MMA Fighting has UFC 225 results for the Romero vs. Whittaker event June 9 from the United Center in Chicago, Ill., plus live blogs of the top fights and live UFC 225 Twitter updates.
In the main event, Robert Whittaker clashes with Yoel Romero for the second time. Whittaker’s middleweight belt won’t be on the line since Romero failed to make weight Friday.
Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos will collide with Colby Covington in the night’s co-main event for the UFC interim welterweight title.
Check out UFC 225 results below.
Main card (PPV at 10 p.m. ET)
Robert Whittaker vs. Yoel Romero
Rafael dos Anjos vs. Colby Covington
Holly Holm vs. Megan Anderson
Andrei Arlovski vs. Tai Tuivasa
CM Punk vs. Mike Jackson
Undercard (FOX Sports 1 now)
Alistair Overeem vs. Curtis Blaydes (live blog)
Claudia Gadelha def. Carla Esparza via split decision (live blog)
Mirsad Bektic def. Ricardo Lamas via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Chris de la Rocha def. Rashad Coulter via second-round TKO (3:53)
Anthony Smith def. Rashad Evans via first-round KO (0:53)
Sergio Pettis def. Joseph Benavidez via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)
Charles Oliveira def, Clay Guida via submission (guillotine) (R1, 2:18)
Dan Ige def. Mike Santiago via first-round TKO (0:50)
UFC 225 is almost here, and as usual, Embedded is here as well. The show that gives you an inside look at the marquee contestants on PPVs has issued the fifth and final episode for this weekend’s big show in the Windy City, and it serves as a brief introduction to the fighters at the top of the card.
It’s Ultimate Media Day. CM Punk talks about when the United Center opened. We get a bunch of cameos from people on the card, and guys like Jorge Masvidal. Tai Tuivasa is ready for Andrei Arlovski. Megan Anderson talks Holly Holm.
Rafael dos Anjos speaks to the Brazilian media in Portuguese. Colby Covington talks smack to RDA in the face-off. Yoel Romero and Robert Whittaker face off, and Romero whispers “one more time”.
Punk meets up with the Chicago Blackhawks mascot. If you don’t know, he has famously feuded with multiple other NHL mascots, and is a huge Hawks fan.
Anderson discusses her weight cut, saying that it’s okay doing everything in a bathtub but at 6 feet tall, it’d be better in a hot tub.
Weigh-in time. Punk makes it easily. Whittaker needs the towel, but is in good spirits as he makes 185. Tuivasa is huge. Romero, as you probably know by now, misses by a pound. He has two hours to make it. He comes back and hits 185.2, visibly drawn out. His disappointment is all over his face.
Dana White talks to the media. He confirms that it’s a five-round fight, but it won’t be for the title. Whittaker and Yoel talk before the ceremonial weigh-ins, cordially. Anderson and Holm are intense but respectful. Covington and RDA trade insults. Bobby Knuckles shows a rare bit of fire as he enters the stage area.
UFC 225 goes down in just a few short hours in Chicago.
The action unfolds later tonight (Sat., June 9, 2018) at UFC 225 live on pay-per-view (PPV) from inside United Center in Chicago, Ill., as UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker takes on Cuban juggernaut Yoel Romero in a five-round main event.
In addition to the headlining rematch, former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos will collide with 170-pound contender Colby Covington for the interim welterweight title, former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm will welcome former Invicta FC featherweight queen Megan Anderson to the Octagon, former UFC heavyweight titleholder Andrei Arlovski will try to make it three in a row against rising prospect Tai Tuivasa, and former WWE superstar CM Punk will make his return to the cage against Mike Jackson.
But, before the premier bouts get underway on PPV starting at 10 p.m. ET, UFC 225’s dynamite “Prelims” action will go down on Fight Pass starting at 6:15 p.m. ET and FOX Sports 1 starting at 8 p.m. ET.
Find out what happened right here as the UFC 225 undercard recaps roll in real-time:
Alistair Overeem vs. Curtis Blaydes
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Claudia Gadelha vs. Carla Esparza
Gadelha (16-3) clipped Esparza (13-5) early and grabbed a hold of her neck. Esparza regrouped and got back to her feet, but Gadelha continued to press the action on the feet with her hands and elbows. Out of nowhere Esparza leveled the Brazilian with a short right hand. Gadelha staggered around before the former champion took her down. The action would return to the feet before Gadelha scored a takedown of her own. The Brazilian nearly locked in a guillotine choke before the first bell. In Round 2, both women came out firing in the center of the cage. Esparza pushed forward with combinations on the move, while Gadelha stay edplanted and launched counter shots. The two would tie up along the cage before Gadelha secured a timely takeodown. Esparza would land some good elbows off her back. The third frame saw Esparza land another huge right hand that clearly stunned Gadelha. Gadelha didn’t move much and Esparza really took control on the feet, finding a home for hard leg kicks, superman punches, and strikes to the body. She was constantly scoring points inside and then quickly jumped out before eating a counter. Gadelha would temporarily end up in top control, but Esparza transitioned over and scored hard ground-and-pound before the fight came to a close. In the end, it was Gadelha who somehow walked away with the split-decision win.
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Ricardo Lamas vs. Mirsad Bektic
Lamas (18-7) came out with a quick takedown, but Bektic (13-1) got back to his feet in fashion. Both men exchanged hard knees inside along the cage. Bektic clipped Lamas on the go before pushing him against the fence again. Bektic was able to secure a takedown and keep top control but didn’t do much damage. The second round saw Bektic let his hands go a little more as Lamas struggled to find his range. One of the shots cut “Bully” below his left eye. Lamas tried to get inside and do some work with his wrestling but Bektic’s defense was stout, stuffing seven of seven takedowns through the first 10 minutes. The third frame saw a desperate Lamas push the pace a little bit and come inside with more combinations. But Bektic smartly tied him up and brought him to the cage. Lamas would threaten with a pretty tight guillotine choke along the way, but Bektic positioned himself to wiggle free and eventually ended up on top. In the end, it was Bektic who walked away with the split-decision win.
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Rashad Coulter vs. Chris de la Rocha
De la Rocha (4-2) pushed the action along the cage in the early going. Coulter (8-3) tried to keep his balance but de la Rocha was able to secure a big takedown and get back control. Coulter got back to his feet and blasted de la Rocha with a nasty combination. De la Rocha came back and landed his own heavy shots along the cage. The two heavyweights stumbled into one another with titanic blows as the Chicago fans cheered in amazement. In Round 2, de la Rocha landed a big body shot on the cage before eventually taking Coulter down. De la Rocha worked for the rear-naked choke and a tired Coulter somehow fought it off. De la Rocha would keep busy with ground-and-pound before finally finishing “Daywalker” minutes later via TKO.
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Rashad Evans vs. Anthony Smith
Smith (29-13) landed a few leg kicks early that spun Evans (19-8-1) around. Evans looked to tie things up along the cage, but Smith waited patiently before landed a crushing knee inside that instantly put “Suga” to sleep. Smith landed an insurance shot before the referee stepped in for the first-round knockout stoppage. It took just 53 seconds.
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Joseph Benavidez vs. Sergio Pettis
The bout opened up with a few hard leg kicks by Benavidez (25-5). Pettis (17-3) returned with a hard right hand counter before catching Benavidez with a flush uppercut and dropping the former title challenger. Benavidez recovered and secured a timely takedown. Pettis was able to return to his feet and land even more counter rights whenever Benavidez entered with his chin up. In Round 2, Benavidez rushed in with a flurry that landed some. Benavidez followed that up with another calf kick, turning Pettis’ leg into a red mess. Pettis couldn’t find much offense as Benavidez started to press him along the cage and threaten with takedown attempts. But Pettis remained standing and showed really good takedown defense and level control. The third and final frame saw Benavidez come out sharp and land a spinning back fist. Both men landed crisp shots during an exchange inside, but it was Benavidez who kept the pressure up. Pettis briefly threatened with a standing guillotine choke, but Benavidez sneaked his head out and regained control along the cage. Benavidez continued the onslaught with more leg kicks before securing a timely takedown before the end of the round. In the end, it was Pettis who walked away with the split-decision win.
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Clay Guida vs. Charles Oliveira
Both men landed early leg kicks. Guida (34-18) looked to counter but the Brazilian held his hands high and returned with some good jabs. Oliveira Oliveira (23-8, 1 NC) then clipped Guida with a right along the cage before grabbing a hold of Guida’s neck and going for the guillotine. “Do Bronx” fell back to the canvas and started to squeeze before Guida was forced to tap in the very first round.
LIGHTNING QUICK IN CHI-TOWN.
Oliveira forces the tap in round one.
Catch the action LIVE NOW https://t.co/eLpsj7wVJ7 #UFC225 pic.twitter.com/VKS4ABnKO4 — UFC (@ufc) June 9, 2018
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Mike Santiago vs. Dan Ige
The action started with Ige (9-2) tagging Santiago (20-12) along the cage and taking him down. Ige then worked for the back and landed vicious ground-and-pound. Santiago tried to defend but Ige was relentless and eventually finished the bout via TKO just 50 seconds into the first round.
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MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 225 fight card below, starting with the Fight Pass “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 6:15 p.m. ET, then the remaining undercard balance on FOX Sports 1 at 8 p.m. ET, before the PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET.
Gallery Photos: UFC 225 ceremonial weigh-ins view 39 images
CHICAGO – MMAjunkie is on scene and reporting live from today’s UFC 225 event, and you can join us for live play-by-play and official results beginning at 6:15 p.m. ET (3:15 p.m. PT).
The event takes place at United Center in Chicago, and the main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass.
In the main event, middleweight champion Robert Whittaker (19-4 MMA, 10-2 UFC) meets Yoel Romero (13-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) in a rematch – but it’s not a title bout since Romero failed to make weight. In the co-headliner, Colby Covington (13-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) and Rafael dos Anjos (28-9 MMA, 17-7 UFC) fight for the vacant welterweight title.
Follow along with our round-by-round updates and official results beginning at approximately 6:15 p.m. ET for the UFC Fight Pass prelims, 8 p.m. ET for the prelims on FS1, and 10 p.m. ET for the main card on pay-per-view.
To discuss the show, be sure to check out our UFC 225 discussion thread. You can also get behind-the-scenes coverage and other event notes from on-site reporters Ken Hathaway (@kenshathaway) and John Morgan (@MMAjunkieJohn) on Twitter.
Enjoy the fights, everyone.
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Current Fight
Alistair Overeem vs. Curtis Blaydes
Round 1 – Overeeem stays low as Blaydes looks for a way in. Overeem waiting to use his left hand, taking a low stance. Right straight short for Blaydes. Overeem wants that left uppercut. Not much doing so far. Blaydes feints a level change, and Overeem waits for that left hand. Blaydes stutter-steps, and Overee moves back. Pawing jabs from Blaydes short. Big head kick short for Blaydes. Audience losing patience. Overeem not there when Blaydes closes distance. Blaydes finally catches Overeem napping on position and grabs an easy takedown. Overeem works to stand up, and Blaydes gets his bearings. Punch from overhead. Overeem trying to scoot away, and Blaydes follows him. Not doing much from overhead. Finally, he postures and tries to nail Overeem’s chin. Overeem scoots away and Blaydes grabs his torso. A few pawing punches from overhead. Overeem searches for a leglock as the clapper sounds. He cranks, but runs out of time. MMAjunkie scores the frame 10-9 for Blaydes.
Round 2 – Overeem again ducking in and catches Blaydes with a knee as Blaydes closes. Guillotine attempt, but Blaydes gets out of it. Against the fence, Overeem again goes for the ankle, but the position isn’t there. Overeem loses the position completely as he goes belly-down, and Blaydes jumps on his back. Blaydes lands a knee and a punch as Overeem pops back to his feet. Standoff. Blaydes lands an uppercut as he collides with Overeem. He tries to back up Overeem, who ducks shots moving backward. Overeem misses on a straight right. Lunging knee met with takedown attempt by Blaydes, who’s got half the round to work. Arm-triangle position segues to punches from overhead from Blaydes. Overeem moves to avoid. Elbow from Blaydes in half-guard. Blaydes looking to pass, and fires off a short punch. A pair of big shots over the top, and an elbow good. Miragliotta warns for action, and Blaydes works an elbow. MMAjunkie scores the frame 10-9 for Blaydes, who’s up 20-18.
Result:
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Alistair Overeem (43-16 MMA, 8-5 UFC), Curtis Blaydes (9-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Rankings: Overeem No. 3, Blaydes No. 9
Broadcast: FS1
Referee: Dan Miragliotta
Judging:
Full Results
Mike Santiago vs. Dan Ige
Round 1 – Ige comes swinging early and catches Santiago before an early takedown. Santiago gives up his back as Ige flurries away with punches to the side of the head. Santiago already in deep trouble. Flattened out, Santiago taking heaps of punishment. Referee MacDonald has seen enough, and it’s all over. Just a mauling from Ige.
Result: Dan Ige def. Mike Santiago via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 0:50
Recap: Dan Ige finishes Mike Santiago in just 50 seconds
Photos: Dan Ige vs. Mike Santiago
Records: Mike Santiago (21-12 MMA, 0-3 UFC), Dan Ige (9-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Kevin MacDonald
Clay Guida vs. Charles Oliveira
Round 1 – No touch of gloves. Oliveira leads with front kicks and leg kicks. Guida replies with a hook. Guida circles off and tries to find a way in. First exchange of punches indecisive. Oliveira goes back to the legs. Oliveira feinting with leg to keep Guida at bay. Guida in on a counter off a kick, but misses. Finally, he repays with his own leg kicks. Jumping front kick misses for Oliveira, who fires off a tight follow-up combo. Oliveira looks very comfortable here, potshotting Guida at distance. Guida is bleeding from something. Oliveira pops Guida coming in with a nice combination, and Guida goes for the takedown. Instantly, Oliveira slaps on the guillotine, and it’s too deep. Guida forced to tap.
Result: Charles Oliveira def. Clay Guida via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 2:18
Recap: Charles Oliveira spoils Clay Guida’s Chicago homecoming, ties Royce Gracie record
Photos: Charles Oliveira vs. Clay Guida
Records: Clay Guida (34-18 MMA, 14-12 UFC), Charles Oliveira (23-8 MMA, 11-8 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Herb Dean
Joseph Benavidez vs. Sergio Pettis
Round 1 – Benavidez pops leg kicks early. High pace early, and Pettis makes Benavidez back off with a straight right. Benavidez faceks into ah a high kick and gets dropped with a straight right. Another shot staggers him. Pettis, very patient, waits for his opportunity to finish. But before he can land the killing blow, Benavidez charges into a takedown and gets on top. Benavidez working to pass guard, stuffing Pettis against the cage. Pettis stands using the cage, and Benavidez works to put him back down. Pettis’ takedown defense solid for now. Short punches from Pettis, and Benavidez is forced to give up. Left eye of Benavidez banged up. He keeps moving and tries to fake out Pettis, but Pettis’ timing is really on point. Nice punch-kick combo for Benavidez, who again shoots in to no avail. Counter right again good for Pettis. Benavidez exploding in over and over again, but Pettis just waiting for the counter. Benavidez ducking in and firing big hooks, but Pettis’ straight punches are winning the day. Benavidez goes to the legs and tries to duck under again. Kick from Pettis opens takedown attempt, but Benavidez gets caught in a front headlock. Against the cage, Pettis sprawls and escapes. Nice right hand from Benavidez. Again, lots of feints and wide shots capped by kicks to the leg and body. MMAjunkie scores the round 10-9 for Pettis.
Round 2 – Benavidez pawing with his hands and kicking the lower half of Pettis, who’s working more straight jabs and straights. A couple of shots find their way through, but Pettis’ return has more effect. Benavidez shoots in again and works for the single-leg. He knees the legs when that doesn’t work, and the crowd loses its patients. Firemans carry misses, and Pettis out the back door. Benavidez still charging in, working a lot higher volume with punches and kicks. But it’s all a prelude to a takedown attempt, and Pettis is again stuffed. Pettis uses fence to scoot away, and Benavidez blocks it. Benavidez drops for the single leg and takes a knee as Pettis escapes. Another pair of takedown attempts no good, and Benavidez manages to fire off a wheel kick that glances. Pettis has his kick counter, too. Benavidez goes to the body and continues to pressure forward. He drops again and works for the single against the fence. Before spinnig for an elbow, Pettis peels off. Another flashy high kick from Benavidez, who lands another nice low calf kick. Herky-jerky movement from Benavidez, who gets caught with a straight right and jab in counter. Benavidez presses again to the fence and takes a knee to the head before running out of time. MMAjunkie scores the frame 10-9 for Benavidez, evening it up at 19-19.
Round 3 – Pettis quick on the counter as Benavidez closes in. Benavidez lands a nice straight right. Spnning backfirst cracks Pettis, and Benavidez presses in for the takedown. Pettis gets free and lands a short right hand, and Benavidez goes back to his usual attack. Head kick no good, and Benavidez charges into the clinch before they break off. Pettis lands as Benavidez comes in with his hands low. Pressure is Benavidez’s best weapon, as is his diversity of attack. More volume from Benavidez, while Pettis waits for the straight counter. Jabs keep Benavidez at bay. Leaping knee absorbed by Benavidez, who wraps the neck as Benavidez shoots in for the takedown. He doesn’t have it, and they break off. Benavidez chases Pettis across the cage and presses him against the fence. Pettis hits a few knees to the body, but he won’t give up the takedown, and he escapes. Kick answered by combo from Benavidez. Jumping kick from Pettis blocked, and Benavidez spins with a misses kick. Another charge puts Pettis against the fence, and there’s 75 seconds to work. Benavidez gives up and continues to mix it up with punches. Pettis just short on the counter. Nice jab met by body kick from Benavidez. Benavidez grabs and ankle and gets the takedown off a combo. But Pettis pops up the wraps the neck, forcing Benavidez to defend. Short time. They both start firing, and Benavidez tags Pettis with three straight right hands. Pettis doesn’t get much of a chance to counter before time runs out. MMAjunkie scores the frame 10-9 for Benavidez, and he squeaks out the 29-28 decision.
Result: Sergio Pettis def. Joseph Benavidez via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Joseph Benavidez (25-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC), Sergio Pettis (17-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Rankings: Benavidez No. 2, Pettis No. 6
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Rob Madrigal
Judging:
Rashad Evans vs. Anthony Smith
Round 1 – Smith spins Evans early with a low kick. Feints from Evans and a wide karate stance. Smith pops the leg. Evans charges for a takedown and gets shucked. Smith just short on an elbow, and Evans pushes again for a takedown. Smith lines up a knee by framing the head, and drops Evans with a shot to the head. A pair of follow up rights, and Evans is on the canvas, the fight is over in a flash.
Result: Anthony Smith def. Rashad Evans via KO (knee) – Round 1, 0:53
Recap: Sergio Pettis clips Joseph Benavidez early, battles to split-decision win
Photos: Anthony Smith vs. Rashad Evans
Records: Rashad Evans (19-8-1 MMA, 14-8-1 UFC), Anthony Smith (29-13 MMA, 5-2 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Dan Miragliotta
Rashad Coulter vs. Chris De La Rocha
Round 1 – De La Rocha pumps a jab early. He then fakes into a takedown attempt, and Coulter closes to cut him off after that passes. De La Rocha ties up and stuffs Coulter against the fence. Coulter uses an elbow to keep distance. Knee up the middle for Coulter. He gets out ot the clinch and pops De La Rocha with a right hand. A subsequent knee prompts him to slip and De La Rocha gets on top. A guillotine attempt, and De La Rocha pops him with an elbow. Coulter gives up his back and De La Rocha tries to wrap the neck. As Coulter sits up, De La Rocha tries a face crank. No good, and they sit against the fence. Coulter spins into guard and then nails De La Rocha with a few elbows and a huge right hand. De La Rocha still there, and Coulter backs off and resets. De La Rocha bloeeding over his right eye. De La Rocha winds up on a shot and misses, and Coulter pops him back with a flurry of huge punches. The flurry may have exhausted Coulter, because he backs up, and De La Rocha is all over him, pounding away. It’s not looking good for Coulter, but he suddenly starts firing back, and this fight is officially a slugfest. Coulter comes back strong and slams De La Rocha again, but he can’t put away his foe. Right hand from De La Rocha opens takedown. With 30 seconds left, De La Rocha fires an elbow and then takes a breather. He postures up and fires off a few right hands, but he runs out of time. MMAjunkie scores the round 10-9 for Coulter.
Round 2 – A doctor checks the cut of De La Rocha between rounds and briefly checks Coulter, too. Touch of gloves, and Coulter gets back to it, winging a few shots. He backs off and resets, and De La Rocha pops him with a right hand. Coulter fires back after getting off the fence. Another pair of big right hands from De La Rocha, who follows with a takedown. Coulter scoots to the fence, and De La Rocha advances to mount. A few shots, and Coulter gives his back. De La Rocha wraps the neck and again cranks the face. Gable grip, and Coulter guts it out. Shots from up top from De La Rocha, but there’s not much on them. Coulter isn’t doing anything, though. De La Rocha again goes for the choke, but Coulter survives. He’s not going anywhere. De La Rocha punching away, and he can’t generate enough force to motivate the stoppage. Finally, a big elbow from up top. De La Rocha thinks about a choke and thinks better of it. Crowd getting restless. Coulter tries to scramble, and he just doesn’t have the juice. De La Rocha still pounding away, and finally, MacDonald has seen enough to stop it.
Result: Chris De La Rocha def. Rashad Coulter via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 3:53
Recap: Chris De La Rocha survives first-round slugfest, grinds out Rashad Coulter in second
Photos: Chris De La Rocha vs. Rashad Coulter
Records: Rashad Coulter (8-4 MMA, 0-3 UFC), Chris De La Rocha (5-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: FS1
Referee: Kevin MacDonald
Ricardo Lamas vs. Mirsad Bektic
Round 1 – Bektic pumping a jab and feinting kicks early as Lamas pushes him back and misses with a kick. Lamas jumps in with a front kick and Bektic tries to counter. High kick short for Bektic, and Lamas ducks under for a takedown. Bektic right up, and Lamas pushes to the fence, wrapping the waist to briefly put him down. Short punches from Bektic, who’s resisting the takedown well. Lamas works knees, and Bektic turns him and does the same. Bektic warned for grabbing the fence. They trade more knees. Lamas turns and escapes. Bektic measures a jab and lands a left hand on a combo. Bektic over the top with a right hand off a Lamas kick. Low kick for Lamas, who’s knocked to the ground when his next kick is intercepted. Bektic next pushes Lamas to the fence, and Lamas throws hiim to the mat. Bektic pops up and gets his own takedown, trying to advance position. Lamas finds his feet as Bektic works short shots. Lamas turns Bektic and escapes again to center cage. Lamas closes distance and misses wide on a wheel kick to close the frame. MMAjunkie scores the frame 10-9 for Bektic.
Round 2 – Lamas presses early and thinks about a piar of kicks. He drops for a takedown on the next try and is deterred by a Bektic flurry. They trade kicks, and Lamas backs off. Lamas in again on takedown, and Bektic scrambles. Bektic tries for his own and elevates the leg, but Lamas stays upright and wags his finger. Bektic with an overhand right as Lamas closes, and they tie up. They trade knees. Lamas is cut under his left eye. Dean warns for action. Short elbow from Bektic. Lamas finally escapes and resets. Lamas charges with kicks, and Bektic backs off. Lamas again tries to convert a kick to a takedown, and Bektic sprawls. Nowhere to go. Stall. Dean warns for action, and Lamas gets up. Spinning elbow misses for Lamas, who’s bleeding badly now. He pushes in nonetheless with a leaping knee, and Bektic pushes him to the fence. Kness on the inside. Lamas turns away and tries to lead with an elbow. Bektic’s fast hands are again a deterrent, and he pushes Lamas to the fence again. Dean immediately warns for action, then steps in to separate. Lamas closes, and leg kicks draw fast counter combos. Capoiera kick manages to glance Bektic, and he’s impressed. MMAjunkie scores the frame 10-9 for Bektic, putting him up 20-18.
Round 3 – Lamas closes early and draws fast counters from Bektic. Punches in counter to Lamas’ kicks. Lamas ducks for a leg and gets swarmed by a counter, and Bektic pushes him to the fence. Smothered. Bektic has a leg, and they trade short punches. Lamas tries to turn out and can’t. Finally, he gets the angle. He pushes Bektic back, and again, his kicks are answered by punches. Wheel kick gives Bektic takedown opportunity and arm-triangle position. Stalled out, Bektic has the neck and is deciding what to do with it. Lamas turns him and fires off an elbow before transitioning to the guillotine. He misses, and Bektic gets back on top. Lamas scoots back and wraps the head again, cranking with all his might. Bektic gets free on an adjustment, and Lamas stands. Bektic won’t let go and shoves him to the fence. Hooking a leg, he hangs on Lamas’ back. Relentless. Lamas again looking for that guillotine, and Bektic is forced to back off. Lamas goes for an arm-in guillotine, and Bektic goes to his knees. Lamas backs off and fires an elbow. Bektic stands, and Lamas again misses a guillotine transition. He stuffs Lamas against the fence, and Lamas wraps the head. Bektic postures up and works short punches. Lamas tries to stand and takes a knee to the body to close it out. MMAjunkie scores the frame 10-9 for Bektic, and he gets the 30-27 score.
Result: Mirsad Bektic def. Ricardo Lamas via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Recap:
Photos:
Records: Ricardo Lamas (18-7 MMA, 9-5 UFC), Mirsad Bektic (13-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC)
Rankings: Lamas No. 5, Bektic No. 10
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: FS1
Referee: Herb Dean
Judging:
Claudia Gadelha vs. Carla Esparza
Round 1 – Gadelha closes in and takes a low stance. Esparza pops a jab and low kick and circles off. Gadelha follows and repays a charge with a right hand. Esparza explodes again with a two-piece combo. Kick countered with a hard right from Gadelha, who prompts Esparza to shoot. Another hard right knocks Esparza to the mat, and Esparza shoots again. After a brief stall, Esparza escapes to her feet. Gadelha good again in the pocket, forcing Esparza to reset. Low kick from Esparza. Uppercut to cross for Gadelha, who’s lighting up Esparza with counters. Esparza charges again and ends with a low kick. Another hard right counter off Esparza’s charge. Esparza out of nowhere clips Gadelha with a right hand that staggers, and she pursues to land another punch that drops Gadelha. Esparza follows to the mat, and Gadelha goes for a leg. Esparza escapes, and Gadelha is back up. She chooses to settle into Esparza’s guard and works some ground and pound. Esparza scrambles and gets back to her feet. Esparza chases Gadelha across the cage, but Gadelha avoids her. Another charge brings a level change and easy takedown for Gadelha, who works punches from side control. Hammerfists as Esparza scrambles to her feet, and Gadelha slaps on a guillotine choke. She turns Esparza, and it looks deep. But somehow, Esparza guts it out and hears the bell. MMAjunkie scores the opening frame 10-9 for Gadelha.
Round 2 – Esparza charges with another flurry of punches, and Gadelha tries to counter in the pocket. Right hand misses wide. Gadleha going straight to counter Esparza’s wide hooks, and they both land inside. A right hand prompts a duck under from Gadelha, and Esparza presses her to the fence. Esparza working knees to the legs. Short punches from both. Gadelha tries to turn out, and Esparza lands hard knees to the midsection. Gadelha whips around to Esparza’s back and gets the takedown. Esparza uses a headlock to reverse and winds up on bottom in half-guard. Gadelha working right hands as Esparza tries to get up. Ground and pound from top. Esparza pops up, and Gadelha misses the back-take. Gadelha keeps a body lock and ragdolls Esparza to the mat again. Gadelha now taking over on top. It looks like Esparza is running low on energy. But Gadelha isn’t doing much from up top. Esparza out of nowhere kicks Gadelha off and dives into a takedown, ending the frame with a few punches overhead. MMAjunkie scores the frame 10-9 for Gadelha, and she’s up 20-18.
Round 3 – Esparza charges again with punches, and Gadelha replies with her right hand. A glancing hook hurts Gadelha, but Esparza doesn’t seem to notice. She charges again and takes a right hand in counter. Front kick to the face countered with right from Gadelha. Esparza walking down Gadelha, and she nails a knee in the clinch. Superman punch catches Gadelha. Another trade of punches, and Esparza resets. She looks the more urgent fighter this round. Gadelha flat footed and waiting for the counter. Esparza nails her with a couple of right hands. She’s faster than Gadelha this round. Another glancing right hand, and Gadelha replies with a one-two. Kick opens takedown from Gadelha, who has a body lock against the fence. Esparza punches the thigh and gets slammed to the mat. Gadelha in side control. Esparza with rabbit punches, and Gadelha tries to keep her grounded. Ninety seconds to go, and the two are trading short shots. Esparza trying to get up, and she kicks off Gadelha before grabbing a leg for her own takedown. One minute left, and Esparza punching with her left hand. Gadelha just trying to hang on as Esparza flurries away with ground and pound. Gadelha looks spent. Esparza closes the round with a flurry of punches, and that’s a wrap. MMAjunkie scores the frame 10-9 for Esparza, giving Gadelha the 29-28 score. First round was really close, though, so wouldn’t be surprised it it went the other way.
Result: Claudia Gadelha def. Carla Esparza via split decision (28-28, 29-28, 29-28)
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Records: Claudia Gadelha (16-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC), Carla Esparza (13-5 MMA, 4-3 UFC)
Rankings: Gadelha No. 4, Esparza No. 6
Division: Women’s strawweight
Broadcast: FS1
Referee: Rob Madrigal
Judging:
Phil “CM Punk” Brooks vs. Mike Jackson
Round 1 –
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Records: Phil “CM Punk” Brooks (0-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC), Mike Jackson (0-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
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Andrei Arlovski vs. Tai Tuivasa
Round 1 –
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Records: Andrei Arlovski (27-15 MMA, 16-9 UFC), Tai Tuivasa (9-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
Division: Heavyweight
Rankings: Arlovski honorable mention
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
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Holly Holm vs. Megan Anderson
Round 1 –
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Records: Holly Holm (11-4 MMA, 4-4 UFC), Megan Anderson (7-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
Division: Women’s featherweight
Rankings: Holm No. 10 women’s bantamweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
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Rafael dos Anjos vs. Colby Covington
Round 1 –
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Records: Rafael dos Anjos (28-9 MMA, 17-7 UFC), Colby Covington (13-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC)
Division: Welterweight (for interim title)
Rankings: Covington No. 3, dos Anjos No. 4
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
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Champ Robert Whittaker vs. Yoel Romero
Round 1 –
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Records: Robert Whittaker (19-4 MMA, 10-2 UFC), Yoel Romero (13-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC)
Division: Middleweight (non-title fight; Romero missed weight)
Rankings: Whittaker No. 2 (honorable mention pound-for-pound); Romero No. 3
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
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