UFC 297 ‘Strickland vs. Du Plessis’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Jimmy Flick (126) vs. Malcolm Gordon (127.5: Missed Weight)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gordon (-130), Flick (+110)

Round 1

Gordon goes right at Flick immediately, swinging with both hands and backing him into the fence. Flick tries a headlock throw but Gordon takes his back standing, hoisting him and dumping him to the canvas, where he sets up in Flick’s guards. Flick closes his guard as Gordon postures up and throws big punches, then sneaks his hips up for a triangle choke attempt. Gordon tries to defend while continuing to throw punches at the body. Two minutes in, the pace finally slows a bit as Gordon works to keep Flick from locking the choke up tight. Gordon extricates his head and arm from the triangle and throws more punches. Flick scoots to the fence and uses one butterfly hook to create some space, then sticks Gordon into half guard. Gordon responds with more punches from top position. Flick tries a hip escape, but Gordon floats and keeps the position. A minute left in the round and Gordon is still on top, throwing punches. Flick tries to stand and Gordon grabs a mounted guillotine. Gordon rolls to his back, and Flick wraps up a possible shoulder choke. He can’t finish, and the round ends in that position.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Gordon
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Gordon
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-8 Gordon

Round 2

Both men are in orthodox stance to open Round 2 and Gordon comes right forward again, clocking Flick with big hooks from both hands. He flurries, catching Flick with several more strikes, before Flick times a single-leg perfectly, dragging the Canadian to the canvas. Flick takes the back, then as Gordon twists, cinches up an arm-triangle choke. Flick takes top position, bears down on the choke, and the tap comes in seconds. Impressive ground work from Jimmy Flick.

The Official Result

Jimmy Flick def. Malcolm Gordon R2 1:17 via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke)

Priscila Cachoeira (133.5) vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius (133)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Jasudavicius (-395), Cachoeira (+310)

Round 1

Jasudavicius will look to get the host country in the win column against Brazil’s Cachoeira, in a fight that was moved from 125 to 135 pounds apparently at Cachoeira's request. Referee Matt Rocca is the third person in the cage. The ersatz bantamweights set up in matching orthodox stances, and after a moment of cautious feeling-out, Cachoeira lands a sweeping hook. Jasudavicius steps in and takes Cachoeira down easily, dumping her onto her back near the fence. Jasudavicius sets up in the Brazilian’s half guard and rains down hammerfists from above. Cachoeira turns to the side and Jasudavicius takes the back with a single hook, then flattens her out with both hooks. Jasudavicius throws big punches to the head from back mount as the referee looks on closely. Cachoeira turns to her back, giving up full mount. Jasudavicius keeps throwing punches. Cachoeira manages to block a few with her arms, but most are getting through with varying degrees of impact. Ninety seconds left and Jasudavicius is in total control, thrashing the Brazilian with both hands. Cachoeira doesn’t even seem to be doing anything to escape the position, though she traps the left hand of Jasudavicius with her right arm, briefly slowing the assault. In the final 30 seconds, the pace slows, but Cachoeira remains flat on her back with Jasudavicius in full mount, throwing punches. The horn sounds on as one-sided a full round as you’ll see all year.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-8 Jasudavicius
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Jasudavicius
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-8 Jasudavicius

Round 2

Cachoeira, apparently not having learned her lesson, charges straight at Jasudavicius to open Round 2. Cachoeira lands a low kick and gets countered over the top with a right hand that drops her in the middle of the Octagon. Jasudavicius dives into half guard and resumes raining down punches and elbows. Jasudavicius moves to side control, then to mount, while keeping Cachoeira on the defensive with a steady stream of ground-and-pound. Cachoeira locks her arms behind Jasudavicius’ back, trying to control her posture, and Jasudavicius slides to side control, then places a knee on the belly of Cachoeira. Halfway into the round, Jasudavicius locks up a brabo choke from top position. Cachoeira’s hand hovers, appearing on the point of tapping, but she survives. Jasudavicius adjusts her position and attacks with the choke again. It looks very tight, but there is no tap forthcoming. Sixty seconds to go and Jasudavicius releases the choke, takes mount and goes right back to dropping elbows. Cachoeira is in survival mode, weakly trying to block the offense coming from the pissed-off Canadian. The horn sounds and we have a “Beatdown of the Year” candidate in the works here, folks.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-8 Jasudavicius
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Jasudavicius
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-8 Jasudavicius

Round 3

Cachoeira flicks out the jab once, twice. She changes stance and lands a left hand. Jasudavicius tries a double-leg takedown but Cachoeira manages to stay upright. Jasudavicius comes forward for another takedown and is met with a right hand that knocks her down off-balance. Cachoeira’s hands are at her waist, but she is landing punches and has thus far fought off both of Jasudavicius’ takedown attempts. Third time is the charm, however, as Jasudavicius hauls her down on her third try and moves instantly to side control, then to a mounted crucifix, there she begins dropping leather. Jasudavicius pivots to almost a north-south position, near to an inverted choke setup, but gives it up and goes back to dropping punches and elbows from top position. A minute left and Jasudavicius is basically sitting on Cachoeira’s head, knocking the cashews out of her with body punches. Out of nowhere, Jasudavicius slaps on a modified, mounted guillotine choke and cranks. The tap comes in seconds, capping off 14 minutes of one-way traffic. Wow.

The Official Result

Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Priscila Cachoeira R3 4:21 via Submission (Anaconda Choke)

Yohan Lainesse (170.75) vs. Sam Patterson (169.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Lainesse (-155), Patterson (+130)

Round 1

Lainesse prepares to welcome ex-lightweight Patterson to the big boys’ table, with referee Brian Beauchamp set to oversee the proceedings. Both men are in orthodox stance to kick things off. Patterson, despite the move in weight, is the taller, rangier fighter. Patterson reaches out with a long jab, then throws it again. Lainesse is stepping in and countering over top of the Englishman’s jab, and landing with greater impact. Lainesse shoves Patterson to the fence and tries to change levels. Patterson uses a front headlock to control the position, and as they go to the canvas, he slides around to the back. Patterson wraps up Lainesse’s neck and cinches up the rear-naked choke. Lainesse grimaces, reddens and taps. Very slick grappling from the Brit, ending in a figurative mata leao. Hey! Tip your servers; we'll be here all night.

The Official Result

Sam Patterson def. Yohan Lainesse R1 2:03 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

Gillian Robertson (115.75) vs. Polyana Viana (115.75)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Robertson (-230), Viana (+190)

Round 1

Strawweight grapplers are up next, with Robertson trying to even things up at 2-2 for Team Canada against her Brazilian counterpart. The referee is Kevin Macdonald. Both women are in orthodox stance, and Viana is the first to land, sticking Robertson with a long jab. They exchange jabs and Viana punctuates with a body kick. Robertson times a nice single-leg and hauls Viana down with ease. Robertson is on top in Viana’s half guard, leaning across her body and elbowing the ribs. Viana locks down the left leg and Robertson works for a straight armlock on the far arm. Robertson gives up on the arm attack and goes heavy on top, working to pass her guard as she does. Robertson throws two elbow strikes and slides right into mount. A couple more elbow strikes and Viana turns to the side. Robertson applies an arm-triangle choke and tries to move out to the side to finish. Viana manages to regain guard, but gives up her back a moment later. A minute to go in the round and Robertson is in back mount. She goes supine, rolls Viana on top of her, and Viana gives up mount. Robertson peels off for an armbar. It’s locked in and close to danger territory, but Viana extricates her arm and escapes. They return to their feet at the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Robertson
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Robertson
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Robertson

Round 2

Viana lands a low kick and slips the counter coming back her way. Viana tags Robertson with a straight right, then another, both of which glance off the guard. Robertson steps in, grabs a single-leg and gets another effortless takedown. She moves quickly to mount and Viana turns her back. Robertson is on top, drops an elbow and is in position to look for a choke if the opportunity presents itself. Robertson throws several hard punches that bounce off the forearm but still rattle the Brazilian’s head. Robertson is all over Viana at the halfway point of the round, landing ground-and-pound. She keeps pouring it on and after 10 or more solid blows with no reaction from the turtled Viana, Macdonald steps in for the stoppage.

The Official Result

Gillian Robertson def. Polyana Viana R2 3:12 via TKO (Punches)

Serhiy Sidey (135) vs. Ramon Taveras (139.75: Missed Weight)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Sidey (-185), Taveras (+154)

Round 1

This odd rematch of a “TUF” bout marred by an early stoppage took another turn when Taveras missed weight badly on Friday, but they plan to settle their unfinished business, nonetheless. Third man in the cage, charged with making sure things don’t get any weirder, is referee Todd Anderson. Taveras is southpaw, Sidey orthodox to kick things off. Taveras switches stances freely, however, and there are several awkward clashes in space where neither man lands solidly. Sidey walks Taveras to the fence and clinches, looking perhaps for a takedown, but they disengage. Sidey catches Taveras with a short left hook, then a nice right hand. Taveras tags Sidey with a right outside leg kick and Sidey responds with a right hand that has him stumbling back off balance. Sidey throws a straight kick up the middle, backing Taveras up, and Taveras nails him with a left to the body that drops him to his seat. He pops right back up. Two minutes left and Sidey marches forward. Taveras lands another hard left to the body. Sidey is coming forward constantly, but Taveras’ stance switches and lateral movement are giving him trouble. Sidey lands a big low kick that spins Taveras halfway around. Taveras springs forward with a three-punch combo that has Sidey backing off. Taveras rocks Sidey badly with a sweeping left hand right before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Taveras
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Taveras
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Taveras

Round 2

The two waste no time in getting back to work, and both men land hard shots in the opening seconds. Sidey changes levels for a takedown, and Taveras sprawls easily. Sidey marches down his foe and lands a big shot that sends him back to the fence. He tries to swarm with more punches, but Taveras is already recovered and sliding out the side. Taveras drops Sidey with a clean one-two. Sidey scrambles to his feet and backs away before Taveras can add more damage, but Sidey is suddenly a mess, blood all over his face and hair. His nose is smashed. Sidey nails Taveras with a right hand, but Taveras escapes the left. Sidey corrals Taveras against the fence with a kick and tags him with a body punch. Taveras escapes again. Sidey lands another body kick, then a punch upstairs that rings the American’s bell. Taveras careens back to the fence but recovers instantly. Taveras is using lateral movement to evade Sidey’s haymakers, as he throws everything into every shot. The horn sounds on a fantastic round of striking.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Sidey
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sidey
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Sidey

Round 3

It's still anyone’s fight, on our scorecards at least, and the fighters are fighting like it, as they once again get right to business. Sidey reaches out with the jab and right cross as Taveras looks to counter with hooks. Sidey throws a high kick that bounces off Taveras’ shoulder. Taveras comes back with a three-piece combination that lands cleanly. Taveras throws a crisp body kick to the open left side. Sidey fires off a head kick that just misses short. Sidey comes forward with a pair of punches and slips the delayed counter. Sidey once again backs Taveras up to the fence and once again lets him escape out the side. A hard jab from Taveras dislodges the mouthpiece of Sidey at the midpoint of the round. Sidey replaces his gear and lands a nice right body kick. Sidey backs Taveras into the fence and launches a flying knee that lands on the chin, though without too much force. Under a minute to go in the fight, and Sidey is still pressing forward, landing shots but never quite corralling the shorter man. The horn sounds on the best fight of the evening so far.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Sidey (29-28 Sidey)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sidey (29-28 Sidey)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Sidey (29-28 Sidey)

The Official Result

Ramon Taveras def. Serhiy Sidey via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Charles Jourdain (145.5) vs. Sean Woodson (145.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Jourdain (-190), Woodson (+145)

Round 1

It’s a likely firefight at featherweight as Jourdain and Woodson take to the cage, with Jerin Valel there to make sure things stay nice and clean. Jourdain immediately goes for a head kick, perhaps to give the tallest man in the division something to think about. Woodson switches stances constantly in the opening moments, sticking out a fast, long jab from both sides. A minute and a half in, neither man has committed to much in the way of full-speed power shots. Woodson catches Jourdain cleanly with a straight from each side. Jourdain comes in with a low stance, shoulder-rolling, but can’t get off any punches before he is forced to retreat. Jourdain lands a hard leg kick, then a solid punch upstairs. Woodson goes southpaw and snaps Jourdain’s head back with a right straight. Jourdain moves in and tries to corner Woodson against the fence, but Woodson puts his hands on his foe and pushes him aside as he slides out of the pocket. Jourdain steps in and runs right into an intercepting knee from Woodson. Jourdain lands a slapping spin kick at the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Woodson

Round 2

Jourdain wades forward behind a trio of punches but Woodson steps back, evades and lands a clean counter on the end of it. Jourdain comes in with another combo that clatters off the guard of the taller man. Woodson lands an outside leg kick. Jourdain responds with one of his own a second later. Two minutes in, Woodson is beginning to flow, waving his hands and switching stances before launching long single punches. Jourdain drops for a single-leg and gets it, but can’t finish the takedown even after running Woodson to the fence. They end up in a stalemate, with Jourdain trying to hoist the leg as Woodson counters with an overhook. They disengage and Jourdain lands a glancing spinning strike on the break. Jourdain is back to stalking, but continues to have trouble getting inside against the lanky boxer. Jourdain drops for another takedown attempt, getting onto Woodson’s hips and driving him into the fence. Woodson defends calmly, and Jourdain gives it up, launching another spin kick in an attempt to surprise Woodson on the break. Jourdain lands a head kick right before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Woodson

Round 3

Woodson stands his ground as Jourdain advances, tagging him with a couple of glancing short punches, before circling out. Jourdain, looking perhaps to change things up, rushes forward with a flurry of hooks, then throws a spinning back elbow that comes up short. They collide and clinch, and it’s Woodson who ends up on Jourdain’s back standing against the fence. Jourdain hits him with a hard shot on the break, then immediately pursues and charges forward. He’s landing more, his relentless forward pressure clearly making Woodson uncomfortable. At the midpoint of the round, Woodson is back on the outside, and he counters a kick with a long uppercut to the body. Jourdain throws a spinning back kick, then another, but he’s out of range both times. He throws a third, with similar lack of success. Woodson hits his man with a body punch. Jourdain grabs a snatch single-leg, but cannot finish, and the takedown shutout by Woodson continues. With 45 seconds to go, Jourdain is throwing haymakers and spinning attacks, looking for a moment of fight-changing offense. Woodson goes for a reactive takedown and Jourdain grabs a guillotine, falling to his back and closing his guard as he does so. The choke is tight but time is short, but Woodson pops his head out at the 10-second clapper and is throwing punches from top position at the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Woodson (30-27 Woodson)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain (29-28 Woodson)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Woodson (30-27 Woodson)

The Official Result

Sean Woodson def. Charles Jourdain via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Garrett Armfield (135.25) vs. Brad Katona (136)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Katona (-198), Armfield (+164)

Round 1

The top prelim at UFC 297 has plenty to live up to, as the first six attractions of the evening have all been either eye-popping finishes or entertaining scraps. Katona and Armfield will look to cap off a very entertaining undercard, with Kevin Macdonald drawing the final referee assignment. Both men are in motion right away, bouncing and feinting in orthodox stance. Armfield throws a one-two, which Katona parries and counters with a right hand. Both fighters are heavily reliant on their basic boxing combinations in the early going, punctuated with the occasional body kick. One such kick strays low for Katona, glancing off of Armfield’s cup. Macdonald gives a quick warning without breaking the action. A moment later, Katona lands another low blow, this one ringing loudly in the Scotiabank Arena. Armfield doubles over in pain and Macdonald gives Katona the dreaded “hard warning.” Despite being advised that he has five minutes to recover, Armfield wants back into the action in 45 seconds, and they are right back to swinging in the phonebooth. Katona tries a body lock but can’t move Armfield. He meets Armfield’s next advance with a good knee up the middle. They clinch and Katona drives Armfield to the fence with a body lock, then takes his back standing. Armfield bends down and lets Katona slip over the top, but Katona stays stuck to him. They finish the round against the fence, Katona still on Armfield’s back.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Katona
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Armfield
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Katona

Round 2

Armfield advances and slips a huge left hook coming back his way from Katona. Armfield steps in and lands a straight left, then a hard right cross. Katona keeps throwing the check left hook, coming up short each time but drawing reactions from Armfield. Katona changes levels for a takedown but Armfield is all over it. Katona catches Armfield with a clean pair of punches as he exits the pocket. They collide in the pocket once again, with both men landing hard shots. Katona wades in and lands two hooks to the body, then exits cleanly. Armfield stops Katona’s advance with a pair of jabs to the chest, then catches him coming back in with a right hand. Armfield goes upstairs with a high kick that glances off the Canadian’s dome. Under a minute to go in the round, Katona steps in and lands a nice lead left. Katona drops for a double-leg at the 30-second mark, putting him on his seat near the fence. Armfield pops right back up, but Katona stays on him and is kneeing him against the cage at the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Armfield
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Armfield
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Armfield

Round 3

The final round begins, as the first two did, with the bantamweights trading punches in close range in the middle of the cage. Katona lands one of the lead left hands he has been throwing for the whole fight, making solid contact. Katona changes levels for a double-leg and downs Armfield, his first quality takedown of the fight. Armfield squirms and escapes before Katona can secure the position, but Katona follows him to the fence, where he drops for a double-leg and locks his hands. He tries to elevate Armfield to complete the takedown but can’t get it, and Armfield escapes and steps away. Katona steps into range and Armfield catches him with a punch combination. Katona lands a hard punch of his own, then shoots for another takedown and gets it. He sets up in Armfield’s guard, but Armfield’s hips are active and he escapes after taking a few punches. Katona again sticks to his man, clinching against the cage and looking to get onto his hips. Armfield shucks him off and they reset in the middle of the cage. Armfield shoots a takedown of his own and gets Katona down, but Katona sweeps to top position and they both stand. The horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Katona (29-28 Katona)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Katona (29-28 Armfield)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Katona (29-28 Katona)

The Official Result

Garrett Armfield def. Brad Katona via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Arnold Allen (145.5) vs. Movsar Evloev (145.75)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Evloev (-180), Allen (+150)

Round 1

The five-fight main card of UFC 297 is not playing around, as we kick things off with Top 10 featherweights Allen and Evloev. This fight will have a direct impact on the 145-pound title picture, and as a couple of the best fighters under 30 in the division, it’s entirely possible that these two will meet again sometime in the next few years with a belt on the line. Allen, the Brit but longtime Tristar Gym exponent, gets the adoptive native pop from the crowd. Marc Goddard is the third man in the cage. They go right to work, Allen southpaw, Evloev orthodox. Evloev lands a right body kick to the open side. He goes upstairs with a kick next, but Allen evades it easily. Allen’s right jab and hand fighting are on point early, giving Evloev trouble getting his left hand working. Evloev comes forward and runs into a body punch from Allen. Allen gives chase and lands another left to the body. Evloev changes levels and grabs a single-leg, briefly getting Allen to the ground, but they pop back up with Evloev still holding the leg. Allen escapes a moment later and they return to the middle to the cage. With two minutes to go, Evloev tries another head kick, which glances off the raised arms of Allen. Allen’s jab is a constant presence, but Evloev ducks under one and gets a clean takedown. He can’t secure top position, however, as Allen hits a gorgeous Granby roll and spins to his feet. Evloev re-shoots, hauls him down again, and Allen uses another Granby roll. What a scramble. Evloev follows Allen, takes his back standing and lifts and dumps him on the canvas right before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Evloev
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Evloev
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Evloev

Round 2

Allen’s righty jab is pumping right from the get-go, working to keep Evloev on the outside. Evloev paws out at the hand with his right, trying his own jab. Allen throws a murderous-looking high kick that bounces off the guard of Evloev. Allen throws another high kick, again off of the Russian’s arms, but the cumulative impact to the arms can’t be disregarded at this point. Evloev shoots a single-leg, switches to a double and plows Allen to the ground in the middle of the cage. Allen stands, with Evloev stuck to his back, and goes to the cage. Allen turns toward Evloev, briefly considers a front headlock, but gives it up and uses underhooks to shove Evloev away from his hips. They disengage and move back to the center of the cage, where Evloev meets him with a jumping knee. Allen comes back with another body punch. With under a minute to go, Allen lands another left to the body. Evloev catches him with a right to the chest, then clocks him with a crushing jab that rocks Allen badly. Allen stumbles away, bleeding from a cut under the left eye. Evloev gives chase, but stays measured—or doesn’t realize how badly he has his man hurt. The horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Evloev
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Evloev
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Evloev

Round 3

Between rounds, Allen’s corner more or less tells him he needs a finish, and he comes out aggressively. He backs Evloev up with a flurry of punches, then catches him with a clean, hard three-punch combination. Evloev throws a right cross and tries to shoot a takedown behind it, but Allen is wise to it and steps out of the way, nailing him with a left hand as he does. Evloev changes levels and Allen uses a front headlock to drive him across the cage, throwing knees to the head all along the way. Some of them look as though they might be illegal, as Evloev’s hand is on the canvas intermittently, while Allen tries to elevate him and knee him at the same time. Referee Goddard stops the action, has the cageside doctor examine a cut created by one or more of the knee strikes, and issues a “hard warning” to Allen without taking a point. They go back to work and, with half the round gone, Allen is on the front foot once again. Allen’s jab is there, but Evloev counters him with a kick up the middle. Allen lands another body punch. Evloev shoots right into a front headlock. Allen locks up a ninja choke, then gator rolls to top position. Evloev somehow spins through and ends up on top in north-south, having broken the grip. Another incredible ground sequence from these two standouts. They return to the feet and go careening into the fence, where Evloev is on Allen’s back. Allen throws a nice blind elbow behind him, but can’t land any Hail Marys, and the final horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Allen (29-28 Evloev)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Allen (29-28 Evloev)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Allen (29-28 Evloev)

The Official Result

Movsar Evloev def. Arnold Allen via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Marc-Andre Barriault (184.5) vs. Chris Curtis (185.25)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Curtis (-175), Barriault (+145)

Round 1

Curtis and Barriault, two of the UFC middleweight division’s more surprising success stories over the last couple of years, meet in a main-card clash that is likely to propel one man into the Top 10. Tasked with keeping things legal is referee Todd Anderson. Curtis is southpaw, Barriault orthodox, and Curtis’ right hand is feinting and jabbing immediately. Barriault gives ground, taking his man’s measure, then marches forward. Curtis throws a half-speed low kick. Ninety seconds down and neither man has thrown a power shot. Barriault remedies that with big body kick that Curtis partially blocks. Curtis stalks forward and Barriault meets him with a stiff jab to the chest. Curtis keeps advancing, and Barriault lands another body kick. Barriault throws a second kick to the body, again the right leg to the open side, and while Curtis is catching most of them on his left arm, that can’t feel good either. Barriault goes for a high kick next, but Curtis slips it with head movement. Curtis throws a one-two and takes a kick up the middle in return. He ducks, weaves in and lands a trio of hooks to the body. Curtis lands another pair of punches and takes the counters. The horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Barriault
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Barriault
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Barriault

Round 2

Curtis lands first, a slow jab followed by a crisp left cross. Barriault comes back with a right hand that glances. Barriault lands a body kick up the middle, then a leg kick. Curtis is marching his foe down, but not throwing enough punches, same as in Round 1. He steps up the pace a bit now, landing a couple of right jabs and a left hand. Barriault throws a kick that glances, as Curtis is too far inside, and Curtis replies with a right hand that opens a cut on the bridge of Barriault’s nose. Barriault hits Curtis with a left hand, and they make glancing head contact in the pocket. That may trigger some PTSD in Curtis, whose last two Octagon outings hinged on accidental head butts, and he protests to the referee. No warning is forthcoming, and Curtis goes back to work. Curtis lands a check left hook and parries a couple of punches from Barriault. In the waning seconds, Curtis is throwing punches against Barriault’s shell defense. The crowd is not best pleased as the round expires.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Curtis
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Curtis
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Curtis

Round 3

Round 3 begins much like the first two, though with the volume turned up just a notch. Both men take turns bouncing into range, throwing single strikes or pairs. Curtis plies his jab, while Barriault returns fire with more right kicks to the body. Curtis catches the oncoming Canadian with a solid right hand. Barriault is undeterred, marching in again and socking Curtis with hockey uppercuts. Curtis throws a couple of hard knees up the middle. Barriault tags Curtis with an elbow inside and Curtis responds in kind, leading to an exchange of elbow strikes. In the final minutes, Barriault seems to be asserting himself on the inside, initiating short-range exchanges and landing the more and harder shots. Curtis scores with a good right hand at range. They clinch and Barriault launches a knee up the middle which Curtis evades by leaning back. With 30 seconds left, they meet in the center of the Octagon and engage in a slow-mo replay of Don Frye vs. Yoshihiro Takayama, throwing a stream of uppercuts from the collar tie. The final horn sounds, ending this fight that offered promise, but never quite got out of second gear.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Barriault (29-28 Barriault)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Curtis (29-28 Curtis)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Curtis (29-28 Curtis)

The Official Result

Chris Curtis def. Marc-Andre Barriault via Split Decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)

Neil Magny (170.75) vs. Mike Malott (170.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Malott (-340), Magny (+270)

Round 1

With Malott looking to show he is a Top 15 fighter, and Magny aiming to prove that he can do more than man the velvet rope for that category even at age 36, only one is likely to get his wish. Kevin Macdonald is the referee. Both fighters are in orthodox stance, and Malott lands a front kick to Magny’s lead leg immediately. Magny comes forward behind a high guard and Malott goes back to the lead leg with another push kick. Moments later, he hits Magny with a calf kick to that leg, then another. A strategy appears to be emerging. Malott steps in behind an overhand right, and Magny meets him, grabbing a clinch. Malott immediately shoves him off. Malott surges forward with a pair of big looping hooks. They fall short but succeed in backing Magny straight to the fence. Malott throws a lightning-fast head kick, but Magny just as quickly steps inside and takes the clinch again. Malott drives Magny to the fence and pummels his way out of the position, moving away from the cage and forcing Magny to follow. Malott goes back to the leg kicks, all aimed at the lead left leg of Magny. Malott is now getting Magny to bite on hip feints, indicating the effect the kicks have had so far. Malott lands a glancing low kick at the 10-second clapper, the last offense of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Malott
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Malott
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Malott

Round 2

Magny throws a low kick to open the round, which Malott checks. Magny stalks forward and Malott gives ground, then plants and catches Magny with a clean two-punch combination that stings. Malott lands an inside kick to the lead leg, followed by a body kick on the other side. Magny comes crashing forward, but Malott uses a body lock to take him down, landing in full guard. Magny works to create some space to escape, but Malott more or less lets him up. Malott closes the distance again and uses a body lock and trip to dump the taller man to the floor at the base of the fence. Malott is in a sort of loose half guard, hovering over Magny, and when he dives in with an elbow strike, Magny locks down his right leg. Malott gets a few shots in from half guard, then stands over Magny. Magny throws a upkick and Malott jumps right back onto him, moving to mount. Magny spins to put his feet against the fence, looking to use the cage to bridge and escape, but Malott scoots him away from the cage and stays in mount, throwing methodical, heavy elbows and forearms. Malott isolates Magny’s left arm, perhaps considering a submission, but at the 10-second clapper gives up on it and throws strikes until the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Malott
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Malott
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Malott

Round 3

Malott throws a leg kick and backs Magny up with punches, then changes levels and more or less bowls him over for a fast takedown, landing in mount. Magny wraps his arms around Malott, keeping him from posturing up and doing major damage, then bucks and returns to his feet. Malott follows him across the cage and launches himself at his hips, scoring another easy takedown. Magny gets to full guard, then grapevines the legs, trying to keep Malott from going anywhere. Malott throws some short strikes before standing up out of guard and dives back in, but ends up in full guard again. Magny stands and Malott grabs a guillotine, pulling guard as he does, but Magny pops his head out and ends up on top, where he starts throwing punches with some urgency. Malott is suddenly looking exhausted and Magny is all over him. Malott turns to his side, but otherwise offers no real defense as Magny continues throwing a stream of unblocked punches with both hands. There’s less than 30 seconds left. Referee Macdonald is looking on closely, and as motivated as he might be to avoid any possibility of a quick stoppage, after at least two dozen unanswered blows, he interposes himself for the TKO with just 15 seconds left on the clock. What a comeback by the ageless, indefatigable Neil Magny.

The Official Result

Neil Magny def. Mike Malott R3 4:45 via TKO (Punches)

UFC Women’s Bantamweight Title Fight:
Raquel Pennington (134.8) vs. Mayra Bueno Silva (135)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Bueno Silva (-170), Pennington (+142)

Round 1

The post-Amanda Nunes era at bantamweight truly begins, as eternal contender Pennington and the red-hot Bueno Silva meet to contest the belt vacated last year by the “Lioness,” who in a nice touch by the UFC is in attendance cageside with her family. Canada’s own Jerin Valel draws the referee assignment for this five-round title fight. Both fighters are in orthodox stance to open the fight. Bueno Silva throws a leg kick that glances, and Pennington rushes forward with a flurry of punches, backing the Brazilian up. Bueno Silva touches Pennington’s lead leg with a solid low kick. They engage again, and Pennington grabs hold of Bueno Silva and shoves her to the fence. Bueno Silva clasps her arms as Pennington throws a few short strikes. Bueno Silva breaks the clinch, and lands another hard calf kick. Pennington grabs a single-leg and tries to take Bueno Silva down, but Bueno Silva defends easily. Pennington goes for another quick single moments later, and they move to the fence. Bueno Silva takes Pennington’s back as she drags her to the canvas and quickly locks up a choke. Pennington fights the hands expertly, standing as she does so. Pennington breaks the grip to the point that she feels safe throwing elbow strikes to the thigh of Bueno Silva. Bueno Silva gives up on the choke and briefly loses back control as Pennington scrapes her against the chain-link, but hops back on her back and pulls her to a sitting position against the fence. She throws strikes from seated back control until the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Bueno Silva
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Bueno Silva
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Bueno Silva

Round 2

Pennington comes forward with a triple jab, backing Bueno Silva up and dodging the first calf kick that comes her way. Bueno Silva throws another calf kick, backing Pennington to the fence as she does so, then uses underhooks to keep her there. Pennington throws knee up the middle, then another, and switches her hooks to reverse Bueno Silva against the fence. She lets Bueno Silva off the fence and tags her with three punches as she does so. Bueno Silva comes back with a single counter, but it’s a solid one. Bueno Silva clinches and puts Pennington back on the fence. They exchange knee strikes in close quarters. Bueno Silva tags Pennington with a pair of uppercuts to the body, and Pennington comes back across the top with a big punch to the head that rocks her. They get a little space and Pennington hits her with two more good shots to the head. Bueno Silva is hurt and goes staggering back to the fence. Pennington gives chase but ends up clinching, without enough space to follow up with more big shots. They disengage and fight a running battle all the way back across the cage, where Bueno Silva takes Pennington’s back once again and tries for the rear-naked choke. Pennington calmly defends, but again she is standing with Bueno Silva in back control. Bueno Silva loses the choke moments before the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Pennington
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Pennington
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Pennington

Round 3

Pennington scores first with a long overhand right. Bueno Silva lands two good right low kicks in succession. Pennington clinches and runs Bueno Silva to the fence, where the Brazilian promptly reverses her. Bueno Silva pushes her into the chain-link, looking to move to her back, but Pennington defends well and throws a knee to the body. Pennington takes the outside position. Bueno Silva uses a whizzer kick to toss Pennington to the ground, but Pennington kicks her off and sweeps to stand. Halfway through the round it’s Pennington driving Bueno Silva into the cage. Bueno Silva throws a knee to the body then reverses Pennington into the fence. The two would-be champs spend several long moments exchanging sporadic knees on the inside. Bueno Silva grabs a front headlock and briefly threatens, but Pennington escapes and tosses her to the canvas, ending up on top in half guard with an arm around the neck. Pennington gets up and Bueno Silva stays on the ground, suddenly looking very tired. She seems to want Pennington to go back into her guard, but Pennington is having none of it and Valel waves her up. The round expires a few moments later.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Pennington
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Pennington
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Pennington

Round 4

Pennington steps right in a smashes Bueno Silva with a right overhand. She throws another pair of punches as Bueno Silva comes forward, looking for the clinch. Pennington quickly reverses her against the cage, but elects to stay there, throwing short punches—rather than disengage as her corner is loudly imploring her to do. Bueno Silva moves to try and take Pennington’s back against the cage. Pennington defends for a moment, but Bueno Silva persists and gets the position, then slaps on another rear-naked choke. It isn’t completely under the chin, and Pennington is turning red as she fights it off. She shrugs Bueno Silva partway off her back, but Bueno Silva continues to threaten with the choke even from the side. Finally, Pennington spins all the way into Bueno Silva’s guard at the base of the fence. She throws strikes as Bueno Silva throws her legs up for a possible triangle or armbar, but none of them are enough to really threaten, and Pennington keeps pouring on the punches and hammerfists. At the 30-second mark, Pennington postures up and comes down with a big hammerfist that draws a reaction from the Brazilian. The round ends a moment later, and Bueno Silva is slow to get up.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Pennington
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Pennington
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Pennington

Round 5

Pennington is first off the blocks with a left and right hook. Bueno Silva swings back, advancing as she does so. Pennington seems motivated to deny her the clinch, especially against the cage, but Bueno Silva manages to get her there anyway. Bueno Silva tries for some kind of body lock, but bails on it and goes for a kneebar on her way down. There’s nothing doing there, and Pennington lands on top, sliding to mount as she locks up an arm-triangle choke. Bueno Silva is surviving just fine, as Pennington is in complete control of the position but apparently can’t get enough torque to finish the choke. Pennington moves out to one side without completely surrendering the mount, and Bueno Silva is slowly turning away from her. A minute and a half to go, and Pennington gives up the choke, settling in Bueno Silva’s half guard. Pennington pours on the punches as Bueno Silva clings to her, eyes closed, just hanging on. Valel looks on and Pennington stands out of guard, throwing kicks to the legs of her supine foe. Pennington dives in with a couple of big, but glancing punches right before the final horn. Barring a historically horrible judging gaffe, “Rocky” should be your new UFC women's bantamweight champion in about two minutes here.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-8 Pennington (49-45 Pennington)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Pennington (49-46 Pennington)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Pennington (49-46 Pennington)

The Official Result

Raquel Pennington def. Mayra Bueno Silva via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-45)

UFC Middleweight Title Fight:
Sean Strickland (184.75) vs. Dricus Du Plessis (184)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Strickland (-135), du Plessis (+114)

Round 1

The main event will see Sean Strickland try to make a successful first defense of his title against the surging du Plessis. There appears to be no love lost between these two and considering that the same could be said of both men and Israel Adesanya, who may challenge the winner sometime this year, we can look forward to heavily bleeped-out press conferences for the foreseeable future in this weirdest of all UFC divisions. That’s a matter for later, however. Right now, it’s “Tarzan” vs. “Stillknocks,” with referee Marc Goddard tasked with keeping things…if not civil, at least legal. Both fighters are in orthodox stance. Strickland’s jab is out there immediately, as well as a quick front kick to the midsection. He uses both strikes liberally in the first 45 seconds as du Plessis is measuring, watching and not throwing much back. Du Plessis fires off a jab, which Strickland slips and counters with a better one of his own. Du Plessis throws a low kick, which Strickland checks perfectly. Du Plessis throws a hard, tightly coiled overhand right, but Strickland is nowhere close. Strickland flicks out more teeps and jabs, interrupting his foe’s forward progress. Du Plessis tries another overhand right, and again Strickland slips it with ease. Du Plessis shoots a power double-leg, elevates the champ and deposits him on the canvas against the opposite fence. Strickland calmly stands back up against the fence, pushes off and goes back to work. Strickland’s jab is marking up du Plessis’ face already. Strickland lands a big right hand after the clapper, and du Plessis swings wildly trying to get it back before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Strickland
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Strickland
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Strickland

Round 2

Du Plessis swings and misses by a mile with another righty fastball. Strickland lands a jab, then another. Du Plessis has a low kick checked, and Strickland responds with a sharp one-two. Strickland tags du Plessis with a teep. Strickland tags his man with a double jab. He is starting to sit down on those, and du Plessis is clearly daunted. Du Plessis steps in with a pair of glancing hooks, then lands his first solid, unchecked low kick of the fight. Strickland is showing the left shoulder, shelling up against any possible overhand rights. Du Plessis lands an inside low kick to the back leg. Du Plessis throws the big right hand again and makes his first decent contact: still glancing, but something for the champ to think about. The challenger shoots another double-leg, switches to a high-crotch and dumps Strickland at the base of the fence. Strickland gets up to a knee, then to his feet, then nearly hits a switch to explode away from the fence. They resume striking in the center of the cage, but the horn sounds seconds later.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Strickland
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Du Plessis
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Strickland

Round 3

The challenger’s left eye is badly swollen, the likely result of the steady diet of jabs. He comes forward and throws a high kick that lands solidly, but on the guard rather than the head of Strickland. Strickland throws a jab right down the middle, snapping du Plessis’ head back. Du Plessis is marching forward constantly this round, keeping Strickland backing up. He is taking a steady stream of jabs for his efforts, but the champ’s front kicks have all but disappeared. Du Plessis steps in with an overhand left which falls short. Strickland watches a spinning backfist miss short, out of range, and returns fire with another jab. Du Plessis tags the champ with a nice left hand. Late in the round, du Plessis keeps entering, head down with overhand punches, but they’re effective in that they keep Strickland backing up and not countering effectively. Du Plessis throws a spinning back kick which grazes, then wades in throwing with both hands. The horn sounds as Strickland gets in the last word with a clean left hook.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Du Plessis
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Strickland
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Du Plessis

Round 4

The championship rounds open with du Plessis marching forward, again throwing big punches with both hands. Most miss or are parried, but one left hand gets through cleanly, and du Plessis goes for a takedown behind it. Strickland is all over it, and the challenger is forced to withdraw. Strickland is bleeding from over the left eye. Strickland lands a short, clean right hand that staggers du Plessis for a moment. He swings back hard, but Strickland is nowhere to be found. Du Plessis throws a kick at the body, and as Strickland goes to counter, changes levels for a takedown. He gets Strickland down at the base of the cage, but he pops right back up. Du Plessis lands another punch after the break that has Strickland bleeding badly. Strickland is a mess, and it looks to be bothering him. Du Plessis shoots a double-leg and gets the champ down with ease. Strickland powers back to his feet against the fence, and du Plessis hoists him belly-to-back for a mat return. This time they’re away from the fence, but Strickland gets back up quickly nonetheless. Du Plessis fires off a couple of haymakers that miss, then lands a body punch. Strickland lands his best punch of the round, smacking the challenger on the side of the head, right before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Du Plessis
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Du Plessis
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Du Plessis

Round 5

Du Plessis throws a right hand, then a body kick which Strickland catches. Du Plessis fires off a spinning back elbow, forcing Strickland to let go of the leg and back up. Strickland is back to the jab, which is still very much there. He mixes in the right cross behind it, landing solidly. Du Plessis catches Strickland with a calf kick that is not checked. Three minutes to go and it’s very much anyone’s fight, at least on our scoresheet. Du Plessis shoots a takedown and Strickland sprawls nicely, pushing off and getting back to space. Strickland smacks du Plessis with a right hand, then another, both clean. Du Plessis comes forward and throws hooks with both hands, then changes levels for another takedown which Strickland again defends with ease. Du Plessis lands a good body kick, then eats another hard right hand from the champ. Under a minute left and they’re swinging away in the middle of the Octagon. Strickland is landing more and harder shots, but the challenger is getting through as well. The crowd is roaring, drowning out the 10-second clapper, and the two keep throwing down until the final horn. Great round.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Strickland (48-47 Strickland)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Strickland (48-47 Strickland)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Du Plessis (48-47 Du Plessis)

The Official Result

Dricus Du Plessis def. Sean Strickland via Split Decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47)