LAS VEGAS – UFC on ESPN 46 took place Saturday, and MMA Junkie provided live play-by-play and official results.
UFC on ESPN 46 took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card aired on ESPN and streamed on ESPN+.
In the main event, Jared Cannonier (16-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC) took on fellow former middleweight challenger Marvin Vettori (19-5-1 MMA, 9-4-1 UFC) to win a unanimous decision.
The full UFC on ESPN 46 results includes.
Modestas Bukauskas vs. Zac Pauga
Round 1 – Pauga drops Bukauskas early! He follows him to the ground and now works from the guard, looking to land ground-and-pound. Bukauskas landing elbows from bottom. Bukauskas uses the fence to get back to his feet. He breaks the clinch, and they’re back to striking range. Three minutes left. Good leg kicks by Pauga. Jab to the body by Pauga. Leg kick by Bukauskas. And now a good jab. Pauga closes the distance, pins Bukauskas against the cage. They break away with less than two minutes remaining. Pauga very aggressive. Oh! Bukauskas stuns Pauga with a jab. Bukauskas now pressing, although Pauga looks to have recovered. Again! Bukauskas wobbles Pauga! What a round. Again! A right from Bukauskas wobbles Pauga. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Bukauskas.
Round 2 – Big leg kick by Bukauskas to start the round. It feels like the momentum has changed heavily. And now Pauga fighting back, he connects three right hands heavy. Oh! Big uppercut by Pauga. Big leg kick by Bukauskas. These two going back and forth. Three minutes left. What a pace from these two. A big right hand drops Bukauskas, but it seems he recovered quickly. Man, Pauga is really head hunting here. Good shots to the body by Bukauskas. They clinch and the bell rings shortly after.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Pauga.
Round 3 – Oh! Nasty body kick by Bukauskas. No time wasted here. Bukauskas clinches Pauga and presses him against the cage. Pauga breaks free. This is anyone’s fight. Pauga being the more aggressive fighter here, pressing more. Big right hand connects for Pauga. That straight right keeps landing for him. The pace has slowed down. Another one by Pauga. One minute left. Oh! Clean one, two by Bukauskas. Pauga takes it well. Good jabs by Bukauskas. More jabs by Bukauskas. These brawl it out until the bell. Great fight.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Pauga. Overall 29-28, Pauga.
Result: Modestas Bukauskas def. Zac Pauga via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: UFC on ESPN 46: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Modestas Bukauskas (15-5 MMA, 3-3 UFC) Zac Pauga (6-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging: Derek Cleary, Sal D’Amato 29-28. Anthony Maness 30-27.
Dan Argueta vs. Ronnie Lawrence
Round 1 – Argueta immediately closes the distance and takes down Lawrence. Good shots by Argueta. Argueta takes the back. What a speed. He takes side control now. And Argueta sinks in a guillotine and drops to his back! It looks tight! Lawrence fighting well though and surviving. Oh, no! The referee stops the fight after thinking Lawrence tapped, but there was no tap. Unfortunate ending.
Result: Dan Argueta vs. Ronnie Lawrence end in a no contest after a wrongful stoppage by the referee – Round 1, 2:20
Recap: Referee Keith Peterson’s error leads to no contest in Argueta vs. Lawrence
Photos: UFC on ESPN 46: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Dan Argueta (9-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC), Ronnie Lawrence (8-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee: Keith Peterson
Tereza Bleda vs. Gabriella Fernandes
Round 1 – Hard leg kick by Fernandes to get things started. Bleda closes the distance in an attempt to get the fight to the ground, but comes up short. Bleda swinging, but unable to land much. Another hard leg kick by Fernades. Another one. Bledaa closes the distance again, and this time she gets the takedown. Three minutes left. Bleda with good control here, but little damage. Not much going on. One minute left. Bleda just controlling here. Some shots are starting to filter through for Bleda, but nothing big. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Bleda.
Round 2 – Big leg kick by Fernandes. Again! Man, those are hard. Blenda closes the distance and pins Fernandes against the cage. Good knee by Blenda. Blenda working hard for the takedown. Blenda keeps working for the takedown, but Fernandes defending well. Blenda finally gets it after almost two minutes of trying. Three minutes left. Blenda working from guard. Fernandes working a triangle choke here. Not a bad attempt, but Bleda hasn’t been able to get out. Bleda is stacking Fernandes. She gets out. One minute left. Blenda now gets the mount and drops some good elbows. Big shots here by Blenda. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Blenda.
Round 3 – Fernandes needs a finish here. She’s been heavily dominated. Hard right hook by Fernandes. Fernandes walking down Bleda here, but keeping her distance. Big right hand by Fernandes! Bleda is hurt. Nasty knee by Fernandes in the clinch. Bleda is backing up and hurt! More right hands by Fernandes! Bleda shoots for the takedown and gets it. Three minutes left. That’s the best Fernandes has looked the entire fight. Decent ground-and-pound by Bleda here, but nothing that’s hurting Fernandes. Bleda moves to mount. Good elbows by Bleda. More ground-and-pound by Bleda. Fernandes unable to improve her position, she’s just getting pounded. One minute left. Fernandes gives up her back. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Bleda. Overall 30-27, Bleda.
Result: Tereza Bleda def. Gabriella Fernandes via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: UFC on ESPN 46: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Tereza Bleda (7-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC), Gabriella Fernandes (8-3 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee:Chris Tognoni
Judging: Mike Bell, Sal D’Amato, Tony Weeks 30-27.
Denys Bondar vs. Carlos Hernandez
Round 1 – Hard leg kick by Bondar. These two swinging big, but have yet to connect. Bondar is chasing Hernandez and taunting him a big. They clinch. Good knee by Hernandez. Bondar now pressing Hernandez against the cage. They break free. Three minutes left. Leg kick by Bondar. Body kick by Bondar! That sounded loud. Hernandez with a leg kick. Big right hook by Bondar. Hernandez is keeping it competitive, but Bondar seems to be a step ahead in the striking. Good right by Hernandez. Good elbow by Hernandez from the clinch. And Hernandez with a couple of hard hooks to close the round. Tough, tough round to score.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Hernandez.
Round 2 – Bondar is bleeding from the top of his head. Big right by Bondar. Hernandez closes the clinches Bondar and lands an elbow from the break. Hernandez is starting to take over here. Good body kick by Hernandez. Clean combo by Hernandez. Hernandez is starting to pressure more here. Good job by Hernandez. Both trade big right hands. Bondar shoots and gets a takedown. Hernandez immediately gets back up. Very impressive. Good jabs by Hernandez. Oh! Hernandez takes a kick to the head while on his knees on the final second. The bell rings, but the referee still pauses the fight. The fight resumes and both fighters just go to their corners. No point taken for Bondar
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Hernandez.
Round 3 – Bondar comes out pressing Hernandez. Leg kick by Bondar . Good jabs by Hernandez. Body shot by Hernandez. Bondar with a clean jab. Both these guys going back and forth. Fun fight. Good left hook by Hernandez. And Bondar gets the takedown, but Hernandez gets back up almost immediately. Leg kick by Bondar. Bondar shoots and gets stuffed by Hernandez. Bondar eats an elbow on the break. Good knee by Hernandez. One minute left. Right hand connects for Bondar. Hernandez gets a takdown in the final 30 seconds. Bondar gets back up but Hernandez slams him back to the ground. Oh! Bondar is out! Hernandez lands a few elbows and the fight is stopped. Bondar got knocked out with the slam. Wow! It looks like there was a clash of head on the way down of the slam.
Result: Carlos Hernandez def. Denys Bondar via technical decision (30-37, 30-37, 29-28) – Round 3, 4:59 – an accidental clash of heads stops the fight
Recap: Carlos Hernandez’s finish of Denys Bondar erased, leads to technical decision win
Photos: UFC on ESPN 46: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Carlos Hernandez (9-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC), Denys Bondar (16-5 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee: Jerin Valel
Judging: Ben Cartlidge, Anthony Maness 30-27. Junishiro Kamijo 29-28.
Kyung Ho Kang vs. Cristian Quinonez
Round 1 – These two trading big shots right off the bat. Both staying very mobile and picking their spots. Good jabs by Quinonez. Right Hook lands for Quinonez. And a jab! Huge right hand connets for Quinonez! Kang is wobbled. And Kang counters and stuns Quinonez! Kang takes him down and gets mount. Kang sinks in a rear-naked choke and gets the tap! What a wild sequence.
Result: Kyung Ho Kang def. Cristian Quinonez via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:25
Photos: UFC on ESPN 46: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Kyung Ho Kang (19-9 MMA, 8-3 UFC), Cristian Quinonez (18-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Alessandro Costa vs. Jimmy Flick
Round 1 – Oh! Nasty body shot by Costa! Again! He’s got Flick backing up. It looks like Flick recovered. Front kick to the body by Flick. Fun fight here. Big leg kick drops Flick to the canvas. Man, Costa packs power. More leg kicks by Costa. Flick’s mobility is hurt. Two minutes left. Flick shoots for a takedown, but Costa defends. Flick now pressing Costa against the cage. Costa escapes. Looks like a right hand dropped Flick. Hard to tell. He’s back up. Nasty body shot by Costa. Costa is battering Flick. Good hooks by Costa. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Costa.
Round 2 – Oh! A hard leg kick by Costa has Flick limping. Flick drops to the canvas and Costa gets on top. Big elbows by Costa! Oh those are nasty! It’s over! What a showing by Costa!
Result: Alessandro Costa def. Jimmy Flick via TKO (elbows) – Round 2, 1:03
Recap: Alessandro Costa batters Jimmy Flick’s leg before TKO on ground
Photos: UFC on ESPN 46: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Alessandro Costa (13-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC), Jimmy Flick (16-7 MMA, 1-2 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN2/ESPN+
Referee: Keith Peterson
Nicolas Dalby vs. Muslim Salikhov
Round 1 – Salikhov with some hard leg kicks early. More kicks by Salikhov. Dalby returning with a few kicks of his own. Good one, two by Salikhov. These two testing each other out. Not a ton of volume. Left hook for Salikhov. Good straight right by Salikhov. Leg kick by Dalby. Salikhov’s timing is paying off here. Oh! Hige head kick wobbles Salikhov. Dalby rushes in but gets taken down. Salikhov now presses Dalby against the cage. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Dalby.
Round 2 – Dalby closes the distance and presses Salikhov against the cage. Salikhov reverses the position and now he controls. Thet break away. Four minutes left. Good jabs by Salikhov. Relentless pressure by Dalby. He presses Salikhov against the cage again. Dalby goes for a knee, gets caught by Salikhov and Salikhov gets the takedown. Dalby back up but pressed against the cage. Three minutes left. Dalby reverses the position. He controls. There’s the takedown. Dalby gets full mount. And Dalby gets the back. Two minutes left. Dalby trying to get a twister. Now he has a twister position but arm triangle grip. Salikhov gets out, but Dalby still on top. Salikhov gets back to his feet, but he’s being pressed against the cage. They break and Dalby lands a head kick! The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Dalby.
Round 3 – Dalby closes the distance and presses Salikhov against the cage. Salikhov unable to break free. Three minutes left. Not much damage from Dalby or Salikhov. They break briefly, but Dalby takes him back to the cage. Salikhov reverses the position. They break again, but Dalby engages in the clinch and presses Salikhov against the cage. Two minutes left. Decent shots by Dalby from close quarters. One minute left. Dalby controlling. Good elbow on the break by Dalby. Dalby ties up Salikhov again. And gets the takedown! Right to mount for Dalby. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Dalby, Overall 30-27.
Result: Nicolas Dalby def. Muslim Salikhov via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: UFC on ESPN 46: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Nicolas Dalby (21-4-1 MMA, 5-3-1 UFC), Muslim Salikhov (19-3 MMA, 6-2 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging: Derek Cleary Sal D’Amato 30-27. Mike Bell 29-28.
Nikolas Motta vs. Manuel Torres
Round 1 – Torres pressures Motta. Big leg kick by Torres. Oh! Big left hook connects for Motta. Another left! Great chin by Torres. Both fighters very tentative. Oh! Huge elbow lands for Torres and knocks out Motta! What a knockout! Wow.
Result: Manuel Torres def. Nikolas Motta via KO (elbow) – Round 1, 1:50
Recap: Manuel Torres’ perfect elbow takes out Nikolas Motta
Photos: UFC on ESPN 46: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Manuel Torres (14-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Nikolas Motta (13-5 MMA, 1-2 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
Lucas Almeida vs. Pat Sabatini
Round 1 – Sabatini immediately closes the distance and presses Almeida against the cage. And there’s the takedown. Sabatini working from side control. Sabatini with relentless control. Almeida is doing his best to get up, but Sabatini all over him. Not huge damage, but Sabatini is keeping busy with ground-and-pound. And Sabatini gets mount! Oh, huge elbows by Sabatini. Sabatini puting on a beating on Almeida. Sabatini looking to set up an armbar. He lets it go and goes back to ground-and-pound. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-8, Sabatini.
Round 2 – Sabatini back at it again. He closes the distance and pins Almeida against the cage. Sabatini gets the takedown. Hasty elbows by Sabatini. He advances to side control, sinks in an arm triangle and gets the tap. Dominant showing by Sabatini.
Result: Pat Sabatini def. Lucas Almeida via submission (arm triangle) – Round 2, 1:48
Photos: UFC on ESPN 46: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Pat Sabatini (18-4 MMA, 5-1 UFC), Lucas Almeida (14-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Chris Tognoni
Christian Duncan vs. Armen Petrosyan
Round 1 – A couple of leg kicks land for Petrosyan. A body kick, too. Duncan throwing a lot of flashy kicks, but has yet to land. Sidekick to the body by Duncan. Left hand connects for Duncan. High pace fight here. Leg kick by Duncan. Leg kick by Petrosyan. Three minutes left. Duncan pressing a lot, but Petrosyan seems to be landing more. What an odd style Duncan has. The two trade shots til the final bell. Petrosyan seemed to be a bit more effective.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Petrosyan.
Round 2 – This fight has been very kick heavy. Duncan shoots for a takedown and comes up short. Good jabs by Petrosyan. A spinning attack fails for Duncan and Petrosyan grabs his back briefly while standing and lands a few shots. They break away. Insane pace here. More leg kicks by Petrosyan. Three minutes left. More leg kicks by Petrosyan. Now Petrosyan attacking the body. Petrosyan ahead here with accuracy and volume. Oh, a right hand stuns Duncan. Duncan ties up Petrosyan and presses him against the cage. Petrosyan reverses the position. They break free, but Duncan clinches and takes Petrosyan against the cage. Petrosyan reverses the position. Duncan breaks free. Again, Duncan pressing Petrosyan against the cage, but just holding. And Petrosyan gets a takedown from the clinch. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Petrosyan.
Round 3 – Petrosyan lighting up Duncan with leg kicks. Duncan doesn’t seem to affected yet. It’s clear Petrosyan is taking the lede from a fight that started very even. Duncan presses Petrosyan against the cage, but not doing much with the control. Oh, Duncan lands on Petrosyan and rocks him, but Petrosyan gets a takedown in response. Petrosyan working from guard. Good shots by Petrosyan. Good control here by Petrosyan. Duncan trying to get up, but unable to. He gets back to his feet, but pressed against the cage. Petrosyan is bleeding from his left eye. Duncan breaks free and now he’s head-hunting. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Petrosyan. Overall 30-27, Petrosyan.
Result: Armen Petrosyan def. Christian Duncan via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: UFC on ESPN 46: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Armen Petrosyan (8-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC), Christian Duncan (8-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Mark Smith
Judging: Derek Cleary, Sal D’Amato 29-28. Tony Weeks 30-27.
Joaquim Silva vs. Arman Tsarukyan
Round 1 – Tsarukyan wastes no time and takes down Silva with ease. Tsarukyan working from the guard by the fence. Not much damage from Tsarukyan. He’s staying in tight and occasionally landing a shot or two. Complete control by Tsarukyan. Silva unable to get up. Not much going on in terms of damage. In the final seconds, Tsarukyan stood over Silva and landed some knees to the body and punches.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Tsarukyan.
Round 2 – Leg kicks by Tsarukyan. One, two by Tsarukyan. Silva has yet to land anything meaningful. Right hand by Tsarukyan. Good left hook by Silva. Silva briefly pressed against the cage, but he breaks free. Body shot by Tsarukyan. Jabs by Tsarukyan. Tsarukyan clinches Silva against the cage briefly. It seems he’s ok with standing. Tsarukyan is out landing Silva here, but has yet to hurt him. Two minutes left. Oh! Silva connects with a giant left hook!. Tsarukyan is wobbled. He gets a takedown. One minute left. Tsarukyan controls until the final bell. He lands a few elbows at the end.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Tsarukyan.
Round 3 – Tsarukyan presses Silva against the cage. And Tsarukyan gets a takedown after a good 45 second of trying. Tsarukyan all over Silva here, but uanble to do damage. And Silva gets back up with three minutes remaining. Seconds later Tsarukyan gets another takedown. Nasty ground-and-pound by Tsarukyan. Non-stop strikes. Tsarukyan gets the back now. He continues to pummel Silva. It’s over! The referee stops the fight.
Result: Arman Tsarukyan def. Joaquim Silva via TKO (ground-and-pound) – Round 3, 3:25
Recap: Arman Tsarukyan swarms for TKO, calls for Islam Makhachev
Photos: UFC on ESPN 46: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Arman Tsarukyan (20-3 MMA, 7-2 UFC), Joaquim Silva (12-4 MMA, 5-4 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Keith Peterson
Jared Cannonier vs. Marvin Vettori
Round 1 – Huge leg kick by Cannonier! Oh! And Vettori rocks him with a left! Cannonier is on the defense. Another left hand by Vettori. The two very tentative. What a tense fight. Cannonier wobbles Vettori, but he quickly recovers. Cannonier pressing now. Leg kick by Cannonier. Another one. Vettori trowing but mostly hitting Cannonier’s guard. And Vettori stuns Cannonier! Cannonier recovers quickly and moves forward. Jab by Cannonier. Good movement here by Vettori, making Cannonier miss. The bell rings. Crazy round.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Vettori.
Round 2 – Great jabs by Vettori. Cannonier with pressure, but so far unable to land clean. Good shot selection by Vettori. Big right hand connects for Cannonier! Vettori is hurt! Cannonier all over him. Another right hand connects. What a chin by Vettori. Cannonier sweeps Vettori with a leg kick. Cannonier on top landing ground and pound. Vettori is badly hurt. Two minutes left. Vettori gets back up. He’s bleeding from his nose. He looks in bad chap. Cannonier conncting on him. Ridiculous chin by Vettori. Cannonier is throwing everything to take him out. Vettori on the back foot on survival more. This is insane. Vettori leaning against the fence while Cannonier connects. Leg kick by Cannonier. Vettori is recovering slowly. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-8, Cannonier.
Round 3 – Vettori connects with a right hand. Leg kick by Vettori. Big right by Cannonier. What a crazy fight. Cannonier shoots for a takedown and fail. Clean one, two by Vettori. Vettori is back in force. Good jabs by Vettori. Straight right by Vettori. Another right hand by Vettori. Another one. Cannonier eating these shots well. Big right hand connects by Cannonier. Cannonier shoots for a takedown and briefly gets it. Vettori back up, but being pressed against the cage. They break free. Cannonier all over him. Cannonier connecting and doing most of the damage. And Vettori gets at takedown. One minute left. Cannonier back up. Cannonier looks like the fresher fighter. Good jabs by Vettori. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Cannonier.
Round 4 – Vettori is connecting well here, but he’s not hurting Cannonier much. On the other hand, Cannonier is doing more damage even if output is similar. Both trading leg kicks. Good right by Vettori. Cannonier shoots and takes down Vettori. Vettori gets up quickly, but is now being pressed against the cage. He breaks free. Left connects for Cannonier. Good jabs by Cannonier. Big right hand by Cannonier. What a chin by Vettori. What a war between these two. Cannonier seems to have less ware and be in better condition. Props to Vettori, but Cannonier is outstriking him. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Cannonier.
Round 5 – Cannonier’s pop is insame. He’s putting a beating on Vettori. Leg kicks, straight rights keep connecting for Cannonier. Vettori connects too, but doesn’t seem to cause an effect on Cannonier. Cannonier is walking down Vettori and dropping bombs. Three minutes left. Nasty body kick by Cannonier. Huge one, two wobbles Vettori. Cannonier takes him down and begins to land shots. Crazy chin by Vettori. Nasty shots from top by Cannonier. Brutal. Vettori gets up. They trade and Cannonier tries a takedown, but fail. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Cannonier. Overall 49-45, Cannonier.
Result: Jared Cannonier def. Marvin Vettori via unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 48-46)
Recap: Jared Cannonier sets middleweight striking record in thrashing of Marvin Vettori
Photos: UFC on ESPN 46: Best photos from Las Vegas
Records: Jared Cannonier (17-6 MMA, 10-6 UFC), Marvin Vettori (19-7-1 MMA, 9-5-1 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
Judging: Mike Bell, Ben Cartlidge 49-45. Sal D’Amato 48-46.
