands a knee and gets a late takedown. 10-9 Dariush, 19-19.

Gamrot looks for a takedown but Dariush counters it and they scramble before getting to their feet. Dariush lands a head kick. Dariush with a body kick. Gamrot with a right hand. Gamrot tries a takedown and is working hard for it but Dariush is defending and they break. Gamrot with a body kick. Dariush drops Gamrot with a huge left hand and Gamrot scrambles to try and get a takedown but Dariush defends. Gamrot with a flying knee and tries a takedown but Dariush defends and gets the back, but Gamrot slips out and they end up scrambling up. They trade late. 10-9 Dariush, 29-28 Dariush.

Official Result- Beneil Dariush def. Mateusz Gamrot by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Bantamweights- #1 Petr Yan (16-3, 8-2 UFC) vs. #11 Sean O’Malley (15-1 1 NC, 7-1 1 NC UFC)

O’Malley throwing low kicks early. Yan with a leg kick. Yan with a low kick. O’Malley lands a left hand. Yan with a body kick. O’Malley with a leg kick. Yan with a leg kick and O’Malley lands a right hand then a leg kick and another right hand. Yan with a body kick. O’Malley with another right hand. O’Malley with the jab and Yan with a leg kick. O’Malley with a stiff jab. Yan shoots for a takedown and O’Malley is defending and it looked like he grabbed the fence. They break. They trade punches. Yan with a leg kick. O’Malley working the jab and Yan with a left hand. Yan lands and looks for a takedown and is able to get it. Yan lands from the top but they get to their feet and break. Yan with a leg kick. O’Malley gets a late takedown but they get up. 10-9 Yan.

O’Malley with a right hand. O’Malley lands a big right hand that hurts Yan and then Yan lands a left hand that hurts O’Malley and they go to the mat with Yan on top. Yan with some punches from the top. O’Malley tries to scramble up but Yan keeps him down. They get to their feet and Yan with a knee to the body. Yan working hard for the takedown but they break. O’Malley with a right hand. Yan trips O’Malley to the mat but he gets up. O’Malley with a right hand. Yan with the jab. O’Malley with a body kick. Yan with a body kick and O’Malley lands a right hand. Yan gets a takedown. Yan ends the round on top. 10-9 Yan, 20-18 Yan.

O’Malley with an early leg kick and looking to work the jab. Yan with a right hand. O’Malley with a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Yan looks for a takedown but O’Malley defends. O’Malley lands a knee and lands some shots and Yan is cut open. O’Malley with a flurry. They trade inside the pocket and Yan lands a huge left hand. O’Malley with a big head kick. Yan shoots for the takedown but O’Malley defends. Yan still working for it against the fence. O’Malley with some elbows. Yan gets it down. They get to their feet and Yan is bleeding everywhere and they break the clinch. O’Malley with a right hand. They trade inside the pocket and Yan tries for a takedown and they scramble away. Yan with a leg kick and O’Malley tried to rush in and Yan got a takedown. Great fight. 10-9 O’Malley, 29-28 Yan.

Official Result- Sean O’Malley def. Petr Yan by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

> UFC Bantamweight Championship- C Aljamain Sterling (21-3, 13-3 UFC) vs. #2 TJ Dillashaw (17-4, 13-4 UFC)

Sterling gets a takedown right away and Dillashaw looks hurt. Sterling in the mount and is looking to set something up. Sterling with some punches from the top and Dillashaw is having trouble defending. Sterling with big right hands from the top. Big shots from Sterling and he takes the back. Sterling looking for the choke. Sterling with more big shots and an elbow and they scramble. Sterling gets the back again and is landing left hands. Sterling with big shots and he’s keeping Dillashaw on the mat but they get to their feet. Dillashaw’s shoulder is popped out. Sterling gets the takedown. Sterling with shots from the top and they stand late. 10-8 Sterling.

They popped Dillashaw’s shoulder back in between rounds. Sterling with a body kick. Dillashaw looks to be fighting with one arm and Sterling gets the takedown. Sterling working from the top and landing punches and elbows. They get to their feet and Dillashaw’s shoulder is back out and Sterling gets it back down. Sterling in the mount and is landing big punches and elbows and he finishes Dillashaw off. Big win for Sterling as he keeps the title.

Official Result- Aljamain Sterling def. TJ Dillashaw by TKO (punches) at 3:34 of Round 2 to retain the UFC Bantamweight Championship

> UFC Lightweight Championship- #1 Charles Oliveira (33-8 1 NC, 21-8 1 NC UFC) vs. #4 Islam Makhachev (22-1, 11-1 UFC)

Oliveira with a flying kick to start. Makhachev lands a left hand. They tie up and Oliveira pulls guard and Makhachev lands from the top. Oliveira is cut open. Both landing on the mat as Oliveira has an active guard. They get to their feet and are clinched against the fence. They trade knees and Makhachev gets a trip takedown. Makhachev working from the top but not doing a ton as he has Oliveira pressed against the fence. Makhachev gets to his feet and looks to improve as the round ends. 10-9 Makhachev.

They tie up right away against the fence and Makhachev lands some knees. They break after Oliveira lands a knee to the body. They trade punches. Makhachev with a combo. Makhachev with a head kick but Oliveira blocks it. Makhachev drops Oliveira with a right hand as Oliveira tried a flying knee. Makhachev gets on top and is looking for an arm-triangle and has it locked in and Oliveira taps! Makhachev wins the lightweight title with the finish.

Official Result- Islam Makhachev def. Charles Oliveira by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 3:16 of Round 2 to win the UFC Lightweight Championship

UFC on ESPN 27 live results: Cory Sandhagen vs. TJ Dillashaw

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC on ESPN 27: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw, emanating from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Fans are allowed into the UFC APEX for the first time for this event, and the UFC is treating them to an interesting bantamweight bout that has been very anticipated, which features a former champion returning in a fight that could have title shot implications on the line.

Second-ranked bantamweight Cory Sandhagen looks to earn a title shot as he welcomes back former two-time UFC Bantamweight Champion TJ Dillashaw to the Octagon. Sandhagen is coming off back-to-back knockout wins over Frankie Edgar and Marlon Moraes, and has won nine of his last ten. Dillashaw returns from a two-year USADA suspension, last seen in action on the losing end of a 32-second knockout loss to Henry Cejudo in January 2019 in his quest to become a two-division champion.

Also on the main card, Kyler Phillips squares off with Raulian Paiva in a bantamweight bout, featherweights Darren Elkins and Darrick Minner meet, women’s flyweight prospects Miranda Maverick and Maycee Barber do battle, and exciting bantamweight prospects Adrian Yanez and Randy Costa open the main card.

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

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> Diana Belbita (13-6, 0-2 UFC) vs. Hannah Goldy (5-1, 0-1 UFC)
Women’s Strawweights

Belbita with a combo and a leg kick to start. They trade and Goldy throwing high kicks which are landing. They trade kicks. Goldy with another high kick and Belbita with a low kick. They trade kicks. They trade and clinch against the fence. They break and both looking for openings. Belbita with a leg kick. Belbita drops Goldy with a right hand and lands some punches but Goldy gets up and Belbita is still teeing off and lands some punches and a big right hand. Goldy able to survive and gets a takedown. They get to their feet and break. They trade kicks and Belbita with a combo. They clinch and trade knees. Goldy landing more knees as she controls. They break and Belbita lands a big combo at the end. 10-9 Belbita.

Goldy throwing the high kick as Belbita is landing the leg kick. They trade punches. Goldy lands a combo. Belbita lands a right hand. They clinch and both land before breaking but they clinch back up. Goldy lands a knee. They trade knees. Goldy landing some knees. They break. Belbita with a leg kick. They trade in close range. Belbita with a left hook to the body. Goldy lands a right hand. Belbita lands the jab. Belbita lands a combo and Goldy lands a nice head kick. They trade late. 10-9 Belbita, 20-18 Belbita.

They trade to start the third. They continue to trade punches. Belbita with a high kick. Belbita with a leg kick. Goldy lands a right hand. Belbita rocks Goldy with a right hand and lands a bunch of follow-up punches but Goldy survives and looks for a takedown but they clinch. They trade foot stomps. They break and Goldy with a high kick. They trade in close range. Goldy gets a takedown and gets the mount and is landing big punches and elbows at the end but can’t get the finish. 10-9 Goldy, 29-28 Belbita. 

Official Result- Diana Belbita def. Hannah Goldy by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Sijara Eubanks (#13 WBW, 6-6, 4-4 UFC) vs. Elise Reed (4-0, 0-0 UFC)
Women’s Flyweights

Eubanks gets a takedown and is working from the top. She looks for a kimura but turns back to landing punches. Eubanks gets the mount and is landing punches and elbows. Eubanks moves to side control and lands and then goes back to the half-guard and gets back the mount and starts landing punches and gets the finish. Dominant win by Eubanks.

Official Result- Sijara Eubanks def. Elise Reed by TKO (punches) at 3:49 of Round 1

> Julio Arce (16-4, 3-2 UFC) vs. Andre Ewell (17-7, 4-3 UFC)
Bantamweights

Ewell with the jab. Arce with a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Ewell with a body kick. Ewell with a front kick and Arce grabs the leg and lands a left hand. Arce with a combo. Both are landing but Arce is pushing forward more. Arce lands a nice combo. Arce lands more in close range but Ewell landed a couple of shots. Ewell with a leg kick. Ewell with a leg kick. Arce with a flurry in close and they clinch and they stay there until the horn to end the first. 10-9 Arce.

Ewell with a leg kick. Both landing punches and Arce with a leg kick. Arce with a left hook to the body. Both missing their punching opportunities. Arce with a leg kick. Arce rocks Ewell with a left hand and Ewell is hurt and wobbly. Arce then starts unloading with punches and the fight is stopped. Big standing TKO finish by Arce.

Official Result- Julio Arce def. Andre Ewell by TKO (punches) at 3:45 of Round 2

> Mickey Gall (6-3, 5-3 UFC) vs. Jordan Williams (9-4 1 NC, 0-1 UFC)
Welterweights

Williams with a leg kick. Williams with another leg kick and a combo. They clinch and Gall lands a right hand on the inside and gets a takedown. Gall went for a guillotine but they scrambled up. Gall lands a right hand and then looks for a takedown against the fence. He lands an elbow as they break. They each land a leg kick at the same time. Williams lands a left hand. They trade punches. We have an eye poke on Gall and a pause in the action. They trade and Gall lands a right hand and Williams gets a takedown. Gall went for a guillotine but rolls to the mount and then gets the back and is looking for a choke. He has it locked in deep and Williams taps. Impressive stoppage by Gall.

Official Result- Mickey Gall def. Jordan Williams by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:57 of Round 1

> Nassourdine Imavov (9-3, 1-1 UFC) vs. Ian Heinisch (14-4, 3-3 UFC)
Middleweights

Imavov with a right hand and Heinisch clinches up against the fence. They break. Heinisch with a high kick. Heinisch with a leg kick. He lands two more. Imavov with the jab and tries a flying knee but lands a left hand and has the back. Imavov with some knees and tries a takedown and Heinisch gets warned about grabbing the fence. Imavov with an elbow as they stay tied up. They break and Heinisch has a cut. Imavov lands a right hand and Heinisch with a leg kick. Heinisch with an overhand right. He lands two leg kicks. Heinisch lands a left hand. Heinisch with a leg kick. He lands another. Heinisch with a hard leg kick and then another. They trade late. 10-9 Imavov.

Heinisch with a leg kick. They were trading and Imavov gets a takedown. They quickly work to their feet and break. Heinisch with a leg kick and Imavov lands a left hand. Imavov lands a knee. Imavov with a punch and Heinisch stumbles back and Imavov lands some punches to the body. Imavov lands a knee and Heinisch falls to his knee and Imavov starts pouring it on with punches and it is stopped. Big win for Imavov.

Official Result- Nassourdine Imavov def. Ian Heinisch by TKO (punches) at 3:09 of Round 2

> Punahele Soriano (8-0, 2-0 UFC) vs. Brendan Allen (16-4, 4-1 UFC)
Middleweights

Soriano with a high kick then another. Allen with a leg kick and a left hand. Soriano lands against the fence as Allen covers up. Allen with a body kick. Soriano with a nice left hand. Soriano with two more left hands. Allen with a body kick. Allen with a right hand to the body. Soriano with a combo. Soriano with a high kick then a left hand. Allen with a body kick and Soriano lands a counter right hand. Allen with a couple of knees. Allen with a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Soriano with a flurry and Allen counters with a hard right hand. Allen with a body kick. Soriano with a hard left hand. Allen with a body kick. 10-9 Soriano.

Allen with a body kick. Soriano with a left hand. Allen with a left hand to the body then a knee. Allen with a leg kick. Soriano with a left hand. Allen with a jumping knee then a right hand. Soriano with a left hand. Allen tries a takedown but Soriano defends. Allen with a body kick. Allen landing more now. Soriano with a left hand to the body. Allen with a right hand. Allen with a combo ending with a body kick. Allen with a right hand. Allen with a body kick. Soriano with a head kick but Allen blocks it. Soriano with a left hand. Allen with a body kick. 10-9 Allen, 19-19.

Allen with a leg kick. Allen with another body kick. Soriano backs him up with a left hand. Soriano with a high kick. Soriano with a left hand and then lands another. Allen with a body kick. Allen with a leg kick. Allen with another body kick. Allen with another body kick then another. Allen with a combo. Soriano lands a left hand. Allen with a right hand then a knee after Soriano lands. Allen with a body kick then a jumping knee. They trade late. 10-9 Allen, 29-28 Allen.

Official Result- Brendan Allen def. Punahele Soriano by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

ESPN MAIN CARD | 7 PM ET/4 PM PT

> Adrian Yanez (13-3, 2-0 UFC) vs. Randy Costa (6-1, 2-1 UFC)
Bantamweights

Costa throwing leg kicks. Costa with a jab. Costa landing lots of punches early as he’s landing the jab. Costa with a nice combo then lands a nice jab. Costa with a body kick and then landing the jab again. Costa continuing to land the jab. Costa with a right hand. Yanez has landed a few punches but Costa staying super active and really landing the jab then follows with a right hand. Yanez lands a right hand and is bleeding. Yanez with another right hand. Costa with a head kick. They both are landing but Costa with more volume. 10-9 Costa.

Costa with a leg kick. Yanez with a high kick and they trade in close range. Costa with a combo. They trade jabs. Yanez with a combo. Yanez with a combo and he’s pouring it on.Yanez with a combo to the body and Yanez lands an uppercut which drops Costa to his knees. Yanez with a flurry of punches on the ground and he’s pouring it on and gets the stoppage. What a comeback for Yanez after Costa controlled the fight early on.

Official Result- Adrian Yanez def. Randy Costa by TKO (punches) at 2:11 of Round 2

> Miranda Maverick (#13, 9-2, 2-0 UFC) vs. Maycee Barber (#14, 8-2, 3-2 UFC)
Women’s Flyweights

Barber with a right hand as Maverick lands a leg kick. Maverick with a high kick. Maverick with a leg kick. Maverick with a high kick that just misses. Maverick with a left hand. Maverick with an uppercut. Maverick with a combo then a high kick. They trade near the fence and Barber lands a left hook. Barber lands a right hand. Maverick with a body kick. Maverick with a left hand. Maverick with a body kick. Maverick wth another high body kick. 10-9 Maverick.

Maverick pressing forward to start the second and lands a body kick. Maverick with a leg kick. They trade in close range and clinch. Maverick lands some knees against the fence. They break and Barber lands a left hand on the break. Barber with a left hand and they clinch and Barber gets a takedown but Maverick has the whizzer and they scramble up. They clinch against the fence. They break and are trading. Maverick gets a quick takedown and has the back and is working for the choke. Maverick with the back and landing as the round ends. 10-9 Maverick, 20-18 Maverick.

Maverick with a leg kick. Barber with a leg kick. They clinch and Barber lands before they break. Maverick landing the kick as Barber is lunging in. They trade in close range and Maverick with a left hand. Barber lands a left hand. Barber gets a takedown and has the back and lands. Maverick gets to her feet. Barber gets Maverick back down but they stand and break. Barber lands after they break. Maverick with a left hand. They clinch and Barber has body control. Barber has control and lands a spinning elbow as they break. Maverick with a leg kick. They clinch at the end. 10-9 Barber, 29-28 Maverick.

Official Result- Maycee Barber def. Miranda Maverick by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

> Darren Elkins (25-9, 15-8 UFC) vs. Darrick Minner (26-11, 2-1 UFC)
Featherweights

Minner with a leg kick and Elkins lands a left hook. Minner with a right hand and grabs the neck looking for a guillotine. They break and Elkins looking for the takedown. He gets it and Minner looking for a front choke but Elkins escapes and is on top and lands. Minner now escapes to the back and ends up in the mount and looks for a mounted triangle choke. He has an armbar locked in but Elkins gets out of it. Elkins now looking for a choke but Minner escapes and looks for a choke. Minner with some big punches as he has the back. Elkins rolls to attack the legs but Minner lands some big elbows then some punches. Minner landing punches then gets in the guard of Elkins. Elkins with some short punches from his back. Minner with some short elbows. 10-9 Minner.

Minner gets an early takedown. Elkins tries for a guillotine but Minner spins out and takes the back of Elkins. Elkins then is able to get to the top and lands punches and now is attacking for an arm-triangle choke. Elkins with big punches as he has the crucifix position. Elkins with big punches and some elbows. Elkins with more big elbows and is in dominant position and in control. Elkins with left hands and Minner is just laying there. Elkins with a big flurry of punches. Elkins gets the back and is landing big punches from the back. Minner covering up but eating shots and it is stopped. Big comeback win for Elkins.

Official Result- Darren Elkins def. Darrick Minner by TKO (punches) at 3:48 of Round 2

> Kyler Phillips (#14, 9-1, 3-0 UFC) vs. Raulian Paiva (#12 FLW, 20-3, 2-2 UFC)
Bantamweights

Phillips with a body kick and Paiva lands some right hands. Phillips with a body kick and then drops Pavia with a left hand but lets him back up. Paiva lands a combo. Phillips lands and Paiva looks for a takedown. Phillips switches but Paiva able to get the back. They break. Phillips with a left hand and then lands a right hand. Paiva shoots for a takedown and Phillips lands and they stand and break. Phillips with a right hand and tries a wheel kick but falls to the mat and Paiva jumps on top. Phillips looks for a triangle but Paiva gets in his guard. Phillips escapes and gets on top in side control and gets to the mount but moves to half-guard and lands an elbow and some punches. They get to their feet and break. Phillips hurts Paiva with a right hand. He lands another. Phillips with a huge elbow and gets Paiva down and is landing big punches and elbows but Paiva survives the round. 10-8 Phillips.

Paiva swinging to start the second but Phillips avoids. Paiva ducks under a right hand and goes for a takedown but they scramble down and back up. Phillips with a left hand. Phillips with a leg kick. They both land right hands and Phillips falls for a moment and Paiva landing as Phillips circles away. Paiva with an uppercut to the body and is landing punches as they clinch. Paiva with a right hand. Phillips with a jumping knee to the body. Paiva looks for a takedown but they break. Phillips gets a takedown. They get up and Phillips has body control but they break. Phillips with a combo. Paiva has the body and lands some big right hands. They go to the mat and Phillips takes the back. Phillips landing punches. They break. Phillips with a big right hand. Paiva lands a big right hand. 10-9 Paiva, 19-18 Paiva.

Phillips tries a takedown but Paiva defends. Phillips with a leg kick. They both land right hands. Paiva with a combo. Phillips tries a takedown but Paiva defends and Phillips with a spinning back fist. Paiva with a combo. Phillips misses a spin kick but then scores a takedown. They scramble up. Paiva tries for a takedown and they scramble to the mat and Phillips is looking for an arm for a kimura but lets go. Paiva on top and lands a left hand. Paiva landing from the top. They scramble up and Phillips lands a right hand. 10-9 Paiva, 28-28.

Official Result- Raulian Paiva def. Kyler Phillips by majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)

> Cory Sandhagen (#2, 14-2, 7-1 UFC) vs. TJ Dillashaw (16-4, 12-4 UFC)
Bantamweights

Sandhagen with a leg kick. Dillashaw with a body kick then a leg kick. They trade punches. Sandhagen with a leg kick. Sandhagen tries a flying knee and Dillashaw catches him and Sandhagen looking for a reverse triangle choke. Dillashaw gets out and is on top. Both landing punches. Dillashaw now in top half control and lands punches but they get to their feet. Dillashaw has the back and is trying for a takedown. Sandhagen with a back elbow. Dillashaw with an elbow as they break. Sandhagen with a leg kick. Dillashaw with a left hand. They both land punches and Dillashaw with a leg kick. Dillashaw lands some right hands and gets the back against the fence. Dillashaw drags it down and Sandhagen grabs the arm but Dillashaw lands some hammerfists. Dillashaw with an elbow as Sandhagen is looking for an arm. Dillashaw with a right hand. Dillashaw with more punches from the top. 10-9 Dillashaw.

Sandhagen with a leg kick. They clinch against the fence as Dillashaw trying to find a takedown. They break. Dillashaw with a body kick. Dillashaw lands some left hands and Sandhagen counters with a combo. Dillashaw with a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Sandhagen lands two left hands and Dillashaw trips to the mat and tries a takedown as he scrambles up. Sandhagen with a big right hand. Dillashaw has a big cut open and we have a timeout to check it out. They get back to action and trade. Sandhagen with a flying knee and then a spinning elbow and a combo. Dillashaw lands two right hands. Dillashaw has to be having trouble with his vision with that cut. Dillashaw goes for a takedown and they tie up against the fence. Dillashaw has the back working hard for the takedown. 10-9 Sandhagen, 19-19.

Dillashaw lands some early punches that connected. Sandhagen with the jab. They trade body kicks. They clinch against the fence and Dillashaw looking for the takedown as he has the back. Sandhagen with an elbow. They break. They trade punches. Sandhagen lands a right hand. Dillashaw with a couple of leg kicks and Sandhagen lands some punches. Dillashaw with some more leg kicks. Sandhagen tries a spin kick and Dillashaw grabs him and takes him down and has the back. They scramble up to their feet. Dillashaw with a leg kick and then a right hand. Dillashaw with another leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Dillashaw with jab then a leg kick. Dillashaw pushes it against the fence and they break. Sandhagen goes for a takedown and Dillashaw gets the back and pushes it against the fence. Dillashaw with some short knees. He lands a knee to the head. Sandhagen with a back elbow. Dillashaw with some big punches late. 10-9 Dillashaw, 29-28 Dillashaw.

Dillashaw with a leg kick. He’s pressing forward. Dillashaw lands a left hand. They trade punches. Dillashaw with a leg kick and some more. Dillashaw with a leg kick and they clinch. Dillashaw has back control against the fence. They break. Sandhagen with a left hand. Dillashaw with a leg kick. Sandhagen lands a right hand. Dillashaw with a leg kick. They both land in close range. Dillashaw gets the back against the fence. Dillashaw with some knees to the legs. They break and both land in close. Sandhagen with some short punches and Dillashaw looks for a takedown and has back control against the fence. They break. Dillashaw with a right hand. Dillashaw with two leg kicks. He lands another. Sandhagen with a spinning backfist late. 10-9 Sandhagen, 38-38.

Dillashaw with some leg kicks. Dillashaw with some right hands and just misses a left hand. Dillashaw with a body kick. Dillashaw with a leg kick and a right hand. They trade in close range. Dillashaw gets a brief takedown and has the back against the fence as they get up. They break. Dillashaw tries for a takedown as he has the body lock against the fence. They break. Sandhagen with a left to the body. Sandhagen with a left. Dillashaw lands a couple of right hands. They both land punches. They trade again. Dillashaw tries for a takedown. They clinch against the fence. Dillashaw with a combo as they break. They both land in close range. Dillashaw bringing the pressure. Dillashaw with a big left hand and shoots for a takedown. Dillashaw with a leg kick after they break. Sandhagen with a body punch. They trade in close range. They trade late. Super close fight. 10-9 Dillashaw, 48-47 Dillashaw.

Official Result- TJ Dillashaw def. Cory Sandhagen by split decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47)

UFC’s TJ Dillashaw gets two year suspension from USADA

Posted on by Josh Nason

Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw was officially suspended for two years by USADA Tuesday, putting him on the shelf until January 2021.

The 35-year-old was busted for injecting recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO), something not found in supplements. Dillashaw did not fight the suspension and voluntarily relinquished his bantamweight title in January when the New York State Athletic Commission first announced he would be suspended for a year. Both suspensions will run concurrently.

The test was taken prior to his January knockout loss to flyweight champion Henry Cejudo. He’s only the second fighter in UFC history to pop for EPO and the first since Gleison Tibau did in 2015.

UFC VP of athlete health and performance Jeff Novitzky told ESPN that EPO “is a very effective substance. You have to know what you’re doing when it enters your system. On a scale of seriousness in anti-doping, it’s up near the top.”

Cejudo and top contender Marlon Moraes will compete for the vacant belt this June at UFC 238.

TJ Dillashaw drops UFC 135-pound title due to failed NYSAC test

Posted on by Josh Nason

UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw relinquished his title Wednesday morning due to testing positive for a “prohibited substance” on a New York state athletic commission test.

The NYSAC announced a one-year suspension and a $10,000 fine for Dillashaw dating back to January 19th, the night of his loss to UFC flyweight champion Henry Cejudo.

Dillashaw announced the news via his Instagram account and said that USADA and the NYSAC informed him about an “adverse finding in a test taken for his last fight”. He didn’t say what the substance was or admit to taking it, but said he was going to work with his team to figure out what happened.

As of this writing, USADA has yet to release a statement but this post will be updated when they do.

This would open the door for top contender Marlon Moraes to get an opportunity to fight for the bantamweight title, likely against Cejudo who was all but guaranteed to get the opportunity after his quick knockout win over Dillashaw that set up the rematch at the higher weight class. 

Looking ahead, there are several events without a main event at this time with the earliest being UFC on ESPN+ on May 18th.

Daily Update: WWE notes, Lucha Bros, Henry Cejudo

Posted on by Bryan Rose

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News

Latest Audio

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch win Royal Rumbles

For the second straight year, WWE went with two fan-pleasing choices as their Royal Rumble winners. WWE followed up on Shinsuke Nakamura and Asuka’s wins from last year by having Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch win their respective Rumble matches on Sunday night. The results were entirely predictable, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t the right choices. While there are other stories that WWE can tell, top babyfaces beginning their road to WrestleMania by winning the Royal Rumble will pretty much always work. 

WON NEWSLETTER: January 28, 2019 Observer Newsletter: Future of Ronda Rousey, Royal Rumble preview, more

A quick note that the format of this issue is different due to the fact I messed up my left hand in a bicycle crash on 1/24 making typing extremely difficult.

This issue has complete Royal Rumble and NXT results with eliminations, stats, and facts, plus Dave’s comments. It also includes star ratings, NXT awards, and notes on the post show angle.

Roman Reigns is going to be in the Rock’s new movie. There were some photos of Roman Reigns last week from where he’s been filming the new sequel of the Fast and the Furious franchise, which had been kept kind of quiet. Reigns is playing Rock’s character Hobbs’ brother…

AEW released a short video with Cody Rhodes talking about signing Jungle Boy and the announcement that on February 7th, there is a Ticket Announcement Party at the MGM from Las Vegas. Brandi teased announcing more women at that event. There is a lot of talent expected at that event. CIMA is likely going to be there…

NJPW is very confident that it will not be an issue by the time the MSG G1 Supercard show comes up, with it being several months away…

From reports of the Dallas, TX Road to G1 Supercard show, Shibata’s students, Clark Connors, Karl Fredericks, and Alex Coughlin are all seemed as really good in the technical aspect, with all their basics down, as they’re being trained with the Japanese New Japan Dojo mentality. Shibata, who is the lead trainer in the US Dojo, has interpreters with him at all time during training…

Matt Sydal’s contract with Impact Wrestling ended January 1st. He should be ready in a couple of months from a minor knee surgery he got last week…

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

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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

WWE

  • Raw tonight will take place at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. The key segment being pushed is Stephanie McMahon inviting Becky Lynch to Raw after choosing Ronda Rousey over Asuka for a WrestleMania title match. Other matches include Finn Balor vs. Bobby Lashley for the Intercontinental title, Bayley and Sasha Banks vs. Alicia Fox and Nikki Cross in a Elimination Chamber qualifying match and Jeff Jarrett vs. Elias. Kurt Angle will also be on the show to address his future.
  • PWInsider reported that Paige is scheduled to be at this week’s Raw and SmackDown, noting that it’s likely to promote this month’s release of “Fighting with My Family.”
  • WWE uploaded a “Day Of” video from behind the scenes at the Royal Rumble.
  • The latest #205Life episode features Hideo Itami as he prepared to depart WWE and return to Japan.
  • Triple H posted a picture of the custom title belt that WWE is sending the New England Patriots for winning this year’s Super Bowl.

Pro Wrestling

  • MLW’s Court Bauer tweeted about Pentagon Jr. and Fenix: “I want to thank @PENTAELZEROM @ReyFenixMx for an extraordinary 7+ months as the @MLW World Tag Team Champions. Mas chingons! MLW will always embrace you as family as you helped build this house. Wherever you go next always know you both are 1000000000% leyendas de Lucha Libre!”
  • Jay Lethal, at 646 days, has surpassed Samoa Joe as having the most total combined days as ROH champion.
  • New Japan World added a two part documentary that looked at the match between Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kenny Omega at Wrestle Kingdom 13.
  • The Great Sasuke announced that he is taking a year-long hiatus after his 50th birthday on 7/18. Citing multiple injuries in recent years, he wants to take time to heal.
  • Kris Wolf on her blog says that following her current tour, she is retiring.
  • The NWA launched a video series on National Champion Willie Mack.
  • Flip Gordon has started physical training following a torn MCL in his right knee.

UFC/MMA

  • Henry Cejudo is now open to the idea of having a rematch against TJ Dillashaw at 125 after Dillashaw made remarks calling his win a fluke. “If T.J. wants to run it back at 125 we can,” he told MMAJunkie. “If he still feels like he can beat me at ’25, let’s just run it again. To go to ’35 would be for the legacy, but I’m not opposed to him coming down to ’25 again. I’m not opposed to it.”
  • He also told MMAJunkie that the UFC has cut flyweight Dustin Ortiz.
  • Marlon Moraes says he has one fight left in his contract. He wants new contract and guaranteed title shot, and isn’t interested in anything else.
  • Rafael dos Anjos called out Conor McGregor on Twitter: “We have unfinished business, we got close to get it done twice. You pick the weightclass #RDA #Brasil #JesusFirst”
  • Aspen Ladd, who was removed from a UFC 235 bout against Holly Holm, wants UFC to give her a fight.
  • The first Embedded episode ahead of UFC 234 is now up.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Sabu & The Tazmaniac win ECW Tag Team titles

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

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

CONTACT INFORMATION

UFC on ESPN+ 1 live results: Henry Cejudo vs. TJ Dillashaw

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC On ESPN+ 1: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw, emanating from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

The Octagon heads back to Brooklyn for the dawn of a new era as the UFC premieres with its new broadcast partner, ESPN, in a much-hyped event headlined by a title fight with yet another world champion looking to become a two-division champion.

UFC Flyweight Champion Henry Cejudo makes his first title defense as he defends against UFC Bantamweight Champion TJ Dillashaw in the main event. Cejudo became champion in scoring an all-time upset of Demetrious Johnson at UFC 227 in August, while Dillashaw makes the drop down to 125 pounds looking to become the fourth double champion in UFC history. Dillashaw is a two-time UFC Bantamweight Champion and was last seen defending his 135-pound title in knocking out Cody Garbrandt at that same UFC 227 event in August.

The main card for this event airs on ESPN+, the first UFC fights on their new streaming service, and will feature a heavyweight bout between the debuting Greg Hardy, a former NFL player with lots of controversy, and Allen Crowder. Also on that portion is a lightweight bout between Gregor Gillespie and Yancy Medeiros, a flyweight bout pitting Joseph Benavidez against Dustin Ortiz, and a women’s flyweight bout featuring the return of Paige VanZant as she takes on Rachael Ostovich.

ESPN will air their first UFC fights in company history with a four-fight preliminary card headlined by a lightweight bout between Alexander Hernandez and Donald Cerrone, who made UFC history in his last win to become the all-time UFC win leader. Also on that portion of the card is an exciting women’s flyweight match-up that sees Joanne Calderwood welcome Ariane Lipski to the UFC.

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

ESPN+ PRELIMS | 6 PM ET/3 PM PT

> Kyle Stewart (11-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Chance Rencountre (12-3, 0-1 UFC)
Welterweights

They trade right off the bat. Stewart with a low kick that hits the groin and we have a quick timeout. We get back to action. Rencountre gets a takedown and Stewart scrambles to the fence and gets to his feet. Rencountre has the back against the fence. He drags Stewart to the mat. Rencountre looking to set up a choke. Rencountre has the choke locked in now and Stewart taps! Big opening round win for Rencountre.

Official Result- Chance Rencountre def. Kyle Stewart by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:25 of Round 1

> Belal Muhammad (14-2, 5-2 UFC) vs. Geoff Neal (10-2, 2-0 UFC)
Welterweights

Neal pressing forward early and switching his footwork. Both men being patient a minute in. Muhammad with some leg kicks but eats a left hand from Neal. Neal with a body kick followed by a leg kick. They trade in close range. Muhammad shoots for a takedown but doesn’t complete it as Neal posted up and broke away. Neal with a left hand. Neal with a body kick against the fence. Neal lands an uppercut. They trade and Muhammad lands a kick. Neal with a high kick and lands a straight left hand. Muhammad with a flying knee that partially lands. Muhammad shoots but Neal defends the takedown. They clinch up to end the round. Close round. 10-9 Neal.

Neal pressing forward and lands a left hand. Muhammad with a body kick but eats a left hand from Neal. Neal lands a series of hard punches on Muhammad. Muhammad lands a right hand. Neal lands a hard straight left hand. Muhammad shoots and gets a brief takedown but Neal scrambles to his feet. They trade in close range. Muhammad lands a left hand. Neal lands the jab but eats a punch from Muhammad. They are both landing good punches. Muhammad shoots again but Neal defends it. Neal lands a good combo. Neal with an uppercut followed by a left hand. Muhammad with a hard body kick and then a body punch. Neal lands some hard punches at the end that had Muhammad in trouble. 10-9 Muhammad, 19-19.

Both men are throwing to start the third round. Neal lands a left hand. Muhammad shoots again but Neal stuffs it again. Muhammad hasn’t been able to complete a takedown. Muhammad again shoots but Neal lands some left hands and then drops Muhammad with a left hand. Neal on top and lands some ground and pound. They get to their feet. Muhammad with a body kick. Neal lands a hard left hand. Muhammad is busted up on his face. Neal with a head kick that Muhammad checks. Neal with a massive head kick that stumbles up Muhammad. Muhammad gets back to his feet and throws punches. They trade hard punches. Muhammad has a chin on him. Neal with another high kick. Muhammad with a body kick. Great fight. 10-9 Neal, 29-28 Neal.

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

> Dennis Bermudez (16-9, 9-7 UFC) vs. Te Edwards (6-2, 0-1 UFC)
Lightweights

Edwards with a leg kick and Bermudez lands one of his own. Bermudez clinches Edwards against the fence. Edwards lands a knee in the clinch. Edwards lands a head kick on the break and then lands a knee. Bermudez with a leg kick but Edwards hurts him with a punch and Bermudez goes down but recovers quickly. Bermudez with a sloppy takedown attempt that Edwards defends but Bermudez lands an elbow. Bermudez shoots again but Edwards defends. Bermudez lands a knee as they get in close. Bermudez continuing for a takedown but Edwards is defending. Bermudez lands a combo and shoots again and completes it. Bermudez with some elbows and punches from the top as he finishes the round strong. 10-9 Bermudez.

Bermudez with a body kick and gets a takedown and is in the half-guard. Bermudez passes to side control and is attacking with a kimura attempt. Bermudez working hard for it as he has full side control now. He lets go of the attempt. Edwards gets to sprawl position and Bermudez has the neck. They get to their feet. Edwards with a couple of elbows as they break. Bermudez with a leg kick. Edwards lands a left hand. Bermudez gets a takedown. Edwards is doing nothing from the bottom as Bermudez lands a couple of punches. 10-8 Bermudez, 20-17 Bermudez.

Bermudez with some leg kicks. Bermudez with an easy takedown and he lands a couple of hammerfists. Edwards gets himself locked into a guillotine choke and Bermudez has it in deep. Edwards trying to fight out as he keeps turning and is defending well. Bermudez gets to the full mount and is landing punches. Bermudez with a big elbow from the top and then some more elbows and punches. Edwards has nothing from the bottom. Edwards rolls into finding himself having to defend an armbar. Edwards steps out and they get to their feet. Bermudez goes right back for the takedown and finishes it. Bermudez on top but Edwards escapes and lands a couple of punches as the fight ends. 10-8 Bermudez, 30-25 Bermudez.

Official Result- Dennis Bermudez def. Te Edwards by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)

Dennis Bermudez announced his retirement in his post-fight interview.

ESPN PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT

> Cory Sandhagen (9-1, 2-0 UFC) vs. Mario Bautista (6-0, 0-0 UFC)
Bantamweights

Sandhagen with a high kick. They trade leg kicks. Bautista with a body kick. Sandhagen with more leg kicks. Bautista catches a leg and lands a right hand. Sandhagen with a combo to the body. Sandhagen drops Bautista with a huge flying knee. Sandhagen on top and lands some punches but Bautista grabs the body and gets to his feet and has the back of Sandhagen and slams him to the mat. Sandhagen locked Bautista into a triangle choke on the takedown and it is in deep. Sandhagen switches to the armbar and has it locked in and Bautista taps! Nice submission win for Sandhagen.

Official Result- Cory Sandhagen def. Mario Bautista by submission (armbar) at 3:31 of Round 1

> Alonzo Menifield (7-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Vinicius Moreira (9-1, 0-0 UFC)
Light Heavyweights

Menifield with some big punches early as Moreira goes to the mat and eats more punches but they get back to their feet. Moreira with a spinning body kick. Menifield lands a combo. Menifield lands a right hand and then a combo. Menifield throwing some big punches. Moreira moves very slow on his feet. Moreira with blatant fence grabs. Moreira working for a takedown in the clinch. Menifield drops Moreira with a huge right hand and then finishes him off after some more punches on the ground. He has lots of potential at 205 pounds.

Official Result- Alonzo Menifield def. Vinicius Moreira by TKO (punches) at 3:56 of Round 1

> Joanne Calderwood (#10, 12-3, 4-3 UFC) vs. Ariane Lipski (11-3, 0-0 UFC)
Women’s Flyweights

Lipski with big punches early on and Calderwood grabs the clinch. They battle for underhooks against the fence. Lipski with some short knees. They break. Calderwood ducks under and gets a takedown. Calderwood with an elbow from the top. Calderwood passes to side control and transitions to the back. Calderwood looking for a choke but Lipski escapes. Calderwood on top and lands some short elbows. Calderwood now with punches from the top. Calderwood looking for an arm-triangle and almost had it locked in but Lipski escapes and gives up her back. Calderwood looking for a choke again. Calderwood looking for an armbar now. Lipski survives the round. 10-9 Calderwood.

They trade strikes to start the second round. They trade leg kicks. They each land a right hand. Lipski with a body kick. Lipski with a body kick. Calderwood lands a right hand. They continue to trade in close range. Lipski lands a combo and Calderwood counters with a right hand. Lipski with an overhand right. They trade kicks. They trade hard punches. Both ladies are tired as the second round ends. Calderwood with a late body kick. 10-9 Calderwood, 20-18 Calderwood.

Calderwood with some kicks to start the third round. They trade punches. Lipski lands a good combination. Calderwood with some kicks. Calderwood with a right hand but eats some punches from Lipski. Calderwood with some strikes in the clinch and Lipski is able to get a takedown into side control. Lipski working in the guard and now Calderwood attacking for the armbar. Calderwood almost had it locked in but Lipski defending well and spinning over. Lipski gets back into the guard of Calderwood. Lipski with short body punches but not going for the finish. Calderwood almost had an armbar in late. 10-9 Calderwood, 30-27 Calderwood.

Official Result- Joanne Calderwood def. Ariane Lipski by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)

> Alexander Hernandez (#11, 10-1, 2-0 UFC) vs. Donald Cerrone (#13 WW, 33-11 1 NC, 21-8 UFC)
Lightweights

They trade punches to start. Hernandez lands a hard punch. They trade kicks and Cerrone gets a takedown. Hernandez trying to scramble but Cerrone keeps him down but Hernandez does get to his feet. Cerrone with a right hand. Hernandez lands the jab. They clinch and trade knees. Cerrone lands a right hand. Cerrone lands another. They trade punches. Cerrone lands a hard right hand. Hernandez with a body kick. Cerrone fires back with a combo. Cerrone with a head kick. Hernandez with some knees in the clinch. Cerrone with a combo. Cerrone lands a big knee followed by a right hand. Hernandez is bleeding. Cerrone with a big combo. Cerrone lighting Hernandez up on the feet. Hernandez is bleeding badly over his left eye. Cerrone with a body kick. Great round for Cerrone. 10-9 Cerrone.

Hernandez with a front body kick. Cerrone misses a knee. They clinch and Hernandez looking for a takedown from a body lock. Cerrone with a leg kick. Cerrone with a combo. Cerrone with a big combo and Hernandez is hurt again. Cerrone with a big body kick. Hernandez is retreating. They clinch and Hernandez lands some punches but eats big knees from Cerrone. Cerrone with a big elbow. Cerrone with a combo. Cerrone drops Hernandez with a big head kick and goes into the guard. Cerrone with big right hands on the ground and he finishes Hernandez! Fantastic performance by Cerrone in this one.

Official Result- Donald Cerrone def. Alexander Hernandez by TKO (kick & punches) at 3:43 of Round 2

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

> Glover Teixeira (#12, 27-7, 10-5 UFC) vs. Karl Roberson (7-1, 2-1 UFC)
Light Heavyweights

Roberson with a body kick. Teixeira looking for a takedown and eats some big elbows and falls to the mat. Roberson on top landing big punches and elbows. Roberson gets to the mount and lands some big punches. Teixeira able to scramble out and looks for a takedown as they get to their feet. He finishes it off and gets right to the mount. Teixeira landing some punches from the top and is working for an arm-triangle. Roberson able to get out. Teixeira back in the guard and lands more punches. He went right back for the arm-triangle and has it locked in and Roberson taps! Nice comeback from Teixeira has he was in a lot of trouble early in the fight.

Official Result- Glover Teixeira def. Karl Roberson by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 3:21 of Round 1

> Paige VanZant (7-4, 4-3 UFC) vs. Rachael Ostovich (4-4, 1-1 UFC)
Women’s Flyweights

They clinch early and VanZant gets a brief trip takedown but they get up and Ostovich gets a takedown and is in the half-guard. VanZant just holding on from the bottom and Ostovich not doing anything and they are stood up. Ostovich lands a right hand and gets a takedown and is in side control. Ostovich has the neck of VanZant and is looking to pass the guard. Ostovich lets go of the neck. VanZant grabs the leg looking for an ankle lock but Ostovich rolls out. VanZant still has the leg and looking for a heel hook. Ostovich gets out and they get to their feet. Ostovich gets VanZant right back to the mat. 10-9 Ostovich.

VanZant with a leg kick. Ostovich lands a right hand. Ostovich with another right hand and gets a takedown right off of it. Ostovich gets the back but VanZant scrambles out and gets the back of Ostovich. VanZant with back mount and landing big punches. Ostovich turns for a moment. VanZant still landing from the back. Somewhere Ostovich tapped out as the fight suddenly stopped from the back mount. VanZant got an armbar from the back as Ostovich was trying to slide out but the armbar was in deep and she tapped. Big win for VanZant.

Official Result- Paige VanZant def. Rachael Ostovich by submission (armbar) at 1:50 of Round 2

> Joseph Benavidez (#2, 26-5, 13-3 UFC) vs. Dustin Ortiz (#8, 19-7, 8-5 UFC)
Flyweights

Benavidez with a body kick and then a leg kick but eats a combo from Ortiz. Benavidez with a left hand. Ortiz hurts Benavidez with a punch and goes for a takedown against the fence. Benavidez grabs the neck and Ortiz lands some short punches as they break apart. Ortiz with a high kick. Benavidez with a leg kick and Ortiz lands a counter right. Benavidez with a takedown. They scramble to their feet and clinch against the fence. Benavidez gets a takedown. They get to their feet. Ortiz lands a knee as they break. Ortiz with a kick but then gets dropped with a big left hand from Benavidez. Benavidez gets into the guard. Ortiz gives up his back but the round ends. 10-9 Benavidez.

They trade punches and scramble to start the second round. Benavidez gets a brief takedown but Ortiz grabs the neck. They break. They trade and Ortiz lands a solid left hook. Ortiz coming forward more and lands a body kick. Benavidez working for another takedown and Ortiz landing some body punches to defend. Ortiz tries a takedown but it is defended. Ortiz gets the back. Ortiz gets a takedown and has the back. Benavidez is trying to circle out. They get to their feet. Benavidez lands a good left hand. Ortiz gets a takedown and has the back of Benavidez as they scramble and Ortiz gets a slam takedown and has the back and looks for a choke. He doesn’t have it under the chin and time runs out on the round. 10-9 Ortiz, 19-19.

Ortiz lands a solid right hand. Benavidez changes levels and gets a takedown. Benavidez moves to the back and they scramble and Ortiz reverses to the top and then takes the back of Benavidez. They continue to scramble and get to their feet and Benavidez has the back as they scramble back to the ground. Benavidez has the body triangle. Benavidez working for a choke but Ortiz is defending well and trying to explode from position and does. They get to their feet and Benavidez drags it back down. They continue to scramble as they get to their feet. Benavidez tries an ankle pick but eats body punches from Ortiz. Ortiz has the back and Benavidez lands punches. They get to their feet. Some fun grappling in this one. 10-9 Benavidez, 29-28 Benavidez.

Official Result- Joseph Benavidez def. Dustin Ortiz by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Gregor Gillespie (#15, 12-0, 5-0 UFC) vs. Yancy Medeiros (15-5 1 NC, 6-5 1 NC UFC)
Lightweights

Gillespie goes right for the leg and gets a takedown as he gets back control. Medeiros popping back up to his feet. They scramble around and Gillespie still has the back. Gillespie landing knees to the body and head as he has body control against the fence. They scramble and Medeiros now has the back but Gillespie able to reverse. Gillespie gets a brief takedown. Gillespie gets another and Medeiros keeps being able to get up. Gillespie gets another takedown. Medeiros is able to get up but Gillespie keeps grinding and is all over Medeiros. Gillespie with more knees. 10-9 Gillespie.

They trade punches to start the second. Gillespie lands a right hand. Gillespie shoots and Medeiros defends against the fence. Gillespie with a brief trip takedown and now has the back. Gillespie gets to the top and has the mount and is working for a possible choke. Gillespie with an elbow and starts to land punches. Medeiros trying to turn out. Medeiros gives up his back and Gillespie landing punches. Big punches from Gillespie. They get to their feet. Gillespie gets the back and is landing big punches and the fight is stopped with seconds left in the second round. Wow. Big finish by Gillespie in a dominant showing.

Official Result- Gregor Gillespie def. Yancy Medeiros by TKO (punches) at 4:59 of Round 2

> Greg Hardy (3-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Allen Crowder (9-3 1 NC, 0-1 UFC)
Heavyweights

Hardy landing big punches early. Crowder went right after him. Hardy landing more punches. Crowder clinches. They break. Hardy with a left hand. Hardy with a leg kick. Hardy slowing down as this is now his longest career fight. Hardy with a knee but Crowder reverses it into a takedown. They start to get up but Crowder plants Hardy back down and gets into side control. Crowder into the crucifix position. Hardy scrambles to his feet. Crowder leaning on Hardy and attacks with a guillotine and slips down and Hardy now in the guard. Hardy with some hammerfists. Crowder with an elbow from the bottom. They get to their feet and Hardy lands a big right hand at the end. 10-9 Crowder.

Both men are tired. They trade punches. Crowder lands a right hand. Both throwing at the air right now. Crowder taunting Hardy and lands some punches. That seemed to faze Hardy though Hardy lands an elbow. Crowder tries a takedown but Hardy defends. Hardy then landed an illegal knee on Crowder and Hardy even landed a punch after the referee stepped in. It was a blatant illegal knee. This fight is over and Hardy is being disqualified. Crowder’s knee was clearly down as Hardy was holding him down. Hard to say if it was intentional but it did look malicious after it came after the taunting from Crowder and a bad chant from the fans directed at Hardy. Crowder is getting the win here.

Official Result- Allen Crowder def. Greg Hardy by disqualification (illegal knee) at 2:28 of Round 2

> Henry Cejudo (C, 13-2, 7-2 UFC) vs. TJ Dillashaw (C BW, 16-3, 12-3 UFC)
UFC Flyweight Championship

Dillsahaw tries something quick but Cejudo hurts him with a right hand. Cejudo has Dillashaw in a ton of trouble. Cejudo has Dillashaw in a lot of trouble and drops him again with another punch and lands more punches and the fight is stopped. Wow. Cejudo finishes Dillashaw in less than a minute. Cejudo remains the champion. What a finish by Cejudo.

Official Result- Henry Cejudo def. TJ Dillashaw by TKO (punches) at :32 of Round 1, Cejudo retains the UFC Flyweight Championship

Report: UFC to move Henry Cejudo-TJ Dillashaw to ESPN+ debut

Posted on by Josh Nason

After another situation in which they couldn’t put together the right main event, the UFC decided to simply move a main event from one show to their January ESPN+ debut show instead.

ESPN’s Ariel Helwani reported Wednesday night that sources tell him the January UFC 226 main event between flyweight champion Henry Cejudo (seen above) vs. bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw is being moved up a week to January 19th, the promotion’s debut on ESPN+ in Brooklyn, NY, leaving the Anaheim, CA, PPV without a main event.

But, there’s more.

Helwani said UFC tried to book welterweight champion Tyron Woodley vs. former interim champion Colby Covington for the Anaheim show, but Woodley is recovering from hand surgery. They then looked to book Covington vs. Kamaru Usman as the co-main event for Brooklyn, but Covington has yet to agree while Usman has agreed.

Originally, Helwani said, UFC tried to move up the Ben Askren-Robbie Lawler fight from Anaheim to Brooklyn and make that the main event, but Lawler declined.

Helwani said they will look to book a title fight for the Anaheim show, but given recent title fights and other scheduled ones, that only leaves two options: a strawweight title defense by Rose Namajunas or moving the Cris Cyborg-Amanda Nunes featherweight title fight scheduled for late-December (co-main on the Jon Jones-Alexander Gustafsson show) to Anaheim instead.

Report: Dillashaw-Cejudo to clash in January for UFC flyweight title

Posted on by Josh Nason

It appears that, at least for one more night, the UFC flyweight title will live.

An early Friday morning report by ESPN’s Brett Okamoto has the UFC looking to finally sign a long-discussed fight between flyweight champion Henry Cejudo and bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw for January’s UFC 233 in Los Angeles.

However, the fight would not be for Dillashaw’s 135-pound title but for Cejudo’s strap instead, a surprise considering FloCombat’s report this week that the UFC is abandoning the division sooner than later. Okamoto could not confirm whether the fight would be the final one for the division.

If Dillashaw was to win, he would become the company’s fifth two-division champion (Randy Couture, BJ Penn, Georges St. Pierre, Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier).

Cejudo won the title from long reigning champion Demetrious Johnson earlier this year. Johnson’s contract was “traded” to ONE Fighting Championship for the contract of Ben Askren. This week, Askren vs. Robbie Lawler was signed for the January show as well.

UFC 227: Our questions about Dillashaw-Garbrandt II and Johnson-Cejudo II

Posted on by Josh Nason

The UFC returns tonight for the first of two August shows, headlined by two rematches in lighter weight divisions struggling to get attention. 

Yes, welcome back to the “Demetrious Johnson isn’t a star/is an underpromoted star” show, even though he’s not headlining tonight’s event….even though he is continuing to attempt to set records with flyweight title defenses. (See? Now I’m doing it!)

The card:

  • Bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw vs. Cody Garbrandt II
  • Flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson vs. Henry Cejudo II
  • Thiago Santos vs. Kevin Holland
  • Polyana Viena vs. JJ Aldrich
  • Cub Swanson vs. Renato Moicano
  • Pedro Munhoz vs. Brett Johns
  • Ricky Simon vs. Montel Jackson
  • Ricardo Ramos vs. Kyung Ho Kang
  • Matt Sayles vs. Sheymon Moraes
  • Jose Torres vs. Alex Perez
  • Danielle Taylor vs. Zhang Weili
  • Marlon Vera vs. Wuliji Burne

As usual, yours truly, Paul Fontaine, and Ryan Frederick are your navigators.

What are you most looking forward to?

Ryan: The main event. Yeah, it is quick to give Garbrandt an immediate rematch seeing as he never even defended the bantamweight title before losing it to Dillashaw, but the only other viable contender in the division, Dominick Cruz, has been on the injured list until just recently. The rivalry is there, and I don’t expect it to endthere. I’m also looking forward to the Johnson-Cejudo rematch, but just because I appreciate how great Johnson is, and I wanna see if Cejudo has anything for him this time.

Paul: Garbrandt has been one of my favorite fighters for a couple of years now. Longtime readers may recall me picking him as a future fighter to watch before he even won the title from Cruz. He’s still very young and winning the title back could cement him as one of the greatest 135’ers in history.

Josh: Not much. This card isn’t doing it for me at all and while the two top fights are high on skill, I’m not into anything happening tonight. Dillashaw and Garbrandt basically disappeared for a year, outside Dillashaw and Johnson flirting with a fight that seemingly will never happen. Johnson is what he is and while Cejudo has shown marked improvement since they last fought, we’ve seen this movie before.

Anything being slept on?

Paul: Brett Johns vs. Pedro Munhoz, two of the most underrated fighters in their division, anchors the FX prelims. A high profile win here could put either guy one or two fights awa from a title shot. Johns, in particular, has been a champion in other organizations and has a bit of a star aura about him.

Ryan: I’m not sure if it’s being slept on as it’s getting some attention, but the Fight Pass headliner between Shorty Torres and Alex Perez is one of the best fights on the card. Torres had full preparation for this fight, and it’s a good fight for him as Perez is tough and solid. Johnson did mention Torres as a future challenger, so he knows where his competition is going to be coming from. IAnother intriguing prelim is the bantamweight battle between Ricardo Ramos and Kyung Ho Kang.

Josh: Nah.

Anything not doing it for you?

Josh: As mentioned before, it’s the whole show for me. Maybe it’s because of the Red Sox-Yankees slugfest, but I can’t muster up the interest. I think part of that is the lack of a fun contender queue for the champion. If Garbrandt wins, I don’t want to wait a year to see this a third time. If Cejudo pulls off the upset, we’re getting that fight a third time. So…yeah.

Ryan: It’s not a deep show by any means. It’s not the weakest pay-per-view line-up this year, but injuries did take their toll on the card with cancelled bouts. There isn’t anything not doing it for me, but there isn’t a lot of overall interest outside of the top two fights.

Paul: Honestly, anyone but the most hardcore of hardcore fans would have to struggle to find anything on this show worth caring about outside of the two main events. The whole undercard is kinda “meh”, but the Danielle Taylor fight on the Fight Pass prelims is the one that will probably suck the most. If I didn’t have to watch it, I wouldn’t because the next good Danielle Taylor fight I see will be the first.

What’s the intrigue with the show?

Ryan: The intrigue is in the main event and if Cejudo can score a different outcome in his second shot at dethroning Johnson. Outside of that, the show is really only for the hardcores. There was more intrigue for the press conference on Friday.

Paul: If Johnson can cement his legacy as the greatest pound for pound fighter in history by successfully defending his title yet again. People are talking right now that this is a foregone conclusion, and it probably is, but I have a funny feeling things may not go according to plan.

Josh: If Johnson can retain yet again. If he does, I agree with the sentiment Chuck Mindenhall had on this week’s ‘MMA Beat’ that eventually, Johnson will need to go outside his comfort zone and go up a weight class or fight Dillashaw or else risk complete fan apathy.

What will be people talking about most after the show is done?

Ryan: It will be that Johnson remains the top pound-for-pound top fighter in the sport, and if it is finally time for the superfight between him and the winner of the main event. I personally think that Garbrandt is going to win this time over Dillashaw, and that it’ll probably lead to an immediate third fight which would be a mistake for now. Give it some breathing room if that happens as these two have tied up the 135-pound title for close to two years now. It’s time to get these divisions moving.

Paul: I’m going out on a limb and predicting that people will be talking about the fact that for the first time in history, someone other than Demetrious Johnson is the UFC flyweight champion. Outside of that, and what Ryan mentioned, it will be just whether or not this show can set the modern era record for the least purchased PPV.

Josh: That Johnson and Dillashaw were both victorious and that they really need to make that fight happen.

Who wins?

TJ vs. CG II

Dillashaw: Josh
Garbrandt: Ryan, Paul

DJ vs. HC II

Johnson: Josh, Ryan
Cejudo: Paul

Swanson vs. Moicano

Swanson: Ryan, Paul
Moicano: Josh

Follow along with our coverage tonight.

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

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> 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 213 card takes shape with Cody Garbrandt unable to fight

Posted on by Joseph Currier

With Cody Garbrandt unable to compete at UFC 213, Amanda Nunes will headline the UFC’s marquee International Fight Week event for the second straight year.

Dana White revealed to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto last night that Garbrandt was officially off of the card. Garbrandt was scheduled to defend his bantamweight title for the first time against TJ Dillashaw, but he has been battling back problems and was sent to Germany to see a stem cell specialist earlier this month.

Nunes vs. Valentina Shevchenko for the women’s bantamweight championship is now the main event of UFC 213 on July 8th in Las Vegas. That matchup had been announced previously but wasn’t scheduled to headline the pay-per-view until Garbrandt vs. Dillashaw fell through.

Nunes was elevated to the top spot on the UFC 200 card last July when Daniel Cormier vs. Jon Jones was canceled at the last minute due to Jones failing a USADA test. She won the title by defeating Miesha Tate on that show.

An interim middleweight title bout is also set for UFC 213, with Yoel Romero taking on Robert Whittaker.

Controversy over Georges St-Pierre receiving the next shot at Michael Bisping’s title instead of Romero began as soon as that fight was scheduled, but White later announced that plans for Bisping vs. GSP had been scrapped when St-Pierre posted that he wouldn’t be available to compete until after October. Bisping is unavailable to fight right now due to a knee injury as well, so Romero will face Whittaker for the interim belt.

White told Okamoto that Demetrious Johnson vs. Dillashaw for the flyweight title is being planned for August, but Johnson tweeted that he hasn’t agreed to anything and is waiting on a contract to defend against Ray Borg. Johnson wrote that Dillashaw can come down to flyweight and get a win first if he wants a title fight.

As was previously revealed, Robbie Lawler vs. Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, Fabricio Werdum vs. Alistair Overeem, and Anthony Pettis vs. Jim Miller will also take place at UFC 213.

VIDEO: UFC Summer Kickoff media event at 5:30 PM EST

Posted on by F4W Staff

After a low key first five months of 2017, UFC will attempt to get some interest going for the summer with a big media event scheduled for Friday at 5:30 PM EST in Dallas, TX, streamed live here.

Jon Anik will host the event where it’s expected that some new fights will be announced like Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier II and perhaps Michael Bisping vs. Yoel Romero. Officially scheduled to be there today:

– UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt and T.J. Dillashaw who fight at UFC 213 on July 8th in Las Vegas

– Claudia Gadelha and Karolina Kowalkiewicz who fight at UFC 212 on June 3rd in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

– Holly Holm and Bethe Correia who fight at UFC Fight Night 111 on June 17th in Singapore

– Michael Chiesa and Kevin Lee who fight at UFC Fight Night 112 on June 25 in Oklahoma City, OK

The event will be held before the ceremonial UFC 211 weigh-ins.

Cody Garbrandt & TJ Dillashaw to coach TUF: Redemption

Posted on by Paul Fontaine

On last night’s UFC Fight Night 103 broadcast, the promotion announced that The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption will debut on April 19th with a two-hour season premiere on FS1.

The coaches for the season will be bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt and former champ TJ Dillashaw. The show will lead to them squaring off for the title at a yet-to-be-determined date, but it would make sense to have that fight take place some time during International Fight Week.

TUF: Redemption will feature winners from past seasons as well as at least one active member of the UFC roster. 

Garbrandt won the title from Dominick Cruz at UFC 207 last month and was called out by Dillashaw shortly after. Dillashaw had previously lost the title to Cruz, and is a former Team Alpha Male teammate of the champion. He has claimed that he knocked out Garbrandt during training sessions.

Also announced last night was that UFC 210 will mark the company’s return to Buffalo, New York. No fights were announced for that show, which will air on PPV.

UFC 207 betting & DFS playbook: Who to pick & why

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Looking for some advice to gamble some of your Christmas cash Friday night? Here’s suggestions, odds and tips for both betting and DFS for UFC 207.

UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Amanda Nunes (13-4) vs. Ronda Rousey (12-1)

  • Betting Odds: Nunes (+120), Rousey (-130)
  • DraftKings Salaries: Nunes- $8,000, Rousey- $8,400
  • Key Statistic: Rousey hasn’t fought since November 2015

This is an interesting fight to say the least, mainly because there are a lot of question marks surrounding Rousey. Is she better than ever? Has she lost the passion to fight? Is it her last fight? Why is she being so quiet? We haven’t seen much of her since she was knocked out by Holly Holm and while she looks in the best shape of her career heading into fight week, she has refused to do any kind of media, so fans don’t know what to expect. Meanwhile, the dangerous Nunes is on a tear, winning four straight fights and becoming champion at UFC 200 by throttling Miesha Tate.

At her best, Rousey is a better fighter despite her not being as great on her feet. She has brought in new boxing training partners, but she hasn’t switched camps, and she comes from one that many think stunts her growth as a fighter. Nunes is dangerous on her feet, but she fades in fights.

I don’t expect this to go long and maybe not even get out of the first round. The longer it goes, it favors Rousey more. It favors Nunes on the feet, and Rousey on the mat. I think this is a toss-up fight, and a bet on either fighter is a good one. Both are good fantasy plays as well, so it’s best to go with your gut. Mine favors Rousey winning by submission in the first.

UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz (22-1) vs. Cody Garbrandt (10-0)

  • Betting Odds: Cruz (-210), Garbrandt (+190)
  • DraftKings Salaries: Cruz- $8,700, Garbrandt- $7,700
  • Key Statistic: Garbrandt has nine wins by knockout

Both men are looking to cement their names in contention for the best fighter of 2016, and Garbrandt is looking to unseat Cruz as the best bantamweight in the world. Cruz has long been one of the best fighters in the sport, and despite his injury-plagued past, he hasn’t lost a step inside the Octagon. He is also the smartest fighter in the sport, and he has made a career of beating guys from the Team Alpha Male camp. Garbrandt is the next in that line.

Cruz is a big favorite for good reason. Garbrandt is a knockout artist, but Cruz rarely gets hit. When he has, he isn’t chinny at all, and can take a punch. Cruz has excellent movement and Garbrandt is going to have to chase him a lot. The guys from his camp haven’t been able to emulate that, and the one who could, TJ Dillashaw, left the camp over a year ago.

I don’t expect Garbrandt to knock him out, and I doubt he can outpoint Cruz over five rounds. Cruz will land a lot and score some takedowns and rack up fantasy points. He is the better bet and the better fantasy play, especially in a five-round fight.

TJ Dillashaw (13-3) vs. John Lineker (29-7)

  • Betting Odds: Dillashaw (-240), Lineker (+220)
  • DraftKings Salaries: Dillashaw- $8,800, Lineker- $7,400
  • Key Statistic: Both men land over five significant strikes per minute

This is an incredibly interesting fight. Lineker is one of the toughest fighters in the sport and among the hardest-hitting fighters. He is also difficult to prepare for. Dillashaw has become a great fighter under the wing of Duane Ludwig, but he doesn’t have the finishing instinct that Lineker has. He fights too safe at times, and it will hurt him against Lineker.

Lineker is an action fighter and he will bring the fight to Dillashaw. The former champion is in a vulnerable position, and I don’t think this is a great match-up but one he had to take to get a title shot. Both men land a lot of strikes, and Dillashaw could look to take the fight to the mat, but Lineker is dangerous there too. Lineker has the power to end the fight with one punch.

This could be the best fight on the card. Dillashaw is a big favorite, so there is a lot of money to be made on Lineker in this fight. I actually think he will win the fight, which makes him the better fantasy play. I wouldn’t play Dillashaw in fantasy lineups as his salary is at the price where you need a finish, and I don’t see him finishing Lineker.

Dong Hyun Kim (21-3-1 1 NC) vs. Tarec Saffiedine (16-5)

  • Betting Odds: Kim (-140), Saffiedine (+130)
  • DraftKings Salaries: Kim- $8,500, Saffiedine- $7,700
  • Key Statistic: Kim averages three takedowns per 15 minutes

Kim and Saffiedine get the bump to the main card and both are looking to keep themselves in the top ten with an outside chance at contending for the title one day. Kim has won two straight and six of his last seven while Saffiedine has lost two of his last three. Kim is a judo artist with excellent judo throws, and while he is solid on his feet, he isn’t a knockout artist.

Saffiedine is a harder hitter, but he leans more on the safe side as a points fighter. He hasn’t shown that finishing instinct, which is further cemented by the fact he hasn’t finished an opponent in over six years. In fact, Saffiedine has gone the distance in nine of his last ten fights. When it comes to a finish, Kim is the better bet, but I don’t see Kim getting one here as Saffiedine is tough and durable.

I like Kim in this fight, but I wouldn’t bet on either. I also wouldn’t play either in fantasy. However, with only twenty fighters on the card and needing to have six in your lineups, if you are to play one, Kim is the better play due to takedowns and volume.

Louis Smolka (11-2) vs. Ray Borg (9-2)

  • Betting Odds: Smolka (+125), Borg (-135)
  • DraftKings Salaries: Smolka- $8,300, Borg- $7,900
  • Key Statistic: Smolka has a five-inch reach advantage

Smolka and Borg open the main card in a flyweight bout as both look to move up the rankings. Borg missed weight badly though, so his progress may be stunted even with a win.

Smolka is coming off being submitted by Brandon Moreno in a big upset while Borg dropped a decision to Justin Scoggins in his last fight. Smolka has a big advantage in height and reach in this fight, coming in with five inches over Borg in each. Smolka is a good submission artist but he’s had the tendency to get caught when he puts himself in a bad position.

Borg is a solid takedown artist and makes good use of his time in top position. Borg isn’t much of a finisher on his feet and Smolka is the better finisher. Both men have similar wins by submission, and only Smolka has been stopped in his career.

I give the edge in this fight to Smolka, but both men are solid fantasy plays. I feel like this fight will go the distance and it could play a big role in fantasy lineups.

Johny Hendricks (17-5) vs. Neil Magny (18-5)

  • Betting Odds: Hendricks (+110), Magny (-120)
  • DraftKings Salaries: Hendricks- $8,000, Magny- $8,200
  • Key Statistic: Hendricks has 55 takedowns in UFC competition, Magny has 34

Hendricks may have his last chance here at getting back into the title picture as he has lost his last two fights and missed weight again. Magny was on a tear at 170 pounds but has seen his momentum stall recently.

Whenever Hendricks has missed weight, it has hindered his performance as there is a noticeable decline. At his best, Hendricks has the hardest punch at 170 pounds, and a huge wrestling game to back that up. Magny also has a strong takedown game, and he uses his length well. He was hurt pretty badly by Lorenz Larkin in his last fight, and Hendricks can finish him if he is at his best.

This is a tossup fight, and both men are close in the odds and in fantasy. I like Hendricks in this one because of the better chance of a finish.

Antonio Carlos Junior (6-2 1 NC) vs. Marvin Vettori (11-2)

  • Betting Odds: Carlos Junior (-135), Vettori (+125)
  • DraftKings Salaries: Carlos Junior- $8,100, Vettori- $8,100
  • Key Statistic: Carlos Junior has five submission wins, Vettori has eight

This is a solid battle of middleweight prospects. Vettori has won six straight fights and is coming in with a lot of momentum. Carlos Junior has struggled with consistency inside the Octagon as the former TUF Brazil winner has just three wins in six UFC appearances. Carlos Junior is big and athletic, has a fully developed game, and his grappling is very good. Vettori has some good takedowns and good submissions has he has submitted eight of his foes.

Vettori has won all eleven of his fights by stoppage and has never been stopped in his career. Carlos Junior, while an excellent grappler, has some deficiencies on his feet, and Vettori could take advantage there. It is almost a tossup in straight betting, and they have even fantasy salaries. Vettori is the better play in this fight as he has the better chance of scoring a finish, but both are solid plays. I feel Vettori has more opportunities for maximum scoring.

Mike Pyle (27-12-1) vs. Alex Garcia (13-3)

  • Betting Odds: Pyle (+155), Garcia (-175)
  • DraftKings Salaries: Pyle- $7,600, Garcia- $8,600
  • Key Statistic: Pyle has been knocked out in five of his seven UFC losses

Pyle is a 41-year-old veteran of the sport, and his career is starting to come to an end. He is looking for one last big win when he takes on Garcia, who has struggled recently inside the Octagon. This is a good bounce back fight for Garcia, but he shouldn’t take Pyle too lightly. Pyle is a very good fighter and he has 23 wins by stoppage on his record, but his chin is starting to let him down as he’s been knocked out in three of his last four losses.

Garcia is an explosive puncher and he has good takedowns, but he shouldn’t take Pyle lightly on the mat. Pyle can win this fight if he can get the fight in the clinch and wear Garcia down. His chin makes him hard to trust, though. I think this is Garcia’s fight to lose, and I’m sensing a knockout happening here. He is the fantasy play in this one.

Brandon Thatch (11-4) vs. Niko Price (8-0)

  • Betting Odds: Thatch (-175), Price (+155)
  • DraftKings Salaries: Thatch- $9,000, Price- $7,200
  • Key Statistic: Thatch has won all of his fights by stoppage

Thatch was a hot prospect at one time at 170 pounds, but he now finds himself in a must-win situation after losing his last three fights. Price is making his UFC debut on short notice with an undefeated record, and he has a good chance to score an upset. Thatch is a big welterweight and he has explosive striking skills.

All of Thatch’s wins have seen him finish his opponent, with seven wins by knockout and four by submission. If he can find what he’s been missing over the last few years, he is dangerous and this is his fight to lose. Price will try to grapple and find a submission, but he’s far from the level of competition that Thatch has lost to. Thatch has the highest fantasy salary on the card, though I see him winning by a knockout as his striking is too explosive for Price.

Alex Oliveira (16-3-1 1 NC) vs. Tim Means (26-7-1)

  • Betting Odds: Oliveira (-105), Means (-115)
  • DraftKings Salaries: Oliveira- $7,800, Means- $8,400
  • Key Statistic: Means has 22 wins by stoppage

This is one of the better fights on the card and opens the show on Fight Pass. Oliveira is going back up to 170 pounds after missing weight badly for a lightweight bout in his last fight, and he has good size to adjust to welterweight. Means is looking to win his third straight after back-to-back knockout wins, running his record to 22 stoppage wins in his 26 overall wins.

Means is aggressive on his feet and he strings together his punches well, and he is dangerous inside the pocket, in the clinch, and on top in the mat. Oliveira has good reach and he has more power on his feet. Oliveira is the better takedown artist, and he is good as well on the ground. This is a really close fight on paper.

Means has more finishing ability, and Oliveira has been submitted twice inside the Octagon. This fight could see a finish in either way, or it could go the distance. It’ll probably go back-and-forth and will be good. I like Means as the better play in this fight as his finishing chances are higher.

FS1 scores big ratings success from UFC Boston event

Posted on by Paul Fontaine

Photo: Esther Lin of MMAFighting.com

Ratings are in for this past Sunday’s UFC Fight Night on Fox Sports 1 and they’re excellent. 

Sunday’s four fight main card from Boston, headlined by Dominick Cruz defeating TJ Dillashaw for the UFC bantamweight title, averaged 2.288 million viewers for the nearly three hour broadcast — the second highest number ever for UFC on that network, trailing only the January 2015 Boston show headlined by Conor McGregor vs. Dennis Siver.

Even more impressively, the two-hour prelims show (Patrick Cote vs Ben Saunders was the featured fight of four televised bouts) averaged 1.767 million viewers. That’s good for the fourth highest rated UFC show on FS 1, just behind the promotion’s debut show in August 2013 that was headlined by Chael Sonnen vs. Shogun Rua. Coincidentally, that was also in Boston.

With the expirement of running a UFC show following NFL’s NFC playoff games earlier in the day on FOX – and heavily promoting the show during the game – proving to be a ratings success, expect the Sunday January show to become an annual tradition.