Live, blow-by-blow updates for Saturday’s UFC 215 PPV main card, including the bantamweight title fight between the champion, Amanda Nunes, and the challenger, Valentina Shevchenko.
Join us tonight on Bloody Elbow for live results, discussion, round scoring and play-by-play for UFC 215: Nunes vs. Shevchenko 2, live from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The UFC 215 main card will air live on Pay-Per-View at 10:00 P.M. ET with the prelims starting at 8:00 P.M. ET on FS1. The Exclusive Fight Pass prelims will begin at 7:00 P.M. ET.
This post will cover the UFC 215 PPV main card, starting with Jeremy Stephens vs. Gilbert Melendez, and finishing up with the UFC bantamweight champion, Amanda Nunes, in a high stakes rematch with the #1 contender, Valentina Shevchenko. Be sure to check out our UFC 215 MMA Vivisection with Zane Simon and Connor Ruebusch. Don’t forget to tune into the UFC 215 6th Round post fight over on YouTube, at MMANATIONDOTCOM, to hear Bloody Elbow’s own Zane Simon and Eddie Mercado provide post fight reactions and analysis.
Amanda Nunes vs. Valentina Shevchenko: Bantamweight Title
Neil Magny vs. Rafael dos Anjos: Welterweight
Henry Cejudo vs. Wilson Reis: Flyweight
Ilir Latifi vs. Tyson Pedro: Light Heavyweight
Gilbert Melendez vs. Jeremy Stephens: Featherweight
Rd.1- Stephens presses forward with a leg kick, and Melendez retorts with a cross down the middle. Stephens throws a heavy jab cross, but eats a leg kick for his trouble. Stephens returns the favor and lands a hard leg kick, and another one, as Melendez looks to work the jab. Melendez lands a solid leg kick of his own, and presses forward behind a right hook. A stiff jab lands for Melendez, followed by a flush right hand. A major knot is on the left shin of Melendez, forcing him to drop down. Melendez grits it out and marches forward through the injury. Stephens lands a clean body punch, and then whiffs on a big spinning back fist. Melendez is kicked again in the same spot, and drops down to the mat. Stephens follows Melendez to the ground and lands a bolo as the round ends. 10-9 Stephens
Rd.2- The referee calls time before it begins to have the doctor check the leg of Melendez. The round begins and Melendez lands a clean jab, followed by a right hand. Stephens returns to the leg kick, forcing Melendez to switch stances. Stephens throws a clean right uppercut left hook combo. Stephens returns to attacking the base of his opponent. Melendez lands a series of jabs as he walks down Stephens. Melendez pushes forward, switching stances, but Stephens lands on the leg again, dropping Melendez again. Stephens lands a jab cross head kick combo, and Melendez absorbs them all well. Melendez presses forward, forcing his foe to work, but eats a solid cross and hook in the process. Stephens lands a big overhand right, then switches up speed and throws a softer 3 piece. Stephens lands an uppercut and drops Melendez with a leg kick, again. 10-9 Stephens
Rd.3- Stephens lands a hefty body hook to open the final round, followed by a right cross left hook combo. Stephens lands a body kick at the end of a combo, and scores with uppercuts and hooks. Stephens lands a solid leg kick to the right leg of Melendez. A lead uppercut and a few jabs land for Stephens, as he presses forward on the southpaw standing Melendez. A jab lands for Melendez, but Stephens answers with a right hand. Melendez drops again from a leg kick, but returns to his feet, earning the respect of Stephens in the process. A heavy right hand lands behind a jab for Stephens. Melendez lands with a knee as Stephens is found on the inside. Stephens rips a few body shots, and then goes high with the head kick. Melendez is down again from a leg kick, but Stephens follows him to the ground this time. Melendez makes it to the final bell, but Stephens is in top form. 10-9 Melendez
Jeremy Stephens def. Gilbert Melendez by unanimous decision (30-26 x2, 30-25)