UFC Fight Night 245 took place Saturday, and MMA Junkie provided live round-by-round coverage and official results beginning. UFC Fight Night 245 (ESPN+) took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Ranked middleweights Anthony Hernandez (13-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) and Michel Pereira (31-12 MMA, 9-3 UFC) met in the main event. In the co-feature, Rob Font (21-8 MMA, 11-7 UFC) took on Kyler Phillips (12-3 MMA, 6-2 UFC) at bantamweight.
Check out the live round-by-round coverage and official results below:
UFC Fight Night 245 lineup
MAIN CARD (ESPN+)
- Anthony Hernandez def. Michel Pereira via TKO (punches) – Round 5, 2:22
- Rob Font def. Kyler Phillips via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Charles Johnson def. Su Mudaerji via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Cameron Smotherman def. Jake Hadley via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-27)
- Darren Elkins def. Daniel Pineda via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+)
- Asu Almabayev def. Matheus Nicolau via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Jean Matsumoto def. Brad Katona via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Joselyne Edwards def. Tamires Vidal via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 4:33
- Elise Reed def. Jessica Penne via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Melissa Martinez def. Alice Ardelean via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Austen Lane def. Robelis Despaigne via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Anthony Hernandez vs. Michel Pereira
Round 1 – Jabs by Pereira. Oh! A body kick by Pereira hurts Hernandez! Pereira with a flurry. Pereira measuring himself in the attack. Hernandez presses Pereira against the cage. Hernandez clinches Pereira and lands an elbow on the break. Hernandez presses Pereira against the cage and gets reversed. Pereira lets him loose. Jab by Hernandez. Hernandez tries to takedown Pereira, but comes up short. Nice combo by Hernandez. Hernandez presses Pereira against the cage and takes him down! Good ground-and-pound by Hernandez. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Hernandez.
Round 2 – Hard jab by Hernandez and then immediately presses Pereira against the cage. Pereira breaks free. Eyepoke by Hernandez halts the action. Hernandez gets a warning and the fight resumes a few seconds later. Solid right lands by Hernandez. Hernandez presses Pereira against the cage. Pereira goes for a guillotine, looks promising. Hernandez gets out and now he’s on top! Pereira gets back up. He looks exhausted. Hernandez takes down Pereira. Hernandez all over Pereira! Nasty ground-and-pound by Hernandez! Pereira looks done! More shots from Hernandez! The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Hernandez.
Round 3 – Hernandez closes the distance and presses Pereira against the cage. Pereira breaks free. Back to the cage. Short shots by Hernandez. Pereira breaks free, tries to land knees in the clinch, but Hernandez takes him back down. Pereira is spent. More shots from top by Hernandez. We’re halfway through the round. More shots from Hernandez. Pereira is getting beat up here. One minute left. Nasty elbows to the body by Hernandez. Hernandez controlling Pereira from turtle position. More shots from Hernandez. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-8, Hernandez.
Round 4 – Hernandez immeduately shoots and presses Pereira against the cage. Pereira breaks free, but a few secodns later gets taken down by Hernandez. Hernandez with an insane pace and pressure here. Pereira is completely spent. Big shots from Hernandez. Hernandez with some nasty elbows from half guard. Pereira gets back to his feet, just to get taken back down again. Hammer fists by Hernandez. How is Pereira surving this? The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-8, Hernandez.
Round 5 – Hernandez presses Pereira against the cage. Unreal performance by Hernandez. They break free. Hernandez with a couple of shots. Hernandez takes down Pereira. Heavy shots from Hernandez! Nasty elbow! Pereira is cut bad. This fight should get stopped. Hernandez advances position. More shots from top by Hernandez! It’s over! What a win.
Result: Anthony Hernandez def. Michel Pereira via TKO (punches) – Round 5, 2:22
Recap: Anthony Hernandez wears down Michel Pereira, gets TKO
Photos:
Records: Hernandez (13-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC), Pereira (31-12 MMA, 9-3 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
Rob Font vs. Kyler Phillips
Round 1 – Phillips gets an early takedown here. Not much damage going on from Phillips, but great control. Phillips moves to side control. Nasty elnow by Phillips. Big shots from top by Phillips. Font just uanble to get anything going in terms of getting back to his feet. We’re halfway through the round. Another nasty elbow by Phillips. Font completely overwheamed here. Font gets back to his feet! Uppercut by Font! Font presses Phillips against the cage with a little less than aminute remaining. Big one, two for Phillips and Font with an uppercut. They clinch. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Phillips.
Round 2 – Big right hand by Font! And again! Phillips shoots and takes down Font. Font gets back to his feet and back to pressing Phillips. Leg kick by Phillips. A righthand connects for Font. Insane pressure by Font here. Oh! Big shot by Font! Solid combo by Font, who then presses Phillips against the cage. They break free. Two minutes left. Font stuffs a takedown from Phillips. Crcking right hand for Font! Another one! Font is all over Phillips. Big breaths by Phillips. Another combo connects for Font. Final minute. Font lands a left hook on Phillips. What a chin by Phillips. Font presses Phillips against the cage and gets taken down. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Font.
Round 3 – Big leg kick by Phillips. Phillips then shoots and gets the takedown! Font get back up! Solid three punch combo by Font! Phillips looks tired, while Font doesn’t. Stiff jab by Font. Phillips is getting picked apart here. We’re halfway through the round. Big leg kick by Phillips. Phillips presses Font against the cage, but Font breaks free almost immediately. Solid combo by Font. Font clinches Phillips and presses him against the cage. Phillips breaks free. Final minute. Jabs by Font just keep connecting. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Font. Overall 29-28, Font.
Result: Rob Font def. Kyler Phillips via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Recap: Rob Font puts on striking showcase to upset 6-1 favorite Kyler Phillips
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Records: Font (21-8 MMA, 11-7 UFC), Phillips (12-3 MMA, 6-2 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Keith Peterson
Judging: Mike Bell, Derek Cleary, Junichiro Kamijo 29-28.
Charles Johnson vs. Su Mudaerji
Round 1 – Johnson closes the distance on Mudaerji presses him agaunst the cage. Mudaerji breaks free. Leg kick then jab by Mudaerji. Another leg kick. More jabs by Mudaerji. Big leg kick and then a jab by Mudaerji. Johnson relentlessly moving foward, but not throwing much. Two minutes left. Johnson preses Mudaerji against the cage. Mudaerji reverses. Johnson reverses. Knees to the legs by Johnson. Mudaerji breaks free. Another leg kick by Mudaerji. Final minute. Johnson presses Mudaerji against the cage, but Mudaerji lands a knee and breaks free. Uppercut by Jonson. They both connect in a wild exchange in the final second.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Johnson.
Round 2 – Leg kick by Mudaerji. Jab by Mudaerji. Relentless pressure by Johnson. Jabs by Mudaerji. A left staright connects for Mudaerji. Leg kick, then one, two by Mudaerji. Leg kick from Mudaerji buckles Johnson. We’re halfway through the round. Johnson with a leg kick. Big left hook connects for Mudaerji! Oh! Big righthand lands for Jonson! Mudaerji is hurt! Johnson all over him! Gorund-and-pound by Johnson. Big up kick by Mudaerji! Mudaerji gets Johnson! He gets mount! Johnson gets out and takes down Mudaerji! Another scramble! The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Johnson.
Round 3 – Oh! Spinning wheel kick by Mudaerji lands clean! Mudaerji pressing Johnson here. Leg kick by Mudaerji. A staright left connects for Mudaerji. Body shot by Mudaerji. Johnson looks tired. And a left connects for Johnson. Three minutes left. Leg kick by Mudaerji. Jab connects for Johnson. Very close fight here. More leg kicks by Mudaerji. Anothert left hook lands for Mudaerji. Johnson with non-stop ressure here. Leg kick by Mudaerji. Mudaerji goes for a takedown and Jonson reverses him with a throw! Mudaerji works his way back to his feet. Johnson shoots and Mudaerji locks in a D’Arce choke! Joshnon breaks free. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Mudaerji. Overall 29-28, Johnson.
Result: Charles Johnson def. Su Mudaerji via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos:
Records: Johnson (17-6 MMA, 6-4 UFC), Mudaerji (16-7 MMA, 3-4 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging: Mike Bell, Chris Leben, Ron McCarthy 29-28.
Jake Hadley vs. Cameron Smotherman
Round 1 – Quick couple of leg kicks land for Hadley. Add a few more to the list. Smotherman has yet to land, but he’s in the center of the octagon and pressing Hadley. Jabs by Hadley. Leg kick by Hadley. More jabs by Hadley. Smotherman wiha a one, two. Leg kick by Hadley. Good body shot by Smotherman. Two minutes left. Good connections by Hadley, however, Smotherman is not too far off in the striking. Leg kick by Hadley. Smotherman with a nice combo that ended with a body kick. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Hadley.
Round 2 – Smotherman gets hit with a low blw right off the start. Hadley gets a warning and the fight is paused. After a minute, the fight resumes. Leg kick lands for Hadley. Quick jabs by Hadley. Oh! Heavy left hand lands for Hadley. Three minutes left. Smotherman targeting the body here. Staright left connects for Hadley, and Smotherman lands a nasty body shot. Right hand connects for Smotherman. Oh no! Nasty eyepoke from Hadley. Smotherman seems very affected by it and the fight is paused. After five minutes, the fight resumes and Hadley gets a point taken away. Hadley immediately shoots for a takedown, briefly gets it, but is now pressing Smotherman against the cage. Not much damage, just control by Hadley. They break away. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 9-9, Hadley.
Round 3 – Oh! Big shots from Smotherman right off the bat. Hadley shoots for a takedown and presses Smotherman against the cage. Hadley lets Smotherman go and thet’re back to striking. Four minutes left . Smotherman very aggressive in this round. Jabs by Hadley. Nice one, two by Hadley. Nice body shot by Smotherman. Smotherman is walking down Hadley here. Another body shot by Smotherman. Two minuts left. Knee to the body by Smotherman! A left hand connects for Hadley. A low blow by Smotherman halts the atcion. Hadlet takes 30 seconds to recover and the fight resumes. Smotherman is issued a warning. Oh! In a wild exchange Hadley stuns Smotherman. He’s upping the pressure looking for the finish. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Smotherman. Overall 28-28.
Result: Cameron Smotherman def. Jake Hadley via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-27)
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Records: Smotherman (12-4 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Hadley (11-4 MMA, 3-4 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Judging: Adalaide Byrd 30-26. Ben Cartlidge, Derek Cleary 29-27.
Darren Elkins vs. Daniel Pineda
Round 1 – Oh! Spining back kick to the body by Pineda. Elkins with a right hook and a takedown of Pinea. Pineda snatches a guillotine choke! It’s tight! Elkins rolls to his back, he’s mounted, he gets top position again, and he’s out! Elkins working from guard. Big elbow by Elkins. Pineda is bleeding from his right eyebrow. Pineda gets another guillotine! It looks tight! Elkins gets out, but Pineda is now on top with a minute and a half remaining. Big shot by Pineda. They cramble and Pineda ends on top. Elkins gives up his back. Now back to mount. Elbows from Pineda. Big nasty elboes from Pineda. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Pineda.
Round 2 – Big leg kick by Pineda drops Elkins. They both trade big hooks. Righthand lands clean by Pineda. Oh! Pineda tags up Elkins.Short uppercuts from the clinch by Elkins. Back to striking at range. Elkins shoots and takes down Pineda. Elkins working from half guard. Pinerda works his way back to his feet and creates space. Two minutes left. Nice left hook lands for Pineda. One, two lands for Elkins. Elkins shoots and gets caught in another guillotine. Elkins gets out and ends in guard. One minute left. Elkins with some nasty elbows from top! Pineda’s face is a mess. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Elkins.
Round 3 – Elkins shoots for an early take down and Pineda stuffs it. Big shot by Elkins. Elkins shoots and again, scrambles with Pineda and ends on bottom. They hit another scramble and they end up back on their feet. Elkins shoots and Pineda stuff it again, Back to striking. Leg kick by Pineda drops Elkins. They’re both exhausted. Elkins shoots and presses Pineda against the cage. Knees to the legs by Elkins. Pineda gets out and they’re back in the center of the cage. Hug elg kick by Pineda drops Elkins again. He goes for the guillotine, but Elkins gets out and neds on top. Pineda’s face is a mess. Elkins controls Pineda in a Khabib-like postion until the bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Elkins. Overall 29-28, Elkins.
Result: Darren Elkins def. Daniel Pineda via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos:
Records: Elkins (29-11 MMA, 19-10 UFC), Pineda (28-17 MMA, 5-8 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
Judging: Ben Cartlidge, Jinichiro Kamijo, Tony Weeks 29-28.
Asu Almabayev vs. Matheus Nicolau
Round 1 – A couple of leg kicks connect early for Almabayev. Both fighters very tentative, testing each other out. Leg kick and then a body kick by Almabayev. Not much going on here. Almabayev almsot connects with a spinning wheel kick. Jab to the body by Nicolau, his first official strike of the round. One minute left. Leg kick by Almabayev. Body kick by Almabayev. Nothing much goes down. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Almabayev.
Round 2 – Oh! Big knee to the body by Almabayev as Nicolau tried to take him down. Back to striking. Almabayev pressuring Nicolau a lot more in this round, but still very low output from both. Not much going on. Leg kick by Nicolau and then Almabayev connects with one of his own. Three minutes left. Almabayev shoots for a takedown and presses Nicolau agaisnt the cage. Almabayev working hard for the takedown. Nicolau with some solid elbows. Oh! Almabayev gets caughtin a guillotine! It looks tight! Almabayev rolls over and gets out and they’re back to striking. The bell rings not long after.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Nicolau.
Round 3 – Leg kick by Almabayev. Oh! Almabayev drops Nicolau! He jumps on him and gets mount! Shots from Almabayev! Nicolau goes for a leg lock, but Almabayev defends well and gets hard guard. Some shots here and there by Almabayev. Nicolau seems to have recovered. Good control by Almabayev. Two minutes left. Almabayev not doing much damage here, but controlling Nicolau. Almabayev rides the remaining of the fight on to, nit much furtehr damage done.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Almabayev. Overall 29-28, Almabayev.
Result: Asu Almabayev def. Matheus Nicolau via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
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Records: Almabayev (21-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC), Nicolau (19-6-1 MMA, 7-4 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Keith Peterson
Judging: Mike Bell, Ron McCarthy, Brian Puccillo 29-28.
Brad Katona vs. Jean Matsumoto
Round 1 – Leg kicks connect for Katona. Oh! Big shots by Matsumoto. He’s timing Katona’s inside leg kicks and countering with hooks. Again! Matsumoto looking sharp. Katona presses Matsumoto against the cage and is looking for a takedown. Matsumoto breaks free! We’re halfway through the round. Oh! Nasty standing elbow by Katona rocks Matsumoto! It looks like Matsumoto has recovered. They’re trading big shots. Matsumoto presses Katona against the cage. Matsumoto eats a few big elbows. Katona reverses the position. They’re back to striking. Matsumoto shoots for a takedown, fails, but presses Katona against the cage. Another elbow from the clinch by Katona! The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Katona.
Round 2 – They trade leg kicks. Man, this is a very solid fight. Big right hook lands for Matsumoto. Matsumoto closes the distance, takes a knee to the body, and then gets reversed against the cage by Katona. Katona lets him free. Nasty elbow from Katona. Matsumoto is bleeding from his right eyebrow. Big shots from both in the pocket! Katona shoots and tries to takedown Matsumoto, but fails. The fight continues on the feet. Two minutes left. Oh! Huge right hook lands for Matsumoto! Leg kick by Matsumoto. Katona now bleeding from his right eyebrow. Matsumoto shoots for a takedown, but ends up pressing Katona against the cage. Knee to the body by Katona, Katona reverses. Matsumoto goes for a guillotine in the final second, but the bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Matsumoto.
Round 3 – Huge one, two snaps Katona’s head back. And a big body kick by Matsumoto. Katona shoots and partly takes down Matsumoto against the cage. Matsumoto gets back to his feet, but is being presses against the cage. Katona working hard for the takedown, but unable to get down Matsumoto. Katona still pressing Matsumoto against the cage. They break free. Right hook connects for Matsumoto. Jab by Matsumoto. Leg kick by Matsumoto. Two minutes left. Staright right lands for Katona. What a war! One, two lands for Katona! He now presses Matsumoto against the cage. Final minute of the fight. Matsumoto reverses the positon. He takes down Katona. Katona revsres the position and takes down Matsumoto in the final seconds. The bell rings. Insane fight.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Katona. Overall 29-28, Katona.
Result: Jean Matsumoto def. Brad Katona via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos:
Records: Matsumoto (16-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Katona (16-4 MMA, 4-4 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging: Mike Bell, Derek Cleary, Ron McCarthy 29-28.
Joselyne Edwards vs. Tamires Vidal
Round 1 – Big leg kicks by Vidal. Edwards answers back with her own leg kicks. Vidal closes the distance and presses Edwards against the cage. Short shots to the head and body by Edwards. Edwards reverses the position and presses Vidal against the cage. They break free and go back to the center of the cage. Oh! Big shots by Edwards! Edwards is growing in confidence. She’s landing big on Vidal! Oh! Spinning back fist by Edwards! Vidal connects with a right, but Edwards answers back with a combo that ends with a body kick. Great chin on Vidal! Edwards shoots and gets the takedown. She takes the back of Vidal and the bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Edwards.
Round 2 – Big leg kick by Vidal. Hard body kick by Edwards. They trade hard leg kicks. They’re both landing here, but Edwards seems to be landing the cleaner and harder shots. Vidal closes the distance and presses Edwards against the cage. Knees to the legs by Vidal. Mainly just control here by Vidal. Two minutes left. They separate and Vidal connects with a leg kick! Edwards immediately takes down Vidal. She’s in half guard. Elbow by Edwards! One minute left. More shots by Edwards. Edwards maintains top control till the bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Edwards.
Round 3 – Edwards comes out aggressive! Several leg kicks and front kicks to the body connect for her. Solid combo by Edwards that ends with a body kick. Vidal attempts a spinning back fist and gets taken down by Edwards. Edwards working from half guard. Three minutes left. Elbows land for Edwards. More shots by Edwards. Now Vidal going for a heel hook! They’re in a 50-50 position. Edwards gets out and lands big shots! She now takes the back of Vidal with a minute left. Edwards going for the rear-naked choke! There’s the tap!
Result: Joselyne Edwards def. Tamires Vidal via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 4:33
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Records: Edwards (14-6 MMA, 5-4 UFC), Vidal (7-4 MMA, 1-3 UFC)
Division: Women’s bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
Jessica Penne vs. Elise Reed
Round 1 – Leg kick by Reed. Penne tries to press Reed against the cage, but unable to. Another leg kick by Reed. Penne moving forward, looking to close the distance on Reed. Penne rushes in and presses Reed against the cage. Short shots here by Reed. Reed defends and creates separation. Oh! Body kick by Reed, but Penne uses that to take her down for a second. Reed is back up, but being pressed against the cage. Short shots by Reed. Not much going on from Penne’s side. Knee to the body by Penne. One minute left. They get separated with a few seconds left. Not much happens before the bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Penne.
Round 2 – One, two by Penne, as she closes the distance. Big right by Reed and then a hard leg kick. Stiff jab by Reed. Another jab by Reed. Penne clinches Reed against the cage. Reed breaks way and stuns Penne with a left! Leg kick by Reed and then a jab. They broth trade leg kicks and right hands. We’re halfway through the round. Jabs by Reed. Reed is getting in a good rythm here. More jabs by Reed. Oh! Nasty combo by Reed! Penne is bleeding from her nose. Final minute. Penne now eats a big right hand. Reed has Penne against the cage. She lets her free. Nasty combo by Reed to end the round here.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Reed.
Round 3 – Front kick by Reed, followed by a quick punch combo. Penne fakes a takedown and lands a right hand. One, two by Reed. Penne’s face is busted up a bit. Jabs by Reed. Reed stuffs a takedown and fires back with a combo. Penne’s grappling is not as effective here. They briefly clinch and Reed lands an elbow to the head. We’re halfway through the round. Good right hand by Penne, but an even better right by Reed. Reed is picking apart Penne here. Jabs by Reed. Penne’s right eye is badly swollen. Reed picking apart Penne with the jab. More and more jabs connect for Reed. Final 30 seconds. Reed is landing at will here. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Reed. Overall 29-28, Reed.
Result: Elise Reed def. Jessica Penne via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
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Records: Reed (8-4 MMA, 4-4 UFC), Penne (14-9 MMA, 3-6 UFC)
Division: Women’s strawweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Judging: Adalaide Byrd, Derek Cleary, Ron McCarthy 29-28.
Alice Ardelean vs. Melissa Martinez
Round 1 – Martinez sticking and moving early on. Good leg kicks by Martinez. And a clean left hand connects for Martinez! Tons of movement from Martinez. We’re halfway through the round. Ardelean unable to catch Martinez here. Front kick by Martinez. Not much going on here. Martinez on the run. They both trade leg kicks. Head kick almost lands by Maryinez. Good combo by Martinez. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Martinez.
Round 2 – A double jab by Ardelean. Good counter right by Martinez. One, two by Ardelean! Ardelean trying to cut the distance, but Martinez with great movement backing away. Ardelean is now connecting a lot more. Three minutes left. Martinez with a clean counter. Right-hand lands for Martinez. Leg kick by Ardelean. They both connect in a quick exchange. Big left by Martinez and then she stuffs a takedown from Ardelean. Right hand lands for Ardelean. Axe kick by Martinez! Ardelean presses her against the cage, The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Martinez.
Round 3 – Great counter by Martinez. The game plan is still the same: Stick and move. Jabs connect by Ardelean, and then a leg kick. Clean combo by Martinez. Ardelean closes the distance with a combo and presses Martinez against the cage. Ardelean is bleeding badly from her right eyebrow. Martinez frames out and escapes. Oh! A kick folds Ardelean! Referee Keith Peterson halts the action, thinking it was a low blow. Upon watching the replay, it was legal and the fight resumes. Not much goes on for the next minute.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Martinez. Overall 30-27, Martinez.
Result: Melissa Martinez def. Alice Ardelean via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos:
Records: Martinez (8-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC), Ardelean (9-7 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
Division: Women’s strawweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Keith Peterson
Judging: Mike Bell, Ron McCarthy, Tony Weeks 30-27.
Robelis Despaigne vs. Austen Lane
Round 1 – A kick from Despaigne gets caught and gets taken down here in the first exchange. Despaigne recovers guard. Some short shots here and there by Lane. An americana attempt by Despaigne from bottom, but nothing tight and Lane gets out. We’re halfway through the round. Despaigne gets his back to the fence and wall crawls back to his feet. Lane pressing and controlling Despaigne against the cage. Nasty elbows connect for Despaigne. Lane still pressing Despaigne. Lane secures the takedown! One minute left. Lane locks an arm triangle! Despaigne gets out! Elbows from bottom by Despaigne. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Lane.
Round 2 – Stiff jab lands for Despaigne. Big swings from both, but neither connect. Leg kick by Lane, and again. Despaigne with his own leg kick. One, two connects for Despaigne. Not much going on: Despaigne controls the center and Lane circles on the outside. Lane presses Despaigne against the cage. Despaigne defending well, shakes off Lane. Big leg kick by Despaigne, but Lane answers back with one of his own. Big right hook and then a jab by Despaigne! One minute left. Leg kick by Despaigne. Lane explodes, closes the distance and takes down Despaigne. Right to mount! Lane doesn’t do much with the position. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Despaigne.
Round 3 – Stiff jab lands by Despaigne. Same dynamic as previous rounds, Despaigne in the center of the octagon, walking down Lane. Lane closes the distance and presses Despaigne against the cage. Oh! Several nasty elbows connect for Despaigne. Lane gets the takedown shortly after. We’re halfway through the round. Lane keeping busy with short shots, but not much damage being done. Despaigne not even trying to sweep of get back to his feet. Complete control here by Lane. He gets mount! The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Lane. Overall 29-28, Lane.
Result: Austen Lane def. Robelis Despaigne via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos:
Records: Lane (13-5 MMA, 1-2 UFC), Despaigne (5-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging: Adalaide Byrd, Junichiro Kamijo, Brian Puccillo 29-28.
