How this not only affects New Japan but the change in the marketplace
Okada’s career legacy
Preview of Royal Rumble and Revolution
Full coverage of Battle in the Valley, the return to Chicago, and the next major events
Debut of Matt Riddle and Jack Perry with New Japan
Impact turns into TNA, business notes, full coverage
The PFL vs. Bellator dream card, lineup, how this relates to pro wrestling in the past, and how this show exemplifies the complete economic changes in the fight business
Full coverage of the ratings over the past week, including weekly ratings, competition, comparisons with a year ago and segment-by-segment
Dream rematch shows continue at Arena Mexico
Lots of new tournaments
Takagi vs. Mochizuki
Masa Fuchi main events at the age of 70
Anniversary of the first pro wrestling show in Japanese television
FantasticaMania notes
Wrestling references by Paul Walter Hausen at the Emmys
Demolition of famous arena
Kevin Von Erich is Israel
Update on Iron Claw movie business
Mark Hitchcock show update
New wrestling history book out
Examining WBD press release on AEW
New AEW international deal
Samoa Joe talks current scene
Advance ticket sales to WWE, AEW and UFC events
New AEW signee who will have a new gimmick and details as to why
Overseas programmer talks about AEW setting ratings record
Sean Strickland and sponsors and this isn’t going to be fun for Dana White when Bud Light hears about it
A college working with fighters for courses in fight disciplines
New Cena movie
Drug testing realities
WWE injury updates
WWE, AEW & TNA PPV updates
International TV ratings and streaming numbers
What Canadian ratings mean in comparison to U.S. numbers
Coverage of all the WWE house shows of the past week
Garrett and I did two shows over the weekend. Our Friday show covers Seth Rollins and Kazuchika Okada and the rest of the news in depth. Last night we had Ryan Frederick on and talked UFC 297, plus a lot more on Okada and Rollins, Gable Steveson, Collision, Randy Orton, Sean Strickland and a lot of other topics.
The only update we have regarding Seth Rollins is that he has to make a decision. The treatment he’s going to get for his injury and how it relates to time off, the championship and WrestleMania will all likely be addressed on Raw tomorrow night.
Dana White said that he thought Sean Strickland won the fight over Dricus du Plessis. He also said that he believes you should have to take the title from a champion, but it’s impossible to score fights with the current system and have that mentality. You have to score each round. If you score the fight as a whole you can give the champion the benefit of a very close fight, but once you are scoring rounds, it means the person who you believe actually won isn’t necessarily the person you scored to win because if you thought Strickland won or you through du Plessis didn’t do enough to win, you can’t erase a round you gave to du Plessis to make your card reflect that thought. Most people don’t realize this about current judging. Du Plessis won a split decision to win the middleweight title. White said after that even though he thought Strickland won, there wouldn’t be a rematch. The hope is du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya next for the title. Du Plessis also challenged Adesanya after the win.
Regarding last night’s main event, Judge Derek Clearly had du Plessis winning rounds two, three and four and up 48-47. Judge Eric Colon had the same scores. Judge Sal D’Amato had du Plessis winning two and four and gave Strickland one, three and five and up 48-47. I had it the same as Clearly and Colon but felt round two was the close one that could have gone either way. Most had it the same, a split decision based on how you scored round two. What’s notable is that this fight was more exciting without anyone knowing the scores, although I feel the Japanese system of reading the scores out every round is far superior. Because going into round five people would have known du Plessis had the fight won unless he got a 10-8 round against him and even with Strickland winning five they would know he didn’t win. Legit nobody knew who would get the decision because it was that close. Media scores were 57-43 percent in favor of du Plessis.
In last night’s Chris Curtis vs. Marc-Andre Barriaut fight, most had it 29-28 for Curtis. But judge Derek Clearly had it 29-28 for Barriault and Eric Colon and Declan Woods had it 30-27 for Curtis. Media scores were 78% for Curtis and 22% for Barriault. Like nobody thought Curtis won all three rounds except two of the judges.
In the Google trends for the past week, the only reference to anything related to boxing, wrestling and MMA was last night’s UFC 297 which was No. 4 yesterday with 1 million searches. All three topics ahead were NFL playoff related.
Frankie Edgar was announced as the first inductee into the 2024 class of the UFC Hall of Fame. Even though that Hall of Fame also isn’t voted on, their inductions at least have more credibility than WWE, although they don’t have Frank Shamrock in.
Sportsbetting.ag has Du Plessis at -105 and Adesanya at -115 if that match happens.
Drake bet and lost $700,000 on Strickland last night.
Adele said that she thought the best movie of the year was “The Iron Claw.”
WWE house show results from last night in Montgomery, AL
Cody Rhodes b Shinsuke Nakamura in a bullrope match
Seth Rollins was originally to headline and was then announced as being replaced by Randy Orton, but Orton wasn’t there either.
We’re looking for your thoughts on New Japan New Beginning in Nagoya from yesterday, you can leave a thumbs up, down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]. We’re also looking for reports on tonight’s WWE show in Jackson, MS, with results, finishes and highlights to [email protected]
With no football tomorrow, Raw is expected to be way up in the ratings and the top show on cable, and maybe even overall tomorrow. The lineup right now has Cody Rhodes and C.M. Punk face-to-face, Drew McIntyre vs. Damian Priest, Chad Gable vs. Ivar, Miz vs. Dominik Mysterio and Ivy Nile vs. Valhalla.
There will be an 80s Wrestling Convention Fan Festival on 5/4 in Morristown, NJ at the Mennen Sports Arena. Among those appearing are Stan Hansen, Jake Roberts, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Barry Windham, JJ Dillon, Baby Doll, Demolition, Powers of Pain, Dan Spivey, Boris Zhukov, Slick, Tom Prichard, Tito Santana, Tony Garea, Scott McGhee, and Tony Atlas. Bill Apter will host. There will be a magazine Q&A with Bill Apter and George Napolitano.
Amazing Red vs. Mustafa Ali has been announced for the 4/5 Wrestling Revolver and House of Glory joint show at the Trinity Center for Urban Life in Philadelphia. It will stream on TrillerTV+.
Mace, Mansoor and Jack Victory were backstage at last night’s TNA tapings in Kissimmee, FL.
During the El Chiringuito Inside live broadcast of Real Madrid vs. Almeria, someone in the audience asked a question about the tribal chief. None of the announcers answering questions had a clue what they were talking about and the guy asking said he was WWE champion. They all rolled their seats and wondered what that had to do with anything. (thanks to Leonardo Mendez Toledo)
Today is the 42nd birthday of Go Shiozaki.
Empire State Wrestling on 3/15 in Niagara Falls, NY at the Frontier Fire Hall with an appearance by Demolition, plus Bill Colier vs. Gregory Iron.
There is a Go Fund Me to raise money for a funeral for Frank “Francisco Ciatso,” the longtime Florida-based wrestler who passed away
Big Time Wrestling out of Newark, CA at the Pavilion has the 2024 Kirk White Memorial Battle Royal (where the winner is presented with the original Roy Shire Cow Palace Battle Royal trophy from the 60s) this coming Friday night. Also on the show are Alan Angels, Dave Dustra, Aaron Solo, Brooke Havook and Viva Van.
Jon Moxley vs. Gringo Loco headlines a Wrestling Revolver show on Thursday night that airs on Trlller +. There is also a first time ever match with Steve Maclin vs. Mance Warner plus Jake Something vs. Masha Slamovich, Ace Austin vs. Matthew Palmer and Sami Callihan vs. JT Dunn and the Grizzled Young Veterans.
Dave Meltzer and I are back with Wrestling Observer Radio.
Ryan Frederick joined us to recap UFC 297. We went over the entire main card and Ryan talked about some of the undercard highlights in addition to the news coming out of the show.
Dave and I then discussed the following:
Updates on Kazuchika Okada, Seth Rollins, and Kenny Omega
AEW rankings
Tama Tonga
The Dark Side of the Ring slate for the next season
New middleweight and women’s bantamweight champions were crowned at UFC 297.
In the main event of Saturday’s card, Dricus du Plessis defeated champion Sean Strickland by split decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47) to become the new UFC middleweight champion in what ended up being a close contest. With the win, du Plessis became the first UFC champion from South Africa. The match was also awarded Fight of the Night.
After the fight, du Plessis called out former champion Israel Adesanya. Strickland, meanwhile, thanked Canada in his post-fight interview.
Strickland had been champion for 132 days, losing the title on his first defense. He defeated Adesanya at UFC 293 on September 10 of last year.
In the co-main event, Raquel Pennington defeated Mayra Bueno Silva by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-45) to win the UFC womenâs bantamweight championship for the first time. In her post fight interview, Pennington said she had climbed up mountains to get here and for anyone that has people telling them they can’t chase their dreams, keep believing.
The womenâs bantamweight title had become vacant when Amanda Nunes vacated both the womenâs bantamweight and featherweight titles back in June of last year.
The Octagon returns to Toronto for the first time in over five years for the first UFC pay-per-view event of 2024 as UFC 297: Strickland vs. Du Plessis takes place at the Scotiabank Arena.
The main event sees UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland making his first title defense against top contender Dricus Du Plessis. Strickland scored a massive upset over Israel Adesanya in September to become the new champion and has faced scrutiny for several comments he made this week. Du Plessis has yet to taste defeat on the UFC roster, winning six straight fights to earn his title shot.
The co-main event will see a new women’s bantamweight champion crowned when Raquel Pennington squares off with Mayra Bueno Silva for the vacant title. Pennington has won five straight fights while Bueno Silva is unbeaten in four fights since moving to bantamweight.
Also on the main card is a welterweight battle between longtime veteran Neil Magny and rising prospect Mike Malott, a middleweight bout pitting Chris Curtis against Marc-Andre Barriault, and a battle of featherweight contenders as Arnold Allen takes on undefeated Movsar Evloev.
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> Flyweights*- Malcolm Gordon (14-7, 2-4 UFC) vs. Jimmy Flick (16-7, 1-2 UFC)
*Gordon missed weight by 1.5 pounds
Gordon comes out throwing and Flick lands a high kick. Gordon lands and Flick looks for a takedown. Gordon pushes it against the fence. Gordon gets a takedown. Flick gets Gordon inside of his full guard. Gordon with some right hands from the top. Flick looking for a triangle choke. Gordon lands some right hands. Flick lets go and Gordon lands from the top. Gordon landing some elbows and some more punches from the top. Gordon looks for a guillotine choke but Flick rolls to the top and is looking for a Von Flue choke. They get to the end. 10-9 Gordon.
Flick lands a leg kick and left hand. Gordon lands a combo and follows it with more punches. Gordon landing right hands and some uppercuts before landing a knee. Flick is backing up and is able to get a takedown. Flick has the back on the mat and now looking for an arm-triangle choke. It’s locked in and Gordon taps! Big comeback win for Flick.
Official Result- Jimmy Flick def. Malcolm Gordon by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 1:17 of Round 2
Jasudavicius gets an early takedown against the fence. She gets the back and lands some right hands. She’s landing from the back and then gets the mount and starts landing big right hands. Cachoeira in a lot of trouble on the bottom eating punches and elbows. Jasudavicius with some left hands from the top. Cachoeira is stuck on the bottom. Jasudavicius with more big punches from the mount. She keeps landing from the top. Complete domination from Jasudavicius. 10-8 Jasudavicius.
Jasudavicius drops Cachoeira with a right hand to start the second and gets on top and starts landing. Jasudavicius with some elbows from the top. Jasudavicius gets the mount and lands an elbow as she’s looking to set up a choke. Jasudavicius locks in a D’Arce choke and lets go and lands some elbows. She goes back to locking the choke in. Jasudavicius lets go and lands some punches. Cachoeira is a bloody mess. Jasudavicius with big elbows from the top. More domination. 10-8 Jasudavicius, 20-16 Jasudavicius.
They trade to start the third. They’re both landing as Jasudavicius is pushing forward. They trade jabs. Cachoeira running around and Jasudavicius is chasing her and is able to get a takedown. Cachoeira is bleeding heavily. Jasudavicius is landing big punches from the top. She has the crucifix position and then locks in a D’Arce choke that gets Cachoeira to tap. Complete domination and a terrific performance from Jasudavicius.
Official Result- Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Priscila Cachoeira by submission (anaconda choke) at 4:21 of Round 3
> Welterweights- Yohan Lainesse (9-2, 1-2 UFC) vs. Sam Patterson (10-2-1, 0-1 UFC)
Patterson lands a left hand. Lainesse lands a right hand and Patterson counters with a left. Patterson grabs the neck and drags it down. He looks for a front choke on the ground. Patterson gets the back and looks to lock in the hooks. Patterson locks in a rear-naked choke and Lainesse taps!
Official Result- Sam Patterson def. Yohan Lainesse by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:03 of Round 1
Viana landing some combos and leg kicks to start off. Robertson gets a takedown. She’s working from the half-guard. She’s looking to set up a kimura as she has an arm but lets go. Robertson still working from the half-guard and looks for an opening for a choke. Robertson gets the mount and lands before locking in an arm-triangle choke. Viana is defending but it is in tight. Viana is able to squirm out. Robertson has the back. Robertson gets the mount and lands some elbows. Robertson now looks for an armbar. Viana slams Robertson down and is able to get her elbow free. Viana lands from the top before they stand. 10-9 Robertson.
Viana lands a combination. Robertson lands a right hand. Viana with a right hand and a body kick. Robertson gets a takedown and has the mount. Viana almost gives up her back as Robertson is landing right hands. Robertson with an elbow. She lands some more right hands. Robertson with some hard elbows from the mount. She lands some big punches and gets the stoppage. Big finish and complete domination from Robertson.
Official Result- Gillian Robertson def. Polyana Viana by TKO (punches) at 3:12 of Round 2
> Bantamweights*- Serhiy Sidey (10-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Ramon Tavares (9-2, 0-0 UFC)
*Tavares missed weight by 3.5 pounds
Sidey lands some leg kicks. Sidey shoots for a takedown but Tavares defends against the fence. They get to the center and separate. Sidey lands a left hand and some body kicks. They trade kicks and Sidey lands a jab. Tavares lands a right hook then a left hand to the body and Sidey slips to the mat for a moment. Sidey lands a high kick. Tavares with a combo. Tavares with some punches and leg kicks. Sidey pressing forward and lands a high kick. Tavares ends with a body kick and hard right hand that hurts Sidey. Close round. 10-9 Tavares.
Tavares with a combination to start off. Sidey shoots for a takedown but Tavares defends. Sidey lands a right hand. Tavares lands a left hand. Sidey lands a right hand that hurts Tavares. Sidey follows with a head kick. Sidey with some jabs then a right hand and a high kick, but misses a flying knee. Tavares drops Sidey with a left hand but Sidey gets right up. Tavares lands some more punches and Sidey’s nose is busted open. Sidey lands a body kick. Sidey with some punches and a head kick as Tavares is retreating. Sidey lands some more punches. Sidey with some elbows and left hands as they’re clinched. Sidey closes the round strong. 10-9 Sidey, 19-19.
Sidey with some punches as he’s landing more to start the third. Tavares lands a combination. Sidey lands a leg kick. Tavares with a left hand. Tavares lands a combination. Sidey with a knee then an elbow and a straight right hand. Sidey lands a high kick. Tavares lands a combo. Sidey with a body kick. Sidey landing with more volume in this round. Sidey lands a combo ending with a high kick. Tavares lands a combo. Fun fight. 10-9 Sidey, 29-28 Sidey.
Official Result- Ramon Tavares def. Serhiy Sidey by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
> Featherweights- Charles Jourdain (15-6-1, 6-5-1 UFC) vs. Sean Woodson (10-1-1, 4-1-1 UFC)
Jourdain lands a head kick that Woodson partially blocks. Woodson lands a jab then a leg kick. Jourdain lands a leg kick and they trade right hands. Woodson lands a combo. Jourdain with a leg kick. Both landing equally as both are having trouble finding openings. Jourdain with some more leg kicks. Woodson lands a combo. Woodson looks to land a knee and Jourdain grabs it but Woodson defends as they clinch. 10-9 Woodson.
Jourdain lands a combination ending with a body kick to start the second. Woodson lands a left hand. Woodson with a nice combination. Jourdain looks for a takedown as he pushes it against the fence. They separate and both land. Jourdain pushes it back against the fence but they end up breaking. Jourdain with a body kick. Woodson lands a jab. Jourdain lands a head kick. 10-9 Woodson, 20-18 Woodson.
Jourdain lands to start the third and pushes it against the fence looking for a takedown. They separate and Jourdain is pressuring but Woodson is landing as he backs up. Jourdain lands a leg kick. Woodson with a left hand to the body. Jourdain lands a left hand. Jourdain with a right hand. They trade and Jourdain looks for a takedown against the fence. They break and Jourdain with a body kick. Jourdain is landing more this round. Jourdain with a high body kick. Jourdain looks for a late guillotine choke but Woodson gets out before the fight ends. 10-9 Jourdain, 29-28 Woodson.
Official Result- Sean Woodson def. Charles Jourdain by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
> Bantamweights- Brad Katona (13-2, 3-2 UFC) vs. Garrett Armfield (9-3, 1-1 UFC)
They trade leg kicks. Armfield lands a left hand. Armfield lands a quick combo. Katona with a right hand. Armfield with a jab to the body. We have a timeout for a groin strike by Katona. They get back to action and trade. Armfield lands a right hand. They’re trading in close range. Armfield lands a right hand. They tie up and Katona is looking for the takedown but they separate. Katona lands a left hand. Katona grabs the back and almost gets a takedown. Katona still has back control. Katona lands a knee. 10-9 Armfield.
Armfield lands a right hand. Katona lands a right hand. Armfield lands a right hand. They trade inside the pocket. They continue to trade and Katona looks for a takedown, but Armfield defends and they separate. Katona lands a right hand. Katona with a jab. Armfield lands a combo and Katona fires back. They trade in close range. Katona lands with a left hand and is the one pressuring. Armfield is landing more and Katona gets a brief takedown. They get right to their feet and Katona has the back. Katona lands a knee. 10-9 Armfield, 20-18 Armfield.
Both throw in close range but neither land. Katona lands a pair of left hands. Katona gets a takedown. They get to their feet and Katona pushes it against the fence. Katona trying for the takedown but Armfield is defending and landing elbows. They separate. They trade punches. Katona lands a right hand. Katona gets a takedown and is inside the guard of Armfield. Katona gets the back of Armfield. They separate but Katona goes right back for the takedown. They separate and are trading. Armfield goes for a takedown but Katona sprawls away and lands late. Close fight. 10-9 Katona, 29-28 Armfield.
Official Result- Garrett Armfield def. Brad Katona by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
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> Featherweights- #4 Arnold Allen (19-2, 10-1 UFC) vs. #9 Movsar Evloev (17-0, 7-0 UFC)
Evloev tries a high kick as Allen lands a left hand. Allen lands a left hand. Allen lands to the body then the head. Allen lands another left hand to the body. Evloev looks for a takedown as he pushes it to the fence and Allen defends. They separate. Evloev lands a jab. Evloev lands a right hand. Allen lands a jab. Evloev shoots for a takedown but Allen is able to defend for a moment. They scramble and transition as they go from the feet to the mat to the feet to the mat and back up. Evloev has the back as the round ends. 10-9 Evloev.
Evloev lands a body kick. Allen lands to the body. Evloev with a head kick. Allen then rushes in and lands a high kick. Allen lands a combo. Evloev with a leg kick. Evloev lands a right hand and gets a takedown. They get to their feet and separate. Evloev lands a jumping knee. Evloev lands a nasty jab that hurts Allen. Allen is cut bad under his eye as Evloev lands late. 10-9 Evloev, 20-18 Evloev.
Evloev lands a high kick then a leg kick. Allen lands a combo to the head and body. Allen lands a left hand. Evloev shoots for a takedown and grabs a single leg. Allen is defending and landing knees and landed one as Evloev’s hand was down. Evloev was lifting his hands up but we have a timeout for an illegal knee. Evloev has a big cut open on the side of his head as they get back to action. Evloev tries for a takedown but Allen defends. Evloev tries a takedown and Allen grabs the neck looking for a choke but Evloev is able to roll out of it. They get to their feet and Evloev has the back along the fence. Allen landing some back elbows and they separate. Allen lands a left hand. 10-9 Allen, 29-28 Evloev.
Official Result- Movsar Evloev def. Arnold Allen by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Curtis lands a leg kick. He lands another. He lands another. Barriault lands a pair of leg kicks and one high. Barriault with a right hand. Curtis with a combination. They’re trading but no one doing a lot of work at the moment. Barriault with a high kick. Curtis lands to the body. Curtis with a combination. Barriault lands a leg kick. 10-9 Barriault.
Both looking for openings to land to start the second. Barriault with a combination. Curtis with a combination. There isn’t a ton of offense going on. Curtis lands a combination to the body. Curtis with a leg kick and Barriault lands a right hand. Barriault lands a body kick. Barriault with a leg kick. Curtis lands a pair of right hands. Barriault with a leg kick. Curtis lands a combo. Barriault with a body kick. They trade late. 10-9 Curtis, 19-19.
Curtis lands an uppercut. Barriault lands a combination. They trade uppercuts. Curtis lands a straight left hand. They trade inside the pocket. Curtis lands a right hand. Barriault lands an uppercut and Curtis lands a counter elbow. Curtis lands some knees and Barriault lands to the body. Barriault with a right hand. Barriault landing with more volume as the round is going on. Curtis lands to the body. Barriault with a combo. They continue to trade. Barriault lands to the body. Curtis now landing more as he’s mixing to the head and body. They trade knees. Curtis with some body shots. Curtis with some knees and elbows. Close fight. 10-9 Curtis, 29-28 Curtis.
Official Result- Chris Curtis def. Marc-Andre Barriault by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)
> Welterweights- #13 Neil Magny (28-11, 21-10 UFC) vs. Mike Malott (10-1-1, 3-0 UFC)
Malott with a leg kick then another to start. Malott with more leg kicks. Malott with a high kick. Malott lands a right hand. Malott continuing to land with leg kicks as Magny isn’t getting much offense going. They clinch for a moment and Magny lands a left hand as they break. Malott with more leg kicks and Magny is showing damage. Malott with more leg kicks late. 10-9 Malott.
Magny lands a leg kick. Malott lands a nice right hand. Malott with more punches and lands a leg kick. Malott with a body kick. Malott gets a takedown and is in the half-guard. They get to their feet and trade before Malott gets another takedown. Malott trying to transition and he ends up in the full mount. Malott landing from the top and in complete control as the round ends. 10-9 Malott, 20-18 Malott.
Magny rushes forward and lands but Malott scores a takedown. Malott looking for the neck but Magny gets his head out. They get to their feet and are tied up against the fence. Magny landing some slaps. Malott has the single leg and scores the takedown. Malott working from the top smothering Magny and landing punches. Malott grabs the neck but Magny is able to slam him down and lands. Malott looks for a leg as Magny goes back to the mat. Magny gets the mount and is landing and now takes the back and is landing. Malott is eating a ton of punches as Magny is pouring it on and it is stopped! What a comeback from Magny to get the stunning win.
Official Result- Neil Magny def. Mike Malott by TKO (punches) at 4:45 of Round 3
Pennington rushes forward with a combo. Pennington grabs a single leg looking for a takedown but Silva defends. They trade and Pennington is looking for a single leg and Silva lands an elbow. They separate. Silva gets a takedown. She takes the back of Pennington. They get to their feet and Silva is still on the back in the backpack position. Silva lands an elbow. They go back to the mat and Silva has both hooks in. Silva with some punches from the back. 10-9 Bueno Silva.
Pennington lands some jabs as Silva is landing some leg kicks. Pennington with a right hand and a left hook. She lands another combo. They clinch and not much happens. Pennington lands after they break and she lands some more in close range before they clinch again. Silva lands a knee. Silva lands to the body and they break. Pennington lands some big right hands. Pennington rushes in and lands. They tie up and Pennington lands an elbow. Pennington with some punches in the clinch. They trade uppercuts. Pennington with some foot stomps. Silva gets the back and jumps on it. Silva looking for a choke. Pennington gets out. Silva with some elbows. 10-9 Pennington, 19-19.
Silva lands a leg kick and Pennington lands some punches. Silva with another leg kick and lands afterwards before they tie up. Pennington lands some knees and Silva lands some. Silva gets a brief takedown but Pennington is able to reverse it to the feet. Silva grabs the neck and is looking for a front choke but Pennington gets out and lands an elbow. Silva lands an elbow. She lands some more as she looks for a takedown. Pennington defends and has the neck from the top. Pennington stands and Silva remains on her back. Silva is ordered to her feet. They clinch right away and Silva lands a knee. Pennington lands to the body and Silva lands an elbow. Pennington has the neck and Silva drops to the mat. Pennington lands from the top. She ends the round on top. 10-9 Pennington, 29-28 Pennington.
Pennington lands a Superwoman punch. Pennington with a combination. They tie up against the fence. Silva lands an elbow then a knee then another elbow. Silva looking to get the back and has it. Silva drags it down. She looks for a choke and is squeezing as it’s around the chin. Pennington is able to get out. Pennington is on top and pressuring. Silva looks for an arm but Pennington gets out and lands a pair of hammerfists. Pennington with some big punches from the top. 10-9 Pennington, 39-37 Pennington.
They trade and Pennington gets a takedown. Pennington lands from the top and has an arm-triangle choke locked in. Silva is trying to get out. Pennington lets go and lands before getting the mount. Pennington is now in the half-guard. Pennington landing and stands. Silva is laying on her back. Pennington lands some leg kicks. Really bad fight. 10-9 Pennington, 49-46 Pennington.
Official Result- Raquel Pennington def. Mayra Bueno Silva by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-45) to win the vacant UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship
> UFC Middleweight Championship- C Sean Strickland (28-5, 15-5 UFC) vs. #2 Dricus Du Plessis (20-2, 6-0 UFC)
Strickland lands a body kick then a left hook. He lands a leg kick then a jab. Du Plessis lands a leg kick. Strickland lands the jab. Strickland working the jab and front kick. Strickland lands a combo. Du Plessis with a hard body kick. Du Plessis with a head kick. Du Plessis with a leg kick. Strickland lands a jab. Du Plessis with another high kick. Du Plessis shoots for a takedown and gets it. They get to their feet but Du Plessis still pressuring before they separate. Du Plessis with a body kick. Strickland lands a jab. Du Plessis with a leg kick then another high kick. Strickland lands a right hand. 10-9 Strickland.
Du Plessis lands a combo. Strickland with the jab. Strickland still working the jab. He lands another. Du Plessis lands a right hand. Du Plessis with a body kick. Strickland still working the jab. Du Plessis lands a leg kick. Du Plessis with another leg kick. Du Plessis lands to the body. Strickland with the double jab then a right hand. Du Plessis lands a right hand. Du Plessis with a body kick. Du Plessis lands a left hand. Du Plessis lands a combo. Du Plessis gets another takedown. They get up and Du Plessis lands a knee before they break. Du Plessis with a left hand then a leg kick. Du Plessis lands a left hand. 10-9 Du Plessis, 19-19.
Du Plessis lands a head kick. Du Plessis with a left hand. Strickland lands a jab. Du Plessis with a leg kick then a right hand. Du Plessis with a body kick. Du Plessis with a left hand and lands another. Strickland lands a jab and Du Plessis with a left hand. They trade left hands. Strickland with a double jab and Du Plessis lands a right hand. Du Plessis lands again. They trade in close range. Close round. 10-9 Du Plessis, 29-28 Du Plessis.
They’re both pawing in close range. Du Plessis lands a left hand. Du Plessis tries a takedown but lands an elbow on the break and Strickland is cut open. Strickland lands a right hand. Du Plessis lands a nice body kick. Strickland lands an overhand right. They both land and Du Plessis with a leg kick. Strickland lands a combo. Du Plessis with a left hand. Du Plessis gets a takedown. They get to the fence and to their feet. Strickland is bleeding even more now. Du Plessis has the back against the fence and they separate. Du Plessis lands a big right hand. Du Plessis lands a combo then a head kick. Du Plessis gets another takedown. They get to their feet and Du Plessis has the back. Du Plessis with a German suplex but they end up standing. Du Plessis with an uppercut. Strickland lands a combo. 10-9 Du Plessis, 39-37 Du Plessis.
Strickland lands the jab. Du Plessis with a right hand then a high kick. They trade left hands. Strickland lands a right hand. Du Plessis lands a combination. Strickland with a right hand and Du Plessis lands a left hand. Du Plessis shoots for a takedown but Strickland defends. Du Plessis with a jab and Strickland lands a pair of right hands. They trade jabs. Du Plessis fakes a takedown and they trade right hands. They trade in close range. Du Plessis with a right hand. Du Plessis with a combination. Du Plessis with a jab. Strickland lands a right hand. He lands another. Du Plessis with a right hand and Strickland lands a right hand. They trade late. 10-9 Strickland, 48-47 Du Plessis.
Official Result- Dricus Du Plessis def. Sean Strickland by split decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47) to win the UFC Middleweight Championship
