LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie is on scene and reporting live from Saturday’s UFC 279 event, and you can join us for live play-by-play and official results.
UFC 279 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNEWS and early prelims on ESPN+.
In the hastily scrambled welterweight main event, fan favorite Nate Diaz (20-13 MMA, 15-11 UFC), who likely is fighting for the final time in the UFC, takes on former interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson (25-7 MMA, 15-5 UFC). In the co-feature, Khamzat Chimaev (11-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) fights Kevin Holland (23-7 MMA, 10-4 UFC) at a catchweight. Chimaev was set to fight Diaz in the main event until he missed weight so badly a welterweight fight wasn’t going to be sanctioned. The UFC scrambled and bumped Ferguson up from the co-feature. In the fallout, Li Jingliang (19-7 MMA, 11-5 UFC) takes on Daniel Rodriguez (16-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC), who was meant to fight Holland, at a catchweight.
Follow along with our round-by-round updates and official results beginning at approximately 6 p.m. ET for the early prelims on ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET for the prelims on ESPNews and 10 p.m. ET for the main card on pay-per-view.
To discuss the show, be sure to check out our UFC 279 discussion thread. You can also get behind-the-scenes coverage and other event notes from on-site reporter Ken Hathaway (@kenshathaway ) on Twitter.
Enjoy the fights, everyone.
Yohan Lainesse vs. Darian Weeks
Round 1 – Here we go! UFC 279 is underway. Lainesse hovering in the outside and landing leg kicks. And a solid right-hand lands for Lainesse. His movement and timing is on point. Another right hand by Lainesse. Weeks has yet to get going. Three minutes left. Good jab and leg kick land by Lainesse. Weeks closes the distance and gets a guillotine position while standing. Lainesse gets out shortly after. Lainesse staying behind his jab and scoring big. Weeks has yet to land something meaningful. One minute left. Lainesse not doing a ton of damage, but he’s scoring with leg kicks and jabs, while not taking any damage. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scored the round 10-9, Lainesse.
Round 2 – Weeks need to change something up here. He’s clearly losing this fight, and for now, there doesn’t seem a path to victory. Again, Lainesse staying mobile and landing on Weeks. Oh! And a nice left connects clean on Lainesse. Best shot from Weeks so far. Lainesse not being as effective as he was in Round 1. Weeks closes the distance and presses Lainesse against the cage as he looks for the takedown. He lifts Lainesse in the air, but still doesn’t get the takedown. Lainesse is able to scramble his way out. Two minutes left. Lainesse’s mobility is still there, but his output has diminished. A failed takedown attempt by Weeks ends with both fighters against the cage. They break away almost immediately. The bell rings. A much closer round.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Weeks.
Round 3 – This might be a one round fight here. Let’s see what happens in the final five minutes. The same dynamic is present here. Lainesse is on the outside, moving often, while Weeks chases him down. Not much action. Weeks attempts a takedown, but fails. He now presses Lainesse against the cage as he persists on getting a takedown. We’re halfway through the round. Good leg kick by Lainesse. Good jab by Lainesse. Really, not much going on. A lot of chasing, fainting, but no strikes. One minute left. Lainesse pressing Weeks in this final minute. The bell rings. Tough round to score. Not much happened.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Lainesse. Overall 29-28, Lainesse.
Result: Yohan Lainesse def. Darian Weeks via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Photos: Yohan Lainesse def. Darian Weeks at UFC 279: Best photos
Records: Yohan Lainesse (7-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC), Darian Weeks (5-3 MMA, 0-3 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mike Beltran
Judging: Mike Bell, Tony Weeks 29-28. Ron McCarthy 28-29.
Melissa Martinez vs. Elise Reed
Round 1 – Martinez’s UFC debut is up. She’s one of the best prospects to come out of Latin America. Right off the bat, Martinez tagging Reed with good kicks. And a huge shot lands! Reed drops Martinez. The Mexican fighter recovered quickly, but she definitely felt it. Now Martinez a bit more reserved. Three minutes left. And Martinez shoots and presses Reed against the cage. Martinez controlling the action here in the clinch. Two minutes left. Both fighters competing for positioning here. Reed now reverses the position and presses Martinez against the cage. They break away with a little less than a minute left. The bell rings. Close round, but Reed did drop Martinez.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Reed.
Round 2 – Fun fight here, people! Good body kick by Martinez. And now good head kick. Martinez’s kick game is on point tonight. Reed now upping the pressure on Martinez. And she connects, Martinez is stunned briefly. It looks like Reed has the power advantage here. Again, good kicks to the body by Martinez. Hard leg kick lands by Martinez. We’re halfway through the round. Reed closes the distance and pins Martinez against the cage. Martinez escapes with a minute and 20 seconds left. Oh! Clean straight right lands for Martinez. The fight along the cage until the bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Martinez.
Round 3 – Oh man! A clean right-hand lands for Reed to start the round. Martinez eats it well, though. Martinez responds with a right of her own shortly after. Good leg kick by Martinez. Another one. Reed is stumbling a bit, leg left leg looks compromised. And Martinez scores a takedown. Three minutes left. Martinez lets Reed back up, as she was standing over her landing leg kicks for a few seconds. Now Reed presses Martinez against the cage. Martinez reverses the position, and now she’s doing the pressing. Another reversal. Now Reed gets the takedown. Martinez is back up fast, but still pressed against the cage. One minute left. Martinez gets taken down again, but gets back up quickly. Reed pressing Martinez on the cage. The bell rings. Close fight.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Reed. Overall 29-28, Reed.
Result: Elise Reed def. Melissa Martinez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: Elise Reed def. Melissa Martinez at UFC 279: Best photos
Records: Elise Reed (6-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC), Melissa Martinez (7-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Women’s strawweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging: Sal D’amato, Adalaide Byrd, Junichiro Kamijo 29-28.
Heili Alateng vs. Chad Anheliger
Round 1 – These two swinging with power right off the bat. Alateng doing the pressing here. Not much action here, the crowd boos. Good leg kick by Anheliger. And Alateng connects and wobbles Anheliger. That was a big shot. And another one! Anheliger is hurt. Alateng smells a finish and is putting on a ton of pressure on Anheliger. Anheliger now bleeding from his nose. Alateng is looking good. The bell rings. Solid work by Alateng.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-8, Alateng.
Round 2 – Alateng not taking his foot off the pedal. He’s pressing here while also being responsible and not too crazy. Now Anheliger is doing the pressing. Not much action so far as attacks. Nice combo topped with a right-hand lands for Anheliger. Alateng connects with a left that stuns Anheliger. Now Anheliger is on his back foot. Two minutes left. Alateng witha good left hand. Anheliger with a good leg kick. Anheliger keeps getting tagged with the left. It’s been a problem the whole fight. Anheliger fighting much better in this round, but still looks to be down. Not much action in the final minute. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Alateng.
Round 3 – Good leg kick by Alateng and followed by a takedown. Alateng stands over a downed Anheliger while landing leg kicks. The referee telling him to work, or he’ll stand up Anheliger. Not a ton going on, so the fight gets stood up. Anheliger doesn’t look discouraged, despite likely being down. Good leg kick by Anheliger. He’s still attacking, looking to turnaround the fight. Alateng’s output has decreased a bit. Two minutes left. Good leg kick by Anheliger. Not much going on. A lot of swinging at air and bouncing around. Alateng shoots for a single leg and gets it. He’s now working from guard, landing ground-and-pound. The bell rings, and he ends the fight on top.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Alateng. Overall 30-26, Alateng.
Result: Heili Alateng def. Chad Anheliger via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: Heili Alateng def. Chad Anheliger at UFC 279: Best photos
Records: Heili Alateng (16-8-2 MMA, 4-1-1 UFC), Chad Anheliger (12-6 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
Judging: Mike Bell, Chris Lee, Ron McCarthy 30-27.
Norma Dumont vs. Danyelle Wolf
Round 1 – Here we go with something we don’t see to often in UFC – a women’s featherweight bout. Dumont with some good leg kicks to start the round. Wolf very tentative. More leg kicks by Dumont. We’re halfway through the round. Oh! Big right-hand stuns Wolf. Dumont looking good here. Wolf hasn’t able to land anything too meaningful. One minute left. Good jab by Wolf. The exchange wild in the final seconds, and the bell rings before anything big lands.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Dumont.
Round 2 – Dumont getting a little confident here, and taunting Wolf. Very little action here. Big right hand connects by Wolf, but she gets taken down immediately after. Three minutes left. Wolf is back up on her feet, but Dumont presses her against the cage. Wolf unable to get out of the position. Dumont controls the action, but she’s doing close to no damage. Wolf gets out with a little over a minute remaining. Boom! Wolf gets dropped with a right hand. Dumont presses her against the cage and Wolf uses that time to recover. They break away. Another big right by Dumont drops Wolf and the bell rings shortly after.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Dumont.
Round 3 – Dumont comes out aggressive. They exchange a bit and Dumont gets the fight to the ground. She moves on to half guard. Good ground-and-pound by Dumont. No doubt, Wolf needs a finish here to win this fight. Three minutes left. Dumont completely in control here. More shots follow by Dumont. Wolf has a swollen cheek bone. Dumont on half guard, landing good shots. Two minutes left. This round has been all Dumont. Good elbows from top by Dumont. Tough, tough debut for Wolf. The bell rings as Dumont moves to mount and manages to land a few shots.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-8, Dumont. Overall 30-26, Dumont.
Result: Norma Dumont def. Danyelle Wolf via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Photos: Norma Dumont def. Danyelle Wolf at UFC 279: Best photos
Records: Norma Dumont (8-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC), Danyelle Wolf (1-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Women’s featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
Judging: Douglas Crosby, Junichiro Kamijo 30-27, Sal D’amato 30-26.
Chris Barnett vs. Jake Collier
Round 1 – It’s time for the big boys to throw down. They touch gloves and the fight is on. And they’re swinging wild! That’s a fun start. Oh! And Collier drops Barnett. He’s hurt. Barnett is back on his feet and they’re exchanging wild. Barnett is cut on his cheek bone. The action cools down a bit, but Collier is pressuring and landing the better shots. What a wild start. Three minutes left. And no Barnett connects with a good combo. We got a fight. Good leg kick by Barnett. Clean one, two lands by Collier. Barnett answers back with a combo that lands. Collier lands a takedown and moves straight to mount. Barnett goes belly down now. Collier with some big shoots from top. The referee is watching closely. Collier goes for a rear-naked choke, but Barnett defends well. Barnett gets out, but he still has Collier on top. Barnett gets back up, as Collier lose sthe back mount. They trade a couple of shots until the bell. What a round.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Collier.
Round 2 – The doctor steps in the cage and checks Barnett’s badly swollen left eye. He gives him the green light and the fight is on. A hard leg kick followed by a one, two lands clean for Barnett. And these boys are now swinging for the fences. Crazy scenes. One minute in. Collier misses a takedown, Barnett spins around the back and ends on top. He’s now on mount, landing heavy, heavy shots on Collier. Collier is striking from the bottom. This is insane. The shots keep adding up. The referee has seen enough and waves off the fight. Incredible comeback win by Barnett.
Result: : Chris Barnett def. Jake Collier via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 2:24
Recap: Chris Barnett mounts incredible comeback to score second-round TKO of Jake Collier
Photos: Chris Barnett def. Jake Collier at UFC 279: Best photos
Records: Chris Barnett (23-8 MMA, 2-2 UFC), Jake Collier (13-8 MMA, 5-7 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPNews/ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Jamie Pickett vs. Denis Tiuliulin
Round 1 – And the action continues. Tiuliulin pressing Pickett here. Not a ton of action, but Tiuliulin is landing good leg kicks and is the one dictating the action. Pickett closes the distance for a takedown, fails, but ends up pressing Tiuliulin against the cage. Pickett controls for a few seconds, but Tiuliulin finds his way out. The fight resumes on the feet. Good combo by Tiuliulin. It seems he has an advantage in the striking department. Two minutes left. Tiuliulin walking down Pickett. Good jab by Pickett. And a big right-hand lands for Tiuliulin. Tiuliulin is getting his way here. Tiuliulin throws a kick to the mid-section and folds Pickett in half. The referee stops the action, as it looks to land low. Hard to tell on the replay. Not very clear, as it might’ve landed on the belt line. The fight resumes after a minute or so. No points taken. Tiuliulin walks down Pickett and lands some good shots to end the round.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Tiuliulin.
Round 2 – Same dynamics here. Tiuliulin is walking down Pickett and landing good shots. Pickett has yet to mount a meaningful offense. Hard body kick by Tiuliulin. Now he lands a hard elbow. Man, Tiuliulin is just walking down Pickett. We’re halfway through the round. And Tiuliulin lands a knee to the groin and the fight is paused. That was a clear illegal shot. Pickett is taking his time to recover. Referee Mike Beltran takes a point away from Tiuliulin. Now that could be a game changer. The fight resumes. Tiuliulin comes out firing. He’s putting it on Pickett. Pickkett responds with a few shots of his own. Nasty elbows from Tiuliulin in close quarters. And another elbow, but this time it drops Pickett. Now Tiuliulin is working from guard as he followed Pickett to the ground. Good ground-and-pound by Tiuliulin. Pickett finds his way back to his feet, but he looks hurt. Now a knee drops Pickett. He’s balled up and not defeding Tiuliulin’s shots. The fight is called off. Impressive showing by Tiuliulin.
Result: Denis Tiuliulin def. Jamie Pickett via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 4:52
Recap: Denis Tiuliulin breaks down Jamie Pickett for TKO after point deduction
Photos:
Records: Denis Tiuliulin (11-6 MMA, 1-1 UFC), Jamie Pickett (13-8 MMA, 2-4 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPNews/ESPN+
Referee: Mark Beltran
Jailton Almeida vs. Anton Turkalj
Round 1 – Almeida wastes no time and goes for a takedown right at the start. He gets it and begins to advance positions on Turkalj. Turkalj tries to get back up but is slammed on the canvas. Almeida now in half guard. He moves to side control. Worth nothing, little to no ground-and-pound from Almeida so far. Ok, never mind. Now Almeida is tagging Turkalj with shots. They’re carrying some power. Turkalj improves position. Now they’re in turtle position with Almeida on top. Turkalj tries to get back up and gets dragged to the canvas. Two minutes left. Complete dominance from Almeida. Fans are begining to boo. Almeida gets the back, then transitions to a mounted arm-triangle. Turkalj gets out, but gives up his back and Almeida sinks in the rear-naked choke. What a dominant win.
Result: Jailton Almeida def. Anton Turkalj via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:27
Recap: Denis Tiuliulin breaks down Jamie Pickett for TKO after point deduction
Photos: Denis Tiuliulin def. Jamie Pickett at UFC 279: Best photos
Records: Jailton Almeida (17-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC), Anton Turkalj (8-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPNews/ESPN+
Referee: Marc Goddard
Hakeem Dawodu vs. Julian Erosa
Round 1 – The final preliminary fight is underway! Both fighters come out very cautious. They each trade leg kicks. A minute has gone by. Neither guy attacking much. And Dawodu throws a combo that ended with a high kick. Erosa catches it and tries to take him down. Dawodu does a good job at staying on his feet and keeping the fight standing. We’re halfway through the round. Fans are getting a little restless. Good uppercuts from Erosa in the clinch. They break away and Erosa stuns Dawodu. Now Erosa putting on the pressure on Dawodu. He’s got him pinned against the cage. Good knees by Erosa. they break away. Dawodu seems to have recovered. Erosa connects again. More uppercuts from the clinch. Erosa is tagging up Dawodu here. A right hand from Erosa stuns Dawodu. Now Erosa putting on the pressure again. They clinch and the bell rings. Clear round for Erosa.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Erosa.
Round 2 – Erosa is all over him for the very start, but Dawodu is not backing down. Solid jabs by Dawodu. They’re exchanging shots evenly. Dawodu looks much improved. He’s not backing up, and he’s putting together good shots. More jabs by Dawodu. Good leg kick by Erosa. Three minutes left. Erosa shoots for a takedown, gets it, but Dawodu gets right back up. Erosa is able to get back mount with Dawodu on his feet. Erosa now brings down Dawodu to the canvas and maintains his back take. Erosa fishing for a choke, but Dawodu defending well. One minute left. Erosa keeping busy with shots, but none are doing much damage. Oh, and Dawodu with a nice escape, gets back to his feet, but the bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Erosa.
Round 3 – Dawodu needs a finish here. Erosa is clearly up. Dawodu walking down Erosa in this round – a different dynamic from the first two. Good leg kick by Dawodu. Nice jabs by Dawodu. Nice uppercut by Erosa. Three minutes left. Erosa fighting much more reserved in this round. Good left body hook by Dawodu. These two are trading evenly so far. We’re halfway through the round. Erosa lands clean in close quarters and clinch. Dawodu still doing most of the pressing and walking forward. Erosa goes for the takedown and gets it. He immediately gets back mount and sinks in a body triangle. One minute left. Erosa keeps busy with shots as he has Dawodu’s back, but he’s unable to generate much power. But Dawodu reverses the position and ends on top. Erosa gets back to his feet and the bell rings. Clean showing by Erosa.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Erosa. Overall 30-27, Erosa.
Result: Julian Erosa def. Hakeem Dawodu via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: Julian Erosa def. Hakeem Dawodu at UFC 279: Best photos
Records: Julian Erosa (28-9 MMA, 6-5 UFC), Hakeem Dawodu (13-3-1 MMA, 6-3 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPNews/ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
Judging: Douglas Crosby, Sal D’amato, Junichiro Kamijo 30-27.
Ion Cutelaba vs. Johnny Walker
Round 1 – And the UFC 279 main card is underway! Walker throws a head-kick, Cutelaba catches it, and takes down Walker to the canvas. Cutelaba moves him by the cage and looks to land ground-and-pound from top. Walker doing a good job defensively, tying up the hands of Cutelaba so he cant strike. Three minutes left. Referee Mike Beltran warns Walker on fence grabs. Walker reverses the position and is now on top of Cutelaba. He takes his back now. Walker hunting for the rear-naked choke, but Cutelaba defending well. Walker continues with his control. One minute left. Walker is now again going for the choke! It looks tight! And there’s the tap. Huge win for Walker.
Result: Johnny Walker def. Ion Cutelaba via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:37
Recap: Johnny Walker secures another first-round finish, taps Ion Cutelaba to open main card
Photos: Johnny Walker def. Ion Cutelaba at UFC 279: Best photos
Records: Johnny Walker (19-7 MMA, 5-4 UFC), Ion Cutelaba (16-8-1 MMA, 5-7-1 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Mike Beltran
Irene Aldana vs. Macy Chiasson
Round 1 – The fight is on. Chiasson looks to take the outside and Aldana is doing the chasing. Good lock kick by Aldana. Another one. Chiasson shoots for a takedown, fails, but presses Aldana against the cage. Aldana breaks free and the fight is back in the striking department. Good leg kick by Aldana. We’re halfway through the round. Aldana connecting well here. Chiasson is having a tough time landing shots. Clean right hand lands by Aldana. Chiasson goes for a takedown, almost gets it and causes a scramble. Aldana ends on top and threatens with an armbar. It’s close! And she gets out, but now has Aldana on top. Aldana with nasty ground-and-pound until the bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Aldana.
Round 2 – Chiasson comes out firing and pressures Aldana. Good leg kick by Chiasson. Aldana with a good right. Chiasson now shoots for a takedown and gets it. Aldana immediately goes for a heel hook. Now they’re in a stalemate position with Aldana on top. Aldana with some solid elbows. Three minutes left. Another scramble and Chiasson ends on top and takes Aldana’s back. Good elbows by Chiasson, as she keeps back control. Two minutes left. Chiasson attempts a choke but Aldana solid her defense. One minute left. Chiasson landing big shots from top. She’s now in half guard, as Aldana escaped. The bell rings and Chiasson finishes on top. Big round for her.
MMA Junkie scores it 10-9, Chiasson.
Round 3 – What a fight we got here. Oh and a right hand connects clean for Aldana. Now Chiasson is backing up. Good jab by Chiasson. Big left hook lands for Chiasson. Chiasson shoots for a takedown and ends up in Aldana’s guatrd. Three minutes left. Chiasson stands up. Aldana landa a heel kick from bottom and folds Chiasson. The fight is over. What a shot from Aldana.
Result: Irene Aldana def. Macy Chiasson via TKO (heel kick to the liver) – Round 3, 2:21
Recap: Irene Aldana lands liver kick from bottom to finish Macy Chiasson
Photos: Irene Aldana def. Macy Chiasson at UFC 279: Best photos
Records: Irene Aldana (14-6 MMA, 7-4 UFC), Macy Chiasson (8-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC)
Division: Women’s bantamweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Jason Herzog
Li Jingliang vs. Daniel Rodriguez
Round 1 – This fight starts hot. Rodriguez immediately pressing Jingliang here and staying busy with his striking. Good leg kicks by Rodriguez. And a good jab by Rodriguez. Jingliang a bit reserved here. We’re halfway through the round. Jingliang now opening up a bit. Good kicks to the body by Jingliang. Both fighters trade leg kicks. The pace here has slowed down a lot. One minute left. Jingliang is turning it up now. Hard leg kicks by Jingliang followed by a few shots that almost land. Close round here.
MMA Junkie scores it 10-9, Jingliang.
Round 2 – Jingliang is getting comfortable now and has begun to taunt him. Not much landing from either fighter. They both exchange leg kicks. Good leg kick lands by Rodriguez. Jingliang pressing a bit more, pushing back Rodriguez with strikes. They keep trading leg kicks. We’re halfway through the round. The crowd is booing. Very little action here. Nice left lands for Jingliang. Both fighters connect with leg kicks, again. One minute left. And a hige left hand connects for Jingliang and stuns Rodriguez. Rodriguez seems to be fine, but the shot caught his attention. Good jab by Rodriguez. Rodriguez connects with a head-kick, Jingliang catches it, and takes down Rodriguez. The bell goes off.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Jingliang.
Round 3 – Close rounds, could be anyone’s fight here. Good jab by Rodriguez. Man, tons of leg kicks being thrown by both fighters. The pace is picking up a bit more. Hard leg kick by Rodriguez. Fans begin to boo again. Jingliang misses with a one, two. Neither fighter is connecting much. Two minutes left. Good jab by Rodriguez. More jabs by Rodriguez, they’re really making an impact here in the third. Jingliang completely on the back foot now, as Rodriguez chasing him down. More jabs by Rodriguez. And the bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Rodriguez. Overall 29-28, Jingliang.
Result: Daniel Rodriguez def. Li Jingliang via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Recap: Daniel Rodriguez earns split decision nod in striking battle against Li Jingliang
Photos:
Records: Daniel Rodriguez (17-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC), Li Jingliang (19-8 MMA, 11-6 UFC)
Division: Catchweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging: Mike Bell, Douglas Crosby 29-28. Ron McCarthy 28-29.
Khamzat Chimaev vs. Kevin Holland
Round 1 – It’s time for the co-main event. Tons of security between these two. They touch gloves and the fight is on. Chimaev immediately goes for the takedown, gets it, but Holland gets up. Chimaev still with his arms locked around his waist. He gets him down. Chimaev is all over Holland. Holland putting up a good defense, but Chimaev is rag dolling him. Chimaev sinks in a D’arce choke. It looks tight. Holland is fighting it. And he gets the tap! Wow. Insanely dominant.
Result: Khamzat Chimaev def. Kevin Holland via submission (D’Arce choke) – Round 1, 2:13
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Khamzat Chimaev (12-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) vs. Kevin Holland (23-8 MMA, 10-5 UFC)
Division: Catchweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Herb Dean
Nate Diaz vs. Tony Ferguson
Round 1 – Here we go, people. This may be Diaz’s final fight in the UFC. These two immediately start trading. Spinning elbow by Ferguson. Ferguson is chasing down Diaz mostly here. Now roles have reversed. Now back to Ferguson pressuring Diaz. Nice leg kick by Diaz. Ferguson is bleeding form his shin. Broadcasts says it came from a checked kick by Diaz. Nothing significant lands. Two minutes left. Big left by Diaz. Good jab by Ferguson. One minute left. Diaz cracks Ferguson with his vintage one, two. Ferguson seems ok. The two throw shots, but nothing lands clean until the bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Diaz.
Round 2 – Diaz connects with a one, two followed by a leg kick. Good jab by Ferguson. Both men swinging but nothing connecting clean. Three minutes left. Ferguson tags Diaz with a combo. Good leg kick by Ferguson. Another one. Ferguson is bleeding from his right eyelid. It’s bothering him. Good elbow by Ferguson. Diaz’ one, two lands clean. Diaz now pressuring Ferguson, turning the tide. Good leg kick by Ferguson. Diaz gets a good right before the bell rings. Close round.
MMA Junkie scores it 10-9, Ferguson.
Round 3 – Interesting fight here. Good right hand by Diaz starts the round. Man, Diaz’ leg is a mess and Ferguson keeps landing leg kicks. Another one. Diaz is stumbling in the octagon. Now Diaz connects with a one, two. Ferguson is relentless with those leg kicks. Again and again they keep landing. Diaz is feeling it. Diaz with a good left hand. Diaz is lighting up Ferguson here. Good combos from Diaz. Ferguson is on his heels, as Diaz pressures him. Ferguson with a stick and move approach. One minute left. More leg kicks by Ferguson. The bell rings. Close round.
MMA Junkie scores it 10-9, Ferguson.
Round 4 – Main event rounds underway. Again, Ferguson staying on the outside, with Diaz doing most of the walking forward. Good jab by Ferguson followed by an inside leg kick. Big right hand connects for Diaz. Ferguson is backing up. Oh! Diaz connects with a flurry to the body and head. Diaz turning up it seems. Good hook to the body by Ferguson. More shots from Diaz. Ferguson shoots for a double, and gets caught in a guillotine! And it’s over! Diaz taps Ferguson!
Result: Nate Diaz def. Tony Ferguson via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 4, 2:52
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Nate Diaz (21-13 MMA, 16-11 UFC) vs. Tony Ferguson (25-8 MMA, 15-6 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Marc Goddard
