UFC 279 ‘Diaz vs. Ferguson’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Yohan Lainesse (171) vs. Darian Weeks (170.5)

Round 1

The UFC was blessed with a drama-free week for this fight card, with absolutely no funny business taking place the last few days leading up to UFC 279. It’s a good thing, too, because this event might not have been able to afford some shakeups or bout changes. We start this totally normal fight card off in the welterweight division, with two men searching for their first win inside the Octagon. Weeks (5-2, 0-2 UFC), who came into the UFC in 2021 undefeated only to lose his first two fights, wants the third time to be the charm at the expense of Canada’s Lainesse (8-1, 0-1 UFC). Weeks celebrates a 100% finish rate, while “White Lion” responds with a 75% knockout rate, so the judges may not be needed while referee Mike Beltran almost certainly will be. The two 170ers clap hands to start off the evening, and Lainesse starts around the outside with several jabs, reaching his man with one. Weeks tries to cut Lainesse off, and he tosses out a half-hearted oblique kick to the knee. Lainesse responds with an inside leg kick to chip at him, and he aims another to the same spot. Weeks comes out swinging with a haymaker, but the jab of Lainesse is able to disrupt his flow. Weeks wings another monster punch, and Lainesse is sharper and dinging Weeks with single shots. The American takes a funny step back, and he chambers a right hand but pulls back when Lainesse springs away. Lainesse is light on his feet, picking and poking with jabs and leg kicks, while Weeks is loading up recklessly. When “White Lion” reaches out with a jab, he loses his balance and tweaks his ankle. Weeks notices this and capitalizes on it with a short swarm of punches, and he crashes forward to snatch up a power guillotine choke. Lainesse shoots in for takedown in an effort to reverse things, and this allows him to shake his neck free. Lainesse tries to pay him back for the choke attempt with a high kick, and Weeks swats it out of the way but cannot dodge a one-two that follows. Weeks gathers his thoughts and gives chase, but Lainesse is elusive and not absorbing strikes flush. Lainesse quickly swipes out with a left hook, and it appears to get Weeks’ attention enough to force Weeks to attempt a takedown. The Canadian stuffs it and backpedals, and he steels himself when Weeks attacks his knee with another oblique kick. Lainesse whips a kick to the body, and Weeks catches it and pursues a takedown, only for Lainesse to keep his balance and hop away. Weeks lunges forward to end the round with a flurry, but the only blow that lands is a stomping kick to the knee.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lainesse
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Lainesse
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Lainesse

Round 2

A touch of gloves opens the second round, and the pace resumes where they left off, with Lainesse stays well out of harm’s way on the outside. Weeks kicks the body, and when he attempts a second kick, Lainesse crashes the pocket and punches him in the face. Weeks loads up on a response, so Lainesse is able to duck away. The two trade strikes to the lead leg, and Weeks darts forward with four punches, only to hit air or the gloves of his opponent. Lainesse throws caution to the wind with a blitz, and Weeks times a left hook that knocks Lainesse off his feet – not because it was particularly damaging, but because he was able to wrap his arm around the neck and pull Lainesse to the mat. The Canadian springs back up and goes back to peppering Weeks’ knee with kicks, and he is forced after landing a few to block a front kick up the middle. Weeks stomp-kicks the knee once more, and he fakes several strikes by stomping the mat and kiaiing. Lainesse reaches out with a straight right hand, and he bloodies Weeks’ mouth with it. Weeks remains constant with his low kicks approach, and he changes things up suddenly by bolting forward for a double-leg takedown. Instead of trying a standard approach, he elects to lift Lainesse in the air to slam him down. Lainesse is not on the mat for a second before exploding back up to his feet, and Weeks walks him down and lines up a few punches. Lainesse powers his way up after another level change from Weeks, and when he tries to separate, Weeks knees him in the chest. Weeks misses the mark with a front kick, and before setting his own leg down, Lainesse kicks him on the plant. Weeks rushes after his opponent and scores a few punches, and he winds up with a left hand that just misses the target. The bell sounds to end the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Weeks
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Weeks
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Weeks

Round 3

There is a partial hand shake, and the final round begins. Like before, Lainesse circles on the outside while Weeks walks after him, and he gets reached with a few leg kicks. Weeks overswings with a punch, and Lainesse gives him a shove that makes Weeks topple to the mat in a weird way. Weeks jumps back upright again, and he is more energized than before, sprinting at Lainesse with a few punches and even going for a spinning back kick that is wide of his intended target. When Lainesse fires an overhand right, Weeks ducks it and shoots in for a takedown. “White Lion” spins him around, knees him in the gut a few times, and backs off. Weeks is desperate for a takedown, and he fails when Lainesse sprawls on him, forcing Weeks to almost flop over to his back. Lainesse breaks apart at the possible guard pull, and Weeks pushes the pace on him to go after a single. Lainesse elbows him in the side of the head a few times, grabs the fence, and successfully gets away. Weeks misses by a matter of inches with a spinning back elbow, and Lainesse lumps him up with a few punches to the body. Weeks starts sucking wind as his volume has fallen off a cliff, but Lainesse is not much more active as he keeps moving on the outside. Lainesse scores a few jabs and a body kick, and Weeks tries to catch it and do something with it, but he has no steam to do so. Lainesse reaches him with a right hand, and he skirts away before Weeks can counter. Weeks swings and misses with a left hand, but he does get off a low kick. Lainesse goes on the offensive, stopping his backpedaling, but all he scores is a single calf kick. Weeks responds with a front kick on the chin, and he changes levels for a takedown. Lainesse pushes him back and tries to draw out a brawl, but the two welterweights end up slugging it out with the air as they are out of range with their violently intended punches. This close, lackluster match comes to a close, and it could go either way depending on how the judges value of the efforts in this 15-minute quasi-sparring match.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lainesse (29-28 Lainesse)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Lainesse (29-28 Lainesse)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Lainesse (29-28 Lainesse)

The Official Result

Yohan Lainesse def. Darian Weeks via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Melissa Martinez (113.5) vs. Elise Reed (115.5)

Round 1

Two ladies looking to jumpstart their UFC careers are up next, when former Combate Americas (now Combate Global) champ Martinez (7-0, 0-0 UFC) makes her organizational debut against ex-Cage Fury Fighting Championships titleholder Reed (5-2, 1-2 UFC). The careers could scarcely be more different, as Martinez last competed in December 2019, while Reed turned pro two months prior and has racked up six fights since Martinez’ previous bout. Watching on to see if cage corrosion will play a factor is referee Mark Smith, and the two strawweights touch ‘em up. Martinez jabs the body and jumps forward with a front kick, and Reed responds with a quick head kick that rolls over the shoulder. Martinez is springy on her feet, jittery and active, and Reed is composed and stings her with a right hand. Reed crashes forward with a few punches, and Martinez sneaks in a right hand that makes Reed blow past her into the wall. Reed gathers her bearings and sits down on a short right hook, and Martinez is stunned and nearly goes down. “Super Mely” shakes out the cobwebs and tries to swing back, but Reed sticks and moves. Smith warns them both for outstretched fingers, and Reed closes her fists and starts kicking to the legs and body. The Mexican fighter whips a high kick, but Reed is able to block it and gives chase with three straight punches down the pipe. Martinez comes up short with another head kick, and she changes levels for a blast double that trips up the American. Reed climbs back up to her feet, and she leans her back on the wall. Martinez grabs the fence to hold her there, and Reed frames off with her elbow in search of separation. Martinez clings to her opponent, holding her pressed against the wire, and Reed boxes her ears multiple times. “Super Mely” cannot hold her there any longer, as Reed pushes her out to the middle of the cage and around to jam her on the wall. Martinez attempts to escape, and Reed knees her in the chest before getting away. Reed tosses out a head kick that is slapped away, and she steps back as Martinez comes at her with a lunging left hand. Reed spins and misses with a wheel kick, and they both dart at one another with punches that miss their respective targets. Martinez wings a right hand, and Reed ducks it and pushes her to the fence. The round ends in this position, before Martinez can hit a trip.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Reed
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Reed
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Reed

Round 2

Martinez claims the center of the cage to start the second round, but her strikes do not land when she throws them. Reed stalks her down and pump-fakes several times to draw reactions. Martinez kicks the body with the ball of her foot, and she has a head kick blocked. Reed keeps walking forward, until she sees that Martinez is constantly retreating, so she holds her arms up to shrug at Martinez and get her to engage. When Martinez does not, Reed surges ahead and nails her with a few right hands. Martinez is shaken up, and she tries to brawl it out, but Reed lands the cleaner blows. The New Jersey native gets on her bike instead of following up on the damage, and she circles into a low kick and a body kick. Reed switches things up with a quick question mark kick, and Martinez is barely able to block it in time. Reed blitzes forward with two reaching punches, and the second glances off the cheek. When they reset, Reed sits down on a heavy inside leg kick. Martinez leaps in with a punch, and when that does not land, the leg kick that follows does. “Super Mely” swipes her foot out high, and Reed is out of the way before getting kicked in the face. Reed walks through a body kick so that she can clinch her foe up, and she grinds the UFC newcomer up against the wall. Martinez gets away out the side, only to get clipped with a right hand. Martinez tries to pay her back with a low kick, and Reed checks it. Martinez strides forward and belts Reed in the face with a left, and she kicks the body and backs off when Reed gives chase. Martinez suddenly gathers herself and rushes forward, and she bullies Reed into the fencing. Reed again uses her elbow to get a little space, and she settles for a few knees to the body while Martinez holds her there. The close round ends in the clinch.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Martinez
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Martinez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Martinez

Round 3

Martinez takes the middle of the cage to start the last round, and she walks right into a clean right hand from Reed. Martinez eats it like a tamale and pushes out a front kick that lands in the groin. Reed waves them to continue, and Smith warns “Super Mely” for her errant blow. The two strawweights trade low kicks, and Reed pops her in the chops with a right hand over the top. Martinez tries to respond in kind, and her subsequent leg kick hurts Reed momentarily. Reed appears slightly compromised from the inside leg kicks, and she stumbles when advancing to throw hands. Martinez kicks high and misses the face by a whisker, and Reed walks her down and once more skips awkwardly when powering forward. Martinez uses the momentum against Reed to trip her up and take her down, and she moves into the guard only to get kicked off by Reed. Reed powers to her feet, and she absorbs a flush knee to the body on her way there. When tied up, Reed works the body with her own knees, and Martinez spins her about in pursuit of a body lock and trip. Reed keeps her balance with her back to the wall, and she knees Martinez in the face sneakily. Reed moves through to reverse Martinez and throw her to the mat, and “Super Mely” pops back up. Reed hits a quick mat return, and she steps right into side control and slices into full mount like a hot knife through butter. Martinez takes several punches upside the head before using all her energy to stand back up, and Reed holds her from behind and gets off a knee or two to the thigh. Reed drags her back down, and she steps over to take the back. Martinez does not let do this, as she works her way upright once more. Reed continues to use her full body weight to press on her adversary, and she rips the midsection with a knee. A desperate Martinez attempts to spin her around, but Reed is tightly pressed to her, spamming knees. The fight ends with Reed scoring unanswered knees to the ribcage.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Reed (29-28 Reed)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Reed (29-28 Reed)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Reed (29-28 Reed)

The Official Result

Elise Reed def. Melissa Martinez via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Heili Alateng (135) vs. Chad Anheliger (135.5)

Round 1

The third fight on the card is the first tonight to feature a fighter with a winning record inside the Octagon, and as it turns out, both sit above the .500 mark. Trying to keep his impressive 10-fight win streak intact will be Anheliger (12-5, 1-0 UFC) out of Canada, and he will be squaring off against “The Mongolian Knight” Alateng (15-8-2, 3-1-1 UFC). A swift touch of gloves before referee Herb Dean starts off the bantamweight scrap, and Alateng takes the center of the Octagon and holds it. Anheliger hops around on the outside, not throwing anything with any serious intent, and they paw at one another with low kicks. Alateng kicks low, and he gets checked, and recoils his leg. Alateng is tense as he chambers his right hand, but the Canadian is not willing to trade yet. Alateng kicks the leg again, and this one gets through, so Anheliger jumps into action with a right hand. The Chinese fighter responds with an identical blow, and they decide not to brawl after that brief exchange. Anheliger sneaks a right hand over the top, and he slips a counter. Alateng reaches him with a right hand, and Anheliger wipes his nose to check if it has been bloodied. Anheliger shakes it off and springs off the cage with a superman punch, but “The Mongolian Knight” is having none of it. The low pace has drawn the ire of the crowd, and Alateng answers this dissatisfaction by attacking fearlessly. He blasts “The Monster” with a crisp left hook, and Anheliger takes a quick count of his teeth on the outside. Anheliger tries to load up wit ha counter, but Alateng smoothly dodges and snipes him with another right. Anheliger gets his feet about him and advances, but Alateng greets him with a blistering right hook that makes Anheliger’s eyes roll back. Anheliger tries with all his might to throw back, and Alateng is too slick for him to connect with. Alateng slams his fists into Anheliger’s damaged nose, and Anheliger puts everything he has into a check left hook. “The Mongolian Knight” charges all the way through it and tries to put Anheliger away, but the Canadian is able to stay on his feet and protect himself from further damage. Alateng reaches him with sharp punches, while Anheliger is winding up with power shots that largely hit air. The round ends, and Anheliger shrugs to his corner, not concerned by the damage he absorbed in the first five minutes.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Alateng
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Alateng
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Alateng

Round 2

Round 2 opens up with a confident Alateng, and he starts off strong with a quick pair of punches that catch Anheliger flush. Anheliger turns to his side with a nontraditional stance so that he can advance and protect his chin, but it only makes him miss his punches and walk right into straight right hands. Alateng slows his pace down, and he chips at the lead leg of his adversary. Anheliger bursts into action, cracking the Chinese fighter with a pair of short hooks. He sees the success of the blows, and throws two more identical strikes, and he scores at the end of his right. Alateng shakes them off and advances, bullying Anheliger and knocking him back with a few quick hooks. Alateng slides back from a punch and lands two, and he stuffs a takedown entry from the Canadian. Alateng lines up a right hand on the jaw, and Anheliger wears it well and kicks hard enough to the leg that Alateng turns around. Alateng searches for a finish, swinging wide hooks to the body, and Anheliger takes one flush and grimaces. Alateng attempts another, and Anheliger keeps his guard low and throws a speedy high kick to keep Alateng honest. A right hand from Anheliger misses, and it leads to a three-punch salvo from his opponent. Anheliger scores a clean uppercut, and he throws so hard with a follow-up right hand that he nearly topples over. The horn sounds before Alateng can take advantage of the positional change.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Alateng
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Alateng
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Alateng

Round 3

The fists are bumped to open the final frame, and Alateng pops out a few jabs before getting warned about his outstretched fingers. When Anheliger tries to respond with a few punches up high, Alateng snatches up the lead leg and takes the Canadian to the mat. Anheliger falls to his back, and he kicks Alateng off of him and starts threatening with upkicks. The kicks do enough to keep Anheliger off of him, and Dean tells them to keep working several times. When Alateng cannot find his way in thanks to the effective upkicks, Dean stands Anheliger up. Anheliger thanks Dean for the intervention by landing a heavy kick to Alateng’s lead wheel, one that makes Alateng pick it up uncomfortably. Anheliger aims a kick to the same spot, and Alateng recoils it in anticipation of it. Anheliger rushes forward with a pair of punches, and Alateng parries them and misses with counters. Alateng’s volume diminishes substantially, and Anheliger dodges the majority of the strikes that do come at him. Alateng blocks a few punches over the top, but he cannot avoid the low kick that flies his way. Alateng keeps his guard high from a head kick, and with 90 seconds left in the fight, the two bantamweights measure one another carefully. Anheliger springs into an uppercut, and Alateng shakes it off and takes a clean low kick that gives him pause. Anheliger feints several times, and he darts forward with a single left before pump-faking several more times. Anheliger kicks the body, and Alateng catches the leg and takes him down. Alateng moves into the guard, but it is an active one from his opponent, as Anheliger slashes with elbows form his back. Anheliger tries to roll through to stand up, and he absorbs several punches to the back of the head. “The Monster” keeps moving, and Alateng follows him right to the final bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Alateng (30-27 Alateng)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Alateng (30-27 Alateng)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Alateng (30-27 Alateng)

The Official Result

Heili Alateng def. Chad Anheliger via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Norma Dumont (146) vs. Danyelle Wolf (146)

Round 1

Rounding out the prelims is a rare women’s featherweight contest, as relative divisional mainstay Dumont (7-2, 3-2 UFC) looks to bounce back from her first career decision loss against the debuting MMA neophyte Wolf (1-0, 0-0 UFC). Wolf, eight years the elder at 39, will try to get things going in a hurry, on the heels of a decent amateur boxing career that amassed her a record of 30-14 – albeit without landing a single knockout. Referee Jason Herzog draws the charge for this highly relevant tilt at 145 pounds, where the winner could be on the short list for Amanda Nunes’ next defense. There is a sporting touch of hands between the two, and they are tense to start off the match. Dumont slaps the leg with a kick and hops back when Wolf throws a straight right hand at her. The Brazilian lands another leg kick, and a third is greeted by a right hook by the ex-boxer. Wolf jabs her way forward, and Dumont slaps them down one after the other. Dumont sits down on another low kick, and she aims a side kick at her opponent to mix things up. Wolf reaches with jabs that miss, and a front kick that barely connects to the body. Wolf steps into a right hand, and has subsequent blows swatted away by “The Immortal.” Wolf whips a body kick, and she bullies into close range to loose a right hand. Dumont winds up with a leg kick, and Wolf takes a funny step and measures her jab a few more times. Dumont slides one and lands her own, and she rings Wolf’s bell with a hard right hand. A stunned Wolf takes a second to recover, and she gathers her thoughts and pops Dumont with a left hand. Wolf throws up a high kick that comes up short, and she spins around before Dumont can make her pay for the inaccurate strike. Dumont keeps working the lead leg, and Wolf plods forward with three punches, while only landing with the last one. Wolf connects with a left hand as she starts getting her range, and Dumont catches her with a right hand again. Wolf replies with a front kick, and Dumont counters her with two looping rights. Dumont ends this brief combination with a low kick, and a welt has formed on the lower thigh of the American. Dumont scores a right hook when Wolf charges forward, and she connects with a few more punches and grins as the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dumont
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Dumont
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Dumont

Round 2

Gloves get touched to start off the second frame, and Wolf begins the round intending on jabbing. Dumont walks through one to swat out a right hand, and she kicks the lead leg to follow. Another low kick comes from the Brazilian, and Wolf punches the body in response. They collect with quick punches, and Wolf fires out jabs that do not land but keep Dumont at bay. Dumont chops at the lead leg, and Wolf works the body with a straight fight hand. When Wolf dips a punch, Dumont comes after her ducking head with another. Wolf blinks it out and keeps working the jab, with few actually landing. Dumont pushes her back with a solid right, and Wolf chains two punches together that get the Brazilian’s attention. Dumont grabs hold of her, knees her in the belly, and trips the boxer out to take her down to the canvas. Wolf frames off with her long legs, and Dumont lets her up so that she can bully her up against the fence with elbows and short shots. Dumont scores short knees and grinds the 1-0 fighter against the cage, and she lets go to find a better angle. Dumont has her head snapped back by an oncoming jab, and she spins with a hook kick that Wolf dodges. Wolf powers forward with winging punches, and Dumont counters her with a clean right hand. A subsequent overhand right rocks Wolf badly, and the former boxer is on roller skates as she gets shoved back to the wire. Dumont lines up a knee and a few short punches on the inside, and Wolf appears to have gotten her bearings as she pushes away. Wolf throws heavily with inaccurate punches, and Dumont responds with a leg kick and a huge overhand right that knocks the American down to the mat again. Dumont climbs on top and starts hammering her, but the round ends before a finish can materialize. Wolf’s right eye starts swelling up fast as she walks back to her corner in a daze.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Dumont
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Dumont
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Dumont

Round 3

The featherweights clap hands to start off the last round, and they both trade jabs early. Dumont ducks one to elevate her opponent, and she slams Wolf down to the mat with ease. The Brazilian moves right into full mount, and she elects to move back to half guard so that she can keep Wolf grounded. Dumont presses her shoulder heavily to keep Wolf trapped, and she starts slugging Wolf in the face with hammerfists. Wolf throws her legs up to isolate an arm, and Dumont gets her left arm trapped under Wolf’s knee. Wolf, with her hands free and Dumont trapped on top of her, starts punching her opponent, and several land to the back of the head. Dumont wriggles her arm out and stands up, and Wolf uses her long legs to keep Dumont from climbing on top of her. Push kicks from her back allow Wolf to stop Dumont from advancing, until the Brazilian hits an angle and slides in to side control. Wolf tries to buck off and stand back up, so Dumont answers this by moving to mount. “The Immortal” drops down left hands until Wolf ties her up, and she grinds her forehead on Wolf’s chin to make her miserable. Wolf recovers to half guard, and Dumont squeezes down with her shoulder in an unsuccessful arm-triangle choke. Dumont sits up and pummels Wolf with punches, and blood trickles out the ex-boxer’s nose from the strikes. Dumont covers Wolf’s mouth when she is not laying into her with her fists, and Wolf is out of options as she is trapped while Dumont holds her there in three-quarter mount. Dumont hammers her foe with punches and elbows, and Wolf’s face contorts into pain and discomfort as Dumont beats on her like Wolf owes her money. Wolf hangs on for dear life, and Dumont smashes her with elbows until the final bell rings, saving the formerly undefeated fighter from any further punishment.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Dumont (30-25 Dumont)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Dumont (30-25 Dumont)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Dumont (30-25 Dumont)

The Official Result

Norma Dumont def. Danyelle Wolf via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

Chris Barnett (267.5: Missed Weight) vs. Jake Collier (265)

Round 1

For the second time in UFC history, a heavyweight has missed weight ahead of their match. Barnett (22-8, 1-2 UFC), who clocked in at 267.5 ready pounds – although given his recent tragic circumstances in his personal life, one should not hold it against him – joins Justin Tafa as the only two to achieve this feat. The super heavyweight, at least by divisional standards, will be taking on former middleweight Collier (13-7, 5-6 UFC), who bumped into the heavyweight threshold of 265 pounds exactly. A win for Collier would break the record for the longest alternating streak of wins and losses in UFC history with 12 straight. This massive 532.5-pound tilt – the heaviest bout in the UFC’s modern era – will be joined by non-heavyweight referee Mark Smith. The two big men touch gloves before coming out swinging, and Collier leads the dance with several punches and a head kick. Barnett brawls back with him, and he lands flush with a few punches, so they high-five. Collier steps into a heavy body kick, and a left hand knocks “Beastboy” clean off his feet. Barnett climbs back up, and he gets knocked back over from a kick. Collier tries to put him away with a blitz, and Barnett’s chin is granite as he absorbs blows without going down again. Collier smiles at him as they trade with reckless abandon, bashing each other with undefended strikes. Barnett gets slashed open with an elbow, and Collier catches his breath before advancing with another vicious elbow. Barnett, blood dripping into his left eye, grins and is still ready to keep going. Collier’s strikes are coming more labored after his early surge, and he ties Barnett up and knees him in the belly a few times. Barnett pushes him off, and he stings Collier with a four-punch combination. The two big men hand-fight as Barnett’s face is a mess, and Collier presses forward and backs Barnett up with several clean punches. The left eye is nearly closed for the fighter formerly known as “Huggy Bear,” but he is no less energized to keep throwing violently. Barnett spins with a back kick that ricochets off the ribcage of his opponent, and Collier crashes forward and hits a body lock takedown. Collier moves straight to mount, and Barnett turns over and gives his back up. Collier slams his man upside the head with his fists, and Smith tells Barnett to move several times. Barnett moves with all his might, and Collier follows him with a rear-naked choke. The grip is on the face, and Barnett signals to Smith that he is fine with a thumbs-up. Barnett tries to spin through, but before he does, Collier lets go of him. The two fighters stand back up and throw wild strikes at one another. Barnet’s jaw may be severely damaged, and a few more punches from Collier do not make it feel good as the horn sounds to end this violent round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Collier
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Collier
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Collier

Round 2

Smith calls in the doctor to check on Barnett’s swollen eye, and the doctor informs Barnett that he needs to protect himself or the fight will end. Even busted up and bloodied, with his mouth hanging open on the left side, he is cleared to continue, and the second round begins. Barnett sits down on two power punches to snap the head back as Collier comes at him with a kick, showing there is still life left with “Beastboy.” Barnett blitzes forward with punches, and the two slug it out and bust one another in the chops repeatedly. Barnett backpedals as the crowd goes crazy for him, chanting his name, and Collier slows him down with a clinch and knee to the belly. Barnett pushes him away and nails “The Prototype” with punches, and Collier slices at him with elbows. Collier pursues a takedown, and Barnett stuffs it and circles around to push Collier over. Barnett, totally energized from the change in momentum, starts raining down punches and hammerfists on his grounded opponent. Barnett moves to full mount with one leg stretched back in an unusual position, and he rains down a long string of unanswered punches. Smith gives Collier every opportunity to survive, and Collier moves every time Smith asks him to keep moving. Barnett sits on him and hammers him again and again. As the bombardment does not cease and Collier is unable to improve his position, Smith steps in to call a halt to the match as the roof of the T-Mobile Arena practically blows off. “Huggy Bear,” having survived a horrid beating in the first round to come back and finish his opponent, celebrates his ridiculous victory with a front flip that lands him square on his seat. Barnett has successfully ended the stretch of four straight decisions with his triumph, and in his tremendous interview, he shares his love with the crowd, telling them that he loves them and that their admiration means the world to him. What a wild slobberknocker, and an even better use of the microphone.

The Official Result

Chris Barnett def. Jake Collier R2 2:24 via TKO (Punches)

Jamie Pickett (185.5) vs. Denis Tiuliulin (186)

Round 1

The fights move along to the middleweight division, and when the dust settles here, one of these two men will advance to a .500 UFC record. Whether it is Russia’s Tiuliulin (9-6, 1 NC; 0-1 UFC) or “The Nightwolf” Pickett (13-7, 2-3 UFC), these two gentlemen have up to 15 minutes to decide that outcome. Both hold exactly eight knockouts on their respective ledgers, so referee Mike Beltran is ready to jump in at a moment’s notice. They bump fists, and Tiuliulin fires off a jab shortly after. Pickett responds in kind, and he intercepts the advancing Russian with another quick jab. Pickett comes up short with a swinging body kick, and Tiuliulin misses with his own kick. Pickett scores a left hand and a body kick, and gets caught with a counter right hand. Pickett looses a kick that slides under the elbow guard to the body, and he fires another that makes him stumble. Pickett gathers himself and charges, where he looks for a single. Tiuliulin nearly turns the tables on him, but Pickett keeps his balance and hunts for a body lock and a trip. Tiuliulin breaks free and gets in a right hand, and Pickett ducks and scores a clean right. Tiuliulin loads up on a haymaker, and Pickett is able to dodge it and counter quickly. As Tiuliulin marches forward, Pickett snipes him with accurate, rangy strikes. Tiuliulin throws hands, and Pickett is sharper and able to roll a right hand over the right hand. Tiuliulin blitzes forward and nails Pickett in the jaw with a few punches, and Pickett shakes it off and mixes things up with a head kick. Tiuliulin walks through it to chase Pickett, and Pickett tosses a leg out that bumps into Tiuliulin’s cup. The Russian waves Beltran off, and he keeps moving forward to swing hammers. Pickett answers with his own combination, and he ends it with a solid body kick. Tiuliulin winds up with a kick that aimed at the body, and it blasts into the cup as the sound of the “thwack” echoes. Replays show that it was a legal blow that may have just barely grazed into the cup and still made a loud sound, so Beltran asks Pickett if he can still continue. When they resume again after the minute break, Tiuliulin aims a kick to the same spot on the body, and it lands with a thud. Tiuliulin doubles up on it, and he chases Pickett with a few punches until the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Tiuliulin
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Tiuliulin
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Tiuliulin

Round 2

The middleweights meet in the middle to touch gloves, and Tiuliulin leads the dance to begin, chasing the American around the cage. Tiuliulin ignores a jab so that he can fire off another heavy body kick, and Pickett push kicks him back. Pickett threatens with a charging tackle, and Tiuliulin scampers back and stays upright. Pickett, when pushing out with his hands, extends his fingers, and he is warned for this. Pickett tries to block punches with his hands, and his fingers go out repeatedly. Tiuliulin slams his shin into the body, and he chains two punches into it to follow effectively. Picket sticks with a left hand and moves on the outside, but Tiuliulin cuts him off with a solid right to the body. Pickett comes out with a straight left, and Tiuliulin boots him upside the head. The two tie up, and Tiuliulin rails him with several elbows. Pickett tries for a takedown, and the Russian is a brick wall that does not budge. Tiuliulin marches forward and marks up the body with his fists, and he jumps forward with a knee that collides with the cup as Pickett is kicking at the same time. Pickett leans over in pain, and Tiuliulin protests that it was legal – but this was one direct and flush. Pickett falls to his knees, and he is upset by fouls or perceived fouls against him. Beltran deducts Tiuliulin one point for the groin strike, and he tells fighters to keep it clean before they reset. Tiuliulin is enraged by this, and he rushes forward and starts smashing Pickett in the face with a barrage of punches. Pickett shells up against the fence, and he lands a few in response, but Tiuliulin gest the better of every exchange. Tiuliulin elbows over the top when Pickett tries to clinch, and he tosses out a kick with his other leg that skims off the liver. When they are tied up, Tiuliulin scores a few elbows that strip Pickett’s legs away. Tiuliulin climbs into the guard of the downed fighter, and he stands up when Pickett bucks him off. Tiuliulin jumps back down and passes guard easily, but Pickett times a moment to explode and stand back up – but not before absorbing several elbows. When upright, Tiuliulin slashes with elbows that hurt Pickett. Tiuliulin grabs his man and lands a knee up the middle, and a second to the head puts an end to Pickett’s balance. Pickett falls to the ground and turtles up, and Tiuliulin pours it on with a salvo of punches until Beltran has seen enough. The point deduction proved to be a non-factor for the Russian, who turned things up after getting called for the foul. This is a statement win for Tiuliulin, who bounces back from a rough UFC debut by putting a tough Pickett away.

The Official Result

Denis Tiuliulin def. Jamie Pickett R2 4:54 via TKO (Knees and Punches)

Jailton Almeida (216.5) vs. Anton Turkalj (214)

Round 1

On short notice, Almeida (16-2, 2-0 UFC) has a new opponent. Stepping in late, and in a 220-pound catchweight contest, is the undefeated Swede Turkalj (8-0, 0-0 UFC). This replacement fighter appeared on the first week of the 2022 season of Dana White’s Contender Series, and did not win a contract but he was plucked for this callup. In their combined 24 victories, these two fighters have only gone the distance one time, so referee Marc Goddard needs to be on his A-game here. There is a grateful double glove touch from the Brazilian towards his opponent for taking the fight, and Almeida quickly starts with a front kick. Almeida chops down low with a kick, and he shoots in for a double-leg takedown that lands without much resistance. As Turkalj turns to his side, Almeida prepares to take his back, and he tries to get a hook in and ride the bucking Swede. When Turkalj stands up, Almeida slams him down with an exclamation point. Almeida steps over into the full mount before Turkalj turns to give up his back, and Almeida quickly hooks one arm around the neck for an arm-triangle choke. Turkalj grabs the cage to get out of the bad position, and he smacks his opponent behind the head in the back of it repeatedly until getting to a knee. The heavier Almeida stays pinned to his opponent, and he slams his right hand into Turkalj’s jaw until fishing for an arm-triangle choke while they are on their knees. Turkalj sits up and leans his back to the wall, and he ducks down to hope to crawl away. There is no respite, as Almeida is on him, even when Turkalj powers his way back to his feet. Almeida trips his man out and puts him on his back without expending much effort, and he lands in half guard. The crowd begins to grow restless with the domination of the Brazilian, who is ragdolling his opponent but not damaging him. Almeida steps over to full mount, and Turkalj turns to give up his back and his neck is immediately in rear-naked choke danger. Almeida bails on it to switch to a speedy arm-triangle choke, and he presses his shoulder tightly until abandoning it to punch Turkalj several times. The punches soften the newcomer up, who spins around and surrenders his back, and Almeida wraps up the rear-naked choke in the blink of an eye. “The Pleasure Man” takes no pleasure in this precarious position, and he thinks about going out on his shield, as the choke is academic and practically flawless. Turkalj instead elects to tap out, and bids farewell to his undefeated record. This was a one-way steamrolling for “Malhadinho,” who is going to be a problem for one if not two divisions before long.

The Official Result

Jailton Almeida def Anton Turkalj R1 4:27 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

Hakeem Dawodu (149.5: Missed Weight) vs. Julian Erosa (146)

Round 1

The prelims come to a close with a fight that takes place in a catchweight of 150 pounds, as Dawodu (13-2-1, 6-2 UFC) missed weight by a wide margin. Erosa (27-9, 5-5 UFC) does not mind at all about his heavy opponent, and he welcomes the fine amount and possible double bonus opportunity. The matchup that could end in the blink of an eye will be joined by referee Herb Dean in the cage. Dawodu offers an apologetic glove touch, and Erosa accepts. Erosa starts with a sweeping low kick that is well off the mark, and Dawodu walks forward to punch him and hits air. When Erosa misses with a leg kick, Dawodu hops forward and pumps out one down to the calf. Dawodu throws two more calf kicks, and Erosa spins around to shake it out. A jumping switch kick from Dawodu plants right on the chest of his opponent, and Dawodu dodges a spinning back fist and cracks Erosa with a clean right hand as he turns around. Erosa does not appear hurt other than a mark on his nose, and he catches a body kick and nearly throws Dawodu down to the ground. The Canadian springs back up from a knee, and he darts forward with a punch combination that makes him fall forward. Erosa lets him recover and swings with a left hook, only for “Mean Hakeem” to dodge, weave and kick out his lead leg. They trade punches at the same time, with Dawodu scores a sharp jab to take some of the sting off of Erosa’s hooks. They tie up, and Erosa rips several uppercuts that get Dawodu’s attention. Erosa walks him down and blasts him in the face with two looping hooks, and Dawodu’s knees buckle but do not go out beneath him. Dawodu keeps moving so as to not get pinned down and wrecked, and he ducks a hacking elbow and hangs on in a clinch. Erosa works the body up close before pushing off, and he eats a flush right hand. Dawodu tries to double up on the blow, but it lands on the side. Erosa clips him again with a right hand, and he chains an uppercut into it that wobbles the Canadian. Erosa rocks Dawodu once more, and he shoots in for a takedown. Dawodu stuffs it, so Erosa lets go with punches to the body. Dawodu pushes him away and steps in with an elbow, and Erosa shrugs at him and throws two punches. Dawodu kicks him upside the head, and once more, Erosa motions to him that there was nothing to it. Erosa splits the guard with a right hand, and he cracks his man with a few blazing-fast punches. “Juicy J” tries to finish the job with a flying knee, but Dawodu hangs on until the bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Erosa
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Erosa
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Erosa

Round 2

Knowing that he lost that first round badly, Dawodu comes out swinging to start off the next round. Erosa is able to slide out of harm’s way from the worst of the blows, but he cannot evade a straight right hand down the pipe. Erosa slams his shin on the side of Dawodu’s lead leg, and he brushes past the jaw with a front kick. Dawodu responds with a front kick to the body, and they trade kicks one after the other. Dawodu meets Erosa in the middle and throws down with him, and he breaks off with a jab. Erosa swings wildly, and Dawodu ducks it and clinches him up. Dawodu rips a nasty elbow up top, and Erosa takes it on the chin and backpedals. Dawodu scores an uppercut, and he backs away to double up on the jab. Erosa puts on a leg kick, and Erosa ducks a few punches to come back with some of his own. As Dawodu comes out swinging, Erosa ducks him and secures a double-leg takedown. The Canadian climbs back to his feet, and Erosa follows him up to secure a body triangle and act as an unpleasant backpack. Dawodu falls to his back to break up a rear-naked choke setup, and he hand-fights to break up any additional choke setup. Erosa maintains a tight body triangle, and he torques on Dawodu’s back to stretch him out while threatening with a choke. When the choke does not materialize, Erosa works him over with punches to both ears. Taking shots, Dawodu manages to still fight out of the position, break the leg grip around his waist and explode back to his feet. In the waning seconds of the round, they trade body shots, and it comes to a close.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Erosa
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Erosa
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Erosa

Round 3

The two bump fists to start off the final stanza, and Dawodu is the initial aggressor as he chases Erosa around the cage. Dawodu does not throw much as he advances, and Erosa backs him off with a long front kick. Dawodu tosses out several low kicks, and he sneaks a right hand over the top to draw a wry grin out of Erosa. When Dawodu is about to unload on him, Erosa pre-counters him with an uppercut, snapping the head back and shutting Dawodu’s offense down momentarily. Erosa reaches him with a jab and a leg kick, and he backs off. Dawodu rips the body with a left, but Erosa scores four punches back at him. Erosa snipes out a jab, and Dawodu is throwing heat but missing most of his powerful blows. They clinch up, and Erosa takes advantage of the close proximity with multiple uppercuts. Erosa nails his opponent with a right hand, and Dawodu tries and fails to give it back. Erosa steps up with a knee, forcing “Mean Hakeem” to blink it out, and he slides back as Dawodu crashes towards him. They trade heavy blows, with Dawodu scoring a strong punch to the liver, and he prompts a takedown from Erosa. As they scramble, “Juicy J” takes his foe’s back, and he locks up the triangle around the body once more. Erosa hunts for chokes, and Dawodu holds on to the wrist to break up any attempt. Erosa thumps up Dawodu on the side of the head with frustrating punches, and this enrages Dawodu enough to spin around and wind up on top. As he looks for some kind of Hail Mary ground-and-pound, Dawodu slides off just enough to allow Erosa to get back to his feet. Erosa breaks off and retreats, and he puts in the air as a spent Dawodu chases after him trying to land one lucky blow. There is no luck for the Canadian, who makes it to the final bell but is not thrilled with his performance.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Erosa (30-27 Erosa)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Erosa (30-26 Erosa)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Erosa (30-27 Erosa)

The Official Result

Julian Erosa def. Hakeem Dawodu via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Ion Cutelaba (205.5) vs. Johnny Walker (205)

Round 1

It’s time for the main card, with the only fight that did not change one day ago. It opens with a light heavyweight battle between finishers, and a ranked spot is on the line for the victor. The high-flying Walker (18-7, 4-4 UFC) will try to right the ship and get things going again, while powerful Moldovan Cutelaba (16-7-1, 1 NC; 5-6-1 UFC) wants to keep things afloat with a .500 record in the company. Stoppage rates of 94% for Walker and 87% for Cutelaba likely mean that referee Mike Beltran will be busy in this matchup, and the two intense 205ers do still touch gloves. Walker pokes out a few jabs with his range advantage, and Cutelaba fires off a head kick at him. Walker looks shocked, and he responds with a high kick of his own. “The Hulk” catches it and smashes him down to the ground with a slam. Cutelaba pounds on his opponent from the guard, and Walker scoots his way to the fence and grabs it to try to improve position. Beltran will not let him get away with it, and he shouts at the Brazilian to knock it off. Even in a close guard, Cutelaba uses his forearm and elbow to grind on Walker and score a few shots. Walker grabs the cage again, and he lets it go when Cutelaba belts him on the chin. Walker frames off with his feet, and he pulls on the wire once more to earn another severe warning. Exploding out of the bad position, Walker flips over, and he falls into an armbar setup. Cutelaba immediately moves to his knees, and he stands up even while Walker hangs onto him from behind. Cutelaba stomps the feet of his opponent, and Walker lifts him and drops him down hard. As soon as they land, the Brazilian sets up a rear-naked choke, but it is not under the chin. Cutelaba does not go away from a neck crank, and he grits it out and fights the grip. The Brazilian switches the hands and goes for a rear-naked choke on the other side, and Cutelaba fights tooth-and-nail to preserve his neck. Walker keeps hooks in instead of utilizing a body triangle, and he stretches Cutelaba out and wraps up a rear-naked choke. Cutelaba turns to his side and holds his chin down, but the forearm of Walker sneaks beneath it and squeezes tightly. Cutelaba’s face turns a dark shade of pink and he begins to gurgle from the vice-like grip, and there is no way out. Before he passes out from the submission, Cutelaba taps out, and Walker lets go and moves to an open area of the cage to start doing the worm. Walker breakdances a little more, but does not get reckless and injure himself like in the past. This is an important one for Walker, who records his first finish in nearly two years while landing his first sub since 2017.

The Official Result

Johnny Walker def. Ion Cutelaba R1 4:37 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

Irene Aldana (137.5) vs. Macy Chiasson (139.5: Missed Weight)

Round 1

Before Friday, this match between Aldana (13-6, 6-4 UFC) and Chiasson (8-2, 6-2 UFC) may have put the victor the closest to a title shot. Unfortunately, Chiasson struggled to reach the required weight at bantamweight, so she requested, and her opponent agreed, to make the bout a 140-pound catchweight affair. The first of three fights booked outside of normal weight categories carries on under the oversight of referee Jason Herzog, and the ladies touch gloves to seal the cage around them. They try to find their range, switching stances back and forth, and Aldana pushes out a jab. They both aim leg kicks at one another, and Chiasson fires off a head kick that skims past her foe. Aldana cuts her foe off with a leg kick, and she sticks Chiasson with two punches as Chiasson is throwing a body kick at her. Aldana jabs, and Chiasson ducks down for a double that backs the Mexican woman all the way to the cage, but she cannot get Aldana down. Aldana breaks off and keeps a high guard to block the two left hook that soar towards her, and she resets in the middle of the cage. Chants for “Mexico” rain down in support of Aldana, who grins and nails Chiasson with a sharp jab. Aldana makes Chiasson turn her leg with a kick, and she gives chase and backs Chiasson up to the wall. Chiasson responds with an inside calf kick, and she dips when Aldana reaches out at her with a straight right. Aldana works the leg once more, and slides back as Chiasson attempts to string a combination together. Chiasson ducks down for a single, and Aldana frames her off and knees her in the chest for her effort. Aldana stings her with a right hand, and Chiasson reacts poorly and rebounds off the fence. When not punching, she gets off constant leg kicks that frustrate Chiasson time and again. Aldana comes out scoring several straight punches, and Chiasson resorts to charging in for a takedown. Aldana rolls all the way through it to put Chiasson down and snatch up an armbar. The elbow hyperextends from Chiasson, but she manages to survive the belly-down position. Aldana moves over to full mount to pound on Chiasson, and when Chiasson bucks, Aldana moves back to the armbar. Chiasson may have tapped in the exchange, but it is uncalled and they continue. Aldana sits in a high mount and keeps working, and she turns to a keylock setup. The round ends before Aldana can snatch anything up.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Aldana
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Aldana
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Aldana

Round 2

With her coach Sayif Saud loudly informing her she lost the last round, Chiasson comes out extremely aggressively to start off Round 2. She connects with several powerful punches to get Aldana’s respect early, only to get countered and slowed down. As Aldana scores with crisp boxing combinations, Chiasson shoots in for a takedown, and she successfully gets it. In the ensuing scramble, Aldana winds up snatching Chiasson’s right leg while sitting on top of her. Aldana elbows several times behind her head to Chiasson’s dome, and she starts fishing for a foot lock. When there is no ankle lock to be found, she lets go and stands up. Chiasson doggedly pursues the takedown, and she manages to turn the tables and grab Aldana from behind. Aldana gets trapped with a body triangle, and Chiasson pounds on her with elbows and punches to the ear. Aldana tries to break the grip, and Chiasson sits up and elbows Aldana over a dozen times on the glove. Aldana falls to her back, with Chiasson on it and the triangle around her waist tight, but she keeps moving. As she turns to escape, Chiasson follows her and threatens with a rear-naked choke while Aldana is on her knees. Chiasson forces Aldana to turn to her side when she unloads with a long series of vicious elbows and punches, and Herzog warns her to not strike behind the head while also telling Aldana in Spanish that she needs to fight back. Chiasson allows her foe to turn to her back again, so that she can climb into the half guard and batter her with punches. Chiasson is once more warned for the punches to the back of the head, and she sets up an arm-triangle choke. Chiasson bails on it but remains on top as the bell sounds, and she helps her opponent up to her feet after the round concludes.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Chiasson
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Chiasson
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Chiasson

Round 3

Both ladies signal to the crowd to get amped up for the final round, and the audience showers them with loud cheers. Aldana opens up with low kicks, and Chiasson gets off a one-two as an immediate answer. Chiasson scores two leg kicks before ducking into low single attempt, and Aldana pulls her leg out of harm’s way and hops away. Aldana lets her up so that she can strike, but it is Chiasson who initiates first with a head kick that misses the mark. Aldana rings her foe’s bell with a straight right hand as Chiasson fires out a kick, and Chiasson gathers herself and connects flush with a left hook. Chiasson winds up with haymakers that miss the mark as the crowd oohs and aahs, and she uses these looping punches to set up takedown entries. One such left hand shakes Aldana up, and the subsequent takedown try fails. The Fortis MMA fighter doubles her effort and succeeds to ground Aldana, and Aldana lands on her back and throws up a triangle choke. Aldana pushes Chiasson off, and Chiasson lords over her while trying to shuck the leg out of the way and pass. As she does, Aldana whips upkicks towards her opponent. One bicycle upkick with her right heel slams square into Chiasson’s liver, and the American’s face contorts in horror from the devastating blow. Chiasson crumples to the mat, completely done, and Aldana stands up and does not bother with any follow-up shots as she knows what she has accomplished. Herzog rushes over to the downed Chiasson and asks her if she is alright and what hurts, and she cries out “my liver.” This is a one-of-a-kind finish inside the Octagon, and one of a very small number of upkick-related knockouts in organizational history. The crowd has no idea how to react, sitting in stunned silence, not knowing if it is an injury or possibly even a groin shot. Chiasson is still down, and Aldana walks off to celebrate her spectacular and shocking win. Eventually, the Louisiana native gets back to her feet, and she signals that she is OK. "Knockout of the Year" is going to have quite a lengthy list of contenders this year, and one more has been added to the pile with this unusual result.

The Official Result

Irene Aldana def. Macy Chiasson R3 2:21 via KO (Upkick to the Body)

Jingliang Li (170.5) vs. Daniel Rodriguez (179)

Round 1

On a little over a day’s notice, these next three fights will all feature fighters facing different opponents than they trained for. This mix-and-match round robin begins at 180 pounds, with welterweight Li (19-7, 11-5 UFC) battling it out against a man that weighed in 10 pounds heavier than him. Rodriguez (16-2, 6-1 UFC) planned on fighting at 180 pounds, so on paper he should have a significant weight advantage. Keeping things on the up-and-up is referee Mark Smith, and the fighters gladly touch gloves to start things off. Rodriguez tries to reach his opponent with a lunging right jab, and Li looks for a check hook on the way in but cannot land it. Rodriguez ducks back when a low kick sweeps at him, and he charges with two punches that knock the Chinese fighter back to the wall. Li targets another body kick, and Rodriguez cracks him with a left hand. They measure one another with their alternating hands, and the pace wanes as they appear to be concerned with one another’s power. Li kicks the body, and he dodges a response of the same variety. Rodriguez peppers the jab and walks into a right hand, but he pays it no mind and resets on the outside. Li kicks with both legs to the inside and outside of the leg, and Rodriguez keeps flicking out his sharp jab. Li throws a punch that bounces off the top of the cup and follows with one to the head, and Rodriguez ignores it and takes a flush body kick. Li works the ribcage with several body, and Rodriguez responds with a head kick that lands about as cleanly as one can, but Li does not even budge. Li instead swarms him with punches, and Rodriguez retreats and attacks the calf with his shin. Li leaps forward with a pair of punches, and Rodriguez shoulder rolls both of them and finds himself evading a secondary burst of blows aimed his way. Two kicks go unanswered from Li, and they clash shins when kicking at the same time. When Li fires off a kick to the side and lazily brings his leg back, Rodriguez times the opportunity to belt him with a pair of stunning hooks. Li shakes out the cobwebs and catches a low kick. As holds one leg up, he kicks the other, sweeping Rodriguez out and chasing him to smack him in the face with a right hand. Li backs off before Rodriguez can unload on him, and he gives ground and starts moving his arms around strangely. One last kick from “The Leech” connects before the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Li
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Li
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Li

Round 2

Fists are bumped to begin the second stanza, and Rodriguez skips forward with a chopping calf kick. Li gives him one back, and he bull-rushes forward with punches and backpedals to start showboating. Rodriguez does not make him pay for the posturing, only scoring a few swiping right hands that do not land flush. Rodriguez sticks out a jab, and they trade leg kicks on the inside. When Li charges in recklessly, Rodriguez quickly intercepts him with a short left. The jab for Rodriguez is working effectively, and Li is getting more wild and throwing heavier with wider arcs. Rodriguez sees them coming and sticks the jab in Li’s face repeatedly. Li sits down on an inside leg kick, and he gets backed off from a punch to the chest. Rodriguez connects with a solid kick on the inner thigh, and he aims another to the same spot. Rodriguez checks a kick and sticks his hands out, but Li swats them away. They grade these tit-for-tat strikes one after the other, as if taking turns to compete. Rodriguez turns up the pace briefly with a series of jabs, and he pulls back when Li winds up with a big left hand. Rodriguez dodges several winging punches, and the crowd begins to boo the two fighters for their swings and misses. Both men get off heavy leg kicks, and they come up short with their fists. When Li attempts a Superman punch, Rodriguez catches him with a quick right hook in the way forward, and Li changes his mind about any subsequent shots. Rodriguez scores a left, and Li responds with a booming shot that knocks Rodriguez and appears to hurt him. “The Leech” grins and lets Rodriguez off the hook instead of giving chase, and Rodriguez backs him up to the wall with low kicks and jabs. The American batters the lead leg with kicks, and he goes up high with a kick. Li throws him to the mat, but before he can take advantage, the bell rings.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Li
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Li
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Li

Round 3

The gloves are touched to lead off the final period, and Rodriguez advances but does not throw much. Li counters him with a straight right, and they go punch for punch and kick for kick in a slow but methodical pace. Li charges, swinging hammers, and Rodriguez backs him off with jabs and checks a leg kick. Li throws bombs, and Rodriguez slips them and comes forward. Li attempts to catch a kick, and he lets go before anything comes from it. Li peppers his man with leg kicks, and he scores a left hand on the ear. Li slaps Rodriguez as the crowd voices its disapproval, and this prompts a brief exchange of fists. Rodriguez takes anything on the chin and venomously retaliates, and Li ricochets off the fencing. Li ducks a hook and swings wide, with exciting near-misses from both men. Rodriguez splits the guard repeatedly with jabs, and he uses them to shut down the biggest blows from his opponent. The leg kicks come from both men, but it is only Rodriguez who checks them. Li ducks down and wings a huge right hand, and Rodriguez guards it just in the nick of time. Rodriguez slips and counters, and he keeps his jab in Li’s face one after the next. Li targets the body with a straight right, but it is one-and-done as Rodriguez marks him up with jabs. Rodriguez follows one jab with a left hand, and Li does not react well to it. Li backs off, his volume diminishing, but Rodriguez is unable to find his chin with anything of merit. Li sits down on a right hand, Rodriguez throws back with a vengeance. The slow-paced match comes to a merciful close after 15 minutes, but these two deserve all the props – and Li more than anyone else tonight – for taking this difficult opponent switch in stride.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez (29-28 Li)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez (29-28 Li)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez (29-28 Li)

The Official Result

Daniel Rodriguez def. Jingliang Li via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Khamzat Chimaev (178.5) vs. Kevin Holland (179.5)

Round 1

The co-main event is now a five-round fight, courtesy of the enormous weight miss from Chimaev (11-0, 5-0 UFC). Clocking in 7.5 pounds above the welterweight limit, Chimaev lost his main event opportunity and may have taken a step back in the 170-pound hierarchy, but he will get to settle a score against Holland (23-7, 1 NC; 10-4, 1 NC UFC). The likelihood of this 180-pound catchweight fight reaching the final bell is quite low, as the odds for the fight going the distance are high in the plus-money territory at +240. Referee Herb Dean takes a deep breath and tries to keep the two from throwing down before the fight actually begins, and if you put money on there being no glove touch, throw your ticket away, because they actually do. In two seconds, Chimaev darts in for a takedown. Holland scrambles wildly, and “Trailblazer” does a practical cartwheel to escape it. As they keep moving, Chimaev briefly winds up on top, and Holland eventually settles to close his guard. Holland dodges to the side when punches drop down, and deafening chants for “USA” rain down. Holland throws his legs up for a possible submission, and he threatens enough to allow him to stand up. Chimaev hits a high-effort mat return, and he sets up a brabo choke on the way down. Holland turns to his knees, and he uses his legs to push off the knees of his opponent to push out of it. Chimaev releases his grip and settles it on the other side, and Holland steps over to the other side only to get rolled over. Holland, on his side, is getting followed by the Swede, and Chimaev is squeezing for all he's worth. “Borz” moves to get on top with the choke, and Holland has no choice but to tap out before he goes out. Chimaev sits on top of his defeated opponent, with Dean intervening, and he appears to scream at Holland, but it is one that is more celebratory than hostile. The bad blood that stemmed from the press conference scuffle appears to have been squashed, as Holland reluctantly hugs it out with his triumphant opponent. In his victorious post-fight interview, Chimaev claims that he does not care about missing weight, but commentator Joe Rogan presses him on the issue. Chimaev yells that he plans on “killing everybody” and that the doctor is to blame for stopping the cut. He claims he is willing to die in the cage, and the crowd drowns him out with boos. Chimaev is still undefeated at 12-0, with 11 finishes under his belt, and he did not absorb a single strike in yet another performance.

The Official Result

Khamzat Chimaev def. Kevin Holland R1 2:13 via Submission (Brabo Choke)

Nate Diaz (171) vs. Tony Ferguson (171)

Round 1

A fight years in the making has come together on a day’s notice, where two longtime lightweights will meet at 170 pounds across five rounds, if necessary. In the headlining spot, Diaz (20-13, 15-11 UFC) is not fighting Chimaev like the marquee read as recent as Friday morning, and he instead takes on the legendary Ferguson (25-7, 15-5 UFC). These two men combine for a 1-7 record in their last eight fights, but they will serve as the main attraction of this pay-per-view card. Unlike the previous bout, there is no bad blood between these two longtime vets and champs of “The Ultimate Fighter,” and they calmly touch gloves. Referee Marc Goddard is hopefully ready for whatever happens next. Diaz throws hands immediately, and Ferguson meets him in the middle and trades a few back. Diaz backs off, takes a deep breath, and walks into a spinning back elbow. Ferguson catches a kick and tosses Diaz to the mat, and he lets Diaz up so that he can fire of a head kick at him. When Diaz stands, Ferguson sprints at him and winds up with a leg kick. Diaz ignores a front kick to the body, and he takes a strange step back when Ferguson punches him in the thigh. Diaz changes stances a few times and fires off a side kick to the body, and “El Cucuy” spins under a punch. Ferguson tosses out a low kick, and Diaz checks it and split the shin wide open to start the flow of blood. Ferguson catches a kick and looks to dump Diaz again, but he bails on it when Diaz keeps his balance. As they trade strikes, Ferguson gets comfortable and starts to get into his groove of partial-showboating while striking. Ferguson mixes things up with elbow and low kicks, and tossing in a front kick or a wild punch to follow. Ferguson dives forward to strike, and he turns his back to escape before Diaz can counter him. Diaz scores a one-two, and he points at Ferguson and grins. Ferguson offers a glove touch, and they both share a laugh. Diaz sticks out a front kick, and he gets off a low kick and evades the wild Ferguson strikes. A Diaz slap leans to a right hand, and he starts chaining punches together as the crowd goes wild. Ferguson reacts with a jumping leg kick, and Diaz does not respond positive from the strike. Ferguson goes after another inside low kick, and Diaz is feeling these strikes and his expression changes. Diaz just misses with a pair of punches, and he slides back from a flying knee attempt. Diaz comes up short with a few punches, and Ferguson spins with a back fist that just misses the mark. Diaz lowers his hands, and he tags Ferguson right before the bell. As Ferguson is charging, the horn blares.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ferguson
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Diaz
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ferguson

Round 2

The second round kicks off with an amped up Diaz, and Ferguson stalls his advancement by putting both hands on the mat. Diaz charges with a one-two and a leg kick, and the kick forces Ferguson to spin around and try an elbow. Ferguson resets and strings three punches together, and a right hand gets around the guard. Ferguson tosses out half-hearted standing back fists to disrupt the guard, and Diaz responds with a few push kicks up the middle. Ferguson moves and dodges the swinging strikes from Diaz, and he shells up when Diaz comes at him for a second salvo. Ferguson kicks the thigh and the body, and he tries to go up high but gets blocked. Ferguson snipes his foe with an uppercut, and Diaz walks it off and delivers a straight one-two down the pipe. Ferguson threatens with a takedown, and Diaz shrugs it off and gets kicked on both sides of his leg. A Ferguson kick forces Diaz to briefly change stances, and Ferguson turns his back when getting struck. A cut has opened above Ferguson’s right eye, and he is struggling to see and wipes at it several times. Ferguson tries to power through it and whips out a body kick, and he stays on his bike to try to escape anticipated blows. Diaz absorbs a body shot and an elbow while walking Ferguson down, and a right hand from Diaz spins Ferguson around. Diaz lands flush with a left hand, and Ferguson tries to pay him back with an uppercut that collides with the guard. Diaz intercepts a kick with an overhand right, and Ferguson shakes it off and gets clubbed with a right hand. A left from Diaz has opened the cut on Ferguson’s eye even further, and blood is trailing down his face. Ferguson continues to chop at the lead leg, and Diaz switches stances several times after absorbing them one after the next. Diaz blocks the punches that come his way, and he leaves his hands down until springing into action. Diaz scores a punch, points at his foe, and Ferguson makes sure to bump fists with him for the solid shot. The round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ferguson
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ferguson
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Diaz

Round 3

Ferguson is excited to start off the round, and he tries to touch gloves before the round begins, and Diaz swats his hand away. The round does commence with a front kick from Diaz, and Ferguson aims a kick at the lead leg. Diaz strings a few punches together, connecting most effectively with a solid right, and Ferguson pounds on his lead leg. One kick to the calf makes Diaz take a very difficult step, and he is in big trouble. Diaz tries to lead into offense, but a Ferguson low kick gives him pause again. Diaz walks away, lowers his hands and shakes his head as if to signal that he is done. They look around confused at one another, and Goddard tells them to work. Diaz walks all the way around the cage, shaking his head, and Ferguson flops to his back and climbs back up when Diaz goes to engage. Diaz is trying to shake the leg damage out, and he leans on the fence with Ferguson not sure what to do. Diaz gathers himself and strikes, and Ferguson spins and retaliates. Diaz signals to someone when a few kicks land to his busted leg, and when he tries to respond, Ferguson escapes. As Ferguson rushes away, Diaz points to someone in the crowd and says Ferguson is running. Diaz takes a breath and surges into action, ripping into him with punches and a sneaky high kick. Ferguson spins out, belts Diaz with a back elbow, and works the inside leg again. Diaz strings several punches together, and he points at his opponent and laughs at him. Ferguson circles out and resets, and he gets tagged by an oncoming Diaz. After the salvo, Diaz puts his hands on his hips, possibly feigning fatigue. Diaz plods forward and lands a few punches, and when Ferguson kicks him in the body, Diaz leans on the fence to kick at him. This is truly bizarre, but the crowd loves it. The bell sounds, and Goddard has to inform Diaz the round is over.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ferguson
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ferguson
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ferguson

Round 4

We have reached the championship round of this incredibly strange and fairly competitive match, with the earlier rounds likely tossups depending on the judges. Diaz starts off Round 4 with a barrage of punches, and Ferguson shells up and protects himself from the damage. “El Cucuy” drops down for an ankle pick, and Diaz shrugs it off and makes Ferguson stand up. Ferguson keeps chopping at the lead leg of Diaz until Diaz puts his right leg in the rear, and he starts winging uppercuts with arc on them. When Diaz changes stances, Ferguson nails the other leg. A punch from Diaz forces Ferguson to spin all the way around, turning his back as he has many times, but it does not matter as Diaz lets him go. Diaz intercepts a kick with a hefty right hand, and Ferguson is staggered and trying to recover against the fence. Diaz gives chase, but Ferguson recovers and escapes out the side. Diaz puts several punches together to knock Ferguson back to the wall again, and he grits his teeth when another low kick lands flush. As Diaz is gathering steam for another short onslaught, Ferguson rips a left hand to the body and forces Diaz’ hands to drop. Diaz, amped up, decides to strike with a vengeance. Ferguson gets stung from the blows, and Diaz corners him and tees off on him. “El Cucuy” shoots in for a double, and he puts Diaz on his backside. As soon as Diaz hits the canvas, he snatches up a guillotine choke, and it is immediately tight. The crowd erupts, seeing that Diaz has the choke on lock, and he shifts his other hand around the back of Ferguson’s neck to make sure it is tight as a drum. Ferguson cannot use the choke against his foe in the form of a Von Flue, and instead he has no choice but to surrender. In defeat, Ferguson is all smiles, not remotely upset about the loss to a worthy adversary. They show the utmost of respect for one another, bowing and embracing, and celebrating a hard-fought battle. When commentator Joe Rogan speaks to Diaz, Diaz claims that he wants to leave the UFC for a while and conquer another sport. After that, he plans on coming back to the UFC to claim a title. No matter how that all shakes out, we will be here for it. We hope you are too.

The Official Result

Nate Diaz def. Tony Ferguson R4 2:52 via Submission (Guillotine Choke)