Author: Dan Hiergesell

Rob Font looked championship ready earlier tonight (Sat., May 22, 2021) at UFC Vegas 27 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, when he outlasted former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt to the tune of a unanimous decision.

There way a long feeling out period before Font caught Garbrandt behind the ear and briefly wobbled him. “No Love” rebounded to score his first takedown inside of the Octagon since his fight against Dominick Cruz and scored some top time. Garbrandt took the fight to the ground again in the second, but Font threatened with a nasty kimura to get free. Font regained momentum with a consistent barrage of combinations and strikes from range that bloodied Garbrandt for the final minutes of the round.

Font continued to lead the dance in the third round as Garbrandt struggled to stay off his back foot. Font used his jab to set up bigger combinations as “No Love” absorbed the shots and stood in harm’s way. The fourth round was much of the same as Font pushed forward and unloaded on Garbrandt at will. Font didn’t go in for the kill but he really started to batter Garbrandt’s face.

Garbrandt came out firing in Round 5 but it wasn’t enough to stop Font’s forward movement. Font was able to control the exchanges again and cruised to the decision win.

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

For complete UFC Vegas 27 results and coverage click here.

Former champion Carla Esparza cemented her bid for a UFC women’s strawweight title shot earlier tonight (Sat., May 22, 2021) at UFC Vegas 27 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, when she stopped red-hot contender Yan Xiaonan via second-round TKO (punches).

Esparza wasted little time shooting in for a takedown and methodically working her way into side control. “Cookie Monster” started to land some nasty elbows and punches towards the end of the first that really bloodied Xiaonan. In Round 2, Esparza went back to the well, scored another easy takedown, and bashed her way to a bloody TKO finish.

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

This is Esparza’s fifth-straight win in the 115-pound division and a finish that will put her in position to challenge current champion Rose Namajunas later this year. Esparza choked out “Thug” back in 2014 to win The Ultimate Fighter Season 20 and the inaugural UFC women’s strawweight title so it will be interesting to see what the rematch looks like.

For complete UFC Vegas 27 results and coverage click here.

As soon as UFC Vegas 27 wraps up later tonight (Sat., May 22, 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 bantamweight headliner pitting rising contender Rob Font against former UFC champion Cody Garbrandt, a women’s strawweight co-main event between former titleholder Carla Esparza and the red-hot Yan Xiaonan, and a middleweight scrap featuring Jack Hermansson and young contender Edmen Shahbazyan, 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, featuring the biggest winners and losers from the card.

For complete UFC Vegas 27 results and coverage click here.

Paul Felder announced his retirement from MMA earlier tonight (Sat., May 22, 2021) during the broadcast of UFC Vegas 27 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Felder, who was posted up cageside for commentary duties, took a moment before the heavyweight matchup between Justin Tafa and Jared Vanderaa to speak to UFC fans and put an official end to his fighting career. “Irish Dragon” said he didn’t feel the burning desire to continue fighting as a potential shot at UFC gold started to slip away. Felder also believed he’d be holding up the lightweight division if he stayed around.

“I don’t have that burning desire to fight for many more years to become the champion,” said Felder in his emotional send off (shown above courtesy of UFC/ESPN). “I’m retiring officially from the sport of mixed martial arts and from the UFC.”

“I fought some of the baddest dudes in the division and I want to thank all of them,” Felder said moments later. “My apologies for holding up the division for all the guys behind me… I’m officially stepping down, it’s not right to hold up the division.”

Felder, 37, was the No. 9-ranked fighter in the 155-pound division before making his decision to retire. The talented striker lost his last two Octagon appearances in exciting main events against Dan Hooker and Rafael Dos Anjos.

Felder will leave behind a 17-6 record (9-6 UFC) and six UFC post-fight bonus awards. His most notable wins came against Edson Barboza, Danny Castillo, and current UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira.

For complete UFC Vegas 27 results and coverage click here.

Heavyweight veteran Ben Rothwell spoiled the Octagon debut of Chris Barnett earlier tonight (Sat., May 22, 2021) at UFC Vegas 27 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, when “Big Ben” scored a second-round submission finish (guillotine choke).

Despite filling in on short notice Barnett came out swinging and tried to take Rothwell’s head off. Unfortunately for Barnett, Rothwell has a head of stone and ate every shot. Rothwell was able to tire Barnett in the first with some good top pressure before brining it back to the ground in the second. That’s where “Big Ben” quickly locked up the choke and eventual finish.

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

This finish lands Rothwell back in the win column after losing a decision to Marcin Tybura in Oct. 2020. It was a good showing for Rothwell who still has the size, experience, and finishing ability to make another run at the heavyweight top 15.

For complete UFC Vegas 27 results and coverage click here.

Bruno Silva captured another gnarly knockout finish earlier tonight (Sat., May 22, 2021) at UFC Vegas 27 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, when the Brazilian power puncher stopped flyweight counterpart Victor Rodriguez just 60 seconds into the first round.

Silva wasted no time coming out and swinging hard. He connected with a flush knee inside that caught Rodriguez to the body and seemed to hurt him bad. Silva immediately rushed in and landed a brutal right hand that sent Rodriguez flying to the canvas. A few more punches on the ground was all that was needed for Silva to claim the fast knockout stoppage.

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

After beginning his UFC career at 0-2 (1 NC) Silva has finally found his footing in the growing 125-pound division. This was an absolutely vicious stoppage and one that should land Silva an even bigger fight his next time out.

For complete UFC Vegas 27 results and coverage click here.