Photo by Nick Laham/Zuffa LLC
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) welcomes ex-lightweight champion Frankie Edgar to the bantamweight division, as the former featherweight contender looks for “The Answer” to his recent struggles against the venerable Pedro Munhoz. Their five-round showdown tops the UFC on ESPN 15 mixed martial arts (MMA) event, scheduled for this Sat. night (Aug. 22, 2020) inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. Elsewhere on the card, which airs on both ESPN and ESPN+, light heavyweight veterans Ovince Saint Preux and Alonzo Menifield go to war on hopes of cracking the Top 15.
MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC on ESPN 15 fight card below, starting with the ESPN/ESPN+ “Prelims” undercard bouts at 6 p.m. ET, followed by the ESPN/ESPN+ main card start time at 8:30 p.m. ET.
Keep in mind that we will also be the spot for the latest news, recaps, and post-fight analysis following “Munhoz vs. Edgar.” Without further delay, see below for the latest UFC on ESPN 15 results. (Note: This will go from the bottom up; therefore, scroll toward the bottom for the latest detailed round-by-round action.)
UFC ON ESPN 15 QUICK RESULTS:
Pedro Munhoz vs. Frankie Edgar — Edgar def. Munhoz by split decision (48-47, 46-49, 48-47)Ovince Saint Preux vs. Alonzo Menifield CANCELED
Marcin Prachnio vs. Mike Rodriguez — Rodriguez def. Prachnio by KO (elbow and punches) at 2:17 of Round One — HIGHLIGHTS!
Austin Hubbard vs. Joe Solecki — Solecki def. Hubbard by submission (rear naked choke) at 3:51 of Round One — HIGHLIGHTS!
Mariya Agapova vs. Shana Dobson — Dobson def. Agapova by TKO (punches) at 1:38 of Round Two — HIGHLIGHTS!
Daniel Rodriguez vs. Dwight Grant* — Rodriguez def. Grant by TKO (punches) at 2:24 of Round One — HIGHLIGHTS!
Mizuki Inoue vs. Amanda Lemos — Lemos def. Inoue by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Ike Villanueva vs. Jordan Wright — Wright def. Villanueva by TKO (cut) at 1:31 of Round One — HIGHLIGHTS!
Carlton Minus vs. Matthew Semelsberger — Semelsberger def. Minus by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 29-28)
Timur Valiev vs. Trevin Jones — Jones def. Valiev by TKO (punches) at 1:59 of Round Two — HIGHLIGHTS
*Takashi Sato and Calen Born have been removed from the card (details)
UFC ON ESPN 15 PLAY-BY-PLAY:
135 lbs.: Pedro Munhoz vs. Frankie Edgar
Round 1: Munhoz on the front foot to start, slips throwing a leg kick. Edgar fakes a shot, eats a calf kick and left hook as he slips. Counter right from Edgar in combination. Edgar looking to answer the calf kicks with punches. Counter right connects. One minute in. Sharp straight right and combination by the former champ. Counter right. 1-2 from Munhoz met by a flurry. Edgar circling, lands his jab. Jab lands for Munhoz, then a low kick, gets cracked by a counter right two minutes in. Combination lands for Edgar, then a jab that dings Munhoz’s eye. Munhoz comes back with a left hook. They trade leg kicks. 1-2 from the Brazilian. Edgar with a clean 1-2, pauses to retrieve his mouthpiece. Straight right by Munhoz with two minutes to go.
Munhoz continues to stalk, attempting to cut off the cage, and lands a three-piece. Edgar 3-2, combination inside. Low kick from Munhoz. Combination lands, then another leg kick. Edgar flurry hits forearm. One minute to go. Munhoz pops him with another jab. Edgar to the body. Munhoz with a front kick downstairs, eats a combo in return. 2-3 from Munhoz catches Edgar circling. Clean counter two-piece by Edgar to answer a leg kick. Close round. 10-9 Edgar.
Round 2: Munhoz back on the advance, stuffs a takedown and gets cracked by a heavy right hand. Right hand from Munhoz, denies another takedown. Rapid exchange and now Munhoz is sporting a cut by the left eye. Combination by Munhoz. Edgar moving extremely well so far. He slips, eats a knee and right hands a minute in. Right hand to the body. Double left hook. Both land right hands. Clean 1-2 from Edgar, who hits a reactive takedown. Munhoz pops back up and avoids a suplex two minutes in. Right hook lands for him as he stalks forward. Edgar fires a combination. Slick uppercut behind the jab. Munhoz with a wide right hand. Two minutes to go.
Edgar with a nice spinning back kick to the body, then a counter right that stings Munhoz and forces a scramble. Low kick from the Brazilian. Counter two-piece by Edgar with a minute to go. 2-3 by Munhoz met by a right hand. Edgar slips and takes a kick to the nards at the bell. 10-9 Edgar.
Round 3: Munhoz jab met by a low kick. Edgar consistently picking him off, lands a body shot. Munhoz looking for head kicks. Leg kick lands. Edgar combination, Munhoz body kick. One minute in. Glancing 1-2 by Munhoz. Edgar lands a cross counter, then a straight right. Munhoz landing his jab. Two minutes in. Edgar answers calf kicks with a left hook. Munhoz continues to land low kicks, gets blasted by a left hook. Edgar low kick and combination. Edgar goes low-high before absorbing a jab. Two minutes to go.
Munhoz jab intercepts a left hook. Sharp counter right by Edgar, eats another leg kick. Left hook from Munhoz and a low kick that appears to sting Edgar, who comes back with a combination. Those calf kicks are starting to make an impact. One minute to go. Sequence of jabs from the Brazilian, who eats a counter right. Edgar lands a cross counter and a spinning back kick. Close round again. 10-9 Munhoz.
Round 4: Munhoz again in pursuit, gets taken down but scrambles to his feet. Munhoz right hand met by a combination. Jab lands for him, hard 3-2. Stiff jab, another calf kick. Edgar comes back with a three-piece. Body kick by Munhoz, who eats a left hook for his trouble. Jab exchange. Lead right catches Munhoz throwing. Edgar follows up with another combination. Two minutes in. Edgar lands to teh body, absorbs a right cross and a leg kick. Stiff jab from the former champ. Edgar lands a combo that’s met by a heavy overhand right. 3-2 lands for him and he avoids the return fire. Two minutes to go.
Munhoz body kick meant by a jab. Calf kick lands for him. Right hand connects, more low kicks, Edgar comes back with a right hand. Edgar flurry met by a calf kick. One minute to go. Edgar lands a combo and fakes him out with a feint level change. Right hand from Munhoz. Another calf kick and front kick land for him. Jab exchange. Edgar tries another spinning back kick. 1-2 lands clean for Munhoz. 10-9 Edgar.
Round 5: Munhoz sending out front kicks, tries a head kick, stuffs a takedown. Edgar combination met by a low kick. Body shot to uppercut by Edgar. Combination lands for him a minute in. Counter combo. Big shots land for him in the center as they trade. Cross counter. Left hook to low kick. Munhoz with a front kick, eats a heavy right. Edgar tries a spinning back fist. Two minutes in. Edgar lands a counter right and weathers a combination in return. Nice left hook in combination. They exchange. Munhoz with a right hand and leg kick. Edgar with a right downstairs. They trade in the center with two minutes to go.
Edgar pops him with a jab, eats a left hook. Straight right lands for Munhoz. Another. Another calf kick. Jab lands but he gets rattled by a straight right. One minute to go. Low kick by Munhoz. Heavy right by Edgar. They trade and Munhoz finds the mark with a right hand. Cross counter by Edgar. Hard right from Munhoz. Low kick and spinning back kick attempt. 10-9 Edgar; 1, 3, and 4 were swing rounds. Anything from 49-46 Edgar to 48-47 Munhoz would be justifiable.
Final result: Edgar def. Munhoz by split decision
205 lbs.: Marcin Prachnio vs. Mike Rodriguez
Round 1: Prachnio lands some solid leg kicks early. Rodriguez patiently advancing, trying to send out long kicks. One minute in. Counter hook from Prachnio. He tries a haed kick, avoids a knee, and they jockey for position in the clinch. Rodriguez tries a knee and an elbow, gives up underhooks. Hard knees by Rodriguez, elbows as well. Prachnio trying to punch his way through, gets scrambled by an elbow and put to sleep with punches.
Final result: Rodriguez def. Prachnio by KO (elbow and punches)
155 lbs.: Austin Hubbard vs. Joe Solecki
Round 1: Lead left hook lands for Solecki. Low kick exchange, combo from Solecki. Right hook to body kick. Counter right by Hubbard, who gets hauled to the fence a minute in. Knee from Solecki answered in kind as they move around the fence. He changes levels, looks for the back, inserts a standing hook. Both hooks in, playing backpack two minutes in. Solecki landing punches as he hunts for the choke. Two minutes to go.
Solecki staying attached, staying patient. There’s the RNC and, seconds later, there’s the tap.
Final result: Solecki def. Hubbard by submission (rear naked choke)
125 lbs.: Mariya Agapova vs. Shana Dobson
Round 1: Agapova comes out slinging punches and kicks until Dobson takes her down. Agapova lands elbows off of her back, gets to her feet. They trade knees. Dobson changes levels again, eats body shots, gets tripped down into guard. One minute in. Ground-and-pound from Agapova. She tries a cartwheel guard pass and loses position. Back to trading on the feet. They exchange in the center. Dobson to the body, slings her down into half guard. She moves to mount, then the back. Agapova stands and tries to slip out the back door as Dobson latches onto an armbar. Agapova stacks her with two minutes to go.
She gets her arm free, drops hard punches, then steps over to the back. Full body triangle with a minute to go. Softening up with punches. Dobson regains guard and they trade punches. 10-9 Agapova.
Round 2: Dobson lands a head kick and starts pressing forward as they slug. Agapova responds with a body lock takedown into guard. Dobson quickly sweeps into mount, dropping punches. Now the back, both hooks in. Mount again, dropping punches, and in comes the ref.
Final result: Dobson def. Agapova by TKO (punches)
170 lbs.: Daniel Rodriguez vs. Dwight Grant
Round 1: Overhand right lands for Grant, as does a leg kick. Rodriguez comes back with one of his own and they exchange. Grant to the body. Rodriguez looks to blitz and gets clipped by an overhand right that drops him. Grant unloads with punches as Rodriguez tries to get to his feet. He puts in a hook, keeps punching. Rodriguez makes it to his feet and marches forward, leading to a trade on the fence. Grant looking winded, Rodriguez continues to press forward. Two minutes in. Sending out left hands, drops Grant against the fence and slumps him with a follow-up for the win. Wild fight.
Final result: Rodriguez def. Grant by TKO (punches)
115 lbs.: Mizuki Inoue vs. Amanda Lemos
Round 1: Trading low kicks to start. Counter 1-2 from Lemos. Inoue pressing forward, lands a right, avoids a combination and eats a jab. Lead right and spinning elbow from Lemos, who’s looking to open up whenever Inoue steps into range. One minute in. Inoue puts her on the fence. Short knees, foot stomps. Two minutes in. Inoue keeping her on the fence. Inoue breaks away and Lemos fires a lengthy combo that’s mostly blocked. Body shot by Lemos. Two minutes to go.
2-3-2-3 by Inoue as Lemos looks for counters. Body kick from Lemos, then a 1-2 that drops Inoue. Lemos follows her down with punches and gets tied up in guard. Inoue spins for an armbar with a minute to go. Lemos gets her arm free and lets Inoue up. Lemos tries a head kick and gets taken to the fence. Short elbow from Inoue, who gets hip tossed. Lemos drops a right hand before the bell. 10-9 Lemos.
Round 2: Low kicks from Lemos to start. She tries body kicks. Inoue still pressing forward, lands a combination on the fence and changes levels. One minute in. Inoue gets a bit of space, ladns elbows, and ties up again. Two minutes in. Body punches from Inoue as Lemos gets the Thai clinch. Knees by the Brazilian. Both fire elbows in close and Inoue follows up with knees. Inoue tries an outside trip, can’t get it, taken down into guard. Two minutes to go.
Inoue brings her guard up, threatens armbars. Lemos drops an elbow. Inoue scoots to the fence. One minute to go. Lemos staying tight, Inoue rolls to her knees and stands, takes some counters. Lemos tries a spinning elbow as Inoue advances with punches. Inoue puts her on the fence once again. Knees downstairs. 10-9 Inoue.
Round 3: Inoue opens with a leg kick, eats one in return. She eats another and puts her on the fence again. Short punches. Inoue looks for a single-leg, can’t get it. One minute in. Elbow by Lemos on the break. Lemos sends out kicks. Inoue catches one, can’t use it, puts her on the fence again. Another single-leg attempt denied. Two minutes in. Knees to the body. Lemos attempts to reverse, gets reversed. Lemos lands an elbow on the break as Inoue tries a combo. Straight right by the Brazilian. Two minutes to go.
Sharp left and overhand from Lemos. Inoue digs a right to the body, eats a combo, shoots. Short punches. One minute to go. They trade knees. Lemos separates, lands a two-piece. She tries another spin. Inoue continuing to press forward. Overhand right lands for Inoue. 10-9 Lemos.
Final result: Lemos def. Inoue by unanimous decision
205 lbs.: Ike Villanueva vs. Jordan Wright
Round 1: Villanueva advancing early and gets dropped to his knees by a wheel kick. VHe stands and puts Wright on the fence, only for Wright to crack him with Thai knees. Villanueva pressing him against the fence, punching the body as Wright fires knees. One minute in. Villanueva punches, Wright knees. They pause when they separate to look at the nasty cut Wright’s knees opened on Villanueva. It’s over.
Final result: Wright def. Villanueva by TKO (cut)
170 lbs.: Carlton Minus vs. Matthew Semelsberger
Round 1: Low kick from Semelsberger to start. Looking for right hands. Straight right from Minus, eats a low kick. One minute in. Semelesberger rips the body, then unloads a combination on the fence. They exchange in the center. Semelsberger lands a body kick, eats a jab. Right hand exchange. Minus catches a body kick, can’t use it, eats a long right hand. 1-2 and head kick from Semelsberger, uppercut-cross soon after. Minus with a body jab as a right hand comes back. Two minutes to go.
Minus right hand, Semelsberger low kick and two-piece. Minus lands a jab, eats a right hand. Cross counter and swarm by Semelsberger. One minute to go. Both try right hands. Counter right by Semelsberger. Head kick attempts. Minus tries a 1-1-2, eats a 1-2. 10-9 Semelsberger.
Round 2: Trading in the center to start. Semeslberger still getting the better of it, lands low kicks. Jab lands for Minus. 2-3 from Semelsberger a minute in. Low kicks. Looks for a body combination. Left hand. Low kicks. Minus double jab. Semelsberger right hand and body kick. He answers a body kick with a clean right hand that drops Minus, then jumps on his back. Minus hand fighting as Semelsberger locks up the body triangle. Two minutes to go.
Still looking for the choke. Minus manages to turn and stand with a minute to go. They trade right hands. Shifting right hand lands for Minus, who eats a left hook. Good lead right by Minus. 10-9 Semelsberger.
Round 3: Back to engaging in the center. Body kicks from Minus, knee and right hand from Semelsberger. Minus 1-2 and overhand, then an uppercut to cross. Lead elbow lands for Semelsberger a minute in. Minus tries a combination. Overhand right, jabs. Low kick to 1-2. They trade, right hand knocks Minus back. Low kicks from Semelsberger, who slips throwing a head kick. Two minutes in. Semelsberger with a hook to the body, eats a right downstairs and comes back with another left. Combinations in the clinch. Semelsberger changes levels and takes him down into half guard. Two minutes to go.
Minus makes it to his feet, takes shots as he separates. Right hand from Semelsberger. Head kick attempt, counter uppercut lands. One minute to go. Minus jab met by a combo. Hard shots in center cage. Low kicks from Semelsberger. Jumping knee attempt, lands a right hand, and they slug until the bell. 10-9 Semelsberger.
Final result: Semelsberger def. Minus by unanimous decision
140 lbs.: Timur Valiev vs. Trevin Jones (catchweight)
Round 1: They trade low kicks to start. Straight left from Jones. Valiev whiffs on an overhand right. Body and low kicks by Valiev. One minute in. Jones low kick met by a body kick a minute in. Brazilian kick attempt from Valiev. Low and body kick, counter right. Another body kick, then up high. Two minutes in. Jones tries a combination after eating a jab, takes a counter right. Combination from Valiev, axe kick falls short. More heavy kicks, Showtime elbow, knee to the body. Another lead elbow. Hook and body kick. Wheel kick attempt. 1-2 with two minutes to go.
Valiev burying him in output so far, lands a left hook and front kick. Brazilian kick whiffs. Hard body kick crumples Jones. Valiev hopes for a walk-off, then goes back to pulverizing him on the fence. Punches, kicks, elbows. The ref can stop this. Jones tries to throw back with a right, takes a flying knee. Valiev goes low-high with right hands. Straight left by Jones, who ducks a spinning elbow for a takedown. He ends the round on top in guard. 10-8 Valiev.
Round 2: Body kick and combo from Jones, who shoots through a knee but can’t bring him down. Body kicks from Valiev. Jones with a counter right hook, eats an oblique kick. Another Valiev body kick a minute in. Heavy low kicks on the fence. Jumping switch kick. Suddenly, Valiev fires a naked low kick and Jones just crushes him with a huge hook. Jones follows him down and cracks him with punches for the incredible comeback finish.
Final result: Jones def. Valiev by TKO (punches)