UFC Fight Night in Houston (Toyota Center) on February 21, 2026 closes with a pure styles clash at middleweight, with Sean Strickland’s jab-heavy, pressure boxing against Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez’s pace grappling and submission hunting. On paper, the numbers explain why this fight is so compelling. Strickland pushes a high-output striking game (5.95 significant strikes landed per minute via UFC Stats) while Hernandez pairs efficient striking with one of the most aggressive takedown rates in the division (6.46 takedowns per 15 minutes).
Strickland’s jab-first boxing and damage accumulation
Strickland’s best rounds are built on simple, repeatable wins: occupy the center, pump the jab, and force opponents to throw first into his reads. He absorbs a fair amount in return (4.57 SApM) because he is willing to trade volume for control, but his defense and pacing let him keep the same cadence in the later rounds (if it gets there).
The strategic question is whether Strickland can keep Hernandez at the end of combinations long enough to discourage level changes. Strickland’s takedown defense is really solid at 76%, and he does attempt takedowns himself at a low level (0.73 per 15 minutes), but his primary win condition is still to bank minutes with clean, repeatable boxing exchanges to get the decision.
Hernandez’s chain wrestling and submission volume
Hernandez is not a “one shot” wrestler. His whole game is built on repeat entries, resets, and re-attacks until the clinch becomes a scramble. Statistically, it shows: 6.46 takedowns per 15 minutes with 1.8 submissions attempted per 15 minutes is a rare combination at 185.
Even if Strickland initially stuffs shots, Hernandez can still win sequences by forcing extended grappling exchanges that drain output and lower Strickland’s jab volume. Hernandez also absorbs very little (2.53 SApM), which suggests he is hard to hit cleanly when he is dictating phase changes.
Where the fight is decided: entry defense vs scramble management
This main event likely swings on two micro-battles:
First contact on Hernandez’s entries. Strickland must make Hernandez pay with straight punches before the hips get involved. If Hernandez gets to the body lock consistently, the fight becomes a cardio and position test.
What happens after the first stop. Even strong takedown defense can lose if the defender cannot reset to stance quickly. Hernandez thrives when opponents defend one attempt and then get dragged into the next exchange.
Tale of the tape and style metrics
Metric
Sean Strickland
Anthony Hernandez
Record
29-7-0
15-2-0
Height
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Reach
76 in (1.93 m)
75 in (1.91 m)
Sig. Strikes Landed per Min (SLpM)
5.95
4.59
Sig. Strikes Absorbed per Min (SApM)
4.57
2.53
Takedowns Avg per 15 min
0.73
6.46
Takedown Defense
76%
68%
Sub. Avg per 15 min
0.2
1.8
The cleanest paths to victory
Fighter
Win condition
What must show up
Strickland
Box at range, deny clean clinch entries, win rounds on volume
Jab discipline, early intercepts, fast stance resets
Hernandez
Force grappling minutes, win scrambles, threaten submissions to keep Strickland defensive
Chain wrestling, top pressure, re-shots after the first stop
If Strickland is consistently jabbing and forcing Hernandez to shoot from too far out, he can turn this into a long, frustrating kickboxing match. If Hernandez gets repeated clinch contact and turns every defense into a second and third attempt, the math shifts quickly in his favor.
The headline attraction is a five round middleweight main event between Sean Strickland and Anthony Hernandez, and the market has positioned Hernandez as a clear favorite. As of the latest DraftKings listings, Hernandez is priced at -278 and Strickland at +225.
Below is a straightforward snapshot of the UFC Houston odds as they are being posted right now. Odds are always subject to movement leading into fight night and can vary by sportsbook.
UFC Houston main card odds
Fight
Odds
Sean Strickland vs. Anthony Hernandez
Strickland +225, Hernandez -278
Geoff Neal vs. Uros Medic
Neal -218, Medic +180
Dan Ige vs. Melquizael Costa
Ige +180, Costa -218
Serghei Spivac vs. Ante Delija
Spivac +120, Delija -142
Jacobe Smith vs. Josiah Harrell
Smith -310, Harrell +250
Zach Reese vs. Michel Pereira
Reese +130, Pereira -155
The top of the card has two clear tiers. Hernandez and Neal are positioned as the biggest favorites among the headliners listed above, while fights like Spivac vs. Delija and Reese vs. Pereira sit in a more competitive range where a single swing moment can change the story.
UFC Houston prelim odds
Fight
Odds
Chidi Njokuani vs. Carlos Leal
Njokuani +110, Leal -130
Ode Osbourne vs. Alibi Idiris
Osbourne +110, Idiris -130
Alden Coria vs. Luis Gurule
Coria -345, Gurule +275
Nora Cornolle vs. Joselyne Edwards
Cornolle +260, Edwards -325
Ramiz Brahimaj vs. Punahele Soriano
Brahimaj -115, Soriano -105
Phil Rowe vs. Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani
Rowe +164, Lebosnoyani -198
Jordan Leavitt vs. Yadier Del Valle
Leavitt +320, Del Valle -410
Juliana Miller vs. Carli Judice
Miller +550, Judice -800
On the prelims, the widest numbers are attached to Miller vs. Judice and Leavitt vs. Del Valle, which signals the market expects a one-sided outcome. Brahimaj vs. Soriano is the closest to a pick, with both fighters sitting near even.
UFC Houston, headlined by Sean Strickland vs Anthony Hernandez, takes place at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, with the main card airing on Paramount+ at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
If you are watching outside the United States, the easiest way to avoid missing the main card is to anchor everything to 8 p.m. ET, then convert from there. February is standard time in the US, so 8 p.m. ET equals 1:00 a.m. GMT (UK) on Sunday, February 22.
UFC Houston main card start time in the US (ET, CT, MT, PT)
The main card begins Saturday, February 21 at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Here are the main US time zones:
Eastern (ET): 8:00 p.m. Saturday
Central (CT): 7:00 p.m. Saturday
Mountain (MT): 6:00 p.m. Saturday
Pacific (PT): 5:00 p.m. Saturday
UFC Houston main card start time in the UK (GMT)
UK fans should plan for a late night, because the main card starts at:
United Kingdom (GMT): 1:00 a.m. Sunday, February 22
That is the direct conversion from 8:00 p.m. ET on Saturday.
UFC Houston main card start time in Australia (AEDT, AEST, AWST)
Australia lands on a Sunday start because of the time difference:
Sydney, Melbourne (AEDT): 12:00 p.m. Sunday, February 22
Brisbane (AEST): 11:00 a.m. Sunday, February 22
Perth (AWST): 9:00 a.m. Sunday, February 22
UFC Houston main card start time in Europe, Canada, and more
UFC Fight Night heads back to Houston on Saturday, February 21, 2026, with Sean Strickland vs Anthony Hernandez topping the bill. If you are mainly here for the prelims, the key detail is simple: the prelims begin at 5 p.m. ET. That start time is confirmed across major listings for the event, along with the US broadcast split between prelims and the main card.
Below, you will find the UFC Houston prelims start time converted for the US, the UK, Australia, and several other popular regions so you can plan your watch without doing timezone math at the last second.
UFC Houston prelims start time in the US (ET, CT, MT, PT)
The prelims start at 5:00 p.m. Eastern (ET) on Saturday, February 21.
Quick US conversions:
4:00 p.m. CT
3:00 p.m. MT
2:00 p.m. PT
If you are timing your evening, most UFC Fight Night prelim cards run for roughly three hours, with the main card scheduled later in prime time.
UFC Houston prelims start time in the UK (GMT)
For UK viewers, 5:00 p.m. ET equals 10:00 p.m. GMT on Saturday, February 21.
That is a friendly start for a late Saturday watch, especially if you want to catch the full prelim slate before the main card begins.
UFC Houston prelims start time in Australia (AEDT, AEST)
In Australia, the prelims land on Sunday morning.
Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra (AEDT): 9:00 a.m. Sunday, Feb 22
Brisbane (AEST): 8:00 a.m. Sunday, Feb 22
Australia is on daylight saving in several states in February, which is why AEDT sits one hour ahead of AEST.
UFC Houston prelims start times in other regions (Canada, Europe, India, UAE)
Here are more helpful conversions from the same 5:00 p.m. ET prelims start:
Canada (Toronto, ET): 5:00 p.m. Saturday
Brazil (Brasilia, BRT): 7:00 p.m. Saturday
Central Europe (CET): 11:00 p.m. Saturday
South Africa (SAST): 12:00 a.m. Sunday
UAE (Dubai, GST): 2:00 a.m. Sunday
India (IST): 3:30 a.m. Sunday
New Zealand (Auckland, NZDT): 11:00 a.m. Sunday
Fast reference: UFC Houston 2026 prelims start times
UFC Houston goes down on Saturday, February 21, 2026 from the Toyota Center, streaming on Paramount+ with prelims at 5 p.m. ET and the main card at 8 p.m. ET.
Below are my UFC Houston predictions for the fights that will shape the night most, starting with the five round main event at middleweight.
Quick picks (main card)
Fight
Prediction
Sean Strickland vs Anthony Hernandez
Hernandez by decision
Geoff Neal vs Uros Medic
Neal by KO or TKO
Dan Ige vs Melquizael Costa
Costa by decision
Ante Delija vs Serghei Spivac
Delija by decision
Michel Pereira vs Zach Reese
Pereira by KO or TKO
Jacobe Smith vs Josiah Harrell
Smith by decision
Main event prediction: Anthony Hernandez vs Sean Strickland
This matchup is basically cardio grappling pressure vs jab heavy, front foot boxing. On paper, Hernandez has the clearest win condition: force clinches, chain takedowns, and make every minute ugly. Strickland lands at high volume (5.95 significant strikes per minute via UFC Stats), while Hernandez’s game is built around takedowns (6.46 per 15 minutes) and submission threats (1.8 subs per 15).
The betting market has largely treated Hernandez as the favorite, with lines around Hernandez -285 and Strickland +230 (as of Feb 16). The key question is whether Strickland can keep enough stretches upright to win rounds. He is good at making fights competitive on the cards, which is why the “Strickland stays close” angle has shown up in early betting analysis.
Pick: Hernandez by decision. Over five rounds, Hernandez’s pace and repeated takedown attempts should bank minutes even if he is not holding long top control.
Geoff Neal vs Uros Medic
Neal being a slight favorite makes sense in a three round fight where one clean shot can swing everything. Neal is currently listed at around -185. Medic is live early, but Neal’s experience in high level welterweight fights and his ability to punish mistakes makes him my predicted winner.
Pick: Neal by KO or TKO.
Dan Ige vs Melquizael Costa
This is a tough style test for Ige because Costa can push tempo and pile up damage in volume spots. Tapology has Costa favored (around -220). Ige is durable and savvy, so I lean decision rather than a quick finish.
Pick: Costa by decision.
Ante Delija vs Serghei Spivac
Several predictions have made a strong early case for Delija as a value side given how weird the optics were around his most recent result, and they noted available numbers near -150. Tapology also leans Delija as the favorite (around -170).
UFC Fight Night returns to Houston on Saturday, February 21, 2026, with a loaded 14 fight lineup set for the Toyota Center. The event streams on Paramount+, with the prelims at 5 p.m. ET and the main card at 8 p.m. ET.
The main event is a five round middleweight clash between former champion Sean Strickland and surging contender Anthony Hernandez. Strickland’s pressure boxing and high volume jab heavy approach should meet Hernandez’s grinding pace, clinch work, and submission hunting style in what shapes up as a real “styles make fights” headliner. With the middleweight picture constantly moving, this is the kind of matchup that can push the winner toward a title eliminator next.
The co main is at welterweight, where Geoff Neal takes on Uros Medic. Neal has long been one of the division’s most dangerous left hands, while Medic has built a reputation for aggressive finishing instincts. If you want violence early, this pairing is a good place to start.
Further down the main card, Dan Ige vs. Melquizael Costa is a featherweight matchup that often means high pace exchanges and tough minutes. The heavyweight bout of Ante Delija vs. Serghei Spivac adds a clear style contrast, with Spivac’s wrestling and top control frequently defining his best performances.
UFC Houston 2026 main card
Here is the full card for the main card:
Fight
Division
Sean Strickland vs. Anthony Hernandez (five rounds)
Bryan and I did our weekend show talking Crown Jewel and Collision from last night and Garrett Gonazles and I did our week-in-review news show on Friday.
Some notes for Raw tomorrow. I believe Gunther vs. Damian Priest will be one of the main matches on Saturday Night’s Main Event. I was told that it was likely two weeks ago and everything is going in that direction. As for Liv Morgan vs. Iyo Sky, it could be on that show as well but that’s not confirmed.
Regarding the Bill Goldberg vs. Gunther match, we don’t have a date for it but were told it was not planned for the Royal Rumble show as things stand right now.
WWE announced its European tour in March, before WrestleMania, that it will include Smackdown being taped in Bologna, Italy on 3/21, Raw being taped in Glasgow, Scotland on 3/23, Smackdown being taped on 3/28 in London and Raw being taped on 3/31 in London.
We’re looking for your thoughts on yesterday’s WWE Crown Jewel show and tonight’s NJPW Power Struggle show, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down, or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]
We’re also looking for reports on today’s WWE show in Dublin, Ireland, and tomorrow’s show in London, with results, finishes and highlights to [email protected]
Power Struggle will start at 12:30 a.m. tonight Eastern and 9:30 p.m. Pacific time:
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Oleg Boltin vs. Evil & Ren Narita
Mikey Nicholls & Shane Haste vs. Great O’Khan & Henare for IWGP tag titles
Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita vs. TJP & Francesco Akira in the Super Juniors tag team tournament final
Douki vs. Master Wato for the IWGP Jr. title
David Finlay vs Taichi for the Global title
Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Shingo Takagi for the IWGP world title
The story reported about Jushin Liger turning down Chris Jericho to do a farewell match in January on the Jericho cruise was said to be a made-up story by Sonny Onno and Jericho said he didn’t ask Liger to do so.
They taped ROH before and after Collision last night in Philadelphia. Before Collision, it was:
The Infantry b Tom Mitchell & Trace Parker
Septentico & Angelico b LSG & ?
After Collision:
Sammy Guevara b Preston Vance
EJ Nduka & Lee Johnson b Philly Marino Experience
Vincent & Dutch were attacked by Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara
Leyla Hirsch b Tina San Antonio
Nick Wayne b Fancy Ryan Clancy – The crowd was very into Clancy and chanting for him
Diamante b Rachael Ellering
Tomohiro Ishii b Aaron Solo
AR Fox b Josh Woods. The crowd was very into this even though it was very late. Nick Wayne laid out Fox after the match to set up a match this coming Saturday on Collision. Orange Cassidy, Beef, JD Drake, Angelico, and Serpentioc all made the save. (thanks to Michael Yeon)
Derek “Dthomp” Thompson and Matt Kelly, who worked backstage at UFC, passed away over the last week. Thompson was I believe only 40 and Kelly was 54. Kelly had been in hospice care battling Stage 4 colon cancer. Thompson’s cause of death was not announced. Both deaths were announced on last night’s show from Edmonton.
“It’s hard to find the words to describe the loss of these two,” sportscaster Megan Olivi wrote on Twitter. “Derek was our gentle giant. We flew to and worked so many events together. We quoted old school lyrics, I tried to convince him to come to Pilates, and we shared some great meals in whatever city we were in. Matt was such a bright light. If you didn’t know he was sick you would have never guessed by the way he carried himself. He was so funny and even though his battle was so tough, the smile never left his face. He made it a joy to work together and I was always so grateful to see him.”
Last night’s Fight Night did a $2.6 million gate making it the highest gate for a Fight Night show ever in North America.
In the Caio Machado vs. Brendson Ribeiro fight the judges went via split decision for Ribeiro, media scores were 56% for Machado, so basically it was a fight that could have gone either way. In Erin Blanchfield vs. Rose Namajunas, where the judges all went 48-47 for Blanchfield, media scores were 63 percent for Blanchfield. All three judges had Blanchfield winning rounds three through five and winning 48-47.
While there was talk on Friday of Alex Pereira stepping in on the 12/7 UFC PPV to defend his light heavyweight title when welterweight champion Belal Muhammad had to pull out due to a toe infection, Pereira said his hands are still hurting from the Khalil Rountree fight and he won’t be able to fight that soon.
GCW ran last night in Honolulu: Jamie Senegal b Gino Rivera, Cole Radrick b Broski Jimmy, Gringo Loco b Arez, Danhausen b Colt Cabana, Joey Janela NC Rain, Joey Janela & Rain b Giant Leather & Kory Oliver, Effy b Mike Bailey, Allie Katch b Dark Sheik, Megan Bayne b Sam Stackhouse, Mance Warner b Kaimana to keep the GCW title, 2 Tuff Tony & Aerial Van Go & Matt Cross & Kaleb Conley b Bobby Flaco & Jake Lander & Geoffrey John & Kid ATapa,Aleki Afa b Matt Cardona (thanks to Leonard Brand)
Slam Pro Wrestling ran last night in Canberra, Australia for a Rage in the Cage show and reported 2,432 fans, with Dan Archer beating Luke Watts in a cage match to win the Slam Pro Wrestling league title. Former NRL player and local legend Terry Campese made his pro wrestling debut in a Battle Royal. We were told this was the largest crowd for an indie show in Australia in recent memory.
Juggalo Championship Wrestling from Thursday night in Detroit: Breyer Wellington & Jeeves b Facade & Dani Mo, Luigi Primo b Joey Janela, Caleb Konley b Simon Gotch, Alex Taylor, and Tarzan Duran to keep the American title, Mickie Knuckles b Mosh Pit Mike as Mikey Knuckles, Kerry Morton won over Kongo Kong and Co-Kane, Babathunder & JP Grayson & Tommy Grayson b Painful Paul & August Matthews & Davey Bang, James Storm NC Silas Mason, Matt Cross & Willie Mack b Jesus Rodriguez & Mecha Wolf (thanks to Leonard Brand)
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC Fight Night 138: Oezdemir vs. Smith, emanating from the Avenir Centre in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada.
The Octagon heads to New Brunswick and Moncton for the first time with a light heavyweight bout that could have title shot implications riding on it with two heavy hitters known for quick knockout wins.
Volkan Oezdemir looks to get back into the win column after coming up short in a title fight in January as he takes on hard-hitting Anthony Smith, who has won two straight fights over former champions since moving up to 205 pounds. Oezdemir lost to UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier at UFC 220 in January, and makes his return here, while Smith has back-to-back first-round knockout wins over Rashad Evans and Mauricio Rua.
In the co-main event, Michael Johnson steps in on short notice looking for his second straight win as he takes on Artem Lobov. Also on the main card is a pair of fights at 205 pounds as Misha Cirkunov battles Patrick Cummins, and Gian Villante takes on Ed Herman.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.
UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS | 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT
> Stevie Ray (21-8, 5-3 UFC) vs. Jessin Ayari (16-4, 1-1 UFC) Lightweights
They trade kicks to start. Ayari switching stances but eats a low kick from Ray. Ray with more low kicks. Ayari lands a right hand. Ray lands a left hand. Ray back to some leg kicks. Ayari lands an uppercut as Ray was rushing in. Ayari with a combo as he is finding his range. Ray misses a punch and eats a counter right from Ayari. Ray with a side kick to the body. Ayari with a body kick. Ray lands a punch. They trade leg kicks. Ray with a high kick. 10-9 Ayari.
Ray with a combo but nothing lands clean. Ray goes back to the leg kick. Ray continuing with the leg kicks. Ray goes for a high kick. Ray going back to the leg kicks and Ayari not countering or checking them. They trade inside the pocket and just misses a head kick. Ray lands some solid left hands. Ray lands a left cross. Ayari with a big right hand. Ray with a leg kick. They clinch for a second and Ayari lands a forearm on the break. They trade punches and Ray with a leg kick. Ayari with a late uppercut. 10-9 Ayari, 20-18 Ayari.
They trade early to start the final round. Ray back to landing the low kicks. Ray with more leg kicks. Ray with some left hands. Ray with a head kick that is blocked. Ray just misses a big left hand. They trade and clinch but break. Ayari lands a combo. Ayari lands a right hand and follows it with an uppercut and Ray is in trouble. Ray does land some leg kicks. They trade punches and Ayari lands a combo. Ayari lands the jab. Ray barely lands a head kick. Ray lands some punches. They trade to end the fight. 10-9 Ayari, 30-27 Ayari.
Official Result- Stevie Ray def. Jessin Ayari by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Golm with a leg kick. They trade punches. Golm with a leg kick. They clinch for a moment. Bhullar with a jab. Golm trips him up with a leg kick. Golm with the jab. Bhullar with a snap jab. Bhullar lands another jab. Golm with another big leg kick. They trade jabs. Bhullar with an uppercut. They clinch but break. Golm lands a right hand and a leg kick. Bhullar lands a jab. They clinch again and Bhullar lands as they break. Golm with another low kick. 10-9 Bhullar.
Golm with a leg kick. Bhullar lands a right hand against the fence. Golm with another big leg kick. Golm lands a knee in the clinch and Bhullar stumbles. They clinch against the fence. They trade knees. Bhullar tries for a takedown but Golm escapes. Golm with a leg kick. Golm with a knee followed by a right hand and a left hook. Golm with more leg kicks. They trade and then clinch. They battle for underhooks but neither doing much. Bhullar lands an uppercut. 10-9 Golm, 19-19.
Bhullar lands an uppercut as he goes into the clinch against the fence. Golm’s foot is swollen. Bhullar with some foot stomps. They break. Golm lands a right hand. Golm with a high kick. Bhullar gets a takedown and is in the guard of Golm. Bhullar with some punches from the top. Bhullar with an elbow from the top. He postures up to land a right hand to the body. Bhullar staying on top but not doing much. Bhullar starts to land some right hands against the fence. Strong finish from Bhullar. 10-9 Bhullar, 29-28 Bhullar.
Official Result- Arjan Bhullar def. Marcelo Golm by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)
> Te Edwards (6-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Don Madge (7-3-1, 0-0 UFC) Lightweights
They come out firing early. Edwards lands a right hand but Madge drops him with a left hand. Edwards gets up and gets a takedown. Crazy opening thirty seconds. Edwards in the guard of Madge. Madge looking for an armbar and has it locked in but Edwards is rolling out and gets out and is on his feet. Nice escape by Edwards as that was in deep. Madge going for another armbar. Edwards escapes and gets to his feet. Edwards goes back into Madge’s guard. Edwards stands back up. The referee orders Madge to his feet. Edwards lands a right hand and Madge lands a knee followed by a body kick. 10-9 Madge.
Madge lands a big head kick that rocks Edwards and then lands another that drops Edwards and finishes him off with some more punches right at the start of the second round. Huge win by Madge as he gets the brutal finish.
Official Result- Don Madge def. Te Edwards by knockout (head kick) at :14 of Round 2
FOX SPORTS 2 PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT
> Sarah Moras (5-3, 2-2 UFC) vs. Talita Bernardo (5-3, 0-2 UFC) Women’s Bantamweights
They trade early on. Moras lands a solid combo. Bernardo with a leg kick. Bernardo with a leg kick followed by one to the body. Moras with a right hand. Bernardo with another leg kick. Moras lands a solid right hand. Bernardo goes for a takedown but Moras defends well. Moras lands a clean right hand. Bernardo wobbles Moras but Moras initiates a clinch. Bernardo gets a takedown and looks to pass guard. Moras with some elbows from the bottom. Bernardo passes to side control and to the half-guard. Bernardo ends the round looking for a choke. 10-9 Bernardo.
They trade early and Moras misses a big right hand. She does land one a moment later. They continue to trade and Moras is landing more. Bernardo playing a lot of defense and then lands a right hand followed by a high kick. Moras with a right hand. Bernardo lands a combo but eats a right hand from Moras. Bernardo gets a trip takedown into side control. She goes into the mount for a moment. Bernardo looking to set up a choke but Moras is landing elbows from the bottom. Bernardo back to side control and looking to take the back but Moras spins out. 10-9 Bernardo, 20-18 Bernardo.
Moras gets a quick takedown to start the third. Moras looking for the mount but allows Bernardo to reverse and she is in the guard of Moras. Bernardo in side control and pinning Moras to the mat. Moras trying to spin out but Bernardo has her pinned down. Bernardo looking for an arm. Moras trying to roll for a leg but eating punches from Bernardo. They get to their feet and Bernardo goes for a takedown but Moras reverses and has the back and is landing punches and looking to lock in a choke but Bernardo able to escape. Moras landing elbows from the bottom. They get to their feet. Moras lands a late combo and lands big punches at the end. 10-9 Moras, 29-28 Bernardo.
Official Result- Talita Bernardo def. Sarah Moras by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
> Calvin Kattar (18-3, 2-1 UFC) vs. Chris Fishgold (17-1-1, 0-0 UFC) Featherweights
Fishgold with a leg kick and then gets a takedown. Kattar gets to his feet and Fishgold has the neck but lets go. Fishgold starts landing big punches as he has Kattar pinned against the fence. Fishgold clinches. They break. Fishgold with a leg kick. Fishgold with some punches. Fishgold lands a big right hand. Kattar eats it well. Kattar with a flying knee. Kattar lands the jab. Fishgold is bleeding under his left eye. Kattar with a solid jab. Fishgold lands a right hand on a combo. Kattar lands an uppercut. Kattar lands a big punch that drops Fishgold and he goes into the guard and lands some punches and finishes Fishgold off. Kattar with the big finish in the first round after surviving some big punches.
Official Result- Calvin Kattar def. Chris Fishgold by TKO (punches) at 4:11 of Round 1
Haqparast with a solid combo but gets poked in the eye by Gouti. Back to action quickly though. Haqparast lands a big left hand that wobbles Gouti. He lands a couple more left hands. Haqparast lands a combo. They trade and Haqparast lands some big punches. Gouti lands a right hand. Haqparast drops Gouti with a left hand but Gouti gets back to his feet and runs off. Haqparast with a body kick and then a left hand. Haqparast with another big combo. Gouti with a right hand to the body. Haqparast with another combo. Gouti with a right hand to the body and then to the head. 10-9 Haqparast.
Haqparast lands some punches but Gouti is returning fire. Gouti with a right hand to the body but eats a body kick from Haqparast. Gouti with an uppercut. Haqparast has his back against the fence. Gouti with a leg kick. Haqparast with a combo. Haqparast lands a big left hand. Gouti lands a right hand. They trade punches. Haqparast with a combo and then a body kick. Haqparast lands a big left hand. Haqparast landing more big punches as he’s turning up the volume in the round. Haqparast hurts Gouti with a body kick. They trade punches. Haqparast with some left hands at the end. 10-9 Haqparast, 20-18 Haqparast.
Haqparast lands a leg kick. Gouti lands a combo. Haqparast with a big left hand that wobbles Gouti. Gouti firing back and moving forward despite being hurt. Haqparast buckles Gouti with a body kick and Haqparast comes forward with punches and Gouti is running away. Gouti is crumbling to the ground and Haqparast gets on top and is landing punches. This could be stopped. Both men are tired. Gouti surviving on the bottom as he has Haqparast tied up. Haqparast with some elbows from the top. Haqparast with some more punches from the top. They get to their feet and Haqparast lands a left hand. Gouti with a lot of heart shown in this fight. 10-8 Haqparast, 30-26 Haqparast.
Official Result- Nasrat Haqparast def. Thibault Gouti by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 30-26)
> Nordine Taleb (14-5, 6-3 UFC) vs. Sean Strickland (19-3, 6-3 UFC) Welterweights
They trade early. Taleb circling away. Strickland lands a left hand. Taleb with some leg kicks after a trade of punches. Both looking for openings. Taleb lands a counter left hand as he ducks away from Strickland’s punches. Taleb with a leg kick. Taleb lands a left hook. Strickland with the jab. Strickland is throwing with a lot of volume but missing almost all of them. Taleb landing a lot more. They trade is close range. Taleb with a chopping leg kick. Taleb with an uppercut. 10-9 Taleb.
Taleb with a leg kick. Strickland controlling the Octagon but isn’t doing much with it. Taleb lands a lead left hand. Taleb with a quick inside leg kick. Taleb with a body kick. Strickland lands the jab. Strickland with a right hand. Strickland drops Taleb with a right hand. Taleb gets back to the feet. Strickland looks to land but gets stumbled by a teet kick from Taleb. Strickland landing combos against the fence. Strickland rocks Taleb with a right hand and goes to the mat. Strickland gets in the guard and lands some punches. Strickland with a big right hand in the guard and the referee stops the fight. Big finish by Strickland as Taleb is upset with the stoppage.
Official Result- Sean Strickland def. Nordine Taleb by TKO (punches) at 3:10 of Round 2
FOX SPORTS 1 MAIN CARD | 10 PM ET/7 PM PT
> Alex Garcia (15-5, 5-4 UFC) vs. Court McGee (18-7, 7-6 UFC) Welterweights
McGee with a leg kick. Garcia lands a left hand. McGee with some kicks but Garcia grabs the leg and gets a brief takedown. They get to their feet and Garcia has the back. Garcia with some knees from the back. They are standing and Garcia has a hook in and trying for a choke but doesn’t have a good position. They break. Garcia lands some punches and a big right hand. McGee lands a body kick. Garcia with a right hand. McGee gets a late takedown and lands some punches. 10-9 Garcia.
Garcia with a punch and McGee drops Garcia with a punch and McGee gets in side control and is landing. McGee looking to set up an arm-triangle but switches to the half-guard. McGee goes to the full guard of Garcia. Garcia just hanging on and is looking for the referee to stand them up. McGee with an elbow from the top. McGee with some body punches. They are stood up. Garcia lands a left hand. Garcia goes for a takedown but McGee scrambles up. McGee going for a takedown against the fence and gets it. McGee ends the round on top. 10-9 McGee, 19-19.
McGee with a leg kick. Garcia lands a left hand. Garcia gets a brief takedown but McGee gets up and is looking for a takedown against the fence. Garcia lands an uppercut on the break. McGee tries a takedown but falls backwards. They get to their feet and McGee back looking for a takedown. They scramble and Garcia takes the back. Garcia working for a choke. McGee gets to the top and is landing punches. McGee with elbows and he is putting a stamp on a win as the fight ends. 10-9 McGee, 29-28 McGee.
Offical Result- Court McGee def. Alex Garcia by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-28)
> Gian Villante (16-10, 6-7 UFC) vs. Ed Herman (23-13 1 NC, 10-9 1 NC UFC) Light Heavyweights
They trade early. Herman already cut open. Villante with a body kick but eats a right hand from Herman. They trade right hands. They are both swinging hard. Villante with a right hand to the body. Villante with a head kick. Herman with a combo. Villante with a jab. Herman lands a right hand. Villante rocks Herman with a combo and then a big left hand has Herman in trouble. Villante lands a right hand. They trade big punches late. 10-9 Villante.
They trade and Herman lands a jab that may have poked Villante in the eye. Herman with another jab. Villante circling away. Villante lands an uppercut. They continue to trade punches with each landing hard shots but both eating them well. Villante with a left hook. Villante with an overhand right. They trade right hands. Villante bleeding now from around the nose. Herman lands a right hand. Villante breathing heavy. Villante with a hard right hand followed by a left and then another right. 10-9 Villante, 20-18 Villante.
Villante with a leg kick. Villante with the jab stops Herman’s right hand from connecting. The pace has slowed down. They are throwing punches but not with a lot of volume. Each are connecting when they throw. Villante with an inside leg kick. They trade against the fence. Herman shoots for a takedown but it is defended. They trade in close range. Villante goes for a takedown but they are so sweating that they slipped away. Villante with a high kick. They trade kicks at the end. 10-9 Herman, 29-28 Villante.
Official Result- Gian Villante def. Ed Herman by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
> Andre Soukhamthath (12-6, 1-3 UFC) vs. Jonathan Martinez (9-1, 0-0 UFC) Bantamweights
Soukhamthath with a kick to start. Martinez with a high kick. Martinez with a front kick. Soukhamthath with a body punch. Martinez with an inside leg kick. Soukhamthath drops Martinez with a right hand and pounces on top of Martinez. Soukhamthath has the neck and looking for a D’arce choke. Soukhamthath with a knee to the body as they stand. We have a brief timeout for a low blow. Soukhamthath with a combo to the body followed by some knees against the fence. They continue to trade and Soukhamthath is landing more as he lands a spinning back elbow. Soukhamthath drops Martinez with a right hand at the end. 10-9 Soukhamthath.
Soukhamthath pressuring Martinez to start the second as he pushes him to the fence. Soukhamthath with an elbow followed by a knee followed by a flying knee. Soukhamthath with a big flurry of punches against the fence followed by a knee to the body. They clinch and trade knees. Martinez gets a takedown and is in the half-guard. Martinez with some punches from the top. Martinez with some elbows from the top. Martinez with some elbows to the shoulder of Soukhamthath. They get to their feet and trade knees before breaking. Martinez with a body kick. Martinez with a step-in elbow followed by a flying knee. 10-9 Martinez, 19-19.
Martinez pushes Soukhamthath against the fence and has underhooks. Soukhamthath with a flying knee and then some elbows over the top. Soukhamthath now has Martinez in trouble. Martinez lands a knee and now pushes the fight against the fence. Foot stomps from Martinez. They reverse positions. Martinez with a knee but Soukhamthath gets a brief takedown. They battle for wrist control in the clinch. Soukhamthath with a takedown. They scramble to their feet and Martinez lands a left hand. Soukhamthath gets a takedown and has the back and that might seal him the fight. 10-9 Soukhamthath, 29-28 Soukhamthath.
Official Result- Andre Soukhamthath def. Jonathan Martinez by unanimous decision (30-26, 29-28, 29-28)
> Misha Cirkunov (#11, 13-4, 4-2 UFC) vs. Patrick Cummins (#14, 10-5, 6-5 UFC) Light Heavyweights
Cirkunov with a left hand that rocks Cummins early. Cummins goes for a takedown but Cirkunov has the neck. Cirkunov with body punches. Cirkunov with lots of short body punches. They break for a moment and battle for underhooks. Cirkunov gets a takedown straight into the mount. Cirkunov setting up an arm-triangle. He has it locked in and Cummins taps out. Cirkunov with an impressive showing as he gets back into the win column.
Official Result- Misha Cirkunov def. Patrick Cummins by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 2:40 of Round 1
> Michael Johnson (18-13, 10-9 UFC) vs. Artem Lobov (13-14-1 1 NC, 2-4 UFC) Featherweights* (Johnson missed weight by 1 pound)
They trade early. Lobov with a body kick. Johnson with a right hand to the body. Johnson lands the jab. Lobov keeping his hands low. Lobov with a body kick followed by a right hand. They trade. Lobov with a leg kick but eats a left hand from Johnson. Lobov lands a right hand. Lobov with another right hand. Lobov with a body kick and Johnson counters with a left hand. Lobov with another body kick. Johnson lands the jab. Lobov with a right hand as Johnson circles away. Johnson with a leg kick and then a left hand lands to the chin of Lobov. Lobov with an uppercut and ends with a body kick. 10-9 Johnson.
Johnson with a left hand to the body. They trade punches. Johnson continues to attack the body with left hands. Johnson lands a flush left hand. Lobov lands a right hand to the body. Johnson lands a big left hand that wobbles Lobov. They trade punches in close range. Lobov with a body kick. They trade punches and Johnson’s left hand lands good. Lobov lands a right hand. They trade. Johnson has shown good movement. They trade in the pocket. Lobov keeping his hands low. Lobov with a leg kick. 10-9 Johnson, 20-18 Johnson.
Johnson lands a left hand. Johnson with a head kick. Lobov with a leg kick but eats a straight left hand from Johnson. Lobov with a leg kick as he switches stances around. Lobov with a spin kick. Johnson lands a left hand. Johnson lands another. Johnson with a right hand. Johnson with a combo. Lobov missing his punches. Johnson lands a left hand. Johnson lands another left hand. Lobov is missing all of his attacks as Johnson is angling away. Johnson with a right hand and Lobov slips to a knee. Johnson gets a takedown with just over thirty seconds left. Johnson rides it out on top. 10-9 Johnson, 30-27 Johnson.
Official Result- Michael Johnson def. Artem Lobov by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
> Volkan Oezdemir (#2, 15-2, 3-1 UFC) vs. Anthony Smith (#10, 30-13, 6-3 UFC) Light Heavyweights
Oezdemir with a leg kick. Smith goes for a takedown against the fence but Oezdemir reverses position. They trade knees in the clinch. They break and Smith with a leg kick. Oezdemir with some punches against the fence and Smith is covering up. Oezdemir with a left hand. Smith lands a left hand. Smith with an inside leg kick. Oezdemir with a leg kick. Smith lands an overhand right. Smith pokes Oezdemir in the eye and we have a timeout. Back to action and a head kick from Oezdemir. Smith lands an elbow. Oezdemir with some leg kicks. 10-9 Oezdemir.
Oezdemir with a leg kick. Smith with a right hand. Oezdemir with some inside leg kicks. Smith stumbles him up with a right hand. Smith with a step-in elbow and Oezdemir reverses into a takedown. Oezdemir on top and moves to half-guard. Oezdemir went for the mount but lost position. Oezdemir gets the back of Smith and is landing punches but his nose is leaking blood. Oezdemir with a knee to the body. Oezdemir has back control and is landing punches and knees while working for a choke but Smith is defending well. 10-9 Oezdemir, 20-18 Oezdemir.
Smith lands a jab. They trade kicks. Oezdemir lands a left hand. Oezdemir with a leg kick. Smith lands a combo. Smith lands a big right hand. Oezdemir lands a right hand. Smith lands another one. Smith with a knee to the body followed by a body kick. Smith trips Oezdemir with a leg kick. They are talking in the clinch as they trade inside the pocket. Both men are tired. Smith changes levels and gets a takedown and gets the back of Oezdemir. Smith getting the hooks in. Smith working for a choke. Smith has it locked in but not all the way. He is squeezing. Oezdemir trying to hang on and he’s fighting the choke off. He has it under the chin now and Smith gets Oezdemir to tap out! Wow. Comeback win for Smith as he never gave up position on the choke and finally found it under the chin to get the submission win.
Official Result- Anthony Smith def. Volkan Oezdemir by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:26 of Round 3
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC Fight Night 135: Gaethje vs. Vick, emanating from the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska.
The Octagon debuts in Lincoln with a headliner that should produce fireworks featuring one of the most exciting fighters in the sport taking on a rising contender.
Lightweight slugger Justin Gaethje headlines his third UFC event in his fourth UFC fight looking to end a two-fight losing skid as he takes on James Vick, in his first UFC main event, who comes in having won his last four fights. Gaethje remains in the title picture, but is in desperate to score a win after back-to-back losses to Eddie Alvarez and Dustin Poirier. Vick’s win streak has come against unranked competition and Gaethje represents his biggest opponent to date.
Also on the card, Michael Johnson looks to avoid his fourth straight loss as he takes on Andre Fili in the co-main event, women’s strawweights Cortney Casey and Angela Hill do battle, and welterweight Jake Ellenberger looks to end a three-fight losing skid and keep retirement away just a bit longer as he goes against Bryan Barberena.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.
UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS | 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT
> Rani Yahya (25-9 1 NC, 10-3 1 NC UFC) vs. Luke Sanders (12-2, 2-2 UFC) Bantamweights
Yahya goes right for a takedown but pulls guard though Sanders avoids the trap. Yahya lands a right hand that stuns Sanders. Yahya gets a heel hook but Sanders escapes. Yahya still looking for it and gets it locked in and Sanders taps! Solid finish by Yahya as he makes quick work of Sanders.
Official Result- Rani Yahya def. Luke Sanders by submission (heel hook) at 1:31 of Round 1
> Drew Dober (19-8 1 NC, 5-4 1 NC UFC) vs. Jon Tuck (10-4, 4-4 UFC) Lightweights
Tuck starts with a leg kick but eats a left hand from Dober. They trade kicks. Dober with a body kick. Another body kick from Dober. Tuck lands a right hand. Tuck with a front kick to the body. Dober with a head kick but Tuck barely blocks it. They trade punches and Tuck lands a body kick. Dober fires back with a leg kick. Dober stumbles Tuck with a combo. They tie up and Dober has position against the fence. They break. They trade in close range. Dober with a solid combo. Dober with a body kick. He’s in control right now. Dober with a leg kick. Dober lands another good combination. Dober with more combos. 10-9 Dober.
Dober with a leg kick but Tuck fires back with a body kick. Dober with a kick to Tuck’s knee and Dober’s foot was hurt after. He is switching his stances and now Tuck is landing some punches. Dober with a counter right hook. Tuck shoots for a takedown but Dober defends it. Dober may have a broken foot. Dober gets a takedown but Tuck has the neck and is looking for a guillotine choke. Dober escapes and gets into the full guard of Tuck. Dober with some punches from the top and he’s keeping busy. Dober looking to set up an arm-triangle but insteads continues to land from the top. Dober with more big punches from the top. 10-9 Dober, 20-18 Dober.
They trade to start the third round. Dober lands some big left hands against the fence as Tuck is unable to get his back off the cage. Dober gets a big takedown. Tuck briefly has the neck but lets go. Tuck is bleeding and his eye is swelling shut. Dober with an elbow from the top. Dober with some more ground-and-pound from the top. Dober with more punches from the top and Tuck looks like he is conceding this fight. Dober gets the mount from a second but continues to land to the body and head. Dober should cruise to the win. 10-9 Dober, 30-27 Dober.
Official Result- Drew Dober def. Jon Tuck by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
Faria gets an immediate takedown and is in side control of Calderwood. Calderwood scrambles out for a moment but Faria gets right back on top in the half-guard. Faria gets back into full guard. Calderwood is landing to the body from the bottom. Faria with some punches and elbows from the top. Calderwood lands an elbow from the bottom but Faria remains on top in controlling position. Calderwood has no answer from getting off of the ground. Calderwood throws up the legs looking for a triangle and she has it locked in. It is in tight. Faria fighting it. Calderwood pulling the head trying to get the finish. She lands some elbows. Calderwood has the armbar and Faria taps! Wow. What a finish by Calderwood.
Official Result- Joanne Calderwood def. Kalindra Faria by submission (armbar) at 4:57 of Round 1
FOX SPORTS 2 PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT
> Mickey Gall (4-1, 3-1 UFC) vs. George Sullivan (17-6 1 NC, 3-3 UFC) Welterweights
Gall starts with a high kick. Gall gets a takedown and grabs the back of Sullivan and is looking for a choke as he locks the body triangle in. Sullivan landing back punches. Gall has the arm under Sullivan’s neck and has the choke locked in. It is deep and Gall gets Sullivan to tap out. Wow. That was absolute domination by Mickey Gall in winning in just around 90 seconds into the fight.
Official Result- Mickey Gall def. George Sullivan by submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:09 of Round 1
> Andrew Sanchez (9-4, 2-2 UFC) vs. Markus Perez (10-1, 1-1 UFC) Middleweights
Perez with a high kick to start. Sanchez with a body kick. Sanchez lands a right hand. Perez with a big body kick and then another. Perez lands another. Perez with a high kick. Sanchez lands a left as he initiates a clinch. Sanchez gets the back and is trying for a takedown. Perez defends well and reverses but Sanchez reverses back and has Perez against the fence. Sanchez lands a combo as they break the clinch and move to the center. They clinch for a moment again. Perez with a late spin kick. 10-9 Sanchez.
Perez lands a left hand. Sanchez with a leg kick. Perez with a big body kick followed by a left hand. Sanchez is backing up. Perez with some more body kicks and then a right hand to the body. Sanchez is now coming forward and looking to land. Perez with a left hand. Sanchez lands a right hand and then grabs the back against the fence. He turns and lands a knee and they break. Perez with a knee to the body followed by a left elbow. Sanchez lands a good combo before starting a clinch. Perez drops down trying to pull guard but the round ends. 10-9 Perez, 19-19.
They trade to start the round. Perez lands a left hand. They trade punches and Perez lands a big left hand. Sanchez lands a solid combination. Sanchez with a stiff jab. Perez with a series of punches and kicks. Perez with a spinning back elbow and then a left hand and a body kick. Perez misses a left hand and they clinch for a moment before breaking. Sanchez now lands some punches. They clinch for a moment but break. They clinch again and Sanchez looking for a takedown but it is defended. Sanchez with a right hand. Perez with a spinning elbow but Sanchez counters with an uppercut. Close fight. 10-9 Sanchez, 29-28 Sanchez.
Official Result- Andrew Sanchez def. Markus Perez by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Alcantara has Sandhagen in trouble early as he has him back against the fence after some punches. Alcantara gets a takedown and has a deep armbar locked in and somehow Sandhagen is holding on. Alcantara is landing punches and that elbow is bent all weird directions. It is in deep but somehow Sandhagen escapes. Sandhagen lands punches from the top and has Alcantara in trouble now. Big elbows from the top by Sandhagen. Sandhagen with more punches from the top and he is looking for a finish. Alcantara looks done here and he loses his mouth piece. More big punches from Sandhagen and this fight somehow makes it to the end of the round. This could have been stopped several times. 10-8 Sandhagen.
Sandhagen rocks Alcantara early. Alcantara tries an elbow but falls to the ground and is covering up as Sandhagen is landing lots of punches. The fight should be stopped but we have bad officiating going on here. Sandhagen landing punches with no response. This fight should be stopped. Super late stoppage as the referee finally stops it. Sandhagen gets the win in a crazy fight.
Official Result- Cory Sandhagen def. Iuri Alcantara by TKO (punches) at 1:01 of Round 2
> James Krause (25-7, 6-3 UFC) vs. Warlley Alves (12-2, 6-2 UFC) Welterweights
Krause tries a head kick but Alves gets him on the mat and on top for a moment. They get to their feet and Alves has Krause against the fence in the clinch. They battle for underhooks as each reverse position. They break. Krause with a right hand to the body. Krause goes for a jumping kick but Alves catches him and throws him to the mat. Krause gets up. Krause lands some punches in close and they clinch for a moment but break. Alves with a body kick. Alves with a body kick. They trade punches. Krause landing the jab well. Close round. 10-9 Krause.
They come out swinging especially Alves. Alves clips Krause with a right hand but Krause quickly recovers. Alves swinging for the fences. Krause then lands a big knee that rocks Alves. Alves is in trouble. Krause landing lots of punches against the fence and Alves is out on his feet as the referee stops it! Big win for James Krause after he lands the huge knee and he finishes Alves.
Official Result- James Krause def. Warlley Alves by knockout (knee, punches) at 2:28 of Round 2
FOX SPORTS 1 MAIN CARD | 10 PM ET/7 PM PT
> Eryk Anders (10-1, 2-1 UFC) vs. Tim Williams (15-4, 0-1 UFC) Middleweights
WIlliams with a body kick. Anders with a left hand. Williams with a head kick followed by a combination. They clinch and Anders with a knee to the body. Williams pushes Anders against the fence and lands some knees before they break. They trade in another clinch before breaking again. Williams with a high kick and Anders counters with a left hand. Williams with an inside leg kick. Williams lands a right hand. Anders continues to press forward and lands a body kick. Williams gets a takedown against the fence. Williams gets the back and has a hook in but the round ends. 10-9 Williams.
Anders lands a left hand to start the second round. Williams with a high kick. Anders rushes in and Williams gets a clinch. Williams drops down and gets a big takedown. Anders gets to his feet but Williams grabs the back against the cage. They break and Anders lands a left hand. Anders lands a combination and a knee in the clinch. Williams is cut open under his left eye. Anders starting to land more. Anders with a left hand and Williams counters with a takedown attempt but Anders stuffs it. Anders with a brief mount but they get to their feet. Anders lands big in an exchange and they clinch. They break. Anders with an uppercut followed by a left hand and elbow. Anders lands a couple of left hands late. 10-9 Anders, 19-19.
Anders drops Williams with a left hand as Williams was attempting a leg kick. Williams is let back up by Anders. Williams with a couple of leg kicks. Williams lands a right hand. Williams with a body kick but Anders counters with a straight left hand. They trade. Williams shoots for a takedown but Anders stuffs it and lands a kick as Williams gets to his feet. Anders lands some more left hands. Williams lands a spinning back fist. Anders with a head kick and then knocks Williams out cold as he lands a head kick as Williams was getting back to his feet. Vicious knockout by Anders and it was clean.
Official Result- Eryk Anders def. Tim Williams by knockout (head kick) at 4:42 of Round 3
> John Moraga (#6, 19-6, 8-5 UFC) vs. Deiveson Figueiredo (#14, 14-0, 3-0 UFC) Flyweights
Moraga with a leg kick. He lands another. Figueiredo with a right hand and he chases Moraga around the Octagon. Moraga lands a right hand and they clinch and Moraga gets a brief takedown. Figueiredo gets a trip takedown against the fence. Figueiredo with some punches from the top. Moraga gets two warnings for his toes being in the fence. Moraga trying to spin out from the bottom but Figueiredo keeps him on the mat. Figueiredo with more punches from the top to end the round. 10-9 Figueiredo.
Moraga with a body kick but Figueiredo counters with his own body kick. They trade punches. Figueiredo with a takedown and in the half-guard. Figueiredo with a short elbow from the top. Figueiredo opens up a big cut on Moraga. Figueiredo with big punches from the top as he’s looking to get into mount position. Figueiredo drops Moraga with a right hand but Moraga is able to get to his feet and lands a big right hand. They clinch and Figueiredo drops Moraga with a body punch and then lands some punches on top and the referee rushes in and stops the fight. Big finish by Figueiredo as he remains undefeated.
Official Result- Deiveson Figueiredo def. John Moraga by TKO (punches) at of 3:08 Round 2
Ellenberger lands a combo to start things off. They clinch and Ellenberger lands a right hand on the break. Ellenberger with a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. They trade punches. Ellenberger with a leg kick and then a body kick. Barberena rocks Ellenberger with a right hand. Ellenberger slips to the mat and is in trouble. Ellenberger throws a right hand but eats a right hand and goes back to the mat and Barberena finishes him off with a few more punches on the mat. Ellenberger has to be done as that is four straight losses by knockout.
Official Result- Bryan Barberena def. Jake Ellenberger by TKO (punches) at 2:26 of Round 1
BREAKING: Ellenberger announces his retirement inside the Octagon following the bout. He ends his career with a 31-15 record, and a 10-11 UFC record. He had a rough end to his career, going 2-9 in his final eleven fights, but there was a time where Ellenberger was among the top six welterweights in the world.
> Cortney Casey (#11, 7-6, 3-5 UFC) vs. Angela Hill (#14, 8-4, 3-4 UFC) Women’s Strawweights
Hill with a leg kick after Casey misses some punches. Casey goes to the mat for a brief second but gets right back up. Hill with a leg kick. They trade right hands and leg kicks. Casey with a couple of punches and a step-in knee. They clinch and Hill with a knee to the body as they break. Casey lands a left hand and an uppercut. Hill with a right hand. Hill with another. They clinch and Casey gets a takedown and works in full guard. Hill grabs an arm and is working for an armbar. Casey slams her way out of danger and is on top. They get to their feet and Hill lands a knee followed by an elbow on the break. They trade kicks and Hill lands some punches. Hill with a big right hand at the end. Close round. 10-9 Hill.
Hill lands some jabs. Casey with a couple of right hands that rock Hill. Casey goes in for a takedown and they clinch. They break. Casey with a combo. They trade kicks. They exchange combos and Casey lands a big right hand. Hill with a body kick. Hill with an inside leg kick. They trade and Casey with an uppercut. Casey with a combination. Hill with a left hook. They trade and Hill stuns Casey with a left hook. Hill starting to land more as we wind the round down. Casey lands a combo. Casey with a body kick. Hill with a body kick after a left hand. They exchange late. 10-9 Casey, 19-19.
They trade punches and Casey lands a nice right hand. Casey with a body kick. They trade some more. This is a close fight. Casey with a right hand followed by a body kick. Hill with a body kick. Casey attempts a takedown but Hill defends it. Hill lands some punches. They trade punches. Hill with a body punch. Neither woman is doing something to ensure they win the round. Hill with a body kick. They are pretty even on the stries here. They trade jabs. Hill with a combo. Hill lands an overhand right. Casey with a knee to the body. Hill with a combo and a knee and uppercut. Super close fight. 10-9 Hill, 29-28 Hill.
Official Result- Cortney Casey def. Angela Hill by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
> Michael Johnson (17-13, 9-9 UFC) vs. Andre Fili (18-5, 6-4 UFC) Featherweights
Johnson lands the left hand. Fili just misses a head kick. Johnson with another left hand. Johnson with some leg kicks. Fili being aggressive. Fili lands a kick but Johnson counters with a left hand. Johnson with a body kick. Fili with a head kick. Johnson lands a right hand then follows with a left hand and then another. Fili’s head snapped back on that last one. Johnson with a combo followed by a body kick. Fili with a body kick but Johnson counters with a left hand. Fili lands a right hand. Johnson with a straight left and then another. They trade kicks. Close round. 10-9 Johnson.
They come out trading. Johnson lands a low kick right to the groin of Fili and we have a timeout. We get back to action and Johnson starting to apply pressure. They trade and Fili scores a takedown and takes the back of Johnson. Johnson stands with Fili on his back. Fili trying to find an opening for a rear-naked choke. Fili gets it locked in and they go to the mat and it is in deep. Johnson trying to survive and fights it off. Wow. Johnson gets out of danger but Fili still has the back. Johnson is stalling the fight on the mat as he recovers. Johnson spins out of trouble and gets into the guard of Fili. Johnson with some elbows from the top. Fili looks for a triangle choke. Johnson gets out and finishes with some more elbows on top. 10-9 Fili, 19-19.
Fili with a head kick to start the third round. They trade punches. Johnson lands a left hand. Fili misses a spin kick. Fili gets the back and scores a takedown and Fili has the back against the fence. They get to their feet and break. Fili with a head kick. He lands a body kick afterwards. Johnson with a leg kick and a left hand to the body. Fili goes for a takedown but it is defended easily by Johnson. Fili with another head kick but it is blocked by Johnson. Johnson goes for a takedown against the fence but Fili defends it. Fili sprawls a takedown and they break. Johnson with a left hand at the end. Close fight. 10-9 Fili, 29-28 Fili.
Official Result- Michael Johnson def. Andre Fili by split decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)
> Justin Gaethje (#7, 18-2, 1-2 UFC) vs. James Vick (#10, 13-1, 9-1 UFC) Lightweights
Vick with a side kick. Vick with a front kick. He lands a leg kick. Gaethje with a leg kick. Gaethje closes the distance with a combo and then they break. Vick with a couple of body kicks. Gaethje then lands a massive overhand right that puts Vick out to sleep cold. Wow. A vicious knockout by Justin Gaethje as he halts Vick’s win streak.
Official Result- Justin Gaethje def. James Vick by knockout (punch) at 1:27 of Round 1
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of The Ultimate Fighter 27 Finale: Tavares vs. Adesanya, emanating from the Pearl Theater in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The event kicks off the annual UFC International Fight Week held in Las Vegas, the first of back-to-back fight cards on Friday and Saturday, and a weekend full of UFC activities.
The event will be headlined by a five-round bout in the middleweight division as Brad Tavares goes for his fifth straight win as he looks to hand Israel Adesanya his first career loss. Adesanya has come into the UFC with a lot of hype, and he gets his first main event in just his third UFC bout. Tavares will also be in his first UFC main event in his 17th Octagon appearance.
The finals of this season of The Ultimate Fighter, the 27th US version, sees undefeated fighters taking on each other in the two divisions. For the lightweight division finals, Mike Trizano takes on Joe Giannetti, while Jay Cucciniello takes on Brad Katona in the featherweight division finals.
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.
UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS | 7 PM ET/4 PM PT
> Gerald Meerschaert (27-9, 3-1 UFC) vs. Oskar Piechota (11-0-1, 2-0 UFC) Middleweights
Piechota right away with a body punch and they then trade kicks. Meerschaert with a body kick. They clinch and trade body shots. Piechota gets a trip takedown into full mount but steps into half-guard. Piechota in control on the ground and gets back into mount. Meerschaert trying to scramble out. Piechota has the neck. Piechota gets back in top control. They are stood up by the referee. Meerschaert lands a left hand but Piechota lands a counter right hand followed by a body kick. Piechota scores a knockdown with a right hand and gets into full mount. Meerschaert gives up his back and is eating punches. Piechota grabs the neck and is looking for the choke but Meerschaert escapes. Solid round for Piechota. 10-9 Piechota.
Meerschaert with a high kick. They trade punches. Big right hand from Piechota. Piechota lands a punch that slips up Meerschaert. They trade leg kicks. They trade punches. Meerschaert goes in for a takedown but they scramble and Piechota grabs the neck while Meerschaert is on top in half-guard. They get to their feet and Meerschaert grabs the neck and has a deep choke locked in as they go back to the mat. Piechota able to escape but is on bottom and eating punches from Meerschaert. They get to their feet but Meerschaert continues to land punches and has Piechota in trouble. Meerschaert with a big left hand and starts landing knees. Elbows now from Meerschaert. Piechota may be out on his feet. Meerschaert with more elbows and knees and even more elbows and punches. I don’t know how Piechota is still standing. Meerschaert gets a takedown and is landing punches. Meerschaert locks in a rear-naked choke and he chokes Piechota out cold with just seconds left in the round.
Official Result- Gerald Meerschaert def. Oskar Piechota by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:55 of Round 2
> Matt Bessette (22-8 1 NC, 0-1 UFC) vs. Steven Peterson (16-7, 0-1 UFC) Featherweights
Peterson immediately tries for a flying knee but misses and they clinch against the fence. Peterson grabs the neck and pulls guard and has a choke locked in. Bessette is fighting it off and escapes out and is on top. They get to their feet. They clinch and battle for underhooks and positioning against the fence. They break and Bessette lands an uppercut. Bessette lands a right hand as he has his leg kicked from under him by Peterson. He gets up and they trade punches. They continue to trade and Peterson lands a big leg kick. Bessette with an uppercut as he presses forward as the round ends. 10-9 Bessette.
They both come out swinging and quickly clinch against the fence. Peterson gets the advantage but they break. Peterson bleeding from his nose. Peterson with a leg kick. They trade punches. Bessette with a big head kick and then he lands another. Peterson shook it off like it was nothing. Peterson with a combo but eats an uppercut from Bessette. They trade leg kicks. Bessette with another head kick. They continue to trade and Bessette landing kicks. Peterson initiates a clinch and is working for a takedown against the fence. He gets it and grabs the back. Peterson on the high back and is working for a choke but landing from the back. Peterson with some more punches and elbows from the back. It might have stolen the round for him. 10-9 Peterson, 19-19.
They clinch right away and both working for position. Peterson pushes Bessette up against the fence and is working for a takedown. They break. Peterson lands a right hand before changing levels. Peterson gets a trip takedown and takes the back but Bessette is able to shake him off and now grabs the back of Peterson. Bessette falls off and now Peterson grabs the back of Bessette. Peterson landing punches from the back of Bessette. Peterson has the body triangle. He is working for a choke from the back. Peterson rides out the round holding the back of Bessette and he may have gotten the win due to the takedowns in the last two rounds. 10-9 Peterson, 29-28 Peterson.
Official Result- Steven Peterson def. Matt Bessette by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Mitchell with some side kicks. Mitchell lands a left hand. Diamond with a head kick. They trade knees after Mitchell misses a flying kick. They clinch against the fence but break away. Diamond gets a takedown. Mitchell sweeps and is able to get to his feet. Diamond has the neck but Mitchell is able to get a big takedown. They scramble as Diamond still has the neck but Mitchell escapes to his feet. We have a brief timeout due to a low blow but back to action. They trade punches and Mitchell gets a takedown. They get back to their feet and trade body shots in the clinch. 10-9 Mitchell.
They trade kicks and Mitchell gets a takedown but Diamond grabs the neck and scrambles around. They scramble to their feet. They clinch against the fence. Mitchell looking to level change and get a takedown. He gets it but Diamond scrambles out to his feet. Diamond is on top but Mitchell looking for a triangle choke. He has it locked it and is landing a couple of elbows. Big elbows from Mitchell raining down and Diamond is being warned to protect himself. Diamond is able to get out of it after being in it for a bit and ends up in side control. Diamond working for a choke but Mitchell turns his back to escape. Diamond lands some punches from the back. Diamond with a knee to the body. Diamond with another and we are going to a third round. 10-9 Mitchell, 20-18 Mitchell.
They come out trading and Mitchell gets the body lock and a brief takedown but Diamond right back to his feet. Diamond gets a big takedown and has control on the top. Mitchell turns his back and Diamond now has back control. Diamond takes the back and has time to work but they get to their feet. Diamond gets a big takedown. Diamond in side control but he probably needs a finish so he needs to get to work here. Diamond just moving around and landing few short punches but not really doing much work. Diamond with a knee to the body. Diamond now landing some punches from the back. Diamond with more punches from the back as the fight ends. This is going to be close on the scorecards. 10-9 Diamond, 29-28 Mitchell.
Official Result- Bryce Mitchell def. Tyler Diamond by majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
> John Gunther (6-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Allan Zuniga (13-0, 0-0 UFC) Lightweights
Gunther going right for a takedown against the fence. He completes the takedown and is looking to plant Zuniga on his back. They get to their feet but Gunther still has the body lock and gets a brief takedown. They get up but Gunther gets it right back down but they get up again. Gunther gets the fight back down and he has Zuniga fully on his back. They get up but go down again and get up and go back down again. Zuniga has had no offense while Gunther has been on a takedown offensive attack. Gunther with a spinning back elbow as they break and they trade leg kicks. 10-9 Gunther.
Gunther goes right back to the clinch working for the takedown against the fence to start the second. Gunther gets another takedown. Zuniga tried to grab the cage to block but couldn’t and ends up getting a warning. They get to their feet but Gunther has the back. Gunther trying to take it down again but they are broken up. Gunther with a hard right hand. Zuniga lands a body punch and a leg kick. Gunther with a right hand. Gunther gets back into the clinch. Gunther gets another takedown but they get up and they do the same routine as Gunther gets another takedown, but he finishes the round on top. An ugly fight. 10-9 Gunther, 20-18 Gunther.
Zuniga with a couple of leg kicks. Zuniga lands a couple of punches. Zuniga with a combo as Gunther is searching for a takedown opening. Gunther gets a trip takedown. They get to their feet and Gunther back to working for a takedown. He doesn’t get it and they are separated. Gunther goes back to working for the takedown. They break and they exchange punches. Zuniga with a body kick. Zuniga lands some punches as Gunther moves in and looks for a takedown. Zuniga with some left hands. Zuniga with some big punches at the end and he lands a head kick. Good final round for Zuniga but it might not be enough. 10-9 Zuniga, 29-28 Gunther.
Official Result- John Gunther def. Allan Zuniga by majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
> Luis Pena (4-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Richie Smullen (3-0-1, 0-0 UFC) Lightweights
Smullen with a body kick but Ross lands a big knee. Smullen turns it into a takedown but they get up and Smullen takes him right back down. Smullen in side control. Smullen gets into the full guard of Pena and lands some punches. Pena escapes and gets his own takedown. Smullen grabs the neck but has a bad position. Pena escapes to his feet and Smullen follows. Pena with a big combo and then he drops Smullen with a punch. Smullen grabs a leg of Pena as he’s on the mat and Pena is forced to go to the mat. Pena grabs the neck and is working for a guillotine and has a mounted guillotine. Ross has it in and Smullen taps out! Pena gets the first-round submission win and he has some solid star potential.
Official Result- Luis Pena def. Richie Smullen by submission (guillotine choke) at 3:32 of Round 1
> Montana De La Rosa (8-4, 1-0 UFC) vs. Rachael Ostovich(4-3, 1-0 UFC) Women’s Flyweights
Both looking to establish the jab. They trade leg kicks. Ostovich lands a right hand. Ostovich with a body punch but De La Rosa counters with a right hand. They trade punches. De La Rosa rocks her with a right hand. De La Rosa with a big left hand. De La Rosa with a combo. Ostovich unable to unload any offense. Ostovich then lands a couple of right hands. De La Rosa with a stiff jab. De La Rosa with a leg kick as Ostovich lands a right hand. 10-9 De La Rosa.
De La Rosa with a front kick as both looking to find their range in this round. They scramble to the mat for a moment but De La Rosa has the body lock. De La Rosa unable to get the takedown and lets go of Ostovich. They trade big right hands and Ostovich gets the better of it. Ostovich with a body kick. They tie up again and Ostovich blocks the takedown attempt. De La Rosa looking for the jab but Ostovich is landing combinations this round. De La Rosa lands a left hand but eats a right hand. Ostovich just misses a big right hand but with a body kick. Close round. 10-9 Ostovich, 19-19.
Ostovich goes for the right hand but De La Rosa grabs the body and goes for a takedown but it is defended. Ostovich lands a right hand. Ostovich lands a combo and then with a body kick and De La Rosa gets the body lock against the fence. De La Rosa bleeding from her nose. Ostovich scrambles out of the body lock and gets the back. They go to the ground and Ostovich is working for an arm. Ostovich almost had the armbar but De La Rosa escapes and lands a hammerfist as she goes into the guard. De La Rosa gets the back and is landing elbows and punches from the back. Ostovich in a lot of trouble. De La Rosa grabs the neck and is working for a choke. De La Rosa has the choke locked in and Ostovich taps. Big win for De La Rosa.
Official Result- Montana De La Rosa def. Rachael Ostovich by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:21 of Round 3
FOX SPORTS 1 MAIN CARD | 10 PM ET/7 PM PT
> Alessio Di Chirico (11-2, 2-2 UFC) vs. Julian Marquez (7-1, 1-0 UFC) Middleweights* (Marquez missed weight by 4 pounds)
Di Chirico lands a left hand and then lands another followed by a body kick. Marquez lands a big right hand as he stalks Di Chirico around the Octagon. Di Chirico with a big body kick. They trade punches and they wobble each other. Marquez with a high kick followed by a combo. Di Chirico with a body kick. They trade punches and Marquez still coming forward and he lands a big left hand. Di Chirico with a body kick. Marquez with a leg kick. Di Chirico with a leg kick but Marquez counters with some punches. Di Chirico gets a takedown but Marquez grabs the neck looking for a guillotine. Di Chirico escapes and they scramble to their feet. Marquez with a body kick. Fun round. 10-9 Marquez.
They trade kicks. Marquez with a high kick and then a leg kick. Marquez with a spin kick. Di Chirico has a high kick blocked. Marquez with a short uppercut. They trade body kicks and Marquez with a combo but misses a spinning attempt. Di Chirico grabs the body. Marquez grabs the neck and has a deep guillotine locked in. Di Chiricio defending well and pops out. They break the clinch. Marquez with a head kick. They tie up for a moment but break and Marquez lands a couple of right hands. Di Chirico then scores a takedown. Marquez had a kimura locked in on the bottom but used it to scramble to the top. Fun fight we have going on here. 10-9 Marquez, 20-18 Marquez.
Marquez with a leg kick. Di Chiricio with a body kick. He has been attacking the body with regularity. They trade punches. Di Chiricio with a side elbow. Di Chirico lands a leg kick and then goes high with one. Di Chirico with a body kick. Marquez lands a short right hand. The pace has slowed a bit here in the third. Marquez with a spinning attempt. Di Chirico lands a left hand. Marquez with a head kick that Di Chirico eats. Marquez with a right hand and Di Chirico counters with a takedown. They get to their feet and Marquez lands a couple of knees to the head of Di Chirico. Di Chirico gets a takedown for a second but they scramble and break. Marquez lands a right hand. Di Chirico with a body kick. They trade low kicks and Di Chirico with a spin kick. Fun fight. 10-9 Di Chirico, 29-28 Marquez.
Official Result- Alessio Di Chirico def. Julian Marquez by split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
They trade punches early. Honchak lands a right hand. They trade again. Honchak landing more of her combos early on as it has been all punching. They clinch for a brief moment. Honchak lands a left hand. They trade combos that both land. Modafferi gets a takedown into the half-guard. Modafferi working to pass guard. Honchak able to keep the half-guard. Modafferi doing a great job of keeping Honchak on the ground as the round comes to a close. 10-9 Modafferi.
They come out trading to start the second. They continue to trade and Honchak grabs the body lock and gets a trip takedown. Modafferi is able to counter as they hit the mat and she gets into the mount position and begins to reign down with punches and elbows from the mount position. Modafferi continues to land punches to the head and body of Honchak. Modafferi gets back into the mount position and she continues to land big punches and elbows. Modafferi with big elbows from the top and she’s looking for a finish. Honchak is covering up and Marc Goddard stops the fight. Huge win by Modafferi in an impressive showing.
Official Result- Roxanne Modafferi def. Barb Honchak by TKO (elbows) at 3:32 of Round 2
> Alex Caceres (13-11 1 NC, 8-9 1 NC UFC) vs. Martin Bravo (11-1, 1-1 UFC) Featherweights
Caceres coming forward. Caceres lands a big kick but slips. He gets to his feet but Bravo pushes him against the fence. They break. Caceres with a side kick. Caceres lands a solid combo. Bravo with a body kick. They clinch and Bravo grabs the back and is looking for a takedown. Caceres warned to not grab the fence. Caceres reverses and escapes to the center. Caceres lands a left hand and then a body kick. Bravo grabs the leg and gets a single-leg takedown but Caceres has the neck. He lets go and Bravo scrambles to side and into the guard of Caceres. Bravo lands some punches from the top and gets to his feet. Caceres with a side kick to the body from the ground as he gets to his feet. Bravo lands a right hand. They trade punches. Bravo lands a right hand. Caceres with a head kick and then lands a left hand to the body. 10-9 Caceres.
Bravo grabs the leg of Caceres but Caceres gets free after tagging him with some punches. Caceres with the body punch. Caceres hurts Bravo badly with an elbow and Caceres jumps to his back trying for a choke but Bravo escapes. They go to the mat with Caceres having the top. Bravo able to scramble to his feet. Bravo coming forward and grabs the body. They break and Caceres lands a left hand. Caceres rocks Bravo with another left hand. Bravo is bleeding from his nose. Bravo with a high kick. Caceres with a high kick. Caceres with more punches but Bravo is surviving. Caceres with a big body kick. Big round for Caceres. 10-9 Caceres, 20-18 Caceres.
Caceres trying to tag Bravo early but Bravo grabs Caceres and gets the takedown. Bravo unable to do much on top as they get to their feet. They are trading on the feet and Bravo is landing some solid combos of punches. They are trading and Bravo is landing more this round but he likely still needs to score a finish. Bravo with some knees in the clinch. Neither man able to score a takedown as they are both tired. High kick from Caceres but Bravo counters with a body kick. Bravo with some elbows in close range. Caceres with a spin kick. Caceres lands a right hand. Caceres lands a solid combination. They trade late in the round. Close final round. 10-9 Bravo, 29-28 Caceres.
Official Result- Alex Caceres def. Martin Bravo by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
> Jay Cucciniello (8-0 1 NC, 0-0 UFC) vs. Brad Katona (6-0, 0-0 UFC) TUF 27 Featherweight Finals
Katona with a body kick. He follows with a leg kick. Katona with another body kick. Katona with another inside leg kick. They trade punches. Katona with a body kick. Cucciniello is the one pressing forward. Cucciniello with a body kick and Katona fires back with a leg kick. Katona fakes a takedown to change levels. Cucciniello with a solid combo. Katona with a straight right hand. Katona with a body kick. Katona with some punches. Cucciniello with not a lot of output so far. Katona drops Cucciniello with a left hand but he gets right back up. They trade punches. Cucciniello with a head kick. 10-9 Katona.
They trade kicks and Katona drops Cucciniello again with a left hand. Cucciniello pops right back up. Katona starts back on the attack and gets a big takedown a minute into the round. Katona working from the top and landing punches to the head and body but not really doing much to improve his position. Katona doing enough to keep the fight on the mat and away from being stood up. Cucciniello unable to do anything from the bottom. Katona with an elbow. Katona with a hammerfist from the top as he tries to scramble to a better position. Katona rides the round out on top. 10-9 Katona, 20-18 Katona.
Katona with a left hand. They trade punches. Katona shoots for the takedown and has Cucciniello pinned against the fence. Cucciniello is defending and Katona is not doing much to continue the work for the takedown. He is warned by Herb Dean and then gets a takedown and is in the half-guard. Katona with some elbows and punches from the top. Cucciniello needs to get up from the bottom if he has any chance to win but he just can’t. Katona stands up and Cucciniello tries to scramble but Katona immediately grabs the back and keeps the fight on the mat. Katona dropping punches from the back and Cucciniello is in a lot of trouble. Katona finishes the fight on the top and should cruise to the win. 10-9 Katona, 30-27 Katona.
Official Result- Brad Katona def. Jay Cucciniello by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
> Mike Trizano (6-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Joe Giannetti (6-0, 0-0 UFC) TUF 27 Lightweight Finals
Giannetti with a head kick to start. They trade leg kicks. Giannetti takes the back of Trizano and has him pressed against the fence. They go to the mat for a brief second but back to their feet and Giannetti still has the back. Trizano drops to his knees to block the hooks being locked in. They get to their feet and Giannetti with some knees to the head. They go to the mat and Giannetti has an inverted heel hook but lets go. Trizano with an elbow from the top. Trizano now goes for the heel hook but Giannetti pops out and gets into the full guard. Giannetti stands up and lands some punches but goes into the guard and falls into a triangle choke from Trizano but time runs out. 10-9 Giannetti.
They trade and Trizano scores a takedown. Trizano in the half-guard of Giannetti. Both men landing short punches to the body of one another. Trizano moves into side control. Trizano looking to set up a submission by grabbing an arm. Giannetti gets away and grabs a leg of Trizano and looking for a toe hold. Trizano with some elbows to the lower area of Giannetti as they’re in a weird position. They are both elbowing each other on the butt and that is how the round ends. No good. 10-9 Trizano, 19-19.
We now have an immediate low blow and a timeout to start the third round. We are back to action and they both land kicks. Giannetti with a body kick. Trizano with a leg kick in return. They trade punches and kicks. Giannetti with a high kick. Neither fighter seems like they wanna do something to win this fight. Trizano with a leg kick. They trade punches. Trizano with a leg kick followed by a left hand. Trizano coming forward. Giannetti gave this fight away. Not a good fight. 10-9 Trizano, 29-28 Trizano.
Official Result- Mike Trizano def. Joe Giannetti by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
> Brad Tavares (#8, 17-4, 12-4 UFC) vs. Israel Adesanya (13-0, 2-0 UFC) Middleweights
Adesanya with a leg kick. Tavares lands a couple of right hands and they clinch against the fence. They quickly break the clinch. Adesanya with a leg kick. Adesanya with another leg kick. Tavares lands a right hand and they trade kicks. Adesanya with a couple of kicks, one to the leg and one to the body. Adesanya lands a left hand. Tavares with a right hand. Tavares with a leg kick. They trade strikes. Tavares shoots for a takedown but Adesanya gets away. Adesanya with a high kick. He lands a left hand but Tavares fires back with a right hand. Adesanya rolls for a leg lock but almost got himself in trouble as Tavares landed from the top. 10-9 Adesanya.
Tavares with a right hand. Adesanya with a leg kick. Adesanya with a straight knee high. Adesanya lands the jab followed by a leg kick. Adesanya with a head kick and Tavares wobbles ever so slightly. Tavares shoots for a takedown but it is defended. Adesanya switches positions in the clinch. Tavares lands a left hand. Tavares with a leg kick. Adesanya with a leg kick. They trade punches. Adesanya gets a stern warning from Herb Dean about fingers in the face. Adesanya hurts Tavares with a big body kick. Adesanya with the jab. They trade punches at the end. 10-9 Adesanya, 20-18 Adesanya.
They trade punches and kicks. Adesanya with a high knee and it almost his the chin of Tavares. They trade stiff jabs. Adesanya with a high kick. Adesanya lands a big knee in close range and it connected. Adesanya with a low kick. They clinch and Adesanya trips and tosses Tavares down. Tavares gets up and eats a knee and huge body kick from Adesanya. Tavares goes for a takedown but it is defended perfectly by Adesanya. They clinch and Adesanya scrambles away. Adesanya lands a spinning elbow. Adesanya lands a big right hand followed by a huge knee and Tavares is stunned. Adesanya with a combo and then a head kick. Impressive end of the round by Adesanya. 10-9 Adesanya, 30-27 Adesanya.
Tavares pushes Adesanya up against the fence as he looks to wear him down and avoid being hit on the feet. Tavares gets a takedown and is in the guard of Adesanya. Tavares gets the back of Adesanya and looks to land. Kimura attempt from Tavares but Adesanya gets out and takes the back for a moment before they get to their feet. Adesanya with an inside elbow. The doctors check the cut on Tavares but let him continue on. Adesanya with a knee to the body. They trade punches. Tavares attempts a takedown but it is defended. Adesanya lands a combo. They continue to trade. Adesanya with a couple of knees to the body and then one up high. Tavares’ eye is a mess. 10-9 Adesanya, 40-36 Adesanya.
Tavares looks for a takedown but they just clinch and Adesanya tosses him away. Adesanya with a front kick on Tavares. Adesanya just lighting Tavares up on the feet. Tavares shoots for a takedown but it is defended. Adesanya lands a big knee to the body as they get back to their feet. Adesanya defends another takedown and lands a kick as they get up. Tavares unable to land his punches. Adesanya has been making this look easy, which has been extremely impressive since Tavares is a top-ten fighter and Adesanya is in his third UFC fight. Adesanya stuffs another takedown. Great showing from Adesanya. 10-9 Adesanya, 50-45 Adesanya.
Official Result- Israel Adesanya def. Brad Tavares by unanimous decision (40-46, 50-45, 50-45)
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC Fight Night 129: Maia vs. Usman, emanating from the Movistar Arena in Santiago, Chile.
The Octagon debuts in Chile with a 13-fight card featuring a UFC veteran looking to get back to his winning ways against a fast-rising contender in the welterweight division.
Former two-division title challenger Demian Maia looks to end his two-fight losing skid when he takes on the dangerous Kamaru Usman, who is undefeated in the Octagon and winner of eleven straight overall. Maia steps in for this fight on a shortened training camp as he replaced Santiago Ponzinibbio, who was forced out due to a broken hand.
Maia fights for the UFC for the 28th time, and only two fighters have competed under the UFC banner more. Usman is making a charge at 170 pounds and could solidify a potential title shot with another win, but Maia is dangerous and always primed for an upset.
Also on the main card is a battle in the women’s strawweight division as Alexa Grasso looks for her second consecutive win against former TUF winner Tatiana Suarez, who looks to remain undefeated in her career. In the women’s flyweight division, Andrea “KGB” Lee makes her UFC debut, and she has a lot of star potential, as she takes on Veronica Macedo.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.
UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS | 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT
> Claudio Puelles (7-2, 0-1 UFC) vs. Felipe Silva (8-1, 1-1 UFC) Lightweights
Silva starts with a leg kick. Puelles blocks a head kick and Silva just misses a spin kick. Puelles gets a takedown and into the guard of Silva. Puelles stands up and then comes back into the guard after a hard left hand. Puelles stands and lands another left and then grabs the neck looking for a choke. Silva was able to scramble and ends on the top and starts landing punches. Puelles rolls for a kneebar and has a foot lock in but Silva gets out of trouble. They get back to their feet. Silva with some knees to the body. Puelles pulls guard looking for an armbar. They’re back on the feet. Puelles grabs a leg and gets another takedown. Puelles with some left hands from the top. Back on their feet. Puelles shoots for a takedown but pulls guard and Silva lands a punch. 10-9 Silva.
Silva starts with a leg kick again. Silva lands some punches as Puelles retreats. Puelles lands a left hand. The pace has slowed a little bit. Silva lands a standing knee to Puelles’ body. Silva with a leg kick. Silva with a high kick. Puelles with a body kick. SIlva lands a right hand. Puelles shoots for a takedown but it is defended. Silva lands a big combo and Puelles drops to the ground. Silva goes to the mat and is landing some punches looking to finish. Silva with more big punches from the top. Silva with more big punches. They get to their feet. Silva lands some big punches and to the body. Puelles pulls guard to survive the round as Silva lands punches to end it. 10-8 Silva, 20-17 Silva.
Puelles with a spinning back fist. They trade leg kicks. Silva drops Puelles with a big right hand and is going for the finish. Silva with big punches on the ground. He backs off and the ref stands Puelles up. Silva rocks Puelles with a left hand. Silva then drops Puelles again with a body punch. They are back on the feet. Silva landing big punches on the feet. Puelles shoots but ends on the bottom and Silva landing punches and elbows. Puelles then locks a kneebar out of nowhere and it is in tight. Silva taps! Wow! A big comeback win for Puelles in the third round. Incredible comeback.
Official Result- Claudio Puelles def. Felipe Silva by submission (kneebar) at 2:23 of Round 3
> Henry Briones (16-7-1, 1-3 UFC) vs. Frankie Saenz (12-5, 4-3 UFC) Bantamweights
Saenz with a leg kick followed by a right hand. Saenz with a left hand to the body followed by a right hand. They are being patient so far. Briones with a leg kick. Saenz lands a punch and then gets a takedown. They get to their feet and Saenz starts landing more punches. They are trading punches on the feet. Briones lands a big right hand. They trade late. Close round. 10-9 Saenz.
They trade early on. Saenz drops Briones with a right hand but Briones gets back to his feet. Saenz scores a takedown. Saenz landing some punches from the top before they get back to their feet. Saenz with some body shots. Briones lands a right hand. They are trading punches and kicks on their feet. They continue to trade punches and kicks at the end. 10-9 Saenz, 20-18 Saenz.
Saenz lands an accidental groin strike early. They trade kicks. Saenz lands a knee in the clinch. Saenz gets a takedown but Briones has the neck looking for a choke. Saenz slips out and is in the guard. Saenz with some elbows. Saenz landing big shots from the top as Briones is trying to roll out from the bottom. Saenz keeping Briones on the mat but they do get to their feet. They break as Saenz lands an elbow. They go to the mat and Saenz has the back. Saenz landing punches from the back as the fight ends. 10-9 Saenz, 30-27 Saenz.
Official Result- Frankie Saenz def. Henry Briones by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
> Enrique Barzola (14-3-1, 4-1 UFC) vs. Brandon Davis (9-4, 1-1 UFC) Featherweights
They both miss on high kicks. Davis lands a right hand. Barzola with a teet kick. Barzola trips up Davis with a leg kick and then grabs his back. Barzola trips Davis to the mat but they quickly get up. Barzola gets a big slam takedown. They get up and break. They trade leg kicks. Davis lands a hard right hand. Davis lands a combo and then a leg kick. Davis lands another hard right hand. Barzola lands a left hand. Davis gets a takedown. They get to their feet and Davis lands a solid combo to end the round. Close round. 10-9 Davis.
They trade leg kicks. Barzola grabs the back and gets a brief takedown. Barzola is relentless with back control. Davis with a backwards elbow. Barzola with a big takedown and in the half-guard. Barzola looking to grab the back but moves to the neck and is looking for a choke. Davis gets to his feet and escapes. Barzola gets another slam takedown. Barzola has the back and is working for a choke. Barzola landing punches from the back. Davis gets out. Davis working for a takedown but eating elbows. Barzola going for a guillotine choke. Davis gets out. 10-9 Barzola, 19-19.
They trade punches and kicks to start the final round. They trade punches in close range. They continue to trade in close range and Barzola lands a hard right hand. Davis fires back with a combo. They trade body kicks. Davis lands a left hand. Barzola gets a takedown and moves to the back. They get to their feet. They break and Davis lands a knee to the body. Barzola grabs the neck and drags the fight to the mat. Barzola in the half-guard. Barzola gets the back and is landing punches as the fight ends. 10-9 Barzola, 29-28 Barzola.
Official Result- Enrique Barzola def. Brandon Davis by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
FOX SPORTS 2 PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT
> Gabriel Benitez (20-6, 4-2 UFC) vs. Humberto Bandenay (14-4 1 NC, 1-0 UFC) Featherweights
Benitez right away with a leg kick and then drops Bandenay with a left hand. Benitez gets on top and landing but Bandenay looking for an armbar from the bottom. He has it locked in but Benitez slams him hard to the mat and knocks Bandenay out after a left hand. Wow. Big finish by Benitez as he gets the knockout in less than a minute.
Official Result- Gabriel Benitez def. Humberto Bandenay by knockout (slam & punch) at :39 of Round 1
Botelho with a leg kick to start. She lands a big body kick that hurts Kondo. She drops Kondo with a right hand and Kondo is in a lot of trouble. Botelho lands some more punches as Kondo is having trouble defending and the fight is stopped. Wow. Botelho with a big finish in another fight that goes less than a minute.
Official Result- Poliana Botelho def. Syuri Kondo by TKO (strikes) at :33 of Round 1
Moreno with a quick leg kick. Pantoja with a leg kick in return. Moreno just misses a spinning wheel kick. They trade and Pantoja lands a knee. Moreno gets a takedown but they scramble to the feet. Pantoja lands a left hand. They trade punches. Pantoja lands a good combo that wobbles Moreno. Pantoja lands a solid right hand that hurts Moreno and Moreno starts to retreat away. Moreno fakes a takedown. Moreno falls to the mat after missing a takedown and Pantoja follows down and is landing punches from the top. Pantoja with some big punches and Moreno is bleeding. Pantoja takes the back and lands big punches to end the round. 10-8 Pantoja.
Pantoja with a leg kick. He lands an overhand right. Moreno lands a left hook but Pantoja is countering with big combos. They are dirty boxing against the fence. Pantoja landing the jab. Pantoja with a leg kick. They trade punches and kicks. Pantoja with more leg kicks. The pace has slowed a little. They trade some punches inside the pocket. Pantoja wobbles Moreno with a left hand and then lands a knee to the body against the fence. 10-9 Pantoja, 20-17 Pantoja.
Pantoja with an inside leg kick. Pantoja lands a left hand. They clinch and Moreno pushes the fight against the fence. Pantoja reverses and lands a knee. Moreno with an elbow on the break and they trade punches. Moreno gets a brief takedown but Pantoja gets it right back up. They both trade big punches and Pantoja got the better of it. Pantoja lands a hard right hand. Pantoja lands some more hard punches. They trade punches. Wild brawl to end the fight. 10-9 Pantoja, 30-26 Pantoja.
Official Result- Alexandre Pantoja def. Brandon Moreno by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 29-27)
> Zak Cummings (21-5, 6-2 UFC) vs. Michel Prazeres (24-2, 8-2 UFC) Welterweights
Prazeres with a body kick. Prazeres lands a right hand. Prazeres gets a takedown and is on top. Prazeres in the half-guard but not doing much and they are stood up by the referee. They trade punches and Cummings is cut open from a headbutt. Prazeres lands a left hand and then a leg kick and followed with a right hand. Cummings with a high kick that misses. 10-9 Prazeres,
Prazeres goes for a takedown and has the back of Cummings. Prazeres gets a takedown but Cummings gets up. They break and Cummings lands some punches and Prazeres is cut open under his eye. They continue to clinch and Cummings with some body punches. They break and both land. Cummings with a high kick and Prazeres counters with a right hand. Cummings lands a straight left hand. They clinch and Cummings pushes it against the fence. Prazeres grabbed the cage to block a takedown. They trade punches. 10-9 Cummings, 19-19.
They trade punches. Cummings starting to bleed more. Prazeres lands a right hand. He fakes a takedown and ends with another right hand. Cummings lands a left. They are fighting slow and the crowd is booing. Cummings with a high kick that is blocked. They clinch but nothing happens and they are split by the ref. Cummings with a body kick and then a head kick. They trade. Prazeres lands a left hand. Cummings with a big body kick and then a knee to the body. Prazeres with a late takedown. He ends the fight on top. 10-9 Prazeres, 29-28 Prazeres.
Official Result- Michel Prazeres def. Zak Cummings by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
FOX SPORTS 1 MAIN CARD | 10 PM ET/7 PM PT
> Vicente Luque (12-6-1, 5-2 UFC) vs. Chad Laprise (13-2, 6-2 UFC) Welterweights
Luque with some leg kicks and Laprise counters with one of his own. They trade punches. Laprise with a leg kick followed by a left hand. They trade and clinch and Laprise gets a takedown but they get right back up. Luque lands a right hand. Laprise lands a double jab. Luque with a head kick that is blocked. Luque drops Laprise with a big left hand and then finishes him off with a couple of more punches. Big finish by Luque.
Official Result- Vicente Luque def. Chad Laprise by knockout (punches) at 4:16 of Round 1
> Veronica Macedo (5-1, 0-1 UFC) vs. Andrea Lee (8-2, 0-0 UFC) Women’s Flyweights
They trade leg kicks. Macedo lands a nice combo. They clinch and Lee lands a knee and then some to the body and another to the head. Macedo with a spin kick to the body. They trade and clinch. Lee with some more knees to the body. Lee gets a takedown. Lee with some kicks as Macedo is on the ground. Macedo with a big knee and then rocks Lee with a head kick. They clinch and Lee gets a throw takedown. Lee gets the back and locks in a rear-naked choke. She had it but let go and landed some elbows. Lee still has back control and goes for an armbar but time runs out. 10-9 Lee.
Macedo misses a spin kick. They clinch and Lee lands a couple of knees. Lee with a head-and-arm throw but Macedo able to scramble to her feet. Macedo pulls guard. Lee gets to her feet and lands some leg kicks to the downed Macedo. Macedo gets up and lands a left hand. They clinch and Lee lands a knee and Macedo an uppercut. Macedo then gets a takedown but Lee able to reverse to the top. Macedo rolls for a kneebar but Lee able to get out of it. Lee working for an arm-triangle. Lee mounts Macedo and lands an elbow before Macedo escapes. 10-9 Lee, 20-18 Lee.
They trade punches. Lee gets a takedown and ends up on top. Lee with some punches from the top and she gets to her feet. Macedo remains on her back. Macedo wants Lee back on the mat. Macedo lands a couple of upkicks. They trade punches. They clinch and Lee with some knees and then gets a takedown. Lee in side control and then moves to mount. Macedo gives up her back and Lee looking for an opening for the choke. They scramble and Macedo grabs the neck for a moment but Lee gets to her feet. Lee ends the fight on top. 10-9 Lee, 30-27 Lee.
Official Result- Andrea Lee def. Veronica Macedo by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Diego Rivas (7-1, 2-1 UFC) vs. Guido Cannetti (7-3, 1-2 UFC) Bantamweights
Rivas drops Cannetti for a moment to start the fight. RIvas gets the fight to the mat for a moment but Cannetti gets it up and has Rivas against the fence. Cannetti gets a takedown. Rivas grabbed an arm and was looking for an armbar but Cannetti escaped out and got the back. They get to their feet and Cannetti has the backpack and Rivas is looking for an escape. They break as the round ends. 10-9 Cannetti.
Cannetti with a body kick. We have an errant groin shot on Rivas and a timeout. They get back to action and Cannetti gets a takedown and is in the guard working for something. They are stood up by the referee. Rivas unable to do much in this one so far. They trade kicks. Rivas gets a big takedown but Cannetti right back to his feet. Rivas grabs the neck and has the guillotine locked in but Cannetti pops his head out. They get to their feet and Cannetti ends the round on the back of Rivas. 10-9 Cannetti, 20-18 Cannetti.
They come out trading. Rivas lands a big right hand that wobbles Cannetti. Cannetti misses a spin kick by a mile. They clinch and Rivas lands an elbow. Cannetti tries a trip takedown but can’t get it and Rivas grabs the neck. Rivas lands some knees and some elbows and uppercuts in the clinch. Cannetti grabs the neck and they drop to the mat. Cannetti working for a guillotine but Rivas escapes. Cannetti has a big cut open. They get to their feet and Cannetti lands a couple of kicks. Rivas with a body kick. Crowd with loud chants for Rivas. They trade strikes. Rivas with a flurry to end. 10-9 Rivas, 29-28 Cannetti.
Official Result- Guido Cannetti def. Diego Rivas by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Jared Cannonier (10-3, 3-3 UFC) vs. Dominick Reyes (8-0, 2-0 UFC) Light Heavyweights
Cannonier with a leg kick and an overhand right. Reyes with a leg kick. Cannonier with a right hand. Reyes with an inside leg kick. Reyes goes for a takedown and grabs a leg but Cannonier lands some punches and he lets go. Reyes lands a left hand. Cannonier lands a right hand. Reyes with a series of strikes. Reyes rocks Cannonier with an uppercut and Cannonier is retreating. Reyes follows up with leg kicks and then drops Cannonier with an uppercut and the referee stops it. Cannonier went limp after the uppercut and Marc Goddard had seen enough. Impressive stoppage by Reyes.
Official Result- Dominick Reyes def. Jared Cannonier by TKO (strikes) at 2:55 of Round 1
They trade kicks. Suarez shoots for a takedown but Grasso defends against the fence. Suarez with a head-and-arm takedown. Grasso back to her feet. Suarez with another takedown. Grasso trying to get out but Suarez gets the back and keeps the fight down. Suarez looking for a rear-naked choke and she has it locked in. She gets Grasso to tap out! Suarez with an impressive first-round submission win.
Official Result- Tatiana Suarez def. Alexa Grasso by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:44 of Round 1
Usman with a leg kick and then another. Maia lands a left hand. Usman with another leg kick. Maia lands another left hand. Usman with a leg kick and Maia counters with a takedown but Usman right back to his feet. Maia has the back of Usman standing. Maia with a right hand from the back. They are broken up by the referee. Usman with a leg kick. Usman with the jab. Not much to the round. 10-9 Maia.
Usman lands a right hand. Maia goes for a takedown but it is stuffed by Usman. Usman has the neck in the sprawl position. They get back to their feet and Maia lands a left hand. Usman with a right hand. Usman lands another right hand. Usman with a leg kick and Maia works for a takedown but Usman defends it. They trade punches and Maia goes for another takedown but Usman defends it perfectly. Usman lands some right hands. Maia with an uppercut to the body and Usman counters with his own. They clinch against the fence. Maia pulls guard but not much happens after. 10-9 Usman, 19-19.
Maia lands a left hand. Usman with a right hand. They trade punches. Usman stumbles but lands a right hand as he catches his balance. Maia with a combo. Maia lands a left hand. Usman trying to land punches but Maia is in retreat mode. Maia dives for a takedown but Usman defends. Maia inviting him to the mat but Usman is having none of it. They trade punches. Maia with another takedown attempt that Usman stuffs. 10-9 Usman, 29-28 Usman.
Usman drops Maia with a right hand and he is swarming looking to finish but Maia sprawls to his knees and grabs Usman. Usman trying to escape there and is landing punches. They get to their feet. Maia shoots for a takedown but Usman sprawls and starts landing punches. They get back to their feet. Neither man landing anything now. Maia lands the jab. Maia bleeding now. Maia grabs the single leg but lets go as he can’t get Usman down. Usman lands a right hand. 10-9 Usman, 39-37 Usman.
Maia still trying for takedowns but can’t get Usman down. Maia is exhausted. He wants Usman on the ground but Usman won’t take the bait. They trade punches and Maia starts retreating again. Maia lands a left hand. Maia tries a takedown but Usman quickly grabs the head and sprawls. Usman lets go and they get to their feet. Usman with a right hand. Maia tries a takedown but it is defended and Usman goes to the mat in Maia’s guard. Usman gets to his feet and Maia continues to invite him to the mat. Usman with a right hand. Usman with a head kick. Not the most exciting fight you will see to say the least. 10-9 Usman, 49-46 Usman.
Official Result- Kamaru Usman def. Demian Maia by unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)
Following Sunday’s UFC Fight Night show in St. Louis, Dana White strongly hinted on FS1 that Conor McGregor could be stripped of the lightweight championship.
White said that McGregor was talking about fighting again in September which would be nearly two years since he won the title from Eddie Alvarez in the promotion’s debut in New York City. He said that would be too long and if that was the case, they would match up interim champion Tony Ferguson vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov for the belt — a fight they have been trying to make for nearly a year. He didn’t say when, but it is known that UFC has been attempting to make that fight for April. White said that if it goes down like that, McGregor would get a shot against the winner if he returns in September.
Some other news from White:
– When asked about Vitor Belfort, he said that the UFC was able to get a last minute replacement for Belfort to fight on the show in place of the injured Uriah Hall, but Belfort turned the fight down. He said that he also turned down a fight this Saturday in Boston, but that he asked for a fight with Michael Bisping in London on March 17th instead. White said he would get back in the office and try and put things together. Bisping was on set as an analyst and joked about it, but didn’t jump on the offer either. He indicated that he’d wait for the call.
– Former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos is getting a welterweight title shot at Tyron Woodley when Woodley recovers from surgery to repair a torn labrum.
– He also spoke of doing an outdoor show in Honolulu, HI, with featherweight champion and native son Max Holloway as the headliner.
– There was also some talk of a show in Russia, but White didn’t confirm that story.
– If you didn’t see the tremendous Matt Hughes tribute video segment with his walkout from last night, give it a watch:
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC Fight Night 122: Bisping vs. Gastelum, emanating from the Mercedes Benz Arena in Shanghai, China.
The Octagon heads to mainland China for the first time with a middleweight main event as former UFC Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping, three weeks removed from losing the championship to Georges St. Pierre at UFC 217, heads right back into action against former TUF winner Kelvin Gastelum.
Bisping, eager to get back to action, takes the fight on short notice as a replacement for Anderson Silva, who was pulled from the event due to a potential USADA violation, and he looks to bounce back in a big way against a tough opponent. Gastelum is looking to get back into the win column after being submitted by another former champion, Chris Weidman, in July.
The entire UFC Fight Night 122 event streams on UFC Fight Pass with a very early kick off time in the United States.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 3:45 AM eastern time with preliminary action all the way thru the main card.
UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS | 3:45 AM ET/12:45 AM PT
> Cyril Asker (8-3, 1-2 UFC) vs. Hu Yaozong (3-0, 0-0 UFC) Heavyweights
Asker went right for a takedown and got it easily after landing a right hand. Asker landed some left hands against the fence and Yaozong had the standing guillotine locked in against the fence. Asker was able to pop his neck out. Asker got another takedown. Asker grabbed the back and landed some punches. Asker landing some big punches and then some knees to the body. Yaozong got to his feet but was taken right back down. Asker landed some big hammerfists. More big punches landed as Asker takes the back. Yaozong not doing much to defend until he lands some backwards elbows. 10-9 Asker.
Yaozong came firing out with some leg kicks to start the second. Asker landed an uppercut and then scored the takedown. Asker has the back and is landing punches. Asker has the hooks in on the back and is landing big punches. He flattens Yaozong out. Asker now working for a choke and has it and Yaozong quickly taps out. Submission win for Asker in a dominant showing.
Official Result- Cyril Asker def. Hu Yaozong by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:33 of Round 2
> Wuliji Buren (10-4, 0-0 UFC) vs. Rolando Dy (8-6 1 NC, 0-2 UFC) Featherweights* (Dy missed weight by 2 pounds)
They traded early and Dy knocked Buren down with a left hand but Buren recovered quickly. Buren shot for a single leg and finished the takedown. They scrambled to the feet and Buren had the back. Buren got a takedown as he had the back of Dy. Dy able to get to his feet and lands a left hand. Dy lands some kicks. Both men being tentative on the feet. Dy landing leg kicks that aren’t being defended. Dy trying to land the left hand but Buren ducking out of the way. Close round. 10-9 Buren.
Dy lands a left hand and Buren counters with a takedown. Dy reversed to the top and was in side control but Buren had the neck. Dy landing some knees to the body from side control as he pops his head out. They got to their feet and Buren was the aggressor on the feet as he was landing punches. Not much happened at the end of the round. Another close round. 10-9 Dy, 19-19.
Buren went right for a takedown and got it after grabbing the single leg. Buren in the half-guard against the fence. Buren was landing punches from the top but they scrambled to their feet. Buren landed a right hand and went right back to work for another takedown but it was defended. Brief timeout called by Herb Dean after a low kick by Dy. Dy looking to land but Buren is getting out of the way. Buren goes for a long takedown but it is stopped though he grabs the back of Dy against the fence. Dy lands a big elbow as they break they clinch. Dy with another elbow. Close fight. 10-9 Buren, 29-28 Buren.
Official Result- Rolando Dy def. Wuliji Buren by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Mazany fires away with some punches very quickly looking to end it quickly. They clinch and Mazany lands some more lefts. They trade knees in the clinch. They remain in the clinch with both landing punches. Mazany stumbles to the ground looking to escape and Wu lands some punches before they get to their feet. Wu lands a knee before they break. They trade punches. They clinch again and Mazany scores the takedown. Mazany with big punches and elbows. Wu almost had an armbar in from the bottom but Mazany escaped. They got to their feet and Mazany scored another takedown. They get up. 10-9 Mazany.
Mazany landed a big kick to the face as Wu was coming inside but she still grabbed the clinch against the fence. They were battling for position and underhooks and Mazany scored a couple of takedowns. Mazany with some punches from the top as she has Wu’s arm trapped. Mazany is cut over her eye. Mazany landing more punches but Wu was able to get to her feet. Mazany has the body lock against the fence and is landing punches. Wu has been warned several times about grabbing the fence. They trade late. 10-9 Mazany, 20-18 Mazany.
Wu messed up her shoulder bad at the end of the second round and was complaining about it but continued on into the third. They traded punches. Wu definitely having trouble throwing right hands. Mazany got a takedown against the fence. Mazany working from the top as Wu can’t get out from the bottom. Mazany with some elbows from the top as she cruises to what should be a win. 10-9 Mazany, 30-27 Mazany.
Official Result- Gina Mazany def. Wu Yanan by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
They were trading early. Both men looking to land big punches. Abdurakhimov landed a big left hook and then another. He landed a right hand and another left hook and knocks Sherman down and the referee quickly stops it. Big quick win for Abdurakhimov.
Official Result- Shamil Abdurakhimov def. Chase Sherman by knockout (punches) at 1:24 of Round 1
> Song Yadong (10-4 1 NC, 0-0 UFC) vs. Bharat Khandare (5-2, 0-0 UFC) Featherweights
Yadong with an early body kick. He just misses a spinning hook kick. Yadong rocked Khandare with a right hand. Yadong lands another right hand and then a combo that backs up Khandare. Khandare lands the jab. Yadong with a leg kick. Yadong with another leg kick. Yadong goes with a head kick now. Khandare looking to land a right hand. Yadong drops Khandare with a right hand and then grabs the neck for a choke and Khandare taps out! Impressive showing by Yadong. Yadong is only 19 and has a bright future.
Official Result- Song Yadong def. Bharat Khandare by submission (front choke) at 4:16 of Round 1
> Kailin Curran (4-5, 1-5 UFC) vs. Yan Xioanan (7-1 1 NC, 0-0 UFC) Women’s Strawweights
Curran with a leg kick and Xioanan counters with a right hand. Xioanan with her trademark hook kick. Xioanan drops Curran briefly with a big right hand and Curran is in a lot of trouble. Curran has seemed to recover as she has Xioanan clinched against the fence. They break. Curran with a right hand and works for a takedown but Xioanan is defending it. They break. Xioanan with another hook kick. Both women land some punches. They clinch again. They break and trade punches and clinch again at the end of the round. 10-9 Xioanan.
They trade punches to start the second. Curran with a head kick and Xioanan counters with a right hand. Curran with a body lock and gets a takedown and is in side control against the fence. They get back to their feet. Xioanan lands a solid combo. Curran looks to land a right hand and ducks under and grabs the clinch. Curran with some knees to the legs of Xioanan as they break the clinch. Xioanan lands a right hand that stuns Curran. Curran quickly grabs the clinch. They break. Xioanan with a hard right hand. They clinch again. 10-9 Xioanan, 20-18 Xioanan.
Xioanan briefly drops Curran with a low kick. She gets up and lands a right hand and a knee to the body of Xioanan. They were trading and Curran went for a takedown against the fence and got it. Curran in the half-guard and lands some shots to the body. Curran posturing up and moves into the full guard as she lands more from the top. Curran really needs to work harder for a finish. She lands some hammerfists but Xioanan grabs her and pulls her back to closed guard. Xioanan pushes Curran off and they get to their feet. They clinch. They have a brawl in the closing seconds with each lady landing punches in close range. Big punches from both. Good fight. 10-9 Curran, 29-28 Xioanan.
Official Result- Yan Xioanan def. Kailin Curran by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
> Song Kenan (12-4, 0-0 UFC) vs. Bobby Nash (8-3, 0-2 UFC) Welterweights
The first move of the fight is a groin strike by Kenan. We get back to action and Kenan drops Nash with a big right hand and lands a lot of punches until Herb Dean steps in and stops it. Quick win by Kenan. Nash was out of it so much that he spent several seconds trying to take down Herb Dean while being told the fight was over. Official time of the fight was just 15 seconds.
Official Result- Song Kenan def. Bobby Nash by TKO (punches) at :15 of Round 1
> Zabit Magomedshapirov (13-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. Sheymon Moraes (9-1, 0-0 UFC) Featherweights
Magomedshapirov with some side kicks to start. Moraes with a leg kick. Magomedshapriov just misses a spin kick. Moraes with a switch kick and then a heavy leg kick. Moraes with a switch kick to the body. Magomedshapirov with a hard right hand. They trade punches. Moraes with a kick but Magomedshapirov grabs the leg and gets a takedown into full guard. Moraes able to scramble out to his feet but gives up his back. Magomedshapirov with a back suplex and he has the back and is working for a choke. They get up but go right back down and Magomedshapirov is in side control. Moraes scrambles back to half-guard but Magomedshapirov back in side control. He moves to mount. Magomedshapirov with some big elbows and Moraes survives the round. 10-9 Magomedshapirov.
Magomedshapirov just misses a 360 kick but then gets a takedown. They scramble and go back to the mat with Moraes in mount but Magomedshapirov reverses to the top. Moraes goes for an armbar but they scramble to the feet and Magomedshapirov has the back. Moraes goes for an ankle lock but eats punches. Zabit working for the choke as he has the back and is landing punches. Big punches from the back by Magomedshapirov. Big elbows and Magomedshapirov is in the mount again. Zabit passes to side control and is still landing big punches with over a minute to go in the second. More work from the top. 10-8 Magomedshapirov, 20-17 Magomedshapirov.
Magomedshapirov leg kicks Moraes out from under him and they are on the mat briefly before getting up. Moraes with a left hook and Magomedshapirov counters with a spinning back fist. Magomedshapriov grabs the back and is looking for a suplex. Zabit gets the takedown and has the back. They get to their feet. Magomedshapirov with another takedown. They get up but Magomedshapirov kicks Moraes leg to get another takedown and is in the mount. Big punches from Magomedshapirov. He grabs the neck for a choke and has an anaconda choke locked in and Moraes taps! Dominant performance by Magomedshapirov. He is already a contender at 145 pounds. Magomedshapirov suggested a fight with Yair Rodriguez in his post-fight interview.
Official Result- Zabit Magomedshapirov def. Sheymon Moraes by submission (anaconda choke) at 4:30 of Round 3
UFC FIGHT PASS MAIN CARD | 7 AM ET/4 AM PT
> Muslim Salikhov (12-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Alex Garcia (14-4, 4-3 UFC) Welterweights
Salikhov with a leg kick. Garcia goes for a takedown but it is stuffed. Garcia got the takedown despite Salikhov grabbing the fence. Garcia in the half-guard. Garcia briefly passes to side control and is looking to pass to mount. Salikhov finds an opening to scramble to his feet. Salikhov with a leg kick. Salikhov with a spin kick to the body. Salikhov with another leg kick. Garcia unable to land anything on the feet. Salikhov with a spinning back fist and he defends a takedown by Garcia. Garcia just misses a left hand but scores a takedown late in the round. He lands a couple of punches from the top. 10-9 Garcia.
Salikhov searching for head kicks early in the second. He just misses a spin kick to the body of Garcia. Garcia fakes a takedown. Salikhov with a spin kick to the head that is partially blocked. Garcia lands a big right hand. Salikhov with a right hand. Garcia misses a takedown and eats a body kick from Salikhov. Garcia shoots for another takedown and gets it. Garcia gets the back and has a choke locked in. Salikhov is in trouble and he taps! Big upset win for Garcia as he gets the submission.
Official Result- Alex Garcia def. Muslim Salikhov by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:22 of Round 2
> Wang Guan (19-1-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Alex Caceres (13-10 1 NC, 8-8 1 NC UFC) Featherweights
Guan with a quick right hand. Caceres with a body kick. They trade leg kicks. They clinch and Caceres lands a groin strike and we have a timeout. We get back to action and Guan with a body kick. Guan then clips Caceres with a hard elbow and Caceres is rocked. He seems to recover. They clinch and Guan with a body lock. Caceres with a left hand followed by a kick. They both land punches. Caceres with a body kick. Guan dropped Caceres late with a punch and was landing lots of punches but couldn’t get the finish as the horn sounded to end the round. Caceres got up and could barely walk back to his corner. 10-9 Guan.
Caceres still moving weird to start the second. He is still coming forward though. Caceres with a leg kick. Guan with a high kick. Guan with a hard right hand that rocks Caceres and he follows it with a body kick. Caceres kicks Guan right in the groin but he continues on quickly. Guan with a leg kick. Caceres just misses a head kick. Caceres misses a left hand and Guan grabs the back but lets go. Guan lands a big right hand. Caceres with a body kick. 10-9 Guan, 20-18 Guan.
They trade leg kicks. Guan cracks Caceres with a right hand and follows it with a leg kick. Guan drops Caceres with a right hand but Caceres quickly gets up. Caceres lands a left. Caceres misses a high kick and slips but Guan unable to capitalize. Guan with a right hand. Caceres lands a lead uppercut followed by a spin kick to the ribs. They clip each other with punches. Guan is loading up his right hand and Caceres is capitalizing on openings. Guan lands a left and gets kicked in the groin at the same time. We get back going and they trade punches at the end. 10-9 Guan, 30-27 Guan.
Official Result- Wang Guan def. Alex Caceres by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
> Li Jingliang (13-4, 5-2 UFC) vs. Zak Ottow (15-4, 2-1 UFC) Welterweights
Jingliang with a leg kick to start. Ottow just misses a head kick. They trade kicks. Ottow with a high kick that is blocked by Jingliang. Ottow with a right hook and then lands a combo. Jingliang with a right hand. Jingliang lands a combo that rocks Ottow and then drops him with a right hand. Jingliang landing big punches looking to finish. Ottow in a lot of trouble and Jingliang finishes him off! Big win for Jingliang and goes into the crowd to celebrate with his daughter.
Official Result- Li Jingliang def. Zak Ottow by TKO (punches) at 2:57 of Round 1
> Michael Bisping (#2, 30-8, 20-8 UFC) vs. Kelvin Gastelum (#9, 13-3 1 NC, 8-3 1 NC UFC) Middleweights
Gastelum with a big body kick. Bisping lands a jab followed by an overhand right. They are trading with both looking for openings. Bisping landed a good punch as he’s finding his range. Gastelum with a body kick but Bisping counters with a right hand. Gastelum then lands a big combo that drops Bisping and he is out! Gastelum with the quick finish of Bisping in the first round. Big win for Gastelum. It was a vicious left hand that knocked Bisping out.
Official Result- Kelvin Gastelum def. Michael Bisping by knockout (punch) at 2:30 of Round 1
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC Fight Night 121: Werdum vs. Tybura, emanating from the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia.
The Octagon returns to Sydney for the first time in three years, bringing a five-round heavyweight bout as the headliner.
Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Fabricio Werdum makes the quick turnaround after fighting just six weeks ago as he takes on Marcin Tybura. Werdum is looking to score his second straight win to get back in the title picture, while Tybura puts his three-fight win streak on the line.
Also on the card is a women’s flyweight bout as Bec Rawlings takes on Jessica-Rose Clark, welterweights Tim Means and Belal Muhammad square off, and in prelim action, former Bellator Lightweight Champion Will Brooks looks to get back into the win column as he battles Nik Lentz.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.
UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS | 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT
> Anthony Hamilton (15-8, 3-6 UFC) vs. Adam Wieczorek (8-1, 0-0 UFC) Heavyweights
Hamilton went to a cage clinch early and then got a takedown. He dominated him on the ground for most of the round, doing a fair bit of damage from half guard and even got into side control briefly. Wieczorek got up with about a minute left but wasn’t able to do much on the feet before Hamilton got him back into a cage clinch at the end of the round. 10-9 Hamilton
Wieczorek landed a nice kick/punch combo that dropped Hamilton early in the round. Wieczorek did some damage on the ground while working for a head and arm choke from half guard. Hamilton made it to his feet halfway through the round and did slightly better on the feet. Hamilton got a late takedown but didn’t do any damage and the round should go to Wieczorek. 10-9 Wieczorek, 19-19 overall after 2
Very close round that was entirely on the feet. Hamilton kept going for takedowns and Wieczorek defended them all. Hamilton had some cage clinch control time but didn’t do much damage. Wieczorek did have the nice combinations on the feet and seemed to be pressing the action. Could go either way, I have it 29-28 Wieczorek.
Official result – Adam Wieczorek (9-1) by unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)
Wieczorek said that he had a hard time handling the time change and that explained his poor performance. He was asked to call someone out and didn’t, saying he was going to concentrate on training. After all the good promos last week, this was a terrible use of mic time.
> Jenel Lausa (7-3, 1-1 UFC) vs. Eric Shelton (10-4, 0-2 UFC) Flyweights
Lausa got the first takedown of the fight but didn’t do anything from top position. Shelton actually did more damage from his back. After Shelton got to his feet, he immediately got a takedown of his own but he didn’t do much either. Lausa got to his feet but Shelton took him down again and this time he did a little damage and stayed on top till the round ended. 10-9 Shelton
Much more dominant round from Shelton. He got an early takedown and was doing damage on the ground the whole time. He briefly got mount but Lausa escaped and got to his feet quickly. He took Shelton down with a guillotine but he quickly escaped and ended up on top. He stayed on top the rest of the round landing a ton of punches and elbows. At one point the strike count was 67-9 for Shelton. 10-8 Shelton, 20-17 after 2
Lausa blocked the first takedown but Shelton managed to get him down at 1:15 and held him down for the majority of the round. He landed a ton of elbows and punches on the ground. Total strike count was 186-11 for Shelton. Another 10-8 round for Shelton and 30-25 overall
Official result – Eric Shelton (11-4) by unanimous decision on scores of 30-27, 30-26 and 30-25
In his post-fight interview, Shelton put over Sydney as a beautiful city. He was very happy to finally get a UFC win and said he’d been waiting forever to do an interview. No call-out but he came off as a very likeable guy.
> Alex Chambers (5-3, 1-2 UFC) vs. Nadia Kassem (4-0, 0-0 UFC) Women’s Strawweights* (Kassem missed weight by 4 pounds)
Chambers got a takedown about 2 minutes and maintained top control for the rest of the round. Kassem did attempt an inverted heel hook and it looked close but once Chambers escaped, she was in control. Chambers did enough damage to avoid a standup and should easily take the round. 10-9 Chambers
Kassem was starting to do damage on the feet early in the round so Chambers was trying to take it to the ground. She got a takedown but Kassem almost immediately secured a triangle and was landing punches and elbows from her back while maintaining the choke. Chambers managed to avoid being finished but Kassem was doing a lot of damage. She eventually secured an armbar and used that to sweep into top position, landing a lot of punches and elbows before the round ended. 10-9 Kassem, 19-19 overall
Fun round. Chambers got a takedown again and Kassem immediately was going for another triangle. She didn’t get it but eventually reversed position and did way more damage from top than Chambers was able to do. Chambers got back to her feet and was getting lit up in the last minute on the feet and Kassem likely took the round and the fight. 10-9 Kassem, 29-28 Kassem overall
Official result – Nadia Kassem (5-0) by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27 x 2)
Kassem was really popular with the crowd and did a spirited promo after the fight. She said that she may have to move up to flyweight but will take on anyone, anytime, anywhere. She’s very young, very pretty and could be something some day.
FOX SPORTS 1 PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT
> Damien Brown (17-10, 2-2 UFC) vs. Frank Camacho (20-5, 0-1 UFC) Lightweights* (Camacho missed weight by 4 pounds)
They spent the whole round either in clinches or on the ground with a ton of takedowns and reversals. Camacho landed far more strikes, both on the ground and for the brief times they were on their feet. Brown got two different rear naked chokes in the last minute but Camacho escaped and ended up in top position at the end of the round. Very close but 10-9 Camacho
Round 2 was entirely on the feet and Camacho lit up Brown for the most part, landing about 3 times as many strikes. Brown came on at the end and they were exchanging hard shots to the head at the end of the round. They embraced and shook hands before the end of the round. 10-9 Camacho, 20-18 overall..
Almost a replay of Round 2 but a little closer. Seemed like Camacho was only landing twice as many strikes, rather than 3 times as many. Both guys got great shots in though and both were bloody by the end. The last 30 seconds was both of them just throwing bombs with everything they had and both were smiling and the crowd was on their feet and cheering their lungs out at the end. Strike count was 201-84 for Camacho with 1 minute left and they both probably landed at least 20 more after that. 10-9 Camacho, 30-27 overall
Official result – Frank Camacho (21-5) by split decision (28-29, 30-27 and 29-28)
Camacho put over Sydney as well as Damien Brown as a tough opponent. Brown was very upset about not getting the win but in a standup war where you got outstruck over 2-1, that’s gonna happen. Dan Hardy asked for a round of applause for both guys and also interviewed Brown after the fight. He thought he won two rounds but I’m not sure which two. He said the last 30 seconds was what fans pay to see and the crowd exploded for that.
> Rashad Coulter (8-2, 0-1 UFC) vs. Tai Tuivasa (5-0, 0-0 UFC) Heavyweights
Started off as a typical heavyweight battle with two fat guys just throwing punches and then going to the clinch when they got tired. Taivusa started to find his timing late in the round and dropped Coulter to the canvas with a hard leg kick. When he got up. Tuivasa landed a jumping knee to the chin for the highlight reel KO.
Official result – Tai Tuivasa (8-0) by KO (flying knee) at 4:35
Tuivasa was a huge favorite of the crowd and he had just secured his 8th straight first round KO. Dan Hardy asked him if he had a message for the heavyweight division and he said “It’s me again”. Crowd loved it. Dude is super charismatic and could be Mark Hunt for the next 10 years.
> Nik Lentz (27-8-2 1 NC, 11-5-1 1 NC UFC) vs. Will Brooks (19-3, 1-2 UFC) Lightweights
Brooks got a takedown a couple minutes in but Lentz grabbed his neck on the way down. Once Brooks escaped from the guillotine, he immediately went back to his feet. Other than that brief stretch the rest of the round was on the feet. Brooks was landing more and cut open Lentz on his nose. Lentz had a couple takedown attempts stuffed and tried to get it to the cage a couple times as well. 10-9 Brooks but close
Brooks was controlling the fight on his feet and Lentz was all cut up and bleeding from various spots on his face. Then Brooks went for another takedown and completed it but Lentz secured a guillotine and Brooks very quickly tapped.
Official result – Nik Lentz (28-8-2) by submission (guillotine) at 2:05 of the 2nd round
Nik Lentz said he’s a pro in there and would submit his mother in the Octagon if he had to. He said he’d put 50 grand of his own money on the line against anyone at American Top Team and sent that message straight to Dan Lambert. Good promo.
> Ryan Benoit (9-5, 2-3 UFC) vs. Ashkan Mokhtarian (13-2, 0-1 UFC) Flyweights* (Benoit missed weight by 3 pounds)
Round 1 was almost entirely Mokhtarian trying to stay away from Benoit. Mokhtarian landed one shot that rocked Benoti about a minute in. Benoit had a nice combo at the end of the round. Other than that, it was just Benoit following Mokhtarian around the cage and the crowd was turning on this fight by the end of the round. 10-9 Benoit but almost a 10-10 round
Round 2 was similar but with a little more action. Mokhtarian was more agressive and rocked Benoit a couple of time with a really hard leg kick hurting him at one point. Crowd was booing pretty heavily at the end of the round when Mokhtarian was running away but Benoit got a late takedown and landed some punches right before the buzzer. Another very close round. 10-9 Mokhtarian, 19-19 overall
Final round had more action as Benoit, in particular, was much more aggressive. Mokhtarian landed a nice spinning back fist at one point and shortly after, Benoit landed a Superman punch. From out of nowhere, Benoit landed a head kick and knocked Mokhtarian out cold. He tried to go to the ground to land more punches but the ref stepped in to stop it.
Official result – Ryan Benoit (10-5) by KO (head kick) at 2:38 of Round 3
Benoit put over his training partners and eventually got around to saying Ashkan was a good opponent but these two had a lot of heat going into this. No callout.
FOX SPORTS 1 MAIN CARD | 10 PM ET/7 PM PT
> Alexander Volkanovski (15-1, 2-0 UFC) vs. Shane Young (10-3, 0-0 UFC) 150-pound Catchweights
Volkanovski primarily used leg kicks for the whole round but would switch to punch combos to set up takedown attempts. Young managed to block all but one of the takedowns but that’s pretty much all he did as Volkanovski had a 21-3 advantage in strikes landed, easily taking the round. 10-9 Volkanovski
Volkanovski was able to land 3 takedowns in round 2, even though Young’s standup game was a little more effective. Not much, though, as Volkanovski had a 48-12 advantage in strikes landed by the end of the round. Young was able to get up fairly easily every time he was taken down though. 10-9 Volkanovski, 20-18 overall
Young tried but was just completely outclassed here. He actually managed a takedown but Volkanovski was quickly up and then landed an Angle Slam type takedown. After that, Volkanovski kept Young down for most of the rest of the round and never stopped landing punches and elbows. Strike count was 71-14 with about a minute left. Easy 10-9 Volkanovski, 30-27 overall. Only question is whether any of the rounds were dominant enough for a 10-8. I don’t think so.
Official result – Alexander Volkanovski (16-1) by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26 x 2)
Volkanovski said that Young was a tough opponent and one of the region’s best fighters and thinks he’ll do better with a full camp next time out. He said that he’s getting tired of having late opponent changes all the time and would like to see what he can do when he gets a proper amount of time to prepare for his opponent.
> Elias Theodorou (13-2, 5-2 UFC) vs. Dan Kelly (13-2, 6-2 UFC) Middleweights
Tough round to score as the entire round was standing but Theodorou threw almost exclusively kicks and Kelly was landing punches, mostly in small flurries. Crowd exploded whenever Kelly did anything but it’s tough to tell whether he did damage or not. Kelly was starting to block a lot of the kicks by the end of the round though. 10-9 Theodorou but could go either way.
Theodorou started to take over in the 2nd as he never let up the pace with the constant barrage of kicks but Kelly was definitely slowing down. Kelly did manage a trip takedown but Theodorou got right up. There was a lot of clinch action in the center but Kelly was not able to land many punches. 10-9 Theodorou and 20-18 after 2.
Kelly had his best moment of the fight when he got a takedown and secured a rear naked choke early in the last round. Theodorou escaped fairly quickly and got to his feet and for the rest of the round, it was basically Theodorou landing kicks from distance to the head, body and legs. Kelly never stopped advancing though. 10-9 Theodorou and 30-27 overall
Official result – Elias Theodorou (14-2) by unanimous decision (30-28, 30-27 and 30-26)
Crowd booed the hell out of Theodorou in his post-fight promo, mostly because he refused to touch gloves pre-fight. He said it’s because Kelly is two-faced and said nasty things to him in the elevator a couple days before the fight. He said he’s been doing this less than 8 years and just beat someone who’s been doing judo longer than he’s been alive.
> Jake Matthews (10-3, 4-3 UFC) vs. Bojan Velickovic (15-5-1, 2-2-1 UFC) Welterweights
Matthews spent nearly the entire round trying to secure takedowns. Velickovic was landing a lot of punches and elbows with his back to the cage while defending it. Matthews did manage to get him down twice but did almost no damage when he got there and Velickovic got up quickly both times. Some judges might give it to Matthews for the takedowns but I have it for Velickovic for more effective striking. 10-9 Velickovic
Matthews got a takedown early but Velickovic secured a guillotine on the way down. He used it to gain top position and eventually mount. He took the back of Matthews with a full body lock and controlled him the majority of the round. Matthews was able to get to his feet and was starting to land a bit at the end of the round. At one point the strike count was 83-8 for Velickovic, mostly on the strength of the first. 10-9 Velickovic, 20-18 overall
Matthews opened by throwing more strikes from his feet than he had the entire fight. He used that to set up a takedown and he did more damage than he had in either of the two in the first. Velickovic was able to get to his feet and then take Matthews down. He held him down, while doing damage, but eventually Matthews reversed into top position and did a lot of damage in the last minute. Probably enough to take the round but not the fight on my card. 10-9 Matthews, 29-28 Velickovic overall
Official result – Jake Matthews (11-3) by split decision decision (29-28 x 2, 28-29)
> Tim Means (27-8-1 1 NC, 9-5 1 NC UFC) vs. Belal Muhammad (12-2, 3-2 UFC) Welterweights
Round was entirely on the feet and both guys threw exclusively punches and almost all to the head. Strike count was 23-20 Muhammad right before the end of the round so it was razor thin. Muhammad did attempt a takedown late, which Means stuffed. I gave it to Muhammad but this was almost a 10-10. 10-9 Muhammad
Similar round although both guys started to throw more kicks and Muhammad had a couple of takedown attempts, even landing one. Means got up right away though. Means had a slight advantage in strikes landed and was starting to mix up his striking a lot more by the end and I gave him the round but another very close one. At the end of the round, strike count was 48-47 Means. 10-9 Means, 19-19 overall
Very close to the first round as no one got any takedowns and the fight was entirely on the feet. Means had a slight advantage in strikes landed but it seemed as it Muhammad landed the harder shots. Muhammad had a couple of takedown attempts. All three rounds were so close this fight could have any score. 10-9 Muhammad, 29-28 overall
Official decision – Belal Muhammad (13-2) by split decision (29-28 x 2, 28-29)
Muhammad called out Colby Covington after the fight, saying he’s a coward for putting down other people’s countries. That’s a bit step up for him but a great name if he can get that fight.
> Bec Rawlings (7-6, 2-3 UFC) vs. Jessica-Rose Clark (7-4 1 NC, 0-0 UFC) Women’s Flyweights* (Clark missed weight by 2 pounds)
Rawlings was more aggressive early but Clark was managing to avoid most of her shots. Rawlings got a takedown but didn’t do much damage on the ground. Clark reversed into top position and actually held the position longer than Rawlings. Clark eventually stood up on her own, forcing Rawlings up. In the last minute, the standup was pretty even on both sides. Very close round. 10-9 Clark
They were stuck in a cage clinch for almost 2 minutes at the beginning of the round with both ladies trading control. After separating, Clark scored a takedown and maintained top control for the rest of the round. She was getting fairly close to a head and arm choke but she used that to set up taking the back. She did enough damage to avoid a standup and easily won the round. 10-9 Clark, 20-18
Rawlings was more aggressive to start, knowing that she probably needed a finish and she was landing good shots on the feet. She got a takedown and did some damage there as well. After Clark got up, she scored a takedown and did damage as well. Rawlings got up right at the end of the round. 10-9 Rawlings, 29-28 Clark overall
Official result – Jessica-Rose Clark (8-4) by split decision (29-28 x 2; 28-29)
Clark said that it was a tough weight cut and she needs to stop taking short notice fights. Not much else. Pretty underwhelming night overall for promos.
> Fabricio Werdum (#2, 22-7-1, 10-4 UFC) vs. Marcin Tybura (#8, 16-2, 3-1 UFC) Heavyweights
Werdum was busier on the feet, landing combos and mixing in kicks to the body and legs, which were starting to show their effects by the end of the round. Werdum got a late takedown but Tybura was up right away and took the back of Werdum by the end of the round. 10-9 Werdum
2nd round entirely on the feet and again Werdum was the busier fighter. Tybura did land a nice head kick and Werdum scored with one of his own later on. Tybura was starting to throw leg kicks by the end of the round but Werdum should take it pretty easily. 10-9 Werdum, 20-18
Another round totally on the feet and dominated by Werdum. Tybura had his moments but really looked to be tiring at the end of the round. Werdum hurt him with a few knees to the head from the clinch with about a minute left and tried to take him down but Tybura managed to block that. Total strikes 95-58 for Werdum 10-9 Werdum, 30-27
Round was playing out the same as the previous three until Werdum finally secured a takedown halfway through the round. Werdum looked to be setting up a head and arm choke and moved into side control with a minute left. Tybura somehow escaped that and made it to his feet. Tybura scored a takedown right before the buzzer and Werdum secured a guillotine on the way down. 10-9 Werdum, 40-36
Final round entirely on the feet. Tybura rocked Werdum with a head kick that he’s used to knock others out with early. He landed a second one halfway through the round but Werdum stayed on his feet. Werdum was probably slightly busier in the round but Tybura had his best round of the right and was still in there at the end. I gave the round to him but too little, too late. 10-9 Tybura, 49-46 Werdum overall
Official result – Fabricio Werdum (23-7-1) by unanimous decision (50-45 x 2; 49-46)
Werdum said Sydney is beautiful and he wants to bring his family here. He says he has two title belts on the wall at home and wants another one. He thinks he’s done enough to earn another title shot. Until Cain Velasquez is ready, it’s probably either him or the winner of the Overeem/N’Gannou fight in two weeks who will get the shot.
This show was the longest in UFC history in terms of total cage time and it really felt like it by the end with every main card fight going the distance.
If you want to read my play by play, you can find it here.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC Fight Night 117: Saint Preux vs. Okami, emanating from the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
The event is headlined by a five-round bout in the light heavyweight division that was put together with just a week’s notice as Ovince Saint Preux takes on Yushin Okami, who returns to the UFC for the first time in four years.
Saint Preux was originally scheduled to fight Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, but Rua was forced out due to a knee injury, and Okami stepped in on a week’s notice to make his UFC return. He fights at light heavyweight for the first time in his career, as he has most recently fought as a welterweight, going 5-2 since his UFC release.
The co-main event is a pivotal fight in the women’s strawweight division as former title challengers Claudia Gadelha and Jessica Andrade do battle. Also on the main card is the UFC debut of former K-1 kickboxing star Gokhan Saki, who takes on Henrique da Silva.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.
Abe immediately lands a heavy leg kick. They traded punches early and both men are looking to finish it quickly. Lim landed a right hand but Abe countered with a left hook. They landed left hooks at the same time. Abe is landing harder punches. Lim then landed a hard right hand. Abe is working on the inside leg kicks and then lands an overhand right. Abe lands another hard right hand. They are swinging for the fences. Abe rocked Lim with a left hook. They both landed left hands and Abe stumbled to the mat for a moment. Good opening round. 10-9 Abe.
They were trading and Lim poked Abe in the eye bad and we had a break. Abe was able to recover and continue. They started trading again and Lim landed a big right hand that rocked Abe and started to slow him down. Lim landed another right hand. Abe tried landing a combo but Lim landed a right hand as he was coming in. Lim landed another big right hand. Abe landed a hard right hand that rocked Lim bad at the end. Another good round. 10-9 Lim, 19-19.
Lim landed a hard right hand at the opening of the round. Abe has slowed down and Lim has been coming on strong, especially since the eye poke he did on Abe. They traded leg kicks. Lim landed a nice combo. Abe with a leg kick but Lim counters with a right hand. Lim stuns Abe with a left hook. All striking in this fight, not one grappling exchange. Lim is showing the better conditioning and he is landing. Abe all of a sudden knocked Lim down with a right hand and landed some punches on the ground with just over ten seconds left. Abe got a late takedown. Lim’s nose was busted open. Abe likely stole the fight in the last thirty seconds. 10-9 Abe, 29-28 Abe.
Official Result- Daichi Abe def. Hyun Gyu Lim by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Shinsho Anzai (9-2, 1-1 UFC) vs. Luke Jumeau (12-3, 1-0 UFC) Welterweights
They traded punches early on. Anzai missed a big telegraphed takedown on Jumeau. They clinched and Anzai landed a couple of knees before they broke. Jumeau landed a leg kick but Anzai countered with a hard right hand. They clinch and Jumeau lands a hard right hand. They clinch again and Anzai begins to land some knees. Anzai starts landing some more and he is landing with more power and volume. Jumeau lands a front kick to the face late. Anzai rocked Jumeau with a hard right hand late as well. Close round, 10-9 Anzai.
Anzai got a quick but brief takedown at the start of the second. They got back up and Jumeau defended another takedown attempt. Anzai is letting his hands fly. They clinch and Anzai lands some punches. Anzai got a takedown and started working from the guard. Anzai was landing punches and elbows as Jumeau was unable to get up from the bottom. Anzai stood up and Jumeau scrambled to his feet. Jumeau looking more tired. Jumeau landed a late uppercut. 10-9 Anzai, 20-18 Anzai.
Jumeau lands some leg kicks as he stuffs a takedown from Anzai. Anzai just looking for takedowns in this round as Jumeau is landing punches. Anzai charges forward and lands a series of punches. Anzai looking tired now. Anzai goes for a takedown but eats a knee from Jumeau. Jumeau starts landing more punches as the round heads towards the end. Jumeau with a series of knees, punches and uppercuts at the end. He won the round, but might not be enough. 10-9 Jumeau, 29-28 Anzai.
Official Result- Shinsho Anzai def. Luke Jumeau by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Kondo is a Japanese wrestling star. They were feeling each other out early. Jeon landed a right hand but Kondo countered with a harder right hand. They started striking at close range. Jeon had to run away when she had her back against the fence. Jeon with a leg kick but Kondo counters with a right hand. Jeon landed a head kick. Kondo landed some right hands in close range. They traded in close range. Kondo started landing with more volume and was having to chase Jeon down. Kondo landed an overhand right. Jeon with a front kick to the body. 10-9 Kondo.
They started landing early. This has been mostly striking so far. Jeon missing on her punches and Kondo is not. Kondo with a body kick. Kondo landed a big right hand that rocked Jeon. Jeon was trying to land elbows. Kondo landed another big punch and a knee. Kondo has Jeon in trouble and Jeon is trying to circle away. Kondo landing more punches and now teet kicks to the body followed by punches. Jeon starts to land punches in close range. Jeon is bleeding from her nose. Kondo lands some punches and grabs the clinch and lands a knee. Jeon is bringing the fight but Kondo is in control. 10-9 Kondo, 20-18 Kondo.
Both ladies looking fresh. They are trading and Jeon is starting to find a spot for her punches. Jeon misses a head kick. Jeon lands a nice right hand and Kondo starts to pressure with some punches. Kondo with more pressure as she is landing more now. A spinning back fist is missed by Kondo. Kondo poked Jeon in the eye and we got a brief break. They came back firing punches and Kondo was landing more and had Jeon in trouble as Jeon was backing up. Kondo with a spin kick to the body of Jeon. They swung for the fences in the last ten seconds. 10-9 Kondo, 30-27 Kondo.
Official Result- Syuri Kondo def. Chan-Mi Jeon by split decision (28-29, 30-27, 30-27)
> Keita Nakamura (32-8-2 1 NC, 3-5 UFC) vs. Alex Morono (13-3 1 NC, 2-0 1 NC UFC) Welterweights
Morono tried sprinting out with a right hand but Nakamura ducked under it. Morono landed a left hook but Nakamura landed a right hook. They are being patient and pacing themselves. Morono landed a hard right hand. They both landed hard punches. Nakamura hurt Morono with a kick to the body and Morono was backtracking. Morono is cut over his eye. They slow the pace back down. Nakamura with another body kick. Morono landed a hard right hand at the end. 10-9 Nakamura.
Both being patient and Nakamura lands a high kick. Nakamura attempts a Superman punch but couldn’t get it off but lands a left hand. Nakamura lands another left hand. They trade leg kicks. Nakamura is circling away from Morono’s attacks. Morono landed a jab. Morono lands a right hand. Morono is landing more with the hands while Nakamura is landing more with the kicks. Nakamura with a body kick. Morono with a late flurry. 10-9 Morono, 19-19.
They were trading and Nakamura grabbed the body and got a takedown. Morono had the neck but let go and Nakamura was in side control. They got back to their feet. Both men missing their punches. Nakamura feinted low and landed a high kick. Morono landed a right hand and Nakamura is cut open. Nakamura scored another takedown. Morono had the head but let go and they scrambled to their feet. Nakamura with a body kick. Nakamura with a straight left hand. He lands another. They both land punches. Nakamura controlling the Octagon more. They trade late head kicks. 10-9 Nakamura, 29-28 Nakamura.
Official Result- Keita Nakamura def. Alex Morono by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
They were trading early and Sasaki was landing kicks and knees to the body. Sasaki has a size advantage. Sasaki with aknee to the body. Sasaki is keeping his hands low and Formiga is landing punches. Formiga with a right hand. Sasaki with a body kick but Formiga counters with a punch combo. Formiga goes for a takedown and gets it. Formiga goes for side control but Sasaki recovers guard. Formiga is able to take the back of Sasaki and is working for the choke. Formiga landing punches from the back and has a choke locked in. Sasaki is hand-fighting but the choke is in deep. Sasaki taps! Formiga gets the first finish of the night and gets it by submission.
Official Result- Jussier Formiga def. Ulka Sasaki by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:30 of Round 1
> Teruto Ishihara (9-4-2, 2-2-1 UFC) vs. Rolando Dy (8-5-1 1 NC, 0-1 UFC) Featherweights
They trade kicks to start off the fight. Ishihara with a leg kick and then drops Dy with a left hand. Ishihara swarms on Dy and is looking for the finish. Ishihara with some punches on the ground. Ishihara with more big left hands from the guard. Big elbow from Ishihara. Ishihara working for a guillotine now. They get up but Ishihara takes Dy back down. Ishihara with more ground-and-pound with some big elbows. Ishihara with more punches from the top. Ishihara with lots of punches from the top and Dy has no answer from the bottom. Ishihara goes back into the guard. No finish, but a huge round for Ishihara. 10-8 Ishihara.
Ishihara with a body kick and then gets knee’d in the cup. Ishihara lands a left hand but eats a head kick from Dy. Ishihara looking for a takedown but Dy defends. Ishihara with a leg kick but Dy counters with a combo. Dy landing his punches as he counters leg kicks. Ishihara with a Superman punch. Ishihara lands another straight left hand. They trade punches. They trade kicks. They trade left hands and Dy then lays in a combo on Ishihara. Neither man doing much with striking defense. Ishihara with some leg kicks. Dy lands a left hook. Dy with some body kicks late. Close round. 10-9 Dy, 19-18 Ishihara.
Dy landed a big knee that knocked Ishihara to his knees and Ishihara grabbed Dy and pressed him against the fence looking for a takedown. They broke against the fence. Dy landed a big knee to the groin of Ishihara and we have a long timeout for Ishihara to recover. Back to action and Dy is bringing the fight. Ishihara lands a head kick that stuns Dy. They clinch and Dy lands an elbow before they break. Dy lands a head kick that rocks Ishihara. They trade punches and Dy lands a big kick to the cup of Ishihara and Ishihara goes down hard in a lot of pain. Dy got a point taken away, which was the right call. Dy tried to argue it was the first time when it was the third time. Back to action and Ishihara gets a quick takedown. They got up. Ishihara went for a takedown but Dy grabbed the fence. They traded at the end. 10-8 Ishihara with the point deduction, 29-26 Ishihara.
Official Result- Teruto Ishihara def. Rolando Dy by unanimous decision (28-27, 28-27, 29-27)
> Gokhan Saki (0-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Henrique da Silva (12-3, 2-3 UFC) Light Heavyweights
Saki is an exciting K1 kickboxer. Saki with a right hand and then a head kick that rocks da Silva. Saki lands a big left hand. Saki with a head kick and then drops da Silva with a straight left hand. da Silva now goes for a takedown as he gets to his feet. Saki escapes. Saki with big left hands to the head and body. Saki with a combo. Saki landing lots of punches. Saki then rocks da Silva and is teeing off on him. Saki close to finishing it. Saki with big punches. Saki with more big punches and da Silva grabs the clinch but it is broken. da Silva changes levels and goes for a takedown but Saki scores his own takedown. da Silva up and lands some knees on Saki. Saki with a big combo now. da Silva lands a head kick. da Silva now with some knees and he is attacking. They are trading and Saki lands a huge left hook that knocks da Silva out. Holy cow. That is one of Saki’s signature punches and it gets him the win in his UFC debut. This was an exciting fight.
Official Result- Gokhan Saki def. Henrique da Silva by knockout (punch) at 4:45 of Round 1
> Takanori Gomi (35-13 1 NC, 4-8 UFC) vs. Dong Hyun “Maestro” Kim (14-8-3, 1-2 UFC) Lightweights
Gomi is in desperate need of a win. Kim working with some leg kicks to start off. Kim attacking the body with kicks now. Gomi looking for a huge left hand. Kim dropped Gomi with a straight right hand and is landing on the ground and the referee steps in. Kim with the big finish in the first round and Gomi has to be finished after this.
Official Result- Dong Hyun “Maestro” Kim def. Takanori Gomi by TKO (punches) at 1:30 of Round 1
Gadelha lands an early combination. Gadelha lands a big right hand. She lands some more straight right hands. Andrade showing good head movement. They are throwing bombs. Andrade has been unable to really connect with punches. Gadelha lands a series of punches and Andrade is bleeding very badly right now. Andrade’s cut is decent on the Muta scale. Andrade picked Gadelha up and slammed her down very hard and is on top landing punches. Andrade landing punches from the top. Andrade had a strong finish to the round but I have it for Gadelha. 10-9 Gadelha.
Gadelha is also bleeding and she lands a right hand to start the second and then scores a brief takedown. They scramble around on the mat and get back to their feet against the fence. Gadelha went for a takedown but Andrade sprawled and ended up on top. Andrade with body punches on the ground. They get to their feet. Gadelha with a head kick and then they trade punches. Big exchanges and we have blood everywhere. Andrade with a big combination. Andrade is teeing off right now. She lands a lot of punches. Gadelha tries a takedown to slow her down. Gadelha lands a big right hand. She is tired. Andrade with more big combos of punches to the head and body. Gadelha grabs the neck and jumps up for a guillotine but the round ends. 10-9 Andrade, 19-19.
They are trading and clinch and Andrade picks Gadelha up and slams her down. Andrade in side control and she is landing punches to the body. Andrade with more punches from the top and Gadelha is just trying to hang on as she is tired. Andrade with more punches from the top and Gadelha can do nothing. Andrade passes into side control. Gadelha trying to scramble out but Andrade sprawls and is still landing. Andrade with more body strikes. Gadelha gets to her feet but Andrade has the back and is landing. Gadelha has the neck but lets go. Andrade with big punches. Completely dominant round from Andrade and she gets a big slam at the end. 10-8 Andrade, 29-27 Andrade.
Official Result- Jessica Andrade def. Claudia Gadelha by unanimous decision (30-25, 30-26, 30-27)
> Ovince Saint Preux (#6, 20-10, 8-5 UFC) vs. Yushin Okami (34-10, 13-5 UFC) Light Heavyweights
Okami goes straight for a takedown but it is defended. Saint Preux has a neck and is trying to step over into mount. Saint Preux lets go into half-guard. Okami has the neck but Saint Preux is looking for a Von Flue Choke and has it and Okami goes out cold! That is the third time he has won with the Von Flue Choke, so it should be renamed for him now- the Von Preux Choke.
Official Result- Ovince Saint Preux def. Yushin Okami by submission (Von Preux Choke) at 1:50 of Round 1
