Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will end the year with a bang by way of the UFC Vegas 17 mixed martial arts (MMA) event, taking place TONIGHT (Sat., Dec. 19, 2020) exclusively on ESPN+ from inside APEX facility in Las Vegas, Nevada. Headlining duties will fall to welterweight contenders Stephen Thompson and Geoff Neal, who battle for a spot in the 170-pound title chase. In the UFC Vegas 17 co-main event, former featherweight titleholder Jose Aldo continues his bantamweight run against the venerable Marlon Vera.
MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Vegas 17 fight card below, starting with the ESPN+ preliminary card bouts at 4 p.m. ET, followed by the ESPN+ main card start time at 7 p.m. ET.
Keep in mind that we will also be the spot for the latest news, recaps, and post-fight analysis following “Thompson vs. Neal.” Without further delay, see below for the latest UFC Vegas 17 results. (Note: This will go from the bottom up; therefore, scroll toward the bottom for the latest detailed round-by-round action.)
UFC VEGAS 17 QUICK RESULTS:
Stephen Thompson vs. Geoff Neal — Thompson def. Neal by unanimous decision (50-45 x3) — HIGHLIGHTS
Jose Aldo vs. Marlon Vera — Aldo def. Vera by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Michel Pereira vs. Khaos Williams — Pereira def. Williams by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Marlon Moraes vs. Rob Font — Font def. Moraes by KO (punches) at 3:47 of Round One — HIGHLIGHTS
Greg Hardy vs. Marcin Tybura — Tybura def. Hardy by TKO (punches) at 4:31 of Round Two — HIGHLIGHTS
Alex Morono vs. Anthony Pettis — Pettis def. Morono by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Sijara Eubanks vs. Pannie Kianzad — Kianzad def. Eubanks by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Deron Winn vs. Antonio Arroyo — Winn def. Arroyo by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Gillian Robertson vs. Taila Santos — Santos def. Robertson by unanimous decision (30-26 x2, 29-28)
Tafon Nchukwi vs. Jamie Pickett — Nchukwi def. Pickett by unanimous decision (30-25, 30-26 x2)
Cody Durden vs. Jimmy Flick — Flick def. Durden by submission (flying triangle choke) at 3:18 of Round One — HIGHLIGHTS
Christos Giagos vs. Carlton Minus — Giagos def. Minus by unanimous decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-28)
UFC VEGAS 17 PLAY-BY-PLAY:
170 lbs.: Stephen Thompson vs. Geoff Neal
Round 1: Thompson threatening kicks. Low kick lands, counter right cross. Side kick to the midsection. Head kick attempt blocked. One minute in. Jab to the body. Neal advancing, trying to get him to the fence. Thompson tries a combination. Combo lands for Neal. Counter two-piece by Thompson. Two minutes in. Thompson slips throwing a haed kick. Axe kick falls short, jab connects. Spinning back kick to the body connects as well. Darting 1-2. Neal catching a lot on his guard but having issues landing his own. Two minutes to go.
Short right lands for Neal on the fence. Side kick from Thompson. Thompson straight left, Neal tries to open up ont the fence. Thompson to the body. Head kick attempt, neither land their punches afterwards. One minute to go. Wheel kick attempt from Thompson. Good left from Neal but they clash heads in the process. Both sporting cuts, Neal’s looks worse. 10-9 Thompson.
Round 2: Neal trying to draw out reactions, blocks a head kick. Side kick lands for Thompson. Neal barrels in for a takedown attempt, puts him on the fence. Thompson separates a minute in after taking a few shots, lands some sharp right hands. Body kick as well. Neal struggling to land clean, blocks a wheel kick. Body kick lands for Neal. Thompson goes body-head with kicks, lands another right hand two minutes in. 1-2 downstairs. 1-1-2. Head kick attempt, 2-1. Neal constantly running into counters, eats a body kick after backing him to the fence. Two minutes to go.
Thompson with a 1-2 downstairs. Side kick connects. Good right cross. Sharp jab. Body kick exchange. Neal doubles up the low kicks with a minute to go. Darting rights from Thompson in return. Backstep right hand. Another right cross, more jabs. Neal marching on. There’s a combination on the fence. 10-9 Thompson.
Round 3: Thompson picking at his guard, nice right hand. Right cross to head kick attempt. Right hand from Neal, head kick falls short. Thompson answers with a right to the body. Counter 1-2 and uppercut. One minute in. Right hand to head kick. Hard 1-2 from Neal and he puts him on the fence. Knee to the body from Thompson. Two minutes in. Short knees to the thigh from Neal. Thompson separates. Right hand to head kick. Sharp jab, counter 1-2. Neal advancing behind a high guard as usual, lands a right hook. They trade on the fence. 1-1-2 form Thompson. Two minutes to go.
Neal lands a double jab. They trade in the center. Thompson catches a kick, gets pressed against the fence. One minute to go. Thompson circles off, cracks Neal with a head kick and combination. Counter right. Thompson sending out salvos. Body kick from Neal answered in kind. Overhand left from Neal, blocks a head kick. 10-9 Thompson.
Round 4: Good right cross from Thompson. Neal tries a flurry. Good jab from Neal. One minute in. Counter jab and cross by Thompson. Side kick to the body, 2-1. Neal answers a body kick by tying up on the fence. Spinning back fist on the break. More potshots from Thompson. Right cross dings Neal. Another one through the guard two minutes in. Right cross. Neal lands a left cross, eats an elbow in return. Thompson looking even sharper this round. Hard knee to the body. Neal advancing behind the earmuffs, slips throwing a kick. 3-2 from Thompson. Two minutes to go.
Wheel kick attempt from Thompson, who slips. Sharp counters. Straight left connects. Body kick, 1-2. Neal tries a body kick, ducks a head kick, tries one of his own. Neal lands a straight left. One minute to go. Neal lands a decent combo and puts him on the fence. 10-9 Thompson.
Round 5: Thompson sporting some damage to his right leg. Left hand lands for Neal and they slug it out on the fence. 11-2 from Neal as Thompson looks for angles. Neal with a right downstairs a minute in. 1-2-1-2 from Thompson in return, counter right soon after. Long combo from Thompson, pushing Neal back. They trade heat at close range. Punches from both men. Two minutes in. Thompson bounces some punches off his guard. Low kick from Neal. Thompson to the body. Neal lands a straight left, walks into a right cross. Combination from Thompson. 3-2. Neal lands a short left and ties up. Two minutes to go.
Thompson lands a body shot as Neal puts him on the fence. They hit each other’s midsections. Thompson separates. Trading punches. Thompson tries a wheel kick with a minute to go. Good exchange in the center. Straight right form Thompson. Elbow from Neal. Good 2-1. Both land hard lefts. Hard counter 1-2 by Thompson. They throw heat to end the fight. Great way to end the year. 10-9 Thompson.
Final result: Thompson def. Neal by unanimous decision
135 lbs.: Jose Aldo vs. Marlon Vera
Round 1: Vera sends out a couple low kicks. Aldo jabs the body. Counter right after checking some leg kicks. Low kick of his own. One minute in. Vera with a well-timed shot, hauls Aldo to the fence. Vera trying knees. Two minutes in. More knees to the thigh. Aldo reverses, separates, eats a straight left. Vera tries a head kick as Aldo slowly advances. Heavy body shot by Aldo with two minutes to go.
Another nasty rib roaster. Vera looking to keep him at range with kicks, takes a right cross. Right hand to the body from Aldo. Low kick lands. Another one. One minute to go. Vera tries a head kick. He briefly puts Aldo on the fence. Right to the body form the Brazilian. Vera tries another head kick and eats a low kick for his trouble. 10-9 Aldo.
Round 2: More heavy body shots by Aldo, right hand upstairs. Vera attempts another head kick. Low kick from Aldo. Left hook connects. Vera trying to pick at his legs. One minute in. Aldo jabs the body. Right hand downstairs. Left hook attempt. Vera tries a leg kick, has a combo come back his way. Two minutes in. Vera leg kick. Lead right from Aldo, wound-up uppercut behind it. 2-3 downstairs. Right hand to the body. Sneaky little back fist by Vera behind a missed head kick. He puts Aldo on the fence with two minutes to go.
Short knees from Vera, can’t get the trip, eats a couple knees in return. Counter left from Vera lands clean. Knee to the body, another behind it. One minute to go. More short knees from Vera. Good elbow on the break. 10-9 Aldo.
Round 3: Aldo grabs an early body lock and looks for the back. Reverse elbow from Vera. Aldo puts both hooks in at once and looks to play backpack. Vera looking to wiggle him off a minute in. Vera falls to his knees, allowing Aldo to get a better position. Full body triangle. Two minutes in. Aldo hunting for the RNC. Vera defending well, but still stuck. Two minutes to go.
Vera gets to his feet, Aldo still attached. He walks over to his own corner. Vera makes a jerk-off motion out of apparent frustration. Still looking for the choke. They punch each other until the bell. 10-9 Aldo.
Final result: Aldo def. Vera by unanimous decision
170 lbs.: Michel Pereira vs. Khaos Williams
Round 1: Pereira mobile, Williams looking for leg kicks. 1-2 and body kick from the Brazilian. One minute in. Williams answers a body kick with a left hook. Hard leg kick by Williams. Two minutes in. Pereira tries a front kick, lands a knee on the break. Williams eats a body kick, stings him with a left hook. Two minutes to go.
Williams tries to spin. Pereira circling, staying out of range. Williams answers a front kick with an overhand right. One minute to go. Body kick lands. Pereira lands a good right cross, just misses with a head kick, Pereira tries a jumping attack at the bell. 10-9 Williams.
Round 2: Williams falls short with a combination. Low kick lands for him. Pereira tries a 1-2. Lots of movement, as before. One minute in. Good right cross lands for Pereira. Williams blitzes, lands a left uppercut, puts Pereira on the fence. they separate. Two minutes in. Williams fires a leg kick. Pereira jabs the body. Big counters by Williams. Leg kicks. Pereira with a front kick and jab. Two minutes to go.
Pereira avoids a blitz. Williams tries a combo. Pereira with another front kick downstairs. 1-2 misses. one minute to go. Good blitz by Williams and he puts Pereira on the rfence. Pereira reverses, lands knees. Front kick and some hard right hands from Pereira, who jumps on a no-hooks RNC just before the bell. 10-9 Williams.
Round 3: Pereira tries a wheel kick. Williams tries to rush. Jab lands for Pereira. Still circling and feinting, lands a left hook. Low kick form Williams a minute in. They trade left hooks. Williams with another leg kick, blocks a head kick. Donkey kick attempt met by a Williams low kick. Counter from Pereira, flurry from Williams two minutes in. Pereira sends out a front kick. Good exchange in the center. Another trade, front kick from Pereira with two minutes to go.
Pereira shoots and dumps him into side conrol, avoiding a guillotine. Williams stands, eats a knee before they separate. Both exchange with a minute to go. Williams low kick, Pereira body kick and head kick. Left hook by Williams. Pereira changes levels for another takedown into guard. Firing elbows and hammerfists. 10-9 Pereira.
Final result: Pereira def. Williams by unanimous decision
135 lbs.: Marlon Moraes vs. Rob Font
Round 1: Moraes opens with kicks, then dumps Font on his back within 10 seconds. On top in half guard. Font turns to sweep and gets caught in a guillotine, but continues to drive. They scramble up and Moraes takes him down once again a minute in. Moraes postures up two minutes in and lands a few punches before Font briefly regains guard. Side control now for Moraes. Font turns into him, stands, and separates with two minutes to go.
They immediately get back to trading. Clean connections from both men. Font blasts him with a three-piece, avoids a wheel kick, and stumbles him with a jab. Font floors him with an uppercut, then hammers him unconscious with a storm of follow-ups.
Final result: Font def. Moraes by KO (punches)
265 lbs.: Greg Hardy vs. Marcin Tybura
Round 1: Hardy rushes out to take the center. Looking for kicks, hauls Tybura to the fence before separating. Right hand from Hardy. Low kick connects. Hardy lands a jab, avoids a kick in return. One minute in. Right cross upstairs. Two-piece from Tybura. Hardy up-jab and left hook. Two minutes in. Tybura steps in with a two-piece. Hardy checks a leg kick. Body kick lands for him. Two-piece once again, Hardy catches a kick but can’t use it. Two minutes to go.
Hard body shot and left hook from Hardy. He eats a counter, walks through it. Good counter hook by Hardy. Tybura leg kick, eats a heavy right cross. One minute to go. Tybura catches a kick, shoots, denied with an underhook. Heavy punches from Hardy against the fence. Sneaky elbow. Overhand right before the bell. 10-9 Hardy.
Round 2: Hardy lands to the body early, left hook upstairs. Counter left by Tybura. Another right downstairs by Hardy, eats a jab in return. One minute in. They trade left hooks, Hardy’s is harder. Tybura shoots, denied. Jab and left hook connect. Two minutes in. Tybura still advancing. Good left hook by Tybura, Hardy trading with him. Tybura threatens a shot, tries to come up with a left hook. Body kick. Good shot from Tybura with two minutes to go.
He completes it into half guard. Knees to the body from Tybura. One minute to go. Good punches and Hardy covers up. Tybura continues to hammer him and gets the comeback stoppage.
Final result: Tybura def. Hardy by TKO (punches)
170 lbs.: Alex Morono vs. Anthony Pettis
Round 1: Morono on the advance right away, avoids a jumping switch kick and jumps onto Pettis’ back. Hard right hands. Elbows as well. Full body triangle for Morono a minute in. Still hunting the choke. Two minutes in. Pettis spins into his guard. Morono tries a triangle, eats a knee on the way up. Body kick from Morono. Pettis right cross and body kick. Two minutes to go.
Morono tries a 1-2, avoids one in return. Pettis lands a left hand, avoids a blitz. Head kick attempt, low kick lands. One minute to go. Pettis with a spinning back kick that’s blocked. He ducks a right hand and gets taken to the fence. Pettis slips throwing a head kick, takes some punches. Rear waist lock for Morono, looks for the back. Pettis counters the takedown into guard. 10-9 Morono.
Round 2: Morono back on the advance, eats a right hand. More counters from Pettis as he circles. Morono tries a head kick. Pettis darts in with a right hand. Counter right hook. Morono with a knee a minute in. Counter right. Morono catches a body kick, can’t use it, eats a hard right cross. Hard counter left hook by Pettis. Right hand to the body. Potshotting well so far this round. Body kick attempt. Two minutes in. Pettis tries a spinning back fist, takes a knee to the body. Pettis leg kick as he circles. 1-2 from Morono. Straight right. Two minutes to go.
Pettis lands a two-piece, avoids the return fire. Axe kick attempt. Good straight left. Morono body kick and overhand right. Pettis tries a knee. Morono blitzes, eats a counter right. Stiff jab by Pettis. One minute to go. Pettis jab, Morono low blow. Pettis lands a counter right. Overhand left to knee tap. Body kick and counter right after Morono catches a kick. Both try to spin at the same time. 10-9 Pettis.
Round 3: Nice head kick from Pettis, which Morono nearly catches. Glancing axe kick. Morono still storming after him but struggling to cut off the cage. Pettis goes for a takedown, granby rolls as Morono tries to latch on, ends up on top in guard. Pettis pulls his base out when he tries to use the fence to stand. Again two minutes in. Morono nearly peels him off with a butterfly hook, still stuck in guard. Two minutes to go.
Morono making efforts to stand. He makes it to his feet, Pettis still attached. One minute to go. They separate. Morono comes rushing after him, eats an uppercut. Pettis tries a low kick, then blasts Morono with a clean wheel kick. Morono staggers back and tries to shoot under fire, leading Pettis to try a guillotine. He ends up on top in the scramble and hammers home a few more punches, but can’t get the finish. 10-9 Pettis.
Final result: Pettis def. Morono by unanimous decision
135 lbs.: Sijara Eubanks vs. Pannie Kianzad
Round 1: Kianzad sending out jabs to start. Eubanks tries a combo, walks into a left hook. She ducks a right hand for a takedown into half guard. Kianzad working her way up a minute in. Eubanks scooches her away from the fence and sets up in side control. Kianzad regains half guard. Two minutes in. Good right hands from Eubanks after Kianzad puts in a knee shield. Back to guard. Kianzad trying to bring up her legs with two minutes to go.
Kianzad tries an armbar, can’t get the elbow in. Eubanks uses the next attempt to pass to side control. One minute to go. Good control from Eubanks. Short right hands, elbow. She hops into mount, takes the back. 10-9 Eubanks.
Round 2: Kianzad sends out some early combos, gets hauled to the fence. Jockeying for position. Short elbow. She tries a trip, then another, the second denied via whizzer. Knees from the Thai clinch a minute in. Hard elbows. 1-2 on the break met by a Eubanks left hook. Eubanks counter right. She shoots, eats elbows and knees on the fence. Two minutes in. Foot stomps from Kianzad. More clinch knees. Eubanks sneaks a knee upstairs, ducks a right hand for a double-leg into guard. Kianzad turns for an armbar. Two minutes to go.
More submision attempts by Kianzad, who spins for a single-leg attempt. She makes it to her feet, puts her back on the fence. One minute to go. They separate. Left hook from Kianzad. counter 2-3 from Eubanks, who ducks another right hand for a shot. Elbows from Kianzad as she defends. 10-9 Kianzad.
Round 3: Kianzad sending out jabs. Oblique kick, counter left. Eubanks puts her on the fence, gets reversed, jockeying for position. One minute in. Knee and elbow from Kianzad before she separates. Right cross lands for Eubanks. Combination from Kianzad two minutes in. They trade left hooks. Low kick from Kianzad. Good overhand rights by Eubanks. Kianzad with a knee inside. Combo whiffs. Counter left. Two minutes to go.
Swatting straight left lands for Kianzad. Combination, denies a level change. Eubanks with a combo. Kianzad meets her in the center with a combo. Trading jabs. Hard right hand and jab land for Kianzad. One minute to go. 1-2 connects, oblique kick. Eubanks tries a Superman punch, eats a left hook. Kianzad 1-2, Eubanks right hand. Nice exchanges in the center. 2-1 from Kianzad, left hook. Clinchwork at the bell. 10-9 Kianzad.
Final result: Kianzad def. Eubanks by unanimous decision
195 lbs.: Deron Winn vs. Antonio Arroyo
Round 1: Winn checks a low kick, walks into a straight left. Quick exchange in the center. Winn shoots through a knee, struggles with the underhook for a moment, but ultimately drags him down into side control. One minute in. Arroyo gets space and stands. Calf kick from Winn. Fake shot draws out a knee from Arroyo and Winn completes a double-leg. Arroyo makes it back up just under two minutes in. Another takedown by Winn against the fence. Arroyo gets to his seat, slung back down away from the fence. Winn on top in guard. Arroyo tries a triangle with two minutes to go, gets room to stand.
Flying knee and a hard combination by Arroyo. Stiff jab. Winn lands a counter left, tries a flurry inside. Clean 1-2 by the Brazilian met by a calf kick. Winn falls short with a combo, eats a cross. One minute to go. Winn hits a single-leg, gets sprawled on. Arroyo gets a seatbelt grip and stands, then front kicks Winn in the face. Good punches behind it and another leg kick. Winn takes him down against the fence. 10-9 Arroyo.
Round 2: Both try early head kicks. Arroyo lands a spinning back kick, gets taken down into guard. Arroyo scrambles up from half guard a minute in. Hard counter rights from Winn. Arroyo 1-2, eats a left hook, catches Winn coming in with a knee. Winn tries a spinning elbow after abandoning a shot. Winn plodding after him, ducks an elbow for a takedown. Looking for the back. Arroyo works his way to his feet, caught in a front headlock for a moment. He gets an underhook, gets muscled down. Two minutes to go.
Arroyo uses the fence to stand once again. He separates. He looks real tired at this point. Winn ducks a right hand for another takedown into guard. One minute to go. Short punches from the top. 10-9 Winn.
Round 3: Another takedown from Winn into guard. He stands over Arroyo, who turns for a leglock and uses the opportunity to stand a minute in. Good body shot by Winn. He avoids an uppercut, takes him down into guard. Back to standing over Arroyo two minutes in. Arroyo tries to scramble, cannot do so. Two minutes to go.
Arroyo uses a technical standup, tries a haed kick. Counter left as he circles along the fence. Low kick met by a Winn overhand right. Arroyo with some left hooks to the body. Another easy takedown by Winn. Arroyo tries an upkick, stands up. He lands a hard knee, taken down for it into guard. One minute to go. Arroyo gets back to his feet with under 20 seconds to go. He tries a 3-2. 10-9 Winn.
Final result: Winn def. Arroyo by unanimous decision
125 lbs.: Gillian Robertson vs. Taila Santos
Round 1: Robertson grabs an early front headlock, puts Santos on the fence. Seconds later, she leaps for a flying armbar. Santos manages to work her way out a minute in and set up in guard. Roberton turns for another armbar, nothing doing. Two minutes in. Short shots from the Brazilian. Robertson trying to work off her back, stymied by the fence. Two minutes to go.
Robertson throwing elbows off of her back. She tries to spin for a takedown attempt, gets forced back down. One minute to go. Left hands from Santos. Robertson still throwing off of her back. Punch and elbow from Santos. Robertson tries an armbar at the bell. 10-9 Santos.
Round 2: Robertson tries to shoot after catching a low kick, gets taken down into side control. Back to half guard. Another armbar attempt from Robertson a minute in. Santos puts a knee on her face and escapes into north-south, where she locks up an inverted triangle choke. Robertson patiently works her way out and sets up in half guard two minutes in. She looks for the back, too high, attempts an armbar transition. Santos avoids it and lands on top in side control. Two minutes to go.
Good right hand from Santos, looking for the back. Robertson manages to regain guard. One minute to go. Santos lands elbows, keeping her mashed against the fence. 10-9 Santos.
Round 3: Quick combination from Santos. Robertson baits out a sprawl with a low shot, then jumps guard on a guillotine. Santos works her way out and sets up in half guard. Back to guard. One minute in. Short elbows from Santos. Robertson still hunting for an armbar, but Santos is using the fence to good effect. Two minutes in. More elbows. Continuing to chip away. Two minutes to go.
Robertson brings up her legs for a triangle, then switches to her deepest armbar yet. Santos manages to get her elbow free and take side control with just under a minute to go. Elbows as Robertson tries to stand. Santos tries an RNC, loses position at the bell. 10-9 Santos.
Final result: Santos def. Robertson by unanimous decision
185 lbs.: Tafon Nchukwi vs. Jamie Pickett
Round 1: 3-1 and head kick attempt from Nchukwi to start. Pickett tries a head kick, eats a right hook. Nchukwi counter left, working from southpaw. Good left hook on the fence. Pickett mobile as usual, but not pulling the trigger much so far. Foot sweep from Nchukwi a minute in. Knee in the clinch. Nchukwi with another stiff jab, clinchwork. Clubbing left. Pickett with a counter right two minutes in. He ducks a right hook for a level change, ultimately getting Nchukwi to the mat. Nchukwi stands, lands some knees before separating. Combination on the fence. They trade jabs. Two minutes to go.
Hard two-piece by Nchukwi, tries to follow with a head kick. Another near-miss on the head kick. Pickett steps into the clinch, can’t get the trip. Nchukwi holding onto the front headlock. Pickett scrambles back to his feet. One minute to go. Nchukwi with a spinning elbow attempt in the clinch. Pickett body kick. Nchukwi with some good shots inside. Pickett ducks a left, eats a knee. 10-9 Nchukwi.
Round 2: Nchukwi rishes in with a flurry. Jab exchange. Pickett tries a sneaky head kick. He ducks a hook, gets pressed against the fence. Pickett body kick and side kick. Nchukwi keeps walking him to the fence. Nchukwi head kick on the fence a minute in. Hard knees to the body. Punches as well in the clinch. Two minutes in. Pickett separates after eating a left. They exchange, left hand by Nchukwi. Both looking for jabs. Nchukwi with a quick foot sweep. Pickett tries a knee with tow minutes to go.
Pickett just can’t get anything going, he’s not throwing much at range and keeps losing the clinch battle whenever he steps in. Now a 1-2 lands for him. He shoots, eats knees. Nchukwi with body punches on the break. One minute to go. Trying to open up on the fence, more clinch shots. Good combination by Pickett and suddenly Nchukwi seems stunned. Pickett initially tries to flurry, but lets up rather than press the advantage. Uppercut lands for Nchukwi. Nasty clash of heads. 10-9 Nchukwi.
Round 3: Pickett really not wearing that headbutt well.
Nchukwi goes back on the advance, lands a combination on the fence. Head kick just misses. Hard counter right lands for him. One minute in. Good combo by Nchukwi, Pickett ties up and eats knees. Both land elbows before separating. Two-piece by Nchukwi, 3-1 afterwards. 1-2-knee elbow, bullying in the clinch. He takes Pickett down, can’t establish. More knees from Nchukwi, who stings Pickett with a head kick. A knee to the face sends Pickett to his knees and Nchukwi tries to pound him out. Two minutes to go.
Pickett ultimately makes it back to his feet, eats more knees to the body, separates. They trade 1-2s. Right hook, knees, elbow inside. Pickett tries to shoot, avoids a spinning elbow on the break. Counter two-piece by Nchukwi. 10-8 Nchukwi.
Final result: Nchukwi def. Pickett by unanimous decision
125 lbs.: Cody Durden vs. Jimmy Flick
Round 1: Durden opens with a heavy uppercut, avoids a right cross in return. He catches a low kick and takes Flick to the mat, immediately latching onto his back. Good punches. Flick scoots to the fence a minute in. Back to his feet. Durden holding onto the rear waistlock, ultimately separates and lands a stiff jab. Good right hand. Low kick exchange. Sneaky head kick from Flick, Durden denies the subsequent takedown attempt and fires a combination on the fence. Durden head kick attempt. Flick fires a head kick, then uses it to wrap up a flying triangle. It takes some adjustments, but he forces the tap. Terrific submission by “The Brick.”
Final result: Flick def. Durden by submission (flying triangle choke)
160 lbs.: Christos Giagos vs. Carlton Minus
Round 1: Minus looking to jab early. Low kick from Giagos, who disguises a double-leg with an overhand right. He looks for Minus’ back in the scramble. One minute in. Minus makes it up, turns to face Giagos. Giagos hits a double-leg, looks for an arm triangle, settles for mount. Hard elbow, takes the back. Heavy punches from Giagos, back to looking for the choke. Good balance by the Greek. Minus tries to sit up, can’t do so. Two minutes to go.
Punches from mount. Minus manages to turn and slip out the back door to stand. Giagos fires a right hand and shoots a blast double to dump him down against the fence with a minute to go. Back to mount. Now looking for the arm triangle after Minus attempts to turn. He abandons it, lands punches. 10-8 Giagos.
Round 2: Minus on the front foot to start. Counter right by Giagos, then a counter 2-3. Looping overhand whiffs. Minus catches him leaning with a head kick. Giagos with a long 1-2, then a reactive double-leg as Minus overextends. Full mount a minute in. Side control, back to mount, then the back. Minus regains half guard two minutes in, then to his knees. Giagos briefly retakes his back before forcing him back down. Two minutes to go.
Short hammerfists by Giagos. Minus trying to sit up, slips out the back door, then tries to slam Giagos to the mat. Giagos uses the opportunity to regain mount. Looking for the arm triangle, loses it again with a minute to go. Minus makes it to his feet and separates. Giagos shoots again, stuffed. He looks a bit winded. Overhand right by Minus, counter left by Giagos. 10-9 Giagos.
Round 3: Low kick from Minus, who denies a level change. They trade inside. Better entry by Giagos, can’t get it, re-shoots and grabs the rear waist lock. Back down he goes a minute in. Giagos on top in side control. Looking for the back against the fence. Trying to play backpack as Minus stands two minutes in. Minus turning and trying to separate, ultimately dislodges Giagos. Giagos is definitely fading but Minus isn’t doing enough to capitalize. Right cross from Minus, denies a level change. Two minutes to go.
Combination from Minus, stuffs a shot, eats a knee. Another denied takedown. Jabs from Minus, overhand right whiffs. One minute to go. Giagos low kick. They trade at close range. Sneaky uppercut lands for Minus. Another one catches Giagos leaning to no visible effect. 102 from Minus, stops yet another takedown. And another, short uppercut on the break. One final exchange. 10-9 Minus.
Final result: Giagos def. Minus by unanimous decision