Author: Dan Hiergesell

Leon Edwards’ return to the Octagon ended prematurely last night (Sat., Mar. 13, 2021) at UFC Vegas 21 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, when “Rocky” poked Belal Muhammad in the eye in the second round of their main event.

Edwards looked sharp in the early going despite such a long layoff and ended up catching Muhammad with a clean head kick that stunned “Remember the Name.” Muhammad was able to recover but his head was bleeding pretty bad.

Little time came off the clock in the second round before Edwards accidentally double poked Muhammad in the right eye. Muhammad immediately went down and started to yell in pain. Referee Herb Dean and the cage-side doctor stepped in and the fight was waved off after Muhammad said he couldn’t see anything.

This is not the way Edwards envisioned his return to the cage, or Muhammad his first UFC main event bid. Check out the video highlights below courtesy of UFC/ESPN:

For complete UFC Vegas 21 results and coverage click here.

As soon as UFC Vegas 21 wraps up later tonight (Sat., Mar. 13, 2021) 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 will feature a main event clash between streaking welterweight contender Leon Edwards and hard-nosed veteran Belal Muhammad, a co-headliner pitting light heavyweight finisher Misha Cirkunov against the ultra-talented Ryan Spann, and a featherweight barn burner featuring Dan Ige and streaking prospect Gavin Tucker, there will be a lot to discuss when the action winds down.

The post-fight presser is scheduled to go live at 11:15 p.m. ET, featuring the biggest winners and losers from the card.

For complete UFC Vegas 21 results and coverage click here.

Ryan Spann looked better than ever earlier tonight (Sat., Mar. 13, 2021) at UFC Vegas 21 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, when “Superman” delivered the biggest win of his career by ending Misha Cirkunov via first-round TKO (punches).

Cirkunov looked solid in the early going having not fought since Sept. 2019, but all Spann needed was one clean right hand to change the whole fight. He landed the punch and Cirkunov tumbled to the canvas. Spann let Cirkunov back up and proceeded to batter him at will. Cirkunov crashed to the canvas again and Spann followed suit for the finishing touches.

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

Despite a knockout loss to Johnny Walker in his last Octagon appearance this win over Cirkunov is likely to land Spann close to the light heavyweight top 10. Spann is now 5-1 overall in UFC competition and possesses the size and finishing ability to run with anyone in the division. We’ll have to wait and see how UFC handles “Superman” moving forward.

For complete UFC Vegas 21 results and coverage click here.

Dan Ige put the UFC featherweight division on notice earlier tonight (Sat., Mar. 13, 2021) at UFC Vegas 21 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, when “50K” steamrolled rising contender Gavin Tucker with a one-punch knockout just 22 seconds into the very first round.

There’s not much to review since Ige went savage so early into the fight. When the two featherweights went in for an exchange in the middle of the cage Ige found a home for a powerful fight hand. Tucker went limp and collapsed to the canvas. Luckily, “50K” walked off and didn’t land any unnecessary damage.

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

Ige, 29, went on a six-fight win streak in the jam-packed featherweight division before losing a decision to Calvin Kattar back in July 2020. This was a statement win for the Hawaiian fighter as he tries to punch his way back into contention. Ige called out “Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung after this knockout performance and that seems like a good fight to book. We’ll see if UFC bites.

For complete UFC Vegas 21 results and coverage click here.

Davey Grant delivered more Octagon magic earlier tonight (Sat., Mar. 13, 2021) at UFC Vegas 21 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, when “Dangerous” stopped talented prospect Jonathan Martinez via second-round knockout (punch).

This lightweight fight was all action from the opening bell as both men landed punches. Martinez started to pull away with heavy leg attacks and even knocked Grant down with a minute left in the first round. Grant regrouped in Round 2 and came out firing with combinations and kicks. Martinez was game to exchange but that left him open to a massive left hook by Grant that stopped “Dragon” in his tracks. Grant scored a few insurance shots before the fight was waved off.

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

Grant, 35, is coming off a memorable knockout finish over Martin Day back at UFC 251 and has now won his last three fights. The veteran fighter hasn’t fought that much over the past five years, but seems to be in the zone of late. Don’t be surprised if UFC gives “Dangerous” a shot at the top 15 his next time out, especially after another display of knockout power.

For complete UFC Vegas 21 results and coverage click here.

Fight fans got another look at an illegal knee earlier tonight (Sat., Mar. 13, 2021) at UFC Vegas 21 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, when a middleweight bout between Eryk Anders and Darren Stewart ended in the first round due to an accidental strike.

Remember, fight fans saw Aljamain Sterling claim the undisputed UFC bantamweight championship over Petr Yan last weekend at UFC 259 due to an illegal knee (see it HERE).

Both middleweights came out firing heavy shots as Stewart seemed to be the more polished striker in the early going. That was until Anders cracked him with a massive punch that nearly ended the fight. Anders piled on punches and referee Herb Dean was close to stopping the fight. Stewart survived, but Anders ended up framing him and landing an illegal knee along the cage, which was eventually ruled an accidental blow. The cageside doctor stepped in and deemed Stewart unfit to continue.

Check out the final sequence below courtesy of UFC/ESPN:

It would make sense to run this fight back as soon as possible considering both middleweights were exchanging heavy leather, but who knows at this point.

For complete UFC Vegas 21 results and coverage click here.