Manon Fiorot Outpoints Erin Blanchfield in UFC on ESPN 54 Main Event

The Ultimate Fighting Championship women's flyweight division has a new top contender as Manon Fiorot impressed against Erin Blanchfield in the UFC on ESPN 54 main event.

The five-round fight began with Blanchfield (12-2) threatening with a guillotine choke as a counter to a takedown by Fiorot (12-1). The French fighter would survive the submission scare and find her rhythm on the feet. Using a steady jab and leg kicks, Fiorot kept Blanchfield at range and picked apart her foe. "Cold Blooded" lived up to her nickname as she adjusted and started throwing more recklessly in the fourth and fifth rounds. However, it wound up being too little too late for the American as she lost a unanimous decision with three scorecards of 50-45 for Fiorot.

"The Beast" is now 6-0 inside the Octagon.

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Buckley Powers Past Luque

The co-main event saw Joaquin Buckley cement himself as a welterweight contender against Vicente Luque.

The first round was a more tepid affair, with both men respecting each other's power and Buckley (18-6) slightly edging it. Things would pick up in the second as "New Mansa" began throwing flying knees and opening up more against Luque (22-10-1). Eventually, "The Silent Assassin" would pull guard, which proved to be a mistake as Buckley unloaded on Luque with heavy punches forcing Keith Peterson to step in.

The fight was officially stopped at 3:17 of Round 2.

Weidman Gets Technical Decision Over Silva

Former middleweight champion Chris Weidman got back into the win column in a controversial fashion.

Despite the recent leg break, Weidman came out throwing kicks with his right leg. The 39-year-old hurt Bruno Silva (23-11) early and took control of the first round in the clinch. Subsequent rounds saw "The All-American" turn back the clock as he went toe-to-toe with "Blindado" and hurt his opponent several times with punches. Weidman eventually stopped Silva with a series of punches after the Brazilian went down from an eye poke (the third such occurrence during the fight). After reviewing the replay, the fight was declared a unanimous technical decision win for Weidman at 2:18 of Round 3, as the fight was judged up until the stoppage.

Weidman improves to 16-7 with the win.

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Ruziboev Controversially Stops Dumas

Nursulton Ruziboev benefited from an uncalled eye poke against Sedriques Dumas.

During an exchange in the first round, Ruziboev accidentally poked Dumas in the eye. Dumas informed Vitor Ribeiro of the issue and motioned that he needed time due to the damage. However, Ribeiro didn't see the foul and allowed the fight to continue, which led to Ruziboev plowing through Dumas with an onslaught of punches.

The stoppage officially came at 3:18 of Round 1.

Kyle Nelson Outduels Bill Algeo

Kyle Nelson continued rising up the featherweight ranks by picking up a TKO win over Bill Algeo.

Nelson (16-5-1) found success early in the clinch but was still getting the upper hand once the pair separated. Despite Algeo (18-8) doing some damage with his kicks, the fight became a slugfest late in the first round. Nelson had the sturdier chin and the stronger punches, allowing him to swarm a hurt Nelson with punches. Referee Gary Copeland had seen enough and waved it off at 4:00 of Round 1.

"The Monster" has now won three straight fights.

Njokuani Outstrikes McKee

Welterweights Chidi Njokuani and Rhys McKee opened the main card with a closely contested scrap.

The first round saw McKee (13-6-1) disrupt the striking of Njokuani (23-10, 1 NC) with takedown attempts. As the fight continued, Njokuani damaged "Skeletor" with his jab and well-timed leg kicks. After controlling the final five minutes and shaking off McKee's takedown attempts, Njokuani took a split decision with scores of 28-29 for McKee and then two 30-27 scorecards for "Chidi Bang Bang."

The win breaks a three-fight skid for Njokuani.

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