UFC Fight Night 230 ‘Yusuff vs. Barboza’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Emily Ducote (115.5) vs. Ashley Yoder (115.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ducote (-340), Yoder (+270)

Round 1

Women’s strawweights kick off the action, as Yoder (8-8, 3-7 UFC) seeks her first win in nearly three years against Ducote (12-8, 1-2 UFC). Chris Tognoni officiates. They touch gloves, and we are underway. Yoder closes the distance with an overhand left and a few jabs, along with an inside leg kick. Ducote returns fire, targeting the body and head with right hands. Yoder uses her feints and probes with the jab but fails to avoid an overhand right. They reset in the center of the cage. Ducote shoots a right hand to the body, blocks a head kick and misfires with a right hook. Yoder connects with a body kick and follows it with a jab. Ducote lands another overhand right but whiffs with a head kick. Neither woman has seized the reins yet, though Yoder is showing signs of damage on the left side of her face. With two minutes to go, Ducote fires to the body with both hands, commands the center of the cage and delivers an inside leg kick. Yoder steps into a nice one-two and answers a leg kick with an overhand left. Surprisingly, she has not looked to grapple yet. Ducote scores with an inside leg kick and fends off a jab, then eats a head kick from the “Spider Monkey.” Ducote secures a late takedown to end the round.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Yoder
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Yoder
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Yoder

Round 2

Yoder connects with a knee strike to the body from the collar tie and continues to throw overhand lefts behind head kicks. Ducote answers with straight shots to the body and commands the center of the cage. She catches a kick and nearly trips Yoder to the floor. Ducote fires a right hook to the jaw and dodges the return fire. Yoder’s movements look more labored in this round. Ducote scores with a straight right, then eats a jab in response. Yoder continues to hunt head kicks, then lands a chopping left hand. Ducote finds the mark with a left hook, then another, making the “Spider Monkey” pay for her lack of head movement. Ducote denies an attempted takedown, as Yoder lands an elbow on the break.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ducote
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ducote
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Ducote

Round 3

Yoder emerges for the third round sporting a significant gash above her eye. Ducote appears to be gaining confidence with each passing second, as her counterpart lunges forward with off-balance punches. Yoder resets and connects with a jab, followed by a straight right. She then draws Ducote into the clinch in the center of the cage and delivers a knee to the body, followed by an elbow on the break. Ducote counters with a right hand and snaps the Team Quest rep’s head back. Yoder lands another close-range knee to the body. Looks like anyone’s fight with two minutes to go. Yoder connects with a nice one-two, but Ducote answers with a three-punch volley of her own. A clubbing right hook lands for Ducote, then another. She follows a straight right with a clean left hook. Ducote clearly landing the more impactful blows. She doubles up with a right hook to the body and then the head. Beautiful work. Yoder delivers a body kick but struggles to beat Ducote to the punch. Ducote slams home a leg kick. Yoder fires an elbow over the top but continues to eat right hands and a few elbows from Ducote in the waning seconds. She heads back to her corner with serious cuts above both eyes.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ducote (29-28 Ducote)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ducote (29-28 Ducote)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Ducote (29-28 Ducote)

The Official Result

Emily Ducote def. Ashley Yoder—Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Heili Alateng (136) vs. Chris Gutierrez (136)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gutierrez (-250), Alateng (+200)

Round 1

Bantamweights are next to the stage, where Factory X’s Gutierrez (19-5-2, 7-2-1 UFC) looks to rebound from his April 15 defeat to Pedro Munhoz in this undercard pairing with Alateng (16-8-2, 4-1-1 UFC). Fight Ready’s Alateng enters the Octagon on the strength of back-to-back victories. Kerry Hatley draws the assignment as the third man in the cage. They immediately step into the pocket. Gutierrez sends out feelers with inside leg kicks and oblique kicks. Alateng, not yet out of the gate, eats a few jabs and some hard leg kicks. Alateng steps forward, misfires on a left hook and absorbs some more low kicks. Gutierrez’s defense is on point at the start here. He continues to feed Alateng leg kicks while dodging the vast majority of the Chinese fighter’s return shots. Now the kicks start going high. Gutierrez keeps him off-balance with feints and stance switches, all while throwing kicks to the body and legs. He probes with jabs and circles away from Alateng’s power hand, then lands a side kick to the chest. This round is a blowout so far, as Alateng has had no luck cracking this code. Gutierrez closes the period with a jab and body kick.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Gutierrez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gutierrez
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Gutierrez

Round 2

Gutierrez throws out a few front kicks, then targets the lead leg again. Alateng finally gets in range and connects with hooks from both hands. Gutierrez lands a beautiful combination, with a low kick, a right cross upstairs and another low kick. He backs up Alateng with a spinning backfist and again circles away from danger. A kick to the testicles results in a brief pause to the action. Alatang recovers quickly, as they tap gloves and get back to business. Alateng ups the pressure but struggles to land. Gutierrez continues to circle unabated on the outside, then steps into a thudding left hand. Alateng shakes his head in defiance. Gutierrez probes with the jab, fakes a takedown and smokes the inside of his counterpart’s leg with another kick. Frustration starting to build for Alateng. Gutierrez connects with a jab and a short left hook. Alateng would be wise to change course here. Two more Gutierrez leg kicks land at the end of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Gutierrez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gutierrez
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Gutierrez

Round 3

Gutierrez opens with more low kicks, as swelling on Alateng’s lead leg continues to build. Gutierrez meets him with a jab and a slick over hand left, then two inside leg kicks. Alateng has made no visible adjustments. Finally, he pins Gutierrez to the fence and connects with a right hand. Alateng presses forward behind punches but mostly swings at air. Gutierrez tags the leg with more kicks, and the swelling just below the knee has surpassed the grotesque stage. Alateng shoots for a takedown, slips behind him and grounds him. Gutierrez works back to his feet without much trouble, and they jockey for position in the clinch. They separate, and Alateng absorbs another kick to the leg. Gutierrez fires a front kick to the body, avoids punches from Alateng and counters effectively. With less than a minute to go, Gutierrez attacks with a surprise leg lock, then bails and returns to his feet. Gutierrez connects with a left hook and presses into the clinch. Alateng completes a takedown but runs out of time.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Gutierrez (30-27 Gutierrez)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gutierrez (30-27 Gutierrez)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Gutierrez (30-27 Gutierrez)

The Official Result

Chris Gutierrez def. Heili Alateng—Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Irina Alekseeva (135) vs. Melissa Dixon (135.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Dixon (-148), Alekseeva (+124)

Round 1

The line moves forward with a women’s bantamweight tilt pitting Alekseeva (5-1, 1-0 UFC) against the undefeated Dixon (5-0, 0-0 UFC). Mark Smith serves as the referee. They touch gloves and get going. Alekseeva hammers away with kicks to the inside and outside of the lead leg. Dixon test the water with her jab, but eats a sweeping left hook. Dixon follows a jab with hooks from both hands. Alekseeva moves forward. Dixon fires a jab through her defenses. Alekseeva lands a knee strike from the clinch, then gets warned for pulling Dixon’s hair. Dixon lands in combination, all set up by her excellent jab. Alekseeva slings powerful but unfocused punches. She steps into a right hand, floors Dixon and jumps into full guard. Alekseeva drops elbows but allows Dixon to get back to her feet. Alekseeva shots on the hips and secures a takedown. Both women have had their moments with a minute left in the round, though the knockdown figures to be the separator. Dixon works her way to the back with ground-and-pound and secures her position with hooks.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Alekseeva
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Alekseeva
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Alekseeva

Round 2

Dixon blocks a head kick, eats an inside leg kick and gets going with the jab again. She doubles up on the punch, then cut loose with power punches. Alekseeva returns to swinging for the fences. Nothing lands. Back in the center of the cage, Dixon times a thudding right hand and then trips the Russian to the floor. She moves immediately to full mount and pounds away with punches, elbows and forearm strikes. Dixon floats to the back and secures position with hooks. She brilliantly uses a half nelson to maintain back control, piles up points with hammerfists and locks in a body triangle. Dixon moves back to mount, connects with an elbow and returns to back control. The newcomer may have found a clear path to victory here.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Dixon
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Dixon
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Dixon

Round 3

Dixon stars the final round with her jab, sneaks in a left hook and avoids a wild spinning backfist. Alekseeva presses forward and nearly surrenders a takedown. She looks exhausted. Dixon connects with a one-two. Alekseeva marches forward almost maniacally with straight punches. Dixon wearing considerable damage but appears to have the upper hand here. Alekseeva scores with a head-and-arm throw but fails to corral Dixon. The Englishwoman scrambles to her feet and secures a takedown of her own, then climbs to full mount. Half a round left. Alekseeva tries to bridge out but wastes valuable energy while doing so and ultimately fails. Dixon settles in mount, applies her ground-and-pound and fights through fatigue. Dixon moves to back control and peppers away with short punches, then threatens the neck. Alekseeva appears to have no fuel left in the tank. Dixon moves back to mount with 30 seconds to go and drops elbows, punches and hammerfists. It looks like Alekseeva will survive, but she eats more shots as the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Dixon (29-28 Dixon)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Dixon (29-28 Dixon)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Dixon (29-28 Dixon)

The Official Result

Melissa Dixon def. Irina Alekseeva—Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Brendon Marotte (155.5) vs. Terrance McKinney (155.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: McKinney (-450), Marotte (+300)

Round 1

Lightweights are next to the stage, as McKinney (14-6, 4-3 UFC) squares off with the once-beaten Marotte (8-1, 0-0 UFC)—a short-notice substitution for Chris Duncan. Marotte, 26, has won three fights in a row. Herb Dean answers the call to preside over the match. McKinney connects with a clean knee strike in their first exchange, and Marotte hits the deck in a horrendous start to his promotional debut. McKinney trails him to the canvas and unleashes a string of unanswered punches that necessitate a quick stoppage.

The Official Result

Terrance McKinney def. Brendon Marotte—TKO (Knee and Punches) 0:20 R1

Tainara Lisboa (133.5) vs. Ravena Oliveira (133)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Lisboa (-380), Oliveira (+300)

Round 1

Attention returns to the women’s bantamweight division, where Lisboa (6-2, 1-0 UFC) awaits Oliveira (7-1-1, 0-0 UFC) at 135 pounds. The 26-year-old Oliveira replaces Darya Zheleznyakova on short notice. Tognoni officiates. Lisboa takes the center of the cage and answers a low kick with an overhand right. Oliveira circles on the perimeter, feints and hunts openings. Lisboa connects with a multi-punch volley, lures her fellow Brazilian into the clinch and denies a takedown. Oliveira presses her into the cage, throws a few knees and shuts down her opponent’s bid for a takedown. Oliveira continues to win the position battle along the fence and fires knees to the inner thigh. She trips Lisboa to the floor and sets up shop in half guard. Lisboa reclaims butterfly guard and earns a warning for grabbing the fence. She gets back to her feet and manages to push away from the fence. Lisboa fails to break free, however, but shifts her weight and manages to secure a trip takedown of her own. She climbs to the back, applies her ground-and-pound and starts to threaten the neck with 10 seconds to go.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Lisboa
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Lisboa
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Lisboa

Round 2

Lisboa controls the center and shoots for and completes an immediate takedown. She settles in half guard, pins Oliveira to the mat and slowly presses her advantages. Clock not on Oliveira’s side this time. Lisboa climbs to the back and hammers away with short punches. Lisboa shifts back to half guard and appears to be hunting an arm-triangle. Oliveira shows no signs of trying to get back to her feet. Lisboa feeds her punches but allows Oliveira to reclaim full guard. Two minutes to go in the round, and the narrative seems to be well-established. Lisboa postures to a standing position, then dives back in full guard. Oliveira makes a pass at an armbar, transitions to a heel hook and manages to scramble back to her feet. Lisboa maintains a dominant position in the clinch and swings a few knees into the back of her opponent’s leg.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Lisboa
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Lisboa
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Lisboa

Round 3

Oliveira fires punches at the outset and obviously needs to keep the fight standing. Lisboa lures her back into the clinch. Oliveira presses her into the fence and connects with a knee to the body. Lisboa turns her into the cage, lands a standing elbow and delivers knee from the collar tie. They break into open space. Oliveira clips her with a left hook but leaves her hips open. Lisboa shoots and drives her into the fence. Oliveira scrambles into top position, as they topple to the floor. She throws punches from half guard midway through the final round. Oliveira slides to side control and scores with punches, then wheels behind her opponent. Oliveira shifts back to half guard. She needs a finish here but cannot find an avenue. Lisboa reclaims full guard, and they return to an upright position. Lisboa immediately shoots and completes a takedown. Oliveira throws a Superman punch at the end of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira (29-28 Lisboa)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira (29-28 Lisboa)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira (29-28 Lisboa)

The Official Result

Tainara Lisboa def. Ravena Oliveira—Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

T.J. Brown (146) vs. Darren Elkins (146)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Brown (-192), Elkins (+160)

Round 1

Featherweights close out the undercard, as Elkins (27-11, 17-10 UFC) locks horns with Brown (17-10, 3-4 UFC) in what promises to be an action-filled affair at 145 pounds. Elkins, now 39 and with plenty of tread on the tires, has dropped six of his past nine bouts. Hatley draws the assignment as the third man in the cage. Brown fires a right hand behind a pair of jabs. Elkins lands a clubbing overhand right and proceeds to march forward. He completes a takedown with roughly a minute gone in the round. Ground-and-pound follows. Brown tries to sneak his hips out but allows the Team Alpha Male vet to briefly move to half guard. Brown reclaims full guard and throws elbows from the bottom. Only a matter of time until the blood starts flowing. Brown nearly sweeps out of half guard but cannot break free. Elkins continues to feed him punches. Brown escapes and secures a takedown of his own. Now Brown works his ground-and-pound. Elkins builds a base, gets back to his feet and scrambles behind Brown. Elkins threatens with a rear-naked choke, secures his position with a body triangle and gets back on the neck. Brown defends well and saves himself in the closing seconds.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Elkins
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Elkins
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Elkins

Round 2

Elkins connects with a one-two to start the round. Brown probes with his jab, connects with a knee and sprawls out of a takedown. A leg kick knocks Elkins off-balance. Brown steps in with an elbow, works his jab and feints an uppercut. Elkins scrambles into a takedown and settles in side control. Brown works back to his feet, scoops up the Indiana native and dumps him to the mat. He climbs to the back but squanders position and winds up pinned to the canvas. Elkins shifts back to half guard, catches a guillotine and rolls to the mat. Brown scrambles free, only to get taken down again. Elkins operates in full guard, scoring with short punches. Fatigue becoming a factor for Brown. Elkins moves to half guard, as Brown boxes his ears with open-hand strikes. Brown reverses, but Elkins initiates a scramble and winds up back on top. Brown explodes out, connects with an uppercut on the kneeling Elkins and makes a pass at a guillotine as the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Brown
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Elkins
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Elkins

Round 3

Brown fires his right hand, eats one in return and cuts loose with both hands. Elkins scrambles into top position, moves to the back and settles in half guard. Brown briefly gets to his feet, only to be returned to the mat. Elkins back to half guard. He takes the back with a body triangle, punching the head, ribs and armpit. Elkins sneaks his arms into place for the rear-naked choke, tightens his squeeze with a palm-to-palm grip and prompts the tapout.

The Official Result

Darren Elkins def. T.J. Brown—Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) 2:23 R3

Christian Rodriguez (140: Missed Weight) vs. Cameron Saaiman (135.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Rodriguez (-142), Saaiman (+120)

Round 1

A catchweight appetizer gets the blood pumping on the main card, as Saaiman (9-0, 3-0 UFC) puts his undefeated record on the line against Rodriguez (9-1, 2-1 UFC) at 140 pounds. Rodriguez missed weight by a whopping four pounds and was fined a percentage of his purse. Smith serves as the referee. No glove touch. Rodriguez presses forward and clips Saaiman with a right hand. Saaiman eats a knee, and Rodriguez flurries with punches. Rodriguez connects with a spinning backfist, ducks return fire and secures a takedown. He threatens with an anaconda choke, but Saaiman escapes. They return to their feet. Saaiman finds the mark with a body kick, but he is losing the striking battle at this point. Rodriguez follows a knee to the body with an elbow upstairs. Rodriguez lands another collar-tie knee. Saaiman probes forward with his jab, but the output is not where it needs to be yet. Rodriguez bleeding from a cut near his left eye. Saaiman pieces together a combination, started by his jab. Saaiman misfires on two spinning attacks. He shoots on a takedown in the closing seconds but goes nowhere.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rodriquez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rodriquez
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Rodriquez

Round 2

Saaiman delivers an inside leg kicks, then throws a left hook upstairs. Rodriguez commands the center of the cage. Saaiman slams another kick into the Roufusport rep’s tight. Rodriguez narrowly misses a knee and shuts down an attempted takedown. He sprawls on a follow-up takedown, makes another pass at an anaconda choke but surrenders top position. Saaiman sets up in full guard and scrambles to the back. Rodriguez springs a reversal, climbs to the back and secures his position with a body triangle. Punches follow. Saaiman scrambles free, moves to the back and slides off. This has turned into a scramblefest. Rodriguez slips behind Saaiman and settles in a kneeling position before threading the needle with punches. Saaiman rolls into a heel hook, but Rodriguez defends without issue and wheels behind him. They finish on the feet.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rodriquez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rodriquez
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Rodriquez

Round 3

Rodriguez paws with his jab from the center of the cage. Saaiman lands a low kick, then eats a left hook to the body. Saaiman clinches but releases Rodriguez into open space. A jab from Rodriguez buckles Saaiman’s knees. Saaiman backs him up with punches, connects with an uppercut and clangs a wild overhand left off the side of his head. Rodriguez lands an elbow in close quarters, circles on the outside and steps back into the pocket. Saaiman lets his hands go and throws in an inside leg kick. Rodriguez connects with a one-two. Rodriguez tosses the unbeaten prospect to the mat but allows him to get back to his feet. Saaiman circles on the outside, connects with another leg kick, eats a knee up the middle and answers with punches. He closes with a one-two and a spinning back kick to the body.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Saaiman (29-28 Rodriguez)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Saaiman (29-28 Rodriguez)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Saaiman (29-28 Rodriguez)

The Official Result

Christian Rodriguez def. Cameron Saaiman—Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Michel Pereira (186) vs. Andre Petroski (186)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Pereira (-180), Petroski (+150)

Round 1

Action shifts to the middleweight division, where Pereira (28-11, 6-2 UFC) takes on Andrei Petroski (10-1, 5-0 UFC) in one of the more anticipated bouts on the card. Petroski fills in for Marc-Andre Barriault on short notice. Tognoni steps up to preside over the match. Petroski takes the center of the cage, with his Brazilian counterpart bouncing on the balls of his feet. Pereira using stance switches and feints to keep him guessing. Pereira floors him with a thudding right hand and buries him with standing-to-ground punches. Petroski never intelligently defended himself once the barrage started.

The Official Result

Michel Pereira def. Andre Petroski—TKO (Punches) 1:06 R1

Jonathan Martinez (136) vs. Adrian Yanez (135.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Martinez (-112), Yanez (-108)

Round 1

Top 15-ranked bantamweights answer the call to arms, as Yanez (16-4, 5-1 UFC) collides with Martinez (18-4, 9-3 UFC) in a pivotal showdown at 135 pounds. Martinez, 29, has rattled off five consecutive victories to put himself on the fringes of contention in one of the UFC’s deepest weight classes. Hatley officiates. Yanez circles on the outside, away from Martinez’s power hand. Martinez connects with a kick to the chest and another to the inside of the leg. Martinez cracks him with another inside leg kick. Yanez answers with a body-head combination. An inside leg kick draws a visible reaction from Yanez. Martinez continues to focus on the lead leg. Yanez circles on the outside and eats another kick. He hobbles around the cage. Yanez flurries with punches, but Martinez drops him to a knee with another kick. Yanez lets his hands go and gets his counterpart to move backward briefly. Martinez drops him with another inside leg kick, then allows him to get to his feet.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Martinez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Martinez
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Martinez

Round 2

Yanez presses forward, then takes a kick south of the border. He chooses not to take advantage of his allotted time to recover. Martinez snatches the thai clinch, then drifts back into open space once they separate. Martinez continues to target the leg. Yanez hits the deck and grabs his knee. Martinez forces him to rise, then gets back to battering the leg. This is almost over, as Yanez can barely stand. Martinez connects with a one-two, backs Yanez to the fence and tears into the leg with three more kicks. Yanez eats another kick and collapses to his back, at which point Hatley calls for the stoppage.

The Official Result

Jonathan Martinez def. Adrian Yanez—TKO (Leg Kicks) 2:26 R2

Viviane Araujo (126) vs. Jennifer Maia (125)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Maia (-130), Araujo (+110)

Round 1

Women’s flyweight mainstays duke it out in the co-main event, where Maia (21-9-1, 6-5 UFC) puts Araujo (11-5, 5-4 UFC) to the test at 125 pounds. A former Invicta Fighting Championships titleholder, Maia enters the cage on the heels of back-to-back wins. Smith serves as the referee. Araujo throws out her jab, and Maia responds in kind. Maia puts together a three-piece combo, lands an uppercut and circles on the outside. Araujo operates from the center of the cage but looks to throw against an opponent known for her ability to counter. They trade inside leg kicks. They exchange in the middle of the Octagon, and Araujo emerges better for it. Araujo lands a counter left hook and follows it with a leg kick. Neither woman offering much in terms of output. Araujo connects with another left hook. She feints a takedown, settles for a clinch and connects with a right hand off the break. They trade leg kicks with roughly a minute to go. Araujo connects with a right hand on the counter. Maia answers with a three-punch burst and follows with an inside leg kick. Maia denies a takedown, then fires a front kick to the chest. Araujo shoots on the hips and pins Maia to the fence as the round closes.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Araujo
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Araujo
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Araujo

Round 2

Maia takes the center at the start of the middle stanza. Araujo again beats her to the punch, then lands a takedown. She pushes into side control and briefly traps Maia in a crucifix. Maia scrambles to her feet, but Araujo bullies her back to the canvas. She moves to the back and secures position with one hook. Maia turtles in a defensive shell and waits for her opponent to make the next move. Araujo sinks her second hook and begins to hunt the choke. She tightens her position with a body triangle and hammers away with short punches. With a minute left on the clock, Maia shifts into survival mode, the round likely already lost. Araujo peppers her with punches from behind and moves on a face crank. Maia denies those advances, and the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Araujo
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Araujo
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Araujo

Round 3

Maia seems to have some work to do in Round 3. She moves forward behind a head kick and lands kicks to the inside and outside of Araujo’s lead leg. Maia hunting a home for her right hand. She shrugs off a clinch with punches and fires her jab. Araujo shoots on the hips and presses her opponent into the fence. Maia counters an attempted single-leg with a few elbows to the side of the head. Action stalls along the fence. Maia breaks away, lands a knee, follows up with punches and dumps Araujo to the mat. A stalemate develops in the clinch. Maia dives on armbar, but Araujo slops out and takes top position with 30 seconds to go in the fight. Looks like this one is bound for the judges. Maia threatens with a late triangle but gets nowhere.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Maia (29-28 Araujo)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Maia (29-28 Araujo)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Maia (29-28 Araujo)

The Official Result

Viviane Araujo def. Jennifer Maia—Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Sodiq Yusuff (145.5) vs. Edson Barboza (146)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Yusuff (-166), Barboza (+140)

Round 1

High-octane featherweights toe the line against one another in the five-round headliner, as Yusuff (13-2, 6-1 UFC) meets Barboza (23-11, 17-11 UFC) in a key confrontation at 145 pounds. Yusuff has won eight of his last nine fights. Dean draws the assignment as the third man in the cage. They enter the pocket immediately, and a firefight ensues. Yusuff lands with hooks from both hands, eats a body kick and drops Barboza with a right hand. Barboza gets back to his feet, as Yusuff unloads. Yusuff stays composed, connects with another devastating right and gives chase. Barboza no longer throwing. Yusuff clips him with a left hook and an overhand right, mixes in a front kick and grabs the thai clinch. Barboza’s face already damaged heavily. Yusuff completes a takedown and follows it with an elbow. Still more than half a round to go. Yusuff postures and throws more elbows, scrambles out of an attempted heel hook and settles in half guard. More elbows find the mark. Barboza manages to close guard but fails to control Yusuff’s posture. He passes to half guard and drops more elbows and punches. Barboza makes another pass at a heel hook. Yusuff escapes and takes a standing position above him, dropping hammerfists. Brutal start for Barboza.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Yusuff
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Yusuff
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-8 Yusuff

Round 2

Barboza fires a kick to the body and another to the leg. Yusuff stays disciplined and connects with a jab and a sweeping right hook. Barboza delivers a spinning back kick to the body. Yusuff stays on his jab, waiting for an opening to present itself. Barboza lands a right hook to the body and follows it with a leg kick. They clinch in the middle of the cage, as Yusuff pushes the Brazilian into the fence. Knees to the legs and body follow. They drift back into open space. Yusuff marches forward, his output having slowed. Barboza lands a glancing spinning back kick to the body. Much better round for the former Ring of Combat champion. Barboza sneaks in a right hand and follows it with a left hook to the body, then another. Barboza continues hammering the body and follows with an overhand right.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Barboza
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Barboza
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Barboza

Round 3

Yusuff steps forward with punches. Barboza responds with a low kick. The Brazilian goes to the body with both hands and sheds an attempted clinch. Yusuff largely headhunting. They clinch in the center of the cage. Barboza breaks away and shoots a front kick to the gut. Yusuff lands a kick below the belt, resulting in a brief pause. Yusuff looks like a completely different fighter since that first-round barrage. Barboza controls the center and moves him backward with a spinning back kick to the body. Barboza connects with a right hook to the body and a sweeping left hook upstairs. They trade jabs, but Barboza follows it with multiple left hooks to the body. The Brazilian slams a kick into the body. Yusuff looks flummoxed here, which was unthinkable a short time ago. Barboza sticks him with jabs and continues to commit to the body. Yusuff connects with a jab. A spinning wheel kick from Barboza sets Yusuff on wobbly legs. He makes a pass at a brabo choke, then unleashes hellacious ground-and-pound with Yusuff in a kneeling position. The round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Barboza
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Barboza
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Barboza

Round 4

Barboza sticks out a jab and a spinning back kick to the body. Another hard jab from the Brazilian. He follows it with a body kick. Yusuff throwing one shot at a time. Yusuff connects with a jab and a leg kick, as Barboza moves into the clinch. They stall along the fence. Barboza breaks away and gets back on the jab and follows with an overhand right. The Brazilian shoots a few hooks to the body. Barboza lands a body kick, as Yusuff backs him up with a right hook. Barboza pressures him backward with punches to the head and body, throwing two, three and four at a time. Yusuff doubles up on his jab. They trade jabs and clinch again. Barboza connects with knees to the body and breaks free. He flicks out his jab and follows it with a leg kick. The Brazilian fires hooks to the midsection again, uncorks jabs and follows them with a kick to the body.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Barboza
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Barboza
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Yusuff

Round 5

Barboza immediately gets on the job. Yusuff presses forward, his movements still labored. Barboza lands punches to the head from the clinch and breaks way. The Brazilian has significant damage to his right eye. They trade jabs. Fatigue clearly an issue for both men. Barboza fires a kick to the body and a sweeping left hook upstairs. Yusuff connects with a left hook of his own, then another. Yusuff finds a home for his jab, as Barboza moves forward behind kicks to the body. Yusuff throws out jabs and hides his left hook behind them. Barboza sticks him with a left hook to the body and lands a collar-tie knee to the ribs. He then surprises Yusuff with a takedown with a little more than 90 seconds remaining. Yusuff gets to his feet, but Barboza presses him into the fence and feeds him knees to the body. Unable to break free, Yusuff finds himself unable to mount a late rally. Barboza trips him to the floor again in the waning seconds, then scores with a mat return as the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Barboza (48-45 Barboza)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Barboza (48-45 Barboza)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Barboza (47-47)

The Official Result

Edson Barboza def. Sodiq Yusuff—Unanimous Decision (49-46, 48-46, 48-46)