The Octagon returns to The Gateway City for the first time since January 2018 with an exciting card as UFC On ESPN 56 takes place at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
The main event sees long-time fan favorite heavyweight Derrick Lewis taking on Rodrigo Nascimento over five scheduled rounds. Lewis is looking to get back into the win column, while Nascimento competes in his first main event on a quest to extend his three-fight win streak.
In the co-main event, rising welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley gets his wish to fight in his hometown, but has a tough match-up against Nursulton Ruziboev, who has scored ten straight wins.
Also on the main card is a light heavyweight battle pitting Alonzo Menifield against Carlos Ulberg; a lightweight match-up between Diego Ferreira and Mateusz Rebecki; a featherweight battle between Alex Caceres and Sean Woodson; and a heavyweight bout between Waldo Cortes-Acosta and former Olympian Robelis Despaigne.
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>Women’s Flyweights- JJ Aldrich (13-6, 9-5 UFC) vs. Veronica Hardy (8-4-1, 3-4 UFC)
Nothing happens in the first minute before Aldrich lands a quick combo. Aldrich lands a jab. Hardy with a left hand and a leg kick. Aldrich lands a right hand. They clinch up and Aldrich pushes it against the fence. Aldrich with an elbow as they separate. Hardy lands a body kick and they tie up against the fence with Aldrich reversing position. Aldrich lands a knee. Aldrich has the back along the fence. They break apart. Hardy lands a leg kick. Hardy lands a left hand and then another. Aldrich rushes in and Hardy lands an elbow. 10-9 Hardy.
Hardy with a high kick. Hardy lands a left hand as they clinch and Aldrich lands a knee before they break. Aldrich lands a right hook. Hardy lands some kicks. Hardy with a pair of right hands. Aldrich lands a right hook as Hardy was rushing in. They tie up and Hardy with some dirty boxing as Aldrich lands some knees before they break. Aldrich pushes it to the fence in a clinch. Hardy tries to break it with some punches but Aldrich keeps it tied up. They break apart. Hardy with a leg kick. Hardy lands a jab. 10-9 Hardy, 20-18 Hardy.
Hardy lands a leg kick and they have an exchange in the pocket. Hardy with a leg kick as Aldrich lands a left hand. Hardy with a pair of leg kicks. Aldrich with a spin kick to the body. Hardy with a leg kick and Aldrich knocks Hardy down with a left hand, though it looked more like a stumble. Aldrich goes to the mat and Hardy looks for a reverse triangle choke. Aldrich with some body punches as she escapes. Hardy with some offense from the bottom as Aldrich gets side control and lands a knee. Aldrich with some left hands from the top. Aldrich with more pressure from the top and lands an elbow before they get to their feet at the end. 10-9 Aldrich, 29-28 Hardy.
Official Result- Veronica Hardy def. JJ Aldrich by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
>Flyweights- Charles Johnson (14-6, 3-4 UFC) vs. Jake Hadley (10-2, 2-2 UFC)
Hadley with a leg kick. Johnson lands a leg kick. Hadley with a left hook and leg kick. Hadley pressuring Johnson around the Octagon. Hadley briefly gets it down and has body control as they pop right up. They separate and trade leg kicks. They clinch and Hadley with an uppercut and knee before they break. Hadley with a pair of leg kicks. Johnson lands a leg kick. Johnson starting to land more inside the last minute. Hadley with a combination and leg kick. Close round. 10-9 Hadley.
Johnson with a high kick to start the second then lands a straight right hand. Johnson with a high kick then a low kick. Hadley is on his back foot. Hadley lands a left hand. They tie up for a moment. Johnson lands a nice combo. Hadley lands to the body against the fence then a body kick after they circle away. Johnson landing with more volume as he mixes to the body. Johnson with a leg kick as Hadley lands a left hand. They trade leg kicks. They both land leg kicks. Johnson with a right hook. They trade near the center then Johnson drops Hadley with a big right hand. Johnson gets on top and lands but Hadley is able to scramble up. Hadley has the back as the round ends. 10-9 Johnson, 19-19.
Hadley pressing forward as Johnson is circling around. Hadley shoots for the takedown against the fence but Johnson defends and they separate. Johnson with a leg kick. Hadley lands a left hand. Johnson with a right hand. Hadley almost gets a takedown and has back control. Johnson with some elbows to the leg of Hadley. They break apart. Johnson lands a right hand. Hadley lands a left hand and we have a timeout for an eye poke but they quickly resume. Johnson lands a right hand. Hadley with a combination. Johnson with a combo. Hadley with a pair of left hands. They’re trading in close range. Hadley grabs a leg but Johnson showing good defense. They break. Johnson with a right hand and they both land. Close fight. 10-9 Johnson, 29-28 Johnson.
Official Result- Charles Johnson def. Jake Hadley by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
>Welterweights- Billy Goff (9-2, 1-0 UFC) vs. Trey Waters (8-1, 1-0 UFC)
They trade punches as Waters lands a leg kick. Goff lands a combo but is eating jabs from Waters as he’s rushing in. Goff with a pair of leg kicks. They clinch but break and Waters is still landing as Goff is coming forward. Waters with a combination. They clinch and Goff lands an elbow and a knee. They trade knees. They separate. Goff is cut open. Waters with a jab. Both land some solid punches as Goff was pressing forward. Goff gets it to the mat but they get up with Goff having the back. Waters is able to reverse position and Waters lands an illegal knee as Goff was down but it wasn’t called by the referee. Goff lands a combo that stuns Waters. Waters lands a right hand that hurts Goff but Goff keeps landing big punches. Waters with a big knee but Goff lands a big flurry in a wild end to the round. 10-9 Goff.
Waters lands a jab as Goff lands a pair of front kicks. Goff with some leg kicks and Waters lands a right hand. Goff with a body kick. Waters with some big right hands and Goff lands some solid shots as he’s pressing forward. Goff lands a big elbow followed by a knee and Waters lands a right hand. They trade right hands. Goff is landing as Waters is backing up. Goff lands a right hand. He lands another. Waters with a right hand and Goff lands a left hook. Waters with several big right hands. Goff is gassed out. Goff tries a desperate takedown and Waters has the neck with a standing guillotine choke locked in. They break. Goff lands a right hand. Waters with a pair of right hands and they trade late. 10-9 Waters, 19-19.
Goff with a leg kick and Waters lands a right hand. They tie up against the fence. Goff is looking for the takedown but Waters is defending. The pace has slowed down a lot. They are separated from the clinch against the fence. Goff with a leg kick then a body kick. Waters with a pair of right hands. Goff with a combo and a high kick. Goff with a combo. They trade in close range. Goff lands a right hand. Waters lands a right hand. They swing late. Close fight. 10-9 Goff, 29-28 Goff.
Official Result- Trey Waters def. Billy Goff by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
>Women’s Strawweights- #11 Tabatha Ricci (9-2, 4-2 UFC) vs. Tecia Pennington (13-6, 9-6 UFC)
Ricci comes out throwing a right hand. Pennington lands a right hand and then another. They trade right hands. They trade leg kicks. Ricci with an inside leg kick. Ricci with a jab. Pennington lands a left hand. Pennington lands a right hand. Ricci with a leg kick and Pennington rushes in with a combination. Pennington lands a right hand. They trade combinations. Both land when they get in close range. They trade leg kicks. Ricci lands a right hand. Pennington lands a right hand. They both land as they come forward. Pennington picking up the volume landed late. Ricci with a body kick. Pennington with a right hand. Ricci with a late takedown. 10-9 Pennington.
They trade inside the pocket. They trade leg kicks and Pennington lands a right hand. Ricci pushes it against the fence. Ricci trying hard for the takedown and is able to get it down for a brief moment but she keeps the pressure on against the fence. Ricci is still trying hard for the takedown but Pennington is defending. They separate. Both are landing when they get in range. Pennington lands as Ricci tried to tie it up. Both land. They tie up late. Close round. 10-9 Ricci, 19-19.
Ricci with an inside leg kick. Ricci with a leg kick. Pennington lands a right hand. Ricci with a right hand as she rushes in. Pennington lands a right hand and they clinch up. Ricci with a few knees against the fence. Pennington with some elbows as she’s defending the takedown attempt. They separate. Ricci lands a right hand. Pennington with a right hand and Ricci lands a body kick. They trade in close range and Ricci with a knee. Pennington with a combo. Pennington lands a right hand. Both landing in close range. Ricci tries for a takedown but Pennington reverses and they get up. Pennington gets a takedown but Ricci pops up and Pennington lands an elbow. 10-9 Pennington, 29-28 Pennington.
Official Result- Tabatha Ricci def. Tecia Pennington by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
>Lightweights- Terrance McKinney (15-6, 5-3 UFC) vs. Esteban Ribovics (12-1, 1-1 UFC)
They trade right away. Both land punches and McKinney with some body kicks. Both are throwing and Ribovics lands a massive head kick and McKinney goes out cold! What a brutal knockout by Ribovics!
Official Result-Esteban Ribovics def. Terrance McKinney by knockout (head kick) at :37 of Round 1
>Lightweights- Chase Hooper (13-3-1, 5-3 UFC) vs. Viacheslav Borshchev (7-3-1, 2-2-1 UFC)
Borshchev with a combo to the body as Hooper was rushing. Hooper drops Borshchev with a left hand and Hooper jumps on the back and then gets the mount and is landing lots of punches. Hooper with lots of punches and some elbows from the top. Hooper gets the back and is looking for a choke. Hooper rolls back to the mount and continues to land big punches and some elbows. Big elbow from the top by Hooper. Hooper gets the half-guard. Hooper looks for an inverted triangle choke as Borshchev is trying to escape. Hooper looks for an ankle lock. Hooper with some elbows and Borshchev survives the round. 10-8 Hooper.
Hooper with a high kick and goes right for the takedown and kind of gets it. Borshchev tries to scramble out but Hooper keeps it down. Hooper gets the full mount and starts to land. Borshchev is trying to roll out but Hooper is keeping control from the mount. Hooper with tons of punches from the top. This fight could’ve been stopped at any point since it started. Hooper locks in a D’Arce choke and it is stopped by Keith Peterson as Borshchev protests that he didn’t tap. Absolute dominance from Hooper.
Official Result- Chase Hooper def. Viacheslav Borshchev by submission (D’Arce choke) at 3:00 of Round 2
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>Heavyweights- Waldo Cortes-Acosta (11-1, 4-1 UFC) vs. Robelis Despaigne (5-0, 1-0 UFC)
Despaigne throwing big punches right away. He lands a kick and Cortes-Acosta is able to score a takedown. Cortes-Acosta with some body shots from the top and Despaigne lands an elbow. There isn’t much happening on the mat. Cortes-Acosta looking for a kimura. Cortes-Acosta lets go. Cortes-Acosta now lands from the top. They end the round there. 10-9 Cortes-Acosta.
Despaigne lands a body kick then a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Despaigne lands a body kick then a right hand. He lands a head kick. Cortes-Acosta gets the clinch. They separate and both connect. Despaigne with a leg kick then a body kick. He lands a combo against the fence. Cortes-Acosta lands a big uppercut. Cortes-Acosta gets the body lock. Cortes-Acosta gets the takedown right into mount. Cortes-Acosta with some ground-and-pound from the top. Cortes-Acosta with some hammerfists from the top. He ends the round landing from the top. 10-9 Cortes-Acosta, 20-18 Cortes-Acosta.
Despaigne with a leg kick. He lands a jab as Cortes-Acosta lands a leg kick. Despaigne with some leg kicks. They trade leg kicks. Cortes-Acosta lands a right hand. Despaigne lands a big right hand. He lands a leg kick. Cortes-Acosta looks for the takedown against the fence. Cortes-Acosta gets the takedown. Cortes-Acosta with lots of punches from the top that are connecting as Despaigne is doing nothing on the bottom. He ends the fight landing from the top. 10-9 Cortes-Acosta, 30-27 Cortes-Acosta.
Official Result- Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Robelis Despaigne by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
>Featherweights- Alex Caceres (21-14 1 NC, 16-12 1 NC UFC) vs. Sean Woodson (11-1-1, 5-1-1 UFC)
Woodson with a leg kick and lands a jab. Woodson with a calf kick. They trade leg kicks. They trade more leg kicks. Caceres lands a left hand. Caceres misses as he was inside the pocket. Caceres with a left hand. Woodson lands a high kick. Caceres rushes in and lands some punches. Woodson with more calf kicks. Woodson lands a body kick then back to a leg kick. Caceres with a left hand and then a combination against the fence. We have a timeout for a groin strike but they get back to action. Caceres with a leg kick as Woodson lands a left hand. Woodson lands a left hand and a high kick. 10-9 Woodson.
Caceres with a Superman punch. They trade. Woodson with a body kick then lands a combination that wobbles Caceres. He recovers but Woodson lands a high kick. Caceres lands a left hand. Caceres lands to the body. Woodson lands a straight left hand. Caceres with a combination against the fence. Woodson with a body kick. Caceres lands a left hand. They are both throwing a lot but not a lot is connecting. Caceres is pressing forward and throwing more. Caceres pushes it to the fence but they separate. Caceres lands a left hand and a leg kick. Woodson lands a solid combination. Woodson with a right hand and a body kick. Close round. 10-9 Woodson, 20-18 Woodson.
Caceres lands a leg kick. Woodson with a pair of leg kicks. Woodson with a high kick. Caceres with a leg kick. Woodson lands a combination. Woodson with a nice right hand to the body. They trade kicks. Caceres with a flurry against the fence. They’re both landing equally. Caceres with a left hand. Caceres lands a body kick. They clinch against the fence and Caceres lands to the body before they separate. Woodson connects with some solid punches. Caceres with a flurry of left hands. Caceres with a leg kick. Woodson with a high kick and a right hand. Caceres with a flurry late. Close fight. 10-9 Caceres, 29-28 Woodson.
Official Result- Sean Woodson def. Alex Caceres by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
>Lightweights- Diego Ferreira (18-5, 9-5 UFC) vs. Mateusz Rebecki (19-1, 3-0 UFC)
Rebecki coming out landing kicks then starts throwing punches with some landing. Rebecki lands a left hand. Rebecki lands another massive left hook that makes Ferreira stumble. Ferreira trying to circle away. Ferreira lands a left hand and a combo to the body. Rebecki with a leg kick. Ferreira comes forward with a flurry. Rebecki with a combination against the fence. Ferreira just misses a high kick. Ferreira with a combo. Rebecki connects with a right hook. Rebecki with a head kick. Ferreira with a body kick. Rebecki drops Ferreira with a left hand and starts landing hammerfists from the top. Rebecki working inside of Ferreira’s guard. 10-9 Rebecki.
Rebecki lands a leg kick. They trade and Rebecki lands a leg kick that trips Ferreira up but he stands and they swing. Rebecki with a right hand. Rebecki scores a takedown. Ferreira is able to push Rebecki off and they get to their feet. Ferreira with a high kick then a right hand. Ferreira lands a left hand. Ferreira with a combination. Ferreira starting to land with more volume as the round progresses. Rebecki is bleeding pretty good from his right eye. Ferreira with a high kick. Rebecki gets a takedown but Ferreira reverses and Ferreira gets a takedown and lands as he looks for a choke late. Big round for Ferreira. 10-9 Ferreira, 19-19.
Ferreira landing to start the third. They trade kicks. Ferreira with a right hand to the body. Ferreira with a combo then a high kick then attacks the body once again. Rebecki lands a left hand. Ferreira stuns Rebecki with a right hand. Ferreira lands a knee and continues to land to the body. Rebecki gets a takedown but Ferreira sprawls. Rebecki holding onto a leg. Ferreira landing and gets on top as he continues to land big punches. Ferreira with some punches and elbows from the top. They get to their feet. Ferreira lands to the body and gets a takedown right into mount. Ferreira with lots of big punches from the top and gets the late stoppage. What a comeback showing from Ferreira.
Official Result- Diego Ferreira def. Mateusz Rebecki by TKO (strikes) at 4:51 of Round 3
>Light Heavyweights- #11 Alonzo Menifield (15-3-1, 8-3-1 UFC) vs. Carlos Ulberg (9-1, 5-1 UFC)
They come out swinging and Ulberg clips Menifield and Menifield goes down but he gets up. Ulberg continues to swing heavy punches and lands a left hook that drops Menifield and it is all over! What a quick finish from Ulberg!
Official Result- Carlos Ulberg def. Alonzo Menifield by knockout (punches) at :12 of Round 1
>Welterweights- #11 Joaquin Buckley (18-6, 8-4 UFC) vs. Nursulton Ruziboev (34-8-2, 2-0 UFC)
Both looking for openings. Ruziboev lands a leg kick and Buckley lands to the body. Ruziboev lands a jumping knee and Buckley gets a takedown. Buckley lands and they stand. They have a wild exchange and Buckley is able to score another takedown. They stand after Buckley lands. Buckley with a leg kick. Ruziboev with a body kick. Ruziboev lands a right hand. 10-9 Buckley.
Buckley lands a leg kick as Ruziboev lands a right hand. Buckley gets a takedown. He lands but they get back to their feet. Buckley lands a body kick. Buckley lands a combo. Ruziboev lands a jumping knee. Buckley with a side kick to the body. Ruziboev lands a body kick. Buckley lands a right hand and is able to score a takedown. Buckley with some right hands from the top. 10-9 Buckley, 20-18 Buckley.
Ruziboev with a leg kick. Ruziboev lands a right hand. Buckley lands a combo and then a left hand sends Ruziboev down to the mat. Buckley gets on top and Ruziboev may have landed an illegal upkick as they scramble up. Ruziboev with a pair of body kicks. Buckley lands a right hand as Ruziboev slips to the mat. Buckley gets the mount and starts landing punches from the top. Big right hands from the top by Buckley. Buckley landing lots of punches from the top. Ruziboev is able to reverse to the top and lands but Buckley reverses back to side control and lands some elbows and right hands. Ruziboev gets Buckley back inside of his guard. Buckley landing and Ruziboev landed an illegal kick on the mat. Timeout is called and they restart on the feet. Ruziboev lands a right hand. 10-9 Buckley, 30-27 Buckley.
Official Result- Joaquin Buckley def. Nursulton Ruziboev by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 29-27)
>Heavyweights- #12 Derrick Lewis (27-12 1 NC, 18-10 UFC) vs. #15 Rodrigo Nascimento (11-1 1 NC, 4-1 1 NC UFC)
Lewis with a high kick and they clinch with both landing dirty boxing. They go against the fence. Lewis gets a trip takedown but they get right back up. Nascimento lands a knee as Lewis is pressuring. They separate. Lewis with a jump kick then a right hand. They clinch and Lewis with more dirty boxing. Nascimento scores a takedown. Nascimento landing from the top. He continues to land from inside the guard. Nascimento goes to the mount but Lewis is able to reverse position. 10-9 Nascimento.
Lewis with a left hand. Lewis lands a big flurry and they clinch against the fence. Nascimento reverses position. Lewis gets the underhook and reverses and lands a knee. They separate. They trade and Lewis with a big uppercut as they clinch. Lewis with some big punches as they break. He keeps swinging big and Nascimento is able to clinch it back up. Lewis lands an elbow. Lewis with another big elbow and big punches as they separate. Lewis tried a trip and gives up his back as Nascimento almost gets the hooks in. Nascimento lands from the top. Close round. 10-9 Lewis, 19-19.
Lewis with a jumping switch kick. Lewis lands a massive right hand and Nascimento falls face first to the mat. Lewis starts landing from the top and gets the finish! Lewis takes off his shorts and starts celebrating and takes out his cup and everything has gone nuts as Lewis gets the big win.
Official Result- Derrick Lewis def. Rodrigo Nascimento by TKO (punches) at :49 of Round 3
