Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will pull the trigger on UFC 251, which takes place on Yas Island — also known as “Fight Island” — in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, TONIGHT (Sat., July 11, 2020), streaming live online via ESPN+. The pay-per-view (PPV) event will feature reigning welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, who defends his 170-pound strap against late replacement and No. 3-ranked title contender Jorge Masvidal. UFC 251 also hosts the featherweight rematch pitting 145-pound kingpin Alexander Volkanovski against former champion Max Holloway in the five-round co-headliner, while Petr Yan and Jose Aldo collide for the vacant 135-pound strap. In addition, former strawweight champions Jessica Andrade and Rose Namajunas run it back for a spot in the crowded 115-pound title chase, while Paige VanZant looks to increase her bargaining power against flyweight bruiser Amanda Ribas.
MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 251 fight card below, starting with the ESPN+/ESPN “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. ET, then the remaining undercard balance on ESPN+/ESPN at 8 p.m. ET, before the PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
Keep in mind that we will also be the spot for the latest news, recaps, and post-fight analysis following “Usman vs. Masvidal.” Without further delay, see below for the latest UFC 251 results. (Note: This will go from the bottom up; therefore, scroll toward the bottom for the latest detailed round-by-round action.)
UFC 251 QUICK RESULTS:
Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal — Usman def. Masvidal by unanimous decision (50-45 x2, 49-46) — HIGHLIGHTS!
Alexander Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway — Volkanovski def. Holloway by split decision (47-48, 48-47 x2) — HIGHLIGHTS!
Jose Aldo vs. Petr Yan — Yan def. Aldo by TKO (punches) at 3:24 of Round Five — HIGHLIGHTS!
Jessica Andrade vs. Rose Namajunas — Namajunas def. Andrade by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Amanda Ribas vs. Paige VanZant — Ribas def. VanZant by submission (armbar) at 2:21 of Round One
Volkan Oezdemir vs. Jiri Prochazka — Prochazka def. Oezdemir by KO (punch) at 0:49 of Round Two — HIGHLIGHTS!
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos vs. Muslim Salikhov — Salikhov def. Zaleski dos Santos by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
Makwan Amirkhani vs. Danny Henry — Amirkhani def. Henry by technical submission (anaconda choke) at 3:15 of Round One — HIGHLIGHTS!
Leonardo Santos vs. Roman Bogatov — Santos def. Bogatov by unanimous decision (29-26 x3)
Marcin Tybura vs. Maxim Grishin — Tybura def. Grishin by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 30-26)
Raulian Paiva vs. Zhalgas Zhumagulov — Paiva def. Zhumagulov by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Karol Rosa vs. Vanessa Melo — Rosa def. Melo by unanimous decision (30-26 x2, 30-27)
Martin Day vs. Davey Grant — Grant def. Day by KO (punch) at 2:38 of Round Three — HIGHLIGHTS!
UFC 251 PLAY-BY-PLAY:
170 lbs.: UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal
Round 1: Masvidal opens with a series of kicks. Usman catches one of the leg kicks for a takedown into guard. They trade elbows for a moment. More strikes off the back from Masvidal a minute in. Usman grabs the front headlock as Masvidal gets space and spins to his knees. Masvidal stands and separates, eats a pair of body shots. Superman punch attempt. Two minutes in. Good knee and inside punches form Masvidal. Body kick. Usman body kick in return. Usman shoots, puts him on the fence. Masvidal posts to avoid the takedown, still tied up. Elbow lands for him. Two minutes to go.
Trading clinch shots. Usman with an elbow on the break. Combinations continue to flow for the challenger. Brief slip. One minute to go. Counter combo lands for Masvidal. Counter overhand. 1-2. Usman 1-2 falls short. Masvidal lands a right hand, trades short shots in the clinch. 10-9 Masvidal.
Round 2: Masvidal low kick to body kick. Usman looks for a single-leg, good defense by Masvidal. Usman left hook into a takedown attempt. More good defense. Short knees by Usman, pressing him against the fence a minute in. Foot stomps. More clinch grinding. Masvidal lands an elbow and a knee, nearly separates, gets pressed against the fence again. Two minutes in. Body shots by Usman. Usman with a nice two-piece on the break after taking a few clinch strikes. Masvidal swings a big right, gets put on the fence again. Two minutes to go.
Yet more grinding by Usman. Body punches, foot stomps, thigh punches. Shoulder strikes. One minute to go. They separate. More kicks form Usman, combination upstairs. They trade body shots. Shifting right from Masvidal met by a body shot. 10-9 Usman.
Round 3: Masvidal continuing to switch stance, follows a low kick with a 1-2 and body shot. Usman tries to mug against the fence as Masvidal mocks him. More foot stomps by Usman as he gets the clinch. One minute in. Elbow from Masvidal, left hand by Usman on the break. Body kick by Masvidal. Usman shoots back in and puts him back on the fence. Low blow from Usman prompts the ref to separate them two minutes in. Back to the center. Masvidal tries an overhand right and low kick. Two minutes to go.
Check hook by Masvidal. Usman ducks a 1-2 for a double-leg against the fence. Masivdal makes it to his feet, slammed back down into side control away from the fence. Masvidal tries to roll free, eats an elbow for his trouble and regains guard with a minute to go. Can opener by Usman. Solid elbows until the bell. 10-9 Usman.
Round 4: Usman lands a right downstairs, fires a body kick and changes levels for a single-leg. He puts Masvidal on the fence and goes back to his usual diet of body punches, thigh punches, and foot stomps. One minute in. Usman continues to grind, gets the rear waist lock and continues to grind away. Masvidal manages to turn and get an underhook. Usman complains about Masvidal grabbing his glove. Usman changes levels, lands a pair of good punches, changes levels again. Good short shots by Masvidal on the break. Spinning back fist goes high. Two minutes to go.
Masvidal sending out kicks, eats a right hand and denies a shot. Big left hand by Usman. Another overhand left and he ties up again. One minute to go. Usman staying heavy, still grinding. Hard elbow by Usman. 10-9 Usman.
Round 5: Usman jabs the body. Masvidal visibly slowed at this point. Jabs from Usman. He backs Masvidal against the fence and shoots through a counter to take him down into guard. One minute in. Usman staying heavy, lands some elbows against the fence. Two minutes in. Looking for side control, gets it. Masvidal attempts to bridge but cannot. Elbows from Usman, looking for mount. Masvidal rolls to his knees with two minutes to go.
Usman holding onto the front headlock. One minute to go. Knee to the chest. Masvidal makes it back to his feet against the fence. Masvidal fires knees, takes a right hand as they separate. Masvidal going for it. Flying knee falls short, head kick blocked. Masvidal body kick, Usman right hand. 10-9 Usman.
Final result: Usman def. Masvidal by unanimous decision
145 lbs.: UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway
Round 1: Holloway advances, walks into an overhand right and takes a leg kick. Holloway falls short on a low kick. One minute in. Low kick from Volkanovski, takes a counter left. Low kick exchange. Holloway left hook, uppercut downstairs two minutes in. Volkanovski low kicks answered in kind. Holloway body kick. Uppercut-jab by the former champ. Trading low kicks again, Holloway jab. Left hook from Volkanovski, then a 3-2. Two minutes to go.
Simultaneous leg kicks. Holloway continuing to advance, answers a low kick with a 1-2 and mocks Volkanovski for stumbling. They trade kicks and jabs. One minute to go. Holloway tries a jumping knee. Cross counter from Volkanovski. Holloway body kick, Volkanovski low kicks. Spinning back kick by Holloway, then a head kick that drops Volkanovski for a moment. He comes up swinging. 10-9 Holloway.
Round 2: Left hook and low kicks from Volkanovski. Holloway steps in with a kick. Double low kick by Volkanovski, then they exchange. Uppercut and left hook catch Volkanovski leaning. One minute in. Jab exchange, Volkanovski leg kick. Holloway with a snap kick downstairs. Two minutes in. Counter 2-1 from the champion. Holloway low kicks. Volkanovski jabs, Holloway hook. Volkanovski low kick and body shot, blocks a head kick. Trading low kicks. Left hook by Volkanovski, more leg kicks. Two minutes to go.
Knee to the body from Holloway, head kick attempt blocked. More low kicks by Volkanovski. Counter hook catches Holloway coming in. Body kick from Holloway, then a straight right. Volkanovski body kick. One minute to go. Volkanovski counters. Holloway tries another head kick. Lead right, head kick attempt. Volkanovski low kick met by a spinning back kick. Counter uppercut floors Volkanovski again, though he pops back up. 10-9 Holloway.
Round 3: Volkanovski goes back to the leg kicks. Holloway tries a head kick. Jumping knee attempt near the fence. One minute in. Volkanovski low kick. Exchange. Volkanovski with a left downstairs. Volkanovski jabs, Holloway low kick. Hard left hook by the champ. Two minutes in. Volkanovski makes a good takedown entry, can’t complete it. Outside trip isn’t there. Holloway exits with a knee and right hook. Two minutes to go.
Volkanovski low kick, Holloway uppercut. Left hook from Volkanovski. Short right hand. Holloway counter left, eats a jab. Volkanovski low kick to left hook. One minute to go. Low kick exchange. Holloway tries a head kick, eats a leg kick. Stiff Volkanovski jab. Combination by Volkanovski. 10-9 Volkanovski.
Round 4: Holloway tries a spinning back kick. They exchange in the center. Stiff jab and low kick from the champ. Low kick to left hook. One minute in. Combination by Holloway. Some brief technical difficulties. Trading low kicks. Two minutes in. Both land jabs to the body. Uppercut-jab and spinning back kick form Holloway. Jab exchange. Low kick exchange. Two minutes to go.
Volkanovski gets double unders and hits an outside trip near the fence. Holloway gets back to his feet, takes a short left on the break. Trading jabs once again. Both land low kicks. One minute to go. Volkanovski looks for a single-leg, eats short punches for his troubles. Holloway uppercut, Volkanovski overhand right. Shifting 1-2 by Volkanovski. Holloway tries a jumping knee and lands a right hook, then tries a cartwheel kick at the bell. 10-9 Holloway.
Round 5: They trade low kicks, Holloway follows up with a head kick. Still advancing, throwing combinations. Good left hand in combination, Volkanovski comes back with some solid punches of his own and blocks a head kick. One minute in. Volkanovski jabs into the clinch. Good left on the break. Right hand from Volkanovski. Another overhand inside. Knee tap attempt. Hard counter left. Both try head kicks. Leg kick exchange, Volkanovski left hook. Two minutes in. Holloway with a pair of uppercuts. Holloway punishes an overextension with a combination. Volkanovski leg kick and jab. Holloway straight right. Two minutes to go.
Volkanovski completes an inside reap into guard. Holloway uses the fence to stand right away. They separate. Volkanovski left hook and low kick. Holloway uppercut met by a right hand. Volkanovski shoots again, denied. One minute to go. Holloway side kick, Volkanovski low kick. Volknaovski shoots again, denied again. Volkanovski jabs, Holloway tries a flying knee and Volkanovski ties up, taking the former champ down at the bell. 10-9 Volkanovski.
Final result: Volkanovski def. Holloway by split decision
135 lbs.: Jose Aldo vs. Petr Yan for vacant bantamweight title
Round 1: Both men looking to jab early. Aldo checks a low kick. Right hand downstairs met by a Yan body jab. Yan head kick attempt, takes a left hook and avoids a combo. One minute in. Yan falls short with a 2-3 a minute in. Big 1-2 by Yan after taking a low kick. Aldo looking to throw back. Yan body jab. Low kick launches Yan to the mat. Nice exchange in the center. Two minutes in. Aldo lands a jab. Yan tries a head kick. Two minutes to go.
Aldo tries a body kick, lands a 1-2-1. Yan looks for a body shot. 1-2 from Aldo. Yan lands a right cross upstairs, eats another hard leg kick and comes back with a jab. One minute to go. 1-1-2 from Yan lands clean. Aldo shoots, can’t complete it and Yan takes top position. Aldo grabs Yan’s glove and Yan cracks him with some heavy punches. Aldo suddenly covers up from a body shot and Yan tries to bomb him, but can’t get the finish. 10-9 Yan.
Round 2: Yan fires a high kick. Low kick from Aldo. Another. Aldo body kick. Yan lands a straight left. Aldo straight right. One minute in. Yan head kick blocked, low-high 2-3 lands. Aldo comes back with a leg kick. Yan to the body. Aldo digs a left hook downstairs and eats a two-piece in return. Hard Aldo leg kick. Two minutes in. Aldo low kick after taking a right to the body. More low kicks. Yan body kick. 1-2 falls short. 1-2 lands from southpaw. Two minutes to go.
Aldo with a right downstairs. Body kick lands. Counter left by Aldo. Body shot. One minute to go. Aldo low kick. Head kick, body shot. 1-2 from Yan. Aldo rips the body again. Right hand this time. Yan tries to open up at the bell, takes a body kick. 10-9 Aldo.
Round 3: Body kicks and knee from Aldo. Nice left hook and body shot. Yan body kick and side kick. Another body kick. One minute in. Aldo to the body inside. Yan forces him back with a jab. Another one. Aldo digs a right downstairs. Left hands downstairs land clean. More body shots and a right hand stings Yan. Two minutes in. Yan looks for an uppercut, lands one inside. Nice knee by Aldo after a checked low kick. Double jab from Yan. Two minutes to go.
Straight right lands for Aldo, then a body shot. 3-2 by Yan, 1-2 downstairs. Combination by Yan, looking to open up. Spinning elbow lands for Yan, then a jab. One minute to go. Aldo rips the body and eats a combination . More combination work by Yan. Aldo comes back with a knee. Hard elbow by Yan on the break. Body kick lands. Aldo with a straight right and they clinch. Aldo fires a spinning elbow at the bell. 10-9 Yan.
Round 4: Trading combinations to start. Aldo body kick. Yan lands a straight left and Aldo ties up. Separation. Low kick and body kick from Yan. Aldo fires a knee upstairs. Double right hand low-high. Aldo rips a body shot and gets cracked by a big right hook in return a minute in. Step-in knee and elbow from Aldo. Aldo body shot, Yan combination. Yan to the body, takes an uppercut. Double uppercut from Yan, right hand to the body from Aldo. Yan lands a knee to the body and tries a trip. Two minutes in. Trading jabs. Yan doubles up the left hand. Yan looks to be coming on stronger, tries a jump knee. Two minutes to go.
Aldo circling out of danger. Yan bangs the body. Low kick, right hook, body shot. Yan walking him down, lands a combination on the fence. Brutal uppercuts and a right hook. Yan catches a leg and trips Aldo to the mat. He stands over Aldo and drops punches with a minute to go. Aldo closes his guard. Some hard GnP from Yan. 10-9 Yan.
Round 5: 1-2 stumbles Aldo right off the bat. A left uppercut sends the former champ to the mat and Yan takes half guard. Aldo holding on, takes left hands and a nasty elbow. One minute in. Yan repeatedly pinning down Aldo’s arm with his shin and landing punches and elbows. Now on the back, nasty hammerfists. Aldo still trying to move with two minutes to go. More punches, knee to the body. Aldo rolling for his life and getting punished. Stuck on his knees, continues to eat shots. Two minutes to go.
Finally, the accumulation of punches is enough to send the ref into action. Petr Yan is your new UFC Bantamweight Champion.
Final result: Yan def. Aldo by TKO (punches)
115 lbs.: Jessica Andrade vs. Rose Namajunas
Round 1: Andrade with a low kick to start, falls short with body punches. Namajunas lands a jab, takes more low kicks. More jabs by Namajunas, avoiding a blitz. One minute in. Namajunas counters a low kick with a straight right, has a kick caught. Counter right and hook, then a 2-1. Counter 1-2. Andrade winging hooks, not landing them but still connecting with low kicks. Two minutes in. She answers a jab with a left hook, lands another upstairs. Good exchanges in the center, Namajunas to the head and Andrade to the body. Two minutes to go.
Andrade left hook, Namajunas right hand. Andrade tries a flying knee, takes some right hands and rushes into the clinch. Swatting right from the Brazilian before they exit. Namajunas with a low kick and right cross. 1-2. Andrade to the body, lands a leg kick. One minute to go. Namajunas lead right. Andrade shoots, denied, eats a pair of knees. Both try head kicks. 10-9 Namajunas.
Round 2: Namajunas continues to land the jab. Straight right. Andrade struggling to get inside. Low kicks landing for her. One minute in. Andrade tries a combo. Namajunas tries a flying knee and lands a right hand. Left hook connects. Andrade low kicks met by jabs. Uppercut lands for her, fake level change. 1-1-2 by Namajunas in return. Double right hand met by a body shot. Low kick and jab, then a left hook that cracks Andrade. Andrade comes back with a cross counter and eats a 1-2. Another flying knee from Namajunas, who scrambles out from under Andrade after slipping. Two minutes to go.
More clean jabs by Namajunas. Heavy counter right. Counter 2-1. Low kick exchange. Andrade swings, can’t reach her, eats a 1-2 and shoots. Clinched up, good right hand and body kick on the break. One minute to go. Namajunas 1-2 met by a leg kick. Quick exchange in the center. Andrade bangs the body. Andrade charges, trades until the bell. 10-9 Namajunas.
Round 3: Andrade comes out aggressive as usual, lands a right hand downstairs. Trading inside, knee by Namajunas. They trade straight rights. Namajunas counter jab. One minute in. More jabs met by an Andrade uppercut. Andrade overhand and body kick. Namajunas comes back with some sharp headshots. Picking Andrade off with jabs. Andrade uppercut just misses. Two minutes in. Next uppercut lands and Namajunas tries to come back with a flying knee. Andrade connects with a hard overhand right and throws her into guard. One of those uppercuts appears to have smashed Namajunas’ nose. She kicks Andrade off and stands. Two minutes to go.
Spinning back kick and a heavy 1-2 from Namajunas, who eats a right hook on the break after trying a knee. Jab exchange. Namajunas lead right. Andrade charging, running into jabs. One minute to go. Good flurry by Andrade, eats a 1-2. Namajunas shoots, reversed, gets to her feet and separates. They continue to throw until the bell. 10-9 Namajunas.
Final result: Namajunas def. Andrade by split decision
125 lbs.: Amanda Ribas vs. Paige VanZant
Round 1: Low kick from Ribas kicks things off. VanZant fires a couple of her own. Ribas body kick as she presses forward. Knees to the body land for her as VanZant puts her on the fence. Jockeying for position and Ribas gets the head-and-arm throw into scarf hold. One minute in. Ribas sporting a bloody nose. VanZant looks for the back, but Ribas steps over into an armbar attempt two minutes in. Ribas goes belly-down and there’s the tap.
Final result: Ribas def. VanZant by submission (armbar)
205 lbs.: Volkan Oezdemir vs. Jiri Prochazka
Round 1: They trade lefts to start. Jabs from Oezdemir as Prochazka switches stance. Low kick by Oezdemir, jab lands. Two-piece by Oezdemir, who gets stung by a jab a minute in. Prochazka body shot, eats a jab. Jabs by the Czech. Oezdemir low kick and straight right, then another that hurts Prochazka. Prochazka manages to circle out of danger. Two minutes in. Combination lands for Prochazka. Oezdemir leg kick. Another. Prochazka jab and uppercut. Another jab. Two minutes to go.
Body kick by Prochazka met by a heavy left hand. Oezdemir body kick and low kick. They trade lead hands. Brief clinch. Check hook from Oezdemir, uppercut, combination. Leg kick. Right hand behind the ear stings Prochazka again. Oezdemir can’t put him down with floow-ups, gets stung by a left hand in return. Swinging heat against the fence. Prochazka lands a counter right and gets taken down. He pops back up. 10-9 Oezdemir.
Round 2: Lead right lands for Prochazka. Low kick connects, then a clean head kick that stings Oezdemir. Counter uppercut and right hand by Prochazka, who chases Oezdemir down with a nuclear 1-2 that puts Oezdemir to sleep.
Final result: Prochazka def. Oezdemir by KO (punch)
170 lbs.: Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos vs. Muslim Salikhov
Round 1: Low kick from Zaleski to start. Salikhov catches a body kick and looks to counter. Zaleski tries a head kick, eats a low kick. One minute in. Another head kick attempt. Salikhov counter right. Body kick attempt. Zaleski lands one of his own. Counter right and low kick from Salikhov. Two minutes in. Quick flurry lands for the Brazilian. Salikhov wheel kick falls short. He takes a low kick. Spinning back kick. Two minutes to go.
Zaleski tries his own wheel kick and avoids a 1-2. 1-2 of his own, blocks a spinning kick upstairs. Sneaky hook by the Dagestani. Both sling hard rights. One minute to go. Zaleski shoots, denied. They trade body blows in the clinch. Hard right hand wobbles Salikhov, who shoots in response. Zaleski looking to pound him out. 10-9 Zaleski dos Santos.
Round 2: Salikhov looks to jab, Zaleski sends out front kicks. 1-2 by the Brazilian. Jab lands, avoids a spinning back kick. They swing hard, Salikhov backs him off with a stiff jab. One minute in. Zaleski tries to spin and gets slung to the mat for his trouble. Salikhov lets him up. 1-2 stings Salikhov again and the Russian looks for a takedown, avoiding an armbar. Two minutes in. Zaleski tries to wrench him down, cannot. Knee to the body, failed outside trip. Salikhov reverses, gets reversed, and separates. Glancing counter right by Salikhov. Two minutes to go.
Salikhov check hook. Wheel kick goes high. Zaleski tries a spinning back kick, lands a body kick. Salikhov counter jab. Wheel kick goes high again. One minute to go. Zaleski jab, Salikhov uppercut. Salikhov check hook. He tries to spin, avoids a two-piece. Closer round. 10-9 Zaleski.
Round 3: 1-2 from Zaleski. Counter right for Salikhov, then a heavy spinning back kick to the body. Zaleski capoeira kick falls short. 1-2 lands. One minute in. Hard left hand stings Zaleski a minute in. Counter right. Counter right again catches Zaleski swinging. Jab exchange. Two minutes in. Hard right from Zaleski met by counters. They trade in the center. Salikhov 1-2, counter right from Zaleski. Two mintues to go.
Both swing big near the fence. Cross counter lands clean for Salikhov. Overhand right by Zaleski. Salikhov right hand falls short. One minute to go. Salikhov wheel kick just misses. Zaleski tries a tornado kick and blocks a wheel kick. 10-9 Salikhov.
Final result: Salikhov def. Zaleski dos Santos by split decision
145 lbs.: Makwan Amirkhani vs. Danny Henry
Round 1: Henry orthodox, Amirkhani southpaw to start. Both pawing with their lead hands. Low kick lands for Henry a minute in. Henry tries a body kick. Jumping switch kick attempt. Two minutes in. Body kick blocked. Both whiff on hooks. Amirkhani tries a flying knee and shoots in behind it. He drags Henry down from the bodylock, looks for the back, then transitions to a guillotine and subsequently an anaconda choke. Two minutes to go.
Amirkhani puts the squeeze on and out go the lights.
Final result: Amirkhani def. Henry by technical submission (anaconda choke)
155 lbs.: Leonardo Santos vs. Roman Bogatov
Round 1: Bogatov on the advance, slips and eats some right hands on the way up. Santos tries a leg kick. Good 1-2 a minute in. Bogatov tries to spin, lands a right hand and body kick. Jab lands. Counter 1-2 from Santos. He takes a finger in the eye. Bogatov tries to spin again and Santos looks to take the back two minutes in. Bogatov tries to granby roll through, manages to separate. Jab from the Russian. Low kick met by a Santos knee. Two minutes to go.
Low kick spins Bogatov around. Bogatov advancing, landing glancing kicks and punches. Body kicks land. Jab exchange. One minute to go. Spinning elbow attempt from Bogatov. Bogatov looks for a low single, settles for a body kick. Body kick and jab. Spinning elbow, again potentially gives up the back. 10-9 Bogatov on late activity.
Round 2: Santos sending out counter rights. Bogatov continues to march after him, whiffs on another spin and eats a hard body kick. Jabs from Santos, Bogatov left hooks and he shoots. Santos throws some Browne elbows. One minute in. More elbows as Bogatov tries to drive. They separate. Bogatov body kick and jab, then a low kick. Hard knees by Santos and he hurts Bogatov with a brutal 1-2 inside. Santos charges after him with more huge right hands, switches to knees, kicks him in the face, drops him with a right, and sprawls on a takedown. More punches and he looks for the back. Two minutes to go.
More punches piling up. Bogatov somehow manages to turn into top position and take a low mount against the fence. Santos closes his guard. Punches from Bogatov. Santos can’t hit the omoplata. Bogatov ends the round bombing. 10-9 Santos.
Round 3: Bogatov comes out aggressively, landing jabs. He changes levels for a takedown, denied with a whizzer. Hard knee to the jewels sends Santos to the ground in agony. He takes a while to recover, but ultimately does. Bogatov lands a right hand and kick downstairs before shooting in. Relentless chain wrestling, can’t establish a minute in. Looking for a single-leg. He tries a spinning elbow, lands a right downstairs. Two minutes in. He changes levels, locks his hands, still can’t get Santos all the way down. Another knee to the balls from Bogatov. He comes back out with a spinning elbow and shoots, still can’t get him all the way down against the fence. Two minutes to go.
Now he gets Santos to his butt. Santos gets to one knee and Bogatov hits him with an illegal knee to the face. Referee takes two points from Bogatov, who rushes in afterwards. Good punches, takedown attempt. Continuing to push forward, landing jabs. Overhand right lands, uppercut. He tries to spin on the break, continues to sling leather at Santos. Hard uppercut prompts the Brazilian to shoot. 9-8 Santos.
Final result: Santos def. Bogatov by unanimous decision
265 lbs.: Marcin Tybura vs. Maxim Grishin
Round 1: Low kick from Tybura, Grishin lands a left downstairs. Low kick from Grishin. Tybura falling short with his own. Tybura catches a kick a minute in, can’t get the takedown. Grishin backing out of danger when Tybura throws. Tybura ties up on the fence. They separate and Grishin blocks a kick. Tybura with a lead right into double unders two minutes in. Outside trip isn’t there. More grinding. Knee to the body. Grishin gets double unders and reverses on the fence. Two minutes to go.
They separate. Jab from Grishin, lead right from Tybura. Tybura leg kick, blocks a right hand and ties up. Jockeying for position. One minute to go. Tybura elbow, Grishin knee. Tybura runs the pipe, can’t get him all the way down. 10-9 Tybura.
Round 2: Tybura with a straight left and a body kick that lands to the groin. Trading when they resume. One minute in. Tybura swings a left and ties up. Some brief confusion after a groin strike from Grishin two minutes in. Tybura still trying to change levels. Denied. More clinch grinding from Tybura. Two minutes to go.
Elbow from the Pole, short left hand behind it. Grishin lands an elbow on the break. Tybura counters a high kick with a right cross. One minute to go. Grishin uppercut falls short. Tybura puts him on the fence once again. He locks his hands and finally completes a takedown. 10-9 Tybura.
Round 3: Tybura tries to leap in with a left hook, then attempts a front kick. Grishin denies a level change. Good right cross lands for him. Tybura lands a rushing left. He changes levels and puts Grishin on the fence once again. One minute in. Grishin defending with a kimura grip. Tybura moves to the rear waist lock and fires knees. He manages to lock his hands under Grishin’s hips and take him down away from the fence. Two minutes in. Tybura moves to half guard and lands elbows. Now to mount with two minutes to go.
Tybura takes the back and wraps up the body triangle. Trying to adjust position. One minute to go. Hunting for the RNC, then back to punching. Grishin unable to turn into him. 10-9 Tybura.
Final result: Tybura def. Grishin by unanimous decision
125 lbs.: Raulian Paiva vs. Zhalgas Zhumagulov
Round 1: Zhumagulov on the advance early. Right hook whiffs. Paiva tries a head kick. Both look for counters a minute in. Hard counter uppercut and left hook from Paiva, then a body kick. Zhumagulov to the body, tries a head kick two minutes in. Low kick catches Zhumagulov throwing. Zhumagulov with a counter right. Short flurry by the Brazilian. He counters a low kick and ties up against the fence. They separate. Two minutes to go.
Paiva doubles up the body kick. Then another. Counter right by Zhumagulov, jabs the body. Another Paiva body kick. One minute to go. Zhumagulov takes him down, doesn’t follow into top position. Body kick exchange. Zhumagulov jabs the body. Both swing right hands. Another knee tap by Zhumagulov, knee on the way up, can’t get him all the way down again. 10-9 Paiva.
Round 2: Zhumagulov knocks Paiva off-balance to start. Good combination, body kick at the end. He catches a body kick and tries to trip him down. Paiva tries a 1-2 and eats a right hook. One minute in. Paiva body kick, eats low kicks. Zhumagulob lands a body shot and takes a right punch to the eye. He shrugs it off and lands to the body. Good low kick after eating a body kick. Zhumagulov shoots, lands a knee. Two minutes in. Low kick lands. Paiva head kick falls short. He throws three right hands consecutively and briefly ties up. Zhumagulov body kick met by a right hand. Two minutes to go.
Paiva tries a jumping front kick. Zhumagulov staying out of range. Paiva body kick, Zhumagulov low kick and body shot. Zhumagulov answers a body shot with a hook upstairs. One minute to go. Paiva swinging right hands. Zhumagulov with a 1-2 downstairs. Low kicks. Counter right hand, Paiva clinches in response. Nice hip toss by Zhumagulov into guard, fires elbows. 10-9 Zhumagulov.
Round 3: Trading leg kicks to start. Zhumagulov goes low-high. They trade right hands and Paiva follows up with a body kick. Counter right from Zhumagulov, circles away from return fire. One minute in. Low kick from Paiva. Body kick met by a leg kick. Right hand exchange. Zhumagulov fires a counter left. Two minutes in. Zhumagulov takes him down, can’t establish. Paiva tries a head kick. Zhumagulov answers a body kick with a low kick. Antoerh Paiva body kick, leg kick exchange. Two minutes t ogo.
Zhumagulov low kick, tries to shoot, gets taken briefly to the fence. Low kick exchange. Big counter left by Zhumagulov lands clean. Paiva doubles up the right and clinches up. Back to the center. Gnarly groin kick sends Zhumagulov to his knees. One minute to go when they resume. Zhumagulov goes for another takedown, Paiva granby rolls free. Zhumagulov ducks a right hand for a takedown attempt, denied. Another attempt, another denial and Zhumagulov takes a knee to the ballas at the bell. 10-9 Zhumagulov.
Final result: Paiva def. Zhumagulov by unanimous decision
135 lbs.: Karol Rosa vs. Vanessa Melo
Round 1: The two come out and meet in the center. Both throwing 1-2s, Rosa adding kicks. Low kick and left hook from Rosa. Front kick downstairs, another low kick. Counter jab. Melo answers a low kick with a left hook. Rosa low kick and 1-2, then she slips. Outworking Melo so far. Jabs and low kicks from Rosa, left hook son after. Melo with a left hook. Two minutes in. More Rosa low kicks. Melo digs a right downstairs. Rosa lands a low kick, avoids a 1-2, another low kick. Rosa slips again. Two minutes to go.
Jab to low kick, Melo comes back to the body. Both fire low kicks. More Rosa jabs, Melo trying to counter. Well-timed takedown into guard by Rosa, setting up in guard. Patient GnP from Rosa. 10-9 Rosa.
Round 2: Jabs from both women early on. Low kick exchange, Rosa 1-2. Another inside low kick. Left hook. 3-2 from Rosa after taking a low kick. One minute in. Rosa fires a flying knee, lands a 1-2 behind it. Rosa left hook. Melo shoots, denied. She puts Rosa on the fence, gets reversed. Two minutes in. Outside trip gets Rosa into top half guard. Elbows and left hands from Rosa. Two minutes to go.
More left hands by Rosa. Punches piling up. One minute to go. Rosa controlling a wrist and punching as Melo tries to stand. More shots until the bell. 10-8 Rosa.
Round 3: Back to the jabs and kicks goes Rosa. Melo advancing, lands a low kick, avoids a jumping knee. Melo lands a low kick and checks one in return. One minute in. Rosa’s jab continues to land. Melo looking for her own jabs and low kicks. Rosa lands a knee to the body, then an elbow-left hook combo. Uppercut falls short. Melo leg kicks. Two minutes in. Rosa continues to crack her with the jab. Knee attempt to 1-2. Melo lands a left downstairs. Rosa shoots, sprawled on, eats a left hook on the break. Melo coming on more aggressively this round. They trade in the center. Two minutes to go.
Melo with a 1-2, low kick exchange. Cross counter, stalking forward. They trade left hands. Melo shoots, gets pressed against the fence. Trading knees inside. One minute to go. Trading more knees. Rosa looks for a late takedown, avoids a counter hip toss. 10-9 Rosa.
Final result: Rosa def. Melo by unanimous decision
135 lbs.: Martin Day vs. Davey Grant
Round 1: Grant steps in with low kicks to start. Side kick attempt met by a Day body shot. Grant switching stance, avoids a head kick. One minute in. Grant digs a right to the body. Day tries a 1-2. Again, falls short. Grant looking for combos, lands a check hook. Day tries a spinning back kick. Two minutes in. Grant fires a combination, then walks directly into a murderous right hand that floors him. Day follows him down into guard and Grant ties up. Grant gets to his feet and separates with two minutes to go.
Day sends out some kicks. Grant tries a head kick. Check hook lands. Day digs a left hand downstairs in return. Leg kick lands for him, then a 1-2. Grant gets in deep on a double-leg, pulls him away from the fence, and puts him on the mat with a minute to go. Grant lands a few shots, stuck in guard. Day looks to sit up and grab a leg for his own takedown, can’t complete it. 10-9 Day.
Round 2: Low-high combo from Grant. Day tries a jumping switch kick, eats a left hook. Good right hand from Grant met by an angry hook from Day. Day digs a jab downstairs, has a kick caught but pulls it free. He tries to spin again, lands a left hook. One minute in. Grant tries a Superman punch. Exchanges in the center. Good 1-2 from Grant, sneaks a right around the guard. Flying knee appears to connect but Day eats it without issue. More kicks to the body from Day. He easily denies a takedown and digs a left downstairs. Both land in the center. Good cross counter by Day two minutes in. Grant answers with a heavy series of hooks, stalking Day. Elbow attempt and he blasts him with another hook. Day avoiding some of the fire so far but gets taken down into side control. Two minutes to go.
Day tries to sit up and gets forced back down by a guillotine. And again. North-south for Grant. He steps over for an armbar, loses it and Day sweeps into guard. One minute to go. Day avoids a triangle as well.Both throwing from there. Day looks for his own guillotine on the way up, can’t get it. Back to trading hooks. Day knocks him over with a spinning back kick to the chest at the bell. 10-9 Grant.
Round 3: Both men throwing early, good left hook and Superman punch from Day. Day now on the front foot, avoids a spinning back fist. Grant gets in deep on a single-leg, Day limp-legs out and lands some hard left hooks. One minute in. Right cross connects. 1-2, left hook, body shot. Check hook by Grant. Day tries a high kick. Double jab. Hammerfist and left hooks from Grant. Another check hook. Another hook. Day lands his own. Two minutes in. Day tries a head kick. Grant lands a left hook, eats a combo. 1-2 from Grant, lead right from Day. They continue to exchange and that left hook of Grant’s finally lands perfectly, putting Day to sleep on impact.
Final result: Grant def. Day by KO (punch)