LAS VEGAS – UFC Fight Night 234 took place Saturday, and below you can find the live play-by-play and official results. UFC Fight Night 234 (ESPN+) took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
In the main event, Magomed Ankalaev (19-1-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC) defeated Johnny Walker (21-8 MMA, 7-5 UFC) by KO at light heavyweight. In the co-feature, UFC record holder Jim Miller (37-17 MMA, 26-16 UFC) submitted Gabriel Benitez (23-12 MMA, 7-7 UFC) at lightweight. (Manel Kape missed weight for his flyweight co-main event against Matheus Nicolau, and their bout was canceled after weigh-ins.)
Felipe Bunes vs. Joshua Van
Round 1 – Leg kick by Bunes. He looks to stay on the outside while picking apart a shorter Van. More leg kicks from Bunes. Big one, two by Bunes. Jabs by Bunes. Van is throwing, but has yet to land clean on Bunes. Van with a big right hook! Bunes fires back. Three minutes left. Anothet big right by Van. One, two by Bunes. Bunes looks for a takedown, fails, but presses Van against the cage. A knee to the groin from Van stops the action. Bunes looks in pain. Almost two minutes later and the fight resumes. Leg kick by Nunes. Good right hand by Van. Bunes shoots for a takedown and gets it. He’s working from side control. Bunes gets mount. Bunes attemps an omoplata! The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Bunes.
Round 2 – One, two by Bunes. Bunes closes the distance and presses Van against the cage. Knees to the legs by Bunes. Van breaks free, but Bunes shoots immediately for a takedown and gets it. Van gets immediately back up. Oh! Big shots by Van! Bunes is slowing down. Van takes down Bunes and begins to land ground and pound. Bunes looks like he’s fading. They get back up. Big shots from Van to both the head and the body. Bunes looks to be in trouble. Bunes is fighting back, but Van clearly beating him up here. Big hooks by Van! Bunes goes down! Big ground-and-pound by Van! It’s over.
Result: Joshua Van def. Felipe Bunes via TKO (ground-and-pound) – Round 2, 4:31
Recap: 22-year-old Joshua Van overcomes slow start for TKO of Felipe Bunes
Photos: UFC Fight Night 234: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Van (10-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC), Bunes (13-7 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Nikolas Motta vs. Tom Nolan
Round 1 – These two are swinging hard! Good elbow by Nolan. Motta with a big left. Oh! One, two drops Nolan! Motta all over him with ground-and-pound! It’s over!
Result: Nikolas Motta def. Tom Nolan via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:03
Recap: Nikolas Motta upsets Tom Nolan with 63-second TKO
Photos: UFC Fight Night 234: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Motta (14-5 MMA, 2-2 UFC), Nolan (6-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Dan Miragliotta
Jean Silva vs. Westin Wilson
Round 1 – Wilson rejects Silva’s touch of gloves. Body kick by Silva. Oh! Left hook briefly drops Wilson! He seems ok now. Silva walking him down. Another left and then a takedown by Silva. Wilson gets back up. Nice one two by Wilson! It stuns Silva. Another left by Silva! Huge left by Silva drops Wilson! Wilson is wobbled bad. More shots from Silva. A big left and then a knee to the head connects for Silva. Wilson desperately trying to get the takedown, but unable to. Wilson eating tons of shots by the fence. Referee Marc Goddard intervenes for a standing TKO. Impressive stuff from Silva.
Result: Jean Silva def. Westin Wilson via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:12
Recap: Jean Silva bludgeons Westin Wilson for first-round debut finish
Photos: UFC Fight Night 234: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Silva (12-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Wilson (16-9 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Marc Goddard
Farid Basharat vs. Taylor Lapilus
Round 1 -Good leg kicks here by Basharat. Basharat closes the distance and gets his hands locked on Lapilus. He’s trying hard to takedown Lapilus, but he’s defending well despite all the chain wrestling from Basharat. They’re back to striking. Lapilus with a front kick to the body. Takedown attempt from Basharat, but defended well by Lapilus. Lapilus a little gun shy here, probably in fear of a takedown. Body kick by Basharat. Another takedown attempt by Basharat, but Lapilus defends it. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Basharat.
Round 2 – Leg kicks by Basharat. Lapilus so far with low output. A couple of shots land for Basharat. He closes the distance and presses Lapilus against the cage. Basharat gets the takedown, but he’s not really controlling Lapilus fully on the ground. After 30 seconds or so, Lapilus gets back to his feet. They exchange shots, but nothing significant lands for either. Basharat shoots and gets the takedown. Basharat controlling Lapilus in half guard. He ends the round on top.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Basharat.
Round 3 – A couple of hard leg kicks land for Basharat. Lapilus needs to pick it up. Left and right hooks land for Basharat. He shoots for the takedown and gets it. He controls Lapilus Khabib-style by the cage. Three minutes left. Lapilus scrambles and works his way back up thirty seconds later. Big left-hand lands for Lapilus. Basharat shoots again for the takedown and gets it. Good control here by Basharat. He moves to side control. Basharat attemps an anaconda choke! It’s tight! Lapilus escapes and the bell rings shortly after.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Basharat. Overall 30-27, Basharat.
Result: Farid Basharat def. Taylor Lapilus via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: UFC Fight Night 234: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Basharat (12-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC), Lapilus (19-4 MMA, 4-2 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Judging: Mike Bell, Sal D’Amato, Junishiro Kamijo 30-27.
Gaston Bolanos vs. Marcus McGhee
Round 1 – Body kick from McGhee gets caught by Bolanos. Both guys very tentative here, chasing each other, but neither landing clean. Oh, never mind. Good left by McGhee. McGhee then goes for a takedown, briefly gets it, but Bolanos gets back to his feet. McGhee is now controlling Bolanos against the cage. They’re back to striking. Good leg kick, then a jab by Bolanos. Bolanos cracks Bolanos with a right hand. Oh! Bolanos gets stunned. McGhee is upping the pressure. McGhee wobbles Blanos and then follows him to the ground, and he gets off balance. McGhee working from top. They scramble and McGhee connects on Bolanos. The bell rings shortly after.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, McGhee.
Round 2 – McGhee cracks Bolanos early here. Bolanos is bleeding from his left eyebrow. McGhee is connecting clean. Bolanos, however, is still in this and his throwing back despite getting hit plenty here. Hard hooks by McGhee. What a chin on Bolanos! Three minutes left. McGhee is picking apart Bolanos here. Big right hand drops Bolanos! McGhee all over him! It’s over! What a showing.
Result: Marcus McGhee def. Gaston Bolanos via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 3:29
Recap: Marcus McGhee batters Gaston Bolanos for standing TKO
Photos: UFC Fight Night 234: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: McGhee (9-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC), Bolanos (7-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Preston Parsons vs. Matthew Semelsberger
Round 1 – Good right by Semelsberger. They clinch and battle for control, but neither is able to get the upper hand. They’re back to striking. Good body kick by Parsons. Parsons gets a takedown off a sweep, but Semelsberger gets immediately back up. They clinch, but neither is able to establish dominance. Semelsberger is able to press Parsons against the cage for a few seconds, and then they get back to striking. Stiff jab by Parsons. Hard leg kick by Parsons. Once again, Semelsberger controls Parsons against the cage briefly. They break and the bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Parsons.
Round 2 – Semelsberger closes the distance and takes down Parsons. He’s working from side control. Parsons gets back to his feet, but gets pressed by Semelsberger against the cage. He breaks free. Semelsberger has a gash on his forehead. Parsons shoots and he gets a takedown. Semelsberger gets back up, but gets presses against the cage. Good pressure by Parsons. Two minutes left. Parsons with a mat return, but Semelsberger gets back to his feet. Good knees to the legs by Parsons as he presses Semelsberger. Takedown from Parsons and he transitions to an armbar! It looks tight! Semelsberger gets out. One minute left. They’re back to striking. Parsons gets a takedown to close out the round.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Parsons
Round 3 – Oh! Semelsberger stuns Parsons! Parsons shoots for a takedown and Semelsberger goes for a guillotine and forces him to get on his back. Parsons reverses the position and gets on top. They scramble to their feet and Parsons presses Semelsberger against the cage. Semelsberger sinks ina guillotine and sits back. Parsons gets out and ends on top. They scramble back and forth like crazy. Parsons ends on top after the scrambling. Parsons attempting a kimura. It looked tight for a second, but Semelsberger gets out. Parsons gets mount and threatens with an arm triangle. Parsons lets it go and lands ground and pound as the bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Parsons. Overall 30-27.
Result: Preston Parsons def. Matthew Semelsberger via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: UFC Fight Night 234: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Parsons (11-4 MMA, 2-2 UFC), Semelsberger (11-7 MMA, 5-5 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Dan Miragliotta
Judging: Mike Bell, Junichiro Kamijo, Ron McCarthy 30-27.
Andrei Arlovski vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta
Round 1 – Very technical fight so far with both guys picking their shots. Cortes-Acosta mainly moving forward and Arlovski backing up. Leg kick, jabs by Arlovski. Cortes-Acosta with some big shots that partially land and back up Arlovski. Two minutes left. Good body kick by Arlovski. Big left by Cortes-Acosta. Big leg kick by Cortes-Acosta. Leg kick by Arlovski. Oh! Big hooks by Cortes-Acosta! Arlovski ate them well. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scored the round 10-9, Cortes-Acosta.
Round 2 – Leg kick by Cortes-Acosta, who presses Arlovski. Hard jab by Cortes-Acosta. Body kick by Cortes-Acosta. Three minutes left. Leg kick and then a jab by Arlovski. Another leg kick by Arlovski. Cortes-Acosta is taunting Arlovski here by dancing. Slow paced fight. Big shots from Cortes-Acosta, but they all miss. Jab by Cortes-Acosta. Body shot by Arlovski. Big right hand by Cortes-Acosta to end the round.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Cortes-Acosta.
Round 3 – These two getting frustrated with each other. Cortes-Acosta pressing an Arlovski, who’s happy to back up and counter. Leg kicks by Cortes-Acosta. Body shot by Cortes-Acosta. Jab and then body shot by Arlovski. Oh Big right hand from Cortes-Acosta stuns Arlovski! Arlovski recovers well. Two minutes left. Anothet big right by Cortes-Acosta! Arlovski answers back with a left. Cortes-Acosta taunting Arlovski plenty here. Spinning body kick by Arlovski. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Cortes-Acosta. Overall 30-27, Cortes-Acosta.
Result: Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Andrei Arlovski via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: UFC Fight Night 234: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Cortes-Acosta (11-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC), Arlovski (34-23 MMA, 23-17 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Marc Goddard
Judging: Derek Cleary, Sal D’Amato, Chris Lee 29-28.
Brunno Ferreira vs. Phil Hawes
Round 1 – Stiff jab by Hawes. Ferreira goes for a takedown, Hawes defends, and as they separate, Hawes connects with a hard hook. They clinch and Ferreira gets a nice sweep. He’s working from side control. Good elbow from top by Ferreira. Ferreira controls and lands a bit of shots from top, but Hawes fights his way back to his feet and striking. Hawes pressing Ferreira here. Oh! Hawes eats a big knee! He’s wobbled! Hawes tries to grapple and Ferreira defends well. Ferreira going in for the kill. It seems Hawes has recovered. Clean one, two by Ferreira! Big left by Ferreira! Hawes is out cold! Brutal finish.
Result: Brunno Ferreira def. Phil Hawes via KO (punch) – Round 1, 4:55
Recap: Brunno Ferreira sleeps Phil Hawes with crushing punches
Photos: UFC Fight Night 234: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Ferreira (11-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC), Hawes (12-6 MMA, 4-4 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Mario Bautista vs. Ricky Simon
Round 1 – Good jabs by Bautista. Simon pressuring Bautista here. Hard leg kicks by Bautista. Simon times Bautista and gets a takedown, as he looked to attack. Three minutes left. Simon working from half guard. Bautista gets back up, but Simon back at pressuring him. Bautista gets pressed against the cage. Good control here by Simon, but little damage being done. Bautista breaks free. Leg kick by Bautista. A couple of hooks land for Simon. Body kick by Bautista. Oh! Huge left hook lands for Simon. It seems Bautista was caught off balance. Relentless pressure by Simon. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Simon.
Round 2 – Crazy pace here. Again, Simon pressing Bautista. Leg kick by Bautista. Both these guys throwing, but they’ve both been defensively sound. Simon closes the distance and presses Bautista against the cage. He’s unable to do anything meaningful, and they break free. We’re halfway through the round. Big straight right by Simon. Good jabs by Simon. Oh! Clean one, two by Bautista. Wild exchanges here. Oh! Bautista lands a head kick to close out the round. Simon eats it well.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Bautista.
Round 3 – Close fight here. Bautista is bleeding from his nose. Good combo by Bautista! Simon closes the distance, picks up Bautista, carries him across the octagon and slams him. Simon working from half guard. Bautista scrambles like crazy and works his way to his feet and back to striking. Three minutes left. Wild pace. Good uppercut by Bautista. Bautista landing more often here. He’s non-stop pressing Simon. Bautista all over Simon here! Bautista is landing tons of combinations. Simon tries for a takedown and fails. They clinch. Good elbow by Bautista. The two brawl all the way to the bell. Great fight.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Bautista. Overall 29-28, Bautista.
Result: Mario Bautista def. Ricky Simon via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Photos: UFC Fight Night 234: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Bautista (14-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC), Simon (20-5 MMA, 8-4 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging: Derek Cleary 29-28. Sal D’Amato, Chris Lee 30-27.
Gabriel Benitez vs. Jim Miller
Round 1 – Oh, big leg kick by Benitez and Miller answers with one of his own. Another leg kick by Miller. Nasty combo by Miller. He’s walking down Benitez. Big leg kick by Benitez. Good combo by Miller. Pretty even so far, but Miller does seem to be landing more. One, two by Benitez. Good knees by Miller in the clinch. Good combo by Miller. These two are connecting with plenty of power. Big leg kick by Miller. Nice jabs by Benitez. Hard straight-right by Benitez. Right hook lands for Miller. Leg kick by Miller. The bell rings. Fun stuff.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Miller.
Round 2 – Man, brutal damage done by both with leg kicks. Nice combo by Benitez. Big right hand by Miller. What a chin on Benitez. They trade leg kicks. Nice body shot by Miller. Benitez is now doing the pressing, contrary to the first round. Benitez’s lead leg is a mess. Miller shoots for a takedown and gets it. Three minutes left. Good ground-and-pound by Miller. Miller working from guard. Benitez tries an armbar, but Miller defends it. Big shots from Miller. Miller now takes the back of Benitez. Miller controls from the back for a little less than a minute before the bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Miller.
Round 3 – Great fight. They touch gloves for the final round. Good right hook by Miller. Jabs by Benitez. Nasty leg kick by Miller. Benitez is so tough. Miller is landing hard leg kicks, but Benitez is not even buckling. His leg is badly bruised, though. Even striking exchanges so far. Good combo by Benitez. Miller shoots and gets a takedown. Two minutes left. Miller takes the back! He sinks in the rear-naked choke! It’s over!
Result: Jim Miller def. Gabriel Benitez via submission (face crank) – Round 3, 3:25
Recap: Jim Miller taps Gabriel Benitez, calls out Paul Felder for UFC 300
Photos: UFC Fight Night 234: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Miller (37-17 MMA, 26-16 UFC), Benitez (23-12 MMA, 7-7 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Dan Miragliotta
Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker
Round 1 – Walker comes out aggressive! Leg kicks land for him. Big swings thrown at Ankalaev. Leg kick by Ankalaev. Axe kick by Walker! Walker walking down Ankalaev here. Ankalaev is being patient, attacking very conservatively. Leg kicks by Ankalaev. Now Ankalaev is walking down Walker. Clean left hook by Ankalaev! Two minutes left. More leg kicks from Ankalaev. Another one and this time Walker buckled. Oh, man. Ankalaev lands a clean kick to the groin. The fight is paused. Walker taking his time to recover. The fight resumes. Both trade leg kicks. Walker now dances capoeira. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Ankalaev.
Round 2 – Ankalaev chasing down Walker. They both trade leg kicks. They just keep kicking each other’s legs. Left hook connects for Ankalaev. Jab by Ankalaev. Walker is just backing up and landing a leg kick here and there. Little action. Oh! Giant hook drops Walker! Ankalaev hits Walker with an uppercut while downed. It’s over!
Result: Magomed Ankalaev def. Johnny Walker via KO (uppercut) – Round 2, 2:42
Recap: Magomed Ankalaev floors Johnny Walker, makes case for title shot
Photos: UFC Fight Night 234: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Ankalaev (19-1-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC), Walker (21-8 MMA, 7-5 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Marc Goddard
