UFC on ESPN 59 took place Saturday, and MMA Junkie provided live play-by-play and official results. UFC on ESPN 59 (ESPN/ESPN+) took place at Ball Arena in Denver.
Former women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas (14-6 MMA, 11-5 UFC) and Tracy Cortez (11-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) met in the flyweight main event. Santiago Ponzinibbio (29-8 MMA, 11-7 UFC) took on Muslim Salikhov (19-5 MMA, 6-4 UFC) in the co-feature.
Below you can check out the full results, live play-by-play, and more from UFC on ESPN 59.
Evan Elder vs. Darrius Flowers
Round 1 – Body kick by Elder. Flowers putting on the pressure here. Another body kick by Elder and a body shot to follow up. Another body shot by Elder. He’s targeting the body. A right hook lands for Elder and Flowers responds with a double jab. Another body kick by Elder. Flowers is taunting Elder. They clinch, Elder gets the throw, but Flowers gets right back to his feet. Flowers keeps taunting Elder. Flowers goes down! Unsure if he got caught or if he lost balance. Elder jumps on him. Flowers scrambles, takes his back, but gets thrown off and is now on bottom. One minute left. Flowers shoots, gets stuffed and now Elder is on top. Elder ends the round on top.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Elder.
Round 2 – Flowers looks tired. Elder pressuring here. A groin kick from Elder pauses the fight. Flowers takes two minutes, the fight resumes. Flowers ducks under a shot and takes down Elder. Elder scrambles and ends on top. Body shots by Elder. Elder moves to mount. Elder sinks in the arm triangle! It’s over.
Result: Evan Elder def. Darrius Flowers via submission (arm-triangle) – Round 2, 1:46
Photos: Evan Elder def. Darrius Flowers at UFC on ESPN 59: Best photos
Records: Elder (9-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC), Flowers (12-8-1 MMA, 0-3 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Joel Ojeda
Josh Fremd vs. Andre Petroski
Round 1 – Big shots thrown by Petroski! He closes the distance and takes down Fremd. Petroski now in side control. Not much going on, just Petroski maintaining position. The crowd boos. We’re halfway through the round. Petroski opening with some ground-and-pound. Petroski with great control, but not much damage. Petroski gets mount, lands a few shots. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Petroski.
Round 2 – Again, Petroski closes the distance and takes down Fremd. Petroski working a guillotine! He lets it go, but still on top of Fremd from turtle position. Petroski gets mount. Petroski sinks in the arm-triangle! Looks tight! Three minutes left. Fremd still fighting. Fremd gets out! Petroski now in his guard. Two minutes left. Petroski moves to half guard. Petroski now gets mount. Fremd scrambles out. Petroski still on top. The bell rings with Petroski on top.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Petroski.
Round 3 – Fremd comes out aggressive! Nice hooks connect for Fremd. Leg kick by Petroski. Jab by Fremd. Fremd pressuring Petroski. Petroski shoots and gets down Fremd. He’s working form side control. Good control by Petroski. Petroski gets mount. Some whots by Petroski. Petroski in complete control. We’re halfway through the round. Petroski in full control but not much damage. Petroski now controlling from turtle position. Fremd unable to get up. The crowd boos. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Petroski. Overall 30-27, Petroski.
Result: Andre Petroski def. Josh Fremd via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: Andre Petroski def. Josh Fremd at UFC on ESPN 59: Best photos
Records: Petroski (11-4 MMA, 6-2 UFC), Fremd (11-6 MMA, 2-4 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Nick Berens
Judging: Dean Abeyta, Eric Colon, Mark Sanchez 30-27.
Mariya Agapova vs. Luana Santos
Round 1 – Big right sits down Agapova! Agapova goes for a takedown and gets thrown by Santos! Santos in half guard. She now moves to side control. Santos sinks in the arm triangle! Looks tight! Agapova still fighting. We’re halfway through the round. Agapova still in the submission. She gets out, but Santos now takes her back. Rear naked choke! There’s the tap! What a showing!
Result: Luana Santos def. Mariya Agapova via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:27
Recap: Luana Santos spoils Mariya Agapova’s return with first-round choke
Photos: Luana Santos def. Mariya Agapova at UFC on ESPN 59: Best photos
Records: Agapova (10-4 MMA, 2-3 UFC), Santos (7-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Joe Coca
Da’Mon Blackshear vs. Montel Jackson
Round 1 – Oh! Huge left knocks out Blackshear! It’s over! What a KO BY Jackson.
Result: Montel Jackson def. Da’Mon Blackshear via KO (punch) – Round 1, 0:18
Recap: Montel Jackson needs just 18 ‘Quik’ seconds to finish Da’Mon Blackshear
Photos: Montel Jackson def. Da’Mon Blackshear at UFC on ESPN 59: Best photos
Records: Jackson (14-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC), Blackshear (14-7-1 MMA, 2-3-1 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Nick Berens
Jasmine Jasudavicius vs. Fatima Kline
Round 1 – Leg kick by Kline. Another one. Big straight right lands for Jasudavicius. Jasudavicius pressuring. Kline takes down Jasudavicius on a leg kick attempt. Jasudavicius trying to get a sweep. We’re halfway through the round. Oh! Crazy scramble! Jasudavicius ends on top and takes Kline’s back. Ground-and-pound by Jasudavicius. More shots from Jasudavicius. Kline unable to get out. Mount by Jasudavicius. Nasty elbows! The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Jasudavicius.
Round 2 – Leg kick by Jasudavicius. Good left connects for Kline. One, two by Kline. Oh! Big combo by Kline! A couple of nice shots lands for Jasudavicius. Uppercut by Kline. Body shot by Jasudavicius. Good standup battle here. Jasudavicius clinches Kline and presses her against the cage. We’re halfway through the round. Kline takes almost takes the back while standing, but back to getting pressed against the cage. Jasudavicius gets the takedown. Solid shots by Jasudavicius. Nasty elbows by Jasudavicius. Jasudavicius gets a body-triangle on Kline. She’s looking to get the rear-naked choke. Kline surviving. Jasudavicius goes for an armbar, loses it and Kline ends on top. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Jasudavicius.
Round 3 – Push kick by Kline. Oh! Big right by Kline! Again! Kline throwing bombs, looking to finish. Crazy brawl here! Right hand connects for Kline. Leg kick by Jasudavicius, but she eats a shot in the process. Kline is walking down Jasudavicius. Nice jab by Jasudavicius. Right hand connects for Kline. They clinch. Knees from both sides. Jasudavicius presses Kline against the cage. We’re halfway through the round. Jasudavicius gets the takedown! Kline going for a leg lock. Kline scrambles her way back to her feet, but gets a takedown immediately. Jasudavicius working from half guard. Final minute. Jasudavicius takes the back of Kline! The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Jasudavicius. Overall 30-27, Jasudavicius.
Result: Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Fatima Kline via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Fatima Kline at UFC on ESPN 59: Best photos
Records: Jasudavicius (11-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC), Kline (6-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Joel Ojeda
Judging: Sal D’Amato, Eric Colon, Mark Van Tine 30-27.
Charles Johnson vs. Joshua Van
Round 1 – Kick-heavy attack by Johnson early here. Van doing most of the pressing. Nice combo by Johnson! Van eats it well. More leg kicks from Johnson. Van has yet to land anything. More leg kicks from Johnson. Johnson presses Van against the cage. Good control here by Johnson. We’re halfway through the round. Van gets out. Johnson shoots and Van stuffs it. Jab by Van. More jabs. Oh! Big right by Van. Van walking down Johnson. One, two by Van! Van catches a kick and kicks the support leg of Johnson, dropping him to the ground. Van let’s Johnson back up. Jab by Van. Another one. The bell rings. Close round.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Johnson
Round 2 – Jab then uppercut by Van. Van has Johnson’s timing down. Good left by Johnson. Van walking down Johnson here. Good left by Johnson. Nice combo by Johnson! They trade jabs. Good right hand by Johnson. We’re halfway through the round. Left hook connects for Van! Leg kick then a jab by Van. Jab by Van. Big right connects for Van. They trade jabs. Crazy pace here. Nice combo by Van! Man, Van can’t miss with his right hook. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Van.
Round 3 – Oh! Johnson comes out firing! Huge uppercut! It’s over. Johnson knocks out Van!
Result: Charles Johnson def. Joshua Van via KO (punch) – Round 3, 0:20
Recap: Charles Johnson scores stunning upset KO of Joshua Van
Photos: Charles Johnson def. Joshua Van at UFC on ESPN 59: Best photos
Records: Johnson (16-6 MMA, 5-4 UFC), Van (10-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Joe Coca
Abdul Razak Alhassan vs. Cody Brundage
Round 1 – Brundage immediatelu closes the distace and looks for a takedown! Oh! He’s rocked! Alhassan with big shots! Alhassan all over Brundage! Brundage going for the takedown, Alhassan with some nasty elbows! Referee Dan Miragliotta pauses the fight. Several of those elbows landed on the back of the head. It’s over. Brundage can’t continue. The fight ends in a no contest.
Result: Abdul Razak Alhassan vs. Cody Brundage ends in a no contest (illegal elbows by Alhassan) – Round 1, 0:37
Recap: Abdul Razak Alhassan’s illegal elbows to Cody Brundage lead to early no contest
Photos: Abdul Razak Alhassan vs. Cody Brundage no contest at UFC on ESPN 59: Best photos
Records: Alhassan (12-6 MMA, 6-6 UFC), Brundage (10-6 MMA, 4-5 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Dan Miragliotta
Julian Erosa vs. Christian Rodriguez
Round 1 – Big shots early by Rodriguez! He’s putting on the pressure on Erosa. Oh! Nasty head kick by Rodriguez. Thye’re brawling in the middle of the cage. Both connect! Nice right hand by Erosa! Leg kick by Rodriguez. Erosa is now walking down Rodriguez They trade jabs. Front kick by Erosa. Nasty elbow by Erosa backs up Rodriguez. Left hook by Rodriguez. Erosa takes down Rodriguez and gets his back immediately. Body triangle locked. Rodriguez gets out and ends on top! Erosa sinks in the guillotine! There’s the tap! Wow.
Result: Julian Erosa def. Christian Rodriguez via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 4:49
Recap: Julian Erosa taps Christian Rodriguez with slick guillotine
Photos: Julian Erosa def. Christian Rodriguez at UFC on ESPN 59: Best photos
Records: Erosa (30-12 MMA, 8-7 UFC), Rodriguez (11-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Nick Berens
Gabriel Bonfim vs. Ange Loosa:
Round 1 – Loosa presses Bonfim immediately against the cage. He tries to take him down, but Bonfim defending well. Loosa tries again, but Bonfim scrambles his way back to his feet. Bonfim now presses Loosa against the cage.Big knees to the body by Bonfim. Loosa gets the takedown. We’re halfway through the round. Good ground-and-pound by Loosa. Bonfim gets back up. Jab by Loosa. A failed takedown attempt by Loosa. Good one, two by Bonfim. Nasty knee by Bonfim from the clinch. Leg kick by Loosa. Nice jasb by Loosa. Big combo by Bonfim. The bell rings. Close round.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Bonfim.
Round 2 – Loosa shoots and scores a takedown. Bonfim immediately back up and breaks away. Nice body shot by Bonfim. Bonfim looks like he’s slowing down a bit. Nice one, two by Bonfim. Leg kick by Bonfim. Good hooks by Bonfim. One, two by Loosa. Left hook by Loosa. We’re halfway through the round. Body kick by Bonfim. Big uppercut by Bonfim. What a chin on Loosa. Superman punch by Bonfim. Bonfim is picking apart Loosa with a steady attack. Bonfim gets a takedown in the final seconds. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Bonfim.
Round 3 – Leg kick by Bonfim. One, two by Bonfim. Oh! Big right by Bonfim. Loosa with a granite chin. Jabs by Bonfim. Loosa with relentless pressure, but he’s getting picked apart. Leg kick by Loosa. Big leg kick by Bonfim. Loosa shoots, but unable to takedown Bonfim. Big knee by Bonfim. Big right lands for Bonfim. Loosa clinches Bonfim and presses him against the cage. Bonfim breaks free. More shots from Bonfim. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Bonfim. Overall 30-27, Bonfim.
Result: Gabriel Bonfim def. Ange Loosa via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Photos: Gabriel Bonfim def. Ange Loosa at UFC on ESPN 59: Best photos
Records: Bonfim (16-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC), Loosa (10-4 MMA, 2-2 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Dan Miragliotta
Judging: Sal D’Amato, Mark Snachez 30-27. Dean Abeyta 29-28.
Drew Dober vs. Jean Silva
Round 1 – Big leg kick by Dober. Body kick by Dober. Dober has Silva backed against the fence. Dober constant with the pressure. Flyying knee almost connects for Silva. Oh! Big left hook by Silva. Dober bleeding from his right eyebrow. We’re halfway through the round. Big body kick by Silva. Oh! Big left hook by Silva. Dober is havinga tough timelanding here. Another left hook lands for Silva. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Silva.
Round 2 – Leg kick by Dober. Dober closes the distance, but unable to get a hold of Silva. Big left by Silva! One, two by Dober. Big knee by Silva. Dober now pressuing Silva. Several uppercuts land for Dober in close range. We’re halfway through the round. Leg kick by Dober. Body shot by Dober. Hard staright right by Silva. Dober’s face is a mess. Superman punch by Dober! Final minute. Righthand connects for Dober. Leg kick by Silva. Oh! Nasty elbow by Silva! Dober shoots, but Silva defends. Oh! Huge combo by Silva! Dober is wobbled! the bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Silva.
Round 3 – This fight is crazy. Dober comes out agressive. He shoots and presses Silva against the cage. Silva goes for the guillotine and Dober gets out, but Silva gets back to his feet. Dober pressing Dober agisnt the cage. Oh! Spinning elbow from Silva! Man, Dober’s face is a mess. It looks like his eyebrow is about to fall off. Referee Herb Dean stops the fight. The doctir looks at the cut and says the fight is over, rightfully so. Silva wins.
Result: Jean Silva def. Drew Dober via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) – Round 3, 1:28
Recap: Jean Silva opens nasty gash on Drew Dober for short notice TKO
Photos: Jean Silva def. Drew Dober at UFC on ESPN 59: Best photos
Records: Silva (14-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC), Dober (27-14 MMA, 13-10 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Muslim Salikhov
Round 1 – Ponzinibbio comes out pressuring Salikhov. Left hook by Salikhov. They’re taking turns with the pressure. Big body kick by Salikhov. One, two lands by Ponzinibbio. We’re halfway through the round. Ponzinibbio presses Salikhov against the cage. Salikhov breaks free. Big combo by Ponzinibbio! Salikhov looks hurt. Ponzinibbio backing him up. Final minute. Jab by Ponzinibbio. Salikhov is cut on his right eyebrow. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Ponzinibbio.
Round 2 – Leg kick by Ponzinibbio. A couple of spinning attacks miss for Salikhov. Another leg kick by Ponzinibbio. Left hook connnects for Salikhov. It looks like Ponzinibbio is slightly hurt. Salikhov upping the pressure. A spinning wheel kick partly connects for Salikhov. Jab by Ponzinibbio. Leg kick by Ponzinibbio. We’re halfway through the round. One, two by Ponzinibbio. Right hand connects for Salikhov. Ponzinibbio is back to pressuring. Big one, two by Ponzinibbio. Nice combo lands clean for Ponzinibbio. Ponzinibbio shoots and gets the takedown! He controls Salikhov Khabib style by the cage. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Ponzinibbio.
Round 3 – Big right connects for Ponzinibbio. One, two connects for Ponzinibbio. Both fighter are havig a tough time connecting, both defensively sound. Ponzinibbio with non-stop pressure here. Ponzinibbio closes the distance and presses Salikhov against the cage. Ponzinibbio takes down Salikhov. Not much damage, just control here from Ponzinibbio. Final minute. Salikhov gets up, but is being pressed against the cage. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Ponzinibbio. Overall 30-27, Ponzinibbio.
Result: Muslim Salikhov def. Santiago Ponzinibbio via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Recap: Muslim Salikhov gets split call over stunned Santiago Ponzinibbio
Photos: Muslim Salikhov def. Santiago Ponzinibbio at UFC on ESPN 59: Best photos
Records: Salikhov (20-5 MMA, 7-4 UFC), Ponzinibbio (29-8 MMA, 11-7 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Dan Miragliotta
Judging: Chris Lee, Dean Abeyta 29-28. Eric Colon 28-29.
Rose Namajunas vs. Tracy Cortez
Round 1 – Big leg kick by Namajunas. Namajunas on the outside. Big right connects for Namajunas. Namajunaswith the speed advantage here. Another right connects for Namajunas. Stiff jab lands for Namajunas. Oh! A jab drops Cortez. Namajunas follows up and gets on top. Namajunas lets her back up. We’re halfway through the round. Jab by Namajunas. Another right connects for Namajunas. Jab by Namajunas. Cortez can’t stop these shots. Cortez connects with a left. Namajunas picking apart Cortez here. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Namajunas.
Round 2 – Cortez pressuring Namajunas here, looking to cut the distance. Namajunas landing often here. Cortez no longer pressuring as much. Leg kick by Namajunas. High kick connects for Namajunas. Good movement here by Namajunas. Cortez shoots and gets the takedown! She takes Namajunas’s back! Namajunas scrambles out and presses Cortez against the cage. Namajunas lets Cortez free. Clean right by Namajunas. Good jabs by Cortez. Final minute. Leg kick by Namajunas. Namajunas shoots and gets the takedown! She ends the round on top. Much better round for Cortez, but it was still clear for Namajunas
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Namajunas.
Round 3 – Crazy pressure hre by Cortez. Namajunas shoots and takes down Cortez. Namajunas gets the mount! Good control by Namajunas, but little damage. Cortez scmbles her way out, and gets back to her feet. Namajunas pressing her against the cage. Cortez reverses, but gets taken down by Namajunas. We’re halfway through the round. Namajunas now takes the back of Cortez. A few shots here and there from Namajunas. Cortez surviving. Cortez works her way to to the feet. Front kick to the face by Namajunas. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Namajunas.
Round 4 – Cortez is looking for the finish. Oh! Cortez almost connects with a head kick. Namajunas closes the distance and presses Cortez against the cage. Namajunas lets go Cortez and back to striking. Nasty jab by Namajunas. Namajunas gets a takedwn, but Cortez gets back to her feet. Namajunas controlling against the cage. We’re halfway through the round. They break. Left counter lands for Namajunas. Nasty jab by Namajunas. Cortez shoots and gets the takedown. Namajunas gets up. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Namajunas.
Round 5 – Cortez need a finish here. Nice left hook lands for Cortez. A right lands for Cortez. She clinches Namajunas and presses her against the cage. Namajunas reverses the position. They break free. The pace has slowed here along with the output. Righthand connects for Namajunas. They trade and Namajunas clinches Cortez against the cage. Cortez breaks free. We’re halfway through the round. Big right for Namajunas. Cortez is asking to exchange. Namajunas on the outside. Nice combo by Cortez! Final minute. One, two by Namajunas. Jab by Namajunas. Namajunas presses Cortez against the cage. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Namajunas. Overall 50-45, Namajunas.
Result: Rose Namajunas def. Tracy Cortez via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)
Recap: Rose Namajunas hands Tracy Cortez first UFC loss, calls for title shot
Photos: Rose Namajunas def. Tracy Cortez at UFC on ESPN 59: Best photos
Records: Namajunas (14-6 MMA, 11-5 UFC), Cortez (11-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+
Referee: Herb Dean
Judging: Sal D’Amato, Chris Lee 49-46. Eric Colon 48-47.
