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Just a week ahead of its next major pay-per-view (PPV) event, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will host another “Fight Night” card inside its APEX facility this Sat. night (Aug. 8, 2020) in Las Vegas, Nevada. The “UFC Vegas 6” mixed martial arts (MMA) event is topped by a heavyweight headliner featuring hard-hitting veteran Derrick Lewis against well traveled submission specialist Aleksei Oleinik. Elsewhere on the card, which airs exclusively on ESPN+, former middleweight champion Chris Weidman tangles with ex-welterweight slugger Omari Akhmedov. In addition, Yana Kunitskaya returns to bantamweight action against the rough-and-tumble Julija Stoliarenko, while lightweight grappling dynamo Beneil Dariush collides with 155-pound stalwart Scott Holtzman.
MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Vegas 6 fight card below, starting with the ESPN+ “Prelims” undercard bouts at 6 p.m. ET, followed by the ESPN+ main card start time at 9 p.m. ET.
Keep in mind that we will also be the spot for the latest news, recaps, and post-fight analysis following “Lewis vs. Oleinik.” Without further delay, see below for the latest UFC Vegas 6 results. (Note: This will go from the bottom up; therefore, scroll toward the bottom for the latest detailed round-by-round action.)
UFC VEGAS 6 QUICK RESULTS:
Derrick Lewis vs. Aleksei Oleinik — Lewis def. Oleinik by TKO (punches) at 0:21 of Round Two — HIGHLIGHTS!
Omari Akhmedov vs. Chris Weidman — Weidman def. Akhmedov by unanimous decision (29-27 x2, 29-28)
Maki Pitolo vs. Darren Stewart — Stewart def. Pitolo by submission (guillotine choke) at 3:41 of Round One — HIGHLIGHTS!
Yana Kunitskaya vs. Julija Stoliarenko — Kunitskaya def. Stoliarenko by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27 x2)
Beneil Dariush vs. Scott Holtzman — Dariush def. Holtzman by KO (spinning back fist) at 4:38 of Round One — HIGHLIGHTS!
Tim Means vs. Laureano Staropoli — Means def. Staropoli by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)
Joaquin Buckley vs. Kevin Holland — Holland def. Buckley by KO (punch) at 0:32 of Round Three — HIGHLIGHTS!
Nasrat Haqparast vs. Alex Munoz — Haqparast def. Munoz by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Andrew Sanchez vs. Wellington Turman — Sanchez def. Turman by KO (punches) at 4:14 of Round One — HIGHLIGHTS!
Gavin Tucker vs. Justin Jaynes — Tucker def. Jaynes by submission (rear naked choke) at 1:43 of Round Three — HIGHLIGHTS!
Youssef Zalal vs. Peter Barrett — Zalal def. Barrett by unanimous decision (30-26 x2, 30-27)
Irwin Rivera vs. Ali AlQaisi — Rivera def. AlQaisi by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
UFC VEGAS 6 PLAY-BY-PLAY:
265 lbs.: Derrick Lewis vs. Aleksei Oleinik
Round 1: Lewis opens with a head kick attempt, then hauls Oleinik to the fence after they trade. Lewis slings him to the mat and slams home punches form turtle position before taking half guard. He looks for mount, can’t get it a minute in. Oleinik holding him close, briefly considers an Ezekiel. Two minutes in. He turns, grabs a single-leg, ant takes Lewis down into side control. Oleinik looking for the kesa gatame crush he finished Anthony Hamilton with. Lewis gets free, slams Oleinik with hammerfists and takes top position. Two minutes to go.
Oleinik sweeps into top position and retakes side control. He tries the crush again. One minute to go. Oleinik gives up on it. Now looking for an Americana, runs out of time. 10-9 Oleinik.
Round 2: Lewis tries a flying knee, then floors Oleinik with a right hook. He follows the Russian down with jackhammer right hands until the ref steps in.
Final result: Lewis def. Oleinik by TKO (punches)
185 lbs.: Omari Akhmedov vs. Chris Weidman
Round 1: Weidman shoots for a single-leg, avoids some wide swings. Head kick attempt. Well-timed level change, takes him to the fence. Akhmedov separates. Low kick lands. One minute in. Weidman shoots once again, can’t get the single-leg. Akhmedov separates in the center, eats a jab. Left hook from Weidman. Akhmedov comes back with a lead right. Good body shot. Overhand right just misses. Two minutes in. Weidman switches to southpaw, fires a head kick and lands a 1-2. Right hand and shot from Akhmedov. Weidman sprawls on it. He tries a single-leg in return and ends up on top in guard. Two minutes to go.
Akhmedov makes it back to his feet. Weidman changes levels again, puts him on his butt. One minute to go. Weidman pulls him away from the fence. Half guard now. Short elbows. 10-9 Weidman.
Round 2: Akhmedov answers a front kick with an overhand right. Trading jabs. Akhmaedov shoots against the fence, puts him on his back. Weidman makes it back to his feet, eating short shots. He threatens a ninja choke and they separate. One minute in. Straight right lands for Weidman. He changes levels, can’t get the single-leg. Akhmedov to the body. He shoots, denied, and Weidman shoots in return. Back to the center. Jab exchange. Weidman looks for another single-leg. Two minutes in. Short elbows from Akhmedov as he defends. Separation. Akhmedov slings some wide shots. Jab connects. Weidman shoots, denied. Body shot and knee by Akhmedov. Two minutes to go.
Weidman looking tired, taken down via blast double. Akhmedov on top in half guard. Weidman lands an upkick, tries to shoot as he stands. Akhmedov rips the body again, shoots, denied. One minute to go. Overhand right lands for him. Weidman pops him with a jab after eating some. Akhmedov catches a knee, hits Weidman as he stands, hits a single-leg. Left hand lands for him, then the ref waves Weidman up. Akhmedov with a clean right before the bell. 10-9 Akhmedov.
Round 3: Weidman tries an early single-leg, denied. Double-leg gets him down against the fence. Looking for the back. Akhmedov stands, eats a knee. Weidman trips him down, again tries to get a hook in. Weidman turns for a banana split. Nothing doing, but he manages to take the back and lock up an arm triangle as he moves to mount. Two minutes in. Weidman staying heavy, denies an attempt to shrimp. They’re both wiped out. Two minutes to go.
Elbows from Weidman. Akhmedov briefly gives up the back, then back to mount. Trying to lock up the arm triangle again. One minute to go. He’s got it most of the way there, but isn’t committing. Loses it, lands elbows. He takes the back before the bell. 10-9 Weidman.
Final result: Weidman def. Akhmedov by unanimous decision
185 lbs.: Maki Pitolo vs. Darren Stewart
Round 1: Low kick lands for Stewart. One minute in, still pressing forward. Jabs landing. Pitolo catches him with a left hook and Stewart ties up on the fence. Right hand lands for Stewart after separating. Two minutes in. Pitolo low kick and he stings Stewart with a counter right. 1-2 lands for Pitolo, then a body kick. Combo falls short. Stewart opens up inside. Two minutes to go.
Pitolo lands a right downstairs, gets taken to the fence after trying to spin. Pitolo reverses and takes Stewart down, only to land in a Marcelotine. Stewart adjusts his grip to a power guillotine and draws the tap.
Final result: Stewart def. Pitolo by submission (guillotine choke)
135 lbs.: Yana Kunitskaya vs. Julija Stoliarenko
Round 1: Stoliarenko sending out early punches. Kunitskaya gets double unders and puts her on the fence. Knees downstairs. Stoliarenko reverses, gets reversed. More knees from Kunitskaya. Stoliarenko considers pulling guard. One minute in. More knees. Stoliarenko again tries to pull guard as Kunitskaya continues kneeing the body. Nice elbows from Stoliarenko, eats one in return. Two minutes in. More knees. Stoliarenko tries to jump for a guillotine. Two minutes to go.
Stoliarenko loses the choke, looks for a leg, then shoots in. Denied with a whizzer, lands knees on the way up. Kunitskaya puts her on the fence again and goes back to the knees. One minute to go. More dirty boxing. They trade at the bell. 10-9 Kunitskaya.
Round 2: Kunitskaya catches a kick and dumps her to the mat before taking her to the fence. More knees by Kunitskaya. One minute in. Continuing to chip away in the clinch. Hard left hands. Stoliarenko changes levels, tries to pull guard. Kunitskaya lets her up and puts her back on the fence two minutes in to continue with the knees. Stoliarenko totally unable to get off the fence. Two minutes to go.
Kunitskaya continues to punish her with knees to the body. Stoliarenko jumps guard and Kunitskaya follows her down this time. One minute to go. Hard elbow from Kunitskaya. Stoliarenko turns for an armbar. Kunitskaya looking to stack and get her elbow out. Stoliarenko loses it. 10-8 Kunitskaya.
Round 3: Kunitskaya puts her on the fence once again. Stoliarenko again tries to jump guard, manages to do so. Mission control. One minute in. Kunitskaya staying tight, punches the body. Two minutes in. Ref stands them up. Back to the fence once again. Two minutes to go.
Stoliarenko pulls guard, eats punches, back to the fence again. One minute to go. They separate. Stoliarenko trying to pursue as Kunitskaya circles. Back to the fence, separation before the bell. 10-9 Kunitskaya.
Final result: Kunitskaya def. Stoliarenko by unanimous decision
155 lbs.: Beneil Dariush vs. Scott Holtzman
Round 1: Both look for crosses early. Body kick lands for Dariush. Right hook connects but he takes an eye poke on the way in. He comes back to action jabbing. Dariush body kick and low blow, takes another finger in the eye. Dariush tries a knee, takes a glancing right. Holtzman lands as Dariush shoots. One minute in. Dariush looking for a high-crotch, can’t get it but staying attached. Holtzman defending but only manages to separate two minutes in. Dariush catches him with a knee against the fence that visibly hurts Holtzman. Left hands and another knee. 1-2-3 stings Holtzman and here come the left hands. Holtzman shoots, gets sprawled on. Dariush looking for the back against the fence. One hook in for a moment. Two minutes to go.
Holtzman turns to face him and puts him on the fence. Knee from Dariush, elbow on the break. Head kick attempt. Holtzman answers a body kick with a right hand. One minute to go. Dariush whiffs on a combination. Head kick falls short. Low kick to straight lefts. More hard left hands, teeing off on the fence. Holtzman separates, tries to step in, and gets completely leveled by a spinning back fist. Highlight-reel KO for Dariush, who is unfortunately ineligible for a bonus.
Final result: Dariush def. Holtzman by KO (spinning back fist)
170 lbs.: Tim Means vs. Laureano Staropoli
Round 1: Counter left lands for Means as they meet in the center. Means steps in and lands a body lock takedown, looking for the back. Staropoli makes it to his feetm avoids a lift and separates. Teep from Means, puts him on the fence again. They trade knees to the body. Hard left on the break. One minute in. Staropoli switching stance as he advances, lands a 1-2. Both fire uppercuts, knee from Means. Straight left connects. Jab met by a hard low kick and both land in the center. Both connect with knees. Means low kick, avoids a wheel kick. Means comes back with a jab two minutes in. He slips a haed kick, takes a left hand and lands inside. Heavy 1-2 by Staropoli. Teep knocks Staropoli back and Means lands a check right hook soon after. 1-2 again by the Argentinean, who eats a straight left and an uppercut and a straight left. Two minutes to go.
Good exchanges, both men landing well. Staropoli lands a glancing wheel kick, takes a straight left on the break. Good spinning elbow by Staropoli and Means ties up. They separate with a minute to go. Means warned for a head kick. He ducks a spin and lands a straight left. Staropoli tries to spin again, lands a body kick. Brazilian kick attempt, side kick lands. Uppercut attempt. Good exchange in the pocket. 10-9 Means.
Round 2: Staropoli comes on strong with a combination and rocks Means with a spinning elbow. Means takes him down on the fence, can’t keep him there. Staropoli unleashes some spinning shots, takes a shot on the break. Jabs from Means. Counter left. One minute in. Straight left. Staropoli answers a low kick with a right hand. 1-2 lands, but he leans directly into a head kick that drops him. Means looking for the back, can’t get it, and Staropoli separates. Heavy knees and punches inside by Means. Staropoli tries to spin again, eats a Thai knee. Two minutes in. 1-2 from Staropoli. Counter left lands for Means, another clean jab. Staropoli tries a head kick. Hard straight left. Both land their power hands in the center, left from Means on the break. Two minutes to go.
1-2 from Staropoli, counter left from Means. Elbow from Means in the clinch. Teep downstairs and they trade in the pocket. Means avoids another spinning elbow, eats a low kick with a minute to go. Means with a 1-2 downstairs, then to the head. Staropoli leg kick. Means takes him to the fence, changes levels, cracks Staropoli with an elbow as he separates. 10-9 Means.
Round 3: Staropoli comes out aggressively. Means responds with a body lock. Pressing Staropoli against the fence. Knees downstairs. One minute in. Means tries a spinning elbow on the break and they trade in center cage. Body kick from Staropoli. He lands a left and Means again ties up on the fence and fires knees to the thigh. Staropoli tries a hip throw, denied. More knees by Means. Two minutes in. Staropoli separates, gets tied up again. Means changes levels, looks for the back. Good knee. Staropoli looking for the switch, briefly dragged to a knee. More knees by Means. Two minutes to go.
Body punches from Means as well. Ref separates them, chiding Means for grabbing the fence. Good rights from Staropoli in the center. Staropoli commits to a big punch and gets taken to the fence again. One minute to go. Means changes levels, eats an elbow. Staropoli unable to separate, eats an elbow. Short rights from Means after taking a knee. He shoots before the bell. 10-9 Means.
Final result: Means def. Staropoli by unanimous decision
185 lbs.: Joaquin Buckley vs. Kevin Holland
Round 1: Holland hits an early takedown, doesn’t establish. Buckley counters a low kick with a right hook that puts Holand on his butt, then lets him up. Hard body shots from Buckley stray low. More hard body shots from Buckley a minute in. Holland sending out kicks, cracks Buckley with a knee as the latter attacks the body in a frenzy. Nasty elbows from Holland inside. Oblique kick. Straight right. Buckley answers a low kick with body shots and gets taken to the fence. Two minutes in. Holland low kicks. Body kick, hopping straight right. Buckley winds up for some hard punches, gets stung by an elbow. Two minutes to go.
Buckley punches him in the groin again. He ducks a head kick and opens up to the body, only to get floored by a straight right. Buckley scrambles up into a takedown attempt and separates. One minute to go. Holland tries a knee as he calmly talks to Buckley. Front kick downstairs. Good right from Buckley inside and Holland charges after him with some wild swings. 10-9 Holland.
Round 2: Buckley still wind up for big punches, tosses him down with a body lock. Hard right cross from Holland, avoids the return fire. Oblique kick. Counter right by Buckley a minute in. Holland lands a number of jabs in sequence, then a leg kick. Body kick afterwards. Holland tries a counter elbow, Buckley opens up to the body and eats a jab. Calf kick by Buckley. Combination inside. Two minutes in. Jabs, straight right from Holland. Body kicks, right hand. Buckley with another body flurry. Elbow from Holland as he retreats. Two minutes to go.
Jab and front kick by Holland. Buckley combinations fails to connect and he eats a jab and front kick. They exchange inside. Low kick from Holland. One minute to go. Side kick. Front kick downstairs. Straight right. Another side kick, tries a hook kick. Buckley ties up and eats knees. 10-9 Holland.
Round 3: Holland continuing to keep Buckley at bay with kicks and straight punches. As he dances around, he fires a straight right through Buckley’s guard that turns the lights out.
Final result: Holland def. Buckley by KO (punch)
155 lbs.: Nasrat Haqparast vs. Alex Munoz
Round 1: Munoz sends out an early overhand left. Blast double puts him on top in butterfly guard. Haqparast gets an underhook and stands. They trade knees inside. One minute in. One of Munoz’s knees strays low. Munoz comes back with a left, eats an uppercut as they change levels. Another uppercut. Haqparast complains about Munoz’s outstretched fingers, then stuffs another takedown two minutes in. Munoz lands a jab, avoids a combo. Counter left lands for Haqparast. Jab connects, eats one in return. Another uppercut catches Munoz shooting and Haqparast hurts him with the followup right hook. Munoz comes back with a straight left. Two minutes to go.
Haqparast stuffs another takedown and lands a hard uppercut. Munoz tries a flying knee, eats an overhand left. Haqparast tries a combination. One minute to go. Munoz two-piece, takedown denied. Haqparast stuffs the next takedown but eats a knee on the exit. Haqparast cracks him with a straight left soon after. Munoz avoids an overhand left and lands a knee. 10-9 Haqparast.
Round 2: Another counter uppercut catches Munoz coming in. Jabs land for Haqparast, overhand left doesn’t. Combination goes high. They trade hooks. One minute in. Combination from Haqparast, coming on aggressively. Munoz tries a 2-1, shoots, denied. Good overhand left by Munoz. Haqparast lands one in return. Jab upstairs. Two minutes in. Shifting right hand lands for Munoz, combination comes back at him. Hard three-piece rocks Munoz, who shoots in response and gets stuffed. He waves Haqparast on. Haqparast jabs the body. Two minutes to go.
Stiff jab lands for him, Munoz tries a double jab, fakes a shot. Right hook comes back at him. 1-2-uppercut connects, then heavy combos on the fence. Munoz stings him with a left, eats an uppercut in return. One minute to go. Haqparast landing his jab. Uppercut behind it. 1-2 connects. Jab to the body. Munoz fakes him out with a level change. 10-9 Haqparast.
Round 3: Good exchange to start, Munoz lands a knee. Good punches, unsuccessful takedown. Counter left from Haqparast, denies another level change and eats a 1-2. One minute in. Jab from Haqparast, who rocks him with a left behind the ear. Munoz shoots, can’t complete it. Right hook from Haqparast, jab connects. Counter left catches Munoz throwing. Both land lefts soon after. Munoz slips an overhand and tries a combination. Jabs upstairs. Haqparast lands one of his own, eats a straight left. Two minutes to go.
Right hook lands for Haqparast. Counter right hook connects soon after, then a long left. counter left. Munoz tries a head kick. Straight left back at him. More jabs by Haqparast. Munoz right hook met by an overhand left. One minute to go. Straight left from Haqparast. Munoz lands a counter left and clinches behind a combo, only to be tossed aside. Nasty combos from Haqparast against the fence. Elbow connects. 1-3. More clean jabs, counter left, right hook. 10-9 Haqparast.
Final result: Haqparast def. Munoz by unanimous decision
185 lbs.: Andrew Sanchez vs. Wellington Turman
Round 1: Turman tries a front kick to start, gets caught with a check hook and avoids a trip. Sanchez takes him to the fence. Knees from Sanchez inside. Turman trying to separate, threatens a judo throw. One minute in. Sanchez staying tight. landing knees downstairs, takes a glancing right on the exit. Left hook to low kick from Turman. Jab exchange. Turman with a two-piece, eats a left hook in return. Good right hand as they trade by Turman. Front kick two minutes in. Heavy exchange. Both land right hands. Turman left hook and low kick. Spinning back kick attempt. Sanchez with a clean 1-2, then a heavy left hook as they trade. Turman low kick and body kick. Counter body shot by Sanchez, eats a lead right. Two minutes to go.
Right cross and 1-2 land for Sanchez. He tries to spin, eats counters. Lead right from Turman stings him, head kick just misses. Lead right met by a Sanchez combo. Three-piece and a hard left hook by Sanchez. Counter right catches Turman stepping in. One minute to go, then a hard right hand catches Turman throwing a kick. Big 1-2 and down goes Turman, unconscious. A few hammerfists send the ref into action.
Final result: Sanchez def. Turman by KO (punches)
145 lbs.: Gavin Tucker vs. Justin Jaynes
Round 1: Two-piece lands for Tucker, head kick blocked. Jaynes looks to change levels, eats a straight left. Tucker slips a hook, continues sending out head kicks. One minute in. Shifting right hand lands for him. Jaynes sending out straight rights. Front kick downstairs. Tucker comes back with a three-piece two minutes in. Front kick downstairs. Looking for jabs, avoids a hook. Shifting right from Tucker, takes a right to the body. Body kick connects. Two minutes to go.
Head kick blocked, front kick isn’t. Nice body shot, then an uppercut as he puts together combinations, Just as he’s getting into his groove, Jaynes drops him with a nasty uppercut. Tucker manages to survive, but gets clipped with a right hand. Jaynes marching after him, gets taken to the fence. He wraps up a guillotine as Tucker takes him down. Jaynes wriggles so violently to get free that he loses his shorts, but manages to do so and wrap up an arm triangle. What a round. 10-9 Jaynes.
Round 2: Tucker tries a head kick, lands a body kick. Coming on aggressively with combinations. Knee to the body, opening up on the fence. More front kicks downstairs. Shifting right hook. One minute in. Tucker looks to go high, lands a left around the guard. Knee attempts. Jaynes leans in with a combination, looking for another uppercut. Tucker body kick, hard right hook and elbow. Two minutes in. Front kick downstairs, absorbs a right up top. More body kicks, clean jab, cracks him with a head kick. Straight left, uppercut knocks Jaynes’ mouthpiece out. Tucker tries a head kick, lands a jab and body kick. Two minutes to go.
More jabs from Tucker, knee inside as he remains on the attack. Haed kick against the fence nearly caught. 1-2, more combinations piling up. Body kick. Another knee with a minute to go. Jaynes fires rights, looks for an uppercut. Tucker just piecing him up this round. Low-high combo. Jaynes looks winded after that persistent body attack. Head kick attempt. More combinations, lands the head kick. 10-8 Tucker.
Round 3: Jaynes comes out more aggressively, avoids the single leg. Both men lands in the center. Heavy knee appears to scramble Jaynes for a second and Tucker goes back on the attack. Jaynes shoots, denied, ends up on the bottom. Tucker looking for the back a minute in. He’s got it, full body triangle, hunting for the RNC. It takes a while, but he ultimately draws the tap.
Final result: Tucker def. Jaynes by submission (rear naked choke)
145 lbs.: Youssef Zalal vs. Peter Barrett
Round 1: Zalal lands an early leg kick. He circles for a bit, then crushes Barrett with a spinning back kick to the face. Barrett somehow survives that and the subsequent onslaught of punches, then separates, avoiding a flying knee. Straight left lands for Zalal a minute in. Body shot soon after. Another left hand and low kick. Barrett pursuing, eats a flying knee and lands a couple knees downstairs. Brief clinch. Calf kick from Zalal. Right hand as he circles two minutes in. 1-2. Continuing to potshot at range. Good straight left from Barrett, his first notable shot of the fight, and he ties up with two minutes to go.
Knees from Barrett inside, rear waist lock, can’t get the lift. Zalal holding onto a kimura grip, uses it to separate and grab a front headlock. They separate. Body kick lands for Barrett, then tries to go high. One minute to go. Left hook from Zalal. Glancing high kick clips Zalal, who wags his finger. 10-9 Zalal.
Round 2: They trade body kicks to start. Zalal body jab. Barrett continuing to try and pursue, avoids a knee, takes a body shot and calf kick. Zalal shoots, gets the body lock, eats a knee and gets reversed. Barrett puts him on the fence and lands knees. They separate a minute in. Low kick from Barrett met by a 3-2. Hip toss from Zalal as Barrett ties up and he takes the back. Both hooks in, looking for the RNC. Barrett trying to slip out the back door. Looking for punches now. Once again looking for the choke, doesn’t have it under the chin. He cranks, can’t get the finish. Two minutes to go.
Barrett still trying to get out, unable to do so. One minute to go. Zalal flattens him out and wraps up the RNC. Barrett manages to survive, then slips out the back door. Not enough damage for a 10-8, so 10-9 Zalal.
Round 3: Barrett looking for early kicks, eats a low kick and head kick. He avoids a hip toss and puts Zalal on the fence. Zalal reverses, gets reversed. Barret tries a left on the break. Punches from Zalal as he retreats. Barrett turning up the pressure. Barret counter left met by a straight. Zalal 1-2, avoids the knee, lands a lengthy boxing combo and gets countered trying a flying knee. Single-leg puts him on top in guard. Side control now, looking for the arm triangle two minutes in. Barrett pops his arm out. Barrett bridges, caught in the front headlock as he stands. Zalal snaps him down, can’t keep him there, avoids the spinning elbow on the break. Two minutes to go.
Both throw heat. Zalal runs the pipe for another single-leg. He passes to mount, looks for elbows. Now the back with a minute to go. Looking for the RNC with the body triangle. Barret shakes him off, avoids an armbar, deals with a storm of upkicks. 10-9 Zalal.
Final result: Zalal def. Barrett by unanimous decision
135 lbs.: Irwin Rivera vs. Ali AlQaisi
Round 1: AlQaisi ties up after avoiding an uppercut and takes him to the fence. Rivera hits an outside trip into side control in response. Elbows from Rivera. One minute in. AlAqisi regains guard and Rivera lets him up. 1-2 from Rivera, counter from AlQaisi. AlQaisi tries a head kick. Counter right lands for him. Two minutes in. Head kick attempt after taking a body jab. 3-2 by Rivera. Al Qaisi catches a body kick and takes him down, can’t establish. Rivera tries to jump guard on a guillotine on the way up, but gets dumped into half guard. He turns to his knees and AlQaisi looks for a guillotine with two minutes to go.
Rivera attempts to roll, still stuck in a front headlock. He eats a knee on the way up and separates. AlQaisi low kick. Rivera tries a flying knee. One minute to go. Head kick attempt met by a low kick. AlQaisi ties up, gets reversed, hits an outside trip. 10-9 AlQaisi.
Round 2: Check hook lands for AlQaisi as Rivera steps in with a left. AlQaisi straight right. Tentative start to the round. One minute in. Both fire low kicks. Rivera lands a body jab. Still more feints than connections. Both try head kicks. AlQaisi follows his with a right hand and now they trade a bit. Hard lead right by AlQaisi. 1-2. Two minutes in. 1-2 downstairs this time. Rivera lands a counter left. AlQaisi catches a front kick, can’t use it. Both land their power straights. AlQaisi ducks in for a single-leg with two minutes to go.
Rivera lands some shots before separating. AlQaisi combinations, brief level change. 1-2 lands for Rivera. 1-2 comes back at him. Rivera changes levels, eats a hard hook on the break and tries a jumping kick. One minute to go. Counter right by AlQaisi. Body kick lands. Rivera changes levels, lands hard before separating, and eats a knee. Rivera goes for a flying scissor takedown but can’t establish. 10-9 AlQaisi.
Round 3: Double jab lands for Rivera. Jab met by a 1-2. Rivera catches him spinning with a straight right, follows up with heavier swings inside a minute in. AlQaisi spins him down with a single-leg, but can’t establish. Hard two-piece by AlQaisi. Rivera with a hard low kick two minutes in. AlQaisi tries a couple of his own, then attempts to go high. He ties up after taking an uppercut, then takes a massive knee to the balls. Rivera goes for a flying knee, then disengages when AlQaisi ties up. Two minutes to go.
1-2 lands for Rivera. He doubles up the left a bit later. Left hook from AlQaisi in return. One minute to go. Rivera ducks a right hand for a takedown against the fence. AlQaisi makes it to his feet, eats a knee, comes back with a right hand. Head kick by Rivera appears to land with the knee. AlQaisi ducks a 1-2 and takes him to the fence. 10-9 Rivera. Close fight.
Final result: Rivera def. AlQaisi by split decision