UFC Fight Night 240 ‘Allen vs. Curtis’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Nora Cornolle (138.5: Missed Weight) vs. Melissa Mullins (138: Missed Weight)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Dixon (-360), Cornolle (+285)

Round 1

Consider tonight’s event a dress rehearsal of next week’s gala event of UFC 300. The UFC will trot out 12 pairs of combatants inside of the UFC Apex to keep the seemingly indefinite streak of consecutive weekends going. It all begins with an international catchweight contest, as both fighters failed to make weight and the formerly bantamweight bout still stayed together. France’s Cornolle (7-1, 1-0 UFC) eclipsed the weight limit by 2.5 pounds while unbeaten Brit Mullins (6-0, 2-0 UFC) surpassed the 136-pound cap by two pounds herself. Fines likely went straight to the commission and promotion instead of to one another, but referee Chris Tognoni almost certainly did not get a bump in pay because of it. The two women, glad to still be fighting tonight, tap their gloves together. Cornolle starts right out of the gate throwing hands, and she gets Mullins’ attention very quickly. Mullins throws back with an overhand right that scores, but Cornolle is not concerned as she continues to swing. Cornolle double jabs her way in and follows it with two heavy right hands, forcing the Brit to press her up against the wall to slow things down. Cornolle muscles her way around and away from the fencing, and she sneaks in a short strike before Mullins drags her over to the other side of the Octagon. Mullins grinds and brings up a few knees to the thigh to stay busy in her position, and she uses a body lock to wrench Cornolle down to the mat. Mullins moves from half guard on one side to the other, with Cornolle preventing her from claiming full mount. Mullins stays heavy on top and tries to pin Cornolle’s elbow down, but Cornolle explodes and turns “No Mess” over. Mullins stands up, giving up her back, and Cornolle cannot keep her grounded or do anything with the position so she lets it go. Back in striking range, Cornolle lands a solid body kick after a few punches, forcing Mullins to rush at her and clinch again. Mullins has another takedown effort thwarted, and she works short elbows and knees on the inside. Mullins gives one back but takes several from the other end along with an elbow to end the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cornolle
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Mullins
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Cornolle

Round 2

There is a clap of hands to open the second round, and Mullins comes out of her corner as if she had a fire lit in her belly. Mullins strikes her way into a clinch situation, stifling the Frenchwoman’s offense early. Cornolle turns her about and elbows her, and Mullins spins her back around to push her back to the wire. Mullins keeps her jammed up as time ticks off the clock with little to show for it, with Mullins opting for control over any sort of effective offense. As the lack of action continues, the commentary booth harangues both women about failing to make weight. Cornolle eventually fights her way out and smacks her opponent with elbows and knees. Mullins measures her way in with a straight left hand, and Cornolle rebounds off with a body kick and two punches up top. Cornolle drives a knee to the liver, and Mullins bends over, compromised from the body blow. Cornolle watches Mullins fold, and she boots her upside the head with her foot. Mullins wobbles back to the wall, trying to keep herself in the game, but Cornolle kicks her in the head again to force Mullins to turn around and physically surrender. As soon as Mullins drops to her knees, totally defeated, Tognoni steps in to save her from any further punishment. Just like that, Mullins 0 has disintegrated, and Cornolle may be a ranked competitor at bantamweight next week despite missing weight.

The Official Result

Nora Cornolle def. Melissa Mullins R2 3:06 via TKO (Knee to the Body and Head Kicks)

Cesar Almeida (185.5) vs. Dylan Budka (185.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Budka (-148), Almeida (+124)

Round 1

A pair of pickups from Dana White’s Contender Series’ 2023 Season will be making their debuts against one another. In the one corner, “The Mindless Hulk” Budka (7-2, 0-0 UFC) aims to display his above-average fight IQ while Almeida (4-0, 0-0 UFC) comes in with just four bouts on his ledger. The middleweights will receive oversight from referee Mark Smith, and they touch gloves to make things official. Budka immediately takes to the outer edge of the cage, strafing back and forth before loosing a head kick that gets blocked. Almeida slowly works his way forward, eating a body kick as he scores a left hook. Budka races forward, tackling Almeida clean off his feet with a powerful double-leg entry. Almeida hits his seat and scoots his way towards the fence, only for Budka to interlock his legs around his foe’s to trap him. Any time Almeida posts off his right arm, Budka yanks it out and keeps him down. Almeida eventually explodes back to his feet, and Budka drops down in pursuit of a single-leg takedown. Budka lifts his man up but cannot ground him, as Almeida recovers his balance before hitting the deck. Budka sells out for a double, and he scoops the Brazilian up and dumps him to the mat. Once more, Budka traps Almeida’s legs beneath his own. Almeida slowly wall-walks until he wriggles his legs out and forces his way back to his feet, but Budka remains stuck on him like a cheap suit. Smith asks for more action when the two stall out, and Almeida delivers a few short punches to the side of the head as Budka attempts another takedown. Budka switches from double to single, and Almeida’s defense holds up well enough even as he is otherwise nullified. Almeida looks for any punch he can find from a strange angle, but no blow has any particular power behind it. The round ends with the two tied up.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Budka
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Almeida
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Budka

Round 2

Budka begins the round again backing off to the outer reach of the fencing, and he takes a few distance strikes before blitzing ahead with a double that puts the Brazilian on his back. Almeida immediately worms his way back and climbs up with the chain links behind him, and in no time, Budka is on him going for a single. Almeida drops down a few elbows to the side of the head when he finds the right leverage, and he works Budka on both sides of the head using short but growingly effective punches. Almeida’s strikes start swelling up Budka’s right cheek, and when he fights his way out of the grip, he sees Budka sucking wind. Almeida aims several strikes to the body to continue to exhaust him, and Budka shoots for a desperate takedown with nothing behind it. Almeida slams elbows on the side of the head, and Budka’s legs crumble. Budka turns to his knees, in big trouble and trying to shell up, and Almeida lays waste to him with a number of right hands. With Budka nothing more than a punching bag at this point, Smith waves the fight off, and Almeida has staged the mighty comeback while keeping his record flawless as a pro.

The Official Result

Cesar Almeida def. Dylan Budka R2 2:13 via TKO (Elbows and Punches)

Dan Argueta (136) vs. Jean Matsumoto (136)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Matsumoto (-185), Argueta (+154)

Round 1

Bantamweights take the stage next as Argueta (9-1, 2 NC; 1-1, 2 NC UFC) tries to get back in the win column after two unusual events resulting in no contests. Against him will be the debuting undefeated Matsumoto (14-0, 0-0 UFC), who will likely welcome any grappling that Argueta brings to the table. Joining them in the Octagon will be referee Jason Herzog, who clocks them in as they decide against touching gloves. Argueta circles around on the outside while Matsumoto holds the center of the cage, and he swings his way in with a clubbing left hand so he can shoot in on the hips. Argueta manages to drag the unbeaten fighter down, and Matsumoto leans up against the wall and starts getting hammered with elbows and punches. Matsumoto looks to work his way up, and Argueta drags him down and continues smacking him around with his free right hand. Matsumoto gets back to his feet, and Argueta quickly trips him out down to a knee. When Matsumoto stands once more, Argueta hits a trip and lands right in full mount. Argueta opens up with elbows and punches, and Matsumoto uses every bit of his energy to explode and reverse the position to stand back up and grab Argueta from behind. Matsumoto looks to wrest Argueta down, and he even lifts the American up, but Argueta does not go down. On a third effort, Matsumoto succeeds in putting Argueta on his back, but only for a moment before Argueta gets back up and turns the tables to toss Matsumoto down. Matsumoto regathers himself and pursues a deep single, and Argueta defends with a kimura in an attempt to sweep. Matsumoto still lands on top, but Argueta turns him over and they get back to their feet. Argueta chases his man down, walking him from one side of the cage to the other before shooting in on a double. Matsumoto sprawls and puts the wall behind him, but Argueta still manages to cinch up Matsumoto’s leg to ground him. Matsumoto fights his way back up and takes a flush knee. Matsumoto gathers himself and lands a leg kick that flusters Argueta, and he rushes after Argueta and kicks him in the face to end the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Argueta
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Argueta
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Argueta

Round 2

Argueta rushes out of his corner to start off the second round, where he charges for a double and evades a knee by a whisker. Argueta succeeds in stripping Matsumoto’s base and putting him on the mat, but briefly. When Matsumoto climbs up, Argueta lands a mat return. Matsumoto bounces off the floor as if he had springs in his trunks, and Argueta stays tightly pressed against him as he continues to pursue his grappling. Matsumoto gets his hand slapped for grabbing the fence, and Argueta works his way around to take the back. Matsumoto turns around and splits his hips to preemptively prevent a takedown, only for Argueta to still take him down. Argueta’s landed takedown quantity may be high, but his ground control time is limited. Matsumoto counters an advancing Argueta with a right hand, disrupting the takedown as Argueta did not like taking that strike flush. Matsumoto slips and scores a low kick, and he cracks “The Determined” with a right hand that stands him up. Argueta gathers his thoughts and runs face-first into the hips to secure a takedown. Lacing Matsumoto’s legs beneath his own, Argueta keeps Matsumoto down until Matsumoto turns things around and somehow stands and lowers himself to get a single. Argueta stands up and Matsumoto slides out the back door, and he goes after a double but is stood up by the undefeated fighter. Argueta hits his knees for a different approach, and he lets go and stands up to throw hands. Landing a few and getting caught with a right hand, Argueta then decides to stop trading and go after another takedown. Matsumoto stops it in its tracks and pushes him back, and he checks a leg kick and dings Argueta with a right hand when Argueta lands after a missed flying knee. Argueta dives after a single, and Matsumoto jumps guard with a guillotine choke with seconds to go. Argueta punches the hip as Matsumoto rolls to lock up the guillotine in mount. Argueta taps out and goes out, and he wakes up on top surprised as Herzog tends to him. This is the first time that Argueta has been finished as a pro, and Matsumoto does it in a big way as he might have been down two rounds had they reached the third. In his successful promotional debut, Matsumoto’s record now reaches 15-0 with one more guillotine added on his ledger.

The Official Result

Jean Matsumoto def. Dan Argueta R2 4:59 via Submission (Guillotine Choke)

Pedro Falcao (136) vs. Victor Hugo Silva (135.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: N/A

Round 1

Two experienced Brazilians cross paths in their respective promotional debuts tonight, when Nova Uniao product Falcao (16-3, 0-0 UFC) faces Silva (24-4, 0-0 UFC) from the fabled Astra Fight Team. While the latter’s nickname is “Striker,” he holds more submissions than knockouts on his resume to date. Taking charge of the bantamweights will be referee Chris Tognoni, and the fight starts with a fist bump from the combatants. Silva introduces himself with a body kick, and Falcao comes right at him in pursuit of a takedown. Silva gets bullied back to the fence, and Falcao lowers himself but is unable to procure the right angle to isolate anything. Falcao goes after a single briefly, but Silva’s defense holds up during the mixed attempts. Falcao tries an outside trip, and on his second effort, he slings Silva to the mat. Falcao squirms around to take the back, getting both hooks in, and he finds himself leaned with his back to the cage. Falcao thinks about setting up an armbar before letting go of his back take to shift around to the top position. Silva defends with a rubber guard of his right leg, hooking it on the shoulder in hopes of tying Falcao up. When that fails, Hugo uses his other leg to put his shin on the neck for a potential gogoplata, and Falcao is wise to it and breaks off to re-engage. Falcao pursues another single, and Silva stops it and circles away. Falcao gives chase, throwing hands as a distance-measuring device to close in and pursue a takedown. Silva keeps himself on his feet, and he tosses out a few kicks until Falcao dives in on the hips. Silva lands elbows to the side of the head before shoving Falcao away, and he jabs the body and gets cracked with an overhand right. Silva takes it in stride and continues attacking the midsection, mixing his strikes up to kick once low and another time high. Silva spins with a back kick, and Falcao grabs him from behind but is unable to dump him to the mat. Silva gains a head of steam when he breaks out of it and swings for the fences, and his foot comes up and slams into Falcao’s cup during a flurry. Tognoni calls time, and Falcao drops to his knees as he lets out a groan. Falcao takes a minute to recover before signaling he is good to go, but he adjusts his cup as they clock back in, suggesting he might not be all set after all. Silva springs at him when they resume, dodging a front kick and throwing hands until the bell splits them up.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Falcao
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Falcao
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Falcao

Round 2

The two countrymen are loaded for bear to begin the round, as Silva starts out hot with kicks in bunches. Silva gets enough space to let loose a spinning back kick to the ribs, and Falcao rushes at him to stop any more of those from finding him. Silva stuffs it and splits off, and he walks Falcao down and starts marking him up with accurate fists. Falcao swings back, and he eats a heavy leg kick that stumbles him. Silva walks face-first into a right hand, but he pays it no mind as he trades back and scores another calf kick. Falcao backs him off as he telegraphs a takedown attempt, and Silva is able to defend against this one and keep his back to the wall but with enough space to throw strikes. Silva strafes laterally to pick his shots carefully and not get tackled with a takedown, and when Falcao tries, Silva hacks at him on the side of the head until he wriggles his leg out and pushes off Falcao’s head. Silva rips a left to the body and takes a right hand on the temple, and as he spins with a back fist, Falcao crowds him and changes levels to go after a double. Falcao is warned for fence grabs in an effort to keep Silva stuck with his back to the wall, but Silva still manages to power out of it. Silva fires off a low kick that does damage even as Falcao lifts his leg preemptively. Silva then drives a front kick to the body, and he partially grazes the side of the head when Falcao drops down low for a takedown. Falcao digs one body shot before getting pushed away, and he ducks a spinning wheel kick by a matter of inches. As Falcao dives after a takedown, Silva takes him from behind and pushes him up against the fence. Falcao is warned twice more for fence grabs, and he manages to turn himself about and separate. Silva follows him and boots him in the head, only to have to follow it with a front kick when Falcao shrugs it off completely. Falcao guards against any final offense before the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Silva

Round 3

Silva begins the final round with kicks, and he connects with a clean left hand that sets Falcao down for a moment. Falcao blinks it out as Silva backs away, not wanting to bother with the ground game. Silva allows Falcao back up, and he ducks a punch to tie “Pedrinho” up. Falcao hits a quick takedown, and Silva pops back up within seconds. Falcao continues pursuing any takedown he can find, in hopes of taking some of Silva’s accurate and powerful blows out of the equation, but Silva manages to keep himself from getting controlled for long. Silva intercepts Falcao coming in with a low kick that glances off the cup, and it goes uncalled as Falcao fights through it so he can keep his takedown attempts flowing. Silva tosses him to the side and they get back to striking range, but Falcao is quick to back Silva up to the fence with strikes that will lead to a level change. Silva catches Falcao coming in with a left hand, and he absorbs a few strikes back as Falcao decides to bang it out. Falcao gets Silva’s attention with a flurry, leading him to tie Silva up instead of continuing to land flush. Silva pushes him away with his fists, and he fires off two front kicks and a head kick. Silva dodges a big left hand and Falcao dives after a takedown, and Silva stifles it and elbows his man in the side of the dome. Falcao tries some dirty boxing, but Silva’s knee pushes him away. Silva lands a right hand as Falcao swarms his way in, desperate for any kind of takedown, and Silva laughs it off. Silva sprints towards the wall behind him, leaping off of it but unable to throw a strike with Falcao out of range. Silva keeps running, where he finally reaches Falcao and launches a partial cartwheel kick at him. Silva tries one more flashy blow, and the fight reaches its conclusion.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Silva (29-28 Silva)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Silva (29-28 Silva)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Falcao (29-28 Falcao)

The Official Result

Victor Hugo Silva def. Pedro Falcao via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Germaine de Randamie (135) vs. Norma Dumont (136)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Dumont (-175), de Randamie (+145)

Round 1

For the first time in years, Dumont (10-2, 6-2 UFC) successfully made the bantamweight limit, hitting the scales at 136 pounds. In her return to the division still maintained by the organization, she draws former featherweight champ de Randamie (10-4, 7-2 UFC), who is coming back after nearly a four-year layoff. The victor could be right in the title picture, and they have the next 15 minutes or less to make their case. Referee Keith Peterson will keep things on the up-and-up and not allow any nonsense in the Apex, and the bout starts with a sporting clap of hands. De Randamie leads off with a front kick up the middle, and she follows it with a low kick after Dumont misses with a right up top. Dumont whiffs on a leg kick, and de Randamie steps in and spins her around with a thudding calf kick. Dumont flicks out a jab, and she catches a leg kick and tackles de Randamie down to the ground. De Randamie hits her back and threatens with a heel hook, but the Brazilian is quick to push past it and climb into the half guard. Dumont keeps de Randamie pressed flat on her back, and de Randamie tries to scoot her way towards the fence to sit up. The Dutchwoman regains full guard and closes it, and Dumont tries to break out of it with a short burst of ground-and-pound. Dumont leans one side to pursue an arm-triangle choke, but the leverage is not right and she bails on it. Dumont keeps smothering without landing any offense, and de Randamie shrugs and looks to Peterson to do something. Peterson asks for more activity from the Brazilian, and she stands up and tries to pass guard but is stopped from getting anywhere while lowering herself down. Dumont steps over at the same time that de Randamie explodes back to her feet, and she dumps de Randamie down to the ground to end the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dumont
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Dumont
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Dumont

Round 2

The ladies clap hands to get things started, and de Randamie follows it with a jab. Dumont sits down on a big right hand, and she shoots in for a takedown. De Randamie stands her up and pops her with a jab, and when she looks to come after it with an overhand right, Dumont shoots in on her hips. The Dutchwoman again thwarts the takedown, and she turns Dumont towards the wall and starts landing short knees to the thigh and body. Dumont gives her one back before attempting to turn and throw her, but she bails when de Randamie keeps her balance. De Randamie finds the midsection with a few knees, and Dumont keeps a knee shield up to defend from a few more of them. De Randamie opens up with two clean right hands that make Dumont turn around, and Dumont gets away with a fence grab to turn herself in a more advantageous position. De Randamie keeps working the body with knees, and Dumont’s efforts to free herself or turn the tables largely fall short. Dumont does manage to put “The Iron Lady” and her back to the cage, but de Randamie responds with a knee up the middle that makes Dumont rethink her approach. De Randamie walks Dumont down and kicks her in the head, and Dumont shakes her head at her. De Randamie chains a few punches together, and she allows Dumont to throw hands because hers are more accurate and powerful. De Randamie looses a body kick, and the Brazilian catches it and slings her to the mat. Dumont lands and hacks down with an elbow, and she lifts de Randamie up and slams her on her back again to open up the guard around her waist. De Randamie maintains a high guard to keep Dumont honest, all while throwing elbows or punches off her back. De Randamie looks for butterfly hooks, and Dumont stands up and finds herself in immediate armbar danger. The round ends with Dumont surviving the sudden submission setup.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 de Randamie
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 de Randamie
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 de Randamie

Round 3

The bantamweights hug it out to start the final frame, and de Randamie is ready and willing to strike from her preferred range. Dumont swings back with bad intentions, but the straight, sharp strikes from the Dutchwoman keep her at bay. Dumont charges like a bull, grabbing hold of a double leg and sending de Randamie from one side of the cage to the other. De Randamie urgently moves to her knees and stands up with the wall at her back, and Dumont manages to hit a body lock and trip to dump her back down. De Randamie gives up her back when escaping, and Dumont sets up a rear-naked choke and stays with it while de Randamie turns to her back. Dumont lets the choke go and shifts to side control, where she sets up an arm-triangle choke. Dumont presses her shoulder down when the choke is not locked up, as she is on the other side. Dumont looks to pass as de Randamie turns to her side, and in the process she gives her back up. Dumont jumps on and sneaks a hook in, and she hand-fights while de Randamie protects against a potential choke. De Randamie keeps moving, turning all the way around and back to her knees. The Dutchwoman nearly slides Dumont off of her, but she manages to work to her feet and lean against the fence. Dumont laces one leg between her foe’s and wrangles de Randamie back down to the mat. A desperate de Randamie hacks with elbows or punches as Dumont lays on her, and this continues until time expires.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dumont (29-28 Dumont)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Dumont (29-28 Dumont)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Dumont (29-28 Dumont)

The Official Result

Norma Dumont def. Germaine de Randamie via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Lukasz Brzeski (236) vs. Valter Walker (264)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Walker (-340), Brzeski (+270)

Round 1

A knockout may be on the menu for this heavyweight slobberknocker, one coming between a debutant and a skidding competitor in desperate need of a win. Walker (11-0, 0-0 UFC) has all of the momentum and a famous family name to jump right into the talent-rich heavyweight roster, while Brzeski (8-4-1, 1 NC; 0-3 UFC) is going for his fourth try to get his hand raised. Referee Mark Smith will be keeping his head on a swivel for as long as this one lasts. They open with a tap of hands, and Brzeski crowds him immediately and chucks two low kicks at him. Walker tries to check a third, and he keeps his guard up to block an overhand right. The leg kicks continue flying from the Polish participant, and he sneaks a left hand between the guard of his foe. The calf kicks get Walker’s attention, and Walker throws one back and leaps away from a wide right hand. Walker walks through a leg kick, wings an overhand right and charges ahead to bowl Brzeski over. Brzeski scoots his way to his knees and leans against the cage, and Walker smacks him in the back of the head to get a warning. Walker clubs his man in the face with a loud left hand, and he keeps his body weight pressed to try to drag Brzeski away from the fencing. Smith calls for more action, with Walker basically holding him down, and Walker opens up with a trio of left hands. Walker lands two more, all of them surprisingly noisy, and Brzeski has to blink them out. Smith keeps imploring them to do more, and Walker clings to him and tries to take a better position. Walker drills his foe with four short right hands until Brzeski muscles his way back to his feet, and Walker is imminently concerned about ground him again. Brzeski spins off with a little over a minute left in the round, and he wings a left hand and is warned for outstretched fingers. Brzeski leaps forward, where he uppercuts Walker on the beard, and he retreats but cannot get away from a hefty low kick aimed his way. Brzeski opens up with a combination of punches, and as he swings with all his might, Walker manages to blast through and land a double. Walker gets off a few undercuts beneath the armpit before the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Walker
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Walker
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Brzeski

Round 2

The second round begins with a fist bump and a low kick from Walker. Brzeski jabs his way in, and Walker pushes him away with a front kick. Brzeski connects with a lunging uppercut, only to dart away before he gets countered. Walker reacts poorly when getting stung, raising his arm up and a knee while turning to the side, which would open him up to more strikes if Brzeski committed to them. Brzeski resets, and Walker slaps him in the lead leg with a kick. Brzeski fires one back, and is met with one when reaching his way forward. Walker ignores a calf kick to blaze ahead to land a double, and he lands more strikes to the back of the head when grounding Brzeski. The Polish fighter maneuvers himself towards the cage, putting his shoulder on it and posting off both hands to not let Walker knee him in the head. Brzeski slowly gets back to his feet, and he changes things around and hunts for a single. Walker defends with a guillotine choke, and he releases it to knee “The Bull” in the head. Brzeski fires off two big punches, and Walker throws back recklessly and still gets Brzeski’s attention. Brzeski chips at the front leg, further welting the calf up, and he rings the Russian-Brazilian’s bell with punches. Walker lumbers forward, spinning with a back fist, and Brzeski sees it coming from a mile away and stings Walker with an uppercut. Walker backs himself up to the fence, and he counters with his own uppercut that surprises Brzeski. Brzeski lets loose a right hand that hurts Walker, who tucks to the side and runs until Brzeski catches up with him. Brzeski potshots and gets away from the slowing, looping counters, and his short uppercuts seem to find their home every time. Walker lets a right hand go over the top, and Brzeski comes back with the same. Brzeski chains three punches into a knee up the middle, and he drops his hands as if to signal Walker to come at him. The round ends when the two clinch up.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Brzeski
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Brzeski
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Brzeski

Round 3

The big men reach the third round and clap their hands together. Brzeski is quick to go after the lead wheel with a kick, and he parries the swinging offense that comes back his way. Walker directs a left hand and a kick to the ribs, and he doubles up on the liver punch only to get cracked with a stern right hand from the Polish competitor. Walker ducks and shells up when he backs to the cage, allowing Brzeski to largely land on his guard. Walker tries for an overhand right counter, and he elects to burst forward and plant Brzeski on his back with a power double. Brzeski defends with elbows on the way down, but he still finds himself in a disadvantageous position when Walker practically lands in full mount. Brzeski squirms his way to put the fence at his back, and he fights to a knee and is wrenched down from behind as Walker takes his back. Walker quickly gets both hooks in, and he works one arm over the chin to threaten. Walker slides over to full mount with relative ease, pressing down with his full body weight before slamming down an elbow. Smith asks Walker to work as Walker prefers to smother, and Walker answers his call by landing a few effective left hands. Brzeski kicks off the cage, and he manages to turn Walker over and wind up on top. Brzeski moves right to side control and drops down elbows on the head, and Walker turns over as he eats shots. Walker explodes back to his feet and grabs Brzeski from behind, and he sits down to keep him stuck on the ground until the heavyweight slog concludes.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Walker (29-28 Walker)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Walker (29-28 Walker)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Walker (29-28 Brzeski)

The Official Result

Lukasz Brzeski def. Valter Walker via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Court McGee (170.5) vs. Alex Morono (171)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Morono (-298), McGee (+240)

Round 1

The most experienced UFC vets on the card go head-to-head in the preliminary headliner. “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 11 winner McGee (21-12, 10-11 UFC) may be in the twilight of his career, but a win tonight would even his organizational record to .500. With nearly as many outings in the promotion, the six-years-younger Morono (23-9, 1 NC; 12-6, 1 NC UFC) proudly resides in the “action fighter” category of the welterweight division. Referee Jason Herzog will keep tabs on this respectful affair, one that kicks off without a glove touch. The two want to get right to business, and they proceed to do so. Morono throws hands, and McGee answers him with a few and a pair of body kicks. Morono lines up and plants a one-two on the beard, and McGee reels but does not go down. “The Crusher” sticks out a jab and tries to keep the oncoming Morono away from him, and he gets clubbed with another right hand behind the ear that does not impact him nearly as much as the first. McGee targets the body, and Morono answers him with a front kick right to the belt line. Morono steps in with a right hook, and he backs the TUF winner against the fence while swiping fists at him. McGee pushes out a right hand, and he goes to the body to follow. McGee scores a solid calf kick that stumbles Morono for a moment, and Morono gathers himself and lets loose an overhand right. Morono sneaks in a left before McGee ducks down to avoid the follow-up strikes. Morono gives chase with a spinning back fist, and when he resets, McGee stings him with a right hand. Morono loads up a power right hook, and McGee takes it like a champ and fires back. Morono kicks low and aims a right hand to the body, and he hops away when McGee loads up on a heavy counter. Morono uses several jabs to find the right hand on the temple, and he kicks the belly to keep things mixed. McGee aims strikes to the body and absorbs a body kick to score an overhand right. Morono comes out swinging with his right hook, and when that misses, he kicks the side and spins with a wheel kick that grazes the jaw. Morono backs his man up with jabs, and he nails the vet with a right hand and comes up short with a wheel kick before the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Morono
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Morono
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Morono

Round 2

The welterweights come back out to bang, and they throw hands right out of the gate. McGee changes levels in pursuit of a takedown, and Morono jumps guard with a guillotine choke. McGee lowers himself down to the ground, and Morono uses his left leg to cinch the choke even tighter. McGee grits the choke out and pops his head out calmly, and he immediately starts working the body and head with ground-and-pound. Morono pushes off the fence and sets up an armbar, and McGee fights his way out of it intelligently. After fighting off the choke, McGee is quick to drop down elbows or punches. Morono maintains a high guard to potentially threaten with something, and McGee allows him to do this so he can continue working the Texan over with ground strikes. Morono sits up after absorbing a rash of body shots to set up another guillotine choke, and McGee easily breaks out of it and continues to assault his opponent with elbows and fists. Morono turns to his knees and pops back up, and McGee’s own submission attempt does not stop Morono from getting up and away. McGee connects with a one-two, his threat of the takedown keeps Morono from swinging too hard. Morono still manages to drill McGee in the side of the head with a pair of right hands, and McGee shoots for a takedown that is stuffed on the entry. McGee mixes in low kicks while throwing hands, and Morono overswings on a pair of hooks. Morono continues to load up on his right hand, and McGee evades it. McGee uses his front kick like a jab, and Morono comes up high with his shin. Morono ends the round with one heavy right hand.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 McGee
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Morono
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 McGee

Round 3

The welterweights meet in the middle, and it takes exactly five seconds before McGee shoots for a takedown. Morono is prepared for it and shuts it down, and he backs his foe off with a short left hook. McGee kicks at him to the body and legs, and Morono rolls and fires an overhand right that brushes past the beard. Morono blasts his foe with a clean one-two, and he spins with a back fist that comes up short by a matter of centimeters. McGee bounces off the fence and fights behind his jab, prodding with low kicks when there are lulls in the action. Morono checks one and comes out firing, and McGee smoothly dodges the oncoming fist. Morono doubles up on his jab, and McGee aims two punches to the belly. Morono gets off a left hand, and he just misses with a head kick. Morono lands at the end of a right hand, and McGee keeps his legs flying with low and body shots. Morono again gets off his right hand, and he whips a kick to the ribs shortly thereafter. McGee shoots in the center of the cage, and Morono stands him right up. Morono spins with a clean kick to the ribs, and he tries for another spin as McGee shoves him away. McGee runs forward to take the fight down, and the Texan once more shuts it down. McGee digs punches to the body, and Morono slugs with looping punches. Morono whiffs on a spinning back fist, and McGee throws short but effective body shots while Morono is loading up with everything he has. Morono pops McGee with a right hand, and he spins and is caught by “The Crusher” and hurled to the mat. McGee lands on top to end the close fight, and it could go either way.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Morono (29-28 Morono)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Morono (30-27 Morono)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Morono (29-28 Morono)

The Official Result

Alex Morono def. Court McGee via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Charlie Campbell (155) vs. Trevor Peek (155.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Campbell (-205), Peek (+170)

Round 1

To open the main card, the UFC chose violence and not nonsense. Alabama-based berserker Peek (9-1, 1 NC; 2-1 UFC) is hunting to put a win streak together in the UFC, and “The Cannibal” Campbell (8-2, 1-0 UFC) wants to chew him up and spit him out. With 14 knockouts in their combined 17 wins, the judges might not be involved while referee Keith Peterson almost certainly will be needed. Gloves are slightly touched before they are traded, and Peek leads off with a low kick. Peek chases Campbell around with another leg kick, and Campbell pays him back with a heavy calf kick and whips one up high. Campbell spams high and low kicks, and he mixes in one to the body before Peek can get to him. Campbell winds up with a right hand, and he digs a straight left to the body. Peek peppers the lead leg with kicks, and Campbell does not let him get away with throwing leg kicks as he powers a few back. The kicks from Campbell get Peek’s attention, and Peek decides to get into a closer range and start brawling. Campbell backs him off and knees him in the gut, and Peek presses forward full blast and ends up pushing him to the wall. Peek looks for a body lock takedown, and he hunts for trips with his legs to put Campbell down. Peek stomps down hard on the toes, and he slings Campbell to the ground with emphasis. Peek drills his man in the ribs twice with vicious knees until Campbell explodes back to his feet. Peek charges at him, throwing hands, and Campbell stays slick and composed as he picks his shots carefully. Peek lunges with a right and a left, and he leaps at his foe with a head kick that gets blocked. Peek blitzes ahead, hurling punches, until they crash into the wall. Campbell turns him around and drives two knees to the body and head. Peek breaks off and jabs his way out, and Campbell slings a head kick at him. Campbell rings his bell with a right hand, and he goes down to the depths with an uppercut that just misses. Campbell aims a kick to the ribs, and he tries to sweep the leg but settles for blasting the already welted front leg of his opponent. Peek bites down on his mouthpiece and throws everything he has into a pair of punches, and Campbell beats him to the punch with distant kicks and decent head movement. Campbell swipes out with a right hand, and he kicks the rear leg and scores a right hand as Peek recoils. Peek launches a right hand, and this sends him off-balance and allows Campbell to chuck him to the ground like a sack of potatoes. Peek climbs back up, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Campbell
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Campbell
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Campbell

Round 2

Campbell reintroduces himself to begin the round with a head kick. Peek shucks it aside and retaliates with a low kick, and he surges ahead with two punches and a front kick. Peek manages to sting Campbell when he swings violently with his fists, and he scores a knee but is kneed as well. Campbell scores three leg kicks in rapid succession after belting Peek with an uppercut, and the low kicks are having a serious effect on his opponent. Campbell spams three knees on the inside as Peek closes in on him, and Peek stomps his toes. Peek looks to wrench Campbell down to the ground, and he settles for a few knees to the body while controlling him. Peek lets loose an elbow, and Campbell backpedals. Peek chases him and throws punches and tomahawk hammerfists until Campbell turns the tide and tackles him to the mat. Peek turns to his side, and Campbell allows him to do this so he can slide around and take the back. Campbell gets a hook in when Peek starts to scramble, and Peek pushes the hook aside and tries to spin. Campbell continues flowing with his opponent, and he threatens with a face crank on Peek’s forehead. Peek climbs back up, and Campbell calls off and lands to punch him square in the face. Peek unloads with bad intentions, and he manages to catch Campbell flush and hurt him. Campbell keeps shifting and dodging the worst of the blows, but a hard right hand rocked him. Campbell backs off and engages, where he drives a right hand into the chin. Peek drags his foe to the ground and starts laying into him with unblocked left hands, and Campbell climbs back up and knees the body repeatedly. Campbell chains a front kick into a barrage of punches, and the round ends with the two tied up.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Campbell
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Campbell
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Campbell

Round 3

The fighters clap hands before getting after it in the last round, and Peek wants to brawl. Brawl he does. Peek finds the chin with a slew of short punches, and Campbell’s legs give out beneath him. Campbell tries to use that to his advantage with an ill-advised takedown, and Peek stops him from succeeding and lets him back up so he can work him over in the clinch. Peek drags Campbell down to a knee briefly, and Campbell turns him around and gets off a knee. Peek splits off and flies at Campbell in a rage, throwing hands until the two fall over. Campbell looks to put Peek on his seat, and Peek attempts an unusual kimura from an odd angle. Peek gives his back up briefly, but he turns around to his knees as Campbell clings to him. Campbell locks up a body triangle and drags Peek to the side, and he starts fishing for chokes. Campbell is unable to slide the forearm under the chin, so he elects to squeeze on Peek’s face for a few seconds before realizing there is nothing there. Peek turns to his side, and Campbell sets up an arm-triangle choke. Peek keeps moving to stifle the choke, and he leans forward to try to slide Campbell off of him. Campbell grabs the rear-naked choke grip on the chin, and Peek fights through it and gets back to his feet. Campbell stays stuck to him, not giving Peek any space or allowing him to throw bungalows. Campbell tries one last time to take the fight down from behind, but Peek breaks the grip and jogs away to reset. Peek goes to engage, and Campbell shoots immediately for a takedown that allows him to push Peek over and climb on top. Campbell lands on the side and isolates an arm-triangle choke, but it is on the wrong side so he releases it. Campbell postures up and lands a single blow before Peek turns to his knees. At the final seconds, Campbell locks down a rear-naked choke, but time runs out before he can complete it.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Campbell (30-27 Campbell)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Campbell (30-27 Campbell)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Campbell (30-27 Campbell)

The Official Result

Charlie Campbell def. Trevor Peek via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Ignacio Bahamondes (156) vs. Christos Giagos (156)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Bahamondes (-345), Giagos (+275)

Round 1

The action keeps coming, as finish-minded lightweights take to the Octagon. Both men are coming off losses, so it will be up to Bahamondes (14-5, 3-2 UFC) to keep to his winning ways or Giagos (20-11, 6-7 UFC) to preserve his place on the roster. The third man in the cage for this one will be referee Chris Tognoni, and it kicks off with a fist bump. Giagos looks to keep the taller, longer may away with a leg kick, and Bahamondes throws him one back. Giagos crowds him with a punch combination, and they both land on the chin. Giagos kicks low and punches to the ribs, and he manages to catch Bahamondes but eats an uppercut on the way out. Bahamondes reaches out with a long right hand, and he plans a kick on the thigh. Giagos jumps forward to strike, and Bahamondes backs him off in a hurry. Bahamondes checks a kick and spins with a back fist, and Giagos ducks the latter and shoots for a double. Giagos pushes his foe against the wire but cannot keep him there before Bahamondes breaks away. Bahamondes sticks out a jab, and he backs off only to absorb a left hand. Bahamondes perfectly spins with a wheel kick on the chin, and he spins with a back kick that hurts Giagos. Bahamondes crashes forward, rocking “The Spartan” with a flurry of fists. Bahamondes gets too close and finds himself tied up, until he breaks free and measures the recovered Giagos with a low kick. Giagos reaches out with a pair of long punches, and he leans back as a head kick whizzes past him. Giagos plants his fist on the nose, and he mixes it up with a low kick to follow. Bahamondes puts three punches together and kicks the side, and he is away from the counter before it gets to him. Bahamondes pecks out with a jab, and he chambers and fires a rear leg head kick that slams straight into the temple. Giagos crumbles to the ground, his hand raised but his senses betraying him, and Bahamondes does not bother giving chase as he sees Giagos is done. Tognoni gets between them just in case, but it is a formality as Bahamondes knows his work here is done. This finish was a good shot in the arm for the event, as it breaks a streak of five straight decisions.

The Official Result

Ignacio Bahamondes def. Christos Giagos R1 3:34 via KO (Head Kick)

Morgan Charriere (145) vs. Jose Mariscal (145.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Charriere (-122), Mariscal (+102)

Round 1

A furious featherweight brawl is likely to play out for the next 15 minutes at most, as French flamethrower Charriere (19-9-1, 1-0 UFC) throws down with “Chepe” Mariscal (15-6, 1 NC; 2-0 UFC). While their knockout rates may not be as high as the Peek-Campbell fight, both men celebrate finish rates at 67% or above. Referee Keith Peterson will make certain these two are on their best behavior and stay away from any nonsense. They do not touch gloves, and Mariscal wants to fight and throws an early leg kick. Mariscal shoots for a takedown, and Charriere jumps guard for a guillotine choke. When he rolls Mariscal over, Mariscal times an explosion to turn to the side and get out of the worst of submission danger. Mariscal fights his way back to his feet, and he threatens with a trip that the Frenchman avoids. They move towards the fence and start trading knees to the body and thighs, and Charriere scores a knee that bends Mariscal over briefly. Knees keep coming from both parties as they engage in the clinch, and Mariscal isolates a leg to try for a single, only for Charriere to break free. Charriere stumbles his man with a jab on the break, and Mariscal loads up with a haymaker. Mariscal punches his way in, and Charriere uppercuts his way out. Mariscal presses forward to go for a double, and he switches to a single and lifts one leg up. Charriere defends with elbows to the side of the head, and he knees Mariscal until he can get enough space to nearly push off. Mariscal gets one knee back before splitting, and he weaves his way back forward to change levels. Charriere stops the attempt and lands a few solid knees, only to be dropped to his knees courtesy of a powerful left hand from “Machine Gun.” Mariscal trips his man down to a knee, and Charriere stands up and flips him over. Mariscal fights back to his feet and has his guard up just in time to block a zooming head kick. Charriere starts putting hands on the face, and he digs a kick to the ribs. Mariscal fires back with a head kick, and he gets stung with a punch. Mariscal bites down on his gumshield and spins with a kick, and lays into a punch combo that is stopped when the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Mariscal
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Mariscal
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Mariscal

Round 2

The fight ends more tentative than the last, and they try to feel one another out instead of throwing caution to the wind like before. The fighters hand-fight, and Mariscal unleashes a heavy leg kick. Charriere returns fire with a body kick that lifts Mariscal up, and he drives “Chepe” away with a one-two. Mariscal digs a kick to the side, and he scores an overhand right to get Charriere’s attention. Charriere sits down on a right hand counter when Mariscal advances, and he slaps Mariscal in the face with the instep of his foot when Mariscal bends over. Charriere slaps a leg kick home, and he parries a front kick. Charriere jams a right hand to the body and splits the guard with a left, leaning back from the counters that soar his direction. Mariscal chains a calf kick into a head kick, and he times an overswinging Charriere to shoot for a takedown. Charriere swings his way out of it, and he checks a leg kick and walks Mariscal down. Charriere digs a heavy left hand to the liver, and Mariscal goes high with a right hand. Charriere flicks out a number of jabs, splitting open a cut on the corner of the eye, and he chains power punches behind them. Mariscal gets off a rear leg kick, and he eats a body shot that makes him reel. Charriere may not know he has his man hurt, and Mariscal keeps a stiff upper lip and shrugs off a front kick. Charriere unloads a right hand, and Mariscal counters him effectively. Charriere lands, Mariscal fires back, and Charriere gives it back once more. Mariscal kicks the ribcage and gets knocked back courtesy of an overhand right. Charriere kicks Mariscal in the leg hard enough to stumble Mariscal all the way to the fence. Mariscal tries to take the fight down, and Charriere counterthrows him to the mat with ease. When Mariscal turns over to his knees, Charriere tries to take his back, but he settles for a mat return and slams Mariscal on his head when Mariscal stands. Mariscal works his way up and open-handed slaps Charriere, and he plants the ball of his foot on Charriere’s face dramatically. When Charriere retaliates, the round comes to an end.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Charriere
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Charriere
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Charriere

Round 3

The featherweights clap hands before returning to business. Mariscal tosses out a half-hearted low kick and a body kick to follow, and Charriere backs him away with a long one-two and a head kick. Charriere slips and strikes, and Mariscal slaps him again. They both connect with simultaneous right hands, and Charriere gets the better of it as he plods forward. Charriere chews up the leg with a kick and the ribcage with a shin, and Mariscal turns it on suddenly and starts taking it to Charriere. Mariscal unloads with a lengthy combination of punches to the head and body, and he rocks Charriere with a stern right hand. Charriere gathers himself and turns the corner to trip Mariscal’s legs up and take him down to the canvas. Charriere settles down in half guard, gathering his wits and scoring short but effective blows from above. Mariscal tries feebly to swing back at him, but the power is very minimal and more like an irritating younger brother. Charriere pins him back down as Mariscal scrambles, and he nearly takes the back as Mariscal keeps moving. Mariscal works his way back up and clings with a guillotine choke that he uses to knee Charriere in the head. Charriere breaks off and snatches up the neck, where he jumps after an anaconda choke. Mariscal turns the proper direction to not succumb to the submission, and he finds himself on his knees while Charriere clings to him. Mariscal bursts his way to turn Charriere over and put the Frenchman on his back. Charriere keeps shifting, and he looks for a sweep but ends up giving up worse position. Mariscal batters him with several unblocked left hands, and he bops him with hammerfists while Charriere continues to twist and turn. Mariscal keeps right on punching “The Last Pirate” until the final bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Charriere (29-28 Charriere)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Mariscal (29-28 Mariscal)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Mariscal (29-28 Mariscal)

The Official Result

Jose Mariscal def. Morgan Charriere via Split Decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)

Alexander Hernandez (147.5: Missed Weight) vs. Damon Jackson (146)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Hernandez (-205), Jackson (+170)

Round 1

Serving as the co-headliner is a match previously scheduled at featherweight. Instead, Hernandez (14-7, 6-6 UFC) botched his weight cut and exceeded the limit by a pound and a half on his second attempt. He surrenders a percentage of his purse to Jackson (22-6-1, 1 NC; 5-4-1, 1 NC UFC). Both men have struggled as of late, with Hernandez going 1-3 in his last four while Jackson has dropped two in a row. One of these two will get in the win column shortly, if referee Jason Herzog has anything to say about it. Hernandez offers an apologetic glove touch, and the magnificently maned Jackson does not accept it. Jackson prods out a front kick, and he wings a right hand that misses by a wide margin. Hernandez comes back at him with a head kick that is easily blocked, and he whips a kick low at the lead wheel. Jackson throws back his own body kick, and he turns Hernandez with a low kick. They both load up with right hands, and Jackson attacks the calf again. Jackson just misses with a front kick aimed at the jaw, and he catches a lazy kick aimed his direction and grabs hold of the younger man. Jackson grapples Hernandez from behind, getting away with a fence grab as Jackson tries to get a hook in standing. Jackson scores a number of knees to the back of the thigh, until Hernandez explodes and gets away. Hernandez manages to lure Jackson into a brief brawl, and Jackson sits down on a calf kick to again fluster Hernandez. Hernandez keeps a poker face and boxes Jackson in the jaw. Jackson catches the body kick and tries to procure a takedown with it, and he presses Hernandez to the wire. Jackson doggedly pursues a single, and he places “The Great Ape” gingerly on his seat. Jackson looks for offense when he gets there, only to find Hernandez springing back up after all of that hard work. The round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Jackson
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Jackson
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Jackson

Round 2

Jackson begins the round with a head kick attempt, and he bloodies up his foe’s nose during a punch exchange. Jackson surges forward with two punches, and he turns his hips into a kick to the side. Hernandez tries to throw back a few times, but he misses the mark each time. Jackson jabs his way forward, and he hammers the calf with a kick. Jackson keeps doing work on the calf, and they both let loose with big haymaker right hands. Hernandez times a leg kick with an overhand right, and he counters with a solid right hand when Jackson tries to come back at him. Hernandez zips a left hand around the guard, and he leans back to let a head kick buzz past him. Hernandez chops at the front leg of his foe, and that reminds Jackson to do the same. Jackson rushes forward with punches, and Hernandez strafes to the side and eats a body kick on the way out. They both swing for the fences, and Jackson’s chin holds up although a cut opens up on the bridge of his nose. Hernandez targets jabs on that bloody spot, and he gets off a calf kick as he backs away. Jackson punches twice and hits a double, putting Hernandez on his side. This results in a stalemate until Jackson springs into action, and when Hernandez stands up, Jackson takes his back and gets a hook in. Jackson slithers his arm around the chin, and he lets it go to slug Hernandez in the chops repeatedly. The round ends as Jackson is pounding on him.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Jackson
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Jackson
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Jackson

Round 3

Jackson only needs a few seconds before delivering a fierce leg kick. When he throws a second, Hernandez times it and rifles a right hand straight down the middle. Jackson goes down like a sack of bricks, and Hernandez leaps on top of him and starts hunting for a choke. Jackson scrambles to get out of the initial danger, and Hernandez climbs into full mount and squeezes down with an arm-triangle choke. Jackson turns all the way around and fights back to his feet, and Hernandez charges at him throwing bombs. Jackson uses that momentum to turn the corner and pursue a takedown, and “The Great Ape” digs in his heels and does not hit the mat. Hernandez considers going for an ankle pick, and Jackson kicks off the cage and manages to take Hernandez’ back. Hernandez gets flattened out as Jackson starts working him with fists, until he powers back to his feet and tries to buck Jackson off of him. Jackson keeps tight and hangs on until Hernandez manages to work him off. Jackson turns through and goes for a single, dropping down to his knees to complete it. Jackson grinds on the younger fighter when he cannot complete the takedown, and they jockey for position against the cage. They turn one another around without gaining an advantage or landing much of note. Jackson sticks his tongue out, and he lands several elbows and punches to separate right before the horn sounds. Scores could be all over the map.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez (29-28 Jackson)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez (29-28 Jackson)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez (29-28 Jackson)

The Official Result

Damon Jackson def. Alexander Hernandez via Split Decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)

Brendan Allen (186) vs. Chris Curtis (186)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Allen (-198), Curtis (+164)

Round 1

Back in December 2021, Allen (23-5, 11-2 UFC) and Curtis (31-10, 1 NC; 5-2, 1 NC UFC) faced off on the main card of UFC on ESPN 31. Allen may have started with the upper hand in the first round, only for Curtis to stage the comeback and knock Allen’s block off in the second stanza. Since then, Allen has not lost, while racking up five submission wins over increasingly impressive opposition. Curtis fared well enough on his own right, but he was staved back when trying to push to the top 10. This will be a big moment for both of them, as a place in the top echelon looms for the victor. Whether they need 25 seconds or 25 minutes, referee Mark Smith will be here every step of the way. They shake hands, and go back to their corners. When the match begins, Allen fights long, with reaching body kicks to keep the power puncher at bay. Curtis crowds forward with a short series of punches, until Allen backs him off with a sharp one-two. Curtis gives chase but cannot get his hands on him, and Allen ducks down to avoid a punch so he can go after a takedown. Allen slices around to take the back in a hurry as he locks up a body triangle, and Curtis is able to break it around his waist as he hand-fights to keep himself safe. Allen softens him up with a few punches, and Curtis fires back sight unseen. Curtis calmly defends his neck until spinning around and exploding back to his feet. Allen welcomes him back down in the guard, and Curtis laughs him off as they stand up. Allen thanks him by elbowing him in the face, and he chains three punches together and a high kick to follow it. The two middleweights share grins as they trade, and Allen wings two left hooks as Curtis stands his ground and returns fire. Allen whips a kick to the inside thigh, and he digs a kick to the ribs right after it. Curtis tries to walk Allen down, and he manages to get in a body shot. Allen keeps his guard up to block a few punches aimed his way, and he skirts to the side before Curtis can let anything fly. Curtis charges in and gets countered, and Allen lands a solid right and waves him on. Curtis obliges him with a wide overhand left, and he misses with that and a subsequent blow as Allen is light on his feet. Allen sneaks in another body kick, and Curtis flicks out a jab. Allen plants a one-two on the brow, and his head kick is blocked but his body kick is not. Curtis goes for a left to the body and right to the head, and he pushes out a front kick as the bell tolls.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Allen

Round 2

Allen begins the second round with a stern high kick that ricochets off the guard. Allen keeps moving and kicks the knee with the side of his foot, and he slides away from the Curtis counter. Allen hyperextends the knee with another such kick, and his head movement and footwork allows him to stick and move. Allen gets drawn into a brief exchange, and he eats a right hand that would have put him down for the count in the past. Allen offers a congratulatory glove touch for hitting him flush, and Curtis strings a few punches together after it. Allen shrugs them off and gets away from the fence, where he kicks the side and tries to go up high with a kick that bounces off the raised arm. Allen doubles up on a jab and rings a right hand down the pipe. Curtis slips and digs a left to the body, and he stuffs a takedown effort that comes at him. Curtis scores a left hook as Allen sits down on a punch, and Allen tags him with a right hand as Curtis shakes his head at him. They both stand still and start banging, and Allen gets Curtis’ attention with another heavy right hand. Allen slowly crowds him and brings out an elbow and lifts a knee on the beard. Curtis pushes his way out and tries for a three-punch salvo, only for Allen to slide away from all of them. Curtis eats a jab to the body and a kick to the same spot, and he unleashes a low kick that lands on the rear leg. Allen shrugs and points at it quizzically, and he eats a right hand on the way out. Allen takes a funny step back as Curtis digs the body, and he knocks Curtis back with two big hooks. Curtis gets in his groove working the body and head, and Allen is not as able to dodge them as before. Allen stomps at the knee and they both give jabs to one another. Allen eats body shots and throws punches up top, and he gets knocked back to the fence with a solid left hand. They both trade strikes to the midsection, and Allen nails Curtis with a right hand. Curtis chains several punches together, and Allen answers him until the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Curtis
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Curtis
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Curtis

Round 3

The middleweights clap hands before engaging, and Allen lashes out with a stomping kick to the knee to get things going. Allen puts a kick behind two punches, and he leans back from the counter. Allen prods out numerous jabs, and he catches Curtis off-balance with a right hook over the top. Allen lands several punches, and Curtis does not bat an eye as he crowds the higher-ranked competitor. Allen rails Curtis with a big right hand, and Curtis smiles at him. Curtis comes loaded for bear, connecting with a clean left hook as Allen throws back with a vengeance. Allen tries for two vertical elbows, and they both inadvertently land cup shots and apologize to one another. Allen digs a body shot and pushes off with his pointer finger jamming straight into Curtis’ left eye. Curtis moans and drops to his knees, and he asks Smith for a towel to wipe his eye out. When there is no towel to be found, he wipes his eye on Smith’s shoulder sleeve. Curtis acknowledges there was no malice behind it as Allen apologizes, and they get back to it throwing bombs. Curtis surges forward, swinging wildly, and he has a head kick graze the hair. Allen eats a punch and gives one back up top, and Curtis smashes him in the face with a left and hurts him with a right. Allen, on wobbly legs, shoots for a takedown to take “The Action Man” down. When Curtis works back to his feet, Allen jumps on his back like a vengeful backpack and starts fishing for chokes as he locks up the body triangle. Curtis speaks to his corner while fighting the hands, having a brief conversation despite a dangerous 185-pound man trying to choke him to sleep at the same time. Any time Allen tries for a rear-naked choke, Curtis easily fights it off and leans against the fence. Allen grabs hold of a face crank for a moment, and he switches arms until Curtis fights that off too. Curtis spins around with seconds to spare, and Allen nails him with an elbow on the break as the horn blares.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Curtis
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Curtis
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Curtis

Round 4

Reaching the championship rounds, the two men hug it out, with no bad blood between them. Curtis strikes first with several quick punches, and Allen gets to a more preferable distance where he can pick at “The Action Man” with reaching strikes. Curtis crowds him and backs him against the cage, and they both release hard leg kicks. Allen eats a jab that shakes him up, and Curtis hammers the body with a right hand as Allen takes a second step to get his balance. Allen signals he is fine and ready to go, and Curtis reaches out and scrapes Allen in the eye. Smith calls time, and he reviews the footage and states it was a punch and not a poke, and he clocks them back. Both men start trading the moment the action resumes, and Allen backs off and reaches out with a right hand. Curtis closes the distance with a short right hook, and he puts three more punches together as Allen bears down on him. Allen lands once and then kicks low before resetting. They both share jabs, and Allen bops Curtis with two hooks before shooting in for a double. Just as Allen is about to climb to mount, Curtis whirls around to give his back up. Allen gets in both hooks easily, but Curtis manages to explode out and get back to his feet without concern at all. Allen follows him upright, and Curtis is on him with powerful body shots. Curtis doubles up on rights to the ribs, and Allen is primarily headhunting. Allen unloads an elbow that sends “The Action Man” staggering back, and he points at Curtis to say that he got him. Curtis regathers his footing, and Allen clocks him with a head kick. Curtis tanks it like a pro and continues to walk Allen down, and Allen still ducks beneath him to partially land a takedown. Curtis scrambles back to his feet before control is established, but he gets dragged back down from behind. Allen looks for a rear-naked choke, and when Curtis tries for his spin move, Allen rides all the way through it to get into mount. Allen gets off one single elbow before the round concludes.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Allen

Round 5

The middleweights share an embrace when opening the final round, and they split apart and begin the final melee. Allen slides to the side and goes up high with a kick, and Curtis throws back with his fists. Allen stomps at the knee with a kick, and Curtis quickly retaliates with a shot to his ribs. Allen lands his own body kick and shifts laterally with the fence behind him, and he shoots for a takedown. Curtis blocks the first, and when Allen bull-rushes him, Curtis times a perfect knee that smashes right into the chin. Allen miraculously absorbs it and keeps moving to take Curtis’ back. When Curtis moves, Allen goes after a banana split as he torques Curtis’ legs apart. Curtis moves to escape it, and they both stand up. The two men trade bombs on the inside, both keeping their wits about them, until Allen shoots low for a single. Curtis slides away and bloodies up the nose of his opponent with jabs. Curtis walks Allen down, and he eats an uppercut and aims for one back but gets clacked with an elbow. Allen kicks Curtis right in the side of the head, and Curtis is ready to throw back hard. Curtis sprawls when the takedown comes his way, and Curtis is warned for striking the back of the head. Curtis lands body shots as Allen crawls at him, and Allen falls to his back to invite him into the guard. Curtis has him stand back up, and he marches forward like a Terminator. Curtis throws hands, Allen answers him back and attacks for a single. Allen lifts Curtis in the air and takes him on “All In Airlines” as he slams him down to the ground loudly. Allen takes his back and secures both hooks, and he informs Smith that Curtis is grabbing his glove. Smith warns Curtis for the foul, and Allen fishes for the choke that he just can’t find. Curtis uses all of his remaining energy to turn Allen about and dump him on his back. Allen stands back up, and he shoots desperately for a takedown. Allen bails on it to stand, and Curtis limps away. Curtis lays into his damaged opponent with knees and elbows, and Curtis can barely stand up as he suffered some kind of serious leg injury in the fracas. As soon as the final horn sounds in the building, Curtis collapses to the ground in pain and clutches the back of his leg. Allen goes to sit down next to him to celebrate their handiwork, and Smith has him move out of the way so that the medical staff can rush in the cage and tend to the groaning Curtis. The two middleweights successfully put in 25 minutes of thrilling action, and it is not a foregone conclusion as to the victor.

After Allen gets his hand raised, he calls for a title shot against Dricus Du Plessis, as he raises his current win streak to seven. If he does not get that, he would like to face former champ Sean Strickland, who is the only other fighter in the UFC that defeated him. If any of that happens, we will be there for it. More importantly, UFC 300 is next week. You best believe that Sherdog will be running wall-to-wall coverage of that blockbuster show. We will certainly be here for it, and we hope you are too.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Allen (48-47 Allen)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Allen (48-47 Allen)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Curtis (48-47 Curtis)

The Official Result

Brendan Allen def. Chris Curtis via Split Decision (47-48, 48-47, 49-46)