UFC 255 ‘Figueiredo vs. Perez’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Louis Cosce (170) vs. Sasha Palatnikov (170.5)

Round 1

For the 20th weekend in a row, far and away the most consecutive weekly cards, the UFC is back with a pay-per-view buoyed by a pair of 125-pound title fights. We begin in the prelims with a pair of newcomer welterweights, as unbeaten finisher Cosce (7-0, 0-0 UFC) takes on the first-ever UFC fighter based out of Hong Kong in Palatnikov (5-2, 0-0 UFC). Referee Chris Tognoni observes these debutants walk towards one another without touching gloves, and the game is afoot! Cosce marches forward trying to take Palatnikov’s head off with an overhand right, but Palatnikov ducks out of the way and pushes off when Cosce tries to press him to the fence. Palatnikov blocks a strike and charges forward to take Cosce down, and Cosce defends himself with a guillotine choke off his back. Palatnikov pulls his neck out and stands back up, where he opens up with a body kick. Cosce grabs his foot and looks to blast his man in the face like Anderson Silva against James Irvin. To protect himself Palatnikov rolls like Chael Sonnen did against Silva, and he gives up his back when he goes down. Cosce stands over him and pounds on him, and Palatnikov slowly works his way up but is getting slammed with Cosce’s fists. Palatnikov powers up and Cosce comes at him swinging, bullying Palatnikov to the cage before dropping him with a right hand. Cosce tries to finish the job here as he clubs Palatnikov with punch after punch, but Palatnikov miraculously gets back to his knees and gets to his feet. Palatnikov loads up on a right hand when they are standing, and he hurts Cosce as the unbeaten fighter charges like a bull. Palatnikov bites down on his mouthpiece and starts trading with his adversary, and the two land bombs on one another but keep their wits about them. Palatnikov presses his man to the fence and cracks him with a heavy elbow, and Cosce shakes it off as he takes more strikes on the fence. Cosce pushes himself free and leaps forward with a flying knee that is labored and nowhere near the mark, and he looks tired. Palatnikov can see his strikes coming now, and he nails Cosce with several strikes and pushes Cosce to the canvas. Cosce eats punches as he muscles his way standing again, and he winds up with a serious right hand that stings Palatnikov. This round is absolutely crazy! Palatnikov appears the much fresher fighter, and he busts up Cosce with strikes while Cosce keeps his back to the cage. Palatnikov spins with a back fist that clocks Cosce square on the chin, and it is incredible that he is still standing. Palatnikov keeps up his workrate and tags Cosce again and again, but Cosce survives to the bell. What a round!

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

After that wild round, the two men touch gloves. Cosce shoots in early from a distance, and Palatnikov easily stuffs it and pushes Cosce to his knees. Palatnikov lands several punches from above until Cosce hops back up, and Cosce is a spent force already. Palatnikov stays away from the wild, telegraphed strikes that come his way, and picks at him with long straight right hands and whipping left hooks. Cosce wades forward with an elbow, and Palatnikov shrugs it off and steps in to strike. Cosce is waiting for him to brawl, and Palatnikov takes a shot off the forward bow before retreating. Palatnikov takes a left hand that marks up his nose and unloads with a big overhand right, and both men show some damage on their face. Cosce stands on front of his opponent trying to land shots, and Palatnikov sees them and spins with an elbow that slams Cosce right in the face. Cosce tries to tie him up, and Palatnikov obliges him with several knees up the middle until Cosce pushes away. Both men swing heavy leather, and a deflected punch from Cosce lands south of the border to give both men a much-needed break. Palatnikov takes a minute or two to recover, and he gets back to it as both men appear to be leaking. Both come out swinging again, and Palatnikov kicks him in the face but gets countered from a seemingly refreshed Cosce. Cosce lands an effective kick to the calf that makes Palatnikov hop away, so he targets the same spot again. Palatnikov presses forward to tie him up the fence, and he gets away with a few fence grabs to keep Cosce stuck. Tognoni catches on and breaks them up, all while warning Palatnikov to stop holding the cage. Palatnikov sticks him with a right hand and moves away from the counter. Cosce charges like a tranquilized bull and Palatnikov smashes him in the nose to make it start pouring like a faucet from a horror movie. Palatnikov keeps the pace and presses Cosce back to the cage again, where he is once more warned for fence grabs. Palatnikov gets off another spinning back elbow, and a flying knee clatters off the guard of his foe. At the bell, the two men clack heads, but there appears to be no immediate damage from it.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

Both men are exhausted, and they slowly walk towards another to clap hands. Cosce takes a step back and sprints at Palatnikov, where he pursues a takedown. Palatnikov grabs the fence to stop a takedown, and Tognoni warns him. Palatnikov keeps grabbing the fence to hold or advance position, and Tognoni stops the fight to warn Palatnikov heavily. When the time resumes, Cosce throws a slow body kick and shoots in for a takedown, but Palatnikov shucks him off. Cosce tries again from a distance, that too is stuffed, but this time Palatnikov makes him pay for it with a short combination. The lower half of Cosce’s face is now a bloody mess, and Palatnikov targets the damage by kneeing Cosce in the jaw several times in the clinch. When they separate, Palatnikov scores a spinning back kick right on the chest. Cosce tries to respond with a head kick, but Palatnikov can block it as well as the subsequent takedown that comes his way. When Cosce stands up, the two are clinched up, and both start trading knees. One of Cosce’s knees collides with Palatnikov’s cup, and the Hong Kong native falls over in pain as he yells out. Palatnikov falls to his back as he continues to moan, and after a minute, he sits up but is still feeling it. Tognoni advises that Palatnikov take all the time he needs, and Palatnikov stands up and tries to walk it off. There is no point deduction for this foul, and Palatnikov signals that he is ready to continue after a two-minute break. Cosce leads off with a left hand, but he leaves it out too long and gets countered with a stiff one-two. Palatnikov dances around the outside with jabs and a front kick to the body, and he hops out of the way of a low kick as he has gotten his wind back. Palatnikov cracks him with a right hand, and Cosce slumps back to the cage before toppling down to his knees with a desperation takedown. Palatnikov lords over him and hammers him with lefts and rights in alternating fashion like he was facing a downed Don Flamenco from “Punch Out.” Palatnikov keeps pouring it on with heavy punches, and Cosce is no longer intelligently defending himself. Tognoni steps in to save the totally spent fighter, and Cosce is no longer undefeated after a wild battle and a stellar performance from the newcomer out of Hong Kong. If this fight is any indication of the rest of the night, we are in for a treat.

The Official Result

Sasha Palatnikov def. Louis Cosce R3 2:27 via TKO (Punches)

Kyle Daukaus (185.5) vs. Dustin Stoltzfus (184.5)

Round 1

We move now to the middleweight division for an all-Pennsylvania battle, where two men searching for their first win come to blows as brabo choke aficionado Daukaus (9-1, 0-1 UFC) meets Contender Series signee Stoltzfus (13-1, 0-0 UFC). Keeping a lid on the action is referee Mark Smith, and the two 185ers do not touch gloves to check in the fight. Stoltzfus leads off with a front kick, and Daukaus pushes it away and tries to walk his opponent down. Daukaus reaches out with his own front kick, and Stoltzfus sits down and slams his shin into Daukaus’ calf. Daukaus does not like this, as he races forward into the clinch to try to drag Stoltzfus down to the ground with a body lock and trip. Daukaus works the body with some short shots as he presses his full body weight on to Stoltzfus, and he goes after a single leg but gets rebuffed. When Stoltzfus pops him in the ear, Daukaus lifts him in the air and nearly slams him down, but Stoltzfus keeps his footing when he lands and gets pushed back into the fence again. Stoltzfus pushes off his opponent’s face before dropping down for a single leg takedown, but Daukaus breaks the grip and narrowly avoids an elbow zooming by his face. Daukaus steps through the position to elevate Stoltzfus and set him down, where he drops down an elbow immediately. Stoltzfus keeps slapping the side of Daukaus’ head and ears, and Daukaus thanks him for it by landing some much heavier punches and elbows. Stoltzfus sits up but Daukaus drops low to push him over, and Daukaus cannot enter into Stoltzfus’ guard. Stoltzfus throws his legs up for an armbar, and an omoplata to sweep the position, but he cannot get either and almost reverses the position. Stoltzfus rolls through for a leg lock, and Daukaus pushes off to get free. Stoltzfus continues to roll and almost has a calf slicer, but he sits on top until the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Daukaus leads off the round swinging heavy with kicks and punches, and he busts up Stoltzfus’ nose on the way in. He keeps landing, but one knee clips the cup so we have a pause in the action. When the round resumes, Daukaus lets fly a head kick that gets blocked but still pushes Stoltzfus back. Stoltzfus tries to clinch up, but he finds himself pushes back into the fence with ease from Daukaus. When they separate, Daukaus sticks him with a jab and snaps his head back with a left and a right hand. Stoltzfus tries to push off, but Daukaus locks him back down against the cage. Daukaus grinds on his man for a time, until Stoltzfus spins him out and does much of the same as the action has largely stalled out. Both men land single knee strikes to the breadbasket, and Daukaus tries and fails to trip Stoltzfus down. Daukaus ducks down to land a right hand, and he gets cracked with a counter. After eating that shot, Daukaus clinches back up and starts ripping the body with left hands. Stoltzfus responds with a crisp elbow that ricochets off the nose, and Daukaus tries to take the fight down once more. Daukaus hits a trip, but Stoltzfus pops back up without much effort. Daukaus tries to pin him to the cage and gets warned for grabbing the cage, so Daukaus backs off and blocks a head kick. Daukaus steps forward and starts winging elbows, and one connects of merit. The two engage in a short brawl until the round concludes.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

Daukaus flings up a head kick to begin the round, and Stoltzfus blocks and moves away. Both men start unloading bombs, and Daukaus scores at the end of a left hook that makes Stoltzfus shoot in for a desperation takedown. Daukaus manages to keep his footing and turn Stoltzfus against the cage, where he starts attacking the body once more, in the position he spent most of the previous frame. Stoltzfus tries to power out of the position by shooting low for a single, and Daukaus hops his way across the Octagon before finding his back to the fence. Daukaus lifts him up with a knee to the body before turning his man about and slinging an elbow that grazes his intended target. Daukaus once more ties Stoltzfus up, and the words “Embrace the Grind” of commentators gone by echo through our minds. Out of nowhere, Stoltzfus drops down to attack a leg lock, and Daukaus turns through it and smashes Stoltzfus in the face a few times. Stoltzfus looks up at him in confusion as Daukaus steps away and makes Stoltzfus stand back up. Daukaus flicks out a jab several times to break up the advancing offense of Stoltzfus, and Stoltzfus loads up on looping strikes that are evaded or guarded against. Daukaus bullies Stoltzfus to the fence and down to the ground, where he starts pummeling his opponent with strikes. Stoltzfus keeps himself together, and Daukaus blasts him to the body to make Stoltzfus double over. Daukaus unleashes a salvo of punches high and low and Stoltzfus is turtling up in trouble, but Stoltzfus manages to get upright again. When Stoltzfus shoots in, Daukaus ties up a brabo choke and it is tight. Stoltzfus falls to his knees and to his back to pull out of the choke, and Daukaus walks away as he celebrates his impending victory.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Kyle Daukaus def. Dustin Stoltzfus via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

Alan Jouban (170.5) vs. Jared Gooden (171)

Round 1

Back to welterweight atop the UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+ early prelims, Jouban (16-7, 7-5 UFC) makes his return after a 19-month absence against promotional newcomer “Nite Train” Gooden (17-4, 0-0 UFC). Making this bout official will be referee Chris Tognoni, and Jouban tries to greet him with a glove touch in the center of the cage but Gooden has no interest in doing so. Instead, Gooden comes out firing, swinging a barrage of punches as Jouban dances out of the way. Jouban avoids the brunt of the shots and starts to implement his job, leading Gooden to walk in and clinch up to deliver some knees to the body. Jouban separates and gets off an elbow, and he avoids a few more looping shots and scores a body kick. Gooden catches a kick from “Brahma” and lands a counter left hand that bloodies up the nose. Gooden loads up on his shots, swinging and missing and nearly falling over with how hard he is throwing. Jouban sticks him with long left hands and jabs, and he eats a left hand that irritates his eye. Gooden gets driven back with a jab and a follow-up left hand, and Gooden rushes in while leading with his head, scoring a big right hand that hurts Jouban. Jouban claims it was a headbutt, but Tognoni claims it was a strike and we continue – they did clash heads. Jouban lets loose a head kick and a body kick, and he steps through it to nail Gooden with an overhand left. Jouban’s eye is swelling up fast from the strike he was concerned about, but he counters Gooden on the way with a sharp right hook. He lands this short hook again as Gooden charges, and he lands a liver kick that makes Bas Rutten smile somewhere as the resounding slap echoes through the UFC Apex. Jouban pushes forward and lands another, and Gooden circles away from the fence but takes another. Jouban mixes it up with head kick, and Gooden sits down on a right hand that lands flush. Jouban sits down on his body kick, and lands a sharp left hand that makes him celebrate his work. Both men land strikes and celebrate, and when Jouban does it to mock his opponent, Gooden pops him with a left hand. The two angrily laugh at one another to end the round.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Gooden opens up with heavy offense, racing in and cracking Jouban with a left hand on Jouban’s damaged right eye. Jouban responds with another thudding body kick, and the two trade heavy punches but are not worse for wear. Gooden gets off a right hand, and he backs off as Jouban returns fire with a pawing right hook. Gooden gives Jouban a taste of his own medicine with a hard body kick, and the two trade it out for a moment. Jouban throws too hard and finds himself off-balance, and Gooden takes advantage of this with a left-right that wobbles Jouban’s legs. Jouban falls back to the cage as Gooden tees off on him, but the Louisiana native gathers himself and fights his way out of the position. Jouban starts firing back, and clips Gooden with a left hand that makes Gooden grab his face in pain. Now Jouban has his man on the ropes, and he slings a head kick and a salvo of punches to try to get the stoppage. Gooden eats them like lunch, and Jouban walks forward to land long, accurate strikes one after the other. Jouban keeps working him as Gooden is on the fence, but Gooden fights his way out as well and starts swinging. The two trade punches and kicks wildly and recklessly, and each do some damage to one another. Jouban’s kicks appear slowed but still do some damage, and Gooden clips him with a leaping right hand. Jouban wobbles but keeps his balance, and he delivers a loud kick to the body. Jouban cracks him with a left hand, and Gooden does the same. This round is a terrific back-and-forth round, as both men have been hurt and fight through the worst of it. Jouban rushes in like the “Brahma” bull that he is, and Gooden ducks down to attempt a takedown. Jouban defends it and the two swing it out to the bell.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

There is no final glove touch as these two get right down to it, where they start brawling. Jouban sits down on a body kick and a leg kick, and a third kick makes him nearly fall over. Gooden sneaks in a left hand, and Jouban shrugs it off like it was nothing. Gooden reaches out and cracks Jouban with a right, and Jouban dodges the follow-up strikes to spin for an elbow that grazes Gooden’s jaw. A left hand from Gooden has opened up the swelling around Jouban’s eye, and both men start bleeding around the same time as the bridge of Gooden’s nose is leaking as well. In a frenzied clinch battle, Gooden’s knee lifts up the cup and makes Tognoni call a pause to the round. 45 seconds is all Jouban needs before he’s ready to go back to fight, and he starts off with a looping combination that Gooden ducks. Jouban reaches out with his fingers out stretched, and Tognoni warned him. Jouban closes his fists and kicks Gooden to the body. Gooden doubles over and backs off, and Jouban chases him to land shots. Gooden bends down to wind a big right hand, and it partially lands to make Jouban retreat for a moment. Gooden rushes after him with a flying knee, and the impact off Jouban’s guard makes “Brahma” react. Jouban shakes it off and throws a high kick that makes him fall over. Jouban manages to get to his knees but he cannot convert it to a takedown attempt, and elects to stand up and break away. Jouban darts in, lands two punches, ducks a counter, and lands a third. Jouban lets loose a head kick after a few jabs, and Gooden blocks them and tries to counter with an overhand right. Jouban rolls with the shot and backpedals, where he sticks the jab out a few times. Gooden ignores it and blocks a body kick to throw heavy leather. Gooden runs forward and attacks a double leg takedown, and Jouban falls over as he cinches up a guillotine choke. Jouban squeezes with everything he has, and Gooden grits it out and turns over. Jouban holds on to it and takes mount, where the final seconds must feel like Gooden as he is clinging to Jouban’s grip and his consciousness at the same time. Commentator Joe Rogan claims that Gooden tapped, but it was just Gooden wriggling, and time expires right before he goes out. Tognoni stops the action right at the bell, and incredibly, there is no finish. Another few seconds, and that might have been a different story. What a terrific back-and-forth clash.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Alan Jouban def. Jared Gooden via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Nicolas Dalby (170) vs. Daniel Rodriguez (170.5)

Round 1

Staying in the welterweight division for this next clash and the first on the ESPN portion of the prelims, “D-Rod” Rodriguez (13-1, 3-0 UFC) looks to make it four-for-four in the Octagon against “Lokomotivo” Dalby (18-3-1, 2 NC; 2-2-1, 1 NC UFC). Drawing the assignment for this tilt is referee Mark Smith, and there is no glove touch for this fight either. Dalby throws out a few reaching kicks, but he is too far away. “D-Rod” avoids them and steps in to rip the body with a few punches. Rodriguez eats a leg kick and blocks a head kick, and he delivers his own leg kick for good measure. Dalby responds with a harder one, and the two are far away from one another. Rodriguez scores a leg kick and Dalby comes back with one, so Rodriguez breaks it up with a body kick. Dalby cracks Rodriguez with a one-two, and Rodriguez falls to one knee but does not go down. Instead, he recovers and slings a body kick that marks up Dalby’s torso. Dalby zings a head kick, and Rodriguez barely blocks it, but he cannot block the leg kick that comes after it. Rodriguez ignores a leg kick to walk forward and blast Dalby in the face with a left hook, and Dalby rebounds off the fence before throwing a kick. Dalby just gets off a head kick as Rodriguez aims a right hand at him. Dalby tries to score a reverse crescent kick, but it blows past Rodriguez’ head. Dalby keeps his leg kicks going, and Rodriguez is struggling to close the distance and land effectively. Rodriguez charges forward and lands a body shot, but the two looping hooks that follow up top do not. “D-Rod” catches a body kick and thumps his left hand on Dalby’s liver, and Dalby appears no worse for wear. Rodriguez hops back and forward, sneaking in a leg kick and just missing on follow-up punches. The two fire off head kick, and both are blocked and land loudly. Rodriguez ignores a leg kick and starts pouring it on with a long string of punches that make Dalby think twice. Backing Dalby up to the cage, Rodriguez has a head kick blocked but connects with three consecutive right hooks to end the round.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Rodriguez is ready to attack right out of the gate, and Dalby tries to keep him at bay with a spinning wheel kick. “D-Rod” evades it and tries to swing a left hand. Rodriguez starts marching Dalby down, and the Danish fighter has his back to the cage as he avoids these big strikes. Rodriguez changes levels after a punch to go after a double leg takedown, but Dalby stuffs it and stands him up in the clinch. Rodriguez knees him in the side as he pushes his full weight on his foe, and when Dalby tries to separate, Rodriguez tosses him aside. Both men score big right hands, and Dalby aims a head kick at him. Dalby decides it is his turn to attempt a takedown, but he is similarly stopped from completing it. Rodriguez defends another trip and separates, while avoiding an overhand right that whiffs past his hair. Rodriguez sticks out a hard jab and absorbs a leg kick, and steps forward to bestow a right hook to Dalby’s body. Rodriguez continues to target the body, as he lunges forward with a left hand. Rodriguez connects with a leg kick and an overhand right, and Dalby quickly shoots in for a takedown but gets tossed aside. Dalby gets his footing again and lands a pair of kicks to the knee, and he avoid a big counter that comes at him. Dalby sits down on one particular leg kick that partially buckles the knee of “D-Rod,” and Rodriguez reaches for it to stop the kick but cannot get to it. Dalby does this again and follows it with an overhand right as Rodriguez is reaching. Rodriguez ignores the strike and throws a left hand that gets Dalby’s attention. Rodriguez begins to load up on booming shots, and they are telegraphed and Dalby is well out of the way by the time the fist would meet his face. Dalby runs forward and attacks a single leg takedown, and the American breaks the grip and stays upright to ride out the round against the cage.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

A one-two from Rodriguez is the first to land to begin the round, and Dalby laughs them off as he throws up a head kick that is barely blocked. Rodriguez swings and misses with a body kick, and Dalby scores one that sneaks underneath Rodriguez’ elbow. Dalby punches his way in with a right hand before shooting for a takedown, but Rodriguez stops him from getting it. As they separate, Dalby jabs and spins with a kick, but Rodriguez is out of the way in time. Dalby claps a kick off the knee, and Rodriguez does the same. Rodriguez doubles up on the kick, and he lands two punches to the body when Dalby comes at him. Rodriguez continues to work the leg, and both swing and miss with punches after the kick lands. Rodriguez kicks the leg and makes Dalby switch stances, and Dalby sticks out his jab a few times. Rodriguez obliges him with jabs of his own, and the two have entered into a mirror match of sorts. Rodriguez lands a left hook, and Dalby does the same. “D-Rod” takes a kick as Dalby bears down on him like a train, but the American stuffs the takedown attempt and gains separation. Dalby snaps a head kick over the guard of Rodriguez, but Rodriguez does not even acknowledge it landed. The Danish fighter pushes him to the fence as he attempts another takedown, but there is nothing doing as they jockey for position before shoving away from each other. A sharp land from Rodriguez opens up a cut on the corner of Dalby’s eye, and Dalby thanks him for the cut by kicking his man in the head. Dalby sticks out a jab and follows it with a left hand, but Rodriguez cracks him with a counter left that hurts Dalby. “Lokomotivo” keeps it together and throws a few kicks, and they trade strikes until the final bell.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Nicolas Dalby def. Daniel Rodriguez via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Antonina Shevchenko (125) vs. Ariane Lipski (126)

Round 1

Shifting gears now to the women’s flyweight class, two strikers looking to elevate their UFC records above .500 clash together as Shevchenko (8-2, 2-2 UFC) meets “Queen of Violence” Lipski (13-5, 2-2 UFC). Referee Chris Tognoni will need to keep his head on a swivel for what could be a high-paced back-and-forth battle. No glove touch starts off the fight, as the two instead trade low kicks. Lipski wades through a leg kick to throw a right hand, and Shevchenko catches her with a left hand. Lipski slams her fist into Shevchenko’s face, and the two ladies clinch up. Shevchenko keeps her tightly pressed against the face, and the two jockey for position as they trade knees on the inside. Shevchenko lifts up a knee to the face, and they spin each other around until Lipski tries to pull “Pantera” down. Shevchenko stops it and knees Lipski in the body on the way up, and the clinch battle resumes. Shevchenko controls the position as she pushes her weight on her foe, all while landing a few sporadic knees and shoulder strikes. Shevchenko hits a hip toss takedown, and she squeezes on a scarf hold headlock but Lipski breaks the grip. Lipski tries to slide out the back to take Shevchenko’s back, and Shevchenko holds on to a straight armlock but gives up her back. Lipski goes palm-to-palm with a choke, and Shevchenko turns around to break the posture and take half guard. Lipski kicks off the fence but she cannot get free, as Shevchenko smacks her with a few left hands. Lipski gets her right wrist trapped beneath Shevchenko’s knee as Shevchenko continues to work her over from above, and “Pantera” rides out the round in this position.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Shevchenko comes out of her corner to start the round with a head kick, and Lipski blocks it and lands a leg kick. Shevchenko returns fire with one of her own, and a one-two comes after. When Lipski chases her down, Shevchenko spins with a back fist, but it bounces off the board. Lipski cracks her opponent with a right hand, and they come together and both try to hit body lock takedowns at the same time. They both drop to their knees, and Shevchenko pushes her over to wind up in top position. Lipski keeps her in half guard as Shevchenko tries to pull her leg out and take a dominant position, and she does this by landing left hands from above to advance to side control. “The Violence Queen” is nullified as she rolls to her side, and Shevchenko slashes down an elbow to stay busy from on top. Shevchenko ties up Lipski’s arms within her legs, allowing her to punch Lipski in the face repeatedly with no way to guard it. When Lipski gets her arm out, Shevchenko climbs around to attempt a back take. When she does not get it, she rains down punches until Lipski tries to roll her off. The Brazilian is trapped, and she sits up but gets bowled over as Shevchenko keeps position. Shevchenko takes side mount again as she elbows Lipski in the body repeatedly, and she changes it up to elbow Lipski in the face as well. Shevchenko climbs over to three-quarter mount, and she starts letting loose kiais as she lands big shots from on top. “Pantera” unleashes a fury as she pounds on her hapless opponent, and the strikes add up until Tognoni has seen enough and calls a stop to the contest. This is a statement performance for the Kyrgyzstani fighter out of Peru, who almost certainly energized her champion sister watching from a distance.

The Official Result

Antonina Shevchenko def. Ariane Lipski R2 4:33 via TKO (Punches)

Joaquin Buckley (182.5) vs. Jordan Wright (185)

Round 1

Hold on to your hats, ladies and gentlemen, for this next one at middleweight. Two spectacular finishers are up next, as Buckley (11-3, 1-1 UFC) makes a quick turnaround after his sure-fire “Knockout of the Year”-winning knockout against Wright (11-0, 1 NC; 1-0 UFC), with the latter posting a 100 percent finish rate of his own. Looking to not get knocked out by errant blows is referee Herb Dean, and the brawlers do not touch gloves before throwing down. Wright comes at him and quickly clinches up, and when Buckley breaks away, Wright tries to knee him in the head. Buckley backs away and rushes in with a pair of looping punches, and his forward momentum puts the two back in the clinch. Buckley holds him tight before dropping for a double leg takedown, and Wright stands him up until they separate again. Wright lands a right hand, and Buckley counters with his own left hook. This same combination occurs again, and Buckley is putting everything he has into these punches. Buckley slings a head kick, and “The Beverly Hills Ninja” blocks it and gets pushed into the fence with another clinch. Buckley holds him there by grabbing the fence and putting his hands over the top, and Dean won’t let it happen as he chides “New Mansa.” The separation once more leads into Buckley swinging too hard with punches, and Wright lets loose a head kick. Buckley charges like a runaway truck and throws bombs, but Wright stays composed, rolls with the strikes, and keeps kicking. The unbeaten fighter scores a head kick that wobbles Buckley, and counters a rampaging Buckley with a check knee that delays the attack for long enough to allow Wright to back away. Wright scores an uppercut as Buckle charges in, and he just misses a head kick. The telegraphed strike from “New Mansa” allow Wright to get out of harm’s way, and he times another knee when Buckley comes at him. Wright keeps his distance with a body kick, and he partially absorbs a few punches. Buckley lets loose with everything he has, hurting Wright with punches and sending the undefeated fighter tumbling to the canvas. Buckley unleashes a furious storm of heavy punches, but he cannot finish the fight before the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Buckley steps forward from his corner to land a straight left hand, and Wright has not yet recovered from the punishment he absorbed at the end of Round 1. Buckley notices this, and he plows forward with a long left as Wright kicks him in the body backing up. As part of a combination, Buckley fires off a deadly left hook that snaps Wright’s head back, and a right hand that follows is unnecessary as Wright’s knees abandon him completely. The undefeated fighter falls to the canvas, and Dean knows he is done as Buckley walks off; Wright is no longer unbeaten. Although not quite as spectacular as his performance that the promotion interrupted Bruce Buffer’s introduction to play, Buckley has now recorded another highlight reel knockout over an undefeated fighter in devastating fashion.

The Official Result

Joaquin Buckley def. Jordan Wright R2 0:18 via KO (Punch)

Brandon Moreno (125) vs. Brandon Royval (125.5)

Round 1

In what many are considering the presumptive “Fight of the Night,” a pair of exciting flyweights named Brandon dance inside the Octagon. With sights on the winner of the headliner tonight, “The Assassin Baby” Moreno (17-5-1, 5-2-1 UFC) hopes to derail the streaking “Raw Dawg” Royval (12-4, 2-0 UFC). Hoping to keep up with these dueling tornadoes is referee Marc Goddard, and there is a glove touch before they get down to business. Royval opens up with several jabs and a head kick to start things off, and a body kick and a few punches follow quickly. Moreno is ready to catch him, and knocks Royval off-balance with a left hand. Royval goes to the head, Moreno targets the body, and they both land with furious combinations. Royval lands a hard leg kick, and he leaps in the air with a flying knee that glances off Moreno’s guard. Moreno rushes forward and hits a takedown, but he cannot keep Royval down for long as the American scrambles and bucks his way out. Moreno catches him at the end of a right hand, and Royval lands a leg kick to get Moreno to take a step back. Moreno slings a few heavy punches, and both get off hard leg kicks. Royval steps forward with a knee and chains it into a spinning back elbow, but Moreno avoids it. When Royval tries another spinning back elbow, “The Assassin Baby” grabs hold of his man and bowls him over. Moreno instantly takes Royval’s back, and he has one hook in but cannot aim for any choke. Moreno holds Royval in twister position without knowing what to look for, and instead goes palm-to-palm to hunt for a rear-naked choke. He changes his position and squeezes for a neck crank, and Royval pulls the arm away. Moreno crushes his grip on Royval’s jaw, but he cannot finish it as “Raw Dawg” grits it out. Moreno gets off several punches from behind, and the two are stuck in an unusual position until Royval kicks free. The Mexican is on him as he leaps on top, and Royval throws his legs up to hunt for any submission that presents itself. Royval transitions to go after a leg lock, and Moreno steps over it and starts pounding on “Raw Dawg” with hammerfists. Royval starts screaming in pain as he twists and turns, and his shoulder appears dislocated all while Moreno keeps punching him. Goddard jumps in to stop the fight with seconds left in the round, and Royval is in agony, flailing and yelling on his back. After the fight ends, Royval’s coach, Marc Montoya, snaps it back into place like Mel Gibson in a “Lethal Weapon” movie. Regardless of the reason, Moreno very well may have punched his ticket to a championship fight with a spectacular performance over an opponent in Royval that had never been finished.

The Official Result

Brandon Moreno def. Brandon Royval R1 4:59 via TKO (Punches)

Mauricio Rua (205.5) vs. Paul Craig (205.5)

Round 1

Kicking off the pay-per-view main card is a rematch a year in the making when former champ “Shogun” Rua (27-11-1, 11-9-1 UFC) tries to get one up on “Bearjew” Craig (13-4-1, 5-4-1 UFC) at light heavyweight. Both hope to wipe away the bitter aftertaste of their split draw, and referee Herb Dean will make sure that everything is above board. There is no glove touch and instead Craig kicks the leg early. He continues kicking “Shogun” and avoids the counters that come flying by his head. Rua gives him one leg kick back, and he blocks a body kick with his elbow. Craig gets off a jumping switch kick, and when he lands, he throws a body kick with the other leg. Rua charges after him and lands a few punches, and pushes off when Craig tries to initiate the clinch. Rua backs away from a head kick, but Craig sprints towards him and pushes Rua over while landing a double leg takedown. Craig pulls one leg out and starts landing shots while advancing position, and Rua gets to his knees and puts his neck in danger. Craig attacks a front choke and lands some knees, before transitioning to an anaconda choke while continuing to knee Rua in the head. Rua falls on top and gets rolled over, where Craig sweeps him and lands a few strikes. Rua powers out of the position and rushes back to his feet, with his head already very red. The Scottish fighter races towards him and lands another takedown as he pushes Rua against the fence. “Bearjew” circles around to take Rua’s back, but Rua spins him around to reverse position and hop on top in half guard. Rua sits in an unusual position while Craig tries to sneak out, and the Scot has Rua’s leg tied up. Rua winds up and slams down a left hand, and when he scores another, Craig elbows him on the forehead. Rua stays heavy until posturing up with seconds to go, landing some ground-and-pound to the bell.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Both men rush to the center of the cage to start out, and Craig lands a few leg kicks before stepping in with a long jab. Rua jumps forward with a looping left hand, and the Scot blocks it and lands a leg kick. Rua stands him up with two big punches, but Rua does not follow them and instead backs away to take a front kick to the body. Both men land jabs at the same time, and Rua blocks a body kick but absorbs an inside leg kick. Rua marches in with jabs but pulls back before uncorking a right hand bomb. He takes a back step, and then swings that right at Craig, forcing Craig to pursue a takedown. The Brazilian stops one attempt but Craig’s single is persistent, and Rua gives up his back in a scramble. Craig aims for a rear-naked choke, and when Rua powers out of it, Craig aims for a bulldog choke, but that too is not successful as Rua stands up. “Shogun” is bullied against the fence while Craig goes after another takedown, and Craig transitions into a low single that he manages to secure. Rua gets flattened out as Craig starts pounding on him, and the end could be near as he keeps getting clubbed on the side of his head. Craig keeps blasting Rua until the legend taps out to punches, ending the contest and forcing Dean to step in. Craig records what is easily the biggest win of his career, not only finishing the longtime vet, but forcing his surrender to strikes.

The Official Result

Paul Craig def. Mauricio Rua R2 3:36 via TKO (Submission to Punches)

Katlyn Chookagian (125.75) vs. Cynthia Calvillo (124.5)

Round 1

In a potential title eliminator match depending on the victor, former women’s flyweight challenger Chookagian (14-4, 7-4 UFC) looks to hold the line against former strawweight Calvillo (9-1-1, 6-1-1 UFC). The Octagon ranger for this interesting style vs. style matchup is referee Mark Smith, and a touch of gloves checks us in. Calvillo lands a leg kick first, and Chookagian sets up her jab early. Both women land left hands one after the other, and Chookagian gets off a push kick to the knee. Calvillo ducks down and Chookagian targets punches while Calvillo is bent over, but nothing lands of merit. Calvillo punches her way into a takedown, and Chookagian goes down but gets right back up. Chookagian flicks out a jab to keep Calvillo at bay, and she scores a left hand when Calvillo bears down on her. Chookagian sneaks in a left hand, and she fires off a one-two to the body before aiming a standing backfist at her foe’s head. Chookagian lands long punches at range, and Calvillo cannot reach her back. When Calvillo crashes in towards her, Chookagian catches her with a left hook. Calvillo again blitzes forward, and Chookagian welcomes her with a left hand. Calvillo kicks the leg and shoots low for a takedown, but Chookagian sprawls to stuff it with relative ease. When both get back to their feet, Calvillo loops a right hand over Chookagian’s guard. Chookagian scores a combination of punches when Calvillo advances, and a front kick further pushes Calvillo away. Chookagian peppers her foe with long punches and body kicks, and Calvillo cannot quite find her range. Calvillo scores a big left hand at the end of a blitz, and she tries to trip Chookagian down after landing it but is rebuffed. A left-right from Calvillo connects on the chin, and Chookagian eats them without issue before scoring a hard left hook of her own. One of the strikes from Chookagian has opened up the nose of her opponent, and she keeps her distance with strikes and the occasional push kick until the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

The same strategy from the previous round finds success for Chookagian, as she lands strikes from afar before Calvillo can close the distance. Calvillo lands at the end of a right hand, but Chookagian is quick to make her pay with longer strikes. Chookagian sticks her opponent with jabs while Calvillo rushes in, but Calvillo is able to score a left hand along the way. Chookagian sits down on a right hand and Calvillo has to take a moment to rest. Calvillo leaps forward with a left hand, and Chookagian keeps jabbing and starts marking up Calvillo’s face. Chookagian jabs and moves, walking through a leg kick to land two more. Calvillo cracks her with a left hook, but she cannot follow it as Chookagian jabs and kiais. Chookagian stings her with a one-two, and backs out of the way when Calvillo loads up on a power punch. Chookagian blocks a head kick, blocks a second, and slaps a leg kick home. Chookagian attempts another pair of standing backfists when Calvillo rushes in, and she interrupts the blitz with sharp jabs. Chookagian spins with a back fist, and her opponent blocks it, so Chookagian scores three quick punches on the way out. Three more accurate punches glance off Calvillo’s face, and Calvillo waves her on but Chookagian stays at her preferred distance landing strikes until the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

The glove touch checks in the final round, and like the past rounds, Chookagian is on her bike landing jabs. Calvillo comes at her with looping punches, and Chookagian dances out of the way to counter her. Chookagian introduces her fist to Calvillo’s face several more times, and Calvillo backs up to slam her shin into Chookagian’s midsection. Chookagian paws out her jab when Calvillo wades forward, although Calvillo does stick her at the end of a left hand. Chookagian lets loose a head kick, and it clatters off the guard as she dances away from a counter strike that goes well past her. “Blonde Fighter” stings Calvillo with a sharp one-two, and she backs away as Calvillo throws a spinning wheel kick that is feet away of her intended target. Chookagian scores another one-two when Calvillo walks forward, and she backs off when a head kick comes at her. Calvillo comes forward with a body kick, and she evades three punches that whiz by her face. Calvillo throws a kick that gets caught, and Chookagian tosses her to the ground but does not follow her down. As Calvillo stands up, Chookagian kicks her in the body. Chookagian steps in with a knee to the body, and Calvillo tries to take the fight down but cannot get her there. Chookagian plays the matador as Calvillo’s punches blow by her, and she fires off a one-two that bounces off Calvillo’s gloves. When Chookagian comes in for a one-two, Calvillo grabs her, tries to toss her into the cage, and knees the body. Calvillo stings Chookagian with a one-two, and Chookagian replies with a strike that bloodies the nose up further. Chookagian flies in the air with a jumping kick, but it is off the mark as the fight is now over. Scorecards might not be uniform for this flyweight fight.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Katlyn Chookagian def. Cynthia Calvillo via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Tim Means (171) vs. Mike Perry (175.5: Missed Weight)

Round 1

Action is on the table for this catchweight contest, as the polarizing “Platinum” Perry (14-6, 7-6 UFC) comes back to the cage against “The Dirty Bird” Means (30-12-1, 1 NC; 12-9, 1 NC UFC). The third man inside the Octagon is referee Marc Goddard, who notices that there is no glove touch ahead of the 175.5-pound catchweight affair – Perry missed weight badly, and then dabbed. Perry comes out swinging and misses as Means ducks out of the way. Means lands a leg kick and avoids a counter right hand. Means sticks Perry with a few jabs as “Platinum” crashes forward into the clinch before hitting a body lock takedown. Perry picks him up in guard and slams him down, and Means keeps an offensive guard with elbows off his back while Perry tries to pass. Perry takes Means’ back in a scramble, and he has both of his hooks in and attacks the neck. Perry switches briefly to a body triangle as Means tries to defend the position, and Perry goes after a rear-naked choke and squeezes his forearm around Means’ face. Perry switches hands and goes palm-to-palm with what appears more to be a face crank than a choke attempt. Perry considers a choke but Means flips him over, and both men stand back up. Means jabs the body and knees Perry in the face, and ducks the power punch that comes at him. Perry scores a leg kick, and Means crashes forward to clinch up and get a knee up the middle. Means pops Perry in the face with a piston-like jab, and Perry digs to the body with a loud shot. Means backs off, only to come in and knee Perry to the chest again. Perry loads up on a right hook, and Means blocks it and scores a left hand. Means connects with several punches and a few kicks to the body, and his jabs are scoring effectively. Perry lands a pair of kicks and the horn blares to end this close round.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Means checks a leg kick as he strides towards Perry, and he starts flicking out his jab and scores a left and a right. Means picks away at Perry with straight punches, touching and moving while Perry loads up on counter shots. Perry crashes forward into the clinch, and Means knees him on the way in. Perry fires off a head kick that glances of Means’ head, and when they clinch up after, Perry tries to land strikes in the clinch but gets shoved away. Means kicks the leg and scores another few jabs before Perry lets loose a front kick. Means ducks the big looping punch and dings Perry with an uppercut. Means pops out the jab and disrupts Perry’s movement and aggression. When Perry kicks the knee, Means jabs him a few times but eats a punch to the body. Means catches Perry’s punch and gives him one back. After a hard leg kick, Perry cracks “The Dirty Bird” with an overhand right that puts Means on rubber legs. Perry chases him down to try to finish the job, but Means stays composed and gets out of danger. Means resets, and he elbows Perry in the face and boots him in the head. Perry’s chin is unconcerned, as he slams a leg kick home. Means drills a knee into Perry’s chest, and tosses Perry out of the way when Perry runs forward. Means ducks a looping punch and clinches up, and Perry keeps swinging but missing. Means cracks Perry with an elbow and causes some blood to flow, and the two tee off on one another. Means triples up on his jab when Perry wades forward with his hands down, and Perry reaches out with his own jab but is not able to connect. Means lands a body kick and one last jab until the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

Both men start off with kicks, and Means lands two low kicks until Perry comes forward to clinch up and take the fight down. Perry trips the leg and nearly pulls Means down, but “The Dirty Bird” fights off the bad position and snaps Perry’s head back with a left hand. Means lets loose some blazing punches, and Perry is backed up to the fence and eating powerful shots. When Perry walks carelessly into the fire, Means greets him with an uppercut that stands Perry up. Perry gets his wind and starts landing some strikes on Means, but Means is sitting down on his punches more now and forcing Perry to back away. Means swings and misses with a kick, and he slips and rips Perry. The two go strike for strike, and Means finds Perry’s chin with some nasty punches. Perry scores his own, and the two are brawling in a phone booth. This is absolutely wild, and they are not letting up as they keep blasting each other in the face. Means changes things up to shoot in for a takedown from afar, and although he is nowhere near landing it, he does push Perry back and make him defensive. Means lands a right hand on the break, and a knee followed by two punches have busted up Perry. Perry steps in with a right hand, and he ducks a pair of shots that come back at him. Means stays sharp with a right hand as Perry swings wild, and Perry scores a one-two that makes Means take a back step. Means elbows him in the face, and Perry cracks him with punches and barely misses with a knee. Means sticks and moves, landing leg kicks and jabs while Perry scores the occasional but much harder punch. Means lands to the body, and one final bloody brawl ends the fight in insane fashion.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Tim Means def. Mike Perry via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

UFC Women's Flyweight Title Fight:
Valentina Shevchenko (124.5) vs. Jennifer Maia (124.5)

Round 1

The first of two flyweight title fights is on now, as Shevchenko (19-3, 8-2 UFC) attempts to keep an iron grip on her throne as an unbelievable -1500 to -2000 favorite against powerful Brazilian Maia (18-6-1, 3-2 UFC). The assignment for this first championship bout goes to referee Herb Dean, and two women do not touch gloves before trying to take one another’s head off. Shevchenko starts off with a few kicks to the body, and Maia ignores them as she lands a left hand. Shevchenko counters with a stiff right hand, and she eats a right hand but hits a head lock takedown to get into Maia’s guard in under 30 seconds. Shevchenko stays in her opponent’s guard, landing a few short punches but otherwise stalling out the match. Maia tries to keep Shevchenko tied down so that the referee stands them up, as there is nothing going on in this position. Shevchenko sits up and hacks down with an elbow, and the action once more results in a stalemate. The champ starts putting strikes together to stave off potential referee intervention, and Maia can do nothing but hold on for dear life. Maia tries to get off an elbow on her back, but Shevchenko’s are much more effective even if they are few and far between. Shevchenko goes body to head with punches, and Maia locks her legs up with a body triangle before letting it go to change the position. Maia keeps this position tight, and Shevchenko cannot get many more strikes off until the horn ends this grueling round.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Shevchenko’s first strike of the round is a spinning back kick that bounces off Maia’s midsection, and she transitions this into a head and arm throw. The Brazilian does not allow herself to be grounded this time, as she stands up, knees Shevchenko in the body and presses the champ against the cage. Maia has now stalled out this round, keeping Shevchenko pinned to the fence as she delivers slow knees every so often. Shevchenko makes to fight her way out, and she turns the position around to knee Maia in the head, but the Brazilian twists her around and pushes her back to the fence. The challenger keeps her pressed to the cage, but she does not land much of import and even takes a knee in the face keeping Shevchenko there. Maia uses the body lock to stop Shevchenko from taking the fight down, and lands her own takedown on the champ. Maia keeps her foe pressed to the cage, she grinds on Shevchenko while landing occasional strikes and pulling Shevchenko away from the wall and down to her back. Maia keeps Shevchenko on her back as the champ scrambles, and Shevchenko throws her legs up to hunt for an armbar but the Brazilian is wise to it and steps through hit. Maia lands a few punches to the body, and she postures up to land a punch or two. Shevchenko fights off her back with elbows, and Maia embraces the grind until the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

Maia comes out amped up from her corner, and Shevchenko sticks her with a left hand and moves away. Shevchenko clocks her again and dances out of the way, as Maia plods towards her. Maia takes a punch and gives Shevchenko two back, and the champ plants a jab on Maia’s face. The challenger comes forward to attack, and Shevchenko clinches her up but get pressed to the cage like the last round. Shevchenko fights her way out of the clinch and lands a couple strikes on the break, and Shevchenko slings a head kick that bounces off Maia’s head. Maia bites down on her mouthpiece after eating a one-two from the champ, and she comes throwing right back. Shevchenko misses with a left hand, scores one, and the two come together and test one another’s takedown skills. Shevchenko out powers the powerful Maia and throws her down, where she advances to half guard and frees her right hand to try to get off some strikes. Shevchenko holds her down and considers an arm-triangle choke from above, but Maia sweeps her to sit up and stand back up. Shevchenko drills her in the chest with a knee on the way up, and Maia takes it and mashes Shevchenko’s back against the fence. Maia considers an inside trip takedown, but when Shevchenko thwarts it, she knees the champ in the face. When the 10-second clapper sounds, Shevchenko throws Maia to the ground and ends the third frame on top.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 4

Maia walks right into a huge left hand in the opening seconds, and she seems unfazed but gets kicked in the leg. Shevchenko kicks her again and darts out of the way from a counter. The champ gets off a one-two, and Maia is able to successfully land a counter. Shevchenko steps in with a left, walks through the strike and catches Maia on the way out with a right. Maia clips Shevchenko with a left hook, and Shevchenko is surprised when she eats a hard right hand that follows. The champ does not want to keep taking these shots, so she pushes in and tosses Maia to her back. “Bullet” lands in side control, but Maia drags her back to half guard as Dean calls for Shevchenko to work. Shevchenko lands a punch here and there, and Maia keeps an iron grip on the back of Shevchenko’s neck to keep her trapped. Shevchenko lands some short punches as Dean considers standing them up, and he calls for action again and Shevchenko drops down a shoulder strike. Shevchenko goes to the body and the head with punches, and when Maia twists and turns, Shevchenko hops over to take Maia’s back. Maia keeps turning through it and returns to the half guard position, where Shevchenko continues to pepper her from above with short punches. Dean once more implores Shevchenko to keep working, as she stays in this heavy half guard position landing occasional punches. The champ flirts with an arm-triangle choke, and just rides the round out in this same position.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 5

Maia walks forward knowing she is down on the scorecards – her corner told her this – and she eats a few jabs before crashing in to take the fight down. Shevchenko defends with a few crisp knee strikes, and she turns Maia about before slashing at her foe with an elbow. Shevchenko gets off a few punches and a body kick, and Maia comes right back at her with a right hook. Shevchenko kicks the body and bull-rushes Maia with a barrage of strikes, but the Brazilian snags her on the way in and clinches her up to push her against the fence again. Shevchenko bucks to try to get free, and Maia will not allow her any space until she attempts to throw Shevchenko down. Shevchenko gets to her knees and is able to stop it from successfully getting her down, and she stands back up to the clinch, where Maia holds on tight. The champ snaps out a power left hand, and a right hand or a strike in a combination appears to have smashed up Maia’s nose. The challenger is bloodied up but is still throwing counters when Shevchenko comes at her. “Bullet” whips high a kick, and Maia deflects it, presses in and hunts for a takedown. Shevchenko quickly turns her around, and pulls Maia’s head down into an elbow. Shevchenko digs her shin to Maia’s liver, and she follows it with a big left hand. Maia flicks a foot up to graze the nose of her opponent, and she scores a left hook while Shevchenko blitzes her. Although Shevchenko is able to land a few strikes coming in, Maia can absorb them and counter with thudding right hands. Maia walks through a spinning back fist as she is ready to bang, but instead of a final brawl, she jams Shevchenko into the cage as the final bell rings throughout the arena. Barring a severe miscarriage of justice, the champion should retain, and the two Shevchenkos will become the first pair of sisters to appear on a UFC card together – and both win.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Shevchenko (49-46 Shevchenko)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Shevchenko (49-46 Shevchenko)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Shevchenko (49-46 Shevchenko)

The Official Result

Valentina Shevchenko def. Jennifer Maia via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)

UFC Flyweight Title Fight:
Deiveson Figueiredo (125) vs. Alex Perez (124.5)

Round 1

After a long journey, we have arrived to the main event of UFC 255. A flyweight championship bout tops this card, as “Deus da Guerra” Figueiredo (19-1, 8-1 UFC) aims to record his first defense against the first fighter from Dana White’s Contender Series to ever get a UFC title shot in Perez (24-5, 6-1 UFC). Keeping this headliner on the up-and-up is referee Marc Goddard, and the glove touch precedes the final action for the evening. Hang on tight. Perez begins with a whiffing body kick, and Figueiredo misses with one of his own. Figueiredo slaps the body with a kick, and Perez charges in with punches but just misses. Figueiredo circles away to avoid a few shots, and Figueiredo kicks again to the body. Figueiredo lands a punch that may have hurt Perez’ eye, and he smells blood and attacks. The champ targets the body, and Perez kicks to the leg and then the body heavily. Perez ducks under a looping right hand and pursues a takedown, but Figueiredo keeps upright by hopping around and grabbing the fence. Goddard slaps his hand away, and Figueiredo falls over and attacks a leg lock. Perez twists through it and climbs down into his opponent’s full, closed guard. “Deus da Guerra” snatches up a guillotine choke and squeezes with everything he has. Perez gets to one knee as the Brazilian uses a vice-like grip to crush his opponent, and before Perez can stand or pop his head out, he is forced to surrender. In no time at all, Figueiredo defends his title against a tough challenger, and did so with style points. The champ has now finished his opponent in each of his last four victories, and may have tied the division’s all-time finish record in the process. In victory, Figueiredo says he is ready for Moreno, who won earlier tonight, and asks that UFC President Dana White makes it happen. With this event concluding with a pair of 125-pound title fights in the books, we will see you next week for an ESPN2 card topped off by a heavyweight rumble.

The Official Result

Deiveson Figueiredo def. Alex Perez R1 1:57 via Submission (Guillotine Choke)