Author: Dan Hiergesell

Anthony Smith moved one fight closer to another shot at the UFC light heavyweight title earlier tonight (Sat., Sept. 18, 2021) at UFC Vegas 37 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, when “Lionheart” sliced through talented contender Ryan Spann via first-round submission (rear-naked choke).

Spann came out the more aggressive fighter and started to press “Lionheart.” Spann’s shots got a little too wild and Smith was able to counter with big punches that had “Superman” hurt on multiple occasions. Smith was able to gain back control towards the end of the first round and sink in the rear-naked choke. Spann fought the hands for a second or two before tapping. Smith and Spann seemed to have words after the stoppage and security needed to rush into the Octagon to break things up.

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

For complete UFC Vegas 37 results and coverage click HERE.

As soon as UFC Vegas 37 wraps up later tonight (Sat., Sept. 18, 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 features a main event clash between light heavyweight contenders Anthony Smith and Ryan Spann, a co-headliner pitting 205-pound finisher Ion Cutelaba against Devin Clark, the return of lightweight prospect Arman Tsarukyan, and the debut of undefeated women’s flyweight fighter Mandy Bohm, 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 37 results and coverage click HERE.

Arman Tsarukyan lived up to his billing earlier tonight (Sat., Sept. 18, 2021) at UFC Vegas 37 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, when the massive favorite easily defeated lightweight counterpart Christos Giagos via first-round TKO (punches).

Giagos was able to gain top control in the early going but that was short lived. Tsarukyan returned to his feet and clipped Giagos with a crisp left hook. Giagos stumbled back into the cage and Tsarukyan unloaded all hell until Giagos went limp and the referee waved the fight off.

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

Tsarukyan continues to improve and now holds a 4-1 record inside of the Octagon. His only loss was to current lightweight contender Islam Makhachev. If things go as planned the 24-year-old Tsarukyan should land a top 10 opponent after this performance. Next year might be a huge campaign for the Russian talent if he keeps this up.

For complete UFC Vegas 37 results and coverage click HERE.

Nate Maness pulled off a sick comeback earlier tonight (Sat., Sept. 18, 2021) at UFC Vegas 37 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, when the bantamweight prospect avoided an early knockout loss to score his own finish over Tony Gravely via second-round TKO (punches).

Both bantamweights exchanged blows throughout the first, but it was Gravely who landed a monstrous punch at the end of the bell that sat Maness down. Maness didn’t seem fully recovered coming out into the second and Gravely tried to pressure him. While mixing it up inside Maness was able to push off and land a perfectly-placed right hand that sent Gravely crashing into the fence. Maness pursued with insurance shots to force the referee’s hand.

Check out the finish above and the first-round knockdown below, both courtesy of UFC/ESPN:

Maness, who made his UFC debut just over one year ago, already has a 3-0 record as a member of the 135-pound division. Gravely is a steep test for anyone in the weight class so this is a big win for Maness, even if he got caught in the first. Look for the surging contender to score a top 15 opponent his next time out.

For complete UFC Vegas 37 results and coverage click HERE.

Joaquin Buckley regained his momentum earlier tonight (Sat., Sept. 18, 2021) at UFC Vegas 37 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, when the middleweight sensation stopped Antonio Arroyo via third-round TKO (punches).

Buckley and Arroyo went toe-to-toe for the majority of this fight. Arroyo had the size advantage, but Buckley actually had the longer reach. Arroyo tried mixing in some knees to the body in the later frames but Buckley did well to absorb the damage and keep pushing forward. During an exchange inside Buckley launched a right hand that seemed to clip Arroyo on the back of the head and he went down like a sack of bricks. Buckley jumped on top for some insurance shots before the referee stoppage.

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

Buckley, who was coming off a disappointing knockout loss to Alessio Di Chirico his last time out, needed a big performance to remind fight fans, and the middleweight division, that he has stopping power for days. “New Mansa” is now 3-2 inside of the Octagon with three devastating knockouts and should get a tougher opponent his next time out.

For complete UFC Vegas 37 results and coverage click HERE.

Rising lightweight prospect Rong Zhu scored his first UFC victory earlier tonight (Sat., Sept. 18, 2021) at UFC Vegas 37 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, when the 21-year-old sensation stopped short-notice filler Brandon Jenkins via third-round TKO (punches).

Jenkins held his own in the early going with wild spinning attacks and good counter shots, but it was the wrestling and pressure of Zhu that proved to be the biggest difference. The Chinese prospect certainly landed his own shots on the feet, but he did most of his damage with heavy ground-and-pound. Jenkins started to wilt towards the end of the third round and Zhu turned up the heat to find the finish.

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

Zhu is one of the more exciting prospects to hit the UFC roster in a long time. Even at the age of 21 he’s already logged 22 professional fights with 16 equally-impressive finishes. Tonight’s dominant win over Jenkins is just a sign of things to come from the talented lightweight.

For complete UFC Vegas 37 results and coverage click HERE.