UFC 251 results & video: Tybura decisions Grishin, Grant turns off Day’s lights

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Check out the results and highlights from the UFC 251 early prelims, including Marcin Tybura earning a nod over Maxim Grishin, and Davey Grant knocking out Martin Day. 

UFC 251 is live from Fight Island and the Early Prelims just wrapped up with heavyweights Marcin Tybura and Maxim Grishin going the distance. This was a bit of a slog, with Tybura getting his grind on for a large portion of the fight. Nonetheless, Tybura has now won two-straight. Before that, the UFC’s #14 ranked flyweight, Raulian Paiva, took a unanimous decision over promotional newcomer, Zhalgas Zhumagulov. There weren’t a ton of wow-moments in this one, but Paiva commanded the center of the Octagon and did enough to get the victory. This makes back to back wins for Paiva.

Also o the early prelims, Karol Rosa picked up a dominant decision win over Vanessa Melo. She used her footwork and volume striking to get ahead, and even leaned on her ground and pound to show dominance in all areas. Rosa has won both of her UFC bouts. Opening up the event, Davey Grant scored a wicked third-round knockout on Martin Day. This was quite a scrap, with both men having big moments on the feet. It was Grant who unleashed a radical left hook that put Day completely out. Grant is now enjoying a two-fight winning streak.

**See complete results below

Early Prelims:

Marcin Tybura def. Maxim Grishin by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 30-26): Heavyweight

Tybura tried to get the fight to the floor early in this one, but Grishin successfully stuffed the attempts. Tybura was able to pin his foe’s back to the cage, where he grinned away. Tybura was adamant about getting the takedown, and was ultimately able to drag Grishin to the mat.

An accidental cup kick from Tybura happened early in the second round. Grishin recovered quickly and the fight resumed. Tybura went back to his wall and stall tactic, but then Grishin accidentally hit Tybura in the cup. After a bit of confusion, the fight restarted against the fence. A big elbow from Grishin finally freed him into open space, but it wasn’t long before Tybura re-closed the distance.

The final frame saw more of Tybura clinching against the cage. Grishin continued to struggle to find open space and was forced to carry his opponent’s weight. Tybura found himself a takedown and worked his way to the back. He maintained control for well over half-a-round.

Raulian Paiva def. Zhalgas Zhumagulov by unanimous decision (29-28 x3): Flyweight

Zhumagulov started aggressively, winging hooks at his opposition. Paiva stood his ground and returned hard combos of his own. Zhumagulov had issues moving himself into punching range, thanks to Paiva effectively using his length to control the Octagon. Zhumagulov did hit a takedown at the end of the round, but it was short-lived.

Zhumagulov kept searching for the takedown in the second round, but Paiva was hip to it. With some in and put footwork, Zhumagulov was able to let some strikes go, but still spent some time on the outside. The round lacked any big wow moments but was closely contested nonetheless.

The fighters started to go strike for strike in the final frame. One man would land one strikes, and then the other. Zhumagulov switched things up by shooting a takedown, but Paiva was able to get right back to his feet. Paiva pressured down the stretch, but wasn’t throwing a bunch behind it. With about one minute left int he match, Paiva accidentally kicked Zhumagulov oil the cup. The restarted and Zhumagulov went hard for a couple takedowns, but Paiva stuffed them all. Then in the final seconds of the fight, Paiva accidentally clipped Zhumagulov’s cup again.

Karol Rosa def. Vanessa Melo by unanimous decision (30-26 x2, 30-27): (W) Bantamweight

The bantamweights got right to work, going back and forth with varied striking attacks. Melo was connecting with some heavy hands, with Rosa building off of her kicks. Rosa started to pull away in the strike count, landing volume and using her footwork to keep Melo on the outside. She then scored a late takedown to rack up some control time before the bell.

Melo came out in the second round looking to throw heat, but Rosa was able to stay active with her footwork and counter effectively. Melo tried to clinch up, but that resulted in her back to the cage and an eventual Rosa takedown. Rosa dropped a ton of light ground strikes until the bell. Rosa stayed dialed in for the final round. She pumped her jab and stuck with her footwork to avoid the big shots. Melo kept throwing and pressing forward, but Rosa just had all the right answers.

Davey Grant def. Martin Day by KO at 2:38 of round 3: Bantamweight

Grant came out working his leg kicks and punches to the body. Just when Grant seemed to be off to a strong start, Day cracked him with a right hand that floored him. Day was unable to produce the finish and the fight returned to the feet. Grant then hit a takedown, but nothing major happened before the bell.

Grant kept throwing his volume in the second act, staying busier than his opponent. He was throwing his hands in combinations, and even wobbled Day with a flurry. Grant hit a takedown and surfed on top of Day for a while. Day kept moving on the bottom and then used some savvy armbar defense to take top position.

Day started the final frame with some aggression, piecing up Grant with his hands. Grant kept throwing, but he was much more wild with his technique, which was leaving him exposed to counters. Then KABOOM! Grant exploded with a wicked left hook that put Day out cold.