PARIS – UFC Fight Night 226 took place Saturday, and MMA Junkie provided live play-by-play throughout the event.
The event took place at Accor Arena in Paris. The main card aired on ESPN+ at 3 p.m. ET following prelims at noon ET, also on ESPN+.
In the main event, former interim UFC heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane (11-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) took on fellow contender Serghei Spivac (16-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC). In the co-feature, former women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas (11-5 MMA, 9-4 UFC) made her flyweight debut against Manon Fiorot (10-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC).
You can get behind-the-scenes coverage and other event notes from on-site reporters Farah Hannoun (@Farah_Hannoun) and Abbey Subbhan (@kammakaze) on X (formerly Twitter).
Jacqueline Cavalcanti vs. Zarah Fairn
Round 1 – Cavalcanti stays on the outside, while Farin pressures. Some leg kicks by Cavalcanti, but with little power. Two minutes have gone by. Not much from either fighter, just a few leg kicks from Cavalcanti. A couple of right hands and more leg kicks land for Cavalcanti. Farin unable to land anything. One minute left. Cavalcanti is backing up less and pressuring at some points. Oh! Nasty eye poke by Farin. The fight is paused. It looks like it was a double eye poke. The fight resumes. Thirty seconds left. Farin presses, but unable to land anything. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Cavalcanti.
Round 2 – Cavalcanti using good movement, leg kicks and quick combos to score on Farin. Farin is just unable to find her shots. She does seem unfazed by Cavalcanti’s shots, which are not coming with significant power. Two minutes left. More leg kicks by Cavalcanti. Nice combo by Cavalcanti! And a body kick by Farin. Cavalcanti eaits it well. Again, more lg kicks by Cavalcanti. A couple of right hands connect for Cavalcanti. Farin’s output has dropped. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Cavalcanti.
Round 3 – Farin needs to pick it up. She’s clearly down. Cavalcanti getting confident now and pressing the action a bit more. Leg kicks by Cavalcanti. More leg kicks. Farin still unable to to land anything significant. Three minutes left. It seems the leg kicks are starting to bother Farin. Left hook connects for Cavalcanti. Two minutes left. One, two by Cavalcanti. Farin stepping up the pressure but still not landing clean on Cavalcanti. Farin shoots for a takedown, Cavalcanti stuffs it and gets back to her feet. Good combo by Cavalcanti to end the fight.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Cavalcanti. Overall 30-27, Cavalcanti.
Result: Jacqueline Cavalcanti def. Zarah Fairn via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-37, 30-27)
Photos: Jacqueline Cavalcanti def. Zarah Fairn at UFC Fight Night 226: Best photos
Records: Jacqueline Cavalcanti (6-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Zarah Fairn (6-6 MMA, 0-4 UFC)
Division: Women’s featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Rich Mitchell
Judging: Damien Gluski, David Lethaby, Clemens Werner 30-27.
Farid Basharat vs. Kleydson Rodrigues
Round 1 – Big leg kick by Rodrigues. Basharat shoots for a takedown, struggles to get it, but gets it in the end. Basharat working from half guard. He gets mount. Rodrigues explodes and bumps Basharat off him, Three minutes left. Basharat close the distance and tries to take down Rodrigues by the fence. They struggle in the takedown war and Basharat gets it. Two minutes left. They’re back in half guard. Good elbows from top by Basharat. Basharat attempting an arm triangle! There’s the tap! It’s over.
Result: Farid Basharat def. Kleydson Rodrigues via submission (arm triangle) – Round 1, 4:15
Recap: Farid Basharat remains unbeaten, taps out Kleydson Rodrigues in first
Photos: Farid Basharat def. Kleydson Rodrigues at UFC Fight Night 226: Best photos
Records: Farid Basharat (11-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Kleydson Rodrigues (8-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Loic Pora
Nora Cornolle vs. Joselyne Edwards
Round 1 – Both fighters connect with big leg kicks to start the round. Cornolle connect with multiple leg kicks in a row. Clean left hook by Edwards. Good combo by Cornolle. Edwards closes the distance and presses Cornolle against the cage. Cornolle with some knees here and there, but still getting controlled by Edwards. Two minutes left. Edwards gets a takedown. Edwards is working from half guard. One minute left. Cornolle reverses the position and she’s now on top of Edwards. Not much damage from either fighter. Cornolle gets back to her feet and the bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Cornolle.
Round 2 – They trade leg kick. Edwards pressing Cornolle. Slick takedown by Edwards! A minute has gone by. Edwards is working from guard. Cornolle is trying to get up, but Edwards maintains good control. Cornolle tries to wall walk, but in the process gets her back somewhat taken by Edwards. Good shots from Edwards. Cornolle gets back up! Edwards takes her down, but Cornolle finds her way back to her feet almost immediately. Another takedown by Edwards. One minute left. Edwards working from half guard. Cornolle slips out the back and gets back control on Edwards. Thirty seconds left. Cornolle holds position until the bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Edwards.
Round 3 – Big right hand by Edward backs up Cornolle. Cornolle with aclean right hand of her own. Edwards closes the distance and presses Cornolle against the cage. Cornolle reverses the position. Good knees by Cornolle to the legs and body. Non-stop knees by Cornolle. Edwards gets a head-and-arm takedown on Cornolle. Edwards working from half guard. Cornolle recovers guard. Cornolle landing elbows from bottom. Edwards gets Cornolle’s back. Two minutes left. Edwards going for a rear-naked choke. It’s tight! Cornolle gets out! Cornolle bumps Edwards off her. They’re back to striking. Edwards presses Cornolle against the cage. Cornolle reverses and bell rings soon after.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Edwards. Overall 29-28, Edwards.
Result: Nora Cornolle def. Joselyne Edwards via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Photos: Nora Cornolle def. Joselyne Edwards at UFC Fight Night 226: Best photos
Records: Nora Cornolle (7-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Joselyne Edwards (13-5 MMA, 4-3 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Lukasz Bosacki
Judging: Ben Cartlidge, Damien Gluski 30-27. Clemen Werner 29-28.
Ange Loosa vs. Rhys McKee
Round 1 – McKee immediately gets on the outside and looks to stick and move. Loosa on the other hand is hunting. Oh! Big, explosive shots by Loosa. Loosa gets a takedown. A minute has gone by. McKee gets back up but eats several right hands on his way up. McKee is a bit banged up. Leg kick by McKee. Loosa shoots and comes up short on his second takedown attempt. Jab by McKee. Leg kick by McKee buckles Loosa. Two minutes left. McKee now presing. Leg kick by McKee. McKee is bleeding from his nose. Good jabs by McKee. More leg kicks by McKee. Tide is turning. Oh! Flying knee by McKee. The bell rings. Close round.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, McKee.
Round 2 – McKee comes out pressuring. Leg kicks by McKee. Loosa seems to be slowing down. Good combination by McKee. Oh! Big right hand connects for Loosa. Jabs by McKee. Right hand lands for Loosa. McKee clearly landing the cleaner shots here. Three minutes left.Letf hook by McKee. Loosa times McKee and gets a nice takedown. Three minutes left. Loosa moves to side control. McKee scrambles, gets back up, but Loosa takes him down immediately. Two minutes left. Good ground-and-pound by Loosa. McKee gets up, but being controlled against the cage. Loosa goes wild! Tons of shots connecting on McKee. Loosa takes him down. One minute left. Loosa with good ground-and-pound, but much more measured now. Loosa ends the round on top.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Loosa.
Round 3 -Man, McKee’s face is busted up. Loosa shoots for a takedown early and gets it. Good shots from top by Loosa. McKee is tough. Good control by Loosa here, while also staying busy with shots. Three minutes left. McKee gets up but Loosa takes him back down. McKee up again and this time he breaks free. Loosa fails on a takedown attempt. Two minutes left. Good jabs by McKee. Loosa not throwing much. One minute left. Loosa shoots again and gets stuffed by McKee. Oh! Big right hand by McKee! He’ all over Loosa. Loosa is hurt! More shots by McKee. Loosa is on the run. The bell rings. Wild fight.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Loosa. Overall 28-29, Loosa.
Result: Ange Loosa def. Rhys McKee via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: Ange Loosa def. Rhys McKee at UFC Fight Night 226: Best photos
Records: Ange Loosa (10-3 MMA, 2-1 UFC), Rhys McKee (13-5-1 MMA, 0-3 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Loic Pora
Judging: Christophe Chapuis 30-27. David Lethaby, Darryl Ransom 29-28.
Taylor Lapilus vs. Caolan Loughran
Round 1 – Hard jab by Lapilus. Another one. And again! What a sharp jab by Lapilus. More jabs by Lapilus. Loughran just can’t get out of their way. Loughran marching forward, but getting picked apart right now. Loughran closes the distance and presses Lapilus against the cage. Three minutes left. Loughran trying to get the takedown, but Lapilus defending well. Great defense by Lapilus. They break apart. Two minutes left. More jabs by Lapilus. Loughran still pressing the action, but clearly behind in the striking. A right hand lands for Loughran. And Loughran shoots and gets a takedown. A little less than a minute left. Lapilus gets up and lands a knee. Back to striking. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Lapilus.
Round 2 – Loughran again pressing the action and a quick takedown for Loughran! Four minutes left. Good control here by Loughran. Loughran connecting with ground-and-pound, but nothing massive. Loughran almost on mount in like a Khabib like position. Loughran gets the back! Lapilus bumps him off, but Loughran right back at trying to get the takedown and pins Lapulis against the cage. Two minutes left. Lapilu defending well, but still getting controlled. he breaks free with one minute left. Leg kick by Lapilus. More jabs by Lapilus. Body shot by Loughran. Leg kick by Loughran. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Loughran.
Round 3 – Low blow from Loughran halts the fight right at the start. Lapilus recovers quickly and the fight resumes. Loughran presses Lapilus against the cage. Loughran looking for the takedown, but Lapilus defending well. Lapilus breaks free. Good jab by Lapilus. Loughran relentless with pressure. Loughran with several takedown attempts, but all coming up short. Right hand connects for Loughran. Another failed takedown by Loughran. More jabs by Lapilus. More jabs. A minute left. Loughran presses Lapilus against the cage. Lapilus breaks free. Lapilus’ jab is nasty. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Lapilus. Overall 29-28, Lapilus.
Result: Taylor Lapilus def. Caolan Loughran via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: Taylor Lapilus def. Caolan Loughran at UFC Fight Night 226: Best photos
Records: Taylor Lapilus (19-3 MMA, 4-1 UFC), Caolan Loughran (8-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Lucasz Bosacki
Judging: Ben Cartlidge, Sal D’Amato, Anders Ohlsson 29-28.
Morgan Charriere vs. Manolo Zecchini
Round 1 – Three big right hands from Zecchini. Both guys very tentative. Another right hand for Zechinni. Charriere with a hard leg kick. Low volume from both guys. Three minutes left. Jabs by Charriere. More jabs by Charriere. Oh, nasty body kick by Charriere! And a jab! Oh! Another body kick folds Zechinni! It’s over! What a finish.
Result: Morgan Charriere def. Manolo Zecchini via TKO (body kick) – Round 1, 3:51
Recap: Morgan Charriere double-body kicks Manolo Zecchini for the win, blows roof of Accor Arena
Photos: Morgan Charriere def. Manolo Zecchini at UFC Fight Night 226: Best photos
Records: Morgan Charriere (19-9-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Manolo Zecchini (11-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Rich Mitchell
Yanis Ghemmouri vs. William Gomis
Round 1 – Leg kick by Ghemmouri. Gomi answers back with one of his own. Both trading leg kicks now. More leg kicks by Ghemmouri. Both fighters being very conservative, only throwing single shots with low output. More leg kicks from both fighters. Two minutes left. So far, Ghemmouri seems to be landing more leg kicks than Gomis. The crowd is booing. One minute left. Welp, a low blow from Gomis halts the bout but it resumes almost immediately. Gomis lands a few shots right before the bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Gomis.
Round 2 – Gomis is starting to open up. He’s being more aggressive in the second. Ghemmouri shoots for a single leg takedown. Gomis defends well and sinks in a standing guillotine. It looks tight! Ghemmouri is defending, but Gomis is relentless with the squeeze. Three minutes left. Gomis just holding Ghemmouri with the guillotine by the cage. And Ghemmouri gets out! Ghemmouri presses Gomis against the cage. Two minutes left. And Gomis breaks free. One minute left. Not much going on. Leg kick by Ghemmouri. The. bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Gomis.
Round 3 – Ghemmouri immediately closes the distance and presses Gomis against the cage. Not much going on. Gomis breaks free. Leg kick by Gomis. Leg kick by Ghemmouri. Ghemmouri presses Gomis against the cage. Gomis breaks free and lands a low blow. The referee waves off the fight as he said they needed to fight on. Ghemmouri is confused. He insists it was a low blow, the referee disagrees. Odd ending.
Result: William Gomis def. Yanis Ghemmouri via TKO (body kick) – Round 3, 2:20.
Recap: Low blow or legal kick? UFC Paris fight ending sparks controversy
Photos: William Gomis def. Yanis Ghemmouri at UFC Fight Night 226: Best photos
Records: William Gomis (13-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC), Yanis Ghemmouri (12-2 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Loic Pora
Bogdan Guskov vs. Volkan Oezdemir
Round 1 – Big leg kick by Oezdemir. Oh! Big shots from both! Oezdemir shoots for a takedown and gets it. He’s in half guard. Guskov gets on his knees and find a way back up. Big leg kicks by Oezdemir. Two minutes left. More leg kicks by Oezdemir. Guskov are a big shot! Oezdemir lands again! Guskov goes down! Ground-and-pound from Oezdemir! Oezdemir gets the back, he sinks in a rear-naked choke and it’s over! What a showing by Oezdemir.
Result: Volkan Oezdemir def. Bogdan Guskov via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:46
Recap: Volkan Oezdemir makes quick work of Bogdan Guskov
Photos: Volkan Oezdemir def. Bogdan Guskov at UFC Fight Night 226: Best photos
Records: Volkan Oezdemir (19-7 MMA, 7-6 UFC), Bogdan Guskov (14-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Marc Goddard
Thiago Moises vs. Benoit Saint-Denis
Round 1 – Big leg kicks by Saint-Denis to start the round. Oh no! Low blow by Saint-Denis. The fight is paused. After a couple of minutes, the fight resumes. They trade leg kicks. The fight paused again on an apparent low blow from Saint-Denis. The fight resumes again after a few seconds. Saint-Denis comes out aggressive, pressing Moises. Big right lands for Saint-Denis. Saint-Denis goes for the takedown, Moises defending well by the cage. Three minutes left. Moises breaks free. Leg kick by Moises. Oh! They’re swinging wild! Both land. Saint-Denis gets a takedown. Two minutes left. Ground-and-pound by Saint-Denis. Moises goes for a leg lock but nothing. Saint-Denis landing ground-and-pound to the body. Complete control here by Saint-Denis. Moises is bleeding from his right eye. They’re back up and brawling! Moises connects with a right. The bell rings. Wild fight.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Saint-Denis.
Round 2 – Crazy fight. A left connects for Moises. Saint-Denis closes distance and presses Moises against the cage. Saint-Denis landing knees while clinched with Moises. They break free. Leg kicks by Saint-Denis. Moises now. Moises gets a takedown, but Saint-Denis gets immediately back up. Two minutes left. Crazy dirty boxing from both. Saint-Denis with a takedown. Non-stop ground-and-pound from Saint-Denis. Moises is just turtled up. It’s not looking good. It’s over! What a win by Saint-Denis.
Result: Benoit Saint-Denis def. Thiago Moises via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:44
Recap: Benoit Saint-Denis overwhelms Thiago Moises for Round 2 TKO
Photos: Benoit Saint-Denis def. Thiago Moises at UFC Fight Night 226: Best photos
Records: Benoit Saint-Denis (12-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC), Thiago Moises (17-7 MMA, 6-5 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Lucasz Bosacki
Manon Fiorot vs. Rose Namajunas
Round 1 – One, two by Fiorot. Namajunas staying on the outside, using her typical movement. Good jab by Fiorot. Fiorot’s jab is on point. Namajunas shoots for a takedown and gets stuffed. Good left by Namajunas. Three minutes left. Jab by Namajunas. One, two by Fiorot. Uppercut by Namajunas. Leg kick by Namajunas. Very close fight. Namajunas seems to be finding her rhythm. Namajunas shoots again, but Fiorot defends the takedown. Nice combo by Fiorot. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Fiorot.
Round 2 – Namajunas is pressing the action here. Fiorot landing shots to the arms of rose, but they seem to be moving her around. Fiorot closes the distance and presses Namajunas against the cage. Short, arm shots land for Fiorot. They reset and get back to striking. Namajunas’ face has damage. Fiorot lose her balance in an exchange and falls to the ground. Namajunas follows, trying to get a takedown, but unable to. Oh! Big clash of head as they both went for a takedown. Fiorot with a massive cut on the side of the head. The fight is paused and it resumes shortly after. Good jab by Namajunas. More jabs by Namajunas. Close round.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Fiorot.
Round 3 – Leg kick by Namajunas. She shoots for a takedown, but gets stuffed. Another leg kick by Namajunas. Another failed takedown by Namajunas. Both throwing, but not a ton is landing clean. Three minutes left. Leg kick by Namajunas. A couple of nice left hands land for Namajunas. Namajunas with non-stop pressure. Fiorot with a hard one, two. Oh! Namajunas with a big left. Namajunas presses Fiorot against the cage. They break free. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Namajunas. Overall 29-28, Fiorot.
Result: Manon Fiorot def. Rose Namajunas via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Recap: Manon Fiorot outlasts Rose Namajunas, calls for title shot
Photos: Manon Fiorot def. Rose Namajunas at UFC Fight Night 226: Best photos
Records: Manon Fiorot (11-1 MMA, 6-0 UFC), Rose Namajunas (11-6 MMA, 9-5 UFC)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Rich Mitchell
Judging: Darryl Ransom 30-27. Sal D’Amato, Anders Ohlsson 29-28.
Ciryl Gane vs. Serghei Spivac
Round 1 – Gnae with tons of movement, dancing around Spivac. Good leg kicks and jabs by Gane, but not too much power behind them. More jabs by Gane. Left hook lands for Spivac. Three minutes left. Spivac shoots for a takedown, big sprawl by Gane and gets immediately back up. Body shots by Gane. Straight left by Gane. Gane is backing up Spivac here with shots. Two minutes left. Incredible accuracy by Gane. A left hook lands for Spivac. Nasty body shots by Gane. Leg kick by Spivac. Jabs to the body by Gane. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Gane.
Round 2 – Leg kicks by Gane. Spivac with a couple of attempts to get hold of Gane, but he’s too quick and elusive. So far, Spivac is just getting picked apart. More leg kicks and jabs by Gane while moving from side to side. Spivac is feeling the damage, especially to the body. Spivac is slowing down. Gane is picking up the attack and pressure. Two minutes left. A couple of right hooks stun Spivac. Spivac is battered. Knee to the body by Gane. Spivac is falling apart. Non-stop attack by Gane! It’s looking bad. Spivac just covering against the fence. It’s over!
Result: Ciryl Gane def. Serghei Spivac via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 3:44
Recap: Ciryl Gane patiently demolishes Serghei Spivac with diverse flurry for TKO
Photos: Ciryl Gane def. Serghei Spivac at UFC Fight Night 226: Best photos
Records: Ciryl Gane (12-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC), Serghei Spivac (16-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Marc Goddard
