Author: Dan Hiergesell

Islam Makhachev pushed his unbeaten streak to 10 earlier tonight (Sat., Feb. 26, 2022) at UFC Vegas 49 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, when the lightweight contender demolished veteran Bobby Green via first-round TKO (punches).

Green did well in the early going to keep Makhachev at distance and even broke away off the fence during a tie up. However, once Makhachev went for his double leg he was able to plant Green on the canvas and go to work. Eventually, Makhachev would gain full mount and force Green to turn over with punches. Makhachev kept the pressure up as “King” tried to squirm free and referee Herb Deab stepped in for the stoppage.

Makhachev, who hasn’t lost since 2015, is hoping that this victory over Green will finally earn him his shot at the UFC lightweight title. But with Conor McGregor’s return on the horizon, Michael Chandler trying to claw his way back to another title fight, and a plethora of other moving parts in the 155-pound division, it’s unknown if this win will in fact result in a Makhachev title shot.

In any case, the finish was dominant and it pushed Makhachev’s current win streak into double digits. Check out the full fight video highlights from the main event below courtesy of UFC/ESPN:

For complete UFC Vegas 49 results and coverage click here.

As soon as UFC Vegas 49 wraps up tonight (Sat., Feb. 26, 2022) live on ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, fight fans can check out the live post-fight press conference video above for all the best reaction and official bonus winners.

On a night that features a main event clash between lightweight contenders Islam Makhachev and Bobby Green, a co-headliner pitting veteran Misha Cirkunov against middleweight finisher Wellington Turman, and an exciting lightweight duel between Arman Tsarukyan and Joel Alvarez, there will be a lot to discuss when the action winds down.

The post-fight presser is scheduled to go live at 10:15 p.m. ET. It will feature the biggest winners and losers from the card.

For complete UFC Vegas 49 results and coverage click here.

Wellington Turman found a way to score his biggest win to date earlier tonight (Sat., Feb. 26, 2022) at UFC Vegas 49 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, when the middleweight came from behind to stop Misha Cirkunov via second-round submission (armbar).

This was a wild co-main event from the opening bell. Turman was able to jump on Cirkunov’s back early and threaten with a standing rear-naked choke. Cirkunov is well experienced so he was able to hold onto one arm, but Turman eventually broke free and nearly stopped the fight. Cirkunov escaped and eventually grabbed a hold of Turman on the ground. He landed heavy punches from the side and nearly locked in his own submission to end the fight.

Turman was exhausted entering the second and Cirkunov was able to take control again. However, during a scramble on the ground Turman was able to throw up a sneaky armbar that caught Cirkunov off guard. Before Cirkunov knew it his arm was extended and he was forced to tap.

Check out the final sequence above courtesy of UFC/ESPN.

For complete UFC Vegas 49 results and coverage click here.

Terrance McKinney followed up his incredible UFC debut with an equally-impressive sophomore performance earlier tonight (Sat., Feb. 26, 2022) at UFC Vegas 49 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, when “T-Wrecks” stopped Fares Ziam via first-round submission (rear-naked choke).

McKinney’s Octagon debut only lasted seven seconds so he was likely to go over that mark in his “Prelims” clash with Ziam. It didn’t take McKinney long to throw a punch and gain top control during a scramble to the ground. McKinney showed incredible power, patience, and transitioning with his wrestling and eventually got Ziam’s back. That’s all McKinney needed to sink in the choke and force Ziam to tap.

Check out the finishing sequence above courtesy of UFC/ESPN.

McKinney, 27, has looked unstoppable over the course of his first two UFC appearances. In total, the lightweight finisher has recorded five-straight, first-round stoppages dating back to early 2021. He can strike, wrestle, and clearly grapple when he needs to. It will be very interesting to see how McKinney performs as the opposition gets tougher.

For complete UFC Vegas 49 results and coverage click here.

Ramiz Brahimaj finally captured the Octagon victory he was looking for earlier tonight (Sat., Feb. 26, 2022) at UFC Vegas 49 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, when the submission specialist stopped Micheal Gillmore via first-round rear-naked choke.

Brahimaj wasted little time rushing in and pinning Gillmore along the cage. Gillmore tried to fight the hands and stay on his feet, but Brahimaj was relentless and brought the action to the ground. From there, Brahimaj did whatever he could to get this arm under the chin and squeeze until Gillmore was forced to tap.

Check out the finishing sequence above courtesy of UFC/ESPN.

Brahimaj, 29, has alternated wins and loses since his UFC debut back in 2020. The former LFA standout certainly has world-class grappling skills, but he hasn’t done much over his four Octagon appearances to show he’s improving in other departments. Brahimaj still has some time to showcase his overall abilities, but things are going to get even harder in the stacked welterweight division.

For complete UFC Vegas 49 results and coverage click here.

Islam Makhachev is entering the biggest fight of his career later tonight (Sat., Feb. 26, 2022) at UFC Vegas 49 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the lightweight contender is hoping to deliver in a memorable way.

Makhachev, who is currently riding a nine-fight win streak in the UFC’s jam-packed lightweight division, was originally expected to face Beneil Dariush in the main event. However, Dariush was forced to withdraw just two weeks out from the fight and was replaced by Bobby Green, who is coming off a unanimous decision win over Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 271 earlier this month. While Green doesn’t hold the same division ranking as Dariush does Makhachev needed someone to fight after going through a long training camp.

“Honestly, when Beneil was injured, I told Ali [Abdelaziz, Makhachev’s manager] and he said the next day that nobody gave an answer, and I thought it wasn’t going to happen. Ali said, ‘Just Bobby Green give answer, he said he’s ready.’ I said let’s go,” Makhachev told reporters during UFC Vegas 49’s media day (via MMA Fighting). “It doesn’t matter who because the last three months [were] so hard for me. I prepared for Beneil, training so hard. Just give me someone.”

Luckily, Green is a true warrior and was willing to accept the fight that no other lightweight wanted to take, especially with only two weeks to prepare and coming off a 15-minute fight against Haqparast. “King” earned a ton of respect for saving UFC Vegas 49’s main event and Makhachev will be the first one to acknowledge his heart.

However, Makhachev still plans on exposing Green on the ground and asking him a few questions along the way. Sort of how Khabib Nurmagomedov used to speak with his opponents before choking them out or snapping their arm.

“This guy has big heart because he took this fight [with] one-week [notice],” Makhachev said. “He has good boxing style, and about wrestling and grappling, we will check.

“We’re gonna talk inside the cage. I’m gonna take him down and tell him, ‘Hey, let’s go. Get up.’ I’m gonna talk. He’s gonna talk with me when we’re beginning, striking, but when I’m gonna take him down, I’m gonna ask him a couple questions.”

Despite his canceled fight opposite Dariush, Makhachev still believes a win over Green at UFC Vegas 49 will be enough to secure his long-awaited lightweight title shot. Current UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira is expected to defend his title against Justin Gaethje at UFC 274 this May, but after that Makhachev could find himself fighting for 155-pound gold.

“Of course, because it’s gonna be my 10-fight win streak,” Makhachev said. “I really believe this is key for title fight. I think Oliveira is going to beat Justin Gaethje, and 11-win streak vs. 10-win streak, this is going to be a big fight for all MMA fans.”

MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Vegas 49 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.