Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Live, blow-by-blow updates for Saturday’s UFC 241 main card from Anaheim, with a heavyweight title rematch as the main event.
Join us today (Saturday, August 17th) on Bloody Elbow for live results, discussion, round scoring, and play-by-play as UFC 241 takes place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
The main event pits reigning UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier in a rematch against Stipe Miocic, whom Cormier knocked out to win the title last year. In the co-main event, the ever-popular Nate Diaz takes on Anthony Pettis in a welterweight bout that may get bigger headlines than the actual title fight.
The show kicks off on UFC Fight Pass at approximately 6:30 PM ET with three fights. The card then moves to ESPN at 8 PM ET for four more bouts, then onto the main PPV card at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT. Remember that you can only order UFC PPVs now through ESPN+, so you have to sign up for that service beforehand if you haven’t already.
We will have separate PBP posts for Diaz vs. Pettis and Cormier vs. Miocic 2. This covers the rest of the main card.
The full lineup and schedule follows.
Yoel Romero vs. Paulo Costa – Middleweights
Gabriel Benitez vs. Sodiq Yusuff – Featherweights
Derek Brunson vs. Ian Heinisch – Middleweights
Round 1 – Leg kick by Heinissch and then Brunson eats a massive head kick and somehow survives! Brunson looking for a takedown but he can’t get it. Great start by Heinisch as he’s pressed against the fence. They separate and are back to the center of the cage. Straight left by Brunson is blocked. Quick right hand lands for Heinisch. Brunson lands a couple of lefts. Good shot lands for Brunson. Heinisch’s takedown is stuffed by Derek. He gets popped with another straight left. Heinisch blocks a head kick. Brunson shoots for a single but Ian continues to display great balance and he is punishing Derek with punches and elbows. Good countering by Brunson after Heinisch came forward. Slow, bad shot by Brunson and Heinisch defends for a moment and then Brunson spins for the back and lifts him briefly. 10-9 Heinisch.
Round 2 – Brunson with a body kick and leg kick. Heinisch with the knee tap attempt but Brunson defends and clocks Heinisch with a couple of power punches. Heinisch shooting in and Brunson sprawls. Back to the feet they go. Big left and another one crack Heinisch. Brunson coming on strongly but he eats a right hand. Sweeping body kick and a knee by Brunson. Heinisch’s output has waned a ton. Brunson charging forward and is tagging Heinisch repeatedly and Ian is feeling these. Brunson takes the back for a split second and lands some ground strikes. Under 90 seconds left and Brunson in control of this round. Head kick by Brunson causes him to fall and then he avoids Heinisch’s swing as he was on the ground. Southpaw jab connects for Brunson. Excellent takedown defense by Brunson and he turns that into offense, scoring with several left hands. 10-9 Brunson, 19-19.
Round 3 – Early head kick by Brunson partially gets through. Loud “COLBY SUCKS!” chants coming through in the middle of the fight, as Colby Covington is in the arena. Nice left hand by Heinisch. Brunson with a beautiful takedown but Heinisch scrambles to his feet. Brunson takes Heinisch to the fence. Heinisch forces his way out of the clinch. Stiff counter left by Brunson. Another left by Brunson. Body kick by Derek. Telegraphed shot by Heinisch is denied. Takedown by Brunson as he looks to take the back. Heinisch scrambles and Brunson misses on a wicked left hand. Heinisch with a sharp elbow but he gets clipped too. Two minutes to go and Brunson looks to be on his way to victory. Counter kick and right hook by Brunson. Good right by Heinisch and then he eats a jab. They both land solids shots on each other. Single leg by Brunson is thwarted as Derek looks tired. Body kick by Brunson lands but it is labored. Both men are gassed and pushing their strikes. Brunson is looking at the clock with seconds to go. Right hand by Heinisch. Right hand by Brunson. 10-9 Brunson, 29-28 Brunson.
Official result: Derek Brunson def. Ian Heinisch by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)