Tag: ufc 235

UFC 245 live results: Three title fights

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 245: Usman vs. Covington, emanating from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Octagon heads back home to Las Vegas for the final pay-per-view event of 2019 with what may be the deepest main card of the year featuring three title fights.

In the main event, UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman makes his first title defense against challenger and top contender Colby Covington. Usman has won 14 straight fights capped off by defeating Tyron Woodley to become the champion at UFC 235 in March. Covington has won seven straight including a brief stint as an interim welterweight champion.

In the co-main event, UFC Featherweight Champion Max Holloway makes his fourth title defense when he takes on the challenge of Alexander Volkanovski, winner of 17 straight fights. Holloway defeated Frankie Edgar in his last title defense in July while Volkanovski comes in on the heels of a win streak that has spanned six years.

In the third title fight on the card, the proclaimed greatest female fighter of all-time, UFC Women’s Bantamweight and Featherweight Champion Amanda Nunes, makes her next title defense of the 135-pound title against Germaine de Randamie. Nunes was last in action in July in a first-round knockout win over Holly Holm, while de Randamie comes in riding a five-fight win streak after defeating Aspen Ladd in July.

Also on the main card is a pair of bantamweight fights featuring legends of the sport as Marlon Moraes welcomes former UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo to the 135-pound division, while Petr Yan takes on UFC Hall Of Famer Urijah Faber. Both of those fights could play a big role in determining the next challenger for UFC Bantamweight Champion Henry Cejudo. A solid preliminary card is capped off by a potential slugfest at 170 pounds as Geoff Neal takes on Mike Perry.

Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6:15 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.

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

ESPN+/UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS | 6:15 PM ET/3:15 PM PT

> Punahele Soriano (6-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Oskar Piechota (11-2-1, 2-2 UFC)
Middleweights

They trade early. Soriano landed a couple of left hands and dropped Piechota with an uppercut. Soriano gets on top and is landing hammerfists. Soriano gets the back of Piechota against the fence and working for a choke. Piechota escapes and gets on top and has a standing kimura. They scramble back to the mat and he rolls for a guillotine but they stand. Piechota with a knee to the head. They scramble and Soriano escapes. They go back to the mat and Soriano is on top. They stand. Soriano then knocks Piechota out standing with a left hand. Vicious knockout by Soriano in his UFC debut.

Official Result- Punahele Soriano def. Oskar Piechota by knockout (punch) at 3:17 of Round 1

> Jessica Eye (#2, 14-7 1 NC, 4-6 1 NC UFC) vs. Viviane Araujo (#5, 8-1, 2-0 UFC)
Women’s Flyweights* (Eye missed weight by 5 pounds)

Both missing early. Araujo lands a left hook. They trade right hands. Eye with a spinning back fist. They trade. Both land a jab. Araujo with a left hook. Both land some punches. Eye with a high kick and Araujo catches it and takes her down. Araujo with short elbows from the top. They scramble up. Eye with some kicks and they trade. They clinch for a second and Eye with an uppercut and then lands a body kick. Eye goes for a takedown but Araujo defends. Eye lands a knee to the body as they get up. They trade kicks late. 10-9 Araujo.

They trade to start the second. Eye lands a right hand. Eye lands another right hand. Araujo with the jab and Eye counters with an inside kick and a right hand to the body. Eye with a right hand and then a leg kick and another. Araujo lands two right hands. Eye with a high kick and Araujo catches it but the fence blocks the takedown attempt. Eye lands a right hand as they separate. Eye with more leg kicks. Araujo gets a takedown. They scramble up. Eye with a right hand and follows with an inside kick. Eye with another. Eye tries a takedown but Araujo defends and Eye with a knee to the body. 10-9 Eye, 19-19.

Araujo with the jab. Araujo with a right hand. Eye with some short punches. Eye with some more leg kicks and goes with the jab to the body. They trade in close range. Eye with a combo ending with a flush right hand. Eye lands a knee as Araujo shoots it and Eye defends the takedown attempt. Araujo lands a right hand. There may have been an eye poke from Eye but it isn’t called. Eye with a right hand. Eye getting the better of the exchanges late here. Eye with a leg kick. Araujo with the jab and Eye counters with a right hand to the body. Eye with another right hand over the top. Eye with a combo to the body and head. Eye with a leg kick. Araujo tries a late takedown but it is stuffed. 10-9 Eye, 29-28 Eye.

Official Result- Jessica Eye def. Viviane Araujo by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Brandon Moreno (#5, 15-5-1, 3-2-1 UFC) vs. Kai Kara-France (#6, 20-7 1 NC, 3-0 UFC)
Flyweights

Moreno with some quick left hooks. Kara-France with a high kick and then a left hand. They trade punches. Kara-France with a right hand. He lands another. Moreno with a combo. Moreno with another combo. They both land left hands and Moreno with a high kick. Kara-France rocks Moreno with a right hand. They trade and Kara-France lands a nice right hand. Moreno with a leg kick. Moreno with a left hand. Moreno with a high kick and Kara-France counters with a right hand. Moreno with a high kick. Fun round. 10-9 Kara-France.

Kara-France with a right hand to the body. Moreno with a leg kick. They trade and Moreno tries a high kick but Kara-France blocks it. They are trading and Moreno with a body kick. They trade and Moreno with a high kick.They trade and Moreno with a left hook followed by a head kick. They trade inside the pocket. Moreno with a combo and Kara-France lands a right hand. Moreno landing the jab and is tagging Kara-France. Moreno with a late combo. 10-9 Moreno, 19-19.

They trade high kicks. Both men throwing big punches. Moreno with a left hand and then a high kick. Kara-France with a leg kick and then a high kick. Moreno with a head kick and Kara-France blocks it with his arm. Moreno with more high kicks and one goes to the body. Kara-France with a punch and Moreno slips to the mat but gets up. They trade kicks. Kara-France with a flurry of punches in close. Moreno is showboating and Kara-France is landing punches. They trade in close range and now Moreno is landing more. Kara-France lands a nice right hand. Moreno coming on strong. Moreno with a combo. Kara-France is busted up and walking on hurt legs. Kara-France with a left hook. Moreno with a late combo. This was a fun fight and really close. 10-9 Moreno, 29-28 Moreno.

Official Result- Brandon Moreno def. Kai Kara-France by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

> Chase Hooper (8-0-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Daniel Teymur (7-3, 1-3 UFC)
Featherweights

Teymur gets a deep guillotine locked in early and Hooper trying to defend. Hooper is able to get out. Teymur gets him down and is landing from the top. Hooper trying for an armbar. They stand and Teymur lands a right hand. Hooper pulls guard but they get up. Hooper gets the back standing. Hooper drags Teymur down and gets full back control. Hooper with punches from the back as he tries to find a choke. Hooper gets it locked in under the neck. Teymur refusing to tap. He is able to escape but Hooper moves to the mount. Hooper with elbows from the top and takes the back again. Hooper with a mounted triangle and is landing brutal elbows and punches. It is stopped and Hooper wins! Impressive finish by Hooper in his UFC debut.

Official Result- Chase Hooper def. Daniel Teymur by TKO (strikes) at 4:34 of Round 1

ESPN2 PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT

> Matt Brown (21-16, 14-10 UFC) vs. Ben Saunders (22-12-2, 9-9 UFC)
Welterweights

Both feeling each other out and Saunders with a body kick. Brown gets a trip takedown and Saunders going to work from his guard. Saunders looking for a triangle and he has one locked in. Brown looking to escape as he is in trouble. Saunders with some elbows. Saunders adjusts to get it locked in better. Saunders tried to adjust again and lost the choke. Brown landing punches from the top. Brown staying patient from the top as Saunders loses the position. Brown ends the round on top. 10-9 Saunders.

Brown landing punches and rocking Saunders. Saunders is cut open and Brown lands a head kick. Saunders pulls guard and is looking for a triangle. Brown landing from the top as Saunders is trying to wrap up the triangle. Brown landing some punches from the top and Saunders is doing well defending from the bottom. They are stood up by Keith Peterson. Saunders with a kick and Brown counters with a right hand. Brown gets Saunders to the mat and starts landing huge strikes and the fight is stopped. What a win from Brown after two years away.

Official Result- Matt Brown def. Ben Saunders by knockout (strikes) at 4:55 of Round 2

> Ian Heinisch (#10, 13-2, 2-1 UFC) vs. Omari Akhmedov (#14, 19-4-1, 7-3-1 UFC)
Middleweights

They trade low kicks early. Akhmedov landing some punches against the fence. Heinisch lands a right hand. Akhmedov with a leg kick. Akhmedov lands a right hand. Heinisch unable to put any weight on his lead leg. Heinisch with a body kick. Akhmedov with a right hand and gets a big slam takedown. Akhemdov on top but Heinisch is able to get to his feet and escapes. Akhemdov with a left hand. 10-9 Akhmedov.

Heinisch with a low kick. Akhmedov with a right hand. They trade in close range and Akhmedov with a short uppercut. Akhmedov with a right hand and then a left hook to the body. Heinisch lands a right hand and eats a counter right from Akhmedov. Heinisch with a body kick. Akhmedov gets the back and they scramble and Heinisch escapes. Akhmedov with a right hand. Heinisch with a knee to the body and now he looks for a takedown against the fence. Heinisch working hard for a single leg but Akhmedov defends well and lands some punches and elbows. Heinisch gets a late takedown. 10-9 Akhmedov, 20-18 Akhmedov.

Heinisch with a body kick. Akhmedov tags Heinisch with a left hook. Akhmedov with a left hook to the body. Akhmedov with a knee and then rocks Heinisch with a right hand. Heinisch recovers and they scramble on the mat and Heinisch gets the body lock against the fence. They break. Akhmedov with a deep breath but lands a left hook. Heinisch with a left hand and then lands a combo. Heinisch drops for a takedown and completes it. Heinisch lands some punches and gets the back. They get to their feet. Akhmedov grabs the leg and tries a takedown but they break. Akhmedov lands a left hand. They trade punches and both are rocked. Heinisch lands a late flying knee. 10-9 Heinisch, 29-28 Akhmedov.

Official Result- Omari Akhmedov def. Ian Heinisch by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Ketlen Vieira (#2, 10-0, 4-0 UFC) vs. Irene Aldana (#10, 11-5, 4-3 UFC)
Women’s Bantamweights

This is Vieira’s first fight since March 2018. Aldana has fought four times in that span. They are trading early and Vieira being aggressive. Aldana with a right hand. Vieira with a combo. Aldana with a right hand to the body. They trade punches. Vieira with a right hand. They trade and both land. Vieira rocks Aldana with a right hand and Aldana retreats a little. Aldana with an inside leg kick. Aldana with the jab. They trade left hooks and Vieira lands a right hand. Aldana rips a left hook to the body. Vieira with a right hand and then rocks Aldana. Aldana then knocks Vieira out with a left hand! A big punch right to the jaw sent Vieira down. Aldana landed a few follow-up punches before it was stopped but the fight was well over by then. Huge win for Aldana.

Official Result- Irene Aldana def. Ketlen Vieira by knockout (punches) at 4:51 of Round 1

> Geoff Neal (#14, 12-2, 4-0 UFC) vs. Mike Perry (13-5, 6-5 UFC)
Welterweights

Neal with a left hand. Perry with a body kick. Neal with a big body kick. They each kicked the other in the cup but both fought on. Neal with a left hand and then rocks Perry with a head kick. Neal teeing off on Perry against the fence and he drops Perry with a left hand! Neal with punches from the top and this fight is stopped. Neal with a statement win and he is the real deal.

Official Result- Geoff Neal def. Mike Perry by TKO (punches) at 1:30 of Round 1

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

> Petr Yan (#4, 13-1, 5-0 UFC) vs. Urijah Faber (#12, 35-10, 11-6 UFC)
Bantamweights

Faber with a body kick. Faber with a step-in knee to the body. Faber just misses a head kick. Yan with a left hand. Yan with a leg kick. Yan with a high kick but just misses a right hand. Faber misses a high kick. Faber with a right hand. Yan with a left hand. Yan tries a body kick but Faber catches it and they clinch for a moment before breaking. They clinch again and Yan connects as they break. Yan lands two right hands. Yan with a combo and Faber lands a left hook. They clinch and Yan connects again as they break. Faber with an inside leg kick. Yan with a knee. 10-9 Yan.

Yan landing some punches. Faber trying to find openings and Yan is connecting with punches. Faber gets double underhooks against the fence. They break and both land after they break. Yan with a body kick. Faber tries a takedown as he grabs a single leg but Yan escapes. Yan drops Faber with a punch and gets the back and is landing punches looking to finish. They get up and Yan lands a knee to the body. They break. Faber with a big left hand rocks Yan. Yan drops Faber again with an elbow and has the back and is landing. They get up and Yan drags Faber to the ground and is working in the guard. Faber has a huge cut open and they call a timeout to check the cut. Faber’s face is a mess. Faber is allowed to continue and they get restarted on the ground. Faber going for legs as they scramble up. They trade punches. Yan with a late takedown. 10-8 Yan, 20-17 Yan.

Yan comes out firing and lands a high kick. They clinch and Yan lands a head kick as they break as Faber goes down and the fight is stopped. Incredible finish by Yan as he gets a huge win.

Official Result- Petr Yan def. Urijah Faber by knockout (head kick) at :43 of Round 3

> Marlon Moraes (#1, 22-6-1, 4-2 UFC) vs. Jose Aldo (#3 FW, 28-5, 10-4 UFC)
Bantamweights

Moraes with a head kick right away and Aldo barely blocks it. Aldo lands a right hand. Moraes lands a left hand. They are feeling each other out but this is tense. They trade kicks. Moraes lands a right hand. They both land a punch. Moraes with a right hand. Moraes with an inside leg kick followed by a left hand. Aldo fighting very tentatively. Aldo lands a right hand. He is pressuring but not being overly active. Now he is and he stuns Moraes with a right hand. They trade in the pocket. Aldo with a right hand. They tie up and Moraes with a big throw into the half-guard. 10-9 Moraes.

Aldo with a low kick. Moraes is circling away and not throwing much of anything. They trade and Moraes with the jab. Aldo coming forward with constant pressure. Aldo blocks a high kick attempt from Moraes. Aldo with a combo and then lands a left hook to the body. They trade punches. Aldo lands a hard right hand. They both land big punches. Aldo with a right hand to the body. Aldo landing more as the round wears on. Aldo just misses a flying knee. Moraes is on his back pedal. Aldo with a big uppercut. Aldo with more pressure and they trade in close range. 10-9 Aldo, 19-19.

Aldo with a right hand and Moraes lands a counter left. Moraes with a nice double jab. Aldo with more pressure as he is stalking Moraes around the Octagon and is cutting him off. Moraes with two right hands. They trade in close range. They trade and Aldo just misses a flying knee. Moraes with a right hand. Aldo still coming forward. Aldo blocks a high kick attempt from Moraes. Moraes with a leg kick and then a left hand. Moraes with a left hand and Aldo lands a right hand. They trade late. This is a close round and it is going to be interesting on the scorecards. 10-9 Aldo, 29-28 Aldo.

Official Result- Marlon Moraes def. Jose Aldo by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

> Amanda Nunes (C, 18-4, 11-1 UFC) vs. Germaine de Randamie (#1, 10-3, 6-1 UFC)
UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship

Nunes with a leg kick followed by a right hand. de Randamie with an inside kick. She goes for another kick but Nunes catches the leg and lands a right hand. Nunes with a right hand and then gets a takedown into the guard of de Randamie. Nunes stands and lands a right hand and then locks in a gullotine but de Randamie escapes to her feet and Nunes stands and they clinch. Nunes gets de Randamie down again and lands some punches from the top. Nunes with more ground-and-pound. Nunes avoids an upkick and goes back into the guard and is landing big punches going for the finish. Big punches from Nunes. Nunes now looks for an arm-triangle choke. de Randamie is able to escape but starts eating elbows from Nunes. Nunes with complete domination here in the first. de Randamie survives the round but a huge round for Nunes. 10-8 Nunes.

de Randamie lands a body kick. Nunes with a low kick. de Randamie lands an uppercut. Nunes with a body kick. de Randamie lands a right hand. They trade punches. Nunes ducks under a right hand and gets a double-leg takedown. They are stood up fast. de Randamie with a head kick. de Randamie lands a knee and then some more in the clinch and they hurt Nunes. de Randamie with a big knee to the head of Nunes. de Randamie has Nunes pinned against the fence. Nunes gets another takedown. Nunes with body punches from the top and now goes to the elbows. de Randamie tries a triangle but Nunes escapes to her feet and goes back into the guard late. Nunes looking tired. 10-9 de Randamie, 19-18 Nunes.

They both land on the feet and Nunes then gets another takedown. Nunes looking to get into the crucifix position. Nunes lands from the top but not a lot is going on. Nunes with body punches from the top. Nunes with heavy ground-and-pound. Not a lot going on still but Nunes is doing enough to keep it from being stood up. Nunes now lands some solid elbows. de Randamie lands an upkick that stuns Nunes as Nunes stands. Nunes gets to side control. de Randamie able to scramble up and they go back to the mat. 10-9 Nunes, 29-27 Nunes.

They trade leg kicks. Nunes with a leg kick. Nunes gets a takedown. Nunes with some punches from the top in the half-guard. Nunes with elbows. de Randamie then locks in a triangle choke and an armbar. This is deep. Nunes escapes! Wow what an escape. They get up and Nunes gets another takedown. Nunes taking deep breaths. Nunes with a big elbow. Nunes with some punches and elbows from the top. Nunes is gassed. 10-9 Nunes, 39-36 Nunes.

Nunes with an immediate takedown. Nunes in the guard, not doing much, but staying active enough for it to not be stood up. Nunes with some short right hands. Nunes with big left hands to the body. This hasn’t been your typical Nunes performance of late, but she is showing great fight IQ in this one. Nunes staying active and de Randamie has no answer from her back. Nunes still doing just enough to avoid a stand-up from the referee. Nunes stands but gets back on top as the fight ends. 10-9 Nunes, 49-45 Nunes.

Official Result- Amanda Nunes def. Germaine de Randamie by unanimous decision (49-44, 49-46, 49-45), Nunes retains the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship

> Max Holloway (C, 21-4, 17-4 UFC) vs. Alexander Volkanovski (#1, 20-1, 7-0 UFC)
UFC Featherweight Championship

Volkanovski with a leg kick. Holloway with some jabs. Volkanovski with a leg kick. Volkanovski with some leg kicks and lands a combo. Volkanovski with a left hook. They trade punches. Volkanovski with a leg kick. Holloway lands a right hand. Volkanovski with a couple of leg kicks. They trade punches. Volkanovski with more leg kicks. Volkanovski lands a right hand. They trade punches. Volkanovski goes for a takedown against the fence but Holloway defends and they break. Volkanovski with another leg kick. 10-9 Volkanovski.

Volkanovski starts with a leg kick and Holloway lands a right hand to the body. Holloway with a right hand. Volkanovski with an inside leg kick. Holloway’s lead leg is really red from the leg kicks. Holloway with a leg kick. Volkanovski with a combo ending with an inside leg kick. Volkanovski with a hard leg kick. Volkanovski with another. Holloway lands a combo and switches stances. Holloway lands a left hand. He lands another. Volkanovski lands a right hand. Volkanovski with more leg kicks. Holloway with a quick combo. Holloway lands a flush right hand. Holloway with a spin kick. They trade late. 10-9 Holloway, 19-19.

Volkanovski with a right hand. Volkanovski with a leg kick. Holloway lands a left hand. Volkanovski with a body kick. Volkanovski with a combo. Volkanovski lands a right hand. Holloway with a leg kick. They trade and Volkanovski lands some good shots. Volkanovski with a leg kick and then another. They trade in close range. They trade again and Volkanovski lands some good shots. Holloway with a body kick. 10-9 Volkanovski, 29-28 Volkanovski.

They trade to start the fourth. Volkanovski with a good combo and lands a nice right hand. Volkanovski lands some good punches. Volkanovski goes for a takedown but Holloway defends. Holloway with a combo. Holloway lands a nice right hand. Volkanovski with a leg kick. They trade punches. Holloway lands a good uppercut. They trade punches. Holloway with a right hand to the body. Volkanovski with a hard jab. Holloway applying pressure. They trade punches. Holloway tags Volkanovski with a left hand. They trade late. 10-9 Volkanovski, 39-37 Volkanovski.

Holloway with a side kick. Holloway lands a combo. Volkanovski with a body kick. Holloway with a right hand to the body. They trade right hands. Holloway working the body here in the fifth. Holloway with a combo and a body kick. Holloway applying pressure. Volkanovski with a combo. Holloway lands to the body. They tie up and Volkanovski pushes Holloway against the fence. Volkanovski with an elbow followed by a right hand. They trade punches. Holloway encouraging Volkanovski to throw down. Holloway defends a takedown and lands an elbow. Holloway with a body kick. They trade shots. Holloway with a late flurry. Really good fight here. We may have a new champion. 10-9 Holloway, 48-47 Volkanovski.

Official Result- Alexander Volkanovski def. Max Holloway by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 50-45), Volkanovski wins the UFC Featherweight Championship

> Kamaru Usman (C, 15-1, 10-0 UFC) vs. Colby Covington (#2, 15-1, 10-1 UFC)
UFC Welterweight Championship

Usman with a high kick and slips. Covington with a body kick. Covington with a left hand. Usman lands a right hand followed by a jab. Usman with another right hand. They trade punches and Usman with another right hand. Covington with a left hand followed by a body kick. Usman with a right hand. Covington lands a left hand. They trade in close. Covington with a knee and Usman lands a knee. They trade punches. They trade kicks. They trade punches. Usman with a body punch that hurt Covington. Usman with an uppercut. Covington with a left hand. 10-9 Covington.

Usman with a combo. Usman lands some left hands. Covington with a left hand. Usman with another right hand. Covington lands two left hands and a flurry. Usman with a jab. They trade and both land solid punches. They trade and Usman with a body shot. Covington lands a low blow and we have a timeout. We get back to action and they trade jabs. Covington is firing jabs but none are landing. Covington lands a right hand. Usman with a big right hand that backs Covington up. Usman with a body punch. Close round. 10-9 Covington, 20-18 Covington.

Usman with a body kick. Usman with a knee to the body and he lands the jab. Covington slowing his pace down. Usman with a big right hand. Usman with a big right hand to the body. Those are hurting Covington. Usman with a body kick. The pace has slowed in this round. Usman with a right hand. Usman with an uppercut to the body. Usman with a left hand. Covington with a head kick. Covington gets poked in the eye and we have another timeout. We get back to action and not much happened other than an Usman front kick and a big right hand late. 10-9 Usman, 29-28 Covington.

Covington told his corner he thinks he broke his jaw. Covington with a body kick. They trade punches and Covington with a left hand. Usman lands a flurry. Covington lands a left hand. Usman with a right hand. Covington with a right hand. Usman lands one. Covington with a big uppercut. They trade punches. Usman lands a flurry. Usman with a body kick. Usman with a right hand to the body and then a straight right hand. Usman with a front kick. Covington with a combo. Usman with a right hand and then a body kick. Covington with a leg kick. Covington complains of an eye poke and the referee warns both of them. Usman lands better late. 10-9 Usman, 38-38.

Usman with a body kick. Covington with a combo. Usman with a front kick. Covington with a big left hand. They both land punches. Covington with a combo. Usman with a right hand to the body. Usman lands some big punches and Covington is reeling a little bit. That was a big flurry by Usman. Usman with more right hands as he is turning it on. Usman drops Covington with a right hand. Usman pouring it on. Covington gets up and Usman drops him again. Usman with a flurry and it is stopped! Usman gets the late finish and he retains the championship in dramatic fashion.

Official Result- Kamaru Usman def. Colby Covington by TKO (punches) at 4:10 of Round 5

JNPO: The one question UFC mailbag show

Posted on by Josh Nason

Much like my prom night, I have no one to share this week’s edition of Punch-Out with.

But, don’t shed any tears as I tried out my first full solo edition of the podcast, talking for just over 30 minutes on leftover thoughts from UFC 235, a few UFC Wichita questions, and a listener question. (Yes, one question. Now I’m sad again.)

On the topic board:

– Did Cody Garbrandt’s career get stunted by his UFC title win?

– Should Daniel Cormier defend the title against someone other than Brock Lesnar?

– Is Robbie Lawler the UFC’s Undertaker?

– What are the next UFC welterweight fights to make?

– Why should we watch this weekend’s UFC Wichita, KS, debut?

Hear all that and more on the new JNPO. Can you do no less?

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UFC 235 prelims draw big ratings number on ESPN

Posted on by Paul Fontaine

Saturday night’s UFC 235 prelims averaged 1.48 million viewers on ESPN.

That’s the highest number for a pay-per-view prelims show since UFC drew 1.51 million viewers on FS1 for the UFC 207 prelims in December 2016, and that PPV was headlined by Ronda Rousey’s last MMA fight.

The number was up 10 percent from the UFC 234 prelims, which had the benefit of a giant lead-in from a Duke vs. Virginia college basketball game.

This weekend’s show also had a college basketball game airing before it — but with about half the audience, so the strong number this weekend was more due to interest in the UFC PPV itself. That is corroborated by UFC 235 being Google’s most searched for item in North America on Saturday.

The UFC 235 prelims finished first in the important 18-49 demo with a 0.63 rating and were 12th for the day in terms of total cable TV viewers. The 0.63 rating was also higher than any show on network TV during prime time — so, for that demo, UFC was the most watched of any TV show.

All of this would lead one to believe that the PPV, headlined by Jon Jones’ successful light heavyweight title defense against Anthony Smith, did a stronger-than-usual number. Dave Meltzer had predicted around 575,000 buys before the show, while my own numbers at MMADraws.com suggested a number in the 450,000-500,000 range.

UFC returns to ESPN+ this coming weekend with a show from Wichita, with the next ESPN card coming Saturday, March 30 for an event headlined by Edson Barboza vs. Justin Gaethje from Philadelphia.

UFC 235: Questions, answers and predictions

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: MMAFighting.com

As the saying goes, March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. We get to see the UFC equivalent of the lion Saturday with UFC 235, the organization’s most potent card of the calendar year.

Featuring two good title fights, a former champion returning against a debuting undefeated Bellator champion, a former champion returning in search for redemption, and an undercard loaded up with intrigue, 235 is why fight fans are fight fans. Plus, for PPV buyers, this is as value-packed a main card as you’ll ever see.

Helping me sift through the show as always are fellow MMA scribes Paul Fontaine and Ryan Frederick, who will be cageside tonight for our live coverage. Also, be sure to check out my talk with ESPN’s Dann Stupp about the show and other news of the week.

The card (PPV/ESPN/Fight Pass):

  • UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones vs. Anthony Smith
  • UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley vs. Kamaru Usman
  • Robbie Lawler vs. Ben Askren
  • Tecia Torres vs. Weili Zhang
  • Cody Garbrandt vs. Pedro Munhoz
  • Jeremy Stephens vs. Zabit Magomedsharipov
  • Misha Cirkunov vs. Johnny Walker
  • Cody Stamann vs. Alejandro Pérez
  • Diego Sanchez vs. Mickey Gall
  • Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Charles Byrd
  • Gina Mazany vs. Macy Chiasson
  • Polyana Viana vs. Hannah Cifers

What are you most looking forward to?

Ryan: There is so much to look forward to as it’s one of the best overall cards in a long time. My top three: Jon Jones, Ben Askren, and Zabit Magomedshapirov. Jones is still on another level despite all of the drug test shenanigans going on, and is a pleasure to watch. I hope he has taken Anthony Smith seriously, but this should be another vintage Jones performance. I’m really curious how Askren is going to fare. He is undefeated but he also hasn’t fought in a long time, and Robbie Lawler is no joke. Magomedshapriov is a special talent, and he has a tough and unique test in the form of the veteran Jeremy Stephens. Zabit hasn’t fought someone who hits as hard as Stephens, and Stephens is the type of guy you have to beat if you want to be a true contender.

Paul: Almost everything. There are several fights on the show with established names going against up and coming stars which are the fights I love. Gall vs. Sanchez, Cirkunov vs. Walker, Stephens vs. Zabit, and Lawler vs. Askren kind of all fall into that category and I’m fascinated to see how they play out. Do the veterans have a little gas left in the tank or do the rising contenders get one step closer to stardom? It makes the fights feel important. And then, of course, you’ve got the title fights on top. This show really has everything I’m looking for.

Josh: Broken record alert: it’s basically the whole show. However, I will shine a light on Askren vs. Lawler because the fight could go several directions. Askren really has been something this week and with a win, there’s a lot of intrigue into what he could do next. I don’t know what to make of Lawler because he looked so bad his last time out…but he tore his knee to hell. I’m not a huge fan of wrestlefests, but if Askren makes this into one, it could be pretty entertaining.

Anything being slept on?

Ryan: Garbrandt vs. Munhoz is getting overshadowed. It’s easy to count Garbrandt out after seeing him get knocked out in back-to-back fights against TJ Dillashaw. It is time for him to prove that he is still a contender and that it’s just a case of Dillashaw having his number. Don’t blink watching this one as I feel Garbrandt has a huge chip on his shoulder.

Paul: There’s a fight on the Fight Pass prelims involving a 9-0 stud that’s only 21 years old and I think we could be looking at a future superstar. Edmen Shahbazyan can only get better and if early indications are anything, that could be scary. His opponent, Charles Byrd, has a middling record and this looks to be a showcase fight for young Edmen.

Josh: UFC and media have done a good job with the card overall, but I’m super intrigued with how Johnny Walker looks in his short-notice fight with a game Misha Cirkunov. Walker has been impressive in two UFC fights, but Cirkunov is tough. However, he did have back to back first round losses to hard punchers Glover Teixiera and Volkan Oezdemir before rebounding against Pat Cummins his last time out. If Walker connects flush, Cirkunov could be out quick like.

Anything not doing it for you?

Ryan: I like it all. If I’m pressed to name one fight I don’t care for, I guess it would be Mazany vs. Chiasson, only because it could be the most boring fight on the show. Most people might think that could be Woodley vs. Usman, but I find that one to be so compelling and interesting.

Paul: I feel the same as Ryan, but if I have to pick one that may not be terribly great, it would probably be the Tecia Torres vs. Weili Zhang fight on the main card. This has the potential to be one of those fifteen minute standup fights where both try to stay out of each other’s range and nothing much happens. I hope that’s not what happens but there’s a lot at stake in this one for both and hopefully they want to win more than they are afraid to lose.

Josh: Torres vs. Zhang. Hopefully, it will be entertaining but going into it, I don’t really care about either fighter or their prospects for the future.

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

Ryan: Jon Jones is still the most dominant fighter on the planet, and made it somehow look as easy as ever. There is a new force at 170 pounds in the name of Kamaru Usman, and can you please let him shut Colby Covington up. Ben Askren is ready to fight for a UFC title right now. Cody Garbrandt has bounced back in a nice way, and ohnny Walker is still the most exciting prospect to come into the UFC in a long time.

Paul: Obviously what’s next for the two champions. There are challengers in waiting for both belts although if we crown new champions, the question will be whether you go to an immediate rematch or have one of those challengers get their shot. Thiago Santos has promised to challenge the winner of the main event and after his destruction of Jan Blachowicz last week, there’s a marketable fight against either Smith (which would be a rematch) or Jones. For the welterweight bout, there’s Colby Covington, who can’t stay away from a camera for more than 10 seconds this week, or the Askren/Lawler winner. And Johnny Walker may just sneak into the 205 title picture with another highlight reel KO over Misha Cirkonov.

Josh: We’ll be talking about a potential Jones vs. Thiago Santos fight for July or August, Woodley calling out Covington and forcing his way into making that fight happen, that Askren belongs in the UFC, and that that Garbrandt needs to change something up badly.

Who wins these five fights?

Jon Jones vs. Anthony Smith

– Jones: Josh, Ryan, Paul

Tyron Woodley vs. Kamaru Usman

– Woodley: Josh
– Usman: Ryan, Paul

Robbie Lawler vs. Ben Askren

– Askren: Josh, Ryan, Paul

Jeremy Stephens vs. Zabit Magomedsharipov

– Magomedsharipov: Josh, Ryan, Paul

Misha Cirkunov vs. Johnny Walker

– Walker: Ryan, Paul, Josh

Keep up with our live coverage tonight on WrestlingObserver.com.

Jon Jones’ pre-UFC 235 tests still show trace amounts of Turinabol

Posted on by Josh Nason

Although he has been cleared to fight at Saturday’s UFC 235, light heavyweight champion Jon Jones still has trace amounts of Turinabol in his system according to a Thursday report by MMAFighting.com.

According to their sources, samples collected by the Nevada Athletic Commission on February 14th and February 15 showed 40 picograms per milliliter and 20 picograms per milliliter, respectively. 

The findings weren’t enough for the NAC to make any changes in licensing Jones for his Saturday title defense against Anthony Smith in Las Vegas as they feel the traces of the steroid are still of the long-term variety and not a new presence.

Jones and Turinabol have been linked since 2017 but the issues flared up in late-December when the promotion had to move UFC 232 to California from Las Vegas on a week’s notice due to various amounts of picograms found in Jones’ system between August and December 2018.

Because of the timing of UFC 232 around the holidays and the defense that the picograms were from a positive 2017 test, the UFC was concerned the NAC wouldn’t license Jones in time for his fight against Alexander Gustafsson. Thus, they infamously moved the event to Los Angeles.

Since then, Jones had to agree to testing throughout the year from VADA, the California State Athletic Commission, and NAC testing in addition to USADA. In late-January, Jones had a lengthy hearing in front of the NAC to explain the whole situation.

As documented in the MMA Fighting piece linked above, test results have come back completely clean and then partially positive off and on since December.

JNPO: Jon Jones-Anthony Smith and the potential of UFC 235

Posted on by Josh Nason

It’s been more than two years since former MMA Junkie editor and current ESPN.com writer Dann Stupp was on my podcast and with such a big fight card this weekend, there was no better time to bring him back to Josh Nason’s Punch-Out.

In our 45-minute chat found below, we hit on several topics:

  • A high-level preview of Saturday’s UFC 235 which is an on-paper contender for fight card of the year
  • Why the unheralded Anthony Smith getting a shot at light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is so important
  • Is the matchmaking right for Ben Askren vs. Robbie Lawler?
  • Why did I feel nothing inside when the UFC announced an interim lightweight title fight between Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier?
  • The sad turn of events for the family of Matt Hughes
  • Why a bad knockout loss Saturday could end the career of Diego Sanchez

Hear that and more on a new JNPO immediately. Can you do no less? 

Also, check out Dann’s recent ESPN feature on Alonzo Menifield.

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Daily Update: Robert Whittaker, UFC 234 fallout, Salvatore Bellomo

Posted on by F4W Staff

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News

Latest Audio

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: WWE’s WrestleMania main event decision

While the first women’s WrestleMania main event is all but official at this point, WWE still has a huge decision to make about who will be in it.

In a sense, WWE is playing with house money. Both options that they have are good ones. Whether the main event is Ronda Rousey vs. Becky Lynch for the Raw Women’s Championship or a triple threat between Rousey, Lynch, and Charlotte Flair for the title, it will be the most heated match on the card and fully deserving of its place in the spotlight on WWE’s most important day of the year. 

WON NEWSLETTER: February 11, 2019: NJPW New Beginning in Sapporo review, more

I have no idea how this issue got done. I had surgery on my left little finger which was broken in three places on 1/30, and it seemingly went well.

NJPW – New Beginnings: The two nights together did 10,957 paid with one sellout up from 10,002 last year. Tanahashi & Okada as The Dream Team vs. Jay White & Bad Luck Fale did the same as Tanahashi vs. Suzuki did last year for the IC title but paid was much higher this year for Naito vs. Taichi in Taichi’s hometown than for Kenny Omega vs. Jay White for the U.S, title last year, although both were sellouts.

At Smackdown on Tuesday, several talents with contracts coming due were asked to sign new long-term deals after Dean Ambrose told the promotion he wasn’t going to sign a new contract. 

Ian Riccaboni signed a new contract with ROH to continue as their play-by-play announcer.

UFC held a press conference today. The big heat seemed to be between Tyron Woodley and Kamaru Usman, building up their Welterweight Title fight at UFC 235 on March 2nd. Jon Jones is facing Anthony Smith on that show.

Conor McGregor will not be fighting Donald Cerrone in April. Khabib still claims he is not fighting for a year.

Jose Aldo defeated Renato Moicano, 44 seconds into the 2nd round. First round was very close. But it was the “old Aldo”, just destroyed him. Aldo is still talking about retiring at the end of this year. 

Filthy Tom Lawlor is the new MLW champion defeating Low Ki at their super fight one hour Bein Sports TV special from the 2300 (ECW) Arena in Philadelphia.

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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SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE

by Bryan Rose and Joseph Currier

WWE

  • According to a family member on social media (which WWE later confirmed), Salvatore Bellomo has passed away at the age of 67 due to cancer. He is best remembered for being an enhancement talent in the mid-to-late 1980s on WWE television. He later adopted a wildman gimmick and appeared on early Eastern Championship Wrestling television.
  • Tegan Nox posted an update yesterday on the six-month anniversary of her injury in the Mae Young Classic: “Today marks the 6 month anniversary (to the day & date) of the best/worst day of my career! It’s been a tough 6 months full of blood, sweat and tears but I wouldn’t change it for the world…even the knee scope in November! I’ve taken the time off to change both physically and mentally, plus I’ve been picking up some extra skills along the way! I’m still a little ways away from returning but every day is better than the last! #ShatteredGlass …just saying”
  • WWE has filed a trademark for the phrase “Then, Now, Forever” on 2/4, not too long after CBS used a similar phrase during the Super Bowl.
  • Curt Hennig passed away on this date in 2003, and David Von Erich passed away on this day in 1984.
  • Matt Hardy has put out a new episode of Woken Word.
  • Mick Foley appeared at a Memphis Grizzlies game last night.
  • WWE ranked 10 “shocking Elimination Chamber match moments.”

Pro Wrestling

  • ROH Bound by Honor is set for tonight in Miami, Florida and will stream live on Honor Club starting at 7 p.m Eastern. It will feature a Television title match between Jeff Cobb and Rocky Romero, The Kingdom vs. Jay Lethal, Jonathan Gresham and Rush, Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Colt Cabana, Kelly Klein vs. Mayu Iwatani for the Women of Honor title and more.
  • Brody King missed last night’s ROH television tapings due to the birth of his son.

UFC/MMA

  • Robert Whittaker’s management team issued a statement on Whittaker not being able to fight at last night’s PPV: “On behalf of Rob, we would like to update fans on his condition. Last night at roughly 9 p.m., Rob began experiencing intense abdominal pains that were brought to the attention of the UFC doctors. After several hours of observation, he was admitted to the hospital at 3 a.m. Rob is just out of dual surgery for a twisted and collapsed bowel in addition to an internal hernia of the intestine and will be recovering in hospital for several days. Rob will want to speak to his fans directly when he can. Rob is devastated that today’s fight will not go ahead. Up until 5 minutes before going into surgery, Rob was insisting he would fight, but advice was that a blow to the stomach could be fatal. Rob will come back stronger and ready for what is to come. Thanks to the UFC, Kelvin and his team for your professionalism.”
  • Ariel Helwani posted an update on Whittaker: ‘UFC middleweight champ Robert Whittaker is currently recovering from yesterday’s emergency hernia surgery at a local Melbourne hospital, according to sources. As of now, doctors are hoping he’ll be discharged on Thursday. The surgery lasted three and a half hours, sources said. At the moment, there’s no immediate timetable in place for when he could possibly return to action. It was a serious and complicated surgery, sources said.’
  • Kelvin Gastelum, who is declaring himself middleweight champion after Robert Whittaker’s injury cancelled their title fight last night confirmed to Brett Okamoto that he is currently suffering from a staph infection.
  • After losing to Israel Adesanya via unanimous decision, Anderson Silva spoke about wanting to face Nick Diaz at UFC 237 in May: “Maybe I think it makes sense to fight [Nick] Diaz in Curitiba. I’m just waiting for Dana, because it’s not time to make the decisions. Hopefully, I’ll fight in Curitiba.”
  • Dana White isn’t interested in a fight between Silva and Conor McGregor.
  • Final ratings won’t be in until Tuesday, but between ESPN and ESPN Deportes the UFC prelims from last night averaged a 1.0 overnight rating. The lead-in was a Duke vs. Virginia college basketball game.
  • Chris Weidman tweeted after last night’s main event: “Adesanya just a tad bit overrated”
  • Ovince Saint Preux is out of his UFC 235 fight against Misha Cirkunov due to an injury.
  • UFC 238 will take place at the United Center in Chicago on June 8.
  • David Branch will square off against Jack Hermansson at UFC on ESPN 2 on 3/30.
  • Brett Primus will face Tim Wilde in the main event of Bellator Birmingham on 5/4.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: TNA Against All Odds 2008

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

Daily Update: Impact Homecoming, NWA pop-up notes, Woodley/Usman

Posted on by F4W Staff

DAILY UPDATE

Latest News

Latest Audio

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: WWE’s biggest news stories of 2018

2018 was an especially mixed year for WWE. It’s been an incredible year for WWE financially — even if that hasn’t always been mirrored by traditional metrics. They agreed to two transformative TV deals that will shape the company for years to come. WWE also reached a lucrative 10-year deal with the Saudi General Sports Authority, with the first two shows in Saudi Arabia being among the most controversial in the history of the promotion.

WON NEWSLETTER (ONLINE ONLY): January 7, 2019 Observer Newsletter special: History of the Tokyo Dome – NO HARDCOPY AVAILABLE

When the Tokyo Dome opened on March 17, 1988, the idea of pro wrestling there wasn’t even an idea.

The Dome was built to be the new modern home of two baseball teams, the Yomiuri Giants of the Central League, the team of Shigeo Nagashima and Sadaharu Oh years earlier, the unofficial national team that had all its games on NTV, and sold out every game. The Dome held 48,316 fans for baseball, but for years, every single Giants game announced the attendance as 56,000. The other team, the Nippon Ham Fighters of the Pacific League, which played there through the 2003 season, were the ones that the average person could get tickets to see.

The idea was baseball and concerts, the Rolling Stones (who have 19 Tokyo Dome sellouts), Michael Jackson (who sold 405,000 tickets for nine dates in December 1988), U2, Madonna and Japanese artists. But while it has housed numerous sporting events, including NFL and Major League Baseball, with the exception of baseball and concerts, it’s probably best known for pro wrestling.

Pro wrestling was still huge on television back then. All Japan, headed by Giant Baba, was a fixture on Nippon TV, one of the major networks. New Japan, on TV-Asahi, had matches airing in prime time. 

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 Dave Meltzer, or by using PayPal directing funds to [email protected]. 

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SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE

(By Bryan Rose and Joseph Currier)

WWE

Pro Wrestling

  • Impact’s Homecoming event takes place tonight, returning to the Asylum in Nashville, Tennessee. Here is the card:
    Johnny Impact vs. Brian Cage for the Impact World title
    Tessa Blanchard vs. Taya Valkyrie for the Knockouts title
    LAX vs. Fenix and Pentagon for the Impact tag team titles
    Jake Crist vs. Ethan Page vs. Rich Swann vs. Trey for the X Division title
    Eddie Edwards vs. Moose in a falls count anywhere match
    Sami Callihan vs. Willie Mack
    Eli Drake vs. Abyss in a Monster’s Ball match
    Allie & Su Yung vs. Kiera Hogan & Jordynne Grace
  • NJPW’s post-Wrestle Kingdom press conference will stream on New Japan World for free at 10 p.m. Eastern time time tonight. It should include news for Fantastica Mania and New Beginning shows.
  • Lisa Marie Varon, better known as Victoria in WWE, announced on social media this afternoon that 2019 would be her last year wrestling, saying that a new adventure is to come.
  • TMZ Sports has footage of the David Arquette/Jocephus hair match from last night’s NWA pop-up event.
  • The War Kings (Crimson & Jax Dane) defeated Jay Bradley & Caleb Konley at the NW pop-up event to become the first team to qualify for the Crockett Cup, which is taking place in Concord, North Carolina on April 27.
  • Naomichi Marufuji will return to NOAH on their February 2 card. He has been out since November with a shoulder injury.

UFC/MMA

  • After Kamaru Usman said earlier this week that the fight between him and Tyron Woodley is a done deal for UFC 235, Ariel Helwani is now saying the same. Woodley in the past has said that he wants to face former interim champion Colby Covington.
  • Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson is looking to challenge Anthony Pettis, who has recently expressed interest in moving up to welterweight.
  • A recent report from MMA Weekly says that Brock Lesnar has yet to pay a $250,000 fine from NSAC for a failed drug test back in 2016 in his fight against Mark Hunt.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Larry Hennig & Harley Race win AWA Tag Team titles

CONTACT INFORMATION

UFC wants Jon Jones-Anthony Smith for March’s UFC 235

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: MMA Fighting

A week after controversially returning to competition at UFC 232, the UFC wants one of their biggest stars back in there sooner than later.

UFC president Dana White revealed to TMZ they want light heavyweight champion Jon Jones to defend his newly-won title against fast-rising contender Anthony Smith to headline March’s UFC 235 in Las Vegas, NV.

The one hitch in that plan: getting Nevada to license Jones who had to have his fight against Alexander Gustafsson at 232 moved with one week’s notice from Nevada to California due to the presence of a picogram of turinabol found in his system during December pre-fight testing.

The Nevada Athletic Commission wasn’t confident they could license him for 232 due to the timeframe in which they found out. Instead of waiting, the promotion moved the entire show to California of which thier commission head later said they were unaware of some failed tests in August that were revealed later.

Jones will still need to appear in front of the NAC to explain the situation that UFC VP Jeff Novitsky and USADA are claiming is due to a positive test he had in 2017. White said they will apply for a license later this month.

Since moving up to 205 pounds, the 30-year-old Smith has won three straight with three finishes including an October third round submission win over past title challenger Volkan Oezdemir.

UFC 235 also has Ben Askren vs. Robbie Lawler on that show which also could see the addition of welterweight champion Tyron Woodley vs. either Colby Covington or Kamaru Usman.

Nick Diaz reportedly close to finalizing UFC return

Posted on by Bryan Rose

After four years, it appears that Nick Diaz may be making a return to the octagon next year.

Brett Okamoto of ESPN is reporting that Diaz is close to finalizing to return to the UFC at UFC 235, which is scheduled for March 2 in Las Vegas, Nevada. If both sides agree, Diaz will face Jorge Masvidal in a welterweight bout. The report says that Masvidal told ESPN this week that he had been offered the fight, but wasn’t sure if Diaz would accept.

Diaz last fought for the UFC back at UFC 183 in January of 2015, losing to Anderson Silva by unanimous decision. The result was overturned after Silva tested positive for drostanolone and androsterone. Diaz also tested positive for marijuana and suspended Diaz for 18 months. He was again suspended after missing three drug tests out-of-competition.

Masvidal also hasn’t fought in a while. He’s been out due to injuries as well as taking part in a Spanish-language reality show.