Author: Dan Hiergesell

Cody Brundage scored the biggest win of his MMA career earlier tonight (Sat., Mar. 12, 2022) at UFC Vegas 50 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, when the middleweight prospect finished Dalcha Lungiambula via first-round submission (guillotine choke).

Brundage was in serious danger early on as Lungiambula leveled him with short punches, knees, heavy combinations, and the kitchen sink. Somehow Brundage was able to stay alive and move around enough to keep the referee out of his business. Out of nowhere Brundage was able to grab a hold of Lungiambula’s neck and quickly pulled guard for the guillotine choke. Lungiambula briefly fought the hands before tapping.

Check out the video highlights above courtesy of UFC/ESPN.

Brundage, 27, made his Octagon debut against Nick Maximov at UFC 266 last September but came out short with a decision loss. This was a big performance by the middleweight prospect and a finish that will push him closer to the division’s top 15.

For complete UFC Vegas 50 results and coverage click here.

Guido Cannetti proved age is just a number earlier tonight (Sat., Mar. 12, 2022) at UFC Vegas 50 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, when the bantamweight veteran stopped Kris Moutinho via first-round TKO (punches).

Cannetti was on fire from the opening bell throwing heavy combinations and willingly stepping into the pocket to hurt Moutinho. We all know how tough Moutinho is from his clash with Sean O’Malley in his debut in July 2021, but Cannetti was too aggressive and persistent with his attacks. He started to clip Moutinho at will along the cage and the referee eventually stepped in for the stoppage.

Check out the video highlights above courtesy of UFC/ESPN.

Cannetti, 42, was coming off three-straight losses so this was a huge win for the Argentinian fighter. While Cannetti is unlikely to push his way towards the bantamweight top 15 anytime soon he clearly has some serious skills on the feet and should provide even more fireworks moving forward.

For complete UFC Vegas 50 results and coverage click here.

Azamat Murzakanov made the most out of his Octagon debut earlier tonight (Sat., Mar. 12, 2022) at UFC Vegas 50 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, when the undefeated Russian fighter put an end to Tafon Nchukwi via third-round knockout (flying knee).

Despite a few early power punches by Murzakanov this fight was all Nchukwi from the opening bell. He was able to maintain a good gas tank while peppering Murzakanov to the head, body, and legs. It seemed as if Nchukwi was going to cruise to a decision, but Murzakanov came out firing in the third round and caught Nchukwi with a few good shots. Out of nowhere Murzakanov leaped forward and landed a ridiculous flying knee. Nchuckwi fell to the canvas and the fight was waved off.

Check out the video highlights above courtesy of UFC/ESPN.

Murzakanov, 35, pushes his undefeated MMA record to 11-0 with this victory. The Russian fighter certainly looked frustrated over the course of the first two rounds, but his third-round stoppage proved he’s the real deal and someone to watch in the UFC’s growing light heavyweight division.

For complete UFC Vegas 50 results and coverage click here.

Greg Hardy is no longer a member of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) roster as the former NFL star announced his departure from the promotion on Saturday.

UFC officials have yet to comment on the news, but Hardy posted the following message to Instagram acknowledging that his run with the promotion is over. He also took a moment to thank his fans, UFC, and promised to come back event stronger.

“What a run, ya boy is far from done just got some fine tuning to do. Thank you to all my fans and haters. I appreciate you all. Mostly I appreciate my coaches, family, and the @ufc for giving me the opportunity to shine bright.”

Hardy, 33, made his Octagon debut all the way back at UFC on ESPN+ 1 in 2019. This came after two successful appearances on Dana White’s “Contender Series.” UFC caught a lot of flack for bringing Hardy on given his storied past with domestic abuse, but the promotion gave him a chance to put his elite athleticism to the test.

While it looked like Hardy was going to evolve nicely as a member of the heavyweight division he started to plateau as the competition got stiffer. After beginning his UFC career with a record of 4-2 (1 NC) the former NFL star lost three-straight fights to Marcin Tybura, Tai Tuivasa, and Sergey Spivak, all by way of knockout.

It’s safe to say that Hardy will land a spot on another MMA roster in the coming weeks, but his days as a member of UFC are likely over forever.

Alex Pereira has become one of the most hyped fighters to come into Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in recent memory and for good reason. The former kickboxing champion is one of the best strikers in the world today and someone who has already knocked out current UFC middleweight king Israel Adesanya.

While Pereira can’t lean on his past success forever it has helped create significant buzz around his fights. That applies to his upcoming battle with fellow Brazilian knockout artist Bruno Silva later tonight (Sat., Mar. 12, 2022) at UFC Vegas 50 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.

It will be Pereira’s second trip to the famed Octagon after making his debut at UFC 268 this past November from inside Madison Square Garden in New York City. Pereira ended up flattening his opponent, Andreas Michailidis, with a flying-knee TKO in the second round (highlights HERE). The performance put the UFC middleweight division on notice and solidified the hype surrounding Pereira.

“My UFC debut was everything I expected,” Pereira told UFC.com. “I didn’t know exactly how it would happen, whether it was going to be a knockout by a knee or any other blow, but I was very confident because I was training hard for my debut,” Pereira told UFC.com. “For me, it was very important to fight at Madison Square Garden because there were many names that competed there before, and I managed to put on a show for the fans that were there and everyone that was watching. That was important to me.”

Pereira, 34, will have another opportunity to score a highlight-reel finish when the world-class striker takes on Silva tonight at UFC Vegas 50. Silva has recorded three-straight knockout finishes to start is own UFC career so he’s certainly no slouch on the feet, but the matchup should present Pereira with some big openings.

“Bruno said he’s going to come to knock me out, to throw hands. He might try to do that, but depending on how I behave in the Octagon, he might change his strategy,” Pereira said. “He is a guy who, even before fighting in the UFC, has been showing why he’s respected. In the UFC, he already has those three wins by knockout. He’s a kid who deserves people giving him all these compliments. I think it’s going to be a tough fight, but I prepared a lot for it, and I want to come out with the win.”

Pereira, who is no stranger to big fights and pressure-filled situations, is hoping to inch his way closer towards title contention in the UFC’s middleweight division. While Pereira would love the chance to fight Adesanya again for a world championship he’ll be happy to get to the big dance either way. That said, Pereira plans on taking one fight at a time and promises not to look past any opponent UFC puts in his way.

“I only have plans until this next fight and I won’t know what’s next until after this fight,” Pereira said. “Yes, I want to be a champion. Since I joined the UFC, I joined to become the champion. It doesn’t matter if it’s Israel Adesanya or whoever it is, I want to work and become champion. Every time I win, I will definitely be closer.”

MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Vegas 50 fight card RIGHT HERE, starting with the ESPN+ preliminary card bouts at 4 p.m. ET, followed by the ESPN+ main card start time at 7 p.m. ET.

To check out the latest and greatest UFC Vegas 50 news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive here. For the updated and finalized “Santos vs. Ankalaev” fight card and ESPN+ lineup click here.

It all goes down later tonight (Sat., Mar. 12, 2022) at UFC Vegas 50 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, as former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Thiago Santos takes on Magomed Ankalaev in a crucial main event showdown.

In addition to the 205-pound headliner, UFC Vegas 50 will feature a pretty jam-packed main card and “Prelims” lineup. From a co-main event clash between bantamweights Marlon Moraes and Song Yadong to a lightweight clash pitting veteran striker Drew Dober against surging prospect Terrance McKinney, the action should deliver from the opening bell.

Take a look below at UFC Vegas 50’s complete fight card line up and start times:

Main Card (ESPN+)
7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT

Thiago Santos vs. Magomed Ankalaev
Marlon Moraes vs. Song Yadong
Sodiq Yusuff vs. Alex Caceres
Khalil Rountree Jr. vs. Karl Roberson
Drew Dober vs. Terrance McKinney
Alex Pereira vs. Bruno Silva

‘Prelims’ Undercard (ESPN+)
4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT

Matthew Semelsberger vs. A.J. Fletcher
JJ Aldrich vs. Gillian Robertson
Trevin Jones vs. Javid Basharat
Damon Jackson vs. Kamuela Kirk
Sabina Mazo vs. Miranda Maverick
Dalcha Lungiambula vs. Cody Brundage
Guido Cannetti vs. Kris Moutinho
Tafon Nchukwi vs. Azamat Murzakanov

Here are all the ways to catch the action:

Online

• UFC Vegas 50: ‘Santos vs. Ankalaev’ entire fight card can be viewed via the ESPN+ streaming app.
• Subscriptions cost $6.99 per month.

Television

• UFC Vegas 50: ‘Santos vs. Ankalaev’ entire fight card can also be streamed via Xbox One, Apple TV, Android TV, Samsung Smart TV, and ChromeCast.

Tablet/Mobile

• UFC Vegas 50: ‘Santos vs. Ankalaev’ entire fight card can be viewed via ESPN+ streaming app through Google Play and iTunes stores.

Bars

• Check out a list of sports bars and pubs near you that will most likely be showing tonight’s fights CLICK HERE.

MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Vegas 50 fight card RIGHT HERE, starting with the ESPN+ preliminary card bouts at 4 p.m. ET, followed by the ESPN+ main card start time at 7 p.m. ET.

To check out the latest and greatest UFC Vegas 50 news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive here. For the updated and finalized “Santos vs. Ankalaev” fight card and ESPN+ lineup click here.