Live, blow-by-blow updates for today’s UFC event in Minneapolis, which features a heavyweight slugfest on top.
Join us today on Bloody Elbow for live results, discussion, round scoring, and play-by-play (main card) as UFC on ESPN 3: Ngannou vs. Dos Santos goes down at the Target Center in Minneapolis, MN.
The headliner comes in the heavyweight division, with heavy hitters Francie Ngannou and Junior dos Santos facing off with a possible title shot on the line.
This show will air fully on the big ESPN. The six-fight preliminary card kicks off at 6pm ET, and the six-fight main card goes down at 9pm ET.
Check out this week’s MMA Vivisection for predictions, analysis and betting odds on the each matchup.
Main Card (9pm ET)
Roosevelt Roberts vs. Vinc Pichel
Round 1 – They trade low kicks early. Roberts with a nice straight right. Piche continues to kick the outside of the leg, but Roberts lights him up with a few punches inside. They clinch up. Roberts looks for a takedown but can’t get anywhere. Jump knee from Roberts! Pichel just eats it. Pichel clinches but doesn’t get anywhere. Roberts really wants to take the fight down but Pichel isn’t having that. Roberts with a pretty jab and a right hook, but Pichel counters. Roberts gets a takedown with 45 seconds to go. He’s on the back, and looking for a choke. Pichel fights it off and gets back up. But Roberts is inside and lands two big punches. Pichel backs him off and lands a right. He looks for his own takedown at the horn. 10-9 Roberts.
Round 2 –
Drew Dober vs. Marco Polo Reyes
Round 1 – Dober with a couple of leg kicks. They exchange and Dober lands a big shot. Reyes went down, then wrestled his way back to a neutral position. Dober presses and lands another shot that puts Reyes down. Big rights and it’s over!
Drew Dober defeated Marco Polo Reyes via KO (punches), 1:07 of round 1
Paul Craig vs. Alonzo Menifield
Round 1 – Craig gets in Menifield’s face during the intros. Menifield clinches immediately. His corner is begging him to disengage. Craig jumps guard for a sub attempt briefly, and they separate a minute and a half in. Craig dives forward for a takedown but can’t get it. Craig fakes a takedown but falls to his back. Menifield isn’t engaging. Outside leg kick and a combo from Menifield. Craig in on a single but can’t get it down again. Spinning back kick from Craig lands. He tries to spin again but Menifield cracks him as he goes down! Menifield puts him to sleep with punches on the ground!
Alonzo Menifield defeated Paul Craig via KO (strikes), 3:19 of round 1
Junior dos Santos vs. Francis Ngannou
Jussier Formiga vs. Joseph Benavidez
Demian Maia vs. Anthony Rocco Martin
Preliminary card (6pm ET)
Ricardo Ramos def. Journey Newson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Eryk Anders def. Vinicius Moreira via KO (punches) at 1:18 of round 1
Jared Gordon def. Dan Moret via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Dalcha Lungiambula def. Dequan Townsend via TKO (strikes) at :42 of round 3
Amanda Ribas def. Emily Whitmire via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:10 of round 2
Maurice Greene def. Junior Albini via TKO (punches) at 3:38 of round 1