UFC Fight Night 118 ‘Cerrone vs. Till’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round-by-Round Scoring

Felipe Arantes vs. Josh Emmett

Round 1

Arantes grazes the body of Emmett with a spinning back kick, but Emmett comes straight back with a right hand that knocks the Brazilian to his back. Arantes kicks away his standing opponent and escapes to his feet. A few seconds later, "Sertanejo" drops to guard again after taking another Emmett right hook. Emmett follows his wounded opponent to the floor this time and drops a couple heavy right hands through Arantes' guard before asking him to stand. Emmett is landing punches at will as he backs up Arantes to the fence. Arantes hits the deck once again behind a right hand, and this time Emmett looks close to recording a stoppage with his heavy ground strikes. Arantes survives this assault, too, but as he climbs back to his feet, the Sao Paulo native continues to absorb thumping shots. Emmett slows his attack a bit as the featherweights hit the final minute of the opening round. Arantes shoots for a takedown, can't get it and instead pulls guard. Emmett comes crashing through Arantes' guard with a diving punch and finishes the round on top.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-8 Emmett
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-8 Emmett
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Emmett

Round 2

Arantes backpedals and deflects several punches from Emmett with his arms, then stuffs a shot from the American late in the opening minute. "Sertanejo" is beginning to find his jab now, but Emmett's constant forward movement is keeping Arantes on his back foot. Halfway through, neither man has taken control of the round. Arantes strings together his first solid combination of the frame but soon finds himself backed up against the wall with Emmett crouching low, loading up his right hand. Arantes continues to stick his jab, reddening the nose of Emmett. Inside the final minute, Arantes lands a few inside leg kicks and swipes a left hand across Emmett's face. Emmett closes the round with a takedown which puts him on top for the final 10 seconds.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Arantes
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Emmett
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Arantes

Round 3

Emmett comes out swinging and stuns Arantes with an overhand right; Arantes grabs his opponent in the Thai clinch and narrowly misses with a knee as Emmett pulls away. Emmett rips a straight right to the body, eats a jab from Arantes in return. Emmett backs Arantes up against the fence with a five- or six-punch combination, but all the shots bounce off Arantes' high guard. This continues through the first two minutes of the round as Arates keeps his gloves glued to his ears whenever Emmett steps forward. Emmett lands another heavy body blow, then goes upstairs with an overhand right. Arantes' output has dropped off significantly from the previous round as he's overwhelmed by the still-fresh Emmett's constant pressure. Arantes finally gets busy in the last 60 seconds, hitting Emmett with some leg kicks and stiff right hands, but it's a drop in the bucket compared to Emmett's work in the round.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Emmett (29-27 Emmett)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Emmett (30-26 Emmett)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Emmett (29-27 Emmett)

The Official Result

Josh Emmett def. Felipe Arantes via Unanimous Decision (30-25, 30-26, 30-26) R3 5:00

Aspen Ladd vs. Lina Lansberg

Round 1

Ladd marches straight at Lansberg but eats a counter right hand from Lansberg in the first exchange of the bout. Ladd takes another shot but walks right through it to pin Lansberg against the fence with double underhooks, now a bodylock. Lansberg breaks the American's grip and spins her around, giving Ladd some foot stomps and knees to the body in the second minute of the round. The body shots from Lansberg look sharp; Ladd tries to return fire but her knees come in slow-motion by comparison. Ladd does succeed in reversing Lansberg against the cage. Lansberg keeps the reversals coming and roughs up Ladd with some more knees to the gut. Good head-fighting from Lansberg keeps her head lodged firmly underneath Ladd's chin. There's not enough action in the clinch for referee Lukasz Bosacki, who separates the bantamweights with about 30 seconds to go. Lansberg backs up Ladd to the fence again, but this time Ladd is able to hit the "Elbow Queen" with an elbow of her own.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Lansberg
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Lansberg
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Lansberg

Round 2

Same as the first round, Ladd walks straight across the cage at Lansberg and immediately gets countered by Lansberg with a right hand. This time, however, Ladd changes levels and puts the Swede on her back with a strong double-leg near the center of the Octagon. Ladd is high in Lansberg's half guard, leaning left to right across the body and looking to step over to full mount. Ladd takes mount with 3:15 on the clock; Lansberg nearly gives up her back, gets caught on her side and rolls to her back again. Ladd postures up and begins unloading with heavy punches, forcing Lansberg to roll over and cover up. Ladd is teeing off, shouting as she drops punches, looking for the stoppage. Lansberg is still moving but not covering up well enough for referee Bosacki, who steps in to halt the bout after a series of unanswered strikes.

The Official Result

Aspen Ladd def. Lina Lansberg via TKO (Punches) R2 2:33

Warlley Alves vs. Salim Touahri

Round 1

Alves gets Touahri against the cage, drops for a high single-leg and slams the UFC newcomer to the canvas. When the Brazilian goes to take the back, however, he rides too high and Touahri is able to get back on his feet. Alves makes sure Touahri doesn't go far, keeping him trapped on the wall with double underhooks. Touahri finally gets some separation in the middle of the round but is forced to his backfoot as Alves presses forward. Touahri keeps Alves out of punching range with some long right hands, so Alves begins chopping at the lead leg of Touahri with heavy kicks. Alves dives for another takedown, completes it and goes to take the kneeling Touahri's back once again, this time nearer the center of the cage. Alves stalls out in riding position, pops Touahri with a couple right hands before the Polish fighter is able to escape to his feet.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Alves
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Alves
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Alves

Round 2

After a largely ineffective opening minute for both fighters, Alves begins to find his mark on Touahri with jabs, then follows up with a couple big-swinging right hooks. One of the shots fazes Touahri enough to force him into a desperation clinch-slash-hug against the fence. Alves breaks loose and circles the edge of the cage as the red-faced Touahri presses forward. Alves throws several front kicks and spinning kicks, but each one comes up short. Alves lands a few leg kicks but there's a lot of lackadaisical circling from both welterweights here in the latter half of the round. Alves spends the final 30 seconds hugging Touahri against the fence again.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Alves
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Alves
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Alves

Round 3

The final frame picks up where the second left off, with the fighters circling but not engaging, neither man committing to any significant offensive attacks. They trade leg kicks as Touahri works from the center of the cage and Alves circles the outside. Alves throws an inside thigh kick and lands an inadvertent low blow that forces Touahri to take a seat against the fence. Referee Tomasz Bronder calls time, Touahri takes a minute or so to recover, and the bout resumes with just over 3:00 on the clock. Touahri comes forward, winding up his right hand, and nearly has his lead leg kicked out from under him. Alves is only throwing low kicks at this point, just backing away from the oncoming Touahri, who finally puts a good combination on Alves as they hit the final 90 seconds. Alves shoots a double-leg at the fence with 45 seconds left, takes down Touahri but can't keep him on the mat. Nonetheless, Alves keeps Touahri trapped against the wall until the final horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Alves (30-27 Alves)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Alves (30-27 Alves)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Alves (30-27 Alves)

The Official Result

Warlley Alves def. Salim Touahri via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Artem Lobov vs. Andre Fili

Round 1

The featherweights trade low kicks before Lobov swings over the top and cracks Fili with a left hand, then a right. Fili circles to the right and walks into the power hand of the southpaw Lobov, who is working from the center of the cage in his upright stance. Fili is sticking some jabs of his own, using his long right arm to get inside and redden the nose of Lobov. Two minute in, Fili continues to cut angles and circle away from Lobov, who is having more difficulty finding the Team Alpha Male product. Another good jab snaps back the head of Lobov, who's cut around the outside of his left eye now. Fili tacks on a few leg kicks, smacks Lobov on the side of the head with a nice right hand. Lobov begins marching straight at Fili with arms hanging by his waist. Fili isn't taking the bait and continues to backpedal away. Inside the final 20 seconds, a massive head kick floors Lobov, who somehow recovers and powers back to his feet even as Fili tries to polish him off with punches.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-8 Fili
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-8 Fili
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Fili

Round 2

Lobov looks to have recovered from his late knockdown in round one, as he comes marching straight at Fili in the second stanza. Fili is still sticking to his game plan, circling off his back foot and picking at Lobov with leg kicks and jabs from distance. Lobov catches a body kick but can't trip Fili to the ground. Fili tries a double-leg but gets stood up by Lobov, who just keeps plodding forward, loading up and trying to knock off Fili's head with left hands. Lobov lands one over the top, but Fili just keeps moving. Fili's second shot of the round yields an easy takedown with 1:15 left on the clock. Referee Marc Goddard pauses the action and sends Lobov's unofficial cornerman, Conor McGregor, back to his seat. When action resumes, Lobov explodes back to his feet and holds Fili against the cage with double underhooks. Fili breaks out and backs away just before the horn, and Lobov taunts him with arms raised.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Fili
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Lobov
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Fili

Round 3

Lobov kicks at the lead leg of Fili, who sniffs out the next low kick from the SBG Ireland fighter and converts it to another easy takedown. Fili passes to half guard on Lobov's right side, briefly considers an arm-triangle setup, then bails out when Lobov attacks his legs for an ankle lock. Lobov climbs back to his feet, only to be taken down again seconds later, this time planted on his back in the center of the cage with 3:00 remaining. Fili looks for the arm-triangle choke again, abandons it, then has to stand when Lobov grabs for his legs again. Another takedown goes for Fili, now with two minutes left in the bout. Lobov escapes to his feet 40 seconds later... and is taken down again. Fili is still looking for the arm-triangle but doesn't seem to be feeling any urgency with 30 seconds left. Fili stands up at the 10-second clapper and kicks at Lobov's legs, and that's where time runs out.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Fili (30-26 Fili)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Fili (29-27 Fili)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Fili (30-26 Fili)

The Official Result

Andre Fili def. Artem Lobov via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Sam Alvey vs. Ramazan Emeev

Round 1

Emeev dives in behind a right hand and bodylocks Alvey against the fence, nearly securing an early takedown. Alvey posts and remains standing, but held against the wall by the Russian. Alvey escapes and catches Emeev coming in again, denying the next takedown attempt with a clinch knee that forces Emeev to back up a few steps. Alvey lands a couple heavy leg kicks before Emeev begins to check the shots. Emeev answers by leading with a leg kick and then diving forward with a right hand that snaps back Alvey's head. Emeev steps in behind the right hand again, bodylocks Alvey but can't take him to the ground. Emeev cracks Alvey with a couple shots in the clinch, sending the Team Quest fighter on his back foot for the final moments of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Emeev
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Emeev
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Emeev

Round 2

Emeev shoots a double at the fence, can't get the takedown and backs up to the center of the cage. Alvey continues to plod around the outside with his left hand cocked, landing the occasional leg kick but largely waiting for offense from his opponent. Emeev presses out from the center, not offering much either, and now referee Lukasz Bosacki calls for action with 3:15 remaining in the middle frame. Another minute ticks by with little offense from either man. Alvey lands a couple leg kicks, Emeev tries to explode forward with another right hand-to-takedown attempt, but again Alvey stuffs the shot. Referee Bosacki calls the fighters together and again instructs them to engage. Emeev shoots a single at the fence and Alvey tries to snare him in an arm-in guillotine. Emeev pulls his head loose and simultaneously releases the leg. Emeev jams Alvey against the fence once more before the end of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Emeev
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Emeev
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Emeev

Round 3

Emeev quickly hustles Alvey against the fence and gets to work with clinch strikes, then looks for a single-leg takedown. Alvey blocks the shot and now tries a Thai clinch of his own, but Emeev is wise to the knee and keeps his chin out of danger. Alvey is finally trying to mount some offense with knees to the body and inside elbows, but Emeev is doing well to keep the larger man in close quarters. They disengage and move back to the center of the cage with just over three minutes remaining. Emeev tries another single, gets stuffed, now puts Alvey against the fence with a bodylock. Alvey breaks loose and inches forward with 1:40 on the clock, trying some theatrics to try and get Emeev to engage. Emeev remains measured, shoots for another takedown in the final minute, can't get it and eats a knee from Alvey on the way out. Alvey lands a lead uppercut but gets jammed up against the wall one more time, and this one will go the judges.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Emeev (30-27 Emeev)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Emeev (30-27 Emeev)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Emeev (30-27 Emeev)

The Official Result

Ramazan Emeev def. Sam Alvey via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Brian Kelleher vs. Damian Stasiak

Round 1

Stasiak's first leg kick spins Kelleher around, and the Polish fighter follows up with a clean right hand over the top. A spinning back kick to the body appears to sting Kelleher, so Stasiak charges after him and tries to capitalize with a takedown. Kelleher keeps his footing and backs up against the fence, where Stasiak briefly holds double underhooks before backing up and allowing Kelleher off the wall. Now it's Kelleher looking for a takedown, winds up holding Stasiak on the fence, then exits the tie-up with a slashing elbow. Stasiak continues to deploy an effective spinning kick to the body, but now Kelleher tags him back with some punches in close quarters. Stasiak completes a takedown in the center of the cage but gets snared in a guillotine, and Kelleher uses the choke to take top position before releasing Stasiak's neck. Kelleher stands over Stasiak and kicks at his legs, then comes diving back to the floor to land a few more punches through Stasiak's butterfly guard.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Kelleher
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Stasiak
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Stasiak

Round 2

Kelleher comes out aggressive, attacking Stasiak with ripping punches as he tries to corner the Polish fighter up against the fence. Stasiak eats several hard shots to the face before he dives for a takedown, planting Kelleher on his seat at the base of the fence. Stasiak holds Kelleher down with a bodylock, but the American works back to his feet with 3:30 on the clock. Stasiak goes back to the body with a spinning kick that momentarily slows Kelleher's forward progress. Stasiak grabs hold of a single-leg, but Kelleher keeps his balance and leaps up to knee Stasiak in the face, then continues defending the shot. Kelleher turns the corner, looking to take Stasiak's back with 2:00 remaining in the round. Stasiak scrambles free and back to his feet, now sporting a badly bloodied nose. Stasiak dodges a spinning backfist, ducks underneath and gets a bodylock, but Kelleher escapes within seconds. Kelleher slams Stasiak with a clinch knee, then tries another guillotine when Stasiak shoots. Stasiak escapes to his knees, allowing Kelleher to climb on his back with one hook set. Stasiak blocks the second hook, so Kelleher waits for him to stand and drills him with another hard knee before the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Kelleher
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Kelleher
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Kelleher

Round 3

Kelleher comes charging at Stasiak with sweeping right hooks, now a sharp jab to counter a Stasiak low kick. Stasiak tries a takedown, can't get it, now eats another big knee from Kelleher. The American uses an underhook to turn Stasiak's next takedown attempt into a takedown of his own. Stasiak reverses with an underhook, tries to climb on Kelleher's back but can't get there before Kelleher stands up. Kelleher puts his back to the fence, and now Stasiak gives up the bodylock. The bantamweights come back to the center of the cage with three minutes left. Kelleher runs Stasiak to the ground near the fence and tries to get on his back, but Stasiak uses his defense to stall the fight again. Two minutes left now, Stasiak is looking wobbly as Kelleher hits him with a clean right hand. Kelleher wrecks Stasiak with a pair of heavy right hands, and Stasiak stumbles before falling to the floor. Stasiak is desperately clinging to one of Kelleher's legs, while the American tees off with big right hands to Stasiak's unprotected face. Referee Marc Goddard gives Stasiak every chance to recover, but with Stasiak offering no intelligent defense, the fight is waved off.

The Official Result

Brian Kelleher def. Damian Stasiak via TKO (Punches) R3 3:39

Nasrat Haqparast vs. Marcin Held

Round 1

The Polish crowd is clearly behind Held as this one begins. Haqparast slips on a high kick and gets up quickly. A straight left for Haqparast finds a home. Held counters a wide Haqparast punch with a jab. A straight counter right for Held connects. Haqparast is swinging heavy, lunging punches. Held moves in behind a straight right, then backs away. Haqparast is showing some swelling under his right eye. Haqparast throws a low kick and Held changes levels for a takedown. The Pole drives his opponent into the fence. Held continues to pursue the takedown, and he finally puts Haqparast on his seat with a little more than a minute remaining. Held turns his foe away from the fence and sets up in full guard. Haqparast attempts to slide his guard up high, but Held neutralizes it and remains heavy on top until the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Held
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Held
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Held

Round 2

Haqparast throws a jab immediately after the glove touch. Held lands a two-punch combination. Haqparast drops Held with a left hand and follows his opponent to the floor. Held recovers quickly and Haqparast elects not to play in Held’s guard. Haqparast defends a takedown and then tags Held with a pair of left hands. Haqparast sprawls on another takedown and Held answers with a spinning backfist. Haqparast raises his arms to urge his opponent onward. They clinch against the fence and Haqparast lands some punches to the body. The Hamburg-based fighter stuffs a takedown and then tosses Held to the mat. Held transitions to a leg log, and in an ensuing scramble ends up in top position. The Pole is in side control at the halfway point of the frame. Held continues to work from top position, but Haqparast has recovered guard. Held maintains the pressure from above. Haqparast briefly creates some space with his legs, but Held quickly dives back into guard with 30 seconds left. Held finds some room to land a couple elbows before the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Held
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Held
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Held

Round 3

Held times a Haqparast punch and takes his man down 15 seconds into the round. The Bellator veteran sets up in his foe’s full guard before transitioning to a heel hook. It doesn’t work, but Held is able to scramble back into top position. Held agains drops back for a leg lock. Haqparast answers with some heel strikes to the body. Held gives up on the submission and scrambles back to top position again. Held passes to side control with 3:00 to go. Held tries to move to mount but can’t get it. Moments later, Held hops over for an armbar, but he loses it and Haqparast stands. Haqparast punches his way into the clinch and takes Held down near the fence. Haqparast lands a couple punches before retreating to his feet. Haqparast sprawls nicely on a Held takedown attempt. An uppercut lands for Haqparast, who follows up with a flying near near the fence. Haqparast is swinging big punches in the waning seconds, with Held backpedaling. Haqparast can’t land anything else significant before time runs out.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Held (30-27 Held)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Held (30-27 Held)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Held (30-27 Held)

The Official Result

Marcin Held def. Nasrat Haqparast via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Oskar Piechota vs. Jonathan Wilson

Round 1

Wilson takes the center of the Octagon as the crowd begins a chant for Piechota. Wilson lands a kick to the body. It’s a tentative beginning for the middleweights as a minute has passed with only a few kicks being traded. Piechota continues to circle on the outside and blocks a high kick from Wilson. Wilson misses a hard straight left. Piechota slips a superman punch. Wilson blocks a head kick by his Polish foe. Wilson lands a chopping outside leg kick to the calf. Piechota shoots for a takedown and then takes Wilson’s back as the combatants scramble to their feet. Piechota has a body triangle locked in on his standing opponent, and he is landing right hands and elbows to Wilson’s head. Wilson is doing his best to avoid being choked, but Piechota is able to lean back and force Wilson to the canvas with less than a minute to go. Piechota lets his hooks go briefly and then regains the position. He has a palm-to-palm grip on the choke but can’t get it before time expires.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Piechota
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Piechota
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Piechota

Round 2

Wilson lands a low kick and falls to his back. He gets up and Piechota chases him down and throws a kick of his own. Wilson is trying to walk Piechota down and just misses a right hand. Wilson goes back to the chopping low kick to the calf. A right hand from Piechota gets through Wilson’s guard. Another slow-paced beginning to the round for both fighters. Wilson counters the Pole with a high kick. A couple right hands connect for Piechota and Wilson lets out a “Whoo” in response. Piechota lands a counter right, drawing a smile from Wilson. Wilson slips on a high kick but he’s up before Piechota can follow him to the floor. Wilson counters a body punch with a straight right. Piechota can’t land a spinning hook kick. Piechota authors the defining moment of the frame by dropping Wilson with a right hand at the end of the period.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Piechota
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Piechota
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Piechota

Round 3

Piechota opens with another straight right hand, but it doesn’t land clean. Piechota throws a right to the body followed by a left uppercut. Piechota has a head kick blocked. Piechota leads with an uppercut near the fence and follows with a straight right. Wilson counters a body shot with a clean punch. Piechota is able to close the distance and take Wilson down near the fence. The Pole looks to take his foe’s back, but Wilson turns away and gives up full mount instead. Piechota drops a couple short elbows and then some hard hammerfists to the side of Wilson’s head. Wilson gives up his back again and Piechota has both hooks in. Piechota goes back to full mount and briefly has an arm-triangle locked in. Wilson turns and avoids the submission, but he eats some short elbows to the head as a result. Piechota transitions from an armbar to a triangle to an armbar again, and Wilson is saved by the bell as the Pole leans back.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Piechota (30-27 Piechota)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Piechota (30-27 Piechota)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Piechota (30-27 Piechota)

The Official Result

Oskar Piechota def. Jonathan Wilson via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Jan Blachowicz vs. Devin Clark

Round 1

Clark scores his first takedown within 15 seconds, but Blachowicz climbs back to his feet, where he reverses to put Clark's back against the fence with an underhook. Blachowicz lands a few body punches, now a short uppercut in the clinch, all the while head- and hand-fighting to keep Clark in place. The action isn't enough for referee Marc Goddard, who splits the fighters up with 3:30 on the clock. Blachowicz goes to work on the body of Clark with punches before pushing the American against the fence again. The Polish fighter lands a good knee to the body, but Clark backs him up and sends him backpedaling across the cage with a right hand to the jaw. Clark comes over the top with another right hand to the chin that sends Blachowicz circling away. A few more body blows land for Blachowicz before the end of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Clark
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Blachowicz
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Blachowicz

Round 2

Blachowicz goes straight back to attacking the body of Clark, landing two clean shots to the liver in the opening 30 seconds of the round. Clark shoots for a takedown, gets sprawled on, then reversed as Blachowicz completes a single-leg shot of his own. Blachowicz has Clark down at the base of the fence, grinding away with short punches from the American's half guard. Just as Blachowicz nears full mount, Clark kicks him away and scrambles back to his feet. Clark takes a finger to the eye in the next exchange on the feet, but referee Marc Goddard seems more concerned with it than does the fighter, who wants to get back to action. Seconds after the fight resumes, Blachowicz catches Clark rushing forward with wild punches, spins to his back and locks up a nifty standing rear-naked choke. Clark is trapped with nowhere to go and has to tap.

The Official Result

Jan Blachowicz def. Devin Clark via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R2 3:02

Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Jodie Esquibel

Round 1

After a few caught kicks and near misses, Kowalkiewicz sticks a nice jab on the chin of Esquibel, who keeps trying to whirl around and catch the Pole with a spinning backfist. Esquibel uses push kicks and long punches to try and keep the taller fighter at bay, but Kowalkiewicz is getting through with her jabs, marking up the American's face early in round one. Kowalkiewicz continues to add up strikes through the middle of the round, touching Esquibel with her right hand whenever she chooses to step into the pocket. Esquibel doesn't seem terribly affected by the strikes, still bouncing on her feet in the final minute of round one, but Kowalkiewicz continues to win the striking exchanges.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Kowalkiewicz
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Kowalkiewicz
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Kowalkiewicz

Round 2

Kowalkiewicz continues to rough up Esquibel with counters, combinations, and now adding some clinch knees to the mix. After chasing Esquibel around the cage for a minute, Kowalkiewicz finally gets hold of the American and slam her with three or four hard knees in the Thai clinch. Esquibel slows the pace with a brief clinch on the fence, but Kowalkiewicz breaks free and gets back on the attack with half the round remaining. Another knee, now a flurry of punches sends Esquibel backpedaling at the wall. Esquibel tries another bodylock tie-up to slow things down, now switches to an underhook, and Kowalkiewicz gets loose with 90 seconds on the clock. Esquibel gets one back with a good right hand over the top, but Kowalkiewicz takes her back in a scramble and finishes the round working for an armbar.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-8 Kowalkiewicz
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Kowalkiewicz
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Kowalkiewicz

Round 3

Kowalkiewicz marches forward on Esquibel and lands a lead uppercut, but can't get hold of Esquibel to throw more clinch knees. Esquibel sticks a jab of her own but takes a hard, straight right from Kowalkiewicz in return. Esquibel tries a high double-leg shot, easily thwarted by Kowalkiewicz. Another knee connects for Kowalkiewicz, sending Esquibel backpedaling away once again. Kowalkiewicz won't stop walking after Esquibel, who is increasingly on the retreat, her back constantly near the fence. Esquibel tries a half-hearted shot, gets a knee to the gut and scampers away. Kowalkiewicz chases her down, now entering the final minute of what has been a lopsided bout in favor of the Polish fighter. Kowalkiewicz pulls the Thai clinch to deliver another knee, does it again and tacks on an elbow this time. Esquibel gets the last word of the bout with a jab over the top, and this one will be decided by the judges.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Kowalkiewicz (30-26 Kowalkiewicz)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Kowalkiewicz (30-27 Kowalkiewicz)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Kowalkiewicz (30-26 Kowalkiewicz)

The Official Result

Karolina Kowalkiewicz def. Jodie Esquibel via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Donald Cerrone vs. Darren Till

Round 1

Referee Marc Goddard is the third man in the cage for tonight's 170-pound main event, scheduled for five rounds. Till lines up southpaw in the center of the cage and tries to close the distance on the orthodox Cerrone, who tries to surprise the Brit with an early takedown attempt. Till stuffs the shot and slings a long, hard left hand over the top, then goes to work on the legs of the "Cowboy." The next shot from Cerrone yields a takedown, but Till springs back to his feet and is held against the fence by the American. Till reverses, then separates with just over three minutes on the clock. Till snaps back the head of Cerrone with a hard jab and then stalks him around the outside. Till continues to find the mark on Cerrone's face with long left hands over the top. Cerrone comes back with a straight right hand to the body but still finds himself cornered with his back near the fence. A straight left to the jaw nearly takes the legs out from underneath Cerrone, who keeps his footing but covers up on his feet, leaning against the cage. Till begins to tee off with punches, going hard for the finish. Referee Goddard gives Cerrone a few seconds to recover, but when "Cowboy" drops to his knees, covering his face, Goddard steps in to halt the contest.

The Official Result

Darren Till def. Donald Cerrone via TKO (Punches) R1 4:20