Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returned to action this weekend to feature UFC 247 live on ESPN+ PPV from inside Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, as legendary light heavyweight champion Jon Jones met undefeated contender Dominick Reyes in a highly-anticipated main event.
Before “Bones” and “Devastator” lock horns in one of the most important title fights of the year, a slew of main card and “Prelims” bouts will bring Houston fans to their feet. It is the first time “H-Town” has hosted an event since UFC Fight Night 104 back in 2017 so they are hungry for some Octagon chaos.
We’ve compiled the best highlights below — with all video footage courtesy of UFC and ESPN — and will continue to share the action as UFC 247 comes to a close. Enjoy!
Youseff Zalal def. Austin Lingo via UD
On the ground, on the feet! @MoroccanDevil35 with a huge kick in R2! #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/MItac6EDmb
— UFC (@ufc) February 8, 2020
FLUSH. @MoroccanDevil35 #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/1ZwO7F44vl
— UFC (@ufc) February 8, 2020
Welcome to the UFC, Youseff Zalal! @MoroccanDevil35 gets it done in his debut! #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/F5eFf3TsjH
— UFC (@ufc) February 8, 2020
“I’m speaking with Joe Rogan! What’s up, baby?!”
After an impressive UFC debut, @moroccandevil35 got to speak to @joerogan and he was hyped #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/7IiVBIwkgg
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) February 9, 2020
Andre Ewell def. Jonathan Martinez via SD
Swinging WILD to end the round!
Ewell and Martinez leaving NOTHING to chance! #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/iyOeor6iRt
— UFC (@ufc) February 9, 2020
They’ve both been landing BIG shots through 2! #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/L1wpYw9W4m
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) February 9, 2020
A well earned standing O from H-Town! @Daii24_Dre and @JonathanMyda left it all in the Octagon – how’d you score it? #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/OC3VlXkA5t
— UFC (@ufc) February 9, 2020
Back in the win column! @daii24_dre #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/iEZkY8oYpx
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) February 9, 2020
Journey Newson def. Domingo Pilarte via first-round TKO (punches)
Journey Newson laid. him. out.
Stream #UFC247 on ESPN+ ?? https://t.co/o0wWlKxpbj pic.twitter.com/aTEOeccFv1
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) February 9, 2020
SAME.
@Jon_Anik @JoeRogan @DominickCruz pic.twitter.com/fjrrUUF2fD
— UFC (@ufc) February 9, 2020
Take a bow, @NewsonJourney! #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/VI79XAc66L
— UFC (@ufc) February 9, 2020
Mario Bautista def. Miles Johns via second-round TKO (flying knee and punches)
THAT’S IT! @Bautista_MMA finishes it with a knee to snap the unbeaten run of Johns! #UFC247
Watch LIVE on ESPNews NOW! pic.twitter.com/LdSHXva19e
— UFC (@ufc) February 9, 2020
Battle born!@Bautista_MMA with a flying knee to be proud of! #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/R40YG9Gstn
— UFC (@ufc) February 9, 2020
Kalinn Williams def. Alex Morono via first-round KO (punches)
THAT’S WHY THEY CALL HIM KHAOS! @KhaosOXWilliams wasting NO TIME in his Octagon debut! #UFC247
Watch LIVE on ESPNews NOW! pic.twitter.com/wtsbZshXgu
— UFC (@ufc) February 9, 2020
Remember the name, Khaos Williams! @khaosOXwilliams #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/CEb1R6TzFw
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) February 9, 2020
Lauren Murphy def. Andrea Lee via SD
El jab de ambas entrando duro #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/Z3aTLCQxKx
— UFC Español (@UFCEspanol) February 9, 2020
Lucky gets the nod! ??@LaurenMurphyMMA by split decision in Houston! #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/GrinJdmT4j
— UFC (@ufc) February 9, 2020
Trevin Giles def. James Krause via SD
High level defense on display! @TrevinGiles not going out easy! #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/EHQhArELEe
— UFC (@ufc) February 9, 2020
Giles POURING it on to end R2!! #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/gzB9UeL8my
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) February 9, 2020
@trevingiles is FEELING it! #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/SGbiICuQTZ
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) February 9, 2020
To think that fight wasn’t even on the card mere hours ago!
Show some love for @TrevinGiles and @TheJamesKrause for that one! #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/59XrDA4MrV
— UFC (@ufc) February 9, 2020
What a competitor @TheJamesKrause #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/VK4CMiA7DY
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) February 9, 2020
An opening PPV tribute to the late Kobe Bryant.
Remembering Kobe. pic.twitter.com/HZkK0CYf3d
— UFC (@ufc) February 9, 2020
Derrick Lewis def. Ilir Latifi via UD
Texas, throw ’em up! @TheBeast_UFC #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/y7aAuW11Ys
— UFC (@ufc) February 9, 2020
Lewis with the flying knee! @TheBeast_UFC is NOT the guy you want to mess with! #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/taRPVQv4jk
— UFC (@ufc) February 9, 2020
Derrick Lewis flying through the air in slow motion @Thebeast_ufc #UFC247
?? https://t.co/o0wWlKxpbj pic.twitter.com/kODUoaevGj
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) February 9, 2020
Pretty even through 2! Who you got winning so far? #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/HqVpdhW7oy
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) February 9, 2020
Derrick Lewis threw the kitchen sink at Ilir Latifi trying to end the fight@Thebeast_ufc #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/bXR1H7XoQ0
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) February 9, 2020
? BY UNANIMOUS DECISION!@TheBeast_UFC defends home turf at #UFC247! pic.twitter.com/ogdJw2nSj5
— UFC (@ufc) February 9, 2020
Dan Ige def. Mirsad Bektic via SD
Swinging big through R1! #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/DysUvGvVGC
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) February 9, 2020
Tough one to call!
? @MirsadBekticMMA and @DynamiteDan808 go the full 15, who gets your nod? #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/njiMrUFIj1
— UFC (@ufc) February 9, 2020
Justin Tafa def. Juan Adams via first-round knockout (punches)
THAT’S A BAAAAD MAN!!!
Justin Tafa with a HUGE finish in R1! #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/2kYzUSDuGo
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) February 9, 2020
HWs beware!
@Justin_Tafa putting himself in the mix at #UFC247! pic.twitter.com/t6i7UBgcgN
— UFC (@ufc) February 9, 2020
Valentina Shevchenko def. Katlyn Chookagian via third-round TKO (punches)
The challenger on her way to the Octagon! #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/nVGpF2Yxtq
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) February 9, 2020
The flyweight queen is ready!
@BulletValentina #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/1yLRu3qg0G
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) February 9, 2020
CHAMPIONSHIP VIBES.
@BulletValentina vs. @BlondeFighter
Get the E+ PPV ?? https://t.co/AjIbEjcpmG #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/4Q0dYK8wIS
— UFC (@ufc) February 9, 2020
The Bullet lands a spinning back fist early! #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/F9OTRq7wX8
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) February 9, 2020
The champ draws first blood early! @BulletValentina #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/8f53gn3Tm8
— UFC (@ufc) February 9, 2020
Just LISTEN to this kick connect #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/T0ZArhn1nO
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) February 9, 2020
Target acquired. @BulletValentina #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/srep1sqqMf
— UFC (@ufc) February 9, 2020
STILL DOMINANT.
@BulletValentina defends the throne! #UFC247
Get the E+ PPV ?? https://t.co/AjIbEjcpmG #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/f0SiFOtZxn
— UFC (@ufc) February 9, 2020
Jon Jones def. Dominick Reyes via UD
The champ is here!
?? There is only ONE @JonnyBones!
Get the E+ PPV ?? https://t.co/AjIbEjcpmG #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/EouiHOYIB1
— UFC (@ufc) February 9, 2020
Eyes on the prize. @DomReyes looking to etch his name in history!
Get the E+ PPV ?? https://t.co/AjIbEjcpmG #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/I1rhlR8nEl
— UFC (@ufc) February 9, 2020
ROCKED! @DomReyes puts the champion down early in R1! #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/rYykH9nPQb
— UFC (@ufc) February 9, 2020
Dominick Reyes goes right at Jon Jones #UFC247 | @espnmma pic.twitter.com/HSC2yi8Uza
— ESPN (@espn) February 9, 2020
Reyes has the champ on the run! #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/8VUkmBuQt7
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) February 9, 2020
#UFC247 | @espnmma pic.twitter.com/uBA3yCVItp
— ESPN (@espn) February 9, 2020
The challenger pushing the pace in R4!
The LHW gold hangs in the balance! #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/IqnJzawvMY
— UFC (@ufc) February 9, 2020
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THIS.
Jones and Reyes – who takes it?! #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/I33obPBD3i
— UFC (@ufc) February 9, 2020
They go the distance! Who you got??
Decision on the way. #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/2Tec0pzUIj
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) February 9, 2020
STILL THE CHAMP.
?? @JonnyBones gets the unanimous decision! #UFC247 pic.twitter.com/V1hGZOUjI3
— UFC (@ufc) February 9, 2020
For complete UFC 247 results and coverage click here.