Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will descend upon the “Show-Me State” by way of the UFC Kansas City mixed martial arts (MMA) event, which takes place TONIGHT (Sat., April 15, 2023) on both ESPN and ESPN+ from inside T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri. UFC Kansas City will be headlined by the 145-pound showdown between Top 5 featherweight bangers Max Holloway and Arnold Allen, who sling leather for a potential shot at the division crown later this year. Before that five-round clash of styles gets underway, 145-pound highlight reel Edson Barboza looks to smash his way back into the win column at the expense of rough-and-tumble featherweight bruiser Billy Quarantillo.
MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Kansas City fight card below, starting with the ESPN/ESPN+ “Prelims” undercard bouts at 5:30 p.m. ET, followed by the ESPN/ESPN+ main card start time at 8:30 p.m. ET. Bet on all the UFC Kansas City action at DraftKings Sportsbook right here.
Keep in mind that we will also be the spot for the latest news, recaps, and post-fight analysis following “Holloway vs. Allen.” Without further delay, see below for the updated UFC Kansas City results. (Note: This will go from the bottom up; therefore, scroll toward the bottom for the latest detailed round-by-round action).
UFC KANSAS CITY QUICK RESULTS:
Max Holloway vs. Arnold Allen — Holloway def. Allen by unanimous decision (49-46 x2, 48-47)
Edson Barboza vs. Billy Quarantillo — Barboza def. Quarantillo by KO (knee) at 2:37 of Round One — HIGHLIGHTS
Dustin Jacoby vs. Azamat Murzakanov — Murzakanov def. Jacoby by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Tanner Boser vs. Ion Cutelaba — Cutelaba def. Boser by TKO (punches) at 2:05 of Round One — HIGHLIGHTS
Pedro Munhoz vs. Chris Gutierrez — Munhoz def. Gutierrez by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Rafa Garcia vs. Clay Guida — Garcia def. Guida by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
TJ Brown vs. Bill Algeo — Algeo def. Brown by submission (rear naked choke) at 1:40 of Round Two
Brandon Royval vs. Matheus Nicolau — Royval def. Nicolau by TKO (knee and punches) at 2:09 of Round One — HIGHLIGHTS
Zak Cummings vs. Ed Herman — Cummings def Herman by TKO (punches) at 4:13 of Round Three — HIGHLIGHTS
Piera Rodriguez vs. Gillian Robertson — Robertson def. Rodriguez by submission (armbar) at 4:21 of Round Two — HIGHLIGHTS
Lando Vannata vs. Daniel Zellhuber — Zellhuber def. Vannata by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Bruna Brasil vs. Denise Gomes — Gomes def. Brasil by TKO (punches) at 2:42 of Round Two
Gaston Bolanos vs. Aaron Phillips — Bolanos def. Phillips by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27 x2)
Joselyne Edwards vs. Lucie Pudilova — Edwards def. Pudilova by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
UFC KANSAS CITY LIVE PLAY-BY-PLAY:
145 lbs.: Max Holloway vs. Arnold Allen
Round 1: Allen leaning on the low kicks early, winds up catching Holloway in the junk. Quick combos from Holloway when they resume. One minute in. Things slow back to a tentative pace, at least until Allen catches him coming in with an overhand left. Two minutes in. Head kick attempt. Quick 1s and 2s from Holloway. Body shot to cap off a combo. Good body kick as Allen looks for an overhand left. Two minutes to go.
Allen lands a body kick, eats a straight left. Body jab and 1-2 from Holloway, who backs away from a head kick. Combo with a minute to go. Counter right to answer an Allen 1-2. 1-2-spinning back kick. Hard body kick and two-piece behind it. 10-9 Holloway.
Round 2: Holloway managing distance extremely well so far, preventing Allen from landing many power shots. As I type that, Allen puts together his best sequence of the fight, landing a series of heavy punches. One minute in. Hard overhand left by Allen. Low kicks from Holloway as he circles. Low kick from Allen, 1-2 falls short two minutes in. Holloway pumping the southpaw jab, blocks a body kick and tries a head kick. Heavy check hook catches Allen coming in. Low kicks to 1-2 with two minutes to go.
More counters land for Holloway. Good body shot. He’s retaking the round after a strong start from Allen. They trade teeps downstairs. Holloway body shot and body kick with a minute to go. Overhand left by Allen, Holloway soon comes back with a body kick. Wheel kick falls short. 10-9 Holloway
Round 3: Trading jabs to start the round. Four-piece by Holloway. Allen 1-2 a minute in. Holloway tries to go low-high with kicks. Allen trying to turn it up, can’t find the mark with left hands two minutes in. Pretty slow round thus far. Allen 1-2s fall short. Good counter left to answer a head kick. Two minutes to go.
Holloway lands a body kick and follows with a boxing combo. Low kick catches Allen in the groin. Cleaner low kick lands for Holloway soon after. Quick exchange with a minute to go. Hard combination from Holloway. Body kick. Body kick by Holloway. Heavier body kick. Spinning back kick glances off. 10-9 Holloway.
Round 4: Holloway seemingly back in full control, as Allen is once again struggling with the range. Head kick attempt from Allen and they trade lefts. Slow first minute, neither man committing to much. Body kick from Holloway, wheel kick falls just short. Combination upstairs. Both rip the body. Two minutes in. Holloway to the body again, avoids return fire. Body kick. More body work. Allen catches a kick, fires a head kick at an off-balance Holloway. Two minutes to go.
Holloway not pressing the issue but there’s not a lot coming back at him. There’s some hard crosses from both men. Good lead left by Allen. One minute to go. Holloway wheel kick just misses. More body shots. Body kick. Allen tries his own spinning back kick. 10-9 Holloway.
Round 5: Allen comes out like he knows he’s behind, throwing heat with both hands and landing some solid blows. Good left hands landing for him as he wades in. Counter knee by Holloway, then a clean spinning elbow. Body shot. Allen continuing to wing bombs at him. One minute in. Holloway once again back at his preferred distance and picking his shots. Good body kick. Allen ties up and takes him to the fence. Two minutes in. They separate. Body kick again from Holloway, then a step-in elbow. Overhand left by Allen, then a pair of head kicks that land well. Hard right hook and these flurries are starting to connect. Right hook with two minutes to go.
More body kicks from Holloway on the back foot. Spinning back kick. Allen lands a cut kick, then a head kick on the way up. One minute to go. Allen continuing to stalk forward, falls short with an elbow and settles for tying up. Jockeying for position against the fence. Good knee to the body from Holloway. Allen comes back with an elbow and some absolutely wild swings, which Holloway answers for a late knockdown. 10-9 Allen.
Final result: Holloway def. Allen by unanimous decision
145 lbs.: Edson Barboza vs. Billy Quarantillo
Round 1: Quarantillo looks for an early single-leg, can’t get it. Body kick from Barboza, trading jabs. Hard low kick. Quarantillo staying in his face and winging shots. One minute in. Low kick and body shot by Barboza. Quarantillo shoots, lands a nice elbow as Barboza defends. Two minutes in. Switch kick from Barboza, then some clean overhand rights. Quarantillo undeterred and backing Barboza to the fence, but as he tries to capitalize. Barboza catches him leaning with an absolute rocket of a knee that knocks Quarantillo into next week. Another phenomenal knockout by Edson Barboza, one he desperately needed.
Final result: Barboza def. Quarantillo by KO (knee)
205 lbs.: Dustin Jacoby vs. Azamat Murzakanov
Round 1: Murzakanov on the front foot to start. He catches a low kick, can’t capitalize. Quick 1-2 a minute in. Jacoby lands a low kick. Overhand left from Murzakanov. Another Jacoby low kick two minutes in. Murzakanov falling short with his punches as Jacoby pumps the jab. There’s a 1-2 from Murzakanov, who blocks a head kick. Check hook, lead left. They jab at the same time and Murzakanov’s drops Jacoby, who pops back to his feet. Hard counter uppercut by Murzakanov with two minutes to go.
Murzakanov stalking and throwing heat. Jacoby looks steady and is defending well. Good low kick. Quick lead left by Murzakanov with a minute to go. The low kicks are working for Jacoby. Murzakanov runs the pipe for a single-leg, but Jacoby quickly scrambles to his feet and is met by an overhand left. Good body shot by Murzakanov. Jacoby threatens a level change, then lands a 1-2. 10-9 Murzakanov.
Round 2: Early body shot form Murzakanov. Jacoby staying busy with jabs and low kicks as he circles. 1-2 by Murzakanov. One minute in. Glancing overhand left from Murzakanov, who’s picking his spots while Jacoby peppers with jabs and low kicks. Another overhand left by “The Professional.” Jacoby backs him up, eats three overhand lefts and a right hook in sequence. Another 2-3. Jacoby fires jabs and denies a takedown, putting Murzakanov on the fence two minutes in. Knees to the thigh. They separate with two minutes to go.
Murzakanov back on the advance. Jacoby double jab. Another lead left lands for Murzakanov. Body shot. One minute to go. Jacoby shoots, denied. Both fire their power hands, neither connects. Hook exchange. Hard left hand catches Jacoby behind the ear for another knockdown. Another left and Jacoby hits the deck once again, but Murzakanov can’t polish him off. 10-9 Murzakanov.
Round 3: Early counter right lands for Murzakanov, then a two-piece to the body. More body work. Another check hook. Good straight left by Jacoby, his best shot in a while. One minute in. Low kick exchange, left hand from Jacoby. Murzakanov comes back with a double jab, but eats a combination. Jacoby seemingly clawing his way back into the fight. Head kick attempts. Murzakanov overhand left, big combo by Jacoby in return two minutes in. Murzakanov looks like he’s fading and Jacoby’s picking up steam. Murzakanov shoots, denied, then again. Jacoby puts him on the fence. Two minutes to go.
Jacoby tries a head kick, then denies a takedown. He shoots his own and drags Murzakanov down against the fence. Landing solid left hands. One minute to go. Murzakanov makes it back to his feet, Jacoby still attached. Both swing big on the exit. 10-9 Jacoby.
Final result: Murzakanov def. Jacoby by unanimous decision
205 lbs.: Tanner Boser vs. Ion Cutelaba
Round 1: Both men light on their feet, showing lots of feints. Quick exchange, neither lands clean. Counter hook by Cutelaba. One minute in. Body kick lands for Cutelaba. Counter right, left hand exchange. Cutelaba’s more composed than usual. Hard 1-2 drops Boser and Cutelaba’s on the attack. Good double-leg puts him on top, where he pins Cutelaba’s arm behind his back and hits him with a few dozen short right hands to send the ref into action.
Final result: Cutelaba def. Boser by TKO (punches)
135 lbs.: Pedro Munhoz vs. Chris Gutierrez
Round 1: Munhoz falling short with leg kicks early on. Hard low kick from Gutierrez, then a quick jab. One minute in. Munhoz checks the next leg kick. Gutierrez fires a low kick from too close and Munhoz drops him with a counter left hook, following him down into guard. Two minutes in. Gutierrez keeping him from posturing up, but Munhoz is still sneaking in some hard elbows. Two minutes to go.
Munhoz looking to pass and he’s briefly in position for a toe hold. Gutierrez scrambles back to his feet, Munhoz still attached. One minute to go. Munhoz tries to roll for a leg, but loses his grip. Back to the feet. Gutierrez firing jabs and low kicks. Munhoz trying to stalk him, eats a glancing spinning elbow and a clean counter right. Gutierrez drives a spinning back kick into his midsection before the bell. 10-9 Munhoz.
Round 2: Low kick from Munhoz to start. He’s still looking to keep the pressure on. Gutierrez leg kick, Munhoz straight left. Munhoz backs him to the fence, can’t capitalize. One minute in. Low kick and jab by Gutierrez and Munhoz briefly paws at his eye. They trade calf kicks. Gutierrez jabs, Munhoz low kicks two minutes in. Counter right lands for Gutierrez, then a low kick and left hook. The leg kicks look mostly even so far, but Gutierrez’s jab is doing work. More Munhoz low kicks. Two minutes to go.
Another Munhoz low kick appears to bother Gutierrez. More jabs from Gutierrez in return, then a head kick that falls short. Munhoz low kick, then an eye poke that Gutierrez doesn’t take time for. One minute to go. Munhoz falls short with a wheel kick, lands a leg kick. Solid calf kick by Gutierrez but he’s not offering enough to offset Munhoz’s aggression and volume. Both land their lead hands. Munhoz counters a jump knee with a left hook. 10-9 Munhoz.
Round 3: Lots of early volume from both men. Solid right hand by Munhoz. Trading low kicks. Counter elbow lands for Gutierrez, who remains on the back foot. He feints a spin. One minute in. Munhoz continuing to chip away at both legs. Low kick and jab land for Gutierrez on the counter. Two minutes in. Counter lefts from Gutierrez, who tries a spinning back fist. Round’s still up for grabs; Gutierrez is controlling distance better this round, keeping it at a slower pace. Two minutes to go.
Solid counter right from Munhoz. Gutierrez 1-2. Trading low kicks. Both land left hands. Neither man getting ahead in these exchanges or landing anything major. One minute to go. Long string of jabs from Gutierrez met by a right hand. Munhoz shoots from way out, no dice. Gutierrez tries a spinning back fist, then a tornado kick. 10-9 Gutierrez.
Final result: Munhoz def. Gutierrez by unanimous decision
155 lbs.: Rafa Garcia vs. Clay Guida
Round 1: Guida is his usual twitchy self, throwing wide haymakers. Overhand right lands for him. Tighter counters from Garcia in return. Left hook by Garcia a minute in. Guida overhand right. 1-2 by Garcia, counter right soon after. Guida sneaks another overhand around the guard. Fairly even in the boxing so far. Two minutes in. Guida the busier of the two, Garcia the crisper. Counter right from Guida. Two minutes to go.
Garcia 2-1. 1-2-2. Neither man has even threatened a takedown so far. Dipping hook by Garcia, then a series of counter jabs. Guida looks for a combo in return. 1-2-3 by Garcia with a minute to go. Momentum starting to swing in Garcia’s favor. Counter elbow misses, left hook does not. Guida low kick met by jabs. More jabs by Garcia. 10-9 Garcia.
Round 2: Big uppercut from Garcia as they continue to exchange. Clean elbow on the break, more jabs. Guida answers with a low kick. He ties up, eats an elbow. The jab of Garcia appears to be neutralizing Guida a minute in. Guida threatens a shot, eats an uppercut and left hook. Body shots. Overhand right. He shoots, denied, eats an elbow on the exit. Garcia goes back to the jab, which is landing the majority of the time. Two minutes in. More jabs from Garcia. Straight right met by one from Guida. That jab is eating Guida alive. Straight right lands for Guida. Two minutes to go.
Counter 1-2 from Garcia. Another counter right, then a clean uppercut. Left hook to uppercut. Garcia piecing him up at boxing range. Right hand to the body. One minute to go. Clean counter right by Garcia. Another nice combo. Guida trying to throw with him. They trade in the center. 10-9 Garcia.
Round 3: Front kick to right hand from Garcia. Guida follows a head kick with a level change, can’t complete it. Nice exchanges at close range. Clean uppercut by Garcia. Combo from Guida a minute in. Left hook to low kick form Garcia, who just misses with a counter elbow. Continuing to exchange inside. More jabs piling up for Garcia. Counter right. Two minutes in. Four-piece combo, then another clean jab that stings Guida. Guida shoots, briefly caught in a front headlock. Garcia follows to the body. Two minutes to go.
Garcia catches Guida exiting with a hard right hand. More clean counters. Uppercut to left hook. Hard counter right. Guida’s still got plenty of energy, he just can’t match Garcia’s technique. One minute to go. More jabs by Garcia, then a pair of hard 1-2s. He shoots against the fence. Hard punches on the exit. More jabs. He tries a jump knee at the bell. 10-9 Garcia.
Final result: Garcia def. Guida by unanimous decision
145 lbs.: T.J. Brown vs. Bill Algeo
Round 1: Nice counter left from Brown met by a low kick. Algeo switching stance as usual, lands a solid left hook that leads to a close-range exchange. Good knee by Brown, low kick from Algeo in return. Solid exchanges so far. Brown tries an overhand right and gets clipped by one in return, prompting a heavy clinch exchange until Algeo takes him down against the fence. Algeo looking for the back two minutes in. Brown turns into top side control and looks for a kimura, but can’t secure it as Algeo stands. They trade heat on the break. Big right hands from Brown and they’re battering each other against the fence. Huge right hand by Algeo. Two minutes to go.
Brown digs in a liver shot and follows with a 1-2. Straight left to knee. Counter right. He slips throwing a head kick and Algeo whiffs on a wheel kick. Brown body shot with a minute to go, eats a low kick in return. Clean front kick by Algeo. Brown cracks him with jabs, then a 3-2. Brown really taking over down the stretch and he cracks Algeo with an overhand right. Algeo comes back with a leg kick. 10-9 Brown.
Round 2: Algeo tries a head kick, lands a low kick, gets cracked by a 1-2. Long flurry from Brown forces Brown back and Brown changes levels, powering through some elbows to take him down against the fence. Hard shots by Brown on the break. He loads up on a big left hook, only to get melted by a counter elbow. He crumples to the mat and Algeo follows right into the crucifix. Quick move to the back and in goes the RNC, forcing Brown to tap and capping off a wild comeback.
Final result: Algeo def. Brown by submission (rear naked choke)
125 lbs.: Brandon Royval vs. Matheus Nicolau
Round 1: Royval advancing, Nicolau slowly circling. Quick exchange, neither lands clean a minute in. Low kick by Nicolau. Royval showing lots of feints, can’t get close enough to land so far. Two minutes in. Out of nowhere, Royval catches Nicolau coming in with a vicious knee that takes his legs out. An onslaught of punches follows and Royval has yet another highlight-reel finish.
Final result: Royval def. Nicolau by TKO (knee and punches)
205 lbs.: Zak Cummings vs. Ed Herman
Round 1: Cummings landing early and often, and he sends Herman to the mat with a heavy left hand 30 seconds in. Herman threatens an armbar, then gets to his feet after Cummings elects to back off. Herman steps in for a clinch knee and ends up on his back, where he lands an illegal upkick on a kneeling Cummings. Cummings brushes it off and they resume on the feet. Counter combo by Cummings. Herman stepping in and throwing heat himself. Two minutes in. Cummings landing that left hand over and over. Hard counter right hook to answer a low kick. 1-2. Body kick lands clean. Lead right from Herman, who tries a knee behind it. Two minutes to go.
Cummings looking way faster and sharper than Herman so far. Good body shot and a low kick behind it. Herman wades in with a body shot, eats another straight left. One minute to go. More straight lefts from Cummings. Herman landing low kicks in return, sneaks in a left downstairs. Body kick. Cummings wades in and they trade until the bell. 10-9 Cummings, borderline 10-8.
Round 2: Cummings lands some heavy punches and puts Herman on the fence. Herman appears to land when they separate, but Cummings drops him with another counter left. Herman back to his feet and trading hands a minute in. Cummings continuing to land clean lefts despite a sizeable cut by his left eye. Their heads appear to come together as Cummings puts him on the fence. Two minutes in. Uppercut from Herman on the exit. Another apparent clash of heads. Cummings body and low kicks. Two minutes to go.
Cummings low kick, Herman counter left. Herman’s game as hell but a step behind. As I type that, he tries to attack and gets poleaxed by a check hook that sends him to the mat. Cummings follows him down and goes to work with elbows. One minute to go. Another illegal upkick from Herman and this time he loses a point. Again they resume on the feet. Hard left hand behind a body kick. 1-2. Both swing big. 10-8 Cummings with the point deduction, wouldn’t argue with a 10-7.
Round 3: Herman still trying to throw with him. Cummings drops him with a low kick and stands over him, kicking his legs before waving him up. Heavy jab by Cummings. Straight left, then another clean counter hook. Body shot, counter right. Yet another counter left drops Herman and Cummings again waves him up two minutes in. Herman continuing to wade in and throw with all he’s got, eating counters along the way. Body kick by Cummings. Two minutes to go.
Both land lefts. Counter hook by Cummings. Herman falls short with a high knee. Low kick and left hook by Cummings. Huge left hand has Herman reeling with a minute to go. Cummings follows to the body, then blows Herman’s guard wide open with 1-2s that take “Short Fuse” off his feet. In comes the referee.
Final result: Cummings def. Herman by TKO (punches)
115 lbs.: Piera Rodriguez vs. Gillian Robertson
Round 1: Robertson takes the center and they get to trading punches. Solid left hook from Rodriguez, who avoids a half-hearted single-leg. Rodriguez low kick, Robertson straight right. Fake shot to left hook by Robertson a minute in. Same sequence again, then a 1-2. Rodriguez answers with a flurry. Another good combo. Rodriguez catches a body kick and takes her down into guard two minutes in. Robertson grabs a leg and stands up for a single-leg, which puts her on top in half guard. Two minutes to go.
Robertson staying heavy, landing short right hands. One minute to go. Rodriguez holding onto a front headlock, unsuccessfully tries to bridge. 10-9 Robertson.
Round 2: Robertson quickly runs the pipe on a reactive single-leg to land on top in half guard. Rodriguez looks for a kimura, prompting Robertson to threaten an armbar Hughes-GSP style. Robertson abandons it to take side control. One minute in. Robertson soon moves to mount, dropping elbows. Rodriguez regains half guard. Two minutes in. Robertson nearly back in mount, gets it when Rodriguez tries to bridge. She’s split Rodriguez open by the right eye. More elbows and punches. Two minutes to go.
Rodriguez tries to regain half guard, can’t do so, manages to fight off a potential kimura. Back to mount goes Robertson with a minute to go, dropping elbows. She spins for an armbar and there appears to be a tap, prompting the ref to step in. Rodriguez is furious, but that’ll do it.
Final result: Robertson def. Rodriguez by submission (armbar)
155 lbs.: Lando Vannata vs. Daniel Zellhuber
Round 1: Low kick lands for Vannata. Head kick attempt. Good exchange inside. Zellhuber looks to counter the next low kick, then lands a good one of his own a minute in. Vannata continuing to target the lead leg, largely staying just out of range. Good 2-3 into the clinch. Zellhuber comes back with knees and briefly puts him on the fence. Two minutes in. Vannata outworking him so far, constantly firing kicks. Double jab by Zellhuber, then a hard counter right hook that wobbles Vannata. Zellhuber on the attack and he blasts Vannata with a clean knee. A torrent of heavy punches follow, sending Vannata to the mat. Zellhuber emptying the tank to put him away with two minutes to go.
Vannata struggling to stand against the fence, but he’s somehow surviving. Zellhuber continuing to hammer him with short left hands. One minute to go. Hard elbow by Zellhuber, then another clean right hand as Vannata stands. Somehow Vannata appears to have recovered and they’re back to eyeing each other at a distance. 10-8 Zellhuber.
Round 2: Vannata steps in with some nice body shots before eating a hook downstairs in return. Two-piece falls short. One minute in. Vannata caps off a combo with a low kick. Hard counter uppercut by Zellhuber as Vannata puts together a combination. Lead right by Vannata, counter hook by Zellhuber two minutes in. Vannata still outworking him, lands a sneaky lead uppercut. Another lead uppercut splits the guard. Vannata shoots, denied, lands a knee. Two minutes to go.
Low kick lands for Zellhuber. Vannata left hook, Zellhuber counter body shot. Quick lead right lands for Zellhuber. One minute to go. Vannata catches a head kick and tries to kick out Zellhuber’s base, but can’t do anything from the front headlock. They exchange left hands, good low kick from Vannata. 10-9 Vannata.
Round 3: Zellhuber knocks out Vannata’s mouthpiece in the early going and looks to press the advantage, stalking Vannata across the cage and landing well on the fence before tying up. Both land good right hands on the exit. Vannata to the body. One minute in. Zellhuber check hook. Quick lead right and now Vannata’s bleeding by the right eye. Body kick from Vannata two minutes in. Zellhuber teep. Vannata not throwing quite as much volume this round, which is letting Zellhuber’s more telling blows set the tone. Good right cross by Zellhuber with two minutes to go.
Long stretch of both men sitting out of range. Nice head kick by Zellhuber, though Vannata insists it didn’t land clean. One minute to go. Both land good left hooks. Now Vannata turning it up a bit. Head kick nearly catches Zellhuber leaning. Vannata tries a cartwheel kick and gets taken down for it at the bell. 10-9 Zellhuber.
Final result: Zellhuber def. Vannata by unanimous decision
115 lbs.: Bruna Brasil vs. Denise Gomes
Round 1: Gomes falls short with some early swings. There’s an overhand right after eating a low kick. Hard low kick from Gomes and a good right hand that stings Brasil. Gomes bullies her way into the clinch and goes to work with short punches. Knees landing a minute in. Brasil grabs a body lock and reverses position. Gomes defends with a whizzer two minutes in. Trading knees downstairs. Nice one to the head by Gomes. Continuing to punish each other’s midsections. Brasil tries a spinning elbow before separating with two minutes to go.
Counters from Brasil, but Gomes again latches on against the fence. Brasil exits with an elbow and eats a low kick. Overhand right to low kick by Gomes. Brasil threatens to spin. Solid body kick. One minute to go. Low kick by Gomes, avoids another spin. 2-1, low kick. Gomes rushing after Brasil and landing at will. She takes Brasil down against the fence. 10-9 Gomes.
Round 2: 1-2 by Brasil. Again she backs straight up and eats right hands. Gomes puts her on the fence. Trading knees downstairs. Gomes hits that same takedown again, though Brasil scoots to the fence and stands a minute in. Elbow from Gomes. Spinning back fist whiffs. Brasil lands a body kick, but Gomes uses it to take her down and kick her legs for a while. Two minutes in. Hard check hooks by Brasil appear to sting Gomes. She looks for another counter, but Gomes just marches through it and floors her with an overhand right. Gomes bombs away until the ref intervenes.
Final result: Gomes def. Brasil by TKO (punches)
135 lbs.: Gaston Bolanos vs. Aaron Phillips
Round 1: Bolanos orthodox, Phillips southpaw. Keeping their distance early on. Bolanos answers a body kick with a hard straight right. Low kicks. One minute in. He catches another kick, can’t use it. Phillips steps in, lands a knee against the fence. Bolanos comes back with a head kick attempt. More low kicks. Two minutes in. Continuing to send out kicks, backs away from a two-piece. Straight right down the pipe knocks Phillips back, then another one catches him leaning. Glancing front kick from Phillips, who’s struggling to get inside. 1-2 by Bolanos with two minutes to go.
Quick exchange in the center. Bolanos looking for the counter right every time Phillips steps in. Body kicks by Bolanos, then a low kick with a minute to go. Lots of volume from him so far. Phillips tries a flying knee. Low kick knocks Phillips over. 10-9 Bolanos.
Round 2: Bolanos seemingly in total control, but an awkward scramble puts Phillips on top in side control. Bolanos regains half guard. One minute in. Phillips seemingly considers a Von Flue choke before Bolanos regains guard and fires elbows. Bolanos scrambles free and turns up the pressure, stalking and throwing volume. Two minutes in. Low kick. Phillips with a well-timed reactive takedown, finishes with an outside trip and moves right to mount. Bolanos gives up his back on the way up. Full body triangle with two minutes to go.
Phillips looking for the RNC. Solid hand fighting from Bolanos so far. One minute to go. Bolanos spins into his guard, then stands over him and kicks his legs. Down into Phillips’ guard, dropping hard shots. Phillips manages to slip free under the onslaught and they get to trading. Bolanos teeing off against the fence. Spinning elbow blocked in the final seconds. 10-9 Phillips.
Round 3: Phillips looking a bit spent after a strong second round. Bolanos still mobile and light on his feet. Straight right connects. Phillips changes levels and puts him on teh fence. One minute in. Bolanos gets underhooks and a wild sequence starts with Phillips trying to jump on his back and ends with Bolanos on top dropping bombs. Kicking his legs and attacking the body two minutes in. He lets him up, then tries a pair of spinning elbows. On the third one, Phillips takes him down and once again locks up the body triangle. Two minutes to go.
Phillips looking for the RNC. One minute to go. Bolanos tries to turn into guard, can’t do so as Phillips drops punches. 10-9 Phillips.
Final result: Bolanos def. Phillips by unanimous decision
135 lbs.: Joselyne Edwards vs. Lucie Pudilova
Round 1: Lengthy flurry lands for Edwards in the opening seconds. Pudilova shoots a double from too far out and eats a knee for her trouble. Lots of volume from Edwards already. One minute in. Pudilova answers a low kick with a knee. Much better level change puts her on top in half guard. Heavy shoulder pressure. Two minutes in. Pudilova not throwing much from the top. Edwards regains full guard, controlling Pudilova’s posture. There’s a nice little GnP flurry from Pudilova. Two minutes to go.
Edwards kicks her off, can’t make enough space to stand. Pudilova goes back down into half guard. Good pass to side control, but she rushes a move to mount and allows Edwards to stand with a minute to go. She wades into the clinch against the fence. Edwards tries a late throw. 10-9 Pudilova.
Round 2: Quick shot from Pudilova that Edwards sprawls on before landing good knees. Hard elbow on the exit. Low kicks a minute in. Spinning back fist just misses. Edwards dominating the striking with volume so far. Not that it matters much when Pudilova takes her back down into side control. Two minutes in. Pudilova looking to isolate the far arm, potentially considering an arm triangle. Short elbows with two minutes to go.
Edwards gives up her back and Pudilova latches on, dropping a hard elbow before hunting the RNC. One minute to go. Full mount now for Pudilova. Edwards trying to bridge, unsuccessful so far. Pudilova postures up for some heavy elbows in the final seconds. 10-9 Pudilova.
Round 3: Edwards looking more tentative on the feet. Pudilova shoots as she eats a low kick and takes Edwards to the fence. One minute in. Dirty boxing and short knees by Pudilova. Edwards reverses and puts her on the fence in return. Jockeying for position. Left hook from Pudilova on the exit. Two minutes in. Back to distance, Edwards landing potshots. Good low kicks. Spinning back fist whiffs. Two minutes to go.
Left hook lands for Edwards, who denies a long-range shot. Spinning back kick attempt, more low kicks. Pudilova marching on, not throwing much besides the jab. Fake shot to right hand. Lead right to a knee that Edwards answers with a body kick. One minute to go. Nice close-range work by Pudilova before wrapping up the body lock. Fighting for position. Two rights land for Edwards on the exit.Pudilova rushes back into the clinch before the bell. 10-9 Edwards.
Final result: Edwards def. Pudilova by split decision