UFC 299 ‘O’Malley vs. Vera 2’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Maryna Moroz (126) vs. Joanne Wood (125)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Moroz (-225), Wood (+185)

Round 1

For the last handful of UFC shows not on pay-per-view, fans and the community have voiced disapproval in card quality. When it comes to UFC 299, no one is complaining. The UFC has stacked the deck in its return to Miami, with an event built so solidly that one title fight is plenty given the breadth of options on display over the next seven hours. We kick things off with a rematch between two flyweights both ranked in the top 10 at one point. In 2015, Scotland’s Wood (16-8, 8-8 UFC) fell victim to a 90-second armbar from Moroz (11-5, 6-5 UFC) in a bit of a shocker. Many years have passed, and Wood is planning on making this bout her farewell fight, win or lose. Taking charge of this retirement fight will be referee Mike Beltran, who checks in the rematch. They do not waste time with pleasantries like a glove touch, and prefer to instead start kicking. Wood lands a couple solid body kicks, and Moroz catches one and trips the Scot up to take her down. Moroz lowers herself down on top, and Wood ties her up with a closed guard. “The Iron Lady” drops down short punches and elbows, ignoring Wood’s high guard to land strikes. Wood hand-fights to defend from the more powerful shots lobbed at her face, and as she does, Moroz tries to move her way into half guard. Moroz delivers solid punches from above to stave off any potential referee intervention, and Wood answers with a couple of elbows. Moroz mixes punches to the head and body before pressing down to set up an arm-triangle choke. Wood turns to her side and keeps wrist control on her opponent to stop it from materializing. Moroz softens her up with punches with her free hand, and Wood times a Moroz movement to snatch up a leglock. Moroz escapes it before anything comes from it, and she thanks Wood for trying by punching her in the face. Wood hangs on tight to the arm to prevent Moroz from advancing, so Moroz attacks with her other arm. Moroz pours it on when she wriggles her arm free to bust Wood in the chops with punches and elbows. The round ends in this position.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

The flyweights meet in the middle to engage, and Moroz lets Wood fly by her with advancing strikes. Wood catches her opponent at the end of a right hand and boots her in the ribs, and Moroz changes levels to get back to the ground. Wood stops it, gets shoved to the wall, and elbows Moroz in the face. Moroz presses her opponent up against the chain links, and she wraps up a body lock and hunts for a trip. Wood is wise to it and stops getting tripped up, but Moroz continues to muscle her around against the fence. Beltran asks for more activity when Moroz settles for short knees to the body, and Wood responds with one and elbows Moroz on the break when she escapes. Wood blitzes forward with a right hand, and she clips Moroz with an uppercut. Moroz fires back with a quick barrage of punches, and is backed off by a stern front kick. Moroz gets in an elbow when up close, and Wood makes her take a few steps back with a sharp jab. The ladies trade hands, and Wood mixes in a low kick that bangs into Moroz’ groin. Moroz signals that she needs a pause, and Beltran allows her to recover—a groin shot is a groin shot, as commentator Daniel Cormier awkwardly giggles. The two get back to it, and Moroz tries to tie her up, only to get turned to the wall and worked by “Jojo.” Wood beats Moroz to the punch with an overhand right, and she shrugs off a head kick to connect with a few more punches. Moroz grabs hold of her and knees her to the body before breaking free, and the two back off to reach with jabs. Moroz follows a jab with a right hand, and she shoots in for a takedown that Wood sees coming and stifles. Both women knee one another in the body, and Wood swipes out with a left hook that bangs into the cheek. Wood prods with a front kick, and she spins with a back fist that glances off the target. Wood connects with a pair of one-twos, and Moroz fires back with a vengeance. Wood gets her nose bloodied up, and she smacks Moroz with a back fist that busts Moroz’ nose open as well. The round ends with both of them trading.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

Wood races out of her corner to pick up right where she left off, and she fires off a one-two to get going. Moroz flails back with punches, and Wood measures her with a few jabs. Moroz slams her shin on the abdomen of Wood, and she charges in with three punches. “Jojo” drives her back with a front kick, and she flicks out a jab. Moroz just misses with an unexpected high kick, and she comes up short with punches but manages to get close in so she can try for a takedown. Wood stands her up and eats a knee and an elbow, and she pushes off and kicks Moroz in the ribcage. Wood kicks low and jabs, and she paws out with a front kick that glances off the chest. Wood catches a kick and dumps her foe to the mat, and she jumps back up rather than playing in the guard of her opponent. Moroz thanks her by bloodying Wood up again with a one-two, and she connects with a solid right hand after it. Wood digs two front kicks to the body, and the first stuns Moroz momentarily. The two briefly tie up, and they knee and elbow one another before splitting. Moroz lets her hands go with a couple big right hands, and Wood stays composed and keeps her jab going. Moroz jabs the body and misses with subsequent shots, and Wood doubles up on a jab. Wood takes a straight right hand on the jaw and fires back with an overhand right, and the two are keeping it exceptionally close. Moroz jabs and is reached with a one-two, and the two take turns connecting with one another. Moroz forces more blood to flow out of Wood’s nose with heavy left hands and overhand rights, and Wood is right there to throw back. Wood ties her opponent up, absorbs a flush elbow and spins with a back fist that slumps Moroz. The Ukrainian stands back up thanks to the fence behind her, and Wood chases after her, unloading everything she has to try to finish the job. Wood pours it on, chasing a retreating Moroz around the cage, and she even attempts another spinning strike. Wood drives a few knees to the chest, Moroz tries to respond with anything she has left, and the thriller ends with what could be a victory for the retiring Wood after that spectacular ending for Round 3.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Joanne Wood def. Maryna Moroz via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

Asu Almabaev (126) vs. C.J. Vergara (127: Missed Weight)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Almabaev (-535), Vergara (+400)

Round 1

For the third time in his last six fights, Vergara (12-4-1, 3-2 UFC) failed to make weight. He surrenders 30% of his purse Almabaev (18-2, 1-0 UFC), who has not engaged in a Zhekpe Zhek match unlike fellow flyweight countryman Bekzat Almakhan. While Vergara will be putting his two-fight win streak on the line, the 30-year-old from Kazakhstan has won his last 14 outings dating back to 2017. The two will be joined in the cage by referee Keith Peterson, who starts the nonsense-free fight as the two men touch gloves. Almabaev says hello with a vicious calf kick, dropping Vergara to his knees immediately. The American climbs back up, and he is met with a body kick and a right hand. Vergara keeps his hands extremely low, perhaps to prepare for a takedown entry, and Almabaev circles on the outside before spinning to kick him in the chest with a back kick. Vergara finally strikes at the one-minute mark, landing a single leg kick, and Almabaev answers with one to the ribs before shooting for a takedown. Vergara sprawls to defend it, and Almabaev re-enters in pursuit of a single-leg takedown. This time, the Kazakhstani fighter gets it, but only for a moment. Vergara climbs back up, and Almabaev stays pinned to him and manages to get a hook around the side while Vergara leans on the fencing. Vergara hand-fights to prevent another entry, and Almabaev turns the corner and drags Vergara to his knee. Almabaev hammers the thigh with a few knees before lifting Vergara up and slinging him to the mat. Vergara springs back up, and he stops a second high-amplitude attempt from his opponent. Almabaev lets Vergara turn, so that he can lift him up and slam him down once more. Vergara is able to return to his feet before long, and Almabaev remains tight goes to change levels. Vergara spins him around briefly, only to get warned for grabbing the fence. Vergara lands a knee to force a break, and Almabaev chases after him and drills him in the midsection with a spin kick. Vergara opens up with a big uppercut that gets Almabaev’s attention, and Almabaev responds with a shot in the open cage and succeeds in using a double-leg takedown to ground him. Almabaev moves to side control, and as Vergara turns, Almabaev jumps into full mount. Almabaev floats over to maintain top position as Vergara scrambles, and he ends the round on top.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Almabaev advances out of his corner to move to the middle of the Octagon, and Vergara stays on the outer edge picking away with low kicks. Almabaev spins with a kick that lands in the chest, and he dances back before Vergara can reach him. Vergara lands a body kick, and he reaches out with a right hand. Vergara leaves his hands by his side, and he raises one every so often to strike with. Almabaev takes a right hand, and he grabs hold of a single, runs the pipe and drags Vergara to the mat. Almabaev lands in guard and starts smacking Vergara with hammerfists, staying busy with ground-and-pound while working on a guard pass. Vergara slaps Almabaev in the side of the head with a palm, and Almabaev grinds on him and lands occasional strikes. Vergara looks for elbows off his back, and he keeps the Kazakhstani fighter in his guard. Almabaev slides to half guard and presses Vergara down to pursue an arm-triangle choke. Vergara sits up, and he gets his arm controlled like a seat belt and slugged in the face. Vergara turns to his side and stands, and Almabaev lifts him up and slams him to the canvas, where he lands in immediate back control. Vergara twists, and Almabaev flows and follows him to continue connecting with some offense. Vergara explodes but is unable to get off of his back, and he tries to scoot towards the wall. Almabaev lays into him with several unanswered right hands, until Vergara flattens himself out. Almabaev falls off the back when Vergara stands, and Vergara ducks a spinning back fist and blocks a head kick before the horn blares.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

Almabaev moves right to the center of the cage to initiate his offense in the final round, and Vergara stands before him and is ready to trade. Almabaev spins with a strike, and Vergara ducks it and counters with a big right hand. Almabaev shoots down low for a takedown, and Vergara answers with a knee that connects cleanly. Almabaev bounces back up, chases after Vergara and kicks him in the side. Vergara squares up and looks to unload with power punches, and that is when Almabaev shoots for a takedown and wrenches the Texan down to the mat. Almabaev circles around to take the back, and he gets both hooks in almost instantly. Vergara times a spin to escape the position, and the two get back to striking range. Almabaev whiffs on a spin, and Vergara sits down on a body kick. Almabaev aims a right up top, spins with a wheel kick that bangs into the side of the head, and he shoots. Vergara stuffs it, and he gets beaned with a right hand that wobbles him. Almabaev follows him and knees him in the head, and Vergara fires back to make Almabaev change his approach. Almabaev goes for another takedown when Vergara kicks high, and he succeeds in grounding Vergara temporarily. Vergara climbs back up, and Almabaev doggedly pursues a single. Vergara attempts a standing submission to threaten or force a break, and Almabaev steps back and spins with a back kick that does not land cleanly. Vergara loads up on heavy punches, and Almabaev retreats and resets. Vergara lands with a strike or two, but he throws so hard that Almabaev takes him down as the commentary booth groans in frustration as they sound like they are rooting for one fighter over the other rather than calling the action objectively. Vergara gets back up, and Almabaev moves around to take the back and drag Vergara from behind. Almabaev sets up a rear-naked choke, and Vergara hand-fights and keeps his neck free from danger to ride out the position and end the fight.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Asu Almabaev def. C.J. Vergara via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Robelis Despaigne (261) vs. Josh Parisian (266)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Despaigne (-345), Parisian (+250)

Round 1

The structural integrity of the cage will be tested for this heavyweight affair that combines for 527-plus pounds in addition to referee Andrew Glenn. The 6-foot-7 Cuban juggernaut Despaigne (4-0, 0-0 UFC) is responsible for about half that amount, while Parisian (15-7, 2-4 UFC) may have cut weight to hit the 266-pound mark. With 15 knockouts in their combined 19 victories, the judges might be able to take this one off. Before fists go flying, they do not touch gloves, and instead Despaigne meanders forward with his hands down. Despaigne wings a right hand, whiffs on an uppercut, and launches a head kick that makes him topple to the mat. The massive Cuban springs right back up and backpedals fast, as Parisian gives chase, swinging his mighty fists. While Parisian is attacking, Despaigne counters with a clean right hand, a left and one more powerful right to send Parisian down to his knees. Despaigne pushes his downed foe to his back and slams him in the face with a blistering right hand, and Glenn rushes in to wave the fight off. “The Big Boy” is now on the map, with five victories as a pro including five debilitating knockouts. Despaigne only needed about 20 seconds to get the job done, and the crowd goes wild for the Cuban that trains in Orlando.

The Official Result

Robelis Despaigne def. Josh Parisian R1 0:18 via TKO (Punches)

Michal Oleksiejczuk (185) vs. Michel Pereira (186)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Pereira (-148), Oleksiejczuk (+124)

Round 1

A casual observer might look at this battle of Michel vs. Michal and not immediately know which one competed at light heavyweight recently. By the size of Pereira (29-11, 2 NC; 7-2 UFC), he does not look like the kind of person that made welterweight in 2022. On the other hand, Oleksiejczuk (19-6, 1 NC; 7-4, 1 NC UFC) appears well-suited for his newer, lighter weight class, and his knockout last year over Chidi Njokuani shines on his ledger. Pereira is psyched to compete in Miami, and he brings his cousin with him to do a synchronized, choreographed dance before walking out. This potentially wild 185-pound affair will be officiated by referee Dan Miragliotta, and there is a quick glove touch from the competitors to get it going. Pereira hops back and forth, changing stances, and he dodges a right hand and rips two kicks to the body. Oleksiejczuk goes over the top with a right hook, and Pereira backs off and skirts to the side. Pereira lands two speedy punches before springing to the side, and he drives a right hand on the solar plexus and hurts Oleksiejczuk. Oleksiejczuk backs off to the fence, bent over but trying to remain on his feet, and Pereira charges at him and knees him twice in the same spot to buckle the Polish fighter’s knees. Oleksiejczuk slumps to the ground, and Pereira leaps around to take his back and grab hold of a rear-naked choke without even bothering to get a hook in. The Brazilian locks down the choke and his forearm slides beneath the chin, and he squeezes with all his might. Oleksiejczuk does not once consider tapping, and he fades into unconsciousness as the submission puts him all the way out. Miragliotta pulls them apart when recognizing Oleksiejczuk is out cold, and Pereira rushes to the center of the cage and breakdances to celebrate. What a performance for Pereira, who has now won seven in a row and may soon be a contender at his new weight class of middleweight.

The Official Result

Michel Pereira def. Michal Oleksiejczuk R1 1:01 via Technical Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

Ion Cutelaba (205) vs. Philipe Lins (206)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Cutelaba (-135), Lins (+114)

Round 1

At long last, we will finally see the oft-delayed light heavyweight showdown between Cutelaba (17-9-1, 1 NC; 6-8-1 UFC) and Lins (17-5, 3-2 UFC). This fight was initially slated for an October 2023 event, and a fight night medical scratch for Lins delayed it until now. Both men sharing their preferred method of victory of the knockout, referee Mike Beltran may have his hands full until it is all over. The two have to be separated when Cutelaba walks right in front of his opponent during the introductions, and they do not touch gloves when completed. Lins strikes first with a low kick, and Cutelaba answers immediately with the same blow. Lins goes low, and Cutelaba tries to catch it and go over the top with a right hand. Lins slides back in the nick of time, and he connects with a heavy calf kick that Cutelaba does not like. Cutelaba gives him a lighter kick back to the same target, and he intercepts an advancing Lins with a jab. Lins comes out swinging, and he ends a combination with a low kick that gets checked. Cutelaba turns his hips into a leg kick, and Lins throws one back as Cutelaba reaches for it. Lins hops in, lands a straight left, and gets out of harm’s way before the counter lands. Lins lands a hard calf kick, and Cutelaba swings heavy punches him that bounce the Brazilian off the cage. Lins ricochets off and chambers to fire a low kick, and he buckles Cutelaba’s leg for a second. Cutelaba shakes it off and winds up with a right hand, and he blasts Lins in the face and sends him flying to his seat. Lins pops back up, no worse for wear, and he throws a leg kick. Cutelaba checks it and grins, and he reaches out with an overhand right. Cutelaba preemptively lifts his leg ahead of time to prevent a kick from landing, and this allow Lins to pops him with a right hand over the top. Lins then goes low with a heavy leg kick, and he shoots in for a single. Cutelaba hops back to the wall, elbows Lins in the face and drags his leg back down. Lins backpedals and lets go with a head kick, and Cutelaba charges him and busts him in the chops with an elbow. Lins scores a leg kick, draws a wobble, and fires off a one-two that gets Cutelaba’s attention. Cutelaba bites down on his mouthpiece and starts trading heavy leather, cracking “Monstro,” and Lins throws back hard. Cutelaba gets rocked as they keep throwing, and Lins shoots for a takedown that ultimately fails. Cutelaba lashes out with an elbow that cuts the Brazilian on the cheek, and he wades into a brawl and slugs it out with his opponent. Lins backs off, scores a low kick, and the tense round ends.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Lins opens up in the second round to throw a low kick at the compromised lead leg of his opponent. Lins motions that he has done some damage to his foe’s leg, and he throws another that takes Cutelaba’s balance away. Cutelaba changes stances and is hurt badly from the kicks, and it is swelled and damaged. Cutelaba blitzes, walking through a low kick so he can throw hands, and he ignores another kick so he can engage in a brawl. Lins shrugs off a back fist and scores another devastating leg kick, and Cutelaba is tough as nails as his calf has swelled up on multiple places. Cutelaba overswings, and Lins ducks and circles around to take his back standing so he can take the fight down. Cutelaba keeps on his feet, and they spin around in the clinch until Lins trips his man up and falls on top of him. Lins lands in half guard, and he smothers his opponent without getting any ground-and-pound off. The crowd rains down boos as Lins holds on from on top, and Cutelaba hangs on to force a standup. Cutelaba pushes off and Lins stands up, and they start talking to one another. Lins lowers himself down, and he leans back before taking an upkick on the chin. Lins leaps down and hammers his man with standing-to-ground punches, and Cutelaba explodes through to get back to his feet and put his back to the fence. Lins attempts another takedown, and Cutelaba shuts it down. Cutelaba squirrels away with 30 seconds left in the round, and he plods forward and shoots in right after absorbing a low kick. Lins shucks it off, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

The two are so excited to fight, they have to get ushered back to their corners by Beltran before he clocks them in. When they commence, Cutelaba pushes forward, and he checks a low kick and limps forward. Lins winds up with a left hand, and Cutelaba’s aggression makes Lins trip up. Cutelaba swarms forward, and he opens himself up to a takedown by swinging for the bleachers. Lins takes him down, and holds him there for a few seconds. Cutelaba muscles his way up, only to get dragged down with a mat return. Cutelaba attempts a kimura to sweep, but this only allows Lins to turn the corner and take his back. Cutelaba goes for another double wrist lock to force his way back to his feet, and he succeeds with his back to the wall. Lins presses heavily on his man against the cage, and Cutelaba pushes off and swings hard but misses the mark. Lins strafes to the side, trying to get away as he sucks wind. Cutelaba charges at him, ignoring jabs so he can throw bombs. Lins shoots for a single and is stood up, and Cutelaba hacks down with an elbow on the back of the head. Beltran immediately calls time and very sternly warns Cutelaba for the blatant foul. Beltran resets them in the center of the cage rather than putting them back in the clinch where Lins was. Cutelaba thanks him for this by rushing forward to throw hands, and he catches Lins with a right hand but cannot hurt him enough before Lins shoots. Lins knees him in the body, and he hangs on to run the clock out. Lins softens him up with knees from both sides, and he shoots in for a double. Cutelaba sprawls his hips to stop the takedown, and he bops Lins with short right hands until Beltran splits them up at the 40-second mark. Cutelaba plods forward while Lins runs away, and he throws two punches and eats a right hand. Cutelaba screams at Lins, and he wings punches that Lins can avoid. Lins knocks Cutelaba back with a left hook, and he gets bounced off the wall with a counter. The fight ends, and it could be a close one where a 30-27 tally might not illustrate just how evenly matched it was.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Philipe Lins def. Ion Cutelaba via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Pedro Munhoz (135) vs. Kyler Phillips (135)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Phillips (-238), Munhoz (+195)

Round 1

In the talent-rich no-nonsense bantamweight division, speed sells, and both Munhoz (20-8, 2 NC; 10-8, 2 NC UFC) and Phillips (11-2, 5-1 UFC) are buying. Nine years the elder, Munhoz has served as the more active man of the two over the last few years. Referee Keith Peterson is ready to keep up with these two talented competitors, whether they need 15 seconds or 15 minutes to get things done. The fighters touch ‘em up to begin, and Munhoz moves forward, only to dodge a low kick and a pair of jabs. Phillips reaches his foe with a second leg kick, and Munhoz leaps forward to grab the leg and take the fight down. Phillips spins with a wheel kick that draws audible gasps but does not connect, and he chains a few punches into it to keep Munhoz from crowding him. “The Young Punisher” gets inside to land a right hand, and Phillips scores back with his own offense. Munhoz intercepts a striking Phillips to tackle him to the mat. Munhoz leaps into the guard, but Phillips kicks him off and pushes off with a finger when getting to his feet. Peterson sees this and allows Munhoz to recover, and Munhoz only takes a few seconds before he is ready to go. The two bantamweights jab at one another, and Phillips whips a head kick after. Both men throw leg kicks, and Munhoz crowds him and lands punches that force Phillips to turn away and escape on the edge of the cage. Munhoz pushes out a front kick, and Phillips times a right hand over the top. The two measure one another in single strikes, and Phillips kicks low and buzzes the hair with a kick. Phillips keeps his long jab outstretched, and he leans back when Munhoz wings inaccurate but powerful punches at him. Phillips dodges and spins with a back kick, and he drives a knee on the chin that stings Munhoz. Phillips unloads with a barrage of punches and kicks, and he further tags Munhoz in his long series of strikes. Munhoz gathers himself and throws back, and he knees him in the face. Phillips jabs out his finger while rattling off a long combo, and he jams it into Munhoz’ eye. Phillips also cuts Munhoz, and it was a punch that cause it and not the poke. When they get back to it, Munhoz wipes his eye and engages in a brawl. Phillips sticks and moves, landing flush and getting shoved back with a front kick. Phillips nods at him and eats a left hook that cuts him on the cheek. The fast and furious round ends.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

The cut on the eyelid of Munhoz is not sealed between rounds, and blood leaks from it to start off the round. Phillips sprints forward to attack, and Munhoz is right there to greet him with strikes including a pair of low kicks. Phillips has a one-two bounce off the guard, and he comes up short with a hook kick. Munhoz checks a low kick, and he dips down to rip a left to the body. Phillips kicks him back in the leg, and Munhoz is right there to chop him back. They both crack one another with left hooks, and Munhoz slips and scores a right. Phillips connects with a solid right hand, and Munhoz’ chin is made of sterner stuff. Phillips grazes the hair with a fast head kick, and he swats away a jabbing front kick. Phillips rifles off several jabs while Munhoz comes at him, and he evades the heavier of the strikes coming his way. They both go low with a kick, and Munhoz has his guard raised to block a standing elbow but it cannot defend against a body kick after it. Munhoz keeps his head movement on full display as he dodges and ducks vicious strikes like a spinning back fist, and he remains right close to Phillips. Phillips kicks him in the mouth, and Munhoz takes it cleanly and wades forward to throw back. Munhoz shoulder-rolls when a right hand comes down the pipe, and he parries a left hook. The two trade leg kicks, and Phillips hops forward and stomps the side with a kick. Phillips digs a left to the body and right to the head, and Munhoz does not bat an eye. Phillips chains punches together into a low kick, and he slides back before Munhoz can reach him. Munhoz scores a single body kick, but it is one-and-done while Phillips is largely more active. Phillips gets off a right and a left, and he leapfrogs Munhoz when Munhoz ducks down. Phillips spins with a wheel kick that tags Munhoz, and he stops a potential takedown from coming at the bell.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

Munhoz sprints out of his corner ready to engage, and he tosses out a glove touch before darting in to shoot for a takedown. Phillips staves it off and pops out several jabs, keeping him away from the right hand of the Brazilian. They both smack one another with leg kicks, and then aim body shots. Phillips lands a right to the body and a spinning back kick to the other side. Munhoz jabs his way in and misses with an overhand right, and Phillips jabs and paws at the damaged eye of his opponent. Phillips shimmies as he dodges, and he flicks out a front kick that lands on the chin. The two clinch up, but nothing comes of it as Phillips is out of range when he tries to reach a left hand on the break. Phillips strafes to the side and lands a right hand up top along with a body kick. Munhoz scores a low kick, but Phillips is right in his face with punches and his own leg kick. Munhoz snaps the head back with a jab, and he absorbs a clean leg kick in response. Phillips looks to counter a leg kick with a right hand over the top, and he bounces and moves to flick out jabs. Munhoz times a right hand while Phillips is bouncing around, and Phillips has to reset. Phillips slaps a leg kick in the outer lead leg, and he steps in with a left hook and whips a head kick up on the other side. Munhoz does not bat an eye, and he spins with a back kick aimed at Phillips’ head but cannot reach him. Munhoz prods out a front kick, only to get driven back by punches and a head kick. Phillips kicks low to stop Munhoz from getting to him. It temporarily disrupts Munhoz’ constant forward movement, but Munhoz is quick to get back to racing forward. Phillips has a head kick bounce off the guard, and he clips Munhoz with an overhand right. “The Matrix” styles on his opponent with punches that leads to a spinning kick, and the fight ends as Phillips attempts and lands a back flip to celebrate.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Kyler Phillips def. Pedro Munhoz via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Rafael dos Anjos (156) vs. Mateusz Gamrot (156)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gamrot (-470), dos Anjos (+360)

Round 1

In a lightweight contest that could easily serve atop the marquee of some UFC Fight Night show, former KSW two-division champ Gamrot (23-2, 1 NC; 6-2 UFC) will meet ex-UFC lightweight king dos Anjos (32-15, 21-13 UFC). While Gamrot will be engaging in his 27th professional outing—by itself a solid feat in the sport of MMA—this is dos Anjos’ 35th fight in the UFC alone. The third man in the cage will be referee Dan Miragliotta, and he checks in this important lightweight affair as the competitors bump fists. Gamrot pokes out his jab early, and he whips a head kick from the other side that is blocked just in time. Gamrot continues jabbing until he ducks down for a faked level change, and he comes over the top with a right hand. Gamrot connects with a one-two, and he jabs and kicks the side before “RDA” recovers. Dos Anjos lines up and blasts Gamrot in the face with a knee when Gamrot changes levels, and Gamrot is hurt and desperately attacks for a takedown. Dos Anjos defends from the first attempt and gets off some short strikes, but he gets slowed down when Gamrot drops down to his knees to take the fight down. Dos Anjos stop the second try and splits off. Gamrot jabs, and he takes a right hand on the chin as he rushes in for a takedown. Dos Anjos shuts down the effort and has a low kick checked. Gamrot jabs, and he ducks back to evade a huge overhand right. Dos Anjos lets go with a heavy body kick, and he snaps the head back with a left hook. Dos Anjos defends a takedown by practically pulling guard with a guillotine choke, and Gamrot ignores the submission so he can claim top position. Gamrot settles down in the guard, and he thwarts kick-off attempts so he can move to half guard. Dos Anjos keeps control of Gamrot’s left arm to prevent further advancing, and Gamrot lands shots while dos Anjos turns in an effort to scoot himself to the fence. Dos Anjos grabs the fence to pull himself to the wall, but Gamrot pulls his back out from it and hammers down an elbow and some punches. Gamrot gets off a few more strikes, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

The lightweights tap gloves, and Gamrot starts measuring with a jab. Gamrot follows one with an inaccurate overhand right, and he dances back as dos Anjos leaps at him with a jump knee. Gamrot sinks a kick to the body, and he shoots in for a single. The Brazilian hops around to defend against the takedown, and he works his way to lean on the fence to stop it. Gamrot trips him down from behind, and dos Anjos pops back up. Gamrot clings to him from behind, where he succeeds in dragging the former champ down again. Once more, dos Anjos springs upright. Dos Anjos manages to break free, and he wings a right hand that just misses the body. Gamrot ducks down in pursuit of a double, and he chains it into a single that trips dos Anjos up. Dos Anjos keeps his balance until Gamrot kicks his leg out, and he maintains a heavy pressure on the Brazilian that now has a bloody nose. The Polish fighter goes old school to stomp the toes, and he eats an elbow when dos Anjos shoves him back. Gamrot shoots down low for a takedown, and he succeeds in planting “RDA” on his back. Dos Anjos turns over and gives up his back, but Gamrot does not threaten with anything more than back control with a hook in while standing. Dos Anjos stifles another takedown, and he backs Gamrot off. Both fighters land right hands, and Gamrot follows with a jab and a front kick. Gamrot snaps out a right hand, and dos Anjos blitzes him with a few punches before Gamrot skirts away. Gamrot scores a right hand and a front kick, and he blocks a head kick at the bell.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

The final round kicks off with a glove touch, and dos Anjos tries to sweep the leg to start things off. Gamrot moves to the side, and he takes a right hand on the top of his head that cuts him. Gamrot pays him back with a right hand that knocks the Brazilian into the wall. Dos Anjos gains a full head of steam and charges ahead, and he swings with a left hand that leaves him wide open for a takedown. “Gamer” easily gets to the top position, and he fights off a kimura sweep but cannot stop the scrambling former champ from getting up. They both land leg kicks, and dos Anjos meanders in with long outstretched fists. Gamrot jabs with a front kick, and he puts two punches on the chin and shoots. Dos Anjos sprawls with his side against the fence, and Gamrot takes him from behind and wrenches him to his knees. Dos Anjos works his way upright, and Gamrot cannot keep him against the fence. Gamrot meets a low kick with a one-two, and he ignores a leg kick to let his hands go and bounce off the guard. Gamrot shoots for a single from a wide berth, and “RDA” stops him from succeeding but gets shoved to the wall. They separate after Gamrot is warned for fence grabs, and he ducks a right hand and shoots again. Dos Anjos bounces off the ground and up, and he gets jabbed as he jumps forward with a knee. Dos Anjos bloodies up the bridge of the nose of his opponent with a right hand, and Gamrot strings several punches together in a mean-spirited response. Dos Anjos charges, and he eats a right hand and sells out for a takedown defense. The fight ends, and the two hug it out.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Mateusz Gamrot def. Rafael dos Anjos via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Maycee Barber (125) vs. Katlyn Cerminara (125)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Barber (-205), Cerminara (+170)

Round 1

With 10 years separating these two flyweights, the UFC has created a potential “passing of the torch” scenario with the victor right in the title picture. Formerly known as Chookagian, Cerminara (18-5, 11-5 UFC) has had plenty of personal issues to overcome to get to this bout. She meets the 25-year-old wunderkind Barber (13-2, 8-2 UFC), who may not have made good on her promise to be the youngest champ in UFC history, but is knocking on the door of a title shot if she wins tonight. Referee Andrew Glenn will join the two in the cage and keep things on the up-and-up. No bad blood comes between the two, and they gladly bump fists. Barber comes out firing, and Cerminara stays on the outside and leans back to land a body kick. Barber swings from her hips, absorbs a clean knee and lands a few punches on the way outside. Cerminara shoots for a takedown to slow down the flailing Barber, only to get turned around on the cage. Barber fishes for counter trips, and she gets dragged down to her knees but is not taken down. The women jockey for position against the fence, with one landing knees, then getting turned around and absorbing a few. Cerminara drives a few knees to the chin, and Barber swings with right hooks to break away. Cerminara shoots low for a takedown, and Barber sprawls to flatten her out. Cerminara muscles her way back up, and she defends another attempt as Barber pushes her to the fence and pops her with a few shoulder strikes. Cerminara turns her around and gets off some knees to the midsection, and she tries to lower the younger woman down to the mat but is unsuccessful. Barber takes a knee in the chest and tries to aim a right hand on the break, and Cerminara gets hold of her again. Barber dirty boxes, and Cerminara continues to work her over with knees. Barber connects with a clean left hook, and Cerminara shoots for a single. Barber stands her up and the two tie up, where they spin one another around as if engaged in a malicious slow dance. Cerminara sells out for a takedown, and Barber knees her in the face to stand her up and stifle her. Cerminara breaks off and dings Barber with a right hand, and the grindy round ends.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Cerminara advances out of her corner ready to strike, but she is beaten to the punch by the surging Barber. Cerminara lands a left to the body, and Barber goes up top. Barber sneaks a left hand over the top, and she gets knocked back with a straight left hand and a head kick. Cerminara sits down on a right hand, and she pops Barber with a jab. Barber charges and ducks down to attack, and Cerminara intercepts her and turns her away. Cerminara catches a kick and bops Barber on the forehead with an overhand right. Cerminara jabs to disrupt a takedown entry from her opponent, and she walks through a leg kick to jab a few more times. Barber whiffs on offense, and Cerminara is sharp with jabs. Cerminara blocks a head kick and dodges a second so she can scoop a left hand on the jaw, and she aims a straight left to the body in the midst of a short combo. Barber reaches but is caught on the way in, and Cerminara kicks her in the midsection twice. Barber wings a left hand that glances off the cheek, and she takes a straight right down the middle as she tries to clinch up. Barber looks for trips when she presses Cerminara against the fence, and she hurls the former title challenger to the mat. Cerminara climbs right back up, and Barber clings to her from behind with a hook in standing. Barber uses her full body weight to drag her foe down again, but Cerminara keeps her footing and lets Barber wear on her. Cerminara looks to the clock, and Barber whacks her with a left hand. The clinch is largely an even position, with both women landing knees and short punches. Barber stomps on the toes several times as she looks for another takedown, and Cerminara gets tossed to her seat with seconds to spare. Barber lands two punches before Cerminara gets back up, and the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

Cerminara attempts to touch gloves to start the final frame, but Barber wants nothing to do with it. Instead, Barber swings hard, and this only throws her off-balance and allows her to get taken down. Barber does not take long to stand back up, and Cerminara breaks off to get back to her distant strike range. Cerminara tosses out low kicks, and she reaches out a right hand. Cerminara jabs and lifts up a kick that bounces off the raised guard, and Barber crashes the pocket to tie her up. Barber lands a right on the break, and Cerminara kicks her in the chest. Barber connects with big punches, and her pressure leads them to the wall in a clinch position. They both knee one another from up close, and Barber looks for a body lock takedown but there is nothing there. Barber hooks Cerminara’s leg between her own, and she drives an elbow into the forehead of her opponent. Barber attacks a single, and Cerminara shuts it down in a hurry but is stuck against the wire. Barber wrestles her down to the canvas, and Cerminara hits her back and immediately hunts for a leglock. “Blonde Fighter” uses this submission attempt to work back to her feet, and she pushes Barber against the wall and lands a couple short shots. Cerminara separates, and Barber backs her off with a head kick that crashes into her guard. Cerminara greets her with a one-two down the middle, and she leans back as a head kick whizzes past her face. Barber lands a push kick, and attempts to go up high with two other kicks, only to be blocked. Cerminara jabs and kicks her foe’s raised guard, and Barber kicks her back and sinks her shin on the body. The two tie up and knee and elbow one another, and Barber backs Cerminara off. Barber kicks the liver, and Cerminara ties her up and knees her in the face. Barber sweeps the leg and makes Cerminara topple to the mat, and Cerminara rolls all the way through to get up. Barber swings to break, and the two trade hands until the final horn blares.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Maycee Barber def. Katlyn Cerminara via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Jailton Almeida (241) vs. Curtis Blaydes (257)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Blaydes (-115), Almeida (-108)

Round 1

At long last, the preliminary headliner is upon us. It comes in the form of a pivotal heavyweight clash, with the winner right there in the championship picture. Perennial contender Blaydes (17-4, 1 NC; 12-4, 1 NC UFC) would like nothing more than to hold the line against the surging Almeida (20-2, 6-0 UFC), and a clash of grappling styles will treat fans for as long as it lasts. Referee Mike Beltran will gain the tough task of keeping up with these big men, although they touch gloves before engaging. Both men bounce in and out, and Blaydes jabs a few times before sprawling to defend a leaping takedown from the Brazilian. Almeida pushes his man against the wall with a double, and he changes sides and takes Blaydes to the ground. Blaydes is quick to power himself back up to his feet, only for Almeida to hit a clean mat return. Almeida hangs on tight and drags Blaydes to his knee when Blaydes stands again, and Blaydes looks surprised when Almeida chucks him to the canvas yet again. Almeida has a hook in from behind as he drags Blaydes to his knees, and Blaydes forces himself back upright despite the seat belt arm from behind. Almeida slings Blaydes to the ground, and Blaydes is looking at his corner, totally shocked, as Almeida has already taken him down more times than every other fighter Blaydes has faced in the Octagon combined. Almeida puts Blaydes on his seat, and the crowd is not loving the grapple-heavy approach of the Brazilian without offering any additional offense. Blaydes stands up, and Almeida mat returns him once more. “Razor” climbs upright, and he is pinned to the wall as the audience lets them have it. Almeida lifts Blaydes up from behind and slams him down, and he gets both hooks in as Blaydes is on his knees. Blaydes tries to stand up, and Almeida takes his back standing and rides out the position until the exhausting round ends.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

The heavyweights touch gloves to lead off, and Almeida wings a right hand to reintroduce himself. Blaydes leans and counters with a right hand, and he tags the Brazilian with a short uppercut as Almeida shoots in from afar. Almeida does not move as he hangs onto a single, and Blaydes jackhammers his opponent with hammerfists on the side of the head until Almeida goes out. Almeida rolls to his side as the continued hammerfists bring him back online, and he shells up while the strikes keep coming. Beltran sees that Almeida is not defending himself from the constant right hands, and he steps in to call a halt to the contest in the most heavyweight ending a fight could possibly offer. Sometimes these things happen in MMA.

The Official Result

Curtis Blaydes def. Jailton Almeida R2 0:36 via KO (Punches) 

Yadong Song (136) vs. Petr Yan (135)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Yan (-115), Song (-105)

Round 1

His back against the wall, former bantamweight champ Yan (16-5, 8-4 UFC) has lost four of his last five after charging into the UFC to win seven straight. On the other side of the cage, Team Alpha Male’s Song (21-7-1, 1 NC; 10-2-1 UFC) has plenty of momentum on his side, winner of four of five to get himself a ranking next to his name. While not as big as the main event, there will be waves made from this bantamweight bout. It begins with referee Keith Peterson checking the fighters in, and they clap hands first. There will be no nonsense going forward. Song leads off with a low kick, and Yan throws one back only to get countered with a check left hook. Song comes up short with a low kick, and he fakes with a takedown that makes Yan oversell to try to stop it. Yan comes out firing with an overhand right, and Song eats it like a bowl of hot and numbing beef. Song wings a left hand that gets Yan’s attention, and he tries to launch it again but comes up just short. They engage in a stalemate when standing in front of one another, and Song hops out of the way and leaps forward with a left hand. Song doubles up on a jab and whips a right hand over the top, and Yan bends him over with a body shot. Song attacks with a combination, and Yan defends the worst of the blows and is ready to trade back, only to find his enemy is not to be found. Song counters a leg kick with a huge overhand right, and they both dip down at the same time but do not engage. Song tags him with a left hook, and he walks through a punch to land a sharp jab of his own. They both duck down at the same time again, and they nearly bounce heads. Song catches a leg kick and bangs his right hand into the temple, sending Yan down to the mat. Song follow him and tries to keep him down, but Yan scrambles wildly to work his way up to his feet. Yan tries to roll through to nearly escape and find himself in better position, but Song hangs on to stay on Yan from behind. Song lands a few right hands until Yan fights to his feet with 30 seconds to spare. Yan sneaks in a right hand and ducks a massive overhand right, and he bites on a faked takedown and awkwardly attacks his own. The round ends before a takedown is landed on either side.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

They bump fists before getting started, and Song says hello with a body kick. Yan races ahead, only to walk partially into an elbow. Song swings a left hook and shoots, and when Yan stands him up, Song elects to score several right hands before shoving the Russian to the wall. Song nails his man with an elbow, and Yan breaks off and ducks into an uppercut when trying to defend a takedown. Song eats an uppercut when shooting, and when he tries again, he takes another uppercut to the same spot. Yan sits down on his punches when Song walks him down, and he looks to defend a takedown and gets grabbed from behind. Song sticks out several jabs when breaking free, and he ducks square into an uppercut. Peterson calls time to remove some tape from Yan’s glove, and they cut it and move on. Yan restarts and aims two body shots, and he stops a takedown by tackling Song over. Song shrugs at him, and he takes a right hand for his effort. Song jabs, and he snatches up a single and lifts it in the air. Yan miraculously keeps his balance and drags his leg back, and he snaps out multiple jabs. The crowd starts chanting “let’s go Petr” as if the Miami fans had forgotten he is Russian, and Song takes energy from it and surges ahead. Yan beats him to the punch and aims shots to the body, and Song throws hands too hard and takes a clean uppercut. Yan digs a right to the body and leans back to avoid the big strike from his opponent, and he crashes forward to hit a clean takedown and plant Song on his back. Yan works the body and head as soon as they hit the ground, and he cuts Song open with elbows. The round ends as blood leans from above Song’s left eyebrow.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

The bantamweights meet in the center of the Octagon, and Yan swings a huge right hand that Song barely ducks. Song counters with a spinning kick that glances off the guard, and he gets his jab going. Yan aims an uppercut and shoots down for the ankle, and he spins around and works to his feet when he does not get Song down. Yan stings his opponent with a right and spins with a back kick, and Song doubles up on a jab and gets smacked in the head with a spinning wheel kick. Song is tough as nail, and he rushes forward to trade hands and surprises Yan with a right hand. Song goes after a single, and Yan bounces off and throws hard at his opponent. Song gets knocked to his hands, and he rebounds and eats a body shot in the midst of a combination. Yan aims a one-two to the body, and he shoulder rolls to avoid the counter. Song desperately pursues a takedown, and Yan crawls away. Song connects a left on the side of the head, and he gather his thoughts and spins with a back fist. Blood leaks down both of Song’s eyes, with cuts all over, and he completely ignores it so he can trade with his opponent. Yan beans him with a spinning back fist, and Song stands right in front of him and scores a heavy right hand back. Song takes a left hand on the jaw and gets shoved back to the fence, and he elbows Song and pursues a double. Yan turns the corner and plants Song on his seat with a minute to spare, and he sits in half guard and starts shellacking Song with elbows and punches. Yan gets dragged back to guard while striking, and he flows over to the side and elbows Song once for good measure. Song rolls to his stomach, and Yan holds him down with a brabo choke until the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Petr Yan def. Yadong Song via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Gilbert Burns (171) vs. Jack Della Maddalena (170)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Della Maddalena (-162), Burns (+136)

Round 1

The deep card continues with a potential thriller at 170 pounds between a striker and a grappler who loves to bang. Former lightweight and Mundials medalist Burns (22-6, 15-6 UFC) will try to derail the hype train and 16-fight win streak of talented Aussie Maddalena (16-2, 6-0 UFC), and referee Dan Miragliotta is as psyched as the fans are to see it go down. Ahead of their scheduled melee, the two men bump fists. Burns whips a low kick to find his distance, and Maddalena paws out a jab. Burns aims a kick to the body and then lead leg, and Maddalena jabs him back. Chants of “Gilbert” rain down in support of the Brazilian by way of Florida, and he does not go crazy when hearing it and stays composed to land punches and a body kick. Burns shoots for a takedown, and when Maddalena scrambles, he takes the back. Maddalena scrambles and turns, and Burns drags him down from behind to assume partial control of the back again. Maddalena once more explodes to his feet, and he is pushed back to the fence as Burns wants to relocate him to a more horizontal position. Burns aims a knee to the sternum hen the takedown is thwarted, and he drops down low for a single and lets it go to hang on. Maddalena counters with a throw and knees Burns in the face with a strike that was borderline, but it was uncalled as a potential foul, so they continue. Burns appears no worse for wear, but he is less aggressive than before as Maddalena sticks out several jabs and a low kick. Maddalena sneaks in and scores a right hand, and Burns kicks him in the ribs and comes up short with a booming right hand. Burns fires off another big right, and Maddalena sees it coming and boxes him back. Maddalena tags Burns with a left hand, and he leans back to dodge a head kick that flies past his noggin. Maddalena strings three left together to the head and then body, and Burns grits his teeth and swings back with bad intentions. Maddalena times an advancing Burns to nail him with a left hook, and Burns takes it well enough and jabs back. Burns wings a right hand that just misses, and Maddalena skim a right hand off the cheek. Burns again fires off an inaccurate head kick, and he crashes forward to engage and lands a right hand, backs off and kicks the body and lead leg. Maddalena darts in with two swiping lefts, and he defends against a takedown that puts him on his back. Burns sits up and drops down hammerfists, and he concludes the close round with a standing-to-ground right hand.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Maddalena jabs early to lead off, and he prods out a front kick that Burns parries. Maddalena aims a left to the body as he doubles up on jabs, and he ducks when Burns counters with an overhand right. Burns swings hard, and Maddalena sees it coming and backs him away with a straight right hand. Burns kicks high, and he is the one that bounces back when hitting the guard. Maddalena dings his man with a punch, and Burns shoots for a single and moves Maddalena to the mat. Maddalena gets to a knee, and Burns clings to him from on top. Maddalena shrugs off a potential submission from the Brazilian to stand back upright, and they both land punches at the same time. Maddalena aims a left hand straight down the middle, and Burns throws back with a heavy right that draws some swelling. Maddalena dings “Durinho” with a one-two, and Burns throws back with the same and hops away to avoid an Anderson Silva-esque back elbow. Burns winds up and bounces a right hand on the forehead, and Maddalena crowds him and chains five punches together before pulling back. Maddalena leans back, scores and evades the counters. Maddalena connects with four punches before Burns escapes out the side, and Burns smiles and throws a big right hand. Maddalena slips and digs a right to the body. Burns blasts Maddalena in the face with a huge overhand right, and Maddalena frowns and gets taken down from a blast double. Maddalena turns to his knees, and he considers his own takedown but Burns easily stops it and drags him down with his arm wrapped around the neck. Burns steps into full mount, but Maddalena scrambles perfectly to get out. Burns takes the back as they keep moving, and he get hooks in and secures the body triangle. Burns sneaks an arm around the chin, but there is nothing there as Maddalena sticks his tongue out before the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

The last round kicks off, and Maddalena is back to his jab. Burns strafes laterally, and stops as Maddalena kicks him in the chest. Maddalena scores a right, and he leaps forward with another as Burns continues to move. Burns kicks him in the head, and Maddalena counters him with several uppercuts that rock the Brazilian. Burns leans over, and after absorbing a few more, he shoots for a single to stop himself from taking damage. Maddalena elbows him once before rolling through to stop a takedown, and the elbow smashes the Brazilian’s nose open and blood leaks down his face. Burns wrenches him down to the floor from the side. Burns presses his full body weight on his opponent, and he disallows Maddalena from standing by isolating the right leg. Maddalena looks at the video to find a better way to get up, and Burns wraps arms around the waist and drags him down. Burns gets a hook in and uses his left arm to set up a rear-naked choke, but his other arm is busy so there is no submission in sight. Burns pushes through to advance position, and they both flip all the way over. Maddalena scurries back to his feet, and Burns follows and charges directly into about the cleanest knee one could ever offer. Burns falls to his back, and Maddalena lays into the damaged Burns with a long barrage of punches and elbows. As Maddalena puts more mustard on the elbows, Miragliotta watches closely and makes the decision to intervene and wave the fight off while Burns is staring blankly into space, detached from his senses. This is a huge comeback for the Aussie, who has now won 17 fights in a row while putting away the ultra-durable “Durinho.”

The Official Result

Jack Della Maddalena def. Gilbert Burns R3 3:43 via KO (Knee and Elbows)

Kevin Holland (170) vs. Michael Page (170)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Holland (-135), Page (+114)

Round 1

It is a striker’s delight coming up next, with a former Bellator fighter hoping to represent the UFC brand well. That ex-Bellator name would be Holland (25-10, 1 NC; 12-7, 1 NC UFC), who prevailed at Bellator 195 against Teagan Dooley prior to his Contender Series fight. He greets Super Fight League veteran Page (21-2, 0-0 UFC), who may have also fought somewhere that that the commentary booth will not likely say. This could be a wacky one, so referee Andrew Glenn better know what he is getting himself into. Although they have had a back-and-forth leading up to this “featured fight of the night,” the welterweights do touch gloves first. Page springs back and forth, his hands down, and he swats away a punch from his opponent. Holland swings wide, and Page nails him with a low kick. Holland lands a jab, and he misses with a heavy left hand as Page is quick in and out. Holland misses on a punch, and Page tags him back and tells the crowd to hush because it was just a punch. Holland grins at him, and he comes forward and swings with everything he has as Page starts doing the Ali shuffle. Holland ties him up against the fence, where he stomps Page’s toes and smacks him with his shoulder. Holland continues thumping the Brit with his shoulder, until Page throws him aside and resets to his preferred striking range. Page reaches with a right hand over the top, and he elbows Holland on the temple when leaping forward. Page backs off and then jumps back in to grab Holland from behind, and Holland shrugs it off and absorbs an elbow when they break. Page delivers a kick to the side, and he hurts Holland with a right hand and makes a face at him. Holland charges and catches Page with a single elbow, but he gets blasted with an overhand right from the awkward Page. Page scores another huge right hand, and Holland responds with a low kick that knocks him off his feet momentarily. Page springs up and the two tie up, and Holland heel kicks the back of the thigh of Page. Holland uses open-handed slaps to box the ears, and he pulls himself free. Page dodges and connects with a clean right hand, and he strafes out of the way. Holland lunges forward, and even with a reach advantage, he cannot quite get off a shot on his opponent. Holland kicks the lead leg, and they crash together in a clinch. Holland pushes him to the wall, and he knees the Brit once before Page splits away. Page spins with an elbow that drill Holland in the forehead, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Holland is all smiles to start off the second round, and after a glove touch, he narrowly avoids a spinning wheel kick. Holland charges and catches Page at the end of a right hand, and he bullies Page to the fence. Holland uses the close range to knee his foe in the thigh a few times before Page splits off, and they resume their distant striking approaches. Holland comes up short on a winging right hand as Page is in and out like the wind, and Page pops him with a short right hand. Page considers an axe kick, and when he spins with a back kick, he topples over. “Trailblazer” charges after him, nearly dragging Page down from behind, and Page stands up. Holland drags him down from behind, and he practically falls into back control. Holland hooks up a choke, and Page turns to put his back to the mat so he can break it up. Holland lowers himself down and slashes with elbows, and he smothers his opponent in half guard. Page tries to sit up, and Holland presses him back down and elbows him a few more times. Page works his way to his knees and gets back to his feet, and he makes Holland pay for the ground game by nailing Holland with an overhand right. Holland almost walks face-first into a short right on the way in, and he whiffs with his own big right. Holland kicks behind the knee of his opponent, and Page connects with a short right hand. Page lands with a hard right hand, and he slings Holland to the ground. Holland is hurt, but Page does not bother finishing him in this position and instead lets him get back to his feet. Holland kicks the body and head, and he walks into a spinning back elbow. Holland races ahead after him, missing with most of his strikes, and the clinch ends the round.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

The last round begins with Page charging, and he connects with a right hand and trips Holland up to throw him down. Holland laughs when he hits the ground, and Page appears to offer an apology, perhaps because he missed the glove touch. Holland climbs back up, and he ties Page up. Page tosses his foe down to a knee, and Holland pops back up and grabs Page from behind. Holland brings Page down to his knees, and Page fights his way to his feet and shoves Holland away. Page clips him with a fierce right hand, and he tosses Holland down and starts dancing. Holland rolls back to his feet and looks frustrated as Glenn lets him up. Page sprints in with two punches and a head kick, and Holland defends against it and takes a jumping side kick. Holland’s gas tank runs on empty as Page kicks him in the stomach. When Holland advances, Page spins with a back elbow that cuts Holland on the cheek. Page then trips and dumps him to the ground, and Holland climbs back up and crashes forward only to miss. Page ties him up, and the two start talking when clinched up. Page pushes him away, and he steps away from a low kick and lands a straight left hand. Holland grips a single, and this only pushes Page back to the wall so he can stomp his toes. Page stops any possible takedown and scoots away, and he leaps forward to nail Holland with a right hand. Holland stops the sweep that follows, and he walks into a body shot. Holland flails at air, unable to find his mark, and he dances away and is angry while telling Page to fight him. Page does not bite, so Holland pushes up close to him to clinch as the fight ends. The crowd does not love the conclusion of the fight, but it was the end of a one-sided performance for the showman Page, who has introduced himself to the UFC in a memorable way.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Michael Page def. Kevin Holland via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Dustin Poirier (156) vs. Benoit St. Denis (155)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: St. Denis (-205), Poirier (+170)

Round 1

The co-main event is a five-rounder because reasons, and it comes between former interim beltholder Poirier (29-8, 1 NC; 21-7, 1 NC UFC) and the ultra-violent St. Denis (13-1, 1 NC; 5-1 UFC). While it has been scheduled for 25 minutes, referee Mike Beltran is ready in the likely event it does not need that long to conclude. While Poirier has beaten a litany of top-tier names, his French counterpart is shooting up the charts with finish after dramatic finish. The excitement begins with a touch of gloves, and St. Denis moves right to the middle of the cage to release two quick low kicks. Poirier responds with one that is much heavier, and St. Denis punches his way into a takedown attempt. Poirier jumps guard with a guillotine choke, and St. Denis wrenches his neck out and slides around to turn the corner and cover Poirier on the side. St. Denis knees Poirier on the side of the thigh as he clings to him, with Poirier leaning on the cage wall. Poirier tells Beltran that his foe is grabbing his gloves, and Beltran mentions that St. Denis shouldn’t. Poirier again says his gloves are being grabbed, and St. Denis jumps onto his back to take it and fish for something. Poirier slides him off the back, and he eats two punches and snatches up a guillotine choke when St. Denis attacks for a takedown. St. Denis breaks off and gets out of it again, and he starts throwing hands and elbows. Poirier takes punishment as he presses forward, and he hunts for a single and then chains it to a double that he uses to sit St. Denis on the ground. St. Denis successfully sweeps him with a kimura, and he stands back up and elbows Poirier several times. Poirier clips him with a right hand, and he backs off and takes a few punches on the chin and smiles. St. Denis presses ahead and goes for a single, and Poirier attacks a guillotine from a different angle. St. Denis breaks out of it and sets Poirier down, and Poirier turns to his side to get up. The Frenchman takes Poirier’s back and fastens the body triangle around the waist, and Poirier hand-fights to stop a choke setup from going anywhere. Poirier sits up even while in the body triangle, and he fights off chokes forming around from either side. Poirier waves his finger and punches St. Denis behind his own head. Poirier turns around into the guard, and St. Denis snatches up an armbar. Poirier wags his finger, and time expires before it is tight.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 St. Denis
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 St. Denis
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 St. Denis

Round 2

Poirier jogs out of his corner, seemingly fresh, and St. Denis swipes at him with body kicks and punches. Poirier drills him with a right hand and jumps guard for a guillotine choke. St. Denis fights it off and moves to full mount as he looks for an arm-triangle choke. Poirier turns over, and he gets flattened out as St. Denis looks for a rear-naked choke. Poirier sits up and puts his back to the wall, and St. Denis goes for a brute force face crank submission. Poirier turns him around and gets back to his feet, and he eats an elbow. St. Denis pursues a single, and when that fails, he connects with an elbow and a knee. Poirier counters with a few punches, and he hunts for another guillotine but lets it go so he can get away. St. Denis reaches out with a left hand, and he gets staggered by a pair of punches and an uppercut. Poirier lines up a short right and a massive left hand, and he fastens a guillotine choke and lets it go again. St. Denis takes a breath, and he loads up for bear with everything he has left. Poirier unleashes a massive right hand from the depths of the underworld, and he knocks the Frenchman clean off his feet. St. Denis hits his back, barely conscious, and Poirier finishes the job with one devastating right hand that would make Dan Henderson proud. The crowd explodes in support of the victorious Louisianan, who walks away knowing his work here is done. What a win for Poirier, survives some tough sledding to ice an incredibly tough foe that had never been finished as a professional. It’s all gas, no brakes for the 35-year-old, who reminds everyone watching that he’s not done yet.

The Official Result

Dustin Poirier def. Benoit St. Denis R2 2:32 via KO (Punches)

UFC Bantamweight Title Fight:
Sean O'Malley (135) vs. Marlon Vera (135)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: O’Malley (-258), Vera (+210)

Round 1

We have made it to the main event after 13 long fights, and it is for all of the marbles at 135 pounds. Keith Peterson keeps a watchful eye to make sure there is no nonsense to come from the rematch between champ O’Malley (17-1, 1 NC; 9-1, 1 NC UFC) and the only man to beat him in Vera (23-8-1, 15-7 UFC). A lot has changed since their first meeting in August 2020, when Vera chopped “Suga” down with leg kicks and put him away with ground-and-pound. Since then, Vera has remained a top contender while O’Malley has scaled the mountain and unseated champion Aljamain Sterling. If you bet that these two would not touch gloves before facing one another, cash your ticket now. O’Malley moves right to the center of the Octagon, and Vera pushes off with a front kick. O’Malley responds with a leg kick, and Vera walks him down and comes up short with another front kick aimed higher. O’Malley paws at him with kick, and the two keep a distance from one another. O’Malley delivers a spin kick to the side, and he settles and aims a body kick to the same spot. O’Malley chops at his foe’s lead leg, and Vera swats at him and does not have his range. Vera tries and fails to push out another push kick, and O’Malley smacks him with a right hand. Vera misses with another front kick, and his combination that follows bounces off the guard. O’Malley lands a hard leg kick, and he darts in with a left hand and springs away to avoid the counter. O’Malley aims a straight right to the body, and he is away from anything Vera can throw at him. O’Malley doubles up on a sharp jab, and his front kick reaches his opponent. O’Malley snaps the head back with a jab, and he chains a few punches and a kick into it. Vera lands once in response, and he is once more popped with a right hand on the chops. O’Malley digs the toes to Vera’s stomach, and he leans back to avoid a high kick and attacks the body when settling down. O’Malley whiffs on a huge right hand that blows the hair back, and he is light on his feet switching stances bouncing around. Vera stomps at the lead leg, and he eats a pair of right hands to the midsection. Vera flails with punches that miss, and O’Malley has the range he wants and kicks Vera in the ribs. O’Malley again digs a right to the body, and he misses the mark with a haymaker to end the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 O’Malley
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 O’Malley
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 O’Malley

Round 2

Vera races out of his corner, ready to engage, and he just slides out of the way of a spinning hook kick that grazes his beard. Vera lands a solid leg kick, steps in with a knee and reaches out with a right hand. O’Malley replies with a front kick and one to the lead leg, and Vera blocks the punches up top. Vera connects with a stern low kick, and he jabs a few times but is out of range. O’Malley swaps stances a few times, jabs down the middle and keeps his guard up to block a head kick. O’Malley then fires off his own high kick, and he jams his fists into Vera’s abdomen. O’Malley jabs up Vera’s nose, reddening it, and Vera whips a kick low on either side. Vera kicks the body, and O’Malley catches it and moves out of the way. Vera tries to rush forward, and O’Malley beats him to the punch with a straight right hand. O’Malley then dings Vera with a big left hand, and Vera cannot reach him with a counter because of O’Malley’s speed. Vera pushes off with a front kick, and O’Malley does the same. Vera leaps forward with a few punches, and they all miss, while O’Malley comes back him with short bursts of punches that largely land flush. Vera has a high front kick miss by a small margin, and he reaches the champ with a left hand after having a leg kick checked. Vera walks through a low kick to swing hard over the top, and O’Malley times him with a right hand and a knee up the middle. Vera is frozen from the knee, and O’Malley lands a second one that split open a cut on Vera’s cheek. O’Malley does not recklessly chase, as Vera appears to have his legs beneath him, but Vera backs off to the fence. O’Malley snipes him from afar, and Vera bounces off the cage wall, taking punishment without scoring back. O’Malley lets his hands go, not worrying if he pops the guard. Vera winds up with a left and a massive right, and O’Malley takes it like a champ and fires back with a head kick. O’Malley rings Vera’s bell with a right hand, and he drops Vera to a knee with another hard right. Vera springs up, and the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 O’Malley
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 O’Malley
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 O’Malley

Round 3

O’Malley is ready to get rolling to start off the third round, with long jabs and follow-up punches. Vera kicks low, then aims high and chases after him with a swarm of punches. O’Malley shakes him up with a left hook, and he aims a shot right after it to the body. Vera shrugs off straight punches down the middle as he throws a stomp kick to the lead leg, and he tries to reach the champ but is too far away. O’Malley chains a few punches into a body kick, and he leans back to block a hook kick. Vera takes a left hand and parries a front kick so he can run at O’Malley. O’Malley tosses the strikes aside and jams his fist in Vera’s face. O’Malley switches stances, jabs, changes again and scores the left to completely fluster the challenger. Vera sits down on a body kick, and the left hands of O’Malley have drawn blood from Vera’s nose. Vera blitzes to no effect, and O’Malley is still faster with higher volume. O’Malley drives two punches to the body, and he blocks a body kick and pushes Vera back with a pair of long left hands. O’Malley connects with a left to the head and right to the body, and he ducks out of the way of a leaping right hand from “Chito.” O’Malley forces Vera to retreat with a left hand, and he absorbs a front kick to the body because it is a one-and-done shots while he measures a few more. O’Malley gets off a left to the body and comes up top with a right to the head, and Vera’s response is not there. Vera swings wildly, and O’Malley slips and rips a left to the liver. O’Malley jumps in with a knee in the midst of a punch combination, and he is backed off by “Chito” who swarms him with power punches. Vera lands a right hand and a head kick, bloodying the champ’s nose. Vera falls over after landing the kick, and O’Malley pounces on top and rides out the round on top.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 O’Malley
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 O’Malley
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 O’Malley

Round 4

Reaching the championship rounds, the two meet in the middle and trade. Vera lands his own punches, and he jumps at the champ and pops him with a knee. O’Malley backs off to measure distant strikes to the body, and a kick to the ribs punctuates a combo. O’Malley chains punches to the body into head shots, and Vera is impossibly tough as he just kicks right back at him without flinching. Vera fakes a lunge, and he gets jabbed in the face before snapping the head back with an uppercut. Vera races forward throwing bombs, and he catches O’Malley with a jump knee. O’Malley backs him away with sharp punch combinations, and Vera does not care as he again charges in to attack. Vera sticks out a heavy jab, and O’Malley doubles up on his own and sticks a right hand down the middle. Vera continues to give chase, and he lands and gets his legs kicked out beneath him. Vera looks shocked, and he jumps back up to keep trading. O’Malley welcomes him back to the feet and lands combinations, with his punches as accurate as ever. Vera connects on the nose and chin, opening O’Malley’s mouth as blood pours from the nostrils. Vera shakes off punches to the head and body, and he prods out a front kick. O’Malley triples up on a jab and takes a low kick, and chants for “Chito” energize the Ecuadorian enough to land a left hand. O’Malley jabs him back with fists and feet, and Vera surges into action with a combination that drives the champion back. O’Malley measures and fires several straight punches on Vera’s bloody face, and he cannot miss as he rams a right hand into Vera’s chin. Vera kicks the body, and he then lands a low kick, but O’Malley picks him apart with jabs and straight shots. O’Malley jabs away, and Vera races at him and clips him with a left hook. O’Malley answers back with jabs, and Vera scores a low kick and flies past his target with a jump knee at the end of the round, one much closer than the others.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 O’Malley
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 O’Malley
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 O’Malley

Round 5

The fighters trade jabs to lead off the final round, with Vera needing a stoppage in order to win the title. He opens up with multiple low kicks, and O’Malley smashes him in the face with a straight right hand that hurts him. The challenger ducks a spinning wheel kick, and he backs himself up to the wall. O’Malley lands to the cheek, and Vera is compromised as O’Malley points up in the air. Vera squints out of his eye, struggling to see, and O’Malley takes advantage of this and jumps at him with a knee. Vera takes a clean head kick, possibly with his orbital damaged, and he closes his left eye several times. O’Malley jabs his way in, aiming punches to the swelling eye of his opponent, and he lets go with a big right hand. O’Malley chains three punches together and hops back to avoid the counter, and Vera goes after him with a body kick. O’Malley drives two punches home and then aims three to the body, with “Suga” mixing up punches without fear of reprisal. Vera chops at the lead leg, and he surprises the champ with a left hook. O’Malley lands a leg kick, and “Chito” spins with a back kick that lands on the body. Vera continues to wince out of his left eye, and he kicks with to the body and swings a right hand over the top. Vera jabs twice and takes a body shot, and he gets driven back by the straight punches of his opponent. Vera lands a body kick and spins with a kick to the side, and O’Malley pays it no mind as he strings punches together up high and low. O’Malley looses a head kick, and Vera defends it and leaps forward with a left hand. Vera slaps a front kick off the chin, and he chases after the champ with big punches and a knee. O’Malley backs himself up to the wall and rings Vera’s bell with several punches. Vera throws back to the liver, and O’Malley tees off on him. Vera kicks the lead leg and swings with bad intentions, and O’Malley throws right back at him. The two go right down to the bitter end, with Vera driving a left hook to the body as O’Malley winces right at the bell. The fight comes to a close, and O’Malley collapses to his seat, totally spent after 25 minutes of furious action. When he gets his victorious post-fight interview, O’Malley gives props to the incredibly tough Vera and is happy about avenging a past loss, and he has his sights set up a division against featherweight champ Ilia Topuria. Top bantamweight challenger Merab Dvalishvili might disagree, especially as O’Malley has registered exactly one title defense. If the UFC decides to oblige “Suga” with a chance at two-division gold, or if they make him face “The Machine,” we will be here for it. We hope you are too.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 O’Malley (50-45 O’Malley)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 O’Malley (50-45 O’Malley)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 O’Malley (50-45 O’Malley)

The Official Result

Sean O’Malley def. Marlon Vera via Unanimous Decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-44)