Author: Dan Hiergesell

Ketlen Vieira scored the biggest win of her MMA career earlier tonight (Sat., Nov. 20, 2021) at UFC Vegas 43 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, when “Fenomeno” outpointed former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Miesha Tate to earn a unanimous decision in her first UFC main event.

The size of Vieira gave Tate problems early as she got tagged almost every time she stepped inside. “Cupcake” eventually moved her way in to land a good combination and pin Vieira along the cage. Vieira regained some momentum in the second, but Tate started to find her range and land some punches from the outside. “Cupcake” even landed a brutal front kick that snapped Vieira’s head back.

In Round 3, Tate was a little more aggressive with her striking and forward movement as Vieira struggled to stay off her back foot. Vieira did land a solid one-two with about one minute left, but “Cupcake” tied her up along the cage to slow things down. Tate returned with a massive right hand in the fourth before scoring a timely takedown along the cage. “Cupcake” scored another heavy combination, but Vieira returned fire as well and took back some control in the remaining two minutes.

The fifth and final frame saw Vieira catch Tate with a nice combination that temporarily slowed the former champion. Tate responded with some solid leg kicks and straight kicks down the middle. Tate’s face really started to bloody, but she kept pushing forward and exchanging with the Brazilian. In the end, it was Vieira who did enough over the course of five rounds to capture the win.

Check out the video highlights below courtesy of UFC/ESPN:

For complete UFC Vegas 43 results and coverage click HERE.

Taila Santos helped end a dreaded decision streak earlier tonight (Sat., Nov. 20, 2021) at UFC Vegas 43 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, when the women’s flyweight contender stopped veteran Joanne Calderwood via first-round submission (rear-naked choke).

Santos looked sharp in the early going and ended up catching Calderwood a few times on the feet. Calderwood defended along the cage and survived for as long as she could. After gaining top control on the ground later into the round Santos was able to work her way towards Calderwood’s back and sink in the submission finish.

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

Santos, 28, is now 4-1 inside of the Octagon since making her debut back in 2019. She has showcased a devastating striking game while giving opponents little time to unleash their own offense. It may have happened quicker than expected, but Santos is a bona fide title contender entering 2022, especially in a women’s flyweight division depleted by current UFC champion Valentina Shevchenko.

For complete UFC Vegas 43 results and coverage click HERE.

Cody Durden may have won his flyweight bout against Chinese fighter Qileng Aori earlier today (Sat., Nov. 20, 2021) at UFC Vegas 43 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, but the Georgia native lost a ton of fans in the process.

The fight itself was a true slugfest featuring two fighters trying to capture their first Octagon win. Durden pulled out to an early lead with his wrestling before tiring and allowing Qileng to land some big shots on the feet. In the third and deciding round, Durden was able to take the fight back down to the ground to lock up the unanimous decision win.

Durden’s performance was all well and good, but it was his post-fight comment that has everyone calling for his head.

“I had to send him back to China where he came from,” Durden blurted out during his post-fight interview with Daniel Cormier. The remark came out of left field and forced Cormier to cut off the interview and simply walk away.

Following the incident, Twitter went into a frenzy over Durden’s comment and rightfully so. Check out some of the reaction below:

For complete UFC Vegas 43 results and coverage click HERE.

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is expected to make his return to action in a grappling match against AEW and Bellator MMA star Jake Hager on Dec. 9, 2021.

Jones, who is currently plotting his UFC heavyweight takeover after vacating his 205-pound crown in 2020, revealed the news on social media Saturday afternoon. According to “Bones,” he will compete against Hager at the upcoming Fury Pro Grappling event next month in New Jersey. The match will air exclusively on UFC Fight Pass.

“Breaking News!! I’m excited to announce I’ll be competing for the number one grappling organization in the world, Fury Grappling! December 9th I’ll be in New Jersey competing against WWE superstar and undefeated Bellator heavyweight Jack swagger.”

Jones, 34, hasn’t competed professionally since a decision win over Dominick Reyes at UFC 247 all the way back in Feb. 2020. Earlier this year, Jones was arrested in Las Vegas for misdemeanor battery domestic violence, as well as injuring and tampering with a vehicle. Jones blamed alcohol for the incident and has since sworn off the sauce. He eventually got the boot from long-time gym Jackson Wink MMA for yet another arrest, but ended up finding a “new home base” for his training.

Hager, 39, is currently a member of the budding AEW roster and an undefeated heavyweight competing for Bellator MMA. His last professional fight came in the form of a split-decision win over Brandon Calton at Bellator 250 in Oct. 2020. Hager took to social media after Jones’ announcement to reveal he has yet to sign an official contract for the grappling match.

“First of all it’s @AEWonTNT and undefeated @BellatorMMA heavyweight Jake Hager, secondly no terms have been discussed or contract signed. We can talk if terms are right.”

Next month’s potential clash with Hager would be the first time in a long time that fight fans get to see Jones in action. The former light heavyweight champion is widely considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters of all time, but we haven’t seen Jones compete since he started his heavyweight transformation.

Stick with Mania for more news on Jones vs. Hager.

The action returns to “Sin City” later today (Sat., Nov. 20, 2021) at UFC Vegas 43 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, as former UFC champion Miesha Tate collides with women’s bantamweight contender Ketlen Vieira in the main event.

In addition to the 135-pound headliner, UFC Vegas 43 will feature a collection of exciting matchups and young talent. From a co-main event clash between welterweight contenders Michael Chiesa and Sean Brady to the return of knockout sensations Adrian Yanez and Terrance McKinney, the action should deliver from start to finish.

Take a look below at UFC Vegas 43’s complete fight card line up and start times:

Main Card (ESPN+)
6:00 p.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. PT

Ketlen Vieira vs. Miesha Tate
Michael Chiesa vs. Sean Brady
Joanne Calderwood vs. Taila Santos
Rani Yahya vs. Kyung Ho Kang
Davey Grant vs. Adrian Yanez

‘Prelims’ Undercard (ESPN+)
3:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 p.m. PT

Tucker Lutz vs. Pat Sabatini
Rafa García vs. Natan Levy
Loma Lookboonmee vs. Lupita Godinez
Fares Ziam vs. Terrance McKinney CANCELED
Cody Durden vs. Qileng Aori
Sean Soriano vs. Shayilan Nuerdanbieke
Luana Pinheiro vs. Sam Hughes

Here are all the ways to catch the action:

Online

• UFC Vegas 43: ‘Vieira vs. Tate’ entire fight card can be viewed via the ESPN+ streaming app.
• Subscriptions cost $5.99 per month.

Television

• UFC Vegas 43: ‘Vieira vs. Tate’ entire fight card can also be streamed via Xbox One, Apple TV, Android TV, Samsung Smart TV, and ChromeCast.

Tablet/Mobile

• UFC Vegas 43: ‘Vieira vs. Tate’ 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 43 fight card right here, starting with the ESPN+ “Prelims” matches, which are scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. ET, then the remaining main card balance on ESPN+ at 6 p.m. ET.

Lightweight prospect Terrance McKinney will have to wait a little longer for his sophomore appearance as his bout with Fares Ziam later today (Sat., Nov. 20, 2021) at UFC Vegas 43 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, has been scrapped due to COVID-19.

McKinney, who made a huge Octagon debut this past June with a seven-second knockout finish over Matt Frevola (see it HERE), announced the cancelation just moments ago on social media. According to “T. Wrecks,” one of his cornerman tested positive for COVID-19 and under UFC protocol the bout must be scrapped.

“Someone in my corner got Covid and they were forced to cancel my fight. I don’t have Covid, but they say due to risk exposure I can’t fight. Sorry y’all, I appreciate all the support and love. We’re workin hard to get the fight rescheduled ASAP.”

McKinney, 27, is one of the more exciting prospects in the 155-pound division today. He has won his last four fights all by first-round knockout with three of those coming in less than 17 seconds. Ziam, on the other hand, is a 24-year-old French prospect who has produced a 2-1 record since his Octagon debut in 2019. Their lightweight matchup is expected to be re-booked as soon as possible.

As a result of the last-second withdrawal, UFC Vegas 43 will now proceed with 11 total bouts. Check out the revised lineup below:

UFC Vegas 43 Main Event On ESPN+:

135 lbs.: Ketlen Vieira vs. Miesha Tate

UFC Vegas 43 Main Card On ESPN+ (6 p.m. ET):

170 lbs.: Michael Chiesa vs. Sean Brady
135 lbs.: Kyung Ho Kang vs. Rani Yahya
125 lbs.: Joanne Calderwood vs. Taila Santos
135 lbs.: Davey Grant vs. Adrian Yanez

UFC Vegas 43 ‘Prelims’ Card On ESPN+ (3 p.m. ET):

145 lbs.: Pat Sabatini vs. Tucker Lutz
155 lbs.: Rafa Garcia vs. Natan Levy
115 lbs.: Loopy Godinez vs. Loma Lookboonmee
125 lbs.: Cody Durden vs. Aori Qileng
145 lbs.: Shayilan Nuerdanbieke vs. Sean Soriano
115 lbs.: Sam Hughes vs. Luana Pinheiro

MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Vegas 43 fight card right here, starting with the ESPN+ “Prelims” matches, which are scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. ET, then the remaining main card balance on ESPN+ at 6 p.m. ET.